Wednesday Journal 020922

W E D N E S D A Y

February 9, 2022 Vol. 42, No. 28 ONE DOLLAR

@wednesdayjournalinc

JOURNAL

@wednesdayjournal

@oakpark

of Oak Park and River Forest

Two dropped, one added in search for OP village manager

Special section INSIDE

HOLY MOLÉ!

Offer may come late this week

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

In a topsy-turvy week in the search for a new Oak Park village manager, two of three previous finalists were dropped from consideration, a fourth candidate was added unexpectedly to the mix, interview panels were reconvened and the added candidate, Kevin Jackson of Long Beach, California, arrived in the village to see it in person.

Jackson, the deputy city manager in Long Beach, met independently with village board members on Feb. 7 before the board’s regular Monday night meeting, according to Village President Vicki Scaman.

“It seems fair to us, if we’re going to seriously consider a candidate, for them to have stepped foot in Oak Park,” she said.

Jackson has recently been a finalist for two similar positions. The Long Beach Post reported Jackson has been a finalist for top positions in Boulder, Colorado in 2021 and in Kansas City, Missouri in 2020.

How he will fare in the Oak Park race remains to be seen. Scaman said the village board will discuss the two remaining candidates at the end of the week and hopefully make a decision as to whom they will extend the job offer.

See VILLAGE MANAGER on page 12

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The former Heritage Restaurant on Madison Street in Forest Park will be the new digs for the former New Rebozo, soon to be N Rebozo. Chef Paco is moving west. Read story on page 11.

West Sub loses accreditation on doctor training program Second residency program now on probation

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

West Suburban Medical Center’s internal medicine residency program will end June 30, following the withdrawal of its

accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. The hospital was notified of ACGME’s determination Jan. 26, but hospital officials at the corporate level said in a statement last week they do not yet have details as to why

the council made the decision.

“While we are disappointed by the news, we are evaluating options for retaining the accreditation or creating a new residency See WEST SUB on page 13

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Oak Park schools hold tight on masks; students, staff comply State appeals ruling of Sangamon County judge

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

It was face masks on as usual for students in area schools on Monday despite a ruling

by Sangamon County Circuit Court Judge Raylene Grischow on Feb. 4 that Gov. J.B. Pritzker lacked the legal authority to require that students in Illinois schools wear face masks.

Grischow’s ruling came in a case involving two lawsuits. One suit was filed by parents against 146 Illinois school districts arguing that Pritzker’s executive order requiring mask in schools and other COVID mitigation rules were not legal. Another case was filed by school employees against 21 school districts and argued that vaccination and testing requirements for school employees ordered by Pritzker were not legal.

However, since Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, Oak Park Elementary District 97 or River Forest District 90 were not named in either lawsuit district officials in those districts say that Grischow’s ruling does not apply to them and they are still requiring students and teachers to wear face masks in school.

“Oak Park and River Forest High School is not named in the lawsuit,” OPRF Superintendent Greg Johnson wrote in an email to families on Sunday. “As a result, there are no changes to our existing safety mitigations.

All students, employees, and visitors must continue to comply with these measures. We are in consultation with our attorneys and will update you on any related developments as a result of the appeal.”

Superintendents in District 97 and District 90 sent out very similarly worded emails to their families over the weekend.

Officials in all three districts did not report any cases of students refusing to wear masks in the wake of the judge’s ruling, which is be-

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ing appealed. Some school districts in Illinois opted to make mask mearing optional while many others continued to require masks.

“We had no issue with students refusing to wear masks today,” said Karin Sullivan, OPRF spokesperson.

At District 97, spokesperson Amanda Siegfried said, “We are not aware of any issues at our schools today. Our students and staff have always done a great job following our COVID-19 mitigations and keeping each other safe in school.”

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Between Virgil and Dr. Carter G. Woodson

B

lack History Month is not racist.

I am compelled to say this because racism, as with so much else in America today, has entered its Orwellian moment. You see, white people are the real victims of discriminatory systems and practices. Donald Trump is the ideological heir of Martin Luther King.

On a slightly different note, I learned something yesterday while reading a pair of essays by the memoirist Daniel Mendelsohn. Contrary to what you may hear all month long (“if we don’t learn from the past, we’re doomed to repeat it”), humans are bound to repeat the past whether we know about it or not. And we’re bound to do what we will, despite signs that may portend our fates.

“Since the end of the first century AD, people have been playing a game with a certain book,” Mendelsohn wrote in a 2018 essay, “Epic Fail?”

“In the game, you open the book to a random spot and place your finger on the text; the passage you select will, it is thought, predict your future.”

The game is called the sortes vergilianae.

“Sortes” is Latin for “lots,” as in “drawing lots,” a reference, Mendelsohn teaches, to the game’s element of chance. The latter word is the Latin adjective that means having to do with the famous Roman poet Virgil. The book that “was a magnet for the figures of the great and powerful” who played the sortes vergilianae was Virgil’s Aeneid, the famous epic about the founding of Rome.

The first person known to play the game was an elite Roman worried about whether he’d ever be chosen emperor. He reportedly opened the Aeneid and put his fingers on the following passage: “I recognize that he is that king of Rome, gray headed, gray bearded, who will formulate the laws for the early city …” The Roman’s name was Hadrian, emperor from 117 to 138 AD. Charles I is said to have played the game during the English Civil War and “was alarmed to find that he’d placed his finger on a passage that concluded, “But let him die before his time, and lie / Somewhere unburied on a lonely beach.” Of course, Charles I lost not only his kingdom, but his head.

Here’s the thing, though, did reading that passage and knowing the game’s predictive powers stop Charles’ fatal war with Parliament?

Similarly, there’s a cottage industry built on the weirdly suicidal obsession America has with Rome’s fall, as if we already know how this “experiment in democracy” ends. Indeed, the ending was baked into the beginning.

Mendelsohn points out that “from the moment it appeared,” Virgil’s Aeneid “was the paradigmatic classic in Western art and education,” influencing everyone from Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson to John

Adams and his son John Quincy, who apparently translated the entire epic.

But if Founding Fathers, would-be presidents, and political statesmen considered Virgil’s poem a lesson in “the inevitability of imperial dominance, the responsibilities of authoritarian rule, the importance of duty and self-abnegation in the service to the state,” in an era of imperial decline, the poem has become an “embarrassment,” Mendelsohn writes.

Scholars now find in the Aeneid “a tale of nationalistic arrogance whose plot is an all-too-familiar-handbook for repressive violence: once Aeneas and his fellow Trojans arrive on the coast of Italy, they find that they must fight a series of wars with an indigenous population that, eventually, they brutally subjugate.”

Speaking of wars. One of the most ironic aspects of our current culture wars is just how negligible culture’s role seems to be in the fighting. I challenge you to identify someone who stridently believes that Western culture and values are disappearing from our schools, only to be replaced by Critical Race Theory, and ask that person if they can remember a single line from the Aeneid. What book in the Western literary cannon have they read in the last decade? Do they know the difference between Homer and Virgil?

In the same vein, ask a strident multiculturalist, who (rightly) demands, for instance, that schools incorporate more minority authors into their curricula, if they’ve read The Mis-Education of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Negro History Week (now Black History Month).

For those who may have a predisposition to yelling “reverse racism!” in response to anything that doesn’t center whiteness, ask them if they know that Black History Month was, from its inception, an exercise in racial reconciliation, in radical inclusion, but (and here’s the kicker) on Black people’s terms.

Woodson chose February for his commemoration because it was the month in which Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born. But it wasn’t supposed to be a month dedicated merely to celebrating great individuals. Woodson knew that Lincoln didn’t end slavery all by himself. Groups of people, especially Black people, fought to bring down that evil institution.

Woodson also understood the importance of Black people building institutions of our own. Before the “1619 Project,” there was The Journal of Negro History, established in 1916

by Woodson’s Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which was formed the previous year and still exists (it’s now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History).

The association “set a theme for the annual celebration, and provided study materials — pictures, lessons for teachers, plays for historical performances, and posters of

MICHAEL ROMAIN

important dates and people. Provisioned with a steady flow of knowledge, high schools in progressive communities formed Negro History Clubs,” the Zinn Education Project reminds us. Even some white schools adopted the study materials.

And you know who else memorized the Aeneid? Successive generations of Black people, particularly Black leaders like Woodson, who despite being educated in the largely segregated 19th and early 20th centuries were steeped in the study of the classical rhetoricians.

Scholars Kenneth Goings and Eugene O’Connor have shown that, for many Blacks, “a classical, liberal arts education provided tools of empowerment.”

In fact, Woodson, the founder of Negro History Month and the second Black person to earn a PhD in history from Harvard (W.E.B. DuBois was the first) most certainly had an intellectual intimacy and familiarity with classical Western culture.

Henry Louis Gates Jr., Cornel West, Angela Davis, Greg Carr, Maulana Karenga, Lani Guinier, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Toni Morrison. All of these people helped push colleges and universities and other cultural institutions to incorporate Black culture. They helped form the basis of (actual) Critical Race Theory and founded holidays like Kwanzaa.

They also studied classical literature.

Many of them learned Greek and Latin. Most whites may remember Davis (if they remember her at all) from her FBI wanted poster.

They forget she studied French at Brandeis and philosophy in Germany. These so-called radical Blacks are familiar with Western culture in a way that many people arguing about its disappearance and advocating against CRT are not.

I don’t think we’re doomed to repeat the past because we’re ignorant about it. I think hubris dooms us. Americans throughout the years have read Aeneid and wanted to be Aeneas, the Trojan hero. That tendency has given us leaders like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

Just about every American knows deep down that there is nothing to stop this empire’s decline and fall. So we do what we can: we relish the ending. Unfortunately, our days of relishing with grace are gone.

In another essay, “JFK, Tragedy, Myth,” Mendelsohn recalls the moment in April 1968, when Robert F. Kennedy, campaigning in a poor Black neighborhood in Indianapolis, broke the news that Martin Luther King had been assassinated.

“My favorite poet was Aeschylus,” Kennedy said, before reciting a passage of Oresteia: “Even in our sleep, pain which cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, until, in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God.” Tragically, Kennedy himself, like his brother before him, would be assassinated just two months later, and his words to that Indianapolis audience (“Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle

Carter G. Woodson the life of this world”) would be the epitaph etched on his tombstone.

“And so the present keeps replaying the past, repeating those old stories, the narratives that lurk behind the plays and myths, tales and characters so hardwired into our cultural circuitry that we can forget why we knew them in the first place,” Mendelsohn writes. “But when they reappear, we recognize them.”

Or not. We’ve become a country in which the classics no longer console or instruct — a point Mendelsohn inadvertently makes in “Epic Fail?” Many years after RFK’s graceful Greek-infused soliloquy, a quotation from the Aeneid was etched into the Memorial Hall of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.

Readers today have “a very strange relationship” to Virgil, a work “we feel we should embrace but often keep at arm’s length. Take the quote in the 9/11 Museum: ‘No day shall erase you from the memory of time.’

“Whoever came up with the idea of using it was clearly ignorant of the context: these high-minded words are addressed to a pair of nighttime marauders whose bloody ambush of a group of unsuspecting targets suggests that they have far more in common with the September 11 terrorists than with their victims. A century ago, many a college undergrad could have caught the gaffe; today, it was enough to have an impressive-sounding quote from an unacknowledged classic.”

How do we reconcile a classic like the Aeneid, a virtual paean for authoritarians, with the better angels of our nature? How can the classics again console and instruct?

This Black History Month, read up on how classical education empowered people who, at one point or another, this white, Western world has considered radical Black separatists — people like King, Woodson, DuBois, Davis, Karenga, Morrison, Carr, Wright, Gates and West.

They can show us the way.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Nineteenth Century Book Club

February 9-16

BIG WEEK

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 5 p.m., via Zoom On the third Wednesday of every month, Linda Bonner hosts a discussion of books from the Nineteenth Century. Copies of all books discussed are obtainable through the Oak Park Dole Branch Library. This is an open group that meets via Zoom and all are welcome. https://us02web.zoom. us/j/82802787269.

Chair Yoga Tuesday, Feb. 15, 12:30-1 p.m., virtually through Oak Park Public Library This event is a great way to keep your mind focused, while relaxing your body and improving your flexibility and strength. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

The Three Baritones: A Valentine’s Day Gift For You

TechGirlz Workshop: How to Stay Safe Online Saturday, Feb. 12, 11:30 a.m. -1:30 p.m., virtually through Oak Park Public Library

This special workshop teaches students in grades 5-8 how to use the Internet safely. (Students will need access to a computer and internet.)

Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

13 Tikis/Erin Edmister & Three Tons

Monday, Feb. 14, 1:15 p.m., Ballroom, Nineteenth Century Club Vocalists Jess Koehn, Evan Bravos, and Antonio Quaranta, accompanied by pianist Jonathan Gmeinder, will sing songs from different genres that appropriately express love on this longestablished holiday.

EVAN BRAVOS Free for members, a $15 donation is requested from non-members. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park

Words on Wednesday: Hidden Valley Wednesday, Feb. 16, 1-2 p.m., virtually through Oak Park Public Library This special event discusses Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker, a book about a midcentury American family with 12 children, six of whom are diagnosed with schizophrenia, eventually becoming an important stepping stone in understanding the disease.

Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

Joel Paterson Trio

Friday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m., Outta Space It might be a cold weekend in the middle of February, but good surf music knows no seasonal bounds. The band 13 Tikis conjures up the summertime feeling even when the wind chill factor is in full effect.

Also along for the ride: Erin Edmister & Three Tons, a country quartet who will honky-tonk your blues away. 6840 32nd St., Berwyn.

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s If you can’t get enough of Joel Paterson’s fine guitar licks with the Western Elstons, he also has his own trio that demolishes the gap between jazz, rockabilly and Western Swing. 6615 Roosevelt Road., Berwyn.

Memory Cafe Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2-3:30 p.m., virtually through OP library This event is designed for individuals who live with memory loss (along with their care partners). The Memory Cafe provides a way to connect through conversation and activities. The Memory Cafe is a partnership of Oak Park Township Senior Services, River Forest Public Library, and Oak Park Public Library. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

Western Elstons Saturday, Feb. 12, 9 p.m., FitzGerald’s The Chicago area isn’t exactly hurting for country music these days. The Western Elstons are one of the most traditional local acts in that field, with plenty of roadhouse stomp to go around. Featuring Casey McDonough (bass), Scott Ligon (rhythm guitar), Joel Paterson (lead guitar) and Alex Hall (drums), all incredible musicians in their own right. 6615 Roosevelt Road., Berwyn.

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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HE MADE THE JOURNEY WITH ALL OF US. Forest Park Bank pays tribute to Don Offermann.

Mr. Offermann ser ved the Bank as Senior Vice President for over 20 Years.

He was a beloved member of the Forest Park Bank family.

We will miss him.

DON OFFERMANN 1937-2021

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After 3 generations, Dressel’s Ace finds new owner Todd Dressel stays on at 99-year-old, family-owned store

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

For just shy of 100 years, Oak Park residents have been going to Dressel’s Hardware, 1137 Chicago Ave., for their home improvement needs. The Oak Park staple has been in the hands of the Dressel family for three generations – but soon, the store will be operating under a different name.

Dressel’s Hardware has been sold to Olson’s Ace Hardware, an Ace franchise group owned by Daniel Olson which has locations in Franklin Park, Park Ridge and Waukegan. Following the end of the Dressel’s closeout sale, the shop will undergo renovation next month to convert it into an Olson’s Ace Hardware location.

While the floor plan will be rearranged and new product lines brought in, loyal Dressel’s customers will be pleased to know that some of the store’s family charm will remain. About five Dressel’s employees are staying on staff, including a member of the Dressel family.

“I’m very excited because I’m staying,” said Todd Dressel, who co-owned Dressel’s Hardware store with his brother Bob, who plans to retire after spending a commendable 50 years in the family business.

The transition from co-owner to employee will be a welcome one for Dressel, who told Wednesday Journal he is not in the least bit sad to lose the responsibilities associated with owning a business. Such responsibilities include minimal time off.

“I’m looking forward to that change,” said Dressel.

The sale will preclude Dressel’s Hardware from achieving its 100-year milestone, but there will still be a centennial of sorts

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

FIXTURES: Brothers Bob, left, and Todd Dressel, outside Dressel’s Hardware store on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park. to celebrate. With Dressel staying on as an Ace employee, the Dressel family will have served the hardware needs of Oak Park for a total of 100 years – all spent in the same

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A TIGHT FIT: The aisles at Dressel’s were notoriously narrow... but well stocked.

storefront.

Dressel has 40 years of experience working at his family’s hardware store, which his grandfather Charles A. Dressel opened in 1923. The store was expanded under his father, Raymond Dressel. One of his earliest jobs at the family hardware store was moving a pile of bricks out behind the shop during the expansion. Dressel was only six or seven years old.

“I made a penny a brick,” he recalled.

