Maxham calls for better communication on village council
Commissioner criticizes fellow council members for condescendsion and overstepping in their departments
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
At the end of the village council meeting Sept. 9, during the time when commissioners give individual reports, Commissioner of Accounts and Finance Maria Maxham called out the council for not working well together and making staf f’s jobs harder by overstepping in daily operations
Maxham said this culture was made all the more evident after the Blue Line shootings on Labor Day. As commissioners talked about how to honor the police department following the murders, Maxham said she noticed something.
See MAXHAM on pa ge 16
D91 students take part in the 2nd Annual PTO Color Fun Run at the Roos Center, based on the Hindu Holi Festival, sunglasses optional
See more photos page 3
ERICA BENSON
September 27 | 6-8pm
Featuring local musicians, artisans, showroom tours, and more!
• $20 per person
- Includes event admission, two drink tickets
- Appetizers and activities
- Tickets must be purchased in advance
- Members receive a 10% discount
MORE INFO: (708) 725-2460 • www.fopcon.org
615 Gar eld Street • Oak Park, Illinois, 60304
Garage Sale
Sat & Sun Sept 21st & 22nd • 7am to 1pm 1311 S Harlem in Forest Park
@ 13th the alley behind Harlem
Bikes, kitchen items: plates, cups, Instapot, air fryer, household goods. Decorative mirrors, books, animal necessities: dog bed, cat carrier, feeding bowls, toys. Albums, children’s toys & books, some clothing (all sizes), lots of free items, etc.
Multi-Family Block Sale
800 block of N. East Ave.
Oak Park
Saturday, September 21 from 9 am to noon
D91 Color Fun Run
At least 80 families turned out to support D91’s PTO in its second annual color run, inspired by the Hindu festival of Holi.
19-year veteran Hankus is named next re chief
Fire department will promote a re ghter to lieutenant
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta announced his planned retirement in February and, on Oct. 15, he will pass the baton to Lt. Lindsey Hankus.
When Hankus becomes the village’s first female chief, the fire department will promote one of its staff members to the lieutenant post and hire a new firefighter. The village council approved doing so at the Sept. 9 meeting with a unanimous vote.
Those interested in filling Hankus’ soonvacant lieutenant position are undergoing an oral and written testing process and will be ranked based on their results. Next, the Fire and Police Commission will consult the ranked list and make a recommendation on a promotion for the village council to then vote on.
Hankus said the department should have a lieutenant finalist around the end of the month. The next three firefighters on the list
after the lieutenant will be promoted to acting officers.
Meet Lindsey Hankus
When she was younger, Hankus said she wanted to fight forest fires. Though she never moved somewhere where that was a possibility, she remained interested in the fire service.
Hankus attended an Emergency Medical Training school, then a paramedic training school. In the early 2000s, she worked at the Stickney Fire Department before starting as a contract paramedic in Forest Park in 2002. At the same time, she was also a lifeguard in Forest Park.
Hankus chalks it up to the village hiring more women 20 or 30 years ago.
“I think we’re just catching up,” she said of female firefighters. “Now they’re getting time and experience and education in the career to be able to fulfill those leadership roles.”
“I’m hoping to get to the point where it’s not shocking to see a woman in a leadership role,” Hankus added.
Passing the baton
Hankus next worked as a full-time firefighter in Barrington for nine months before the village called to ask if she wanted a job at the Forest Park Fire Department.
“This was the place I wanted to work,” Hankus said. “I really loved the community I loved the camaraderie of the department.”
She’s been with the Forest Park Fire Department since 2005. In 2021, Hankus became a lieutenant and the highest-ranking woman in the fire department’s history.
When asked why she thinks it has taken this long for such an achievement in town,
When Chiappetta let the village know he was retiring earlier this year, village administration sent a letter to the fire department asking that anyone interested in succeeding Chiappetta submit an application and letter of intent.
Hankus and two other firefighters did so, then interviewed with Village Administrator Rachell Entler, Commissioner of Accounts and Finance Maria Maxham — who also has jurisdiction over the fire department — and a fire chief from another municipality. They recommended Hankus to be the next fire chief.
So about three weeks ago, Hankus said she moved off her regular firefighting schedule
of working for 24 hours, then having two days off. Instead, she started shadowing and training with Chiappetta.
When Hankus becomes fire chief next month, she said her goals for the de partment include filling in training holes while keeping in mind the village’s budget for the 2025 fiscal year — which was passed in July with a $9 million deficit.
For example, Hankus said she wants the Illinois Fire Service Institute to come teach firefighters about vehicle machinery operations and techniques used in vehicle extrication.
“With I-290 and some of the accidents we’ve seen, that would really fill some training gaps,” Hankus said.
She hopes to keep the fire department staff motivated, thinking outside the box and more involved in the community
When she was off shift at the fire department, Hankus had a part-time job in emergency management. With this position, she taught members of a task force, local hospital staff and businesses how to respond to an active shooter and develop emergency plans in other situations
“We need this whole community response to some of these larger events,” Hankus said. “I’m hoping that I can bring that to Forest Park and our community partners as well.”
LINDSE Y HANKUS
BIG WEEK September 18-25
Compiled by Brooke Duncan
Immigration Stories with Nestor Gomez
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 7 p.m., , Forest Park Public Library
Nestor Gomez, poet, published author, and storyteller with over 80 wins at Moth Slam competitions, joins us to share stories about his home country of Guatemala and his experiences as a former undocumented immigrant in Chicago. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park
Groove Witness @ Robert ’s
Westside | FREE SHOW
Friday, Sept. 20, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., Rober t’s Westside
A free concert featuring Groove Witness performing two soulful sets of funk, blues, and pop. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with music starting at 8 p.m. The event is free to enter, but tips for the band are appreciated. 21+ / Under 21 welcomed with a parent or guardian.
