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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 106, No. 42

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REVIEW OCTOBER 18, 2023

Knitted art will cover Constitution Court in first ‘Fiber Flash’ The event aims to showcase the creativity of fiber art while building up an inventory of cold-weather items for people who need them

11th annual Casket Races PAGE 7

@ForestParkReview @FP_Review

Brewery exits Some of their legacy lives on. Story, page 3.

By EREZ BEN-AKIVA Contributing Reporter

Constitution Court will soon be temporarily decorated with items made of yarn for the Forest Park Arts Alliance’s “Fiber Flash.”

It’s the first time the organization is holding the event, which debuts Nov. 4 at the “Forest Park Fall Wine Walk” held by the village’s chamber of commerce and development. Fiber Flash is both an art exhibition and charity drive.

The event aims to publicly showcase the creativity of fiber art — the craft of items that are sewn, quilted, knitted or crocheted, among other methods — while See FIBER FLASH on page 5

IGOR STUDENKOV

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

John Rice: A dark and stormy night

Jill Wagner: Building a scarecrow isn’t that scary

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

PAGE 16

PAGE 15

IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 THIS ISSUE Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

Wanna bet? Check out the spooky, creepy, crawly offerings across the village

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

A year ago, three Arts Alliance members were chatting at Kribi Coffee about the Scarecrow Project that was coming up a few weeks later, when Rick Wagner declared, “Forest Park should own Halloween.”

And they do.

According to the Encyclopedia of Chicago, Forest Park has 800,000 “residents” buried in our cemeteries, and it made sense to exploit that distinction to promote Forest Park’s cultural scene and businesses.

A growing number of organizations and businesses are taking the concept and running with it. There’s no way to miss Halloween this year.

Forest Park owns Halloween LIBRARY Here’s a partial list of programs offered at the Forest Park Public Library.

Programs for Adults ■ Pumpkin Carving Techniques, Sunday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.

■ Detecting Internet Dangers, Sunday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.

Programs for Kids/Families ■ Creature Feature: Hocus Pocus 2,

Friday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m.

■ Nightmare Before Christmas, Monday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m.

■ Monster Mast Storytime and Costume Parade, Friday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m.

Programs for Teens ■ Feature Film: Beetlejuice Friday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m.

■ Hive Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, 3 - 6 p.m.

INVASION OF THE SCARECROWS BIKE TOUR A bike tour sponsored by the Historical Society of Forest Park and the Forest Park Fine Arts Alliance will begin at noon Oct. 22 at the Mohr Community Center at 7640 Jackson Boulevard. Riders will check out many of the scarecrows that have invaded Forest Park.

CASKET RACES This year, the marquee event is again the Casket Races sponsored by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce and scheduled for October 21. According to Laurie Kokenes, the Chamber’s Executive Director, the event draws 1,000 people to Forest Park and was first held in 2012. Trophies, custom made by members of the Arts Alliance, will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers as well as the team that comes in “dead last” — as well as for the most frightfully funny and creepiest caskets. It’s held at Beloit Avenue between Madison & Adams.

CENTURIES AND SLEUTHS Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. discussion and book signing with four authors: ■ Lori Reader-Day, Death of Us ■ Jess Lourey, The Taken Ones ■ Erica Ruth Neubauer, Intrigue in Istanbul ■ Tony Wirt, Just Stay Away

CHAMBER The races will be followed by “Trick or Treat on Madison Street,” when parents can bring the kids around to businesses that will be giving out Halloween treats.

The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring an “Adopt a Halloween Flower Pot” program to replace the flowers planted by the Public Works Department with Halloween-themed creations and is selling Casket Race t-shirts online. Kokenes pitched the possible holiday gift by saying, “Every living soul will want one.

for winners in four categories: Most Historic, Most Artistic, People’s Choice, and Forest Park Pride.

INVASION OF THE SCARECROWS The Arts Alliance and the Historical Society predict that the number of scarecrows invading Forest Park will top 300, counting the scarecrows already purchased in years past and the 100 which are being sold this fall. Go to www.forestparkhistory.org for more information about the program and the availability of kits. There will be prizes

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m.

■ Emily LeBeau Lucchesi, A Light in the Dark Saturday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m.

■ Kathleen Anne Fleming, A Menacing Luster

EMPOWERING GARDENS Sends out this message, “Bring your little goblins and ghouls for pumpkin decorating and Halloween fun. Wear your costumes

and enjoy snacks and prizes all afternoon.”

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2 - 4 p.m.

TRUNK OR TREAT AT THE PARK Instead (or in addition to) going door to door on Halloween, decorate the trunk of your family car, park it at the park and pass out treats on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required to ensure a parking spot: https://bit.ly/PDoFPTrunkOrTreat

D91 SCHOOL DISTRICT D91 has a team in the casket races. They also do a “spooky bus decoration” event with parents and then take the bus to the Park District for the Trunk and Treat event on Oct 28. In addition, classroom parties, costume parades and movie night are held at the individual schools.

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

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Exit Strategy brewery set to close by end of October Madison Street brewery weathered pandemic, hosted community events

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Exit Strategy Brewing is closing its doors after eight years in business — although the owners, husband and wife Chris and Katherine Valleau, said they might return somewhere down the line.

In the interview with the Review on Monday, Katherine Valleau said that she and her husband were simply burned out after navigating through the pandemic. They are also facing something that she said all breweries are struggling with — the market is oversaturated, and the customers are less interested in going out amid the inflation. The last day in business will be Oct. 29, and all of the events scheduled for up to that point will still go on as planned.

Valleau said that two major monthly Exit Strategy events that she’s personally passionate about — the Tellers’ Night storytelling event and Soup and Bread fundraisers for regional food pantries — will continue on at Robert’s Westside, a new music venue that the brewery’s former booking agent, Donnie Biggins, is opening up further east on Madison Street at the Circle Avenue intersection. Valleau said it was important to her to make sure those events continue, and Biggins was happy to pick up the baton.

Exit Strategy has been leasing the building at 7700 Madison St. David King, a commercial leasing agent, got the couple into the space eight years ago. He told the Review he would be looking for another tenant this time around. He said he was confident finding one wouldn’t be a problem.

“We are starting on it shortly,” King said. “We will explore all options. Which one is going to be the right one — I don’t know yet.”

The Valleaus announced the closing last week on the brewery’s Facebook page.

The statement alluded to burnout, something that Katherine Valleau confirmed.

The brewery survived the COVID-19 lockdown, only to face supply chain issues and inflation, which increased their expenses.

There is also the broader shift in the market. When they launched Exit Strategy in 2015, opening a brewery was still a relatively novel idea in the area. Now, Valleau said, the market is “oversaturated.” It doesn’t

IGOR STUDENKOV

“We came, we saw, we brewed. We did good. We get to exit with dignity, we get to exit with grace.”

help that the younger generations are “drinking less,” and people in general don’t go out as much because they spend more on food and gas.