Raymond Dressel retired in the early 1980s and enjoyed about a decade of retirement before his death. Dressel and his two brothers took over the store following their father’s retirement. He and Bob Dressel have been the sole Dressel’s in charge since 2018. That is when their eldest brother Chuck died.

When a business has been in operation for as long as Dressel’s Hardware has, it is only natural that long-time customers become more like friends and employees more like family. In the days since the sale was announced, several loyal patrons and former employees have stopped in to say hello and reminisce about time spent there.

In a letter sent to customers announcing the sale and thanking them for their support, Dressel honored the many people who worked at Dressel’s Hardware during its 99

years in business. Ronald Rogers and Rob Zelton, who spent decades working at the hardware store, were mentioned by name, as were Charles Dressel, Raymond Dressel and Chuck Dressel.

While Olson did not respond to requests for comment, Dressel believes Olson will be able to honor the legacy of Dressel’s Hardware as Olson’s Ace Hardware is also a longstanding family business. Olson’s grandfather John Killinger opened the family’s first hardware store in 1948. Killinger then sold the business in 1970 to his daughter Joan and her husband Donald Olson, Olson’s parents.

Olson’s Ace Hardware will celebrate 75 years in business next year. Its status as a long-running family business sweetened the sale for Dressel and his brother.

“When you’re in business that long, you build up a lot of trust with your clientele,” said Dressel.

As an employee, Dressel intends to help Olson win the trust of Oak Park shoppers.

In the meantime, he and his brother are focused on making the transition smooth for not just Olson, but for their customers too.

“We definitely cherish them,” said Dressel. “We have gained a lot of friendship through this business.”

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Put away the pencils: SAT to go digital School officials say changes to the college entrance exam are a plus

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Major changes are underway for the SAT college entrance exam, according to the College Board. Recently, the board announced the SATs will soon shift to a digital format, telling future test-takers to ditch those No. 2 pencils. The new exam will also be shorter – two hours, instead of three offering “more time per question,” the board stated in a news release.

Local school officials at Oak Park and River Forest High School and Fenwick High School see upsides to the coming adjustments to testing.

Changes to the exam will fully take effect by 2024 and includes shorter reading passages with one question tied to each passage.

The board indicated the passages will encompass a range of topics representative of the work students read in college, and testtakers will be allowed to use calculators all throughout the math section. Students and educators will also receive scores back in days rather than in weeks, the news release also stated. The College Board also noted that other standardized tests for high school students, including the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10

and PSAT/NMSQT, will be offered digitally within the next two years.

Karin Sullivan, a spokeswoman at Oak Park River Forest High School District 200, said district officials viewed the College Board’s recent changes as positive ones.

“Colleges and universities are depending less and less on one score to determine admission, and more things in general are moving to an online platform. We’re happy to see the College Board evolving to adopt practices more in line with what is happening in higher education nationally,” Sullivan wrote in an emailed statement to Wednesday Journal.

Emily Anderson, a test coordinator at Fenwick High School in Oak Park, mirrored some of Sullivan’s thoughts and anticipated the new exams may be easier to administer, and she, like many others, will no longer have to worry about packaging the SAT books on testing day.

“You don’t have to verify how many test scores you have, how many test books you have [and] make sure everything is ordered and packed up,” Anderson said. “As a test coordinator, I might be more prone to do more test dates if they’re offered just because it is easier, and you’re not giving up as much of

your Saturday as you would otherwise if it’s a shorter test.”

The College Board’s announcement came in time as a new state law surrounding SAT and ACT scores took effect earlier this month. Under new Illinois law, students now have the option to disclose their entrance exam scores on college applications for state schools. Led by state Sen. Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and state Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis), the new law served as a way to break down the barriers of the college admissions process for students, especially for those from low-income communities.

Prior to the law and the COVID-19 pandemic, three of the state’s 12 four-year public universities – Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Western Illinois University – already enacted a test-optional policy.

As Sullivan and Anderson reflected on the upcoming changes to the SAT, they also talked about how SATs were administered over the course of the pandemic. Back in March 2020, when the first wave of the pandemic hit, the SATs were cancelled that spring and rescheduled later that fall.

“It was by far a challenge,” Anderson re-

called, adding the challenges came in tenfold by the time the rescheduled test took place in September 2020. Anderson told the Journal Fenwick was a national testing site, which meant they welcomed in other high school students looking to take the college entrance exam.

Before entering the building to take the test, Anderson said students were required to fill out a COVID-19 questionnaire. Because of social distancing, there were about 12 test-takers in the classrooms, and the school had to provide more proctors, she said. After that experience, Fenwick became a “school only testing site,” meaning it will only administer the college entrance exams for its own students – at least for now.

With the SATs just around the corner, Anderson and Sullivan told the Journal that their schools are still encouraging students to take the test as some universities and colleges have yet to decide on whether they will require scores as part of the admissions process.

“We want students to have that test score,” Anderson said. “Students might find that they test high and that just could help with their admissions.”

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AN ADOPTION MYSTERY SOLVED I am adopted.

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She said that it was true that she traveled to Europe to avoid public and family scrutiny. But she also traveled abroad to sightsee and explore. She took a leave of absence from work and went on a super fun six-month European trip with a friend.

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Mystery solved. Science confirmed. My birth mother’s joyful pregnancy likely has contributed to my positive thinking and sunny disposition.

Positive thinking has vast benefits. It reduces stress and sadness, increases life span, decreases depression, increases our immune systems, and many others.

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3. Follow that negative thought with a happy thought from your Happy List. After a few days, the number of negative thoughts and feelings often decreases.

4. Make a conscious and planned effort to think positive thoughts at least one point in the day. For example, plan to think positive thoughts on the way to the grocery store.

5. Don’t judge yourself. Everyone has lots of unhappy and negative thoughts throughout the day.

6. Combine this task with smiling. Yes, smiling. Force a smile on your face as you bring your happy thought to your mind. This will help erase the effects of the negative thoughts.

Some of us are born positive thinkers and some of us are not. Luckily, we are not stuck being negative thinkers. We can change. Similarly, we can change from not having an estate plan to checking estate plan off our to do list. Just like positive thinking has its life benefits, so does having an estate plan.

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Make a lasting impression honoring your Valentine and supporting the Community Recreation Center pdop.org/tributepaverbrick

Give your loved one a tribute paver at the gateway of the new Community Recreation Center.

The Parks Foundation of Oak Park invites you to donate an engraved tribute paver brick to help us reach our fundraising goal and leave a lasting imprint at the gateway to the Community Recreation Center.

FILE

Oak Park Public Library Main Branch

Oak Park library gets $22K grant from state Secretary of State, and State Librarian, Jesse White distributed nearly $6M in the pandemic assistance

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

The Oak Park Public Library was among 211 academic, school, special and public libraries that recently received nearly $6 million in grants from Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White.

The grants were designed to help state libraries respond “directly to the COVID-19 pandemic by modifying services, transforming spaces and developing resources for their local recovering workforce.”

The Oak Park library got $22,000 in grant funds.

“During the ongoing pandemic, libraries have had to retool their services to match the needs of the community and I am hon-

ored to be able to provide funding to allow these libraries to expand access to their patrons,” White explained in a statement.

“I applaud the library community in Illinois for their hard work as they continue to provide essential services during this challenging time,” he said.

The funding, which totaled $5,740,350, came from a combination of funding sources, including the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), which were allocated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In addition, state technology funds were also used “to maximize the statewide impact,” White said.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Purchase a paver brick in honor of your business, organization, a family member, or in memory of a loved one.

Proceeds from the paver brick sales will go towards the Community Recreation Center Capital Campaign and costs of the paver bricks are tax deductible.

Visit pdop.org/tributepaverbrick to purchase your brick!

PARKS FOUNDATION

o f O A K PA R K

Parks Foundation of Oak Park 501c3

parksfoundationop.org

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Four local lawmakers talk shop at District 97 panel Students’ social-emotional needs, state funding among priorities for state leaders

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Four local leaders recently came together to highlight their work surrounding education policies. On Jan. 26, over Zoom, Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park), Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), state Rep. La Shawn Ford (DChicago) and state Rep. Camille Lilly participated in a forum hosted by Oak Park District 97’s Committee for Legislative Action, Intervention and Monitoring (CLAIM). For the last nine years, CLAIM members have led a panel, inviting area lawmakers to discuss issues that may impact school districts, not only its own but many others statewide.

During the hourlong event, Lightford opened up about House Bill 2170, otherwise known as The Education and Workforce Equity Act, which was backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus and signed

by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last March. Lightford, who sponsored the legislation, broke down the act, which sought to revamp a set of education policies affecting students of color across various grade levels. Among the many efforts, the act outlined new high school graduation requirements, expanded

CAMILLE LILLY

KIMBERLY LIGHTFORD

computer literacy programs for elementary students and addressed students’ socialemotional needs. More early intervention programs, changes to education programs to rid barriers for teachers of color and a move to bring in an inclusive history course are also part of the equity act.

“We wanted to make sure there was an opportunity to adjust and promote equity and fairness and opportunity for all marginalized communities that face different impediments to their education,” Lightford told Jay Rowell, one of the panel’s moderators and CLAIM member.

The act also sought to establish the Whole Child Task Force to offer more resources for students suffering from trauma. Lightford

LASHAWN FORD

DON HARMON

said the task force was created to ensure that children in Illinois schools have access to teachers or social workers trained in restorative practices and able to support them.

Lightford said the task force is expected to release a report in the coming month and hopes the report will shed some insight on how Oak Park school districts can better support their students of color.

“Oak Park schools have always been on top of progressive legislation, and I think that is really crucial because there’s still been questions about the way African American students are not as supported in the Oak Park school district,” she said. “I’m hoping that through the Whole Child report that the definitions and suggestions that come forth

can help Oak Park school districts identify the challenges that apparently are there.”

Another topic up for discussion was whether lawmakers would add the COVID vaccine to the list of required vaccines for schools and childcare centers.

“I want to tell folks [that] at this point there is no serious conversation about mandating a vaccine for school attendance,” Harmon told viewers. “While the vaccine does appear to be safe and effective for children, the vaccines authorized for schoolaged children are still under emergency use authorization and aren’t generally approved.”

Lilly also told viewers that she and Harmon have sat in on roundtable discussions with area families and talked about concerns surrounding COVID-19 vaccines. Lilly shared parents are also worried about their children’s social-emotional needs as the pandemic continues.

“I’m very eager to have more of those conversations,” she said, adding she would also like to launch a platform for young people to talk about their experiences in this “new world.”

See D97 on page 10

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ooking for something unique (and free!) to do on Friday, February 18? Chicago’s Music of the Baroque presents the Midwest premiere of The Chevalier at the newly renovated Kehrein Center for the Arts, located at 5638 W. Washington Blvd. Written and directed by Bill Barclay, The Chevalier tells the extraordinary story of Black composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1756-1791), who lived and worked in France during the 18th century. Barclay fuses theatrical storytelling with four nationally known actors with a live orchestra to bring

A renowned master fencer in Paris, Joseph Bologne shocked Parisian audiences when he appeared on stage in 1766 as a virtuoso violinist and composer. He later became friends with Mozart and taught music to Marie Antoinette. When the French Revolution flared, Bologne returned to his military roots. “This guy’s story is hugely inspiring being as he put down his bow and picked up his sword and fought for the abolishment of slavery, when he wanted to be a composer and musician,” Barclay said. “The bravery, I felt, deserved a platform.”

Dame Jane Glover, who leads the Music of the Baroque Orchestra in The Chevalier, commented, “I am sure audiences will love to discover the rich society in which Bologne moved in 18thcentury Paris and especially the charm of

his own music. The virtuosity required to interpret some of his violin writing shows precisely what a gifted performer he was—as dashing with the violin bow as he was with his rapier.”

Janson as Marie Antoinette, and David

Up-and-coming Julliard graduate Brendon Elliott plays the role of the performing violinist Bologne, an opportunity he particularly relishes. “I think people will enjoy it, and I think it is a perfect time to have a work like this coming out,” Elliott said. “The story of Joseph Bologne is incredible, to say the least, and when we are trying to incorporate more works of minority composers or women composers, to have the true story of this man, who was so accomplished and so multi-faceted, the timing just couldn’t be more perfect.”

Christoph Willibald Glück.

The cast also features Barclay as Choderlos de Laclos, R.J. Foster in the speaking role of Bologne, Merritt

Joseph as Mozart. The live music includes excerpts from Joseph Bologne’s compositions and additional music

by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and

The free community performance of The Chevalier takes place Friday, February 18, 7:30 PM, at the Kehrein Center for the Arts (5638 W. Washington Blvd. Chicago). The performance runs for 80 minutes with no intermission.

A 15-minute talk-back with the cast will follow. Additional performances take place Saturday, February 19, at the North Shore Center in Skokie and Sunday, February 20, at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago. For more information, visit baroque.org/chevalier.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Lake and Lathrop gets funding, pays permits, begins construction

Developer closes on funding with two days to spare

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

After closing on a construction loan and with a full building permit issued, the developer of the Lake and Lathrop project in

River Forest now has 18 months to finish construction.

Village officials reported that the developer, Lake Lathrop Partners LLC, and its financial partner, Wintrust Community Bank, had closed on the construction loan Feb. 2, two days before the Feb. 4 deadline set by the River Forest Village Board Jan. 24. Elected officials reached consensus in an executive session during the Jan. 24 village board meet-

ing to grant an 11-day extension to Lake Lathrop Partners and Wintrust in response to a request for more time due to complications associated with the coronavirus pandemic that Wintrust had encountered.

Officials released the full building permit after Lake Lathrop Partners paid $170,000 to the village, the balance due on the permit fee, stating that the developer had met all of the bona fide construction requirements

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under the approved final amendment to the redevelopment agreement approved by the village board in October.

When officials ratified in October an ordinance approving the third amendment to the second amended and related redevelopment agreement, the developer was given until Jan. 23 to meet five specific requirements including obtaining construction financing.

With the first pouring of concrete in January, the other four requirements were met.

This project has been on the drawing board since before the village board approved in 2018 the proposal by Lake Lathrop Partners to build a four-story, mixed-use development containing 22 condominium units and 14,000 square feet of retail space.

Variations on the same project had lurched and lingered for a decade previously.

The original project included another story and eight more units but was scaled back.

The project experienced a series of delays over the years, including environmental cleanup from a dry cleaners formerly on the site and a lawsuit involving a tenant who did not want to move.

D97

Lightford, Harmon, Ford, and Lilly from page 9 “It’s really important that we all understand that the pandemic has caused us to change from a public perspective – how we do what we do now in our society – and our young people are most affected by it,” Lilly said, noting the only way forward is to work together.

As the conversation continued, Lightford, Lilly, Ford and Harmon opened up about their goals and other initiatives to address the needs in their communities. For starters, Lightford told viewers she looked forward to learning more about the workforce, dispelling myths around unemployment and creating more opportunities for workers in need of jobs and educational resources.

Ford, who represents the West Side of Chicago, told viewers he planned to continue his advocacy around issues on gun violence in his communities, while Lilly sought to promote healthcare reforms, specifically for nursing homes and medical workers such as caregivers. Harmon, on the other hand, said he is concentrating on the state’s finances and passing a balanced budget.

“Everything else that we want to do in the state is dependent on that foundation of a stable, predictable state budget,” Harmon said, “so I’m going to remain focused on that and then work with the members of our caucus to try to advance their own individual priorities.”

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Oh my God! New Rebozo moving to Forest Park Chef Paco buys former Heritage spot on Madison Street

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Since opening New Rebozo in 1991, chef and owner, Francisco Lopez, known to all as Chef Paco, has been a mainstay on the Oak Park culinary scene. Now, with a slightly updated name, N Rebozo, Lopez is about to become a culinary standout in Forest Park.

The longtime Oak Park location at 1116 Madison St. will go dark at the end of March. N Rebozo will open in the former location of The Heritage restaurant at 7403 Madison during the first weeks of April.

Now the passionate chef is moving his staff, art collection and repertory of 26 moles just a half-mile west on Madison St. to Forest Park.

“Oh my God, Oak Park opened up to me and gave me the opportunity to make my dreams come true.” said Chef Paco.

“I am a little sad because I love Oak Park. It has been my home for 30 years. But I am super excited about being in Forest Park, too.”

Though New Rebozo has been in the same location since the engaging chef took over a preexisting taco joint by the same name, he has never owned the building synonymous with his restaurant. Lopez has had a friendly relationship with his longtime landlord and notes when he signed the most recent five-year lease, he told the property owner he intended to retire when the agreement expired in spring of 2022.

“Yes, I thought I was going to retire, but I guess I was wrong.” said Lopez with a laugh. “Oh-my-God, everyone wanted to kill me and said I could not stop cooking. So, no retiring for me, I guess.”

As the community made clear it was not willing to say good-bye to New Rebozo, Chef Paco, feeling a renewed sense of energy, began looking for a new home for his Mexican restaurant. He remained focused on moving within Oak Park for as long as possible, but properties were too expensive, and most would have required extensive and cost prohibitive remodeling to meet New Rebozo’s needs.

