Forest Park Review 070523

Starting school right is top priority for new D209 board president

Grant says scheduling and transportation at forefront of concerns

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

The start of the 2023-24 school year is not far away and with that in mind, Amanda Grant, president of the board of education for Proviso High School Township District 209 is hoping this year can start of f on a better foot than those prior.

“The priorities for the upcoming school year are really just making sure it runs as smoothly as possible,” Grant said. “We want to make sure we are giving our students and staf f the resources they need for success.”

Grant, who became board president this year, is

Mulch: A Strong Drought Fighter

Even with the recent surge of rainfall, this year has seen a relative drought throughout the region. As a result, it is imperative to limit its negative effects through proper horticultural practices.

Of course, supplemental watering is integral to ensuring your landscape stays healthy. Another key component: mulch, which plays a vital role in helping your landscape thrive. What benefits does mulch provide to limit drought stress?

� It acts as an insulating layer that will keep your soils cooler. Cooler soils = happier roots and plants.

� It reduces the evaporation of moisture from the soil, thereby helping reduce your watering needs as you retain moisture.

�It helps reduce weed growth. Weeds will compete for moisture and nutrients, so anything that limits their presence is positive for the landscape.

� Mulch being a natural product helps improve the soils. As mulch breaks down, it can assist in improving soil structure and supplying essential nutrients for plant uptake.

We offer a variety of natural, shredded hardwood mulch products that not only beautify your property but protect the investment in your home’s landscape.

Sunday ooding brings Ike to a halt

Public Works, ID OT worked to keep streets passable

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

While Sunday’s flooding wasn’t bad enough to cause the Des Plaines River to overflow, Forest Park still saw many flooded basements, and the Eisenhower Expressway was flooded between Desplaines and Circle avenues for much of July June 2.

Flooding has been an ongoing issue in Forest Park, as it has for other communities near the river. Mayor Rory Hoskins told the Review that, even with that in mind, the June 2 flooding was “record-breaking.” Still, some of its impact was blunted by the se

According to Sal Stella, public works director, Forest Park received around six inches of rainfall within 12 hours – which, he noted, still left the village better off than Cicero, which received as much as nine inches of rain, and Oak Park and Berwyn.

“After seeing videos of Cicero, where their streets looked like a river, we were not so bad,” he said. “All our streets were passable.”

Hoskins said that by Sunday morning it was apparent that the section of the expressway that went through Forest Park was flooded “in both directions.” Stella said that the flooding “left motorists stranded for hours.”

CTA suspended service on the section of the Blue Line between the Harlem station and the Forest Park terminal. Service was restored by late evening, and there were no issues with service by Monday mor ning.

“There was some standing water at some catch basins throughout town,” Stella said.

any exact numbers. Hoskins and Commissioner of Streets & Public Improvements

Michelle Melin-Rogovin confirmed to the Review that the statistics included their own basements.

Stella said part of the issue was that the water was coming into Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Great Chicago facilities from all over the region, which left it saturated

“As soon as the system from MWRD to the communities caught up, the water receded quickly and people’s basements saw relief,” he said.

To reduce flooding in the long run, Forest Park has been separating the sewer and stormwater pipes one block at a time, but progress has been slow and largely contingent on availability of federal and/or state funding. Hoskins said some of the worst flooding took place in the areas that were on

Todd Bannor

An Illinois Department of Transpor tation tr uck with a plow attachment attempts to remove water ooding I-290 at the CTA Blue Line under pass in Forest Park on Sund ay, July 2.

Scott McAdam Jr.

Anthony’s odyssey to nd home

Not there yet but he can visualize it in the distance

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Four years ago, Anthony was panhandling on Harlem Avenue. Today, with the help of Housing Forward and what he calls his “angels,” he thinks he can see the goal he’s been working for in the distance.

After three years of living on the street, Anthony related, “I had fallen down a hole so deep that I didn’t think I could start over again.”

“But then,” he added, “I got a second chance.”

What happened was that he met two of those angels who began their ongoing relationship by giving him a bottle of water they had purchased at Thorntons gas station. They helped him and his fiancé get into the Housing Forward emergency shelter The nonprofit set him up with a caseworker who did an assessment of their situation and resources and eventually was able to move the couple into a walk-up apartment in Northlake.

He thought he was finally on the high road

to getting on his feet until a police officer pulled him over and said the borrowed car he was driving had a non-functioning tail light. The officer ran his license number and discovered there was a warrant out for his arrest, so instead of continuing on to Walgreens to pick up some medications, he was taken directly to Cook County Jail for three days and then transferred to Lake County Jail.

After surviving those hell-holes, he was transferred to Waukegan and spent a few days there before another angel bailed him out.

Anthony has insisted all along that he is innocent of the burglary charge Lake County brought against him, but his public defender advised him to take a plea bargain, pleading guilty and being put on probation instead of facing the possibility of going to jail

Anthony put it this way: “I had certain cards in my hand, and the prosecuting attorney had cards in his hand. I didn’t know what he had, so going to trial would have been a gamble. If I win I go free, but if I lose, I go to jail for between four and 14 years.”

Anthony took the plea bargain and up until April 25 was on parole with a long list of mandated responsibilities, all of which he has had to pay for, at least in part.

He has been mandated by the state to do

random drug tests, report to the court in Waukegan at times, make regular visits to his parole officer, go to a clinic once a week for mental-health counseling and take prescribed medications, and he’s been required to pay at least a portion of the costs of the mandated obligations.

Housing Forward helped him by paying his rent, getting him and his fiancé Link Cards for food, finding a clinic for them nearby, and giving them job leads. What they could not do is cover any of his court costs because they did not have the funding for that.

So when Anthony appeared in court on April 25 and heard that because he had done well on probation, he would be put on supervision with no more required actions and therefore no more charges, a great burden lifted. “I felt like celebrating,” he said, “except that I had no money to celebrate with.”

The problem is that even though the end of his odyssey is in sight, he’s not there yet because of problems created by being homeless and having to deal with the Lake County court system.

