Wednesday Journal 031820

W E D N E S D A Y

March 18, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 34 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Full election coverage online at oakpark.com

For better and for worse

WE’RE ALL IN

CORONAVIRUS WATCH

An impossible week. An unknowable week ahead.

W

e spent recent days in our newsroom reporting rapid fire updates on all the moving parts of how the coronavirus pandemic is hitting home. Schools, park, libraries closing. State of emergencies now declared in both Oak Park and River Forest.

Restaurants and bars ordered closed.

Today in print, though, we step back.

We all know the headlines. ShellCONTINUED UPDATES shocking as they Find important local Covid-19 are. But how is information online. it all playing out in our remade lives?

We asked our reporters to tell stories of reallife impact, of massive adjustments on the fly. Here’s where we are.

State of emergency (p.7): Maria Maxham and Stacey Sheridan report from village halls in River Forest and Oak Park See CORONAVIRUS on page 2

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

SPECIAL DELIVERY: OPRF’s clinical dietetic intern Anita Davila (left) and longtime Food Services employee Margaret Mazzuca (right) pass out shelf-stable meals to students who receive free or reduced lunches at OPRF on March 16. See story on page 10.

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS WATCH

OPRF grad quarantined at college tests negative

Lauren Flowers, held in isolation at Tulane University, headed back to Oak Park

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

An Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate who spent several days in quarantine at Tulane University in New Orleans, because school officials feared that she has coronavirus, or COVID-19, has tested negative and is now free to travel back to her hometown of Oak Park.

Lauren Flowers, a 2018 graduate of OPRF, said on March 12 that she had been isolated inside of a dorm room since the morning of March 11, when she went to the university’s health clinic after experiencing flu-like symptoms.

Flowers said she traveled twice to New York and once to Dallas on Southwest and Delta airlines a month before experiencing her symptoms, which included chest congestion, fever, coughing and body aches.

School officials decided to quarantine her because of her previous travels and the fact that she tested negative for the flu, she said.

“Right now, I’m congested, but I feel fine,” Flowers said last Thursday. “I think the

LAUREN FLOWERS worst of it is over.”

Flowers shared an email sent from Tulane President Michael A. Fitts to the university community that outlines the university’s coronavirus preparation. The email does not mention the university’s quarantine dorms.

Flowers said that she’s dissatisfied with how the university has handled the situation. She said after her Wednesday morning appointment, she was held in an exam room at the health clinic for eight hours, until about 5:30 p.m., before university officials moved her to the dorm where she’s staying.

CORONAVIRUS Closings galore from page 1 on the surreal declarations of “states of emergency” in our villages. River Forest is adding a new staffer temporarily whose will focus on connecting with local seniors. Oak Park benefits from being one of five Cook County towns with its own public health department.

Synchronized closing (p.9): It wasn’t by accident that the announcement of public schools closing in Oak Park was followed, almost immediately, by the same news out of the park district and the public library. The leaders had been talking.

Caring for the homeless (p.13): Everyone feels insecure this week. But what about neighbors coping with housing insecurity or who have already lost their housing. What is up with shelters? Stacey Sheridan has been talking to nonprofit housing leaders.

Arts without gathering (p.5): Michelle Dyball, Art Beat editor, describes the impact on the arts community when there are no audiences to perform for, capital campaigns are derailed, starving artists closer to really starving.

Faith in a crisis (p.12): Tom Holmes, a retired minister, talks to priests and preachers about the first church-less Sunday and how they still serve their congregation. James Kay reports on the live-streaming version of Sunday services offered by First United Church and Unity Temple.

Food for students (p.10): The toughest part of the decision to close all schools wasn’t about lost classes. It was about to how to care for students who rely on our schools for breakfast and lunch. James Kay and Alex Rogals were at

She added that the university did not notify her parents about the quarantine; instead, Flowers said, she called them herself.

“The state has also refused to expedite my testing, because they said I’m not sick enough,” Flower said, adding that she had no contact with anyone except a nurse, who checked on her every two hours. She said that for breakfast, officials brought her several Nutri-Grain bar and Nutella.

“I haven’t really had any human connection for two days and it’s uncomfortable,” Flowers said.

Moments after quarantining Flowers, Tulane cancelled all “non-essential university-related travel” and all universitysponsored events that have at least 50 attendees. All in-person classes were canceled starting March 13, with online classes beginning March 23, according to the university’s website.

“I found out that they were canceling classes right when I got moved,” Flowers said. “I haven’t been told what they’ll do with me if I have it, and I don’t know what they’ll do if I don’t have it. I got no information about anything.”

Flowers said that the university was initially going to quarantine her roommates, as well, but decided against the measure. Flowers said classes may be cancelled, but that doesn’t prevent students

OPRF Monday as packaged meals were handed out.

Is e-learning real? (p.13): Teachers are using technology to share assignments in the final week before spring break.

What happens after spring break? Are teachers prepared for this? Are families, already strained to the max, seeing this as helpful or a burden? Michael Romain reports.

OPRF grad tests negative (p.2): Last week we reported on a recent OPRF grad now at Tulane. She was in quarantine waiting coronavirus test results. Here’s the good news from Michael Romain.

who aren’t quarantined from attending parties and increasing the possibility of the virus spreading. She said that the university should simply send people home immediately.

In a statement sent to reporters last week, Tulane spokesperson Michael T. Strecker confirmed that Flowers was being held in quarantine.

When asked why the university did not also quarantine Flowers’ roommates, Strecker said that the “Louisiana Office of Public Health protocols do not call for such students, who show no symptoms, to be isolated.”

Strecker said that the university did not notify Flowers’ parents because federal and state privacy laws.

Flowers said that the university was initially going to quarantine her roommates, as well, but decided against the measure. Flowers said classes may be cancelled, but that doesn’t prevent students who aren’t quarantined from attending parties and increasing the possibility of the virus spreading. She said that the university should simply send people home immediately.

On March 14, Flowers said that her doctor told her that she had tested negative for COVID-19 and that her parents were scheduled to move her out of quarantine on Monday.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

No more dining in (p.11): There’s comfort food and then there is the now-removed comfort of gathering with friends, seeing a favorite waitress. Is this going to crush the independent local spots we love? Melissa Elsmo, our Oak Park Eats editor, has been talking to our culinary entrepreneurs.

YMCA’s day care for first responders (p.6): The West Cook Y has announced it is shutting down but has plans to reopen shortly offering day care to the kids of first responders and health care workers. Dan Haley has this story.

Photo provided

LEFTOVERS: Shelves at River Forest Jewel are bare after shoppers stocked up for the long haul.

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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I N S I D E

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R E P O R T

West Suburban Medical Center cuts staff

West Suburban Medical Center, 3 Erie St., and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood trimmed their workforce, March 6, laying off workers primarily in administrative and support roles. Hospital operator Pipeline Health acquired both hospitals last year.

While awkwardly timed, the cuts are completely unrelated to the coronavirus outbreak.

“The reductions were necessitated by the state of Illinois being months behind in paying Medicaid funding owed to hospitals,” said Natalie Bauer Luce, West Suburban’s public relations representative.

Journal closes storefront

Wednesday Journal and Growing Community Media have closed their reception desk at 143 S. Oak Park Ave. The storefront was closed as of Monday morning in the face of concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic. No date has been set to reopen the storefront.

Front desk staff are now working remotely. You are invited to call the Journal’s main line at 708-524-8300.

Dan Haley

Keep your hands clean

Handwashing is a necessary precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic. The bad news is hand sanitizer has been selling out at drugstores, grocery stores and online retailers. The good news is hand sanitizer is not a foolproof alternative to good oldfashioned soap and water. Sanitizers do not get rid of all germs and may not remove harmful chemicals from the hands.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends following a five-step process: wet your hands with clean water; lather your hands by rubbing them together with soap, scrub for at least 20 seconds (or hum the “Happy Birthday” song twice from beginning to end), rinse hands with clean water, dry hands with a clean towel or air dry.

While scrubbing, don’t forget to clean between fingers, the backs of your hands and under the fingernails.

According to Bauer Luce, the state owes the hospitals $15 million in Medicaid funds.

“The failure to pay hospitals serving large numbers of Medicaid patients has severely strained the hospitals, frankly, at exactly the time hospitals need the state’s support and funding the most,” she said.

Since the cuts were made to mostly administrative staff, they should not impact the ability of West Suburban and Weiss to treat patients and at this time, both are looking to hire more nurses for frontline patient care.

Stacey Sheridan

Oak Park police recognize eighth-grade athlete

Special Olympics athlete Paul Nelson was recognized as an honorary junior officer by the Oak Park Police Department, March 11. Nelson, who is in eighth grade, is being featured in the Special Olympics “Cop on a Rooftop” fundraising campaign, along with Oak Park’s Sergeant Samantha Deuchler.

The patrol unit, detective division, and civilian employees plus members of the fire department all attended the celebratory pizza party in honor of Nelson, who has Down syndrome and competes in many Special Olympic sporting events.

Nelson received many gifts from the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, including Green Bay Packers shirts and hat, a Duke University shirt, and an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Diagnosed with cancer, Nelson will undergo treatment soon.

Stacey Sheridan

Stacey Sheridan

Lake Theatre shuts until further notice

Classic Cinemas theatres, including the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St., are closing until further notice. In a March 16 message, CEO Chris Johnson said, “we have made the difficult decision to close our theatres starting this evening, March 16 for all showtimes after 7:50 p.m. We look to reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Advanced tickets purchased online, including through Fandango, will be automatically refunded, and tickets bought in-person can be refunded by emailing yourinput@classiccinemas.com. Up-to-date information can be found at classiccinemas. com.

Maria Maxham

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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‘Phone first’ brought to you by

Mild Outlook Means Early Bird Gets Worm As we close in on spring, the Chicago area is wrapping up one of the warmest winters in recorded history.

Based on the (mostly safe) Scott assumption that McAdam Jr. we will experience an early and mild spring, we can generally expect that dormancy will be broken earlier in the season. As a result, there should be an earlier initiation of new plant growth.

With those mild temperatures, it is probable that we will see a higher insect and disease population and with potential damage to your lawn and landscape, as a result. Another consideration is earlier onset of weed growth. To protect against that, I recommend that, no later than the end of April, you add a pre-emergent herbicide to your beds and lawn.

A mild and early start to spring also means that our schedules here at McAdam fill faster. The early bird gets the worm, so if you are thinking about getting work scheduled, you will want to act sooner than too much later.

Follow us on

2001 Des Plaines Ave. Forest Park • 708-771-2299 www.mcadamlandscape.com

For those who remember the old Bell Telephone ads, the Phone First slogan was meant to prevent the mistake of making a trip somewhere only to find the place closed earlier, the show was sold out or it was the staff ’s day off.

Now, due to precautions being taken during the coronavirus pandemic, events are planned and then being rescheduled or canceled. It is hard to keep up. Despite our best efforts, what we have written here may have changed.

We recommend checking with the organization or venue before stepping out your door. In Big Week, we typically include where to get more info. While institutions such as the Oak Park and River Forest Libraries have pledged to keep updates on their websites (oppl. org/news and riverforestlibrary. org), some arts organizations do not frequently update websites, so calling or sometimes emailing may be the better means of reaching them. If only a website is listed here, phone or email contacts are usually found on the websites. For more on coronavirus The Village of Oak Park has a webpage for community-specific, state and country-wide resources: oak-park.us/village-services/healthdepartment/covid-19-coronavirusresources OP Township has cautioned against fraud during this time and has directed residents to ask any coronavirus-related questions here: call 1-800-889-3931 or email DPH. SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV

Eco-Sensitive Garden Clean-Up March 22, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Compound Yellow At this hands-on workshop in the garden, learn to think ecologically to respect nature that lies within and then to get cleaning up and keeping as much biodiversity as possible. No heavy labor involved.

Please bring gloves and gardening shears. Questions: info@compoundyellow.com. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

BIG WEEK March 18-25

Local Art

Through March 29, Ferguson Art Gallery, Kretzmann Hall, Concordia University Chicago View the Student Invitational Art The show, which feature an array of student work selected by the University’s art faculty. Many works are for sale, from ceramics to photography, paintings, jewelry, drawings, original fine art prints, sculpture and graphic arts. Gallery hours are Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More: 708-209-3013. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.

Through April, Forest Park National Bank See charcoal drawing by Melanie Minnix, who began studying drawing after retirement. She brings to life “a unique and somewhat abstracted view of familiar objects, to challenge the viewer to see them in new ways and, hopefully, to connect with the underlying movement and emotional charge of the image.” Brought by the Oak Park Area Arts Council. Questions: call OPAAC at 708-358-5692. 7348 W. Madison St., Forest Park.

Virtual Concert and Support for Nightclub Employees Saturday, March 22, 6 to 9:30 p.m., livestream from FitzGerald's Nightclub Tune in to a virtual concert in partnership with Shout Section Big Band and WDCB. Go to facebook. com/shoutsection or shoutsection.com. Click on the donate now option to support the band, “much needed income for professional musicians at a time like this.” Also, support FitzGerald employees with the purchase gift cards online for a future night out.

They never expire: giftfly.com/shop/fitzgeraldsnight-club. And, get your t-shirt, "I stayed home from FitzGerald's Nightclub and all I got was this lousy t-shirt (c. 2020)," $25. fitzgeraldsmerchbooth.com.

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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ART BEAT

What we’re all missing

By MICHELLE DYBAL

A

Contributing Reporter

rtbeat is usually dedicated to telling the stories of those in the arts in our communities. But these are extraordinary times with the coronavirus pandemic upon us, affecting everyone, including those in the arts, so this column will take a different look today.

In the coming weeks, possibly longer, Big Week will likely look different too. But that’s not what is important.

What matters here, besides everyone in our community staying healthy, is that this will be an especially trying time for our local artists, organizations and venues.

Concerts and shows are being canceled or postponed. Visual art events may not be well attended if venues do remain open.

Fundraising events are being delayed.

Many local performing arts groups and entities work hard to make ends meet. Open Door Theater, which had a “Ladies of Jazz” series planned this month, is closed for now. In Berwyn, 16th Street Theater has been working to move into a newly renovated space on Harlem Avenue. While still in their current space on 16th Street, they have cancelled live performances of Methtacular!, slated to begin March 19. “Stay tuned as we are looking into how to bring password-protected streaming of Methtacular! to all ticket holders,” their website states.

The Symphony of Oak Park-River Forest had a grand show planned for April 20, along with several choirs, at Symphony Center, home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. That performance has been shelved and will likely be rescheduled for spring of 2021. It is a big fundraiser, much needed in a time where other community orchestras are going away as they lose donors, such as Lake Forest Symphony and Park Ridge Symphony, according to David Leehey, board president of the Symphony of OP/RF. Our local symphony continues to win awards, snagging the Illinois Council of Orchestras award for Best Board President for Leehey, a doctor who plays piano and is dedicated to this impressive orchestra led by Music Director Jay Friedman.

Despite that, they too have lost a major

donor and need support and ticket sales to thrive.

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association has suspended all programing through March. The Hemingway Birthplace Museum and Pleasant Home are also closed for tours and events.

All these changes have also affected local students in the arts. Some Oak Park and River Forest High School musicians have put in significant practice hours, only to have their orchestra and band concerts cancelled.

Theater students at Fenwick who were preparing a production of Shrek (which would have been featured here) have had their play curtained. Outstanding works from students in visual art classes at OPRF had their Panache Art Show at Cheney Mansion taken off the calendar.

If you are healthy and able to get out, you can view visual art at places like the Oak Park Art League, Forest Park National Bank, and on the Concordia University campus at Kretzmann Hall (Students are on break through March 22).

And this may be the perfect time to catch up on some reading. While the Oak Park Public Libraries and River Forest Library are closed through at least the end of March, The Book Table, 1045 Lake St., Oak Park’s bookseller, is open and offering some new services — curbside pickup and local delivery.

“If you pay in advance for an order, call us from our loading zone during regular business hours and we will run it out to your car for free,” said The Book Table email. And, “we will offer $3 local delivery to Oak Park and River Forest customers. Orders for instock merchandise placed before noon will be delivered the same day.”

As you think of how to fill your quarantined days, remember local artists and organizations. Order a book by a local author. Donate to one or more of the many area arts organizations. Plan to buy tickets with friends when things open again. Buy artwork from a local maker. Tell a student whose show was canceled that you’re proud of the work they put into it.

Here, you may see more features on local authors, visual artists and venues. And, we’ll do our best to keep you up to date on the arts community.

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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Light in the darkness

N

ineteen years ago in the week after 9/11, there was a candlelight vigil in Scoville Park. The caption under our page one picture was “Light in the darkness.”

It’ll do for a headline this week as we look round for something affirming in this dark week of the official start of the coronavirus pandemic season. Me? I was hoping for Opening Day and the launch of a White Sox championship season.

But we’ll take hopeful glimmers as they come.

Leaders at the West Cook YMCA, having the same discussion as every organization last week. Do we close? When do we close?

Phillip Jimenez, president of the local Y, said that after the decision to close, to do a “deep clean,” (what exactly is a deep clean? How undeep is the usual clean?) the question was “what new way can the assets of the Y be used at this time.” And he said a colleague reported seeing a notice from a YMCA elsewhere that had re-opened and re-focused for the duration of this virus as a daycare provider exclusively for the kids of first responders and health-care workers.

So that is the path the Y is currently exploring. They may be able to pull it together. There may be obstacles they are not able to overcome. But the impulse is there and it is positive.

Jimenez has calls in to local mayors and to administrators at four local hospitals — West Sub, Rush Oak Park, Loyola and PCC. The early response, says Jimenez, is positive. Right now the plan would be to launch as early as next week with a 12-hour schedule — 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A nurse at the front door would medically evaluate each youngster with the help of a child-care worker.

“It would be very fluid at first,” says Jimenez, allowing that it could gradually expand to 24-hour days, to match the schedules of health care and first responders.

“They support us. We support them. This is completely aligned with our mission,” he said.

Who pays? Jimenez says he hopes that current Y members who are not able to use the Y will let their membership fees be used as scholarships for the daycare students. He is also asking local governments and the hospitals to help pay staff.

We’ll know more soon and will report

DAN HALEY

back to you.

Last week as our reporters actively compiled word of every cancellation and closing, I asked a couple of times about the long-scheduled Annual Trustee Benefit at Dominican University. This year’s star was scheduled to be Audra McDonald.

It came late, but eventually the school announced cancellation of the event, its biggest annual fundraiser. Money raised goes straight to scholarships. On average in recent years the money haul has reached $500,000. Hope is that the McDonald concert can be reset.

But here’s the good news: The school reports that many of the ticket and table buyers are content to leave their money in the form of a straight-up donation. And the school is actively paying it forward as it donates $15,000 in catered food — that would be 420 portions of petite chateau of beef with carrots and green beans and quinoa — to Housing Forward. The $4,000 in flowers ordered from Westgate Flowers

H O W

T O

were delivered Monday to Gottlieb and MacNeal hospitals and several local elder homes in Oak Park.