A pre-existing relationship with restaurateur, Jacob DeHart inspired him to look at the vacant storefront well

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OMG: Chef Paco in his new digs on Madison Street, in downtown Forest Park, where N Rebozo will open in April (below left). sents a new generation. The ‘rebozo’ stayed beknown for housing The Heritage from 2009 to cause my customers are my babies when they 2020. After looking at the property owned by come to my restaurant and a rebozo is a baby DeHart, Lopez decided to purchase the buildblanket.” ing. It took six months for the deal to fall into Purchasing the building means Chef Paco place. can pass the restaurant onto the next genera“I waited so long and could not talk about it. tion. His son, Jose Manuel, is next in line to The banks were difficult, but then it all haptake over the N Rebozo legacy and owning the pened in three days,” said Chef Paco. “The space is beautiful with a very professional building provides security for his restaurant’s kitchen. It barely needs legacy. Though his son will have a hand in opany remodeling at all erating the N Rebozo, Chef Paco will be onsite — it only needs a little cooking and communing with his loyal cusMexican touch!” tomers and friends.

Staff members are “Owning this building means I can keep the excited about the name for my family,” said Chef Paco fightmove, and despite being back tears. “This has been hard work and FRANCISCO LOPEZ ing scared to tell his during the pandemic I was scared I could lose Chef and owner customers about the everything. For all this time Paco has been move he was pleased the chef, the busboy and the waiter and I feel that everyone reacted proud of myself. Money and business are impositively to the news. portant, but this is about self-respect.”

Though Chef Paco inChef Paco said he has written a letter of tends to “keep everything the same” gratitude to the Village of Oak Park for its support during he has given his restaurant a subtle the 30 years New Rebozo was located in the community. He name change to mark this new era feels as excited to become part of the Forest Park commuin New Rebozo’s long history. After nity as he did when he opened his restaurant in Oak Park the move to Forest Park, New Rebo- 30 years ago. zo will be known as N Rebozo.

“The mayor of Forest Park personally called me to wel“We are not so new anymore, so come us and offer their support,” said Lopez. “They are we changed the name to N Rebozo,” opening their hearts to me the same way Oak Park did all ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer laughed Chef Paco. “The ‘N’ repre- those years ago.”

“I am a little sad because I love Oak Park. It has been my home for 30 years.

But I am super excited about being in Forest Park, too.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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Young moms at New Moms head to college 25 young moms seeking higher education will be supported through a new pilot program

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park-based non-profit New Moms is partnering with City Colleges of Chicago to expand its programming by offering young mothers the chance to continue their education through a new three-year pilot program. Through the “Academic Coaching” program, New Moms seeks to challenge the systemic barriers that prevent many young mothers from attaining degrees from higher education institutions.

The pilot academic coaching program will follow 25 young mothers as they pursue associate degrees. Associate degrees typically take two years to complete – but for single parents, the process can take as long as six years, according to Gabrielle Caverl-McNeal, New Moms senior director of employment and academic coaching.

Even then, the graduation rate is low. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research reports that only 8 percent of single mothers complete their associate degrees in six years.

Already underrepresented in higher education, one in three Black female college students are single mothers, per IWPR. “Student-parents facing scarcity and poverty achieve their goals more frequently when their environments are less stressful, when they have the support of positive relationships, and when they have developed core life skills,” said Caverl-McNeal.

New Moms is offering significant sources of support to the 25 young moms in the pilot program to relieve the external stressors that often prevent others in the same position from going to college.

The assistance offered through pilot program, CaverlMcNeal calls a “trifecta of supports.” Money is the major cause of stress for young single parents. For those enrolled in school, that stress is compounded by the substantial cost of education. To ease the burden, New Moms is providing the 25 young mothers a monthly financial stipend of $500 while they are enrolled in classes. They are also eligible to receive federal financial student aid.

Many of the participating young mothers have enrolled in City Colleges of Chicago, which offers childcare and virtual classes. However, New Moms will also help provide childcare support to those in the pilot program.

To ensure the scholastic success of the participants, the academic coaching pilot includes individual and group coaching. There will also be peer support sessions.

FILEr

New Moms on Chicago Avenue in Oak Park is partnering with City Colleges of Chicago.

“The academic coach is really there to help support our moms with their post-secondary goals and help them overcome any barriers they may experience along the way,” said Caverl-McNeal.

They will also participate in professional development workshops, which will include goal setting, parenting, finances and career preparation. The academic coaching pilot coincides with the New Moms’ launch of a new app that will help these young mothers keep track of their progress and monitor their goals in relation to their families and education.

“We’re really excited about their use of the app and in how technology can play a part in assisting our moms while they’re pursuing their goals,” said Caverl-McNeal.

Those 25 young mothers may remain in the program for three years or until they complete their degree. New Moms plans to also provide additional follow-up support post-graduation.

New Moms, which helps young mothers experiencing

poverty and homelessness, offers a variety of programs from job training to housing support, but this is the nonprofits first foray into education assistance. Support from the Educational Credit Management Corporation Foundation, as well as state funding, has allowed New Moms to embark on this new endeavor.

To determine the effectiveness of the academic coaching program, New Moms is partnering with Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago. Chapin Hall researchers will evaluate the program’s fidelity by interviewing the 25 mothers as well as interviewing single mothers who are enrolled in college but are not participating in the pilot program.

A qualitative report will ultimately be put together based the findings of Chapin Hall researchers. Early reports, however, indicate good things to come. Caverl-McNeal said the moms are very excited to take part in the program.

“They feel very valued. They feel seen. They feel heard and supported,” said Caverl-McNeal.

VILLAGE MANAGER

Three, then four, then two from page 1 Scaman would not say which two of the three early finalists had been dropped from the mix.

“This last round of candidates has been a pleasure to engage with,” said Scaman.

The initial trio of finalists were Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley, Eric Johnson of Carpentersville and Lionel Lyons of Petersburg, Virginia. Those three had already completed a series of interviews and toured the village prior to the last-minute addition of Jackson.

LISA SHELLEY

LIONEL LYONS

In an effort to make his experience similar to that of the other finalists, Jackson was interviewed remotely by the village board, as well as by panels of senior village officials, partner organizations and community stakeholders last week. There was no public facing virtual meeting for Jackson as

ERIC JOHNSON

KEVIN JACKSON

there had been with the initial trio.

Jackson has held the position of deputy city manager of Long Beach for four years and his responsibilities include oversight roles within the government and community, according to his bio, which is available on the village of Oak Park’s website. Before that, he spent nine

years as the neighborhood services director for the city of Champaign, in central Illinois.

He holds a master’s degree in public administration, as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology, from Arizona State University.

Last year, Jackson was one of two finalists for city manager of Boulder. He lost out on the position to Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, formerly the deputy city manager of Austin, Texas.

Scaman told Wednesday Journal that all four candidates, even the two that were dismissed, are more than capable of doing the job.

“I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their participation,” she said. “Ultimately, at this point, it’s about matching candidates’ expertise and experience with the goals of this board.”

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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WEST SUB

Loss of program accreditation from page 1 program,” said Jane Brust, spokesperson for Pipeline Health, West Suburban Medical Center’s parent company.

Brust told Wednesday Journal the loss of the hospital’s internal medicine residency program will not affect the hospital’s ability to provide medical care to its patients.

“The graduate medical education training program is separate from the accreditation of our hospital and our ongoing commitment to care for patients in this community,” she said.

A separate graduate residency program, this one focused on family medicine, has been placed on probation by the same accrediting agency. The probationary status was put in place last October.

The hospital’s internal medicine residency program has been fully accredited for 35 years, according to a statement released by Pipeline Health after ACGME’s decision. Pipeline Health included in its statement that “significant changes” had been made to the program over the last eight months to “improve the quality of the training experience.” ACGME records show that West Suburban’s internal medicine residency program was put on probationary status as of 2020.

Anan Abu-Taleb, former Oak Park mayor who sits on the hospital’s local governing board, told Wednesday Journal the hospital has faced many challenges over the years due to changes in ownership and management teams. However, he believes the hospital is moving in the right direction under Pipeline Health.

“I’m very impressed by their support of the hospital and extremely impressed by [West Suburban] CEO Barbara Martin,” Abu-Taleb said.

While Abu-Taleb said the hospital is current focusing on continuing to provide quality health care, he’s “confident” that West Suburban’s internal residency program will eventually make a comeback.

“The hospital is on the right path,” he said. “Pipeline supports the hospital from all aspects.”

West Suburban’s internal medicine residency program has 26 residents, 10 of whom will graduate at the end of this term. Those residents will receive final verification of training and status as a graduate from an ACGME-accredited program. Pipeline Health is looking to find reassignments for the program’s remaining 16 residents.

ACGME spokesperson Susan White was unable to provide details of the council’s actions and decisions regarding the accreditation of West Suburban’s internal medicine residency program, citing confidentiality.

Dr. Scott Yen, former program director of the internal medicine residency program at West Sub, declined to comment other

than noting the situation was dismaying for him. Yen began working with internal medicine residents when he started at West Suburban in 1995. In 2017 he became program director. He served in that role until July 2020. Yen is now the program director of the internal medicine residency program of Parkview Health in Indiana.

“I will only comment that I was saddened to hear about the WSMC IM residency program’s loss of ACGME accreditation,” he wrote in an email.

“For 40 years the IM program helped deliver care to Oak Park and the surrounding communities, especially to the underserved. I am honored to have been a part of it,” wrote Yen.

While not withdrawn, the accreditation status of West Suburban’s only other graduate medical education training program is precarious. Its family medicine residency program is currently on probationary accreditation and has been since October of last year. Prior to that, ACGME records show that program was placed on continued accreditation “with warning” on May 29, 2020.

In the meantime, however, the hospital is operating as usual and will continue to do so, according to Brust.

“West Suburban Medical Center remains fully staffed by physicians to continue caring for the patients we are privileged to serve,” Brust said.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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The Onion Roll ups its bagel game North Ave. District eatery builds bagel bakery to honor restaurant legacy

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Igor Russo and Ryan Rosenthal, co-owners of The Onion Roll, 6935 W. North Ave. in Oak Park, set out to build a better bagel for the restaurant they took over eight years ago. The bagel making venture is not something the duo entered lightly — they’ve made a commitment to craft the best artisan bagels possible as part of a plan to update their New York style diner for the 21st century.

“This is a 65-year-old business, and we want to build on that history,” said Russo. “To let all of this wither away would be wrong. We want to bring the Onion Roll to a new level to honor the legacy started here many years ago. Our bagels are a part of that.”

The business partners met in physical therapy school 24 years ago and decided to open a chiropractic clinic together upon graduation. The duo purchased the building that housed The Onion Roll and opened Advanced Physical Medicine in a neighboring storefront. Though they never intended to own The Onion Roll, the opportunity to take over the business presented itself in 2013.

“We work next door, so we became regular lunch customers at The Onion Roll,” said Rosenthal. “We are both Jewish and I have New York connections, so we decided to pur-

chase the business when the former owner was looking to retire.”

They relied on longtime staff members and Russo’s father, Leo, to keep The Onion Roll going strong for several years. While they maintained the business to keep longtime customers satisfied, Russo and Rosenthal were making plans to take The Onion Roll to the next level.

Step one? Enter the bagel business.

The business owners wanted to offer handmade bagels featuring the crispy crust, spongy crumb, and simple chew synonymous with the New York Style bagels found on street corners throughout New York City.

After doing extensive research and taking trips to the East Coast, Russo and Rosenthal hired a bagel consultant to get their bakery operation up and running.

“I am like a sick bagel fanatic,” said Rosenthal.

“Growing up in New York there was a bagel shop on every corner, but our bagels have turned me into some kind of monster.”

Located behind the restaurant, the recently constructed bakery capitalizes on available technologies to make superior bagels. The Onion Roll owners added a water filtration system designed to chemically alter the pH levels in the water to make it more similar to the New York water credited with making bagels from the Big Apple better than others. Russo and Rosenthal are not aware of another small-scale bagel shop in the area making use of similar technology.

The recipes and cooking methods the consultant brought to the Onion Roll are closely guarded secrets, but the all-natural bagels go through a three-day proof before being

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

BAGEL AND LOX PLATE: Everything bagel shown here with house-made vegetable cream cheese and served with smoked salmon and traditional garnishes.

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

NORTH AVENUE BAGEL TEAM: From left, Ryan Rosenthal, Chef Melissa Matheus and Igor Russo in the bagel bakery at The Onion Roll in Oak Park.

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

BAGEL CHIPS: Bagels at the Onion Roll are designed to sell out daily, but the leftovers are turned into chips and served with butter and jam. boiled and baked in a large capacity industrial oven.

Melissa Matheus, head chef in charge of bagel production, learned directly from the bagel consultant and brings considerable experience of her own to the Onion Roll. A graduate of the Art Institute of Chicago, she participated in the Food and Wine Festival and worked in the kitchens at Disney and Epcot before making her way to the North Avenue restaurant. She is a month into their new bagel production schedule and is pleased with the product consistency she is achieving. She and her modest kitchen staff churn out up to 800 bagels in 15 varieties per day.

Bagels containing potential allergens, like their signature “Onion Roll” bagels featuring a golden hued egg bagel topped

with onion and poppy seeds, are handshaped to avoid cross contamination. A powerful divider-former helps to shape bagels made from a standard dough. No matter the flavor, a bagel from the Onion Roll boasts a signature sheen, notable blistering on the exterior, and makes audible crackle when torn in half. The bagels are already proving to be buzz worthy with folks taking to social media to declare “upgraded Onion Roll bagels are the real deal” and praise their “chewy, but not dense interior.”

In the future Matheus, Russo and Rosenthal would like to use the bakery to craft the challah and rye breads used at the Onion Roll. The business owners are already exploring potential partnerships with local businesses, including Kribi Coffee in Forest Park, to get their new bagels out to a broader audience. Bagels at the Onion Roll, however, are designed to sell out. Leftovers are turned into chips that are served as a snack to dine-in guests.

“Building the bagel bakery was an expensive venture, but this isn’t about money for us.” said Russo. “This is part of our plan to revamp the entire building.”

Russo showed off renderings of a reimagined Onion Roll. Down the road, the New York style diner is destined to have major cosmetic adjustments to the facade and interior, but the design retains the whimsical counter style seating and timeless dine in setting loyal customers expect.

The Jewish style diner menu, including chocolate egg creams, matzo ball soup and corned beef sandwiches will remain intact for years to come.

“We have spent years getting to know our regular customers and working hard not to offend anyone with any changes we make.” said Russo. “We just want new families and younger people to experience the tradition of the Onion Roll. We want to be on North Avenue for generations to come.”

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State police tout 20 arrests, new tech in highway shootings Hundreds of cameras to be installed, patrols increased

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – More than 20 arrests have been made in recent months related to expressway shootings in Chicago. And 99 cameras which include license plate readers have been installed along the Dan Ryan Expressway, the roadway with the greatest level of violence. The Eisenhower has also seen a rising number of such shootings. Hundreds more cameras are promised across the expressway system.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker appeared Feb. 7 with Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly in Chicago to outline actions taken and arrests made in expressway shootings.

Pritzker and Kelly said more than 20 arrests have been recorded. The arrests included three first-degree murder charges, one involuntary manslaughter, three attempted murders, and other crimes such as aggravated discharge of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated fleeing and eluding.

While they were in the news conference, however, a shooting occurred on the Dan Ryan expressway, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Kelly said expressway shootings have increased because of the prevalence of cameras – from doorbell cameras to store security systems – almost everywhere else, other than expressways. Putting cameras there can help deter the shootings, he said.

“It’s almost like a modern, 21st century form of dueling,”

CREDIT: ILLINOIS.GOV

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Gov. JB Pritzker at a pair of news conferences from Chicago, Monday morning. Pritzker addressed expressway shootings and Raoul addressed organized retail crime.

Kelly said. “They say horrible things to each other on social media, they threaten one another and they say let’s take that out to the E-way. So let’s take this out to the expressway. And almost like Main Street in the Old West, they’re using these expressways for this type of violence.”

Pritzker and Kelly pointed to the installation of 99 cameras with license plate readers on the Dan Ryan expressway in Chicago, where many of the shootings have occurred, with “hundreds more” cameras coming.

In recent weeks, the state police have worked with the Chicago Police Department, federal Homeland Security and local law enforcement agencies, Pritzker said, leading to the 20 arrests.

Kelly said the agency increased patrol presence on Chicago expressways by over 150 percent at “peak criminal activity times.” Since October, that has led to nearly 5,000 traffic stops, 132 DUI arrests, 69 firearm recoveries and 133 criminal arrests in the Chicago area.

The Monday news conference touting the Pritzker administration’s approach came as he and Democrats in the General Assembly have faced consistent attacks from Republican lawmakers and political opponents amid the recent rise in violent crime.

Republicans have painted a criminal justice reform bill passed one year ago in January as a contributing factor to rising crime rates. That bill, known as the SAFE-T Act, overhauls police certification, reforms use-of-force standards, improves police accountability and abolishes cash bail beginning in 2023 in favor of a system that prioritizes risk of re-offending over an offender’s ability to afford release.