7321 Madison St., Forest Park
Oak Park-River Forest Gangster Tour
Sundays: Sept. 29, Oc t. 6, Oc t. 27, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., FitzGerald’s
Explore the past of notorious Chicago mobsters on this 2.5-hour exterior bus tour visiting 13 historic homes once owned by major gangsters like Tony Accardo, Paul Ricca, and Sam Giancana. Led by guide John Binder, the tour dives deep into organized crime history and o ers detailed insights into each property. Tickets are $40 per person. Tickets and more info: chitowngangstertours com or call 708-287-9118. 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Ber wyn
Ugly Shoe Part y
Thursday, Sept. 19, 7-9 p.m., Scoreboard Sports bar & Grill
Join Party Cli for an ugly shoe contest with prizes: $100 for 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd. Enjoy music by DJ Hye Kid and drink specials from 7 to 9 p.m., including $5 Strong Islands, $5 Classic Margaritas, and $5 Lemon Drops. 7109 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Just Dance Video Game Battle
Sept. 20, 4 p.m., Forest Park Public Library your best dance moves in this exciting Just Dance video game battle on the Nintendo Switch. Designed for students in grades 5, 6, and 7. 7555 Jackson Blvd.,
International Snacks with Universal Yums
Sept. 21, 2 p.m., Forest Park Public Library
Join us in the YA Lounge to sample international snacks from a Universal Yums box. Discover new avors, learn about di erent countries, and enjoy unique treats. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park
Listing your event
Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper
■ Email details to calendar@wjinc.com
Cream Social
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Field-Stevenson Elementary
Join the PTO for an ice cream social on the playground at Field-Stevenson. Enjoy a sweet evening on the blacktop behind the school. Donations and volunteers are welcome; please check the Sign Up Genius for opportunities to help. 941 Beloit Ave., Forest Park
The Perils of Election Disinformation
Tuesday, Sept. 24, 6:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Main Library - Veterans Room Skewed political information harms voters’ ability to understand candidate positions and make informed choices. The League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest will explore the problem of misinformation and disinformation at its fall kicko event. Guest speaker is Michael A. Spikes, lecturer at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. The cochairs of the League of Women Voters of Illinois Mis/ Disinformation Task Force will present the do’s and don’ts of election disinformation. Free and open to the public. 834 Lake St., Oak Park
‘Rosemary with Ginger’
Saturday, Sept. 7 – Monday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m. doors, 7 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. show, Monse’s Tapas Restaurant Habakkuk Theatre returns with its rst in-person production since the pandemic, partnering with Monse’s Tapas Restaurant for Edward Allan Baker’s Rosemary with Ginger, directed by Dado. Follow the intense, emotional journey of two sisters as they meet in a closed-down diner, revealing the strife in their lives while rediscovering their common bonds. Tickets include dinner and a soft drink from a xed menu; a cash bar is available. Press can attend performances during the rst and second weekends. For tickets and more info, visit habakkuktheatre.org. 6609 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn
Lucien Vilutis-Brow n of Forest Park dances to the music of Taylor Swi at the Forest Park Public Library, Sept. 14
Kear y Bramwell of Forest Park dances with her daughter Brooke.
Sw i impersonator Rachael Sw inson of Rochelle entertains attendees.
Bridging The Gap Parade
e village of Maywood participated in the Bridging e Gap Parade, Sept 14, 2024. e parade included schools from Broadview, Maywood, Bellwood and Berwy n. e Prov iso Tow nship event doubles as a communit y resource fair.
Jayden Borner of Romeov ille receives a toy from the Black Men United Organization.
Maywood residents aim high.
Kamari Beal of Broadview collects candy.
Above: Members of the Prov iso East marching band and cheerleaders
Photos from ERIC A BENSON
4 males, including a 17-yearold, reportedly steal car, guns
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
While on patrol Sept. 15, police got a hit on a stolen vehicle out of Indiana and followed the car. On the 700 block of 4th Avenue, Maywood, four males got out of the stolen car wearing black ski masks, according to the police report. Two of the offenders ran west and two ran south, police said. One of the suspects threw a firearm in the alley, which was also stolen out of Indiana, according to officials. After several commands to stop, police reportedly tased one of the males, a 17-yearold. He was later taken to the Juvenile Detention Center in Chicago’s Tri-Taylor neighborhood. Maywood police allegedly found two of the other offenders and one gun in a 4th Avenue yard, also stolen out of Indiana. The two men were charged with criminal trespassing to a vehicle and resisting an officer.
Battery
Police were dispatched Sept. 15 to 7500 Roosevelt Road for reports of an employee threatening another employee. One man told police that he was reassigned to a new workstation and asked his colleague for help twice. The second time that the colleague refused to help him, the colleague struck the man’s face with an open hand. The business’ manager wasn’t aware of the incident, and no one has been charged, according to the police report
Aggravated assault
On Sept. 15, police were dispatched to the Forest Park Blue Line CTA station for reports of a man in the mezzanine trying to fight people with a stick, according to the police report. Police said they located the man and told him to put down the bludgeon before one officer took it from him. When police tried to arrest him, the man reportedly pushed them away and resisted repeatedly Police forced the man to the ground and took him to the police station, officials reported. The man told police he started swinging the bludgeon over an argument about a cigarette and that he is always angry and hears voices. He was charged with four counts of aggravated assault and four counts of resisting an officer
On Sept. 10, a man at the same train station was allegedly threatening CTA security with
bolt cutters after jumping the turnstile without paying. CTA security turned the offender over to the police department, which charged him with aggravated assault, aggravated battery, reckless conduct, theft of services, and possession of burglary tools, which police found in his backpack
Aggravated robbery
On Sept. 14 around 6 p.m., police were dispatched to the Harlem Blue Line CTA station for a call about a man wearing a ski mask who attempted to rob someone with a gun. Police reported that they saw the man flee west on the train tracks before crossing the eastbound lanes, median and westbound lanes of I-290. Police caught the man and took him into custody, where the man reportedly told police that another man approached him at the train station to sell him cannabis. The offender allegedly placed the cannabis in his pants and started negotiating its cost before a brief altercation took place and the seller attempted to grab the cannabis from the front of his pants. The offender said he pretended to have a gun to get the man away from him, though officers reported that they saw him with a gun and found one by the road. The man was charged with aggravated robbery, resisting an officer, lacking a Firearm Owner’s Identification card and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
Stray animals
Police were dispatched to the 1200 block of Elgin Avenue Sept. 12 because there were five pit bulls lingering on the block, according to the police report. A woman living on the street secured them in her backyard, though she told police they don’t belong to her. Police put the dogs in three squad cars and took them to the Animal Care League since they had no collars or tags
These items were obtained from Forest Park Police Department reports dated Sept. 10-15 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest
Irish dance returns to Forest Park
Bentley Academy’s Madison Street studio is in the same location as 7 years ago
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
An Irish dance studio opened at 7515 Madison St. in August, but it’s not new to town. Jeanine Bentley opened Bentley Academy of Irish Dance on Madison Street in February 2017 for three months before moving to a studio in Downers Grove, where she grew up
“I did Forest Park because there wasn’t another competitive Irish dance school around that area, which is kind of an unwritten rule with dance teachers,” Bentley said. She found herself missing the Forest Park area, which she left after graduating from Dominican University in River Forest. So Bentley started renting studio space on Saturday mornings from TranscenDance Studios on Madison Street in Oak Park
Then a few months ago, the parent of one of her Oak Park students told her 7515 Madison St. was available to lease
“The fact that it was the exact same place where I had my very first class, it felt a little serendipitous,” Bentley said. After Irish dancing her whole life, competing and touring professionally, Bentley now works full time at Northwestern Mutual in Chicago. She and a few other teachers instruct Irish dance on the side to about 80 students of all
ages and skill levels in Downers Grove and Forest Park
Bentley Academy hosts classes in Forest Park on Wednesdays. The first class runs 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. for beginner dancers. Then there’s two hour-long classes for more advanced dancers.
