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ForestParkReview.com Vol. 107, No. 01

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REVIEW JANUARY 3, 2024

Hoskins hangs hopes on DNC convention to boost Forest Park See his other predictions for 2024 By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Forest Park’s future looks bright to Mayor Rory Hoskins – and he hopes that the Democratic Party convention taking place in Chicago in August will be a big part of it. It’s a theme the mayor kept returning to as he looked ahead toward the new year. He is a candidate to be a delegate in the 2024 convention in Chicago. The convention, he said, has the potential to bring in guests interested in Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument at the village’s Forest Home Cemetery, and generally people looking for Airbnb lodging near the city. This could translate into more customers for village businesses, Hoskins said, and has the potential to put the village on the map. Several long-discussed projects notably won’t be coming in 2024. For example, Hoskins said that he doesn’t expect to see any new development on the village-owned See HOSKINS on page 3

Remembering Jackie Schulz PAGE 5

@ForestParkReview @FP_Review

What you liked in 2023 Check out the stories that topped your lists on page 7.

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

HOSKINS Crystal Ball from page 1 portion of the historic Altenheim property – though he expects that the village and the retirement community would complete a land swap to smooth out some of the awkward property lines created during the 2000 sale. He said he doesn’t expect to see any movement on plans to raise and redo the CTA/Metra viaduct over Harlem Avenue – though he got a commitment from the CTA to remove the much-maligned water tower on the nearby rail yard. And Hoskins said that the village isn’t interested in pursuing the acquisition of the former U.S Army Reserve base at Roosevelt Road at this time. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any plans on the horizon. The village, he said, will be looking at the long-term future of Mohr Community Center, especially its childcare component. “I think, in 2024, we will take a long look at how the village handles childcare,” Hoskins said. The former Bed Bath & Beyond location is expected to get a new user, which may or may not be another retailer. And the village council may soon decide whether to make Rachell Entler’s interim village administrator position a permanent one or put out a job search for other candidates. In 2023, Hoskins was reelected for a second term as mayor. When now-Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson’s old Cook Mayor Rory Hoskins surveys 2024 for Forest Park. County Board of Commissioners seat officially became vacant, he was one of the six finalists to fill it until November resentatives from organized labor at the convention, we hope 2024, but he wasn’t selected. While he didn’t comment on the to draw some of the [attendees] to Forest Park and hopefully latter, he said that the reelection campaign made the first put Forest Park on the map a little more.” three months of the year “stressful.” Hoskins plans to work with the Forest Park “It was humbling to be reelected,” Hoskins said, Chamber of Commerce and the convention oradding that the campaign gave him more appreganizers to figure out other ways the convention ciation for the village’s increasing diversity. can benefit the village, and he asked village comHe also described Entler’s appointment as missioners to brainstorm ideas. interim village administrator at the beginning He also hopes that the convention would enof September as something he was happy with. courage CTA “to clean up some of its stations Hoskins complimented Entler on working well and trains” and improve service along the line’s with the department heads. Forest Park branch. “It just goes back to the village running “I think that having a smoother-running transmoothly,” he said. sit system and a cleaner transit system will enHoskins said that he asked the village commiscourage people to take the train out and visit Forsioners to complete evaluations of Entler’s perest Park,” Hoskins said. formance and weigh in on whether the village Hoskins also said that the village plans to should advertise for a more permanent hire or work with Visit Oak Park, a regional tourism simply remove the “interim” from her title. The organization to promote Forest Park. He said decision is expected to be made this winter. he wants to capitalize on the recently opened As for the Democratic convention. HaymarRobert’s Westside music venue to try to draw in ket Martyrs’ Memorial, a statue commemoratmore visitors. ing five labor activists who were blamed for In September, Hoskins proposed using the the bombing of the May 4, 1886 labor protest in former Grant-White Intermediate Elementary Chicago, already attracts union officials from all School building to house youth programing RORY HOSKINS over the country – something that Hoskins hopes currently operating out of Mohr Community to capitalize on. Center. The building has multiple maintenance “We hope to get convention-goers to take the issues, and the water reservoir under its playtour of cemetery, to tour the Haymarket Martyrs’ ground will most likely need to be repaired. If monument,” he said. “I had labor officials tell me that they the deal doesn’t pan out, Hoskins said he is open to other made trips to Forest Park specifically to see the monument. possibilities. Building a new youth center on the Altenheim Because we expect so many labor advocates and so many rep-

“I think that having a smootherrunning transit system and a cleaner transit system will encourage people to take the train out and visit Forest Park”

IGOR STUDENKOV

property would be “a very expensive endeavor,” but “not something that we would rule out.” The village has applied for a $10 million federal grant to help repair the reservoir and help pay for sewer separation projects throughout the village. Hoskins confirmed that it won’t be used to replace lead service lines – something the village is also seeking funding for. Internally, he said, he wants the safety and traffic commission to have a say in Forest Park’s planning decisions. The volunteer commission examines traffic issues throughout the village and advises the village council on how to address them. Hoskins said he expects the Forest Park Police Department, which lost officers because of retirements and resignations from 2020 to 2022, to be back to full strength. “We expect that by April, we’ll be fully staffed up to 38 police officers,” he said. Hoskins added that he appreciated that some of the candidates took the time to familiarize themselves with Forest Park’s street grid while they were still going through the police academy. Hoskins said that there are many things that are hard to predict – businesses closing without warning, unexpected issues, promising deals that don’t pan out. But overall, he looks forward to what 2024 will bring. “I’m very confident in our prospects, given our space and the makeup of our community and some of the positive publicity we received because of St. Patrick’s Day Parade, because of the Casket Races,” Hoskins said. “People want to move here, and there are a lot of people who want to make this town a better place.”

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

January 3-10

BIG WEEK

Chair Yoga Thursday, Jan. 4, 11 – 11:30 a.m., Forest Park Public Library Discover the transformative power of chair yoga at the Forest Park Public Library on Thursday, Jan., 4. Chair yoga for people of all fitness levels and ages. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

January Candle-Making Class Saturday, Jan. 6, 2- 4 p.m., M.E. Marketplace Retail Co-Op & Model Esteem Partake in an interactive candle-making class this January where you will craft and design your scented candles. This in-person event unfolds at M.E. Marketplace Retail Co-Op & Model Esteem, you do not want to miss out. 7451 Madison St., Forest Park.

