ForestParkReview_082025 by Wednesday Journal

Community members show up to welcome students to the new school year

Will the ‘100 Men and Women Welcome’ become Proviso’s newest tradition?

WELCOME WAGON: Local greeters included Mayor Rory Hoskins (center) and Forest Park Commissioner Michelle MelinRogov in (center right).

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Contributing Reporter

There were high fives all around for the start of the 2025-26 school year at Proviso’s three high schools, with community members lining the hallways to welcome students back for what they

hope will be a great school year.

The “100 Men and Women Welcome,” an inaugural event for the district, was held at Proviso West, Proviso East and Proviso Math and Science Academy on Thursday, Aug. 14, the first day of school.

According to Cori Hobbs, parent and community engagement coordinator for D209, the 160 participants who lined the

entrance to the schools were parents, Proviso alumni, community members and elected officials.

“The kids were so happy,” Hobbs told Forest Park Review. “They were smiling, some of them were like ‘what is going

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Following the village’s projection earlier this month of a $15 million deficit in the 2026 fiscal year — and the village council’s rejection of residential zoning changes in June — Maria Maxham, commissioner of accounts and finance, called attention to Forest Park’s dire financial and development situation at the Aug. 11 council meeting.

“As you all know, we are carrying a $15 million overall deficit, and the most urgent part of that is over $6 million in our general fund alone,

VILLAGE BUDGET on page 14 See WELCOME BACK on page 7

PROVISO TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS DISTRICT 209 FACEBOOK

Food Aid ‘strengthens the community’

e fourth annual music festival will support local organizations ghting food insecurity

By ELIZABETH SHORT Contributing Reporter

During the pandemic, Oak Parker Donnie Biggins, founder and operator of Robert’s Westside in Forest Park, saw many existing social inequalities grow. Wanting to help others in the area, he decided to take action against food insecurity, an issue that he knew he could “make a positive impact on.”

That action became Food Aid. Since 2022, the annual music festival has been dedicated to combatting food insecurity. Now in its fourth year, Food Aid’s mission has remained the same: “to prevent individuals and their families from experiencing hunger.”

Eats Initiative, Best of Proviso Township, Beyond Hunger, the Oak Park Community Fridges, and the Westchester Food Pantry.

In its first three years, the festival raised over $25,000 to combat food insecurity in Chicago’s Westside and surrounding areas. This year’s goal is to raise $20,000 for the cause.

As federal budget cuts are due to decrease SNAP access – putting around 360,000 Il- and have made things even worse for Tomblin said that attending the event great way to learn more about the resources available to those experiencing food insecurity. “If people know that there larger organizations that are there to support, maybe it will help to take some of the personal ne gative connotations away from the fact that one might need to go to the food pantry to get the things they might need,” she said.

Robert’s Westside, along with WBEZ as a presenting partner, is hosting Food Aid 2025 on Aug. 22 and 23. Rock band Crack er will headline the event, with openers The Shams Band (self-described as “rock n’roll with a banjo”) on Aug. 22 and Chicago based Americana artist Rachel Swain on Aug. 23. Robert’s Westside is at Madison St.

This year, the festival is introducing the Food Aid Block Party at O’Sullivan’s Public House on Aug. 23, an event that will be “family friendly and fun for all ages,” said Biggins. The block party will be free with donations collected on site. DJ Bounce House, Cheryl Tomblin, Maggie’s Fa The Szurko Trio, Haymaker, and High & Lonesome will perform at the Block ty. O’Sullivan’s is at 7244 Madison St Food Aid takes a local approach to this global issue, supporting community organizations based on the West Side and the near west suburbs. Proceeds from the event will go to A House in Austin, Austin

r people who might be experiencing food insecurity for the first time, Tomblin said that the Food Aid festival can help to show people that they “aren’t alone” and that they “do not have to go far to access these resources.”

Food Aid is also a chance to explore the local music scene and hear local bands, said Tomblin. “I think that it’s just going to help to strengthen the community and bring these two things (music and the against hunger) together,” she said. nd it’s going to help both communities ; musically, absolutely, but most important is the social awareness. And that’s the main point of the Food Aid festival.”

General admission is $50 plus service Reserved table + GA is $60 per seat plus service fees. More information is availle at foodaidfestival.com.

The Food Aid Block Party is free. If you would like to make a tax deductible donaby check instead of cash, Food Aid asks you to write a check directly to one of the beneficiaries (the festi val does not have a 501c3).

PHOTO PROVIDED

HEADLINERS: e band Cracker will take the lead at Food Aid.

New lift truck purchased for public works dept. Commissioners

laud ongoing tree management as windstorms hit

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

You may soon see a new lift truck driving around town.

Forest Park village commissioners approved the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-550 aerial lift truck for $173,119 at the Aug. 11 village council meeting. Sal Stella, director of public works, estimated that the truck was to be delivered by the end of last week or early this week.

Stella says his department’s current lift truck has been in the shop for the last three months, where workers can’t get it to start.

“It literally works year-round, between cutting down and trimming trees, hanging light pole and event banners, and any other kind of aerial work that we have to do,” Stella told the Review.

The department’s current 2004 Ford F-450 lift truck has had tens of thousands of dollars of electric and hydraulic repairs over the past few years, and it’s barely passing annual inspections, according to Stella. While the public works department has been without it, they’ve been renting a truck from Runnion Equipment, the same company they’re buying the truck from. Runnion is giving the village a $4,500 discount on the new truck and waiving its rental fees of $1,500 a week over the last three months.

