Forest Park Review 110222

Hoskins, Commissioner Voogd clash over new staff salaries

says new salaries

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

A seemingly routine vote on approving staf f salaries set of f an argument between Mayor Rory Hoskins and Commissioner of Public Property Jessica Voogd during the Oct. 24 village council meeting.

The commissioner took issue with the fact the council didn’t have a closed session meeting to discuss the salary ranges after the village completed its staf f evaluations. In a follow-up interview, Hoskins said he chose to

District 91 approves new superintendent contract

Extended contract hikes pay, ties renewal to student performance

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park’s District 91 school board unani mously approved a new 4-year contract for Supt. Elizabeth Alvare z that extended her employment until the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

The contract was approved during the board’s Oct. 13 meeting. It includes annual salary increases and several perks, but it also ties any future contract extensions to improvements in students’ academic performance.

The board originally hired Alvarez during a Jan. 30, 2021, special meeting. In her short time as superintendent, she oversaw the closure of

the Grant-White Intermediate Elementary School, 147 Circle Ave. and advocated for a more ambitious building restructuring plan that, for the time being, has been simply postponed. The plan called for Betsy Ross Elementary School, 1315 Marengo Ave., to be closed as well, and for Forest Park Middle School, 925 Beloit Ave., to become a grades 5-8 school.

While the Grant-White closure caused some concerns among parents, the early feedback from the newly consolidated Field-Stevenson Intermediate Elementary School, also at 925 Beloit Ave., was positive.

During the Oct. 13 meeting, board President Kyra Tyler said she was “enthusiastically” voting in favor of the new contract.

“We’re thrilled, we’re happy to support you in this way, we’re very excited for our community and the progress that we’ve made and are continuing to make,” she told Alvarez. “Thank you for choosing to stick it out with us. We appreciate it.”

The superintendent responded that “she

can’t say enough” about how grateful she was to have the job.

“I just want to thank the board for choosing me,” Alvarez said. “Also just being here in Forest Park, being around everyone -- thank you. I’m excited for what’s to come and what’s been happening.”

Under the new contract, Alvarez’s salary is $190,800 a year, with 3% increases every school year. She will also get a $2,500 travel allowance and a $2,000 communication stipend to pay for her cellphone bills, with the understand ing that she would primarily use those for job-related purposes The contract also allows Alvarez to be reimbursed up to $3,000 for dues and membership fees in professional superin tendent organizations. The board may pay her costs of attending professional meetings and continuing education opportunities, though the contract gives the board a right to limit those payments The board may pay for Al varez to attend one state and/or one national professional convention a year, with payments

approved by the board on a case-by-case basis. Alvarez is getting 23 vacation days a year, and the district agreed to pay her medical and term life insurance premiums. The district will also pay her share of the contributions to the Illinois Teacher Retirement Fund and the Teachers Health Insurance Security fund, which, as a for mer teacher, Alverez is entitled to receive retirement benefits from.

The contract lays out her duties and re sponsibilities. Most notably, it requires her to work with the district administrative team to evaluate student performance, review the curriculum and instructional services and report the results to the board every year Alvarez and the board must then “develop additional student performance and academic improvement goals” no later than Sept. 1 of each year It also includes the legal language tying any future contract extensions to the district meeting those goals.

Forest Preser ve District opens Schuth’s Grove canoe launch

New accessible amenity at northwest corner of Desplaines and Cermak

By BOB UPHUES Editor

Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle and about a half do zen other county and state of ficials cut the ribbon on a new boat launch at Schuth’s Grove on the nor thwest cor ner of Cer mak Road and Desplaines Avenue on Oct. 27, providing local canoe and kayak enthusiasts yet another access point to the Des Plaines River.

It’s the ninth such canoe/kayak launch in Cook County Forest Preserve land along the Des Plaines River and fills a five-mile gap between the Maywood Grove launch at Lake Street and the Plank Road Meadow launch at Ogden Avenue in Lyons

The boat launch is reached via a curving asphalt path that slopes gently down to the riverbank, and there’s a stable, paved sur face all the way to river’s edge, making it accessible.

“This makes it easier for everyone to get in or out of the water,” Preckwinkle said during

remarks just prior to the ribbon cutting. “And for visitors with disabilities, these features might be the difference between being out in a kayak or staying at home.”

There’s also a canoe/kayak gear staging area to accommodate boats and equipment necessary to host group paddling events

Ar nold Randall, general superintendent of the Cook County Forest Preserve District, said their Conservation and Experiential Programming Department would use the Schuth’s Grove location as a launch point for paddling events and that the Greater Maywood Paddling program would use Schuth’s Grove for training initiatives.

“This award-winning program provides leaders of org anized groups training on kayaking, use and care of kayak gear and how to lead a kayak trip,” Randall said. “Once cer tified, trained leaders can use our free kayak gear library, which has all the supplies needed for an organized group to go on a paddling trip.”

Under construction for much of the year, the roughly $854,000 project received $203,000 from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and state motor fuel tax revenue to help fund a new per meable paver parking lot.

Kari Steele, president of the MWRD Board of Commissioners, said the parking lot has

the capacity to divert 110,000 gallons of stor water away from the river, forest preserve meadows and local sewer systems.

“Our partners at the Forest Preserve embraced the environmental benefits of per meable pavement and how it can protect our water environment and mitigate flood ing,” Steele said. “Without [the per meable paver parking lot], that’s more than 110,000 gallons of water invading our forest preserve, filling our riverbanks or flooding our communities.”

In addition, the boat launch was funded part using an $80,000 state grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Boat Access Area Development Program.

“We all lear ned a lot by living through the pandemic, one of which is that nature is a tonic for all of us,” said John Rogner, deputy director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “Many people had to relear n, and some people lear ned for the first time, how privileged we are to live this region, to have so much wild, open space that we refer to as Chicago Wilder ness

“A launch like this removes one of the principal barriers, and that’s access to these waters for new paddlers and it launches them on a sport that will serve them for a lifetime.”

The canoe launch is open every day of the year. It’s considered part of the Miller

BOB UPHUES/Editor

Ed Wagemann, a Cook County Forest Preserve District employee, paddles the Des Plaines River a er shov ing o from the Schuth’s Grove canoe launch for the very rst time during the Oct. 27 ribbon cutting event.

Meadow Preserve, which covers 300-acres of unincorporated Proviso Township roughly between the Des Plaines River and First Av enue from Cer mak Road to Roosevelt Road. Schuth’s Grove is the only area of the preserve west of the river.

BIG WEEK November

The 1619 Projec t: Family & Communit y Circles

S unday, Nov. 6, 1 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

This special event is a forum for all to share personal stories as well as honoring histor y in a safe, non-racist space. Discussion circles will be led by trained adults alongside middle school, high school and college students. Today’s event features D-Composed, an allblack chamber music collec tive that exclusively features the music of African-American composers, from Florence Price to Solange. This will be followed at 2 p.m. by a program on “The Bir th Of American Music” (recommended for ages 11 and up). Local band the Snake Doctors will per form as par t of this segment. Lunch is at 3 p.m. Due to the struc ture of the discussion circles, please tr y to arrive on time. Register now for any or all sessions at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Tail Dragger Movie Premiere

Saturday, Nov. 5, 12 p.m., Lake Theater

When blues singer Tail Dragger per forms, there is no barrier between the band and the audience. The man will stroll around the nightclub, wireless mic in hand, serenading anybody within earshot. His life and times have been chronicled in a new documentar y, Tail Dragger: Journey Of A Bluesman There will also be a Q&A with executive producer John McNaughton, direc tor Kevin Mukherji and Tail Dragger himself. The movie isn’t in 3-D, but Mr. Dragger’s stage show sure is. 1022 Lake St., Oak Park

Ancient & Modern Hula

unday, Nov. 6, 3-5 p.m., Zen Life & Meditation Center

Halau i Ka Pono under the direc tion of Kumu June Tanoue will present their Autumn Hula Performance. There will also be Hawaiian food and a ra e. Tickets are available directly from the school. $25 in-person admission, $15 online admission includes show via Zoom. 46 Lake St., Oak 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.