Physically, he contracted Hepatitis C while homeless and has lost several teeth due to neglect. Emotionally, he has been diagnosed

with, among other things, severe depression and a kind of PTSD. Living on the street, he said, is truly like being on a battlefield every day you’re out there, not to mention his three days in the Cook County Jail

He also has to make financial restitution for filings and charges that remain unpaid.

Though challenges remain, if he stays out of trouble and continues with his behavioral health counseling, all charges and details of his parole will be removed from his record in October of 2024. Only the police will ever know what has happened

“Now that I’ve gotten past April 25 I feel like I can move on with my life,” he said adding, “a little bit.”

Council approves vehicle charging station in Constitution Cour t

Charger, with two plugs, will be leased for ve years

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Forest Park Village Council voted unanimously during the June 26 meeting to approve contracts necessary to install a new, two-plug electric vehicle charging station between two parking spaces near the southeast cor ner of Constitution Court.

The council approved a five-year contract to lease the charging station from Campbell, California-based ChargePoint for $2,400 a year, which Village Administrator Moses Amidei recommended to give Forest Park

flexibility as the technology changes. Commissioners also agreed to pay La Grangebased Lyons & Pinner Electric Companies $7,700 to install the charging station and the necessary infrastructure to connect it to the nearby utility box, and pay Cicero-based Robert R. Andreas & Sons Inc. $4,965 to replace the sidewalk pavers that will have to be removed in the process. Forest Park is using the $7,500 grant from the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and ComEd and using $17,165 from the American Rescue Plan Act federal stimulus funding to cover the rest.

EV charger company 350 Green LLC installed a charging station at the south end of Constitution Court’s parking meter median back in the early 2010s. But the company has since gone out of business, and by the time the village took out the charger early this spring, it hadn’t been functional for years.

The village originally planned to simply

put a new charging station on the same spot, and use a combination of several different grants to cover most of the costs. But while it secured the ComEd funding in April 2022, it hasn’t been able to secure the Invest in Cook County Grant, and Forest Park was above the income limits for other grants

This led Amidei to propose scaling back the plans and moving the charger closer to the existing utility box at the southeast corner of Constitution Court. Leasing the charging station instead of buying it further lowered the cost. After the council approved the changes in late February, Amidei went out to find contractors.

He previously told the council that, while Forest Park would pay the electric bill up front, drivers will need to pay to use the charger.

In a written comment emailed to the village, resident Chris McCoy wrote that he

owned an electric car for two years and that “knowing where there are chargers available for public use heavily influences where I shop and dine.”

“Being able to charge while running errands, having dinner, buying the new pair of shoes is a win-win,” he wrote. “Adding this amenity to the Forest Park downtown area would make a fun destination even more enticing for EV drivers whose numbers are growing by decent amounts.”

Commissioner Jessica Voogd, who previously expressed support for putting in the new charger, echoed McCoy’s comments, while also mentioning that she believes installing the original EV charger “really put us on the map with the surrounding communities.”

“It’s kind of win-win,” she said. “When people are charging, they will inevitably be visiting our shops and restaurants.”

Kim (le ) and Anthony.

BIG WEEK

Stoop Session: Marie Alexandre

Tuesday, July 11, 7-8 p.m., Alexandre is a jazz vocalist who has been honing her craft for a good 20 years now. This outdoor show takes place on a literal front porch and is a good location to experience her sound intimately. Feel free to bring chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, there will be a show the following Thursday. Sponsored by the Mark Hanson State Farm Agenc y. For more information, visit www. forestparkarts.org. 1041 Thomas Ave., Forest Park.

The Moes

Sunday, July 9, 6 p.m., Scoville Park

The Moes are a classic rock band that plays familiar hits from the 1980s onward. 800 Lake St., Oak Park.

Scopes In The Ci

Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Park District of Forest Park

Out of This World Balloon Show with Smar ty Pants

Sunday, July 9, 2-3 p.m., Forest Park Public Library

Smar ty Pants has unveiled his balloon creations on WGN-TV and other places.

Here’s a chance to see him live.

7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Listing your event in the calendar

week before your news needs to be in the newspaper

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

The sta of the Adler Planetarium will lead free telescope observing programs and hands-on astronomy activities.

7501 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Author Discussion & Signing With Local Author Steven Decker

Sunday, July 9, 2-4 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths Decker will be on hand to discuss his current book Cambridge Street, a ctional account of an immigrant family in 1920s Chicago. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

Cosmic Fa shion Show

Friday, July 7, 4-5 p.m., Forest Park Public Library

Kids, ages 8 to 10, can create their own fashions, including a space-themed headband and light-up accessories. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Thatcher Woods su ers 5 small wild res in two weeks

Dry conditions feed the ames

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

River Forest firefighters were dispatched five times in two weeks to put out small wildfires in Thatcher Woods. The fires, the latest of which happened June 5, are believed to have been caused by discarded, not fully extinguished cigars or cigarettes. The drought conditions led to flames

“People walk into the woods, accidentally thinking they stamped out a cigarette or whatever, but they didn’t and then the breeze

that we were getting was carrying the embers around,” said River Forest Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner. “And everything was so brutally dry that it would start these small little spot fires throughout Thatcher Woods.”

Spot fires, as Gaertner explained, are small wildfire blazes ignited by windborne embers dropped on dry brush and leaves. No living trees were set aflame, just parched vegetation.

“Small dead branches and leaves and the grass were all so dry that the slightest little ember would get them burning and smoldering in a lot of places,” the chief said.

These firebrands can be carried by the wind miles away from their original source and the unpredictability of wind patterns

makes spotting difficult for wildfire management.

The Thatcher Woods wildfires, which have all been snuffed, are not nearly on the same scale as those currently blazing across Canada, the smoke from which engulfed the Chicago area this week in a hazy smog of smoky air, unhealthy for breathing

Gaertner does not believe the local miniinfernos contributed to the poor air quality, nor did they cause any injuries or property damage, but uncontrolled fire is still dangerous. This should be kept in mind when enjoying the woods, according to the chief.

It is also illegal to start any kind of fire in Thatcher Woods.

“People need to be more vigilant and

aware,” he said.

