W E D N E S D A Y
February 3, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 27 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Anthony Clark back on ballot
Electoral board reverses ruling on residency objection By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
The Oak Park Municipal Officers Electoral Board made a stunning reversal of its prior decision to sustain the challenge levied against village trustee candidate Anthony Clark. Just days after their original ruling, in a unanimous vote Jan. 28, the three-member electoral board voted to dismiss the challenge, allowing Clark to serve as trustee if elected. “It has been a whirlwind, these past two days,” Clark told Wednesday Journal. “I truly, sincerely thank the community of Oak Park; whether they’re supporters of Anthony Clark or not, they are supporters of democracy.” In what was expected to be only a formality in the candidate objection review process, the electoral board reconvened Jan. 28 for the last time to issue the formal decision on Clark’s case. But the decision itself changed completely in the few days after the board last met. The electoral board did not uphold their original determination that Clark was ineligible to hold a trustee seat, as the board decided in a 2-1 vote on Jan. 25, due to a change of heart in two of the three electoral board members. “I have had time to reflect on the decision we are required to make in this case today, and I have thought a lot about what has been presented to us,” said Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, chair of the electoral board. Abu-Taleb made a motion to reconsider the Jan. 25 decision, which was seconded by Jim Taglia, electoral board member and senior village trustee. Both Abu-Taleb and Taglia had previously voted to uphold the challenge against Clark, effectively barring his name from appearing on the ballot. Village Clerk Vicki Scaman voted to dismiss the challenge in both instances. “After reflecting upon the proceedings before this See CLARK on page 15
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
HOVER BOARD: James Kelly, 12, of River Forest, takes advantage of ideal conditions for snowboarding at Keystone Park, following a hefty weekend snowfall.
Dan Moroney withdraws from race
President pool down to Readling and Scaman By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Citing the toxicity of local government, Village Trustee Dan Moroney withdrew his candidacy for village president of Oak Park on Thursday, leaving a race that once had four candidates
with only two. Still in the running are Cate Readling, former part-time parks district employee, and Village Clerk Vicki Scaman. “I have come to a point where I no longer have the necessary drive, belief or desire to proceed with what I set out to do two months ago,” Moroney said in an email thanking his campaign supporters. “Although my concern for Oak Park has increased during this time, my con-
fidence has diminished regarding how much can be done to alter its downward political trajectory.” Twice in his email to campaign supporters, Moroney stated that he believed he would have won the election had he decided not to drop out. “While I believe that if I stayed in the race I would get to a winning outcome, I am unconvinced that I would be able to be productive after taking office,” MoSee MORONEY on page 15
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Growing Community Media & A Tribe Called Aging Present
wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L
Our Covid-19 free gift to the community watch it free on ZOOM in your own home
Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.
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DUTY FREE Friday, February 12 • 10am A FILM BY SIAN-PIERRE REGIS
Rebecca worked every day of her life as a hotel housekeeper to give her two sons, Sian-Pierre and Gabriel, every opportunity life could afford. When it was time for Sian-Pierre to go to college, she even cashed out her 401K to give him the best education possible. But when she was suddenly fired from her job at 75, Rebecca was left with nothing: no savings, no safety net, and no future job prospects. Now, Sian-Pierre is giving her back the life she sacrificed, and helping her to reclaim her future, one bucket-list adventure at a time. Ageism and Financial Insecurity in America are pervasive. Older folks are invisible in their communities, workplaces, and, sometimes, within their own families. An estimated 25 million won’t have enough money to get through retirement age.
Trailer | New York Times Article | Website | Email
DIRECTOR Sian-Pierre Regis WILL JOIN US FOR A POST-FILM Q+A/DISCUSSION Sponsors
Learn more and register at: eventbrite.com/d/online/duty-free/
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Emmett Till was Louis Till’s son
with near-white skin and blue eyes — was clingthought I would commemorate the beginning of Black History Month by writing about a ing to life just after coming out of the womb, Black historical figure as if he were once a “all because I wanted a nice, clean place for the living, breathing human being who was not baby to live and play. Now in the delivery room, destined for one-dimensionality, who lived in I was being punished for it, but I didn’t want my a world that did not consider him great, or iconbaby to have to suffer for my mistake.” ic — his life no more the object of classroom Mamie named her baby after her favorite lessons (often badly taught) than a wooden desk uncle, Emmett, and her husband, Louis, who is an object of hunger. along with being a factory worker was an amaEmmett Louis Till was born on July 25, 1941, teur boxer who beat Mamie, once chocking her at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. until she passed out. His mother, Mamie, recalled that her baby Louis was not around much, not even during boy’s “neck, right knee, and left wrist had been his son’s birth. So Mamie, who described herconstricted by the umbilical cord,” and that he self as sheltered and a bit naive (Louis was the Commentary only man she had ever been with when they got could have chocked to death. “His wrist was married), took parenting help where she could swollen and his knee was swollen even more. It get it. was as big as an apple.” One day, a striking, glamorous “woman from the neighThe doctors blamed the breeched birth on Mamie, who borhood,” an acquaintance of Mamie’s, “wanted to come also blamed herself. She was a teenager, newly married to by and bring her baby to visit my baby.” a tall, dark, “dashing, good-looking” man named Louis Till, Soon after the woman got inside, Mamie recalled, Emwho worked at the Corn Products Refining Company in mett — whose skin had by now browned, his eyes having Argo, Illinois. changed from blue to hazel, his mother having christened The young married couple had just gotten a new aparthim with the nickname, BoBo — started to cry. ment and Mamie wanted the place looking nice for when “I had noticed that whenever I finished feeding my baby, her baby came to it the first time. She was proud of the he seemed to start crying,” Mamie wrote. The woman apartment and a perfectionist. asked Mamie if she could feed Emmett. Mamie, after insist“I was hanging curtains and I was cleaning cobwebs high ing that the woman wash her breasts first, reluctantly up on the windows,” she recalled. “And somebody came by agreed. and saw me and told me I shouldn’t reach overhead like Soon after the woman nursed Emmett, he was asleep. that.” Taking the woman’s advice, Mamie took her baby to the loSo, Mamie wrote, it was her fault that her baby — born cal health center, where he was put on a diet of “formula, yellow cornmeal, and Carnation milk with Karo syrup. “Now, Emmett was just a baby,” Mamie wrote. “I didn’t think he even should have been eating solid food yet. But he ate a whole bowl. That woman had been like an angel to me and Emmett.” Later, however, Mamie would learn that the woman “had quite a reputation around Argo” and it was not for “helping new mothers, but for helping their husbands. Not only had she suckled my baby, but I found out she also had serviced my man.” That episode should provide some context for Mamie’s seemingly bitter recollection about the telegram she Emmett and Mamie Till received on July 13, 1945, several years
MICHAEL ROMAIN
Louis Till after Louis left home to fight in World War II and just a few weeks before Emmett turned 4. “Louis Till was dead, killed in Italy,” Mamie wrote. “There wasn’t much of an explanation. In fact, the telegram raised more questions than it answered. Like the words ‘willful misconduct.’ It was all too much. I collapsed when I read the news.” Sometime after the news, Mamie recalled, she would think on the phrase ‘willful misconduct.’ “What a fitting epitaph, it seemed,” considering the man she had known. The matter of Louis Till would have ended there, for Mamie and for the country, had it not been for “a special gift, a remembrance.” After the army returned some of her late husband’s belongings, Mamie discovered “a plain silver ring” that Louis had bought in Casablanca and had engraved “with his initials, LT, and the date MAY 25 1943.” She would have to find “just the right moment” to share it with Emmett. In the meantime, the ring allowed her to realize a truth about Louis that he may not have known, at least consciously, himself. “I realized that Emmett was the one thing that gave meaning to Louis’ life,” she said. “He hadn’t been a good husband, hadn’t been a good father, and seemed to do his best to show the world that he wasn’t a good person. But Emmett was his singular achievement, his one accomplishment, and in the end, perhaps his only reason for being.”
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
Shake, Rattle & Read Wednesdays, Feb. 3 through 24, and Saturdays, Feb. 6 through 27, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Library Join librarians for a live session filled with books, songs, movement and more. Best for kids up to age 5. Register: oppl.org/calendar
NAMI Parent and Family Support Tuesdays, 7 p.m., WebEx Drop in anytime to a virtual support group that offers hope and shared experiences for family members with a loved one with a mental health condition. To join, create a free login at webex.com, then enter meeting number 126 188 5530, password: Connect. For more on NAMI’s family services, call: 708-524-2582 X108, or email: bockus@namimetsub.org
Valentine’s Market Online through Friday, Feb. 12, In Person Saturday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oak Park Conservatory Shop for blooming Valentine’s Day gifts from the Conservatory’s greenhouse. Choose from orchids, anthuriums, sweetheart hoyas, succulent heart gardens, fresh-cut bouquets and more. Shop online: pdop.org/parks-facilities/oak-park-conservatory/programs-events. In person: 615 Garfield St.
Create an Indoor Oasis with Houseplants
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Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Dating Download Dating Download for Parents/Adults: Media’s Influence on Dating Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m., Virtually with Sarah’s Inn Dating Download for Teens (for high school students): Media’s Influence on Dating Thursday, Feb. 11, 6 p.m., Virtually with Sarah’s Inn Join the Prevention Team and Youth Committee in a safe space over two separate sessions for two generations to learn from each other. Through candid conversations, learn what dating looks like in teens today, about dating violence, and how the media can influence understanding what relationships look like. Includes a panel of Sarah’s Inn staff and community partners, where participants can ask questions about dating, teen dating violence and how to continue these conversations at home. Free. Register: sarahsinn.org/youth-committee
BIG WEEK February 3-10
Lulu Garcia-Navarro Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m., Virtually with Dominican University See the NPR Host of Weekend Edition Sunday and Up First. She was one of the first reporters to enter Libya after the 2011 Arab Spring uprising and has won a Peabody and other awards for her reporting. Free; $10, suggested donation. Register: dom.edu/arts-minds
Thursday, Feb. 11, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Growing houseplants enhances the beauty and health of the home environment. Learn about different types of houseplants, growth requirements, identification, and treatment of common diseases, as well as ongoing maintenance tips. Free. Register: fopcon.org/conservatory-event/create-an-indoor-oasis-with-houseplantsfebruary-11
Dial-a-Story Call Anytime, Dial 708-816-2800, Via phone with the Oak Park Public Library
If your kids are missing story time or your family is looking for something novel to do, try this new service. Choose from a menu of 40 stories, songs, poems, jokes and more, including a dramatic reading of Anne of Green Gables. Most stories are under five minutes; chapters are less than 15 minutes. Programming best for children up through elementary school. More: oppl.org/use-your-library/kids/dial-a-story
Enjoy Your Space While Sheltering in Place Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Antiracist Book Group: “So You Want to Talk About Race” Wednesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 to 7:45 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Hosted monthly in collaboration with the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library, this discussion focuses on Ijeoma Oluo’s book, which explores the complex reality of today’s racial landscape—from white privilege and police brutality to systemic discrimination and the Black Lives Matter movement—offering clarity that readers need to contribute to the dismantling of the racial divide. Available from Libby and Hoopla. Register: oppl.org/ calendar
Saturday, Feb. 6, 1 to 2 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Find out how to reduce clutter and focus on what you love about your space with Megan Spillman, professional organizer and certified KonMari consultant. KonMari is the tidying method by bestselling author Marie Kondo. Leave the session with tips to employ in your space. Register: oppl.org/calendar
The COVID-19 Vaccine & You Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Hear Dr. Pitud Rangsithienchai, a local allergist and immunologist, discuss vaccine mechanisms, efficacy and possible reactions. Brief presentation will be followed by audience Q&A. Register: oppl.org/calendar
American Gun: A Poem by 100 Chicagoans Monday, Feb. 8, 1:30 p.m., Zoom through the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Join author Chris Green and youth poets for a powerful reading. One hundred poets from across Chicago wrote a poem about Chicago’s gun violence. Ranging in gender, race, and ethnicity, Ed Hirsch, Haki Madhubuti, Ed Roberson, Marc Smith, Ana Castillo and Kevin Coval worked with poets from the South and West sides. Poets from Chicago’s alternative high schools are also showcased. $15, suggested donation; free, members. Register: nineteenthcentury.org
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ART BEAT
To be or not to be, there is no question
By MICHELLE DYBAL
O
Arts Editor
ak Park Festival Theatre kicked off its 2021 season with an enthusiastic crowd and a humorous take on Shakespeare’s Hamlet on Saturday, Jan. 30. The nearly 150 attendees watched The 15-minute Hamlet virtually, put on by Festival’s artistic associates. The audience cheered on the six players through the chat feature, typing in “applause” and other comments. The rapid and no-frills, comedic production was followed by Artistic Director Barbara Zahora, announcing the company’s plans for the season. Festival, which has been around for 46 years, is best known for Shakespeare (and more) in the park at Oak Park’s Austin Gardens each summer. While COVID-19 foiled those plans and others in 2020, the company is not letting the pandemic keep it from producing a full 2021 season. On March 27, a virtual reading of Nat Turner in Jerusalem by Nathan Alan Davis is scheduled. Zahora describes the work: “Set in 1831, the play imagines the enslaved preacher and rebellion leader, Nat Turner’s final night in a jail cell in Jerusalem, Virginia, where he is revisited by the attorney who documented both Turner’s insurrection and his prophecy of the world to come.” A partnership with Kane Repertory Theatre, St. Charles, will result in a live May 8 reading of what Festival is calling Matthew Barbot’s Shakespearean mash-up The Venetians. The new play brings together characters from Othello, The Merchant of Venice, Titus Andronicus and other Shakespearean works. It will be available on demand through May 15. In this play, “Barbot examines what it means to exist as the other in society,” Zahora said. They “fervently hope” to take the stage once again in Austin Gardens this summer for an in-person production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest, which was the play originally scheduled for summer of 2020. According to Zahora, they are bringing back as many of the 2020 cast and crew as they can. She said a robust COVID-19 plan will be implemented to keep both artists and audiences safe. The run is July 17 through Aug. 21. The fall production of The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe: A Love Story at Cheney Mansion is also expected to return after being shelved in 2020 due to the pandemic. This is dependent, like so many things, on being safe to do so. The original cast is slated to return, scheduled for Oct. 16 through Nov. 13. Festival is also planning to offer a holiday production, but
Upcoming at Oak Park Festival Theatre “Nat Turner in Jerusalem” March 27 “The Venetians” May 15 “The Tempest” July 17-Aug. 31 “The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe: A Love Story” Oct. 16-Nov. 13
Visit oakparkfestival.com
Photo provided
THE PLAY’S THE THING: Oak Park Festival Theatre Managing Director Bryan Wakefield directs the virtual “15-minute Hamlet” on Jan. 30. (Below) Artistic Director Babara Zahora played Gertrude and also announced the company’s 2021 season. Artistic Associate August Forman played Hamlet. no details were revealed. During Saturday’s performance, it was clear the artistic associates are eager and filled with energy to get back to bringing theater to their audiences, even if it is from their bedrooms and other home environments for now. Taking part in The 15-minute Hamlet were Zarhora, Jack Hickey, Savanna Rae, Rio Ragazzone, Matty Robinson and August Forman, who played Hamlet. In an impressive virtual stunt, Robinson and Forman effortlessly and believably tossed a skull between screens. According to Festival Managing Director Bryan Wakefield, who directed the play, the
group put approximately 20 hours into rehearsing the onenight show, much of it spent on cues to make the show flow seamlessly. The play was written by Tom Stoppard in 1976 and adapted to the virtual platform by Wakefield. At the event, Zahora also announced that Barbara Cimaglio is their new board president. Cimaglio is an Oak Parker and, according the Oak Park Festival Theatre’s website, “Her passion is strengthening community through social programs and the arts.” Anne Rooney has stepped down at the end of her term, but will continue to serve on the board, Zahora said.