“There are so many factors beyond our control that makes it harder to go out,” she said. “We’re all just being a little bit more conscious of our KATHERINE VALLEAU spending because of the world around us.”

While the couple agonized “It’s like losing a limb — but, again, over a decision — Valleau said that she literally put her blood and sweat into the couldn’t be more proud of the business building after all the work she’d done and we cultivated, the way that we ran it, and after all the time she cut herself on corners the giving back that we’ve done, which is — they felt like they were hitting a break- great,” she said. “And of course, the beer, which is exceptional.” ing point.

While Exit Strategy Brewing opened in “Just having to constantly adapt, and that’s exhausting, too,” she said. “We were 2015, its origins go back three years earlier, getting so burnt out, and then you couple when Katherine Valleau taught at Forest that with having a small business that’s Park School District 91 and Chris Valleau trying to exist, the burnout is becoming re- practiced law. As the two had told the Review, Chris Valleau was unhappy at his ally, really overwhelming.”

Valleau took pains to emphasize that job, and Katherine Valleau thought that they had no regrets, saying that even the she needed a hobby he could enjoy. She sugbad experiences were valuable, because gested brewing, and Chris Valleau quickly embraced the idea. they learned something from them.

While they were originally content to see their brews at events, a visit to Greenbush Brewery in Sawyer, Michigan, inspired them to take it a step further. They purchased a book titled How to Start a Brewery and spent two years drafting a business plan. They found a location within walking distance of their home — the former Classic Electric building, which had been vacant for 10 years. It took the couple six months to address the mold, remove asbestos and generally renovate it for their purposes.

Katherine Valleau previously told the Review that the first two years were “rough,” but things “got better” in 2017.

The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to lay off staff and close for several weeks, but they were able to rebound as COVID-19 mitigation restrictions relaxed.

Over the years, Exit Strategy has been a venue for events and fundraisers. Most recently, they have been hosting the Soup and Bread dinner fundraisers, which raise funds for food pantries on Chicago’s West Side and western suburbs, including Forest Park’s community fridge at the Mohr Community Center.

“When we first started thinking about taking a break, one of the first things I did was contact Donnie Biggins, and went down and had a very …” She paused to collect her thoughts. “[I was] sobbing my eyes out, and all I said to him was that these super-important events have to have a home. I’m so proud that they’ll be with Donnie’s and they will be at Robert’s Westside.”

In their statement, the Valleaus didn’t rule out restarting the business sometime in the future — but for now, at least, they plan to focus on their mental health.

“I’m going to miss it,” Valleau said. “We came, we saw, we brewed. We did good. We get to exit with dignity, we get to exit with grace. It’s important.

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

Forest Park wants grant for permeable pavers in Constitution Court

“I just think, if we’re awarded, it would Agency’s Green Infrastructure the sidewalk median, and put in two new Pavers could keep 100s Protection Grant Opportunities grant, which could pipes and underdrains to take care of the be a really lovely improvement to our reimburse Forest Park for 75% of more water that does remain. downtown business district,” she said. of thousands of gallons than Several months ago, the village commit- “It’s a very visible commitment the village $1.57 million in total projects costs. of Accounts & Finance Ma- ted to the village hall parking lot project is making to the environment and the very of water out of sewer Commissioner ria Maxham, who voted against the village thanks in large part to the Metropolitan real challenges that we’ll be facing with unhall proposal, said she would support this Water Reclamation District of Greater predictable weather events that we’ve been system, would cost application. She said while she supported Chicago agreeing to foot 70% of the proas of late.” village 100s of thousands the application, she wanted the village to jected construction costs. But after the having Maxham said that, while she believes be mindful of the $350,000 it won’t be re- project bids came back higher than expect- that it’s a “great project” that would bring of dollars imbursed for, as well as engineering costs. ed and with MWRD “unable” to increase tangible benefits to the Madison Street cor-

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park is applying for over $1.03 million in state funding to remake the Constitution Court municipal parking lot with permeable pavers.

The pavers would allow rainwater to seep into the ground instead of pooling at the surface, which reduces the amount of water that goes into the sewers and with it, local flooding. Commissioner of Public Property Jessica Voogd, whose areas of responsibility include village-owned parking lots, has with mixed results pushed for Forest Park to put in more pavers. Most recently, she supported converting the Village Hall parking lot to permeable pavers but watched the village council vote 3-2 to reject the project after higher-than-expected bids put it over budget.

The council voted unanimously on Oct. 10 to apply for the Illinois Environmental

Voogd countered that the cost savings in flood mitigation would more than make up for the upfront costs.

According to the grant application, while Constitution Court has storm drains, the village’s sewer infrastructure in the area is “undersized,” which means the sewer system can get overwhelmed during heavy rainfall.

“Forest Park experiences localized flooding during heavy rainfall events, about which numerous residents and business owners have expressed concern, and it has been a substantial, and costly, problem in the region,” the application stated. “During significant rain events, numerous streets are flooded to the level where they are un-passable and basements experience sewer backups.”

The permeable pavers would allow 97% of rainwater to seep into the ground, significantly reducing that burden. The village would put in 15,000 sq. ft. of pavers, improve the existing plaza structure and

their share, Maxham and commissioner Ryan Nero argued that they couldn’t justify spending the extra money. Mayor Rory Hoskins cast the deciding ‘no’ vote.

During an Oct. 10 meeting, the village council approved a $74,000 contract to repave the village hall parking lot with traditional asphalt — which is significantly less than the $178,400 the village would’ve had to pay for permeable pavers under the lowest bid.

During the public comment period, resident Steven Backman said, as someone who installed permeable pavers at his home, he supported the project, saying that one of the unexpected benefits he got from them was that they quickly got rid of melting snow.

“The sun comes out next day — it’s gone by noon,” he said.

Voogd emphasized her support, saying that the village estimates that the pavers could keep as much as 200,000 gallons of water out of sewers.

ridor and the village as a whole, she was still worried about costs.

“Grants are great, but I think a lot of times, when we start talking about grants, it’s free money, its free money, and it is, but we still have a matching portion of that,” she said.” It’s a great project, but I think we just need to be very careful.”

Voogd responded that this was shortsighted.

“Covering it with permeable pavers continues to pay the village back by collecting hundreds of thousands of gallons of water that go into our storm system, overtaxing it, which ends up, you know, in our basements,” she said. “So, there is value that has, you know, real benefit to the community, so that money isn’t just sort of thrown away. I think choosing to ignore that or shirk our responsibilities to making longterm benefits, long-term decisions for green infrastructure is an irresponsible thing. Ignoring that is a luxury.”

Mayor Rory Hoskins appointed to federal policy committee

‘I think it will benefit the village,’ he said

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Mayor Rory Hoskins and nine other Tribal, state and local government officials have been appointed by the Office of the United States Trade Representative to a spot on the Intergovernmental Policy Committee.