Finally, in this crisis we all make sacrifices. Seems the Journal is giving up village board meetings for Lent/ coronavirus season. Among the items on the agenda for a Monday meeting which got cancelled were: A second extension for the Townhouses-That-Would-Not-Be-Built on South Boulevard east of Oak Park Avenue. The foundations are lovely. Been staring at them for a long time when I walk to 7-Eleven for health food.

Also, the restaurant previously known as Two Brothers Social Tap has now been empty for 17 months. If it had met Monday, the village board would have heard an argument to support lower property taxes on the site via a Cook County government program. The news is that a restaurant called Victory Italian has signed a lease to open there if the county provides a tax break — and when restaurants actually open again.

R E A C H

U S

Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PHONE 708-524-8300 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com | www.RiverForest.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, Illinois (USPS No. 0010-138).

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The Arts AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO

FERGUSON ART GALLERY

MUSIC CONCERTS

Graduating Senior Art Majors Show April 6 – May 9

Kapelle Home Concert March 21 at 7:30 p.m. | Chapel

Gallery hours: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Ferguson Gallery is located in Kretzmann Hall

University Band Concert April 3 at 8 p.m. | Chapel

CUC Student Art Show March 1 – 29

Wind Symphony Home Concert March 20 at 8 p.m. | Chapel

THE COLLECTIVE THEATER

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield Directed by Jason Narvy April 24 – May 3 | Bergmann Theatre at CUC Tickets: CompleteWorksCUC.brownpapertickets.com

Music Department: 708-209-3060

Event details are subject to change. Unless noted, all events take place at Concordia University Chicago, 7400 Augusta St., River Forest.

Visit CUChicago.edu

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS WATCH

Villages declare state of emergency Declarations made in light of coronavirus pandemic

By STACEY SHERIDAN and MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporters

Both Oak Park and River Forest villages have made emergency declarations in light of COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus, and the rapidly changing challenges associated with it.

In an emergency meeting Friday morning, March 13, Oak Park village board voted unanimously to declare a local public health emergency.

“These are unprecedented times, not just for Oak Park and for our country, but for the world,” said Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb during the emergency meeting. “Coronavirus first is a health crisis, but it’s also an economic crisis. Both can have devasting effects on our families, on our businesses and our communities.”

The quickly escalating COVID-19 situation has prompted schools, libraries, parks and other institutions throughout the country to close temporarily. Many businesses have limited operations, while people practice “social distancing” to avoid contact with the virus. Those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 are being ordered to selfquarantine.

“Every day that goes by without us taking certain measures to stop the spreading of the virus is a day lost in winning the war – yes, winning the war – against this invisible enemy,” Abu-Taleb said.

The mayor continued, saying that acting fast now could prevent or delay thousands of infections.

“We need to protect the most vulnerable,” he said.

Similarly, River Forest President Cathy Adduci declared a state of emergency at a special village board meeting early Monday, March 16 after being given the right to do so through trustee vote.

In a press release issued March 16, Adduci wrote, “A village-declared state of emergency gives my office certain abilities and powers to issue executive orders to help the village respond to issues of village concern more quickly and effectively.”

River Forest Village Attorney Greg Smith said giving the village president authority to act independently provides “flexibility of action,” which is restricted when village board approval is needed.

An example of “flexibility of action” includes purchases of goods or services over $25,000, which normally need board approval. Adduci now has the power to make such purchases if necessary and with needed celerity.

Once declared, the village president can rescind the state of emergency; otherwise, state of emergency status expires at the next special or regularly scheduled village board meeting.

“I appreciate the trust you have given me,” said Adduci to the trustees.

Coronavirus poses the highest risk to older adults and people with chronic medical conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The state of Illinois and Cook County have also issued emergency proclamations concerning the virus.

Adduci announced at the March 16 meeting that River Forest will hire someone to coordinate senior outreach for the next four to eight weeks to ensure older community members have everything they need during the coronavirus crisis.

During the March 13 meeting, Oak Park Village Manager Cara Pavlicek told the board that village staff, as of March 3, has implemented organizational and operational changes in concurrence with CDC guidelines.

“We are slowing and suspending nonessential activities with a focus on operations that do not support the public health department’s work related to COVID-19,” Pavlicek said.

Oak Park has suspended shutting the water off for those who have not paid bills.

“We believe the delivery of safe drinking water an important aspect to public health,” she said.

According to Pavlicek, the village of Oak Park has been increasingly canceling meetings deemed inessential. The village is also deferring administrative adjudication processes, which includes that of contested parking tickets.

Oak Park has also put in processes reflective of CDC guidelines and recognizes that many members of staff have children at home because of school closures.

Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison St., only opened March 16 for early voting and was closed to the public March 17 and 18 to properly clean and sanitize commonly touched surfaces and high traffic areas.

“We will also make sure those employees are made whole in terms of wages if there are specific absences related to COVID-19,” Pavlicek said.

Law enforcement and fire department, as well as the public works and public health departments, will continue their services during the declared public health emergency.

According to Oak Park Fire Chief Tom Ebsen, the fire department started preemptively ordering extra supplies over a month ago to bolster its preparedness in case of emergency.

CATHY ADDUCI

River Forest President

ANAN ABU-TALEB Oak Park Mayor

“We’re in good shape for what we need right now,” he said.

The fire department is also assigning personnel to work with the health department to assist in keeping the public safe.

“We have a paramedic assigned as an infectious disease coordinator. We have really good internal structure to deal with this and we have taken steps to control what we can in our buildings,” Ebsen said.

The fire department has temporarily canceled CPR classes and tours. They will resume as soon as possible.

“I am very confident that the village has an excellent team that is going to make decisions based on evidence,” said Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds. “You have a very cohesive, informed team that’s going to do the what’s right for Oak Park.”

Reynolds also said that the police department will consider every opportunity to make things go smoothly for all Oak Park residents.

Oak Park Public Works Director John Wielebnicki said the public works department is limiting its interactions with the public as a safety precaution. He also encouraged people to continue drinking tap water.

“The water is safe to drink. There have been no reports of COVID-19 in the water,” Wielebnicki said.

Oak Park is also working with Housing Forward to protect people experiencing homelessness from virus exposure.

“This COVID-19 situation is rapidly evolving,” said Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley. “Everyone in the public health department and everyone in the village is paying close attention to what is happening from day to day, hour to hour.”

While Oak Park has had zero confirmed cases of coronavirus, six residents have tested for COVID-19; four have come back negative, while the other two await pending results.

Charley said Oak Park has been preparing to address cases of COVID-19 and taking action to prevent its spread, including the enforcement of a ban on events of 1,000 or more people.

Six COVID-19 tests administered in Oak Park Mike Charley, director of Oak Park’s Department of Public Health, announced in a bulletin at 6 p.m. on March 16 that six COVID-19 tests have been given to Oak Park residents.

The bulletin stated that “the village of Oak Park Department of Public Health has not received any notification of presumptive positive tests for Oak Park residents or individuals in medical care in the village. The village has authorized six COVID-19 tests for Oak Park residents.

There have been four negative tests and two tests are still ‘pending’ results.”

The bulletin pointed out that “privacy precludes location information to anyone other than public health officials and first responders.”

The bulletin also reminded citizens of the following: “It is a crime to knowingly spread any false information, or report that a person has contracted COVID-19 disease, on any social media or other public platform under the Illinois Department of Public Health Act or to make a false report regarding the contraction or spread of COVID-19 to any public official under the Illinois Criminal Code.”

Anyone who would like to register for village of Oak Park emergency alerts can go to oak-park.us/news/covid-19coronavirus-resources.

On March 13, the Oak Park village board declared a public health emergency, authorizing Charley to make “reasonable rules, regulations and orders … as may from time to time be deemed necessary for the preservation and improvement of the public health and for the suppression of disease.”

Maria Maxham

“We are strongly encouraging that any community events over 250 people or more be canceled or postponed until May 1,” Charley said.

Charley recommends people contact their primary care providers and urgent care centers if they have symptoms prior to going there.

“They like to know you’re coming in so they can coordinate receiving you into the facility safely,” he said.

Charley also instructed people to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds and encouraged people to work from home as much as possible. Charley also warned seniors against attending events in group settings.

“If you’re sick, please stay home,” Charley said. “Don’t go to work.”

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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River Forest looks to extend waste hauling contract

Vendor suggests lowering rates and freezing them until 2022, adding more services

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

River Forest appears headed for an extension of its solid waste contract with Roy Strom Refuse and Removal Services Inc. that would provide additional services to residents.

The village board on March 9 authorized staff to explore a five-year extension to the current contract, which is due to expire in 2022. Trustees generally favored exploring the extension.

“Let’s lock ourselves in for a longer period of time,” said Trustee Bob O’Connell.

“Strom has always been a great partner,”

said Trustee Katie Brennan.

The ball started rolling when River Forest Sustainability Commission members announced their decision to stop holding their annual recycling extravaganza and inquired whether Roy Strom officials would provide options to residents to dispose of items that typically have been collected.

In response, the waste hauler proposed the extension with modifications to the contract to provide additional services, including curbside collection of e-waste and traditional donation items, including batteries, books, bicycles and toner cartridges. Light bulbs and latex paint would be added to the list in the future.

Also under the proposal, Roy Strom would reduce the cost of curbside compost collection from $19.86 to $15 per month, freeze the rate until May 1, 2022, and add additional recycling informational stickers to each alley

recycling cart.

In addition, the waste hauler would lower the universal solid waste tag price to $3 and freeze the rate until May 1, 2022, after which the cost would increase by 5 cents annually.

In response to a question from Trustee Tom Cargie, Public Works Director John Anderson said the additional services would be offered as soon as Roy Strom officials can implement them following approval of the extension.

In response to a question from Trustee Erika Bachner, Village Administrator Eric Palm said staff will develop an outreach plan for informing residents of the additional services once the contract is approved.

The village website, social media and notices in residents’ bills were mentioned as being considered.

The current contract began May 1, 2015, and is scheduled to expire April 30, 2022. The extension would lengthen the agreement

from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2027.

Future annual rate increases for base service, special service and compost service beginning May 1, 2022, would be 3 percent or the amount of the consumer price index, whichever is higher.

Cargie expressed concern regarding a change under the extension that would allow Roy Strom to start charging recycling pass-through costs monthly to the village, noting such costs are likely to rise.

Those costs, which currently average $3,500 per month, are not being charged to the village at Roy Strom’s discretion.

Trustees informally endorsed the suggestion by Anderson to include representation from the Sustainability Commission on the village’s contract negotiation team.

Village Administrator Eric Palm said he expects to have a contract ready for board consideration by the end of April.

It’s paddle vs. softball for scarce Keystone Park space

Bids high on artificial turf infields

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

With bids significantly over budget, River Forest’s park district board decided March 9 to install artificial turf only on the girls’ infield at Keystone Park this spring.

The park district is now redoing the bids for the scaledback project, which they hope to have before the board in April. At the same time the commissioners agreed to move the infield 20 feet to the west, to free up space to potentially build two new platform tennis courts.

Local platform tennis players have been urging the park district to add more courts and to add a larger “paddle hut” where players could hang out. But the board won’t make any decision about whether to actually make those additions until after the results of the community survey come back in April.

In 2017, River Forest Youth Baseball Softball league proposed putting artificial turf on the softball infield and offered to donate $50,000 to help pay for it. The proposal caused controversy, as many residents argued that artificial turf would be harmful to both health and the environment, while proponents argued that the dangers of artificial turf were exaggerated. The park district approved turfing girls’ and boys’ infields during the July 1, 2020 meeting.

Platform tennis, colloquially known as “paddle,” started out with two Keystone Park courts in 2012. Since then, two more courts were added. In recent years, platform tennis players have been lobbying for two more courts, as well as a separate “paddle hut” space where players could socialize.

They currently use the Keystone Center for that purpose.

As Commissioner Lynn Libera said during the meeting, under the preliminary plans, adding two new platform tennis courts would require the park district to move the larger, traditional tennis courts. Doing that would require it to move the batting cages and shifting the girls’ infield to the west to accommodate the tennis court move.

During the March 9 board meeting, Kitty Bingham, who co-led the effort to put in platform tennis courts at Keystone Park in the first place, told the board that, with the way the program has been growing, more courts were needed just to

accommodate newer players.

“It’s time to invest in paddle infrastructure,” she said.

“With the right infrastructure, our paddle program can be a top-notch program.”

Brad West was one of the several platform tennis players who spoke in support as well.

“I’ve recruited friends and neighbors, and it’s hard to keep them interested, because there isn’t enough space to facilitate that interest,” he said. “And, you know, they’re like - how do we find time to play and get better?”

But the proposal did face some pushback. Greg White, president of the River Forest Youth Baseball Softball (RFYBS) league and a major supporter of putting in artificial turf on the infields, dismissed the paddle hut as a little more than a bar. And, while he said he wasn’t opposed to platform tennis per se, he argued that if the park district was going to spend money to add courts, it should spend money to improve Keystone Park fields.

Gregor Martin, one of the commissioners for River Forest Youth Soccer, said that, while he was sympathetic to platform tennis’ needs, he argued that youth soccer needs improvements too, noting that, like baseball and softball infields in Keystone Park, the soccer fields get damaged during rain.

“Oak Brook may have great paddle facilities, but I can guarantee you they [improved] baseball and soccer facilities before they did it,” he said.

Martin added that he owns a construction company, and he’d be happy to bid on the project, since he felt that he might be able to do it cheaper than the park district assumed.

Several residents also felt that the park district should come up with a unified plan for all sports that use the park, instead of approaching each sport individually.

Mike Sletten, the park district’s executive director, told the board the costs of excavation and transporting materials were higher than what the park district engineer originally estimated.

Board President Ross Roloff noted that RFYBS originally suggested only adding artificial turf to the girls’ infield, and that the park district decided to turf both infields in hopes of saving money. Since that hasn’t panned out, he argued that it made sense to go back to the earlier plan.

Commissioner Mark Brown wondered what would happen if the park district simply rebid the project again. Sletten

File photo

Keystone Park, River Forest said it usually doesn’t make sense unless there’s something substantially different about the bids. And while moving the field 20 feet would be a chance, he didn’t expect it to substantially affect the price.

After some discussion, the board agreed that moving the girls’ infield 20 feet made sense, since, even if there aren’t any new platform tennis courts, that space can be used for something else. Roloff gave another much-requested amenity – a dog park – as an example.

White said he supports the move.

“Honestly, you know what, moving the field, I think it’s a good idea,” he said. “That will take the manhole cover … and move it out of play.”

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

CORONAVIRUS WATCH

Park, library, school districts merge coronavirus efforts Residents can still utilize some park, library offerings

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Last week, District 97, District 200, the Oak Park Public Library and the Park District of Oak Park made the joint decision to close and suspend all programming ahead of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide school closure and President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Oak Park schools, park district facilities and libraries will all be closed until at least March 30, but officials representing those districts said they’ll continue collaborating and offered tips on how students who are currently out of class and other community members can engage with them remotely.

“District 97 is always in close communication with our community partners, and that was the case this week as we worked together to develop plans to respond to the spread of coronavirus,” said Amanda Siegfried, D97’s communications director.

David Seleb, executive director of the Oak Park Public Library, said library officials will “continue to monitor the information being communicated by our partner agencies” and will share information with the public and staff via the library’s website, email and social media.

“That includes updates we receive from the other taxing bodies and other agencies, including the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition, Housing Forward and Beyond Hunger,” he said. “We will continue to communicate with our colleagues at our school districts and the park district and others to determine any other collaborative responses that would be appropriate in this public health crisis.”

Meanwhile, patrons will still have access to the digital library, which has resources that area students can utilize during remote learning, or e-learning, days. And physical exercise isn’t out of the question. Families can still attend the public parks and dog parks under park district control, which will remain open.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Staying (not) in touch Below are some other ways families can stay in contact with Oak Park’s parks and libraries while the physical facilities are closed: ■ The park district’s customer service staff will be available by phone during regular service hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Patrons can also email the district at info@pdop.org. Patrons with questions can contact Diane Stanke at 708-725-2022 or diane.stanke@pdop.org.

Visit the website: pdop.org ■ Library officials said patrons can call 708-383-8200 and leave a message if they need information not on the website, or ask questions via oppl.org/contact. A library staff manager will respond as soon as possible. Visit the website: oppl.org. To stay updated on the library’s coronavirus plan, visit oppl.org/covid19.

■ Library officials said that Comcast is now offering two months’ free service to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with COVID-19. See the eligibility requirements at internetessentials. com/covid19.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

SIGNS OF THE TIMES: Notices on the door of the River Forest Library inform patrons of the temporary closure. Meanwhile, the dog park at Ridgeland Common in Oak Park remains open.

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CORONAVIRUS WATCH

OPRF food service responds to COVID-19 crisis Meals distributed to students and families

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

After Oak Park and River Forest High School announced on March 12 that it canceled classes due to the coronavirus pandemic, the school’s food service department stepped up in a major way.

On March 13 and 16, the food service employees were stationed in the pedestrian mall near the school’s football field and provided shelf-stable meals to District 200 students who receive free and reduced lunches at the school.

“I was talking to Michele Zurakowski, who runs Oak Park food pantry, last week and I said, ‘I really think it’s a possibility the schools will close,” said Karin Sullivan, the high school’s director of communications and community relations. “She said, ‘There are going to be a lot of hungry kids if that happens.’ Even though we were already doing a lot of planning, she planted that seed about feeding those families in need. I am glad that we are doing it and D97 is doing

it.”

The meal packages, which included five days of both breakfast and lunch, fall under the National School Lunch Program’s criteria for what constitutes as a healthy meal. The meals contain a grain, milk, vegetable, fruit and meat or meat alternate components.

“We packed them in a way that each day has variety from one day to the next,” said clinical dietetic intern Anita Davila.

“Whether the variety comes in the flavor of the juice, the vegetable component or the different flavors of milk, we are able to provide that.”

In addition, OPRF is the food service provider for Oak Park School District 97. On March 16 the high school delivered a week’s worth of meals (five breakfasts and five lunches) to Longfellow School and Brooks Middle School for D97 students who receive free or reduce lunches to pick up.

“This is an unprecedented and challenging situation, but community leaders are making every effort to ensure that every student and family in Oak Park has the information, support and resources they need while schools are closed,” said Amanda Siegfried, director of communications for

D97.

On March 13, OPRF’s food service department provided one day’s worth of perishable meals to high school. While the food service department didn’t provide a firm number for how many meals were distributed, they estimated that more than 100 meals were given out on March 16 to OPRF students.

Food service staff were prepared to cook meals on March 13 when classes were canceled the night before, throwing a wrench in its plan.

“We have been preparing for this for over a week now, so the only thing that threw me was closing school on Friday,” said Micheline Piekarski, the school’s director of food services. “I mean we went in thinking we were going to cook. We ended up having a food trade-up for 1,800 people for District 97 and food trade-up for the high school. That’s why we used perishable meals [on March 13]. There’s only so much you can put back in the freezer.”

Piekarski said in a phone interview with Wednesday Journal that, until there are more updates involving the cancellation of classes, more meals won’t be distributed.

According to the its academic calendar, the

school has spring break from March 23-27 so there was already an existing plan to not serve meals during that time.

One OPRF student who showed up to pick up meals was appreciative of what the school was doing to support those who depend on this service.

