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REVIEW NOVEMBER 29, 2023

CTA expands homeless outreach to Blue Line’s Forest Park branch Outreach workers will ride trains, visit stations on the West Side, Oak Park, Forest Park

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Outreach workers will be riding the trains and hanging out at stations on the section of the Blue L line that serves the Chicago West Side, Oak Park and Forest Park.

The Chicago Transit Board extended the existing contract with Chicago Department of Family and Support Services in November, doubling the amount of money nonprofits get to provide services to people sheltering on the trains.

Tom McKone, CTA’s chief administrative officer, told the transit board that workers from the Haymarket Center substance use disorder and mental health treatment

Forest Park Review,

Holiday cheer is here

November 29, 2023

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2023

Wa l k

PAGE 11

Prese nted by

@ForestParkReview @FP_Review

Writing nostalgia What would one woman’s writing reveal 30 years later? Story on page 23.

See BLUE LINE on page 6

Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

John Rice: It takes a village to raise holiday spirit

Tom Holmes: It’s hard to feel thankful when you’re pissed off

Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PAGE 29

PAGE 27

IN Big Week . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 THIS ISSUE Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

A Forest Park tradition since 1990.

Chicagoland’s most authentic Creole restaurant

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Sunday: New Orleans Creole Brunch 7353 Madison Street • Forest Park • 708-366-0775 Shanahans.net

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Village Council creates new Harlem Avenue TIF

Circle/Harlem district needs lead pipe replacement, railroad viaduct revamp

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

It’s official — Forest Park has a new Harlem Avenue Tax Increment Financing District (TIF).

mirror its predecessor, encompassing parts of Harlem Avenue and the area south of the CTA Green Line railyard, there are some differences — most residential buildings that are part of the old TIF would not be part of the new TIF, which would include a larger portion of the Harlem Avenue commercial corridor, reaching all the way down to Madison Street.

When a TIF is created, the amount of property tax revenue that goes to the taxing bodies is frozen. The funds from ensuing property assessment increases get deposited in a TIF fund. The idea is that the funding will be

approval. The village was hoping to use the money to help fund its share of the long-discussed project to rebuild the CTA/Metra viaduct over Harlem Avenue and also help pay for the state-required removal of lead pipes, among other projects.

The village changed direction as officials became concerned that the General Assembly wouldn’t approve the extension of the current TIF before it expires, hence the new, similar-looking TIF. As part of the process of approving the new TIF, the village council approved a redevelopment plan broadly outlining its

and more cosmetic improvements such as façade improvements would use $1.5 million, and $250,000 would go to job training.

The redevelopment plan estimates that the equalized assessed value (EAV) of the properties within the new TIF is over $10.3 million.

The plan projects that, after 23 years, when the TIF expires (unless it’s extended), the EAV within the TIF would go up to anywhere between $17.5 million and $22.5 million.

While the Forest Park School District 91 Board of Education was leery when then-village administrator Moses Amidei proposed the Brown/Harlem TIF extension, the Cir-

Des Plaines Ave.

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S. Harlem Ave.

Franklin St.

Dixon St. The old Brown/Harlem TIF, also known as the Brown Street Station TIF, isn’t quite gone.

The council will need to vote in December to retire it, but in every other way the process is complete. The newly created Circle/Harlem TIF will replace the Brown/Harlem TIF, effective at the start of next year, and around $4 million in uncommitted funds from the Brown/Harlem TIF have been transferred in.

While much of the Circle/Harlem TIF will

used to bring in development, which would increase property tax revenue over the long run.

The new Circle/Harlem TIF’s property taxes will be based on 2023 rates, which would create a short-term revenue boost for the taxing bodies.

Forest Park originally hoped to extend the Brown/Harlem TIF, something that would have required Illinois General Assembly

Original rendering of the old Brown/Harlem TIF. goals and how the money would be spent. It assumes the district would bring in around $16 million, $8.5 million of which would go toward public improvements, with $2 million go to land acquisition and relocation, and another $2 million for site demolition and environmental clean-up. Building rehabilitation

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cle/Harlem TIF didn’t meet any significant opposition. There were no public comments at either the Nov. 13 public hearing or either of the regularly scheduled November village council meetings.

The council approved the ordinances unanimously and without discussion.

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

November 29-December 6

BIG WEEK

‘Actually’ by Anna Ziegler: Forest Park Theatre Reading Series Thursday, Nov. 30, 7 - 9 p.m., American Legion Join us for the second of our monthly reading series, Actually, by Anna Ziegler. Amber and Tom, finding their way as freshmen at Princeton, spend a night together that alters the course of their lives. They agree on the drinking, they agree on the attraction, but consent is foggy, and if unspoken, can it be called consent? Winner of the L.A. Stage Alliance Ovation Award for Playwriting for an Original Play. Our Women Playwrights readings are rehearsed performances read by professional actors without a set or costumes – just words, ideas and passion. Tickets: https://www.fptheatre.org. 500 Circle Ave., Forest Park.

Surviving the Holidays with Lori Gottlieb Wednesday, Dec. 6, 7 - 8 p.m., virtually through Illinois Libraries Present Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and co-host of the Dear Therapists podcast, hosts a conversation about mental health in anticipation of the winter holiday season. Gottlieb will share tools to help in everyday life and especially as you prepare for the holidays. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among public libraries—including Oak Park Public Library—offering premier events. Register now at bit. ly/ILP_LoriGottlieb.

Biomimicry: Looking to Nature to Solve Today’s Problems Saturday, Dec. 2, 1:30 - 3 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Austin Room How did a Kingfisher improve a high speed train? How has a gecko helped astronauts?

Hedgehogs are helping reduce the chances of concussions. Join us at the library as Kim White discusses these, and more examples, of how nature solves today’s problems, and shows off some animal ambassadors. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Listing your event Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper.

■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Youth indoor kickball Thursdays until Dec. 21, 6 - 8 p.m., Roos Rec Center Let’s play some kickball. Come join us in the Roos gym and we’ll split into teams and get it rolling. Ages 7-12, register for a $5 drop-in class at www.pdofp.org/parks-and-facilities. 7329 Harrison St., Forest Park.

Family Art Fun with Mi Amigo Hamlet Friday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Austin Room To kick off our new art series for kids, we welcome back Mi Amigo Hamlet and Alina Celeste to offer a special art workshop that combines art and music. Designed for ages 5 and younger and their families. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Clandestina Holiday Decades Tea Dance Sunday, Dec. 3, 8 p.m., Robert’s Westside DJs Rae Chardonnay & Sandra Suave will spin jams from the 1970s-2000s. Luna Empanada pop-up with gluten free and vegan options. One empanada included for ticket holders who arrive before 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 3 p.m. www.robertswestside.com.

