Forest Park Review 081821

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA, NFP ForestParkReview.com Vol. 104, No. 33

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW AUGUST 18, 2021

Better days for bikes at el stations Page 7

Joseph Center wins large grant Page 9

@FP_Review @ForestParkReview

With COVID, Forest Park can’t get even halfway to St. Pat’s parade Chamber hopes parade can return in March 2022

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Forest Park’s Chamber of Commerce board voted early this month to postpone the already postponed St. Patrick’s Day Parade from Sept. 18 to March 5, 2022.

Here’s what happened and why. In 2020 the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place as scheduled on March 7, just one week before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The chamber board at that time optimistically hoped that the virus would be contained in a year and put the parade on its calendar for 2021.

That would have been March 6, but as everyone knows, the virus was still on the rampage in March, so last spring the chamber postponed the parade till Sept. 18 not wanting the event to become a super spreader. Now though, the chamber board, noting the rise in cases in Cook County, issued the following statement: “Out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of our business and residential community, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce made the difficult decision to cancel the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Parade that was to be held on Sept. 18. With rising COVID cases and the emergence of the Delta variant along with additional strain the event would put on restaurants and bars that are already strugSee PARADE on page 8

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

UP AND AWAY: Vivian White takes flight, thanks to pushes from her mom, Sam White, at the Veterans Park playground. The playground is at 631 Circle Ave.

Garage Galleries is back 52 artists, 23 garages, classic Forest Park

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Art lovers, and those with an itch to visit with interesting people, have been happy to hear that Garage Galleries will be back in Forest Park on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In 23 garages from the 300 block of Elgin to the 1300 block of Marengo, rain or shine, the work of 52 artist will be featured.

Paintings in watercolor and oil, pottery, jewelry, sculpture, photography, functional art, and ceramics.

Lin Beribak, who coordinates all of the artists exhibiting and is herself a watercolorist, said prices of the art tend to range between $10 and $400 although one piece sold for five figures a few years ago. She said that some of the artists are professionals -- one of whom has work in the permanent colSee GALLERIES on page 8

. . . .6 IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . .EVERY Hines VA THROUGH closes SEPTEMBER WGN visits Twisted THURSDAY 9TH 5-9PM THIS Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 child care center Cookie on Madison ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

T

No masks, but he got his shots

hese are the Dog Days of Summer, so we decided to interview a dog from Forest Park.

His name is Scout and we conducted the interview using the latest CCD (Canine Communication Device). After I fastened the CCD collar around Scout’s neck and put on my own, we could understand each other perfectly. Fortunately, Scout speaks English.

“Scout, I notice you’re not wearing a mask.”

“We don’t do masks. Muzzles, maybe.

The worst is wearing those cone collars but they’re very good for maintaining dental distance.”

“Have you had your vaccinations?”

“Are you kidding? I got all my shots when I was a puppy. First, they gave me a shot for distemper. Did you know, that spreads through coughing and sneezing? Yeah, we definitely cough and sneeze. We’ve even got our own coronavirus vaccine. I got shots for heartworm, Lyme disease and especially rabies. The rabies shot is required in every state.”

“Do you have some type of certificate that proves you were vaccinated?”

“Sure, I need to have my rabies vaccination certificate, or I’d never get into my favorite places. Like when my owner drops me off at Camp Ruff Ruff for the day.”

“So what breed are you anyway?”

“Can we just say ‘mixed?’ I never met my dad but I had the most loving, nurturing mom.

She was a collie and raised me and my three brothers all by herself. Then when we were about 4 weeks old, she started pushing us away. Finally, she flat out ignored us. It’s gotten so bad that I spotted her at the dog park and she walked right by without recognizing me.”

“Well, fortunately you were bought by a caring owner.”

“That guy also ignores me. At least he did, until he started working from home.

Now, I get too much attention. I used to wag my tail when he grabbed my leash. Now, we’re walking all over the neighborhood five times a day. I swear my legs are getting shorter.”

“Is Forest Park a good place for walks?”

“Smell-wise, you can’t beat it. There’s always a pleasant aroma in the air from

JOHN RICE

A

L O O K

B A C K

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Ferrara Pan Candy and Kay’s Bakery.

Although, I prefer the meaty smells along Madison Street to sniffing sweets.”

“Do you meet other dogs along the way?”

“Yeah, too many. I used to like being greeted by strangers but now I can’t turn around without getting sniffed. The sidewalks are packed with dogs. Especially those annoying “pandemic puppies.” They can’t even walk straight, without getting tangled up in their leashes.”

“So do you know why they call these the Dog Days of Summer?”

“It has nothing to do with us. In ancient times, they believed that the rising of the Dog Star caused drought, unrest and an increase in infections.”

“Are you Sirius?”

“Hey, at least we have a Dog Star. There aren’t that many other dog stars, besides Marley, Beethoven and Benji.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?”

“It always cracks up the boys at the kennel.”

“Do you have any advice for getting through the dog days?”

“I recommend cutting out the walks until the weather cools off and getting back to four-hour naps. Also, make sure your rabies shots are up-to-date. You don’t want to see any of us foaming at the mouth.”

T I M E . . .

THOUSANDS CHEERED ALTENHEIM CONSTRUCTION IN 1884 In May 1886, The Altenheim, a German “Old People’s Home” in Forest Park, officially opened its doors to 75 elderly GermanAmericans. It was the culmination of years of effort on the part of the Frauenverein des Deutschen Altenheims, a German Women’s Society dedicated to humanitarian service and caring for the elderly.

The building stood on grounds planned by the same landscape architect responsible for Chicago’s Lincoln Park. A structure was erected on a 20-acre plot of land in Harlem, now Forest Park.

More than 10,000 people attended the cornerstone laying ceremony in 1884, and Chicago Mayor Carter Harrison attended the building’s dedication in May 1886. The main building was built in the gothic revival style of architecture popular in Germany at the time.

People accepted to live at The Altenheim had to have at least three years’ residence in Cook County, be over 60 years old, be incapable of further employment and have no chronic or other conditions that would prevent them from taking care of themselves.

JILL WAGNER

F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Mark Moroney Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Business Manager Joyce Minich

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

When trout and dogs swam in the Forest Park pool

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Denny Crotty remembers when at the end of the summer season, trout and dogs used to swim in the Forest Park pool. Crotty grew up in the late sixties and early seventies at 827 Beloit, just four houses from the entrance to the Park District of Forest Park and the pool. It was, he remembered, a great time to be a kid in Forest Park.

Especially when the swimming season ended and the final phase of the pool season began.

“We had a great block,” he recalled. “As many as 18 of us [as young as 6 and as old as 16] from the neighborhood would be at the gate to the pool at 5:30 in the morning, lining up to get in when it opened at 7 a.m. There was a concession stand where you could buy frozen cheese balls for bait, but a lot of us brought along Velveeta cheese from home.”

Crotty said when the pool closed for the season after Labor Day, park staff would let the pool just sit — no pumps running and no water being filtered — for a month. The water would get all green with moss and algae to provide oxygen for 250 pounds of trout from Wisconsin (each fishing weighing about a pound) which would dumped into the pool at the end of the month.

Crotty laughed and rattled off several stories about fishing in the pool. It was kept about three quarters full so he and his friends would head to the deep end and claim a spot along the edge.

“When we would get bored — and it wouldn’t take long for us to get bored because fishing is fishing — you’d be sitting on the edge of the

pool not paying attention and one of your so-called buddies would give you a little nudge. Now you’re soaking wet and have algae and moss all over you.

“They would all stand there laughing at you, and no one would offer to help you out.”

“A few times,” he added, “someone would catch a fish full of roe— a milky mixture of eggs and something like yoke. They’d make a little slit in the fish, walk up to you and squeeze the ‘milk’ all over you. It was the worst smelling stuff !”

The rule was you could only bring home two fish, so Crotty and his buddies would sometimes look around until no one in authority was watching, then throw the trout over the fence to be picked up on the way home.

Crotty, who has worked on the park’s buildings and grounds crew for 26 years and now cleans the pool at the end of the season, said that as “fishing season” came to a close on Oct. 20, the park would conduct a little tournament. The winner was judged not by the number of trout caught but by the total weight.