“Some of us really need this,” said the student, who wanted to remain anonymous.

“This situation is horrible and odd.

Honestly, I’m glad the school did this during all of this.”

On March 16, the food service staff of 22 people worked from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and wore latex gloves when distributing the meals. Davila didn’t seem too concerned about the safety of providing the meals to everyone funneling into the ped mall.

“I’m really not that worried,” said Davila.

“We are just handing them out as we go and it’s not really different than walking down the sidewalk you know?”

Families who did not pick up meals on March 16 will have another opportunity to pick up meals from OPRF’s food service on March 20 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They will contain six days’ worth of meals to cover breakfast and lunch for students.

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Mystery is in the air of CASTSummer 2020!! A dinner party gone awry, an amazing new plant and casts of complex characters will leave the audience with lots of questions and the CAST kids will hit the stage to make sure they have all the answers during…Mystery Summer Theatre

For more info call 708-524-7848 or go to OP97.org/julian/cast

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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11

CORONAVIRUS WATCH

Local eateries innovate to survive virus shutdown Creating family meals, curbside pickup added to menu

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats

Governor J.B. Pritzker ordered all Illinois restaurants and bars to close their dining rooms at the end of business Monday, March 16 and until March 30. Delivery, carry-out and curbside pick-up will continue during the, at least, two weeks public dining rooms are closed to the public.

The announcement came on the heels of Pritzker’s wellvoiced concerns that Illinois residents were not taking social distancing seriously enough. Much to the governor’s chagrin, in the lead-up to St. Patrick’s Day, people continued to gather in large groups in bars and restaurants in Chicago and beyond.

The decision was a logical one according to Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb of Oak Park. Abu-Taleb is himself a restaurant owner.

“This was a welcomed statement and the right thing to do;” said Abu-Taleb via phone. “We cannot deny the spread of this virus; we need to eliminate exposure and protect people above everything else.”

While the state’s decision has left restaurants reeling, clear communication and creative thinking appear to be the key to enduring mandated dining room closures. Some restaurants have increased sanitation practices while others are introducing curbside service to minimize contact between people and keep fragile businesses afloat. Another has opted to shut down entirely.

All restaurant owners we spoke to are grateful for broad community support and primarily concerned about the financial well-being of their hourly employees now that such strict regulations have been put in place.

Chef Paco of New Rebozo, 1116 Madison St, Oak Park, shared an open letter to Pritzker from Chicago’s independent chefs and restaurant owners specifically geared toward supporting furloughed restaurant workers.

The post on Facebook noted the governor is “acting bravely” and called for emergency unemployment benefits, payroll tax suspension and rent and loan assuagement for hourly restaurant workers put at risk due to lost wages.

Madison Park Kitchen (MPK), 525 Madison St, Forest Park, has opted to shut down operations in response to Pritzker’s announcement.

“Yes, we’re closing for two weeks,” says Marigo Doulas, coowner and manager of family owned MPK. “Our employees are in shock and very upset, but we had no other choice.”

The diner does not offer delivery services and had already suffered a steep business decline. Last weekend the popular diner, which normally experiences wait times in excess of 30 minutes, sat nearly empty during peak business hours.

Doulas indicated if mandated restaurant closures extend beyond March 30, it’s “going to be hard” for the Forest Park restaurant to survive.

“This is scary and the best way to show support to restaurants now is to place an order,” said Brenden O’Connor, owner of Big Guys Sausage Stand, 7021 Roosevelt Rd in Berwyn. “This is effecting everyone I know -- no restaurants have three months in the bank; I doubt most could carry three weeks.”

O’Connor believes his small business is uniquely suited to this unprecedented situation. Ninety percent of the eight-year-old sausage stand’s business is carry-out based.

In fact, he has experienced an increase in business over

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

LEAN TIMES FOR DINING: Kettlestrings Tavern on Oak Park Avenue before the governor ruled out dining in at restaurants and bars. the past several days as a result of St. Patrick’s Day event cancellations.

Big Guys, after closing on Wednesday, will enhance its standard menu by offering family-style dinners available for delivery and curbside pick-up beginning on Thursday.

O’Connor intends to offer substantial meals of high quality to feed a family of five for $30.

“Nobody believes this is going to last just two weeks and there is no buffer for most restaurants,” said O’Connor, “still, I can’t just lay-off my employees; they are family to me.”

In the days leading up to Pritzker’s announcement, One Lake Brewing, 1 Lake St. in Oak Park, had anticipated and noticed a decrease in business. To compensate for the lost revenue, the young brewery began offering curbside pick-up.

“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the amount of people who want to support us,” said One Lake Brewery coowner, Kristen Alfonsi, “We are now adding delivery as well as curbside pick-up and customers can order gift cards from our website; they can be mailed, picked up or kept on file at the restaurant.”

Alfonsi expressed concern for the well-being of hourly staff members at One Lake Brewing, noting Pritzker’s announcement impacts them most significantly.

On Friday March 13, just days before restaurant life came to a grinding halt, Kettlestrings Tavern, 800 S. Oak Park Ave in Oak Park opened for business.

“It’s unfortunate to open a restaurant during a pandemic,” said Wil Greenwald, co-owner of Kettlestrings Tavern.

Kettlestrings had only been open for two days when we visited, but despite a steady stream of dine-in customers, Greenwald was already considering creating specials specifically geared toward take-out to support the newborn restaurant through a shutdown of this nature.

“The community has already responded very positively to Kettlestrings Tavern and has continued to show its support for our plans to offer discounted curb-side take out during this crisis,” said Greenwald after Pritzker’s announcement.

“We will likewise support our team during this closure. We could not be prouder to be part of this wonderful community.

Together, we will get through this challenging time.”

Rare Bird Preserves, 211 Harrison St in Oak Park, is known for peddling artisan jams, curds and other edible treats. In the face of these developments the shop, whose kitchens already meet strict FDA standards, has increased staff to ensure peak sanitation standards are met during this time.

The shop has transitioned to keeping all breads and pastries behind glass in a “sanitation zone.” In addition, the shop will not accept cash until further notice. Pre-ordering is also encouraged to help staff meet the public demand for fresh breads and shelf-stable pastries and jams.

“We are experiencing cancellations of large events we depend on,” said Elizabeth Madden, owner of Rare Bird Preserves, “but thinking creatively is what keeps small businesses strong.”

And in neighboring North Riverside, Mother’s Day Restaurant, 8815 Cermak Rd, has significantly altered their approach to serving their loyal customers.

“I am putting a smiley face on and trying to have a positive attitude,” said co-owner and manager Pete Paleothodoros, “but things are touch and go at the moment.”

The 45-year old diner has a good carry-out following but had to reduce their staff to a just “a select few” to control costs during this shut down. Fear, uncertainty and stress are prevalent among Mother’s Day staff members according to Paleothodoros. The diner also shortened their hours of operation and has transitioned to a limited menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and breakfast items conducive to being carried out. Mother’s Day is also considering ways they can support their regular customers, some of whom eat three meals a day at the diner.

“We cannot survive on take-out orders alone,” said Paleothodoros. “My advice would be for people to stop cooking and pick up dinner.”

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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CORONAVIRUS WATCH

Unity Temple, First United keep faith via live stream

In-person worship suspended

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Though the coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the masses, it hasn’t stopped First United Church or Unity Temple from providing comfort in the form of worship.

While both congregations announced last week their decision to halt in-person Sunday meetings, they have found a shortterm solution in live streaming abbreviated versions of their services.

“We decided that we wanted to do something completely different than our normal Sunday worship for our live streams,” First United Lead Pastor John Edgerton told Wednesday Journal on March 13. “The reason we are doing that is because of the challenge of online worship and its possibility of feeling distant from the worship service. We are trying to build in a sense of intimacy.”

First United broadcast a live stream of its March 15 worship on YouTube and Zoom from the home of Mark and Sallie Smilie, members of the congregation. Music played, comments filled the side of the screen as people tuned into the broadcast, and a portion of Edgerton’s sermon addressed concerns with the unfamiliarity of the service’s format.

“We are going to be sharing our joys and concerns like we do in worship every week, so that will be familiar,” said Edgerton during his sermon. “But the way we are

sharing these is going to be quite different.”

First United decided on March 10 that it would cancel in-person services until at least the end of March. In response, the congregation’s leaders had a quick turnaround in trying to find and set up the technology to hold the online service.

The audio was shaky since it appeared the service was filmed through an iPhone, but it worked well enough for viewers to enjoy the experience.

Emory Mead, who has been attending services at First United Church since its founding in 1975, thought the church did a good job on short notice.

“It’s hard because I am a senior, and it’s one of the places I go weekly to see my friends,” said Mead. “Not being able to see them there is going to be difficult. But the service was good despite issues with sound.

It was hard to hear the music. But other

than that, it was great.”

Unity Temple, which will be closed the next three weeks, also dealt with the same uphill battle with live streaming its service without the congregation in attendance. It also broadcast its service on YouTube and Rev. Emily Gage recorded the story for all ages and uploaded it to the congregation’s channel.

Gage and Val Ridenour are coming up with ways to adjust the service as the coronavirus situation changes how people worship.

“We aren’t 100 percent sure what we are going to do or how we are going to do this each week,” said Gage. “We did it this way this week, and it worked fine. Val and I are trying to find ways to support families through different activities and possibly we will host a Zoom conversation so that lots of people can join in. We are exploring

different online tools for everyone of all age groups to meet.”

Gage is part of a Facebook group called “UU Religious Professional Response COVID-19,” where Unitarian Universalists can discuss the proper methods of dealing with coronavirus. They have discussed virtual worship and the complexities that come with it.

“I would say the vast majority of my colleagues around the country did [virtual worship] for the first time today,” said Gage.

“We are all figuring this out together.”

Unity Temple’s youth group, which predominantly consists of teenage Unitarian Universalists, is out of session.

While the group didn’t meet in-person on March 15, some of the members hosted a video chat through the app Houseparty so the group could connect.

Youth Coordinator Justine Urbikas and the other leaders of the youth group are trying to find ways to support its members despite not being physically there. On March 15, Urbikas sent a four-line reading to the group chat the youth group has that reads: “May words I say be fair and true/May love be a guide in all I do/May kindness sing within my heart/And may peace be with us while we are apart.”

“Youth group is really important to a lot of our youth,” said Urbikas. “Not having that face-to-face connection every week makes me curious to see how everyone will deal with it. We are doing our best to maintain a connection and continue to provide a safe space for them.”

Technology aids social distancing for Sunday worship Coronavirus forces services to be held online

By TOM HOLMES Contributing Reporter

Members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park might be wondering, “What else could go wrong?”

Their pastor was hit by lightning on a CROP Walk a few years ago. Their church building was made uninhabitable by a fire in 2018, and now COVID-19 has forced them to suspend worship services at least through the end of March.

The congregation, which hopes to move back into their building on East Avenue soon, joins most other faith communities in Oak Park in suspending in-person worship services for at least two weeks in an attempt to “flatten the curve” of the spread of the coronavirus. On Friday, Cardinal Cupich cancelled all Masses in the Archdiocese of Chicago which includes four parishes in Oak Park and two in River Forest.

Like many congregations in the area, Good Shepherd is going to do worship online. Members were advised, “We will Facebook Live March 15 worship and are working at

using the Zoom platform to have a virtual worshipping community. Check out our Facebook page.”

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church posted, “On Sunday, we will livestream a prayer service from the chapel through Facebook Live. Click here for our Facebook page (not our Facebook group) at 10:30 and tune in. We will also broadcast this service through a conference call for those who do not use Facebook.”

Our Lady Immaculate, a conservative, unofficial Catholic Church which holds Mass in Latin, let their members know that, “Mass will be available to you each day via livestream and other media channels. You can find these on our website www.aod.org.”

Most clergy, in addition to announcing the suspension of worship services, tried to frame the situation in terms of faith.

Rabbi Max Weiss, for example, posted on the Oak Park Temple website, “For many of us, the synagogue community is a central part of our lives, and in this time of uncertainty, without the anchor of our Jewish community, many of us may feel adrift. Please know that should you need anything, even to talk, you can reach out to us by email: Rabbi Weiss, Rabbi Kirzane, or Cantor Green. Even as we practice ‘social distancing,’ there are many opportunities to remain connected. For instance, starting with this evening’s Shabbat service, OPT will use the Zoom platform to enable

our community to gather from home.”

Pastor Jeff at Boulevard Presbyterian Church posted, “We are taking these measures not out of fear but to care for the most vulnerable in our congregation and communities and also to do our part to try to flatten the curve. Especially at times like this, we need to remind one another and our neighbors that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’ (Psalm 46)” Many congregations cited statements by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the CDC in explaining why they were suspending live worship services. Pastor Gerald at Calvary Memorial, for example, explained, “In light of the present status of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the recommendations made by Gov. Pritzker, Calvary will not hold services at the church facility this Sunday, and instead will host our worship service online at 10:45 a.m.”

Rev. Alan Taylor at Unity Temple put it this way: “The leadership of the Unitarian Universalist Association, congregational leadership in areas currently more directed and affected by the virus, and many other voices have led us to believe that this is a decision that is safest for all individuals and for our community at large. We have a moral obligation to help to slow down and prevent the spread of COVID-19 as much as we possibly can.”

They, too, conducted last Sunday’s service online.

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Schools flesh out e-learning Local districts lay out remote learning plans during outbreak

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Five years ago, the Illinois State Board of Education created a pilot program that was designed to test the efficacy of remote, or electronic-learning (e-learning), in the case of emergencies and student absences from school.

Each participating school district “used and offered technical means to participate in e-learning,” according to a report published by the state board last May. Leyden, for instance, utilized Google Forms to collect attendance. West Chicago teachers posted assignments in Google Classroom, recommending that students take home Google Chromebooks and look for Wi-Fi hotspots in the library if they did not have access to the internet at home. Gurnee gave students iPads — and portable Wi-Fi units for students without access to the internet at home.

Now that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered schools in Illinois closed for roughly two weeks in the wake of the pandemic, e-learning is the temporary default curriculum for students across the state and many of the practices utilized by those pilot districts are also in place at the elementary and high school districts in Oak Park and River Forest.

Oak Park and River Forest elementary and high school students have been working on district-issued electronic devices (iPads for District 97 and District 90 students and Google Chromebooks for OPRF students) for the last several years.

And all three districts have internal communication systems, procedures and protocols that allow students and families to access things like grades and assignments.

The districts also rely on tools like Google Documents and Google Classroom. For instance, OPRF students will need to submit a Google Form for each class they take and teachers will report their virtual attendance in Skyward, the district’s online information system.

When Gov. Pritzker closed schools from March 17-30, he declared that they

Visit us online at Oakpark.com

13

CORONAVIRUS WATCH

be treated as “act of god” days, which means that students aren’t required to make them up and they don’t count as student attendance days, according to a statement sent by Greg Johnson, D200’s associate superintendent.

“Because ‘act of god’ days do not count as student attendance days, we cannot take student attendance on these days, nor are we permitted to give grades for students’ work,” Johnson explained.

“We are, however, encouraged by the state to provide e-learning during ‘act of god’ days,” he said. “As a result, we will still be providing and monitoring student instructional activities throughout the remainder of this week, and on March 30. It’s important that learning continues throughout this time, so we strongly encourage students to log in every day and to stay engaged in their coursework.”

All three districts have issued e-learning guidelines that include tips and best practices. The e-learning days will last for roughly five hours, beginning at 8 or 9 a.m., depending on the district, and ending at 2 or 3 p.m.

D90 officials outlined a typical day for students in its e-learning plan.

“Teachers will post all daily assignments by 9 a.m. on the designated E-Learning Day. Teachers will hold designated ‘virtual office hours’ from 1011:30 a.m. and 1-2 p.m. to support students by answering questions, clarifying assignments, and providing direct feedback via email. The E-Learning Day will end at 3 p.m., though students will have until 9 p.m. to submit all assignments for the day.”

Teachers in River Forest will also have “virtual meetings with their teaching teams or departments, plan learning for the following day and review student assignments or evidence of engagement as they are submitted throughout the day.”

The elementary and high school districts have provided families with emails and phone numbers in case of emergencies, such as if their Chromebooks stop working or they need internet access at their homes.

Remote e-learning is expected to last through March 30, with the exception of Spring Break (March 23-27). That timeline is subject to change. For updates and more information on the districts’ e-learning plans, visit their websites: ■ River Forest District 90: district90.org ■ Oak Park District 97: op97.org ■ OPRF District 200: oprfhs.org

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Shelters remain open

Homeless are among the most vulnerable to COVID-19

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

As libraries, restaurants and public buildings have closed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, people experiencing homelessness have increasingly fewer places to seek shelter and safety. In the western suburbs, nonprofit agencies Housing Forward and BEDS Plus are opening emergency shelters to shield their clients during the ever-evolving coronavirus epidemic.

“People who are homeless are among the most vulnerable population,” said Erik Johnson, Housing Forward’s director of development and communications. “People at great risk of homelessness are equally as vulnerable.”

To prevent contracting and spreading the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has directed people to practice social distancing and self-isolation — nearly impossible to do without a stable living situation.

“It’s critically important we respond effectively to this and figure out the ways we safeguard everyone’s protection to the maximum of our capacity,” said Johnson.

Housing Forward operates a schedule of nightly shelters at rotating locations, serving people in Oak Park, Forest Park, Berwyn and Maywood. The current situation has prompted the program to come up with a more permanent alternative.

“One of our shelter partners has generously opened up their location 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Johnson.

Synagogue and shelter partner Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion, 1235 N. Harlem Ave., will house Housing Forward clients starting March 17 and effective until March 30.

“We’re thrilled that Oak Park Temple is working with us to provide shelter both daytime and nighttime,” Johnson said.

Oak Park Temple has enough space to give clients a wide berth and prevent them from coming too close into contact with each other.

“It allows us greater flexibility to provide the proper amount of social-distancing that’s being recommended by the CDC,” Johnson said. “We’re fortunate that the temple has two floors so that we are able to follow [Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s] guidelines of no more than 50 people in a room.”

For at least the next two weeks, all Housing Forward shelter operations will occur at Oak Park Temple.

“For Oak Park Temple to be able to step up in this way, in the middle of this pandemic, allows us to take the next steps we feel are so vitally important to meet the needs of our clients,” Johnson said. “We have immense gratitude for them.”

As of March 18, BEDS Plus will also consolidate its shelter operations to one

location.

“At this time, we are not publicly disclosing the location of our consolidated shelter site.

Per CDC guidelines, we cannot accommodate more than 50 clients and our current system capacity already is at 75 beds per night,” said Valerie Vedral, BEDS Plus social media strategist.

BEDS Plus serves Brookfield, La Grange and Western Springs among many other communities in the south and west suburbs.

According to Vedral, BEDS Plus has given elderly and immune-compromised clients motel vouchers.

“BEDS is paying the cost of a month-long stay at motels for our most vulnerable clients and families to reduce our shelter population as much as we can,” she said.

Staff is regularly checking in on those housed clients to ensure they have medical supplies and food. They have also referred clients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to medical care.

“Diverting those clients will allow us to accommodate no more than 50 clients at our consolidated shelter site, which is spacious enough to allow for appropriate social distancing during a night of shelter,” said Vedral.