7321 Madison St., Forest Park.

Toy Drive Wednesday, Dec. 1, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Forest Park Fraternal Order of Eagles Post #1344 is hosting a Toy Drive. New toys in packaging are to be dropped off at 446 Hannah.

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Forest Park turns to state, federal funds for capital projects That includes lead sewer line replacement and street improvements

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Village of Forest Park is applying for state and federal funding to help replace lead sewer lines and rehab significant portions of Circle Avenue and Harrison Street.

During Tuesday’s meeting, the council authorized Christopher Burke Engineering, the village’s long-time engineering consultant, to apply for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s forgivable loan program to help replace the lead lines in the area between Harrison Street, Harlem Avenue, Roosevelt Road and Cricle Avenue. It also agreed to file applications for federal Surface Transportation Program funds to help rehab and improve the section of Harrison Street between Desplaines and Harlem Avenues, and the section of Circle Avenue between Franklin Street and Roosevelt Road.

While the former was approved without any issues, Commissioner Jessica Voogd said she wondered where the local share of the funding for the latter projects might come from. The village officials indicated that that there are local funding sources – and, since those projects won’t start until 2026, the village has time to apply for grants to reduce how much of the local share it has to pay out of its own pocket.

Forest Park has historically relied on grants and loans for major infrastructure projects. As a non-Home Rule municipality, it doesn’t have access to as many tax revenue streams as Home Rule municipalities, and it is dealing with a public safety pension debt.

The Illinois Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act, which took effect at the start of 2022, requires Forest Park to replace all of its service lines by at least 2040. The village has been applying for loans and grants, to try to cover as

much of the costs as possible, and it created a Circle/Harlem Tax Increment Financing district in place of the expiring Brown/ Harlem TIF to, among other things, help pay for those costs.

The village documents don’t indicate how much loan funding Forest Park would be applying for, but Burke Engineering estimates that the project would cost $2.4 million overall. The loan program caps the funding at a little under $64.1 million per applicant.

During the meeting, interim village administrator Rachell Entler described the loan as forgivable. The document indicates that loan applicants can get the loan costs directly related to capital improvements forgiven, but they would still have to pay interest and at least part of the principal.

For the street improvement projects, Forest Park is applying for the federal Surface Transportation Program funds that are allocated to the North Central Council of Mayors every year. The Circle Avenue project is estimated to cost around $2.16 million, and STP funds would cover a little over $1.6 million of it. The Harrison Street project is estimated to cost around $3.4 million, and STP funding would cover around $2.5 million of it.

The scope of the projects is the same for both roads – resurfacing and rebuilding pavement, fixing any issues with rubs and gutters, redoing the roadway markings and making intersections Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

Forest Park finance director Letitia Olmsted said the village can use Motor Fuel Tax funds and VIP fund revenue to cover the local share for both projects.

Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, whose day job involves grant writing, said that “we have time to apply for grants to cover matching funding.”

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

BLUE LINE

Transit outreach from page 1 services organization works in two shifts – a 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. day shift and an 11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. night shift. Both shifts operate seven days a week as of November. Under the current contract, they only serve the section of the Blue Line between O’Hare Airport and UIC-Halsted stations. The extra funding will allow it to cover the entire line effective the start of 2024.

Jeffrey Collord, Haymarket’s vice president of operations, told the transit board that while his organization specialized in treating addiction and mental health issues, it was only natural that they help homeless individuals as well.

“We serve 12,000 [clients] a year, the majority of whom are experiencing or have experienced homelessness,” he said. “Almost all of them have no resources or are on Medicaid.”

McCone said that the workers travel in teams of 4 to 5, so they could engage with several people at once, if necessary. The teams ride the trains, get off at certain stations, and engage with people experiencing homelessness. Collord said that they focus on “hot spots” based on what they heard from the CTA and residents living near the stations.

The outreach workers start out simply talking to unhoused individuals, asking them if they are interested in food, hygiene supplies, or harm reduction materials such as drug testing strips. From there, the conversations may progress to connecting them to medical services and shelters.

The goal is to try to get unsheltered individuals into stable housing. But McKone’s presentation to the board showed that it’s easier said than done. According to the 2023 Point in Time Count, the annual survey of homeless people conducted in Chicago in January, 546 unhoused people were sheltering on the CTA. Threshold and Haymarket outreach workers report that 80 people were placed in shelters. Out of 236 people who signed up to get more permanent housing through the city’s Coordinated Entry System, only 24 have been placed, and five people were in the midst of the placement process in October.

Last fall, the Chicago Transit Board, CTA’s governing board, approved a $2 million intergovernmental agreement with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services. This allowed the department to, among other things, contract Haymarket

IGOR STUDENKOV

Research shows about 546 unhoused people shelter on the CTA. to send out outreach workers to the Blue Line. But their service never went as far as the Forest Park branch, the section of the line that mostly runs in the median of or alongside Eisenhower Expressway, between UIC-Halsted and Forest Park stations.

The transit board’s decision will permit Haymarket to send outreach workers along the entire line effective early January 2024, as well as boost funding for Thresholds, which provides similar service along the entire Red Line. While past experience shows that the solutions take time and are limited by capacity, Haymarket believes that any concrete results they can produce are well worth the effort.

The Blue Line is one of the two L lines that runs at night, so it’s not unusual for homeless individuals to shelter on the trains. Many unsheltered riders disembark at the Forest Park terminal and use the nearby Forest Park Public Library and Mohr Community Center.

The Forest Park branch runs through West Side community areas that have the highest rates of overdoses in Chicago.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart has told the

Review that isn’t unusual for riders to buy drugs on the West Side, use them on the trains or in the areas near the ‘L’ stations.

According to Sheila Haennicke, who cochairs the West Side Heroin Opioid Taskforce’s Narcan committee, Kedzie-Homan, Pulaski/Eisenhower and Forest Park stations in particular are overdose hotspots.

Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins has long complained that responding to those sometimes-overlapping issues has strained the village resources. He has lobbied CTA to do more “to provide services to unhoused persons and those with opioid addiction.”

“Our police and fire personnel have been responding to steeply increasing call volumes originating from [the Forest Park terminal, Harlem/Lake Green Line L station and Harlem/Eisenhower Blue Line L station],” Hoskins said in a recent interview, adding that the fire department responded to seven CTA-related calls overnight on Nov. 20 to 21.

Forest Park has been working with Housing Forward, ShowerUp Chicago, the Night Ministry and Loyola Street Medicine team to provide services for individuals using

the Forest Park terminal, but much of that outreach only one day a week.