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

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s Jazz and neo -soul take the spotlight at this special free show. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Peer Gynt

Friday, Nov. 4; Saturday, Nov. 5, 8 p.m., Concordia University

This classic Henrik Ibsen play will be per formed by the Ar tists of Concordia Theatre. Directed by Andrew Pedersen, this produc tion will run 85-90 minutes. Most of Edvard Grieg’s original incidental music for orchestra will be arranged by Dr. Maurice Boyer. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest

Gabriel Sorsano & Tanja Mirkovic Ar t Show (with live music from Realit y Bytes)

Saturday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m., O utta Space

“Magical realism” is how Sorsano and Mirkovic describe their ar twork, showcasing mythical and ethereal landscapes. This event showcases some of their nest ar twork. Around 8 p.m., music will be provided by Reality Bytes, playing the hits of the ‘90s. $10, 6840 32nd St., Berw yn.

Soldial

Forest Park ’s county commissioner is running for mayor

Brandon Johnson announced run for Chicago mayor at press conference on Oct. 27

By DAWN RHODES & COLIN BOYLE Block Club Chicago

Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, long floated as a potential mayoral candidate, has launched his bid for City Hall.

Johnson, a middle school teacher and Chicago Teachers Union org anizer, announced his candidacy for mayor at a kick of f event Thursday mor ning at Seward Park, 375 W. Elm St.

More than 100 suppor ters re presenting unions, political groups and neighborhoods joined Johnson on Thursday near the for mer Cabrini-Green homes, including Alds Byron Sigcho-Lope z (25th) and Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) and state Re p. Delia Ramire z, who is running for a Cong ressional seat in November’s election.

“I continue to be humbled, and honored, by the outpouring of support I have received in coming to this decision,” Johnson said in a statement. “Throughout my conversations with people from all areas of the city, it has become increasingly clear to me that Chicagoans are ready for change, and most impor tant, ready to see their own vision and priorities reflected on the 5th floor of City Hall.”

Johnson re presents the 1st District on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. His area includes par ts of the Near West Side, Garfield Park, Austin, Galewood and Monteclare, as well as par ts of suburban Oak Park, Forest Park, Maywood, Broadview and Bellwood

Johnson was elected to his county board seat in 2018 and was seeking reelection in the Nov. 8 general election against Liber tarian James Humay

Should Johnson win his county board bid, he will continue in that role, campaign spokesperson Ronnie Reese said. If he is elected mayor, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle would appoint a re placement and there would a special election for the 1st District seat.

“Chicago has to live up to this amazing promise and this idea of being a worldclass city. But in order for Chicago to be a world class city, it has to include all of our young people in its beauty, its wealth and

its power,” Johnson said Thursday “We are going to bring a revival to this city.”

Johnson, 46, lives in Austin. One of 10 children of a pastor, he has taught social studies at Jenner Academy serving students in Cabrini-Green and Westinghouse Colle ge Prep in East Garfield Park, according to a news release Johnson was an active CTU org anizer under for mer union President Karen Lewis. He was elected to the county board on a platfo rm of expanding public services and safe guarding workers’ rights, according to his campaign.

Johnson’s experience as an educator will greatly influence his work on the 5th floor if he is elected, he said.

“As a teacher, I experienced the painful impact of disinvestment on my students and their families, and this personal experience — seeing children endure inequity — is what fuels my commitment to building a stronger, safer and more equitable Chicago,” Johnson said in a statement.

Some of Johnson’s suppor ters invoked the names and work of the late Mayor Harold Washington and Mar tin Luther King Jr while speaking on Johnson’s mayoral campaign.

“I am so inspired today to join Brandon Johnson’s campaign and to continue the struggle to unify the dispossessed of all colors, creeds and circumstances to create a new and unsettling force which Dr King envisioned, and for which he gave his life,” Southeast Side org anizer Olg a Bautista said.

Tara Stamps of the Chicago Teachers Union recalled Johnson’s sacrifice and dedication in shaping Jenner Elementary students.

“It was at that time that he opened the minds of our young people and showed them what was possible,” Stamps said. “It was at that time that he took a little ragtag team of boys who just said, ‘I just want to play ball,’ and gave up all of his after school so that they could have a team.

“I’m so happy to say that right now, today, those young people are thriving, because teachers are the front line of defense for our country.”

Johnson also has suppor ted ef for ts to scale back funding for policing.

In the height of 2020 protests after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, Johnson introduced the Justice for Black Lives resolution to the county board in suppor t of demands to defund Cook County Jail. The board overwhelmingly approved the non-binding resolution, committing

to direct its multibillion-dollar budget more toward initiatives such as health care, restorative justice and job creation to reduce crime.

Johnson said the ef fort was “not about laying people of f, consolidations or closures,” but rather “calling for an expansion of gover nment services” in other sectors The board had a “responsibility in this moment to address the failures of systems,” he said.

“We are tired of being policed and surveilled, and that the only way our people can receive treatment is if we’re brought into captivity,” Johnson said at the time. “That is a failed system, and I will reject that system until the day that I die.”

Johnson also brought up how Chicago’s public safety issues are portrayed in recent political ads, saying it’s impor tant to address the root of violent crime to reduce it.

“Is there violence? Yes. Is carjacking wrong? Yes, of course it is. But let me tell you what else is wrong: when you have 700 families who live in Parkway Gardens, but the community center can only hold 100. That’s wrong,” Johnson said. “In order to make Chicago not only a safe, but a just city, we need to be a healthy thriving city for everyone.”

Johnson also is among a growing list of elected of ficials who have pushed the Cook County Board to approve his resolution to re place Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day. The resolution stalled in

committee in 2021.

Johnson is mar ried with three children. Johnson joins a field of mayoral challengers that includes three sitting City Council members

Alds. Raymond Lope z (15th), Roderick Sawyer (6th) and Sophia King (4th) all are vying to unseat Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who is seeking reelection.

The group of candidates also include for mer Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas, state Re p. Kam Buckner and businessman Willie Wilson.

Longtime Lightfoot ally Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), who is ste pping down from City Council next year, also is rumored as a potential challenger but has not announced a bid.

“Families need change, Chicago needs change, and if we are truly going to transfor m our city, we need a collective, collaborative approach that reflects the values of the people,” Johnson said in a statement. “I am the candidate who will build a coalition from Ravenswood to Englewood, and all communities beyond and in between.

“As a teacher and org anizer, I have seen what is possible when we work to gether I will lead with ‘we,’ revive Chicago, and restore the resources, the hope and the possibilities that all of our families and residents deserve.”

Paul Goyette/Contributor

First District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson anked by suppor ters in Chicago on Oct. 27, when he announced his bid for mayor.

Local chefs gather to support Proviso Township scholarships

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

The D209 Scholarship Board of Directors is inviting the public to Great Chefs: Educated Palates, a culinary tour de force intended to raise $25,000 for the Proviso Township D209 scholarship fund. The Foundry, 7503 Madison St., Forest Park, is scheduled to host the event on Nov. 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The celebration promises to be a f and li

nature fundraiser is back for the third time and aims to be better than ever Event orga nizers anticipate welcoming 125-150 guests who are intent on generating a financial in fusion for the scholarship program started in 2015 and benefitting high school students graduating from the 10 communities feeding into the Proviso Math and Science Academy, Proviso East and Proviso West. Scholar ships, many of which are renewed, are im partially reviewed before being awarded to c a

ement after facing chal-

lenges

“It feels like validation when the community agrees that these kids are worth investing in,” said Michelle Woehrle, vice presi dent of the D209 Scholarship Board. “People are meeting the moment and supporting these kids.”