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Some restaurants keep dining rooms shuttered Concerns include safety, capacity, staffing By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Empty restaurant dining rooms have become an upsetting hallmark of the COVID-19 pandemic. When suburban Cook County moved into Tier 1 COVID-19 mitigations on Jan. 23, it came as no surprise many eateries opted to open their dining rooms almost instantaneously. Though restaurants and bars are now permitted to host customers indoors at reduced capacity, it is notable several local establishments have intentionally kept their dining rooms closed despite easing COVID related restrictions. The reasons behind the choice to remain closed are as varied as the fluctuating circumstances that led to their closures in the first place. Diminutive Sen Sushi, 814 S. Oak Park Ave., simply does not have the square footage to re-open at limited capacity. The 28-seat Japanese restaurant is just 1,000 square-feet. In pre-pandemic times Sen bustled with customers perched shoulderto-shoulder at the sushi bar and gathered at tightly arranged tables. “At 25% capacity we would be allowed to have seven or eight customers in here,” said Varanya Chaiprasert, co-owner of Sen Sushi. “Just to keep up with carryout orders we have four sushi chefs in here at once plus food packers. We are at capacity with staff alone.” Chaiprasert also drastically shifted restaurant operations in response to COVID-19. Take out orders that used to be filled by back of house, are now organized and packaged on long tables in the once-lively dining room. Customers do not enter the restaurant to pick up their orders — maki rolls and miso soup are safely passed through the door of Sen’s winter vestibule enclosure.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING: One Lake Brewery’s rooftop dining in the fall. Even with extensive precautions in place, Sen had a COVID exposure that forced a temporary closure for deep cleaning and COVID testing. Adding more risk to their current operations simply didn’t feel right given Sen’s close quarters. “Our staff feel safe within the walls of this restaurant and trust each other to keep safety protocols in place. Our customers appreciate and support our choice to be careful,” said Chaiprasert. “We won’t reopen until restaurant can be filled to 100% capacity.” Forest Park café, Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St., is also keeping their dining spaces quiet while they make a concerted plan for reopening based on medical advice and staff input. Kribi Coffee owner Jacques Shalo’s wife, Cindy Fellencer, is a Loyola Hospital nurse and deeply involved in coordinating the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. She has been using her medical knowledge to guide Shalo’s de-
cisions and make recommendations related to reopening. ‘I don’t judge restaurants that have reopened. Personally, I find this scary and want to take it slow,” said the coffee shop owner. “There are so many moving parts to all of this, and this is like nothing we have ever dealt with before. COVID is not a switch you can just turn on and off.” Shalo is focused on empowering his staff to help make decisions related to reopening and welcomes their participation in making methodical plans to keep everyone safe. On Sunday, Kribi is having an all staff meeting to go through a “re-training” process designed to make sure COVID safety measures like air purification, sanitizing and face shields continue to be a top priority for staff members engaging with the public. Shalo is also ready to hear and address any concerns staff members may have related to opening for indoor service. “This is a team effort,” said Shalo. “We
are working in unison on the frontline. I am ready to hear any and all concerns and will take them seriously. We want people to feel comfortable until vaccines bring the change we need.” Kristen Alfonsi, co-owner of One Lake Brewing is keeping an eye on customer demand to inform a reopening plan. For now, the craft brewery and restaurant with three floors of dining space, at 1 Lake St. in Oak Park, is sticking to outdoor rooftop dining and carry out despite having a full middle floor of available indoor tables. One Lake’s vertical layout keeps carryout orders flowing on the first floor and rooftop diners on the third. Reopening the midlevel for limited capacity indoor dining would put the restaurant in the position of “operating three businesses in one” according to Alfonsi. “Opening the second floor for indoor dining means we would need to bring on more employees,” said Alfonsi. “With such limited capacity and so few tables available we may not be able to guarantee enough customers or hours to make it financially advantageous for new staff members.” Weighing customer demand and capacity limitations against the desire to pay staff a livable wage makes establishing a reopening timeline difficult. One Lake’s three level scenario is an anomaly but running three businesses on three floors is not an option now. If customer demand increases and restaurant workers were able to be vaccinated the plan to reopen One Lake’s dining rooms would become clearer. “For now, we know we’ve built so much trust with the community because of our COVID compliance and we don’t want to tamper with that,” said Alfonsi. “We’re giving people an experience on the rooftop. Our rooftop may not be for everyone, but if you bring a blanket and keep the hot cocktails flowing it feels like a ski lodge up there. It is just so fun.”
New director for River Forest Public Library Former head of adult services in Winnetka-Northfield By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter
Emily Compton-Dzak is the new director of the River Forest Public Library. She will start on Jan. 25 and replaces Sue Quinn, who retired in October after 13 years. River Forest library’s Operations Manager Joanna Bertucci and Children’s Services Manager Amy Grossman acted as interim co-directors while the library board conducted its search.
fit for the River Forest Public Library.” Compton-Dzak comes from the WinnetkaNorthfield Public Library District, where she Deborah Hill, board president, spoke of Compserved as the assistant director and head of adult ton-Dzak’s personality and experience. services. She has 20 years of experience in the li“Emily’s warm, collaborative style and openbrary field, according to a library press release. ness to innovation, while still respecting tradiWith a master’s degree in Library and Infortional library services, make her a natural fit for mation Science from Dominican University, our community. We are very excited to welcome Compton-Dzak has worked in different settings Emily to our library,” Hill said. and with all different ages. Her experience inHR Source was hired to assist in the search, cludes artifact processing, 3D printing, and enand a task force, led by trustees Katherine Bevan couraging children’s love of reading through EMILY COMPTON-DZAK and Eleanor Long, reviewed over 25 resumes and programming and collections. interviewed six candidates. The search was narAccording to the release, the board of trustees “believes her experience, her approach to leading a team, rowed to two candidates, both of whom were interviewed by and her knowledge of libraries will be a particularly good the entire board.
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River Forest board ‘close’ to way forward on equity River Forest board ‘close’ to way forward on equity Trustees to try and reconcile competing Trustees to try and reconcile competing Trustees tovisions try andthis reconcile month visions this monthcompeting visions thisJ. LIFKA month By ROBERT By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter
Contributing By ROBERT J.Reporter LIFKA
Contributing Reporter Despite spending an hour discussing the matter at the Despite spending anboard hour meeting, discussing theForest matterofficials at the Jan. 25 virtual village River Jan. 25 virtual village board meeting, River Forest officials Despite spending an hour discussing the matter at the are still without agreement on how to move forward on the are still without agreement on how to move forward on Jan. 25 virtual village board meeting, River Forest officials board’s internal diversity, equity and inclusion initiative.the board’s diversity, equity andtoinclusion are still internal without agreement on how move forward the Village Administrator Eric Palm offered a initiative. draft on stateVillage Administrator Palm offered draft stateboard’s diversity, equity andgoals inclusion initiative. ment of internal purpose, mission Eric and initial for athe initiative, ment ofwas purpose, mission and initial goals for athe initiative, Village Administrator Eric Palm offered draft statewhich generally accepted by village officials, although which was generally accepted by village officials, although ment of purpose, mission and initial goals for the initiative, reference was made throughout the discussion of a simireference made throughout discussion a Katie simiwhich waswas generally accepted by the village officials,of although lar document created by trustees Erika Bachner and lar document by trustees the Erika Bachner of anda Katie reference wascreated made throughout discussion simiBrennan. Brennan. larAlthough documentthat created by trustees Erika Bachner andvillage Katie document was circulated among Although that President document Cathy was circulated among Brennan. officials, Village Adduci would notvillage allow officials, Village President Cathy Adduci would notvillage allow Although that document was circulated among discussion of its specifics, because the document was not in discussion of its specifics, because the document was in officials, President Cathy Adduci not not allow the boardVillage meeting packet and therefore not would considered to be the board meeting packet and therefore not considered to be discussion of its specifics, because the document was not in part of the public record. part of the public record. the board meeting packet and therefore not considered to be Officials have been discussing the initiative since SeptemOfficials been discussing the initiative since Septempart of the have public record. ber. Although the external component, a partnership with ber. Although the external component, a partnership with Officials have been discussing the initiative sinceforward, SeptemDominican University in River Forest, is moving Dominican University in River Forest, is moving forward, ber. Although the external component, a partnership the internal component has not seen the same progresswith dethe internal component has not Forest, seen the progress deDominican River moving forward, spite being University the subjectin of discussion atissame numerous village spite being the subject of discussion at numerous village the internal component has not seen the same progress deboard meetings over the past five months. board meetings the of past five months. spite being the over subject discussion at numerous village board meetings over the past five months.
At previous meetings, officials have debated At previous meetings, officials have debated hiring a consultant to design a comprehensive hiring a consultant to design a comprehensive At previous meetings, officials have debated work plan and creating a resident advisory work work plan and creating a resident advisory work hiring a consultant to design a comprehensive group to provide feedback and advice to village group to provide feedback and advice to village work plan and creating a resident advisory work officials. officials. group toJan. provide feedback and members advice to accomvillage In his 25 memo to board In his Jan. 25 memo board members accomofficials. panying his draft, Palmtostressed the importance panying his draft, Palm stressed the importance In his Jan. 25 memo to board members of hiring a consultant, as he has statedaccompreviof hiringhis a draft, consultant, as he has previpanying Palm stressed thestated importance ously. ously. of hiring a consultant, as he has stated previ“It is important to establish where we are to“It is to establish wheretowe are atoously. day,” heimportant said. “We want to continue build day,” hein said. want to continue towe build ato“It is important to establish are culture our“We organization thatwhere focuses on diculture in our organization that focuses on diday,” he said. “We want to continue to build a versity, equity and inclusion.” versity, equity and inclusion.” culture in our organization that focuses on diBachner, Brennan and Trustee Patty Henek Bachner, Brennan and Trustee versity, equity and inclusion.” advocated creating the work groupPatty first, Henek which advocated creating the work group first, which Bachner, Brennan and Trustee Patty Palm agreed should be the first step toHenek allow Palm agreed should be the first step to allow advocated creating the work group first, which input from members of that group in selecting input from members groupstep in selecting Palm agreed should of be that the first to allow the consultant. the consultant. input fromPresident membersCathy of thatAdduci group in selecting Village concurred, Village President Cathy Adduci concurred, the consultant. saying, “We want the work group to work saying, want the work group to work Village“We President Cathy Adduci concurred, alongside staff.” alongside staff.” saying, “We want the and work group to work Trustees Tom Cargie Bob O’Connell exTrustees Tom for Cargie anddraft Bobdocument, O’Connell but exalongside staff.” pressed support Palm’s pressed support for Palm’s draft document, but Trustees Tom Cargie and Bob O’Connell exHenek said she preferred the goals in the docuHenek said she the goals in the docupressed support for Palm’sand draft document, but ment created bypreferred Bachner Brennan. ment created bypreferred Bachner and Brennan. Henek saidRespicio she the goals docuTrustee Vazquez said in hethe thought Trustee Vazquez said he“similar” thought ment created bytwo Bachner and Brennan. the goals inRespicio the documents were the goals in the two documents were “similar” Trustee Respicio Vazquez said he thought and Bachner said she thought the goals “corand Bachner said thought were the goals “corthe goals in the twoshe documents “similar” responded.” responded.” and Bachner said she thought the goals “corresponded.”
““T his T his isis diving diving into into inner workings T “the his is diving into the inner workings of village and the inner workings of the the village and needs to be led by of the village needs to be ledand by the administrator” needs to be led by the administrator” O’CONNELL theRiverBOB administrator” BOB O’CONNELL Forest village trustee River Forest village trustee BOB O’CONNELL River Forest village trustee
Henek disagreed with Cargie and O’Connell Henek disagreed Cargie and role O’Connell regarding the villagewith administrator’s in the regarding the village administrator’s role the Henek disagreed with Cargie and O’Connell process, suggesting that a village trusteeinlead process, suggesting that a village trustee lead regarding the village administrator’s role in the the discussion. the discussion. process, village trusteeoflead “This issuggesting diving intothat the ainner workings the “This is diving of the the discussion. village and needs into to bethe led inner by theworkings administrator,” village needs into to bethe led inner by theworkings administrator,” “Thisand is said. diving of the O’Connell O’Connell said. village and needs to be led by the administrator,” Vazquez said he sees the role of administrasaid he seesadding, the role“It’s of not administraO’Connell said. torVazquez to be a “facilitator,” going to tor to if beit’s a “facilitator,” “It’s going to Vazquez said seesadding, the role of not administrawork not ahe collaborative effort.” work if it’s not a collaborative effort.” tor to be a “facilitator,” adding, “It’s not going to Adduci and Vazquez indicated they thought Adduci and Vazquez indicated they thought work if it’s not a collaborative effort.” consensus was within reach. consensus wasVazquez within Adduci indicated they thought “I don’t and think we’rereach. too far apart,” Adduci “I don’t think we’rereach. too far apart,” Adduci consensus was within said. said. “I don’t we’re think close,” we’re too far apart,” Adduci “I think Vazquez said. “I think “I think we’re close,” Vazquez said. “I think said. we’re almost there.” we’re almost there.” “I think we’re close,” Vazquez said. “I think Adduci said she hopes to discuss the matter Adduci she hopes to discuss the matter we’re almost further atsaid thethere.” Feb. 8 village board, incorporatfurther at the Feb. 8 village board, incorporatAdduci said she hopes to discuss the matter ing the Jan. 25 meeting comments and making ing the Jan. 25 meeting comments and making further at the Feb. 8 village board, incorporatpublic the document created by Bachner and public created by Bachner and ing the the Jan.document 25 meeting comments and making Brennan. Brennan. public the document bywithout Bachner and The discussion will created continue Palm, Thehas discussion continueaswithout Brennan. who acceptedwill a position village Palm, manwho has accepted a position as manThe discussion will continue without ager in Hoffman Estates. His last village day in Palm, River ager in Hoffman Estates. His last day in River who has accepted a position as village manForest will be Feb. 5. Forest be Feb.Estates. 5. ager inwill Hoffman His last day River Assistant village Administrator Lisain ScheinAssistant village Administrator Lisa ScheinForest will be Feb. 5. er will serve as interim village administrator er will servevillage as interim village administrator Assistant Administrator Lisa Scheinuntil Palm’s replacement has been selected. until Palm’s has been selected. er will servereplacement as interim village administrator until Palm’s replacement has been selected.
Curbsi de Pick
It’s a B Up! o w l of Sup Valent ine Foo er d To G o! Upon further review, you must order out! Burger Moovment 7512 W, North Ave. Elmwood Park burgermoovment.com/ (708) 452-7288 Valentines 12-8pm Superbowl 12-6pm Burgers, Fries and Shakes Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website, ChowNow
Buzz Cafe 905 S. Lombard Ave, Oak Park thebuzzcafe.com/ (708) 524-2899 Monday-Saturday 7am-8pm, Sunday 8am-2pm Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Homemade, Organic, Vegetarian, Vegan Our Menu: thebuzzcafe.com/menu/ Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website, Uber Eats Check out our Super Bowl party packages with an option to add Kinslaher Beer and our Family
Valentines Day Meal packages with an option to add wine or champagne from Careful Peach!
Cucina Paradiso 814 North Blvd, Oak Park cucinaoakpark.com (708) 848-3434 4pm-8pm Valentines Italian Our Menu: cucinaoakpark.com Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website, Door Dash, GrubHub, chow no
Mickey’s Gyros & Ribs 525 N. Harlem Ave, Oak Park facebook.com/mickeysgyros (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm every day BBQ Ribs and Chicken, Burgers, hotdogs and beef Our Menu: facebook.com/mickeysgyros
Call Restaurant, Come in for Carry Out Mickey’s Rib Special: 1/2 slab dinner $11.99, full slab $17.99 includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw & garlic bread. Italian beef sandwich w/fries $8.49. Big Mickey double cheeseburger $2.99.
Old World Pizza 7230 West North Ave, Elmwood Park originaloldworldpizza.com (708) 456-3000 Monday 3:30 to 9pm; Tue, wed, Thu and Sun 11am to 9pm; Fri and Sat 11am to 11 pm Pizza Our Menu: originaloldworldpizza.com Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website
Q-BBQ Oak Park 124 N. Marion, Oak Park q-bbq.com (708) 628-3421
77 7
11:00 am to 8:00 pm BBQ Our Menu: q-bbq.com/menu Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website, Door Dash, GrubHub, chownow.com Check out our Family Packs-suggested for a family of 4
Wild Onion Tied House 1111 South Blvd. wildoniontiedhouse.com (708) 628-3553 Tuesday-Friday, 4pm-8pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm8pm Upscale Pub Fare toasttab.com/wild-onion-tied-house/v3 Call Restaurant, Restaurant Website, GrubHub We deliver Large charcuterie tray with a 6-pack and a double batched Tied House Old Fashioned $60
Each of these restaurants paid a very nominal fee to participate in this ad. Thank you for supporting these local businesses!
8
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Oak Park launches vaccine pre-registration Scheduling still to come By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
While people in River Forest can register for COVID-19 vaccination information through Cook County, Oak Park residents must go through the village’s health department. The village of Oak Park’s newly launched online vaccine pre-registration form is available to be filled out on the village website. Filling out the form does not equate to scheduling a vaccination appointment but will allow the village to collect contact information for eligible individuals and assess local demand, according to Interim Public Health Director Joseph “J.T.” Terry. The form is intended to be filled out strictly by people who fall under Phase 1b eligibility through the state’s vaccination plan. People within that group consist of those aged 65 and over, as well as frontline essential workers such as grocery store clerks, educators, licensed daycare staff, pharmacy personnel, transit employees, postal carriers and delivery drivers. People 65 and older who do not have access to a computer or need assistance in filling out the form are directed to contact the Senior Services Department of Oak Park Township.
Although Phase 1b includes educators, Oak Park public and private school teachers are not required to pre-register as the Oak Park Health Department is working directly with schools to schedule vaccination clinics. Teachers who live in Oak Park but teach outside of the village should fill out the preregistration form only if their employers are not offering vaccines. Given supply, it could take several months to vaccinate those who are eligible and want the vaccine in Phase 1b, according to Terry. The village estimates 12,000 individuals who live or work in Oak Park qualify as part of Phase 1b. The health department is focusing on equitable vaccine distribution, according a village news release. It has concentrated its efforts under Phase 1b first on vaccinating residents of local independent congregant homes as they house individuals with disabilities and lower-income senior citizens, as well as being hotspots for infection. The village expects to have completed first round vaccinations of congregant home residents, age 65 and over, by end of week. Vaccination of people within that age range who do not reside in congregant homes could start as early as Feb. 4, according to the village news release. The village could start vaccinating frontline workers as early as Feb. 15. The state does not anticipate moving into Phase 1C until spring or summer.