The committee provides policy advice

on trade and development for the U.S. and local governments. It consists of 15 members, and Hoskins will serve a term of four years.

“I believe that my selection was based on my background in economic development and my involvement in state and local government,” he said.

Before he was elected mayor, Hoskins worked for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, where he worked with multinational corporations and with the Illinois Trade Office. He served in a U.S. Department of State-spon-

sored mission to Mauritania and Senegal in 2021. He also serves as a member of the Abolition Institute, where he has focused his efforts on human rights and the urgency for creating development opportunities.

Separately, he will also be part of an intergovernmental delegation that will be traveling abroad Oct. 28.

Hoskins said the appointment will not have a detrimental effect on his work in Forest Park.

“I think it will benefit the village,” he said. “For instance, a company like Ferrara Candy is global in nature. Also, the

Joseph Business Center (at Living Word) has a state of Illinois -funded International Trade Center. I hope to find a way for District 91 students to learn about the Office of the United States Trade Representative or how a company rooted in Forest Park (Ferrara Candy) benefits from U.S. trade policy.”

Hoskins received his JD and master of social work degrees from Loyola University Chicago, and his bachelor of arts degree in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

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Forest Park signs off on Robert’s Westside music venue

Madison Street businesses say it will bring in customers, tax revenue

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Music booking agent Donnie Biggins got nothing but support from residents, business owners and commissioners Tuesday as the village council unanimously approved his application to open Robert’s Westside music venue at the northeast corner of Madison and Circle.

Biggins is planning to open Robert’s Westside music performance venue inside a leased space that’s facing the intersection, a space last occupied by the Tap Room bar. He had vowed to the council that it would have sound-dampening panels behind the stage, the windows will always stay closed during performances and all performances will end before the village-mandated 11 p.m. cutoff date. While the application said Robert’s Westside would open this November, Biggins has declined to confirm this.

Under the zoning changes approved earlier this year, any performance venues that aren’t theaters and want to open at the Madison Street corridor must clear the Planning & Zoning Commission before getting approved by the village council. While there were some concerns at the September planning and zoning meeting about the impact on noise and traffic, the emails and public comments during the Oct. 10 village council meeting were appeared to support the venture. Several corridor business owners said that they would

FIBER FLASH Art for good from page 1 simultaneously building up an inventory of cold-weather items for people who need them that can be donated to the Forest Park Public Library.

“It’s kind of a fun way to fill the comfort box at the library by demonstrating just how creative and wonderful the fiber art-

welcome the crowds and they trust that Biggins and his staff will be able to manage the crowds and take care of other issues.

Biggins has a long track record as a booking agent, working with Fitzgerald’s nightclub in Berwyn and, more recently, Forest Park’s Exit Strategy bar. Until recently, he operated the Golden Dagger music venue in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, but he told the zoning commission that he recently sold it to focus on the Forest Park venue. The name is a nod to Biggins’ father and Healy’s Westside — the bar that was operated by building owner and former village commissioner Mark Hosty before Tap Room.

While it was open, Tap Room attracted complaints about late night noise and rowdy behavior — leading the village to pull its liquor license last summer. Kevin Harnett, owner of the Zimmerman-Harnett funeral home next door, was among those who testified that Tap Room customers urinated, threw up and smoked in front of his building. In an email to the village, he wrote that he spoke to Biggins, and, based on their conversation, he supported the application.

“Our discussions touched on past issues and how we could improve the quality-of-life concerns for Madison St. [sic] businesses, as well as residents, while remaining true to his own vision for the venue,” Harnett wrote.

“I’m confidently hopeful for the success of his business, and more importantly, a positive step forward for our vibrant town.”

The village also got supportive emails from Jim Jodoin, owner of the Jimmy’s Place restaurant, Art Sundry, who owns several Madison Street buildings and operates Café DeLuca. and Katherine Valleau, the co-owner of Exit Strategy.

Joseph Sullivan, owner of Duffy’s Tavern, offered his support in person, saying that a

music venue would bring in large crowds and plenty of revenue for the village.

“We believe this to be a good use of this space and an important cultural asset to Forest Park,” he said.

Steven Backman said he lived near the intersection for nearly 38 years, and while he understood the concerns about parking, he trusted that Biggins could handle it.

“I know the Biggins family all my life, literally, and I believe that Donnie Biggins, he’s going to give more than due diligence and take a sensible approach on handling the parking,” he said. “I’m confident, I’m hoping, I wish him the best of luck.”

When the planning and zoning commission recommended approval, it attached conditions, including requiring that Biggins set up a dedicated parking area for tour buses and other touring vehicles away from the building, create a dedicated spot for rideshare pick-ups and drop-offs, and keeping

the windows closed while music is playing.

During the Tuesday meeting, Commissioner Jessica Voogd said she wanted to make sure those conditions are followed up.

Forest Park Public Health & Safety Director Steve Glinke said that “according to the petitioner, it’s going to be very rare when they have a tour bus,” Biggins and the village are working with the owners of nearby private lots to allow for storage if the need does arise. As for the rideshare spot, the village is looking at putting a rideshare-only sign at the street parking spot east of the alley that separates the funeral home and its parking lot. As Glinke noted, that spot already has a yellow line painted on the edge of the sidewalk.

Commissioner Ryan Nero, who lives at the nearby block on Circle Avenue, joined his colleagues in supporting the project.

“I can tell you that my neighbors, that live on 400 block of Circle are very much in support, as well as myself and my wife,” he said.

ists in Forest Park are,” said Bridget Lane, a member of the Forest Park Arts Alliance and an organizer of the fiber flash.

More than a dozen people have signed up to contribute to the event, according to Lane.

They have been working on items such as handmade scarves, hats, mittens, shawls, quilts and banners since late August.

Those items will be displayed throughout Constitution Court, adorned to various elements of the area. For example, scarves will wrap around trees and knit coverings will envelop a parking lot pay station and the slats of park benches, ac-

cording to the Forest Park Arts Alliance’s public way use permit application. Hats will top the posts inside the court’s fountain and a banner will hang between light posts, among other elements.

“It’s hard for me to predict exactly what it’ll be, but I can guarantee it’ll be surprising and beautiful,” Lane said.

The goal is for none of the items created for the fiber flash to be destroyed. Decorative art pieces going up in Constitution Court will be made of weather-tolerant materials, like superwash wool or synthetics.

After the exhibition, those knitted cover-

ings will be sewn together in order to create afghans, quilts and blankets.

“We’re hoping we have so much stuff at the end of this that we maybe go beyond the library and donate to some of the churches in the area or other places that take care of the less fortunate,” Lane said.

The decorations will be exhibited for up for two weeks, depending on weather.

“I think people who see the display will be really impressed with the work of local residents,” Lane said.

To learn more, contact the Arts Alliance at https://forestparkarts.org/contact-us.