The prize for the winner might be a gift certificate to Ed’s Way or a season pass to the pool. Every year, he said, the staff would stock one around 25 pounds, which they christened “Big Mo.” It wasn’t just a tall tale. One year a guy actually caught it.

At the end of fishing season, they would let people bring their dogs in for about three days and let them swim in the pool for a few hours in the evening. People would throw stuff in the water for the dogs to fetch. Some who had Labs or Golden Retrievers would even throw in duck decoys to give the dogs practice for the hunting season.

“More than 500 children and adults,” ran a story posted by the Forest Park Historical Society two years ago, “showed up at the Forest Park Swimming Pool at the end of the swimming season in 1966 to try their luck at trout fishing. The park board and Superintendent James Sarno stocked the pool with 250 pounds of Wisconsin trout. At this fishing event more than 175 fish were caught on the first day, and even Mayor Howard Mohr fished with the kids. This tradition went on through the 1979 season and was adopted by park districts all around as a final end to the pool season.”

Why don’t we do this anymore?

Fishing was possible in years past because the filtration system, using screens and bags of diatomaceous earth, could be cleaned easily. A few years ago a filtration system using large amounts of sand, which stay in place for two years, was installed and is impossible to clean from year to year.

Pool already reducing its summer hours By the time you read this, the summer swim season in Forest Park will already have begun to wane.

Starting this past Monday the park district reduced pool hours Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. only.

Weekend hours stay the same for now.

Pass holders only from 10 a.m. to noon; noon to 5 p.m. for day swim; 515 to 6:30 p.m. for adults only; and 6:30 to 9 p.m. for night swim.

The pool will close for the season the day after Labor Day which is Sept. 6.

Rachell Entler of the park district says maintenance staff will move quickly after Labor Day to shut down pumps and winterize them. Surge tanks will be drained.

The diving boards will be put in storage.

Chairs and lane dividers will be stored.

Entler said the park district hopes to start construction on a new “spray ground” this fall.

File photo

OUT FOR TROUT: Kids flocked to the pool in the fall of 1966 to try their luck at hooking trout. (Top) Stocking the pool with fish. (Right) The Oct. 6, 1966 Review showed eager anglers hoping to catch their limit.

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

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Hines V.A. daycare closure stuns employees The child care center has closed for good

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

When Eva* learned the daycare center at Edward Hines Jr. V.A. Hospital was abruptly closing, she was stunned. For many working parents at the suburban hospital, the Hines Child Care Center was a crucial resource. It was affordable compared to other daycares in the area, and it was located right on hospital grounds.

Eva, who asked that her name not be used for fear of reprisal, said her children had attended the daycare for years and grown accustomed to bringing her children to work, visiting them during her lunch break and picking them up after her shift. Now, “pulling into the VA without my kids was just emotional in itself,” she said.

But it wasn’t just the daycare’s sudden closure that shocked Eva and dozens of other parents who work at Hines. They also were unaware that the facility was facing structural issues and deemed unsafe for children and daycare staff.

In a company-wide email to employees obtained by Wednesday Journal, hospital officials said “a piece of plaster ceiling” in one of the daycare rooms “came down” sometime during the night of July 14.

“The room was empty at the time, no injuries occurred and the room was secured upon discovery,” officials said in an email sent July 16, two days after the incident.

Hospital officials also told employees that Hines’ occupational safety, patient safety, engineering and infection control teams conducted a “comprehensive safety review” of the daycare following the incident.

A consultant from the Midwest branch of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISN) also inspected the child care center.

Based on their findings, they decided to close the center indefinitely, officials wrote in an email.

“We were told after the inspection of the space that they couldn’t confidently say that it wouldn’t happen in any of the other rooms and that it was like a ticking time bomb,” Eva said.

Hines Child Care Center was located in Building 1, a roughly mile-long structure planted on the south end of the hospital’s 174-acre campus. The daycare center, which had long been part of Hines for about 40 years, was split into several different rooms to accommodate children from 6 weeks to 6 years old, said Eva and Amy, another Hines employee who requested her name not be published for privacy concerns and in fear of retaliation. It also had additional office space for staff, kid-friendly bathrooms, a

Photo by Bob Uphues

Outdoor playground at the hines Child Care Center located in Hines, IL. large indoor playroom and an outdoor play- dripping water from the walls and nothing happened.” ground, Eva said.

Matthew Moeller, a spokesperson for Eva, a longtime employee of Hines, said she did not know the daycare had any main- Hines V.A., declined to comment on the details of the safety review or describe the tenance problems but knew other parts of damages discovered in the daycare center. that building did.

In July 2012, the Department of Veterans In an emailed statement to Wednesday JourAffairs Office of Research and Development nal, Moeller wrote that the decision to close the facility was “diffireleased an extensive cult” but necessary to report documenting repair its “long-term the physical condition structural” problems. of 171 of its research Hines VA declined to buildings across 74 participate in a formal campuses. According interview. to the report, Building “Currently, there are 1 had numerous mainno plans for the space tenance issues ranging after repairs are comfrom a leaky roof to vipleted,” he said in the nyl asbestos floor tiles email. and poor heating and Moeller explained cooling systems. the Hines Child Care Inspectors also found Center was run by a a “severely aging” private organization. electrical distribution On July 23, a week after system and noted that Hines administrators “several ‘emergency announced the daycare situations,’” including temporarily closed, the a water main break, daycare’s board of dioccurred during the asrectors moved to shut it sessment. At the time, HINES V.A. EMPLOYEE down permanently. they wrote Building 1, Eva and Amy said along with the entire about 17 teachers, Hines campus, was along with a handful in need of “constant” of daycare staff, lost their positions. After maintenance.

Though the report was published nine repeated requests, Moeller declined to conyears ago and the building has since un- firm the number of daycare staff impacted dergone countless repairs and renovations, by the closure but stated that the daycare opEva and other Hines employees said some erated on a “rent-free space at our hospital” of those maintenance issues have yet to be and no Hines VA hospital employees were affected. resolved.

Moeller said a meeting was held on the “I know that a lot of the offices in the building had ceiling leaks and issues like same day administrators sent out the email that,” Eva said. “We would put in these re- about the daycare’s temporary shutdown. quests for ceiling repair or like removal of Employees were told they could file for leave

“ It was heartbreaking because you’ve formed this relationship with the staff who are taking care of your children. In some cases, they see your kids more than you do just with these eight-, nine-hour days.

You’re literally taking a part of someone’s family, and a lot of these kids have been here for years.”

to take time off work and find alternative care for their children, Moeller said.

Eva and Amy said they were told about the daycare’s indefinite closure on a Friday afternoon. That meant they had Saturday and Sunday to figure out who could care for their children. Eva and Amy said the Hines Child Care Center was the perfect place because the rates were inexpensive and located onsite.

Amy said parents paid roughly $280 weekly at the Hines Child Care, whereas other childcare centers cost double or triple that amount, and finding a new daycare center means adding more travel time for parents.

Eva and Amy explained that many Hines employees are medical and healthcare professionals and unable to work from home.

Some also do not have or live near other family members who can help and care for their children, they said.

On top of that, searching for the right childcare provider takes time and trust.

With the COVID-19 pandemic already shifting their children’s routines, Eva and Amy worried how this change would affect them too.

“It was heartbreaking because you’ve formed this relationship with the staff who are taking care of your children,” Amy said.

“In some cases, they see your kids more than you do just with these eight-, nine-hour days. You’re literally taking a part of someone’s family, and a lot of these kids have been here for years.”

Eva and Amy said they wondered why it took hospital officials two days to notify them about the ceiling plaster falling, and yet their children still attended daycare on July 15, the day after the incident, up until the afternoon of July 16.

“Here is a daycare where all of our children are, and [it’s] amazing,” Amy said.

“But you’re telling me you’re only just now seeing that the ceiling is falling? You’re only just seeing that there might be an issue in this area? And, you’re only just seeing it and telling us that it’s so severe that you have to close down for good?”

Nearly a month has passed since the Hines Child Care Center closed down, and Eva and Amy are still upset, devastated and angry. The two said they often receive company newsletters on how Hines is trying to help its employees achieve a “work-life balance,” and for a time, the daycare center was it – it was what they needed to help strike that balance.

Now, it’s gone.