Oak Park and River Forest see decline in COVID cases Region 10 close to entering Phase 4 By JAMES KAY Staff Writer
As Region 10 inches closer to entering Phase 4, Oak Park and River Forest have had two consecutive weeks of low COVID cases. Oak Park has had back to back weeks of having less than 100 new COVID cases while River Forest is averaging just over two positive cases a day. Oak Park’s 14 day rolling positivity rate has dropped off significantly and is now at 3.08 percent after being in double digits the last two months. After averaging close to 20 cases a day last month, Oak Park is now averaging seven new cases a day. The village also hasn’t an-
nounced any resident fatalities since Jan. 8. COVID-19 hospitalizations and positivity rates continued on a steady decline in Illinois on Feb. 1 as the state reported just 16 virus-related deaths over the previous 24 hours. Daily death counts fluctuate significantly and are generally lower on Mondays than the rest of the week, but the 16 deaths – recorded in people from their 40s to their 90s – marked the lowest one-day total since Nov. 9, 2020. It followed death counts of 40 and 65 the previous two days. The state’s rolling seven-day average case positivity rate also dipped below 4 percent over the weekend for the first time since Oct. 9, sitting at 3.9 percent as of Monday. It has been declining steadily since hitting 8.6 percent on Jan. 4. Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report
Photo provided by Triton College
Triton College in River Grove
Triton to become mass vaccination site
Appointments can be made online and over the phone By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Starting Feb. 3, Triton College, 2000 S. 5th Ave. in River Grove, will be a Point of Distribution site for COVID-19 vaccinations, college officials announced on Feb. 1. Cook County Health (CCH) will administer vaccinations Monday through Saturday by appointment only, officials explained. “Triton College is here to serve, and this is just another example of how we fulfill our mission to serve the community,” said Mark Stephens, chairman of the Triton College Board of Trustees. “There are different ways for a community college to serve its communities, and we take pride in meeting needs in this capacity.” “I am pleased that Triton College can serve as a vital resource at such a critical time,” said Mary-Rita Moore, president of Triton College. Triton and the county identified approximately 8,000 square feet of space on the south end of the T Building on Triton’s East Campus to use for administer-
ing vaccines, officials said. Residents seeking a vaccine can make appointments at: vaccine.cookcountyil.gov. Those without internet access or who need assistance scheduling can call 833-308-1988, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Cook County health officials have said that once it is fully operational and there’s an adequate supply of the vaccine, they expect to administer at least 4,000 shots a week at the Triton site. Illinois is currently in Phase 1b of its vaccination plan, which means shots are available only to health care workers, first responders, essential workers (including teachers, support staffers and grocery store workers) and anyone over 65. In addition to the Triton location, the other west suburban vaccination site is the Cook County Health Clinic, 1800 Harlem Ave. in North Riverside. There are also 90 Walgreens, CVS and Jewel-Osco locations that will administer the vaccine, with many more locations set to open once the state starts receiving more ample supplies of the vaccine.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Rush Oak Park gets several village board wins Oak Park village board approves new garage, zoning changes and street vacation By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Rush Oak Park Hospital left the Oak Park village board meeting Feb. 1 victorious, having successfully secured approval to build a 713-space, 64-foot-high parking garage and to vacate a portion of Monroe Street, as well as approval to rezone hospital-owned Maple Avenue properties without having any announced development plans for them. After listening to multiple public comments from residents who live near the hospital reminding the board of a rocky history with Rush Oak Park, Mayor Anan AbuTaleb started off the discussion by praising the health provider for its investment in the community, saying, “We love having the hospital in Oak Park.” In addition to creating an online petition asking the village board to vote against the three Rush proposals, neighbors have routinely decried Rush Oak Park as having little interest in maintaining good relations with them. The village board’s response was roundly that they are “sympathetic.” Trust-
ees Dan Moroney, Simone Boutet and Deno Andrews all used that same word before going on to vote in favor of a new 64-foot parking garage, not the 54-foot structure as recommended by the Plan Commission. Abu-Taleb and Trustee Jim Taglia also voted in favor, while Trustee Susan Buchanan voted against it. Trustee Arti WalkerPeddakotla was absent from the meeting. Rush Oak Park’s garage proposal is to build the new parking garage on the current site of a surface parking lot. The garage will abut the residential neighborhood around it. The plan has been under discussion for over a year, with the project first going before the Plan Commission in November 2019, where then-Chair David Mann criticized the hospital for failing to meet with neighbors ahead of time, an ongoing concern of neighbors. “It seems to me, you should meet with the community before you come to us,” Mann said. “I know you’re not required to do a community meeting, but it seems to me, as a neighbor, it would be appropriate.” Having later met with neighbors, the project returned Feb. 20, 2020 with a modified design, but plan commissioners made clear they wanted to see one floor removed from the 64-foot, 713-space garage, although zoning allows a maximum height of 80 feet. Rush Oak Park returned to the commission March 5, 2020, when the hospital’s oper-
ations vice president Robert Spadoni called removing a floor “cost prohibitive.” Despite that, the plan commission voted to approve the project with several conditions, most particularly that the hospital lower the height of the garage by 10 feet, eight inches – essentially one full level. Spadoni reminded the commission of the 80 feet maximum during the March 5 meeting, “Just so we’re clear, this is zoned [hospital and in [hospital], we can build what we’re due, but we’re trying to be a good neighbor in that regard.” During the Feb. 1 meeting, current Plan Commission Chair Iris Sims addressed the dissatisfaction of neighbors, saying that it stemmed, not from the parking garage process, but from interactions years before, going against what neighbors stated in public comment. Sims, whose husband sits on the hospital board, has previously stated she has no conflict of interest in voting on Rush Oak Park proposals. Sim’s misrepresented the height condition laid forth by the Plan Commission, saying that former chair David Mann was “simply trying to be responsive to the community,” after hearing their “grumbling” over the hospital’s lack of communication. In fact, Mann was upfront about his skepticism over the proposed 64-foot height during the Feb. 25, 2020 commission meeting,
saying, “I think the hospital needs the parking; I think that’s clear. I’m not sure if they need all 700 spaces,” said Mann. “For me, taking one floor off would be a big improvement and still gets you over 600 spaces.” Spadoni told the village board that the garage was meant to prevent patients from parking on residential streets and that he was disheartened by the neighborhood’s reaction to the structure. “I’m trying to solve the problems of the neighbors,” said Spadoni. “But it’s just sometimes hard to do when you think you’ve reached the goal line and at the 11th hour, you go to a meeting and it’s like, ‘We hate what you’ve designed.’” Buchanan was the only trustee to state that she preferred the 54-foot structure as recommended by the Plan Commission, and not Rush’s preferred height, which was backed by village staff. Moroney said he was an “enthusiastic yes” on the 64-foot garage structure and praised the hospital for being the village’s biggest taxpayer. “While I heard in public comments that Rush has not been a good neighbor, I question why that is,” said Moroney. “I don’t think that claim is necessarily true.” The hospital “transformed” the west end of Madison Street and created thousands of jobs, according to Moroney.
Nationally-ranked Heart Care — In Your Neighborhood. Meet Rush cardiologist Daniel Luger, MD, providing advanced heart care at Rush Oak Park Hospital. In addition to treating all types of cardiovascular disease, Dr. Luger is passionate about preventing it. He can help you lower your risk factors so you can get — and stay — heart healthy. And because heart care isn’t one-size-fits-all, your treatment plan will be as unique as you are.
Call (888) 352-RUSH (7874) or visit rush.edu/appointments to schedule an appointment.
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
OPRF students return to classes, expert talks safety Epidemiologist/parent is confident return to classes can be done safely
By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Oak Park and River Forest High School students returned to classrooms this week as District 200 officials transition from full remote learning at students’ homes to hybrid learning, in which some students are getting limited in-person instruction in classrooms. The return to classrooms comes as school administrators at the elementary and high
school levels in Oak Park are attempting to manage public expectations around school safety. The difficulty of the task has been compounded by the fact that schools across the country are now transitioning to updated guidance, different from recommendations that were in place for months. Since March, school districts have leaned on metrics tracking the spread of COVID-19 at the local, county and regional levels to determine when they’ll allow students back in classrooms. But for the last several weeks, top infectious disease experts at Harvard, Brown and other universities have recommended that school districts prioritize data specific to school populations gleaned from methods such as saliva screening to determine their hybrid learning plans. The experts have also explained that schools can continue to be open even during very high levels of community spread. Roughly a week before students were scheduled to return to classrooms, Karin Sullivan, D200’s communications director, conducted a YouTube interview with Dr. Stephen Weber, who is chief medical officer and vice president for clinical effectiveness
at the University of Chicago, an OPRF parent, and member of D200’s Medical Advisory Team. “We’ve all been looking at everything from scientific literature to what we’ve seen in the press,” Weber said, adding that “circumstances have changed and our understanding has changed, too.” Weber emphasized the recommendations of national public health experts who say that schools can be open despite high levels of community spread if they implement effective virus mitigation strategies, such as mandatory masking, social distancing and saliva screening. “It really takes layers of prevention,” Weber said, adding that testing is just “another layer of security” and “the use of [saliva testing] is going to give us really valuable, closest-to-home information that, frankly, should be weighted the most.” District 200 administrators are utilizing SafeGuard, a Brookfield-based firm, to test every student who shows up for in-person learning. The tests are $11 each and can be conducted at students’ homes before being dispensed at various drop-off locations throughout the community and at the high
school. “I wouldn’t be enthusiastic for my kids to be back in school or to advocate for the schools to open if the evidence didn’t say it can be done safely,” said Weber. You can watch the video interview with Weber at: youtube.com/ watch?v=RTTyv1whhe0. To read the updated guidance, visit: https://bit.ly/2YC31vb.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
OPRF hires a new athletic director
Openaanew newaccount account Open andreceive receiveaa and
Nicole Ebsen to replace John Steltzer, effective July 1
health teacher. She also coached volleyball, softball and badminton, and was assistant athletic director at the school. In 2009, she was hired as dean of students at Morton East High School, where she By MICHAEL ROMAIN worked for the next 12 years in a range of Staff Reporter positions. “Nicole’s enthusiasm for working with Oak Park and River Forest High School the Oak Park and River Forest communities is getting a new athletic director after was evident throughout the the District 200 school board hiring process,” said Associate recently approved the hiring Superintendent Greg Johnson, of Nicole Ebsen, replacing in the district’s Jan. 28 statement. John Steltzer, who is retiring as “The experience she has athletic director at OPRF after 17 managing large athletic years with the district, effective programs, establishing July 1. supportive relationships According to a statement with students, and building released by the district on schoolwide enthusiasm for Jan. 28, Ebsen comes to OPRF extra-curriculars will help us from Morton School District NICOLE EBSEN build on and enhance the strong 201, where she is athletic and tradition of excellence with activities director for the district’s two OPRF athletics.” campuses. The district enrolls more than Ebsen has a bachelor’s degree in physical 8,000 students. education from Eastern Illinois University. Ebsen has been in public education for She also has a Master of Education degree more than 15 years and previously worked from Lewis University, D200 officials said. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com at Glenbard West High School as a PE/
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Visit or call us today at call us today at IL 1001 Visit Lake or Street, Oak Park, 1001 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL (708) 660-1000 (708) 660-1000 *Oak Park Main Branch Only: New or existing customers opening a new deposit account will receive a 5” x 5” Safe Deposit Box FREE of charge for the first year annual fee. At renewal, you will be billed the current rate as *Oak Park Main Branch Only: New or existing customers opening a new deposit account will receive a 5” x 5” of the anniversary date of the box rental. Safe Deposit Boxes are NOT A DEPOSIT, NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT Safe Deposit Box FREE of charge for the first year annual fee. At renewal, you will be billed the current rate as INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, and NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK. Please review the of the anniversary date of the box rental. Safe Deposit Boxes are NOT A DEPOSIT, NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT “Personal Product & Fee Schedule” and “Safe Deposit Box Fee Schedule” for additional Safe Deposit Box fees. INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY, and NOT GUARANTEED BY THE BANK. Please review the ©2021 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. “Personal Product & Fee Schedule” and “Safe Deposit Box Fee Schedule” for additional Safe Deposit Box fees. ©2021 Byline Bank. Member FDIC.
Interested in District 90 Kindergarten?
Attend a attend a 2021-22 Virtual Interested in District 90 Kindergarten? 2019-20 Kindergarten Kindergarten Information Night Information Night
House Hunting?
Interested in District 90 Kindergarten?
attend the
Find a Realtor. 2021-22 Virtual Kindergarten Information Wed. February 6, 2019 Night Find a home. Thursday, February4,4,2021 2021 6:30 p.m. Welcome and Registration Thursday,February Get a list of Open Houses. 7:00 p.m. Presentation 6:306:30 p.m. Presentation pmLive Live Virtual Virtual Presentation
Lincoln School Auditorium 511 Park Ave. River Forest
Willard School Auditorium Lincoln School Presentation
1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest River Forest families living South of Chicago Ave should (River Forest families residing North of Chicago Avenue shouldthe attend the program at Willard, and River Forest families living South of attend virtual Lincoln Presentation.
Every week, every day in
11
Chicago Ave should attend the program at Lincoln)
To obtain the Zoom Link and Password please send an email to: For more information contact: DuboisT@district90.org Casey Godfrey, Lincoln School Principal godfreyc@district9o.org
Willard School Presentation River Forest families residing North of Chicago Avenue should attend the virtual Willard Presentation. To obtain the Zoom Link and Password please send an email to: OlivaresS@district90.org
Diane Wood, Willard School Principal, woodd@district90.org David Davis, Assistant Principal, davisd@district90.org
For more information contact:
For more information contact: Casey Godfrey, Lincoln School Principal godfreyc@district9o.org Diane Wood, Willard School School, Principal, Principal woodd@district90.org Casey Godfrey, Lincoln • godfreyc@district90.org Christine Gerges, Assistant Principal, gergesc@district90.org Diane Wood, Willard School, Principal • woodd@district90.org Christine Gerges, Assistant Principal • gergesc@district90.org
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Celebrating love on Oak Park Avenue
Hemingway District shops have banded together for Feb. 13 event By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Spreading the love, retailers in Oak Park’s Hemingway District have joined together to participate in a special shopping event to celebrate Valentine’s Day and promote local businesses. The free event will take place Feb. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., giving shoppers plenty of time to stroll up and down Oak Park Avenue and browse the offerings of the eight participating boutiques. “I wanted to do something to support the businesses,” said Moses Valdez of Selleria Veneta, 139 N. Oak Park Ave. “We, on Oak Park Avenue, want to show people that we’re trying to be more unified.” Called “Celebrate Love on Oak Park Avenue,” the shops participating in the event include Manouche, Gem Jewelry Boutique, Olive & Well, Filoni, Lively Athletics, the Irish Shop, Trends and Selleria Veneta. Valdez co-owns his Italian leather goods shop with business partner Cecelia Romanucci. After a tough 2020, they came up the idea to plan an event to drive traffic to Hemingway District shops during retail’s slowest shopping period. “January and February, they’re the worst months of the year,” said Romanucci. “Everyone knows.” Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many retailers did not bring in the amount of revenue needed to recoup from state-mandated closures imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. Valdez hopes the event will show camaraderie
between businesses, give people something fun to look forward to, and drum up local support. “Let’s get people excited to do something fun,” said Valdez. Shoppers can print off or download a map of the participating stores from the event’s Facebook page. Each store will offer “token of love” gifts for customers. Gifts will be either complimentary or for purchase, depending on the store. They vary from store to store and include roses, gift cards, truffles or other festive items. Valdez said it was easy getting the various shops on board for the event. To keep everyone safe, masks are required to be worn in every participating store. Hand sanitizer will also be provided and social distancing is expected. The event was designed to keep people moving from place to place, instead of congregating together in one pace for any length of time. Valdez and Romanucci want people to view the Hemingway District as a shopping avenue. Working with other stores to promote that idea, they believe it is necessary for the survival of every retailer. Romanucci said it was “extremely important now more than ever” that shops work together to support each other. “The more stores there are, the more people are going to want to shop,” she said. “The fact that they recognize the area as their shopping area is very important. We need to be around; that’s why it’s important for stores to support each other.” They also hope the event will inject some fun in the cold month of February, made even bleaker by the pandemic. “A lot of people are stuck in their homes and want something to do,” said Valdez. “The event’s also to spread cheer and joy.”