IGOR STUDENKOV

Former Tap Room

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

C R I M E

Man with arrest warrant attacks shopper as friend tries to defuse the situation

A 48-year-old Berwyn man beat up a 60-year-old man after an argument at the Dollar Tree store on Roosevelt Road — but that’s not why he ended up being arrested.

According to the victim and witness accounts, on Oct. 9 at around 10:55 a.m., the victim was standing in a checkout line when the Berwyn man bumped into him as he headed out the door. The two got into an argument, and the Berwyn man threatened to beat the victim up as soon as he left the store. The man waited for the victim, and when the victim tried to walk back to his car, the Berwyn man tried to keep the victim from getting inside. At that point, a friend of the Berwyn man, a 56-year-old Chicago man, stepped in to try to defuse the situation.

The victim then reached into the trunk of his car to get a baseball bat in hopes of warding off the other man. The victim dropped the bat, and the Chicago man took the bat to keep his friend from getting it. The Berwyn man then attacked the victim, punching him. The customers shouting at him got him to stop, and both men fled west on Roosevelt Road and toward the Forest Park CTA terminal.

The police caught the two men on an L train that was

THROUGH NOVEMBER

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about to depart. The victim confirmed their identities, but declined to press charges. However, a background check revealed that the two men had multiple arrest warrants in Wisconsin and Cook County. The Berwyn man was charged with trying to sell a stolen car, while the Chicago man was charged with theft and criminal damage to property.

Motor vehicle thefts Forest Park saw two vehicle thefts on or around Oct. 8 — but there is no evidence that the incidents were connected.

On Oct. 7, at around 7:30 p.m., the owner of black 2016 Toyota Camry parked his car at a street parking spot near O’Sullivan’s Public House bar and went inside.

When the victim went home, he decided to walk because he thought he was too drunk to drive. But when he came back to get the car on Oct. 8 at around 5 p.m., he saw that it was missing.

On Oct. 8, at 10:21 a.m., the owner of a black 2015 Hyundai Sonata on the Forest Park CTA terminal’s south commuter parking lot. When he came back at 8:06 p.m., the car

OCCUPYING FRAMES: SIMPLICITY AND SPACES

WIND SYMPHONY HOME CONCERT

Ferguson Art Gallery

Chapel of Our Lord

The work of Angela Green and Jim Gabbard combines photography with poetry.

Conducted by Dr. Richard Fischer, the Wind Symphony is Concordia-Chicago’s premier touring instrumental ensemble.

Free admission

8 p.m.

Arts

Free admission

27 OCTOBER

FRIDAY

FALL 2023

7400 Augusta Street | River Forest, IL 60305 CUChicago.edu/arts

was gone. The victim originally thought that his car was towed, by a call to a towing company CTA uses confirmed that it wasn’t the case. Further investigation found broken glass on the ground at the parking space.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Oct. 8-14, 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 Igor Studenkov

29 OCTOBER

SUNDAY

KAPELLE HOME CONCERT 4 p.m.

Chapel of Our Lord The Kapelle, with Dr. Charles Brown, conductor, will present their home concert following their fall tour.

Free admission

11 th Annual Casket Races

11th Annual 2023

Casket Races

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

11 th Annual Casket Races

OVER 400 NEW VEHICLES TO CHOOSE FROM!

EMPLOYEE

PRICING SALE You Pay, What We Pay!

Chrysler Pacifica • Fiat 500X • Jeep Grand Cherokee • Dodge Durango • Wagoneer Series II • Ram 1500

Best Wishes on the 11 Annual thth

Forest Park Casket Races!

7911 W Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park, IL 60130

708.366.1001 • HawkCDJ.com Excludes Charger/Challenger Hellcat & Scat Pack, 2023 Special Edition Charger/Challenger, and Durango SRT/Hellcat. Ends 10/31/23.

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

11 th Annual Casket Races

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Casket races — embracing your inner ghoul

Get ready for the spookiest, quirkiest, and most exhilarating race of the season

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Whereas most American avoid thinking about death and spend as little time as possible in cemeteries, the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce has created a way to have fun with the subject and to use the fact of 800,000 dead people “residing” in our cemeteries as a way to promote the businesses in town. That’s a 50:1 ratio of the dead to the living.

According to Laurie Kokenes, the Cham-

ber’s Executive Director, the Casket Race draws 1,000 people to Forest Park and was first held in 2012.

“When we were planning the Chamber’s 100th anniversary celebration in 2012,” she recalled, “we decided it would be the perfect time to ‘unearth’ the Casket Race event.”

Trophies, custom made by members of the Arts Alliance, will be awarded to the first, second and third place finishers as well as the team that comes in “dead last” and for the most frightfully funny and the creepiest caskets.

Talking about fun, here’s the Chamber’s over-the-top promotional about the event scheduled for this Saturday: Get ready for the spookiest, quirkiest, and most exhilarating race of the year -the 11th Annual Forest Park Casket Races!

Filled with spine-tingling excitement, this annual event invites you to transform a

casket-shaped cart into a mobile masterpiece of macabre creativity. Picture it: a helmet-clad “ghost” braving the afterlife inside the casket while a team of fearless runners sprints along a hair-raising course through downtown Forest Park.

The Village of Forest Park welcomes the participants and fans of this year’s Casket Races!

But here’s the best part — it’s not just about winning; it’s about embracing your inner ghoul and reveling in the fun. So, assemble your spooky squad, unleash your inner undertaker, and join us for a race that’s to die for!

Mayor Rory Hoskins

Commisssioner Maria Maxham Commissioner Ryan Nero

Commisssioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin

Commissioner Maria Maxham

Commisssioner Commisssioner Voogd Ryan Nero Joe ByrnesJessicaCommissioner Commissioner Jessica Voogd

517 Desplaines Avenue • Forest Park, IL 60130 • 708-366-2323 • contact@forestpark.net

517 Desplaines Avenue • Forest Park, IL 60130 • 708-366-2323 • Fax 708-488-0361

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

11 th Annual Casket Races

Supporting the independence of people with disabilities in Suburban Cook County

Progress Center • 7521 Madison Street • Forest Park, Ill. 60130 www.progresscil.org • 708-209-1500

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

11 th Annual Casket Races

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Here’s the rundown Casket Races

The Schedule

Saturday, Oct. 21 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Beloit and Madison in downtown Forest Park

■ 9:30 a.m. Local vendors/food and beverage (Brown Cow, Kribi, Twisted Cookie and more) ■ 10:30 a.m. Parade of Casket

The Races ■ Uniquely designed ‘casket cars’ (not all re-

■ 11:00 a.m. Races

semble a casket). 4 handles, 4 wheels, 1 rider and 4 runners.