“I want to be a place where it feels more boutique,” Bentley said, “where kids are able to come in and they can get attention and really improve in the way that they want to.”
Dedicated to dance
Bentley has done Irish dancing since she was 6 year s old; she started c lasses at a small school in someone’s b asement.
“I instantly fell in love with it,” she said. “Having something that was very technical, mixed with athletic, mixed with music was a perfect combination.”
“Even when it was really tough, it was probably my first love to be honest,” Bentley added. “It was more than a sport.”
Bentley danced competitively during high school. She attended Dominican, in part so she could be near the Chicago-based Trinity Irish Dance Company, where she danced professionally. She continued touring professionally after graduating.
“With opening a school, I always had a pipe dream in the back of my head since I was probably 9 or 10 and never thought it was going to come to fruition,” Bentley recalled. “Part of the reason for that is the exam you have to take to become certified to have a dance school — at least a competitive Irish dance school — is really grueling.
The World Irish Dance Association puts on the TCRG Examinations, which consist of a three-day test with a low
said few renovations were needed because the space was already a dance studio. She invited students and parents for pizza and painting the Forest Park studio before holding the first class in mid-August.
Now one month in, she’s excited to see her Forest Park ile also supporting her students outside of dance.
“Number one for me is making sure every kid walks in, feels safe, feels valued, and is truly seen and is celebrated — not for any type of dancing, but the person they are,” Bentley said.
“We have a lot of dancers who are not going to be world champions, and they come in and just explode with energy and appreciation and good camaraderie. To me, that’s the best.”
Bentley Academy is located at 7515 Madison St. and is open Wednesdays from 4:30 to 7:15 p.m. To sign up for a class, contact info@thebentle yacademy.com.
PROVIDED
Jeanine Bentley, middle
Bentley Academy summer camp PROVIDED
Cillian and Fiona perform at Downers Grove Festival.
Welcome to Worship 2024
YOUR LOCAL RELIGION GUIDE
Find Community at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Looking for a place where you can connect with others and explore what truly moves you? Join a community dedicated to both spiritual growth and collective action for the greater good. Together, we work to turn our values into meaningful change in our community and beyond. Discover a community where you can live into your beliefs and values, and where love and connection is at the heart of everything we do.
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is a multigenerational, creedless community with a mission of welcoming all, inspiring compassion, nurturing wonder, and serving community. We welcome and affirm people as they are—wherever they are in their journey, however they identify and understand themselves, whomever they love. Together, we work for collective liberation within and beyond our landmark building walls. We offer:
• Inclusive Sunday Services: Experience open-hearted worship services that draw from diverse traditions, encourage reflection and connection.
• Lifelong Learning: Enrich your understanding through educational programs that explore various spiritual paths, philosophies and life’s big questions.
• Social Justice: Join like-minded individuals to support local initiatives creating positive impacts within our community and beyond.
• Youth & Family Engagement: Nurture the next generation’s values of compassion, empathy and curiosity through our engaging youth programs.
We invite you to check out our worship services and children & youth religious education programming at 9 & 10:45am on Sunday. Live-streamed at 9am. Connect with us at www.unitytemple.org.
Connection | Transformation | Acceptance | Justice
Worship Service and Religious Education Sundays at 9am and 10:45am 875 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 unitytemple.org
Chalice Art by Peg Green www.peacepeg.com
Oak Park Temple: A Community for All
Oak Park Temple: A Community for All
Step into our rotunda any Sunday morning, and you’ll see why we treasure Oak Park Temple as our Jewish home.
Our men’s club, the Bagel Boys, is serving up bagels and cream cheese. Kids are rushing from religious school class to a youth service, where we can hear them joyfully singing. Adults are chatting, reading the Sunday papers, or heading to Torah study.
Oak Park Temple is a vibrant, welcoming, multigenerational Jewish community - a place where new and longtime members, interfaith couples, Jews-by-choice, LGBTQ+ families, and more come together to worship, learn, make friends, and make a difference in our world.
Bringing us all together are our worship services. Our clergy inspire us with powerful lessons, and support us with deeply meaningful pastoral care. Our new cantor leads us in beautiful song, and raises up our voices beside hers.
Anyone who might be intimidated at connecting with a synagogue need not be. Our Reform services incorporate significant amounts of English. Our Torah study groups are open to everyone - no experience required. And for those who want to learn Hebrew or further deepen their Jewish knowledge, we have Hebrew classes and an adult education program that brings in speakers on a wide array of subjects.
Oh, and we also have fun! Our communal life includes a Jewish book club, picnics in the park, Shabbat walks through the woods, and folk-song and camp-style Shabbat services.
We come from diverse backgrounds and with different levels of Jewish knowledge. But we are united by a desire to live out our Judaism in communityand to welcome new friends to join us.
We are a community of all ages. Our preschool is a joyous and enriching setting where children and parents make lifelong friends. Our Tot Shabbats get everyone jamming. Our religious school develops older children’s Jewish learning and prepares them for adulthood. Adults can practice yoga at Oak Park Temple, join the choir, help our neighbors, and become involved in social justice.
As the High Holidays draw near, we invite you to get in touch.
For all who seek a deeper connection to Judaism, Oak Park Temple is a place of warmth and welcome - and perhaps your new home.