The GOP has introduced a package of bills looking to create mandatory minimums for certain violent crime offenses and to create a special, $125 million grant fund to beef up officer hiring and retainment efforts.

In recent budgets, Pritzker said his administration has increased funding for state police officers to retrieve illegally owned guns and to hire new cadets, including 300 in the upcoming fiscal year.

He also touted violence interruption spending, which he’s more than doubled in his tenure, an increase made possible due to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal COVID-19 response funding.

“Stopping the cycle of violence also means tackling poverty and root causes of crime, access to housing, health care, education and jobs,” Pritzker said Monday.

support our local economy. shop online. in-person oprfchamber.org

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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C R I M E

Dollar Tree on Madison robbed by armed assailant

The Dollar Tree, 922 Madison St., was robbed at 8:52 p.m., Feb. 4 when a man entered the discount store and got in line under the pretense of purchasing an item.

When the cashier opened the register, the offender pulled out a gun and directed the cashier to put money in a plastic bag.

The offender then told the cashier to walk into the manager’s office. He then pulled the gun out again and demanded the manager put more money in the bag. The offender told the cashier and manager to stay in the office then closed the door, left the store and was last seen traveling westbound on Madison Street. The total loss is unknown.

Police reports describe the offender as a Black male of medium build, in his 30s and about 5-feet-10 to 6-feet tall. He was last seen wearing a black mask, black pants and a black coat with a hole in the back. Underneath the coat, he wore a green hoodie.

Armed robbery A CTA passenger was robbed while traveling on the Green Line westbound from Austin after he denied the offender’s request for money at 8:35 p.m., Feb. 6. When the victim refused to hand over cash, the offender showed the victim the handle of a handgun in his waistband and attempted to remove the victim’s bookbag.

The offender managed to get cash out of the victim’s pocket after the two began to wrestle.

He pushed the victim’s head in the seat multiple times, then got off the train at Oak Park Avenue and fled in an unknown direction. The estimated loss is $100.

Attempted armed robbery A man armed with a black semi-automatic handgun approached a Chicago resident from behind and grabbed the victim’s backpack straps; when the victim refused to let go of the backpack, the offender hit the victim in the head with the handgun at 11:22 a.m., Feb. 5 in the 200 block of Lake Street. When the offender was unable to get the backpack, he fled towards Harvey Street. No loss was reported.

Aggravated discharge of firearm

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Someone discharged six or seven rounds of gunfire from the front of a building, damaging the victim’s daughter’s bedroom window at 2:10 a.m., Feb. 2 in the 1000 block of Washington Boulevard. No injuries were reported. Oak Park police are investigating the incident.

Reckless discharge of firearm While walking, a witness saw an unknown subject fire shots from inside an older model green Volkswagen at 12:50 a.m., Feb. 6 in the

500 block of Lyman Avenue. The witness fled on foot and the offender drove away in an unknown direction.

Aggravated discharge of firearm arrest A Chicago man, 41, was arrested by the Oak Park Police Department for having an active original warrant of aggravated discharge of a firearm at 11:05 a.m., Feb. 4, after Oak Park detectives’ investigation identified him as the offender who exited a vehicle in the 400 block of North Austin Boulevard and shot a handgun on Dec. 17. He was transported to the police station, processed and held for bond.

Burglary Someone broke into a Jeep Cherokee, then ransacked its interior and removed a RIDGID circular saw, a first aid kit, an AC power adapter and the vehicle’s owner manual between 9:30 p.m., Feb. 2 and 8:30 a.m., Feb 3 in the 100 block of South Taylor Avenue. The estimated loss is $290.

Motor vehicle theft A maroon 2016 Honda Accord was removed between 1 a.m. and 8:46 a.m., Feb. 4 in the 1000 block of South Lombard possibly using the vehicle keys as the victim lost them while sledding. The estimated loss is $16,200.

Recovered stolen vehicle The silver 2004 Lexus RX330 reported stolen from the 200 block of South Oak Park Avenue Jan. 21 was recovered without apprehension in Indianapolis, Indiana by the Marion County Sheriff ’s Department at 11:11 p.m., Feb. 2.

Theft ■ The catalytic converter was removed from a silver 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander that was parked in the 200 block of Lake Street between 1 p.m. and 1:20 p.m., Feb. 1.

■ A Wayfair package containing 12 glass baking dishes was taken from a residence in the 1000 block of Susan Collins Lane between noon, Jan. 28 and noon, Jan. 29. The estimated loss is $108.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports through Feb. 1 to Feb. 7 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

February 9, 2022 19

Special Advertising Section

Love & Football Winter 2022

Local suggestions for a super weekend of Romance & Rooting

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February 9, 2022

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February 9, 2022 21

Special Advertising Section

Combine Rooting and Romance in the kitchen

This year, the Super Bowl falls on Valentine’s Day weekend and we have some creative ways to combine love and football

A

homecooked meal is a fine way to show the love in your life how much you care and these recipes give a nod to the big game. Be sure to shop locally for the ingredients for use in these recipes. Cheers!

MELISSA ELSMO Cheer for Food Writer

Cincinnati!

Cincinnati-style chili is undeniably special and altogether crave-worthy — the sweet-spice laden dish is a regional specialty and perfect gameday fare for the sweetie in your life. Since the city’s football team is headed to the Big Game next weekend try whipping up a batch of this customizable chili to show your favorite fan how much you love them! Be sure to begin preparing this dish the day before you plan to serve it.

Cincinnati Chili (serves 10) Ingredients: 6 Cups of water 2 pounds of ground chuck 8 garlic cloves, smashed and minced

1 large onion finely chopped 2 ½ Tablespoons cider vinegar 1 ½ Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 14.5-ounce can of tomato sauce 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 2 teaspoons chili powder 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoons ground cloves 2 bay leaves 1-ounce of baking chocolate, grated Garnishes: cooked spaghetti, grated sharp cheddar cheese, diced white onion, and dark red kidney beans, hot sauce, oyster crackers and mini hot dogs in buns.

Instructions: Bring the water to a boil. Whisk in the raw meat taking care to break it up well. Lower the heat to a simmer and add the garlic, onion, vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce. Stir in all the spices, bay leaves and chocolate. Simmer the soup on low, uncovered for 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water ½ cup at a time if the mixture becomes too thick as it cooks. Remove the bay leaves, cool the chili and refrigerate overnight. To serve, discard the fat from the top of the cooled chili.

Reheat the chili and serve over spaghetti noodles with desired garnishes.

Cincinnati Chili: Cheer for the Bengals when you whip up the regional chili for your love.

Avocado Toast: Cheer for the Rams when you serve avocado egg toast to your Valentine.

Kick it California Style!

Rooting for the Rams can be downright delicious! Bring a brunch vibe to your game day menu with avocado toast — the dish has been quintessential California fare since the 1800s and it manages to feel modern to this day. You’ll feel like a Sunshine State champion when you show the breakfast fan in your life a little love! Visit oakpark.com and search avocado toast to learn how to poach an egg.

Avocado Egg Toast (serving two) Ingredients: 2 slices of wheat bread, toasted 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced 4 (1/4 thick) slices of red ripe heirloom tomato 2 eggs, poached or sunny side up 2 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional) Shavings from a block of ParmigianoReggiano 1/2 Cup of baby arugula leaves 1 sliced yellow or orange grape tomato (optional) 2 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions: Place the toast on two plates. Fan the sliced avocado on top of the toast and sprinkle it with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place the tomato slices on the avocado and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the tomato with half the crumbled bacon if using and 1-2 shavings of ParmigianoReggiano. Assemble the toast to this point and then cook your egg. Place the egg over the tomato in the center of the toast.

Sprinkle the egg lightly with salt and pepper and top with the baby arugula leaves. Drizzle the olive oil over the arugula, sprinkle the toast with the remaining bacon and a few more Pamigiano-Reggiano shavings. Tuck a few slices of yellow grape tomato on the toast to add a contrast of color if desired.

all photos: Melissa Elsmo

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February 9, 2022

Special Advertising Section

Feel the local love: here’s how to combine rooting and romance L

Brews and Bubbles in Oak Park

balanced beer is One Lake’s nod to American-made beers from Appalachia. And wings and beer are always a good idea — OLB serves up some mighty fine wings, too!

et’s put the cheers in cheering! If you are looking to pop some corks during the big game, next weekend provides the ideal opportunity to pick up rosy hued bubbles from Anfora Wine Merchants, 128 S. Marion St. Owner Adrian Weisell recommended a duo of sparkling roses to bring a Valentine’s Day color palate to your glass.

He suggested a Mariotti ‘Set e Mez’ Rose from Emilia-Romagna, Italy — a fruity, cherry-colored bottle-fermented sparkler. Drinkers should expect a whiff of raspberry before diving into Weisell’s second recommendation — sourced from Lombardy, Cesarini Sforza Trento Brut Rosé has a light pink hue and delicate flavor profile. Fun fact — fried chicken and dry sparkling wine are a practically perfect paring.

Pair either or both sparkling wines with some hyperlocal brews from One Lake Brewing, 1 Lake St., to satisfy the football fans in your house. Snag a crowler or two of OLB Lager Beer to bring an all-American feeling to your game day celebration. It is easy to love this dry, light and easy-drinking lager. Commonwealth is another popular choice for the local beer lover — this toasty and well-

Wings and Roses in Brookfield

Embrace tradition on Grand Boulevard in Brookfield and visit neighboring shops to make the most of both game day and Valentine’s Day. Ranking second only to pizza, football fans typically consume more than a billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday making them one of the most popular game day snacks. Folks in Brookfield can pop into Pisan’s Pizzeria, 3720 Grand Blvd., to pick up an array of traditional or boneless chicken wings to enjoy during the big game. Pisan’s award-winning wings come tossed with a choice of sauces including dragon, chipotle BBQ and garlic parmesan.

With gameday snacks covered it is time add a little romance — thankfully all you’ll need to do is make your way down the block to pick up some roses to go with those wings. More than 150 million roses were sold in the days surrounding Valentine’s Day last year and the folks at Christopher Mark Fine Flowers, 3742 Grand Blvd., are ready to whip up an arrangement for the love in your life — preordering is encouraged. This will be the final Valentine’s Day for the longtime Brookfield floral shop —

Brews and Bubbles: Libations from Anfora and One Lake are the perfect addition to this weekend’s festivities.

Wings and Roses: Hot wings from Pisan’s match perfectly with roses from Christopher Mark Fine Flowers and Gifts See LOCAL LOVE on page 25

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February 9, 2022

Special Advertising Section

February 9, 2022 25

Special Advertising Section

LOCAL LOVE from page 22

owner, Christopher Mark is retiring at the end of February to focus on his health and loved ones. Order a dozen roses to go with those wings to show some someone special in your life how much you care.

Burgers and Bonbons in Forest Park

Burgers have been beloved gameday fare for decades, but this year a traditional burger should have a little Valentine’s flair. Fat Duck Tavern, 7218 Madison St. in Forest Park, offers a signature burger brimming with French inspired ingredients. Cupid would approve of the addition of romantic and melty Brie cheese and caramelized onions to the bacon topped Duckfat Burger. Order enough to feed the fans gathered at your house for the Big Game and be sure to skip across the street to snag some chocolates from La Maison de Bonbon. The boutique chocolate shop, located at 7353 Madison St., is a tiny jewel box of a store with room for just a few shoppers at a time. In addition to the silky-smooth original French Crème confections, they have been whipping up since 1921, La Maison de Bonbon also offers traditional dark or milk chocolate assortments boasting pink, red and white decorations for Valentine’s Day.

Roses from Christopher Mark in Brookfield bring love and passion to Valentine’s Day.

Butter and Brown Bistro

420 North Austin Boulevard Oak Park (708) 9Butter www.butterbrownbistro.com

Burgers and Bonbons: Fancy French toppings elevate your game day burger to new romantic heights. Order from Fat Duck Tavern and skip across the street to La Maison de Bonbon to buy artisan sweets for your sweetie.

Sa Essence is a new manufacturing candle company that customizes wine scented candles for wineries, vineyards, restaurants, hotels, and individually for our customers. Our mission is to enhance the value and to embrace the future experience of wine tasting and relaxing. Order soon for Valentines Day! 708-855-0709 Info@saesence.com www.saesence.com

all photos: Melissa Elsmo

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February 9, 2022

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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27

SPORTS Six OPRF wrestlers are top-3 finishers at IHSA regional

Dunson cruises to 120-pound title; Johnson, Lacey, Acevedo place second

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior Allyn Johnson always hoped to return to the Oak Park and River Forest High School wrestling program.

After competing through the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet as a sophomore, COVID-19 contributed to his stepping away for a while.

He’s back as a 250-pounder in the 285 heavyweight class.

“I liked wrestling, so nothing could really keep me away,” Johnson said.

“There’s just something about wrestling. I feel like all of the hard work you put in and when you get to moments like being on that [awards] stand, you feel so accomplished when you get to a place where you want to be. You’ve earned it. I just like the feeling of earning things.”

Johnson enjoyed that feeling again Feb. 5 by taking second place at the IHSA Class 3A Downers Grove South Individual Regional and being among six Huskies who advanced to the Hinsdale Central Individual Sectional on Feb. 13 with top-three finishes.

Senior Jalen Dunson (16-2) won the 120-pound title to continue proving himself among the state’s best. Junior Cooper Lacey (13-8 at 126) and sophomore Ruben Acevedo (9-8 at 106) also finished second while juniors Will Kelly (11-8 at 132) and Vance Domenz (9-8 at 170) were third. The Huskies (105.5 points) finished fourth as a team.

Top-four finishers at the sectional advance to the 3A individual state meet.

“It was awesome. We were obviously shorthanded for numerous reasons but excited that we had 10 guys [for 14 weight classes] come out here and give really good efforts,” OPRF coach Paul Collins said.

“For a couple of the seniors, today was their last day. Everything got shut down as sophomores. They didn’t get to wrestle last year [as the postseason was canceled]. Some of them were doing different things when the season got moved and they still decided to come back and finish their career for the program.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF senior Jalen Dunson (right), a 2019 state qualifier, cruised to an IHSA Regional title on Feb. 5 at Downers Grove South, winning both of his matches by technical fall. He takes a 16-2 record into the IHSA Sectional meet this weekend, looking for a return to the state championships.

Johnson (10-10) has transitioned from competing at 195 his sophomore season. He won his first match on Feb. 5 by pin and then got two takedowns to win 4-2 in the semifinals before being pinned in the final.

“I feel like I could have tried way harder than that [in the final], could have pushed myself a little more,” Johnson said. “[Advancing] just means a lot that I can hop back into [wrestling] and get my rhythm back.”

“He’s lost some 20-plus pounds. He’s in better shape,” Collins added. “He’s kind of reinvented himself and gotten a lot of individual work. Allyn’s really bought into it.”

A 2019 state qualifier, Dunson dominated both his matches on Feb. 5 by technical fall (15 or more points), including a 19-3 title victory behind a 17-point first period with four takedowns and nine near-fall points.

“I like pushing the pace, getting a lot of

my points in the first period,” Dunson said.

“I’ve put myself in a really good position to qualify for state and win state. This year I’ve been training every day nonstop for months now.”

Lacey lost his final 8-2 to Lyons Township High School sophomore Gunnar Garelli after recently losing to him by a technical fall.

Senior Reid Butterly (7-15 at 138) finished fourth, one victory from advancing.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

S P O R T S

@ @OakPark

OPRF gymnasts nail routines to advance to IHSA sectionals Lim, Kratz qualify in all five events as individuals

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School junior all-arounder Maya Lim had one of her best gymnastics meets at the IHSA Regional at Downers Grove South on Feb. 2.

The main reason was simple.

“Well, probably [balance] beam,” Lim said. “I wasn’t expecting to do that well on it so I was really surprised to get that high of a score (8.6). I’ve been struggling the last couple of meets with some falls, so I’m really glad that I stayed on.”

A great overall team beam night also boosted the Huskies as they scored a seasonhigh 135.95 points to advance as a team to

Lim and Kratz advanced inthe Oswego Sectional on Feb. 7 dividually in all five events and after Wednesday Journal’s press Walker in four. time.

While Lim tied for fifth on Besides advancing to the sixbeam, Walker (8.4, 9th), Kratz team sectionals for the fourth (8.35, 10th) and Morales (8.325, straight time, the Huskies also 11th) advanced at-large. had all seven of their gymnasts All four all-arounders adadvance individually on at least vanced – fifth-place Kratz (34.475) one event – Lim, senior Chloe and at-large Lim (34.175, 6th), Kratz, junior Caroline Raducha Walker (33.575, 8th) and Ruff and sophomores Jane Walker, CHLOE KRATZ (32.55, 11th).