Guests attending the Great Chefs event should expect to savor selections from 8 to 10 hyper-local chefs and restaurant owners. The personal chef in residence at The Foundry/FP will join N Rebozo, Azucar Ro coco, Zesty Catering, Fiore Pizza and Bakery, Couture Kitchen, and Habrae Thai Cafe and Eatery. Habrae has confir med they will be sending pot stickers, prawn cracker and egg rolls Signature cocktails, wine and beer provided by Exit Strategy, Forest Park’s only microbrewery, will also be available with admission. A wine pull and silent auction will round out the festivities.

New board member and event organizer, Gwendalyn Carver, is excited to interact with the D209 Scholarship Fund donors and mingling with like-minded scholarship supporters. The Forest Park resident and mother of three, two of whom are Proviso East students, knows there is a real need

support in Proviso Township.

“This organization is for students who may not have financial support and people are connecting over these struggles and want to make a difference,” said Carver “I am excited that guests will get to hear from past scholarship recipients and lear n about the impact of our program.”

The evening’s emcee, Debra Vines is CEO of The Answer, Inc., a not-for-profit autism awareness organization. She sat on the D209 selection committee for this year’s award recipients and is keenly aware of the cali ber of students graduating from Proviso’s local public high schools. In addition to sharing why the scholarships provide essential support for D209 students, Vines will introduce previous awardees and share their stories of success

“Some of the retur ning students have graduated from college and are excited to start giving back to their Proviso community,” said Carver “They have agreed to be come mentors to help ensure the future suc cess of scholarship recipients.”

Tickets to attend this meaningful evening of food, drink and community can be purchased by visiting 209scholarship.com.

FILE

Samplings of asparagus are set out for guests during the 2019 Great Chefs for Success fundraiser for District 209 Together at Urban Pioneer Group on Madison Street in Forest Park

Living Fresh Market fleshes out plans for Maywood store

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The developers of Living Fresh Market, the grocery store at 7520 Roosevelt Rd. in Forest Park, gave the public a glimpse of what a second Maywood location might look like during Maywood Mayor Nathaniel George Booker’s town hall meeting on Oct. 27.

Village officials announced in August that the Living Fresh owners were eyeing the for mer Maywood Market at 615 S. 5th Ave. in Maywood for its second location.

At Thursday’s meeting, Living Fresh representatives said they envision the Maywood store operating in the mold of the current Forest Park location — a quality grocery store that’s also a community hub

If shoppers enter the Forest Park location, they’ ll see fresh juice offerings at the entrance, self-checkout aisles, a deli and fully stocked shelves.

The store, which is still being remodeled, will eventually feature a coffee and juice bar, a sushi bar and a wellness center where customers can order prescriptions and get information on healthy eating, they said.

“We want to base it off food as medicine,” said Melody Winston, the executive director of Living Fresh Market. “We don’t want to be selling 4,000 pills a week […] That is not our model.”

Winston said while the center will have “physicians, nurses and records,” its emphasis will be on holistic health.

Trez Pugh, the founder and CEO of Sip and Savor Coffee Houses, said he’s planning to open his fifth location inside of the Forest Park Living Fresh Market and indicated he’d be open to operating a sixth one if the store comes to Maywood Pugh said his coffee houses mostly sell imported coffee from African countries and operate as meeting spaces and entertainment venues, hosting musicians, artists, photographers and other creatives during numerous live events. He said he’s still looking for employees before officially opening in Forest Park but the space is

largely built out.

Many of those who spoke during Thursday’s meeting gave the new and improved Forest Park store positive reviews, adding that it’s a marked improvement over its predecessor.

Living Word Church, the Forest Park megachurch that is located behind Living Fresh and pastored by Bill Winston, Melody Winston’s father, purchased Living Fresh Market last year from Ken Casaccio. The megachurch, which counts Mayor Booker as a member, bought the

coalition based in Maywood, said she visited the store when it was owned by Casaccio and after he tur ned it over to Living Word

“You’re doing an excellent job remodeling [the current store],” she said. “I’ve gone in when you first started, I was in the store before you started and I see a significant difference and I’m very pleased with what I’m seeing.”

Brown and other residents said if another Living Fresh opens in Maywood, they hope that the owners cater to the needs of local senior citizens, ensure that employees are courteous and professional, stock fresh fruit and vegetables, and implement a rewards program that is digital, among other concer ns expressed at the meeting.

Brown also said she hopes a Maywood ving Fresh has food that’s representative the village’s growing Hispanic population.

Barbara Cole, the founder of Maywood outh Mentoring, asked if a second store an be supported at the location where Maywood Market lasted for barely a year The store closed in 2011.

OB ITU AR Y

Ken Wojtas, 81

Printer, member of St. John Lutheran

Kenneth Peter Wojtas, 81, of Forest Park died on Oct. 26, 2022. Born on Nov. 29, 1940 to Dorothy Wojtas (Ecker t) and Peter Wojtas, he was a lifelong resident of Forest Park and a lifelong member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church. Whether you knew him personally or happened to bump into him around town, you would likely have encountered his sense of humor. His jokes were often silly, sometimes sar castic, but always friendly and good-natured. He also loved movies and music, especially El vis, the King of Rock and Roll.

He lear ned printing as a trade at Proviso East High School and worked as a professional printer until retirement. He was an avid enthusiast of letter press printing, including providing custom printing services to the community from his home print shop using the name Ken’s Old Fashioned Printing.

Forest Park Plaza shopping center that Living Fresh anchors in 1998.

Before Cascaccio opened Living Fresh Market, the 70,000-square-foot store was an Ultra Foods. The store closed after Ultra’s parent company went bankrupt in 2017.

“When you come into the store I want you to have the same feeling [of home],” said James Buford, the Forest Park store’s manager. “We’re trying to really, really brighten that up. You’ve got Sip and Savor gour met coffee — somewhere you can come in, sit down, relax and take a load off your feet before you even start shopping.”

Loretta Brown, a Maywood resident and the cofounder of Proviso Partners for Health (PP4H), a community wellness

Buford said he believes “there’s more than enough [market demand] out there for us to survive here.” Representatives said Living Fresh Market’s wraparound experience and emphasis on being a community hub and not just a grocery store gives it a competitive advantage over other conventional grocery stores

Mayor Booker said he hopes that a Maywood Living Fresh Market can be “an anchor of revitalization” for the village’s downtown corridor. He added that a grocery store would complement a planned federally qualified health center that village officials are hoping to build across the street from Maywood Market.

At a board meeting on Aug. 16, Living Fresh Market representatives said that it could take at least $1.2 million to open a Maywood location. The proposal is still being vetted by village officials.

He lear ned magic at a young age, initially perfor ming for family and friends. Over the years his interest and abilities grew until he became a semi-professional magician. He perfor med stage magic and sleight of hand, enter taining young and old at parties, schools, church functions and retirement communities. He was a founding member of two org anizations for magicians, the Knights of Sleights and the Sleights of the Roundtable.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Linda Wojtas (Spafford). He is survived by his chil dren, Beth, Susan and Kevin, and his grand children, Diana, Parker, Grant, Jonas and Sam. More recently, he was preceded in death by his wife Sybil Wojtas (Stover)

He will always hold a place in our hearts and memories

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 1 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Zimmer man Har nett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park. A showing, followed by a celebration service will be held be ginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 309 Circle Ave., Forest Park, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the following are most appreciated: The Al zheimer’s Foundation of America (https://alzfdn.org) and Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (https:// curealz.org).

Owners say remodeled Forest Park store, replete with co ee sushi bars, could be blueprint for second Maywood location

FILE

e remodeled interior of Liv ing Fresh Market in Forest Park. e owners are looking at a second location in Maywood.

SALARIES

Disagreement on the process

from page 1

discuss the matter with each commissioner one-on-one in order to have candid discussions outside Illinois Open Meetings Act re gulations. The mayor insisted he reached out to Voogd as part of the process, but the commissioner declined to have the discussion – something that Voogd denied during the meeting and in a follow-up interview.