Collord said that he was happy to see their outreach expand.

“Haymarket CTA outreach teams are some of our most passionate staff and we’re fortunate to partner with the passionate staff of Thresholds, and the passionate staff of DFSS and the passionate staff of the CTA,” he said.

Haennicke, who attended the Nov. 15 meeting, said that she welcomed Haymarket’s service expansion, saying that the more service providers are trying to tackle the issues the better.

“I think it’s sort of leading toward the same goal of making the CTA safer and more attractive and just really fulfilling its potential as a positive force in the city,” she said.

Hoskins said that he will have to wait and see if the expansion bears fruit.

“We appreciate the CTA taking steps to better serve the unhoused and those suffering from addiction,” he said. “Unfortunately, we do not see any indication that the number of emergency calls to CTA locations is trending downward.”

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

FILE

Park District seeks entries for home decorating contest

The current iteration of the contest goes The holiday contest back to 2004. Houses on Circle and Dunlop avenues have dominated. The family of is free and open to all current Forest Park Village Commissioner Ryan Nero the contest in 2016.

Forest Park homeowners Over the won decades, the prizes varied. For

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

With Thanksgiving over, the Park District of Forest Park’s long-running Holiday Home Decorating Contest is in full swing.

Homeowners were able to register their homes as early as Nov. 13, with the final submission deadline set for Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. On Dec. 15, the park district staff will ride around and take photos of the houses — one during the day and one at night. The park district staff will then take the next two days to judge the entries. Winners will be announced on Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.

Forest Parkers will also have a chance to weigh in. Photos of the houses will be posted on the park district’s Facebook page, and the home that gets the highest number of votes will be crowned the People’s Choice winner.

a while, winners got seasonal pool passes.

This year, the prizes are gift baskets.

Park District Executive Director Jackie Iovinelli doesn’t know how the contest came about, since it started before her time, but she said it’s a great tradition.

“We continue it year after year because of the enthusiasm of the community,” Iovinelli said. “It builds comradery and healthy competition. I believe people enjoy getting the map with each location pinged and taking a stroll through Forest Park to see the houses in person.”

To register your home, go to the park district’s online program registration portal, click on “Special Events 2023,” click on “Family,” then “Annual” and scroll down until you see the 2023 Home Decorating Contest link. Direct link is posted on the park district’s Facebook page. The contest is free to enter.

events.dom.edu

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

3 local students try to make dreams come true with ‘Wish Upon a Light’ fundraiser The lantern will be lit on Dec. 2.

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

On Dec. 2, when paper lanterns light up the night across Forest Park, wishes will be coming true thanks to the efforts of three fifth-graders.

Needing to find a way to complete service hours for National Elementary Honors Society, Samson Reyes, Elouise Billingsley, and Maya Pesanti, who attend Field-Stevenson Intermediate Elementary School, came up with the idea to make and sell lantern kits, donating the money toward the Make-A-Wish Foundation so critically ill children can be granted their wishes.

The idea started off by the recommendation of Samson’s mom, who suggested he and

Elouise do a project for charity as part of his volunteer hours with NEHS. The two friends invited Maya to participate, and the three of them began to work on making the lantern kits, taking inspiration from neighboring Oak Park and the luminaria that light up the holiday nights in December.

“Oak Park does it but our neighborhood doesn’t, so we thought it would be cool if we did it too,” Maya said.

The three began working on the kits about a month ago, which each come with 10 paper bags, 10 candles, and one bag of sand, for people to make their paper lanterns.

“Everyone on that same day will put out their lanterns on their walk away and everyone will have it,” Maya said.

The students sold over 50 kits at $10 each.

So far, the response from the community has been great.

“They all thought it was pretty cool,” Maya said. “All of them knew that Oak Park did it and they were happy that Forest Park

was doing it.”

The kids were also able to start chipping away at their NEHS 10-hour requirement as packing the kits has counted towards that total as well.

Maya said she was able to cross off six hours with just packing.

Not only are the proceeds going to a great cause, but PROVIDED Samson also said one of Elouise Billingsly, Maya Pesanti, and Samson Reyes the best parts of the fundraiser for him was spend- work together to pack lantern kits to raise money for the ing time with his friends to Make-A-Wish Foundation. pack the kits.

“It is helping a lot of kids,” many,” he said. “It is going to be such a boom Maya said. for the Make-A-Wish foundation. I am so “And it is helping the Make-A-Wish foundaproud they have done it.” tion,” Elouise added.

The trio sold their kits through the end of Maya’s dad, Steve Pesanti, said he was November and the lanterns will be lit on Satproud of the work the kids are doing. urday, Dec. 2.

“I think it’s amazing and they have sold so

LESSONS AND CAROLS

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Disturbing in design, yet strangely compelling

By DAVID HAMMOND

W

Dining & Food Blogger

henever I’m in Mexico City, including this past Thanksgiving, I visit the Witches’ Market, the place to go for amulets, potions, statues of Santa Muerte, the usual stuff a witch might need during her busy, witchy day. Once, leaving the market, I spotted a food tent with a huge line in front. “Must be the good stuff,” I thought, so I got in line, not knowing what I was waiting for.

When I got to the head of the line, I paid my money and received … a guajolota.

The guajolota (wha-holow-tah) is a tamale, covered in green sauce, laid into a boThe guajolota. lillo, an oblong bun. The word “guajolota” is based on a Nahuatl word, “guajolote,” a term for turkey, because the whole thing looks like a plump little turkey.

Up until recently, I’d never seen a guajolota in Chicago, but I had seen something very close. At Fat Johnny’s in the Marquette Park area, I was introduced to the Mother-in-Law. We cover this Chicago original food in Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites, and it’s basically a poppy seed bun, the same used with a Chicago hot dog, but instead of a wiener, there’s a Chicago corn roll tamale. This hometown tamale is a tube of cornmeal with a magenta core that *may* contain meat; in the Mother-in-Law, the tamale is covered in chili and dressed like a hot dog with sport peppers, chopped onions, blue-green relish, tomatoes, and a pickle slice. On the first season of No Res-

ervations, when Anthony Bourdain visited Chicago, he pronounced it “disturbing in design, yet strangely compelling.”

In early November, I found a place in Cicero, Tamales Blanquitas, which serves guajolotas. When I stopped by this tiny restaurant, the server gave me the side-eye when I asked for a guajolota, and I don’t think it was because I was speaking miserable Spanish. It was likely because this specialty is not even listed on the restaurant’s menu board; it’s on the “secret menu,” so you have to know it’s there. Though a little carb-heavy, this is a simple sandwich, and the sauce helps alleviate the heaviness.