The new lift truck will improve the safety

and efficiency of the public works depart ment, whose staffers can now be “confident it’s not going to fail on you when you’re feet up in the air,” Stella said. “Safety’s a concern and reliability’s a concern.”

During discussion for the agenda item at the council meeting, Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin supported the pu chase of the lift truck.

“I appreciate the investment in this hicle because, as we’ve discussed and invested in the safety and well-being of our village crew, the current workarounds that we have are less than optimal,” Melin-Ro ovin said.

Also during discussion, Commissioner Jessica Voogd recalled a heavy storm a few months ago, when she called Stella to check in on damage from fallen trees and branches around town. She said Stella responded that it was minimal and better than other surrounding communities.

“The investments that we’ve been making over the years in our Urban Forestry Management Plan, in the vehicles and equipment and stuf f that they need, we are seeing a return on that investment,” Voogd said. “We’re seeing improved quality of our trees and less of these unknown variable conditions, where limbs are coming down or trees are coming down just because we don’t know what shape they are in and we’re not taking care of them.”

In 2021, Forest Park got a matching grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to help finance the Urban Forestry Management Plan. It funded the inventory of 3,335 trees and an outline for how to maintain them, and plant more, over the next several years.

Stella said the village will update that inventory every five years to keep track of

e public works department’s new 2024 Ford F-550 aerial li truck has an insulated boom and berglass basket to reduce elec trical hazard risks.

which trees need to come down and when. He added that, with high-wind storms in the Chicagoland area on Aug. 11 and 12, Forest Park didn’t see any fallen trees.

But that wasn’t always the case. After working for the public works department for 28 years, Stella said storms like that in past years would’ve caused four or five trees to come down.

“Luckily, now we don’t see that. Every once in a while, but that’s about it,” he said.

The public works department still needs a new chipper truck — the box truck that tows the chipper used to cut up tree branches and logs around the village. The

chipper truck is also used year-round, for brush pickup twice a week and for tree pickup after Christmas.

Stella said the department’s current chipper truck is from 1999.

“It has internal engine problems, where it emits horrible black smoke anytime you hit the accelerator and has bad oil leaks that can’t be fixed because it’s an internal engine issue,” Stella said.

Stella hopes to get a new chipper truck within the next six months. He said the village needs to replenish some of the money in its vehicle replacement program’s Motor Fuel Tax fund before buying the new truck.

Digital water meter installation to start within next month

e public works department will replace manual water meters with digital ones a er a delay with the company that will read and store the data

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

If you don’t have a digital water meter, you’ll soon receive a postcard in the mail with instructions on how to schedule an appointment to get one installed.

As Forest Park transitions 3,180 commercial and residential manual water meters to digital ones, replacement work around the village will start within the next month after a delay with the company that will read and store data from the meters.

The village council approved three payments for its water meter replacement project at the Aug. 11 meeting, a cost that totaled about $415,000 to Vere gy Central. The company is contracted to do the work

last council meeting.

Sal Stella, director of public works, said the amount approved at the meeting is back payments owed for completed work He said the payments were delayed after Sensus — which will store meter readings in its cloud and transfer them daily over to the customer portal — was bought out by its parent company Xylem. In the transition, there was paperwork that never got submitted to the state, compromising the village’s service agreement with Sensus. Stella said the village’s attorney flagged the er ror, and there was a stop-work order until the paperwork was set straight. Because Xylem is in good standing with the state, Stella said the company changed the service ag reement with the village to be under its name instead so that work could

August 22 Friday 5-9PM

PROVIDED

An example of what the new water meter customer portal might look like, plus the water meter that w ill go in most residential homes

“While this stop-work order was going on, the bills were stopped. Once everything started going again, that’s when all the bills started getting paid again,” Stella said of why there were three payments approved to the lead contractor at the last council meeting. The delay also affected the installation of the water meters. “We couldn’t install the water meters because they wouldn’t be able to read them.”

Now that work is back on again, the village is sending out postcards in the mail that instruct residents on how to schedule a date to get a digital water meter installed. Stella said the public works department will start installing water meters within the next month.

“After a short delay, we’re getting that work up and running and implemented in the village. It’ll be a benefit for residents and make the village more efficient and effective,” Commissioner Michelle MelinRogovin said at the Aug. 11 council meeting during discussion about the three water meter project payments.

The village began replacing manual water meters in 2000, starting with those that were de grading or faulty. The public works department re placed them with meters that have a wireless system. So instead

of walking up to manual water meters to read them, as had been done for decades, workers could read the meters by driving around town and not leaving their truck.

About 35% of the village’s water meters currently have digital displays, while the rest are manual meters. Stella previously told the Review that he expects the whole village will have digital meters by the end of the year.

The digital water meters that will soon be installed will be read through a radio signal from an antenna. This allows staf f to monitor water usage from village hall, and for customers to monitor their water usage through a portal.

While village staf f say residents may see a slightly higher bill with the newest round of water meters, they will also have more transparency around their water usage through the customer portal.