The ordinance applies to all positions that that aren’t covered by union contracts, and it builds on what was approved on Aug. 23, 2021. Under the new ordinance, Finance Di rector Letitia Olmsted’s salary range went from $65,000 – $82,500 to $65,000 – $130,000 last year and remained the same this year

Mohr Community Center director Karen Dylewski’s salary range went from $50,000 – $74,000 to $50,000 – $90,000 last year, and the upper range increased to $100,000 this year. Village Clerk’s Vanessa Moritz’s salary range went up from $50,000 – $86,500 to $50,000 – $105,000 last year and remained the same this year.

By comparison, Director of Public Works Sal Stella and Director of Public Health & Safety Steve Glinke, who didn’t get salary increases this year, had the upper range of their salaries increase last year from $105,000 to $125,000, and from $86,000 to $105,000, respectively. While police chief Ken Gross’s salary range remained the same, Fire Chief Phil Chiappetta had the upper range of his salaries increase from $140,000 to $144,000.

According to Hoskins and the commissioners in August 2021, the council got together to adjust the salary ranges to bring it more in line with nearby municipalities of similar size. Hoskins was interested in bringing the female department heads’ salary ranges in line with the male counter parts. The salary increases adopted on Aug 23, 2021, were supposed to be the first step in the process, with further increases taking place the following year

Throughout spring 2022, the council met several times in closed session to discuss the second round of salary range increases. On April 24, Voogd requested that the vil lage do employee evaluations – something that Forest Park hasn’t done since at least spring 2019, when Hoskins was swor n in as mayor. The employee evaluations were completed on Sept. 9.

As the ordinance came up for vote, Voogd said she was under impression that the vil

lage council was going to have a closed session meeting beforehand to use the employee evaluation results to ag ree on final salary ranges Hoskins responded that “rather than come together and hash through this,” he talked to each commissioner one-on-one to get their input.

“And after closely reading employee evaluations, I contacted each commissioner and we discussed some of the guidelines and what we thought were reasonable salary adjustments,” he said. “The numbers before you tonight reflect a sort of consensus.”

During the meeting, Hoskins said he felt the process had become “too employeedriven.” In a follow-up interview, he told the Review he deliberately wanted to avoid discussing the ordinance in closed sessions because they were subject to the Open Meetings Act and because, in the earlier discussions, they always had some staf f member present.

“I wanted us to have a very candid discussions that were not in the earshot of staf f, and I didn’t want our discissions to be re corded, either,” he said.

For a five-member le gislative body like the Forest Park Village Council, any meeting involving more than two elected of ficials could be considered a meeting subject to Open Meetings Act re gulations Even for closed session meetings, the village must keep minutes and verbatim recordings. The recordings can be destroyed a few months later, and the council can keep the minutes private because “the need for confidentiality still exists as to all or part of those minutes.”

During the meeting, Hoskins insisted he had reached out to Voogd, but Voogd de clined to participate because she believed the council should discuss the matter together

“I did ask you; you didn’t want to talk about it, you wanted the whole group to talk about it,” he said.

“You did not reach out to me, no one spoke to me, the first time I saw the final numbers was this mor ning,” Voogd countered

The mayor and the commissioner argued back and for th, with Voogd at one point asking why he was trying to “gaslight” her

“I don’t know why we’d chose to speak to each other separate without having the benefit of the full council,” she said, adding she believed the taxpayers expected the council to discuss the issue

Commissioner of Accounts & Finance Joe Byr nes said he didn’t want to delay ap proving salary rates any further

“This pay raise [discussion] has been going on since May, and every time we go ahead and try to do something, we have to

go into closed session, it’s not on the agenda for another month,” he said. “I’m just sick and tired of waiting to pass this thing. It’s on the agenda, it’s open to the public. An up and down vote should be taken tonight.”

The commissioners approved the salary range proposed by a 4-0 vote, with Voogd ab staining, saying that, while she didn’t want to get in the way of salary increases, she couldn’t vote on something she only had a day to review.

Hoskins told the Review that, while the department head salaries weren’t perfectly equitable, he was satisfied with the prog ress he made, and he said he doesn’t expect the salary ranges to be adjusted any further any time soon.

“I think we’re closer to pay equity and I think it’s an impor tant step for the village,” he said, noting that none of the female de partment heads made six figures prior to the recent adjustment.

Commissioner of Public Health Maria Maxham told the Review that Hoskins “sat down with [her] on more than one occa sion,” and what was presented during the Oct. 24 meeting was in line with what they discussed, and that she expected the ordinance to be on the agenda for at least the past two meetings.

“I knew prior to the meeting what we were going to be voting on,” she said. “I knew it was coming up and I knew we would be voting on it very soon.”

Maxham said that she was satisfied with the process and the way the ordinance tur ned out.

“I think there are dif ferent ways of doing things, and I don’t think we have any protocol or written instructions [dictating] that is the way we have to decide salaries,” she said. “It’s my understanding that we can do it in closed sessions, but also if the mayor wants to do it individually, that’s another way to do it as well.”

Commissioner of Streets & Public Im provements Ryan Nero echoed those comments, telling the Review that he was “satisfied with the outcome.”

“I had plenty of time to look at the employee reviews,” he said. “I also had multiple discussions with the mayor on this topic. The salary adjustments were overdue and well-deserved.”

Voogd told the Review that she was “obviously disappointed” with how the process played out.

“I took issue with the process, because when you are avoiding discussions with the full council and just having side conversations, that doesn’t foster a transparent, fully infor med decision-making process, and that’s concer ning,” she said.

OB ITU ARIES

Michele Rober tson, 58

Lifelong Forest Parker

December 19, 1963 ~ October 27, 2022 (age 58) Michele (Fosco) Robertson, 58, of Navarre, F lorida, formerly a lifelong resident of Forest Park, died on Oct. 27, 2022. Bor n on Dec. 19, 1963, she was the wife of the late John Robertson; daughter of the late Orlando Fosco Jr., and Lena Fosco; sister of Eleanor Fosco and Serafina Fosco Johnson; the aunt of Lena Chandeysson, Ricky Schnurstein, Arthur Schnurstein, Brianna (Ryan) Garfolo, Chase Chandeysson, Serafina Spaaregan, Jason Spaaregen Jr., and Shannon (BJ) Boardman; and great-aunt of Sawyer, Wyatt and Audrey Boardman.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 4, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Zimmer man-Har nett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park Inter ment will be held privately.

Michael Presto, 69

Forest Park resident

Michael C. Presto, 69, died on Oct. 24, 2022. A Forest Park resident for most of his life, he worked at Entenman n’ s in Nor thlake for 25 years. Michael is survived by his three brothers, Frank, Jose ph, and Carl; his wife, Eileen; his two sons, Michael and Alex; and his three ste pchildren, Adam, Sarah, and Patrick.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rose Presto, and a brother, Ralph, and a sister, Angela.

Visitation was held on Oct. 30 at Zimmer man-Har nett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park Inter ment was private.

New police contract includes raises, extra holiday pay

Previous contract expired April 30, 2021

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park police officers are getting a bump in pay, a new bonus for working on major holidays and more limited health insurance options.

The new contract, which was unanimously approved by the Forest Park Village Council on Oct. 24, is retroactive to May 1, 2021, and will expire on April 30, 2024. It encompasses patrol officers and sergeants re presented by the Fraternal Order of Po lice Michael T. Caulfield Memorial Lodge 24. The village council approved the pay rates for Chief Ken Gross, Deputy Chief Christopher Chin and the three lieutenants earlier during the same meeting as part of a larger ordinance establishing pay for non-union staf f.

Village officials declined to comment on why it took over a year for the contract to be signed. Lodge 24 didn’t respond to the Review’s request for comment.

The contract calls for retroactive 2.75% salary increases effective May 1, 2021, then 3.5% salary increases on May 1, 2022, and 3.25% salary increases effective May 1, 2023. As in the past contracts, the longer the officers have been on the force, the higher the increase is. The language specified that officers who are no longer part of the union because they’ve been promoted, retired or went on a disability since the last contract officially expired are eligible for the retroactive salary bumps as well.