Two of the fires only took a half-hour to extinguish, but three of them took two hours. All five fires required the entire force of the River Forest Fire Department and, in one case, the assistance of the Forest Park Fire Department.

While Thatcher Woods is a part of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and not technically a part of River Forest, the Forest Preserve District relies on local fire departments as it does not have one of its own. The preserves do have two brush trucks, used to put out grass fires, but they were unavailable at the time of the Thatcher Woods fires. Those trucks can be anywhere in Cook County at any given moment.

Legion, commissioner raise funds for second village hall agpole

Melin-Rogovin launches GoFundMe campaign

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

After the village council deadlocked on whether to install a second flagpole in front of village hall, Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin took matters into her own hands.

During the June 12 village council meeting, commissioners Maria Maxham and Ryan Nero balked at spending $3,000 to install the pole, which has already been purchased and is currently stored at the Department of Public Works building, arguing that, at least in the near future, that money should be spent on other, more pressing priorities. With Commissioner Jessica Voogd absent and Melin-Rogovin and Mayor Rory Hoskins present, the vote was 2-2.

Melin-Rogovin told the Review that, since that meeting, she talked to Forest Parkers about the issue and got suggestions to raise the $3,000 through a GoFundMe online fundraising campaign platform. Since she launched the campaign on June 16, it has raised $1,490 (as of July 1). She said that Forest Park American Legion Post 414 pledged another $500, and she and Nero are working with the post to hold a fundraiser to get even more funding.

Hoskins proposed adding a flagpole be-

cause he wanted to regularly display more gover nment flags than there’s currently room for, while also having more room for “commemorative flags” such as the Juneteenth flag and the Pride flag. He said he was concerned that, if too many flags are up on the one flag pole, lowering them half-mast would put the lower flags too close to the ground

Under the flag display policy the village council unanimously adopted on June 12, the village can display the U.S. flag, state flag, county flag, village flag and the POWMIA flag by right. Anything else must be approved by the village council and may only be displayed for up to five calendar days.

Melin-Rogovin told the Review she shared Hoskins’ concerns. She also noted that the Illinois Flag Code requires that, when a Forest Parker servicing in any branch of the armed forces is killed in action, the village must display the flag of whatever branch they served at half-staff. While the provision hasn’t been strictly enforced, and she doesn’t believe the village has the relevant flags on hand, it was all the more reason to get a second flagpole

“After [the June 12 meeting] I had infor mal conversations with residents who casually mentioned that they would contribute to the cost,” she said. “And if that was the case, I should start a GoFundMe and that’s what I did, because if the residents felt the same way I did, that we had a flagpole that was purchased with public funds that was going to be otherwise unused, and we had a com-

pelling case to use it, [we should do it].”

According to the fundraiser page, MelinRogovin herself donated $1,000 while most of the other donations were much smaller. Some notable donors included businessman Marty Sorice, School District 91 Board of Education members Kyra Tyler and Shannon Wood, for mer D91 board member Rafael Rosa, for mer Recreation Board member Jordan Kuehn, and Michelle Woehrle, one of the leaders of the now-disbanded Proviso Together activist group

Melin-Rogovin said that Nero got involved in the fundraiser after they both reached out to the American Legion and “Commissioner Nero has a very deep relationship with the American Legion.”

She added, “I really appreciate that we’re working on this because I think it benefits

Forest Park to have us working together, and this is something that really honors the entire community.”

Melin-Rogovin said that Hoskins is “very supportive” of the fundraiser. And while she isn’t sure the American Legion fundraiser would bring in enough funding to cover the rest of the cost, she said she intends to see it through.

“We need to have enough room to properly honor and respect [our service members and veterans] and display flags in our village hall and throughout our community,” she said. “We need to do it right, and I think it’s a good idea. We started the process, and we need to finish it.”

To contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/village-offorest-park-needs-two-flagpoles

D91 sets the stage with new summer class

Pilot summer theater program was two years in the creating

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Want to help children develop confidence and learn how to work as part of a team? The answer might lie in theater education, which School District 91 brought to their Summer

at Grant-White Intermediate Elementary School, 147 Circle Ave.

“I looked around and saw that the community needed a professional theater, and I immediately thought that one of the aspects of what we needed to do was to have an educational component,” Corley said. “We planned very careful and decided that this summer school would be a new venture for D91 and Grant White, and we decided to do a pilot program for teaching artists in the schools.”

Corley, who also works as a theater professor at the University of Illinois Chicago,

excited to collaborate and partner with community organizations to explore and develop new interest and skills in our school.”

Uhlmann said the interactions have been very positive and they hope to continue the partnership in the future.

For Corley, theater education brings students an opportunity to not only gain confidence but also develop critical skills that will benefit them in their future.

“What do in the theater is liter

Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Book Fair

According to Uceta-Ramos, martial arts and during the 2022-23 school e t nterest already from summer school and beyond,”

PROVIDED

Noella Bar isol, theater student from UIC, has been working with students at Grant-White this

DISTRIC T 209

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working alongside the rest of the board, including three new members: David Ocampo, Sandra Hixson and Jennifer Barbahen, better known as the HBO slate who managed a clean sweep during the April 4 election. They are working to pinpoint the areas that need immediate attention and start addressing them.

“We are not looking to do anything huge,” Grant said. “But we are looking into doing the things we must do and do them well.”

“This year, these 11 months or however long I have left in this particular role, I am focused on repairing,” Grant said. “Repairing our relationships, re pairing systems that we know worked. I am focused on rebuilding. That is what I am trying to do. I am not looking to do ginormous changes this year because I feel like, in so many ways, we are bleeding and I want to stop the bleeding.”

Grant talked about the separate roles of the school board and the district superintendent, James L. Henderson. “We can only say what to do, it is up to the superintendent and the staf f to make it happen,” Grant said.

Supt. James L. Henderson did not respond to requests for comments.

A big topic of discussion at the moment is scheduling, Grant said.

With her own child attending Proviso West High School, 4701 Harrison St., Hillside., last year as a freshman, she experienced scheduling issues firsthand. And while her son’s issue was resolved, Grant wondered if it was an easy fix or if it was due to her position on the school board.