Map created by Moses Valdez
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Carnival adds delivery app in bid to survive pending Pete’s Bracing for the arrival of a chain grocery store grocer goes digital By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Carnival Grocery, 824 S. Oak Park Ave., offers an intimate, in-person shopping experience, but busy schedules and Covid-19 concerns have customers clamoring for affordable personal shopping and grocery delivery options. Responding to customer desires, the fiercely independent grocery store is introducing a new way to shop. A new user-friendly website and personal shopping app will help get groceries to residents as efficiently as possible. Carnival’s new e-commerce services are designed to be more affordable than Instacart. Carnival’s staff will personally fill orders meeting a $35 minimum and local delivery is available for $8. (The app is available via Google Play and the App Store) “The Carnival team and I are really excited to be launching the app and new website. We try to always listen to our customers, and felt this was needed, especially considering how shopping for groceries has changed over the last year,” said Arthur Paris, owner of Carnival Grocery. “These additions are also part of our efforts to ensure Carnival is as strong and stable as possible in anticipa-
Photo byMelissa Elsmo
HIGH TECH, HOMETOWN GROCER: Arthur Paris, owner of Carnival Grocery, is taking steps to make it even easier to support his independent market with a new app. tion of a second Pete’s Fresh Market opening in Oak Park.” As recently as Jan. 28, Paris called on Carnival supporters to implore Oak Park’s village board to delay its final vote to approve
the second Pete’s Market set to begin construction on Madison Street. Paris argues a financial impact study should be completed prior to the final vote as Carnival and other independent merchants will likely be put
out of business because of the chain store’s arrival. “It has come to light that a proper analysis was not completed to assess the financial impact of a second Pete’s Fresh on surrounding small businesses like Carnival,” said Paris via Facebook. “We implore the village to postpone the final vote until such an analysis is completed.” If Pete’s application is approved by the village board, the grocery store will be built on the 600 and 700 blocks of Madison Street, between Oak Park and Wesley Avenues—the site of a now demolished Foley Rice auto dealership building. Paris anticipates the board will review and vote on the Pete’s application in February. Wednesday Journal reached out to Craig Failor, village planner, to inquire about when the Pete’s development project is scheduled to go before the village board. Failor responded, “nothing confirmed as of yet.” Carnival Grocery’s app is live now and delivery slots are available daily.
Progressive dinner in a pandemic? By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Oak Parkers have been doing everything in their power to help local restaurants survive the long COVID winter and now a fundraising event is bringing the “ultimate take-out bag experience” to hungry locals. Housing Forward is partnering with Take Out 25 Oak Park, six restaurants and three bakeries to present Taste the Town on Feb. 23. “Housing Forward’s mission focuses on homelessness and addresses food insecurity,” said Ravi Parakkat, Take Out 25 creator and current candidate for village trustee. “Combining Take Out 25 with their mission while supporting local restaurants felt like a natural fit. I hope this forms the basis for similar partnerships in the future.” Building on the natural momentum restaurants experience following Valentine’s Day, Taste the Town features a preset entrée menu made up of a collection of dishes from Billy Bricks, Kettlestrings Tavern, Mora Asian Kitchen, Poke Burrito, Tre Sorelle and Wild Onion Tied House. A dessert bag, featuring an array of sweets from Kalamata Kitchen, The Happy Apple and Sugar Fixe Patisserie, can be added to any entrée order or purchased separately. Each takeout bag, $100 for entrees and $35 for desserts, will feed a
family of four. Taste the Town is a ticketed event with the funds raised going directly to Housing Forward. The nonprofit will then share proceeds with participating restaurants. Ninety dollars of each take out bag will be divided among the six participating restaurants with $10 going to Housing Forward. Thirty dollars of each $35 dessert bag will go back to the bakeries while Housing Forward retains $5. Take out bag quantities are limited and will be offered on a first come first serve basis. The event is designed to sell out with 300 savory slots and 200 dessert slots available. All add-on donations above the cost of the bags will go directly to Housing Forward. The organization has committed to spending its portion of the funds to buy food from local restaurants to feed their clients -- effectively doubling the impact of ticket purchases and donations within the community. Parakkat says organizers hope to raise an additional $2,000 for Housing Forward. “Time and time again Oak Parkers find imaginative ways to support one another and Takeout 25 is an example of this,” said Lynda Schueler, executive director of Housing Forward. “Housing Forward is thrilled to be a part of this community-wide event to support area restaurants while helping to feed those who are in our care.”
Oak Park resident Allison Cummins is the “quarterback of this event” according to Parakkat. Cummins, a project manager, is overseeing all the details of the multifaceted one-stop progressive dinner. The event has been bolstered further by Kelly Cunneen Moran, an enthusiastic local, who donated $500 from her federal stimulus check to offset the cost of food packaging for Taste the Town while Susie Goldschmidt and Byline Bank stepped in with $900 to offset the cost of event-specific insurance riders for participating restaurants and bakeries. “Being a small business owner myself, I know how challenging the last 10 months have been,” said Cummins, Taste the Town organizer. “One positive thing this pandemic has done is highlight what a fantastic community we have here in Oak Park. Every day I see neighbors promoting and championing our small businesses. It makes me hopeful because I know we can get through this together.” Individuals purchasing meals will select between vegetarian and non-vegetarian preset menus and select a Feb. 23 time slot between 5 and 8 p.m. for drive through pick up at The Nineteenth Century Club on Forest Avenue. Taste the Town tickets are on sale now at https://www.givesignup. org/TicketEvent/TastetheTown/info and will be available through Feb. 18 or until sold out.
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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‘The moment’ for racial reconciliation, Dominican says By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Jonathan Seals, a 21-year-old senior at Dominican University in River Forest, said whenever he ventures beyond campus into the placid, tree-lined neighborhood that surrounds the college, he senses a quiet hostility. “My experiences at Dominican have been great, but outside, in the River Forest community, there’s always been a disconnect,” Seals said during an interview this week. “I don’t feel safe in River Forest. One day, I was walking to the barbershop in the summertime and I had to cut through River Forest and it seemed like everyone who was out having fun stopped what they were doing and were just looking at me. There’s always this feeling of being watched.” Seals was among a group of Black Dominican students who spoke last year in front of members of the River Forest Village Board about their experiences, which national events — from the murder of George Floyd in May to the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6 — have only underscored. Since Floyd’s death, River Forest’s village board has passed two resolutions — one “affirming” the village’s “principles regarding the relationship between the community and law enforcement” and the other “supporting a community partnership with Dominican University to fight racial and social injustice using the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation framework,” according to language in those respective resolutions. The village board also passed a Twin Villages Covenant, which is designed to forge a closer relationship with nearby Maywood, the majority Black suburb immediately to the west of River Forest. “Entering into the partnership with Dominican University was an important and historic step toward building a positive culture and promoting and fostering healing in our community,” River Forest President
Cathy Adduci said in a statement. In an interview this week, Dominican President Donna Carroll said the resolutions “put some teeth” into the university and the village’s commitment to improving the experiences of Black and Brown students like Seals, and to promoting more racial awareness and understanding among residents in the village. Sheila Radford-Hill, Dominican’s recently retired chief diversity officer, said Dominican is one of about three dozen campuses across the country that the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AACU) have designated Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Centers. Radford-Hill, who is still doing some work with the college on Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, said that along with possible financial support, the AACU also offers participating institutions a range of professional development opportunities, among other resources. “The people and institutions involved in the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation work convene regularly all over the country,” Radford-Hill said. “We share ideas; there are trainings and speakers. Dr. Gail Christopher, the founder of racial healing circles, makes regular appearances and helps us understand how to actually do the work of a racial healing circle. This is difficult work.” Within the last year, the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation process has resulted in a variety of initiatives on and off campus. Last year, the university partnered with the Oak Park Public Library and District 97 to host a community reading of Stamped: Racism, Anti-racism and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. The book is a version of Kendi’s Stamped from the Beginning, but adapted for young readers. On Jan. 19, the university commemorated National Day of Racial Healing with a Zoom
program during which administrators honored student-activists and conducted racial healing circles based on the principles of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation program. During the program, Dominican administrators announced they’re working with Maywood stakeholders to develop an immersion program for students. Typically, some Dominican students do service work in places across the country over spring break. With the pandemic, President Donna Carroll said, the students will focus on building relationships closer to home. Carroll said the university is also exploring the possibility of partnering with River Forest to develop internship opportunities in the village “to really give students on-theground community organizing experience.” On a higher level, Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation is “more than a program; it’s a movement,” said Radford-Hill, adding that the university’s partnership with the AACU has been critical since the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection. On that Wednesday, she noted, Live Café owner Reesheda Graham-Washington discovered a brick wrapped in a racist message.
“In the meantime, some people in River Forest who had Black Lives Matter signs on their lawns found their signs ripped up by some people who didn’t like that idea,” Radford-Hill said. “The people doing this work get pushback that is offensive and can be dangerous.” Working coalitions, such as the one that has coalesced around Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, “helps us stay grounded, stay focused and feel supported as we move through this work,” Radford-Hill said. President Carroll said the last few years, and particularly the last 12 months, have been clarifying. “A few years ago, we were not nearly as comfortable, and we’re still not completely comfortable, with talking about an antiracist agenda and committing ourselves to really looking at our sense of whiteness, and looking at where can make changes so that the experiences of our students and faculty of color are more welcoming, more equitable and more engaging,” Carroll said. “This is the moment for us to do this, it’s important for us to push this forward, and I think the village is looking to Dominican as a strength in that conversation.”
Sarah’s Inn puts February focus on teen dating
Online discussion and art contest bring attention to relationship violence By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
February is Teen Dating Violence Action Month, and Sarah’s Inn is sponsoring activities to raise awareness and engage teens and families in conversation about relationship violence and promoting healthy relationships. On Feb. 10 and 11, Sarah’s Inn, a domestic violence agency located in Forest Park, is hosting a two-part virtual event for parents and teens. The focus is on what dating is like for teens today, including online dating, violence, and the effect of media on our understanding of relationships. The
goal is to have a candid conversation on teen dating. Panelists will include Sarah’s Inn staff as well as community partners. The event is free and open to teenagers and their parents or guardians. Registration is required at sarahsinn. org/events. Sarah’s Inn is also sponsoring The Youth Voice Award, an opportunity for local high school students to create a work of art related to ending relationship violence. Two projects will win a $2,000 prize. According to Sarah’s Inn, the purpose of the contest “is to provide a platform for high school students to express their ideas, experiences, and thoughts around relationship violence.” Themes include the following questions: How do gender roles (or toxic masculinity) affect dating violence? What effect does domestic violence have on your community? What
role does social media play in the perpetuation of teen dating violence? What would help end relationship violence within your generation? Students aged 14 through 18 can submit in a variety of mediums, including: writing a poem, essay, short story or script; creating a video using animation, dance, song, spoken word, and more; create art, such as comic, drawing and illustration, digital art, mixed media, photography and more. Submissions must be received by March 15. For all the rules, visit https://www.sarahsinntv.org/post/ youth-voice-award. “Youth have a voice. We want to hear it,” reads the website. “Tell us your ideas, your thoughts, your insight. Write it, record it, dance it, sing it, draw it, it’s up to you. We want to hear your voice however you are comfortable expressing it and wherever your passion lies.”
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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CLARK
Decision reversed from page 1 electoral board, I am reversing my decision,” said Abu-Taleb. The objection against Clark’s candidacy came from resident Kevin Peppard, who argued that Clark failed to meet the Oak Park residency requirement to serve on the village board. Peppard argued that Clark resides in Lombard and not on Lombard Avenue in Oak Park, where Clark’s parents live. Over the course of the multi-day hearing, Peppard produced as evidence multiple documents, including Clark’s 2020 bankruptcy filing, wherein Clark listed the Lombard property, which he owns, as his primary address. Peppard also included a copy of Clark’s 2020 property tax bill, showing Clark had taken a residential property tax exemption on the Lombard property. A teacher at the local high school and founder of an Oak Park-based nonprofit, Clark has maintained that he has always lived in Oak Park, despite owning the Lombard property and being responsible for its finances. Clark’s mother, in sworn testimony, before the electoral board stated her son lived at home with her and her husband. “Conflicting evidence has been presented and thus, this is not an easy decision as we have all agreed,” said Abu-Taleb. Abu-Taleb continued, saying he believed, as chair, that people should have the opportunity to appear on the ballot and that he has upheld that belief during the past objection hearings of three other Black village board candidates over the course of the past two election cycles. From the time Peppard filed the challenges against Clark as well as trustee candidate Chibuike Enyia, many members of the public began speculating that Peppard’s objection were racially motivated as both Clark and Enyia are Black men. Peppard has categorically denied having any motivations other than wanting candidates to abide by election law. While the challenge against Enyia was dismissed, AbuTaleb and Taglia received criticism for not voting to dismiss the challenge against Clark as well. Members of the public also accused the mayor and Taglia of being prejudiced, having called Clark’s use of his Lombard address on federal documents an issue of “credibility.” The reversal came as a surprise to Clark, who had issued a statement the day before, announcing he was not going to appeal the 2-1 decision made Jan. 25. His statement alludes to preconceptions potentially held by Abu-Taleb and Taglia. “This judgment reeked of bias on many levels. Two individuals, in particular, attempted to utilize my life experiences to besmirch my character,” Clark’s statement read. “In reality, they were attempting to belittle the ideologies and
MORONEY
Surprise withdrawal from page 1 roney’s email reads. Moroney made his second mention of a “winning outcome” after stating that the “toxicity” that has “crept into local politics” would inflict more damage to himself and his family than tolerable.
movements that I help to represent.” An illuminated message -- “Anthony Clark, you are Oak Park” -- appeared on an outside wall at village hall. During the Jan. 28 meeting, Abu-Taleb outright denied having been influenced at all by prejudice when he cast his original vote. “For me, this case has never been about race,” said AbuTaleb. “It has only been about residency. I believe that Mr. Clark should maintain on the ballot and I will leave the decision to the voters of Oak Park who should be elected as trustee.” Taglia said the electoral board was guided by state statute to discharge their duties in an unbiased and fair-minded manner, before sharing that he had changed his mind on whether Clark planned to remain in Oak Park – a factor in determining residency. “From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard, I can support that Mr. Clark has shown an intent to remain in Oak Park,” said Taglia. While Scaman was grateful Clark’s challenge was dismissed, she expressed concern that the hearing process had caused detriment to Clark and his family.
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“We must acknowledge the very real harm that is the consequence of these proceedings,” said Scaman. “Our community has been traumatized.” Scaman said Peppard needed to completely withdraw his challenge against Clark in addition to having the case dismissed by the electoral board. In not withdrawing, Scaman believed that systemic racism in Oak Park would be “realized at an even deeper level.” “Is Mr. Peppard willing to do so?” Peppard simply answered, “No.” When asked how he felt about Peppard not withdrawing the challenge, Clark said it is Peppard’s right not to do and that it was also Peppard’s right to appeal the decision. “I just challenge him to understand that this is not chess; this is not a game,” said Clark. “We’re dealing with people’s lives.” Peppard told Wednesday Journal that Scaman based her decision on emotion and politics and that the entire electoral board seemed to be “making this up as they go along.” “Several things are clear: Anthony Clark has manufactured two distinct identities,” said Peppard. “He is lying to someone. He will face consequences beyond these hearings.”
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
TOP BILLING: Backers of Anthony Clark, once again a candidate for Oak Park’s village board, rented the marquee at the Lake Theater last weekend to express support.
“I cannot, in good conscience, ask for people’s votes when I am not fully committed to what would follow a winning outcome,” Moroney wrote in the email. Moroney sent via email a notarized withdrawal of candidacy in the April 6 election; the email was delivered to the village clerk; the clerk’s responsibilities include ballot certification. Scaman confirmed she had received Moroney’s email sent to her on Jan. 28, the last day candidates can withdraw. The email was delivered to her at 3:26 p.m., just over
an hour and a half before 5 p.m., when the window to withdraw closes. When contacted by Wednesday Journal for comment, Moroney said there were “many reasons” why he decided to withdraw but did not elaborate. Moroney is the second candidate to drop out of the race for Oak Park village president, which is also referred to as mayor. Moroney’s fellow village board member, Trustee Simone Boutet withdrew her candidacy on Jan. 16. She dropped out of the running once before on Sept. 9 but reentered Sept. 22.
Surprise reversals in stance seems to have become de rigueur in Oak Park regarding the April 6 election. Moroney’s withdrawal occurred the same day that the Oak Park Municipal Officers Electoral Board reversed its decision on trustee candidate Anthony Clark. The electoral board had previously voted 2-1 on Jan. 25 to uphold the residency challenge made against Clark but overturned their decision Jan. 28, allowing Clark’s name to appear on the ballot.
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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C R I M E
Uber driver carjacked An Uber driver was carjacked at gunpoint at 10:06 a.m., Jan. 28. The driver picked up a male customer in the 100 block of South Taylor, who sat in the rear seat of the driver’s 2018 Ford Focus. As the driver was taking the passenger to his destination, the passenger directed the driver to go down an alley in the first block of Lake Street. The passenger then showed a handgun and ordered the driver out of the vehicle. After the driver exited, the passenger fled in the driver’s Ford Focus, which was last seen traveling east on Lake Street. The Ford Focus was recovered by the police department in Dearborn, Michigan at 5:03 p.m., Jan. 28. That is a distance of 284 miles.