■ Noon Kid’s and pet’s costume parade before

■ It’s the runners’ job to push their vehicle to the

■ 12:30 p.m. Final Heats and Trophies

finish line as fast as they can.

final heats

■ 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Trick or Treat on Madison

■ Teams runs twice to get their best time – top

4 race teams race to determine first, second and third places. There’s a trophy for “dead last,” too.

■ Residents along the racecourse are happy to lend the street for the race. Many of them have house parties and we give a trophy to the best house party.

■ Radio’s own Bonnie Greene has been the em-

cee since the first race

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by Walgreens Cook County Sheriff’s Dept. Drivers License Village Departments Pneumonia Shots Park District Programs State’s Attorney Provided by Walgreens State’s Attorney Real ID /Flu License (by Appt.)

Provided by Walmart Forest Park Shots Treasurer’s Office (Cash Dash) Cook County Sheriff’s Dept.

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

11 th Annual Casket Races

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11 th Annual Casket Races

A full day on Madison Street Eating:

Shopping:

■ Eating is an all-day affair in FP

■ A unique mix of independently

owned shops ■ Air roasted coffee at Kribi

(Illinois Maker Award Winner)

■ Team Blonde — eco friendly/

socially conscious gifts ■ Breakfast at Louie’s Grill — old

fashioned diner

■ Accents by Fred — a favorite

for handmade gifts ■ Lunch at O’Sullivan’s — great

outdoor beer garden

■ Centuries and Sleuths — history

mystery bookstore ■ Dinner at Caffe DeLuca or Fiore

Pizzeria and Bakery ■ Cocktails at Duffy’s Tavern — a true

neighborhood bar ■ Dessert at Brown Cow or

Twisted Cookie

■ Todd and Holland — tea merchant

Events and Classes: ■ Foundry FP — boutique event space ■ Table and Lain — cooking classes

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

13

14

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

28th Anniversary Special

ed since 1995

11 th Annual Casket Races

$28 pre-fixe 3 course dinner October 24 - 26th Reservations recommended. Go to our website to make yours today!

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Family owned and operated since 1995

O U R

V I E W

Yes, to music on Madison

F

orest Park is enthusiastically welcoming a live music venue to Madison Street. Robert’s Westside will open soon at Madison and Circle under the ownership of a veteran booking agent and music hall operator.

Forest Park’s village council gave Donnie Biggins its unanimous approval on Oct. 10 at a meeting filled with strong support from neighbors and neighboring businesses. They expressed support for Biggins’ plans to control noise and crowds, abide by village rules on closing times and parking, and, especially from Madison Street business owners, support for bringing large crowds of happy customers to the street.

This is a happy pivot from the intense upset both neighbors and local businesses expressed toward the Forest Park Tap Room, previous occupants of the old Healy’s Westside. That was an unmitigated disaster, with raucous (often overserved) customers exiting the space late at night, waking neighbors and trashing the immediate neighborhood. Its owners ignored the COVID regs then in place, served alcohol past closing times, and disrespected police efforts to preserve the peace.

For his part Biggins has said soundproofing will be added to the interior, windows will remain closed during performances, and music will end by 11 p.m. All good. All reasonable. All respectful of operating a music hall in a largely residential neighborhood.

Biggins has strong local ties going back to growing up in Oak Park, working for years booking acts at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn and more recently at Exit Strategy in Forest Park. (Some of the benefit performances previously held at the soon-to-shutter Exit Strategy will reportedly shift to the new venue.) Biggins knows the business and is ready to make a large bet on Forest Park.

That’s all good.

State of finances

We’re back in a warranted debate about Forest Park’s level of commitment to investing in green infrastructure. The village government has just applied for $1.03 million in state funds which, if granted, would allow the parking lot at Constitution Court to be remade with permeable paving bricks.

The environmental benefits are genuine and intensely practical. As rainstorms intensify season by season, finding ways to keep that water from cascading straight into an inadequate sewer system is a direct investment in preserving the basements of local home and business owners. The permeable pavers would instead allow some 97% of rainwater to be absorbed into the ground, bypassing the sewers.

A state grant would pay for 75% of the $1.57 million project. That’s generous and welcome. But the remaining 25% still amounts to hundreds of thousands of dollars. At its Oct. 10 meeting, Commissioner Maria Maxham supported the application but again cautioned that the village’s capacity to fund the balance on grants was limited. This is now multiple times that Maxham has publicly discussed the limits of the village’s financial capacity.

As Commissioner of Accounts and Finance, we look forward to Maxham speaking more directly to Forest Park’s current finances.

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

OPINION

15

Building a scarecrow isn’t that scary

A

lthough I was not sure what I was going to do in front of my own house, I had purchased the kit again this year for my scarecrow participation. With the horrors of the world stage playing out on the news, I welcomed the escape of participating in the Scarecrow Invasion along with many neighbors.

Doubling down on my need to find something positive, I volunteered to celebrate Kiwanis 100 and, with the help of Pinterest, I purchased three full-sized hay bales. Those bales were future Minions, traveling in the back seat of my car for weeks in order to prevent them from getting rain-soaked before they were safely placed on display.

The strong farm smell of hay filled my car and the bales leaked bits of hay glitter on everything that entered.

I was taken off guard at the Kiwanis Dinner, the eve of the first day of the Scarecrow Invasion, when a guest asked for tips on putting up her scarecrow; my memory accessed the file under “More difficult than I expected.”

The guest was asking about the stick-and-burlap-head kit that was provided by the Arts Alliance and Historical Society. Although the display was to go up on Oct. 1, my procrastination was in full force and I hadn’t decided what to do beyond the hay-bale Minions. I did remember there were some hard-learned lessons that I could share and came up with an answer.

Now in its third year, the Arts Alliance and Historical Society have inspired many brave Forest Parkers to find their own rays of humor to keep us all in touch with the brighter side of humanity.

My display has finally sprung up, although a tad late, and with the fresh memories of the build, I thought this would be the place to record the adventure and share the tips for prosperity. First, there are hours of inspiration available on the internet as scarecrow season has produced very clever displays across the country. Plus neighbors in Forest Park have proven to be simply ingenious.

My inspiration this year was from Roald Dahl’s The Witches, the first suspenseful book I remember reading, filled with irony and lessons of determination and acceptance.

While it is optional to use the burlap head provided, the first step is to decide if you are sewing hair on the head. If so, do that first; if not, go straight to painting the face or drawing it with a permanent marker. If you have planned in advance, your face was painted days before you are building the scarecrow.

Otherwise, you are on team Jill and pencil in the out-

line only to discover there is no white paint in the kit provided. Rummage through craft supplies and old house paint to find some white paint and get busy painting the face. Then set out to dry near a fan as you go to the next step.

Driving the stick in the ground may seem like a breeze until you are actually doing it.

Finding something to use as a stake or garden post to make a starter hole will really help, especially if the soil is dry. Luckily this year the rain has been plentiful and the ground was easy to work with.