Clients experiencing COVID-19 symptoms have been referred to medical care.

“BEDS also has tapped into a $100,000 reserve fund to pay for temporary housing and other needs during this coronavirus pandemic,” she said.

BEDS Plus cannot accept new clients until space becomes available. Potential new clients must have documentation proving they have not been infected.

Both Housing Forward and BEDS Plus are utilizing the guidelines issued for shelters by the CDC and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to safely address COVID-19.

BEDS Plus is encouraging those who need help to call 708-354-0858 instead of showing up at one of its day centers. People interested in volunteering should also contact that number.

As new information becomes available, Housing Forward and BEDS Plus will update their respective Facebook pages, Twitter accounts and websites.

Housing Forward clients can also call 1-888338-1744. Those who would like to volunteer with Housing Forward should call its main telephone number: 708-338-1724.

“It is our mission and our moral obligation to respond as vigorously as we can, while at the same time safeguarding the safety and protection of not only our clients, but our staff and volunteers,” Johnson said.

Housing Forward is anticipating a greater need for volunteers and welcomes healthy people to get involved.

“We do need help,” said Johnson. “And we are so grateful for people who are willing to help us during this once-in-a-lifetime pandemic.”

14

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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Man shot while putting air in tires on North Avenue

In what is believed to have been a targeted attack, a man was shot while putting air in his car tires March 11 at 2:25 p.m. in the 6100 block of North Avenue. The shooter crossed from the Chicago side of North Avenue and approached the victim, who was filling his tire with air. The offender then took a handgun from his sweatshirt and fired several rounds, hitting the victim.

The shooter fled northbound across North Avenue and got into a reddish-orange SUV, last seen driving west on North Avenue.

Police describe the shooter as being a black male of heavier build, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and wearing black jeans, a black hooded sweatshirt with a white mask and blue gloves.

No information has been released regarding the victim’s medical condition.

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formerly The Scottish Home

Public Service Announcement

■ A masked man implied he had a firearm and demanded money, while another masked man grabbed cash from the register, cigarettes and candy at 7-Eleven, 661 South Blvd., March 13 at 4:25 a.m. The first man also took the clerk’s backpack.

■ The first man is described by police as black, of thin build, about 5 feet 8 inches tall and in his 20s. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black mask, black gloves and black pants. Police describe the second man as being black and in his 20s, wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black mask, black gloves and black pants. The two men fled the area in a newer white Chrysler 200. Police estimate the loss at $670.

Theft

1 HANDS Wash them often 2 ELBOW Cough into it 3 FACE Don’t touch it 4 FEET Stay more than 3ft apart 5 FEEL Sick? Stay Home Visit: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public for more information

■ Someone stole a black 2014 Honda Pilot between 7:45 p.m. and 8:44 p.m. March 12 in the 1100 block of Clinton Avenue. Police estimate the loss at $18,500.

■ An unsecured blue-silver Trek 7200 multi-track bicycle was stolen out of a common storage in the 400 block of Wisconsin Avenue between 3 p.m. March 8 and 5:57 p.m. March 13. The estimated loss is $700.

■ Someone removed five political signs in the 6000 block of Roosevelt Road between 1 p.m. March 12 and 8 a.m. March 13.

Estimated loss of $25.

■ A package containing a Bissell carpet

cleaner that had been delivered to a victim’s residence was stolen between 6:25 p.m.

March 14 and 7 a.m. March 15 in the 1100 block of Highland Avenue. The estimated loss is $124.

■ A man ran off the CTA train carrying the victim’s backpack, which contained a black wallet, a wireless Apple speaker and a pair of work boots at 7 a.m. March 13 in the 300 block of South Boulevard. The estimated loss is $300.

■ An Amazon package containing a book and a sink spout was stolen between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. March 8 in the 1000 block of North Boulevard. The estimated loss is $95.

Burglary

■ Someone broke a kitchen window and entered into an apartment in the 400 block of North Austin Boulevard between 10:30 a.m. and 7:27 p.m. March 12. No loss was reported.

■ Someone broke into a vehicle and stole $5 in change out of it at 2:35 p.m. March 12 in the 1100 block of Westgate Street.

■ A person broke into a parked vehicle and ransacked the middle console and trunk and took a small pocketknife between 2 p.m. March 13 and 3:05 p.m. March 14 in the 1100 block of South Taylor Avenue. The estimated loss is $30.

Criminal damage to property

■ Someone damaged a double-paned window after throwing a rock at it at 9:06 p.m. March 14 in the 100 block of North Elmwood Avenue. The estimated damage is $1,000.

■ The exterior single-pane glass of a resident’s basement window was broken March 6 between 3 a.m. and 10 a.m. in the 1000 block of South Grove Avenue.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports March 9 to 16, 2020 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

15

March 18, 2020

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

Education Enrichment

Special Advertising Section

Spring 2020

and

guide

l o ca l s cho ols | afte rs cho o l | tu to rin g p ro g rams

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

Special Advertising Section

March 18, 2020

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Discover The Friendly School of Music

T

he Friendly Music School is an inclusive community based organization striving to inspire, bring together, and develop musicians of all ages and levels in a comfortable environment.

Learning from one another, playing together and developing their skills with attention to individual musical interests, students benefit from classes led by our professional musicians.

Our instructors are spirited, local musicians who model their passion. Students don’t just learn an instrument, they learn to be in the band. We encourage experimentation, checking out something new, and then trying something else. We want music to be fun and something you will enjoy for the rest of your life. Our unique approach helps individuals to advance at their own pace, work with different instructors, and have a great time doing it.

special events; and The Friendly Coffee Bar serving the areas best coffees and teas, smoothies, free wifi, and a very chill setting.

Enjoy your beverage of choice before, during and after class, there’s something for everyone, every day and every night.

Be sure to check our website for current happenings and stop by soon. You are a strange here, but once.

INFO: Friendly Music.Community VISIT: 6731-33 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn CALL: (708) 749-1932

The Friendly Music School is part of the Friendly Music Community. Together with the iconic Friendly Tap featuring Live music almost every night, weekly specials and

S W NE

!

H S A FL You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Sign up for FREE at OakPark.com

CASTSummer JR: 3rd-4th Graders CASTSummer JR: 3rd-4thJune 8, 2020 - July 2, 2020 Graders June 8-July 2 Although summer will be hot, CASTSummer Jr. kids will take the stage

by SNOWSTORM as we create the world of Frozen kids. Campers will spend the summer transforming themselves into the citizens of Arendelle and some of our favorite characters such as Elsa, Ana, Hans, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven.

CASTSummer 5th-8th Graders June CASTSummer: 8-July 19 5th - 8th Graders

Although summer will be hot, CASTSummer Jr. kids will take the stage by SNOWSTORM as we create the world of Frozen kids. Campers will spend the summer transforming themselves into the citizens of Arendel and some of our favorite characters such as Elsa, Ana, Hans, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven.

June 8, 2020 - July 19, 2020

Mystery is in the air of CASTSummer 2020!! A dinner party gone awry, an amazing new plant and casts of complex characters will leave the audience with lots of questions and the CAST kids will hit the stage to make sure they have all the answers during…Mystery Summer Theatre

For more info call 708-524-7848 or go to OP97.org/julian/cast

17

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

March 18, 2020

Special Advertising Section

Dear Oak Park Residents and Surrounding Community, This year we are giving back to you with an amazing one time offer (in celebration of our 25th anniversary)!

Perfect for children, teens, and adults!

Language and Music Summer Camp!

Spanish Immersion no Spanish experience necessary.

Special 2020 Offer!

Our Summer Camp’s waitlist has been eliminated, with all the space we have at the new Mansion!

$248 per month

Preschool Group (ages 2-4) Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Group (ages 5-8)

$199 for the first month!

3rd-5th grade group (ages 9-11) Monday through Friday 9:30am-2:30pm, choose your weeks $250 per week.

Before and after care available.

Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!

Two-week minimum, 8-week recommendation for language acquisition.

All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring! All AGES! Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings:

• Before and Afterschool “Homework Cafe” at The International Mansion • Language and Fine Arts Preschool and Elementary School (Homeschool-style in School) • Our Recording Studio • Translations and Interpretations LANGUAGES CURRENTLY OFFERED:

INSTRUMENTS CURRENTLY OFFERED:

ATHLETIC TRAINING CURRENTLY OFFERED:

SPECIALTIES CURRENTLY OFFERED:

Spanish, Polish, Chinese, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, E.S.L. (English as a Second Language), Indonesian, Korean, Hebrew, Swedish, and much more!

Piano, Voice, Harp, Banjo, Violin, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drum Set, African Drums, Saxophone, Clarinet, Viola, Cello, Oboe, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Bagpipes, Accordian, Harmonica, Recorder, Ukulele, Music Composition, Ear Training, Musical Theater, Music Therapy, Music Production, Recording Studio, All Band & Orchestra Instruments

Karate, Fencing, Soccer, Dance, and Personal Strength Training

Cinematography, Coding

ACADEMICS CURRENTLY OFFERED: Math, Science, Reading, Writing, SAT, ACT, IEP/ Dyselxic/Alternative Learners, Architecture, and Chess

Co-Founders, Maria Emilia and Brando

The Language and Music School At International Mansion

509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com

FPSD91 Coronavirus Special Advertising Section

Update ad (FPR) 031820.pdf

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3/16/20

E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

3:48 PM

March 18, 2020

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E D U C AT I O N & E N R I C H M E N T G U I D E

March 18, 2020

Special Advertising Section

The Right Community To Transition From Childhood To High School

S

t. Giles School offers academic rigor, leadership development, and Catholic faith formation for students in preschool through eighth grade. The school emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social development and values a diverse student body, drawing from Oak Park, Galewood, and many surrounding neighborhoods.

For more than 90 years, St. Giles School has lived up to its reputation for building lifelong learners and leaders.

“As a veteran educator, I know the challenge that parents face in making the best possible decisions in the education of their children. Parents are called to ensure their child’s needs are being met – intellectually, socially, emotionally and spiritually – and I am proud to say that St. Giles School provides for students on these very fronts,” said Meg Bigane, school principal.

Early Childhood The early childhood program provides flexible scheduling, including both full and half day options two to five days per week, in an enriching, updated facility. Through play, students can explore their creativity, build communication skills, and solve problems. Dedicated teachers work closely

with parents to build each child’s natural love of learning while creating an environment where students feel safe to try new things and meet new challenges.

K-8 Commitment to Excellence Teachers across all grades utilize small group instruction to meet student needs and partner with high schools like Fenwick and Trinity for advanced coursework opportunities for students. Instructional minutes meet or exceed state and national expectations, and students consistently score above national norms on standardized tests.

St. Giles School graduates attend the best high schools – Catholic, public and selective enrollment – and are known for their academic preparedness, leadership skills, and commitment to bettering their community.

“I have been teaching at St. Ignatius for 12 years and I can say without exception

that the Giles alums that I have met and taught have been well-prepared, hardworking and faith-filled contributors to our school community.

We hope that Ignatius grads will become ‘men and women for and with others’ but the journey to get there is not limited to four years of high school; it starts at a school like St. Giles,” said Patrick Winter, a current St. Giles parent and Ignatius educator.

Faith Formation Faith is woven into the fabric of every classroom. Students begin and end the day with prayer and attend Mass once a week.

Teachers prepare students for their Holy Sacraments with their classmates in second and eighth grades. And throughout every year, classes grow in their understanding of social justice by participating in organized efforts to help those in need.

Beyond the Classroom St. Giles School’s picturesque, multibuilding campus boasts open green spaces and beautiful architecture, with a Wi-Fi enabled outdoor classroom that provides hands-on learning opportunities.

Augmenting the core curriculum, students attend gym, art, Spanish, music, technology, and library; co-curricular options include band, choir, scouting, athletics, and after-school enrichment programs for K-8. Notably, competitive athletics begin in fourth grade and the school’s “no cut” policy ensures every interested student can explore a new sport and experience the benefits of teamwork. Additionally, the school proudly offers its own after-care program to any family – no waiting lists.

An Education In Reach New this year, St. Giles School is offering a “Welcome Incentive” of a $1,000 tuition credit for any new K-8 student who registers for the 2020-2021 school year. Scholarships are also available for those who need financial assistance, including Tax Credit Scholarships through Empower Illinois for those who qualify.

To learn more, schedule a tour or apply, visit stgilesschool.org. Follow the school on social media – @stgilesschooloakpark on Facebook or Instagram.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! At St. Giles School, we believe in the power of a preschool through eighth grade education and offer a rigorous academic program that builds lifelong learners and leaders. We offer full-day and half-day for all students, and specials classes of music, art, gym, Spanish,

1034 Linden Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302

All new K-8 students will receive a $1000 tuition credit for the 2020-2021 school year. Take

preschool, affordable and flexible before and after school care and technology. Consider St. Giles. You’ll be glad you did.

Welcome Incentive

advantage of this limited time offer and enroll today!

708.383.6279 stgilesschool.org

20

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate email: buphues@wjinc.com

Homes

Condo deconversions on the rise Trend in multifamily buildings leans toward apartments

By LACEY SIKORA

F

Contributing Reporter

ifteen to 20 years ago, the Chicago-area real estate was buzzing with conversions. Apartment buildings, often the vintage variety, were rapidly bought and converted into condominiums to appease the appetites of buyers looking to purchase a small piece of the real estate pie.

Fast forward to 2020, and like many trends, what goes around comes around. Chicago and its neighboring suburbs are seeing a reversal of the trend. With condos no longer rapidly appreciating assets, a number

21

of condominium buildings are being deconverted, a process in which all of the units in a building are sold to a single entity with plans to revert the units to apartments.

For buildings of four or more units, Section 15 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act currently allows 75 percent of owners of a condominium association to approve a binding sale of the building. The city of Chicago recently increased the required owner approval to 85 percent.

While the percentage for other municipalities is holding at 75 percent, in February state Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-6th) introduced Senate Bill 3731, which would revise

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

922 North Blvd.,Oak Park the act to require 85 percent of unit owner approval for all properties with seven or more units throughout the state.

In Oak Park, two condominium buildings recently were purchased as part of a deconversion process, and Chicago-based Kiser Group brokered the sales.

The first building was Regency Terrace Condominiums at 922 North Blvd., a 52-unit building purchased for $8.8 million. The second was the vintage Clarence Court building at 628 Harrison St., whose 26 units were purchased for $3.6 million.

Kiser’s Andy Friedman says that the two buildings illustrate the two main reasons condominium buildings are deconverted.

The first reason is because of deferred maintenance, or a building t in physical distress.

“They might be chronically behind on maintenance, or there’s some new issue that’s going to be horribly expensive to fix,” Friedman said. “Maybe there’s a new spe-

cial assessment, and residents want out.”

He says that 922 North Blvd. fell into that category. In May 2018, unit owners were notified by the village that they needed to correct violations regarding the balconies on the units.

Friedman says that the estimate to bring the balconies up to code was extremely high and would have represented a large special assessment. With that special assessment looming, it was hard to sell units, because new owners wouldn’t want the burden of an upcoming special assessment.

Friedman said the building had other issues as well, including water infiltration in the garage and elevator controls that appeared to be original to the 1970s-era construction. “The amount of money needed to fix the issues would have been staggering,” Friedman said. “A very large number of See DECONVERSIONS on page 25

22

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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700 COLUMBIA N, OAK PAR K

Vintage C. E. White estate home facing Augusta Blvd extensively renovated by current architect / builder owner to today’s standards. Casually elegant, open and functional plan that lives unusually well. 6 bedroom home featuring massive great room that overlooks private rear yard with garden wall, bluestone patios, gas fire pit and dining pergola. All new mechanicals including Control 4 Smart Home with A/V, lighting, HVAC and motorized shade control. 3-car garage + side drive for total of 6-car parking. Offered @ $1,250,000.

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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OPEN SUN 13

1857 SUFFOLK AVE, WESTCHESTER

3823 CLEVELAND AVE, BROOKFIELD

224 N KENILWORTH AVE 3B, OAK PARK

1121 N HARLEM AVE E, OAK PARK

1311 S FINLEY RD 301, LOMBARD

4 br, 2.1 ba $335,000

2 br, 2 ba $289,900

3 br, 2 ba $289,000

3 br, 2.1 ba $245,000

2 br, 1.1 ba $127,900

Mario Fernandez 708.848.5550

Zachary Knebel 708.848.5550

Alice McMahon 708.848.5550

Zachary Knebel 708.848.5550

Beth Elpayaa 708.848.5550

BHHSChicago.com

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Public Service Announcement

628 Harrison St., Oak Park

DECOVERSIONS

Back to apartments from page 21

people couldn’t afford it.”

As a result, he believes many owners would have put their units up for sale, but the maintenance issues would have created sales prices that were significantly depressed.

He notes that in this case, it made more sense to sell the building as a whole, with full disclosure about the maintenance issues.

“Because apartments are in high demand, and because that building is in a great location, there was a high demand for a deconversion,” Friedman said.

Demand was so high, they had 53 tours of the building before it sold to Goldman Investments, and Friedman says unit owners were given a lifeline.

The second kind of condo building ripe for deconversion, according to Friedman, is often a vintage building that was originally an apartment building that was converted to condos in the last 15 to 30 years.

Friedman says that when the value of the condominiums is stagnant, it can mean the building is candidate for deconversion.

He notes that the wave of conversions of vintage apartments was not paying off for many original owners, who couldn’t sell their units but did not want to stay.

“Almost 50 percent of the units in these buildings are already being rented,” Friedman said. “There were a ton of conversions in the early 2000s. With the recession, maybe someone bought a starter condo in 2006, but couldn’t sell it in 2010 when they had to move.

They become an accidental landlord. Most of these owners didn’t want to be landlords.”

Friedman says that 628 Harrison St., which sold to Redpoint Capital Management, fell into this second category, remarking that the building was in good shape.

“It was an apartment building until 2000,” he said. “It was converted in 2003 to condos.

At the time of sale, only nine of the 26 units were owner-occupied. The others were va-

cant or rented out.”

Still, there are challenges for real estate brokers to overcome. According to Friedman, there is much more to the negotiation than getting a price that condominium owners will agree to.

Once that agreement has been reached, brokers should work to benefit the owners or current renters, allowing them to stay in the building at below market rent for a set amount of time.

Friedman says that over-conversion years ago most likely led to the deconversion movement gaining strength in the area.

“There were a gazillion conversions in the mid-2000s,” he said. “So much of it was done in vintage buildings. These are great buildings, but you have to keep up with them. A professional landlord knows what these buildings need, but for a condo board, it can be easy to fall behind. It’s very scary for a condo board to ask for a raise in assessments.”

Illinois and Florida are the states that Friedman says are hotbeds of the deconversion movement, and he says Illinois’ issues are easy to spot.

“Chicago, Oak Park, the state of Illinois, in case you haven’t heard, there are major fiscal issues,” he said. “The target is landowners because it’s not easy to move. Property taxes in Oak Park definitely play a role because condos are no longer an asset that’s going to appreciate.”

David Pope of Oak Park’s Residence Corporation considers the tax implications for condo owners in Oak Park a contributing factor to the deconversion movement and says that small condo associations often struggled to collect assessment and weren’t able to develop strong financial bases.