Unlike Chicago’s Motherin-Law, the guajolota at a Mexican restaurant will use a more traditional DAVID HAMMOND tamale made of meat and finely ground corn meal, much preferable to the Chicago corn roll tamale. All in all, I prefer the Mexican version because they use a better kind of tamale.

There’s a connection between the guajolota in Mexico City and the Mother-in-Law in Chicago. Traditionally in Mexico, the guajolota is dappled with a green sauce, and in Mexico there’s a green sauce called salsa de suegra, or mother-in-law’s sauce.

Of course, it’s unlikely the guys at Fat Johnnie’s thought they were reproducing a Mexican classic, and if you ask why the sandwich is called a Mother-in-Law, you might get the smart-alecky rejoinder, “It, too, will give you indigestion.”

Apologies to mothers-in-law everywhere.

We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving, and if you’re tiring of leftover turkey, you might venture into Cicero for a guajolota.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE OF PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 209, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for Proviso Township High School District Number 209, Cook County, Illinois for 2023 will be held on December 12, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the offices of the School District, located in the Proviso Math and Sciences Academy building at 8601 West Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Any person desiring to appear at the public hearing and present testimony to the taxing district may contact Dr. Deborah Watson-Hill, Chief Financial Officer, Proviso Township High School District Number 209, 8601 West Roosevelt Road, Forest Park, IL 60130; telephone: 708-338-5900.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2022 were $__69,378,143___.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2023 are $__73,738,784__.

This represents a _6.3_% increase over the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2022 were $__6,263,487_____.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2023 are $__6,263,487__.

This represents a _0_% increase over the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2022 were $___77,579,667.89__.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2023 are $__80,002,271.00_. This represents a _3.1_% increase over the previous year.

Jenny Barbahen______________, Secretary Board of Education of Proviso Township High School District Number 209, Cook County, Illinois

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

C R I M E

Trio robs Cardinal Liquor store and its customers

Three men entered Cardinal Liquors store with guns drawn, emptying the cash registers, and robbing several customers.

Store security footage showed the trio Nov. 21 at 9:01 p.m. They ordered the customers inside to get on the ground. One man went behind the counter and told the store manager to open the cash registers.

The manager estimates that, together, the four cash registers held over $1,000.

Another robber went around the store, patting down customers and demanding their belongings, while the third acted as a lookout. He robbed three customers in total, stealing wallets from two customers and a wallet with $20 in cash, debit and credit cards and a phone from a third. He also robbed one of the Cardinal Liquors employees, stealing $200 in cash.

After the first robber emptied the cash registers, the trio fled, with the camera capturing them running north, and then east through the alley.

The stolen phone was pinged to the 1300 block of Euclid Avenue in Berwyn, but it’s

not clear whether the phone was recovered. The Forest Park Police Department also received a report of a similar liquor store robbery, which may have involved the trio, taking place in Chicago’s 25th Police District.

Police officers searched the area. While the incident may have been captured on Field-Stevenson security cameras, and the security cameras at Ed’s Way grocery store may have captured the robber, the footage wasn’t available at the time of the report.

Mail carrier robbed

Identity Theft

A mail carrier was held up near Field-Stevenson Elementary School, on the 900 block of Beloit Avenue, the afternoon of Nov. 25.

The carrier reported that, around 3:45 p.m., a man came up from behind and said he didn’t want to hurt him. When the carrier turned around, he saw a man wearing a white face mask and had his jacket hood pulled over his head. The man put his hand over his right pocket, implying he had a gun, but the victim didn’t actually see a weapon. The man demanded that the victim hand over his USPS master key, and he complied. The man then fled the scene, running south on Beloit Avenue and turning west on Harvard Street.

A man learned the hard way that someone used his personal information to create a fake driver’s license, used that license to rent a U-Haul truck, and didn’t return it.

On Nov. 20, the victim got a call from the U-Haul location at the corner of Harlem Avenue and Harrison Street, demanding that he return a truck past due. The victim hadn’t rented a U-Haul, so he went to the location to figure out what happened.

He found out that, on Nov. 18, a man used a driver’s license that had all of the victim’s information, except the photo and height and weight, and rented a truck for one day.

The victim said he had no idea how the identity thief got his personal information.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Nov. 20-26, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

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

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Holiday Walk, one of the Chamber’s crowdpleasing trifecta

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

This year’s Holiday Walk Saturday Dec. 1,will transform Madison Street into a holiday fantasyland for kids of all ages.

The North Pole meteorologists are forecasting no snow so Santa has decided to come to Forest Park that Friday night riding on a fire engine.

Santa and the missus will kick off the annual Holiday Walk, the last of three popular seasonal events sponsored by the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce after the successful Casket Races on Oct. 21 and the Wine Walk on Nov. 4.

He and Mrs. Claus will light the 24-foot balsam fir. The menorah will be lit on the first of day of Hanukkah in Constitution Court at 6 p.m. and will sit for visits and pictures at the Forest Park Bank between 6 and 8 p.m.

At the Bank, the Arts Alliance of Forest Park (new logo with the emphasis on “Arts”) is again hosting a free photo booth called Photo Portal See HOLIDAY WALK on page 17

FILEr

Top left: Attendees listen to live music played inside The Brown Cow. Top right: Pedestrians walk past the lit tree at constitution court. Bottom right: Attendees walk along Madison Street and check out the different decorations in the store front windows.

14 Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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16 Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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HOLIDAY WALK Festive weekend from page 13 (formerly known as Strike a Pose) using the decorated tree in the bank lobby as a backdrop and with props like hats, antlers, and sparkly glasses available, as well as life size picture frame.

Horse drawn carriage rides will go up and down Madison Street with stops at Beloit and Elgin. A face painter and balloon twister will entertain the children.

Ice sculpture frames by Nadeau will be featured on the lawn outside Todd and Holland Tea Merchants.

In this event, each business on the street decides how to take advantage of the crowd, which last year topped an estimated 1,000 people. A few businesses feature live window displays with costumed characters, while many others decorate both the interiors and exteriors of their stores to get into the holiday spirit and draw holiday walkers inside.

For example, the Pippin Singers, whose repertoire includes Medieval & Renaissance Music for The Winter Holidays & Holy Days and Forest Park’s Own Kathryn and John Atwood Singing Post Old English Carols.

In addition to the Holiday Walk, AAFP is sponsoring another Makers’ Market Saturday Dec. 9, at Robert’s Westside from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. featuring local artists and artisans with their crafts for holiday gifts.

FILE

Top: Families take holiday photos outside of Kribi Coffee.