Starting this Thanksgiving, officers who work on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day or New Years Day will get paid 1.5 times their re gular hourly rate for every hour they work on those holidays. The contract specifies that employee who work night shifts

won’t get premium pay if their shift starts the day before the holiday, but they would get premium pay if it starts on the holiday. For example, an officer whose shift starts on the evening of Dec. 24 and ends on the morning of Dec. 25 will be paid the regular rate, but an officer whose shift starts on the evening of Dec. 25 and ends on the morning of Dec. 26 will be paid the holiday rate for the entire shift.

Another major change touches on health insurance for new officers. Under the previous contract, officers hired on or after

May 1, 2017, could enroll in a village HMO plan, a village PPO plan or the High Deductible HSA PPO plan. The new contract limits any officers hired after July 1, 2022, to the HMO plan. The officers can still opt out of the village health insurance if they can show they already have another health insurance plan. As before, the village will pay the equivalent of 40% of the village share of the premium for the lowest-cost village health insurance plan.

Other benefits, including sick leave, va cation days and seniority, will remain the same as before.

Mayor Rory Hoskins told the Review that he was satisfied with the contract.

“I think it was a fair contract that was ag reed to by the parties,” he said. “I am glad that it was passed.”

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Foundr y FP cited for letting customers drink outside, failure to control crowds

Event venue had earlier been site of Mayor Hoskins campaign fundraiser

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Foundry FP event space, 7503 Madison St., was cited for alle gedly allowing customers to take alcoholic drinks outside and failing to control rowdy crowds after an Oct. 22 private party. Mayor Rory Hoskins, who serves as Forest Park’s liquor commissioner, will hold a hearing on Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. at the village hall to decide what penalties, if any, he’s going to impose – but until then, the Foundry can’t serve alcoholic drinks.

Hoskins, who is campaigning for reelection in the April 2023 municipal elections, hosted his campaign fundraising kickoff at the Foundry on Oct. 20.

The citations were issued on Oct. 28 at 6:07 p.m., but the actual incident happened at around midnight on Oct. 23. A stop to see iftwo ofthe patrons were carrying alcoholic drinks escalated as one ofthe alle ged offenders, a 25-year-old Chicago man, tried to get away and the crowd gathered tried to stop the arrest. The incident resulted in two arrests, and another man was cited for carrying open alcohol.

The citations don’t stop the Foundry from operating – it simply stopped it from severing any alcohol until Hoskins makes his decision. As liquor commissioner, he has a wide discretion as to what kind of penalties he can impose, but it could be a fine and/or a suspension. While Hoskins can revoke the license, he hasn’t done it in the past unless there have been multiple violations.

The Review was unable to reach Foundry owner Linda Cibula by deadline.

According to the police re port issued at the time and the complaint by Deputy Police Chief Christopher Chin, an officer on routine patrol noticed a 25-year-old Chicago man and a woman standing in the Madison Street median near the Foundry,

holding cups. While the two claimed it was juice, the officer determined that the woman’s cup had alcohol. The man drank the contents ofhis cup, spilled the rest on the ground and walked away. The officer told him to stop, but the man ke pt walking, and the woman headed to a car parked nearby

The situation quickly escalated as the officer tried to arrest the man, and the man ke pt trying to talk away. The officer ended up “perform[ing] an emergency takedown,” which is when he realized that the man was carrying a gun.

By that point, police back-up arrived, and the man ke pt trying to get away. The officers ended up tasering him, which led to a crowd gathering and trying to “intervene in [his] arrest.” While the police officers ultimately took him into custody, they ended up arresting a 36-year-old Chicago man for alle gedly threatening to beat up one ofthe officers and citing a 31-year-old Chicago man who exited the Foundry carrying a cup with alcohol during the commotion for a local ordinance violation.

The 25-year-old man was charged with one count ofcarrying a weapon while his FOID card has expired, two counts of re sisting arrest and one count ofopenly carrying alcohol. The 36-year-old was charged with assaulting the officer and obstructing arrest. The officers were unable to locate the woman who had the drink.

In his complaint, Chin argued that Foundry FP employees failed to “adequately supervise and control its patrons, when departing the Licensed Premises so as to cause a disturbance of the peace,” and that the event space failed to provide enough security to control crowds, which would violate of Section 13(b)-1-2 of the Forest Park liquor code. The complaint also notes that allowing customers to have open alcohol outside the premises is the violation of the code’s Section 3-3-5(I).

CRIME

Chicago car thief apprehended in Forest Park

A 25-year-old Chicago man was ar rested Oct. 28 after allegedly stealing a car in Chicago and then trying to steal another car in Forest Park from the 1500 block of Elgin Avenue

Forest Park police received a call re port ing that, at around 4:05 a.m., the alle ged of fender was seen walking around and checking the door handles of a car parked on the block. As the of ficers drove up to the block, the man got into a white 2011 Audi Sedan and drove nor th in the nor th-south alley between Harlem and Elgin avenues

The alle ged of fender hit another vehicle and eventually crashed into the guardrail on the 1200 block. He was seen getting out of the car and ran west, jumping the fence and running through the yard toward Marengo Avenue A subsequent search tur ned up a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun laying in the grass near the fence the suspect jumped.

Working with their Oak Park and River Forest counter parts, Forest Park police set up a perimeter around the area. They eventually found the alle ged of fender hiding under a porch at a house on the 1200 block of Circle Avenue. He got out from under the porch and sur rendered without incident.

The alle ged of fender claimed that he found the Audi parked in a garage in Chicago, near the Grand/Milwaukee Blue Line CTA station, at some point between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. He claimed that the keys were in side the car, and that he used them to drive the car to Forest Park. He claimed that he exited the stolen car on the 1500 block of Elgin to urinate, and that he left after he saw a resident spot him. While he acknowledged that he had a gun, the description he gave didn’t match the weapon recovered at the scene The alle ged of fender didn’t possess a valid Firear m Owner Identification card or Concealed Car ry License.

The owner of the Audi said that he had no idea how the alle ged of fender got the keys.

The alle ged of fender was charged with motor vehicle theft and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.

Gun threat

Police were called in after a man drinking on the Forest Park Blue Line CTA ter minal claimed that he had a gun.

On Oct. 25 at around 6:25 p.m., a CTA employee spotted three passengers drinking on the platfor m. The employee told them that drinking alcohol is ille g al on CTA property One of the men yelled at the employee and, at one point, tapped on his right front hip and said, “I keep it on me at all times.” Believing that the passenger had a gun, the CTA employee called police.

Police of ficers stopped him as he was coming down the stairs. The police didn’t find a gun on his person, and the man was released without charges.

Purse -snatching

A woman walking her do g on the 400 block of Desplaines Avenue on the mor ning of Oct. 24 had her purse snatched, but the three alleged robbers were subsequently ar rested, and her property was recovered.

The alle ged incident took place at around 9:37 a.m. Three teens alle gedly approached her from behind, and one of them grabbed at the purse and ripped it from her ar m. The victim’s keys and phone fell out of the purse, and the victim quickly grabbed them. At this point, the three alle ged of fenders re por tedly ran, heading south on Desplaines Avenue, then east on Adams Street.

The re port doesn’t give any details on how the three alle ged of fenders were ap prehended, but it does mention that the contents of the victim’s purse were recovered. Each alle ged of fender was charged with one count of robber y.

These items were obtained from police re ports filed by the Forest Park Police De part ment, Oct. 24-30, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

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

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

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

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We would be honored for your family

be part of ours.

ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING

LETTER

The Grove and Altenheim’s future: Why the warning?

As the leaders of Concerned Van Buren Citizens, a commission named by The Grove condominium boards to re present the preferences and concerns of residents of The Grove as to the future uses ofthe Altenheim property, we welcomed your Oct. 12 editorial: Aim higher at Altenheim. However, we take issue when you say: “We are worried about the deference being paid to the good folks at the … Altenheim retire ment facility and The Grove townhome development — both adjacent to the open land.” We are not aware ofany “deference being paid” residents of The Grove community — and we’ve been following the village’s actions re garding this property for several years. Also, we’ve attended all the meetings ofthe village-appointed Altenheim Advisory Committee and have not detected any such “deference.”