Local Church Celebrates 100 Years
Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church is celebrating its 100th year worshipping in Oak Park. The church began at Whittier School with a membership of 69 people, before breaking ground at the corner of Fair Oaks Ave. and Thomas St. in 1926. The church built its current sanctuary beginning in 1950, and its gothic architecture and signature stained glass remains today.
While a 100-year-old church may sound a little stiff, Fair Oaks strikes a balance of remaining both relevant and true to the church’s lasting commitment to reflect Christ’s love, service and humility.
“It’s important to us at Fair Oaks that we meet people where they are,” said Rev. Hailey Braden Lynch, co-pastor at Fair Oaks. “We know that many have had different experiences with churches in the past. We want to honor
those experiences while showing our community the radical love of Jesus.”
Fair Oaks often shows its faith through action, investing in the Oak Park-Austin area and beyond through community service and donations. The church dedicates a portion of its annual budget to mission work, partnering with local agencies and congregations to give where it’s needed most.
Church members also organize and host service-related projects throughout the year, including an annual volunteer trip for high school students, donation drives around the holidays, and the Fair Oaks Market — a local artisan event to benefit Austin mission partners and the senior high mission trip.
Fair Oaks is an open and affirming congregation that worships every Sunday at 10 a.m. Visit www.fairoakspres. org for more information.
Find Community at Grace Lutheran Church
As Christ welcomes and redeems people without distinction or exception, so do we at Grace Lutheran Church as we answer the call to share God’s love with the community and beyond.
Our 10 a.m. Sunday worship features traditional liturgies and congregation singing led by our organ and choirs. We use prayers and readings to express our identity as the people of God and celebrate our unity with Christians across the ages. If you cannot make it in person, you can join us on our YouTube page (@ gracelutheranchurchriverforest).
Grace Gathers is our Sunday morning time together before worship at 8:45 a.m. Pastor Lyle leads us in scripture, conversation, and prayer before we split into the different groups: Sunday School (PreK to 6th grade), Confirmation (7th to 8th grade), Adult Education (speaker,
Bible study, or book study), and Making Disciples (our prospective new member class). Our high school students also meet monthly for food and fellowship after worship. Nursery care is available from 8:45 until 11:15 a.m.
During the month, there are various groups that meet regularly either for fellowship, Bible study, discussion, or spiritual growth. Some of them include yoga class, knitting group, Faith Forum, chronic illness support (Finding Hope), and many more. Cornerstones is our weekly senior citizen group who meet for fellowship and Bible study on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m.
To find out what is happening, and to get involved, you can visit our website (graceriverforest.org) or stop by the church on Sunday. We hope to see you soon.
HSt. Christopher’s Episcopal Church: Am I really welcome?
ey there, dear reader. I’m George, a priest at St. Christopher’s, a lovely little neighborhood church at East and Adams in Oak Park. Our members and I invite you to join us some Sunday to check us out.
Our 8 am service is cozy and relaxed. Our 9:30 am Wiggle Worship service is full of explosive joy as kids lead and serve communion. At 11 am, our choir sings as we explore our lives through worship.
Hesitant to start out on a Sunday? Join us for one of our events: Serviceoriented outreach, The Blessing of the Animals, Blue Christmas in December; multigenerational wreath-making during Advent; chili cookoff; women’s gatherings; and “Thank You God for Video Games” youth night.
Stepping into a new church can feel wonderful and intimidating. But each
Sunday, we affirm that whoever you are; wherever you are on your journey of faith, we welcome you as you are. We include lifelong Episcopalians, nondenominational Christians, Catholics, atheists, agnostics, and more. We are all seekers.
In our pews are those who have been helped by religion and have been hurt by it. We are male, female, gendernonbinary, and trans. We are married and single, young and old, black and white. At St. Christopher’s, we believe that all are welcome at God’s table, including you.
I hope we’re lucky enough to meet you and see the good you bring into the world. Thanks for considering our church.
- Rev. George (George +)
Visit us at
We are a warm and welcoming community for individuals and families of all backgrounds.
Our Conservative congregation is home to a diverse group united by a dedication to Judaism and a love of the Jewish people. From young families raising their children to seniors sharing their experiences, Temple Har Zion nurtures faith and friendship. We pray, learn, and live, inspired by our Jewish faith, tradition, and community.
We strive to create an environment that is inclusive, uplifting, meaningful, and transformative throughout the full lifecycle, including intergenerational activities, ongoing adult education, cultural and community events, and social groups such as our Sisterhood. Our preschool and religious school create a strong foundation of Hebrew, study of the tradition, and tikkun olam (healing the world) for our youth.
We invite you to celebrate the High Holy Days with us in person or even online!
• Selichot Musical Service Sep 28
• Erev Rosh Hashanah Oct 2
• Rosh Hashanah Oct 3-4
• Kol Nidre Oct 11
• Yom Kippur Oct 12
• Sukkot Oct 16-18
• Simchat Torah Musical Service Oct 24
Complimentary High Holy Days tickets for first-time guests!
Sunday, October 20, 10am-12pm
Music by MISTER G!
No matter where you may be on your spiritual journey, you will find inspiration and meaning in our synagogue. Visit
Enjoy a day of fun, food, and music by Latin Grammy award-winning Ben Gundersheimer, better known as MISTER G! at our 2024 Jewish Latine Family Festival! Visit our website or scan the QR code for details and tickets.
If it’s your first time with us, we invite you to be our guests for the High Holy Days. Enjoy programs and services for all ages throughout the holidays.
Simply call or email us, and we’ll get a seat ready for you!
Interfaith families are welcome!
Follow us on:
Welcome to First Presbyterian Church of River Forest
Come as you are to First Pres River Forest! We may look like any church on the outside, but what you will find inside is what matters. There is laughter and noise. There are children. There are teenagers. There are adults. There is mess. There is music. There is beauty. There is mission work. There are Bible studies. There are celebrations. There is worship.
We invite you to come and see what we mean. Feel the vibrancy. Feel the sincerity. Feel the love of Christ. In all the different things we do, we have one singular focus on the main thing (spoiler alert, it’s Jesus!). As we prepare
to celebrate 100 years at Quick and Lathrop, you will find we don’t dwell in that rich history, but draw from the past and boldly lead into the future. First Pres is the future of church.
Unity, justice, and service to humanity with Baha’i Community of Oak Park
The Baha’i Faith is a world religion that emphasizes the oneness of God, religion, and humankind. It promotes principles of unity, justice, and service to humanity. We warmly invite individuals from all faiths to become partners walking together in service as we further in our mission to cultivate harmony and love among all people.