The portal will “eventually allow users to be able to access their water meter usage and hopefully will allow people to have a better idea of how they’re using water,” Village Administrator Rachell Entler said at a council meeting in February. “They won’t have to wait until we do billing to realize they may have a water leak somewhere in their house.”

D209 expected to end FY2026 with nearly $6 million surplus

Cautions about impact on future federal funding

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Contributing Reporter

Proviso High School District 209 approved a new FY26 budget which will set up the district to end the year with an expected surplus of $6 million.

According to Deborah Hill, chief school business officer for D209, the district is expected to see a fund balance of $85,986,000.

The proposed budget was presented to the board for the required public hearing during the Aug. 12 school board meeting after its initial presentation to the board during a June 10 board meeting.

A breakdown of the budget by fund showed $84 million in education expenses, $11. 5 million in building expenses and $9.8 million in transportation expenses, which have increased by $2 million.

A few revenue streams for the district will be affected in this upcoming budget, including the elimination of the ESSER Grant, which provided districts with COVID-19 Pandemic relief funding, and the decrease of corporate taxes by 15%. This caused a decrease in federal grants of $3.3 million and state grants by $93,000.

“The district finances improved significantly after 2019 as a result of those ESSER funds but the 2026 budget does indicate lower access and a lower surplus as we have received in prior years,” Hill said.

“We have a system in place this year to make sure we are de nitely staying on budget.”

DEBORAH HILL Chief Business O cer

Hill said a few major expenses affecting the 2026 Fiscal Year budget are the increase of about 6.8 percent in total salary expenses for the district and a $7.5 million investment in Capital Projects among others.

Additional expenditures include $14 million in employee benefits, $7.2 million for supplies and materials and $21.2 million for purchased services.

However, it is not only money out as the district will bring in a 3% increase in real estate taxes, taking district revenue from $78 million to $80.2 for this year’s budget.

The district also received an increase of $3.3 million for evidence-based funding.

Additionally, out-of-district tuition will increase by $800,000 through various for ms including investment in dual de gree programs and increases in enrollment in career academic programs.

Overall, the total expenses for the district will only increase by 1.2%, Hill said.

“We have a system in place this year to make sure we are definitely staying on budget like we have in the past but more so we have systems we are putting in place, primarily with our pre-purchasing committee where we’re evaluating every purchase that comes through the district office,” Hill said, adding they review each purchase

over $2,500.

While the district is expected to end FY26 with a surplus, Hill said there has to be “honest conversation” around potential future threats to school funding.

Additionally, Hill said while EvidenceBased Funding did increase by $307 million across the state of Illinois, the district cannot be too confident those increases will continue.

“We cannot depend on those high level EBF’s amounts,” Hill said. “With the current climate as it relates to our finances

across the country, we just don’t know. So that is why it is important that we maintain those healthy reserves.”

Hill also said federal funding to schools has been paused and there is uncertainty re garding the future of the U.S. Department of Education.

“I am pretty sure we have all seen the news as it relates to that,” Hill said. “So, we don’t know how that will impact us in the coming months, in the coming years. We just want to make sure we continue to remain fiscally conservative with our dollars.”

FILE PHOTO

ONE OF THREE: e Prov iso Math and Science Academy in Forest Park is one of three public high schools in Prov iso Township.

WELCOME BACK Student encouragement

from page 1

on?’ The kids thought it was a really good start to their year.”

The district had put the call out to the community two weeks before the start of school, asking for 100 people to show up, so surpassing that number for their first event was a great feeling.

“We were beyond ecstatic,” Hobbs said. “This is something that Superintendent [Krish] Mohip has done at previous school districts and he really wanted our students to have that opportunity to feel that support.”

Among those participating in the welcome, designed to inspire, create pride and belonging and instill confidence in students, were police and fire departments, local mayors and church leaders, Hobbs said.

Being a part of Proviso’s first day of school was not a new concept to Mayor Andre Harvey of Bellwood, who said via press release that he has made it a point to be at the first day for as long as he could remember

“I know how important it is for them to see familiar faces from their community cheering them on,” Harvey said. “Every handshake, every smile, every ‘good morning’ is a reminder that they are not alone on this journey. Bellwood will always stand behind our students, not just tod ery da dation of our futur

dents to feel welcomed but also “truly celebrated.”

Maywood Fire Department personnel were among those who attended the ‘100 M and Woman’ event for Prov iso D209’s rst day of school .

“I have seen firsthand in other districts how a strong community presence on the first day of school can set a positive tone for the entire year,” Mohip said. “This welcome sends a clear message that their community, school leadership, district team, staf f and teachers believe in them and

release. “We lined the walkways, clapping and cheering as our students stepped into a new school year, some with shy smiles, others with big, confident grins.”

Many participants arrived “bright and early,” around 7 a.m., Hobbs said, adding they wanted to ensure that re gardless arriving people

the end of the school year eat start to their

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Field-Stevenson sets goals to meet state designation

With property taxes late, Hubbird touts fund balance

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Field-Stevenson Intermediate School has set specific goals for the new school year which focus on math, ELA, and social and emotional learning. The goals were required as the school was designated by the state as needing improvement as part of an annual review process.

The goals were set by Susan Bogdan, the school’s principal, and her staf f, said Robert Hubbird, the District 91 interim superintendent at a school board meeting on Aug. 14.

Hubbird said so-called SMART goals are used in school improvement planning and must objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.