Burglary ■ Someone broke into a 2008 Cadillac CTS and removed various tools from inside between 11 a.m., Jan. 15 and 6 p.m., Jan. 21 in the 400 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. The estimated loss is $855. ■ Someone broke into and ransacked the interior of a 2005 GMC Envoy while parked at 900 W. Thomas St. between 9:30 p.m., Jan. 26 and noon, Jan. 27. No loss was reported.
Motor vehicle theft ■ Someone took a white 2012 Kia Optima, left running and unlocked, between 9:10 p.m. and 9:14 p.m., Jan. 25 in the 6100 block of West North Avenue. The total loss is $10,000. Chicago police recovered the vehicle at 3:41 a.m. at 3835 W. Thomas St. in Chicago. ■ Someone removed a silver 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, left unattended, running and unlocked, in a parking lot in the 6300 block of West North Avenue between 7:28 p.m. and 7:32 p.m., Jan. 26. The estimated loss is $20,000.
Attempted motor vehicle theft Someone broke into a 2004 Nissan Maxima and then removed the fuse box panel and attempted to hotwire the vehicle to start but was unsuccessful between 7:30 p.m., Jan. 26 and 2:30 p.m., Jan. 27 in the 300 block of South Humphrey Avenue. The estimated damage is unknown.
Theft ■ Someone took a package delivered to a residence in the 300 block of South Humphrey Avenue between 4:11 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., Jan. 25. The total loss is $20. ■ Someone removed the license plates from a 2001 Ford Windstar while parked in the 100 block of North Oak Park Avenue between 2 p.m., Dec. 20 and 3 p.m., Jan. 10. ■ The catalytic converter was cut from a vehicle in the 100 block of North Scoville Avenue between 4:55 p.m. and 5:04 p.m., Jan. 27. The estimated loss is $1,400. ■ Someone took the victim’s engagement ring left on the bathroom counter of the victim’s home in the 1100 block of Erie Street between 12:30 p.m., Dec. 6 and 7 a.m., Jan. 13. The estimated loss is $2,100.
These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Jan. 25 – Feb. 1 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
Hit It! Fitness leaving OP
Breaks lease after series of noise complaints By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Having reached no agreement regarding noise complaints, Hit It! Fitness owner Constance Contursi has broken her lease on the property out of which she operates her athletic studio. “I have been fully pushed out,” Contursi told Wednesday Journal. The studio’s new location will be in Elmwood Park. The move, Contursi said, will cost her $25,000 at least. The years-long noise dispute involved Contursi and Mary Ann and Joseph Kozlowski, who live in the home adjacent to the studio, which is located at 811 South Blvd. Police reports show that the Kozlowskis had called the police on the studio on several different occasions. Studio members have also filed police reports against the couple for harassment and for filming them during classes, some of which are attended by children. Contursi said she had offered complimentary classes and free dinners, as well as given gifts to make peace with the neighbors in the past but to no avail. The Kozlowskis, who could not be reached for comment, were also uninterested in seeking mediation through the village of Oak Park. The dispute culminated in a Dec. 1 hearing before Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, where Contursi was served a citation for violating the noise ordinance and a three-day suspension of her business license. The citation stipulated that Contursi must adjust the noise levels and was to meet with Tammie Grossman, the village of Oak Park’s development customer services director, and Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds to review plans for compliance. “We actually were trying to work out an arrangement where the parties could get along,” Grossman told Wednesday Journal, adding that the neighbors were elderly.
During the meeting between Contursi, Reynolds and Grossman, all three agreed upon an app to measure the sound coming from the fitness studio, according to Grossman. Oak Park police monitored the noise levels. “Basically, I’ve had two to three cops babysitting me, every time I teach every single night, every single weekend,” said Contursi. Contursi has always maintained music played during her exercise classes, which were paused temporarily due to COVID-19 mitigations, were not in violation of the noise ordinance and no louder than the nearby Green Line CTA train. She said she had called and emailed Grossman and Reynolds on multiple occasions to discuss compliance progress but got no response. “I felt like they were intimidating me,” said Contursi. After her reaching out one more time, according to Contursi, Grossman responded, informing her she had violated the noise ordinance. “I had a conversation with her based on that order – she was louder than what the order permitted,” Grossman said. Contursi said she believes the village of Oak Park came to that conclusion based on complaints from the neighbors. The neighbors, she believes, have a vendetta against her. Commonly disputes between businesses and neighbors wrap up after village intervention, according to Grossman, with the business coming into compliance. “In the end, the parties are able to get along and coexist peacefully,” said Grossman. “Unfortunately, that was not the situation in this case.” Having begun her career in Oak Park, Contursi is saddened to have to leave the village and her clients, 32 of whom submitted public comments supporting Contursi during a Nov. 16 village board meeting. “It’s so unfortunate,” Contursi said. “But maybe this will be better for me.”
Fair Oaks murder investigation ‘top priority’ of police ‘Aggressively pursuing’ the goal of finding perpetrator By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds assured the community that the police department is still actively investigating the brutal murder of married couple Leslie Ann Jones and Tom Johnson, who were found in their Fair Oaks Avenue home last April.
In a video posted Feb. 2 to the village’s website, Reynolds stated, “The investigation remains a top priority and has the continued active support and resources of the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, the Illinois State Police, the FBI and the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.” Forensic evidence gathered from the crime scene is still being processed by the Illinois State Police Crime Lab, according to Reynolds. “The crime scene is large — the three-story, nearly 4,000-square-foot home that sits upon over 10,000 square feet of land,” said Reynolds. “Investigators,” he added, “have pored over every inch of the scene, canvassed the neighborhood repeatedly and
taken extraordinary steps to make sure no potential lead is overlooked.” Discussing evidence and potential leads could disrupt the investigation, according to Reynolds. “What happened to Ms. Jones and Mr. Johnson was a tragedy,” said Reynolds, and the police department and its partners are “aggressively pursuing” the goal of finding the person or persons responsible for their murder. Reynolds asked that the community remain patient to allow the police to carry out a disciplined and methodical investigation, saying, “This is the sound foundation of good law enforcement.”
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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Homes
Traditional in the front, modern in the back Multifunctional River Forest home that combines eras By LACEY SIKORA
I
Contributing Reporter
f you squint when looking at 343 Ashland Ave. in River Forest, you might be able to see what the house looked like when it was built over 100 years ago. Originally a small, clapboard-sided bungalow, the home is altogether something different now. When viewed from the rear, the home is a soaring glass and steel representation of modernity. Michael Ruehle, who owns the home with his wife, Janice Tennant, says the pair were not responsible for the modern addition to the home. That work was accomplished in 2002-03 by a previous owner, a well-known
local architect. The modern addition is a large part of why they purchased the home in 2010. “When my wife and I first moved to Chicago in 2004, we were visiting family in the area and saw the house from Hawthorne,” Ruehle said. “I thought then, ‘That’s a very intriguing house.’ Little did I know, one day it would be ours.” When an expanding family had them house hunting in the wake of the 2008 real estate recession, they found out the home was for sale, and Ruehle says he jumped at the chance to buy it. A contractor who focuses on green building design and timber framing, Ruehle was quite captivated by the home’s modern addition. His wife was not so sure. “It had quirks that my wife was not thrilled with,” Ruehle said. “I was given
Photo provided
FLIPSIDE: From the street, 343 Ashland Ave. in River Forest appears to be a modest frame bungalow (above), but viewed from the backyard (top) it’s a sleek, modern home with a wall of glass flooding the interior with light. marching orders to fix five things in our first year there, and then we could consider buying it.” The architect who designed the addition was originally from a much warmer climate, and Ruehle said he hadn’t quite reca-
librated his skills for the Midwest’s winters. Ruehle ran a test to see how airtight the home was, and found it was incredibly leaky. The home was in need of efficiency updates, which Ruehle was uniquely situated to put See ASHLAND on page 21
Steve Sheuring 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. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. 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.
18 Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
*For Calendar Year 2020 per MRED (Midwest Real Estate Data LLC)
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N EW LI S T I N G!
EXPERT DESIGN RENOVATION! The very best in contemporary design, finishes and mechanicals alongside exquisitely restored leaded glass doors and gleaming hardwoods create the ideal blend of old and new. Massive rooms and high end craftsmanship throughout. Oversized lot. .............................................. $1,499,000
COMFORTABLE SPACE for all your needs and wants in this 4BR brick home. Hardwood floors and many built-ins throughout, a wood-burning fireplace, breakfast room/mudroom, custom deck, and two family rooms! Bring your decorating ideas and make it your own!.............................................................................$639,000
GRACIOUS, VINTAGE BRICK COLONIAL with impressive room sizes, newly finished hardwood floors, substantial crown molding, beautiful French doors, family room, and a wood-burning fireplace. Outside features an awning-covered veranda, back patio, large fenced-in yard............................................................$625,000
ELEGANT CRAFTSMANSHIP can be found throughout this 5 BR French Normandy home. Sophistication is evident from the moment you walk in the door. Impressive foyer, formal LR with fireplace and built-in benches, family room, separate formal DR, updated kitchen, home office. ...........................................$999,000
520 N OAK PARK AVE • OAK PARK
301 S EUCLID • OAK PARK
217 N TAYLOR • OAK PARK
1147 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST
THREE STORY GRAND VICTORIAN on 100 x 218 lot in the heart of the Frank Lloyd Wright district. This estate features 6 Bedrooms, 2 Full baths, 3 fireplaces, many historic details including double front entry doors sourced from the Historic Pullman Estates section of Chicago. ...................................................................$646,000
ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY of this 4 BR, 3BA farmhouse has been preserved whenever updates were completed. Double door entry, antique light fixture, hardwood flooring, art glass windows, natural trim work and high ceilings are found throughout this home. ................................................................................... $579,000
RARELY AVAILABLE, “Cavalcade of Pride” award-winning home on 50 x 170 ft lot. Includes high ceilings, oak staircase, marble fireplace, separate formal dining area, spacious den/family room with stained glass and built-in bookcases, eat-in kitchen, and a large full basement with storage....................................... $599,000
GRAND SPRAWLING HOME with an abundance of interior and exterior living areas. 5 BRs, upstairs laundry, 3 full & 1 half BAs, 3 fireplaces, full basement with recreation room. Grand two story family room incorporated into an open plan kitchen. Hardwood floors throughout main level. ............................................ $787,000
CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS
OAK PARK Two Flat ...........................................................$550,000
OAK PARK 3BR, 2 full/1 half BA. Vintage beauty............$285,000
OAK PARK 3BR, 2 and 2 half BA. Luxury & Location! .....$469,000
OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA. Courtyard view ...............................$249,900
Find that New Home!
OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA. Two parking spots. ........................ $379,000
OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Fitness facility. ............................... $179,000
Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis
P R IC E RED UCED!
RIVER FOREST 2BR, 2BA. Completely updated. ............$264,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ...........................................................$699,000
Shop for homes online at GagliardoRealty.com
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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ASHLAND Studio space from page 17 in place. With no way to add interior insulation, he added exterior insulation when they replaced the exterior siding. When replacing the roof, they also added rigid insulation and improved airflow ventilation. He also added solar panels. By the time he was finished, the home had earned an Energy Star rating for energy efficiency. On top of doing what he calls the “invisible” work on the home, Ruehle says they also improved the primary bathroom, replaced hardwood flooring, had the lot professionally landscape and re-worked the exterior patio, “all the stuff that makes the house livable,” he says.
Detached studio space One of the main drivers of their purchase was the large studio in the rear of the home. The two-story space on top of a new garage was designed by the architect as a studio. Because the six lots at the end of Ashland were zoned for commercial use, Ruehle says the architect was able to get permission to build a studio for his work. For Ruehle, the space provided the perfect space to operate his business, with a separate entry off the alley for client meetings. His wife also was able to use the space when she was working remotely. The building includes a bathroom and room for a kitchenette. River Forest is considering making accessory dwelling units legal in the village as part of its affordable housing plan, and Ruehle says that it is possible Illinois will make similar changes statewide. He says if that occurs, “This small building is just a few small renovations away from being a separate living space.” Even as is, with the pandemic causing more companies to reconsider the need for in-person work in a city office every day, Ruehle says the ability to work from home in a private space, near but away from the rest of the family is a big incentive for many workers.
On the market A new position for Tennant moved the family to Michigan, and they have been leasing the home. As it became clear that they would be in Michigan long term, the couple decided to list the home for sale with Gullo & Associates for $1.1 million. Laura Maychruk, one of the listing agents, says that modern interiors and the addition of the studio make this a house unlike any other. “The two walls of windows facing each other in the yard are pretty cool,” Maychruk said. “If you’re a light person, this house is for you. It’s just filled with light.” Ruehle says that they would love to still be in the house if their circumstances permitted it, but thinks the next owners are going to find as much to love there as they did. “It’s kind of got all these environmental bells and whistles, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing,” Ruehle said. A friend of his summed up the house, by nicknaming it the stealth house, Ruehle says. “The only thing that gives it away from the front is the ultra-modern staircase,” Ruehle said. “It has a real wow factor when you walk in. You can see the entire backyard from the kitchen.”
Photo provided
SUPER SLEEK: A previous owner, an architect, designed an addition to the rear of the home, which houses a light-filled main bedroom (top) and roomy kitchen (above). At the rear of the property, he also designed a two-story studio space (left) above the garage.
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Growing Community.
CONDOS
Sunday, February 7
SINGLE FAMILY HOMES
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ADDRESS
OFFICE
LISTING PRICE
TIME
1014 Baldwin Ln., Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .@properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $440,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sun 12-2 210 S. Lombard Ave., Unit B, Oak Park . . . . . . . .Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $219,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Open Sun 1-3
ADDRESS
OFFICE
LISTING PRICE
TIME
1526 Lathrop Ave., River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $635000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sun 12-2 720 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$325,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 1-3 40 Ashland Ave., River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $549,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 12-4 1134 Rossell Ave., Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$625,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Open Sun 1-3 1522 Park Ave., River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$639,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sun 12-2
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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com
I
Hey, River Forest, you matter!
t’s election season here in River Forest, and I would like to shine a light on an important issue that has been hidden away in a closet for too long: lack of effective and transparent guidelines for handling our volunteer commissions, boards, and committees, which serve our elected officials and our village. Let’s be 100% clear that the issue is not the citizens and leaders who volunteer for these advisory bodies. It’s hard to blame most elected officials as well. In fact, the poor village guidelines are actually under-serving the volunteers, the trustees, and the voters. Let’s start with how these poor guidelines adversely affect the volunteers themselves to the advisory bodies. Those who would like to volunteer can find absolutely no description of how they will be considered by the village because the village has no published description of the process. Volunteers have no idea when their application will be reviewed, who will be looking at their applications, what considerations will be used for decisions, or how or when they will be contacted to learn what determination was made on their application. Village trustees also receive no information on this process. Because the village has no formal process, and no requirement to disclose anything about the process to trustees, they have no idea who has applied and how decisions are made to select a nominee. Then they are asked at the last minute to make an uninformed yes/no vote on a nomination of their neighbor. The lack of transparency completely handicaps the trustees. Finally, the lack of transparency means the voter has absolutely no understanding of, and no voice about, this process. How can they hold trustees accountable for their vote if the trustees’ votes are completely blind? The current system places entirely too much power in one person, the president, who reviews the candidate submittals and has no obligation to disclose any information about who has applied and what process was used to come up with an appointee. For reference, this process is entirely different in Oak Park, which has an actual Volunteer Application, the first page of which is a detailed description of the process. Their volunteer web page also includes “Enabling Language” for each advisory body, and a Procedure Manual for advisory bodies. Applications are routed through the Clerk to the Citizen Involvement Commission for a transparent process of evaluation and matching of volunteer skills to advisory body needs. The current system in River Forest is woefully inadequate and under-serves all parties involved. River Forest must do a better job of tapping the talent of our citizens and treating everybody with dignity and professionalism in the process. I asked at the village board meeting on Jan. 25, for this issue to be taken seriously (find my comments in the meeting minutes) and for work to begin immediately on correcting it. And I encourage voters to ask all current candidates for elected public office to state where they stand on this issue and what they will do about it. John Grant is a resident of River Forest.
JOHN GRANT
One View
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
VIEWPOINTS R A C E
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Bernie’s meme finds Unity p. 23
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Hope and disappointment at OPRF Part 7 in our continuing series on the history of local efforts to achieve equity in education in Oak Park and the surrounding area. s District 97 was reaching a consensus commitment to racially integrated and equitable education in 1990, District 200 entered one of its most racially tumultuous periods. This episode looks at the first two of four major developments at Oak Park and River Forest High School from 1990 to 1995 — the short-lived experiment with a de-tracked freshman course, and the extraordinary leadership and service of dedicated mothers and grandmothers of African American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education (APPLE).