The Baha’i Community of Oak Park is one of the oldest Baha’i communities in the United States, dating back to 1898.
Our Baha’i House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, is an architectural wonder and serene sanctuary that invites visitors to explore its stunning gardens, experience its peaceful atmosphere and participate in uplifting community events.
The Baha’i Faith Community Center of Oak Park is a local gathering place for activities hosted by the local Bahai community.
Please join us every Sunday from 10:00 to 10:45 AM for the Hour of Prayer. This is an inclusive, interfaith devotional gathering. A special time open to all and providing a welcoming space for various expressions of prayer, song, and inspiration. We encouraged participants to bring their own readings and prayers to share during this uplifting event.
Please join us every Sunday from 11:00 to 12:30 PM for Meaningful Discussions. We meet to explore our inner spiritual nature discuss how we can contribute to creating a peaceful and united world and examine topics such as our purpose, and social justice.
Visit WWW.OPBAHAI.ORG for more information on events, programs or to contact our community.
State grant rekindles Harlem bridge project
By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter
A $250,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will allow Forest Park, Oak Park and River Forest to restart dormant ef for ts to undertake a multimillion-dollar project to re place the railroad bridge at the intersection of Harlem Avenue and South Boulevard that is more than 100 years old.
The grant, which was awarded to River Forest, will allow officials from the three municipalities to complete the project’s Phase 1 study, which was started in 2008. The next step is for the three municipalities to approve an updated intergovernmental ag reement. Eventually, the three will need ag reement on an IGA from other stakeholders — the Union Pacific Railroad, the Chicago Transit Agency, Metra and the Illinois Department of Transportation.
“Part of the continued Phase I work will be engaging with those other parties,” Village Administrator Matt Walsh said. “The study will help provide all parties with the necessary information to reach a broader IGA. This will involve Metra and IDOT as well.”
Walsh said initial discussions with the CTA and the UP “have been positive.” He also acknowledged that the project “has been out there for some time.”
The bridge was originally built in the 1920s to carry the Chicago and Northwestern Railway tracks over Harlem. It now carries tracks of Metra, the UP and the CTA. The purpose of the reconstruction project is to eliminate the congestion problems caused by the configuration of the existing structure, which has remained essentially unchanged since its construction over 100 years ago despite significant increases in traffic along Harlem Avenue.
With the DCEO grant secured, River Forest officials voted to approve an ag reement with Chicago-based H. W. Lochner Inc., an infrastructure services provider, to complete the Harlem Avenue Viaduct Phase 1 Study for $248,211. The four trustees present at the Sept. 9 village board meeting voted unanimously to enter into the updated IGA and approve the ag reement with Lochner. Trustees Bob O’Connell and Respicio Vazquez did not attend.
Jack Bielak, director of public works and engineering, told officials that “having a
Community clean-up set for Sept. 21
Late-summer version of the twice-yearly event is set for this Saturday
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Forest Park’s next community clean-up will take place Sept. 21 at 9 a.m. at the Howard Mohr Community Center.
The village’s recreation board and public works department are hosting the cleanup, as they do twice yearly: in the spring and end of summer. As in past years, the clean-up will center around four zones across Forest Park
Zone 1 will stretch north-to-south from Harrison Street to 16th Street and eastto-west from Beloit Avenue to Harlem Av-
enue. Zone 2 has two parts: from Harrison Street to Roosevelt Road, boarded to the east and west by Des Plaines Avenue and Beloit Avenue. The zone is also just north of the Forest Park CTA station, from Van Buren St. to Des Plaines Avenue and up to Madison Street.
Zone 3 is bordered by Madison Street to the north, Harrison Street to the south, plus Des Plaines Avenue and Harlem Avenue. Zone 4 stretches from Madison Street, north to Central Avenue, between Lathrop Avenue and Harlem Avenue.
Those interested in volunteering for the clean-up can re gister online and will be
completed Phase 1 opens doors” to funding.
“The expected cost will be significant,” Walsh said. In 2023, the cost estimate was $30 million and is likely higher now. He said staf f members will look for grant funding at the state and federal level.
Bielak explained that Phase I engineering that was started in 2008 needs to be updated, especially the traffic patterns.
The bridge structure will be a singlespan through-girder bridge supported by drilled-shaft caissons with a minimum clearance of 14 feet, 9 inches, he said in a memo to Walsh. Roadway improvements will require the lowering of Harlem to achieve a vertical clearance along with adjacent roadway improvements, new turn lanes and sidewalk improvements to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
In answer to a question from trustee Erika Bachner, Bielak indicated lowering Harlem will not impact water and sewer lines under the street.
Additional hurdles that need to be cleared involve the other stakeholders.
UP officials indicated they will not move forward with additional reviews needed to reach an IGA unless review fees, which
could range from $50,000 to $100,000 are paid, Bielak said. Also, according to standard UP policies, the UP will not approve an IGA or the project unless bridge maintenance and ownership is transferred after the project, meaning IDOT would need to accept ownership.
Further more, to receive support from the CTA, agency officials indicated they would like to keep their station and yard west of Harlem open during the work and requested that work be done of f hours for almost the entire project, he said.
In 2008, preliminary engineering of Phase 1 was started to evaluate options for re placement/rehabilitation of the bridge and improvement of traffic flow through the intersection, Bielak said. Initial funding for Phase 1 was provided through a $798,400 Federal High Priority Project grant along with approximately $201,600 in local funds split among the three municipalities with Forest Park and River Forest each paying 25% and Oak Park paying 50%. “ I’m ve ry c onfident of the process,” Vi llage President Cathy A dduci said. “I think the three villages c ould g et something significant. ”
Volunteers for the Community Clean-Up gather at Roos Recreation Center.
provided pickers and gloves, while supplies last. Org anizers recommend w earing sunscreen, closed-toed shoes, a hat, and
bringing a reusable water bottle. After the event, treats will be available to volunteers from Twisted Cookie.
TODD BANNOR
Police department awarded grant to target retail theft
Funding will be used for cameras and overtime patrol at the local Dollar Tree, Walgreens and Walmart
By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
Forest Park’s village council approved a $12,758 grant from the Illinois Office of the Attorney General at a council meeting Sept. 9. The grant will give the Forest
MAXHAM
Rethinking council form
from page 1
“It’s probably the first time all of us commissioners have kindly talked to one another in a really long time,” Maxham said.