The goal setting was required by the state after Field-Stevenson received a designation of“targeted” in the annual school report card process. In Illinois, there are four designations within the statewide school accountability system: exemplary, commendable, targeted, comprehensive and intensive

Forest Park’s three other public elementary schools – Betsy Ross, Garfield and Forest Park Middle School – were all classified as “commendable.”

Schools designated as targeted, comprehensive, and intensive receive can receive additional federal funding and support if they set and achieve goals.

“Because ofField-Stevenson’s rating that they received of ‘targeted,’ they have to develop SMART goals in order to get additional federal funding,” Hubbird said. “Principal (Susan) Bogdan met with her team and these are the goals that they came up with for the year.”

Those goals include improvements at Field-Stevenson in ELA, general education, math, social and emotional learning, and the 5Essentials survey.

At the meeting Hubbird, who is doubling as the district’s “chief business officer” as well as interim superintendent, presented a fourth quarter financial report. The re-

port reflected the financial activity ofthe district from March 1 - June 30, 2025.

The district’s fund balance increased because it received additional tax revenue that was owed to the district from previous years. Expenses were also cut by 4%.

“It was a good quarter,” said Hubbird.

Hubbird said there will be a delay in the receipt ofproperty tax revenues from the county. He said the revenue, which the district normally receives in July or August, is not expected until December.

“So it’s good that we’ve planned and built up a reserve to help us out during these situations,” Hubbird said.

A tentative annual budget was also presented, which will be posted for 30 days and voted on during the board’s next meeting on Sept 11.

Another topic covered by Hubbird during the meeting was talent, recruitment and development. Presently, District 91 is looking to fill six positions: middle school math teacher, youth interventionist, permanent substitute, instructional assistant, lunchroom monitor, and school engagement coordinator.

“Please help spread the word,” Hubbird said. “We offer great insurance, tuition reimbursement and opportunities for advancement.”

With the new school year beginning this week, Hubbird emphasized the district’s ongoing commitment to easing the financial burden on families by providing free school supplies—a practice that has been in place since 2014.

“So thank you, board members, for ensuring that all students have equitable access to be successful,” he said.

Steven Rummel, the board’s vice president, wrapped up the meeting by expressing gratitude for District 91’s teachers.

“I just want to reiterate that we really appreciate the work that the teachers have done to prepare for this year,” Rummel said. “There’s been a lot of changes during the last five years and you guys have rolled with all of it, and you’ve done a great job –and we’ve seen it and we reco gnize it.”

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DISH ABOUT A DISH

Oh, the pork chop at Autre Monde

is chop has a following

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

Brian Brock has, by his own estimation, eaten at Berwyn’s Autre Monde more than 500 times. The pork chop is his go-to meal, when he’s not tempted by the specials. He fell for the restaurant’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe as he searched for a new home

“My husband and I were living outside of Ann Arbor, and we were both like, where’s our next place going to be?” Brock said. “A friend from college posted that some friends he used to work with at Spiaggia were opening this place in Berwyn. And my husband’s like, ‘Where? Oh, my gosh. Brian, look. At these houses.’ We started making the drive to check out houses, and then we would stop at Autre Monde every time.”

Brock and his husband, David, bought the house in Berwyn and became regulars. Brock keeps circling back to one item.

“When I go out, I want to eat something that I’m not going to go through the trouble at home or have a failure at home. The pork chop is that that dish,” said Brock.

For the partners at Autre Monde the pork chop is special too.

buys the whole rib rack it in house.

“There’s meat around the bone ly is sitting on top of the po cooks, it releases all that kind of internally basting itself,” Chef Pancake said.

The g rill is special too. It was an essential featur kitchen.

“They wanted a g rill in there because meat is just so different it that way,” Tully said. “The temperatur bit of char, the caramelization something like that.”

“We pull the door and it with that wood smell. And I’m li

“It’s been on the menu in some iterations since we opened,” Christine Tully, partner and managing director, said.

e pork chop at Autre Monde

“I love the pork chop. I think it is, if not unique, pretty special in the world of pork chops,” Dan Pancake, chef and partner, said.

The chop itself comes from a Duroc breed pig raised in Iowa on a farm where it’s allowed to roam freely. The restaurant

erly is letting it rest properly We let all of the meat, especially the pork chop – because it’s a little bit bigger piece of meat, let it rest for five to ten minutes,” said Pancake.

Then it’s onto the plate.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

want the pork chop,” Brock said.

But before the chop hits the grill, it begins a Mediterranean transformation with a soak in brine: pink pe ppercor ns, red pepper flakes, black peppercor ns, some sliced onion and salt. Then, after it’s grilled to perfection, it still has a few more steps

“What is as important as cooking it prop-

“I love the olives and then the kind of sweet anise flavor from the caramelized fennel. It’s just a really nice dish, really tender, flavorful,” Brock said. “It’s a big pork chop, so I will take some of it home. And then before the night is over, you can gnaw on the bone in the comfort of your kitchen.”

“On the menu there are probably three to four or five things that have survived the test of time. Maybe this is prideful, but I think we figured out how to best represent those dishes. We found the right product and the right way to cook it in the right combination of flavors,” Pancake said.

While the restaurant has this very thoughtful, mature process for getting food

Get in on the avor

autremondecafe.net

6727 Roosevelt Road, Ber wyn

Hours: Sun - Mon. 5-9 p.m.

Tue. Cocktail Lounge 5-10 p.m. Wed. Closed Thur. 5-9 p.m. Fri. - Sat 5-10 p.m.

onto the table, the overall dining experience is meant to be approachable.

“This is still a neighborhood restaurant,” Pancake said. “The whole point is to create an experience that begs people in of f the street to eat at a neighborhood restaurant.”

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500 PORK CHOPS LATER: Chef Dan Pancake serves Brian Brock a pork chop at Autre Monde

Man arrested at Thorntons for intent to sell heroin

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Police were flagged down for an accident on the 600 block of Harlem Avenue on the evening of Aug. 9. They pulled into Thorntons gas station, where a Jeep was parked next to an Audi. The driver of the Jeep was visibly upset and said the Audi driver turned left into the gas station directly in front of her. Police reported that the man driving the Audi behaved abnormally, as he was sweating profusely, speaking quietly and shaking. According to police, officers have arrested several people on heroin in the gas station parking lot. Though the man denied having heroin in his car, police found 22 bags of suspected heroin — or nearly 19 grams, which police determined was too much for personal use — in the Audi’s center console. After police handcuffed him, the man told them he’d been using heroin since 2008 and just bought $100 worth on Chicago’s West Side. Police charged him with possession of a controlled substance and delivering a controlled substance.

Resisting an o cer

Police were dispatched to a Beloit Avenue residence on Aug. 9 after dispatch advised that a male subject was actively striking a female and not letting her leave. Police reported that they heard a woman screaming inside the apar tment when they arrived. The man opened the door to police and was belligerent and screaming, according to officers, who reported the presence of two children who were visibly upset. According to police, the man continued arguing with officers and pushed one as they were speaking. When officers tried to handcuf f him, he continually resisted by tensing his arms and body Police eventually handcuffed him and escorted him to the front steps. Police spoke with the woman, who said she stayed the night at the man’s apar tment and, that morning, the two fought about child custody, an argument that escalated when the woman said she was leaving with the kids. She reported that the man grabbed her shirt, refused to

let her leave and prevented her from calling police. She also said she’s made similar reports with police in the past and that the man didn’t hit her, so she refused to sign complaints. Police charged the man with four counts of resisting or obstructing an officer, and they completed a report for the Department of Children and Family Services.

On Aug. 12, police were told that a man who was wanted by their department was being released from Loretto Hospital, where security directed police to a back stairwell. Upon seeing the man, police instructed him to face the wall and put his hands behind his back, which he briefly did before running toward the stairwell. Police reported that there was a brief struggle before the man was placed into custody. He was charged with three counts of resisting or obstructing an officer.

Burglary

Police responded to the 1500 block of Harlem Avenue on Aug. 13 for a burglary. The caller told them that, after midnight, a man in all black got out of a red hatchback car and urinated in the alley before entering the backyard of a residence in the 1500 block of Elgin Avenue and stealing a lawnmower. Police were unable to identify the man at the time of the re port.

Theft

On Aug. 13, police were dispatched to the 100 block of Harlem Avenue after a woman reported that a man stole her bag and fled down the street. The woman told police that she attempted to use the bathroom at Taco Bell, but when it was occupied, left her bag on a chair and walked across the street. When she returned, a Taco Bell employee told her a man took her bag, which she said had her phone, credit cards, keys and clothes inside After watching surveillance footage from the store, police broadcasted the man’s description on their radio. Using the village’s cameras, police located the man at Harlem and Circle before he got on an outbound Green Line train. The woman said she’d sign complaints if the man is located.

FOREST PARK BUDGET

A deep hole

from page 1

which is a huge problem,” Maxham said during her commissioner’s report at the end of the meeting.

The village accesses its general fund for the majority of its day-to-day expenses. Over $2 million of that $6 million deficit in the general fund was borrowed from other funds, which Maxham says is legal but not sustainable.

“If we need to fill $2 million of an operational budget with money from another fund, that’s a really big problem,” Maxham said. “That’s $2 million that we need to pay back to that fund someday, and we don’t have a plan in place to do that.”

She added that the village’s revenues have gone up 17% since 2022, but its expenses have gone up 26% during that time.

During her commissioner’s comment, Maxham also brought up the possible place of eating tax. Village staf f have previously discussed creating a 1-to-2% tax at restaurants and eateries in town to create more revenue for Forest Park. But after all four public commenters at a July 28 meeting discussing possible new for ms of revenue expressed concern over the potential tax, commissioners ag reed not to explore it further at this time.

“I listened to all the business owners, and I’ve talked to business owners too. I know that that would be a huge burden for them,” Maxham said of the place of eating tax. “But what we need to be more concerned about is the burden on the village right now.”

“We can’t just say no because we don’t want to hurt other people,” Maxham added. “It’s hard to ask people to sacrifice, but we’re here to do really, really hard things to make this town sustainable, and we’re not doing that.”

Maxham said she ag reed with the Aug. 6 Forest Park Review editorial saying the village had punted on the place of eating tax. Maxham previously worked as the Review’s editor.

Officials estimate that a 1% tax would bring $500,000 to the village, a 2% tax garnering $1 million.

“We didn’t even ne gotiate,” Maxham said. “What about three-fourths of a percent? It was just a flat out ‘No, we’re not even going to talk about this.’ That, to me, feels like a really big failure.”