Above: Kids get their faces painted at Fiore.

Left: Kids sneak a peek at Santa Claus.

18 Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Join Arts Alliance Forest Park for Holiday Fun! Friday, Dec. 1 Holiday Picture Portal Forest Park Bank 7348 Madison St.

Tuesday, Dec. 12 7 pm Tellers’ Night Robert’s Westside 7321 Madison St.

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Saturday, Dec. 9 11 am - 4 pm Makers’ Market Robert’s Westside 7321 Madison St.

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20 Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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FILE

Attendees take a seat and listen to live performances at Centuries and Sleuths in 2022.

Have fun at

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

23

A woman revisits handwriting analysis.

Would anything change 30 years later?

James Murray, the Review’s former graphoanalyst, revives his famous column

By JILL WAGNER Contributing reporter

When Joyce reached out this month to see whether James Murray would analyze her handwriting, it wasn’t her first time.

It was her third.

Murry, a former educator, popular D91

in full, followed by a thoughtschool social worker, famful, careful note that would ily therapist and a founding reveal the writer’s traits, such father of the Community Cenas whether person learned ter Clubhouse, also analyzes quickly, has many interests, or handwriting. He was trained are detail oriented, stubborn, through the International egocentric or risk-takers.

Graphoanalysis Institute and In a 2003 interview, he actook forensic looks at handknowledged that he “thought writing, which some believe is we could run it for six an expression of personality. months.” Instead, the column Murray ran the Review’s JAMES MURRAY was a hit. It became a Repopular “Your Writing Says” view staple, alongside Jackie column for more than 30 years.

Schulz’s Talk of the Town, and People would mail handwriting samples to the Review’s former office for a few years, a weekly horoscope.

Murray took an encouraging tone with on Madison to be analyzed by the expert.

The handwritten letter would be published each letter. For example, when an 18-year-old Joyce sent her sample in 1993, he took note Jo of her round handwriting style.

“You are flexible and yielding, prefer-

ring compromise to argument but regarding your family you are possessive and jealous and will fight when their security is threatened,” he said.

Twenty years later, in 2013, Joyce, so impressed with the analysis, thought it might be interesting to revisit the expert with a letter. The Review is not fully identifying her to conform with past practice of Murray’s column. This time, Murray said, “your writing is also smaller and this tells me you are cautious, serious, modest, accurate and good at detail work.”

Joyce wrote to the Review this month to see if Murray would be able to take a look at her writing sample now that another decade has passed.

Murray dusted off his graphological skills to take yet another third at her handwriting.

Here’s his account:

Dear Joyce, Thanks for sending me a sample of your writing again after all these years.

I wrote my Handwriting Analysis Column in the Forest Park Review but I have been retired for quite a few years so I am pretty rusty, but I’ll do my best.

Honestly, I don’t remember analyzing your writing, so I can’t compare your current writing with what it was like when you were 18 or 39, but I can tell you a little bit about what it says about you today.

Joyce, your writing has a large middle zone as compared with your upper and lower strokes. It is also very legible and the letters are disconnected rather than being connected or cursive. Your script is also upright rather than slanting to the right or left.

The fact that your writing is so legible tells me that you are sincere, careful to detail, clear thinking, patient, straightforward, and have a liking for honest dealings with others. You also have a strong desire for clear communication and understanding.

Because you are so honest and open you can be somewhat naive and gullible (you think everyone else is as honest as you are). You are opinionated and like having your own way.

Your i dots are directly over the stem so I know you are realistic, accurate, balanced and positive. You are cautious but are still able to go forward but without much dynamic thrust, showing marked conscientiousness and attention to detail. You are an orderly and careful person.

You writing is neat and simplified. This means you are mature, practical, optimistic, thoughtful, and have the mental power to weigh and judge situations, which tells me you possess real wisdom.

Joyce, you are a proud and independent person. You are clearheaded so you always show control and restraint. Some may perceive you as being rigid, but you are a very dependable person.

How does this compare with your previous analysis’? I hope you find it to be accurate, encouraging, and helpful.

Much good luck and happiness to you.

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

State high court skeptical municipal police and fire pension consolidation hurt retirees’ voting rights Pensioners challenged 2019 aw that consolidated 649 funds for higher returns

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois

The Illinois Supreme Court on Tuesday heard arguments in a case alleging the state’s 2019 law that consolidated nearly 650 individual police and firefighter pension funds actually hurt retirees by diluting their voting power.

The nearly three-dozen pensioners and 17 individual pension funds that sued over the law have already lost twice in lower court.

But their attorney on Tuesday was insistent the retired police and firefighters were wronged when Gov. JB Pritzker signed the law – passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in the General Assembly – that consolidated the 649 funds into two.

The pair of funds – one that manages pensions for retired police and the other for retired firefighters – were consolidated in order for them to access bigger investments previously not available to the hundreds of small individual funds, all in the hopes of yielding larger returns.

Consolidation also eliminated administrative costs paid out of the individual pension funds.

But attorney Daniel Konicek said his clients’ objection wasn’t about the money, but rather their say in how the money is managed.

“It completely, undeniably diluted their ability to put people on a five-person board that they knew, versus these new boards of people that are statewide and (they) don’t know,” Konicek told the justices.

But nearly before he was done speaking, Justice Mary K. O’Brien cut in.

“How does that impact whether or not they get a check at the end of the month or on the 19th of the month?” she asked.

Konicek didn’t directly answer, noting that interpretation was what the lower courts had relied on. Instead, he urged the justices to look at the court’s previous decisions in pension-related cases, particularly in the last decade.

In 2014, for example, six of the seven justices on the court ruled the “pension protection clause” in Illinois’ constitution prevented the state from reducing health care benefits to retirees. The constitution stipulates that membership in any government retirement system in Illinois is “an enforceable contractual relationship, the benefits of which shall not be diminished or impaired.”

So, Konicek argued, in ruling that the pension protection clause extends to more than just pension benefits alone, the court should also find that voting rights for local pension funds is also a benefit that members are guaranteed.

“Isn’t it accurate that even in (the 2014 case) we were talking about something that…reduced the financial benefit?” Justice Joy Cunningham asked. “It was about money, not voting.”

In 2015, the court unanimously ruled that Illinois’ constitution prevented the General Assembly from enacting a massive pension overhaul plan that would’ve cut state retirees’ annual three percent compounded cost of living adjustments – one of the main driv-

CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS PHOTO BY ANDREW CAMPBELL

The Illinois Supreme Court is pictured in Springfield. ers of the state’s ever-growing unfunded pension liabilities.