We are more perplexed by your statement that ideas we might suggest should be

viewed with caution because “our collective voice is one of self-interest.” Respectfully, you cannot know what we might suggest because, as yet, we have suggested no ideas on the matter. Further, we consider it rather presumptuous of you to suggest at this early stage that ideas we might suggest would not be consistent and compatible with the interest ofall residents of the village

We would feel better if you had held your criticism until after you learned more about our vision for future use of the property. At this point, we fear that your warning may simply have planted the seed ofdistrust in the minds ofthe members ofthe committee. That is not only unfortunate, it is unfair.

Gene Armstrong, Kathr yn Heavey, Ellyn Gullo, Marilyn Jancewicz

Concerned Van Buren Citizens leadership team

An appeal from Dan Haley

Forty-two years back tur ned to about 70 local people to invest the cash to launch Wednesday in Oak Park and Ri

The three of us who star the paper – Sharon Britton, Anne Duggan and myself

– we didn’t have a nick between us.

We broke all the set rules of local jour nalism at a time when weekly papers up by big national chains independent local paper that was o local people

Worked great for almost 40 y

DA N HALE Y

Then the print focused business model all newspapers relied on was disrupted by the rise of free digital news and socia media. Smashed to smithereens

So here we are again. Three years into leading community newsrooms around Chicago into a nonprofit, reader supported, community owned future that looks not

at we pulled of f in ing Community Media, now five weekly publications across the Greater West Side including the Forest Park , is making this new rk. But only with Only with you. are going to raise ys. Dollars we raise will go directly to pay the reporters ho tell your community stories. So far, our Let’s Make a Match campaign has double where we ear ago. launch our major (go to page 20), I’m

We’re going to do this. But only with you. With gratitude.

Dan Haley Editor and Publisher

by

by

by

OUR VIEW

Di erent planets, same solar system OPINION Alvarez for the long run

Forest Park’s public elementary school board has threaded the needle in its generous and enthused contract extension for Supt. Elizabeth Alvare z. At its October meeting, the District 91 board unanimously approved a new four year contract for Alvare z.

There are deserved pay increases built in as well as typical, but we find extravagant, perks around insurance, pensions, and ups and extras for a cellphone and business travel. No doubt becoming a school superintendent anywhere in this moment is a lucrative gig.

That said, like the school board we are impressed by what Alvare z has accomplished in less than 18 months. Building consolidation and realignment was a bold and necessary step. Bigger though than just closing Grant-White was the ear nest success of her administration in bringing parents and faculty into support of what is a jolting loss in a community. That took skills that will continue to pay of f as this shrinking school district makes more hard choices in its effor ts to grow again.

The District 91 school board has a history of falling in love with its superintendents. We’ve watched it since the 1980s when Joe Scolire was the longtime loved, and mainly unchallenged, superintendent. Most recently Louis Cavallo served long with a mostly acquiescent school board at his elbow.

That is not a healthy situation. This needs to be a partner ship: school board members with strong community ties and a critical eye to hold the administration accountable, and a vital administration that brings exper tise, educational innovation and appreciation for its community.

Happily that is the moment we are in. This is a thoughtful, rooted school board which is squarely facing up to the very real challenges its schools are facing. And Alvarez has a mix of essential skills, from data-based decision-making to an equity and inclusion focus and, critically, people skills that draw people in and lets them be heard.

Things we like

■ Forest Park is getting a “community fridge.” Led by volunteers, one of whom happens to be a village commissioner, this is a needed food-security initiative in these uncertain moments. We can now report that when it opens, the fridge will be housed outside the Community Center where it will be an interesting companion to the center’s Forest Park Food Pantry.

■ The D209 Scholarship project is bringing back its Great Chefs: Educated Palates fundraising event. The goal is to bring in $25,000 for the scholarship fund that propels graduates of the Proviso Township High Schools on to college

These students need our love and support and here’s a great and fun way to accomplish it. Nov. 10 on Madison Street. Be there.

■ Starship, the classic Forest Park sandwich and catering (and let’s not forget soup) spot, is tur ning 45 this week.

Great food of course. But what a sense of place and welcome across those decades. Thanks to Paul McKenna and Henry Laskowski for always being there and always being great.

Pastor Walter Mitty was the last of the men’s fellowship group to leave the Main Café last Saturday, and as he passed the cash re gister he noticed that Alice wasn’t busy

“I see that you are wearing a Dar ren Bailey for Gover nor button,” he said hoping to start a conversation.

The pastor of Poplar Park Community Church had recently hearD about a concept called deep canvassing which promotes long conversations seeking to build trust while going door-to-door instead of giving a one-minute elevator speech in favor of the candidate you’re promoting.

HOLMES

The cantankerous waitress had a cynical, suspicious look on her face but decided she would take on that “pointy headed liberal” anyway.

“You damn right, Rev,” she be gan. Mitty was used to her abrasive combativeness, and calmly asked, “I really would like to know, Alice. Why would you vote for him instead of Pritzker?”

The Trump voter and election denier actually believed her re gular customer was sincere and relaxed a little. “Well, for one thing, Rev, he’s a real Christian. He and his wife fast every Tuesday, he opens campaign meetings with prayer, and he started the Full Ar mor Christian Academy.”

Pastor Mitty took that comment in and said, “And I suppose that explains why he’s pro-life and supports the Dobbs Decision.”

Alice looked at Mitty quizzically and asked, “Are you ag reeing with me?”

“No, just trying to understand.”

“And on top of that,” she continued, “he wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He’s a third-generation far mer and he understands me. I don’t think Pritzker has ever come home with an aching back because he’s been on his feet all day like I do every single day.

Alice was on a roll.

“He understands in his gut how working people are suf fering from inflation. For him, inflation means him having to spend a couple million dollars more to put bread on the table. And he tells it like it is re garding crime. Liberals call him racist because he tells the truth. Pritzker has to dance around the fact that the highest crime areas are on the South and West sides.”

“Thanks, Alice. I appreciate your taking the time to explain your views.”

Alice hur ried of f to tend to some new customers with a befuddled expression. She hadn’t gotten any pushback.

Two days later, Pastor Walt and his neighbor

Michael decided to hang out at Ber nie Rolvaag’s bookstore and coffee shop

Ber nie had no customers, so he sat down with the two friends, and before they could take the first sips of their cappuccinos, Fr. Bob Sullivan walked in the door and joined them.

Mitty was still upset by what Alice had said two days earlier and told the whole story blow-by-blow to his three friends.

“Sounds like it was hard work to listen to Alice without pushing back,” was Fr. Sullivan’s response to his colleague’s venting

Mitty sighed. “I guess you’re right, Bob. I had the best of intentions to be a good listener, but …”

“What Alice said about Bailey being religious,” Michael began, “struck me You all know that Pritzker is Jewish, right? I’d say that he is religious but not in the same way Bailey is. He comes to temple on the big holy days, but for him religion seems to have more to do with principles like fighting for the rights of minorities and promoting the good of the whole community rather than the rights of individuals.”

“Like his mandates regarding COVID?’

“Right, and his faith, from what Rabbi Levine tells us, is more willing to question God than Evangelicals are. I remember him quoting Pritzker once saying, “There’s always that question that exists, I think, when you contemplate the world: ‘If God exists, then why all the suf fering?’ … That question is almost the basis for faith.”

“You got me thinking,” said Ber nie after sipping his cappuccino. “I have a lot of books these days about the culture wars, and it seems like everything gets polar ized. I mean like Prizker and Bailey are both religious but it feels like they live on dif ferent planets.”

Father Bob laughed and added, “Or dif ferent uni verses.”

Ber nie nodded agreement to the Franciscan and continued, “Polarization everywhere. Radical right vs. radical left. Follow the science or my own individual judgment. Empirical evidence vs. revelation. Good for the economy or good for the environment.”

