Village Free Press 030123

Black and living with HIV/AIDS.

Documentary premieres on West Side

Can epidemic be eliminated by 2030?

By MICHELLE MEYER Austin Talks

Over 100 people gathered at Malcom X Colle ge recently – on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day – for the premiere of the Chicago Department of Public Health’s documentary “HIV and the Journey Toward Zero.”

The film, in partnership with Tessa Films, highlights six Chicagoans living with HIV/AIDS. Through their stories, the one-hour long documentary shows the history and future of HIV/ AIDS in Chicago.

City health data shows that AIDS diagnoses are at its lowest since 1985 and HIV cases rose just under 2% in 2021 from 2020. But Black Chicagoans are disproportionally affected – over half of the new AIDS diagnoses in 2021 were among Black Chicagoans.

The film, directed by Chan C. Smith, aims to highlight diverse stories of people affected by HIV while showcasing the latest treatments and CDPH’s goal to reach zero new HIV/AIDS cases by 2030.

See DOCUMENTARY on pa ge 2

Mayor Andre Harvey, trailblazer

And he has the personal scars to show for it

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Andre Harvey, mayor of Bellwood, was asked by the Proviso Township Ministerial Alliance Network (PTMAN) to speak on the subject of trailblazing at their Feb. 11 virtual Zoom meeting.

He began with a summary of his professional career in Bellwood: 2017 - elected as first Black mayor;

2010 - first Black director of public safety;

1996 - first Black fire chief;

1988 - first Black firefighter.

As impressive as his resume may have been, it was what he said in the remainder of the 15 minutes allotted to him that deeply resonated with the mostly African American online audience.

“In the movie Roots,” he began, “Kunta Kinte took of f his shirt and showed the scars on his back, so people would know how he got there. I want to tell everyone how I got here, so I’m going to take of f my shirt and show my

scars.

“Two trailblazers who came before me were my parents, who moved our family from the West Side of Chicago to Bellwood in 1969. We were the first Black family on our block.”

The U.S. Census records show that African Americans comprised 1.1% of the population of Bellwood back then. It’s now 70.5% Black. Harvey understated the impact the move had on him at 5 years old, calling the change, “a little different” and “eye opening.”

“Moving from the concrete jungle of the West Side, with its dirt lots

See TRAILBLAZER on pa ge 9

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Staff Photographer Shanel Romain

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S ales Representative and Community Engagement

Kamil Brady

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BOARD OF DIREC TORS

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Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

HOW TO REACH US

DOCUMENTARY

with HIV/AIDS”

from page 1

“We are nearing a point in time where an end to this epidemic is on the horizon,” David Kern of the Syndemic Infectious Disease Bureau said at the premier “What does it mean to end this as a person with HIV?”

During a panel discussion held after the film, HIV advocates featured in the docu-

mentary discussed their experiences living with HIV

Evany Turk said Chicago saved her life through community, housing and therapy she received while living with HIV and raising a child.

“I was so ashamed the whole pregnancy, so depressed. I didn’t want to live. It was a bad, bad time, even in the hospital giving birth to that boy. That boy is now the joy of my life,” Turk said.

Sanford E. Gaylord shared how he lost two best friends to AIDS. “What really, truly helped me was going to outpatient therapy at a place called the Gateway Foundation,” he said.

“Mental health is real. I’m Black, first.

Then I’m gay. Then I have HIV. Can you imagine living as a minority within a minority within a minority?”

Gaylord said the documentary is part one, and there will be a second documentary that focuses on a younger generation.

Dr. Cynthia Tucker of the AIDS Foundation Chicago said she works with many West Side organizations that provide HIV prevention and treatment, including the Austin Health Center, Erie Family Health Center and Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center Rush and UI Health UIC both have HIV clinics and transgender centers

Future screenings of the film will be updated at jour neytowardzero.com.

“Living

PHOTO: A USTIN TALKS

LIVING TESTAMENT: Members of the cast of the documentary answered questions a er the premiere.

House Dems’ cannabis working group will engage industry, equity advocates

Group to consider cannabis oversight commission, other industr y reforms

By NIKA SCHOONOVER Capitol News Illinois

Illinois House Democrats announced the formation of a cannabis working group last week that will aim to steer the burgeoning industry’s expansion in a business-friendly way while still satisfying the equity goals of the landmark 2019 le galization law.

The group is led by Rep. La Shawn Ford, D-Chicago, who has sponsored numerous cannabis-related bills and is an outspoken advocate for racial equity.

The working group’s main priority, according to Ford, is to make sure individuals who have invested in the newly-created industry are successful. A part of that is to address the disproportionate impact the war on drugs had on communities of color, particularly when it comes to cannabisrelated arrests

According to the ACLU, Black people in Illinois were 7.5 times more likely than white people to be ar rested for cannabis-related of fenses prior to the state’s decriminalization of the drug in 2016.

The same law that le galized recreational cannabis use in 2019 also made individuals previously charged with minor cannabis of fenses eligible to have their records expunged. At the end of 2020, Gov. Pritzker announced 492,129 cannabis-related convictions had been expunged and 9,219 lowlevel cannabis convictions had been pardoned.

The recreational cannabis law was also

designed to gi “social equity” ap plicants – or those whose ownership consists of minorities, people with drug convictions individuals hailing from disproportionately impacted ar eas – easier access to new dispensary licenses

“Our goal was make sure that those communities that were hardest hit the war on drugs actually were able benefit from this in dustry by having the ability to open up those communities and hire people from those communities view.

Ford was the sponsor of House Bill 1443 in the previous General Assembly, a measure that created 110 additional “social equity” dispensary licenses beyond the initial 75 created by the original le galization law.

Over 30 cannabis-related bills have already been filed in the current General Assembly which be gan in January, addressing areas including licensing, distribution of cannabis tax revenue and the expungement of past of fenses. The working group will comb through these measures to more ef fectively address the industry’s most pertinent issues

Illinois recorded a record-high $1.5 billion of recreational cannabis sales in Fis-

Year 2022, generating about $445 million in tax revenue Under law, 25 percent of the taxes collected from recreational cannabis sales are to go to economically distressed communities or those impacted by the war on drugs.

Fiscal Year 2022, about $115 million in tax revenue went to the state’s General venue Fund

Beyond an equity focus, Ford said the rking group will also aim to make state policy more accommodating to the industry from a sure that we le gislate with the industry because they are the investors,” Ford said. “If we could empower the businesses, it’s going to mean more revenue, and we’re going to realize what we intended for the [cannabis le galization] law to do And that is increase employment, develop communities, reduce crime in the state.”

Ford is joined on the working group by Assistant Majority Leader Marcus Evans, D-Chicago; Assistant Majority Leader Barbara Her nande z, D-Aurora; Assistant Majority Leader Bob Rita, D-Blue Island; Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview; Rep. Sonya Har per, D-Chicago; and Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield.

They’ ll work with other lawmakers, state

agencies, businesses and associations that work directly with the cannabis industry.

One of the involved organizations is the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, a statewide trade association for cannabis businesses

The association’s le gislative priorities include re-implementing curbside pickup and drive-thru services after pandemic-era measures expired, decoupling Illinois’ cannabis tax code from the federal tax code, and extending the right to work in the medical cannabis industry for those who have previous cannabis-related convictions

“Cur rently, the recreational statute allows individuals with previous drug convictions to gain access to the cannabis industry,” Pamela Althof f, executive director at the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, said in an interview. “That is prohibited in the compassionate and medical statute We’d like to see both of them mirrored.”

The Cannabis Equity Illinois Coalition, a grassroots nonprofit that advocates for cannabis-related reform, has their own priorities for the le gislative session, including expanding support for the craft grow industry, creating a singular cannabis oversight commission to streamline cannabis programs, and creating licenses for clubs and lounges so people other than homeowners are able to legally consume cannabis

“The goal is moving away from having 13-plus state agencies who are not talking to each other,” Peter Contos, deputy director of the coalition, said in an interview. “We need one cannabis body who just does all the work, similar to what the state did with the liquor commission.”

Evans and Ford have both introduced bills – House Bills 1436 and 1498 – to create a cannabis oversight commission. Contos said the coalition is cur rently trying to work with both lawmakers to reach an ag reement on the legislation.

Contos added they’re excited to be involved with the working group because it shows there’s a concerted ef fort to continue cannabis-related reforms.

“We have a long way to go in Illinois to get back to the goals we set a few years ago when we le galized [cannabis] but this is definitely the first step we need to take,” Contos said.

State Rep. La Shaw n Ford

Nobody does St. Patrick’s parades like Forest Park

And they ’re doing it this Saturday on Madison Street

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

This Saturday at 1 p.m., 75 groups, lined up on Van Buren Street, will march east on Madison Street to Elgin Avenue, and up to 7,000 residents and visitors will line the sidewalks to enjoy the procession. It’s 13 days early, but the St. Patrick’s Parade every year attracts the largest crowd of any event in the village

Crowd-pleasers in the parade will be the Proviso East Marching Band, the Doonaree Pipe Band, the Foy Irish School of Dancing, Shriners acting like big kids as they rev their little motorcycles in the Medinah Motor Cor p. along with fellow Shriners driving their mini-cars

The fire and police depar the area never let the Chamber tive Director Laurie Kokenes advance how many units they’ ing, but she said it’s usually around fi and the firefighters and police riding in the vehicles have as wailing their sirens as the kids ing to them

Politicians hoping to cur ry win your votes will be marching, glad-handing, including Ma Hoskins and his challenger, J plus commissioner incumbents Voogd, Maria Maxham and Ry who are running for re-election challengers Ryan Russ, Michelle MelinRogovin, and Joe Landgrebe; Speaker of the House Emanuel Chris Welch; and Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. Schools, nonprofits, and many businesses have a presence walking in the parade and waving at their neighbors, making it a truly hometown event.

The Title Sponsors — businesses that support the event with donations — are O’Sullivan’s, Ironworkers Local 1, and Fiore Joining the Title Sponsors are 26 other businesses and organizations that help fund the event.

Among the reasons the Chamber of Commerce sponsors the parade is that it functions as a fundraiser for the organization. Following is the list of entry fees for the event:

Chamber Business Members $65

Non-Member Business $120

Chamber Member Not-For-Profit $50

Non-Member Not-For-Profit $65

Political $65

Individual Non-business, Residential, Families, etc. $50

The Chamber needs those funds to sustain its mission which is, in the words of Chamber President Neil Rembos, “to drive local business and connect our community Chamber events are perfect opportunities for us to showcase Forest Park’s smalltown char m and strong sense of community. With the exposure and sizeable foot traf fic our events bring to our business districts, we are confident that attendees will see what our town has to of fer and retur n in the future.”

Rembos is the owner of Crystal Carwash, located on Harlem, and therefore does not benefit directly from the exposure that businesses on Madison Street enjoy during the parade.

Nonetheless, he still invests time and energ y in the event.

“As a town,” he said, “we have created a brand of vibrant culture, local char m, and diversity. The parade benefits all businesses and the entire community as whole by further supporting our brand while increasing our exposure. We continue to host Chamber events to share our story and focus on the positive aspects of Forest Park that we all know and love.”

Kokenes added that in addition to put-

Families prepare for the parade to approach on Saturday, March 5, 2022, dur ing the Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Madison Street in downtown Forest Park

ting Forest Park on the radar screens of consumers, a lot of money is spent in town that day, especially in the bars In fact, the Chamber has gotten into the merchandising business by selling its own brand of clothing.

Up till Feb. 20, they were selling online hoodies, crew sweatshirts, T-shirts, baseball tees, beanies, pom hats, ball caps, vests, and jackets

Last year Forest Park became a park-

the time the parade p.m. Last year evspace on the side th of Madison to and south to Jackson

Skilling has predicted ather on Saturday sunny with a high bsite History.com clear that Patrick did the Guinness Brewperhaps more aswith the holiday than th Century saint.

“St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. But for all of his prevalence in culture — namely the holiday held on the day of his death that bears his name — his life remains somewhat of a mystery Although a missionary to the Emerald Isle, Patrick himself was not Irish.

“Many of the stories traditionally associated with St. Patrick, including the famous account of his banishing all the snakes from Ireland, are false, the products of hundreds of years of exaggerated storytelling.”

There will no doubt be more exaggerated storytelling during and after this Saturday’s festivities.

SHANEL ROMAIN/Staff Photographer

Forest Park celebrated St. Patrick’s Day during the village’s 25th annual parade along Madison Street in 2022.

Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer Members of the Prov iso East High School marching band perform for parade goers during the 2020 Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Madison Street.

Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer

Madison Street may get $500K streetscape makeover in Forest Park

Working to upgrade decades old streetscape elements

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

It was much like people looking in the mirror, noticing that their hair had tur ned gray and asking themselves, “When did that happen?”

Independently, Laurie Kokenes, director of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce, and Sal Stella, the village’s public works director, both noticed that although many businesses had given their storefronts facelifts, Madison Street’s own streetscape was looking old and tired after decades of incremental wear and tear

Stella be gan the makeover story by saying, “About a month or so ago, I was contacted by Laurie from the Chamber of Commerce. She had explained how she had heard some inter nal talk about talking to the village in trying to upgrade some of the aesthetics on Madison Street. ”

“I told Laurie,” he added, “that it was amazing that she wanted to pursue this because I have looked at the infrastructure and street fur niture for years and been wanting to give it a makeover. It was on my hit list of things to accomplish as director, but funding had always been an issue, especially during the pandemic.”

Kokenes said Stella’s concer n about funding seemed to be answered by the federal gover nment’s pandemic era American Rescue Plan (ARPA) which made $350 billion available to state, local and tribal gover nments be ginning in April 2022.

“When the village be gan discussing plans for use of ARPA funds,” she said, “they shared with the chamber some of the items in their preliminary plan. We had several discussions with our board, then we reached out to Mayor (Rory) Hoskins to share our ideas. Rory was very open to hearing what we had to say, and following the conversation, he connected us with Sal Stella and Ryan Nero (Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvement).”

Stella, Nero and Kokenes walked the street together to see firsthand what improvements were needed. “That walk,” Kokenes said, “made it clear that there was a good deal of work to be done along with some re gular upkeep.”

Following the walk, Stella and Nero did some brainstor ming and, along with Kokenes, came up with an initial plan which included painting the light poles, changing out the street fur niture — including trash rece ptacles, bike racks and benches — power washing the sidewalks and limestone planter caps, sealcoating the satellite parking lots and restriping them.

Stella worked with Jim Amelio from Christopher Burke Engineering, the village’s contracted engineering fir m, to get “pricing on an ar ray of improvements that could be done to the streetscape The idea of pricing went to the board and they liked it.”

Although money made available by ARPA was the initial stimulus for engaging in the project, money ultimately came from funding made available through the village’s own infrastructure plan.

Moses Amidei, village administrator, explained the details of the funding.

“On this plan, a line item for Madison Street improvements was noted at a sum of $300,000 using village VIP (Village Infrastructure Plan) funds. The village’s VIP Fund comes from two referendum approved sales tax increases: .5% in 2004 and another .5% in 2014. Generally, he said, a 1% sales tax generates about $1.9 million to $2 million per year and can only be used for infrastructure purposes.”

“As of the date of this writing,” said Am idei, “no contracts or proposals have been approved by the village council. It is quite possible that some of these items may put in motion later this spring, following village council approval.”

Stella said the improvements will enhance the experience of customers who pa tronize the shops and restaurants along the street. “It is very important,” he said “to

Triton celebrates Black History Month with performance by Roosevelt Middle School

Accessto Care & the CookCounty Department of Public Healthwork togetherto educate &protect communities against COVID-19 and flu.

Is seeing a local doctor too expensive?

¿Es demasiado caro ver a un médico local?

The Roosevelt Middle School band kicked off Black Histor y Month at Triton College

Is seeing a local doctor too expensive?

Triton Colle ge celebrated the start of Black History Month with a special performance by the Bellwood School District 88 Roosevelt Middle School band on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Triton Colle ge Student Center Cafeteria.

Songs performed included Lift Every Voice and Sing, Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones and Georgia On My Mind by Ray Charles, among others.

Lost your job & access to a doctor?

Need your prescriptions filled?

Don't qualify for Medicare/Medicaid?

Like e sharing g life's s most t meaningful l moments, , show w your r family y and d friends s you u love e them. . Help p them m (and d yourself!) ) stay y up p to o date e on n free e COVID-19 9 and d flu u vaccines Vaccination n continues s to o be e our r best t weapon n against t COVID D and d flu

Lost your job & access to a doctor?

Clarence Williams, Roosevelt Middle School’s band instructor, encouraged the crowd to sing along and cheer.

¿Perdió su trabajo y acceso a un médico?

Need your prescriptions filled? Don't qualify for Medicare/Medicaid?

Williams also read the poem, What If There Were No Black People in the World, which highlighted the many inventions and contributions made by notable African Americans.

¿Necesita surtir sus recetas?

¿No es elegible para Medicaid/Medicare?

¿Perdió su trabajo y acceso a un médico? ¿Necesita surtir sus recetas?

Bellwood School District 88 Roosevelt Middle School band on Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the Triton College Student Center Cafeteria.

The performance consisted of selections from several African-American composers, with each song receiving a historical introduction of the composer by a Roosevelt student. Visual representation of each composer was shown to the audience.

Those in attendance included Bellwood School District 88 Superintendent Dr. Victoria Hansen, Triton Colle ge President Mary-Rita Moore, families of the band students, community members and Triton Colle ge employees and students. All that were present enjoyed the music,

atmosphere and food.

performing and giving back.”

Everyone e 6 months s and d older r is s eligible e to o receive e a COVID D vaccine e (1st, , 2nd d and d 3rd d doses) ) & a flu u shot. . You u can n be e vaccinated d or r boosted d for r COVID D & vaccinated d for r flu u at t the e same e time. .

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Visit t www BoostUpCookCounty com m or r call l 833-308-1988

Copagos de $5 por:

“It’s a huge privilege for the Roosevelt Middle School band to perform at Triton Colle ge,” said Williams. “We stress to our students that it is very important to build community. As musicians, we love

Incluyen: Copagos de $5 por:

For more information on Black History Month programs, contact Dr. Purva DeVol at dei@triton.edu.

Care & the CookCounty Department of Public Healthwork educate &protect communities against COVID-19 and flu.

Unlimited visits with a local doctor

X-rays, lab tests & mammograms

Access to Care yel Departamentode Salud Pública del Condado de Cook trabajara juntos para educary proteger a las comunidades contraCOVID-19 y la gripe.

You Deserve Health Care You Can Trust AND Afford

Counseling sessions

most t meaningful l our r family y and d friends s elp p them m (and d to o date e on n free e vaccines. . Vaccination n ur r best t weapon n d flu

If you are over 19, live in suburban Cook County or Northwest Chicago, and are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, Access to Care can connect you with a local doctor.

Affordable prescription plan

Fill Rx at a local pharmacy

Diabetic test strips

Flu & pneumonia

Visitas ilimitades con un médico local Rayos X, pruebas de laboratorio y mamografías Sesiones de asesoramiento

Recetas:

Plan de recetas más baratas Surtir recetas en una farmacia local

GRATIS:

Además s de e compartir r los s momentos s más s importantes s en n la a vida, , muéstrale e a tu u familia a y amigos s (¡y y a ti i mismo!) ) que e los s amas. . Ayúdelos s a mantenerse e al l día a con n las s vacunas s gratuitas s contra a el l COVID-19 9 y la a gripe. . La a vacunacción n sigue e siendo o nuestra a mejor r arma a contra a el l COVID D y la a gripe

Tiras de prueba para diabéticos Vacunas contra la gripe y la neumonía

Información de salud y bienestar Ayuda con servicios afuera de lo médico

With Access to Care, you can see a doctor for a $5 co-pay; get lab work, x-rays, and mammograms for $5; prescriptions are $15 to $40, and counseling sessions are $5. Access to Care also offers free diabetic test strips and free flu and pneumonia vaccines.

and d older r is s eligible e to o receive e a COVID D vaccine e (1st, , 2nd d and d 3rd d doses) ) an n be e vaccinated d or r boosted d for r COVID D & vaccinated d for r flu u at t the e same e time. . Visit t www BoostUpCookCounty com m or r call l 833-308-1988

Si tiene más de 19 años, vive en los suburbios del condado de Cook o en el noroeste de Chicago y no es elegible para Medicaid o Medicare, Access to Care puede conectarlo con un médico local.

Con Access to Care, puede ver a un médico por un copago de $5; obtenga análisis de laboratorio, radiografías y mamografías por $5; las recetas cuestan entre $15 y $40, y las sesiones de asesoramiento cuestan $5. Access to Care también ofrece tiras reactivas gratuitas para diabéticos y vacunas gratuitas contra la gripe y la neumonía.

Todas s las s personas s mayores s de e 6 meses s son n elegibles s para a recibir r una a vacuna a contra a el l COVID D ( (primera, , segunda a y tercera a dosis) ) y una a vacuna a contra a la a gripe. . Puede e vacunarse e o reforzarse e contra a COVID D y la a gripe e al l mismo o tiempo Visite e www.BoostUpCookCounty.com m o llame e al l 833-308-1988. .

Evaluación de elegibilidad para Medicaid

Access to Care is a non-profit primary health care program that helps those without health insurance AND those with health insurance that carries a too-high annual deductible. Access to Care does not discriminate and welcomes undocumented individuals. If you or anyone you know is without accessible, affordable health care, apply online: www.accesstocare.org or call our office at 708-531-0680. Our staff speaks Spanish.

yel Departamentode Salud Pública del Condado de Cook trabajara educary proteger a las comunidades contraCOVID-19 y la gripe.

artir r los s momentos s en n la a vida, , muéstrale e a s (¡y y a ti i mismo!) ) que e os s a mantenerse e al l día a ratuitas s contra a el l

833-308-1988

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Access to Care es un programa de atención médica primaria sin fines de lucro que ayuda a quienes no tienen seguro médico Y a quienes tienen un seguro médico que tiene un deducible anual demasiado alto. Access to Care no discrimina y da la bienvenida a personas indocumentadas. Si usted o alguien que conoce no tiene atención médica asequible y accesible, solicite en línea: www.accesstocare.org o llame a nuestra oficina al 708-531-0680. Nuestro personal habla español.

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Why Proviso 209 United team supports Hixson, Barbahen, Ocampo

We, the team behind Sandra Hixson, Jenny Barbahen and David Ocampo known as Proviso 209 United, would like to share why we are so incredibly passionate about electing these three parents and subject matter experts to the school board. Elections are a referendum on the incumbents and the following events of the last few years make it incredibly clear that we need reform, yes, again.

This current board unanimously voted to hire the superintendent in August of 2020. At that time, [Dr. James Henderson] sold to the board, and our Proviso community including many of us, a vision of greatness for our schools It became clear almost two years ago on February 23, 2021, during a sur prise Saturday mor ning board meeting that Henderson had a very dif ferent vision

MADISON ST. Upgrades planned

Continued from page 5

make sure our business districts are looking in tip top shape. Not only to ensure our businesses look attractive but to also give our patrons and guests an amazing experience while in town.”

He added that an attractive business district also incentivizes quality businesses to locate in Forest Park

Re garding the relationship between the gover nment sector and the business community, he said when it comes to money,

of what makes a great school district. This vision consisted of ending partnerships with PAEC (special education), outsourcing IT, and other radical cuts in the name of tur ning a profit with austerity budgeting rather than educating our children. As we emailed, called, and pleaded with our trusted board members for clarity, we saw them support the measures dismantling much of the recent progress made. This was heartbreaking to say the least. We felt defeated. We felt hopeless.

Not anymore. Proviso 209 United was for med to restore that hope. Restore our schools. Put our students first. Bring back the values that got the district heading in the right direction, connection with the community, connection with teachers and staf f, fiscal accountability, and transpar-

businesses profit when in infrastructure and from increased tax reve

“This,” said Kokenes example of all that can through team work wh great working relationship lage.”

David King, local leasing member of the chamber Kokenes role in this project.

Stella also lauded Ko rie is unmatched at the merce. She and I have relationship. Together she, Ryan and I can express to our community through ments.”

ency. When we do what is right for a united Proviso, we will usher in an era of success for ALL Proviso students.

After months of searching and careful vetting, in August 2022 we chose and announced our slate of three candidates: Sandra Joseph-Hixson, Jenny Barbahen and David Ocampo. These three candidates together represent the brightest and best future for the students in our district. It’s that simple

It is imperative to not just gain a favorable board balance but to also restore decorum and professionalism to the governing body of the school district. Hixson, Barbahen and Ocampo will be deliberate and methodical as they work to restore transparency and order to the board, thoroughly evaluating the district from top to bottom

in a careful review process

While these are only three seats on a seven-person board, [cur rent school board member] Amanda Grant has of ficially endorsed our team, and together we will have the ability to ef fect change from day one. Even though the board has lost its way over the last 2.5 years, we see a bright future for Proviso and District 209.

Proviso 209 United campaign manag ers: Kathleen Franzwa, Carissa Gillespie, Eileen Olivier, Fred Franzwa, Jordan Kuehn

e Madison streetscape in Forest Park is up for an up grade.

TRAILBLA ZER West Side to Bellwood

from page 1

and vacant buildings, to Bellwood with its manicured lawns and blond, blueeyed children playing outside was really dif ferent for me.

“As a child it was a little dif ficult, because the few Black children that were here at that time would be chased home from school and called ‘niggers’. That was the first time I heard that word, and I was trying to decipher what it meant. We couldn’t go past 25th Ave. In the ’70s, when Black people tried to buy homes west of 25th Avenue, the home would be bur ned down before they could move in.”

The adolescent years were even harder. Harvey recounted one incident of racist treatment at the hands of police At the age of 14, he said, he was ar rested by Bellwood police “for dancing,” taken to the police station, thrown to the floor, kicked and called the N-word.

“When my parents came to pick me up, I told them what had happened, but they couldn’t do anything about it as a Black family with a white police de partment in a white community,” Harvey said, adding he was “scar red” by the experience.

In 1988 Harvey became the first Black firefighter in the village of Bellwood and encountered immediate resistance. Reporting for work on his first day, Harvey

“On the night I was swor n in as a firefighter, the retiring chief and firefighters refused to shake my hand,” he said.

“That was eye-opening.”

Harvey recalled that the fire department made up a dif ferent set of rules just for him. As with other fire departments, the

firefighters liked to sit outside the station in pleasant weather

They’d sit outside and wave at cars passing by, but when he tried to do that, they changed the rules, because they didn’t want Black people gathering in front of the firehouse. If his family came by, the white firefighters told them they had things to do and couldn’t have visitors in the firehouse

Even such “micro-aggressions,” were scar ring, Harvey tried to look at the incidents from their point of view. “I don’t think they even knew what they were doing,” he said. “Sometimes they would tell me that I am not like other Blacks. Those things showed they didn’t really understand what they were doing.”

The trailblazing, as well as the scar ring, continued.

Harvey was promoted to fire chief in 1996.

“I had worked hard to become the fire chief,” he said, “but along with becoming fire chief came more racism. I had officers who were all white and all younger than me who didn’t want me to lead them. What they heard from family and friends was that a white man should be chief

“They were saying they weren’ t going to do what I told them to do, but I’m a strong Black man and insisted that they do what I needed them to do.”

At that point in his talk, Harvey choked up. Then he said, “But even worse was being an African American with 20 other fire chiefs in our area. I would propose an idea and they wouldn’t listen, even though a year later someone would come up with virtually the same idea and they would say it was great. That was a little tough.”

Another scar occur red when Harvey was indicted in 2001 for 30 counts of theft from the village of Bellwood. The way he tells the story is that a Black woman running for mayor was upset with him because he did not support her candidacy because he

didn’t ag ree with her platform She found an ally in the fire department who had a sister who worked in the State’s Attor ney’s Of fice. He had to go once a month to face a judge who, after almost two years, threw the case out.

“It’s something that scar red me as a Black man trying to be the best Black man I can be, trying to be a role model for our community As a Black man it’s hard to get ahead.”

Then he became a candidate for mayor.

“When I was running for mayor — and this hurt me even more — there were so many Blacks in Bellwood who did not want a Black mayor, who said we’re not ready for a Black mayor, who said that if we get a Black mayor our community is going to fail

“Just another thing we as black men have to deal with,” he declared. “We have

to work extra hard as Black men to prove ourselves to our communities.”

“Being a trailblazer,” he concluded, “is something that is truly tough.”

He asked a series of rhetorical questions to support his conclusion:

• What do you do when you feel you can’t win against people?

• What do you do when you feel they are trying to take your manhood?

• What do you do when they look at you as if you are not a human being?

• What do you do when you want to give up but you know your family and your community are counting on you?

“Being a trailblazer is something that is truly tough,” he said, “but God chose me because he knew what I endured. He chose me to show my scars to others in order to lead others down the right path. So I leave that with everyone, that you can be chosen, and kno what ou are Being a chosen by

Andre Harvey, mayor of Bellwood

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

In accordance with the requirements of the Illinois Open Meetings Act, all regular meetings of the Bellwood Public Library Board of Trustees shall be held at the Bellwood Public Library, 600 Bohland Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104 and, commencing with the regular March 14, 2023 meeting, shall henceforth convene at 6:30 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

Published in The Village Free Press March 1, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 612 S. 3RD AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-11-337-0110000

The real estate is improved with a 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. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no

representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, 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) 236-

SALE

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. 14-22-04472

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 08134

TJSC#: 43-117

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 08134

I3214494

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

Plaintiff, vs. ARTHUR M. BURNSIDE JR., PAULETTE M. BURNSIDE JR. A/K/A PAULETTE BURNSIDE

A/K/A PAULETTE M. BURNSIDE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants, 21 CH 5760

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, March 21, 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. 15-09-300-085-0000.

Commonly known as 404 FREDERICK AVE., BELLWOOD, IL 60104. 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 Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 21-01338 XOME INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3213344

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC. Plaintiff, -v.FELICIA DEGRAFFENREID , NEIGHBORHOOD ASSISTANCE CORPORATION OF AMERICA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

AUTHORITY Defendants

20 CH 01174 1540 N. ROHDE AVE. BERKELEY, IL 60163

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 10, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1540 N. ROHDE AVE., BERKELEY, IL 60163

Property Index No. 15-08-113-050-

0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $130,373.67

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, 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 pur-

chaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales

For information, contact HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 601 E. William St., DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 422-1719.

Please refer to file number 403024.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC

601 E. William St DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719

Fax #: 217-422-1754

E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com

Attorney File No. 403024

Attorney Code. 40387

Case Number: 20 CH 01174

TJSC#: 43-401

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 20 CH 01174

I3213304