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, the only justice left who was on the court a decade ago, asked the bulk of questions to Konicek, and even toward the end of his rebuttal still was unclear about the “benefit” he was arguing was impaired in this case.

“So again – let’s be real clear – what is the benefit that has been diminished?” Theis asked. “That members no longer have a vote as to who makes the investment decisions?”

Konicek affirmed her assertion before wrapping up his arguments.

Assistant Attorney General Richard Huszagh sought to further bolster justices’ apparent skepticism about financial benefits to pensioners not being affected by the law.

“It does not reduce by a penny the payments made to any member,” he said, further noting the individual pension funds are still able to determine for themselves whether, for example, a member is eligible for disability, and the formula for those payments.

Huszagh also told the justices that Konicek and his clients are “asking the court to overrule 50 years of its own prec-

Our Community Needs Community Journalism Donate at GrowingCommunityMedia.org

edent” that he argues defines “very clearly” what benefits are and are not protected by Illinois’ constitution.

He warned that the court ruling in the plaintiffs’ favor would “open up a giant can of worms” as such a ruling would then call into question many other changes made to pension fund administration in the last 50 years since the state constitution was ratified – including a state law that requires pension funds to hire investment advisors.

“Well, that would be unconstitutional because somebody would consider it a benefit not to have investment advisors and not to incur those expenses,” Huszagh said. “There’s no stopping point for where they want to go with this case.”

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide.

It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

OPINION O U R

V I E W

Focus TIF on Harlem

O

ftentimes in Forest Park when the conversation turns to underdeveloped commercial strips, the focus is Roosevelt Road. And yes, Roosevelt Road could use some help. We’re happy to see the car dealership at Roosevelt and Desplaines snap back into active use.

And someday, somehow the military property on the street will pass into entrepreneurial hands, which will lead to a rethinking of its use to include some combination of commercial and residential purposes. But don’t even consider inserting village hall into those negotiations or again raise the possibility of using the site for village services.

Then there is the mall. It ebbs and flows but is certainly a net positive for the community. Other than that, Roosevelt is the hodge-podge it has always been.

We see the best opportunity for true development in Forest Park on Harlem Avenue between the Green Line and Madison. And with action just taken by the village council, a new and slightly altered TIF district has been recrafted for that area. Up to that point, we are in full alignment with the village government.

Where we diverge is how to spend the estimated $16 million the TIF is expected to generate over time. For us the focus should be on assembling parcels for redevelopment along that street. From the still largely empty old Osco to the oversized and underutilized parking lot with an Athletico sitting in the middle, these are properties that beg for notable mixed-use development.

This entire stretch is in walking distance of the Green Line and Metra, which makes it ripe for residential apartments. Look at the high-end apartment units Oak Park has constructed over a decade in its transitoriented downtown. No, we are not suggesting 12 to 20 stories tall. But we are suggesting a denser, more purposeful use for this very visible strip. The property tax revenues, plus some sales taxes, would be a boost to the local tax rolls. That’s a boost Forest Park badly needs.

We don’t see village government having the experience on board to steer this big a project. Outside help will be necessary. But with this new TIF in place and the development economy still in a stupor, this is a good time to start planning.

And while we like Chipotle at Madison Street and the Taco Bell just north, Forest Park needs to aim higher than building out a fast-food strip.

H

27

It’s hard to feel thankful when you’re pissed off

ave you noticed? It’s hard to feel thankful when you’re angry or resentful, and these days a lot of us are feeling angry.

Steven Webster, a professor of political science, published a piece online a year ago in which he concluded, “American voters are angry.” An NPR poll done four years ago revealed that 84% of the people surveyed said that Americans are angrier today than they were a generation ago. In an online article published two years ago, Kerry Howells asked the question, “How can I be grateful when I feel so resentful?”

Her short answer is a simple, “You can’t.”

“They are mirror opposites of each other,” she explains, “completely opposite states or ways of being.”

So how can we regain some gratitude?

“Firstly,” she concludes, “we need to address any resentment we may have.”

The lens through which I look at reality has been influenced a lot by Alcoholics Anonymous and the Twelve Steps. When alcoholics are confronted with their addictive behavior, they tend to say things like, “OK, maybe I drink too much, but it’s the fault of my wife or boss or parents or the other political party or the Bears having a losing season. Again!”

John Keller was the chief clinical officer of Parkside Medical Services in Park Ridge when he wrote, “From infancy on, we have deep within us three delusional assumptions: 1. I am in control, or ought to be in control, of all that has to do with my life.

2. I am at the center of the universe.

3. Everything and everyone ought to be spinning around me so I can have what I want and life will be the way I want it to be.

When I was an infant, all three of the above were my reality. When I was hungry, all I had to do was whimper a little and my mother sprang into action. I pooped whenever and wherever I wanted.

Have you ever witnessed a 2-year-old’s temper tantrum?

What do you mean you want me to do what? You want me to hold my poop until I get to the place where it is appropriate to let it go?!

Welcome to the world of social expectations, limits on my behavior, the experience of having a conscience, the necessity of deferring gratification.

We refer to people who don’t learn those things as immature or even infantile.

And so I naturally think of Donald Trump. He not only

“poops” whenever and wherever he wants, he even poops on other people. He is not restrained by conscience or social norms. The title of chapter three in Keller’s book is The Omnipotent, Egocentric Self.

So back to anger, resentment and gratitude.

When I get up in the morning I often feel grouchy. Often I cannot put my finger on why.

It’s just that reality is not the way I want it to be. And I resent that. Six days after Thanksgiving, you see where I’m going.

Some people have legitimate reasons for not feeling thankful. Imagine living in Gaza right now.

Howells encourages us to deal with our resentments when we find ourselves having a hard time feeling grateful. “The only way out of pain is through it,” the divorce recovery workshop leaders kept telling us.

But here’s a corollary: Those who feel thankful have a hard time feeling angry or resentful. If you knew Officer Nick Kozak before he died two years ago, you knew a guy who seemed to be grateful to simply be alive. He had a job that put him in close contact with the dark side of life, but whenever he would see me, a smile would spread across his face and he’d go out of his way to come over and shake my hand.

People who are thankful have a hard time being angry or resentful.

Another man I miss is Larry Biondi. Larry was born with cerebral palsy and couldn’t walk, so he went through life in his power wheelchair. Nevertheless, he seemed to be thankful, thankful just to be alive. He would even laugh at my dumb jokes.

At the same time, I saw Larry express anger. His job at the Progress Center was Disability Rights Advocate. He’d go down to Springfield and fearlessly confront legislators. He could get angry, but he wasn’t an angry person. You see what I mean?