“Originalist inter pretation,” added Fr. Sullivan, “or evolving — re garding both the Constitution and the Bible.”

Michael said, “You know, before she died Ruth and I would sometimes see things dif ferently, I would try to reason with her, and she would still not see it my way.”

“And you were always right,” said Ber nie with a laugh.

“Of course,” Michael replied. “But I loved her more than I needed to be right.”

REVIEW

Luke McConnell is a fifth-g rade phenom. The 11-year-old Forest Park native is one of the best cross country runners in the state for his age group. He attends St. Luke School in River Forest and was the only Bearcat to qualify for the state meet. Luke nor mally runs one-mile races and the state meet was only his second two-mile race. His time of 12:28 broke the school record of 12:48, set by an eighth-g rader

He’s o to a good start

110 runners. Coach Mor rissey attributes Luke’s success to his smooth running fo rm and mental toughness. Luke has the speed to sprint to the head of the pack and he remains the frontrunner until he crosses the finish line.

with their parents

Of all the fall spor ts, Mor rissey believes cross country is the most underappreciated. It doesn’t have packed stands, bands or cheerleaders. The spectators find it a challenge to cheer on their team. Parents sprint from spot to spot to catch glimpses of the runners.

In-

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of-county

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Luke acknowledged that running a two-mile race was tough. “During the second mile, I got a stitch in my side.” Cross country coach John Mor rissey believes Luke’s perfor mance puts him in the top 10 of his age group in the state. Mor rissey says Luke is the most talented runner he’s had in his 10 years of coaching.

When it comes to his running career, Luke is literally following in the footsteps of his older brother, Aidan, who joined the team in fifth g rade, which prompted his dad, also Luke, to become Mor rissey’s assistant coach.

This season, Luke finished first in all six meets St. Luke entered. He accomplished this while competing against fields of 80-

The St. Luke team has 35 boys and girls on it. They practice by running through Thatcher Woods, or the Dominican Priory. They start with a one-mile war mup, followed by le g stretches. Mor rissey’s runners also follow the fartlek method, which alter nates sprinting with jo gging. The 57-year-old trains alongside his runners and war ns them, “Don’t let an old man beat you.”

Mor rissey helps his runners improve their running fo rm and their breathing technique. But mainly he works on building their confidence. He also sends inspir ing emails to the parents.

Like Luke’s father, Mor rissey became a coach because of his kids. He had played tennis in high school and didn’t know anything about cross country. His oldest daughter, Amy, though, encouraged him to become the coach. Looking back, he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. He has met so many great kids along

The spor t also had a re putation for being the one spor t you could compete in, if you weren’ t any good at the “ball” spor ts. Luke is an exception. He plays shor tstop on his baseball team and center midfielder in soccer. (Aidan also doesn’t fit that mold. He plays football for Fenwick.)

Luke keeps running during the cross country of f-season. He does three-mile workouts through the streets of Forest Park and keeps a running lo g. He has a goal of 15-20 miles per week. When running outside is impractical, Luke runs two miles on his treadmill.

I can relate to Luke because I ran cross country in high school. I signed up on the first day of freshman year and had no idea the spor t required running. I also had no idea it would change my life. Those teammates I ran alongside We’re still hanging out 50 years later

We don’t know what the future holds for Luke but he is certainly of f to a fast star t. As his coach says, “Kids like Luke in the program keep me going.”

Bump in the night

The le gendary Victorian on the 900 block of Elgin was built by Chicago lumber mill magnate and cabinet maker, John George Lobstein, for his second wife, Adeline, in the 1890s Local folklore suggests the house was haunted, perhaps from one of the two deaths that occurred in the home — one was a son, Charlie, and the other was Adeline, or “Addie,” herself. The house, restored by owners Karen Richards and Thomas Walsh in the 1980s, reportedly experienced chilling moments, including lights tur ning on or of f, doors opening or closing, and the occasional sound of footsteps One night a year, Nov. 6, Karen would hear, “sounds of fighting in the attic, like things were being thrown around, but when we went up, nothing was there.” She added, “It would wake you up from a dead sleep.” Karen was so spooked every Nov. 6, she would take the kids and dogs out of the house for the night. The next owner, Richard Burtucci didn’t experience the same level of haunting.

Jill Wagner

e Lobstein house shown here from Karen Richards’ archives, is labeled on the back “Claire, Lilian, Ad, 1939.” e black-and white photo shows the home at 905 Elgin painted a light color, which may have been the peachy-sandy color discovered under layers during the major renovation of the 1980s.

A L OOK BA CK IN TIME

613-3333

HELP WANTED

ACCOUNT CLERK II

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND

Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft

Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver

is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles

and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving financial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. First review of applications November 4, 2022.

NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CHILDCARE COORDINATOR

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a warm, welcoming and experienced Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator to work with the youngest among us on Sunday mornings in the nursery as well as coordinate babysitting for congregational events outside of Sunday mornings. This is one job with two different roles. As Nursery Supervisor, this person will provide a compassionate and consistent presence in caring for our babies and toddlers during the Sunday morning worship service times, supervise, train and schedule other nursery staff, maintain the nursery as a safe and clean environment, welcome and orient new families to the nursery, and build relationships with and communicate effectively with parents. The nursery hours are Sundays from 9:30–11:30am, and approximately one hour outside of Sunday morning worship service.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job -postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Nursery Supervisor / Childcare Coordinator” in the subject line.

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

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

Designer III (Chicago, IL) F/T - Plan and design structures, such as commercial and office buildings, and other structural property. Prepare scale drawings or architectural designs, using computer-aided design or other tools. Evaluate, select, and apply advanced architectural and design methods with responsibility for project assignments including programming, design development, coordination, production, and construction documents including projects that large or complex in scope. Utilize technical skills in Autodesk Products (Revit and AutoCAD Architecture), Rhino 3D, Illustrator, Dynamo, Sketchup, Bluebeam and V-Ray. Requirements are Bachelor of Architecture (or foreign educational equivalent) or closely related architectural field plus 12 months of work experience in job offered or as Architect, Architectural Designer, Architect 2 or closely related. Past 12 months

- Handling minor repairs and contacting the Facilities Manager, Trustees or directly calling contractors when necessary - On occasion there is some cleaning required of spaces used

This individual must present himself/ herself to the public in a professional manner as a representative of our church.

May fill in when needed for the Facilities Manager or the Custodian This position reports to the Facilities Manager, Trustees or the Pastor as needed. Must be willing to serve on rotation for emergency response from our Burglar system or the Fire Department.

Successful completion of background checks must be completed prior to work. Covid vaccinations are required.

Pay - $20 an hour. Resumes can be sent to LKMasters47@gmail.com.

Custom Frame Company

Clean, safe, fun work with graphic display frames that you’ll see in Wal-Marts, Verizon stores, CTA stations, all over US.

Manufacturing

No weekends, no evening hours, great pay and benefits.

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA. Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

CLASSIFIED

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

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: Y22009744 on October 12, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of INTENTIONAL BREATH with the business located at: 1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: MARY LISA WAHLFELDT 1414 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

LAW OFFICES OF MALIKA T. ASSAR, P.C. Attorney for Petitioner 420 West Huron Street, 1st Floor Chicago, IL 60654

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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

In re the marriage of RAMIA SALEH KASSIM, Petitioner and MAHDI AHMED MOHAMMED GHALEB, Respondent, Case No. 2022D007467.