This next step is extremely important, and might be the most valuable lesson I could share: If your scarecrow is wearing pants, place one pant leg before hammering the main stick provided in the ground.

Once your stick is in the ground, you are in great shape, and everything is going to come together soon.

Simply dress the stick. Using rope you can pull the pants up and have them hang on the cross bar, or stuff them later. Wrestle a dress or shirt on the crossbar and start to see your creation take shape. This is the rewarding part. If you have chosen to stuff your creation, now is the time to fill it up.

Once the body is on the stick, the big moment of placing the head on the stick has arrived. Insert the plastic bag in the head and place it on the top bar. I always need to rip the sewn seams a bit around the neck to make it fit just right. Then I stuff the head with newspaper, crinkling one sheet at a time and building up the shape of the face.

Once stuffed, the wig can be put on using a staple gun, safety pins or hot glue (or combination of these).

If your characters are bald, pat yourself on the back for choosing a theme that is a little easier.

Finally, adorn the scarecrows with embellishments — a scarf to hide the neckline, a dramatic earring, some gloves stuffed with sticks from the yard.

Next up is admiring the brilliant creations around town and voting for the displays. Barbie, the Great Pumkin, Van Gogh, Beaker, and Dr. Bunson, “It’s Just a Flesh Wound,” Harry Caray with Budweiser can, Coach Ditka, and the classic scarecrow designed and painted by 3-year-old Hugo are just some of the displays that have made me smile.

Kudos to those who have made us all laugh a little bit, a difference we all appreciate. This weekend the bike tour will take place; meet up at the Community Center parking lot at noon, bring a donation for the food pantry if you can, and cruise around with nice people to see the invasion up close.

JILL WAGNER

16

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023 F O R E S T PA R K

REVIEW Editor Erika Hobbs Staff Reporter Igor Studenkov, Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Lifka Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice Big Week Editor James Porter Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Sales and Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Publisher Dan Haley Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $34 per year. $55 for two years, $69 for three years.

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by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2023 Growing Community Media NFP.

T

A dark and stormy night

he Forest Park Theatre plans to scare us by presenting the perfect spooky play, Frankenstein. A staged reading will be presented on Oct. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the American Legion, 500 S. Circle.

Tickets are $20 and $15 for members of the Forest Park Arts Alliance. Artistic Director Richard Corley is promising a spine-tingling evening.

It was a dark and stormy night, when Mary Shelley conceived of her hideous monster.

The year was 1816, a dark time many of us can relate to. A volcanic eruption in Indonesia had shrouded the world in smoke and haze. There were widespread crop failures and a global cholera pandemic.

These events inspired many writers to create their darkest works.

Shelley had written many unpublished works before vacationing in Switzerland with her husband, the poet Percy Shelley.

They were joined by fellow famous scribe Lord Byron. Thunder, lightning and rain trapped the vacationers inside for days. They passed the time reading horror stories. Byron then challenged them to write a horror story scarier than the ones they had read.

During a stormy, sleepless night, Shelley conceived of a monster created by man. She

wrote a terrifying tale of life after death. The novel shows what happens when men pretend they are gods. Frankenstein revolutionized literature and has been called the world’s first science fiction novel.

Rona Munro, who adapted this version of Frankenstein, knows science fiction. The Scottish writer penned many episodes for “Doctor Who.” Her adaptation shows Shelley struggling with the creation of her novel, while facing the limitations imposed on creative young women.

In keeping with this feminist theme, Frankenstein is the first production of the theater’s “Reading Series 2023, Plays

by Women.” Corley estimates only 20-30% of plays are penned by women. The series will showcase five plays written by this underrepresented group. It will also provide samples of the wide-ranging themes the theater will explore.

Corley believes the themes found in Frankenstein are still relevant today. It’s about how our relationship to technology can threatens our core humanity. I know what he’s talking about. My student submitted an essay that was written at a highly professional level.

I suspected plagiarism but when I tested suspicious sentences, I couldn’t uncover the source material. It was my first encounter

JOHN RICE

A

T

L O O K

B A C K

I N

with Artificial Intelligence. The essay was flawless but soulless. There wasn’t a trace of the student’s humanity. After that scary “AI’s alive!” moment, I had him write in the first person and express his personal feelings.

Presenting plays with contemporary themes is part of Corley’s vision. He also wants to build a “growing wave of support” for the theatre. The powerful professional performances in Measure for Measure this past summer show this theater’s potential.

Theater, though, cannot succeed without audiences. The pandemic devastated the performing arts. It particularly impacted concerts and plays. Corley hopes that, by keeping productions local and affordable, Forest Park Theatre will achieve its dream of year-round indoor productions.

Theaters are closing because we’re all good at staying home. We work from home and students take courses from home. We have groceries and other purchases shipped to our homes. This stay-at-home attitude is destroying businesses that depend on human interaction. We’ve seen what it has done to these kind of businesses in Forest Park.

If you can’t make it to the ticketed performance at the American Legion hall, there will be a free performance of Frankenstein at the Altenheim picnic grove on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. The actors will be using flashlights to read their scripts.

We hope it won’t be a dark and stormy night, but it will definitely be spooky.

T I M E

Rohrs wins the prize for top float

he 1929 Forest Parker featured this prize-winning float from the Oct. 23 Greater Forest Park Celebration. It was entered by Rohrs Music Shop which was located in the Ascher Theater Building at 7526 Madison St. (present day McDonald’s). Allie Rohrs was presented the “beautiful loving cup by the businessmen for his trouble.”

Jill Wagner

The photo features A. Harold Olsen of Chicago, designer of the float and Arnold Havermann of Hillside.