“This is, in part, a market correction,” Pope said. “We’re seeing properties being affected by the changes in the tax laws. Was it necessarily an ill-advised decision 20 years ago to go condo? Maybe not, but 20 years ago is not today.”

Friedman says it’s possible the cycle will keep on turning.

“In 10 to 20 years we might see conversions again,” Friedman said. “It just cycles.”

1 HANDS Wash them often 2 ELBOW Cough into it 3 FACE Don’t touch it 4 FEET Stay more than 3ft apart 5 FEEL Sick? Stay Home

Visit: www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/ novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public for more information

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest DonnaAvenue Barnhisel 7375 West North Dan Bogojevich MANAGING Anne Brennan River Forest, Illinois 60305 BROKER/OWNERS Karen Byrne Calkins 708.771.8040 Kevin Tom Carraher Andy Gagliardo Pat Cesario Joe Cibula

Tom Poulos

Don Citrano Alisa Coghill Kay Costello Maria Cullerton Julie Downey Kurt Fielder Yvonne Fiszer-Steele Ramona Fox

Laura Gancer Lisa Grimes Dan Halperin Sharon Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Jack Lattner

Iris McCormick Vince McFadden Elizabeth Moroney Colleen Navigato John Pappas Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas Jenny Ruland

Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

1414 FOREST • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 122

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846 FOREST • OAK PARK

CENTER ENTRANCE CORNER BRICK COLONIAL with so much potential to make it your own. Sitting on a 75 X 201 corner lot, there is no need to add on or build up. Features include an office, open kitchen, family room 4 BRs, 2 full baths, with options for more BRs on 3rd FL. ........................................................... $779,000

CONTEMPORARY HOME with 3 bedrooms, 3-1/2 baths. 1st floor features include an expansive foyer, unique bamboo floors, multi-faced gas fireplace, office, updated kitchen & family room.

2nd FL includes a laundry and office/or nursery. Finished basement. In-ground pool. Great updates. ............................. $799,000

HANDSOME TUDOR with classic original archway details beautifully blend w/ tasteful updated bathrooms and kitchen. Spacious formal living room with wood-burning fireplace. Lovely dining room with built-in corner cabinets. OUTSTANDING BACKYARD. Finished basement!............................................................ $699,000

FABULOUS BRICK HOME has it all! On extra-wide lot with 4 BRs, 4-1/2 BAs. Features include private office, open kitchen, breakfast room, family room, Butler’s bar, master suite w/sep sitting room, finished bsmt w/full wet bar & media room, private backyard, garden and pond..............................................................$1,049,000

142 S SCOVILLE • OAK PARK

722 IOWA • OAK PARK

547 MONROE • RIVER FOREST

724 S ELMWOOD • OAK PARK

UN DE R CO NTRAC T!

UN D ER CO N T RAC T!

U N D ER CO N T RAC T!

U N DE R CON TR AC T!

CENTER OF TOWN VICTORIAN with high ceilings, four spacious levels of living in beautiful Oak Park. This 5 BR, 3-12 BA home offers a formal entry, wood-burning FP, sunroom, family room, eat-in kitchen. Great flow, tons of natural light & storage throughout this beauty! .................................................................... $519,000

RECENTLY RENOVATED E.E. Roberts home. This stunning prairie style house is move-in ready! Prominent 4/5 bedroom home located in Oak Park’s estate section features leaded glass windows, doors, beamed ceiling, hardwood floors, designer kitchen, and family room................................................................. $895,000

ROOM FOR EVERYONE! Move in ready, gracious rooms and highest end updates! Designer kitchen, first floor family room, mudroom, 5 BRs, 3-1/2 baths, finished 3rd floor retreat, finished basement with a 6th bedroom. Completely renovated top to bottom, all you need to do is move in! ...................................$939,000

GORGEOUS GUNDERSON with open porch, LR/DR combo w/ hardwood floors, gourmet kitchen, large 1st FL fam-ily room, mudroom. Five BRs, 3-1/2 baths, & 2nd FL laundry room. Finished basement, new 2.5 car garage plus exterior spaces for 2 more cars.

Luxurious and sooooo livable! ..........................................$589,900

RIVER FOREST HOMES

PRICE REDUCED NEWLY UPDATED HOME on large lot in great location. New eat-in kitchen. Four BRs, two and half BAs of which upstairs have radiant heated floors. Completely painted, refinished flrs, newer windows. New staircase leading to basement..............$684,999 BEAUTIFUL BURMA BUILT TUDOR sits on lovely lot with side drive leading to attached 3 car garage, large yard. 4 BR, 3-1/2 bath offers a great flow throughout the 1st floor, large eat-in kitchen, hardwood floors, leaded glass and classic cove ceilings. ........$669,000 LOVELY SPLITLEVEL HOME offers newly refreshed contemporary style and wonderful space. BRs, three brand new BAs, beautiful front entryway, vaulted ceiling family room, sun room, game room, deck, spectacular backyard, attached two car garage. ............ $639,000 VINTAGE CHARMER on tree lined cobblestone street. Warm, inviting, lots of potential! Living room centered with cozy fireplace, separate dining room, bright kitchen and spacious family room. 2nd floor has 3 BRs and 1 full BA. Large deck overlooking backyard. ................$415,000

LOVELY TUDOR HOME on tree lined street with 4BRs, 2-1/2 baths. Beautiful original woodwork, sunken LR with log stone fireplace and built-in shelving. Large DR, eat-in kitchen, family room, surround sound system. Huge deck and landscaped backyard. Meticulously taken care of!....................................................................................$617,500 CLASSIC ROW HOUSE with 5BRs, 4BAs completely updated throughout with stunning architectural detail including restored and preserved woodwork, art glass, elaborate molding and trim, gleaming oak floors, soaring ceilings, grand rooms, and contemporary mechanicals and amenities..........................................................................$598,000 CLASSIC OP HOME with classic features and modern finishes to compliment. Dark mahogany woodwork throughout, hardwood floors. Features include wood-burning fireplace, upgraded kitchen, and den/sitting room, large master BR, fantastic amount of windows.

Finished basement. .........................................................................$555,000 TRADITIONAL AMERICAN FOUR SQUARE home is move-in ready. Freshly painted, hardwood floors throughout, and central A/C. Three bedrooms on second floor with tandem, eat-in kitchen, finished basement, and private fenced in yard. Award-winning schools and walking distance to trains. ............................................................$455,000

GREAT NORTH OP LOCATION with this 4 BR2 BA! Three BRs upstairs, Master BR downstairs. Large LR with gas fireplace. Kitchen and family room off dining room. Huge 2nd floor bathroom. Basement ready to be finished. Nice landscaping in the back yard. ..........$359,000 DUTCH COLONIAL with rehab already started, already gutted.

Originally 2 bedroom, but now open to new floor plan and added bedrooms and bath. Could be a flip or great home to live in. ..$199,900

705 FRANKLIN • RIVER FOREST

NE W LISTI NG!

BURMA BUILT BUHRKE HOUSE combines Tudor revival & chateau style architecture elements. Gorgeous décor and impeccable attention to detail and care, landscaped grounds, extends to fabulous in ground pool and patios. Perfect for entertaining. ..............$1,975,000 BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC HOME offers everything for today’s modern living. Custom-built has highest quality finishes. No detail was missed. Brick and stone exterior, wrap around porch, eleven-foot ceilings, oversized windows. LL has 2,000 ft of living area... $1,425,000 SPECTACULAR HOME offers modern/elegant architectural design, tasteful decor and impeccable attention to detail, featuring 4 bedrooms and 5 full baths. Music room, private office, butler’s pantry, family room.

Full basement w/wet bar, game room and rec room. .......... $1,395,000 UNIQUE BURMABUILT HOME is a must-see. You will appreciate the high-quality craftsmanship and details throughout, including art glass doors, a custom milled cherry mantel, and custom kitchen cabinetry. The home has been very well maintained.............$1,275,000 STATELY HOME situated on an oversized lot with circular drive and attached garage. This home boasts an expansive LR with 8.5’ ceilings and fireplace, formal DR, 1st FL fam rm, and kitchen with breakfast room. Hardwood floors, library, lots of storage, impressive lower level. .........................................................................................................$1,125,000

OAK PARK HOMES

STATELY BRICK HOME resides on a quiet corner with 4 BRs, 3 and 2 half baths. Features a spacious LR w/wood burning fireplace, built-in bookshelves, detailed carved molding, formal DR, sunroom, bright eatin kitchen, expansive 2nd floor, full finished basement w/media room. ............................................................................................................$929,000

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2-1/2BA. Stunning townhome..........$528,500 RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2-1/2 BA. Two garage spaces. ........... $479,000 RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA. Updated, move-in ready. ...........$169,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ...................................................................$530,000 OAK PARK 3BR, 2 full / 2 half BA. East facing balcony..........$424,900 OAK PARK 3BR, 2-1.2 BA. Exceptional vintage beauty! .......$299,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 2-1/2 BA. Stunning, bright tri-level............$299,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA. Open two-story atrium. ..................... $293,000 OAK PARK 3BR, 2-1/2BA. 3 floors of living! ............................$249,000 NEW LISTING OAK PARK 2BR, 1BA. ..................................$149,000 FOREST PARK 1BR, 1BA. Original wdwk/hdwd floors........$110,000 NEW LISTING ELMWOOD PARK 2BR, 2BA................... $215,000

For more listings & photos go to GagliardoRealty.com

Divorcing?

Divorcing?

Discover a More Discover a More Amicable Approach.

Divorcing?

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

GAGLIARDO REALTY Associates is proud to congratulate broker associate

TOM CARRAHER

as the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

2020 REALTOR of the Year Tom has been an active real estate Broker in the Oak Park/River Forest area market since 1991. He has served on numerous local Boards including the OPAAR Board of Directors and was the President of the OPRF Huskie Booster Club for several years.

Amicable DiscoverApproach. a More Amicable Approach.

The Collaborative approach to divorce allows

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Need a helping of

Tom was recognized at the annual awards presentation meeting held on March 3rd hosted

by Forest Park Bank. He will be recognized next month in Springfield along with all the other REALTOR of the Year recipients from the various real estate boards throughout the state of Illinois.

If you are interested in buying or selling your home, please consider giving Tom a call at 708-822-0540. Congratulations Tom!

Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit OakPark.com/subscribe

7375 West North Avenue

7375 WestIllinois North River Forest, 60305 Avenue 708.771.8040 River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Local properties — We get stuff sold!

Let your trusted neighbors and local experts guide you home.

632 Hannah • Forest Park

1230 N Marion • Oak Park

819 S Humphrey • Oak Park

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

AC T I V E

SOLD

7243 Madison St, Unit 404 • Forest Park

1128 Thomas • Forest Park

1002 Thomas • Forest Park

SOLD

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

Steve Nasralla 708.466.5164 • Joelle Venzera 708.297.1879 • Adriana Laura Cook 312.497.2044

340 S Maple #2B (Condo) • Oak Park

905 Lathrop • Forest Park

621 N Belleforte • Oak Park

AC T I V E

AC T I V E

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

118 Ashland • River Forest

715 Forest • River Forest

830 Elgin • Forest Park

U N D E R CO N T R AC T

AC T I V E

AC T I V E

Navigation Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

29

Sunday, March 22, 2020

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

ADDRESS

MULTIFAMILY

Growing Community.

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

831 Beloit Ave., Forest Park, IL. . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$365,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 1210 N. Grove Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$669,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 1217 Columbian Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$670,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 1423 Lathrop Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$699,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 1414 Forest Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$799,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

1130 Lathrop Ave, River Forest . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,125,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3

This Directory brought to you by mrgloans.com

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30

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

HomesInTheVillage.com

Featured Listings for This Week Oak Park $574,900 5BR, 3.2BA Marion x111

Oak Park $517,000 Multi unit Laurie x186

River Forest $478,000 3BR, 2.1BA Jane x118

Oak Park $465,000 3BR, 2.1BA Kyra x145

Oak Park $428,800 4BR, 2BA Kyra x145

Oak Park $349,000 3BR, 2.1BA Harry x116

Berwyn $264,900 3BR, 1.1BA Maria x117

Oak Park $299,000 2BR, 2BA Jane x118

Erika Villegas,

726 N Grove Ave Oak Park 4BR, 1.1BA...$388,000 Patti x124

Berwyn $239,000 5BR, 2.1BA Laurie x186

Oak Park $171,900 2BR, 1BA Jane x118

Berwyn $229,000 2BR, 1BA Maria x117

Properties of The Week

Oak Park $115,000 1BR, 1BA Elissa x192

926 N Ridgeland Ave Oak Park 3BR, 1.1BA...$299,000 Patti x124

Managing Broker/Owner

Mike Becker

Laurie Christofano

Marion Digre

Morgan Digre

Ed Goodwin

Leticia Cruz

Jane McClelland

Sharon O’Mara

Elissa Palermo

Kyra Pych

Maria Rodriguez

Linda Rooney

Kris Sagan

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Harry Walsh

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

I

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

31

Calming our kids in uncertain times p.33

How to move forward from Project Unity’s example

had the pleasure of attending Project Unity’s closing event on March 8. Project Unity was a cross-cultural organization whose purpose was to promote mutual respect and friendship among children and adults across diverse racial groups. The group was largely formed to provide an example and opportunity for children to have the multicultural experience that Oak Park touts.

Those children are now adults and many of the members continue that goal in their work with other community efforts such as the village Community Relations Committee (CRC) and creating Maker Spaces. Their discussion about what brought them to the organization, what kept them, and their hopes moving forward was very informative. As I look at how to build upon the efforts that have gone before, three things that come to mind: 1) Systematize the work. Anything that is worth having requires some effort and intentionality. If we are to claim that Oak Park is truly a place that welcomes and celebrates difference, then clarity on what is required to make that a consistent reality is needed; and commitment by significant members of the community to implement it is required. Project Unity members spoke of being challenged by their children to lead by example. The fact that they had to create an organization in order to provide opportunities for their families to interact across race and ethnicity speaks to the reality that it is not an ingrained part of our community culture.

Systems are not designed to encourage or support this happening, particularly when socioeconomic status is added to the equation. In fact, many of our systems are designed to do just the opposite. So the only way to change it is to change those systems rather than relying solely on individual efforts.

Efforts to increase the diversity of kids being served by enrichment and extracurricular activities, and work happening to update curriculum to more accurately reflect our country are a couple of examples of the type of systems change needed to be a community that is inclusive, as opposed to just a community with diverse people.

The work that our school districts are doing to question who is being served by programs and methods and whether they are creating the desired outcomes is beneficial for all students. Having diversity, equity and inclusion sewn throughout the fabric of a community makes it more likely to transcend and live beyond the work of individuals.

2) Intentionally educate children. Many Oak Park residents have talked about coming to Oak Park for the diversity and

LINDA FRANCIS

See FRANCIS on page 36

What to do during the pandemic

W

e can no longer take for granted what we used to take for granted.

This has been true for some time, but the COVID-19 pandemic brings it into sharp focus. Hugging someone hello. Shaking hands. Picking up our grandchildren from school. Feeling invincible.

March Madness. Worshipping with others. All this and more, we used to take for granted.

The COVID-19 pandemic is no laughing matter, but we do not have to stop laughing. Please do not stop smiling.

Please DO talk with family, with friends, with neighbors about how we are all in this together. Building walls or pointing fingers at others, or making groups of people into “others,” will increase the eventual suffering for all of us.

Please DO think intergenerational. Those of us over the age of 60 will probably need some assistance during this next period of time. For those of us under 60, here’s an opportunity to actually act like we’re all in this together.

Please DO treat yourself nicely, both physically and spiritually. Don’t let fear overwhelm you. Get a good night’s sleep. Eat good, healthy meals. Talk honestly with yourself and with your neighbors. Be your own best friend and trust your own advice.

Crisis offers danger and opportunity. During “social distancing” or any mandatory quarantine, let’s be creative with our new “free time.” In fact, don’t even use the term “free time.” Rather, let’s take advantage of all the time we have. This orientation will keep us healthier. Write a book. Share good movie suggestions. Join online discussion groups. Start to sit quietly with yourself and just be.

Our national response to COVID-19 has been too little too late. As we finally start to test the majority of our people, we will discover that the virus has been here for months and that the numbers are exponentially bigger than what we now think.

It is entirely possible that our country will go on lockdown sometime in the next month. This is not scare tactics. It is the reality of living in a society where we are all interconnected. Let’s not react out of fear. How we conduct ourselves in the next few months will impact our children, our neighbors, our health-care workers, our communities and our institutions.

Complex global issues don’t recognize international boundaries. This is true whether it’s COVID-19 or climate change or even hungry, homeless children. One of the opportunities of this current crisis is that we might better understand that we are all members of Team Sapiens.

We can and will get through the current crisis, but there’s no way around it. In fact, getting through to the other side of this is the only way out. Some of us will die before getting through to the other side. Most of us will know of, maybe even love, someone who dies because of COVID-19.

I usually write about conscious aging. Today I write about conscious living. COVID-19 might actually help us live with intention. Let’s not live through this crisis out of habit.

Let’s respect the danger, hardship and loss. Let’s appreciate the opportunities.

Marc Blesoff writes the monthly Conscious Aging column in Wednesday Journal.

MARC BLESOFF

32

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

O U R

V I E W S

Fragility and resilience

W

hat a moment. Frightening, frustrating, infuriating in about equal measure.

Our lives are not our own. Seems like an old-fashioned saying.

But now our lives have been grabbed by the coronavirus pandemic and equally by the grotesque incompetence and mental imbalance of Donald Trump.

Don’t get us started.

We’ll bounce off the walls of our highly contained spaces.

With Trump greasing the skids, we’ve watched systems that appeared semi-sturdy collapse in heaps. Who needs a pandemic task force in the White House? There’s not a plan for enough respirators? The United State of America cannot test 10,000 people in a month for the virus but South Korea can test 10,000 in a day? We need to debate if our greedy private health care system will cover the cost of a test in a pandemic? And not to pile on, but Donald Trump, of all people, is actually the president during a pandemic.

So much fragility. So many reasons to think we’re simply screwed. And we may yet be collectively screwed.

But over the past week as Trump has blathered and confounded, waxed on about the coming miracle that will end the pandemic and sweettalk the stock market into submission, we have also watched governors, including Illinois’ J.B. Pritzker, rise up and lead.

In each of the towns we cover we have, to a routinely high level, watched as school superintendents, mayors, nonprofit leaders, village managers, ministers, cops and teachers, have stepped up to make hard, hard choices. Schools closed. Libraries closed, Parks closed. Churches closed. Restaurant dining rooms closed.

Who would have thought we’d see the day when villages like Oak Park and River Forest declare “states of emergency”?

While stunned, we have watched families and individuals comply, grateful for leaders who lead, who understand this is the most critical moment to limit the spread of this virus. Except for the crazy people celebrating St. Pat’s. Hope you enjoyed that last beer.

This is where the resilience comes through.

We’re scared for our health, for our kids and for our folks, for our jobs and our paychecks, and we know, even if we can’t exactly grasp the dimensions, that the sacrifice is hardly even underway.