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this learning has been coming to a critical understanding of personal and collective racial history and identity, how that shapes schools, classroom culture, and the interpersonal relations of teachers and students. Today, Van Slyke points out that the program in 1990 was the earliest effort by the community to structurally address what was being called “the achievement gap” — which itself was a problematic construct masking systemic racism. However faltering, the program was the first step in what has been a 30-year process of coming to grips with tracking and its generations-old inequities for Black students. Unfortunately, Van Slyke says, the class came to be seen as a program for underachievers, a place serious students should avoid, a course that could never measure up to the honors curriculum. As Van Slyke stresses, without a countervailing perspective rooted in educational research and antiracist perspectives, many white parents in 1990, and today, see education as a zero-sum endeavor, where some children succeed, while others simply do not.
JOHN DUFFY
Equity activists collaborate with D200 teachers By the late 1980s, Jeannie Oakes’ landmark book Keeping Track: How schools structure inequality (1985) was impacting how some teachers looked at high school and the opportunity to learn. Oakes argued that most high schools, by design or default, perpetuated racial, academic, and socio-economic inequality through curriculum tracking. Just as happened in D97, in response to researchers like Oakes and their belief that the school’s curriculum organization was educationally unjust, a small group of OPRF teachers launched D200’s first effort to address the historic inequities of tracking. Collaborating with Oak Park parents like Caren Van Slyke, Henry Fulkerson, John Lukehart, and Jaslin Salmon, president of the local NAACP, teachers, with guidance from the Small Schools Project at UIC, planned and taught a freshman humanities class open to all students. It was an intentional effort to create a de-tracked racially integrated program providing all students with a high-quality learning experience. For multiple reasons, it lasted only one year. In its planning stages, Van Slyke warned that if it were perceived as a remedial class, it would be stigmatized and academically segregated within the stratified learning culture D200 presented to incoming students. For certain, the class was anathema to the prevailing OPRF beliefs about learning. Most teachers saw no problem with tracking and believed it was fair and equitable to all students. D200’s own research confirmed teachers’ dominant beliefs. The vast majority of teacher survey explanations for racial disparities in achievement in the 1991 African American Achievement Gap Report blamed disparities on weak motivation of Black children and weak family support for academic excellence. It was a racist misunderstanding, rooted in America’s history of race and education. It was not until 2011 that D200 made a major investment in unpacking employees’ as well as the school board’s beliefs about race and school — a process that continues today. Central to
APPLE mothers and grandmothers Growing out of work led by Gerald Clay in D97, APPLE came to OPRF in the late ’80s as Black women like Wyanetta Johnson, lovingly called “grandma” by students, Ruth Gorens, and Roberta Eaton became extraordinary parent surrogates in Black students’ lives. As Gorens relates, “Black women had to act. Our children were involved in multiple fights, turning their anger, frustration, and cultural alienation against each other.” In response, APPLE women knew they had to become part of the daily fabric of school life. APPLE WYANETTA JOHNSON understood, as did researchers and teachers, that expanding parent involvement was essential to Black students’ sense of belonging and success. APPLE organized the Parents Patrol and made sure the parents were present at school closing and opening. As Ms. Gorens recalls, these parents became “eyes, ears, and hands-on help for security to look at why these outbursts are happening, why are these kids fighting, and to stop it.” The school even provided an APPLE room where students, including many white and Latinx children, received social, emotional, and academic support. To connect Black students to the high school, APPLE sponsored an annual talent and fashion show as a means to celebrate Black cultural identity and artistic expression. The performance had multiracial participation, was wildly popular, and packed the auditorium See DUFFY on page 30
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V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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Holding Rush accountable
ayor Anan Abu-Taleb made a true statement Monday night when he said of Rush Oak Park, “we love having the hospital in Oak Park.” But loving the hospital does not make it impossible to hold it accountable to the village and to its residential neighbors. The village board did not do that Monday night. Rather, the village board OK’d a parking garage 10 feet taller than recommended by the Plan Commission and it granted “hospital” zoning to a stretch of Rush-owned properties on Maple Avenue without ever demanding to know just what the health system intends to do with that property. We get it. We love Rush Oak Park, too. It is a great community hospital owned by a great teaching hospital just down the Ike. It is making key investments in Oak Park, most recently constructing a state-of-the-art ER. It is a large employer. It is the largest property taxpayer in the village. But it has, over decades, been an arrogant neighbor to the residential community south of Madison into which it continues to burrow. Inevitably, there will be tension between a growing hospital and people trying to protect their once quiet neighborhood. The village government, with its control over zoning, ought to be the third-party seeking to balance the legitimate interests of the hospital and neighbors. Instead, and again, over decades, it seems as if the village’s thumb is on the side of the hospital. Village government does not push back on hospital plans. Village government does not demand that the Rush system cough up a master planning document that certainly must exist. Clearly Rush Oak Park has come back from a very shaky past in the years before Big Rush became involved. The continuing investments in the Oak Park campus reflect its strategic importance to the Rush system. So they are not going anywhere. And they don’t need to get everything they ask for.
Off the ballot, on the ballot
It was a process filled with drama. Issues involving Anthony Clark are often filled with drama. We’d give him credit for an ability to command attention. And, increasingly, we’d suggest everyone who isn’t Anthony Clark needs to consider just why we make him such a lightning rod. The local activist, OPRF teacher and frequent candidate was knocked off the April ballot, running for a position on the Oak Park Village Board, when the local electoral board sided with a person who had filed a challenge to Clark’s candidacy. The challenger, Kevin Peppard, alleged that Clark was not a resident of Oak Park and instead owned a property in west suburban Lombard. After multiple hearings, the duly formed electoral board — Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, Trustee Jim Taglia and Village Clerk Vicki Scaman — voted 2-1 to oust Clark from the ballot. Scaman, who is running for village president this spring was the vote in support of Clark’s candidacy. It was stunning a few days later, when the electoral board reconvened for what was expected to be a routine act to formalize their earlier vote, that both Abu-Taleb and Taglia announced they had reconsidered and would now join Scaman in keeping Clark on the ballot. What changed their minds? Not entirely clear. But we believe they made the right choice. As we have often said, campaigns are the place to sort out qualifications for office, whether that is debating a matter of policy or challenging a candidate’s residency. Voters should make these decisions.
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Walking home, late one night
n a year of many, many walks, the sky featured prominently. Open sky provided a welcome balance to the confines of walls during months of sheltering in place. During the day, the sky is an abstract expressionist canvas, painting and repainting itself in blues and grays and whites, and often at the ends of days in brilliant golds and pastels, with great broad strokes in shifting shapes. But it’s the night sky that offers true companionship. In the heavy glow of urban illumination, our sky is a desert for stars, so anything that shines brightly is almost certainly a planet. All through this past year, Saturn chased Jupiter across the southern sky, like a younger, smaller sibling pursuing an idolized older brother but never quite catching up — until December, when it sat smugly atop in triumphant convergence, jewel upon jewel, for a few precious nights in the afterglow of sunset. Halfway through the year, Mars, imperial in its march directly overhead, joined the procession. The moon, meanwhile, took turns dallying with each, and served as the best companion for walks home, alone in the dark — though frequently facing away, more interested in chasing the sun, until once a month it directs its round-faced gaze upon us. Which inspired the following last week:
KEN
TRAINOR
On the far side of day Walking home Late After a long talk with a friend Accompanied only by the moon, Full-faced, Present and presenting After several nights in hiding, Waxing, Waiting to bestow Its far-flung glow. Not the cold dead moon, Stuck, A slave to its orbit, But the living moon, The moon that exists In secret rendezvous. Not the same moon That kept my mother company
During her last years on Earth Through her bedroom window Late at night or just before dawn, The moon she called “my buddy,” Which she also called my father Whom she believed was waiting for her Somewhere beyond the moon. This moon is close to that. It too mirrors the sun And dances in and out of view With thin clouds streaming past like steam From some percolating mystery, A moon that, Unaccountably, Has absorbed the departed Loves of my life Held there, aglow and warm Even now. This is the moon that keeps watch And keeps company On my short walk through the village, Past the lit windows of the living Down the long sidewalk to the place I sleep Not quite alone Thanks to this companion sailing overhead, Just 3 days’ journey away And so close to the eye That I never feel abandoned. Wordlessly walking Through the snow On the far side of day, This moon is my rear-view mirror, Wiped clean by tissue-thin clouds, So close Yet far enough removed to see its masters, Keeping its obedient vigil on Earth and Sun And keeping me company Through this village Of so many seasons That holds so much I love And so many, All living, Some only in memory. So much company Contained somehow In this moon of many dear faces In this village of many dear seasons In these eyes of many dear rememberings In this heart Of many dear loves.
V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N
by Marc Stopeck
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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 Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crow, Doug Deuchler, Linda Francis, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea, Debbie Becker Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs
Growing Community Media
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Some fear words they refuse to understand
or as long as I can remember, words have fascinated me. The way we compose them in both written and spoken forms. Just as fascinating is how we humans interpret and process particular arrangements of words. Take “defund the police,” for instance. That phrase hit the headlines in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the knee of a police officer. Activists used it as a rallying cry. Politicians ran from it. The words triggered those comfortable with U.S.-style policing. What they heard in “defund the police” was a call for disorder, a threat to how public safety served them. They feared what they heard in those words — a departure from business as usual. The words, not the intent, became the issue. But words are what we use to get across an idea, advance what we believe. Think of “I have a dream.” “Women’s rights are human rights.” “Medicare for all.” And think of who first said them — and what you hear in them now. Could instead people hear in the words “defund the police” the possibility of offsets in taxes? Or a portion of the village police budget being reallocated for retraining or reassigning officers to different positions without losing their jobs?
In her recent op-ed, village president candidate Vicki Scaman said what I believe an enlightened leader should say at this time: “There is no reason to fear the words ‘defund the police.’ We have a responsibility to listen so that we can understand what ‘defund the police’ means as a call to rethink public safety.” But because of fear and a refusal to seek understanding, four elected officials decided Oak Park voters will be asked in the April 6 elections, “Shall we defund the police?” Putting this question on the ballot “was a failure as civil servants to demonstrate the willingness to hear from residents,” Scaman wrote. Absolutely. What will be telling about our collective understanding of this particular arrangement of words is how Oak Parkers ultimately answer the ballot question. A Yes vote could mean Oak Parkers are willing to hear the equitable possibilities being sought in that arrangement of words and reject the fear and cynicism embedded in the question before them. Are we brave enough to re-imagine what policing can be without the words getting in the way? It’s your call now, Oak Park. Cassandra West is an Oak Park resident.
CASSANDRA WEST One View
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
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
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■ Must include first and last names,
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municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)
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Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
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ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $41 within Cook County and $51 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media, NFP.
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
V I E W P O I N T S
Ravi Parakkat for Oak Park village trustee
The past year presented village residents and village leaders across America with unprecedented challenges, and demanded that we respond with unprecedented determination and creativity. One of our most pressing challenges has been to devise strategies that help keep our local businesses open, our economies thriving, while also keeping community members safe. Enter Ravi Parakkat and Takeout 25 Oak Park: a grassroots campaign geared toward getting commitment from local residents to spend $25 on takeout. Because the restaurant industry has depended on people getting together — impossible in COVID times — it was hit harder than other sectors. Takeout 25’s ability to build an online community of neighbors encouraging neighbors to support local restaurants was ingenious, and I could see that it would help River Forest as well. When I called Ravi, I found him eager to collaborate. His vision for Takeout 25 already included restaurants along Oak Park’s borders. He readily saw Oak Park, River Forest, and other neighboring communities as part of a cooperative network that is necessary to sustain us all. Rather than replicate Takeout 25 in River Forest, we agreed that River Forest would formally
join the movement, adding our 10,000+ residents and 10 local restaurants to the already active Takeout 25 community! The results have been tremendous. Ravi’s ability to stay positive and solution-oriented has resulted in a broader sense of community and re-energized businesses. Takeout 25 has fostered a sense of community that is inclusive and that encourages us all to see local business owners and workers as neighbors and friends. Initiatives like his are critical to the survival of our businesses and have the added bonus of making us a tighter-knit community. Ravi’s recognition as one of Wednesday Journal’s OP-RF Villagers of the Year was well deserved. His is the kind of leadership I hope to see at the board table: embodying the creative problem-solving, collaboration, and inclusion that we will need over the next few years as we recover from this pandemic. Please join me in supporting Ravi in his campaign for Oak Park village trustee. I hope to be able to work with him and others who agree that solution-oriented collaboration between our villages makes us all stronger. Good luck, Ravi!
Cathy Adduci
River Forest village president
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Time to reform ballot challenges
Anthony Clark and Chibuike Enyia have had their characters smeared in an intensely public way. Mr. Enyia and Mr. Clark are both upstanding men, with strong records of public service to our nation and our village. What should have been an orderly bureaucratic process of crossing ‘t’s and dotting ‘i’s instead became intensely ugly and chaotic. Mr. Enyia was smeared as a felon and — when that was shown to be simply false — he was sent away with little more than a “good luck in your future endeavors.” For Mr. Clark, a question about his home address turned into a free-for-all. Mayor Abu-Taleb and Trustee Taglia impugned Mr. Clark’s
character and — outrageously — impugned the character of Mr. Clark’s parents as well. The ballot challenge process put Mr. Clark and Mr. Enyia and their families through the wringer — and for what? For trying to serve the public? Mr. Clark and Mr. Enyia have shown true class throughout this process. It’s time for Oak Park to take a page out of their book. It’s time to have enough class to admit that Oak Park failed these two honorable men. As a place to start repairing that, we should reform our ballot challenge process so this never happens again. John Edgerton is lead pastor of First United Church of Oak Park.
Defining definitions
across all governmental programs but, for the most part, “household” refers to a person, the person’s partner (whether married or not), and the person’s dependent children (as tested by whether they qualify as dependents for income tax purposes). Based on what has been reported, it doesn’t sound to me as though Mr. Clark is a member of his parents’ household no matter how much time he may spend at their home. He can be a resident for election law purposes without being a “household member” for other purposes.
I wonder if anyone considered the definition of the term “household” before concluding that Anthony Clark’s income should have been included on his parents’ loan/grant application. “Household” is a technical term. It is not synonymous with “whoever lives in the house.” The definition is not universal
GIFT LOCALLY! Great digital gift cards to use at participating vendors.
Available at oprfchamber.org
Bob Stigger
Oak Park
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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Vaccine letter is timely today On Oct. 9, 2019, months before we ever began worrying about the scourge that is COVID-19, your paper published this letter by Holden Green. I ran across it recently when reading an old copy of Wednesday Journal that I had found. I don’t know Holden Green. But this OPRF student’s argument for people getting vaccinated will be
even more important in the coming months when, hopefully, eventually, the supply of COVID-19 vaccines exceed their demand. The more people who get vaccinated, the safer the world is for those who do not or cannot get vaccinated.
Mark Wallace Oak Park
Your vaccination is keeping me alive Everyone who can be vaccinated should be vaccinated. When people aren’t vaccinated, they risk not only their health, but the health of people around them. In OPRF, a school of 3,500+ people, one infected person can easily create an outbreak of a dangerous disease. As a member of the community who is immune-compromised, I rely on herd immunity to stay healthy. Herd immunity, or community immunity, is the practice of having at least 90-95% of people vaccinated against a disease, so that one case doesn’t spread, and turn into an epidemic. Without herd immunity, I wouldn’t be able to lead a normal life. My medical condition, X-Linked Agammaglobulinemia, or XLA, makes my body unable to produce B-cells, which make up half of a healthy person’s immune system, and are responsible for fighting diseases and viruses that enter the body. Thankfully, there is a treatment for my condition. Every month, I get an infusion that boosts my immune system to close to the same level as everyone else’s; I also take an antibiotic daily. However, there’s no cure. And even with every-
thing I do, I am still more likely to get sick than a person with a normal immune system. If I get sick, I could get much sicker than someone else. I rely on my community to be immunized so that diseases are kept away. To me, the question of vaccination seems like a no-brainer. With study after study proving their effectiveness with minimal risks, it’s a shock to me that people still don’t want to vaccinate. I understand that some religions may have objections to modern medicine, and I don’t want to advocate against religious freedom, but at a certain point, you have to wonder how important complete religious freedom is against the health of an entire population. Asking everyone to get vaccinated, a shot or two a year in most cases, seems like a reasonable request. Not only is it extremely beneficial to you with very minimal risks to your health, but it also helps protect people like me and two of my three brothers who also have XLA, as well as patients on chemotherapy, the elderly, and young children, especially when we can’t protect ourselves.
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Keep Clark on the ballot I agree with your editorial and Ms. Scaman’s vote to keep Anthony Clark on the ballot. When one “throws their hat in the ring” and chooses to run for elected office, their personal lives, how they pay, or don’t pay their bills, if they smile, wave or say hello to a passing stranger on a sidewalk, anything and everything may come under scrutiny. To be fair, and legal, everyone must follow the established rules of “the game.” But lives do indeed get complicated. I smell hypocrisy, Mayor Abu-Taleb. “Gaming” the system was reported in your preterm life. You came “clean” with your tax issues before that election, but was that belated honesty or strategy? Did you say everyone does it or so you were told? Was there “pay to play”? Did your contributions to Rod Blagojevich help you gain clemency?