Residential zoning code complaints

After addressing her concerns about the deficit, Maxham turned to development issues.

“We can’t keep saying no to things, and that includes development,” Maxham said during her commissioner’s report. “A few months ago, the council majority voted down another oppor tunity for revenue and development, and that was with the proposed zoning code changes.”

their properties don’t align with the current zoning code.

After three meetings with the planning and zoning commission last year about the residential code changes — and a tabled vote in October after Commissioners Michelle Melin-Rogovin and Jessica Voogd had unanswered questions — in May, Voogd and Mayor Rory Hoskins voted against the residential zoning changes, and MelinRogovin abstained from the vote. To bring the code changes back to a council vote, they must first go back to the planning and zoning commission.

“That’s $2 million that we need to pay back to that fund someday, and we don’t have a plan in place to do that.”

M ARIA

M Village Commissioner

Forest Park’s building department and its planning services consultant Muse have been working to update batches of the village code. Amended residential zoning would have brought over 2,100 of the village’s 2,828 residential lots into compliance with the code, allowing those property owners to refinance or implement any building changes. Without the residential code changes, they won’t be able to because

Commissioners Melin-Rogovin and Voogd said they had concerns about how the residential code updates would affect stormwater management and create unwanted density. Commissioners Maxham and Ryan Nero, who voted in favor of the code changes, said they encouraged appropriate development that could serve as a source of revenue for the village

“That was a really big step back for development,” Maxham said of the rejected code changes. “I’m hearing about that from residents who wanted to do work on their houses and from developers who wanted to come in and develop in this community.”

“Property tax revenue through development is critical, and we left a pretty big hole,” Nero said during his commission-

er’s comment. “There were some significant opportunities that potentially were squandered that I hope we can get things back on the rails at some point.”

“Our finances and how we address them as a council should be our number one, highest priority before anything else we do. We should always be asking ourselves the question, ‘Does this move us closer to financial stability or push us further into the red?’” Maxham added. “Because we are so far in the red right now that it’s really scary. And if you guys aren’t scared, then maybe I’m on a different planet.”

“I am not panicked. I am not scared. I don’t think, for myself, those things are helpful. I am trying to analyze and understand what is necessary in the decisions that we need to make over time. I’m not judging anybody. I think we all come to this from very important places,” MelinRogovin said during her commissioner’s comment.

She continued, “I think the measured approach that our village staf f takes has put us in a very good position to be able to analyze some of those questions and to think in the short term and the long term about how we can make effective decisions and then look across our skill sets to be able to say, ‘What kinds of things can we do in the legislative space, in the property tax space, in working together with our business community, in all the pain points that we have?’”

Commissioner Voogd and Mayor Rory Hoskins did not speak to either the village’s budget or zoning code changes during their commissioner’s re ports.

At the end of her commissioner’s comments, Maxham repeated a call to action by Nero at the July 28 meeting to discuss new sources of revenue. She asked residents to suggest ideas about how to dig the village out of its financial hole.

“I think anything should be on the table, because the status quo is not working and is not going to fix this,” Maxham said.

“If it wasn’t the place of eating tax, there’s a handful of other things, and we should push those past the goal line to see where we could be financially moving forward,” Nero said during his commissioner’s comment. “But we can’t let up on that.”

MAXHA

RYAN NERO

MICHELLE MELIN-ROGOVIN

MARIA MAXHAM

OUR VIEW

Maxham’s plain talk

At the close of last week’s village council meeting, commissioners took their usual turns making closing comments. Commissioner Maria Maxham used her opportunity to revisit the staggering $15 million deficit in the budget the council recently approved for the new fiscal year

Specifically, she pointed to the council’s decision to skip past an actual proposal that Forest Park adopt a “places of eating” tax to raise some substantial new money to shovel into the budget’s gaping maw. After a quartet of local restaurant owners spoke and inevitably objected, the council caved on one of the very few chances it has to find new revenue.

Forest Park, a community with fewer than 25,000 residents, does not have Home Rule authority under state law. That means it is seriously limited in the ways it can impose taxes and fees to increase revenue. While bigger towns such as Oak Park can and do attach fees to everything that moves, Forest Park’s options are limited.

That makes dismissing a new revenue source, which could bring in up to $1 million a year, a case of local government malfeasance.

It is not possible for Forest Park to continue overspending its revenues by gobs of dollars, year after year. So far, we have no specific objections to how the village is spending the money it doesn’t have. After decades of disinvestment in its facilities and equipment, the spending is critical. But not if there isn’t any cash.

Maxham spoke up and talked sense. Commissioner Ryan Nero largely backed her up. Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, who we generally admire, unfurled a stretch of bureaucratese that was discouraging and not reflective of the moment Forest Park leaders find themselves in

Then there is Mayor Rory Hoskins who, again, was silent. The mayor is currently running for the U.S. Congress to replace the retiring Danny Davis. Perhaps he is drawn to serve in the federal government because it can spend money it doesn’t have while just piling up debt. But it doesn’t work that way in small-town America.

Final thoughts: Get the places-of-eating tax back on the agenda. As Maxham suggested, debate its merits and consider starting the tax with a lower percentage amount. Pass this new tax promptly. Maxham, who at one time was the editor of the Review, has previously said she would bring up the challenging topic of Home Rule.

Now is the time. It will take an affirmative vote of taxpayers to adopt Home Rule, and that is going to be a tough sell. This needs thoughtful discussion among commissioners, and for the mayor to build in protections for taxpayers by making the case that the benefits of Home Rule are necessary for a village with needs and ambitions to be a first-rate place to live and work

OPINION

Re ections on pain

Each week, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, “approximately 23 percent of U.S. adults — or 52 million consumers — use an acetaminophen-containing medicine.”

That’s a lot of Tylenol. That’s a lot of pain

I came home from Loyola Hospital last week after spending 34 days there. The doctors admitted me because I had been experiencing extreme pain. When the hospital staff ask you how bad your pain is, they expect you to respond with a number — 0 means no pain and 10 means it is unbearable. I was responding with sevens and eights

HOLMES

They medicated me with opioids like Norco every six hours, which helped a lot right after I swallowed the pill, but after four hours the effect of the drug started to wear off and for two hours I would grit my teeth and curse the clock for moving so slowly.

They did MRIs, ST scans, and blood-draws to try to figure out what was causing my pain. What they found was a fracture in my left femur. In surgery they reinforced the bone with a metal rod. Physical therapy started after the repair job, but the pain continued It was a pain trifecta: pain from the surgery, pain from a sciatica issue which I’d been struggling with for two years and pain from my neurological disorder for 28 years. In addition, there were lots of needles: a blood-draw every morning, heparin shots to prevent blood clots and IVs.

I say all this not to get sympathy, but in the hope that many of you will see yourself in my story, and others will see what’s coming down the road and get prepared. I guess it’s human nature to ask why. Why me? What caused the fracture? Why is recovery going so slowly?

The ortho docs told me they could tell that the fracture was not caused by a fall, so my pain wasn’t my “fault.” Literalists blame Eve for eating the apple. Donald Trump blames immigrants

Some folks argue that pain is somehow good

C.S. Lewis wrote, “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude.”

I guess I don’t buy any of the above. Pain is always the enemy. Pain is never good in itself

But especially when we are not responsible for a

particular pain, we are always responseable, i.e. we have choices regarding how to respond. Victor Frankl contended that it’s not what happens to us that gives meaning to life but how we respond to what happens to us

We can respond to people who oppose us politically by making them pay. That’s one possible response

“What’s wrong with revenge?” asked Archie Bunker. “It’s a perfect way to get even.”

In contrast, Michelle Obama once said, “When they go low, we go high.”

That’s response-ability.”

Pain, like manure, happens

At some point we have to let go of obsessing over “why me” and who is to blame

Dealing with the pain I’m experiencing is hard work. It takes me half an hour just to put on shorts and a T-shirt.

It might not be fair but, as they say, it is what it is. Read the Book of Job sometime Job was afflicted with many losses and was tor mented by a painful illness. In chapter after chapter, Job rails at God saying, in effect, “Come down here, God, and fight like a man, and I’ll show you and the whole world that you are not fair.”

If you are not religious, substitute the word “life” for God.

And God does come down, and in a long speech says, basically, “Job, you don’t understand because I am God and you are not.” For nonbelievers the paraphrase goes, “Life is so big and so complex that we mortals will never be able to get our heads around it all.”

What we can do is learn how to suffer. A friend of mine and I were reminiscing about our football-playing days in which pain was part of the game. Maybe it was the thrill of competition that overrode the discomfort.

Sixty years later I was in an emergency room and the ER doc said, “I want to insert a needle in your elbow.” He paused and added, “By the way, it hurts like hell.” It did, and I was

On the one hand there are things in life we will never understand, but that doesn’t mean we should stop trying. On the other hand, we are not God and, and will be in deep trouble if we leave humility behind and believe we have or soon will have all the answers.

Editor’s note: It’s good to have you back, Tom.

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Sta Repor ter Jessica Mordacq

Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Contributing Reporters Tom Holmes, Robert J. Li a

Columnists Alan Brouilette, Jill Wagner, Tom Holmes

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Emma Cullnan

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

Board of Directors

Chair Eric Weinheimer

Treasurer Nile Wendorf

Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson, Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

HOW TO REACH US

ADDRESS: PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 6035 PHONE: (708) 366-0600

EMAIL: forestpark@wjinc.com

CIRCULATION: Jill@oakpark.com

ONLINE: ForestParkReview.com

Postmaster: Please send address changes to: Forest Park Review, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305.

Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS No 0205-160)

In-county subscriptions: $48 per year. $88 for two years, $118 for three years. Out-of-county subscriptions: $82 per year.

AA LOOK BACK IN TIME

A butcher shop on Madison Street

dolph Peters, described as “a man of sterling integrity, one who stands high in estimation of his fellow men, and has started several employees in a successful business career,” was born in Germany in 1861 and learned to be a butcher. He came to Chicago in 1887 working as a butcher for three years before opening his own butcher shop in Harlem in 1890. He was so successful that, six years later, he hired architect Henry Fiddelke to build a shop at 7406 Madison St. An exclusively meat-only shop, he was known as “the reliable butcher” selling fresh and salt meats, poultry, and game. His specialty was summer sausage. Adolph also had his own packing plant with all appliances. He directly purchased hogs, calves, and poultry from far mers. He married Miss Clara Bucholz of Chicago, a “most estimable lady and business woman.”

From the Village of Harlem 50th Anniversary Souvenir book.

Jill Wagner

is photo of Adolph Peters’ Butcher Shop, 1906, shows his shop just west of Desplaines on Madison Street. He showcased some of his animals with horns on the back wall and scales and sausage makers are on the counter in full view of the customer. In addition, his butcher shops were pristinely clean and sawdust was placed on the oor daily to absorb any muck from the unpaved streets with horse-drawn carriages that customers could bring in.

OB ITUAR Y

Joseph Bestwina, 83 Owned The Feed Store in Summit

Joseph G. Bestwina, 83, of Forest Park, died on g. 11, 2025. He lived a full life, marrying his soulmate, Pam Roberts (Trink) for 25+ years and having three children, Nathan, Andrew and Claire. Known many as a family man, veteran, businessman, nature enthusiast, avid skier, world traveler, artist and most of all, a jokester, he touched many hearts along the way. He was the proud owner of The Feed Store in Summit, Illinois for over 50 years, going into the family business and passing it down to his two nieces, Brooke & Blaire. He was a larger-thanlife character who loved to laugh, write, create, invent and “feed and protect the Earth.” He will be greatly missed and leaves a le gacy of kindness and humor to this world.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Pam; his sons, Nathan and Andrew; and is survived by his daughter, Claire.

A Celebration of Life will be held in November in Oak Park. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Elmhurst Colle ge

FOREST P ARK

To run an obituary

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000761 on August 6, 2025. Under the Assumed Business Name of LISAMKEEFE. COM with the business located at: 1173 HOME AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: LISA KEEFE SCOTT 1173 HOME AVE. OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal August 13, 20, 27, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000804 on August 18, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of NEWLOOK DESIGN STUDIO with the business located at: 907 RIDGE ROAD, WILMETTE, IL 60091. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: STEVE ECONOMOU 1141 SHERMAN AVE, EVANSTON, IL 60202-1335, USA

Published in Forest Park Review August 20, 27, September 3, 2025

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

Plaintiff, -v.ADELYN V ANDERSON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS AGENCY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Defendants 2022 CH 09721 1708 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 3, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 4, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1708 WASHINGTON BOULEVARD, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-10-323004-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

The judgment amount was $245,940.54.

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

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

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the 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).

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 CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325, ROSEMONT,

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IL, 60018 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 22-044489. 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.

CHAD LEWIS

ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325 ROSEMONT IL, 60018 561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 22-044489

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439 Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2022 CH 09721

TJSC#: 45-1460

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 09721 I3270840

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

PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC

Plaintiff, -v.VIVIAN FLORES

Defendants 2025CH01171 839 SOUTH 18TH AVENUE MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 2, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 18, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 839 SOUTH 18TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-10-331029-0000

The real estate is improved with a gray slate and vinyl siding, two-story single family home.

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).

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT

PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 2520223IL_1175364

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 2025CH01171

TJSC#: 45-1500

Case # 2025CH01171 I3271267

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

TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2019-3, U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE Plaintiff, -v.-

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, QUANITA BROWN, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF NATHANIEL BROWN, DECEASED, WILLIAM BUTCHER, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR NATHANIEL BROWN, DECEASED, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2023 CH 05396 319 49TH AVE

BELLWOOD, IL 60104

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 18, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 19, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 319 49TH AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104

Property Index No. 15-08-228046-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $291,483.89.

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 151701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

For information, contact CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325, ROSEMONT, IL, 60018 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 23-116728. 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.

CHAD LEWIS

ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC 6400 SHAFER CT, STE 325 ROSEMONT IL, 60018

561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 23-116728

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439

Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2023 CH 05396

TJSC#: 45-1652

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

NATIONS DIRECT MORTGAGE, LLC Plaintiff, -v.SAUL MARTINEZ CASTANON, ROCIO MARTINEZ, MARIA DEL REFUGIO CASTANON DE MARTINEZ, UNITED STATES OF AMERICASECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Defendants

2025 CH 01429 1211 SUNNYSIDE DR BERKELEY, IL 60163

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 6, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 15, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1211 SUNNYSIDE DR, BERKELEY, IL 60163 Property Index No. 15-07-217006-0000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C.

1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the 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 151701(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. 14-25-00699

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2025 CH 01429 TJSC#: 45-1309

Forest Park Review, August 20, 2025

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-6 Plaintiff, -v.-

KOFI OKYERE A/K/A KOFI A. OKYERE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendants

2018CH08427 10530 CAMELOT WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 11, 2018, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 17, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 10530 CAMELOT, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-20-203021-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assess-

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

ments 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).

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. 14-18-06643

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2018CH08427 TJSC#: 45-2046

Case # 2018CH08427 I3271709

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

ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC. Plaintiff, -v.WAYNE WASHINGTON, DESRI H. WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Defendants 2022 CH 11715 1444 MORRIS AVENUE BERKELEY, IL 60163

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 25, 2025, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 29, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1444 MORRIS AVENUE, BERKELEY, IL 60163

Property Index No. 15-08-105036-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $300,141.11.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation.

No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The 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.

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).

For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 5419710. Please refer to file number 22 0025.

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.

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602

312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Attorney File No. 22 0025

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2022 CH 11715

TJSC#: 45-1791

Case # 2022 CH 11715 I3271779

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

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

e Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

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