We don’t know what this week brings. Not much left to close down. But there is more damage, more unravelling ahead. We do know that.

It is in our communities where we will find the strength. And clearly it is where we will find our leaders. Smart, empathic, steady, caring. These are our neighbors who offer up their service.

We raise them up with our votes. Sure, they’re imperfect. We’d like to shake some of them at times. But they are decent, thoughtful and, most all of the time, without the ego that sinks Trump every damned day.

Hard times ahead. Pain to come. We will come through this changed in many ways. But come through it we will.

Project Unity’s place in our diversity story

P

roject Unity officially ended on March 8. Two dozen Oak Parkers of color and those who fall into the ethnic catch basin known as “white,” gathered in the social hall at Euclid Avenue Methodist Church (the one with the large banner outside proclaiming that “Jesus Was Radically Inclusive”) to celebrate, reconnect and come to closure.

The “project” will never really end, of course, but its beginning dates back 28 years to 1992 when the Longfellow School Parent-Ed Committee met to discuss a disturbing trend. Most of these parents were either in interracial marriages, had adopted children of another race, or both. They were concerned, as their kids wound their way through the school system, that they might not fit in with kids of either race. They and other interested parents had moved to Oak Park specifically because of its reputation for openness and diversity. They wanted their children to benefit from that diversity, not be hampered by it.

The perceived problem was that, while students of different races mixed pretty well in elementary school, they started to separate in middle school and high school. The committee held a forum and asked students to talk about the issue. The kids didn’t really see a problem, but if it was, they pointed out, their parents weren’t exactly setting an example of interracial interaction.

Becoming better role models, then, was the motivation behind Project Unity, which formed in 1993 and peaked with a membership of 130 households (235 adults). Consciousness-raising was certainly a priority. Book groups formed and evolved into discussion groups. Some lasted two decades. But the driving force was socializing, getting to know one another — and above all having fun. Dances and potluck dinners brought us together.

“Project Unity was about fostering friendship among people of different races,” said Pat Winters, who chaired the social committee. Improving communication through cross-racial dancing is another way of putting it.

And it worked. Friendships formed, which continue to this day. But as with many social organizations, Project Unity didn’t attract young couples to whom the torch could be passed. Energy waned, kids grew up and nests emptied.

To truly measure Project Unity’s success, someone would need to ask our kids. Did our modeling have a lasting impact? Those kids grew up in a country that became increasingly fragmented and polarized. Racial tension is even more of an issue now than it was then. We need a national “Project Unity” and not just for black-white relations. We are a much more diverse country (and village) but much less unified. The U.S.A. has become the Uneasy Silos of America. Not enough communication, not enough interaction.

Not enough dancing.

At our final get-together, members shared reflections. “It built community for me,” said co-founder Karin Grimes. Her bi-racial daughter eventually wrote her college admission essay about what it meant to grow up in Oak Park. Karin is now a member of the village’s Community Relations Commission and runs the

potluck dinner program, continuing one of Project Unity’s most successful activities.

Co-founder Cheryl Capps said she came to Oak Park from Pittsburgh to “interface with other kinds of people. Project Unity was that bridge for us.” When asked if it shifted the conversation within her family, Cheryl noted that her daughter would probably say it didn’t make a difference, “but she lived it. She didn’t know any different.

In college, she had to say whether she was white or black. She doesn’t feel different here.”

Pat Healey was taking a class called “Race Relations” at the University of Chicago when she heard about Project Unity. She started attending so she could write a paper for that class. Her Project Unity discussion group was still meeting as of 2010. At the time, she wrote, “We have examined our racial, religious, gender, ethnic and political views. We have challenged one another. In doing so, we have sometimes surprised ourselves with our deeply-imbedded stereotypes. We have celebrated and mourned together. We are friends.”

And her son is currently teaching a diversity class in Evanston.

Yasmin Ranney said, “Project Unity was moms and dads. There was no other agenda. It was free-flowing, evolving organically.

It helped build community without intending to.” Steve Ranney added, “Our kids were accepted here. Thanks for everything.”

Carl Spight was thankful for the “intensity and intentionality” of Project Unity’s annual Kwanzaa celebration. “You guys pulled me in. I miss it.”

My involvement started when I showed up at the first public meeting in December 1992, partly because I had a son at Longfellow and partly because I hoped to get a column out of it.

Until that time, I talked a good line about the importance of racial diversity and Oak Park’s history of promoting it, but it was all talk. Project Unity provided opportunities to walk that talk. I needed the structure and my interactions expanded my comfort zone dramatically.

In 2014, when Michael Brown was killed, and Ferguson, Missouri erupted — followed by the Black Lives Matter movement — like too many white progressives, I was shocked and devastated. It was a rude awakening and widened my comfort zone by another order of magnitude. At first I was discouraged as I discovered my unconscious biases and acknowledged my own shortfalls.

But I didn’t get defensive. And I didn’t wallow in white fragility while watching Steve James’ wonderful docu-series, America to Me. Thankful for the wake-up and the humbling, I credit Project Unity with laying the groundwork that made it possible.

Joining this group was one of the best things I’ve ever done.

Though most Oak Parkers have probably never heard of it, Project Unity was a chapter in our evolving sense of community that should never be forgotten.

And maybe, just maybe, our current crop of Oak Park parents will consider starting their own version — Project Unity 2.0.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

by Marc Stopeck

S H R U B T O W N

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Linda Francis Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Editorial Designers Mark Moroney, Scot McIntosh Business Manager Joyce Minich Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Revenue & Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Digital Marketing, Social Media, & Client Engagement

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Creating calm for children in uncertain times

s the world spins in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our daily lives have altered in previously unimaginable ways. Cancelled events and flights, remote learning in schools, and closed businesses are now the norm.

If we’re feeling anxious, it’s likely our children are, too. How can we minimize their anxiety amid such uncertainty?

At Thrive Counseling Center, we’ve assembled a list of practical tips to help you and your children remain calm and comfortable in your home. By adopting a realistic but healthy response to uncertainty, and providing an outlet for stress, you can help build coping skills in your children that endure well beyond the current challenge.

■ Always actively listen to any concerns your children express. Acknowledgment and empathy reassure kids that they have been heard and that their feelings matter.

■ Maintain routines as much as possible, especially for young children. Consistent meal times, sleep schedules, and playground visits or other regular activities communicate a sense of normalcy for children.

■ Strive to remain calm and rational yourself. Kids watch adults for cues for how they should behave and what they should feel. If you can manage your stress by taking deep breaths, walking outside, or practicing

meditation, for example, you’ll be better able to project a calm, practical attitude that will reassure your children.

■ Actively promote basic health hygiene in a fun way. Try making handwashing fun by turning it into a game. Sing happy birthday or the ABCs while scrubbing away.

These engaging practices not only help limit the spread of disease, but they help give us a sense of control over a chaotic situation.

Laugh, play, and enjoy outdoor activities as much as possible. Humans often seek comfort by connecting with others. Make your time together fun and meaningful.

After a good meal, bring out a board game or watch a favorite movie. Get outside — a simple walk can be remarkably uplifting.

We hope these ideas prove useful to you and your family during the coming days and weeks. Fortunately, to date children who have been exposed to the virus have experienced only mild symptoms. If you or a family member are symptomatic or you believe you have been directly exposed to COVID-19, however, follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines for seeking medical assistance or call the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Coronavirus Hotline at 800-889-3931.

Cicely Johnson, Kristen Keleher, and Angie Kaufman are senior therapists at Thrive Counseling Center in Oak Park.

CICELY

JOHNSON, KRISTEN KELEHER & ANGIE KAUFMAN One View

Briana Higgins Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Administrative Assistant Laurel Saltzman Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action.

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing.

Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708 613 3300

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

Religion Guide You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor (708) 697-5000 Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m.

Childcare Available

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship, 9:30am Christian Education Hour 8:30am Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 www.stjohnforestpark.org Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Katherine Thomas Paisley, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship

D O O P E R ’ S

Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 108TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Thursday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Mass: 5:30 p.m.

Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m.

Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m. M–F Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m.

Parish Office: 708-848-4417 Religious Ed Phone: 708-848-7220 stedmund.org

St. Giles Family Mass Community

on the corner of Thomas and Fair Oaks Ave.

worship on Sundays @ 10am nursery care available

fairoakspres.org 744 Fair Oaks Ave. • 708.386.4920

OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) ELCA, Lutheran

Good Shepherd Worshiping at 820 Ontario, Oak Park IL (First Baptist Church) 9:00a-Worship 10:30a-Education Hour

All are welcome. goodshepherdlc.org

Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

708-848-4741

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland Avenue) Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and children’s chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

We welcome all to attend Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on the St. Giles Parish campus on the second floor of the school gym, the southernmost building in the school complex at 1034 North Linden Avenue.

Established in 1970, we are a laybased community within St. Giles Roman Catholic Parish.

Our Mass is family-friendly.

We encourage liturgically active toddlers. Children from 3 to 13 and young adults play meaningful parts in each Sunday liturgy.

Together with the parish, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program for children in grades K-8.

For more information, go to http://www.stgilesparish.org/ family-mass-community or call Bob Wielgos at 708-288-2196.

Third Unitarian Church Rev. Colleen Vahey

11:30 AM Service 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago

(2 blocks east of Austin Blvd.)

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am 5:00 pm at St. Edmund Church Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 – 4:45 pm Saturday Taizé Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1 Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor Upcoming Religious Holidays

Mar 2-20

Nineteen Day Fast Baha’i 19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian Lord’s Evening Meal Jehovah’s Witness 20 Equinox/Ostara Wicca/Pagan

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

thirdunitarianchurch.org 773-626-9385 Enriching Spirit. Motivating Action

To place a listing in the Religion Guide, call Mary Ellen: 708/613-3342

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M E M O R I E S

My first French dinner

y mother and her college French professor, who lived on Ridgeland Avenue, remained close for many years and socialized frequently.

The professor invited my mother and me to her home one evening when I was 12 years old.

I did not know what to expect regarding the cuisine, but I soon found out.

Before dinner, a drink was offered. The professor, her husband, and my mother each drank a glass of wine, and I was given a glass of apple juice. I learned that wine is an integral part of French social life, and when a person wants another glass, he or she makes a fist with the thumb extended to somewhat resemble a bottle.

The professor’s husband did this four times.

It didn’t take long for me to realize how much time was spent sitting around the table because, not only was the table the place to gather for a meal, it is also the primary place for conversation. My mother was reasonably conversant in French, so she and the two other adults talked in that language for about 20 minutes while I tried to figure out what they were saying.

Realizing that I was lost, in the conversation, they switched to English.

The meal consisted of five separate courses. After the appetizers, the main course was served, which consisted of both meat and fish. The salad came next, followed by cheese and dessert. The professor insisted we eat additional servings, and I knew it would be impolite to refuse.

As the supper continued, I had to make adjustments from my American way of eating supper. In the French way, I had to stop after each course and wait for the next one.

I was getting antsy sitting at the table for such a long time.

At our house, everything except the rarely-served dessert was served at once, so much less time was spent at the table.

At the professor’s home, salad was served after the main course as I mentioned before, whereas if we had salad at home, it was served before the main course.

Only one type of dressing was served at the professor’s home and it was oil and vinegar, but at our home there was more than one dressing available.

Milk was not offered to me during the meal whereas I always drank milk with meals at home. Bread was served in abundance at the professor’s home, but bread was not in abundance at our home. The professor did not serve coffee with the meal, which was the opposite from our meals.

Another form of sign language was displayed whenever the professor’s husband wanted more to eat. He used his thumb and the first two fingers of his right hand to point toward his mouth.

Although the professor and her husband were pleasant people, I was glad when we left.

In my 12-year-old mind, I swore off things French, but when I went to college and had to choose a foreign language, yes, I chose French.

JOHN

STANGER

Together, we can get past this

While some of us must keep physically apart, I am struck by a great sense of community and caring demonstrated here. So many reaching out to offer help with child care and the needs of those whose livelihood is at risk.

Others offer thanks and concern to all the helpers (to use Mr. Rogers’ term) who are putting themselves at risk to care for others.

This is not a new phenomenon.

It also happened in Tennessee earlier this week when tornados struck.

It happened after Katrina and Harvey when Cajun boatmen came to rescue people from rooftops.

It happened after Hurricane Irma when people drove from Texas to Tampa and stopped by my sister’s house to offer free help to remove downed tree limbs.

And it happened during the polar vortex last year here in Oak Park when houses of worship welcomed those homeless who slept at their churches to stay for the day through the week, and a caravan of volunteers showed up in the bitter cold to bring them to a new lo-

cation each evening.

We are at our best as a community when we look beyond ourselves and realize we really do need and depend on each other to preserve life.

It is not “rugged individualism” that has made us a great nation, a beacon for the world, but how we have worked together.

Our ancestors came from literally everywhere. They came together here, there and everywhere across our country.

In many cases they still have strong ties to family left behind. As a nation, we are uniquely situated to be a web of concern and compassion with the whole human community as we face the global challenges of COVID-19 and climate crisis.

The coming weeks will present grave challenges. As we keep our distance, let us continue to maintain our mutual concern and not fall victim to our greatest challenge: fear and loathing of “the other.”

Together we can move on to a better future.

Teresa Powell Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Dear Oak Park Residents and Surrounding Community, This year we are giving back to you with an amazing one time offer (in celebration of our 25th anniversary)!

Perfect for children, teens, and adults!

Language and Music Summer Camp!

Spanish Immersion no Spanish experience necessary.

Our Summer Camp’s waitlist has been eliminated, with all the space we have at the new Mansion!

Special 2020 Offer!

Preschool Group (ages 2-4) Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Group (ages 5-8)

$248 per month

$199 for the first month!

Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!

3rd-5th grade group (ages 9-11)

All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring! All AGES!

Monday through Friday 9:30am-2:30pm, choose your weeks $250 per week.

Before and after care available.

Two-week minimum, 8-week recommendation for language acquisition.

Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings: • Before and Afterschool “Homework Cafe” at The International Mansion • Language and Fine Arts Preschool and Elementary School (Homeschool-style in School) • Our Recording Studio • Translations and Interpretations

The Language and Music School At International Mansion

509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com

Support Our Local Businesses we can do this together.

oprfchamber.org

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A viable alternative to mainstream medicine

ven amidst this virus pandemic, there is so much hope and health available.

Let’s choose it.

We have effective approaches and probable solutions for the coronavirus now. There are evidence-based and effective ways that do support the immune system and our whole health. Better yet, these approaches can prevent us from getting sick.

Other than washing our hands and avoiding contact, the current medical model doesn’t seem to offer us these natural, effective and affordable options. Why are we so attached to this limited medical model when there is another effective health-care system that is available to all of us now?

This other medical system is called by several names: the Holistic Medical System, Functional Medicine, and Complementary and Alternative Medicine. When combined with the current allopathic medical system it becomes the Integrative Healthcare System where we can choose the best approach for treatment as well as prevention.

Nature offers us important support for health on all levels of body, mind, spirit and energy. We always look to root causes of conditions and ways to support the body to get what it needs to heal.

The face of American medicine changed

with the Flexner Report of 1910

by Carnegie and Rockefeller.

They wanted to standardize medicine as well as eliminate natural medical physician competition, and they succeeded.

But do we need only one kind of medical system? We are a diverse population comprising more than biochemical machines.

Our modern medical system has done some extraordinary things. Yet it falls short so many times. I’m suggesting that this is one of those times. Since you own your body and your choices, you may wish to explore peer-reviewed, evidence-based research on natural approaches to health at GreenMedInfo.com as one place to begin.

Some effective and common-sense approaches for health and immune system strengthening: ■ A primary focus can be to support and improve our microbiome which represents up to 80 percent of our immune system.

The healthful “critters” in our gut are essential for a strong immune system. By eating cultured, probiotic foods such as real sauerkraut (no distilled vinegar in the ingredients, just water, salt, veggies, spices), Kimchi, real yogurt, kombucha, miso, raw

GINA

ORLANDO One View

Supporting Biden but voting for Sanders Back in 2016, I was a huge supporter of Bernie Sanders’ presidential run. His consistency and call for a politics fundamentally intertwined with the interests of working-class Americans was inspiring. Yet with three years of Donald Trump, the choice becomes less clear.

Between the bombastic revolutionary from Vermont and Joe Biden, a creature of the status quo, neither seem particularly pleasing.

Nonetheless, I’m supporting Joe Biden for president, but voting for Bernie Sanders on March 17.

No matter the results, it’s increasingly clear that Joe Biden will be the Democratic nominee. For all of his quirks, he has the better argument in defeating Donald Trump through his ability to build a coalition of suburbanites, blue-collar workers, and African Americans.

I also believe that we shouldn’t follow one dogmatic and divisive president with another, which Bernie would almost certainly guarantee. No matter who controls the House and Senate, it would be nearly impossible for Bernie to govern successfully without a dramatic change in his rhetoric.

While I’m skeptical of the messenger, I’m still inspired by the message. I believe inequality and climate change are two of the biggest challenges our country faces. It’s important to understand that inequality in American society shouldn’t just be measured through economics, but also social injustices

cheese, real salami and other traditional and ethnic fermented foods, you increase your “inner army” in a delicious, costeffective way every day.

■ Shift your fear to a consciousness of love, hope, compassion and empowerment. This is mind-emotions-soul work. Breathe. Meditate. Pray. Envision the healing of this crisis. This creates healthful chemicals to help you. Also know that a fearful people can be easily controlled.

■ Managing stress is vital. There are easy ways to get out of the sympathetic “fightflight” part of our nervous system and get to the parasympathetic tone of “rest, relax, repair, restore, digest” mode. This is the healing mode of our autonomic nervous system.

Explore the HeartMath’s Quick Coherence Technique for a one-minute effective meditation to reduce stress and anxiety.

■ Get quality and quantity sleep, to restore and repair.

■ Eat nutrient-dense foods while eliminating the chemicals, excess sugars, junk and fake fats.

■ Move your body in fun and safe ways.

■ There is an array of effective, researched nutrients, herbs, supplements and

that are all too prevalent.

Income has been stagnant for the vast majority of Americans, while the richest have accumulated a wealth that’s impossible to spend in one lifetime. Communities of color continue to face systemic racism, which has a direct effect on people’s well-being. As a 21-year-old college student, my generation knows all too well the growing threat of climate change. We will be the ones having to face much of its effects if drastic measures aren’t taken. Even then, some say it may be too late.

Preserving our climate isn’t just about keeping a few trees, but saving our humanity.

Humans need our planet’s diverse ecology more than it needs us.

While I don’t doubt Joe’s sincerity in tackling these issues, I believe Bernie is more emphatic. By voting for him, I want to send a message that Democrats need to be advocates for the future. Young people won’t be swayed by a big Hollywood endorsement or a candidate’s adaptability to the latest trends, but rather by consistency and boldness.

We need an administration that understands the urgency of this moment and we definitely don’t have that in Donald Trump.

Whether people like it or not, Joe Biden is the only one who can credibly change this.

All I hope is that he listens.

Jimmy Herdegen River Forest

FRANCIS

Project Unity’s legacy from page 31

being dismayed at the limited nature of interaction, particularly starting in middle school. Cross-cultural friendships require more than just proximity to others not like us. We need to develop the skills and knowledge that allow us to be comfortable and work with those not like us, let alone desire to form and maintain friendships.