Why anyone chooses to run for public office boggles the minds of many. Folks run for a variety of reasons. Ego? Business opportunities? Fame? Fortune? Improving the lives of neighbors or country? Getting a better parking space? Inspired by their children, grandchildren or a parent who was never allowed to vote? Reasons vary but those who “step up to the plate” and run for office should be admired. Scrutinized. Examined. Questioned as well. Mr. Peppard’s objections are highly suspicious, but as a citizen he has exercised his rights. Our mayor was duly elected so he earned his seat on the Electoral Board, but seriously? It’s a good thing that Anthony Clark was put back on the ballot.
Abigail Kaberon Oak Park
SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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ment. But in fact and in truth, f we value humanity, we such false allegations are very white people must co-create rare, and by giving undue weight and work in spaces that aspire to the rare false allegations, we toward antiracism. minimize the reality of the vast If we work in these spaces, majority of true ones. our family, friends, colleagues, Fellow white people, if a and neighbors of color will, person of color calls you a racist at some point, call us racist or or white supremacist, in almost every case white supremacist, will say that we have it is because you have had a racist impact taken racist or white supremacist actions, on that person. You can choose to ignore or will tell us that we are upholding white it. You can choose to turn accusations of supremacy. name-calling back on that person of color. We will probably have a negative reacBut that just perpetuates a culture in which tion to this because we have been raised in a culture that rightly teaches us that racist and white people get to decide what is correct behavior and what is not. white supremacist actions are wrong. Dan Moroney, Matt Baron, so many other But instead of reacting in anger, we should white Oak Parkers reacting in Facebook sit with what we have been told, with our rethreads — when a person of color calls actions, and with our feelings. We have had a you a white supremacist, when a person of racist impact on people of color. That is what color says you did something racist, what if we must sit with and seek to understand. you felt your reaction in your body and then If we are more upset about being called a moved into inquiry? What if you asked, racist than about the action we performed “Could you tell me more? Why do you feel that was perceived as racist, we have some that way?” What if you thought about your work to do. own actions and how they could have had a In my experience, my family, friends, colracist impact? leagues, and neighbors of color are not lookThroughout history, we white people have ing for an opportunity to hurl accusations of racism at white people. But there are injuries asked people of color to adapt to our desires in any relationship, and in cross-racialState rela-Farmand demands. Let’s not make the same Bloomington, IL mistake again. tionships, some of those injuries will involve If we pause, live into our own emotions, race. For too long, people of color have2001290 been reflect, and move into inquiry, we will told to deal with those injuries silently, and have a chance to build deeper individual especially that they should not mention the relationships. These rules apply to relationracial nature of those injuries. ships in general, and they apply as well to There are many issues we still need to heal our family, friend, colleague, and neighbor in our society. But one positive in this time is relationships across racial difference. If that more people of color are able and willwe do these things collectively, I believe we ing to speak out when someone has caused them an injury related to race. have the chance to grow healthier families, Could there be cases where a person of friend groups, workplaces, and communicolor calls a white person racist just to hurt ties. We have the chance to grow a healthier them, with no basis in reality? Of course society. there could, in the same way that someone Jim Schwartz is an Oak Park resident, an can fabricate accusations of sexual harasseducator, and a blogger at Entwining.org.
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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necessary. I call on school board members and the superintendent to make immediate plans to provide for on-site instruction. All teachers should have had the opportunity to receive vaccination protection by this summer. Let’s not short-change our students needing help catching up by continuing remote learning when it has already failed many of them. If construction needs to be delayed another year, so be it, but don’t assume remote learning is the easy out. Step up and find a way to reach these students needing help catching up. If we need to host summer school at an alternate public school, so be it. Find a solution that serves the needs of the students!
Lee Neubecker
Chairman, River Forest Economic Development Commission
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Summer school needs to be in-person Earlier this week, the OPRF High School superintendent sent out an email announcing, “Summer School 2021 will be 100% remote due to construction.” It is shocking that the superintendent would make a decision to continue remote learning this summer for students who may have not learned anything during the pandemic. Some students, especially those with IEPs, are struggling to learn under the constraints of remote learning. It is irresponsible for the OPRF management and leadership to not find a way to provide in-person education for students needing to repeat classes they failed during the lockdown. Phasing the planned construction to allow for on-site instruction, or finding an alternate location where in-person educational instruction can take place is absolutely
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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Pro Bono Network’s 10th anniversary
Ten years ago, while “snowmageddon” raged in Chicago, Pro Bono Network formed, changing the model for the way free legal services are provided. Ten years later, we continue to create meaningful change in the lives of low-income residents. On Feb. 1, 2011, even “snowmageddon” could not stop 10 Chicago-area attorneys on a mission to change the way free civil legal services are provided to low-income residents. Ten years on, we have grown to more than 400 volunteers and provide pro bono services in a dozen different areas. This year, we celebrate our growth and the commit-
ment of our volunteers, partners, donors, and supporters who want to create meaningful change in the lives of low-income residents. What makes PBN different? ■ We tap the experience of professionals in different stages of their careers, from sole practitioners, retired attorneys, and attorneys taking time off to care for loved ones to fulltime attorneys in private practice. ■ We provide the training, mentoring, and project management needed for professionals to participate in projects differing from their legal backgrounds.
■ We have volunteer opportunities of various durations, which allows professionals to participate based on their own schedules. ■ We efficiently partner with legal aid agencies to adapt or expand their programs so as to not duplicate services. ■ We have adapted our projects where possible to continue them safely and efficiently during the COVID pandemic. The results? In 10 years, our volunteers (both attorneys and non-attorneys) have stepped up to provide more than 4,300 clients in Cook and DuPage counties with more than 24,000 hours
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of free legal services. At the going rate for attorneys of $250 per hour, that translates into more than $6 million in free legal help for low-income clients. PBN Executive Director Linda Rio states, “Our staff, volunteers, and partner agencies have stepped up in whole new ways, creating methods to serve clients in need, remotely and safely, using new technologies and adapting current projects.” We look forward to our next 10 years, and encourage potential volunteers to visit http:// probono.network to learn more.
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each year. Then, as happened with the Black performing arts show in D97, the administration ended the event. APPLE mothers organized weekend training retreats on conflict resolution. To respond to racial profiling and to build understanding between Oak Park police and Black children, APPLE ran workshops with Oak Park police officers. Grandma Johnson even worked directly with new teachers to ground them in sound class management techniques. APPLE also advised parents on the intricacies of special education. The national pattern, present at OPRF, of over-assigning Black males to special education was very concerning to APPLE women. Witnessing the inequities in how many adults handled discipline issues, documented in a 1991 D200 report, was just as disconcerting to APPLE. Eventually in 2007, at a time when D200 outplaced more Black males than any school in Illinois, APPLE prepared a legal challenge to the inequitable pattern of how special education operated in D200. The action did not go to court, but it brought the introduction of restorative practices to OPRF with a school board presentation in 2010. Finally in 2019, D200 launched its first programmatic commitment to developing restorative perspectives and practices.
Connecting to allies Being present in the building offered APPLE an invaluable firsthand look at student life. Their love, support, and advocacy for children became a model for all to emulate. It also brought a fundamental political understanding to APPLE — systemic changes were necessary if OPRF was to truly be a school for all students. In pursuing that ideal in 1994 APPLE would join Building and Renewing Institutions Dedicated to Good Education (BRIDGE) in the first community coalition to work for racial equity at OPRF High School. John Duffy is a co-founder of the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education.
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The common thread in River Forest
In his Jan. 27 column [River Forest Year in Review, take 2, Viewpoints], Steve Lefko criticizes as a “tired old formula” Wednesday Journal’s choices of the most important River Forest stories of 2020: the racial reckoning, adoption of a new Affordable Housing Plan, and the ad hoc commission on deer management. He’s wrong, perhaps because he misses the common thread that runs through them. Last summer’s racial reckoning led to a historic new relationship with our neighbors in Maywood. Both communities passed “twin villages” covenants; both communities marched, together, to protest police killing Black people; both communities’ kids were welcomed to River Forest’s youth soccer teams. For many of us, it felt like a tectonic shift — if just a beginning. An Affordable Housing Plan was nearly voted down by the village board, but not for the reasons one might assume. Remarkably, half the trustees rejected the plan as too weak. Dozens of community members spoke in favor of a more urgent commitment to affordable housing. The village president promised major zoning amendments, and the entire board publicly supported expansion of affordable housing options. Again, just a starting point, but an encouraging one.
The year-long work of the resident-led deer management committee, formed by the village (in the wake of Thatcher Woods flooding in the spring of 2019) to consider what, if anything, to do about the Thatcher Woods deer herd, served to defuse the anger of some residents. The deer “problem” may have seemed less pressing during a pandemic, but make no mistake — this story will bubble up again the next time spring rains flood the woods and displace the herd. What makes these stories important is what they have in common. Each is about what kind of a community River Forest wants to be. Will we be inclusive of all — especially the less fortunate and the vulnerable? Will we love our neighbors? When we say we are all in this together, what exactly do we mean by “we”? Will we welcome the stranger, whether in the form of a displaced deer or, in future years, refugees displaced by climate change? Or will we default to protecting the most affluent, powerful, and privileged? These are the questions many in the village are asking themselves, and will be asking of candidates between now and April 6.
Tim Brandhorst
River Forest
Scaman for village president Top 3 reasons why Vicki has my vote: her years of experience, her commitment to community service, and her commitment to the arts. I know Vicki has the best experience to address our tax burden. Because of her previous work at the township and her four years as village clerk, she has relationships with not just individual stakeholders, but firsthand knowledge of the government processes. In this next year, our taxing bodies will most desperately need to work together and share resources — especially after the budget deficits we have incurred this past year. Truthfully, we cannot be a village that espouses diversity if we cannot ensure we are an affordable place to live. I know she sees the full picture, with experience, of how civic organizations can work together. And it is going to take deep knowledge of all of these entities in order to work creatively and clearly to help us move forward past the crisis and into recovery. I know Vicki to be fully committed to making sure we lift each other up through service. Her work with community nonprofits, such as her volunteer board position on YEMBA, has often focused on ensuring youth in our community have access to leadership and mentoring. She was also co-chair of Oak Park Township’s Positive Youth Development Coalition, specifically working to
help tackle teen substance abuse. I suppose, too, I’ve always known her to go above and beyond the dictates of any job she has had, extending herself further, using her position to help others. Her work as village clerk over these past four years is an awesome example of this ethic. And if you knew her when she was director for the Steckman Studio of Music — well, you’d not have to look any further. (Ask her about hosting African drum classes in her basement, all free.) And if you know me, you know I am very connected to those who care about the arts. Vicki is a supporter of artistic endeavors that really enrich our community, making it a truly creative place to live. She has work from local artists hanging in her home and office. She’s participated in our local arts community for years, certainly through her work as the director of a nonprofit music school, but also in the way she shows up. I would lose count of the number of art shows and fundraisers I have seen her attend. She shows up for so many individuals and organizations in our community and she has for years. And those experiences — her work, her volunteering, her deep knowledge — are what we need most to lead this village and help us ensure all residents can flourish where they live.
Sarah Abboreno Corbin Oak Park
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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Thomas’ ballot challenge was ill-advised
O
ak Park Township trustee candidate Tim Thomas is listed on the Freedom to Thrive Oak Park website as one of 17 “FTTOP organizers” who signed a letter to village officials demanding the defunding of the police department. Listed immediately above Thomas is Village Trustee Arti-Walker-Peddakotla; and below, current village president candidate Cate Readling. Former Community Relations commissioners Jacquelyn Rodriguez and Brynne Hovde are also listed as supporting the letter. Hovde founded the Activate Oak Park PAC, which is funding the village trustee campaigns of Anthony Clark, Chibuike Enyia and a third candidate. Rodriguez is also running for township trustee, but her connection to FTTOP didn’t stop Thomas from scheming to knock her off the ballot. That’s odd, given FTTOP’s uber-democratic “let the voters decide” attitude toward ballot access and their self-righteous outrage at Clark’s candidacy for village board of trustee being challenged. What’s really odd is that Thomas objected to Rodriguez because she filed her candidacy as a Democrat, which is perfectly legal in Illinois. It gets plain weird when you consider that, up until a mere two days before his scheduled hearing before the Oak Park Township Board of Electors, Dec. 8, Thomas’ campaign chairman was none other than Cate Readling, who, like Rodriguez, also filed as a Democrat. Rodriguez’s attorney, Ed Mullin made short work of Thomas’ objection. Faced with an opinion from the township’s lawyers that he had no legal grounds for his challenge, Thomas withdrew the challenge the very morning he was scheduled to be heard by the electoral board. Readling resigned as Thomas’ campaign chair Dec. 6, as did campaign treasurer
Sarah Grimsley. Thomas, a Black man and a member of the LGBTQ community, stated in his objection his “interest in filing the following objections is that of a citizen desirous of seeing that the election laws governing the filing of nominating papers for the nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of Township Trustee for the Oak Park Township, are properly complied with.” Sound familiar? Perhaps because Kevin Peppard, who FTTOP supporters accused of being a racist old white guy targeting Black candidates, stated “My interest in filing the following objections is that of a citizen desirous of seeing that the election laws governing the filing of nominating papers and the qualifications for the office of Village Trustee of Oak Park are followed …” My guess is Readling, Grimsley and others couldn’t stomach the blatant hypocrisy of someone who’s in favor of “letting the voters decide,” and yet schemed to get a fellow FTTOP supporter disqualified and an FTTOP colleague who filed in the exact same manner as Readling. While Peppard presented actual evidence to the village’s electoral board, Thomas’ actions stemmed from nothing more than cheap political expediency; with Rodriguez gone, he would have been one of just five candidates, not six, for four open seats. Despite her ludicrous call to defund the police, I might yet vote for Rodriguez in April; she’ll have no say on police issues as a Township Trustee, and I support her call for increased funding for mental health services, exactly the type of programs the township has decades of experience administering. And Thomas? Well, he’s off the ballot, as far as this voter is concerned. Bill Dwyer is an Oak Park resident.
BILL DWYER One View
Emailed every Friday morning!
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Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
Police and policing
n my opinion, there is popular over-emphasis on skin tone rather than behavior. For example, whenever I hear someone mention a color while complaining about another person, the color is supposed to prove that the complaint is automatically valid. I do not know our police department’s training. In another town, I observed a police special team deal with a slightly belligerent, barely coherent young man who was causing problems for a small cafe. I was eating a biscuit just 3-4 feet away. The lead officer was very impressive in talking the poor guy into cooperating. Specially trained teams might be an option for Oak Park. My advice to any person or groups who feel they have been treated unfairly by the police is to document the incident. Write down the time, date, and facts as concisely as possible. Documentation or accumulated documentation gives you or your group legal power. If you can add signed witness statements, you will have even more legal standing. If you have been mistreated, and you make the facts public, every fair-minded person will be on your side. If you do this, you are helping everyone. I think this is a public virtue. I have seen news videos of people harmed by police officers. In each case that I have seen, I believe the person would have much better off by not resisting arrest. In my mind, resisting arrest does not make person a 1960s civil disobedience hero. The people complaining on TV do not suggest how the police procedure could be improved or how they would handle the situation in a better way. I do think some of the officers were too harsh, and in one case, I would charge the officer with first-degree murder. When I am stopped by the police, I treat the officer with respect and admit my mistake immediately. I believe this is a civic virtue. I learned a long time ago to be careful about reaching for my driver’s license. As a young kid, the police stopped my friends or me several times to warn us about bike riding safety. When I was 10 years old, my younger brother and I were taken to a police station and then we were taken in a squad car to the office inside a juvenile prison, aka juvee. Our mother had to come to take us home, but first she was given a brief scolding and lecture by the police. OK, lesson learned. If the police are not here to protect the children of Oak Park, who will? How will the children of Oak Park thrive if they don’t feel safe? People say that officers must learn to deescalate the conversation. Why is it only the officer’s job? Robert Sullivan is an Oak Park resident.
ROBERT SULLIVAN One View
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D O O P E R ’ S
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M E M O R I E S
Finding the right man for the job
y dad, grandfather, and Uncle Gene had positions where they hired men for specific jobs. In the early years of his career with the Chicago Tribune, my dad was responsible for hiring men to run newspaper agencies. He traveled the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin to find the men he would train and supervise. Where did he find them? Not on college campuses or in wealthy neighborhoods. He found them in pool halls and gyms devoted to boxing. He hired young, competitive men who were not afraid to get their hands dirty and also had driving energy because those two elements, he said, were necessary to operate a news agency. My dad always said the best man he ever hired was Dave Rubin, whom he found hustling pool in Springfield, Illinois. Dave became the owner of an agency in Dayton, Ohio, and before he retired, he owned three agencies. In the 10 years my dad spent hiring men for the Tribune, his successes outnumbered his failures, and the men he hired remained his friends even after he became circulation manager and no longer oversaw their work. My grandfather was a civil engineer, and he hired men who had to work with their hands as well as their minds. He followed a simple rule: train a man well, and if the man had a problem, train him again, but if the man failed after being retrained, my grandfather would fire him. Over a period of many years, my grandfather and his crews built roads and bridges throughout the Chicago area, and they
JOHN
were on tight schedules that did not allow room for errors. When my family decided to build a patio in our backyard in 1954, my grandfather hired a crew that had worked for him for 20 years. I remember watching the men work. They took no needless breaks, and they worked steadily until the job was completed, on schedule. My uncle Gene was an industrial engineer who worked as plant manager at Victor Gasket at Central and Roosevelt. His attitude toward hiring and retaining men was the same as my grandfather’s.