Tea party with Barbie Saturday, Jan. 6, 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Library Dress in your best Barbieinspired outfit and join in for a fun tea experience at the Forest Park Public Library. Participants are encouraged to bring their favorite Barbie dolls. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Tai Chi Class Monday, Jan. 8, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., Forest Park Public Library Join the Forest Park Public Library for a calming fitness program designed for adults and older adults. Experience slow, gentle movements that highlight mindfulness and body awareness. Register now. 7555 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park.

Basic Self-Defense Class

Listing your event Forest Park Review welcomes notices about events that Forest Park groups and businesses are planning. We’ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper. ■ Send details to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302 ■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

Trivia Night - 2023 In Review Tuesday, Jan. 9, 7 – 10 p.m., Kribi Coffee Celebrate the first trivia night of the new year by reflecting on the events of 2023. Bring your friends and enjoy a spirited round of recent history trivia, competing for the chance to secure a $100 Kribi Coffee gift card. Purchase your tickets online or at the door. 7324 Madison St., Forest Park

Monday, Jan. 8, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Library The Forest Park Public Library is collaborating with Lindsey from Strictly Self Defense. Join the class to learn basic self-defense techniques, engage in discussions, and more. Register now. 7555 Jackson Blvd,. Forest Park.

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

Forest Park salutes columnist Jackie Schulz

The beloved writer now has a memorial on a local billboard The Village of Forest Park memorialized former Forest Park Review columnist Jackie Schulz with a billboard at Des Plaines Avenue and Jackson Boulevard. The “Talk of the Town” columnist died in early December. She had endeared herself to Forest Park residents with her weekly column. From April 1970 to August 2017 alone, she penned nearly 2,500 columns for the paper. She died at 92 in the home her grandfather had built on Beloit. The village remembered her work as the go-to to see whose birthday was coming up, who had recently moved to Forest Park and for word on what was happening in town. Schulz, officials said, made an impression on everyone she met. “She will be missed by those who knew her. The Village sends condolences to her friends and family,” officials said in a statement. We miss her, too. Be sure to drive by to see her.

Forest Park to remove median near Roosevelt/Hannah crossing The island median has trees on it, and it appears to obstruct drivers’ vision

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The village is making plans to remove an island median in the middle of Roosevelt Road, directly west of the Hannah Avenue intersection. The island, which is about as wide as a traffic lane, has trees planted in the middle, and a rounded age on the westbound side of the road, allowing more room for left turns, but a straight line on the inbound side. Village officials said that the current structure creates a visual obstruction for the drivers, and cars keep on bumping into it as they try to turn. During its December meeting, the village council approved an engineering study to prepare the construction plans and permits, with the goal of removing the island later this year. The landscaped median island is one of the improvements that was put in during a major renovation of the section of Roosevelt Road between Harlem and Des Plaines

avenues. The renovation, which kicked off in 2017, included pedestrian bump-outs at all intersections; additional streetscape features at the bump-out locations, including landscaped planters, benches, trash receptacles and stamped/colored pedestrian crosswalks; several landscaped median islands; and replacement of all street lighting with decorative street lighting. Michelle Melin-Rogovin, commissioner of streets and public improvement, said she heard many constituents complaining about the median island. “Just yesterday, a resident mentioned to me in a conversation that this particular island causes visual disruption to diviners pulling in and out onto Roosevelt Road,” she said. Melin-Rogovin said that she believed that the island’s removal was “going to impact and improve safety, and reduce accidents for Forest Park drivers.” The village is planning to spend $90,000 and cover the costs entirely from the Roosevelt/Hannah Tax Increment Financing

district, which, as the name suggests, includes the intersection and most retailers on the south side of Roosevelt Road as far as Des Plaines Avenue. The village is paying $5.120 for the construction study. Commissioner Ryan Nero wondered whether the village would be able to use that study to do the plans for removal of other pedestrian islands. Jim Amelio, of

Burke Engineering, which is doing the engineering study, said that much of what they do involves obtaining permits, and that can’t be duplicated, so the village would have to spend money even if the project is completely identical. “We’d need to restart permitting process, so we’ll need to start all over again,” he said.

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

New mezcal coming from Amerikas chef Armando Gonzalez By DAVID HAMMOND Contributing Reporter

For a while now, chef/owner Armando Gonzalez of Amerikas in neighboring Oak Park has offered mezcal made in conjunction with Prolijo, an award-winning maker of the spirit; we’ve tried it, and we liked it: herbaceous, lightly smoky and silky. This coming spring, Gonzalez will again be working with Prolijo to launch a new mezcal, Oaxaco, a name derived from his home state of Oaxaca, the Mexican state best known for producing mezcal. Mezcal, though not as well-known as tequila, is gaining in popularity; in fact, it’s currently one of the fastest growing spirits in the United States. There are reasons for this popularity in the U.S. and elsewhere, but chief among those reasons, at least for me, is that mezcal offers more flavors. Mezcal and tequila are both made from the agave plant, but mezcal expresses flavors not available to tequila. That’s because by federal regulation, mezcal can be made from dozens of different agave plants, whereas tequila can technically be made only from Blue Weber agave, thus limiting tequila’s taste range. Oaxaco, Amerika’s new mezcal, will be a blend of espadín along with two other agave varieties, arroqueño and tepextate, which means that each bottle will deliver a whole lot of flavors you won’t find in tequila. Mezcal is also better suited to reflecting the many tastes of the

terroir, the place where it grew. One of the reasons mezcal mirrors the land so well is that it takes a long time for agave plants to grow to maturity; with espadín, it can take up to eight years for the agave plant to mature. During all that time in the ground, the plant is absorbing the flavors of the Mexican countryside. In contrast, consider that scotch and bourbon – one mostly barley, the other mostly corn – leverages the flavors of plants that live and die within one single season. “Artisanal” is a buzzword, sometimes meaningless, but the Amerika’s mezcal is truly artisanal, produced using the traditional, handcrafted ways. Agave hearts are trimmed with a machete and cooked in huge outdoor pits to develop sugars that will be converted to alcohol during fermentation. In larger commercial operations, the agave hearts may be put through something like a wood-chipper before going into the fermentation tanks. Amerikas’ mezcal, however, uses a traditional technique: agave hearts are crushed using a tahona, a large cement wheel pulled by a horse or burro. In a 2017 Chicago Tribune article, I explained that grinding agave, like grinding herbs, releases flavors in ways that just don’t happen when you chop them up; for the same reason, you “mull” ingredients for a cocktail: smashing them releases flavors that won’t be released if you simply cut them up. “I have mezcal in my blood,” chef Gonzalez told us. On your next trip to Amerikas, try to make sure you have some of their mezcal in your glass.

