Forest Park Review 121422

Village hopes to extend Brown/ Harlem TIF

Move requires Illinois Genera l Assembly approval, support from all taxing bodies

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Village of Forest Park is considering asking the state to extend the Brown Street/Harlem Avenue Tax Increment Financing District, which is scheduled to expire in 2023, for another 12 years.

The TIF, which is also known as the Brown Street Station TIF, mostly falls within the area bounded by the Green Line/Metra line embankment to the north, Brown Street to the west, Franklin Street to the south and Harlem Avenue to the east. The village is hoping to use future TIF revenue to fund several projects in the northeast corner of Forest Park, including redoing the Harlem Avenue railroad bridge, demolishing the wa-

21 area organizations receive Community Grants

e Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation awarded $228,000

By COMMUNIT Y EDITOR

Earlier this month, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation announced that 21 nonprofits in Oak Park, River Forest and neighboring communities were the recipients of its 2022 Community Grants

This year’s grants, which total $228,000, were designed to advance the Foundation’s “strate gic priorities of addressing education; health care; mental health; wealth and re presentation; and safety and housing through a race and equity lens,” Foundation of ficials explained.

The Foundation last distributed the grants in 2019.In 2020 and 2021, the Foundation pivoted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and awarded Rapid

Response and Recovery Fund grants to a variety of social impact org anizations “that were on the front lines providing daily, ongoing support to the community’s most vulnerable members during the pandemic, including the elderly, the economically at-risk and those with health concer ns,” Foundation of ficials explained.

Tony Mar tine z, Jr., the Foundation’s president and CEO, said area nonprofits are still experiencing demand for their services and that the Foundation received more applications for the Community Grants than ever before

“It is very impor tant during these stressful times to continue suppor ting the org anizations that uplift our community and provide essential resources to so many in need,” Mar tine z said.

“The Community Grants recipients help maintain and enrich the social fabric of our communities, and we are grateful to the generous donors who have entrusted us with their philanthropic le gacy, which makes these grants possible,” said Denise Bur ns, the chair of the Foundation board’s Grants and Programs Committee. “This

is a powerful measure of how we can work to gether to positively af fect the lives of residents throughout the west Cook re gion.”

The following are the 2022 Community Grant recipients:

Education

§ African-American Parents for Pur poseful Leadership in Education (APPLE)

§ Chicago West Community Music Center

§ Race Conscious Dialo gues

§ Silk Road Rising (Fiscal Sponsor: Gilloury Institute)

§ Welcome to Fatherhood (WTF)

Health Care/Mental Health

§ African American Christian Foundation

§ Proviso Par tners for Health (PP4H)

§ Resilience

§ Youth Crossroads, Inc.

Housing

§ Chicago Funders To gether to End Homelessness (Fiscal Sponsor: Michael Reese Health Trust)

§ New Moms, Inc.

Wealth Inequality

§ Defy Ventures, Illinois Chapter

§ Equity and Transfor mation (EAT)

§ Iskali

Youth Development

§ West Cook YMCA, Inc.

§ Y.E.M.B.A., Inc.

Cross-Cutting Themes

§ Austin Coming To gether (ACT)

§ Cicero Independiente

§ Friends of the Children – Chicago

§ Pro Bono Network (PBN)

§ Revolutionary Oak Park Youth Action League (ROYAL)

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

BIG WEEK December 14-21

Shelly’s Bir thday Bash

Saturday, Dec. 17, 2-5 p.m.,

Forest Park Public Library

Shelly is the Forest Park Librar y’s pet turtle. She started hanging around the place in December 2013, making this the 10th anniversar y. This bash will feature a turtle storytime, as well as a screening of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie. For kids of all ages and their families. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Nick Moss

Saturday, Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m., FitzGerald’s Hard-driving traditional blues from a Chicago veteran. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berw yn.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Game Battle

Monday, Dec. 19, 4-5 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Get ready to do friendly battle in Super Smash os. on the Nintendo Switch. For ages 11-13. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Listing your event in the calendar

Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park community 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

More Than a Mic: Open Mic Night

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Ar tists, showcase your work through various forms of creative expression at this monthly open mic night. Singers, dancers, poets, rappers, and other creatives are invited to bring their best once a month, where they will receive support from peers. All ages welcome. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

peers. All ages welcom A h or Ex turd

Middle & High School WinterFest

Friday, Dec. 16, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

A celebration for middle- and high-school students before they head into winter break. Register now for food and fun at oppl. org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

t Exhibit: Mark Making With Piccolo

turday, Dec. 17, 1-3 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Explore works by advanced ar t students taught by local artist Jesse Howard at the Oak Park Ar t League. In this exhibit, the students function as an eclectic body addressing various social issues, spellbinding still life, and dynamic portraitures of family members. The students’ ar twork consists of lines often found in contemporary graphics, working with gray and black washes, suggesting ancient stone. Their gures are often solitary and distor ted. Overall, their work speaks of landscape, still life, and the disenfranchised. The exhibit will run from Dec. 10 to Jan. 7. 834 La ke St., Oak Park.

2022 Candlelight Peace Vigil & Ser vice Of Remembrance

Wednesday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., Unity Temple In partnership with several similar vigils worldwide, this event celebrates the lives of those who unfortunately perished in the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy, ten years ago. Over 1,000,000 Americans were killed or injured by guns since then. This candlelight vigil o ers a moment of prayer and re ection. 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

This holiday season, let’s join together in celebration of family, friendships and community.

JOHN DOSS

for

MAYOR OF FOREST PARK

Put The Park Back In Forest Park

As your Mayor, John Doss will be committed to:

Working together with our police department to develop safe and effective public safety solutions.

Collaborating with our Chamber of Commerce to expand and improve our business districts.

Growing Forest Park into a green focused, climate friendly Village so future generations can inherit a healthy place to live.

If you’re interested in learning more about John’s campaign for Mayor of Forest Park in 2023 – please scan this code: Paid for

Forest Park library chooses new director

Vicki Rakowski graduated from Dominican, started library career here

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The Forest Park Public Library Board of Trustees chose Vicki Rakowski, current executive director ofthe northwest suburban Barrington Area Library District, as the library’s new chief.

The board made its selection during a Dec 3 closed session meeting, but because they couldn’t vote during a closed session, the selection had to be for mally made during the Dec. 12 regular board meeting. Rakowski will earn $97,000 a year, and some other contract details will still need to be negotiated. She will officially take the position on Jan. 23, 2023, with interim director Sue Quinn staying on through January to help with the transition.

The appointment represents something ofa homecoming for Rakowski, who began her library career at the Forest Park Public Library a little over 14 years ago. In a press release shared with the Review ahead ofthe vote, the trustees said they chose her because ofher experience, empathy and “self-awareness.”

The library has been looking for a new director since Pilar Shaker, the library director since 2016, announced on Sept 1 that she would resign effective Oct. 28. She has since become the Director of Partnerships at DASH Creative Strategy public relations firm.

Rakowski earned a Master of Library and Information Science from Dominican University in River Forest. She began her library career as the youth services reference assistant at the Forest Park library, where she worked from September 2008 to July 2009. Rakowski went on to work in the Lisle Library District and LaGrange Public Library, both in the west suburbs.

In 2017, she became head ofthe operations

department in Barrington Area Library District, which collectively serves all or parts of 17 municipalities (five of which have “Barrington” in their name) across four different counties in the northwest suburbs. This represented her longest stint in a single library system thus far.

Rakowski continued in this role until February 2021, when she was promoted to the library’s executive director

Rakowski was chosen from a field of17 candidates, with the Forest Park library board interviewing the two finalists during the Dec. 3 meeting

The trustees didn’t discuss the selection during the Dec. 12 meeting, but the press release indicated that “Rakowski’s experience and empathy” was a deciding factor

“During the interview, she demonstrated a self-awareness and honesty you don’t see very often,” trustee Eboni Mur ray stated “Vicki understands the Forest Park Public Library we want to be,” stated trustee Lin Beribak. “Being a part ofthe community is

important to her.”

Rakowski didn’t attend the Dec. 12 meeting, and Quinn indicated that she would not be available for an interview in time for this issue’s deadline. But the press release quoted her as saying that she appreciated being chosen.

“I’m honored and thrilled to have been chosen as Forest Park Public Library’s next director,” said Rakowski. “Forest Park is a special place and I’m so excited to be able to contribute to a town that I admire and respect so much.”

Quinn’s contract called for her to stay on as interim director until the end of February to help with the transition. During the Dec 12 meeting, board president Brooke Sievers said that she doesn’t expect Quinn to stay on “quite that long,” but that they would discuss those details in January.

The interim director said that people will still see her visit the Forest Park library

“I will be there to pick up my [library material] holds,” Quinn said. “I switched my hold over here.”

“Alright!” Sievers laughed. “Take that, Oak Park.”

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 to be part of ours.

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

VICKI RAKOWSKI

Voogd seeks re-election with focus on transparency

Says she would push for more public involvement in major decision

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Incumbent Forest Park village commissioner Jessica Voogd said she decided to run for a second ter m because she wasn’t satisfied with the progress on one of her major priorities when she originally ran in 2019.

“I was giving it a lot of thought,” she said. “I came to the deter mination that I was going to run for reelection because the lack of transparency is still a persistent issue.”

Voogd said the way Mayor Rory Hoskins handled a recent decision on new staf f salaries, instances of the village not advertising open positions and the timing of the posting of village council meeting packets, as examples.

She said she wanted to have residents more engaged in the major village decisions and ensure that advisory committees and commissions feel relevant to the process Voogd would also like to see a comprehensive plan for facility improvements and continue her push to ma ke Forest Park energy-ef ficient and environmentally sustainable.

Voogd said that, to her, open gover nment is inte gral to Forest Park’s success

“The village has a lot of challenges and responsibilities, but when a gover nment denies process or avoids transparency, it fails to ef fectively address those issues,” she said. “When community members and policymakers work to gether, in an open and honest way, we enact stronger, more inclusive policy.”

Voogd said she worked to improve transparency by updating the village website “to make it easier for folks to access information,” and raised concer ns inter nally about that issue She believed there were areas when the village fell shor t – such as “hiring friends and family members”

without advertising jobs publicly

“I have tried to correct that, trying to engage everyone in being as open as possible, and, when that doesn’t happen, I have publicly stated my concer ns,” Voogd said.

She reiterated her earlier concer ns about how the village decided on salary increases for de par tment heads and nonunion staf f. Hoskins discussed salary ranges on-on-one with each commissioner, which avoided the public meeting requirements, where even closed sessions are recorded.

“That’s the disservice not only to the residents, but also the staf f,” Voogd said.

She said that, if re-elected, she would push for the council to star t of f every year with a strategic plan that would clearly outline their goals and priorities

Throughout her first ter m, Voogd consistently pushed for the village to be more environmentally friendly and sustainable. She said it may not necessarily be cost-ef fective in every instance, but it was something she would like to see Forest Park keep in mind when considering things like building improvements and equipment purchases. If re-elected, she would advocate for a plan to transition the village to electric-powered vehicles and otherwise improve ef ficiency. And she said she would continue to support the recently for med C4 collaborative, where west suburban municipalities ag reed to, among other things, pool to gether resources for environmentally sustainable initiatives such as electric vehicle charging station purchases

This tied into Voogd’s other major concer n – that the village has been taking a piecemeal approach to municipal building maintenance, fixing issues as they arise instead of looking at the bigger picture. If re-elected, she would push for a comprehensive facilities improvement plan.

“It seems silly to fix something if you’ re

going to fix it again sue,” Voogd said. Commissioner moving towards form of gover nment election priorities referendum that is the ballot until 2027 said she was open to the idea.

“I don’t feel strongly er,” she said.

Voogd added that of gover nment Fo is “not a traditional of gover nment,” noting that, in practice, commissioners don’t get involved with their de par tments’ day-to-day operations, and that they have a village administrator to make many day-to-day decisions

“At this point, we’re a hybrid form of gover nment, combining commissioner and manager [for ms of gover nment,]” Voogd said. “We function more and more in a managerial way.”

She said that suppor ters of the referendum need to make a clear case that the new form of gover nment would be better for Forest Park.

“I just want to make sure that the folks have all the facts and we deter mined how things will improve and change if the people deter mine that they want to [change it],” she said.

The state of local schools, especially Proviso East High School, has been a perennial issue for Forest Park. Most recently, shor t-staf fing and issues with school buses led to student protests, and the school board considering firing teachers for alle gedly encouraging those protests Hoskins was among the elected of ficials who spoke out against it.

Voogd said that, while “it’s impor tant to stand up when you see eg re gious behavior,” she believed the village needs to tread a careful line when it comes to other taxing bodies And she said she isn’t against the village supporting the school districts “Locally, with [Forest Park School District 91], I tried to connect with them [about] whether they’re interested in collaborating,” Voogd said.

OB ITU AR Y

Christopher M. Borzym, 64 O wned Christopher Mark Fine Flowers in Brook eld

School and served as the school’s cheerleading coach for 17 years. He was also a member of the Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.

His husband, Jim Deacon, said, “Chris had such a zest for life Chris loves life and was loved by many. You can’t describe Chris in one word because of his vibrant and magnetic personality

“Chris would love to thank all of you who touched his life From business owners, customers, cheerleading, friends to family.

“Chris was thankful for all the friendships and the love he found throughout his life.

A life too shor t, but a great life well -oved and lived. Chris, you will be missed every day in every way.”

Mr Borzym was the husband of Jim Deacon; the father of Sarah (Andy) Four nier; the grand dad of Sarah’s do g, Shaggy; the friend of Rita and Jeanne; the son of Carole and the late Don Borzym; the brother of Ken (Sharon), Karey (Jim), Kathy (Mike), Kevin (Linda), Kimberly, Kyle (Angie), Kellie (Rob), the late Karen and the late Hap (Ter ri); the uncle of many nieces and ne phews; the son-in-law of Jim and Jane Deacon; and the brother-in-law of Mike (Darlene) Deacon and Bob (Tori) Deacon.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, Dec. 10 for a Celebration of Life from noon until time of service at 12:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Riverside-Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside.

DuPage Cremations Ltd. and Funeral Chapel handled ar rangements

JESSIC A VOOGD

o

Once a Hephzibah Kid, Always a Hephzibah Kid

Our first 125th-anniversary story is about reconnecting. It be g an in 1935 when two distressed parents—financially strapped and broken in spirit by the relentless hardships of the Great Depression—were forced to acce pt the devastating reality that they could not afford to feed, clothe and care for their two children, Keith and Muriel.

“My parents had gone out to Califor nia five or six years earlier,” Keith Elkins wrote decades later in his book, He phzibah’s Children: 1930 to 2000 “Now, in the de pth of the Great Depression, they were driving back to their hometown of Chicago, dead broke with two kids: my sister Muriel and me. Emotionally de pleted after failing to find their for tune in California and on the verge of a breakup, my parents could no longer provide for us On October 23, 1935, they dropped us both of f at He phzibah Home. It was one month after Muriel’s third birthday and one day after my four th bir thday.”

Elkins, now 91, doesn’t remember much else about that day. But he does remember the relative comfort and stability of his life as a “He phzibah kid.”

“Muriel and I lived at He phzibah for about three years, and my memories of

the place are very positive,” he says “We were housed well, fed well, clothed well and taught well. I remember He phzibah’s backyard playground, where I discovered that I got dizzy on the mer ry-go-round, that the backs of my bare thighs stuck to the slide in hot weather, that it felt good to swing along the monkey bars and that climbing on the jungle gym was easier than climbing the trees.” He also remembers weekend outings to the Lake Theater and other destinations in the community “It was just wonderful,” he says

The siblings’ sojour n at He phzibah Home wasn’t a long one in the context of a lifetime, but it was an unforgettable one for Elkins, who went on to ear n a doctoral de gree in educational psycholo gy at the University of Chicago, become a husband and father and enjoy a distinguished academic career as a professor at the SUNY

A safe haven dur ing the Great Depression: Keith Elkins (fourth from top) lived at Hephzibah Home with his younger sister, Muriel, from 1935 to 1938 . Although he went on to accomplish a great deal in his life, he never forgot his positive experiences at Hephzibah and retur ned seven decades later to spearhead our rst annual Homecoming Weekend for Hephzibah Home alumni in October 2007.

Empire State Colle ge in Buf falo, New York. Throughout his adulthood, he also used his skills and talents to help others by serving as a board member for numerous nonprofits, an advocate for seniors, a benefactor and a volunteer Elkins attributes much of his personal

and professional success—as well as the development of the moral compass that guides him—to the “steadiness” that he first experienced at He phzibah Home.

“Now, toward the end of my life, I’m discovering that Hephzibah shaped me far more than I realized and gave me a sense

Hephzibah is celebrating its 125th-anniversar y celebration with a series

f stories about the children and families whose lives were transformed by our programs and ser vices, as well as some of the “Hephzibah Heroes” who helped make our missio possible. We hope you nd them as inspiring as we do!

KEITH ELKINS

PROVIDED

of inner orderliness that I would not have had otherwise, given the circumstances of my upbringing,” he notes. “It may sound overdramatic, but I do not think that I would have survived my childhood if it had not been for Hephzibah.”

Elkins suspected that there were other for mer residents who shared his enduring fondness for “this wonderful place” and believed that many of them would appreciate an invitation to return to Hephzibah for a reunion weekend. So in May 2007—during a visit to Oak Park with his wife, Kathleen— he proposed the idea to Hephzibah’s board of directors. The board’s approval was enthusiastic and unanimous.

Elkins immediately began working with Hephzibah staff to set a date for the event, track down for mer residents and organize the first reunion since Mary Wessels had founded Hephzibah Home in 1897.

But records were spotty for some decades— and finding his fellow alumni proved to be more challenging than he’d anticipated During one discouraging week, he sent out four emails, only to have three of them bounce back marked “undeliverable.”

Unwilling to give up on the idea of a reunion, he redoubled his efforts, doggedly combing through old files and conducting Internet searches to find current addresses His determined search for other “Hephzibah kids”—which eventually turned up more than two dozen for mer residents—was fueled by a deep personal need to “return to his roots.”

“I felt a need to reconnect with the place in a more meaningful way than simply coming back and looking around,” he explained to Wednesday Journal reporter Marty Stempniak during an interview for a Summer 2007 article about the upcoming reunion. “I suppose it was the sentimentality of an old man, but I wanted to relive my childhood in some fashion, find out more about my Hephzibah years and learn about the life experiences of my fellow Hephzibah Home alumni.”

By Fall 2007, the 76-year-old’s dream of a Hephzibah Homecoming was finally within reach. For one emotional weekend in October, Elkins and 24 other for mer residents returned to their childhood haven to share their memories of Hephzibah and reconnect with a place that would always feel like

home in their hearts The weekend was so successful that staff members immediately began planning the next homecoming celebration.

The following year, Elkins received the Heart of the Home Award at our 2008 Heart of Gold Ball for his efforts to reunite the for mer residents of Hephzibah Home.

But, even as he was being recognized for his past contributions, he had another project in the pipeline: a written history featuring the recollections of residents

True to his nature as a career academic, the retired college professor was meticulous about his research, contacting for mer residents and their families, who sent him their stories; poring over “mountains of material” dating back to Hephzibah’s founding in 1897; and reading decades worth of board-meeting minutes to gain a better understanding of the societal shifts that drove Hephzibah’s evolution from a 19thcentury orphanage to the comprehensive child care and child welfare organization

daycare, foster care, adoption and family services—for countless children and their families.”

While Elkins was preserving Hephzibah’s past, he was also planning for its future by naming Hephzibah as the beneficiary of a bequest in his will.

“I treasure the gift that Hephzibah gave me, which was the gift of hope,” he explained in 2015 when he and his wife, Kathleen, notified Hephzibah about their planned gift.

“I wanted to return that gift by helping to ensure that Hephzibah can provide as much security, hope and happiness for children in the future as it did for me and my sister back in the 1930s.”

In October 2020—as our anniversary approached and we began to reflect on Hephzibah’s 125-year legacy of helping children thrive and families flourish—we reached out to Elkins via Zoom to learn more about Hephzibah’s lasting impact on his life

“As one of many Hephzibah kids, my proudest achievement by far is not what I accomplished in my career, but that I was able to break the chain of family dysfunction and give my daughter the safety, security, stability, caring, constancy and fairness that I found only at Hephzibah during my own childhood,” he confided.

When asked about his hopes for Hephzibah’s future, his answer was a simple but powerful one: “My hope is that Hephzibah will always be here to provide a safe haven—because there will always be children and families who need a place like this.”

that it is today

“When I was writing Hephzibah’s history, I was struck by the fact that—of the five male Hephzibah Home alumni I interviewed for the book—one became a policeman, another became a career military man and two of us became teachers,” he points out. “I think that says something about the safety, stability and security that life at Hephzibah afforded us.”

By 2009, Elkins’s labor of love was printed, bound and published

At the end of the Zoom interview, we had a surprise in store for this alumnus, benefactor and friend: a chorus of happy 89th birthday wishes from our executive director and the children now living at Hephzibah Home.

“Happy birthday, Keith!” said Hephzibah Executive Director Merry Beth Sheets, her face lighting up with a huge smile. “You are such an integral part of our history and our legacy here at Hephzibah. You are so important to us!”

who had lived at Hephzibah Home in the decades between 1930 and 2000.

“In June 2008, as I began to outline the book, I wrote: ‘I have begun my life’s work,’” he recalls. “Later, I realized that those were almost the exact words that Hephzibah founder Mary Wessels had used in 1897 when she wrote to a friend: ‘I have be gun my work. I have two boys, ages 6 and 7.’”

“Hephzibah’s Children: 1930 to 2000 tells the story of how an old-fashioned orphanage responded to seismic changes in social policy and local child care codes,” he noted in the book’s introduction. “It shows how Hephzibah grew from the kindness of one woman sheltering two orphaned boys into a children’s association that offers a wide array of programs—including group homes,

Sheets’ birthday greeting was followed by a chorus of happy birthday wishes from a new generation of happy, healthy “Hephzibah Home kids.” As the youngsters held their hand-drawn and colored birthday cards up to the computer’s camera and shouted, “Happy Birthday, Keith!” one by one—Elkins was visibly moved and momentarily at a loss for words.

“Oh, that’s wonderful!!” he managed to say as he savored the best birthday present ever from the happiest childhood home that he had ever known.

Keith Elkins, PhD, and his daughter, Julie, during a visit to Hephzibah Home in 2007.

“I treasure the gift Hephzibah gave me, which wa s the gift of hope.”

KEITH ELKINS

Chamber bounces back in 2022

Events returned and so did the customers

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

The Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, like the businesses it suppor ts, had lots of challenges during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, but increasing income, participation and membership in 2022 revealed that the Chamber has survived the “hur ricane” and is mostly back to nor mal. This past year was a good one for the events the Chamber sponsored.

The 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade attracted the biggest crowd since the event’s ince ption — estimates of attendance vary between 5,000 and 7,000 people lining Madison Street.

“The purpose of our main events,” explained Laurie Kokenes, the Chamber’s executive director, “is to keep Forest Park’s name at the forefront and drive traf fic and business to town.”

“It is the best day of the year for Angelo’s and Shor tstop [both located on Madison Street],” repor ted Mar ty Sorice, owner of several bars in town. “But, it’s more than the increased revenue. It’s knowing that we are an inte gral part of making a fun event occur. My staf f always looks forward to it so much.”

“The Spring Wine Walk,” said Kokenes, “was the most well attended wine walk ever We had to stop selling tickets at 450.”

The Chamber’s annual meeting, held this year on May 11, is a one-of-a-kind event that reveals much about Forest Park’s unpretentious character It’s held in what amounts to a barn on the property owned by McAdam Landscaping. Restaurants bring food and drink to share, and businesses donate items for the auction.

Participants remarked how good it was to be to gether in person after the restrictions imposed by the state because of the pandemic. Kokenes said, “There’s just a good community feel at this event. The annual meeting is meant to highlight the Chamber to a point — but the main objective is to celebrate and thank our members, the village, park, library — all of whom work to gether to make this community great.”

Seventeen teams participated in the 10th Annual Casket

Race, Oct. 22, held on Beloit Avenue Trophies were awarded to the winning teams, but also to the team that came in “dead last.” The event attracted thousands to Forest Park as well as a re porting team from WGN-TV

The Chamber rode momentum from its previous events into the Fall Wine Walk on Nov. 5. Just like its counter part in the spring, the Fall Wine Walk also had higher-than-average attendance by Forest Park residents as well as out-oftowners.

Fred Bryant who owns Accents by Fred shared that his wife, Anne, sold close to 100 of her handmad e, one-of-a-kind greeting cards and his shop was packed. Getting into the spirit of the walk, Bryant dressed up in a Grinch costume which was a hit with children.

In 2020 during the lockdown, no events were planned and last year only the Casket Races and the Holiday Walk were held, which significantly reduced the Chamber’s income, but this year revenues are up by 55% due to a full schedule of fundraising events, plus the gr eater - than-expected suppor t of business owners and residents who have been renewing their memberships. Membership has increased by 26% since before the pandemic be g an.

Kokenes said it really does take a village to make events like those the Chamber sponsors successful.

“I worked with The Park who allowed parking spaces for the car riages,” she explained, “the police de par tment who escor ted horses and car riages from The Park to Madison Street the night of the walk, public works providing extra help They make our job so much easier Everyone is so cooperative and easy to work with.

Kokenes summed up how she felt about the year in business now coming to a close and the whole community: “On the way home from the Holiday Walk, all I could think of was how for tunate we are to be pa rt of such a generous and suppor tive community. When there’s a need or problem to solve, everyone ste ps up to the plate without hesitation: police and fire de par tments, public works, mayor, commissioners, park district, business owners, residents and more.”

OB ITU AR Y

Shirley Hamilton, 91 St. Bernardine parishioner

Shirley Ann (Nemmers) Hamilton, 91, of Oak Park, died on Dec. 5, 2022. Bor n on May 30, 1931 in Por tsmouth, Virginia at the Por tsmouth Naval Hospital, her family moved to Iowa and around 1937 to Nor th Carolina where she spent the next 18 years. In 1955, she met the love of her life, Robert M. Hamilton, who was serving in the military. After a shor t few months, they were mar ried in Raleigh, in August of 1955 and moved to Chicago, eventually settling in Oak Park in 1968.

The Maple Park neighborhood in Oak Park, and St. Ber nardine Parish in Forest Park became the center of the universe for raising and nur turing their 11 children. She volunteered as minister of communion and served on Mother’s and Women’s Clubs for years. She spent many happy years in Oak Park although they also experienced the loss of son and brother, John, in a tragic accident.

In the next phase of her life, she became mother inlaw, grandma, and great grandma to many. She loved the baptisms, communions, bir thdays and weekly visits in her home from her new extended families.

She came from a large family of nine, and she maintained relations through long, long-distance phone calls and occasional visits. They shared a sense of humor and the ability to tell a story. She often refer red to Nor th Carolina as home.

In later years, she became secretary at St. Ber nardine Grade School. She felt for tunate to be able to positively impact many children and their family’s lives.

She made friends easily among neighbors, fellow parishioners and those at work

Shirley leaves behind her children, Mary Grif fith (Rober t), Catherine O’Leary (John), Margaret Bar ry (Jack), Elizabeth Allabastro (Paul), Robert Hamilton (Bridget), William Hamilton (Gretchen), Peter Hamilton (Laura), Ellen Hamilton (Steve Glinke), Michael Hamilton (Lisa), Matt Hamilton (Jackie), along with 31 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Robert Nemmers, Raymond Nemmers, Catherine Booth, Karen Jackson and Michael Nemmers, and she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert M. Hamilton (2010); her son, John Stephen (1975); her brother, Peter Nemmers; and her sisters, Elizabeth De Angelis and Evelyn Szuchan.

Visitation was held on Dec 10 at St. Ber nardine Church, 7246 Har rison, Forest Park IL 60130, followed by the funeral Mass and inter ment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

Shanel Romain/Sta Photographer

Bonnie Doolin and Barbara Hosty, both of Forest Park, enjoy the Spring Wine Walk and shop along Madison Street in 2022.

Man ashes gun while trying to get his car from Nobs Towing

A 40-year-old Morris man tried to get his car out ofNobs Towing tow yard, 1510 Hannah Ave., without paying the fee, alle gedly threatening employees with a gun.

The alle ged offender came to Nobs on Dec 8 at 4:04 a.m. to get his grey 2008 Chevrolet Silverado, which was towed by the Stickney Police Department earlier that night. After the employees told him he had to pay a fee, telling him that there was a nearby ATM where he could get cash, the man became upset. He asked whether he could get some personal property from the car, and the employees replied that they couldn’t allow that due to company policy

The alle ged offender smashed the front window with his fist, shattering it. One of the employees said he was calling the police. The man started walking away, but the employees advised him to stay put. The alle ged offender turned around and pointed a gun toward them.

The man subsequently told the police that he pulled out a gun because one ofthe employees was coming at him with a baseball bat. Said employee acknowledged having a bat but denied that he tried to approach the man.

The alle ged offender left, but the police caught up with him a few blocks away and he sur rendered without incident. He was charged with one count of criminal damage to property and released on I-bond

Fraud prevention scam

A woman had $3,600 stolen by a man

claiming to be part ofher bank’s fraud prevention service.

On Nov. 7 at 4:58 p.m., the victim received a text purporting to report a suspicious Walmart transaction. A man claiming to represent Citibank’s fraud department then called her, saying that, in order to reverse the fraudulent charge, she would need to transfer money from her savings account into a checking account.

The victim asked about his employee ID number, the scammer said that he was calling from the Citibank customer service number. The number on the caller ID matched said number, but he could have spoofed it

The scammer asked her to transfer $2,500 using the Zelle digital payment application. Leery, the victim transfer red $25, then the $2,500.

The victim then received a notification from Citibank for a fraudulent $3,600 transfer. She filed the report with the real fraud department, but her claim was denied because she used her own credentials to log into Zelle. The victim requested a police report as part of the appeal.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Dec 5-9, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

Compiled by Igor Studenkov

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ter tower on the nearby CTA rail yard and re placing lead pipes. The Illinois General Assembly can extend TIFs for 12 years, but the extension must first be approved by all of the af fected local taxing bodies.

On Dec 8, Forest Park Village Administrator Moses Amidei made the village’s case to the Forest Park School District 91 Board of Education – the first of several such presentations he planned to make to taxing bodies. He said many of those projects may not come to pass or may not require TIF funding – in which case, the

Over the years, the Brown Street Station TIF was used for a number of projects – most recently, the re painting of Forest Park’s nor th water tower.

During the village council ’s June 27 budget workshop, Amidei argued the village should extend it – but the commissioners didn’t settle the matter at the time.

Amidei told the school board that he presented to them first because he felt District 91 had the most at stake. School districts get the largest share of local property tax revenue, and, unlike Proviso Township High School District 209, District 91 gets all of its property tax revenue from Forest Park

According to the presentation and Amidei’s letter to the district, since the Brown/ Harlem TIF was established, the Equalized

to rebuild the railroad bridge that car ries CTA and Metra trains over Harlem Avenue to allow taller trucks to pass through and improve traf fic flow Amidei said the village already set aside $2.5 million in Brown Street TIF revenue for that purpose, but he expects that the project would cost at least $10 million.

He said that he doesn’t expect Union Pacific, which owns the Metra tracks, to pay for the project, but he does expect the Illinois De par tment of Transportation to chip in, since Harlem Avenue is a state highway.

“It’s my hope, as the years go on, we won’t have to pay anything, that we can get the grants, that we can get the feds to pay, that we can get the state [to pay],” he said, adding that it was possible “that the village may have some exposure.”

Amidei re peatedly emphasized there is a lot of uncer tainty about whether many of those projects would even happen, and that the village doesn’t plan to hoard the money if they don’t pan out.

“If a lot of these projects don’t pan out or may be cheaper than anticipated, we may consider a declaration or sur plus, retur n those moneys back to the taxing bodies.” he said.

The declaration of sur plus would send whatever money was collected at the time and not committed to a specific project back to the taxing bodies

District 91 board members ag reed they wanted to analyze the numbers before deciding one way or another.

“This is, as you said, a big ask,” said

village would refund the school district’s share of the money The board declined to commit one way or another, saying they needed to do their own financial analysis to see if they could af ford to lose the higher tax revenue it would otherwise receive if the TIF expires.

When a TIF is created, the amount of tax revenue taxing bodies receive is frozen – in Brown/Harlem TIF’s case, at 2000 levels The extra property tax revenue – the increment — gets de posited into a TIF fund, where it can be used for development-related costs TIFs nor mally last for 23 years, but they can be extended.

Assessed Values for the properties – one of the factors used to calculate property tax revenue, more than doubled, going from around $5.2 million to around $12.2 million.

Forest Park estimates that, out of $722,866 the village got in TIF revenue in 2020, the most recent revenue year, $272,663 would have gone to District 91.

Amidei said that, overall, the school district accounts for 38% of the tax bill.

Amidei said Forest Park is looking to fund the local share on two major transitrelated projects that have been major longter m priorities for the village It wants to team up with Oak Park and River Forest

The village is also looking to demolish the CTA-owned water tower, which both Amidei and Mayor Rory Hoskins have described as an “eyesore.” During the Nov. 28 village council meeting, Hoskins said the CTA was willing to discuss the matter. Amidei told the District 91 board that the transit agency hasn’t committed any funds.

Forest Park is also considering using TIF revenues to help re place the lead water pipes within the district boundaries, pay for building improvement grants for businesses within the TIF and suppor t future redevelopment of the Forest Park CVS location, which closed Aug. 13, 2021.

“I think we definitely need more time to process this and connect to our attor ney about the implications of this.”

Tyler also noted the village council would need to declare a sur plus, “So we would need to rely on people to make that decision.”

She said the board would try to make the decision in January, but she couldn’t promise that.

“I mean, with all due respect — if we’re not ready in January, we’re not ready in January,” Tyler said.

Kyra Tyler, District 91 board president.

Village of FP TIF Distric t Extension Request

Christmas 2022

Pageant, December 18, 10:30

Night, December 20, 7pm

Eve, 5pm

The Catholic Parishes of Ascension - St. Edmund and St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy and St. Giles welcome you to our Advent and Christmas prayers!

The Parish of Ascension - St. Edmund

Advent Prayer Under the Wreath

Wednesdays, December 14 and December 21, 7:00 pm at Ascension Church

Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 17

5:00 pm at Ascension Church (Confessions at 4:00 –4:45 pm) 5:30 pm at St. Edmund Church (Confessions at 4:30 pm) Sunday, December 18

8:00 am and 10:30 am at Ascension Church 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church

Christmas Eve Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 24

3:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Schola at Ascension Church 4:30 pm Mass with the St. Edmund Choir at St. Edmund Church

5:30 pm Mass with the Ascension Choristers and String Ensemble at Ascension Church 10:30 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church

11:00 pm Mass during the Night with the Ascension Choir at Ascension Church - Carols begin at 10:30 pm

The Nativity of the Lord, Christmas Day, Mass Times and Locations: Sunday, December 25 8:00 am at Ascension Church 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church

Advent Circle Garden - a meditative prayer experience, open to all McDonough Hall on the St. Giles Campus, 1101 Columbian Avenue, 2nd Floor

Sunday, December 18, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm

Monday, December 19, 4:00 – 9:00 pm (Prayer Service at 7:00 pm)

Tuesday, December 20, 7:30 – 9:00 pm Wednesday, December 21, 7:30 – 9:00 pm

Fourth Sunday of Advent Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 17

4:30 pm at St. Giles Church, 5:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church Sunday, December 18

8:00 am and 10:30 am at St. Giles Church, 9:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

Christmas Eve Mass Times and Locations: Saturday, December 24

3:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St. Giles Church

4:00 pm Mass with Children’s Gospel at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church 5:00 p.m.

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena - St. Lucy and St. Giles

Advent and Christmas Services at Grace Lutheran Church

Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday, December 18

Two services of Holy Communion 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Longest Night

Wednesday, December 21

On the longest night of the year, we will gather around the light of the Christ Child for quiet, contemplative worship. If you are coping with grief and loss or simply need some quiet time, come to this service of quiet song and prayer. All are welcome.

7:00 p.m.

Christmas Eve Saturday, December 24

Two children-led services with music

4:15 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

A service of Holy Communion 8:00 p.m.

A candlelight service of Holy Communion 10:45 p.m. Prelude music at 10:30 p.m.

Christmas Day Sunday, December 25

A service of Holy Communion in celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord 10:00 a.m.

7300 Division Street, River Forest, Illinois, 60305 gracechurch@graceriverforest.org 708-366-6900

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF OAK PARK

Sunday, December 18

A Concert of Holiday Favorites 4:30 pm

Featuring Julian Davis Reid on piano and vocalist Tramaine Parker sharing religious and secular favorites with a gospel and jazz air! Free-will o ering to be received to support Housing Forward in their mission to end homelessness in western Cook County.

Monday, December 19

Blue Christmas Observance 6 - 8 pm Not feeling “merry and bright” this holiday season? Join us for this special gathering which will be during our normal prayer and praise time. The sanctuary and chapel will be open for private prayer and meditation starting at 6 pm. At 6:30, the Pastor will lead prayers and scripture reading in a service of hope for the heavy hearted. You are not alone.

Saturday, December 24

Christmas Eve 6:00 pm

Welcome the newborn king! Our Christmas Eve service starts at 6 pm and will feature our diverse music ministry (including traditional pipe organ, handbells, choir, contemporary and gospel selections by our Praise Team) during our candle-light service.

Sunday, December 25

Christmas Day 10:00a

Merry Christmas! Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Join us for casual worship on this special Sunday!

Grandson of Oak Leaf Laundry owner wants iconic sign

Historical Society interested as well

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

While most people associate the “Oak Leaf ” neon sign with the Oak Leaf lounge, the sign actually goes back to the first business to open at 7412 Harrison St. — Oak Leaf Laundry.

The historic photos of the business show “Launderers Cleaners” written in smaller, blocky letters under neath the larger “Oak Leaf.” When the owner of the neighboring Pines restaurant bought the building, he tur ned the laundry into the lounge and kept the upper portion of the sign.

The Park District of Forest Park, which bought the site last spring, demolished the entire building in November, but it kept the sign. The Forest Park Historical Society expressed interest in the sign, but so did Albert Reda, grandson of the Oak Leaf Laundry owner, also named Al Reda. He told the Review that he wants to restore the sign to its original form, but he would keep it for himself.

According to a retrospective published in the Aug. 2, 1956 issue of the Review, when the elder Reda moved to Forest Park in 1921, he opened an auto repair shop, and later added a radio store. The business did “fair” until the onset of the Great Depression.

Reda was struggling to make ends meet until his friend, who owned a laundry, advised him to get into the industry as well. Oak Leaf operated at 716 Desplaines Ave. between 1933 to 1938, before moving to Harrison Street for more space. In 1950, that space was expanded as Oak Leaf got into the dry-cleaning business

The Review reported that in 1956, Oak Leaf employed “85 men, women and girls,” including eight delivery drivers to pick up and deliver laundry to the neighboring suburbs. It ear ned around $500,000 a year — roughly $5.5 million in today’s dollars.

The younger Reda told the Review that, after his grandfather died in 1968, his parents continued to operate the Oak Leaf as dry cleaners. They sold it to Rich Navratil, owner of the neighboring Pines Lobster and Steak House, and offered to let them keep the sign. The newly minted Oak Leaf Lounge opened on March 15, 1983.

The park district acquired the properties

on Harrison Street in order to build a new indoor recreational facility. While the details are still being fine-tuned, the district decided to demolish the now-vacant buildings because they were a legal liability.

Reda said he is interested in restoring the sign to its original form and putting it up in his “mancave.” He said that, if the historical society does get the sign, he would be willing to trade his grandfather’s old photo film archives, which capture notable events such

as the Forest Park Centennial Parade, along with printing blocks for Oak Leaf Laundry advertisements.

Reda said he’s going to “try his best” to ge the sign — though he’s not sure whether he’ go as far as legal action.

“There would not be the Oak Leaf sign, riod, if it wasn’t for my family,” he said. it holds some historical value, me being of the last living descendants, I would think that I would have a [claim] on it also.”

If you do, you should know how important foot care is. Over time, diabetics risk developing foot complications. When the nerves are damaged from chronic high blood sugar, feet can become numb or painful with burning or tingling. is is called diabetic neuropathy. When diabetes a ects the arteries, circulation to the legs and feet may be compromised. Either of these conditions may lead to serious problems including ulceration, even amputation.

e key to prevention is early diagnosis of diabetes, and regular foot exams from a podiatrist. Diabetics who receive regular foot care, including paring of calluses and debridement of thick fungal toenails, are almost four times less likely

to undergo an amputation than those who do not seek treatment.

Medicare and some private insurances cover 1 pair of diabetic shoes and 3 pair of protective insoles each calendar year. Dr. Lambert has been a supplier of diabetic shoes since 2002. e shoes come in 30 di erent styles each for men and women. ese include boots, lightweight colorful athletic shoes, and dress shoes. Even patients who are not diabetic love the look and comfort of the footwear. Diabetic socks, slippers and compression hosiery are also available.

Protecting your feet with appropriate footgear is an important aspect of preventive care for diabetics.

The Environment is Fundamental to Equity in the Community

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is honored to be among the people and organizations nominated for Oak Park’s first-ever Green Awards. We were recognized for providing critical support for the Village of Oak Park’s Climate Ready Plan, a comprehensive and long-range plan to respond to the global climate crisis.

In our recent community needs assessment, summarized in the Community Voices report, we learned that access to green spaces was among the priorities identified by underrepresented communities in our region. Urban green spaces — such as parks, forest preserves, sports fields and gardens — give people room for relaxation, physical activity, peaceful reflection and escape from summer heat. Multiple studies have shown that they reduce stress and enhance both mental and physical health. Through its PlanItGreen initiative, the Foundation has provided funding for extensive outreach to Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) and low-to-moderate income residents and youth to provide input into the development of the Climate Ready Plan. Consultant Sydney Jackson reached out to BIPOC organizations, established affinity groups with Village Sustainability Coordinator

Marcella Bondie, and conducted outreach to youth via It’s Our Future and other avenues. Additional outreach includes a “house party” strategy to engage BIPOC residents and those living in low- to moderate-income apartments to take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities linked to the plan.

PlanItGreen has also worked beyond Oak Park and River Forest to support communities in the west Cook County region with initiatives around greenhouse gas emissions reductions, equity and sustainability. To date the project has supported the Village of Broadview with its Solar Corridor initiative; the development of an Illinois Solar for All community solar array in Maywood; and analysis of Bethel New Life buildings in Austin for potential solar arrays. In addition, PlanItGreen collaborated on the development of the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4) with 15 mayoral commitments designed to drive climate, equity and sustainability outcomes in black, brown and white communities in west suburban Cook County.

The Foundation’s mission is focused on uniting community members and mobilizing resources to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents

of west Cook County. Advocating for increased access to green space is just one of the many ways we are working to create a world in which all members of our community have the ability to thrive and prosper. Join us in this work by making a donation to the Foundation today.

Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation • oprfcf.org

Together, we’ve got this.

true…just ask the many foster children who have found their forever family with the help of Hephzibah Children’s Association.

For Oak Park resident Molly Hamilton, her decision to foster children through Hephzibah was simple: she had love to give, space in her life, and there was a need. Becoming a foster parent as a single, working woman may sound difficult, but for parents like Molly, Hephzibah offers an enormous amount of support to ensure a successful foster experience.

After fostering 20 children over 6 years, Molly decided to adopt not one, but two children in her care, who happen to be sisters. Molly believes, as we do, that there will never be a more opportune time to help than this very moment, and potential foster parents shouldn’t wait.

Hephzibah offers support to foster families by providing 24/7 crisis support, intensive training, childcare during emergencies, monthly parents-night-out events, info sessions and training, sibling summer camp and more. In order to provide these services, we need your support.

We are dedicated to helping the families we work with navigate their journey of fostering and adoption. We tell each foster family the same thing we tell each child placed in our care. We say: “We’ve got this”, and so do you.

Discover the power of giving. Whether it be by learning more about what how to become a foster parent, or by making a donation, you can be the reason a child thrives.

Donate today: www.hephzibahhome.org/donate-now

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together has been helping families in Chicago’s Austin community by connecting them to resources that improve their lives. Your support means this important work can continue!

Austin families deserve to thrive. Show them you care. Donate to ACT today!

AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares

OPINION

Voogd runs on transparency

Forest Park Commissioner Jessica Voogd has announced her plan to run for re-election in the April municipal election. Her platform, as outlined in a front-page story today by Igor Studenkov, is transparency.

We are all in on that.

While Forest Park has made progress over the past four years under the leadership of Mayor Rory Hoskins, it has clung to secretive governing habits that have limited the village over multiple decades. That proclivity is driven by the mayor, who controls the agenda and has the greatest influence within village hall.

Voogd was frank in her interview in detailing frustrations with this behind-closed-doors approach to local gover nance. Most recently she was unhappy that Hoskins polled village commissioners privately for their views on increasing salary ranges for depar tment heads at village hall. Hoskins avoided the Open Meetings Act with this approach, but he also missed the chance to articulate the worthy goal of boosting compensation for women in leadership posts who have been historically under paid. This was a discussion that could certainly have taken place at a public meeting.

We have objected to Hoskins’ behind-the-cur tains ef fort to move all municipal facilities to an abandoned military facility on Roosevelt Road. Talk about a project that needs vetting and a strategic plan, this would be it.

We’ve been gladdened by the work of Voogd and Commissioner Maria Maxham to finally get a credible public planning process in place for the village-owned Altenheim property. That happened despite Hoskins’ impulse toward secrecy.

We see active ef for ts at transparent gover nment to be a sign of confidence and inclusion, which ought to be primary goals for this village gover nment. Good for Voogd to be leading on this issue.

Out of nowhere, a TIF extension

Elsewhere in today’s Review, we have a story about Village Administrator Moses Amidei being dispatched to pitch other local gover nments on the previously publicly undiscussed idea of extending the Brown/Harlem TIF for another 12 years

He made a detailed presentation last week to the school board at the District 91 public elementary schools. That board rightly said it needed time to discuss a plan that would continue to divert increases in property taxes within this TIF district for a dozen more years, over and above the initial 23-year ter m of the TIF

Ag ain, where was the public discussion by the village council of the pros and cons of this notable ask? Odd that we need to re port the details of this village plan by covering a school board meeting.

Amidei will continue to pitch each local taxing body on this request. If they unanimously sign on, then the village will use its strong Springfield ties to get the le gislative OK necessary to extend a TIF.

Forest Park’s village gover nment needs to do much better than this skulking around on critical issues that impact taxpayers.

Lights, please

It star ts just after Halloween now. You’ve noticed, right? A few lights in stores, a jolly Santa standee, a little shakeup in the playlist of four or five radio stations, and it star ts. Earlier than ever come the reminders of what’s coming, and thus earlier than ever my least favorite thing about my most favorite holiday be gins: People bitching about Christmas. Here’s some ammunition to help you argue of f the joyless, humorless, and uncreative.

“Christmas star ts too early!”

Are you kidding me? Whaddayawant, more time to savor the weather? We should star t the hype the first time the temperature drops below 40 de grees as far as I’m concer ned. January, February and March are bleak and hor rible, and so would November and December be without twinkly lights and eggno g. Why anyone complains about anything that brings color and light to two months of grey free zingness is beyond me. Not only would I like to see Christmas star t earlier, I’d like to see it last longer. I’d be very happy moving Christmas to March and having music and lights run through till spring training.

“It ’s too religious/not religious enough!”

Here is what I would like for Christmas this year: I would like all those of you who complain about Christmas being too inclusive and those of you who complain about Christmas being too exclusive to pair of f. You all share a common interest in imposing your viewpoint on others, so this should be easy. Find your opposite number, pair of f, and argue about theolo gy, in private and with that person only, until Dec. 26.

This is an everybody-wins scenario: You both get to jump up and down and shout at someone about religion and the rest of us can go about being happier without either of you.

“It ’s too commercial!”

All you people tutting “tHe tRuE mEaNiNg Of cHrIsTmAs hAs BeEn LoSt!” in the face of rampant consumerism are talking out of your butts Let’s get something straight. Christmas as a fun day is not a new development. Christmas has been about gettin’ stuf f since Day One. Witness: “And when they were come into the house,

they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and rshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts: gold, and frankin, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11) at is quite literally chapter and rse on Christmas, and those 40 rds that are the final authority on what is and is not “Christmas” specifically mention:

■ Presents

■ Spoiling children

■ Product placement

■ Celebrity endorsements

And obliquely reference:

■ Getting drunk with friends and coworkers

■ Holiday par ties

■ Gift competitiveness

■ House guests

Fur ther more, if you include Matthew 2:10, “They were over joyed at seeing the star,” you can add “displays of light” to the list of things that have been part of Christmas since the day Christmas was invented

So stuf f it about Christmas being too much about lights, parties, and presents. Christmas has always been about lights, par ties, and presents

So bring it on. All the best things about Christmas. Bring on a million tiny lights. Bring on eggnog and mulled wine and hot cider. Bring on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story and Gremlins. Bring on the Jingle Cats and Bootsy Collins’ Christmas album and holiday hip-hop and A Very Techno Christmas. Bring on cheese logs and chocolate Santas and cookies. Bring on lines for Santa and giftwrap for charity and mobbed malls. Bring on Santa hats and reindeer antler headbands and neckties with wreaths on them. Bring on trees: real, artificial, and really artificial. Bring on the glass ball or naments and hundred-foot tinsel garlands and HAPPY HOLIDAYS written in 10-foot light-up letters. Bring on the of fice par ties where somebody was dumb enough to bring mistletoe and the family time where somebody was dumb enough to bring wine. Bring on Frosty and Alvin and Rudolph and that sanctimonious twit Linus. All of it.

For the g rinches among you … patience. It’ ll be February soon enough.

MELISSA

ELSMO

Food Writer

SPONSORED CONTENT

Festive fare and holiday dishes at Donny G’s

Elmwood Park eatery ready to help you celebrate in style

As the holidays draw near, hungry folks looking to gather around the table often turn to the hearty homestyle dishes that make the season bright.

Donny G’s Ristorante and Bar, 7308 W. North Ave., brings fine dining fare with an Italian flair to Elmwood Park. Their refined menu of appetizers, pastas, and seafood shines during this merry time of year.

George Diamond is eager to welcome guests into the restaurant located on the threshold of Restaurant Row in Elmwood Park and personally promises to make “your time at Donny G’s the best” it can be. The mainstay restaurant has made a name for itself by serving simple Italian home-style fare and offering regular musical entertainment. They have grown to be known for serving up cocktails from two top shelf cocktail bars and offering space for both private events and intimate meals. And now they are poised to bring a festive feel to your holi-

day meals by offering on-site dining and catering.

Diamond assures his friendly and accommodating staff will make any visit to Donny G’s feel like a special event and his trio of chefs are whipping up a diverse array of Italian American specialties based on old world family recipes. He recommends starting your meal with an order of their best-selling artichoke hearts. They serve up the popular appetizers by the hundreds during the annual Taste of Elmwood Park and serve them six to an order in house. The olive oil packed hearts are stuffed with breadcrumbs and Parmesan and served in a lemon butter sauce. This is knife and fork fare worthy of a special occasion.

Pasta lovers can commune over a bowl of four corners pasta featuring rigatoni with mushrooms, peas and sausage in a light tomato cream sauce. The offering is among the most popular on a menu of favorites that includes mellow pasta blanca, spicy penne arrabbiata, and niche neck bone gravy.

“All of our pastas are delicious,” said Diamond.

“But if you want to try the one that Donny G’s is best known for, the four corners rigatoni is the one you want.”

Bonnie and Kim will be performing live at Donny G’s on Dec. 23 and the restaurant is open with limited hours on Christmas Eve. Call the restaurant for a reservation. In addition, Diamond was quick to point out how easy it is to host your own “Feast of the Seven Fishes” with support from Donny G’s. Their robust catering menu includes seabass, whitefish, clams, shrimp and lobster dishes suitable for making a Christmas Eve seafood celebra-

George Diamond, general manager at Donny G’s takes pride in his staff, loyal customers and menu of traditional Italian dishes.

Four corners pasta is an indulgent favorite at Donny G’s in Elmwood Park. Whitefish as served at Donny G’s with lemon butter sauce.

tion with ease.

“We easily have hundreds of catering orders for the holidays,” said Diamond. “We can still take more and look forward to helping people have a memorable meal.”

Known for great food, thoughtful service and a welcoming atmosphere, Donny G’s is a delight any time of year, but their fes-

tively decorated dining room offers a little something extra during the holiday season. If you’re looking for some Christmas cheer, you’ll find it at Donny G’s in Elmwood Park.

Happy holidays from George Diamond and the entire staff at Donny G’s!

FOREST P ARK

Repor ter Igor Studenkov

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing & Technology Manager Briana Higgins

Contributing Repor ters Tom Holmes, John Rice, Bob Skolnik, Jackie Glosniak, Robert J. Li a

Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes, John Rice

Big Week Editor James Porter

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

S ales and Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Marc Stopeck, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

S ales & Digital Development Manager Stacy Coleman

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Board of Directors

Chair Judy Gre n

Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, 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

© 2022 Growing Community Media NFP

To every tree there is a season

Scotty the pine tree stood on the front lawn of a Forest Park home

Standing near him were Sugar the maple tree and an apple tree named Adam. It was spring and the wind blew very cold. It rained constantly. Sugar and Adam stood in mud. But Scotty stayed war m and dry, wearing his winter coat and standing on a carpet of soft brown needles

Soon green buds popped up on Sugar and Adam’s branches. The buds on Sugar grew seedlings with wings and the air was filled with propellers spinning to the ground. Adam grew white flowers that fell of f when his apples started to grow. Scotty just stood there, looking the same as always, wearing his old green coat

One war m day, the three kids who lived in the house banged out the front door. They rushed past Scotty and hung a tire from one of Sugar’s branches. As they pushed the swing, Sugar’s ar m rocked gently up and down.

The kids didn’t go near Scotty. They were afraid of his sharp needles and his branches were too skinny to climb. They loved climbing Adam’s sturdy branches. He felt like a

father when he held them in his strong arms. When the kids sat up high like that, they felt like they were in an airplane

That summer, Sugar grew green five-pointed leaves. She swayed gracefully in the cool breeze, while Scotty stood still in his winter coat, feeling hot and dry For Scotty, the summer seemed to last forever. As autumn came, Sugar’s leaves hanged to a soft yellow-green. he showed off her new colors. Sug ar asked, “Scotty, why don’t you change that old green coat?”

“I can’t,” said Scotty, shaking his tree top sadly.

“Why don’t you grow some juicy apples?” Adam asked, “Then the kids will climb up to pick them.”

“I can only grow these old brown things,” Scotty said, waving his pinecones.

“Yuck,” Adam said, “Who would want to eat those?”

“Why not make syrup like I do,” said Sugar. “People can pour it on their pancakes.”

“The only thing I can make is … turpentine,” he replied.

As autumn came, Sugar’s leaves tur ned to gold. The autumn winds blew harder. Sugar

A L OOK BA CK IN TIME

danced wildly in the wind, showing off her new colors. The kids sat with their backs against Adam, munching on apples. Their eyes seemed to be dreaming, the fruit was so juicy and sweet. They picked up Sugar’s leaves and brought the prettiest ones inside to show their parents.

When it tur ned cold, Sugar’s leaves fell like snow. Her branches became bare Adam was also losing his leaves and his apples were gone. The family raked Sugar and Adam’s leaves into a big pile. The kids jumped in over their heads. They took down the tire swing. The kids didn’t play with the trees anymore. Sugar and Adam’s naked branches shivered in the cold.

Soon the snow fell. Scotty’s dark green branches kept his trunk war m. But Sugar and Adam were freezing. The kids ran around in the yard picking up Scotty’s pinecones. Their dad sawed off a few of Scotty’s branches. Soon, Scotty saw a circle of his branches hanging on the front door. It was decorated with pinecones and a big red bow.

Then the parents came out with a long cord with lights on it. They wrapped the cord around and around Scotty. When they tur ned on the lights, Scotty was suddenly wearing a shining coat of many colors. The kids laughed and pointed

Scotty the pine tree was the biggest and brightest Christmas tree they ever had.

Merry Christmas in Leatherland

The grand opening of Leatherland at the Forest Park Mall was celebrated just in time for the Christmas rush. This photo from Dec 21, 1988 features the ribbon-cutting ceremony by Leatherland’s general manager, Paul Campagna (pictured left), Forest Park property manager Wayne Holler, and sales manager Rayvon Shelton (right). The Forest Park Mall (7600 W. Roosevelt Road) was buzzing with activity in the 1980’s, boasting photos with Santa, Deb fashion, Splendiferous ear piercing, Great Expectations haircuts and perms, Spencer (who had Cabbage Patch Dolls), Lausanne Jewelry, Mazzone’s Italian ice, Fashion Bug, Video Vision movie rentals, CPI one-hour photos, the Jacket Rack, Aunt Diana’s Chocolate, and Kinney, the Great American Shoe Store.

Jill Wagner

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,

HELP WANTED

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

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Administrative Assistant in the Public Health Department. This position provides a variety of responsible administrative and analytical functions; records and monitors department budget and fiscal requirements of grant-funded programs; oversight of Accounts Payable process; prepares reports and serves as a resource for computerized office applications. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

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.

Associate, Database Administrator (ABN AMRO Clearing Chicago LLC, Chicago, IL - F/T) Provide support for a highly available global SQL Server envrmt; troubleshoot time sensitive production issues in a timely manner. Rqts: Bach deg or foreign equiv in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, or a rel fld + 4 yrs of progressively resp exp in the position offd or as a D/base Administrator, D/base Analyst, or a rel position. Employer will accept a Master’s deg in the stated field of study in meeting the Bach deg reqmt. Employer will accept pre- & postMaster’s deg exp. Must have 4 yrs of progressively resp exp w/all of the following: Ensuring stable operation, performance, & availability of production MS SQL Server envrmts through proactive monitoring, maintenance, & mgmt; Supporting & dsgng data warehouse load, master data mgmt, & data quality control processes; Installing & configuring SQL Servers, AlwaysOn Availability Groups, Virtual Machines, & PhysicaL servers according to specs & best practices; Performing code reviews to troubleshoot & optimize T-SQL code & proposing data structure; & able to create stored procedures; Configuring & managing SQL-specific monitoring tools to provide high availability to all the d/bases being managed; Configuring & managing SQL backups & restorations of data as reqd; Dsgng & administering of remote (global) disaster recovery d/base envrmts to incl clustering of servers; & Upgrading d/base envrmts w/ very minimal downtime. To apply, email resume to DL-AACB-CH-Recruitment@abnamroclearing.com & indicate job title. EOE

Schools

Qualifications:

• Valid Illinois Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Psychology.

• Prefer at least 5 years of successful educational experience in both general and special education; and at least five years of successful experience in evaluating students, collaborating, and problemsolving with school and District teams.

• Master’s Degree preferred.

Demonstrates knowledge of special education legislation and acts in accordance with those mandates; follows policies and procedures of the District. Develops and implements activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Identify and assess the learning, development, and needs of individuals and groups, as well as, the environmental factors that affect learning and school success. Uses assessment data about the

Shipping

students and their environments in developing appropriate interventions and programs. Conducts appropriate individual psychoeducational assessments for children who have or are suspected of having a disability and provides written reports of assessment results.

Participates in all staff conferences of students having received psychological evaluation or reevaluation, including hospital discharge. Provide support to special education personnel including assisting staff with development of functional behavioral analysis and behavior intervention plans, modeling “best practices” and assisting special educators with instructional practices.

For a complete list of duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment

Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org.

FINANCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Finance Coordinator. The ideal candidate will perform a wide variety of responsible and complex administrative, secretarial and clerical duties for the Finance department; and will provide information and assistance to the public regarding department to which assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled.

COMMUNITY HEALTH ADVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Community Health Advisor. The professional in this position is responsible for a variety of tasks including; promoting a safe health care environment; including health education, outreach and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications December 19, 2022.

FULL-TIME POLICE RECORDS CLERK

FOREST PARK, IL

The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Civilian Information Management Records Clerk reporting to the Lieutenant of the Criminal Investigations Division. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include excellent organizational skills, computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines,

good knowledge of English language, and adherence to all police department policies and procedures.

Responsibilities and duties include subpoena fulfilment, evidence room duties, data entries, general office functions, report creation, and other duties as needed our assigned. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Oak Park, Illinois (Chicagoland) www.collab4kids.org

Since its beginnings in 2002, the Collaboration for Early Childhood (the Collab) has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, ready to succeed and eager to learn. The Collab’s focus has always been on how much impact the organization could have on the youngest among us in the community.

The Executive Director will be charged with taking the organization into its next phase of organizational life. He/She/They will have the opportunity to leverage the organization’s expanded influence and funding, potentially beyond the state of Illinois. The Executive Director will enhance the organization’s advocacy profile and will help shape a policy agenda for early learning. He/She/ They will help expand the organization’s opportunities for revenue generation, diversification, and strategic partnerships. Most significantly, the Collab will continue to serve as one of the state’s primary thought leaders in early childhood education.

The minimum of a bachelor’s degree is required, though a master’s or advanced degree is preferred.

The salary range for this position is between $120,000 and $140,000

and will be commensurable with experience. The Collab offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to 12 paid holidays, vacation days and group health insurance, as well as a retirement plan.

It is the policy of the Collaboration to afford equal employment opportunities regardless of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, religion, marital status, disability, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, order of protection status, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. This policy of equal employment applies to all aspects of the employment relationship, including but not limited to: initial consideration for employment; job placement and assignment of responsibilities; performance evaluation; promotion and advancement; compensation and fringe benefits; training and professional development opportunities; formulation and application of human resource policies and rules; facility and service accessibility; and discipline and termination.

Applications are being received by Kittleman & Associates, LLC. For more information or to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3tBKpLu (click on the Apply button at the bottom of the page to upload a current resume and letter of interest).

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST

River Forest Public

River Forest Public Schools, District 90 is seeking an experienced part-time School Psychologist

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

SUMMONS (Family Law)

CITACIÓN (Derecho familiar)

CASE NUMBER (NÚMERO DE CASO): HF22130927

NOTICE TO RESPONDENT (Name): AVISO AL DEMANDADO (Nombre): ANGELO C GALLARDO

You have been sued. Read the information below and on the next page.

Lo han demandado. Lea la información a continuación y en la página siguiente.

Petitioner’s name is: Nombre del demandante: MERCEDITA M. GALLARDO

You have 30 calendar days after this Summons and Petition are served on you to file a Response (form FL-120) at the court and have a copy served on the petitioner. A letter, phone call, or court appearance will not protect you.

If you do not file your Response on time, the court may make orders affecting your marriage or domestic partnership, your property, and custody of your children. You may be ordered to pay support and attorney fees and costs.

For legal advice, contact a lawyer immediately. Get help finding a lawyer at the California Courts Online SelfHelp Center (www.courts.ca.gov/ selfhelp), at the

California Legal Services website (www.lawhelpca.org), or by contacting your local county bar association.

Tiene 30 días de calendario después de haber recibido la entrega legal de esta Citación y Petición para presentar una Respuesta (formulario FL-120) ante la corte y efectuar la entrega legal de una copia al demandante. Una carta o llamada telefónica o una audiencia de la corte no basta para protegerlo.

Si no presenta su Respuesta a tiempo, la corte puede dar órdenes que afecten su matrimonio o pareja de hecho, sus bienes y la custodia de sus hijos. La corte también le puede ordenar que pague manutención, y honorarios y costos legales. Para asesoramiento legal, póngase en contacto de inmediato con un abogado. Puede obtener información para encontrar un abogado en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov), en el sitio web de los Servicios Legales de California (www.lawhelpca.org) o poniéndose en contacto con el colegio de abogados de su condado.

NOTICE—RESTRAINING ORDERS ARE ON PAGE 2: These restraining orders are effective against both spouses or domestic partners until the petition is dismissed, a judgment is entered, or the court makes further orders. They are enforceable anywhere in California by any law enforcement officer who has received or seen a copy of them.

AVISO—LAS ÓRDENES DE RE-

órdenes puede hacerlas acatar en cualquier lugar de California.

FEE WAIVER: If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee waiver form. The court may order you to pay back all or part of the fees and costs that the court waived for you or the other party.

EXENCIÓN DE CUOTAS: Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario un formulario de exención de cuotas. La corte puede ordenar que usted pague, ya sea en parte o por completo, las cuotas y costos de la corte previamente exentos a petición de usted o de la otra parte.

1. The name and address of the court are (El nombre y dirección de la corte son): SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, 24405 AMADOR STREET, HAYWARD, CA 94544 - FAMILY LAW DIVISION

2. The name, address, and telephone number of the petitioner’s attorney, or the petitioner without an attorney, are: (El nombre, dirección y número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante si no tiene abogado, son): SATNESH S. PRASAD, 607 LONGWOOD AVE., HAYWARD, CA 94541

Date (Fecha): OCT 21, 2022

CHAD FINKE, Clerk, by (Secretario, por) SARAH GOUVEIA, Deputy (Asistente)

[SEAL]

Published in the Wednesday Journal November 23, 30, December 7, 14, 2022

Public Notice

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division

In re the Marriage of: Nina Obi, Petitioner, and Innocent Obi, Respondent, Case No. 2022 D 005212.

The requisite affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Innocent Obi, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Nina Obi, for Dissolution of Marriage and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before January 4, 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.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in the Wednesday Journal December 14, 21, 28, 2022.

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

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Ryan Cavario Isom Case Number 20224005929

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Ryan Cavario Isom to the new name of: Rian Isom

The court date will be held: On January 31, 2023 at 11am at FOURTH MUNICIPAL DISTICT COURT OF COOK COUNTY 1500 MAYBROOK DRIVE, MAYWOOD, COOK COUNTY, IL via Zoom. ZOOM ACCESS CODE: 914 3462 0283 PASSWORD: 988648

Published in Wednesday Journal December 7, 14, 21, 2022

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive proposals from qualified general contractors for the Public Works Center Wash Bay Drainage Improvements Project. Proposals will be accepted at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 11:00 a.m. local time on Friday, January 13th, 2023.

Request for Proposals

Village of Oak Park Public Works Center Wash Bay Drainage Improvements Proposal Number: 22-134 Issuance Date: 12/14/22

There will be a pre-bid meeting at the Public Works Center, located at 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. Bid forms may be obtained by calling 708358-5710 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal December 14, 2022

STRICCIÓN SE ENCUENTRAN

EN LA PÁGINA 2: Las órdenes de restricción están en vigencia en cuanto a ambos cónyuges o miembros de la pareja de hecho hasta que se despida la petición, se emita un fallo o la corte dé otras órdenes. Cualquier agencia del orden público que haya recibido o visto una copia de estas

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE

HEARING DATE: January 4, 2023

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 21-21-Z

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Prosperous Platforms LLC, to operate a day care center (Baby Genius Academy) pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 326 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-08-118-0031-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical

or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

HEARING DATE: January 4, 2023

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 21-21-Z

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Prosperous Platforms LLC, to operate a day care center (Little Leaders Academy) pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 404 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-08-118-0031-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the NC Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19

outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 4, 2023. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Property Index No. 16-18-326-0020000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,513.82.

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

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

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 Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 314605.

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.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003

E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw.

com

Attorney File No. 314605 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 2022 CH 02068 TJSC#: 42-4397

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 # 2022 CH 02068 I3208865

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CASCADE FUNDING MORTGAGE TRUST HB5 Plaintiff, -v.-

UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW AND LEGATEES OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, DONNY ADAMS A/K/A DONALD ADAMS, THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES, THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF WILLIE L. ADAMS, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2021 CH 05255

cluding 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 where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021 CH 05255 I3208368

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION Nationstar Mortgage LLC Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; ARTIST SQUARE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; OLIVE MARIE RIVERA, A MINOR, BY LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR. AND ALTHEA WILLIAMS, HER GRANDPARENTS AND NEXT FRIENDS; ALTHEA WILLIAMS; LANGSTON WILLIAMS, JR.;

JULIE FOX AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF LACEY WILLIAMS AKA LACEY A. WILLIAMS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 21 CH 5815

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 Monday, January 9, 2023 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: P.I.N. 16-07-323-055-1011.

Commonly known as 1041 Susan Collins Lane, Unit 304, Oak Park, IL 60302.

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 Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W20-0232 ADC

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 6, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1152 HOME AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

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

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

806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 23, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 5, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 806 S. TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-129-0050000; 16-17-129-006-0000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $470,390.58.

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-

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 21 8680.

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.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 21 8680 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2021 CH 05255 TJSC#: 42-3674

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

intercountyjudicialsales.com I3208202

OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON F/K/A THE BANK OF NEW YORK, AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF THE CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2007-23CB MORTGAGE

PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-23CB

Plaintiff, -v.-

RORY L VALENTINE, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NA, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2022 CH 05449 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 5, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1178 S SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-18-427-0150000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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.

Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

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 le-

gal 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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

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.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-22-04053 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 05449 TJSC#: 42-3886

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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 # 2022 CH 05449 I3208571

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2016-4 US BANK

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE; Plaintiff, vs. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; ERIC STARKS, JUSTIN STARKS, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE OF THE ASPEN G3 TRUST, A DELAWARE STATUTORY TRUST; UNKNOWN OWNERS, GENERALLY AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 5335

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 Wednesday, January 4, 2023 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: P.I.N. 16-06-222-018-0000. Commonly known as 464 Lenox Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is im-

proved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 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 Mr. Matthew C. Abad at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Kluever Law Group, 225 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 236-0077. SPS001394-22FC1

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207850

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK NA AS TRUSTEE FOR WAMU MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2005-PR1 TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. MARY WOLFE; JPMORGAN CHASE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA WASHINGTON MUTUAL BANK, FA; CITY OF CHICAGO, A MUNICIPAL CORPORATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 10876

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, January 3, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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: P.I.N. 16-17-331-015-0000. Commonly known as 1028 South Austin Boulevard, Oak Park, IL 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Sale terms: 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. 21-009135

F2

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3207815

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Access to Duly Health and Care Oak Park for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare members

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Begin your journey to a healthier, happier you, call 708-745-5744 or visit: dulyhealthandcare.com/OakPark