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS CIRCLE HARLEM TAX INCREMENT FINANCING REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA Notice is hereby given that on November 13, 2023 at 6:45 p.m. at the Forest Park Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, a public hearing will be held to consider the approval of a redevelopment plan and project (“Redevelopment Plan and Project”) for the designation of a redevelopment project area (“Redevelopment Project Area”) to be known as the “Circle Harlem Redevelopment Project Area” and the adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The Redevelopment Project Area consists of the territory legally described as: THAT PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 39, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: COMMENCING AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 12; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY, FOR A POINT OF BEGINNING; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHEAST QUARTER TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF AN EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF MADISON STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID EASTERLY EXTENSION AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF MADISON STREET TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE WEST LINE OF A NORTH-SOUTH 20 FOOT PUBLIC ALLEY LYING WEST OF HARLEM AVENUE; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE NORTH-SOUTH 20 FOOT PUBLIC ALLEY LYING WEST OF HARLEM AVENUE TO A POINT ON THE SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION OF THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 34 FEET OF THE EAST 53 FEET OF LOTS 6 AND 9 IN BLOCK 1 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM AS RECORDED NOVEMBER 26, 1858; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE WEST 34 FEET OF THE EAST 53 FEET OF LOTS 6 AND 9 IN BLOCK 1 TO A POINT ON THE SOUTH LINE OF AN EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF ELGIN AVE; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID WEST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF ELGIN AVE TO A POINT ON THE SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE TO THE A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 4 FEET OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 2 IN SAID RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE WEST 4 FEET OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 2 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM AND THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION THEREOF TO A POINT ON SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE EAST-WEST 20-FOOT-WIDE PUBLIC ALLEY LYING NORTH OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET TO A POINT ON THE EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF MARENGO AVE; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID EAST RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF MARENGO AVE TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE EASTERLY EXTENSION OF THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH 100 FEET OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3 IN SAID RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID EASTERLY EXTENSION AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH 100 FEET OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3 IN SAID RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM TO A POINT ON THE WEST LINE OF SAID LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3 TO A POINT ON THE SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE, SAID POINT ALSO BEING THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG A RADIAL LINE TO CIRCLE AVENUE TO A POINT OPPOSITE AND ADJACENT TO SAID NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1 IN BLOCK 3, SAID POINT BEING ON THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 50 FEET SOUTHWESTERLY OF (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTHWESTERLY LINE OF THE TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY TO MAX GOLDSTEIN, JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN, EVA GOLDSTEIN AND BESSIE GOLDSTEIN BY QUIT CLAIM DEED RECORDED AUGUST 23, 1963 AS DOCUMENT NO. 18893094; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID LINE 50 FEET SOUTHWESTERLY OF (MEASURED PERPENDICULARLY) AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTHWESTERLY LINE OF THE TRACT OF LAND CONVEYED BY THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN

RAILWAY COMPANY TO MAX GOLDSTEIN, JOSEPH GOLDSTEIN, EVA GOLDSTEIN AND BESSIE GOLDSTEIN TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH A LINE 102 FEET SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH BOUNDARY LINE OF THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, EAST OF HARLEM AVENUE, EXTENDED WEST; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID LINE 102 FEET SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE SOUTH BOUNDARY LINE OF THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY A DISTANCE OF 230 FEET, MORE OR LESS; THENCE SOUTH ALONG A LINE BEING AT RIGHT ANGLES FROM SAID SOUTH BOUNDARY LINE OF THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, EAST OF HARLEM AVENUE, EXTENDED WEST TO A POINT ON A LINE BEING 8.50 FEET SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE CENTERLINE OF SPUR TRACK I.C.C. NUMBER 367 OF SAID CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID LINE BEING 8.50 FEET SOUTH OF AND PARALLEL WITH THE CENTERLINE OF SPUR TRACK I.C.C. NUMBER 367 OF THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, 162 FEET TO A POINT ON A LINE DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET THROUGH A POINT THEREIN WHICH IS 41.0 FEET WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTH ALONG SAID LINE DRAWN PERPENDICULAR TO THE NORTH LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET THROUGH A POINT THEREIN WHICH IS 41.0 FEET WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE, 187.30 FEET; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG A STRAIGHT LINE A DISTANCE OF 64.4 FEET TO A POINT 90 FEET NORTHWESTERLY OF AND MEASURED RADIALLY TO THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID CIRCLE AVENUE ALONG A LINE DRAWN FROM A POINT ON SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE, 121.5 FEET CHORD DISTANCE FROM SAID INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG THE LAST DESCRIBED LINE TO SAID POINT BEING 121.5 FEET CHORD DISTANCE FROM SAID INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE NORTHEASTERLY ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHTOF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE TO A POINT BEING OPPOSITE AND ADJACENT TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 4 IN SAID BLOCK 3 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM; THENCE SOUTHEASTERLY ALONG A LINE TO SAID NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 4 IN SAID BLOCK 3 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID LOT 4 IN SAID BLOCK 3 IN RAILROAD ADDITION TO HARLEM AND THE SOUTHERLY EXTENSION THEREOF TO A POINT ON SAID SOUTH RIGHTOF-WAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH SAID SOUTHEASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE SOUTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHEASTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE TO A POINT BEING OPPOSITE AND ADJACENT TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION OF SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OFWAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE AND THE SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH 108 FEET OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 1 IN THE SUBDIVISION BY THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY OF PART OF THE RESERVATION FOR RAILROAD PURPOSES, AS SHOWN ON THE PLAT OF RAILROAD ADDITION TO THE TOWN OF HARLEM, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED NOVEMBER 14, 1881 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 358829; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG A LINE TO SAID POINT OF INTERSECTION; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH LINE OF THE NORTH 108 FEET OF LOT 1 IN BLOCK 1 TO A POINT ON THE EAST LINE OF THE WEST 8.0 FEET OF SAID LOT 1 IN BLOCK 1; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID EAST LINE OF THE WEST 8.0 FEET OF SAID LOT 1 IN BLOCK 1 TO A POINT ON SAID SOUTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET; THENCE WEST ALONG SAID SOUTH RIGHT-OFWAY LINE OF FRANKLIN STREET TO A POINT OPPOSITE AND ADJACENT TO A POINT BEING 606.90 FEET WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE NORTH ALONG A LINE TO SAID POINT BEING 606.90 FEET WEST OF THE INTERSECTION OF THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET AND THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF CIRCLE AVENUE; THENCE NORTH ALONG A LINE AT RIGHT ANGLES FROM THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF SAID FRANKLIN STREET, A DISTANCE OF 324.79 FEET TO A POINT 9 FEET NORTHERLY, AS MEASURED AT RIGHT ANGLES FROM THE CENTERLINE OF SPUR TRACK I.C.C. NO. 760 OF THE CHICAGO AND NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, AS NOW LOCATED AND ESTABLISHED; THENCE WESTERLY ALONG A LINE PARALLEL WITH SAID CENTERLINE OF THE SPUR TRACK, A DISTANCE OF 135.99 TO THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 3 IN “BROWN STREET STATION” RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 AND 2 IN Published in Wednesday Journal October 18, 25, 2023

SILVER MOON SUBDIVISION, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED SEPTEMBER 20, 1996 AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 96-722111 AND RESUBDIVISION OF PLAT RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 97833582; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG THE NORTHERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 3 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER THEREOF; THENCE SOUTH ALONG THE WESTERLY LINE OF SAID LOT 3 TO A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF LOT 2 IN SAID “BROWN STREET STATION” RESUBDIVISION; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG SAID NORTH LINE OF LOT 2 TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 2, SAID NORTHWEST CORNER ALSO BEING THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF LOT 1 IN THE AFORESAID “BROWN STREET STATION” RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 AND 2 IN SILVER MOON SUBDIVISION; THENCE NORTHWESTERLY ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT 1 TO A POINT OF CURVATURE; THENCE CONTINUING ALONG SAID NORTH LINE ON A CURVE CONCAVE TO THE SOUTHWEST TO A POINT OF NON-TANGENCY; THENCE CONTINUING WESTERLY ALONG SAID NORTH LINE TO THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT 1; THENCE WEST ALONG THE WESTERLY EXTENSION OF SAID NORTH LINE OF LOT 1 TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SAID SECTION 12; THENCE NORTH ALONG SAID WEST LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 12 TO A POINT OF INTERSECTION WITH THE AFORESAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY; THENCE EASTERLY ALONG SAID SOUTHERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF THE CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. The Redevelopment Project Area is generally described as the parcels on the west side of Harlem Avenue and the north Village boundary along the Chicago Transit Authority (“CTA”)/Union Pacific Railroad (“UPPR”) rail tracks, and generally bounded by Madison Street to the south, the CTA/UPPR rail tracks and the Village boundary to the north, Harlem Avenue to the east, and Lathrop Avenue to the west, and includes all adjacent rights of way, including to the centerline of Harlem Avenue, the east boundary of the Village.