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance to said Petition and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Iris Y. Martinez, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS)

COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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

In re the allocation of SHANNON JEAN FITCH, Petitioner and JOHN EASDALE BARCLAY, IV, Respondent, Case No. 2022D008089.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 19, 26, November 2, 2022

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: Y22009773 on October 20, 2022

Under the Assumed Business Name of INFINITE HEALING TINCTURES AND CO. with the business located at: 7000 WEST FOREST PRESERVE DR. #1061, NORRIDGE, IL 60706. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TENNILLE TENARD 1543 FRANKLIN AVE UNIT B RIVER FOREST, IL 60305, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, November 2, 9, 2022

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: Y22009754 on October 18, 2022

Under the Assumed Business Name of WRAP THAT UP with the business located at: 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEEVE KIDD 4232 EDGEWATER AVENUE HILLSIDE, IL 60162, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal October 26, November 2, 9, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

Invitation to Bid

The Park District of Forest Park (“Park District” or “Owner”) will receive bids for the Aquatic Center – Main Pool Painting and Pool & Deck Repairs Project, located at 7501 West Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Bid Documents, including Instructions to Bidders, Drawings, Technical Specifications, General and any Special Conditions, and Bid Forms, including required Contractor Certifications and Prevailing Wage Determination and Supersedes Notice, are available at Park District of Forest Park Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130 commencing on October 27, 2022, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A Pre-bid Meeting will be held at Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois, at 9:00 a.m. on November 2, 2022. Bidders can use this meeting to review the Specifications and allow any Bidders an opportunity to discuss any concerns with the Owner. Attendance at this

PUBLIC NOTICES

meeting by all persons desiring to bid on this Project is recommended.

Each bid shall be placed in an opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked “Park District of Forest Park, Aquatic Center – Main Pool Painting and Pool & Deck Repairs Project & The envelope shall be addressed and delivered to and received by the Park District at the following location: Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130. No responsibility shall be attached to any person for the premature opening of a bid not correctly identified.

Bids will be received until 9:00 a.m. November 10, 2022. Immediately thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after that time or at a different location will be rejected and returned to the Bidder unopened.

The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to waive technicalities, to accept or reject any or all bids, and/or accept only portions of a bid and reject the remainder. The owner will award the Contract to the lowest, most responsible and responsive Bidder, as determined by Owner. In considering the Bidder’s responsibility, the Owner may evaluate, among other factors, the ability of the Bidder to provide experienced labor sufficient in numbers to timely and properly complete the services, the financial capability of the Bidder, and the performance of the Bidder on other projects.

Bids shall not include federal excise tax or state sales tax for materials to be incorporated in, or totally consumed in, the prosecution of the Work. The Park District will furnish a tax exemption certificate at the Bidder’s request.

The Park District’s tax exemption number shall only be used by the successful Bidder for the Work of this Project.

After the bid opening time, no bid shall be withdrawn or canceled for a period of sixty (60) calendar days.

The Work of this Project is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. A prevailing wage determination has been made by the Park District, which is the same as that determined by the Illinois Department of Labor for public works projects in Cook County. The Contract entered into for the Work will be drawn in compliance with said law, and proposals should be prepared accordingly and provide for payment of all laborers, workmen, and mechanics needed to perform the Work at no less than the prevailing rate of wages (or the prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work) for each craft, type of worker, or mechanic.

The Contractor(s) selected will also be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, and executive orders, including but not limited to those pertaining to equal employment opportunity.

Direct questions to Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District Of Forest Park, jiovinelli@pdofpstaff.org 708-366-7500 x 121.

Published in Forest Park Review November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICESPUBLIC NOTICESPUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

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

In re the marriage of Allocation of ERICA KENYATTA THOMAS, Petitioner and DERRON ANDRE BARNETT, Respondent, Case No. 2022D005669.

PETITION FOR TEMPORARY AND PERMANENT SOLE ALLOCATION OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES, CHILD SUPPORT, AND CONTRIBUTION TO CHILD-RELATED EXPENSES

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 30, 2022, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Temporary and Permanent Sole Allocation of Parental Responsibilities, Child Support, and Contribution to Child-Related Expenses entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 2, 9, 16, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project:

OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 - SUMMER 2023 LIFE SAFETY WORK OAK PARK, IL 60302

BID GROUP 1 – ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ROOFING, GENERAL TRADES

Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. CST on Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be read at 2:15 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked:

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2023 LIFE SAFETY WORK

Bid Opening will be held at 2:15pm CST within the board room: Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes: Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing, Plumbing & General Trades

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.

No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Thursday October 27th, 2022 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link. No username or password is required.

https://tinyurl.com/ysfudxfr

The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Michael Damato of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites.

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

For additional information on the project, contact Michael Damato of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at mdamato@bulley.com or 847-6029512.

Dated: 10/25/22 Michael Damato Bulley & Andrews, LLC

Published in Wednesday Journal November 2, 9, 16 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission November 17, 2022 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. in the Edward Bar-

cal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois for the purpose of considering a request for variations from §62-75 Bulk, yard and space requirements of the Village Code for property located at 9022 Fairview Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 (PIN 15-34-419-030-0000).

Legal Description: Lot 37 in Block 20 in Grossdale, a Subdivision by S.E. Gross of the Southeast 1⁄4 of Section 34, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the public hearing to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, kportillo@brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1113. Oral or written testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 22-10. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any meeting should contact the Village of Brookfield (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (South) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE RESOLUTION NO. R-95-22 A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR THE LEVY OF AN ADDITIONAL LIBRARY TAX FOR BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE

BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, as follows:

Section 1. The Board of Library Trustees of the Village of Forest Park, by Resolution dated October 17, 2022, has requested the corporate authorities of the Village of Forest Park to levy an additional 0.02% tax for the maintenance, repairs and alterations of library buildings and equipment, pursuant to 75 ILCS 5/3-4, in order to include the sum of $76,168.00 in the Village’s 2022 tax levy ordinance as the 0.02% Library Building and Maintenance levy.

Section 2. The corporate authorities of the Village of Forest Park hereby determine and propose to levy such additional 0.02% tax for the year 2022, subject to the provisions of 75 ILCS 5/3-4.

Section 3. The Village Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to publish a copy of this Resolution in the Forest Park Review, a newspaper with a general circulation within the Village of Forest Park, said publication to occur within fifteen (15) days of the adoption of this Resolution.

Section 4. Pursuant to 75 ILCS 5/3-4, notice is hereby given that if a petition requesting a referendum signed by 1,015 or more electors of the Village of Forest Park is filed with the corpo-

rate authorities of the Village of Forest Park on or before December 12, 2022, which is thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this Resolution, then the question whether this Resolution shall become effective and said tax imposed shall be submitted to the electors of the Village of Forest Park at a general or special election to be held in accordance with the election laws of the State of Illinois in force at the time of such election. The Village Clerk is hereby directed to provide a petition form to any individual requesting one.

Section 5. In the event no petition is filed with the corporate authorities within thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this Resolution, then this Resolution shall be effective and the additional library tax shall be levied accordingly, and included in the Village’s levy ordinance for library purposes.

ADOPTED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois this 24th day of October, 2022.

AYES: 5 NAYS: 0 ABSENT: 0 APPROVED by me this 24th day of October, 2022.

Rory E. Hoskins, Mayor

ATTESTED and filed in my office, and published in pamphlet form this 24th day of October, 2022.

Vanessa Moritz, Clerk

Published in Forest Park Review November 2, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will re ceive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2022 – 23–104 UPM COLD MIX

APPHALT PATCH MATERIAL Bid Number: 23-104

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

November 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY; Plaintiff, vs. KATHRYN CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASSIDY AKA KATIE CASSIDY; KATHRYN CASSIDY AKA KATHRYN J. CASIDY AKA KATHYRN J. CASSIDY AKA KATHIE CASSIDY AS TRUSTEE UNDER THE KATIE CASSIDY LIVING TRUST DATED SEPTEMBER 1, 2006, AS LIVING TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; MAJESTIC CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 22 CH 1952

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: Unit 428-2-E in the Majestic Condominiums as delineated on a survey of the following real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-419-029-1011.

Commonly known as 428 South Euclid Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302.

467-9066 BY

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 22-004739

F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3204933

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736

14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of

Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 7, 2022, 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 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000

The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse, attached one car garage.

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, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of

title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

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.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 20-04687IL_613739

Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 42-1079

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 # 18 CH 12736 I3204167

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