Violet Ruff, Eleanor Wolski and Kratz usually has been comGabby Morales -- either automatically with top-five regional finishes or peting three events but she became an allat-large. Kratz, Lim and Raducha have pre- arounder by adding beam. Kratz’s success viously qualified for sectionals. There was included fourth on uneven parallel bars (8.425), her strongest event, and fifth on floor no 2021 IHSA postseason due to COVID-19.

“We did 19 out of 20 routines. Beam was exercise (9.0).

“The biggest highlight was floor. I nailed a key factor,” OPRF coach Kris Wright said.

“Everyone stayed on their feet and did what the routine,” Kratz said. “I’m pretty excited [for sectionals] to see how the team does. they were supposed to.”

Our sophomores haven’t been there. I’m excited to kind of bring them along and see how we all do.”

All five vaulters advanced – fifth-place Ruff (9.0) and at-large Lim (8.9, 6th), Raducha and Walker (both 8.85, tied for 7th) and Kratz (8.7, 9th).

Also advancing at large were Lim (7.95, 8th) and Walker (7.9, 9th) on uneven bars and Lim (8.725, 6th) and Wolski (8.5, 8th) on floor.

Top-five sectional finishers automatically qualify for state. At-large berths will be determined after the final sectional on Feb. 10.

To increase her potential uneven bars score, Wolski may upgrade her dismount from a layout to a double back flip she added for Senior Night.

“I took it out for conference and regionals to play it safe. We’ll see what happens,” Wolski said.

Fenwick advances 10 to ISHA wrestling sectionals

Three Friars take home regional titles at Fenton

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Fenwick High School wrestling team placed second at the IHSA Class 2A regional at Fenton High School on Feb. 5 with 188 points, 31 behind victorious St. Patrick.

The Friars had a strong showing, advancing 10 individuals to the sectional, which will take place at Deerfield High School on Feb. 12.

Fenwick had three wrestlers win their weight classes. At 138 pounds, senior Tommy Sullivan (22-10) defeated Justin Dickeson of Fenton via a 3-1 decision. Senior Conor Paris (25-4) won the 182-pound title via pin over Jack Clancy of St. Patrick and senior Jimmy Liston (30-3) pinned Sch-

urz’s Danny Ortiz to win at 285.

Others advancing to Deerfield for the Friars were Aidan Burns (3rd, 132), Rowan White (2nd, 145), Finn McGee (2nd, 152), Martin Paris (2nd, 160), Vincent Fiorvanti (3rd, 170), Julian Richard (3rd, 195) and Conor Stetz (2nd, 220).

Trinity, Fenwick hoops earn top sectional seeds The Trinity High School basketball team was awarded the top seed last week for the IHSA Class 3A Sectional hosted by Fenwick, which is seeded second.

The Blazers (13-11) placed fourth at last week’s Girls Catholic Athletic Conference tournament, continuing a long stretch of solid play which includes a 43-37 victory over the Friars on Feb. 1. Sophomore Lauren Miller had 19 points and five rebounds while junior Cierra Richardson added 10

points, two steals and two assists.

Meanwhile, Fenwick (17-10) rebounded from the Trinity loss with a pair of wins -- 47-20 over Resurrection on Feb. 4 and a 36-27 win over Providence Catholic on Feb. 5. Mira Schwanke had 14 points against the Resurrection, and Mia Caccitolo had 14 points against the Providence. Caccitolo, Schwanke and Audrey Hinrichs were named to the GCAC All-Conference Team.

The Friars’ last regular-season home game in coach Dave Power’s career will be against Oak Park and River Forest High School on Feb. 10.

Trinity bowlers 4th at regionals The Trinity High School bowling team placed fourth at the IHSA Leyden Township Regional on Feb. 5 with a score of 3,898 pins. The result enabled the Blazers to advance to the Hinsdale South sectional, which takes place on Feb. 12.

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Senior Isabella Saviozzi was Trinity’s top bowler at Leyden, knocking down 963 pins in her six games. The Blazers also got contributions from senior Cyanne Alvarez (883 pins), junior Abigail Justak (759), junior Maisy Keith (654) and senior Rebecca Ryan (639).

Fenwick High School, as well as a few individual bowlers from Oak Park and River Forest High School, also competed at Leyden.

The Friars, who finished seventh with 3,600 pins, advanced two individuals to the sectional. Freshman Olivia Cameron placed fourth among individuals with a six-game series of 1,205, while senior Lorelei Kotwasinski was 19th with 858 pins.

The Huskies placed ninth with a score of 3,203 and also advanced two individuals to Hinsdale South -- freshman Gracie Maidlow (13th, 964 pins) and junior Audrey Maidlow (22nd, 785).

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29

Homes

FLW Trust says it will save, refurbish Chicago Ave. home Deteriorating condition has led to speculation of potential ‘demolition by neglect’

By LACEY SIKORA

T

Contributing Reporter

he state of 925 Chicago Ave., the 1888 Italianate home purchased by the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust for $340,000 in 2017, has been a source of interest since the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission turned down the Trust’s request to demolish the house to make way for a new visitor center in 2019.

In a recent Substack story, Rachel Freundt, writing for Architecture and History of Chicagoland, posited that the Trust was “practicing demolition by neglect” by failing to maintain the home.

The article pointed to the home’s lack of heat, peeling paint, worn roof and clogged gutters as signs of neglect, and Freundt suggested that the Trust might be allowing the home to deteriorate in order to make its demolition necessary.

But, Frank Lloyd Trust CEO and President Celeste Adams says such claims are unfounded and that the organization listened to preservationists and Home and Studio neighbors who spoke out against the plan for a new 20,000-square-foot visitor center fronting See FLW TRUST on page 31

PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust purchased 925 Chicago Ave. (top) in 2017. Plans to demolish it to make way for a visitors’ center were rejected. Now there are concerns about the home’s deteriorating exterior (above).

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Saturday, February 12 • Sunday, February 13

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

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REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

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FLW TRUST

Awaiting funding from page 29 Chicago Avenue. She also pointed out a letter to Home & Studio neighbors dated March 2, 2020, in which the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust confirmed its intention to save and refurbish the home.

Noel Weidner, chairman of the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission, reiterated the stance of the advisory group in 2019, saying the demolition of the house goes against Oak Park’s historic district guidelines and ordinances.

He said the importance of 925 Chicago Ave. is in the context of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District and immediate area, which helps visitors experience firsthand the “bold departure that Frank Lloyd Wright achieved with the Prairie Style.”

While Weidner said he recognizes that demolition by neglect is an issue in most cities, he said via email that it is “up to the local government to enforce good stewardship and maintenance so that a property doesn’t get to a point of no return.”

Adams acknowledges there are maintenance issues with the home.

“We are keenly aware of what the priorities are,” Adams said. “Our priorities as stated in 2020 have not changed. It will take time to do CELESTE ADAMS this thoughtfully.”

Adams says outside forces impacted the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust’s maintenance of the home, including the pandemic and the profound effect it has had on tourism. That created financial hardship for the Trust, which has made maintenance and restoration of the house at 925 Chicago Ave. difficult.

At this time, Adams says the Trust is prioritizing repairs.

“We are extremely aware of its exterior ap-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Chipping paint (above), a worn roof and clogged gutters are among the various maintenance issues at 925 Chicago Ave. about which preservationists have expressed concerns. pearance, and we understand the concerns,” she said.

In September 2021, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust received an estimate for the first phase of work on exterior stabilization and refurbishment, which would include a new wood shingle roof, historically appropriate replacement windows, a reconstructed front porch and front walkway.

Once funding is obtained and the Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission has approved the work, Adams says that work will begin. She said the Trust’s architect, Karen Sweeney, as well as Arthur Vogt and Michael

PROVIDED BY THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TRUST

The Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission in 2019 rejected the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust’s plans (above) to demolish 925 Chicago Ave. and replace it with a sleek 20,000-square-foot visitors’ center.

Fus, who are architects on the Trust’s board, Paul Harding, an architect and owner of a will lead and oversee the project. When the Wright-designed home in River Forest, proproject commences, engineers will join the posed just such a plan in 2019 as part of his team. opposition to seeing 925 Chicago Ave. demolAdams says interior work will be a second ished. His architecture firm has worked on phase of the project and that the Trust is not the restoration of several Wright-designed yet ready to announce what they plan to do homes including his own, and Harding says with the space but will do so in that the context of historic housthe future. es is important.

In response to the criticism of “You can see the beautiful, rich the maintenance of the home, environment that’s a part of the Adam states that the house is story,” Harding said. structurally sound, well-sealed He proposed leaving the house and supervised by the Trust’s where it stands and building a team of architects and facilities new visitor’s center behind it, staff. saying that such a design would Local architect and former Hisprovide an interplay with the old toric Preservation Commission and new without the new comChairman Frank Heitzman, says peting with the original, historic CELESTE ADAMS that even with a pandemic, the destreetscape.

Frank Lloyd Wright Trust ferred maintenance on the home If a plan like Harding’s is not CEO and president is not acceptable, noting that the feasible financially, Heitzman’s village would cite a private homesecond suggestion is to “mothowner for the maintenance issues ball” the house, a process he says that exist at 925 Chicago Ave. that would entail stabilizing the Heitzman was opposed to the demolition of house with paint and exterior repairs, and the house for the proposed visitor center and moderate interior heat to protect interior finwanted to see 925 Chicago Ave. preserved as ishes. Once in this state, the home could surpart of the historic streetscape. He is eager vive without further damage until plans are to see what the Trust plans for the home, and made for it in the future. says his first choice would be to see the large Both Heitzman and Harding advocate for lot subdivided, with the home sold to an inter- maintenance that they say is necessary to ested party who would want to maintain and preserve 925 Chicago Ave. “There are well-established, national hisrestore it.

“Someone could live there, and the visitors’ toric preservation standards,” Harding said. center could be built behind it,” Heitzman “They should follow those, just like the rest of us do. Why should they get a pass?” said.

“We are extremely aware of its exterior appearance, and we understand the concerns,

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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It won’t be the same without Dressel’s p. 37

S U S T A I N  A B I L I T Y

OPRF students focus on the environment On the second week of each month, we will feature a column on environmental issues submitted by IGov, an intergovernmental body composed of two representatives each from the village, public library, park district, township, and school districts 97 and 200. Today’s column is written by OPRF High School student Luke Gilfillan. ur focus at the OPRF Environmental Club is to make sustainability a priority at the high school and in its community. Students join the club and participate in our projects because they feel the club is the epicenter of environmental changes within Oak Park and River Forest. We meet weekly in a science classroom immediately after school, host environmental experts and speakers, brainstorm sustainability projects, discuss climate-related world news, and work on projects improving the school and community.

The Environmental Club, however, was not always focused on environmental sustainability. What eventually became the Environmental Club started in 2003. It was originally known as “Biology Club” and had little focus on environmental issues.

It wasn’t until 2006 when faculty member Ms. Jamie Bender altered the focus to become the Bio/Environmental Club.

In recent years, the Environmental Club has led a number of environmental changes at the school. Our years-long Zero Waste Cafeteria project resulted in compost bins throughout the cafeterias and contributed to more sustainable practices in the cafeteria, such as compostable plates.

We participated in the Strategic Energy Management cohort to improve the school’s energy efficiency and planned a native prairie garden. We received grants from the Oak ParkRiver Forest Community Foundation to promote stewardship of Thatcher Woods, removed invasive species from Cook County Forest Preserves, promoted village composting, and hosted a Climate Reality talk.

Students come to the Environmental Club because it allows them to get together with people who care about the environment and talk about ways to improve it. We believe OPRF promotes sustainability by informing others about different activities going on.

COVID did not slow the group from providing unique opportunities to educate. Last year, the club hosted a Zoom meeting with climate researcher Dr. Virginia Burkett, whose work on the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change Report won the Nobel Prize. We have coordinated with FGM Architects, an architectural firm working on the school’s construction projects, who advised us on our work

O

LUKE

GILFILLAN One View

See GILFILLAN on page 39

On immortality and the human condition I get up in the morning and I read the obits. If I’m not in them, I have breakfast.

W

Carl Reiner

ture (family, cultural, and environmental factors). While they debate the percentages of those two factors, the real point lies in the continuation (or “immortality”) of their effects.

So I went back to my friend’s tribute to his wife: “She has vastly broadened my world view, changed me for the better.” On the nurture side of the argument, we enter relationships as “blind dates,” looking for commonalities, ways we can connect, future roads we might travel together.

After any long-term relationship, each partner has transformed, contributed to, and changed each other in ways both significant and subtle. And those changes endure even after the death of a spouse or friend. We are not human etch-a-sketches instantly reverting to blank slates upon the loss of the artist. In this way, the best traits of the people important to us, the traits that “change us for the better,” are immortal.

On the nature side of the equation, half (more or less) of our children’s DNA is me; the other half, my wife. I look at our grandchildren and realize that the half in each parent is now a quarter in them, and yet to be an eighth in a great-grandchild. Just as I am half of each of my parents and an eighth of each greatgrandparent. This genetic “immortality” is something we share only with our immediate family, something of a “seed bank” to continue the lineage of a family.

The quest for immortality is a strictly human pursuit. We search for the fountain of youth, have our bodies frozen to near absolute zero waiting for a cure to the disease that put us on ice, have countless amazing life-extending surgeries, and take billions of dollars of life-extending medications. We resist death at all costs, and continually look forward to a tomorrow. It’s the human condition.

So when someone changes us for the better, changes how we behave because of their influence — be they spouse, child, parent, friend, mentor, or personal hero — do they not live on in that sense? And when we

BILL SIECK

hen we’re young, we say “hello” to our friends and share our daily highs and lows. When we’re old(er), we read the obits to say goodbye — and remember.

So recently, before my breakfast, I saw a familiar name in the paper. The wife of a friend had died. After more than 50 years of marriage, there would be no more “Hi honey, I’m home” or “How was your day?” No more conversations, deep or frivolous. No more shared worries about the state of our planet, economy, or children. No more date nights on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and a movie on demand. No more hugs and kisses. No more. No more. Such is the stuff of heartrending grief.

As it so happens, a few years earlier the same friend described his wife with the following: “She is my heart and soul. She has vastly broadened my world view, changed me for the better, and I am indebted to her in endless ways. Without her, I am nothing.”

The combination of his loss and his tribute got me thinking about the notion of immortality. Carl Reiner hit on one level of immortality: The ability to eat breakfast cheats death for at least for one more day.

On the other end of the spectrum, billions of people around the world believe that when their time for breakfast runs out, they will be united for all eternity with their family and friends, and their God, in heaven.

Bookends to the notion of immortality. But what else lies on the shelf of our lives between those bookends?

After thinking about it, there are in fact other forms of “immortality” between breakfast and the belief of billions. The pharaohs have their pyramids, Shakespeare his plays, and every family their scrapbooks (or, today, iPhones) filled with hundreds if not thousands of photos of us — full color immortality.

On a more serious note, psychologists debate how much of who we are is due to nature (genetics) or nur-

One View

See SIECK on page 39

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

O U R

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

The next manager

W

e’ve said it over and again. Local elected officials — park board, village board, school districts — have one employee. And hiring that employee is always the single most critical decision that body will make.

Nothing good can happen if there isn’t a fundamental alignment in vision, goals and style between the elected officials and the village manager, school superintendent, parks chief. This is a relationship that must include trust, an openness to candid exchanges, active and mutual learning.

This week Oak Park’s electeds will almost certainly hire a new superintendent for the District 97 public elementary schools. An announcement of a hire between the two finalists was on a Tuesday evening agenda — after our press time.

And in a fascinating week, Oak Park’s village board has upended a months-long hiring process that was expected to produce a new village manager by last week. Instead, as we report today, a fourth candidate was added, even after a trio of finalists had been announced and publicly and privately vetted. Then Village President Vicki Scaman told the Journal Monday that two of the three initial finalists had been gently jettisoned.

That leaves two finalists. One is most certainly Kevin Jackson, the late-arriving candidate, who was in town Monday to kick the tires and was actively meeting with trustees. He had already been interviewed virtually by the trustees and separately by department heads and local stakeholders. Members of the public did not have the opportunity to meet virtually with Jackson, seemingly a function of a tight timeline.

While some have found this disruption to a set process to be unnerving, possibly unfair, we are enthused that the board tossed over its plan when clearly its finalists didn’t rock their world.

We have been concerned since the firm recruiting candidates for the post announced it had scrounged up fewer that 40 applicants. We get that we are in a disrupted moment for hiring. While Oak Park might have, in the past, attracted better than 100 candidates for what has traditionally been seen as a prime position, this is a different moment.

With no disrespect, the two outside finalists were underwhelming. The third finalist, Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley, has the advantage of 20-plus years of experience at Oak Park Village Hall. In making a final choice and a job offer, this board will need to decide how compelling that experience as a longtime number two might prove to be in moving the village ahead.

Reopening the process to an interesting candidate was, to us, a sign of strength by a board that clearly understands it will have a single opportunity to choose a manager. The stakes are high. The expectations ought also be high.