“That is something to always struggle with,” Grant said. “I don’t want my kids to have special treatment and in a situation like that … I know some students had a lot of difficulties.”

It was four weeks after school started during “Take Your Parent to School” day that Grant once again saw how badly scheduling had fallen through the cracks, with some students being assigned to a room, not a class, with no instructors or supervision and left to fend for themselves.

“How does that happen?” asked Grant. “That was a very contentious point last year.”

While Grant reco gnizes the role of a

master scheduler, who is responsible for creating students schedules and navig ating all state and district requirements, is incredibly difficult, she said it is important to have people who are highly skilled and properly trained to ensure schedules are done cor rectly. Grant said she is aware that training is underway or will begin soon for staf f to ensure they know how to properly run programs and help parents through the re gistration process

The board is also hoping to see what a fully staffed plan for each building looks like, including its impact on the budget.

“There are lots of things that I would like to fix but it is like an emergency room, ‘what is the biggest emergency?’” Grant said. “We want to make sure we have a fully staffed building, that we have the teachers we need.”

Grant said the board is currently waiting for information re garding current staffing numbers and how close they are to that goal of being fully staffed.

During the June 13 school board meeting, security staf f along with staf f from nutrition services spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting and expressed concerns about understaffing.

While the district does not outsource its security to a third-par ty company, Grant stressed the importance of having a fully trained and trusted security staf f to not only ensure students physical safety but she also views them as an additional connection with students, building familiar relationships with them and playing a larger role than just stopping fights.

“I always feel so grateful about how much they care for the kids. They are a link,” Grant said. “It’s not security because people are doing something bad. It’s security to make sure things go well. This is another layer of support for kids.”

Grant said they also hope to look at staffing for special education classrooms as well as English Language Learner classrooms, services the district is required to provide.

Last year, Proviso families experienced transportation issues beyond the national bus driver shor tage being experienced across the country. Previous re ports by Forest Park Review said students, parents, and teachers attended a nearly four-hour long board meeting on Sept. 13, 2022, to express their frustrations and demand answers.

According to Grant, the district received second priority from the First Student school bus company, having their students picked up after the first routes for other districts were completed, due to Henderson taking too long to sign the contract, which

was signed the day before school began.

Previous re ports said that students were arriving late, missing their first period class, and having to sit on the floor of buses that were at full capacity

“We cannot continue on like that, we really just can’t,” Grant said. “We either provide transportation and we do it correctly or we can’t do it.

With school starting after Labor Day, Grant said they hope to find a solution as soon as possible and said they are currently looking into it but that she could not comment any further at this time.

While the board looks ahead into plan-

ning for 2023-24, Grant said changes implemented during their board meetings, especially those opening up the lines of communication, including the reestablishment of committees and moving public comment earlier part during board meetings, have already given way to positive changes and begun re pairing trust between the district and the Proviso community.

The next board meeting of the Proviso Township High School Board of Education will be held on July 11 at 7 p.m. at Proviso Math and Science Academy, 8601 Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park.

Meat wholesaler makes case for county tax incentive

Vote later this year on resolution supporting Purely Meat application

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Purely Meat, a meat wholesaler and butcher shop that has been based in Chicago for over 80 years, officially asked the village to support its application for Class 6(b) Cook County property tax incentive classification as it looks to move its food processing and warehouse operations to Forest Park, at 7500 Industrial Drive.

The company acquired the warehouse in February 2022 and applied for the incentive later that year. But the village subsequently discovered that meat processing wasn’t allowed in the village’s industrial zoning districts. The village council changed the zoning code to make it a permitted use during its Feb. 27 meeting, allowing Purely Meat to resume the process.

Owner Maribel Moreno-Musillami and company attorney Chris Kentra made their case during the June 26 village council meet-

ing. They said the company would create jobs, but it needs a tax break to offset the costs of buying and renovating the building. While the council didn’t take any action during that meeting, officials generally expressed support for the company’s plan.

In Cook County, the property tax rates are based on what type of property it is. Class 6(b) classification is one of several classifications designed to incentivize development by temporarily reducing the tax rate. In this case, the county encourages building new industrial facilities and renovating the existing industrial facilities by lowering the tax rate from 25% of market value to 10% for 10 years. The assessment then increases by 5% a year over the next three years until it returns to 25%.

While it is up to the Cook County Assessor’s Office to decide whether to grant it, applicants must get support from the local municipality first.

The previous building owner, Bolingbrook-

based 2XL Corporation, a maker of disinfectant products, acquired the property in May 2019, intending to use it as their new manufacturing facility. It applied for a Class 6(b) designation to of fset the costs of the building renovations, and the village council voted to support it in April 2020. But the County Assessor never acted on the application, and the company never finished the renovations “because of COVID-related financial issues and delays and other challenges” and sold the building to Purely Meat.

The company is currently based in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood, 4345 W. Division St. It sells meat products to restaurants and grocery stores, and during the pandemic it expanded to selling products to individual customers online. Moreno-Musillami told the council that, while they struggled at the height of the COVID-19 mitigation restrictions, they have since bounced back, generating $62 million in sales.

“Because of that, we need a bigger facility,

and we’re very happy to move out here in Forest Park, and 6(b) will help us a lot,” she said.

Moreno-Musillami said the new facility will create jobs. According to their application, Purely Meat employed “20-25” full-time employees and five part-time employees last year. The company is expected to create 5-8 additional full-time jobs and 3-5 additional part-time jobs

According to the original application in 2022, Purely Meat expected the renovations to cost around $1.97 million. Kentra described the current cost of repairs as “a couple of million dollars.” Given all the money they spent and plan to spend, he said, the tax break was necessary to make the numbers work.

“The amount of money they spent on the building and the current margins of the meat business, this is really a necessity,” Kentra said. “They can’t operate their business and complete their business plan to expand, and become a productive piece of Forest Park if we’re not able to obtain this designation.”

Thomas Krenek, 82 Antique store owner

Thomas Krenek, 82, of Berwyn, a longtime Forest Park antique store owner, died on June 23, 2023. Born on Aug. 24, 1940, he was an elementary school teacher at District 62 for more than 30 years. After retirement, he owned Krenek’s Antiques in Forest Park, where he dealt in many treasures and stories he brought home from his world travels.