This becomes increasingly more challenging as our identities form and we experience the different reactions to those identities in the community. But this doesn’t have to be a given. Our community can intentionally help our kids build these assets. A team has formed that includes the Collaboration for Early Childhood, all three school districts, the E-Team and the Echo Center, that will create a plan for how our community can intentionally support healthy social and emotional development from cradle to high school.

This includes taking an asset based approach to how we support the type of interactions that lead to healthy, whole and effective adults. These are skills that are desperately needed in our world and will set our kids up for success.

3) Make spaces for the work to continue.

Despite the need for this work to also be

natural antibiotics for immune system support. Let’s demand research funding now to find those that are effective with this virus.

■ Any virus not only has a physicality; it has a frequency. What counter-frequency will disable it? There are many types of frequency-generating machines that can do this effectively, easily and cheaply for the masses. In order to do this, we enter the fullness of science, the realm of energy physics, biophysics and a new health-care paradigm.

■ Humor helps. Find some favorite sitcoms or YouTube clips to watch. Our brains are a magnificent pharmacy, and we easily generate helpful chemicals to enhance our biochemistry and immune systems.

This virus and its huge impact on our lives and economy can crack open people’s minds to an integrative approach to life and health. We can be a healthier population, with all of our health issues, at a lower cost and greater access. This is true health-care reform.

With a “mini-bow” to each other, let’s choose this transformation together.

Gina Orlando, MA, is a holistic health educator, consultant and coach who lives in Oak Park. She does not prescribe, diagnose or treat, but helps inspire people to choose an integrative model of health care.

personal, it can’t just happen in individual living rooms. This is an approach that may work for certain demographics but not others. Community life (after the coronavirus) needs to happen in the community.

Not everyone has the space or ability to invite folks into their home.

Middle-income suburban life had moved away from public spaces as places to gather with your community. But middle-income suburban life is also not what it used to be. As more white women have entered into the away-from-home work force, strong extended community has once again become a necessity even for this demographic. Creating spaces where all ages can feel safe to gather and people can have the opportunity to get to know each other in unstructured ways is important.

It is also important for affinity groups to have the time and space to bond and share over common experiences. Spaces like the library, the Echo Center and the planned Oak Park Community Center serve these purposes and need to be supported. The annual Multicultural Festival is now being planned by Juanta Griffin. Please support it.

Some of the members of Project Unity spoke fondly of their discussion groups but everyone, including their kids, remembered the dances they had at the 19th Century Club. I hope this is something we can bring back. After a long period of selfquarantine, I could think of nothing else more joyfully welcome.

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

37

Don’t forget about palliative care This is in response to Roz Byrne’s recent letter, “Learning about end-of-life options” [Viewpoints, March 11], inviting citizens to an upcoming program sponsored by the Illinois End of Life Options Coalition.

I was disappointed that Ms. Byrne did not mention the most effective resource currently available to those in the situation she described regarding her father in the intensive care unit: that is, palliative care consultation. This option may not have been readily available when Ms. Byrne’s father was ill, but for over the past 15 years it has been available to the vast majority of hospitalized people in the U.S. and many other countries. Almost all hospitals today have a palliative care medical specialist or palliative care consultation team available. Patients and families can request a consult.

Palliative care is a recognized sub-specialty

U

by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS), and for advanced practice and registered nurses, by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS). Palliative care is most often consulted for difficult pain and other symptom management but can also be consulted when a patient is questioning treatment options, are not sure they want to continue current treatment in the face of failing health, and/or are asking about hospice care or comfort care.

Whereas hospice is only available for those deemed to be at end-of-life, palliative care can be consulted any time, including while patients are still pursuing or receiving curative care for their illness. Palliative care takes a holistic approach: treatment needs, symptom management, the patient’s goals for care (e.g. curative vs. comfort care only), quality of life,

family support needs, and how these issues impact each other. Palliative care works with the patient’s primary medical team, as any specialty consultant such as a cardiologist does.

More and more, palliative care is also available in outpatient and home care settings as well.

The Illinois End of Life Options Coalition’s stated goal is to work to “authorize medical aid in dying and ensure that terminally ill people who want it can access it,” in other words advocating for legal euthanasia or assisted death.

In over 35 years as a hospice and palliative care practitioner, I have cared for and overseen the care of, thousands of end-stage patients. In my experience, very few people with end-stage illness requested help to die early when they were able to receive robust symptom management, care and support. Research has continued to support this.

Coronavirus and my own evolution

ntil very recently, many of us did not fully grasp the magnitude of the coronavirus challenge, and the inadequacy of our response. I know I didn’t. Things are moving very fast.

But for me, the overlaps between my professional and my personal life have brought this home in a very real way.

Two weeks ago, my nephew returned from an abbreviated semester abroad in Florence, Italy, to begin two weeks of quarantined confinement at a motel near his home, courtesy of the University of Pittsburgh. Three days later, my younger sister and I differed regarding whether my parents (in their 80s) should still travel to New Orleans. It suffices to say that she was correct, and I was wrong. Then last week my mom woke up with a head cold and, after registering one degree higher than optimal, was consequently quarantined along with my dad for 14 days in their very high-quality independent living building. Then last Thursday, OPRF High School and District 97 Elementary School District announced they would be shifting to online classes through March 31 (impacting our daughters, ages 16 and 13).

In the meantime, I was also viewing this outbreak through my lens as president of the Oak Park Residence Corporation and

executive director of the Oak Park Housing Authority, with ultimate responsibility for the health and welfare of the residents at our senior buildings: Mills Park Tower (198 units) and The Oaks (76 units).

Then this past Saturday, my 16-year-old spent most of the day with her friends. I like her friends. They’re all very good kids. But the idea of closing schools to help prevent the transmission of coronavirus, only to have students still congregate in large and fluid social groups, seemed to be fundamentally at odds with the collective effort needed to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The same day, I wound up in line behind a woman grocery shopping for her three sons, all unexpectedly returned from college — and downtown at a pub crawl celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This is about the time I really woke up. If the statistics are to be believed, neither my 16-year-old and her friends, nor this woman’s pub crawling sons, are likely to be seriously harmed or worse by coronavirus. But this very group, the young invincibles, hold the key to our bringing this virus under control. For while they may not die from it, nor even necessarily suffer significant symptoms, they are unfortunately playing their traditional cultural role as

DAVID POPE

One View

carriers, circulators, and propagators.

In their online lives, the very definition of success is to “go viral.” In their daily reality they are the foundation of the sharing economy. But in this new COVID-19 world, the very definition of our societal success is to keep it from going viral. To prevent it from being shared. And to safeguard those who are most vulnerable. That is now our job.

In turn, after our daughter returned home on Saturday, our entire family talked about the risk to others from the spread of the virus. We discussed my parents being in quarantine, and the residents at The Oaks and at Mills Park Tower who are more susceptible to the terrible threats of this pandemic. We talked about our collective responsibility to help bring it under control, and to help provide the time that the scientists and medical professionals are going to need to help minimize the pain and the deaths that are already accompanying the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, and now threatening us here in the U.S. We each agreed that we all need to become active advocates for social distancing and limited contact, and to help play a positive role in halting the transmission, not just for our own benefit, but really for the benefit of the vulnerable who are relying on our good judgment, on our compassion, and on our humanity. We can do better. And for the sake of the 1.7 million who may otherwise die, we must do better.

David Pope is a former Oak Park village president.

I feel that the option of ending life early is needed for very few, if at all, and is fraught with ethical and other problems. Conversely, expert palliative care has proven itself to be needed and beneficial for most people facing any serious illness, even from the time of diagnosis. In my personal written advance directives (Power of Attorney), I have included directions for a palliative care consultation should I become unable to make my own decisions, and have let my family know this.

I urge everyone else I know to do the same, in case you are ever unable to make your own decisions. This consultation can provide the individualized, expert medical care needed and help prevent people getting to a place where they feel assistance with dying early is their best option.

Jeanne Martinez RN, MPH, CHPN, FPCN Oak Park resident

Speaking of hygiene, wipe down those library books I’ve been laughed at in the past when I’ve shared this cautionary tip, but now with COVID-19 a real threat, I want to suggest that you wipe the covers of any library book you check out. Even in “normal” times, library books are a risk. Think of how many hands handle any given book from when it’s checked in to when it’s checked out again not to mention when it’s residing in multiple homes. A library book is community property. Even if a book isn’t harboring a dangerous virus, it’s polluted from being sneezed and coughed upon, left in dirty places like car floors, backpacks with smelly socks, and bottoms of lockers. Books are returned with gum and dried pudding on the covers, crumbs in page gutters. You get the message.

Get the latest and most comprehensive real estate news, listings, and information online at www.OakPark.com/Real-Estate/

Elaine Johnson

38

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

OBITUARIES

Philip Marcus, 91 Mechanical engineer, sports car enthusiast

Philip A. Marcus, age 91, of River Forest died on March 15, 2020. Born on March 11, 1929 in Chicago to Henry and Anne (Gross) Marcus, he was a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and the University of Illinois College of Engineering. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the ship repair faPHILIP MARCUS cility in Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.

There Lieutenant JG Marcus further developed his expertise as a mechanical engineer — and as a tournament-winning bridge player.

After returning from service and with the guidance of their father, he and his brother Charles started Utility Heating and Air Conditioning Inc., a successful mechanical contracting firm that installed and maintained commercial piping and

HVAC systems. As a result of his work, he spent many hours driving throughout the Chicago area, enjoying every minute behind the wheel of his sports car.

An accomplished model railroader with a deep knowledge of rail history, every locomotive and car ran better and was more faithful to the prototype once he had disassembled, fine-tuned, and rebuilt it.

In 1961, he and Leah Nathanson married, after he courted her in his sports car. Together they enjoyed theater, comedy clubs (like Gate of Horn), dining (especially Ristorante Agostino), and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

They raised a close and loving family: Jonathan (Lorraine Applebey), Jessica, and Sarah (Jeff Fraum); grandchildren Jacob and Benjamin Marcus, Matt Maenpaa (Zoe Streicker-Howard), and Sara, Zachary, and Dianarose Fraum; and great-grandchild Freya Rowan Maenpaa.

Phil is survived, in addition to his wife, children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchild, by his brothers Charles Marcus (Maureen Vollen) and Richard Marcus (Judy Augustus), and by many nieces and nephews and their families.

A private graveside funeral service was held at Jewish Oakridge Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Center for Railroad Photography and

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director I am there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667

Art or the American Civil Liberties Union would be appreciated.

Rosemary Rader, 95 Oak Park resident

Rosemary Rader, 95, a proud resident of Oak Park since 1946, died on March 1, 2020.

Born in Jacksonville, Illinois to Walter and Marie (Vieira) Sullivan, she married Wendell Rader in 1948. Her love of family, kind heart and thoughtful ways inspired the lives she touched.

Rosemary is survived by her daughters, Nancy (Michael) Nugent and Patricia (the late Frank) Matelli; her grandchildren, Michelle (Ryan) Lane, Andrew Nugent and Michael (Margaret) Rader; and her greatgrandchildren, Alexander, Sophia and Stella. She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband of 56 years, Wendell Eugene Rader, and her sister Velma Bickhaus.

A private Mass will be celebrated in the spring. Arrangements were handled

by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home in Oak Park.

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Letters to the editor E-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com Fax: 708-524-0047 Mail: Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

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39

SPORTS

IHSA cancels 2020 state basketball tournament Photo by Sebastian Hidalgo

Fenwick boys hoops disappointed

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

After beating Westinghouse 94-71in the IHSA Class 3A sectional semifinals on March 10, Fenwick’s boys basketball team left St. Ignatius’ gym with the expectation it would be competing for a chance at a state championship later in the week.

However, the IHSA announced on March 12 that it canceled its state series due to concerns about COVID-19, prematurely ending the Friars’ season.

“Obviously, our initial reaction was that we were all disappointed,” said Fenwick head coach Staunton Peck in a phone interview with Wednesday Journal. “But after the NCAA canceled its tournament and you saw what other leagues were doing because [of COVID-19], I would be lying if I said I was surprised this happened. With this situation you can’t be shocked by anything, but it also doesn’t mean it’s not a disappointment.”

While the magnitude of the pandemic

makes this past winter sports season seem minuscule, the timing could not have come worse for Fenwick. The Friars outscored their opponents 262-148 in the first three games of the postseason and seemed to have rid themselves of the injury bug with the return of seniors Cal Malcow and Ryan Planek.

On top of recovering from prior injuries, Fenwick also saw sophomores David Geiser and Max Reese emerge as game-changing threats for the team throughout the season.

Geiser especially took a leap in the playoffs and was an excellent complementary piece from the perimeter when defenses brought extra attention to Trey Pettigrew and Bryce Hopkins.

“I mean even in eighth grade, [Geiser] could always shoot it,” said Peck. “He has reached a point where he is shooting at another level right now. He’s one of the best shooters in the area. It’s hard for sophomores at the beginning of the year since they have never played varsity and getting used to the size, speed and closeouts. He got used to all of those things and by the end of the year, he wasn’t playing like a sophomore.”

The cancelation of the state series has a greater impact than just the teams that were going to compete in it. For prospects like

Pettigrew, it was a chance to get looked at by recruiters who would go down to watch the state’s best players go toe-to-toe with one another.

On top of missing a chance at state, the athletic clothing company Under Armour canceled its national tournament in Atlanta where scouts seek out the best high school prospects.

“Most recruiting will heat up around the start of AAU season and the first two sessions getting canceled took a big hit on that,” said Pettigrew during a phone interview with Wednesday Journal. “Missing a chance at state hurts, too, so missing those is a little detrimental [to Pettigrew getting recruited], but I will pick it back up.”

While Pettigrew’s two-way ability and two more years of high school eligibility still put him in a good position for elite colleges to recruit him, there are other shortterm worries that he and other high school prospects are dealing with during this time.

Finding gyms to train in to stay in shape for the AAU season is one problem some of these players will face as social distancing becomes stricter.

Even with the AAU circuit coming up this summer, this is a difficult pill for Fenwick’s

team to swallow. The Friars will bring back Hopkins, Pettigrew, Geiser and Reese next season but will lose key seniors in Walsh (who started for Fenwick alongside Pettigrew in the backcourt) and Malcow who provided meaningful minutes off the bench.

Planek was injured for most of the season and was going to be a starter heading into the season. He didn’t make it back until the last few games of the season.

“No one thought we would make it this far,” said Pettigrew. “Before the season, I think we all knew that we had a lot of power packed behind our punch. We are going to come back stronger and more hungry, because this year could have been our year to win state and next year could be ours as well.”

Peck said that the team will meet up at some point so that there is some form of finality to the season.

“There are things happening right now that are more important than basketball,” said Peck. “But I think it is important for [the team] to close the season out in some way. I remember competing for a state championship when I was in high school and that experience is something I will never forget.

[The team] won’t get that chance but we are going to do something.”

40

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Local hoopers heading to JR NBA national tournament 3-on-3 tourney postponed

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Strung together by TikTok and their love for basketball, a group of local girls basketball players will compete in the JR NBA’s three-on-three tournament — when it is rescheduled following the coronavirus hiatus.

On Feb. 16, “Team Fierce” traveled to Navy Pier to participate in the regional round of the JR NBA’s annual event. They played three games and, in the last round, beat “Mean Street,” which is a highly regarded AAU basketball program.

“We honestly entered into this on a whim,” said Megan Bertuca, mother of Gia Delatorre. “We wanted to see them play together since they hadn’t done it before. They thought, ‘If we play together, imagine what we could do.’ This was their perfect chance to see how it would work, and their chemistry was amazing. Now they are going to nationals. It’s just crazy.”

All 12 years of age, the team consists of Delatorre from St. Giles in Oak Park, Sophia Leonardi, Salma Guillen and Isabella Keberlein from St. Luke in River Forest and Cammie Molis from St. Mary in Riverside.

They have played against each other since they were in fifth grade and got to know one another through social media.

“We are all really good, and we wanted to see what we could do together,” said Dela-

Photo by James Kay

NATIONALS: “Team Fierce” poses with its medals that it won at the regional round of the JR NBA three on three tournament. torre. “We ended up becoming good friends.

We think we can win the whole thing.”

According to the players, it took some time for them to meld on the court in such a short time period. However, they ended up making a TikTok video of themselves dancing on court, which loosened everyone up.

“It was awkward at first,” said Keberlein.

“But then one of us said we should make [the video] and we made the TikTok. It was

less awkward after that.”

The format of the tournament is much different from what the players were used to at the local level. The games are played in the half court which means the team on defense has to take the ball back past the three-point line before it can attempt to score. Some of the players on Team Fierce said that was a tough adjustment at first.

“We will read the rulebook soon,” said

Guillen. “We lost points since we didn’t take the ball back. We still won though.”

Though the tournament is postponed until a later date due to the coronavirus pandemic, the JR NBA sent out a message to those involved that it will be played at some point. It was scheduled to be played in Indianapolis on April 4 before the delay.

“We are just really excited to play [at nationals],” said Molis. “We really want to win and it would be so cool to do that in front of all of those people. I think we can do it.”

The postponement of the tournament worked in favor of lifelong Pearl Jam fan Derek Molis, father of Cammie. He bought tickets to see the grunge rockers in St. Louis a few months before the tournament. After the team won regionals, Molis saw that nationals and the concert were scheduled for the same day. Committed to both his daughter and the concert, he was planning on driving from nationals to St. Louis to catch the concert and the tournament’s finale.

“I would never pick the concert over my daughter,” said Derek. “But me and my friend also had these tickets, so I called him [after regionals] and said, ‘Man you’re not going to believe this but my daughter’s basketball team won their tournament at Navy Pier. Do you mind if we go straight from the tournament to [go see] Pearl Jam?’ and he ended up saying that it was fine. It all worked out.”

The team celebrated the victory with ice cream at a Ben & Jerry’s on Navy Pier.

We have launched a sports podcast!

The On Deck Pod out now

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Growing Community Media is excited to announce that Wednesday Journal and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark’s local sports coverage will expand to audio reporting and storytelling. “The On Deck Pod” will be hosted by sports editor James Kay and will contain interviews with players, coaches, alumni and other members of the local sports community.

Right now, we have two episodes out on PodBean. The show will be added to Apple Podcast in the near future (hopefully other platforms as well).

If you have ideas for episodes or stories that you think translate well to this medium, email our mailbag at ondeckpodmailbag@gmail.com.

Here are recaps of the first two editions of the podcast.

Episode One: Sports and Resistance It took OPRF’s boys basketball head coach, Matt Maloney, over a decade to create a class that analyzes American history through the lens of sport. However, it wasn’t approved and added as an elective in the history curriculum until 2013. Initially, it was called “Race, Class, and Gender in American Sports,” but the name has been changed to

what it was originally proposed as: Sports and Resistance in American History.

“I was really happy for the student athletes who were taking the course,” said Maloney during the interview. “There were a lot of students who I thought that got excited about the subject matter and said things like, ‘this is the first time I have been excited about history or the first time I have seen myself in the curriculum.’ And then to share with them that this going to benefit [the students who took the course] as a part of your core GPA, I had kids telling me that they read more, written more, thought more deeply because they were actually engaged in the subject matter.”