West Sub’s woes There is no good news in West Suburban Hospital Medical Center having lost accreditation for its longtime internal medicine residency program. The Journal reported that news last week. Today we note that the hospital’s family medicine residency program was placed on probation last October.

West Sub has long prided itself as being that rare community hospital that also boasted credentials as a teaching hospital.

Now the endless ownership and management changes that have plagued this critical institution over 20 years have most certainly resulted in this humbling outcome.

The hospital’s current owner, California-based Pipeline Health, says it will work to regain these accreditations and notes that it continues to offer solid medical care. That’s good to hear, but seeing will be believing that Pipeline has the patience and determination to make the ongoing investments which might make that possible.

Will they be around long enough to do so?

A

Our greatest act of nonviolent resistance

couple of weeks back, I wrote a column about the political divide in this country and proposed fighting our culture war with “nonviolent resistance” [Truth and the unvaccinated, Jan. 19]. A friend wondered what nonviolent resistance would look like in this latest installment of our long national quarrel.

First, let’s revisit a column that pertains to this, which I wrote in March of 2017, the early days of the Trump administration — when “resistance” was our byword:

individual. What you’re really saying is, “I’ve thought about this for a very long time, and I’m not going away. As long as you are here representing your side, I will be here representing mine. If there is truth in what I say, it will prevail because truth always outlasts what is false. Will you hear me out?”

■ If we take off the armor of arrogance and shed condescension and hostility, if we engage, disarmed and vulnerable but firm in our thinking and committed to justice, it might just make a dent in our opponents’ armor. If they meet enough people like us, they might be more willing to disarm.

Are you feeling weary and a little hopeless and wondering what role you can play in our culture quarrel? This is what you can do. Knowing what you stand for, and standing up for it, is energizing. It will make you feel good about yourself. It might even inspire others. And there are millions of others out there looking for inspiration.

I’m not good at it yet, but I’m learning, slowly, to take the approach of nonviolent resistance — because that’s where the power lies.

And I believe that if enough others engage and resist nonviolently, the tide will turn.

It might even save our democracy.

KEN

TRAINOR

Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which inspired Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis in the 1950s and ’60s, is called satyagraha, which means “truth force.”

Such a force, when practiced by disciplined individuals committed to justice, is stronger than violence. That’s a high bar to meet, but satyagraha led to independence for India in the 1940s, broke Jim Crow segregation in the South in the 1960s, and eventually ended apartheid in South Africa in the 1990s.

And I believe the principles of nonviolent resistance will win out in the longstanding culture quarrel in this country.

Genuine dialogue involves both sides being willing to listen to the other, each accepting the strongest arguments of the other and reaching a consensus involving sometimes painful compromise by each side, then moving forward together. But quarrelsome breed that we are, consensus has rarely been the American way.

More and more, we find ourselves divided, with emotions running high on both sides. Hard feelings ensue. Divisions widen.

We need “truth force”: ■ First, accept that, at this juncture anyway, genuine dialogue is unlikely. Convincing anyone, no matter how well thought out your position is, no matter how carefully you frame it or how kindly, no matter how well informed you are and what evidence you have to back it up, is highly improbable. Your facts will be dismissed and “alternative facts” served up, tit for every tat.

■ If you go into an exchange with the hope of “winning,” you’ve already lost. If you succumb to anger, you will undermine your ability to clearly state your point of view. Your opponent won’t hear a word you say. They’ll only hear the emotion.

■ Is it even worth trying? Yes. It’s good for us to be clear about where we stand and to say it out loud. Not trying to “win” relieves the pressure and much of the frustration.

You can focus entirely on stating your position clearly and calmly, which is all you can really hope for.

■ One goal is to witness to the truth as you know it.

“Truth” is not something we uncover, fully formed. It is a process, a dialectic between competing “truths,” something toward which we evolve. The only way to get closer to the whole truth and nothing but the truth is to engage.

■ The other goal is to resist injustice. Silence is no longer an option. Speaking out is one of our neglected duties in a democracy, and not speaking out is one of the reasons we’re in our current mess. For too long, most Americans have regarded free speech as a right to be used only as a last resort. Free speech is part of our job description as citizens.

■ It’s not your job, however, to convert. You can challenge someone, but conversion can only occur within the

*** What comes next after speaking out? The next step is simple and straightforward, though not easy: Outvote the opposition. Actually, we’ve already done that.

The 2020 election was a remarkable feat. The numbers were staggering. In 2020, more than 158 million Americans voted, the most ever. More than 100 million voted before Election Day because of the pandemic.

Biden set a record with more than 81 million votes.

The turnout percentage (66.2%) was the highest since 1900.

Trump received 12 million votes more than he got in 2016, but Biden received 12 million more than the previous presidential election record (Barack Obama’s 69.5 million in 2008).

So against a highly mobilized, fiercely determined group of Trump supporters, Biden’s supporters outmotivated, out-mobilized, and out-voted the opposition by 7 million — in spite of a deadly pre-vaccine pandemic.

I call that the greatest collective act of nonviolent resistance in the history of this country.

But it’s just Step 1. In spite of Republican efforts to rig the system and suppress the vote, the non-Trump portion of the country, the portion still committed to democracy, is faced with the challenge of out-motivating, out-mobilizing and out-voting the Authoritarian Party in 2022 — and again in 2024.

The Party of the Big Lie will do anything to hang onto power. A desperate opponent is difficult to defeat, but in 2020 we proved we could outvote them, even in places like Georgia and Arizona, and that’s what must happen again.

Two more steps in the greatest collective act of nonviolent resistance in our nation’s history.

If we did it once, we can do it again … and again.

If we want to save democracy, failure is not an option.

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 9, 2022

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 Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

What’s with the Postal Dis-service?

In the 28 years I have lived in Oak Park, the last two weeks has been the worst service ever by the U.S. Postal Service.

I am now entering day 6 with no delivery by USPS. Last week I only received mail on Friday and Saturday.

Many of my neighbors on my block are experiencing the same level of dis-service. Wednesday Journal is now becoming the Saturday Journal … if I’m lucky.

I have filed a complaint via the USPS website, I have called the post office more than five times, and even talking to a supervisor hasn’t solved the problem.

When I said I wanted to file a formal complaint, I was told there would be an investigation, and I would get an update within five calendar days. Eight calendar days

have passed and nothing, yet I received an email indicating the issue has been resolved.

I don’t think their definition of “resolved” is the same as mine.

When I asked to speak to the postmaster, I was told she doesn’t have an email address nor does she have voicemail. Although she rotates between three post office locations, no one could provide me with a day or time she would be at the Oak Park location. What type of leader and public service employee hides like that?

I understand there is a staffing shortage — especially since our carrier of over 20 years retired — however, it doesn’t appear the Oak Park Post Office is making any attempt to find a solution to the problem. I have even offered to pick up my mail and that fell on deaf ears. If this were any other business, they would be losing customers.

I finally wrote to Illinois Senator Don Harmon. One of the postal workers suggested I do that, a convenient way to deflect the issue and not take responsibility. It is disappointing that I have to resort to that measure to fix this type of problem. I am sure there are bigger issues Mr. Harmon is dealing with for our state.

If any reader has a solution to this problem, it would be great to know about it. I am running out of patience and options to get this resolved.

FILE

Mark Schlosser

Oak Park

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.

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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.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

Finance committee pulls support for OPRF borrowing

T

he District 200 Community Finance Committee (CFC) unanimously reversed its Jan. 18 decision at its do-over meeting on Feb. 3, withdrawing its support for the issuance of $20 million in debt certificates. The committee’s vote sends a strong and clear message to the D200 school board that there is no reason to borrow money.

In January, the board stated that it wanted the CFC’s input on the administration’s borrowing recommendation. The board even postponed its debt certificate vote from Jan. 27 to Feb. 24 to allow for the replacement CFC meeting on Feb. 3. It was needed as the new committee’s first meeting on Jan. 18 violated the Open Meetings Act (OMA). D200 failed to provide the public with a link to watch the meeting in real time and to make a public comment and failed to post an agenda 48 hours in advance of the meeting. All of which made the virtual open meeting a closed meeting.

D200 did not want to hold a new meeting. When community members raised the OMA violations with Supt. Greg Johnson, he initially offered to add public comments to the minutes of the Jan. 18 meeting. It was an inadequate remedy, especially given that administrators and board members failed to provide basic financial and debt certificate information to the community members in the Jan. 18 meeting. Public comments were needed to fill in the gaping holes of missing information.

Administrators failed to provide key financial documents and make clear that D200 has $96 million in the cash reserve

and more than $70 million are surplus taxpayer dollars which make any borrowing unnecessary, yet pressured the CFC to support the debt certificates anyway. Moreover, the money in the reserve earns so little in interest that the borrowing recommendation is fiscally unsound and ridiculous. D200 wants taxpayers to spend at least $320,000 a year in interest for 20 years to borrow $20 million when it could use money sitting idle in the reserve for free.

The $20 million in debt certificates would be used to accelerate maintenance projects to “beat” inflation, not that they need to be addressed sooner. Debt certificates represent the greatest funding affront to taxpayers, as debt certificates would enable D200 to circumvent taxpayers and even cost more than bonds.

The debt certificates are a shell game.

The administration’s memo states that the borrowing “maintains an avenue for the District to address Project 2 using fund balance reserves and future budgets.”

D200 plans to take advantage of inflation and hike the 2022 tax levy to the full 5% to pay for the debt certificates, raising the base for future levies and creating a budget surplus, which it proposes to use to fund Project 2 and its 17-lane pool and 600-seat natatorium, bypassing voters.

Based on the unanimous CFC ruling, the board should reject the fiscally unsound, disingenuous borrowing recommendation at its Feb. 24 meeting. Email and encourage the board (boe@oprfhs.org) to vote “No”.

Monica Sheehan is an Oak Park resident.

MONICA SHEEHAN One View

There will never be another Dressel’s

The closing of Dressel’s Hardware at 1137 Chicago Ave. marks the end of another treasured neighborhood institution. In the more than 50 years I’ve lived in Oak Park, I’ve been able to find virtually anything I wanted from a hardware store at Dressel’s, and much that I might have wanted from an old-fashioned general store.

From its array of housewares up front; to the back with its innumerable drawers and cubbies full of nuts & bolts, fasteners, and that one missing part nowhere else to be found; to their basement workshops where any window could be reglazed or any screen remounted; the dog-friendly Dressel’s was a store like no other, with a cluttered charm and narrow aisles that forced you to be-

come close neighbors with other customers, whether you wanted to or not.

What made Dressel’s great was not just the store or its inventory, but the guys who managed it — real hardware guys who knew everything about everything in the store, and who could find anything you needed, even if you had no idea what that was when you walked in.

They also knew the value of a steady, friendly cashier who could anchor the front of the store as well as the whole crew could anchor the rear. I’m glad we will still have a hardware store to replace it, but we’ll never have another Dressel’s.

Dick McKinlay Oak Park

D

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Enough is never enough with D200

id your wages go up 5% this year? For the vast majority of us, they did not. Showing once again how disconnected from the community they are, both elementary district 97 and OPRF high school district 200 are likely raising our taxes by the maximum allowed by law, 5%.

Sure, most people around town might think “Well, it’s the schools, teachers are great, so I’m sure they really need the money.”

Well, that’s not the case with D200. In the Jan. 18 Community Finance Committee meeting, Alyssa Alfano, director of finance said this increase would result in a budget surplus. D200 has a culture of taking money from us it doesn’t need — in 2005, it used a loophole to raise taxes more than 16%. This overtaxing over the years is how they amassed the absurd reserve fund — over $135 million at one point.

Since they don’t need the money, they’re looking for ways to spend it.

One under discussion right now: use the surplus to pay for high-interest loans, and use those borrowed funds to pay for maintenance projects planned in future years. With this scheme, we would be paying more than $300,000 per year in interest alone, an amount that would be better spent on learning specialists, social workers, or teachers.

If that’s not absurd enough, remember we have $96 million (earning 0% interest) in that reserve fund, a reserve fund D200’s own special committee recommended be spent down to $25 million, the level recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education, by 2021.

It’s as if you or I had $1 million in the bank (earning 0% interest), but still take a $200,000 loan for a rehab project that requires paying $300 a month in interest!

No one would do this and D200 shouldn’t

do this, either.

So why are they doing this?

Their culture is if there are tax dollars they can take, they are going to whether they need them or not. In the recent past, the board took their overtaxing ways to heart and froze increases every two of three years. It appears those days are over.

D200’s culture is to operate in spite of the community, not with it. This was clear through the past decade of pool schemes, where they attempted to bypass and mislead the public at nearly every turn. The top option in the finance director’s Jan. 13 memo on the borrowing issue (https://bit. ly/D200BondsJan13) includes the header, “The district can issue [DSEB bonds] without a referendum to fund capital projects.” They also don’t need public approval to spend the massive reserve fund on facilities, so of course they don’t want to deplete it.

Finally, “The Pool”: Throughout the Jan. 13 borrowing advice document, there are several mentions how this scheme would make it easier to do the $65+ million Project 2, of which “The Pool” is the cornerstone. (FYI: Science lab, special ed classrooms and dozens of classroom upgrades are in Project 4 and 5). Obviously, a 600-seat pool-stadium is more of a shrine to privilege and excess than an asset to our kids’ educational needs.

Even if you’re OK with your taxes going up 5% this year and staying there forever, think of your neighbors who can’t as easily absorb this hit. Please email the board at boe@oprfhs.org and tell them not to take the full 5% increase, use the reserve fund to accelerate the maintenance projects, and if they want to build “The Pool,” to make a case to the community and pay for it with traditional means. And to stop scheming and start respecting us.

Brian Souders is an Oak Park resident.

BRIAN

SOUDERS One View

A drummer like no other

The world of blues music has lost one of the true greats, Sam Lay, who died Jan. 29 at age 86. He was the greatest blues drummer on the planet, and I’m so glad I got to hear him play in concert a number of times.

Sam played with many blues pioneers, including Little Walter, Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters. He was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. I got to hear him play many times with the SiegelSchwall Band, including several shows at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, where I got his autograph, and thankfully, got to tell him

how much I admired his playing.

Sam invented a “double shuffle” pattern on drums that became known as the “Sam Lay Shuffle.” He played the locomotivelike shuffle on the snare drum with one hand that I, and many other drummers, cannot duplicate with two hands. Watching him play that shuffle was watching a master at work. And hearing him sing “Got My Mojo Working” while shuffling on the drums was breathtaking.

Rest in peace, Sam. And thanks for the inspiration and entertainment.

Howie Anderson Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

37

Oak Park needs to electrify buildings

Thank you for publishing the excellent review by Nick Bridge of Saul Griffith’s very important book, Electrify Everything [‘Electrify’ is the key to the climate crisis, Viewpoints, Jan. 26]. This book is a serious, solid account of what must be done to avert catastrophic climate change. But it is also an optimistic look at a much cleaner and safer world that is within our power to create.

Griffith’s book addresses the climate crisis as a whole, arguing that it is an emergency and that the crucial problem is to reduce and eventually eliminate the burning of fossil fuels. He describes in some detail a lot of changes our country and our world will have to make, including revamping the electrical grid, zoning changes, and financing.

If we take Griffith’s point of view and apply it to Oak Park, one thing jumps out at us: buildings. Buildings are the main source of fossil fuel emissions in a town like this.

Heating homes with gas. Cooking with gas.

Making hot water with gas. Drying clothes with gas. None of this is necessary. Surprisingly to most people, homes and other buildings can be heated with heat pumps, and it is cost-competitive with gas, especially when they are designed and built that way from

the beginning.

Not only is burning natural gas in buildings bad for the climate, it is bad for your health. A recent study from Stanford University showed that gas stoves leak a lot of methane into the air even when turned off, as well as emitting harmful nitrogen dioxide when in use.

The biggest thing Oak Park can do right now about climate change is to ban the burning of gas in new buildings. This would follow the lead of New York City, San Francisco, and towns and cities all over California. Governor Hochul has called for New York State to follow suit. And Ithaca, New York is planning to eliminate gas in all existing buildings!

Oak Park’s Building Code Advisory Commission is working on revisions for our building code. We believe our code should be amended immediately to require all new buildings to be all-electric.

To get to carbon neutrality, the world will have to electrify. Buildings are going up now that will be anachronistic in a few years. We need to move quickly.

Doug Burke

Senior Climate Action

GOOGLE MAPS

There will never be another Dressel’s

The closing of Dressel’s Hardware at 1137 Chicago Ave. marks the end of another treasured neighborhood institution. In the more than 50 years I’ve lived in Oak Park, I’ve been able to find virtually anything I wanted from a hardware store at Dressel’s, and much that I might have wanted from an old-fashioned general store.

From its array of housewares up front; to the back with its innumerable drawers and cubbies full of nuts & bolts, fasteners, and that one missing part nowhere else to be found; to their basement workshops where any window could be reglazed or any screen remounted; the dog-friendly Dressel’s was a store like no other, with a cluttered charm and narrow aisles that forced you to be-

come close neighbors with other customers, whether you wanted to or not.