Thomas was the father of Laura (William) Nutini, Andrew (Kirsten) Krenek, and Allyson (James) Vallely; the grandfather of Samantha and Cassandra Nutini, Hunter and Miranda Krenek, and Katherine Vallely; the brother of Kathleen (Paul) Vitaioli; and the uncle of Julie (Mark) Vague.

A memorial gathering will be held on Thursday, July 6, from 1 from 6 p.m., with a time of remembrance service at 5 p.m., at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Road (3 blocks south of Roosevelt Road) in Lombard. Interment will be private

Art and multiple points of view

I enjoyed your column, “The arts and/or crafts debate” in the June 21 edition of the Review [Jill Wagner, Opinion].

You ask two important questions: “Is there a difference between arts and crafts?” and “Is it possible to ‘blur’ the lines between different points of view, especially ethical points of view concerning right and wrong?”

If I may, I’d like to offer my perspective on the second question first. I believe — indeed know — that it is possible to ethically hold contrasting points of view; in fact, I work in an ar t form that exists fundamentally to demonstrate that it is possible, even essential, for human beings to do so: the theater. In the theater, playwrights create conflicting points of view (the greater the conflict, the stronger the drama) not in order to resolve which view is better, but to demonstrate that this is how humanity works: we are dialectical creatures, and we create ourselves by thinking through different sides of arguments. The poet Keats had this in mind when he wrote about how much he admired Shakespeare’s “Ne gative Capability,” that is, when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any ir ritable reaching after fact and reason.” The theater says to us that it is a diminishment of our humanity to think we know the

answer. That way lies madness. The truth lies in radical empathy; in suspension of one’s own beliefs in order to hold in one’s hands the beliefs of the other.

Re garding your question about crafts vs. art: it’s all a matter of vision. Craftwork is meaningful in and of itself, whether for therapeutic reasons or for simple enjoyment. It can also rise to the level of ar t if it results in the creation of an object whose vision speaks to the world at large, in a way that transcends the maker. The craft involved in quilt-making, for example, requires a great deal of time and ef fort to master; however, not all quilts are art. The African American quilt makers of Gee’s Bend, Alabama created some of the most extraordinary examples of modern art in American history: in design, imagination, experimentation, and overall vision, their collective work is held to be the equal of any modern artist and to speak to the fundamental strangeness and disquieting nature of 20th-century life. Something bigger is happening with them than mere craft.

Thank you for letting me share my thoughts.

Richard Corley Producing artistic director Forest Park Theatr

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus. 1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger Big Mickey! $3.69

RibFest Every Day!

Mickey’s is the place! Mickey’s Rib Special

1/2 Slab Dinner $14.49 Full Slab Dinner $21.79

includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread

525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily

Burglar breaks into kitchen, steals bananas

A burglar got into a kitchen on the 800 block of Circle Avenue on the night of June 21, but he didn’t take anything but bananas from a kitchen fruit basket.

According to the house security footage, the burglar sat on the porch for about three hours. He then went in through the unlocked side door, which led into the kitchen, triggering the burglar alarm. The victims locked themselves in a bedroom and waited for police to respond

The security camera showed the alleged perpetrator stood by the door “for a short period of time,” took bananas from the fruit basket and left through the same door. By the time the police arrived, he was gone The victims confirmed that nothing else was missing, They said they would press charges if the burglar is located.

Vehicle thefts

Fo tempts to steal cars on cessful theft disco

July Kia.

In all the attempted thefts, one of the car windows was broken and the steering wheel column was peeled, and nothing was taken from the cars. The break-ins included a blue 2020 Kia Sedan parked at a Desplaines Avenue address, a grey 2014 Hyundai Sonata, a grey 2020 Kia of unknown model, and a black 2016 Kia Soul, all parked at Roosevelt Road addresses.

The theft happened on the 500 block of Elgin Avenue. The victim, who was visiting from Georgia, parked her black 2016 Kia Soul in the building parking lot, and discovered that it was missing at 9 a.m., and saw shattered window glass in the parking space where she left it

Revenge vandalism

A man who got kicked out of the Forest Park CTA terminal for trying to jump the turnstiles came back long enough to throw a

the man came back, threw a brick through the glass window of the terminal’s south entrance and ran away, heading south on Desplaines Avenue

The police were unable to find anyone matching the man’s description in the area.

Hacked direct deposit account

A Park District of Oak Park employee who lives in Forest Park discovered that someone hacked her account on the online platform the park district uses to make a direct payroll deposit, stealing most of her paychecks

When the victim checked her bank account on June 24 at around 3 p.m., she discovered that only about 10% of her last two paychecks were deposited. She contacted the platform, which reported that someone transferred almost $800 to an account in Wilmington, Delaware, then transferred it to a personal Paypal account. The platform indicated that they re unsure when the hacking occu he victim info

ting her salary in physical situation is resolv

18

5.25%

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, June 20-26, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these with a crime.

This pole will rise

It is never a surprise when Forest Park finds a way. And so it is with the flagpole. Forest Park at some point purchased a second flagpole to install in front of village hall. But when the time came, during a June 12 village council meeting, to appropriate the $3,000 to install the pole, it ended in a 2-2 tie with one member absent.

The second pole is needed so that Forest Park can have an overflow for the many flags it chooses to fly. Right now the single pole can display the American flag, the state flag, the county flag, the village flag and the POW-MIA flag under village ordinance.

This time of year the village also chooses to fly a Juneteenth and a Pride flag.

So Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, with encouragement from residents, launched a GoFundMe to raise the $3,000. As of July 2, $1,500 had been raised. The local American Legion pledged $500. And there is a plan being made to host a fundraiser to raise the rest.

This tale of local generosity is the least surprising story this week.

‘We are bleeding’ at D209

It sounds simple. Open the Proviso Township High Schools after Labor Day and have the buses run on time, a security staff hired and trained, teachers in every classroom with textbooks, class schedules that make sense

But the dismal failings in opening school last year make these basic operational goals a stretch. We’re glad to hear Amanda Grant, the new president of the District 209 school board articulate clearly the board’s expectations that the school administration, headed by Supt. James Henderson, will accomplish these goals.

Parents and students, teachers and staff deserve a start to the school year that is not plagued by chaos, does not send the message that this Proviso community deserves less than competent leadership.

“We are not looking to do anything huge. But we are looking into doing the things we must do and do them well,” Grant told the Review’s Amaris Rodriguez. “I am not looking to do ginormous changes this year because I feel like, in so many ways, we are bleeding and I want to stop the bleeding.”

The right goal and an absolutely stunning statement from a school board president. Our views on Henderson are clear. He should be gone. Now.

Short of that — and we understand this new board majority exercising some patience, if only to make its case for dismissal for cause — making plain the fundamental expectations for a new school year is wise. Also making clear to Henderson that he actually works for this board and not the reverse is essential.

Two months to get things right. The board has set the goals The superintendent must perform.

OPINION

Freed to be more than we are alone

It seemed like half of Poplar Park had blankets spread out on the softball field yesterday enjoying the sandwiches and lemonade they brought in picnic baskets and exchanging greetings with residents they knew well but hadn’t seen in a while.

Some expressed a little sadness that the village and the park district had decided not to have fireworks this year, but they accepted the reasons Mayor Romano gave in an announcement printed in the Poplar Park Times.

The mayor said he and the fire chief were concer ned about the extremely dry conditions posing a fire hazard and, of course, tight finances at village hall, so an ad hoc committee composed of residents in the arts group, the VFW, members of the clergy, the middle school principal, and the assistant fire chief had planned a replacement event.

Debbie Anderson read a copy of the planned program in the Poplar Park Times last Wednesday

Song: “America the Beautiful,” led by the Methodist Church Choir and the Middle School Band

Posting of Colors: Officers from the Poplar Park Police Dept.

Pledge of Allegiance: Led by resident Ehud Ahmadi

Reading of the Declaration of Independence: Torrence Smith, Afghanistan veteran Song: “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” six Poplar Park members of the Sounds Good Choir

The American Dream: Testimony by Amna Ahmadi

Prayer: Fr. Bob Sullivan

National Anthem: Led by the Middle School Band Inspired, she stood up during the announcements at the end of the service Sunday and proposed that the members make a church outing out of the event and sit together. When Debbie added at the end of her pitch, “Dutch treat,” everyone laughed, and the idea immediately caught on. Two days later, 30 members of the Poplar Park Community Church found a spot where 20 blankets and 10 lawn chairs could be spread out.

Members teased Pastor Walt about the shorts he was wearing, frisbees flew, dogs barked, desserts were shared, everyone joined in singing the patriotic songs, and most placed their hands over their hearts while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

It started to look like a Nor man Rockwell painting except during the first song when Sarge appeared at the far right side of the makeshift stage holding up a big sign that read “Liberty for all” and the far left of the stage, where Sharissa Hawkins held up a similar sign with the words “Justice for all.”

While making a mental note of what was happening, Mitty realized he was shaking his head in a negative way while the crowd was saying, “one nation under God, indivisible …”

The program closed with the words, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave,” at which point Dominique leaned over to his pastor and asked, “What do you think Sarge meant by ‘liberty?’”

“Huh. Never thought about it. Complicated.”

Dominique nodded. “See, we know what Sharissa means by ‘justice.’ She was referring to Juneteenth, the Black Independence Day. What she means by justice is that almost a hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Black men were freed from the bondage of slavery. At least legally.”

“I guess,” Pastor Mitty began, “Sarge means freedom from liberal elites telling him how to live his life. Like he’s been railing against Affirmative Action for years, saying it’s discrimination against whites by bleeding heart liberals.”

Mitty considered what he had said and added, “I remember Sarge telling me that he understood the contention that Black people had to go 12 yards to get a first down while whites only had to go 10, but recently policies like affirmative action make it so Blacks only have to go 8.”

He said he was tired of liberals using slavery as an excuse for bad behavior.

“Maybe you are right, Pastor. “Like teenagers, they rebelled against wearing masks even though it was for the good of the whole community.”

Mitty pondered Dominique’s comments as he strolled over to the six women from the Sounds Good Choir. “I want to thank you,” he told them. “You sounded professional.”

The women replied that they were anything but professional. They explained that to get into Sounds Good you have to be over 55 years old, and that’s it. No auditions. No impressive resumes. You don’t even have to have talent!

“What happens,” one of them said, “is that the director takes all of us amateurs and creates a group that makes us sound better than any of us ever dreamed of.”

This morning, Mitty called Michael and told him all about the event. At the end of his report, he paused and added, “You know, my friend, I’m wondering if what the Sounds Good ladies said is a paradox.

“How so?”

“Well, like Independence Day is about freedom, right? But these women were saying that by submitting to the leadership of the director whom they trusted, they were in a way freed to be more than they could be alone.”

Sta Reporter Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a

Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice

Big Week Editor James Porter

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Sales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Cycling to honor fallen o cers, like Nick Kozak

The 19th Annual Cycle Across Illinois is an event to raise money for families of police officers who have fallen in the line of duty. A group of 100 bicyclists is riding from Springfield to Chicago, stopping at police stations and village halls to honor the fallen.

Among the 18 officers being honored this year is Forest Park Police Officer Nick Kozak, 50, who died on Nov. 27, 2021, after contracting COVID-19 while on duty. The group is arriving at the Forest Park Police Department on Sunday, July 16, at 11 a.m. to honor Nick. All are invited to attend the ceremony.

Nick served in the Forest Park Police Department for 19 years. His work as a police officer, though, was interrupted by lengthy deployments overseas. As a member of the U.S. Ar my National Guard Special Operations Force, he traveled to Afghanistan to provide food and other essentials to villagers. Nick was a natural for the job. He spoke multiple languages and easily made friends among the villagers

Nick was also a friendly face in our village Plus, he was a great storyteller. Al Mollsen and Nick were kindred spirits because they

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066

EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com

CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com

ONLINE ForestParkReview.com

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160)

In-county subscriptions: $34 per year. $55 for two years, $69 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $42 per year.

oth grew up in Villa Park. Al purchased a two-flat in Forest Park nine years ago and had it converted to a single-family home. Nick would call Al to keep him infor med on the progress of the project.

Al and his brother, Adam, are riding in memory of their father, Lombard Police Sgt. Allan A. Mollsen. He suffered a fatal heart attack while arresting a domestic battery suspect on Sept. 29, 1986. He was only 39.

This is Al’s fifth ride for the charity. For the past three months, he has been training for this grueling jour ney by biking 100 miles a week. During the ride, they will have a large support team to keep the riders fed and hydrated The support team sets up bike racks, while providing sandwiches, snacks and liquids Colleges and universities along the way reach out to the riders to provide them with shelter for the night. This year, Knox College is offering to house them.

Besides the physical ordeal, the ride is also mentally challenging. They have very emotional meetings with broken families. Al recalls the family of a 24-year-old fallen CPD officer. The young widow had three small children, one of them an infant in her ar ms.

A LOOK BACK IN TIME

Mike Douglas and his unlikely career trajectory

Local boy Mike Douglas was highlighted in the Forest Park Review when he was hired to be a singer on The Music Show, which aired on WGN-TV with co-star Jacie Van in 1953. Douglas, who attended school in Forest Park as Michael Delaney Dowd Jr., gained fame as a radio, television and nightclub singer before returning to Forest Park with his wife and two daughters at 942 Dunlop.

His affable personality and gracious nature led him to become the Emmy Awardwinning host of the syndicated talk show, The Mike Douglas Show, which aired in the afternoons in the 1960s and 1970s. His show featured interviews with entertainers and politicians of the day, including Gene Kelly, Muhammad Ali, Burt Reynolds, Martin Luther King Jr., Sly and the Family Stone, KISS, and Richard Nixon. Often the show would have week-long celebrity co-hosts, including Fred Astaire, Jim Nabors, John Lennon and

Jill Wagner

The mom and kids were crying.

At the dedication ceremonies, the riders wear bracelets bearing the name of the officer and they recount the of ficer’s career Families are invited to say a few words but some are too private, or too upset, to talk. The families are offered counseling services and kids are invited to retreats. Al believes the ceremonies offer some degree of healing The riders also offer financial support. Al has raised $3,000 this year

Some small towns in southern Illinois go all out for the riders. One town has a band perform and treats them to a feast. However, the farther north they travel, the less friendly the residents can be. By the time they reach the Chicago area, some residents yell obscenities. This is brutal for the bikers.

Al is expecting a good reception in Forest Park. The fire department and police department have been notified of their arrival. Many Forest Parkers who knew Nick are expected to attend. Nick’s widow, Maureen, also serves our community as a dispatcher for first responders.

Nick Kozak was a big-hearted guy who cared for people both here and overseas. We can support his family and other broken families with donations to this worthy program.

To donate: www.mightycause.com/story/ Wa3cmf

Yoko Ono.

Photo: Forest Park Re view, July 9, 1953, Mike Douglas, formerly of the Kay Kyser Radio Show, was about to start a new show, which aired on WGN-TV, channel 9, from 7:30 to 8 p.m. “The Music Man” was highlighted in the Re view in 1953.

“Early detection gave us time to adapt together, as a family.”

If you’re noticing changes, it Alzheimer’s. Talk about visiting a doctor together.

PHONE:

E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

PART-TIME

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Experience or not.

Call for more information.

708-738-3848

SYSTEMS ANALYST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Systems Analyst in the Information Technology Department. The ideal candidate will perform a variety of complex technical duties in design, application programming and development, PC configuration and support, testing and maintenance of the Village’s computer application systems and perform a variety of technical duties as required. Knowledge of a wide variety of computer programming languages and systems, such as, City View Permit, License & Inspection Suite, Laserfiche, ESRI ArcGIS, MS-SQL, Reporting Tools, Java and HTML is wanted. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application by visiting the website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. This position is open until filled.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN II

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Engineering Technician II in the Public Works Department. The employee performs layout, draft and design drawings from field survey information and field notes for various engineering and planning projects including existing improvements, right-of-way and various utilities and performs a variety of field inspections. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

Veterinarian sought by Companion Animal Hospital of River North, a Mission Veterinary Partners company, in Chicago, IL to diagnose and treat various medical conditions of client-owned animals including, but not limited to, involving physical exams, sample collection, and performing laboratory tests to achieve a diagnosis. 20% of travel btw Chicago-based MVP veterinary hospitals req’d. Requires ability to obtain IL Veterinarian License. Related degree and/or experience required. Multiple openings. To apply, send resume and cover letter to Companion Animal Hospital of River North via email at mvpcareers@mvetpartners.com and reference company name, job title and job location.

GARAGE SALES

Qualifications:

& Community Relations Coordinator

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or other related areas

• Three to five years of experience in a school district setting or public sector agency is preferred

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal), including editing, layout & design, desktop publishing, and the maintenance and use of social media platforms and website for communications

Job Duties:

• Develop and implement strategic communication goals and plans

• Serve as information liaison between the District and community at large

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

• Serve as public relations counsel to the Superintendent

• Create, produce, ensure accuracy and distribute regular communications

• Manage the District website and social media accounts

Please apply at: https://www.district90.org/about/employment

District 90 values a talented and diverse workforce. As an equal opportunity employer, it is the policy of the River Forest Public Schools, District 90, to not discriminate against any employee or any applicant for employment.

CROSSING GUARD

The Forest Park Police Department is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Crossing Guard. This position requires flexible hours during days when schools are in session. A background investigation and drug screening will be conducted prior to consideration for the position. Applications available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue or on-line at www.forestpark.net and should be returned to Vanessa Moritz, HR Director, at Village Hall. For additional information, contact Dora Murphy at 708-615-6223 or write dmurphy@ forestpark.net.

Applications accepted until position is filled. EOE.

Data Engineer wanted by Egencia LLC in Chicago, IL. Writing code utilizing Python, Java, Spark, & SQL; Working w/ data & delivering good-quality code. Fostering & strengthening a deep understanding of vast data sources in the cloud & know precisely how, when, & which data to use to solve particular business problems. Must have a Bach deg in Comp Sci, Electrical Engg or rltd field + 5 yrs of relavent exp. Salary range $122,470 - $184,000. Add’l reqmts for the position may be found on our career website through the link: Apply online: https://www.egencia.com/en/careers Req#J-61578.

Logistics Manager sought by Amazing Trucking & Logistics in Chicago Heights, IL to dir actvts rltd to dsptchng, rting or trckng transport vhcls. Reqs BS in Finance, Business or rltd field & 1 yr exp in rltd occptn. Mst hv perm auth to wrk in US. Snd rsm & cvr lttr to 3025 E End Ave, Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Principal Software Engineer sought by Enova Financial Holdings, LLC. in Chicago, IL. Apply at www.jobpostingtoday.com Ref # 91408.

WANTED TO BUY

Senior Associate (Chicago, IL) for Adams Street Partners, LLC to dvlp web applics focused on data capture & mgmt, reporting, & integrations w/ 3rd party systems for investment acctg & treasury operations. Reqs Bach deg in Comp Sci, Data Analytics or rltd field of study, & 5 yrs exp in any job title/occupation/position involving full-stack dvlpmt. Exp specified must incl 5 yrs exp w/ each of the following: fin’l services domain working in Asset/Investment Mgmt or Private Equity industry; ASP.Net, C# & SQL Server; interfacing w/ the business directly & performing Business Analytics duties; bldg & consuming RESTful APIs; & automated unit testing. Telecommuting permitted up to 3 days/wk. Salary: $108,576 - $143,400/yr. To apply visit https:// uscareers-asp.icims.com/jobs/1453/ it-software-developer-%28senior-associate%29/job?mobile=false&width=1510&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-300&jun1offset=-240

Sport Performance Operations Manager/Lead. Chicago, IL. Using sports performance mgmt & business dvlpmt background in sports performance/wearables industry, dvlp sales & performance strategy & expand US client base. Gather mkt & customer info & qualify prospects. Provide data analytics, reporting & troubleshooting to elite, high-performance sports teams. Assist w/ onboarding of new sales team members & provide continual coaching (pricing, quoting, contracts & addendums) to ensure max margins. Deliver & lead team meetings, in-services & events. Supv 4 business dvlpmt team members. Travel 10-15% (Domestic). Bachelor’s in Sports Science, closely rltd field, or foreign equiv + 2 yrs exp as Sr.-level Sports Scientist or Sports Performance Mgr in a sports performance/ wearables sales role working w/ elite sports teams. 2 yrs exp must incl negotiating pricing, delivery & customer mgmt, organizing & conducting product demos, providing training, & implmtg systems, performing checkups, on-field performance analysis & rltd sports science consultancy. Mail resume to: Paul McAfee, STATSports North America Inc., 332 S. Michigan Ave, 9th FL, Chicago, IL 60604. No calls.

HOME SERVICES

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Aisha T. Oliver, Petitioner and Terrell Hollins, Respondent, Case No. 2021D002298.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before May 24, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 28, July 5, July 12, 2023

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YARD SERVICES

FAST DELIVERY

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Bidders Village of Forest Park

Time and Place of Opening of Bids: Sealed proposals for the improvement described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, until 10:00 o’clock A.M., July 27, 2023.

Proposals will be opened and read publicly at 10:00 o’clock A.M., July 27, 2023.

Description of Work:

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PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE State of Illinois County of Cook

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that a public hearing on the adoption of the proposed Annual Budget and Appropriations Ordinance of the Park District of Forest Park, County of Cook, Illinois for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2023 and ending April 30, 2024 will be held at the Administration Building, 7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park, IL 60130 on July 20, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.

Jackie Iovinelli Park District Board Secretary

Dated this June 26, 2023

Published in Forest Park Review July 5th, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Villages of River Forest and Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

2023 Permeable Paver Maintenance (Joint Bid)

This project consists of varying degrees of maintenance to be performed on permeable pavers as well as a small amount of paver removal and replacement in order to restore the stormwater conveyance and filtering capability of the pavement cross-section. The work is expected to include more than 30,000 sf of permeable paver restorative maintenance, more than 31,000 sf of permeable paver preventative maintenance and 10 sy of permeable paver removal and replacement.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, June 30, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Friday, July 21, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION PERMIT

Public notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Historic Preservation Commission of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois on Thursday, July 20th, 2023 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

Application #24-01: Certificate of Appropriateness application for the DEMOLITION of the GARAGE at 553 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, IL, a structure listed on the Village survey of architecturally or historically significant properties.

The applicant is: Jon Olof Bergstrom, Sher-Bergstrom Architects, Inc.

Residents are welcome to attend the July 20th, 2023 Historic Preservation Commission meeting and will be provided an opportunity to address the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed project. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. A copy of the application and meeting agenda can be found at Village Hall and on the Village website at www.vrf.us. If you cannot attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting but would like to provide comments to the Historic Preservation Commission, you may submit comments in writing, via letter or email. Comments and can be sent to lmasella@vrf.us or 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please call 708-366-8500 with questions.

Luke Masella Staff Liaison

Historic Preservation Commission.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 5, 2023

Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

FLOORS

KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 • www. klisflooring.com

Proposed Improvement: Curb and sidewalk removal and replacement, ADA improvements, HMA surface removal, HMA leveling binder, HMA surface course, parkway restoration.

Bidders Instructions: Plans and proposal forms will be available in the office of http://cbbel. com/bidding-info/ or at www.questcdn.com. Under login using Quest CDN #8545791 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. A login will be required.

By Order of: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, (Awarding Authority)

Published in Forest Park Review July 5, 2023

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals, without the consent of the ruling body from each participating Village, for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Each participating Village reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 5, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH MORTGAGE INVESTORS, INC., MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, MANA SERIES 2007-OAR4 Plaintiff, -v.-

ELLEN C. SCHNACK, RANDALL C. SCHNACK

Defendants 19 CH 14891 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN

that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on July 31, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-092500.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

LOGS Legal Group LLP

2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 19-092500

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 19 CH 14891

TJSC#: 43-2421

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will