W E D N E S D A Y
March 11, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 33 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL
Delinquent Tax Notice Page 30
of Oak Park and River Forest
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Schools cancel spring break overseas trips Dominican, Trinity, OPRF among schools restricting travel By MICHAEL ROMAIN and MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporters
The global fear of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has resulted in major tradeshows and industry events canceled around the world. But the threat has also resonated with area school districts, which have implemented local flu pandemic plans and canceled spring break trips overseas in response to the global health crisis. Leslie Rodriguez, Dominican University’s executive director of external engagement, said “university-sponsored spring break trips have been cancelled in response to [Centers for Disease Control] recommendations and after consult with many of the other higher ed institutions in the city. We are one of many schools that have canceled spring break trips.” On March 9, Karin Sullivan, District 200’s communications director, confirmed that Oak Park and River Forest High School officials have also canceled spring break trips to Italy and France. Currently, she said, district officials are working with travel agencies “to obtain as much of a refund as possible.” In addition, she said, D200 Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams has been meeting with families of students who were supposed to go on the foreign trips. Sullivan said the district also has a pandemic flu plan, which has been reviewed by the district’s threat assessment team. On March 3, D200 officials notified parents and See CORONAVIRUS on page 15
Photo by Andrew Mead/Staff
PASSING THE TORCH: Bill FitzGerald, surrounded by family members, addresses a packed house from the stage of FitzGerald’s on March 4, capping a 40-year run on Roosevelt Road. The night club will continue under the ownership of Will Duncan.
Tears, cheers as FitzGerald’s enters new chapter Thalia Hall partner takes over buys roots music mecca
By MICHELLE DYBAL Contributing Reporter
There were a lot of cheers and even some tears as the FitzGerald family stood on stage and said their goodbyes to a packed room at their nightclub on
March 4. Intermittent shouts of “I love you!” rang out from the faithful audience and some took turns filling in what Bill FitzGerald couldn’t say when he choking up at the microphone. Even Bill’s mom, Margaret FitzGerald, one of the people who helped make this
place possible, completed one of her son’s sentences from her seat on the stage. FitzGerald’s night club, the iconic Berwyn music venue, started 2020 celebrating its 40th anniversary. Now it is celebrating See FITZGERALD’S on page 18
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