What made Dressel’s great was not just the store or its inventory, but the guys who managed it — real hardware guys who knew everything about everything in the store, and who could find anything you needed, even if you had no idea what that was when you walked in.

They also knew the value of a steady, friendly cashier who could anchor the front of the store as well as the whole crew could anchor the rear. I’m glad we will still have a hardware store to replace it, but we’ll never have another Dressel’s.

Dick McKinlay Oak Park

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

K

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We need a paradigm shift

en, in some of your recent columns you enflame the divisions of “them vs. us” [Truth and the unvaccinated, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Jan. 19]. And they contain the self-righteousness that “We are right, and they are wrong.”

You are angry, afraid, and frustrated. But let’s go deeper. Dualism is one distorted aspect of the patriarchal system we all still live in. It sets up factions to fight. It wounds us all. One side wins, then the other side wins.

Or is there ever a winner? Politics is so toxic and getting more so.

May I suggest that you shift terrains? There will never be success with this dualistic approach, especially in the realm of politics. I know you as a spiritual seeker and teacher.

Please help raise the dialogue to that spiritual realm, where the answers, connections, transformation, and creative solutions rest.

This is a time for each of us to courageously let go of the toxic dysfunction of the patriarchal paradigm and live from a place that allows its transformation. It seems that a partnership of the light (as opposed to shadow) side of masculine and feminine energies, including Divine Feminine energies, is a path to a new way of being. We each need deep guidance as to how to do this, how to be this.

Gratefully, we can be inspired by interfaith wisdom as we interact with the other or when we think of the other. Here are a few spiritual gems: ■ “I salute the God within you. Namaste.”

■ A Course in Miracles teaches us to choose love over fear.

■ The Golden Rule still shines: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

It’s part of many religions and philosophical traditions. (Go to Humanity Healing International, Golden Rule, and click on the video.)

Imagine a world where most people live as

best they can from this truth, even in our imperfect ways.

The Ascended Master Jesus reminds us to forgive 70 times seven and to “love your enemies.” His mission was to shift human consciousness to love. How are we doing?

This Buddhist Lovingkindness meditation and its wisdom helps center us, calm us, and remind us: If anyone has hurt me or harmed me knowingly or unknowingly in thought, word, or deed, I freely forgive them.

And I too ask forgiveness if I have hurt anyone or harmed anyone knowingly or unknowingly in thought, word, or deed.

May I be happy May I be peaceful May I be free.

May my friends be happy May my friends be peaceful May my friends be free.

May my enemies be happy May my enemies be peaceful May my enemies be free.

May all beings be happy May all beings be peaceful May all beings be free.

May it be. We are in the time called the Kali Yuga, predicted for thousands of years.

This is a deeply dark and difficult time when humans can either destroy life as we know it on this planet or create something better: heaven on earth. Let’s courageously try our best to come together and create a better society which some call the new paradigm, 5-D Consciousness, or The New Earth. Amidst the deep challenges there is such a great opportunity. We can begin to do it together. We can choose love.

Gina Orlando is a former Oak Park resident who now lives in Forest Park.

GINA

ORLANDO One View

Anti-vaxxers are lucky that love prevails

Choices have consequences. The toddler who sticks a finger into the pretty flame learns that, and never forgets. But vaccine resisters ignore the lesson even so. Their choice accounts for the vast majority of people hospitalized now. Worse yet is that some are still dying because of that choice. A deadly consequence for them.

But it doesn’t end there. When people make that choice, others are forced to bear the consequences. Family members suffer, some to the point of grieving. Far too many dedicated caregivers, especially in hospitals, are being pushed to the breaking point, physically and emotionally. And even necessary surgeries must be postponed to make room for COVID patients, while leaders in government are

compelled to spend scarce money to address the varieties of societal problems.

But despite it all, they are sure they can count on others not being so selfish as they are.

That’s been the case and will continue to be.

Let’s be brutally logical. Anti-vaxxers, insisting on your choice should be followed by your accepting all the consequences. Refuse the vaccines? Then refuse medical care, and any other help. Fly solo, come what may. Why should anyone else be responsible for your choice?

You can be thankful that love prevails over logic, for many of us.

What do you offer in return?

Fred Reklau Oak Park

Omicron and booster shots

An important major study[1] has just revealed some welcome good news. Although the omicron variant may infect vaccinated people, those who have received two doses plus a booster are significantly protected from omicron.

Unfortunately, the United States lags far behind other western countries in receiving boosters. Only a quarter of Americans have the booster; twice as many British, Germans, and Belgians are boosted. This may explain why the U.S. leads

the world in deaths per capita during the omicron wave (more than 30/100,000 vs. less than 20/100,000 for the European countries mentioned)[2].

All the arguing about details of mitigation policies has distracted Americans from the big picture. If you do not want to become infected and possibly die from omicron, get the booster!

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

Shutting down the Big Liars

Rudy Giuliani spent months accusing Dominion Voting Machines of being rigged in President Biden’s favor.

He did that with no evidence.

He has stopped doing that because Dominion is suing his pants off.

I think that’s the way to fight back against the myth of The Big Steal.

The certifiers of President Biden’s 2020

election should enter into a Class Action lawsuit and let it be known that people who accuse them of criminal activity with no evidence will be prosecuted for slander, libel and defamation.

Make the Big Liars pay! Or have I missed something?

Jerry Bloom Galewood

Dialogue on values Like you, I am very interested in having productive (judged how?) dialogues with others who don’t necessarily think as I do.

But like you, I seem to find that in such potential conversations, those people are not genuinely interested in listening or learning. [What it takes to bridge the national divide, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Feb. 2] If I were in a discussion with 10 people, I don’t really believe that I’d be able to persuade at least nine of them toward my point of view. So going in with that expectation, or lack of it, my objective is really to listen and understand. Sure, I’d love to persuade all 10 of them with facts, logic and emotion. But I don’t think that’s the way to approach any kind of true dialogue. Only by genuinely listening can defenses be lowered. Maybe that’s the secret to getting the “other side” to listen genuinely, too.

Part of the issue for me is that our culture seems to love dichotomous thinking.

We like to put people into neat categories.

(The book, The Coddling of the American Mind, does a great job of examining this point. They talk about one of the three great untruths being a belief that people are either good or evil.)

I don’t think people can always easily be divided into liberal or conservative. To me, what is at the heart of any such dialogue is the answer to the question, “What are your values?” I think our greatest chance of building bridges is to discover the values that people who appear to be on opposite sides hold in common. I think it could be very enlightening if people talked about what it is they value and how their behavior is consistent or inconsistent with that.

And then, how do they feel about what they discover?

Of course, you have to start with people who are willing to talk about their values.

Jim Parks

Elmhurst

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The joy of a dream

Gazing out our windows at the park filled with glittering snow: Proud tree sentinels in their new, white uniforms; walkways waiting to be found; benches hiding and risible.

I’m 6 years old again, my sled with me in the still and chill of the park; only eyes and nose are visible.

A freshly fallen gift from the Snow Creator, the bright and glistening snow gilds the stark and lonely park, now coated with a peaceful softness.

I look for a hill to appear ... none will.

And so still gazing and still 6, for the Union Station I embark.

The ride is fast, but not Olympic; The ride’s a blast, but not eponymic.

My two older brothers acted like they didn’t know me; The other kids stayed out of my way; it was my steering.

I’d either go straight, or straight into the curb.

But they all survived ... and in the days before helmets.

I did some growing up on my South Street Hill: Courage, self-reliance, accomplishments may not bring cheering, recognition of stupidity (especially your own).

Tom Lynch Oak Park

from page 33 to make OPRF an Illinois Green School.

We are currently working on a project to allow OPRF students to donate used clothes, to be sold later in a thrift store. All proceeds will be given to a climate-related charity.

“We promote green habits and sustainable changes to our school and other members of the community and lead projects that spread information and awareness about climate issues,” said club Vice President and senior Sophie Ball.

The Environmental Club’s mission is to educate the high school community in

Electoral College gets a failing grade

F

or an individual who claims to love our constitutional democracy, it might seem strange that I am constantly finding problems in the system. It is similar to a mother/ child relationship. The mother sees her offspring’s faults and then seeks to rid her beloved child of those faults.

My present complaint is our electoral system, specifically the Electoral College. Amazingly, our 200-year-old-plus Constitution and its Amendments are for the most part still effective and relevant today. The use of electors, however, in my opinion, is antiquated. The founders of our democracy enacted Amendment #12 on June 15, 1804, arranging for electors (2 for each state). They saw this as a fair and inclusive way in which to elect the President and Vice President of our nation. Also this plan served as a strong inducement for new settlements in America to join the Union of States.

In 1787 when the Electoral Amendment was first discussed, there were only the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey that formed our Union. Between 1787 and its 1804 ratification, 14 additional states joined the Union. Because one of the problems between the states was communication across the distance, an Electoral College system seemed even more attractive than it did at first. The newest 14 states that joined the Union were Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Representatives from these 17 states comprised the Electoral system when it was ratified in 1804. Recognizing that the Electoral College representatives were not adequate for growing populations, they changed, to a formula in Article 2 of the Constitution: “Each state shall appoint in such manner as the Legislature thereof may direct a number of Electors, equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress.”

However, this change did not offer the fairness that our Founders meant to provide. Therefore, the Electoral College now provides too much power to the “swing states,” whereby the Presidential election can be decided by a handful of states.

I, like many others, share the view that the Electoral College is outdated and no longer necessary. In fact, such election representation distorts the fairness it was meant to provide and is ripe for abuse. In recent years we’ve had two elections in which the winner of the popular vote did not become the President — George W. Bush over Al Gore and Donald Trump over Hilary Clinton. Both “losers,” Gore and Clinton were “winners” of the popular vote. In each case, the vote margin was within 3 million votes, but neither were selected by the majority of electors for the presidency.

It should not be necessary to have an overwhelming popular vote to be elected to office. However, the fact that the Electoral College chose Bush and Trump was completely legal. The Electoral system is such that no matter who wins the popular vote, the Electoral College representatives from each state have the legal right to choose the president. The Electoral College, in effect, ignores the will of the people. One can understand how this system can be abused at this time in history.

To repeal an Amendment is a very serious matter.

Yet there is precedent for it. On Dec. 5, 1933, Amendment #18 was repealed. It was ratified on Jan. 16, 1919, and addressed Prohibition. This took place during an austere period in our history following World War I. This amendment became very unpopular and led to a surge of crime and violence because of the illicit alcohol distribution that ensued. Even so, it took years of argument and persistent debate to finally repeal Amendment #18 with Amendment #21, enacted in 1933.

The Constitution stated in Amendment #15: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” Therefore, every vote should be counted. Our democracy depends on free and fair elections. I believe to maintain that fairness we must change to simply counting the popular vote.

Please join me in contacting our legislators and urge them to work toward repeal of the Electoral system, Amendment #12.

Harriet Hausman is a longtime resident of River Forest and member of the ACLU.

One View

“Galesburg!” was the welcome call, so off we got, and off we went to Nana’s ... never “grandma,” always grand.

South Street gave us the hill; it was no tiny Jack and Jill.

East to west, at least two city blocks; If you survive a cool right at Holton, the course ends at Tompkins, one block north.

Then you pull the sled, on the tread back up the hill, with the smugness of King David.

GILFILLAN

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HARRIET HAUSMAN

On the Burlington to Galesburg, sitting by the window ’cause I’m only 6, In a child’s dream world of train and snow.

I watch the farms go by in their pristine quiet, old red barns struggling to stand under their new weight.

The sound of wheels clicking and the pufferbelly’s chugging melt away into the warmth and silence.

My window gazing ends.

I wonder where I stored my faithful sled ...

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

sustainability causes, initiate environmentally sustainable efforts, and create a space for high school students to gather with others concerned about sustainability. OPRF High School is the future of Oak Park and River Forest. The Environmental Club hopes to ensure our future is clean by laying a sustainable groundwork today. We hope all OPRF residents will do the same.

The Environmental Club Executive Board consists of the following students: Luke Gilfillan, president; Sophie Ball, vice president; Vedant Mundhra, treasurer; Elizabeth Bollinger, secretary; Eriana Bayron, media relations officer; Noah Schrodt, outreach coordinator; Tallin Rao, project leader; Leo Huppke, project leader; Jonathan Hugh, project leader.

SIECK from page 33 inherit the DNA of our parents, and their parents, and pass that on to our children, and grandchildren, do they, and we, not also live on in that way? After all, without these influences, none of us would be who we are.

“Without her, I am nothing.” No. You were “you” until you met “her” and then the two of you created personalities entwined like two strands of psychological DNA, built around the molecular DNA you each inherited, and which, along with psychological traits, you pass on to your children. Is that not a way in which part-

ners find immortality in other’s lives, and in the lives of all who will follow them?

Mexico’s annual celebration of Die de los Muertos (captured so beautifully in the movie Coco), reminds people to remember their ancestors and to thank them for their lives and contributions. In reality, they live on not for just one day, but every day through the genetic and psychological contributions each of us exhibits every day of the year.

More than breakfast, less than heaven; not as enduring as a pyramid nor as fleeting as a digital photograph. Immortality lies in the play we write with each other with a debt to the past and hope for the future. I am enjoying writing that play and looking forward to fewer goodbyes and a lot more breakfasts.

It’s the human condition.

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

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O B I T U A R I E S

Frank Limentato, 78 Owner, operator of Avenue Barber Shop

Frank Anthony Limentato, 78, of Winter Park, Florida, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022, in his home, surrounded by family. Born on Jan. 29, 1943, in Villa Rosa, Sicily, Italy, to Salvatore and Maria Limentato, he was the fifth of six children. He came to the U.S. in the 1960s and lived in the Chicago area until 2016. He skillfully practiced his craft as a barber from the age of 11 until his retirement at the age of 72. For more than 35 years, he owned and operated Avenue Barber Shop in Oak Park.

His priorities were faith, family, and diligence and excellence in his work. With a steadfast and kind spirit, he influenced all around him through his character, evidenced by his consistent actions.

Frank is survived by Dolores (Baglio) Limentato, his wife and the love of his life for 53 years, for whom he came to the

United States to meet and marry in 1968.

He is also survived and missed by their three children, Sam (Cynthia) Limentato, Marilyn (Cass) Black, and David (Aubrey) Limentato; nine grandchildren; and his siblings, Rosario Limentato, Maria Giarrusso and Gina Cosentino. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Guiseppe Limentato and Mario Limentato.

Visitation and services were held on Feb. 6 and 7 in Winter Park, Florida. Arrangements were handled by Baldwin-Fairchild Goldenrod/Winter Park Funeral Home.

Carl Subak, 103 Stamp and coin seller

Carl Hans Subak, 103, a longtime Oak Park resident, died on Feb. 6, 2022. Born in Vienna, Austria in 1919 to Marianne (nee Glaser) and Ernest Subak, he completed his secondary education at the Realgymnasium in 1937 but, following the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany the following year, he fled the country on

his own and eventually made his way to the United States. He was recruited to attend Camp Ritchie, which trained native German speakers, mainly young Jewish refugees, to serve in Europe on assignments with the U.S. Army. Working as an interpreter while stationed in Berlin’s American zone, he continued to study for his undergraduate degree in geography (Harvard University), which he completed soon after the war.

After returning to the USA, he joined his sister who had settled in Seattle and, with his brother-in-law, started an import-export business in stamps and coins. In the Pacific Northwest, he enjoyed climbing and on a hike with the Seattle Mountaineers, he met his wife-to-be, Eileen Alexander.

They moved to Chicago in 1949 and within a few years settled in Oak Park, which became their home for the next 65 years. Oak Park offered a quick commute on the el to his downtown office where he continued to work as a wholesale dealer in stamps and coins into his late 90s. He made good use of the tennis courts in the village, playing every other morning at 7 a.m. for many decades. He also enjoyed the game of bridge, which he played into his 10th decade of life.

He is survived by his two children, Jon and Susan, and two grandchildren. The funeral service will take place at Oak Park Temple, 1235 N. Harlem Ave., on Wednesday, Feb. 9, at 2 p.m.

Michael Aldous, 49 Owned MJA Plumbing Sewer

Michael James Aldous, 49, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died on Feb. 2, 2022. He owned MJA Plumbing & Sewer Co. Inc. and was a graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School.

He was the partner of Mollie Weyburn and her children, Christian and Ursula; the father of Michael Aldous and Carol Aldous (nee Mayor); brother of Julie (Willy) Drews; and the uncle of Tyler and Haley.

Visitation will be held from 2-9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 at Hursen Funeral Home & Crematory, SW Corner of Roosevelt & Mannheim Roads, Hillside/Westchester.

The funeral service is scheduled at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Suburban Fellowship Center or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Michael’s name.

Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory Kevin Kopicki

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Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

Growing Community Media

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Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

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software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology.

Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts.

Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.

Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others.

Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance.

Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment.

Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.



The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.

SANITARIAN

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department.

This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak- park.us/jobs.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN III & OPERATING ENGINEER II

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classification(s): Engineering Technician III (Original) Operating Engineer II (Original) Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100.

An Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D Health Specialties Teacher, Post-Secondary sought by Pan Ethnic International, Inc. dba Taylor Business Institute in Chicago, Illinois. Duties include teaching and curriculum development for health specialities including courses in anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, coding and billing. Required: Bachelor’s degree in medicine, anatomy or biology. Must be a certified medical coder and have at least 1 year of patient-related experience in the medical field and 1 year of experience teaching a medical subject as well as outpatient and inpatient billing. Please reply to Janice.Parker@tbiil.edu.

National Accounts Rep Get a job super close to home!

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally Manufacturing owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals. We are seeking a college educated trainee to become an office professional.

Work is in person at our beautiful, safe, spread out, elegant executive offices in Galewood. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, salary, benefits, friendly caring management, Oak Park owner. Please send resume to careers@fastchangeframes.com.

Visit www.fastchangeframes.com/careers for more details. 6460 W. Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707

SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

SAWA’S OLD WARSAW RESTAURANT

Help wanted. Hiring all positions.

Apply in person at 9200 W Cermak Rd, Broadview, IL 60155.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call contracter for more info.

708-738-3848

JANITORIAL

Part-time. 3-5 days per week. Evening hours 5-9. $13-15/hr to start.

Job located in Morton Grove, IL. Must have own transportation.

Call Larry for more information. 773636-2505

COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Service Officer in the Police Department. This position will perform a variety of public service, customer service and law enforcement related duties and responsibilities that do not require the services of a sworn police officer; and to perform a variety of administrative duties. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

PART-TIME COMMUNITY SERVICE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (up to 10-15 hrs./week) in the Adjudication Department. Thisperson monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park. us/jobs. Open until filled.

ACCOUNTANT CLERK

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position which performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving financial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Public Health Nurse in the Health Department.

This position will provide professional public health nursing services including health education and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled with first review of apps 2/2/22.

PART TIME DELIVERY DRIVER

Local company looking for part time driver. Must be drug free and have a valid IL DL. Must be able to lift 75lb. $15/hr Email resume: HR@sievertelectric. com

LITIGATION ASSISTANT

Established boutique law firm moving from Chicago Loop to Oak Park, and seeking experienced litigation assistant to work with senior partner.

Competitive salary and benefits.

Send resume to mkarson@laroseboscolaw.com

  In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | AustinWeeklyNews.com | RBLandmark.com | ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

42

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG RENTALS & REAL ESTATE

MARKETPLACE CARS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS

WANTED TO BUY 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

Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars:

SUBURBAN RENTALS STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR OAK PARK & Best Selection & Service

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

2 SPACES FOR RENT IN SHOPPING CENTER:

A 1,635 SQ. FT. RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE (END CAP)

From 1,000 Sq. Ft.(END CAP) TO- 1,635 Sq. Ft. BOTH: Very good Condition. Recently Updated. *Heavy traffic area; Serious inquires ONLY. **Special Discounted Rates-Limited Time!

If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Phone Number and Type of Business.

TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491

Mercedes, Corvette, Mercedes,Porsche, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, MuscleCars, Cars, Ferrari’s,Jaguars, Jaguars, Muscle Mustang && Mopars Mopars Mustang Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.

Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles HOME SERVICES Domestic / Import Cars: HAULING ELECTRICAL Mercedes, Porsche,ELECTRICAL Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, A&A ELECTRIC Mopars Let anMustang American & Veteran do your work

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

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.

Collector James

630-201-8122

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

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

Recently Updated/remodeled.

Heavy traffic area. **Discounted Rate-Limited Time!

If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Number & Type of Business.

TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – ELECTRICAL, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, ROOFING, GENERAL TRADES Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m.

CST on Thursday, February 10, 2022 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be virtually opened via zoom and read at 2:15 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 - SUMMER 2022 LIFE SAFETY WORK Virtual Bid Opening will be held at 2:15pm CST on 2/10/2022 per link: Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web. zoom.us/j/83956673114 Meeting ID: 839 5667 3114

CLASSICS WANTED

Ceiling Fans Installed

FOREST PARK

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

PUBLIC NOTICES

BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/ Plaster Repair Low Cost 708.749.0011

708-296-2060

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

Reach the people making the decisions.

Place an ad in GCM Classified!

Call 773/626-6332

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

WOODWORK 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

HEARING DATE: March 2, 2022 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 07-22-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a variance application filed by the Applicant, Oak Park and River Forest High School, seeking variances from the following district dimensional standards, fences, and walls regulations of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park, to demolish existing tennis courts and construct new regulation sized tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens), at the northwest corner of the school lot at the property commonly known as 201 N. Scoville Avenue, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-221008-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the I institutional Zoning District: 1. Section 6.2 (Table 6-2: District Dimensional Standards) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires a 15-foot front yard setback along Erie Street. The proposal shows new tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens) within the 15-foot front yard setback, featuring an approximately zero (0’) foot setback along Erie Street, matching existing conditions; and 2. Section 6.2 (Table 6-2: District Dimensional Standards) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires a 15-foot corner side yard setback along Lyman Avenue. The proposal shows new tennis courts and associated accessory components (gates and screens) within the required 15-foot corner side yard setback, featuring an approximately ten (10’) foot setback along Linden Street, matching existing conditions; and 3. Section 9.3 (L) (2) (a) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires that open wire fences located within 35 feet of a front lot line cannot exceed eight (8’) feet in height. The proposal features a ten (10’) foot tall black coated chain link fence along the north and west border of the tennis courts within 35 feet of the front lot line, matching existing conditions; and 4. Section 9.3 (L) (2) (b) of the Zoning Ordinance of the Village of Oak Park requires that fences located more than 35 feet from a front lot line cannot exceed eight (8’) feet in height. The proposal features a ten (10’) foot tall black coated chain link fence around the perimeter of the

tennis courts located more than 35 feet from the front lot line, matching existing conditions.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@ oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 2, 2022. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing.

Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes: Electrical, Mechanical, Roofing, Plumbing, General Trades All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.

No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Tuesday January 25th, 2022 and are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the following link.

No username or password is required. https://tinyurl.com/k5r9y82r The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Robert Cotan of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites.

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES For additional information on the project, contact Robert Cotan of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at rcotan@ bulley.com or 708-315-8468.

Dated: 1/25/22 Robert Cotan Bulley & Andrews, LLC Published in Wednesday Journal February 2, 9, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Mercedes De La Paz Buck Case Number 20224000323.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Mercedes De La Paz Buck to the new name of Cedes Delapaz Buck.

The court date will be held: On Tuesday March 22, 2022 at 11am via Zoom: Meeting ID 936 6870 5913 Password: 826976 at 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom #0111.

Published in Wednesday Journal January 26, February 2, 9, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of BEATRIZ MIGUEL-VILLAOBOS, Petitioner, and FRANCISCO ORTIZ-FERNANDEZ, Respondent, Case No. 2022D000652.

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 April 28, 2022, 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 February 2, 9, 16, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT OF RACINE COUNTY Case No. 21-CV-1437 Case Code No: 30101 NATHANIEL C. ERHARDT, Plaintiff, and, WISCONSIN PIPE TRADES HEALTH FUND, UNITEDHEALTHCARE INSURANCE COMPANY, Involuntary Plaintiffs, -v.ALLSTATE FIRE AND CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, J.C. MOVERS & LUMPERS SERVICES, INC., DAMILLON D. THOMAS, ERIE INSURANCE EXCHANGE, Defendants.

PUBLICATION SUMMONS THE STATE OF WISCONSIN TO: Damillon D. Thomas 215 Des Plaines Avenue Forest Park, Illinois 60130 THE PERSONS NAMED ABOVE AS DEFENDANT: You are hereby notified that the Plaintiffs named above have filed a Complaint for damages against you.

43

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

Within forty (40) days after the 16th day of February 2022, exclusive of the date just stated, you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the complaint.

The demand must be sent or delivered to the Court, whose address is: Clerk of Circuit Court - Racine County 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, Wisconsin 53403 and to Gruber Law Offices, LLC, Attorneys Patrick K. Ritter and Nicholas L. Hermann, the Plaintiff’s attorneys, whose address is: 100 East Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 2800, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202.

You may have an attorney help or represent you.

If you do not demand a copy within forty (40) days, the Court may grant a Judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint. A Judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A Judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future and may also be enforced by garnishment of wages or seizure of property.

Dated at Milwaukee, Wisconsin this 26th day of January 2022.

GRUBER LAW OFFICES, LLC Attorneys for the Plaintiff, Nathaniel C. Erhardt By: /s/Patrick K. Ritter Patrick K. Ritter State Bar No.: 1092393 Email: patrickritter@gruber-law.com Nicholas L. Hermann State Bar No.: 1082796 Email: nh@gruber-law.com POST OFFICE ADDRESS: 100 East Wisconsin Avenue Suite 2800 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 Telephone: (414) 276-6666

PUBLIC NOTICE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given to all interested persons that a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Riverside will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 7:00 p.m., or as soon thereafter as the business of the Planning and Zoning Commission may permit, in the Riverside Township Hall, Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, to consider an application for a variation from Section 10-7-3(D)(2) (Accessory Structures and Uses) of the Village of Riverside Zoning Ordinance to allow the construction of a deck addition five feet (5’) above grade and from Section 10-10-4(C) (Nonconforming Buildings and Structures) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance to allow an existing nonconforming deck to be enlarged by 238 square feet.

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

tation must be submitted in Adobe PDF format to the District’s Architect via the email address listed above on or before 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 25, 2022. A Bidder’s failure to submit the required prequalification documentation will be considered grounds for rejection of the Contractor’s bid.

Published in Wednesday Journal February 2, 9, 16, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008574 on January 26, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of ADVENTURES WITH ABUELA with the business located at: 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: VIRGINIA MARTINEZ 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA Published in Wednesday Journal February 9, 16, 23

PUBLIC NOTICE LEGAL NOTICE Invitation to Bid The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for Bus Transportation Services. The bid specifications will be available on the Park District’s website as of 10:00 am Wednesday, February 9, 2022.

Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www. pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/. Bids must be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Bus Transportation Services” and must be delivered on or before 1:00PM CST on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 to the Hedges Administrative Center. Immediately thereafter, bids will be opened and read.

For further information, contact Maureen McCarthy at Maureen.McCarthy@pdop.org.

By: Maureen McCarthy Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL, 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal February 9, 2022

Application No.: PZ22-02 Petitioner: Martin and Deborah Lubeck Property Commonly Known As: 490 Uvedale Road, Riverside, Illinois PIN: 15-25-403-046-0000 The Property is legally described as follows: LOT 1431 IN BLOCK 39 IN THE THIRD DIVISION OF RIVERSIDE IN SECTION 25, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST IN THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Proposed Variations: 1. A variation from Section 10-7-3(D) (2) (Accessory Structures and Uses) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance, which states that decks shall not be raised more than four feet (4’) above the established grade. The current deck is five feet (5’) from the established grade and the proposed deck addition would match the existing deck height from grade.

2. A variation from Section 10-104(C) (Nonconforming Buildings and Structures) of the Riverside Zoning Ordinance, which states that a building or structure that is nonconforming with respect to its bulk shall not be added to or enlarged, unless permitted by certain other specified subsections. The proposed addition would enlarge the current nonconforming deck by 238 square feet.

The above application is available for inspection at the office of the Village Clerk, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. During the Public Hearing the Planning and Zoning Commission will hear testimony from and consider any evidence presented by persons interested to speak on these matters.

Persons wishing to appear at this hearing may do so in person or by attorney or other representative and may speak for or against the proposed variations.

Communications in writing in relation thereto may be filed at such hearing or with the Planning and Zoning Commission in advance by submission to Village Planner Francisco Jimenez via email at fjimenez@riverside.il.us or delivered to the attention of Village Planner Francisco Jimenez at the Village Offices at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois prior to 4:00 p.m. on the day of the public hearing.

The Public Hearing may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The proposal and zoning relief sought may be added to, revised, altered or eliminated as a result of the Public Hearing and prior to final action by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside.

Dated this 9th day of February, 2022.

Jill Mateo, Chairperson Planning and Zoning Commission Published in RB Landmark February 9, 2022

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission February 24, 2022, at 7:00 PM NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider a request by the Village of Brookfield, as petitioner, to amend the text of the Village of Brookfield Zoning Ordinance in Chapter 62 of the Municipal Code for required parking in the SA 1 and SA 4a zoning districts.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/or written comments. Please check the following webpage more information: https://brookfieldil.gov/ community-developmentdepartment/planning/brookfield-development-projects/ Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kendra Kuehlem, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kkuehlem@brookfieldil.gov.

Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark February 9, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE The Brookfield - La Grange Park School District 95 Board of Education is accepting bids from roofing contractors only for a roof renovation at their middle school in Brookfield, Illinois. The roofing contractor will act as a general contractor.

The scope of work includes providing all labor, materials, fabrication, machinery, tools, equipment, and other means of construction necessary for completion of the work indicated in the Bid Documents including, but not necessarily limited to, the following: limited roofing repairs to SBS-modified bituminous roof membranes & insulation, application of liquid-applied polyurethane roof membranes and flashing, stone coping repairs, and limited masonry tuckpointing.

The work site is S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. On-site construction is scheduled to begin Monday, June 13, 2022. The Contractor must achieve Substantial Completion on or before Friday, August 12, 2022.

Liquidated damages apply to the Substantial Completion date.

Bid Documents may be obtained after 12:00 noon on Friday, February 11, 2022, from the District’s Architect, the Cashman Stahler Group, Inc., by sending a written request by email to Mr. Stephen Cashman at scashman@cashmanstahler.com.

A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at S.E. Gross Middle School, 3524 Maple Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. A Bidder’s failure to attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting will be grounds for rejection of the Contractor’s bid.

Required prequalification documen-

Sealed bids must be received by Dr. Mark Kuzniewski, District Superintendent, at the District Office, 3724 Prairie Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 before 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022. The sealed bids will then be publicly opened and read. It is anticipated that the contract will be awarded by the Board of Education at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 10, 2022.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid security in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the Base Bid. The successful Bidder will be required to furnish construction performance and labor and material payment bonds in the full amount of the final Contract Sum. Contractor shall not pay less than the prevailing rates of wages to all laborers, workmen, and mechanics performing work under this contract, and shall comply with the requirements of the Illinois Wages of Employees on Public Works Act (820 ILCS 130/1-12). The Contractor will be required to submit electronic copies of their certified payrolls with each application for payment using the Illinois Department of Labor’s Prevailing Wage Portal.

The Brookfield - La Grange Park School District 95 Board of Education reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids, reject nonconforming bids, reject conditional bids, waive irregularities in the bidding procedures, or to accept any bid that, in its sole opinion, best serves the interests of the School District.

Published in RB Landmark February 9, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MARY WOLFE, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 2019CH11236 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 8, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-331-015 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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. 14-19-08871 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11236 TJSC#: 42-331 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 # 2019CH11236 I3186705

Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302.

P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130.

(440) 572-1512. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3186451

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST N.A., AS TRUSTEE OF THE SCIG SERIES III TRUST; Plaintiff, vs.

GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996; Defendants, 11 CH 33740 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West

knowingly accept any

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

44

Wednesday Journal, February 9, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

FALL IN LOVE WITH A NEW HOME 334 N Kenilworth Ave OAK PARK | $1,495,000

Anne Ferri | Kim Wojack

824 N Ridgeland Ave

2553 N Southport Ave

CHICAGO | $1,250,000 Steve Green

2126 Maple Ave

OAK PARK | $375,000 Edwin Wald

BERWYN | $355,000 The Dita Group

1128 N Harlem Ave Unit C

403 N Marion St #1A

RIVER FOREST | $235,900 Patricia McGowan

211 W Quincy St #2

RIVERSIDE | $148,000

Linton Murphy

310 N Cuyler Ave

OAK PARK | $649,000 Patricia McGowan

7712 Harvard St

FOREST PARK | $265,000 Kevin Kirby

1421 Bonnie Brae Pl #5B

232 N Taylor Ave

OAK PARK | $599,000 Swati Saxena

224 S Oak Park Ave #3C

OAK PARK | $249,000 Steve Green

1040 Ontario St #2G

2521 Nelson Sq WESTCHESTER | $490,000

Bethanny Alexander

1176 S Harvey Ave

OAK PARK | $237,000 Amy Harris

1121 S Oak Park Ave #1

OAK PARK | $210,000 Saretta Joyner

RIVER FOREST | $185,000 Arrick Pelton

OAK PARK | $175,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

OAK PARK | $152,000 Patricia McGowan

621 S Maple Ave #101

7212 Oak Ave #2NE

315 Marengo Ave #2E

6850 Cermak Rd Unit GB

OAK PARK | $125,000 Swati Saxena

RIVER FOREST | $105,000

The Dita Group

FOREST PARK | $87,000 Kenneth Van Santen

BERWYN | $85,000 Roberta Ruiz

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA