River Forest resident John Binder isn’t a gangster, but he sure knows a lot about the lives of some colorfully-named — and dead — local hoodlums, the mobsters who once lived in Oak Park and River Forest. Let’s see, there was Tony Accardo, Paul “the Waiter” Ricca, “Tough Tony” Capezio, Sam Giancana, “Machine Gun” Jack McGurn, Frankie Lake, “Three Fingered Jack” White, and “Slippery Frank” Rio, to name a few. You can see for yourself where all these goons lived during Binder’s There Goes the Neighbor Hood Tour on Sunday. Binder — a Chicago organized crime historian for two decades … ]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 22:40:34 -0500 http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12531718-460/mob-house-tour-shows-origins-in-oak-park-river-forest.html http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12531718-460/mob-house-tour-shows-origins-in-oak-park-river-forest.html

Kathy Russell, who saw the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry through five years of award-winning growth and daunting economic challenges, has resigned as executive director. As of April 30, her former assistant, Michele Zurakowski is acting executive director. Russell, who is an attorney, said while the decision to leave the food pantry wasn’t easy, she’s very excited about a new job that takes her back to her roots in nursing. “An incredible opportunity emerged for me with National Council of State Boards of Nursing, and after much consideration, I have accepted a position in nursing regulation,” Russell said. “It … ]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 22:02:00 -0500 http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12453764-417/food-pantry-director-steps-down.html http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12453764-417/food-pantry-director-steps-down.html

An Ottawa man found himself facing criminal charges after he broke a Oak Park hotel front door and threatened police late Saturday night. Nicholas F. Fox, 27, of 1114 N. 27th Road, Ottawa, was arrested on the 200 block of South Marion Street at 12:06 a.m. May 13, after he allegedly smashed a glass door at the Carleton Hotel, 1110 Pleasant St. Hotel staff followed him south on Marion Street as police were called. When officers stopped Fox and asked him his name, he reportedly responded, “L’enfant terrible.” The term, which is French for “terrible child,” refers to a child … ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 00:12:53 -0500 http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12529081-418/lenfant-terrible-charged-withcriminal-damage.html http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12529081-418/lenfant-terrible-charged-withcriminal-damage.html

Three men arrested in separate incidents in Oak Park earlier this month were each sentenced to two years’ felony probation on May 11, a move one judge called “the break of a lifetime.” Otis Thompson, 40, of the 600 block of N. Latrobe, Chicago, was arrested in the Dominick’s store, 259 Lake St., at 2:36 p.m. May 5, after he allegedly stole $78 worth of steaks. Thompson was charged with a felony due to criminal convictions in 2009, 2008 and 2007 and twice in 2006. He was also found to be wanted on a Cook County warrant for contempt of … ]]> Wed, 16 May 2012 00:12:53 -0500 http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12527535-418/with-jails-filling-up-judge-gives-break-of-lifetime.html http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12527535-418/with-jails-filling-up-judge-gives-break-of-lifetime.html

LORI RACKL: Former judges Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis now are coaching teams in the race to find a culinary personality. ]]> Tue, 15 May 2012 17:25:02 -0500 http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12473776-417/2-area-caterers-compete-on-overhauled-food-network-star.html http://riverforest.suntimes.com/12473776-417/2-area-caterers-compete-on-overhauled-food-network-star.html