Throughout the episode, Maloney details how the class has evolved, how he dealt with the discussion around Colin Kaepernick in real time, how professional athletes being more open about their political beliefs has helped the course thrive, and much more.

Episode Two: One on one w/Tricia Liston Tricia Liston left Fenwick in 2010 as one of the best basketball players the program had ever seen. In this episode, Liston discusses her time adjusting to playing at Duke, how difficult the process was going from college to the WNBA, and how she dealt with life after basketball.

Like most WNBA players, Liston had to split time between the WNBA and Europe to make enough money as a professional athlete. She details the process of what it is like to play a sport in a foreign country and how she worked with

former athletes with the transition she had to make after retiring from the WNBA in 2016.

“You kind of take a step back and for me, and I am sure most girls feel this way, you don’t really know what’s next,” said Liston during the interview. “It’s not because you haven’t found it but for 20-something years it was basketball. Having to kind of take that step back of, ‘okay what does my life professionally look like?’ It’s hard. It’s really hard to find what’s going to keep you ticking the way basketball did.”

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

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REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

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The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

ARCHITECT Built Form LLC seeks Intern Architect. Mail resume to 935 W Chestnut St, #520, Chicago, IL

RESTAURANT MANAGER 2Kitthana Inc. seeks Restaurant Manager. Mail resume to 2781 Black Rd, Joliet, IL

FULL-TIME BUS DRIVER The Village of Forest Park has immediate opening for a responsible full-time PACE Bus Driver to transport senior citizens, disabled residents and school children. Must have a valid Illinois C Class CDL license and attend PACE training.

In addition, must be physically ďŹ t and submit to criminal background check, annual physical exam and drug and alcohol testing. Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737.

RESTAURANT MANAGER Win You, Inc d/b/a Jaiyen Sushi and Noodle. seeks Restaurant Manager.

Mail resume to 3159 N California Ave, Chicago, IL

Financial/Technical Analyst (Chicago, IL) Assist in researchng US & Intl ďŹ n. derivatives data & further draftng the ďŹ n. research reports. Assist in conductng quant research & perfmng due diligence on ďŹ n. derivatives investmnt opp.

Assist in preprng ďŹ n. models & perfmng return & risk analy.

Research & monitor fundamental eco dvlpmts. Min. Reqs: Bach’s deg in ďŹ n., ecos, BA w/ ďŹ n. or ecos concentration or a closely rltd d. 1 yr exp in an occup rltd to ďŹ n. analy or ďŹ n. research. Exp w/ ďŹ n. derivatives investmnt. Strong knowl of intl exchange traded derivatives.

Employer accepts exp gained through co-op prog or intern durng graduate studies. Send resumes: M. Patricia Kane, Huatai Fin. USA Inc, 141 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 2130, Chicago, IL 60604. Job ref 1002.

NETWORK SPECIALIST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiďŹ ed candidates for the position of Network Specialist in the Information Technology Department.

The ideal candidate will need to be knowledgeable and capable to apply the principles and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis. Hardware and software conďŹ guration of computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environments of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, IOS/ Android. Network protocols, security, conďŹ guration and administration, including ďŹ rewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including ďŹ ber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Interested and qualiďŹ ed applicants can visit our website at http://www. oak-park.us/ for more details.

PRESCHOOL ASST DIRECTOR & TEACHER HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. We are looking to hire 2 positions: Daycare preschool assistant director teacher qualiďŹ ed and a teacher position. Flexible hours. Associates Degree or credited ECE hours.

Total college credit is a minimum.

Candidate must be fun loving and friendly, and an energetic individual who is knowledgeable in daycare action and DCFS protocol. Degree and experience will determine your hourly salary. Call 708-484-8188 or fax resume to 708-484-8616.

Senior Manager, Data Analytics & Automation @ BDO USA, LLP (Chicago, IL) F/T. Lead data anlytcs & automtn team to dlvr data anlytcs prjcts by anlyzng raw data to fnd trnds & answr qustins to incrse efďŹ ciency & imprve prfrmnc. Mast’s deg, or frgn equiv in Cstmr Anlytcs, Comp Sci or rltd & 2 yrs of exp in the jb offrd or rltd. Must have exp in: Supervisory Duties; Project Management; SQL Server or Similar Databases; .Net Development Tools; Robotic Process Automation; Fraud Analytics & Data Visualization Tools incl Tableau And R; Data Analytics & Automation Market Place; Working in area of Business Intelligence; Prfrming Data Warehousing Resp; ArtiďŹ cial Intelligence & Machine Learning; & Applic Dvlpmnt. To apply, please mail resume to: T. Brown, HR, BDO USA, LLP; 615 South College St., Suite 1200, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Indicate jb title & code “SW-IL� in cvr ltr. EOE. SUBSTITUTE CUSTODIAN Substitute Custodian position at a church in Oak Park. Hours are 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m, each third Monday, and 2:00 p.m - 7:00 all other Mondays, throughout the year. There is potential for additional hours as needed throughout the week, and during regular Custodian’s vacation times. Must possess proven ability to clean and maintain a large building, lift 50 pounds, and set-up/takedown tables and chairs for events.

Must also have good communication skills, work well with groups, positively represent the church when greeting visitors, and safely monitor entrances to the building.

This position reports to the Church’s Facility Manager. Please send inquiry or resume to churchofďŹ ce@ ďŹ rstumcoakpark.org SUMMER SEASONAL STUDENT EMPLOYMENT The Village of Oak Park has openings for the 2020 Summer Seasonal Student Employment. Opportunities are in the Engineering, Water & Sewer, Streets Division, and Fleet & Forestry Divisions. Interested applicants must be 18 years old and actively enrolled in a post-secondary academic program. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/. Interested and qualiďŹ ed applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

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Call 708-613-3342.

HELP WANTED Village of Riverside Seasonal Employment Opportunity The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part time, seasonal position lasting from approximately April-September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, ushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall. Applications will be accepted until all positions are ďŹ lled. Pay rate is $15/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK 1 BR APT 1 BR, LR, DR, KITCHEN, encl. back entry/porch. Laundry, heat incl.

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CITY RENTALS PERFECT FOR SENIORS Augusta & Kildare: A gorgeous studio apt. large living room & kitchen, walk-in closet, hardwood oors, in a beautifully landscaped & well maintained building, quite, safe & secure rent 625.00 incl. heat, appliances, and laundry room.

Augusta & Harding Beautiful 2-bedroom condo-like apt, in a sunny, safe, secure 8 unit bldg.

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708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

ROOMS FOR RENT

ITEMS FOR SALE

NOVENAS

AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

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CHINA CABINET & CHINA China cabinet with 12 5-piece place settings of Bavarian china. $259.00 708-488-8755

NOVENA TO ST. JUDE Oh, Holy St. Jude, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracle, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to who Gad had given such great power to come to my assistance. Help me in my present and urgent petition. In return I Promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked.

Say 3 Our Fathers, 3 Hail Mary’s and Glories for 9 consecutive days.

Publication must be promised. St. Jude pray for us all who invoke your aid. Amen. This novena has never been known to fail. Thank you. R.R.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT SHARED OFFICE AVAILABLE Forest Park ofďŹ ce available to share, days, evenings and weekends,free standing building, warm, comfortably furnished, ideal for psychotherapy, massage therapy or acupuncture, located close to public transportation, free parking.

Call Connie 630-640-9693 DOWNTOWN OAK PARK SUBLEASE We are looking to sublease our beautiful, spa-like ofďŹ ce. Our ofďŹ ce is already set up and is available for sublease in downtown Oak Park.

This ofďŹ ce is perfect for a physician, anesthetist, masseuse, and/or acupuncturist. Space is available immediately. Please contact us for pricing and to schedule a tour of the ofďŹ ce.

Ask for NikI. 708-613-4417 Nikimoreno33@gmail.com THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofďŹ ces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiďŹ ; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays.

Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

COMMERCIAL RETAIL SPACE A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN STRIP MALL: 1600-1635 Sq Ft. *315 S. Harlem Ave. and Madison St. area - Forest Park, IL. *Very Good Condition-Recently Updated. *Formerly a Cleaners. *Heavy foot/road trafďŹ c area. *End space. 45-Space Parking Lot! *For more details; Serious Inquiries ONLY: *EMAIL: poppygator@ yahoo.com *CALL/TEXT, at: P.B. (708)250-7997 Or: D.B. (708)828-6491

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DINING ROOM TABLE Very large, genuine antique. Empire style from Marshall Field’s. Orig. $9000. Priced at $1900.

VICTORIAN DINING CHAIRS 6 beautiful Victorian chairs, reproductions. $500.

708-488-8755

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers–lead, plastic–other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

TAX ASSESSMENTS TAX ASSESSMENTS BUSINESS & APARTMENT BUILDING OWNERS Your current reassessment can affect your bottom line.

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Contact us for a free review at www.ashtaxsolutions.com or call 773-941-4949

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42

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

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FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

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Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

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PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE A third neighborhood meeting will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the ballrooms of the Oak Park Arms, located at 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. The meeting will be to discuss the proposed Pete’s Market project located at 640 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11, 3/18, 3/25/2020

Attention! Home-improvement pros!

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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: Y20003280 on February 26, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of CONTEMPO H I with the business located at: 7300 W 25TH STREET SUITE 1501, NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANGELIQUE GONDEK 3707 ROOSEVELT 1R FOREST PARK, IL 60130.

INVITATION TO BID The Park District of Forest Park (“Park District” or “Owner”) will receive bids for the Aquatic Center Slide Renovation Project, located at the 7501 West Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. Bid Documents, including Instructions to Bidders, Drawings, Technical Specifications, General and any Special Conditions, and Bid Forms, including required Contractor Certifications and Prevailing Wage Determination and Supersedes Notice, are available at Park District of Forest Park Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130 commencing on March 18, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Published in RB Landmark 3/04, 3/11, 3/18/2020

A Pre-bid Meeting will be held at Forest Park Aquatic Center, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois, at 10:00 a.m. on March 25, 2020. This meeting will be used to review the Specifications and give any Bidders the opportunity to discuss any concerns with the Owner and Architect.

LEGAL NOTICE SCOTT J. LEVY (32596) Attorney for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street, Suite 504 Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of JUAN RODRIGUEZ, Petitioner and LILIA CASTANEDA BRITO, Respondent, Case No. 2019D-000973.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before March 27, 2020, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/4, 3/11, 3/18/2020

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: Y20003328 on March 4, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FOSTER & GLIDDEN CONSULTANTS with the business located at: 1304 RIDGELAND AVE, BERWYN, IL 60402. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ARLENE WARDA 1304 RIDGELAND AVE BERWYN, IL 60402 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11, 3/18, 3/25/2020

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: Y20003431 on March 13, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of SPARK & SHINE ONLINE with the business located at: 45 E. BURLINGTON UNIT 10, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ROBIN QUINN NEWBERRY 262 NORWOOD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546 Published in RBLandmark 3/18, 3/25, 4/1/2020

Each bid shall be placed in an opaque sealed envelope and clearly marked “Park District of Forest Park, Aquatic Center Slide Renovation Project.” The envelope shall be addressed and delivered to and received by the Park District at the following location: Administration Building, 7501 Harrison St., Forest Park, Illinois 60130. No responsibility shall be attached to any person for premature opening of a bid not properly identified.

Bids will be received until 10:00 a.m. April 3, 2020. Immediately thereafter, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after that time or at a different location will be rejected and returned to the Bidder unopened.

The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to waive technicalities, to accept or reject any or all bids, and/or to accept only portions of a bid and reject the remainder.

Owner will award the Contract to the lowest most responsible and responsive Bidder, as determined by Owner. In considering the Bidder’s responsibility, the Owner may evaluate, among other factors, the ability of the Bidder to provide experienced labor sufficient in numbers to timely and properly complete the services, the financial capability of the Bidder, and the performance of the Bidder on other projects.

Bids shall not include federal excise tax or state sales tax for materials to be incorporated in, or totally consumed in the prosecution of the Work. A tax exemption certificate will be furnished by the Park District at the request of the Bidder. The Park District’s tax exemption number shall only be used by the successful Bidder for the Work of this Project.

After the bid opening time, no bid shall be withdrawn or canceled for a period of sixty (60) calendar days.

The Work of this Project is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. A prevailing wage determination has been made by the Park District, which is the same as that determined by the Illinois Department of Labor for public works projects in Cook County. The Contract entered into for the Work will be drawn in compliance with said law and proposals should be prepared accordingly and provide for payment of all laborers, workmen, and mechanics needed to perform the Work at no less than the prevailing rate of wages (or the prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work) for each craft, type of worker, or mechanic.

The Contractor(s) selected will also be required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations and executive orders, including but not limited to those pertaining to equal employment opportunity.

Direct questions to Jackie Iovinelli, Executive Director, Park District of Forest Park, jiovinelli@pdofp.org, 708-366-7500.

Published in Forest Park Review 03/18/20

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 20-06 (Zoning Map Amendment) HEARING DATE: April 2, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits.

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICANT(S): John C Schiess, 7706 Central Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305 PROPERTY OWNER(S): Mazola Home Avenue, LLC, 1282 W Lexington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60607 REQUEST: The Applicant is proposing to amendment the Village of Oak Park zoning map classification from the R-5 Two Family Zoning District to the R-6 Multiple Family Zoning District for 327-329 Home Avenue legally described as follows; LOTS 8 AND 9 IN BLOCK 1 IN CENTRAL SUBDIVISION OF

PART OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. P.I.N.s: 16-07-316-030-0000 & 1607-316-031-0000 Copies of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. Persons with disabilities planning to attend and needing special accommodations should contact the ADA Coordinator at (708) 358-5430 or e-mail building@oak-park.us at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD. David Mann, Chairperson OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION, Sitting as a Zoning Commission Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/18/2020

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: Y20003301 on February 26, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of PNYX CONSULTANTS with the business located at: 340 E. NORTH WATER ST. 2302 CHICAGO, IL 60611. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: F. SCOTT WINSLOW 340 E NORTH WATER ST #2303 CHICAGO, IL 60611, SHANDO VALDEZ 3334 N OKETO AV CHICAGO, IL 60634.

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/4, 3/11, 3/18/2020

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: Y20003383 on March 10, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of A HAND UP with the business located at: 901 LAKE ST. UNIT 901, OAK PARK, IL 60303. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: PLESHETTE SIMONE DAVIS 901 LAKE ST. UNIT 901 OAK PARK, IL 60303 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/18, 3/25, 4/1/2020

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 20-05 (Zoning Map Amendment) HEARING DATE: April 2, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits.

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICANT(S): Rush Oak Park Hospital, 520 South Maple Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304 REQUEST: The Applicant is proposing to amendment the Village of Oak Park zoning map classification from the R-7 Multiple Family Zoning District to the H-Hospital Zoning District for 601-615 South Maple Avenue legally described as follows; 613-615 Maple Avenue: LOT 4 IN BLOCK 5 IN WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1 EXCEPT THE EAST 40 ACRES THEREOF IN THE SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, (EXCEPT THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER THEREOF) IN SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 601-603 Maple Avenue: LOT 1 IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOT 1 IN B.F. JERVIS SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE NORTH WEST 1/4 OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, EXCEPTING THEREFROM THAT PART DEEDED TO THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BY INSTRUMENT RECORDED AS DOCUMENT 95403125, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

605 Maple Avenue: THE NORTH 40 FEET OF LOT 2 IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF LOT 1IN B.F. JERVIS’ SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, (EXCEPT THE WEST HALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER), EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. 609 Maple Avenue: LOT 3 AND LOT 2 (EXCEPT THE NORTH 40 FEET THEREOF) IN BLOCK 5 IN W.J. WILSON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF LOT 1 (EXCEPT THE EAST 40 ACRES THEREOF) IN THE SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 18 (EXCEPT THE WEST ONEHALF OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER THEREOF) IN TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Copies of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. Persons with disabilities planning to attend and needing special accommodations should contact the ADA Coordinator at (708) 358-5430 or e-mail building@oak-park.us at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD. David Mann, Chairperson OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION, Sitting as a Zoning Commission Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/18/2020

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OPEN HOUSE MEETING CANCELATION NOTICE The Village of Oak Park’s public open house for the Oak Park Avenue street resurfacing project from Roosevelt Road to North Avenue scheduled for March 26, 2020 has been canceled in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation to avoid gatherings to help slow the progress of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Times, dates and locations of any future open house meeting will be posted. For more information about the project please go to the project’s website at www.

RenewTheAvenue.com Published in Wednesday Journal 3/18/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.PATRICK K. KIRCHER, ISABELLA HART, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2019 CH 10436 836 WISCONSIN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 4, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 13, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 836 WISCONSIN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-128-011-

Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

43

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

0000 The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

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 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE

ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-07968 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 10436 TJSC#: 39-7845 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 # 2019 CH 10436 I3146723

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-03763 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 05114 TJSC#: 40-558 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 # 2019 CH 05114 I3147509

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.JEFFERY EATON, VICKY EATON, 1223-25 ELGIN MANOR CONDOMINIUM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 07654 1223 ELGIN AVE UNIT G1 FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 10, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 14, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1223 ELGIN AVE UNIT G1, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-24-203-0351005; 15-24-203-035-1007 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-05532 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 07654 TJSC#: 40-344 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 # 2019 CH 07654 I3147359

estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-07459 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 08851 TJSC#: 40-1381 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 # 2018 CH 08851 I3148148

The real estate is improved with a single family home with no garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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. 271179 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 2019 CH 10682 TJSC#: 39-8091 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 # 2019 CH 10682 I3148508

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-M2; Plaintiff, vs.

DARNELL M. FLETCHER; LISA D. FLETCHER; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DARNELL M. FLETCHER, IF ANY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LISA D. FLETCHER, IF ANY UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 11812 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-08-222-025-0000.

Commonly known as 212 46th Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. WA17-0355 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3146363 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P. Plaintiff, -v.MARIA C. RIVERA Defendants 2019 CH 05114 1024 S RIDGELAND AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 20, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1024 S RIDGELAND AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-308-0110000

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE POOLING AND SERVICING AGREEMENT DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 ABFC ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005WMC1 Plaintiff, -v.DARYL SATCHER, MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., OAK PARK TERRACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2018 CH 08851 914 NORTH AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 7, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 14, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 914 NORTH AUSTIN BOULEVARD UNIT #C-8, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-320-0401025 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DITECH FINANCIAL LLC Plaintiff, -v.JOSE G MARQUEZ A/K/A JOSE GUADALUPE MARQUEZ, A/K/A GUADALUPE MARQUEZ, LORENA MARQUEZ AKA LORENA GOMEZ AKA LORENA GOMEZ VERGARA AKA MARIA LORENA GOMEZ VERGARA, ILLINOIS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Defendants 2019 CH 10682 1737 NORTH 43RD AVENUE STONE PARK, IL 60165 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 18, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 21, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1737 NORTH 43RD AVENUE, STONE PARK, IL 60165 Property Index No. 15-05-225-0250000

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Wednesday Journal, March 18, 2020

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