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

What drew you in 2023: The Review’s most-read stories Crime, community development drew eyeballs online By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

We tapped into our website to see what our readers loved most in 2023. Our readers were definitely interested in stories about crime and mayhem. But they also cared about local businesses, whether it’s a beloved restaurant or a new music venue. And they responded to the news of an unexpected passing of a Proviso East High School teacher. We would like to hear from you, dear readers. What stories that we published in 2023 did you like? Are there any stories that you think deserve more love? Anything we should write about more in the future? Email or comment on Facebook, and let us know.

Crime and Mayhem The ghost of the Forest Park Tap Room, which was shut down in the summer of 2022

over failure to control customers’ disruptive behavior, still cast a shadow over 2023. Our number one story (with 31,389 views), Berwyn bar closed due to overcrowding, fights, was about the other bar brothers Lance and Hansel Law co-owned – Berwyn Tap Room. The bar had its own history of quality-of-life issues, one that the brothers concealed from the village when they were in the process of opening the Forest Park bar. The story isn’t quite over – Berwyn Tap Room’s third co-owner, William Rivera, is suing the brothers, alleging that they denied him his share of the profits – but for many Forest Parkers, this represented a capstone of a saga that stretched over three years and three Review staff reporters. The second most-viewed story, Park district shuts down pool early after social media ‘trend’ post, which got 21, 268 views, was about a crime that didn’t happen. When the Forest Park Police Department alerted the Park District of Forest Park that a post circulating on Snapchat inviting people to come to the Aquatic Center on June 1, they closed the facility out of “abundance of caution.” Given that the last time an invitation to the Aquatic Center circulated on Snapchat back in June 2022, hundreds of people showed up and tried to break in when the facility reached capacity, the caution was un-

FILE

The Forest Park Pool shut down, then reopened for pass holders and residents only.

derstandable. There haven’t been any other incidents since. The other crime and mayhem stories that made it into Top 10 were police blotter items. The tale of a jealous woman attacking a possible romantic rival, Woman attacked, vehicle vandalized by boss’s jealous wife, came in at number four, with Walmart janitor uses garbage bins to steal from store just behind it. A story about Walmart declining to press charges against a shoplifter because she had a child in her car, Walmart declines to press charges against women with child, came in at number eight. And a story about a three-person crew that went on a rampage in Chicago and western suburbs on Oct. 25, hitting Forest Park’s Goldyburger restaurant and Suburban Liquors in the process, Three-person crew robs restaurant, liquor store, came in at nine.

Community Happenings

FILE

Ferrara Pan gave microgrants to Black-owned businesses.

When the Review went up to long-time Golden Streer steakhouse employee Elba Caragher to ask about her recent purchase of the restaurant, the first thing she said was that she wasn’t changing anything – which showed just how important the things that made Golden Street what it is was to customers. The article about the purchase, Longtime employee buys Golden Steer restaurant, gathered a huge

reaction on Facebook, with commenters expressing appreciation for Caragher and the restaurant – so it’s no surprise that it came in at number three on our most-read story list. When the Forest Park Tap Room was shut down, the Review kept an eye on what would happen next to this space – and eventually learned that long-time booking agent Donnie Biggins was planning to rent it to open his own music venue, Robert’s Westside. Forest Park signs off on Robert’s Westside music venue, made it into our Top 10, coming in at number six. The article about Ferrara Candy Company, which has a factory and outlet store in Forest Park, giving microgrants to a pair of Chicago Black-owned businesses, Ferrara’s Now and Later candy brand gives grants to Black-owned businesses, came in at seven. A lot of newsworthy things happened in Proviso Township High School District 209. The election changing the balance of power on the school board, which led to the firing of the controversial Supt. James Hendersen, was only part of that. But the only article to make it to Top 10 was education reporter Amaris Rodriguez’s piece on the passing of Jennifer Miller, a family and consumer science educator at Proviso East High School, and how the district was helping the students cope. Proviso East mourns loss of teacher came in at number 10.

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

C R I M E

Package thief caught red-handed

A woman was caught with several packages, two of which were confirmed stolen from the area near the Forest Park Public Library. On Dec. 19 at around 1:06 p.m., a woman who was dragging a blue wagon behind her was spotted taking two packages from a porch of a home on the 600 block of Beloit Avenue and putting it her wagon. The victim saw her heading north in the alley between Beloit and Ferdinand Avenues. An officer driving north on the nearby stretch of Desplaines Avenue when he was alerted of the theft. He spotted a woman matching the thief ’s description taking a package from an apartment building at the 400 block of Desplaines Avenue. As the officer approached the woman, she put the package back by the door. The officer saw that the wagon was “filled with items that were wrapped for shipping.” The woman claimed that all those packages were hers, and that, since she put the package that the officer saw her take back where she

took it, she’d done nothing wrong. The victim of the Beloit Avenue theft confirmed that two of the packages in the wagon were hers. The victims decided not to sign complaints against the thief because they got their packages back. The officer took the remaining packages to the police station, telling the woman that she could have the items if she brought in receipts confirming those packages were hers.

Damage to car Two teens threw a lit firework at a passing driver after he spotted them trying to set the firework off, police said. The victim said that on Dec. 23, he was driving his blue 2014 Jeep Cherokee south on Harlem Avenue. As he approached the Dixon Street intersection at around 12:04 a.m., he spotted two teens lighting a firework. The victim said that the firework flew at his car, hitting the rear passenger-side door. He then saw

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them run west on Dixon Street. The victim said it was too dark for him to make out any of the teens’ physical features, so he couldn’t provide a description. The officers responding to a call saw a dent on the door where the firework hit. The victim said he’d be willing to press charges if the teens were located.

Bike thefts Two mountain bikes stolen from Dunlop Avenue – one on Christmas Eve and one the day after. On Christmas Eve, the thieves stole the Huffy Highland brand 26-inch black mountain bike chained to the porch. The victim’s mother noticed the theft at around 4:30 p.m. She said that the bike was worth $149, and she didn’t have its serial number. On Dec. 26, the second victim left her bike in the building’s backyard. She last saw it at around 5 p.m. and realized that it was missing at round 5:30 p.m. The victim described her bike as a mountain bike with

a white frame and neon green rims, but she couldn’t remember its make and model. She said it was worth around $600.