Part of the trick is focus, when you think about it. Driving to the Loop from Forest Park, there is plenty of trash along the side of the Eisenhower Expressway, but there is also a majestic skyline.

When I wake up feeling grouchy and if I have my spiritual wits about me, I’ll hug my wife, put myself in a place where I can hear God tell me for the 10 thousandth time that I am loved. The liturgical word for Communion, by the way, is “eucharist” or “thanksgiving.”

Text my grandchildren, and put “chat with a friend” on my to-do list.

TOM HOLMES

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

L

It takes a village to raise holiday spirit

ike many of you, I have a holiday tradition of setting up a “Christmas village.” It’s an idyllic place that, in many ways, bears a resemblance to Forest Park. This year I decided to make it a more realistic representation of our village.

For example, I usually blanket my village with fresh-fallen snow. This year, I cleared the sidewalks with tiny bobcats and plowed the streets curb-to-curb.

I even threw down a little rock salt. Then I added a thin layer of fast food containers, beer bottles and plastic grocery bags atop the snow, since that’s what I wake up to every morning.

Most of this litter is found in the “city” section of my village. This is where the shops, post office and firehouse are located.

The “country” section is home to the lighthouse, windmill and a farmhouse. But why not imitate Forest Park’s zoning laws and put the rustic barn across the street from the swanky ice-skating rink.

This rink is so upscale, the skaters can actually skate. I mean, the stately welldressed couple used to skate. Apparently they’re too old to move anymore. Now they

stand in the middle of the rink, while the young mother whizzes around them pushing her kid in a stroller that’s equipped with skates.

There’s also a low-tech rink in the seedy section of town — a mirror actually — where the three skaters are stuck in skating poses but don’t actually move. This rink was lit by one of my old fashioned gas streetlights but I replaced all of these with LED lights to make the village brighter and more energy efficient.

These lights shine on the village’s six businesses. Two of these are Irish pubs: a small one that could pass for Duffy’s and a twostory ale house the size of Doc Ryan’s. There are two music stores, just like Kagan & Gaines and American Music World. There’s also an independent bookstore as a stand-in for Centuries & Sleuths.

There’s a grocery store with a full-time butcher, like Ed’s Way. There’s a Christmas tree lot, like the one next to Portillo’s. I don’t see how they can stay in business, now that they’ve lost their two most loyal customers.

They were a young couple who hauled away a fresh tree every year until they suffered a

JOHN RICE

A

T

L O O K

B A C K

I N

T I M E

School decorations

his photo appeared in the Nov. 15, 1949 Forest Park Review, showing Forest Park schools being decorated for Christmas. The caption beneath: “Forest Park’s public schools have taken on the gay appearance of the season through the efforts of their pupils who have cut and pasted, drawn and painted the decorations that deck sober school halls and rooms, changing the theme into the land of St. Nick and the reindeer.”

Notice there is a boy on a tall ladder hanging a large winter scene in the center with two boys assisting by standing on what could be a window ledge or radiator. It appears in the foreground, some pupils are creating snowmen and others have long robes and pointed hats, perhaps like St. Nicholas himself.

Jill Wagner

tragic fall on the hardwood. Losing them reduced the village’s population from 20 to 18.

Of these inhabitants, two are altar boys, seven are skaters (if you count the baby).

Two are dads. One dad builds a snowman with his two boys. The other dad is less active. He sits on a bench, next to his sedentary son, who is reading a book. There are no less than four carolers. I wish there were more carolers in Forest Park. I also wish that all of my townspeople weren’t white.

There’s no crime in my village, which is a good thing because there’s no police station.

There’s also no traffic. I think it’s because I added the Blue Line and Green Line trains this year. The trains even make tape-recorded announcements, like “Doors open on your left at Harlem,” “Doors closing,” and the ever-popular “This is Forest Park, as far as this train goes. All passengers must leave the train.”

There’s only one house in my village.

It’s huge, completely out of scale with the rest of the village. I don’t know how the Zoning Commission approved it. There’s a cathedral that dominates downtown, like St. John’s and a small chapel that could be a stand-in for St. Paul’s. There’s also a baby lying in a manger.

What’s he doing there?

29

F O R E S T PA R K

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

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

Out-of-county subscriptions: $42 per year.

Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print

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

30 Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023 Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

HELP WANTED

ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Animal Control Officer in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties involved in enforcing Village ordinances governing the care and keeping of animals in the Village; and to impound, care for and assist with redemption of animals as appropriate. Applicants are encouraged to apply using the following link: https://secure. entertimeonline.com/ta/6141780. careers?ApplyToJob=604191951.

For additional information on the position please visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oak-park. us/your-government/human-resources-department. This position is open until filled.

BUILDING INSPECTOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Building Inspector in the Development Services Permit Processing Division. This position will inspect new construction, additions and alterations of residential, commercial, industrial and mixed-use buildings and structures; to ensure compliance with applicable building codes and permits; and to perform various related technical duties. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

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

GENERAL WAREHOUSE WORKER

General Warehouse worker. Some assembly and build projects. Some other job duties may include but are not limited to general building upkeep, painting, light cleaning, lifting 50lbs+, driving company vehicles on occasion, operating forklifts and scissor lift, assisting in other warehouse tasks such as loading and unloading trucks, shipping and receiving.

Send Resume to Michelle@sievertelectric.com Job Type: Full-time Benefits Salary: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour Schedule: 8 hour shift Monday to Friday Audit Senior (Multiple Openings) (Chicago, IL) for Mazars USA LLP to lead in the planning, execution, reporting & completion of fin’l audits of assigned mfg, distribution, & consumer products clients. Reqs Bach deg in Acctg, Bus Admin, Finance or rltd field of study, & 2 yrs exp in any job title/occupation/position involving Data Analysis, auditing or acctg in a CPA firm or prof’l services practice.

Exp specified must incl 2 yrs exp w/ Microsoft incl Word, Excel & PowerPoint. Exp specified must also incl 1 yr exp w/ each of the following: auditing w/ mfg, distribution, large corporations, multi-national companies or SEC registrants; US GAAP, GAAS or IFRS; ProSystem Engagement or any other audit prep’n s/ware prgm; & analyzing & synthesizing large data sets. Reqs CPA license or CPA eligible. Telecommuting permitted up to 3 days/wk. Reqs up to 25% domestic travel. Salary: $103,771/yr. To apply visit https://wm.wd5.myworkdayjobs. com/en-US/experienced/job/Chicago/Audit-Senior---Multiple-Openings-_R0002590

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Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

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HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

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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: Y23011198 on November 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of FULWELL 18 CONSULTING with the business located at: PO BOX 265 BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JOHN MILLER, 3415 ARDEN AVENUE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA.

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: Y23011210 on November 21, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of TONIC CONSULTING GROUP with the business located at: 1017 N GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: WILLIAM B. BUNKERS 1017 N GROVE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, December 6, 13, 2023

opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked “Park District of Forest Park, Aquatic Center – MAIN PUMP ROOM PIPE REPLACEMENT.” 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.

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, to consider amendment(s) to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance which include, but may not be limited to, the following: 1. A Text Amendment to Section 1021 (Land Use Chart) of the Zoning Ordinance to designate child daycare centers as a special use in the C-3 Central Commercial district.

Request of BILLY MICHAEL SMITH Case Number 2023 CONC001645

The petitioner for the Text Amendments is the Village President and Board of Trustees.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: BILLLY MICHAEL SMITH to the new name of: CASEY WILLIAM STEWART III

This public hearing is being held pursuant to direction given by the Village Board of Trustees for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider these amendments. For additional information visit www.vrf.us.

The court date will be held: On January 25, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom.

Zoom Meeting ID: 91404109299 Passcode: 407193 Published in Wednesday Journal November 15, 22, 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

In re the marriage of MARIA CONCEPCION MUNOZ, Petitioner and AGUSTIN CHINO PEREZ, Respondent, Case No. 2023D003396.

708-296-2060

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY

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

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

Published in RBLandmark November 22, 29, December 6, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before December 18, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 15, 22, 29, 2023

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. If you cannot attend the public hearing but would like to provide input on this matter to the Zoning Board of Appeals you may submit your comments in writing, to Clifford Radatz, Building Official, no later than 12:00 Noon on the date of the public hearing at cradatz@vrf. us or by mailing them to 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305.

For further information or for a copy of the proposed text amendments, please contact Village Administrator Matt Walsh at (708) 714-3563 or at mwalsh@vrf.us or visit www.vrf.us.

Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE Invitation to Bid The Park District of Forest Park (“Park District” or “Owner”) will receive bids for the Aquatic Center – MAIN PUMP ROOM PIPE REPLACEMENT 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 December 1, 2023, 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 12:00 p.m. on December 5, 2023.

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

Each bid shall be placed in an

Bids will be received until 10:00 a.m. on December 15, 2023.

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 29, 2023

Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023 31

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

PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for:

Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.

The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.

A pre-bid meeting will be held on December 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Central Elementary School, 61 Woodside Road, Riverside, IL 60546.

Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.

Bids will be received until 1:00 PM, December 20, 2023, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place afterwards at 1:45 PM, December 20, 2023 at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546.

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Ames ES Masonry Repair Project Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting November 29, 2023. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www. bhfxplanroom.com. Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.

All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid amount, with sureties to be approved by the Owner, and in the form required by the Bidding Documents.

The successful bidder is required to pay the general prevailing wage for work under this Contract as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, and shall submit certified payroll records, in compliance with the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) and the requirements of the Bidding Documents.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on December 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM at Ames Elementary, 86 Southcote Road, Riverside, IL 60546.

Bidders must allow sufficient time to register at the building prior to being permitted to proceed to the meeting location.

Bids will be received until 1:00 PM, December 20, 2023, at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546. A public bid opening will take place afterwards at 1:00 PM, December 20, 2023 at the District office at 3440 S. Harlem Ave, Riverside, IL 60546.

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any or all bids or any part thereof.

Published in Riverside-Brookfield Landmark November 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Board of Education of Riverside School District 96 in Riverside, Illinois will receive sealed bids for: Central Hauser Site Work Project Copies of the Bid Documents including plans and specifications will be available starting November 29, 2023. Bidders can download electronic Drawings and Specifications from the BHFX Plan Room, www. bhfxplanroom.com. Printed sets may be ordered and paid for by the contractor.

All bids offered must be accompanied by bid security in the form of certified check or bid bond made payable to the Owner in the amount of not less than ten percent (10%) of the amount of the aggregate of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. The successful bidder for the project is required to furnish Performance and Labor and Material

Published in Riverside-Brookfield Landmark November 29, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2024 Concrete ADA Ramp Replacement Project (Various Locations) This project consists of the installation of approximately 4,900 square feet of PCC sidewalk ADA ramps, 425 linear feet of PCC curb/gutter, 450 square feet of detectable warnings, 71 square yards of hot mix asphalt patching, and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, December 1, 2023 at:

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2024 Curb and Sidewalk Replacement Program (Various Locations) This project consists of the installation of approximately 9,000 square feet of PCC sidewalk, 100 linear feet of PCC curb/gutter, 50 square yards of driveway apron and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, December 1, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:15 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: Concrete Construction The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: Concrete Construction The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids..

Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified vendors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 22, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2024 Street Lighting & Traffic Control Materials Pricing Bid Number: 24-110 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Bids must be submitted by Monday, December 18, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at:

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

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Proposals from qualified consultants at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2024 Urban Forestry Consulting and Inspection Services Proposal Number: 24-106 Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid.

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

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time.

Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

www.vrf.us/bids

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 21, 2023 for the following: Village of Oak Park Automatic Transfer Switch Replacement Project Number: 24-109 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

Published in Wednesday Journal November 29, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS AND LIENHOLDERS AGAINST THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DEVISEES OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED, EWA GEBICKA, 640-44 LAKE STREET CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF HENRYK KWEC, DECEASED Defendants 22 CH 11586 644 LAKE ST., APT. 1C OAK PARK, IL 60301 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 20, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on December 21, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: PARCEL 1: UNIT 1, ‘’C’’ IN THE 64044 LAKE STREET CONDOMINIUM AS DELINEATED ON A SURVEY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED REAL ESTATE: LOT 11 IN C B SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF LOT 22, IN J W SCOVILLE’S SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST ¬Ω OF THE NORTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN WHICH SURVEY IS ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT ‘’A’’ TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 25033782 TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN COOK COUNTY ILLINOIS. PARCEL 2: THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF PARKING SPACE NO. 5 A LIMITED COMMON ELEMENT AS DELINEATED ON THE SURVEY ATTACHED TO THE DECLARATION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 25033782 IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Commonly known as 644 LAKE ST., APT. 1C, OAK PARK, IL 60301 Property Index No. 16-07-219-0281001 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $91,216.20.

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

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

estate after confirmation of the sale.

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

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

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

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

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

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 1660117.

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

HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 601 E. William St. DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 1660117 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 22 CH 11586 TJSC#: 43-3730 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 # 22 CH 11586 I3232820

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Forest Park Review, November 29, 2023

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