The police department told commissioners they didn’t want any kind of gesture, that they were doing their jobs.
“Every single day, the police department and the fire department and every other department here is just doing their jobs,” Maxham said, “And a lot of times, they do it despite us here as a council and the way we interact with one another.”
While Maxham said that even she can be petty at times, she said that the condescending way commissioners speak to each other leads to a hostile workplace.
“The emails I’ve seen, the way people are talked to, is completely unacceptable, and nobody should have to work in that kind of environment,” Maxham said. “In any other kind of line of work, if we weren’t elected officials, it would not be allowed to continue.”
Maxham was unwilling to divulge details about certain colleagues or interpersonal relationships.
“One of the reasons I’m hesitant to talk about specific examples of people doing things wrong, or how I perceive is wrong,” Maxham told the Review, “is because I really want to focus on how do we do better
Park Police Department more resources to investigate and prosecute org anized retail theft in town.
The Org anized Retail Theft Crime grant will fund three cameras at a total of $7,758 for the police to photo graph evidence recovered from retail thefts. The grant also covers $5,000 of officer overtime pay for police staf f to investigate and prosecute retail crime.
“It would be outside the officers re gularly scheduled work day,” said Police Chief Ken Gross. Officers usually have eighthour shifts, and will now be able to sign up for four-hour overtime shifts to address local retail theft.
Gross names the Dollar Tree, Walgreens and Walmart as locations with high retail
for this town, and how do we do better for the residents?”
Qualms with commissioner government
Maxham told the Review that she chalks up the village council’s current culture to commissioners not working together or communicating well, plus the commissioner form of gover nment under which the village operates.
“We don’t work together to be as productive as we could be, and I think we all share responsibility for that,” Maxham told the Review. “And some commissioners, by trying to be too hands-on in the running of the day-to-day activities of their department, get in the way of staff doing their jobs and create a really hostile environment for people,” Maxham said.
The latter Maxham chalks up to the commissioner form of gover nment in which commissioners have executive power over their departments. She said she spoke against the form of gover nment when she was campaigning for village council
According to the Forest Park code, as commissioner of accounts and finance, Maxham has jurisdiction over, and supervision of, the fire department.
“Nobody without substantial experience in firefighting, for example, including myself, should have supervisory or executive power over the fire chief,” Maxham said. Though such jurisdiction is in her job description, “I’m going to be failing this town because I’m getting in the way of people doing their jobs and coming in with no experience, trying to
theft in Forest Park. In the next month or two, he is going to start having police patrol the areas around those stores and sit in their parking lots to deter retail theft offenders, and respond quickly when there is a theft.
Gross said the village applied for the Org anized Retail Theft Crime Grant because it was available to help target retail theft, which Forest Park sees re gularly at Dollar Tree, Walgreens and Walmart. The “organized” part of the grant’s name doesn’t necessarily carry the connotations that one might expect.
“It’s probably not org anized crime like we think in terms of movies, like Goodfellas,” Gross said. Rather, someone who commits retail theft could sell the items to
tell people with lots of experience what to do.”
Maxham said the commissioner form of gover nment allows commissioners to overstep their bounds in managing daily operations, not giving village department heads the respect they deserve
“I’ve had senior staff today tell me that, currently, we have one of the worst cases of over-involvement in the day-to-day and in telling department heads how to do their jobs,” Maxham said.
The path forward
At the end of her commissioner report Monday, Maxham asked commissioners to step up their communication for two upcoming projects: rewriting the village’s zoning code and the salary ordinance. Both, she said, will require lots of discussion and listening to commissioners’ opinions.
The Planning and Zoning Commission has had a series of meetings with a consultant to understand the village’s residential zoning They’re also rewriting parts of the code for the village council to approve, though commissioners haven’t voted on any code updates at meetings yet.
“It’s the kind of thing where I think there’s going to be, and should be, a lot of very specific questions from the council before we vote,” Maxham said.
Maxham said that, often, commissioners will come to village council meetings with concerns that they haven’t communicated to staff ahead of time. While she thinks commissioners should also ask questions during village council meetings so that the public
another reseller.
“Sometimes the people that are buying stolen goods are using them for nefarious monies that they make for nefarious reasons,” Gross said.
The grant is expected to extend through June 2025.
On July 1, the Illinois General Assembly appropriated the Attorney General’s general revenue fund $5 million to fund grants for law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute organized retail crime.
The village has to submit financial and activity re ports every quarter, or risk delaying the grant money or not receiving the funds at all, according to the grant ag reement from the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.
can benefit, she doesn’t want staff to be put on the spot.
“It feels like it’s more important to have this special ‘gotcha’ moment than to actually have a meaningful conversation about how we can improve this town,” Maxham said at the last village council meeting. “Let staff come prepared so we can actually do better than we’re doing right now.”
At the end of August, the village council was supposed to have a closed session to discuss its salary ordinance, but one commissioner was sick and the meeting was postponed, Maxham said.
Though it hasn’t been rescheduled, Maxham said she wants to hold a special meeting about salary ordinances, then go into closed session to further discuss before officially voting on the ordinances in open session.
Maxham said she’s frustrated the meeting hasn’t been rescheduled and encouraged commissioners to ask staff questions ahead of the salary ordinance’s closed session.
“Guys, we need to get our s*** together,” Maxham said to end her commissioner report Monday. “This is enough.”
“We need to stop and think about what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. We need to do better so that we can better serve this town,” Maxham told the Review. “I think it is the focus for all the commissioners and for the mayor individually, but I think we need to come together somehow and figure out how to move forward in a much more positive direction.”
Before being appointed to the village council by Mayor Rory Hoskins in 2021, Maxham was the editor of the Forest Park Review.
OPINION
OUR VIEW
A new re chief
There were years, OK decades, when news that Forest Park was promoting from within for key department head posts was not good news. Those promotions inevitably meant more of the same, reinforcement of work cultures that were not inspiring, and sometimes toxic.
The news this week that Lt. Lindsey Hankus will be promoted in October to be Forest Park’s next fire chief is not in that category. She has been a member of the department for 19 years. And she had previously served a stint as a contracted paramedic in Forest Park a few years before that. Hankus has risen within the department’s leadership over time
Her enthusiasm for Forest Park as a community is gratifying. Her affection for the camaraderie within the department is genuine. And her training experience both in Forest Park and the wider communities has value to the village
This is a hire that suggests both respect for traditions in fire-fighting and an openness to change.
Honest talk on council’s ways
Commissioner Maria Maxham made unusually direct comments about the interactions of her village council colleagues at a Sept. 9 council meeting. More surprising is that Maxham reinforced and, in some ways, became more direct in her assessment during a later interview with the Review’s Jessica Mordacq.
She voiced concern that it took the devastating murder of four men, two confirmed as being unhoused, on a CTA train arriving in Forest Park on Labor Day to unite the full council in its response. Maxham, a for mer editor of the Review, did not exclude herself from some responsibility for a level of division on the council
There is always room for active debate on issues within an elected body. But Maxham alluded to a condescending tone in some exchanges More notable, though, is her take that, even in 2024 with a village administrator earning respect, Forest Park’s obsolete Commissioner form of gover nment continues to result in active meddling by some council members in daily operations
Maxham has made noises about a referendum to change that government form to a more modern village manager structure, where that manager works for the council, but all department heads work for the manager.
Maxham, an ally of Mayor Rory Hoskins, did not mention the mayor. We will. Hoskins has good qualities. Fostering open communication within the council is not among them. As the elected president and head of the village council, setting a respectful tenor where debates are allowed, and consensus is the goal is his responsibility.
The tragic Labor Day incident on the Blue Line in Forest Park, where four lives were lost, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved safety on our public transit systems. This tragedy should mark a tur ning point for the CTA and similar systems nationwide, which are increasingly strained by inadequate services for those in distress. Our goal must be to restore dignity and reliability to our public transit, enhance support for our economies, enrich our communities, and reduce CO2 emissions by facing this challenge head-on.
To achieve this, we need a comprehensive overhaul of the current safety measures on CTA buses, trains, and stations, so we can work to regain public trust and restore ridership to pre-COVID levels and beyond. We should reignite the joy of riding the train, whether it’s the excitement of a child at the front of the train or the festive spirit of the Santa train. A holistic approach to safety is essential, addressing the immediate needs of the most vulnerable where they are. This involves actively engaging the public in re porting distressed individuals and implementing a widespread effort to gather realtime data. We should strategically deploy social services at major ter minals and key locations, including the Loop, and ensure that mobile units are available around the clock to respond promptly. No one should face violence or feel that the el is their only option for a safe night’s sleep. The el must be perceived as a secure means of transportation for everyone. For those in distress, there must be constant access to appropriate help, whether that means a ride to a shelter or other necessary services.
Given that the el operates 24/7, it’s crucial to provide round-the-clock social service coverage. Anything less is a disservice to the vulnerable individuals who have no other place to go, passengers trying to travel safely, and employees who deserve a secure working environment. We cannot rely on temporary fixes or merely remove individuals from the system. Those in distress need sustained support, and public transit workers, police, train operators, and cleaners are too often overwhelmed and are not appropriately trained to manage these issues effectively.
With 145 stations, 1,500 rail cars, 1,800 buses, and countless bus stops, monitoring all areas continuously is a formidable challenge, and it’s unrealistic
to expect the CTA to handle this alone Currently, a 911 call triggers emergency responses, but we need a system that also addresses non-emergency issues and prevents problems before they escalate. We must start by understanding the scale of the problem. If we don’t know how many calls for help are made each day, how can we develop an effective response?
Effective communication between the public and the CTA Control Center is crucial for managing this situation. We need new protocols for non-emergency communication, allowing passengers to send anonymous updates about distressed situations or emerging issues. Although the CTA has shown capability in handling severe crises — such as the Forest Park incident, where the suspect was apprehended within 90 minutes — our focus should now include proactive and preventive measures that segregate emergency and non-emergencies. Utilizing moder n technology and communication tools will help improve safety and ensure effective 24/7 operations in partnership with the public.
A campaign promoting courtesy on public transit is also essential. Elected leaders, including the gover nor and mayor, should advocate for respectful and safe transit behavior. Simple acts, such as offering seats to the elderly or pregnant women, avoiding loud conversations, and keeping doorways clear, can greatly enhance the riding experience and improve service efficiency.
Currently, the CTA’s approach often relies on fearinducing automated messages. Instead, we should use real human voices to convey positive updates during delays and encourage respectful behavior. This shift can foster a more welcoming environment and a sense of community spirit.
The el is a defining feature of Chicago—it should be clean, safe, inviting, and, above all, welcoming It’s time for comprehensive changes that prioritize both safety and respect in our public transit system but we must also realize that transit agencies can’t afford to accomplish this within their current budgets. We must find other means of paying for the professional services needed for this to succeed Let’s make public transit work for everyone by effectively managing this challenge.
Bob Previdi is a former planner and spokesperson for NYC Transit and the Philadelphia City Council, currently residing in Philadelphia. He worked as a communications and political consultant and lived in Chicago for most of 2023.
September 18, 2024
Inspiration for uninspiring times
We all need words of inspiration now and then. So remember:
■ If at first you don’t succeed … the Bears can probably use you at quarterback.
■ Whatever doesn’t kill us will expand our understanding of viruses.
■ Many are complaining that living through the pandemic has aged them. I, for one, wish these complainers would speak up so I can hear them.
■ I’m glad to see fathers who work from home spending more time with their kids … Back in my day, the dad had to be laid off.
■ It’s discouraging that many students still prefer remote classes to attending class in person … Don’t they miss the cafeteria serving “Tuna Surprise” on Fridays?
■ If you stand for nothing … you might enjoy being a security guard.
■ No man is an island … regardless of how much water they displace at the pool.
■ The first step in conquering an addiction is to admit that we no longer have a driver’s
license — or a car — but still owe a mess of parking tickets.
■ It’s always darkest before the dawn … except in Forest Park, where the streetlights are so bright, people forget to tur n on their headlights
■ Cast your bread upon the waters of the Des Plaines River … chances are the carp will be biting.
■ We have nothing to fear but terrorists, undocumented aliens and the candidates who won’t stop talking about them.
■ When the going gets tough … stop for a cup of coffee until the traffic dies down.
■ It is better to give than to receive … but play it safe by including the gift receipt.
■ Workers of the world unite! … We have nothing to lose but our chain stores!
■ Don’t tug on Superman’s cape, spit into the wind, or roll through a stop sign on Harrison Street.
■ The meek are going to inherit the Earth … but I don’t see how.
■ Playing the piano has opened doors for me into the world of music … while closing
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
doors in my own home
■ The high point in the history of human achievement is the yellow line that shows TV viewers the distance needed for a first down … The low point was the invention of the leaf blower
■ If you build it, they will come … the building inspectors, that is
■ Those who cannot remember the past are increasing in number.
■ Eat, drink and be merry … because Forest Park’s economy depends on it
■ The worst piece of financial advice I ever received was to wait for the disconnection notice before paying utility bills … I’ll explain the pitfalls as soon as I get the power back on.
■ George Ber nard Shaw said that the Irish are not motivated by money … Well, that explains a lot.
■ I don’t think anyone enjoys pumpkin carving and jack-o-lanter ns more than squirrels
■ Like many men, I wait until Halloween so I won’t look out of place wearing a dress
■ As you can see from the content of this column, I agree with G.K. Chesterton that anything worth doing is worth doing poorly.
Visitor from Mongo
Buster Crabbe, for mer Olympic swimmer and Hollywood star, dropped in for a “gargantuan meal” at Forest Park’s Giannotti’s restaurant at 7711 Roosevelt Road in 1982.
Among the notable films in his career, he played Flash Gordon in 1936 whose adventures on Planet Mongo and later Mars, inspired generations. “Crabbe’s visit sparked reminiscences of Ming the Merciless, Doctor Zharkov, and Dale Arden, the pretty young thing who was at Flash Gordon’s side through the most imaginative adventures.”
Jill Wagner
Caption: From the Forest Park Review archive, Sept. 29, 1982: Buster Crabbe (le ) is joined by mixologist Marie Gillett and Sam Sutter, host and producer of the show in Giannotti’s lounge.
Editor Erika Hobbs
Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq
Digital Manager Stacy Coleman
Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan
Contributing Editor Donna Greene
Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a
Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice
Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead
Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea
Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza
Sales and Marketing Representatives
Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe
Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan
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Publisher Dan Haley
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Board of Directors
Chair Judy Gre n
Treasurer Nile Wendorf
Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
HOW TO REACH US
ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066
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In-county subscriptions: $38 per year. $70 for two years, $93 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $58 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE
STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.
Request of Robert Mulloy Thompson
Case Number 2024CONC001473
There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Robert Mulloy Thompson to the new name of: Jack Mulloy Thompson
The court date will be held:
On January 9, 2025 at 9am via Zoom. Meeting ID 92302509713 Password 709022 Court room 1707.
Published in RB Landmark September 11, 18, 25, 2024
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: G24000482 on September 13, 2024 Under the Assumed Business Name of HARMONY TREE YOGA with the business located at: 1249 DEERFIELD PKWY, BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MEGAN BRANCATO 1249 DEERFIELD PKWY APT 303 BUFFALO GROVE, IL 60089, USA
Published in Wednesday Journal September 18, 25, October 2, 2024
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:
PRESCRIBED BURN AT SOUTH KIWANIS PARK
VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS
This project includes performing a prescribed burn at South Kiwanis Park located in the Village of Brookfield.
Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 2nd day of October 2024, in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 2nd day of October 2024, at the Village Hall.
Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Friday, the 27th day of September 2024. A non-refundable fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company
All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.
Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.
In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.
The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.
The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.
BY ORDER
THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS
Published in RB Landmark September 18, 2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CALENDAR NUMBER: 16-24-Z
HEARING DATE: October 9, 2024
TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits
LOCATION OF HEARING: Room
201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Saint’s Rest, LLC, seeking a variance from the following sections of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance to allow six dwelling units in the building of the existing four-unit building at the premises commonly known as 429-431 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-102022-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R-5 Two-Family Zoning District.
1. Section 4.3 (Table 4-1: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards) only allows TwoFamily dwelling units. The existing property is improved with a legal nonconforming four-unit building. The proposal is to allow two additional dwelling units in the building for a total of six dwelling units on the property.
2. Section 15.2 (B) requires that a nonconforming use of a structure cannot be expanded, extended, enlarged, or increased in intensity. The proposal is to add two additional dwelling units in the building of the existing nonconforming four-unit building which increases the intensity of use by two dwelling units.
A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.
The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, September 18, 2024
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF AUDIT REPORT OF RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP
River Forest Township hereby provides public notice that an audit of its funds for the period April 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024 has been made, and that a report of such audit dated May 31, 2024 performed by IL NLP Audit and Tax LLP has been filed with the County Clerk of Cook County, in accordance with 30 ILCS 15/0.01 et seq. The full report of the audit, including of the component unit River Forest Civic Center Authority, is available for public inspection at the Township Office located 8020 Madison St, River Forest, IL 60305 during regular business hours plus available on the Township website under “Audited Financials > Fiscal Year 2024” at: riverforesttownship. org/townships-meetings-andfinancials.
Published in Wednesday Journal September 18, 2024
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Notice is hereby given to all persons concerned that on the 11th day of September, 2024, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners of the Village of River Forest, Illinois, voted to amend its Rules and Regulations. Printed copies of the Rules and Regulations, as amended, may be obtained from the Office of the Village Clerk, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. The Rules shall be effective as of September 28, 2024, or 10 days from the date of publication of this notice, whichever date is later.
Published in Wednesday Journal September 18, 2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CALENDAR NUMBER: 14-24-Z
HEARING DATE: October 9, 2024
TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits
LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Anthony Ehiri, seeking a variance from Section 4.3 (Table 4-1: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance to construct a third dwelling unit in the basement of an existing two-family dwelling unit building. The subject lot is 40 feet by 125 feet totaling 5000 square feet of land which is 700 square feet less than the required 5,700 square feet required to allow the Applicants to construct a third dwelling unit at the premises commonly known as 140 S. Austin Blvd., Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number
16-17-115-022-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R-7 MultipleFamily Zoning District.
A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.
The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, September 18, 2024
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
CALENDAR NUMBER: 15-24-Z
HEARING DATE: October 9, 2024
TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits
LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302
APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Worthy Body Work & Healing, to operate a massage service establishment pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 1011 Lake Street, Suite 304, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-126-0120000, in the DT Downtown Zoning District.
A copy of the application and
applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.
The public hearing may be adjourned by the ZBA to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, September 18, 2024
USAlliance Financial; TD Bank USA, N.A.; Unknown Owners and Non Record Claimants Defendant 22 CH 3421 CALENDAR 60 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on October 15, 2024, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-328-003-0000. Commonly known as 1154 South Lombard Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group LLC, 33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1540, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3251240