STANGER
Thoughts
They sneak in the midnight stealth of night, Or burst with joy in wakeful delight, Dragged from a memory of upset and sorrow, Or flown from a beauteous dream of tomorrow. Sometimes it seems that no one’s in charge, A mind kidnapped by strangers at large, Brain cells and neurons firing at will, Networks of pathways ready to fill, With stories of guilt, we cannot let go, Of tragic events we want others to know, That repeat and repeat and repeat forever, r, Making bad things worse and a future that at never, Can get beyond what has happened before, re, Searing actions into personal law.
The majority of the men he hired had factory experience, but one time he took a chance on a 19-year-old man who appeared to have promise. The young guy was to be trained as a fork lift operator by one of the foremen. When his brief training period was completed, he was assigned to a fork lift, but the first day, he knocked over another worker, who, fortunately, was not injured. Did Gene fire both the young man and the foreman? No, he took the time to reteach them the assigned job. Gene spent two full days re-training the two men, and then they were able to do the job correctly.
The policy of choosing the right man for the job extended to hiring tradesmen who would work at our home. The hiring process was in-depth, but when the right man was chosen, the work was excellent.
But we’re human, my friend, and that’s amazing, Let gratitude swell and always be praising, The way we endure in the face of life’s cruelty, Day after day fulfilling our duty. Next time a thought bomb explodes in your mind, Be sweet to yourself — to yourself be kind. Think of a better feeling thought, Be your best coach, give a good report, You’ve done so well and come so far, You’ve oft had the courage to raise the bar. Let’s wear our masks at a safe social distance, Guiding to peaceful coexistence. g our thoughts g p
Val Gee Oak Park
But harken, the neuroscientists say, We can change our thoughts, there is a way, Get up and out of that comfort zone, Lock up the TV, get off that phone, Have a routine that includes meditation, Seriously, they say it can change a nation. n. Go for a walk, read a book, hum a tune, Sing in the shower, it’s such a boon. Laugh and have fun even when things seem em gloomy, There’s plenty of time to spend in your roomy. oomy. Agreed that last line does not make sense, e, But why make everything so intense? At the end of life’s journey no one will care, are, If we broke a dish or tripped on a stair, It’s easy to think we could have done better, ter, Followed the good path to the letter,
Rodin’s sculpture, “The Thinker”
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V I E W P O I N T S C O N S C I O U S
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
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A G I N G
Let’s not stay invisible!
I
t’s local election season. Do you care what the candidates who want to represent us think of older people? If they even think of us at all? Do you want to educate the candidates about what is important to older people, about what is important to you? Arbor West Neighbors is hosting three “Meet The Candidates” discussions, online, during February. The topic is “issues important to older people in our neighborhood.” The format will be Q&A discussions as the candidates respond one-by-one. ■ Oak Park Village President and Trustee Candidates – Thursday, Feb. 11, 7-8:30 p.m. ■ River Forest Village President and Trustee Candidates – Thursday, Feb. 18, 7-8:30 p.m. ■ OP Township and RF Township Trustee Candidates – Thursday, Feb. 25, 7-8:30 p.m. For more information or to submit candidate questions, contact Ed Solan at
edsolan@gmail.com or call 708-870-9420. You can participate by using Zoom Meeting ID: 816 5335 5209. Passcode: AWN. (Audio only: 1-312-6266799 – Passcode: 410601) Another topic of current interest is how to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Oak Park Department of Public Health has issued the following statement: “The Oak Park Department of Public Health has launched an online vaccine pre-registration form for individuals who live or work here and may be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as part of Phase 1b of the state’s vaccine distribution plan. “The pre-registration form is available at www.oak-park.us/vaccine and is intended
to be completed only by people who are eligible as part of Phase 1b, a group that includes individuals age 65 and older and frontline essential workers such as K-12 teachers, licensed daycare staff, grocery store clerks, pharmacy workers, transit employees, mail carriers and delivery drivers … “Should you need help completing this online form, please call Oak Park Township Senior Services at 708-434-4298 for assistance. All other vaccine allocation inquiries should be addressed to the Health Department via email at covid19vaccine@oak-park.us. “Due to the currently limited amount of vaccine supply, if you qualify to be in Phase 1b, you still may not be able to get vaccinated for several months.” Finally, the next Wabi Sabi Film Festival
MARC BLESOFF
will screen the movie Duty Free on Friday, Feb. 12 at 10 a.m. This movie is the strong and heartfelt gift of director Sian-Pierre Regis to his mother, Rebecca. Ageism and financial insecurity in America are pervasive. Older people are invisible in our communities, workplaces, and, sometimes, within our own families. Rebecca worked every day of her life as a hotel housekeeper/supervisor to give her two sons, Sian-Pierre and Gabriel, every opportunity life could afford. When it was time for Sian-Pierre to go to college, she even cashed out her 401K to give him the best education possible. But when she was suddenly fired from her job at age 75, Rebecca was left with nothing: no savings, no safety net, and no future job prospects. Director Sian-Pierre Regis will join us following the movie for a Q&A discussion. Register for free at eventbrite.com/d/online/duty-free.
O B I T U A R I E S
Carl Schalk, 91
Composer and music professor Carl Flentge Schalk, 91, of Melrose Park, noted composer of sacred music and professor of music at Concordia University in River Forest, died on Jan. 24, 2021. Born Sept. 26, 1929, Dr. Schalk was an elementary school teacher and director of music at Zion Lutheran Church and School in Wausau, Wisconsin, from 1952 to 1958; a former director of music for the radio broadcast, The Lutheran Hour in St. Louis, from 1958 to 1965; and most recently was a professor of church music at Concordia Teachers College, now Concordia University Chicago, until his retirement in 1993. Carl was the husband of the late Noël Donata Schalk; the father of Jan Westrick, Rebecca (Edward) Nagel, and Timothy (the Rev. Ingrid) Schalk; the grandfather of Brian and Peter Westrick, Samuel Nagel and Aaron (Tasha) Schalk; brother of the late Jane (the late Junius) Fischer; uncle of many; and son of the late Erich and Elsie Schalk. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Center for Church Music at Concordia University Chicago and the Bach Cantata Vespers at Grace Lutheran Church are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.
Mike Feuerabend, 73 Dolores Traeger, 85 Longtime member of First Baptist Church
Longtime employee of West Sub Hospital
Michael F. Feuerabend, 73, of Berwyn, died on Jan. 26, 2021. Born on Nov. 26, 1947, he was a veteran of the U.S. Army in Vietnam. A graduate of University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, he retired in 2016 from Finch Paper after 22 years of service. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Oak Park where he was a former moderator, and Stephen Ministry leader. He was also active with the Polish Legion of American Veterans in Chicago. Mike Feuerabend was the husband of Elaine Tuber Feuerabend; the father of Jason (fiancée Lisa Jose) and Lindsey Feuerabend; and was “Big Mike” to Jackson Jose. A celebration of Mike’s life will be held later when conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Lurie Children’s Hospital (luriechildrens.org) or The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.
Dolores “DD” Traeger, 85, of Oak Park died on Jan. 26, 2021. Born on June 29, 1935, she worked for West Suburban Hospital for over 45 years before her retirement. DD Traeger was the daughter of the late Joseph and Maude Traeger; the sister of the late Eugene (the late Mary), Dorothy (the late Richard) Wiora, Darline (the late George) Doyle and Donna Ziccarelli; and the aunt, great-aunt and great-great-aunt of many. A visitation was held Feb. 1 at Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was celebrated Feb. 2 at St. Giles Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Make A Wish Foundation (wish.org) are appreciated.
David, Amanda (Darren) Alman, Charles, and Adam (Lindsay) Schaal; the grandfather of Jonathan, Susanna, Lacey, and Victoria Alman, and Noelle and Dominic Schaal; the brother of John Eric (Susan) Schaal, Susan (David) McCloskey, Martha Joyce, and the late Carolyn Schaal; and the uncle and great-uncle of many. Services were held on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at Ascension Church, followed by private interment. Arrangements were handled by ConboyWestchester Funeral Home.
Frederick Schaal, 82 Frederick J. Schaal, 82, of Oak Park and River Forest, died on Jan. 30, 2021. Born on Oct. 9, 1938, he was the former husband of Mary Grace; the father of James,
advertise • 708-524-8300 • www.OakPark.cOm
34
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021 New local ads this week
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
WEDNESDAY
CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/Classified/
YOUR WEEKLY AD
REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO
Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED
SENIOR SERVICES
CITY RENTALS
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF OF EMS & INFECTIOUS DISEASE The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Fire Chief of EMS & Infectious Disease in the Fire Department. This position will direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services and Infectious Disease Division; to coordinate assigned activities with other Village departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Fire Chief and Public Health Director when assigned. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be February 21, 2021.
SENIOR SERVICES At We All Care Home Care Agency we offer in home care services in senior. We make sure you or your family member safe and comfortable in their home. We assistant with cooking, cleaning, transportation, assistant with vitals, Medication reminder and much more. Feel free to call 773-827-4543
DELUXE 3BR APT 5955 W HURON First Floor. Large kitchen, all electric appliances. Near West Suburban Hospital. Near all public trans. $1150/mo. Call 773-637-8677 for appt.
OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223
HANDYMAN Part time, on call Handyman for snow, yard work and odd jobs. Nice old Brookfield Couple needs help. Call 708-341-4077.
SELLING YOUR HOME BY OWNER? Call Us For Advertising Rates! 708/613-3333
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST HEPHZIBAH CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE Hephzibah Children’s Association is a renowned social service agency in Oak Park, IL that has been helping children thrive and families flourish through innovative community-based programs. The Day Care Program is accepting applications for February – June, 2021 school year. We seek individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children. Positions are Monday through Friday from 12:15 – 6:00 pm. Responsibilities include assisting with and monitoring e-learning, supervising arts and crafts, activities, sports, group games, and indoor and outdoor play, lunch and snack, and homework help.
SUBURBAN RENTALS
SUBURBAN RENTALS
OFFICE & RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011
SUBURBAN RENTALS
M&M
property management, inc.
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:
• Minimum of 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work, or related college courses • Experience working with children If you are interested please contact: Amy O’Rourke, Director of Day Care by email at: aorrouke@hephzibahhome.org include letter of interest and resume. Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We value, advocate for and support diversity throughout our organization. We embrace a respectful, multicultural, environment for employees and the clients we serve. You Have Jobs. We Have Readers! Find The Best Employees With Wednesday Classified! Call 708/613-3333
Ceiling Fans Installed
Let an American Veteran do your work
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
FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com
HANDYMAN 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
708-296-2060
CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair
FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small
HANDYMAN 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.
ITEMS FOR SALE
CEMETERY PLOTS
RALPH LAUREN KING SIZE COMFOTER Ralph Lauren Allison pattern King size comforter used as bedspread. 3 huge matching custom-made shams. 708-386-6160
WANTED TO BUY
4 FOREST HOME CEMETERY PLOTS 4 Forest Home cemetery plots available together or separately. Easy access and exit, in desirable Garden Sec. 61, Lot 342-A spaces 1,2,3,4. $1650 each, transfer costs not included. Call 847-468-0013 and leave message
WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333
ELECTRICAL
A&A ELECTRIC
708-488-9411
The program begins in February and will be in Oak Park, IL serving 5-11-year-old (K-5th grade) children. The program will follow the safety guidelines of the IDPH regarding face masks, social distancing and cleaning & disinfecting. Requirements include:
ELECTRICAL
Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates
773-637-0692 Ask for John
Buying? Selling? Renting? Hiring? Wednesday Classified 708-613-3333
HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING
Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404
HAUL AWAY
JUNK
Clean out your basement, garage or attic.
773-637-0692 Ask for John
HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience
FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.
708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000
Lost & Found, Items For Sale and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342
PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost
708.749.0011
PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.
Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services
708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed
Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years
REFINISHING Terry's
Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood
and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com
PETS While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home
cat calls
Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986
Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References
524-1030
PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is 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: Y21005627 on January 14, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of CHAD KEAST HAIR with the business located at: 31 G HARRISON ST, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CHAD KEAST 1028 RANDOLPH ST 1NW OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021
LEGAL NOTICE SERRANO LEGAL SOLUTIONS, LLC Attorney for Petitioner P. O. Box 3581 Oak Park, IL 60303 Attorney for Petitioner STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of LAURA VALDEZ, Petitioner and LINO CHIMALPOPOCA-ABARCA, Respondent, Case No. 2021D430022 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 February 19, 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 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021
Attention! Homeimprovement pros!
Reach the people making the decisions – your target demographic. Place an ad in Wednesday Classifieds! Call 708/613-3342
P
PB
The Landmark, February 3, 2021
CLASSIFIED
35
(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM
Let the sun shine in...
Public Notice: Your right to know
In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLIONIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of JULIAN RICHARD ANDREOTTI Case Number 2020CONC000961 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Julian Richard Andreotti to the new name of: Julian Richard Topete-Andreotti The court date will be held: On February 17, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing. ZOOM MEETING ID:970 3250 0245 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 895226 CALL IN: 3126266799 Published in Wednesday Journal 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021
The Landmark, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
NOTICE OF DOCUMENT AVAILABILITY NOTICE is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Draft Program Year 2019 Comprehensive Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (Draft CAPER) will be available for public review and comment during business hours from February 4-18, 2021 on the Village’s website on the HousingGrants webpage and at Village Hall, 123 Madison Street. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed. Program Year 2019 ran from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. As a recipient of federal funding under the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant and Section 108 Loan Guarantee Programs, the Village is required to submit annual performance reports to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Any comments concerning the Draft CAPER should be submitted in writing to grants@oak-park.us by 5 p.m., February 18, 2021.
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project: 2021 STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS This project will include the replacement of concrete curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveway aprons, and drainage structures, pavement widening, installation of 1,750’ of 8” DIP water main, replacement of certain sections of combined sewers, milling and resurfacing certain pavements, landscaping disturbed areas, and performing other related work. Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 24th day of February, 2021, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 24th day of February, 2021, at the Village Hall. Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, the 17th day of February, 2021. All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. All bidders must provide proof that they are prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform at least 40% of the value of the work before being issued bidding documents. A non-refundable fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents
from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not be less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check. Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village. In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be mailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued. The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Village of Brookfield reserves the rights to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3 Plaintiff, -v.CHARLES T. GRANT, JUANITA J. GRANT, THE PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2019CH14912 6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413 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 November 5, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 11, 2021, 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 6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-428-0431030, Property Index No. 16-18428-043-1054
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. 14-19-11626 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH14912 TJSC#: 40-2378 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 # 2019CH14912 I3163568
local employees... happy employees!
BY ORDER THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS
Published in RB Landmark 02/03/2021
Published in Wednesday Journal February 3, 2021
Starting a new business in 2021? Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342
Hire Local. Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s
Local Online Job Board. Go to RiverForest.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 • maryellen@RiverForest.com
36
Wednesday Journal, February 3, 2021
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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For more information, contact: determine options. For more financing information, contact: Ahkeem Henderson
For more information, contact: Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS# 224387 5310 W Cermak Rd Ahkeem Henderson Cicero, IL 60804 Ahkeem Henderson Mortgage Loan Officer o: (708) 466-2017 Mortgage Loan NMLS# 224387 Officer e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com NMLS# 224387 5310 W Cermak Rd www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem 5310 W Cermak Rd Cicero, IL 60804 AhkeemCicero, Henderson IL 60804 1 Program only available to medical doctors who have a minimum degree of M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. and proof o: (708) 466-2017 Mortgage Loan Officer o: (708) 466-2017 of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com NMLS#e: 224387 reserves. Minimum reserves required are 2 months PITI plus 1 month for each payment due between the first payment www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem
due dateRd to when employment begins. 5310 W Cermak 1 12Loan-to value (LTV) financing options vary based on customer FICO score. only available minimumdegree degreeofofM.D., M.D., D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. proof Cicero, Program IL Program 60804 only availabletotomedical medicaldoctors doctors who who have have aa minimum D.O., D.M.D., D.V.M., or D.D.S. andand proof of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and of sufficient income or employment contract. Active employment contract required with proof of sufficient income and o: (708) 466-2017 All loans are subject to application and credit approval, satisfactory appraisal, and title insurance. Terms, conditions, and reserves. Minimum reserves required are 2 months PITI plus 1 month for each payment due between the first payment reserves. Minimum reserves required are 2 months PITI plus 1 month for each payment due between the first payment e: ahkeem.k.henderson@huntington.com loan programs are subject to change duedue date to to when employment begins. date when employment begins.without notice. Other terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply. 2 2 www-auth.hban.us/mortgage/henderson-ahkeem Loan-to value (LTV) financing options on customer customerFICO FICOscore. score. Loan-to value (LTV) financing optionsvary vary based based on The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. a®, Huntington® and aHuntington.®
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