There will be considered at the public hearing the Redevelopment Plan and Project for the Redevelopment Project Area.

The Redevelopment Plan and Project, including Eligibility Report, as proposed is on file and available for public inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois. The proposed Redevelopment Plan and Project includes the acquisition and conveyance of land in the Redevelopment Project Area, demolition, clearance and related site preparation activities, the construction, acquisition and installation of certain public works and improvements, if any, including, but not limited to, streets, storm sewers, water mains, sanitary sewers, traffic signalization, curbs, gutters, landscaping and public facilities including parking areas and related costs and expenses, all as provided in the Tax Increment Allocation Redevelopment Act, as supplemented and amended.

Prior to the date of the public hearing, each taxing district of which taxable property is included in the Redevelopment Project Area and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (f/k/a Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs) may submit written comments to the Village, to the attention of the Village Clerk, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, 60130.

There is hereby convened a joint review board to consider the proposed approval of the Redevelopment Plan and Project designation of the Redevelopment Project Area and adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The joint review board shall consist of a representative selected by each community college district; local elementary school district and high school district or each local community unit school district; park district; library district; township; fire protection district; and county that has authority to directly levy taxes on the property within the Redevelopment Project Area; a representative selected by the Village; and a public member selected in accordance with the Act. The first meeting of said joint review board shall be held at 11:00 a.m. on the 27th day of September, 2023, at the Forest Park Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, 60130.

At the public hearing, all interested persons or affected taxing districts may file written objections with the Village Clerk and may be heard orally with respect to any issues regarding the approval of the Redevelopment Plan and Project, the designation of the Redevelopment Project Area, and the adoption of tax increment allocation financing therefor. The hearing may be continued by the Village Council without further notice other than a motion to be entered upon the minutes of the hearing fixing the time and place of the continued hearing. /s/ Vanessa Moritz________ Village Clerk Village of Forest Park

18 Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023 Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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FOREST PARK 3 GARAGES 6 FAMILIES 1000 S ALLEY OF THOMAS & HANNAH FRI 10/20 & SAT 10/21 9AM TO 4PM

OAK PARK GARAGE SALE 220 N ELMWOOD SAT 10/21 9AM TO 1PM

Grandmother clock, linens, hardware, trolling motor, many home goods & decor, foot massager, dog stuff, 2 Adult Halloween costumes, pictures, gardening, house plants, CDs, DVDs, books, small furniture, clothes Ladies 6-18 & Men’s M-XXL, boy christening outfits, kid’s stuff/ games, luggage, macrame plant hangers, brass plant pots, Xmas tree-houses-outdoor decor, much more STUFF!

Furniture; Jewelry; Christmas; Art; Household. Lots of vintage items! No presales.

OAK PARK GARAGE SALE 835 S GROVE SAT 10/21 8AM TO 4PM

Vintage jewelry, Christmas décor, collectibles, lamps, vintage quilts, artwork, girls’ and women’s clothes, shoes, toys, books and games, electric bike and lots of nice miscellaneous.

Leather dual love seat, 3ft x 3ft metal work bench on casters with storage, (3) 5ft metal work bench with drawers, 1 5S leather bomber style (brand new), 2 pair of leather pants depleted style (1 black & 1 brown) Prices are negotiable, trying to move them out!

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Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023 19

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

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors 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 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park Water and Sewer Repair Parts and Materials - 2024 Bid Number: 24-103 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) 3585700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 18, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

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 Friday, November 3, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2024 Auto/Truck Body and Collision Repair Bid Number: 23-131 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) 3585700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 18, 2023

EQUAL HOUSING All real estate advertising in this

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

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice:

Your right to know...In print • Online

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

Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com • RBLandmark.com ForestParkReview.com • AustinWeeklyNews.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

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.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

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 Friday, November 3, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2024 Auto/Truck Transmission Repair Bid Number: 23-132 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal October 18, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

OPPORTUNITY newspaper is subject to the Fair

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 A.M. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023, for the following: 23-10 Sewer Cleaning and Inspection. Proposals can also be sent electronically to eavgoustakis@oak-park. us. In general, the contract will require the following work: light cleaning of sewer segments to be inspected, inspecting sewer segments by means of closedcircuit television (CCTV), and providing reports of CCTV inspections at locations shown, and all appurtenant work thereto. All CCTV inspections shall be performed in accordance with NASSCO’s pipeline assessment certification program (PACP) standards.

Proposal forms may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid. For questions, please call or email Elaine Avgoustakis, (708) 3585726, eavgoustakis@oak-park. us.

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal October 18, 2023

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, -v.FELICIA DEGRAFFENREID, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Defendants 20 CH 01174 1540 N. ROHDE AVE. BERKELEY, IL 60163 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 17, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1540 N. ROHDE AVE., BERKELEY, IL 60163 Property Index No. 15-08-113-0500000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,373.67.

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

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 403024.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 403024 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 20 CH 01174 TJSC#: 43-401 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 20 CH 01174 I3227977

20

Forest Park Review, October 18, 2023

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

Oak Park $699,000 4 BR, 3.5 BA Call Jane

Cicero $489,999 Multi-Unit Call Clarissa

Erika Villegas,

Kyra Pych

Mike Becker

CT A R T N ER CO Forest Park

UND

Oak Park Multi-Unit $525,000 Call Laurie

$454,900 3 BD, 2 BA Call Linda

Managing Broker/Owner

Oak Park $229,000 3 Bd, 1.5 BA Call Jane

Chicago $420,000 2 BD, 1 BA Call Patti

CT A R T N ER CO Oak Park

UND

HomesInTheVillage.com

Maria Rodriguez

Linda Rooney

Marion Digre

UND

Morgan Digre

Kris Sagan

T

AC R T N O ER C

Forest Park $379,900 3 BD, 2.5 BA Call Keri

Laurie Christofano

$375,000 3 BD, 2.5 BA Call Linda

Leticia Cruz

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Cicero $199,900 Multi-Unit Call Maria

Jane McClelland

Harry Walsh