Attempted vehicle theft Someone tried to steal a black 2011 Hyundai SUV parked at the victim’s house on Ferdinand Avenue. On Dec. 21 at around 6 a.m., the victim saw that the Hyundai’s rear passenger side window was broken, and its steering column was peeled. The victim said that nothing was stolen from the car. These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Dec. 18-26, 2023, 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

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

Metra riders with SNAP to get reduced fares

The pilot begins in February and will run through the second half of 2025 By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

Metra riders who receive Illinois Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will be able to pay reduced fares on all Metra trains under a new low-income fare pilot. The program will work like the existing RTA reduced-fare permits, which allow seniors and riders with disabilities to pay

about half of what the regular riders pay to ride throughout the Chicago area. This program will be Metra-only, and riders will need to apply for a Metra Access Pass. The pilot will kick off Feb. 1 when other fare changes take effect, and it will run until at least July 31, 2025. The program comes as Metra prepares to discontinue the Fair Transit South Cook program, in which Cook County provided subsidies to allow Metra to offer reduced fares on the two lines that serve the South Side of Chicago and south suburbs – Metra Electric and Rock Island District. As part of the biggest fare overhaul in decades, Metra reduced the number of fare zones and reduced ticket prices, but that will still be a fare increase for the two lines. The new pilot will ensure that some low-income riders will be able to keep paying lower fares not just on Fair Transit lines, but across the entire Chicago area sixcounty region.

Under the new fare system that will take effect on Feb. 1, all but one station within Growing Community Media’s coverage area will fall into Fare Zone 2. Brookfield’s Congress Park station will fall into Fare Zone 3. Most riders traveling from Zone 2 to downtown Chicago will pay $3.75 for one-way tickets and $75 for monthly passes. Metra Access Pass holders will pay $1.75 for one-way tickets and $37.50 for monthly passes. For riders using the ‘L’ lines in Chicago and the suburbs, this will represent a cheaper, albeit less frequent, option, because they would still have to pay regular $2.50 fares. Congress Park riders traveling toward the Loop will pay $5.50 for one-way tickets and $110 for monthly passes. Metra Access Pass holders will pay $2.75 and $55, respectively. According to Metra spokesperson Michael

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Gillis, Metra Access Passes will look like the reduced-fare permits, which have picture IDs, except they will be a different color. Riders will need to show their eligibility in order to get the pass. Unlike the regular reduced fare passes, Access Pass holders will be able to get discounts for the members of their household. According to a December memo to the Metra Board of Directors, Cook County will reimburse the transit agency for up to 74% of the money they lost by giving Access Pass holders who travel within Cook County. It won’t get any reimbursements for the lost revenue in the collar counties. Metra will do an analysis of the pilot within the first six months of operation, and may conduct more down the line. The transit agency can terminate the agreement before the pilot expires by giving a 90-day notice. The Metra Board of Directors approved the agreement unanimously as part of a larger consent agenda.

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS SUMMARY FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023 Copies of the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 will be available for public inspection in the school district/joint agreement administrative office by November 30, annually. Individuals wanting to review this Annual Statement of Affairs should contact: Forest Park School District 91 School District/Joint Agreement Name

424 Des Plaines Ave, Forest Park, IL 60130-1718 Address

708.366.5700 Telephone

8:00 - 4:00 Office Hours

Also by January 15 annually the detailed Annual Statement of Affairs for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 will be posted on the Illinois State Board of Education’s website at www.isbe.net. SUMMARY: The following is the Annual Statement of Affairs Summary that is required to be published by the school district/joint agreement for the past fiscal year. Statement of Operations as of June 31, 2023

Operations & Maintenance

Educational Local Sources

1000

14,522,029

Flow-Through Receipts/Revenues from One District to Another District 2000

Debt Services

2,322,040

Municipal Retirement/ Social Security

Transportation

1,382

235,424

Capital Projects

915,864

Working Cash 24

Fire Prevention & Safety

Tort

13,331

5,512

11,180

State Sources

3000

1,752,802

190,770

Federal Sources

4000

1,355,733

Total Direct Receipts/Revenues

17,630,564

2,322,040

1,382

426,194

915,864

13,331

5,512

11,180

Total Direct Disbursements/Expenditures

16,202,673

2,449,810

693,837

652,596

20,469,836

2,070,932

98,746

951,571

565,346

Ending Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2023

21,897,727

1,943,162

100,128

683,928

Ending Fund Balances (all sources) with Student Activity Funds - June 30, 2023

21,905,516

1,943,162

100,128

683,928

Other Sources/Uses of Funds Beginning Fund Balances without Student Activity Funds - July 1, 2022 Other Changes in Fund Balances

164,070

2,138

921,246

516,756

798,454

828,614

2,162

934,577

358,198

809,634

828,614

2,162

934,577

358,198

809,634

SALARY SCHEDULE OF GROSS PAYMENTS FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL AND NON-CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL GROSS PAYMENT FOR CERTIFICATED PERSONNEL Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Atherton, Christina, Braun, Jennifer R, Brooks, Ellen, Brooks, M B, Connor, Eric, Dale, Seccoyah, Demirtas, Petek Arikan, Espinosa, Julia A, Hopper, Michelle L, Laky, Amanda J, Laudadio, Cynthia A, Leahy, Carolyn C, Markey, Margaret Phillips, Mary B, Sarantos, George, Weidman, Matthew S Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Dugan, Daniel, Halliwell, Amy D, Robinson, Deborah L, Stewart, Kierstn, Tunnell, Rachel Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Ballweg, Gregory, Brooks, Dwilette L, Callahan, Kathryn G, Clark, Jessica U, Conwell, Erica L, Driscoll, Kristy, Emond, Elizabeth E, Gatlin, James, Jones, Hannah K, Kosciarz, Marian M, Mcguire, Luke, Ryan, Jennifer J, Skalnik, Kelly A, Stevens, Margaret M Salary Range: 60,000 - $89,999 Aguilar Mcardle, Annissa K, Ali, Nitasha, Almaoui, Joseph J, Boucek, Sara E, Bruzzini, Emily B, Carini, Maria A, Carrera, Anna D, Choice, Michelle L, Cirillo, Jeanette M, Coco, Andrea M, Croisant, Shannon, Daley, Elizabeth A, Davenport, Bethany, Droy, David, Duewel, Kelly, Elfinger, Steven M, Farrington, Dina M, Gutierrez, Alexander W, Hays, Jennifer A, Hirsch, Allyson P, Kern, Ashley N, Lietz, Melissa A, Mills, Amy, Morrell, Emily, Motto, Suzanne M, Nihill, Laura M, Novak, Jennifer L, Parrilli, Madeline G, Petrey, Nicole M, Reeves, Alice L, Robinson, Elizabeth L, Skinner, Amanda J, Starks, Bernard, Stiglitz, Michael J, Todor, Nancy M, Ulczak, Molly, Villamiel, Christina A, White-Legrand, Nicole D, Whittington, Erica L, Zanetti, Ryan P Salary Range: $90,000 and over Allocco, Patricia M, Alvarez, Elizabeth, Bacon, Kevin R, Binder, Meeghan E, Bogdan, Susan M, Bork, Sharon R, Bottorff, Rose W, Callahan, Lynda L, Carlisle, Marie F, Catezone, Jane M, Ciardullo, Rebecca L, Connelly, Andrea M, Dudlo, Lester R, Edler, James W, Edwards, Aimee L, Finn, Grace K, Greco, Deana M, Hearn, Richard M, Hibbitts, Abigail D, Hubbird, Robert, Huff, Tinisa D, Kass, Darla, Mcelligott, Daniel C, Mekhiel, David, Mills, Heath R, O’connell, Amy P, Perry, Peggy M, Pitaro, Angela M, Randazzo, Kelly E, Schekirke, Brian, Seery, Elizabeth M, Staser, Daniel W, Stauder, Mary J, Suarez, Lucia E, Terracciano, Joanna R, Terrell, Khadijah M, Torres, Jill A, Uhlmann, Jennifer M, Westol, Jennifer I GROSS PAYMENT FOR NON-CERTIFIED PERSONNEL Salary Range: Less Than $25,000 Alba, Ma Guadalupe, Anderson, Carlene, Arechiga, Haley Mia, Branda, Linda, Chavez, April, Dennis, Grace, Dickinson, Ryder A, Doheny, Maureen, Fanucchi, Tina, Farley, Jeanette, Frangidakis, Zack, Gonzalez Limon, Enrique, Hernandez, Adan, Laudadio, Isabella J, Maye, Ian P, Morales, Noah, Nix, Jabri, Orozco, Guadalupe, Ovalle, Marissa N, Phillips, Crystal, Ramierz Alba, Rocio, Roa, Eliel Ivan, Sorkin, Anne

Salary Range: $25,000 - $39,999 Araujo, Ricardo, Barkulis, Kelly, Bayne, Alexis A, Broecker, Elizabeth, Brown, Julie L, Burnett, Dedra, Crotty, Carol A, Dejesus, Michelle, Farley, Joshua, Freeman, Karen, Hall, Charlene M, Hibbitts, Mary, Howard, Tammie, Jimenez, Jesus, Johnson, Michele, Labarbera, Jodie, Maggitt, Stacey, Makaris, Tracey, Marshall, Lauren E, Marthaler, Leisa A, Mercado, Karina, Moore, Roschelle S, Nessinger, Katharine, O’connell, Robert J, Parker Newman, Lisa, Peterson, Ross, Pinero, Nancy M, Popelka, Barbara L, Reid, Joseph, Reid, Sarah, Robinson, Janice L, Roybal, Michelle, Shorner, Christina, Williams, Chevon Salary Range: $40,000 - $59,999 Ali, Brenda, Atherton, Charles D, Bell, Kateia, Dickel, Megan, Gehrke, Nancy, Hansen, Jeremy, Hernandez, Omar, Ibarra, Jessica, Jenks, Charles, Johnsen, Steven, Kibir, Joy, Leonard, Jennifer L, Montano Jr, Jose M, Moy, Lotus, Pusavc, Virginia, Quirk, Michael , Raglin, Takiisha A, Sheppard Ii, Terrance L, Street, Doris, Wawzenek, Theresa W Salary Range: $60,000 and over Arechiga, Humberto, Barnes, Jeanette F, Bejlovec, Robert A, Bernero, Michelle, Calderone, Harry A, Dickinson, Laura D, Dicola, Vincent J, Doolin, Bonnie L, Laudadio, Robert F, Moroni, Rosemary, Panzani, Dino A, Renz, Matthew J, Romero, Carlos, Saucedo, Nelly, Stoxen, Jason, Uceta Ramos, Nurys Payments over $2,500, excluding wages and salaries 5 STAR INTERPRETING 5,383.00, AASA Membership 3,208.00, ACCESS CU 65,350.00, ACE BEHAVIOR SOLUTIONS 17,955.00, ADEIMY LEBRON 3,328.00, AMERESCO, INC 252,000.00, American Enterprise Investment Services 28,250.00, ANDERSON ELEVATOR CO. 17,023.50, AUTHENTIC GLASS & MIRROR 5,425.00, BLACK PEARL SEALCOATIN, INC 6,510.00, BLAZER WORKS 31,877.01, BMO ACCOUSTICAL VISION 3,219.93, BMO ACCUCUT 3,503.66, BMO ACCURATE OFFICE SUPPLY 38,545.29, BMO ACHIEVE 3000 17,830.00, BMO AGENCY 1204 LLC 52,480.00, BMO ALL SEASONS UNIFORMS 2,623.55, BMO ALL STATE ARENA 5,020.00, BMO AMAZON 149,862.28, BMO AMBEES 3,321.80, BMO AMPLIFIED IT 8,659.40, BMO APPLE-ITUNES 23,313.68, BMO APPTEGY 8,200.00, BMO Archive Social 4,788.00, BMO B&H PHOTO & VIDEO 16,705.24, BMO BACKUPIFY 4,700.00, BMO BERWYN GARAGE 30,646.29, BMO BEWELL TOOLS 3,080.00, BMO BLICK ART MATERIAL 2,628.94, BMO BLONDA’S 4,666.53, BMO BLUE CAB 56,320.00, BMO BOARDMAKER 3,582.00, BMO BRAINPOP 8,550.00, BMO BTS SOLUTIONS 10,087.19, BMO BUONA BEEF 6,061.12, BMO BUS/TRUCK GAS 39,791.55, BMO CALL ONE 33,637.75, BMO CAPSTONE 2,878.20, BMO CASE LOTS 3,418.40, BMO CDW 16,011.50, BMO CHILDREN’S PLACE, INC. 10,108.58, BMO DAPIZZADUDE 4,600.00, BMO EB 20,282.65, BMO FOLLETT 20,278.77,

BMO GATEKEEPER USA 11,882.14, BMO HAPARA 6,863.92, BMO HEGGERTY LITERACY RESOURCES 2,629.76, BMO HILDEBRAND SPORTING GOODS 3,232.40, BMO HOME DEPOT 6,410.45, BMO HOTEL 3,067.54, BMO IASBO 2,683.00, BMO ILLINOIS ALARM 15,240.98, BMO ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARD 5,206.85, BMO ILLUMINATE 23,858.49, BMO IMAGINE LEARNING 5,252.00, BMO IRON MOUNTAIN 3,344.76, BMO ITSAVVY WEB 309,269.42, BMO KAMIHG 3,090.00, BMO LEARNING A-Z 8,933.00, BMO LEXIA LEARNING SYSTEM 2,680.00, BMO LIFE STORAGE 7,436.75, BMO LVC SCREEN PRINTING, LLC 10,609.83, BMO MARIANO’S 3,114.48, BMO MENARDS 6,322.05, BMO MEREDITH CULLIGAN WATER COMPANY 3,310.59, BMO METRO SELF STORAGE 3,302.00, BMO MOBYMAX 5,999.00, BMO NEARPOD 8,315.00, BMO NEWS2YOU 4,503.39, BMO NEWSELA 6,000.00, BMO OTC 2,877.44, BMO PALOS SPORTS INC 5,202.55, BMO PEARSON 3,410.71, BMO POLAR ELECTRO INC 2,789.10, BMO PRENTKE ROMICK COMPANY 4,795.00, BMO PROVEN BUSINESS 65,884.97, BMO QUILL CORPORATION 5,620.80, BMO REINKE 3,315.97, BMO RESTAURANT 7,888.30, BMO ROCHESTER 100 INC. 3,008.44, BMO ROY STROM REFUSE REMOV 23,536.57, BMO RUSH TRUCK CENTER 7,316.75, BMO RUSSOS HARDWARE 6,936.25, BMO SAVAAS 41,662.83, BMO SCHOLASTIC 72,123.77, BMO SCREENCASTIFY 4,422.00, BMO SEESAW 4,320.00, BMO SHERWIN WILLIAMS 8,484.72, BMO SHI INTERNATIONAL 106,400.00, BMO SIGN EXPRESS 3,988.50, BMO SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA 2,682.59, BMO SKY ZONE 5,038.07, BMO SPECIAL T UNLIMITED 3,118.75, BMO SPRINT 4,820.23, BMO STARS AND STRIPES 4,320.83, BMO STARSHIP 4,760.66, BMO TEACHBOOST 7,080.00, BMO TWOTREES TECHNOLOGY, LLC 15,255.00, BMO UNBOUNDED 2,700.00, BMO UZBL 3,234.00, BMO VILLA PARK ELECTRICT 13,657.55, BMO VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK 10,122.09, BMO VOYAGER SOPRIS 2,610.00, BMO WALGREENS 3,100.87, BMO WALMART 3,664.65, BMO WAREHOUSE DIRECT 86,755.62, BMO WEST 40 3,119.11, BMO WEST MUSIC 6,328.33, BMO WEVIDEO 3,197.00, BMO YONDR 4,650.00, BMO ZANER BLOSER 11,453.45, BMO ZOOM 11,400.00, CALEIGH MCGOWAN 2,897.72, Camino Group LLC 21,000.00, Camplin Environmental Services Inc 3,300.00, CARRIE SLAYMAKER 3,414.98, CHILDHOOD VICTORIES 11,600.00, COLLECTIVE LIABILITY INSURANCE COOP 164,069.72, COLONIAL LIFE 2,930.85, COLORS 39,550.00, ComEd 25,928.94, Computer Information Concepts 23,781.00, COOPERATIVE ASSOC FOR SP ED 7,362.83, COSMOPOLIS 27,500.00, COVENANT HARBOR 7,949.00, David Lipka 4,910.50, DELTA DENTAL OF ILLINOIS 122,460.08, DREAMBOX 16,565.00, E-RATE ONLINE, LLC 5,000.00, ECRA Group Inc 19,822.00, EDLER, JAMES 3,305.14, EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE (EBC) 1,897,671.12, EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT COOPERATIVE (HRA) 275,019.99, EQUITABLE 172,518.99, EVANS, MARSHALL & PEASE PC 11,275.00, EYE MED 13,294.90, FIRST STUDENT 32,753.60, Forest Park Public Schools 91 19,018.44, FOREST PARK TEACHERS ASSOC. 55,003.05,

FOREST PARK THEATRE 8,100.00, FOREST PRINTING CO 3,575.31, FOXHIRE 88,455.57, FRANCZEK RADELET 25,811.00, FRONTLINE PLACEMENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 50,996.62, GEARMX, INC 9,588.00, GIANT STEPS ILLINOIS, INC. 70,634.40, GLENN B STEARNS CHAPTER 13 TRUSTEE 5,022.00, GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA 2,597.00, GYKON LLC 9,000.00, HAWTHORN ASSOCIATE OF LAKE COUNTY LLC 2,648.55, HEARTLINE FITNESS SYSTEMS 4,160.61, HELPING HAND AUTISM SCHOOL 218,179.60, HIMES, PETRARCA & FESTER 23,265.00, HUBBIRD, ROBERT 5,826.57, ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS 9,201.00, ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE 501,385.97, IMRF 429,704.81, IT SAVVY 61,424.82, ITR Systems, Inc 61,325.70, JOSEPH ACADEMY AT MELROSE PARK 59,640.43, JR CONSTRUCTION COMPANY 6,270.00, JUST CAUSE DANCERS, IN 12,900.00, KEVIN BACON 3,660.06, LAKEVIEW BUS LINES, INC. 173,056.40, LAUREN JOHNSON, PT 13,359.00, Lela S. Shoemaker 33,250.00, MAJOR JANITORIAL SUPPLIES 4,741.86, Marilyn O Marshall 13,200.00, MASTERS MINISTRY 33,395.00, McREYNOLDS-EVERAGE CONSULTING 6,800.00, MENTA ACADEMY HILLSIDE 34,660.12, MILESTONE THERAPY 45,703.88, NATIONAL EQUITY PROJECT 35,000.00, NATURE FLOORING INC 2,700.00, NEW HORIZON CENTER FOR THE DEV DISABLED 152,831.76, NEW YORK LIFE 45,729.60, NEXTERA ENERGY SERVICES 173,881.09, NICOR GAS 25,929.02, OPEN KITCHENS 146,833.27, Pacific Construction Services LLC 59,432.40, PACTT LEARNING CENTER 10,225.35, Payroll Bank Account 7,605,589.41, PEERLESS NETWORK 3,921.46, PRECISION REPAIR, INC 2,950.00, PROVISO AREAEXCEPTION CHILDREN 60,864.38, PROVISO TWP SCHL TREAS. OFFICE 46,707.80, RAM MECHANICAL SERVICES 89,642.00, RELIANCE STANDARD LIFE INS CO 13,534.13, ROYAL PIPE & SUPPLY 3,492.24, SASED 75,492.23, SEAL OF ILLINOIS 78,008.22, SHANNON SHERMAN 26,250.00, SOARING EAGLE ACADEMY 103,377.79, SOUTH CHICAGO DANCE THEATRE 24,949.33, SOUTH SIDE CONTROL SUPPLY CO. 2,708.92, Spannuth Boiler Co 4,823.00, SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEMS, INC 10,951.30, STARS AND STRIPES SILK SCREENING INC 2,837.00, State Disbursement Unit 6,216.00, STONE AGE ELECTRIC CO 9,385.00, SUNBELT STAFFING 55,838.85, T-Mobile 3,631.74, TEACHERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM 959,137.31, team select 55,775.89, The Right Approach, Inc 6,585.00, The Second City Works 9,000.00, THRIVE LEADERSHIP CONSULTING LLC 16,500.00, TIM STEFL, INC 12,035.72, TRACEY SCHREIER 14,662.50, TREY BAKER 3,500.00, Twotrees Technology 32,435.00, UNITED STATES TREASURY 1,869,415.39, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO 8,000.00, URBAN TECH ACADEMY 24,600.00, VAAC ENTERPRISES 14,400.00, VANGUARD ENERGY SERVICES, LLC 28,524.60, VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK 30,878.42, WEST 40 COLLABORATIVE LEARNING CENTER 3,996.27, WET USA, INC 8,604.40, WIGHT & COMPANY 85,849.36

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

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Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

O U R

V I E W

OPINION

Hoskins’ view of 2024 Broken attempt to mend a broken world

e open this new year with a Review interview of Mayor Rory Hoskins. We gave the recently re-elected mayor the opportunity to look at the year ahead for the village. A few things stand out to him and to us: It was notable what he took off the table as well as issues he emphasized. We’re glad to see that his half-baked notion of acquiring the vacant U.S. Army Reserve site as a future home for all municipal services has been shelved. This never made sense and was another instance of Hoskins springing major notions with little prep. That said, 2024 would be a good year for village government to conduct a thorough assessment of its currently underinvested-in spaces. Village hall and the connected police and fire stations need attention. Just how decrepit is the Mohr Community Center? At some point in 2024 we expect the District 91 school board will finally come to terms on the future of Grant-White School. We’d like to see the school district, the village and the park district collaborate on its future use and, potentially, in a way that includes at least aspects of the programming currently housed in the community center. Also, the village has a profound interest in what is next at the army reserve center on Roosevelt. Something is going to go in what is the largest development site in the village. It ought to be a notable mixed-use project that involves residential and commercial aspects. We understand that, given the current lull in commercial development owing to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, major developments are unlikely in 2024. That impacts the Roosevelt Road site and also Hoskins’ assessment that there will be no commercial development at the village-owned Altenheim site. We’d still like to see a final consensus on what future use of that site will look like. Hoskins says the now empty Bed Bath & Beyond site on Harlem will likely get a new tenant soon. Again, Forest Park is not in the direct development business, but that huge and prime site ought to have a higher and better use than what could inevitably be another failed mid-sized box store. The mayor walked right up to the cusp of stating the obvious: Rachell Entler will soon be named the permanent village administrator. We think she is doing a good job and clearly Forest Park likes its homegrown administrators more than imports. We still think there should have been a search. But there won’t be, so let’s make her appointment final. Hoskins rightly touts the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce in keeping Forest Park on the regional map, and he notes the happy arrival of Robert’s Westside as a Madison Street music venue, plus the opening of not one but two pot dispensaries in town — a major economic boost to a town that needs such added revenues. Hoskins, a true-blue Democrat and a proposed Biden delegate at this summer’s Dem convention in Chicago, is also looking for some happy spillover of convention spending in Forest Park. We hope so, too.

hat was He thinking? The world was as broken 2024 years ago as it is now. Climate Change wasn’t an issue then, of course, but what is now called Israel was an occupied territory ruled by imperial Rome and society had slid so far into the ethical pit that Romans would leave unwanted babies on the side of the road. According to St. Luke, the way God responded to the brokenness was to leave the serenity of heaven, come to Earth as a vulnerable baby and die on a cross. What good does/did that do? How does that mend anything? Imagine President Biden sending Benjamin Netanyahu a Christmas card with the baby Jesus in a manger on the cover and on the inside writes, “Dear Bibi, the way to resolve the conflict in Gaza is to start loving Hamas and the Palestinian people.” How do you think that would go down with the Israeli premier’s ruling, hard-right coalition? I think Bibi would respond with something like, “Dear Joe, what are you smoking? Can’t you see that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that wants to remove Israel from the face of the earth? The only way to respond to evil like that is to completely eliminate them!” You see the irony in that response, of course. Does a baby in a manger bring any light into the darkness of the world? Were Christians who sang “Silent Night” while holding flickering candles a few nights ago escaping into a fantasy world? “Criminals prefer victims without guns,” declares a conservative bumper sticker. Is It’s a Wonderful Life, so popular at Christmastime, merely a fantasy, a sentimental escape from reality? That question, of course, inevitably leads thoughtful people to ask, “What is really real, profoundly real, after all?” Let me respond to that question by using the metaphor of kidney failure and dialysis. According to the National Kidney Foundation, “Dialysis is a very effective treatment option for clearing waste products and extra fluid from your blood. However, it does not fully replace all the kidney’s functions, so it is not considered a cure for kidney disease or kidney failure.” Dialysis mitigates the effects of kidney failure but only a new kidney cures the problem. The IDF’s military might and Iron Dome have been fairly effective in mitigating the effect of violence perpetrated by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, but at

what cost to civilians? And will the military approach cure the underlying issue? Dialysis mitigates the effects of kidney failure, but only a new kidney cures the problem. The Civil War in this country eliminated one kind of slavery and preserved the union, at least to a degree, but it didn’t mend the brokenness, nor did it cure the underlying disease. We can mitigate the effects of heart disease with medication, diet, lifestyle changes and surgical interventions but only a new heart will cure the underlying problem. Legislation and education have mitigated the effects of racism, antisemitism, gun violence, dependence on fossil fuels, hate, etc., etc., but those remedies have not cured the disease. The Christmas story as Luke tells it is that God decided to address evil in the world by leaving the security of the lifestyle enclave we call heaven and taking up residence in the crime-infested, poverty-ridden, hate-filled, victimized neighborhood we call the world, And so we ask, “How does a baby in a manger address the pain, hate, violence and suffering in the world?” Perhaps Dionne Warwick was channeling the Christmas story when she sang, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. That’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” To cure one disease we need a new kidney. To cure others we need new hearts and minds, a new reality which is more profoundly real and lasting than the one to which we’ve become accustomed. When you look at it that way, maybe the baby in a manger is an opportunity to begin mending the brokenness instead of patching the tear over and over. Until a kidney donor comes forward, dialysis keeps the patient alive, but to cure the underlying issue, the patient needs a new kidney. The metaphor implies that until we get a new heart, military force and legislation may be necessary, but we dare not delude ourselves that therein lies the cure. Abraham Lincoln was willing to sacrifice 600,000 lives in order to preserve the union, but what he said in his Second Inaugural Address reveals, at least to me, that he understood that a military victory was not a cure for the disease. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive … to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. Maybe God, in the long run, knew what he was doing after all.

TOM HOLMES

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

This New Year, it’s personal

John Rice is taking a break, so we decided to check on his New Year resolutions from last year: t’s time to get serious with our New Year’s resolutions for 2023. ■ We’re going to buy a new car with enough sensors and cameras to take the guesswork out of changing lanes. But we’ll sure miss the adrenaline rush we get every time we merge. ■ I’m going to spend another year talking about learning to play pickleball while avoiding any form of exercise. ■ If anyone dares to use the term “homeless” in my presence, I’ll pounce on them with the more politically correct “unhoused.” ■ We will make sure to consume our daily recommended quantity of bacon. ■ If we’re ever going to save the planet, we have to stop buying single-use water bottles. Besides, we can no longer carry a case of water. ■ We’re also going green by using handkerchiefs instead of tissues. Sociologists determined the decline of civilization began when we stopped carrying handkerchiefs or wearing one on display with our suits.

■ I will continue to volun-

teer at Triton College tutoring ESL students to improve their English. There’s no better way to sharpen your English skills than teaching it to others. ■ My wife and I will save cash and calories by splitting restaurant entrees — for the rest of our lives. We’ll also experiment with the “Happy Hour” diet to see if we can survive on chicken wings and mozzarella sticks. ■ I’ll continue to take walks without musical accompaniment. I also will not make phone calls. I have to stay alert to avoid pedestrians who are staring down at their screens. ■ I’m looking forward to hearing more from my friends at “Potential Spam.” ■ We’re never going to finish watching the second season of Ted Lasso because we couldn’t get past the episode that focused solely on Coach Beard. ■ I will brush up on my geography and no longer write that Dubai is in Saudi Arabia. By the way, Dubai is now the number one tourist destination on the planet. What happened to Wisconsin Dells? ■ We’ll continue watching our grandsons, but the days of getting down on the floor

JOHN RICE

L O O K

B A C K

I N

with them are numbered. ■ I’m trying to remain neutral in our upcoming local elections, but it’s tough to resist a fundraiser at Circle Lanes. ■ The Altenheim Advisory Committee hasn’t asked me for input, but if we build a pond, animals and people will come. ■ We’re converting our spare bedroom into an Airbnb. Guests are encouraged to supply their own air mattress. The single bathroom is available most mornings by 11. ■ Solitaire Scrabble may sound desperate but it’s more fun than solitaire Yahtzee. I also enjoy playing solitaire basketball. ■ We will continue to scroll through movie channels without watching any of them. Brings back fond memories of not finding anything to rent at the video store. ■ I’m going to become a member at the Roos Recreation Center. Unlike more expensive health clubs, not showing up will only cost me $10 per month. ■ We will explore exotic lands and encounter strange new cultures by driving south of I-80. ■ We will avoid toxic people who only care about themselves and don’t want to hear detailed accounts about our health problems. ■ We will continue to be grateful for the giving spirit of Forest Park.

T I M E

Eight new restaurants in one year

cratch Kitchen and Lounge was just in its early days of opening as “an urban sandwich and artisan canned beer bodega.” It was among eight Forest Park restaurants that opened during the Great Recession of 2012. The “diner food with an attitude” was new to Madison and has evolved over the past decade-plus. During 2012, Forest Park welcomed such new restaurants as Amelia’s (taking over Harrison Street Café, 7300 Harrison), Fiorenza (7404 Madison) featuring Italian cuisine, Tapas at 7232 Madison, Old School Tavern and Grill taking over former M. Hermans at 201 Desplaines, Junction Diner (7401 Madison, where the train brought food to children), Piggyback Barbeque (410 Circle), and Yilin (Pan Asian choice for sushi) took over the Coral at 7600 Madison St.

Jill Wagner

Photo: Scratch Kitchen chefs were among those celebrated in the Jan. 2, 2013 issue of the Forest Park Review as one of eight new restaurants that opened in Forest Park in 2012.

F O R E S T PA R K

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

Board of Directors Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer HOW TO REACH US ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 PHONE 708-366-0600 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 EMAIL forestpark@wjinc.com CIRCULATION Jill@oakpark.com ONLINE ForestParkReview.com Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review,141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160) In-county subscriptions: $34 per year. $55 for two years, $69 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $42 per year. Forest Park Review is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. © 2024 Growing Community Media NFP.

Forest Park Review, January 3, 2024

MY TRAUMATIC NEAR MISS

do not enjoy driving. If I could have any boujee service, it would be a personal driver. This was especially true when I worked the nighttime shift driving back and forth to police stations in my role as a prosecutor. I made numerous trips up and down Lake Shore Drive. Luckily, most of these trips were uneventful. All but one. One night at 3:00 a.m., I was driving south on Lake Shore Drive. I noticed two cars drag racing behind me a couple of lanes over. I slowed down, stayed in my lane, and tried to steer clear. Once they passed me, I thought I was in the clear. I was wrong. One of the cars crossed into my lane about a block in front of me and lost control. It started to donut between my lane and the lane to my west. I thought this was the end of me. But, as I went to avoid a crash, the car veered out of my lane and swerved across three adjacent lanes. It then exited via the off ramp. Not a single car was stuck. It was like a slow-motion dream. Although that near-miss experience caused me to feel overwhelmed, it did not appear to have any impact on anyone around me. Traffic went right back to normal, as if nothing ever happened. I think this experience is instructive about today’s economy. And why we Americans feel so lousy despite good economic numbers.