“The biggest thing that runs through my mind is [Hines VA] constantly saying [they] hear me, but there are no real actions,” Amy said. “Maybe you hear me but you don’t care. Hines hears, but they don’t care.” *Editor’s Note: Wednesday Journal has agreed to change the names of the employees in the story to protect their identities.

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

August 18-25

BIG WEEK Morning migrating bird watch Join John Elliott of the Chicago Audubon Society for a casual walk on the paths at the Trailside Museum of Natural History, 738 Thatcher Ave. in River Forest, on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 a.m. Breeding and nesting seasons are over, birds are molting and putting on weight for the upcoming migration.

Walk with John and learn about the early migrators and what to look for in the upcoming months. All levels of birding interest are welcome, and a limited supply of binoculars are available to borrow at the event.

Registration is required by calling Trailside at 708-366-6530.

Author event at Centuries & Sleuths

Community park input wanted The Park District of Forest Park is planning to renovate Rieger Park, also known as 16th Street Park, at 1526 Circle Ave, and officials want to hear from you.

Make sure your voice is heard at a community meeting planned for Thursday, Aug. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m. and enjoy some tasty ice cream and balloon animals by Gary Kantor.

Mockups and potential ideas for future use will be shared, and your feedback is welcome.

For more information visit.pdofp.org.

Family Campout at The Park Grab your tents, sleeping bags, and family members for a night under the stars on the softball fields on the grounds of the Park District of Forest Park at 7511 Harrison St. at Camp PDoFP. Registration is now open to join the overnight fun that starts the night of Saturday, Sept 18 at 5 p.m. and ends on the morning of Sept. 19.

To learn more or to register at visit online at bit.ly/ FamCampout2021

Centuries & Sleuths bookstore, 7419 Madison St., invites you to an afternoon with Paul Teodo and Tom Myers, authors of “Call Me Z: A Novel of Murder, Corruption & Greed” on Sunday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m.

A provocative murder thriller set in a faith-based South Side hospital in Chicago, “Call Me Z,” pays tribute to a real-life group of stubborn Eastern European nuns, who refused to abandon the disenfranchised the hospital serves.

With colorful characters, distinctively Chicago style and plot twists and turns, the book follows a former senior executive of a boutique suburban medical center, known as “Z,” to face multiple challenges when he leads a struggling hospital.

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

Experienced Piano Teacher (All levels and styles) Call Dr. Harry Steckman (708) 533-0969

Forest Park gets state grant for bike improvements at el stops

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Forest Park got a $113,906 state grant to help cover the costs of making the Desplaines Avenue and Harlem Avenue Blue Line el stations more bike-friendly by adding bike racks and improving lighting and sidewalks.

In late October 2020, the village applied for an Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant. The grant program helps municipalities, park districts and other taxing bodies build or improve biking, walking and other “alternate transportation” amenities. The grant covers 80 percent of the project’s cost, with the rest coming out of Forest Park’s pocket.

One of the conditions of receiving the grant was that Forest Park had to bid for project engineering services using the Quality Based Selection process. Since the village didn’t have the process on the books, the village council voted unanimously to adopt one during its Aug. 9 meeting.

Now that the policy is adopted, the village can go out to bid for the engineering services. Forest Park expects to finish the improvements in 2022.

The CTA station at 711 S. Desplaines Ave., is the Blue Line’s west suburban terminus, with the station serving as a transfer hub for most Pace routes serving the village and the suburbs further north, west and south.

Bicyclists can also connect to the Illinois Prairie Path, a biking and walking trail that runs from Concordia Cemetery to Wheaton, with branches splitting off toward Aurora, Geneva and Elgin.

The Harlem el station, 701 S. Harlem Ave., has entrances at Harlem and Circle avenues.

Riders can transfer to Pace Route 307, which serves the Harlem Avenue corridor in Forest Park and Oak Park.

Riders can bring bikes on the el trains

during off-peak hours. Pace buses have pull-down bike racks on the front of the vehicle that can hold two bikes. While the two stations have some features convenient for bicyclists – a ramp connects the Harlem station’s entrance to the platform, and bicyclists can use the escalators or the elevator at the Desplaines station – neither station has bike racks. The village wanted to remedy the situation.

“The project will improve safety by providing a centralized location for bike storage, as there is currently no bicycle facility and cyclists lock their bikes to any streetlight or post they can find,” the application stated.

The project also calls for improving lighting around the stations, fixing curbs, gutters and sidewalks, as well as providing clear crosswalk markings. At the Harlem station, there are currently no crosswalk markings at the intersections north of both entrances, while at Desplaines station, there are no crosswalk markers at the spot where the buses drive out onto Desplaines Avenue.

“By installing pedestrian lighting and improving crosswalks around the bike facility the users will be more visible to motorists,” the application stated.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation press release, ITEP got 270 applications, and Forest Park’s request was one of the 99 that got awarded. The winners were announced June 9.

The ordinance adopted during the Aug. 9 meeting ensures that the way the village selects engineering contracts for projects that use state and federal grants follow state and federal laws. Most notably, it requires a public notice detailing the scope of the project and how the village would choose a contractor to be published either on the village website or in a local newspaper at least 14 days before the bids are due.

The village council adopted the policy unanimously and without discussion.

JOIN US! Heritage Chorale is recruiting singers for its

upcoming fall concert series. To schedule an audition, please email heritagechorale@gmail.com.

The Chorale’s fall concert series will feature music of South America, including the Misa Criolla by Ariel Ramírez, with performances scheduled for November 13 and 14. Rehearsals are in the Oak Park-Forest Park-River Forest area on Monday evenings, 7:30 to 9:30, beginning August 30. For more information, visit www.heritagechorale.com.

advertise • 708-524-8300

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

GALLERIES

Recreating the magic from page 1 lection of the Art Institute — while many others are hobbyists just getting started.

Regarding artists just getting into the game, Beribak said, “It’s a great place for people to start showing their art because of the low cost to the artist. Many art sales events require a payment to be able to exhibit art, but no payment is required by the Garage Galleries nor do we take a percentage of the sales. What’s more, ours is a nonjuried event meaning that there is not a committee deciding who gets to exhibit and who does not.”

Not only is Garage Galleries good for “starving artists” but it’s also a blessing for “starving art patrons.” “It’s a way,” said Susan Cross, who is the webmaster for the annual event and coordinates the marketing, “to bring art to people who are never going to go to the Art Institute or to an art gallery.

I also think it’s a great way to introduce kids to art, and a way to do something that’s just fun.”

Beribak added, “Most of the prices are in the very affordable range. It’s a great way for people who don’t have the money to pay high prices to bring art into their homes. If art speaks to you, it’s great to have it in your home as an expression of who you are and what’s important to you.”

One of the reasons that the Garage Galleries is a low-cost event for both artists and patrons is that the whole event is run on a shoestring budget -- $1,000. Andrea DiFebo, who coordinates the art walk with Cross and Beribak, said almost everything is done by volunteers. One year, she said, they even handmade yard signs.

Another reason is that a few years ago Garage Galleries was “adopted” by the Forest Park Arts Alliance. For many, said DiFebo, who has been a garage host for 8 years, all of the funding for the event came out of the

pockets of volunteers, namely the trio of women running the show.

“It’s been a great partnership with the Forest Park Arts Alliance,” she said. “They are a 501(c)3 nonprofit so we can accept donations. The FPAA is a really nice umbrella.”

DiFebo recalled how Garage Galleries got started. In 2014 a woman named Amy Turilli was living in Forest Park, saw the many garages along the town’s alleys and was reminded of how back in California where she had been living, warehouses would open their doors and become pop up art galleries.

She translated the concept to the Village with Small Town Charm, and with assistance of two neighbors opened her own garage as an art gallery. The next year she asked DiFebo and her husband Ralph to open their garage and the number of sites was doubled.

After a few years, Turilli left town, Gerald Lordan took over the experiment but after one year he handed it off to DiFebo, Cross and Beribak who have been running it ever since. Last year the art event was canceled because of the pandemic.

Because garage doors open to the alley, the coordinating trio have worked hard on the challenge of logistics. They created a map locating all 23 garages, a hard copy of which is available at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore and a digital version of which is printable at the Garage Galleries website. Contact can be made with GarageGalleries17@gmail.com or on their website garagegalleries17.wixsite.com or on their Facebook page, Facebook: Garage Galleries Forest Park.

Cross created the website in 2018 and does a lot of marketing on social media. The exposure artists get, she said, will not end on Aug. 28. The website contains the name of each artist, samples of their art and links to their websites and/or Facebook pages. It’s a way, she said, of supporting the arts community in town year-round.

Regarding COVID, and now the Delta variant, DiFebo said they are leaving how to handle masking and social distancing up to

File photo

WE’RE (OUT) BACK: Homeowners once again will turn garages into galleries like the one at 519 Beloit Avenue (left) and the one showcasing the artwork of Dana Bloede (right). each of the 23 garage owners. “My friends and neighbors,” she said, “are all pretty sensible about it no matter what their political views are. The garage doors will be open which will greatly enhance ventilation and we are encouraging owners to open back

doors as well and advise visitors to step into the alley if they want to chat.”

Garage Galleries, the three coordinators agreed, is another example of “it takes a village.” A village, one of them said, full of “darn good people.”

PARADE

director, emphasized the word “difficult” in her organization’s statement and said, “We were very much looking forward to hosting the St. Patrick’s Day parade. It’s a great event that’s enjoyed by thousands of families and parade goers each year. The parade not only brings in much-needed revenue for both the bars and restaurants and the chamber, but it also draws traffic to town and keeps Forest Park’s name on the map.”

Postponed until March from page 1 gling with staffing issues, the chamber feels that cancelling this event is the responsible thing to do for our community as a whole.”

Laurie Kokenes, the chamber’s executive

File photo

IRISH EYES ARE WAITING: The 2020 parade occurred just before full quarantine began but the village has been unable to celebrate St.Patrick since.

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

9

Joseph Center gets $50,000 county grant for small biz

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

The Joseph Center, 7600 Roosevelt Rd., has received a $50,000 grant from Cook County to fund continued investments in local small businesses.

Melissa Duff Brown, director of Joseph Center Business Development, said the grant will fund work that aligns with the center’s mission. “The Joseph Center’s primary goal,” she said, “is to facilitate financial empowerment and wealth creation in underserved communities through entre-

preneurship, leadership development, vocational, and workforce development.”

She said the objective of the center, which exists under the organizational umbrella of the Joseph Business School and Living Word Christian Center, is more lofty than just getting jobs for underserved people.

“We not only want,” she said, “to break the cycle of poverty in urban communities through education and workforce development but also to inspire people to seek true economic prosperity and self-sufficiency through business ownership and full marketplace participation.”

Kim Clay, director of communications for Living Word Christian Center, said, “the grant dollars will be used to support the services already being provided to local businesses by the Joseph Center’s Illinois Small Business Development Center, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and International Trade Center.”

“These services include outreach and technical assistance,” Clay said. “Outreach means notifying small business owners about opportunities to assist them in business recovery and stabilization. Technical assistance means one-on-one counseling to

help with business planning, recovery, and growth.”

The funding came through the county from the Federal CARES ACT. Clay said last year the Joseph Center provided a total of $3 million in grant money to help local small businesses.

What makes the Joseph Business School different than, say, the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern, is that it combines biblical principles with scholarship in the field of business and management.

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

Twisted Cookie takes its turn on WGN weekend news

For second consecutive weekend, WGN turns out on Madison Street

television, Fischer took her moment in the spotlight in stride.

“I loved the energy of the day,” said Fischer. “It was easy because I had so many friends here. Everyone wanted me to do well so that took off some of the pressure.”

Twisted Cookie saw an immediate influx of businesses just after the show aired. After a hectic morning of filming, Fischer thought she might be able to relax for the rest of the day. She had even swapped out her dress shoes for flip flops in hopes of taking it easy, but business was so swift that she and her team were “slammed for the rest of the day.”

“I give my staff so much credit,” said Fischer. “They came in early even though many of them were supposed to have the day off. I was thrilled they could add to the excitement of the day.”

Fisher is immensely grateful for the opportunity to appear on the WGN segment hosted by Brónagh Tumulty and considers the experience to be a learning opportunity.

She is excited at the prospect more people may have learned about Twisted Cookie and hopes the television coverage also encouraged people to explore all the businesses on Madison Street.

“I wanted this experience to be a celebration of Forest Park,” said Fischer. “As local business owners we all support each other and want each other to do well. When one of us succeeds, all of us succeed.”

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

WGN News paid Twisted Cookie, 7401 Madison St., an early morning visit on Aug. 14.

The 4-plus year old business, known for peddling signature cookie pies, chocolate-dipped marshmallow brownies, and elaborate ice cream sundaes, was a veritable who’s-who during the early morning filming.

Mayor Rory Hoskins was seen enjoying an ice cream cone during filming and a crew from the Forest Park Fire Department parked their hook and ladder truck outside before popping in for coffee and conversation. Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park and River Forest Market President for Byline Bank, brought her mother into the shop in honor of her 91st birthday while Laurie Kokenes, executive director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, basked in the positive attention news coverage brings to the local business community.

“We’re thrilled that WGN Weekend News was here in Forest Park again highlighting yet another of our ‘maker’ businesses,” said Kokenes. “We’re a community of artists and

Photo by Melissa Elsmo

A TV MOMENT: Joana Fischer, owner of Twisted Cookie in Forest Park, films a segment for WGN News on Saturday, Aug. 14. with the dog’s owner.

“I am an animal lover, so I offered her dog some ice cream and we went into the shop,” said Fisher. “She liked the shop and during the conversation I learned she was a producer for the show. One thing led to another, and she pitched having a live segment here.”

Though this was a first experience on live

makers, and Twisted Cookie’s sweet treats are a work of art.”

The opportunity for Twisted Cookie to appear on the weekend segment of WGN news came as a result of a chance meeting on Madison Street. Joana Fischer, owner of Twisted Cookie, stooped to pet a puppy outside her shop and started a conversation

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Local scholarship recipients buoyed by $21K in awards

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

S W E N

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Sign up for FREE at ForestParkReview.com

Ivoryana Neal, 18, knows a thing or two about persistence. As a Black student attending Proviso Math and Science Academy, which is predominantly Hispanic, Neal said she wasn’t easily welcomed into the social fabric of her high school.

“Attending PMSA was definitely an experience,” she said. “It was hard. When I looked around, there weren’t many students and teachers who looked like me. I felt like I was in competition all the time.”

Neal, however, decided to get engaged, anyway. Part of her mission as the president of her graduating class was to confront the high school’s “cliques” and try to unite the senior body.

That skill at mending factions and persuading others may serve Neal well in the future. The Bellwood resident, who just enrolled at Spelman College in Atlanta as a political science major, wants to become a public defender and ultimately a judge.

She was one of 12 new recipients of the 209 Scholarship. The new recipients each received $1,000 to use while in college. This year, the nonprofit 209 Scholarship awarded an additional 18 renewal scholarships at $500 each. In total, they gave away $21,000 in scholarships this year.

“This is our largest amount ever and we’ve now given away over $70,000 in scholarships,” said 209 Scholarship committee member Ken Snyder.

Neal said she hopes to leverage the scholarship in her quest to thrive at Spelman,

where she’s considering reprising Justice Troopers, the social justice organization she founded while a PMSA student.

“I’m in the process of rebranding Justice Troopers and starting something here in Atlanta,” Neal said, adding that she may focus her efforts on addressing Atlanta’s homelessness and mental health problems.

Cristobal Soto, a 19-year-old Maywood resident and recent Proviso East graduate, said the $1,000 scholarship helped cover the remaining costs of his books.

Soto, 209 Scholarship’s Proviso East Pirate Pride winner, will study mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago this fall.

“My parents raised me and my siblings to be involved in many things and to live life to the fullest,” Soto said. “My father always told me to do the hard stuff first in order to enjoy the fruits of your labor later.”

Soto said that advice translated into his involvement as a youth delegate who has traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of Maywood Trustee Isiah Brandon’s youth delegation at the annual Congressional City Conference hosted by the National League of Cities (NLC). Soto was also a 4-year member of the Proviso East Marching Band, among other responsibilities he juggled as a high school student.

“I’m grateful to my siblings, because they pushed me,” he said. “I’m also grateful for my family and the people in the community and at Proviso East, who helped me become a better person and to prosper.”

You can find more information on the 209 Scholarship at 209Scholarship.com.

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

13

At reelection launch, Kaegi touts equity, transparency

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Equity Editor

Oak Park resident and Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi announced his run for another term on Aug. 11 in Chicago. The Democratic Primary election is on June 28, 2022.

Kaegi formally announced his campaign for reelection during a press conference held at Jeffery Plaza in Chicago’s South Shore community on Aug. 11.

Kaegi, a longtime Oak Park resident, was surrounded by roughly a dozen politicians in support of his reelection bid, including some with west suburban constituencies like Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and First District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson.

Garcia lauded Kaegi for what he said is the assessor’s office accountability and transparency, issues that Kaegi ran on four years ago when he soundly beat former assessor and local powerbroker Joe Berrios.

“A perfect example of transparency and accountability in Cook County is found in the policy that says anyone who comes to the assessor’s office needs to sign in and explain who they are there to see,” said Garcia.

“I have found that many people who visit the assessor’s office no longer want to visit the office, because they don’t want to sign in and tell who they’re there to visit,” the con-

gressman said.

Kaegi said that, over his first term, his office fought “to bring transparency and equity to a rigged system that put favoritism above fairness. We got right to work fixing the corruption and unfairness of the last administration, implementing strict ethics codes, being transparent about how we are assessing properties — showing our work, and putting our models online.”

Along with technological upgrades in the office, Kaegi also touted a passage of “important legislation like automatic renewal of the senior exemption and the omnibus affordable housing bill. All of this has contributed to eliminating distortions and biases in assessments so that our tax base is becoming more equitable.”

Recently, Kaegi’s office has come under criticism from commercial property owners for carrying out his campaign of redistributing some of the property tax burden from residential to commercial properties.

Writing in Crain’s earlier this month, Jack Lavin, the president and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, called the assessor’s property valuation process “arbitrary.”

But Kaegi’s attempts to reset the county’s property tax system, so that it’s less burdensome for homeowners has been countered by activity at the Cook County Board of Review, the 3-person body that facilitates the

process of taxpayers appealing over-valued property assessments.

Last year in Oak Park and River Forest townships, the assessor’s valuations of nonresidential property totaled $81 million, an increase of 33% over the Board of Review’s total of $61 million for 2019. In 2020, the board’s total was $69 million, just a 13% jump.

“The data support the view that Assessor Fritz Kaegi faces powerful real estate tax appeal attorneys and other political forces in his efforts to reform Cook County’s grossly unfair and logic-defying method of calculating property values,” Daily Southtown columnist Ted Slowik wrote earlier this month.

Slowik said the board defended its readjusted total “by saying it conducts detailed examinations of tax appeal requests on an individual basis, whereas the assessor must

determine valuations for more than 1.8 million parcels countywide.

During his remarks on Aug. 11, Kaegi said for “too long, our system has undervalued the biggest properties, shifting the burden on homeowners and small businesses, who pick up the tab.”

Kaegi said the undervaluation of commercial properties during Berrios’ tenure “meant that millions of dollars were taken out of ” places like South Shore each year, “when they could be spent right here.

“That extra burden was enough to displace long-term residents from their homes,” Kaegi said. “And inaccurate, regressive assessments of homes also lead even more millions to be taken out of the community that should have stayed here.”

Kaegi said the Berrios administration “rewarded vacancy, by cutting assessments by up to 90% for owners who stated their buildings, keeping them empty while waiting for land values to rise. This heaped extra burden on the hard-working entrepreneurs and local leaders who dedicate themselves to enlivening and sustaining commercial strips like 71st Street.”

Kaegi said starting this year, “all properties on corridors like 71st Street will get credit for the local vacancy rate, while those with extra vacancy will only get temporary and partial relief, in line with market practice.”

C R I M E

Cops cast doubt on carjacking claim, impound vehicle Forest Park police impounded a 2021 Kia K5 sedan and have cast suspicion on the story given to them over the phone by someone purporting to be the vehicle’s owner following a high-speed chase involving the vehicle from Forest Park into Berwyn on Aug. 5 at about 11:15 p.m.

An officer on patrol reported seeing the Kia traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Harlem Avenue at I-290 and gave pursuit. The Kia reportedly entered the right-turn lane at Roosevelt Road and accelerated quickly to get around other vehicles to continue southbound.

A short distance south of Cermak Road, the Kia entered the Cermak Road parking lot and stopped. The officer exited his squad car to approach the vehicle, but the Kia accelerated again eastbound through the parking lot and eluded police.

A short while later, someone claiming to be the owner of the Kia called 911 to report his vehicle had been hijacked just prior to the police pursuit. The person claimed he was carjacked at gunpoint and that his assailant made him stay in the vehicle while the offender “joyrode around.” The police officer involved in the chase reported seeing just one person inside the vehicle when it briefly stopped in the Cermak Plaza parking lot.

After the offender eluded police, the al-

leged victim said the offender got out of the vehicle in Berwyn and ran away. The alleged victim apparently gave police his name, but otherwise was not very cooperative. Police traced alleged victim to an address in Berwyn not too far from where the chase ended.

They located the vehicle there and had it towed pending further investigation.

Car stolen from gas station A 29-year-old Forest Park man called police on Aug. 8 at about 7:50 p.m. to report that about 10 to 15 minutes earlier someone had stolen his black 2018 Infiniti while it was parked at a gas pump outside 7-Eleven, 7749 Roosevelt Road.

The victim told police he was in possession of the key and was sure the ignition was off, so he was unsure how it could have been stolen. Asked about the delay in calling police, the victim said his cellphone died and so he went home first.

Vehicle parts stolen ■ A resident of the 1200 block of Circle Avenue went to police on Aug. 11 to report that during the overnight hours someone had removed the entire rear passenger side window from his 1999 Chrysler Town and Country minivan, which was parked in Municipal Lot 15 at Circle and Roosevelt.

The victim told police he did not believe the window had been broken out because there was no shattered glass near or in the vehicle.

■ A resident of the 300 block of Circle Avenue contacted police on the morning of Aug. 12 to report that sometime after 1:30 p.m. the previous day someone sawed off the catalytic converter from his 2006 Honda CR-V, which was parked in an assigned spot overnight.

DUI crash

Forest Park police charged a 25-year-old Bellwood woman with drunken driving after she allegedly crashed his 2019 Ford sedan into a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup truck parked in the 400 block of Circle Avenue on Aug. 8 at about 11:35 p.m.

The owner of the pickup truck, who heard the crash, called police after hearing the driver of the sedan’s engine revving, as if trying to drive away. The alleged offender reportedly failed field sobriety tests and police reported finding a broken beer bottle in the center console of the sedan.

A breath test reportedly revealed the woman’s blood-alcohol content to be .247, which is more than three times the legal limit of .08. In addition to driving under influence, the woman was cited for illegally transport-

ing open alcohol.

Vehicle break-ins

Forest Park residents reported a spate of vehicle break-ins between Aug. 5 and Aug. 12, all but one of them involving unlocked vehicles.

On Aug. 5, three overnight burglaries to vehicles occurred, one each in the 800 block of Dunlop, 800 block of Lathrop and the 1000 block of Thomas.

On the night of Aug. 6 someone living in the 7200 block of Harvard Street reported that someone entered his unlocked vehicle and removed a Movado watch worth $3,800, credit cards and an envelope containing $1,100 in cash.

Other overnight car burglaries were reported Aug. 9 in the 1100 block of Hannah; on Aug. 10 in the 1000 block of Marengo and 200 block of Circle; on Aug. 11 in the 7700 block of Dixon and the 1100 block of Lathrop; and on Aug. 12 in the 7500 block of Roosevelt.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Aug. 5-12, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Bob Uphues

14

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

OPINION O U R

T

V I E W

Things we like

he WGN west suburban bureau: At a moment when Forest Park’s Madison Street can really use a PR boost, we have the WGN Weekend News to thank for setting up shop on our main street the past two weekends.

In extended live segments the effervescent morning news journalists have enthused about Accents by Fred, Brown Cow Ice Cream, Escape Factor and last weekend, Twisted Cookie.

Each of these is an independently owned local business which reflects the passion and personality of their owners, reflects the enormous diversity of shops and experiences a visitor might enjoy. These businesses are the backbone of the street and the sort of engaging presence Forest Park works to build off in growing the Forest Park brand.

In a summer where turmoil and trouble have garnered the headlines along Madison Street as rowdy crowds spilled into the street from select dysfunctional bars, these TV spots have been a balm.

Garage Galleries returns: It is an art show that reflects Forest Park’s genuine and grassroots appreciation for the arts. After a COVID summer hiatus in 2020, this annual event is back even in the face of a COVID upturn.

The concept is genius, simple genius. Across Forest Park, 23 active citizens — some artists, some fans of artists — open up their garages, presumably sweep up a bit, and host two artists each. This year there are 52 artists representing a wide range of talents and mediums, and a range of pricing that starts low, displaying their work on Saturday, Aug. 28.

In a COVID surge, there is the expectation of masking and the reality of wide open doors and breezes.

This is a partnership between the three locals who mount Garage Galleries and the increasingly interesting Forest Park Arts Alliance.

Good things happening on the art front.

Maybe next March: The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce made the wise, if hard, choice to cancel its Halfway to St. Patrick’s Parade which had been scheduled for September. Of course this was the second cancellation after the original St. Pat’s event was cancelled in March.

Now the Chamber has set next March for the return of what is Forest Park and the Chamber’s biggest event of the year. We can be hopeful.

Meanwhile the reality in this moment is an event that draws crowds lined up along both sides of Madison with no distancing, a drinking event that makes masking unlikely, in a month with likely better weather than the brisk misery most March parade days provide.

Not a healthy combination. Good decision by the Chamber.

M

Magical thinking and the scarecrow invasion

y friend mentioned that his father sold a box of hangers he found by the garbage for $400.

These hangers, with Chanel logos and cushioned padding sitting next to the garbage were just asking to be sold on eBay. The first European explorers and colonists traded glass and ceramic beads with native people of the Americas, and the Hudson Bay Trading Company developed lucrative beadtrading markets. People could display their power and influence through decoration, in exchange for fur and natural resources from the land. Today we have the “beads” of Air Jordans, Prada corduroy, Coach handbags, all magical enhancements.

Ah, the beauty of the human mind — the belief that one can have supernatural skills because they wear a magical shoe, carry a handbag or have the right hair color. “Oh joy, rapture,” was the comment made when the Scarecrow was given a diploma of “Thinkology,” from the Wizard of Oz. Not only did Dorothy have the ruby slippers all along, it was Triple Cross and membership in the Legion of Courage that made the Cowardly Lion change his narrative, and a ticking heart that enabled the Tin Man to find evidence of having a heart.

Magical thinking is real. Children are defined as living in the “pre-operational” state of mind freely practicing pretend and can be reluctant to consider other points of view. Rational, scientific adults avoid the name “MacBeth” in a theater, and would never say “no hitter” when one is unfolding.

Honestly, taking the vaccine takes a leap of faith, it takes magical thinking. It is not the “anti-vaxers” who are alone in magical thinking. It takes a suspension

of belief to think that something so simple as a shot in the arm can make such a huge difference. How many people who have taken the vaccine really understand the science behind how mRNA vaccines work? Yet 63.94% of Forest Parkers have decided that it is worth taking a vaccination to avoid the known personal and communal damage that can come from not taking it.

The narrative we tell ourselves, that motivates us to do or not to do is very powerful.

Growth mentality, optimism and fear are powerful weapons we all have access to.

So it feels good to celebrate when there is success in magical thinking. Uli Leib was inspired to take a page out of a small New Hampshire historical society to create community invasion scarecrows, and her Forest Park Historical Society board and Arts Alliance board found the optimism and charm to support her dream that seems to hopefully capture a moment of magic.

With 94 scarecrow kits sold and with only six more available (at the time I am writing this), it is delightful to be on this side of the mystery, wondering what will be revealed in October, in your yard and in mine. The invasion is scheduled for a solid month and should take part in every corner of our town. Soon we will start to see the creations — the magical thinking unique to Forest Park.

It seems that our era is filled with magical thinking, cynicism and scary things, and for those who need an outlet, we can have a touch of pride in our collective imagination. While my scarecrow will not be donning a Hermes scarf, I look forward to seeing if anyone else creates the American Scarecrow in their yard.

JILL WAGNER

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

15

O B I T U A R I E S

Betty Schultz, 91

Lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Betty J. Schultz (nee Gaedt), died peacefully at her home on Aug. 3, 2021, four days shy of her 92nd birthday. Born and raised in Forest Park and recently of Carmel, California, she was a proud lifetime member of St John Lutheran Church in Forest Park.

Blessed with a warm, generous heart, her door was always open to family and friends. She was very active until recent years and will be remembered as a Forest Park Brownie Troop leader; past president of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 7181; longtime president of the Forest Park Senior Citizens Club; St. John Ladies Aid member, and talented quilter. She was recognized on numerous occasions for her efforts to supply U.S. service members with her famous care packages. She also was an award-winning square dancer, avid bowler, baker, master of the crochet needle, and craft person extraordinaire.

Betty was pre-deceased by her parents, Oswald & Gertrude (Seeck) Gaedt; her siblings, Dolores (Kenneth) Clemmons, Howard (Doreen) Gaedt, and Carolyn (Joe) Borchers; her cousins Audrey Bach, Roger Kuecker and Ron Seeck; her husband,

Floyd; her daughter, Lois Lizabeth; and several nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey, and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was Aug. 13 at ZimmermanHarnett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, followed by interment at Oakridge Cemetery.

Need a helping of

Kay Duff, 91

Longtime Ascension parishioner Catherine Agnes (Kay) Duff, 91, died peacefully in her home in Forest Park on Aug. 12, 2021, following a bout with cancer that was discovered only months ago. Prior to that, she was sharp as a tack, and as healthy as one could be at her age.

Born on Oct. 27, 1929, she was a remarkable woman who became the family matriarch. She spent her formative years on the West Side of Chicago, before moving to Oak Park shortly after marrying her (late) husband of 57 years, John (Jack) Duff. She attended Providence High School, and was an active member of the Presentation Young People’s Club, through which she met her future husband.

She married at age 20, and raised 10 children, seven of them born before she turned 30. She was an active member of Ascension Parish and was involved in the Altar & Rosary Society and the many functions and events her children were part of. She was, like many women of the day, a full-time mom and a damn good one who never took a day off. One of the amazing things is that she never drove. She walked to stores or sent the children for daily supplies.

She knew everyone’s birthday. Not just her kids, but her many grandchildren, great grandchildren and godchildren. She would send reminders about an upcoming sibling’s birthday, etc.

In addition to her own wide circle of friends and her children, she was loved and adored by her children’s friends, who spent countless hours at the Duff household over the years and well into adulthood.

In her later years, she worked as a receptionist for Wednesday Journal.

She will be missed dearly by all, but the memories of her will be everlasting.

Kay Duff was the wife of the late John M.

“Jack”; mother of John, Kathleen, Thomas (Pam), James (Wendy), Anne (Robert) Dorneker, Margaret (William) Walsh, Mary (James) Arey, Patricia (Robert) Marino, Robert and the late Susan (the late John) Sbarbaro; grandmother of Ainsly and Benjamin, Amanda, Thomas and Kaitlyn, Kevin, Elizabeth, Kelly and Maggie, Meredith, Joseph and Patrick, Matthew and Nicole, James and John, and Marikate, Jack and Samuel; great-grandmother of Colin and Clare, Josephine and Thomas, and Cadence and Tenley; sister of William (Anita) and Lawrence (Mary) Frankel and the late Margaret (the late Charles) May, Hugo, Robert (Dorothy), Loretta Marren, Howard and Virginia Frankel; and the aunt and greataunt of many.

Visitation was held on Aug. 16 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was celebrated on Aug. 17 at Ascension Church, followed by interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Ascension School (school.ascensionoakpark.com) are appreciated.

Robert P. Gamboney Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit ForestParkReview.com/subscribe

Funeral Director I am there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

16 Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-08 (Zoning Ordinance Text AmendmentAccessory Dwelling Units) HEARING DATE: 2021

September 2,

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits.

LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007478 on August 2, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of HUFF RESOLUTION SERVICES with the business located at: 4909 W THOMAS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60651.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: DINAH HUFF 4909 W THOMAS ST, CHICAGO, IL 60651, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal August 4, 11 and 18, 2021

the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 2, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oakpark.us for instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@oak-park.us.

PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

REQUEST: The Petitioner requests text amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance as follows: Article 2 (Definitions & Rules of Measurement) by adding a definition of an “accessory dwelling unit,” and Article 9 (“Site Development Standards”), Subsection 9.3A(3) by exempting attic, basement and attached accessory dwelling units from accessory structure setback regulations, and adding a new Subsection 9.3B (“Accessory Dwelling Units”) to allow attic and basement conversions with separate entrances and attached accessory dwelling units with separate entrances.

A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

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 September 20, 2021, 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.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 25, September 1, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday August 19th, at 10:00 a.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7992342 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00.

The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents. This project is financed with local Village funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including DavisBacon and Related Acts, Section 3, and Equal Opportunity requirements.

OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007583 on August 11, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of BILL & GILL’S PROPERTY MAINTENANCE with the business located at: 4112 SUNNYSIDE AVE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MATTHEW DAVID GILL 4112 SUNNYSIDE AVE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA WILLIAM JOSEPH PRASCH, 2240 TERRY LN W, BROADVIEW, IL 60155, USA. Published in RB Landmark August 18, 25, September 1, 2021

Find Help Wanted & Marketplace listings on the next page!

Control Cabinet Replacement Project Number: 21-134

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid.

For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 2021

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer

LEGAL NOTICE Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 2021

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD

Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of ADEKUNLE AYANNEYE, Petitioner and KOWAII MATTHEW Respondent, Case No. 21D630026.

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday September 2, 2021 for Project: 21-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below.

In general, this contract includes removal and replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalks, ADA ramps, driveways, drainage structure adjustments, pavement patching, cold-milling of bituminous concrete, installation of hot-mix asphalt binder and surface courses, pavement striping, parkway restoration, and all appurtenant work thereto.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of STEFAN WLADYSLAW SUCHAN Case Number 2021 CONC 001009 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: STEFAN W SUCHAN to the new name of: STEVE W SUCHAN The court date will be held: On November 5, 2020 at 1:30 p.m. at Daley Center in Courtroom # 2503 via Zoom.

Published in RB Landmark August 18, 25, September 1, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007543 on August 5, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of TOBY ZUCKER JEWELRY DESIGN with the business located at: 202 N KENILWORTH AVE STE 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TOBY SHORE 202 N KENILWORTH AVE STE 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 25, September 1, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that on August 10, 2021, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of Riverside, Cook County, Illinois, adopted amendments to Chapter III, “Examinations – Original Appointments” of their Rules and Regulations, which amendments generally pertain to Lateral Appointment of Sworn Police Officer Candidates.

Copies of the amendments are available at the Village of Riverside office, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL, and on the Village of Riverside website. These amendments will be effective August 29, 2021, and thereafter. /s Kelly Navarro Kelly Navarro, Secretary of the Riverside, IL, Board of Fire & Police Commissioners Published in RB Landmark August 18, 2021

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1st, 2021 for the following: BID 21-135 VILLAGE OF OAK PARK EMERGENCY FIBER OPTIC CABLE REPAIR RATES REQUEST FOR BIDS Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 or by stopping by the office located at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Information is also available from the Streets & Street lighting Superintendent, Scott Brinkman, sbrinkman@ oak-park.us or on the Village’s website http://www.oak-park. us/your-government/financedepartment. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal August 18, 2021

Find Help Wanted & Marketplace listings on the next page!

NOVENAS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. L.M.

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

CLASSIFIED

17

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HELP WANTED

River Forest Public Schools District 90

District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions:

Hephzibah Children’s Association

• English Language Learners Teacher (Part-time FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School)

Hephzibah Children’s Association is a social service agency in Oak Park, IL with a variety of programs including Residential Group Homes. Our mission is “To help children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs”.

• Physical Education Teacher ( Part-time FTE 0.60 at Lincoln Elementary School)

Join our team now and you will be eligible for a signing bonus paid in installments (must be active at time of payout).

For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment for our complete list of employment opportunities.

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

Village of Brookfield

Imagine being a role model to children in the local community! If you are at your best in a child and student centered environment, when promoting learning and fun, are safety minded and you aim to make a difference in the lives of kids; please take the next step and apply to one of these exciting part-time roles in the Recreation Department:

• STARS Instructor, Before & After School Program ($11-$14 per hour) • Lead Teacher, Tots Prep Program ($12-$14 per hour) • Assistant Teacher, Tots Prep Program ($11-$12 per hour) Apply through the Careers link on the Village of Brookfield homepage.

PART TIME DRIVER ASAP

Local company looking for part time driver/warehouse. Must be drug free & have valid IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lb. $13/hr Email resume to HR@sievertelectric.com

ASSISTANT VILLAGE ENGINEER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Assistant Village Engineer in the Public Works Department. This position will be responsible for participating in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for assigned programs including design, mapping, field survey, private development, real estate and program planning for future public works and capital needs and also recommend, within Village policy, appropriate service and staffing levels while administering departmental policies and procedures. The ideal applicant will have extensive knowledge of the principles and practices of civil engineering, applicable laws and regulatory codes relevant to assigned area of responsibility, prepare understand and interpret engineering construction plans, specifications and other contract documents. 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. First review of applications August 26, 2021.

BUDGET & REVENUE ANALYST

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Budget and Revenue Analyst in the Finance Department. This position will Serve the public with professional administrative and analytical duties in the areas of budget preparation, purchasing, payroll, data analysis and process improvement. Provides, prepares and maintains records, and financial and statistical reports and analysis which assist in the Village’s ability to improve business processes and gain efficiencies through better use of technology. Budget duties include assisting in the development, analysis and application of performance measures with regard to Village services and resources; preparing, modifying, tracking and monitoring Village expenses and transfers; grants, and conducting budget-related research and analysis. 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. First review of applications August 27, 2021.

HORTICULTURE SUPERVISOR – PARK DISTRICT OF OAK PARK

The Park District is actively looking for a Full-Time Horticulture Supervisor. We offer a competitive compensation package with a starting salary of $49,513.00 + based on experience and qualifications. Our benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, flexible spending account, IMRF Pension, $300 reimbursement for wellness related activities, vacation, holidays, sick time and personal days.

The Horticulture Supervisor oversees the daily maintenance of the Park Districts landscape beds and natural areas. Landscape operations include: performing maintenance such as weeding, mulching, planting, pruning, watering, and fall and spring cleanup.

The Horticulture Supervisor assists in the design, organization, and scheduling of landscape area plantings to create healthy habitats.

Additionally, operations include: hiring, training, scheduling, and leading the horticulture team in proper horticulture maintenance practices.

Review the complete job description and apply online –https:// www.pdop.org/jobs h t t p s : / / w w w. p a y c o m o n l i n e . n e t / v 4 / a t s / w e b . p h p / jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=38634&clientkey=41D8300184906117978771C10E755DC6 The Park District of Oak Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer!

PAID-ON-CALL FIREFIGHTER Job Title: Paid-on-Call Firefighter Description: The Village of Riverside Fire Department is seeking applicants for the position of Paid-on-Call Firefighter.

Additional Status Information: This is not a full-time position.

Qualifications: - In good physical condition - Reside within 1.5 miles of the boundaries of the Village of Riverside at time of appointment - Be 18 years of age at the time of application - Possess a high school diploma or GED - Possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving record Miscellaneous Applications are reviewed in October 2021.

Application deadline is Friday, October 8th, 2021.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

GRANTS SUPERVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Supervisor in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible for developing. Administering and coordinating activities related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other grant-funded programs for the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Position opened until filled.

HIRING BONUS! HEPHZIBAH DAY CARE PROGRAM SITE SUPERVISOR

Hephzibah Children’s Association offers after school day care on site at each of the Oak Park elementary schools.

The Day Care Program is accepting applications for a Site Supervisor for the 2021-2022 school year to provide supervision to childcare staff as well as care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children.

Regular days and hours are Monday through Friday from 2:30 6:00 PM, Wednesday 1:30 – 6:00 PM. Additional hours on school closing days, in coordination with the school district calendar. May work other hours during school holidays and for staff meetings.

Residential Counselor - full time and part time positions - Signing Bonus

Residential Supervisor - full time and part time - Signing Bonus

We are currently seeking candidates to work in our residential Group Homes program. You will provide physically and emotionally nurturing care to children who have trauma histories in a structured therapeutic environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting.

We have a several part time and full time shifts available including, overnight, mornings, afternoons/evenings and weekend shifts.

Shifts include: • Full time weekdays -4-10 hours shifts: Noon-10:00 pm and every third weekend • Full time overnights - Saturday-Tuesday 9:00pm-7:00 am • Part time weekends - flexible, but includes morning & evening shifts on Saturdays & Sundays • Part time: Friday and Saturday, noon-10pm and Sunday, 7:00am-noon Flexibility to work additional shifts if needed, is desired.

Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Must be at least 21 years old • Experience working with special needs children • Experience writing Medicaid notes a plus • Valid IL drivers license • Sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural differences in the staff and client populations

We are currently seeking supervisor candidates to work in our residential Group Homes program. You will provide supervision to the staff and physically and emotionally nurturing care to children with trauma history in a structured therapeutic environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting.

We have a several part time and full time shifts available including, overnight, mornings, afternoons/ evenings and weekend shifts.

Shifts include: • Full time overnight – Wed-Saturday 9:00pm-7:00am • Part time – weekends Friday, Saturday, Sunday days • Part time – various days/times Flexibility to work additional shifts if needed, is desired.

Equal Opportunity Employer Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We value, advocate for and support an inclusive, respectful, multicultural, environment for employees and the clients we serve.

HIRING BONUS!

Part Time Positions Available for 2021-22 school year

AFTER-SCHOOL RECREATION / DAY CARE WORKER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST ON SITE AT OAK PARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Day Care Program of Hephzibah Children’s Association is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children in the After School Day Care program on site at Oak Park public schools. The days and hours are Mon – Fri from 2:30-6:00 PM and 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesdays.

Plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help and more.

Requirements include: -previous experience working with children -6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work or related college courses desired Program starts mid-August and runs through the 2021-22 school year.

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

CARS WANTED

Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

PART TIME HELP WANTED SPOTLESS CARWASH at 7343 Roosevelt and 7802 Madison St in Forest Park is in need of an attendant. We are looking for someone who likes to be outside and is friendly and likes people.

Program starts mid-August and runs through the school year.

Additional hours for staff meetings and on school closing days in coordination with the school district calendar.

The duties are to meet and greet customers, spray their wheels and perimeter of the car with soap, wipe the windshield with the sponge on a handle to prep a car before entering the automatic bay. Make change, sell tokens, automatic and self serve wash instructions, keep the lot, equipment room, and perimeter clean, and empty garbage cans.

Equal Opportunity Employer We are an inclusive employer and welcome people from all backgrounds to apply

MARKETPLACE

Contact MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org

Associate degree in child development or early childhood education, or the equivalent in child development or education desired.

Previous experience working with children required.

Contact MJ Joyce at: mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org

Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Must be at least 21 years old • Supervisory experience • Experience working with special needs children • Experience writing Medicaid notes a plus • Valid IL driver’s license • Sensitivity and responsiveness to the cultural differences in the staff and client populations

Pay is $11.00 per hour. The hours an attendant is on duty are 9-5 on weekdays 9-4 on Saturday and Sunday. If you can fit any of these hours on a part time basis we can work with you.

Please come to 7343 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park to pick up anapplication. 708-771-2945.

Thank you

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored

Cars Motorcycles Cars & & Vintage Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, MuscleCars, Cars, Ferrari’s,Jaguars, Jaguars, Muscle Mustang && Mopars Mopars Mustang Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.

Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122

CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG MARKETPLACE

ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY FREE TO ANY PERSON WITH A NEED

Oak Park

Quantum QJ6 Power Wheel Chair 2018 J6 Jazzy Model 260 lbs l40” w28” h54” left hand drive (708) 848-4611

GARAGE/YARD SALES

GARAGE/YARD SALES

RUMMAGE SALE HUGE RUMMAGE SALE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF OAK PARK 820 ONTARIO FRI 8/20 7PM TO 9PM SAT 8/21 8AM TO 3PM SUN 8/22 11AM TO 1PM

Forest Park

Forest Park

GARAGE SALE 908 & 914 BELOIT SAT 8/21 8AM TO 1PM

Furniture, tools, eclectic goodies. Mix of household items, and much more!

Oak Park

Artwork, jewelry, collectables, toys, books clothes for all ages, housewares, furniture, and “Make Me an Offer”, plus more! Mask required.

COMMUNITY YARD SALE 19th CENTURY CLUB 178 FOREST AVE SATURDAY 8/21 9AM TO 1PM MORE THAN 15 SELLERS! (RAIN DATE SAT. 8/28)

HUGE ANNUAL DOWNSIZING SALE! DON’T MISS THIS SALE: PART 1 - AUGUST 6/7/8 PART 2 AUGUST 20/21/22 9AM - 5PM 547 MARENGO AVE

Many quality items at reasonable prices. Much kitchen miscellaneous: gadgets and small appliances; much silver in excellent condition; fine crystal, especially stemware; several small area rugs and runners; small wool rug with appraisal; a few tools and garden items including vintage sprinklers; two snow plows several nice pieces of furniture, including glass cabinet; white porcelain cookware (unchipped); too much to list; must see to appreciate. No early birds.

R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E SUBURBAN RENTALS Apartment listings updated daily at:

ROOMS FOR RENT Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com BERWYN DELUXE 5 RMS

Deluxe 5 RMS, 2 BDRMS, close to train and hospital. Includes heat, water, all appliances, laundry facility, parking. Just painted, new blinds. $1200/mo.

Sec. dep. 1 mo. Credit Check.

BROKER

708-347-2500

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & Browne Strand & Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

FOREST PARK TOWNHOUSE FSBOPRINCIPALS ONLY

3BR, 3 BA Desirable townhouse in Forest Park. 2 car heated garage. Many upgrades. $419,000.

708-712-8933

708-383-0729

HOME SERVICES CEMENT

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N

FLOORS

LANDSCAPING

KLIS FLOORING INC.

BRUCE LAWN SERVICE

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

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

“QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

HANDYMAN

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

Mike’s Home Repair

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more. Clean-ups.

Garden weed removal.

Storm Branch Tree Removal.

708-447-1762

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PETS While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

524-1030

Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

INC., REALTOR

(708) 366-8989 7342 MADISON ST, FOREST PARK, ILLINOIS 60130

320 Circle Ave Forest Park $111,400 Fourth floor unit with balcony facing east. Great building within walking distance to Madison St. shopping and bus transportation. coin-op laundry in building. Covered parking space!

337 Marengo Ave Forest Park $655,000

1039 Troost Ave Forest Park $350,000 Huge three bedroom home in need of rehab.

Three car plus garage!

Enormous 75 foot lot.

Completely remodeled four bedroom three and a half bath home!

August delivery!

When life throws you a financial challenge, you’ve proven you have what it takes to ace it. Now it’s time to tackle your retirement savings at AceYourRetirement.org

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Forest Park Review, August 18, 2021

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

HomesInTheVillage.com

Featured Listings for This Week

Erika Villegas,

Oak Park $950,000 4BR, 2.1BA Patti x124

Oak Park $565,000 4BR, 3BA Patti x124

Oak Park $524,900 Multi unit Elissa x192

Oak Park $479,000 3BR, 1BA Laurie x186

Oak Park $464,800 4BR, 2.1BA Kyra x145

Oak Park $449,000 4BR, 1.1BR Harry x116

Forest Park $418,800 Multi unit Kyra x145

Countryside $395,000 3BR, 3BA Maria x117

Riverside $389,000 2BR, 1BA Kris x101

Oak Park $229,000 3BR, 1BA Laurie x186

Oak Park $164,000 2BR, 1BA Linda x187

Oak Park $159,900 1BR, 1BA Patti x124

Properties of The Week

1143 N Kenilworth Ave Oak Park 5BR, 3BA...$698,000 Kyra x145

216 S Humphrey Ave Oak Park 5BR, 3BA...$648,800 Kyra x145

Managing Broker/Owner

Mike Becker

Laurie Christofano

Marion Digre

Morgan Digre

Leticia Cruz

Jane McClelland

Elissa Palermo

Kyra Pych

Maria Rodriguez

Linda Rooney

Kris Sagan

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Harry Walsh