WednesdayJournal_031925 by Wednesday Journal

Mohr Concrete site in foreclosure

Oak Park should consider buying proper ty, says Scaman

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Real estate developers’ vision for a hotel and apar tment complex at the old Mohr Concrete site looks to be in doubt.

Hinsdale-based real estate company KrohVan purchased the for mer H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. concrete site in June of 2022 with high hopes for the land, but a still-undeveloped 3.29 acer parcel of land is now in foreclosure. The future of what once looked to be a promising opportunity for development in a village where space is hard to come will now play out in court.

Meanwhile, Vicki Scaman, Oak Park lage president, said, in response to a re er’s question, that the village should consider purchasing the site in order to control its development.

Scaman said the site still has great potential for development, but that concepts li an apar tment complex or hotel don’t fit the neighborhood.

“I think that you don’t see the small business district around that area of our community that would support that level of density,” she said. “That’s why the numbers have never worked for any developer. You

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s village board won’t get the chance to weigh in on one of Oak Park’s hottest topics until after the municipal election. The village board will not review an updated plan for the construction project that will move the Oak Park Police Department into a new building and make updates to Village Hall until a special session sometime next month. The discussion had long been scheduled for Tuesday, March 18’s board meeting, the body’s final meeting before voters head to the polls.

Rehm Pool makes a splash with new slide and a lily pad path

Renovation of old diving well cost $3 million and will be open by late May

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Hot summer afternoons are going to be a hit for kids and kids at heart with the renovation of the diving well at Rehm Pool.

The Park District of Oak Park is converting its 16-foot diving well that accommodated just four people to a space that’s 3.5-feet deep and has space for over 30 people

T he project should be complete by the end of May, in time for the summer pool season, said Jan Arnold, park district executive director

While diving is over at Rehm Pool, 515 Garfield St., Arnold said divers can still head over to the Ridgeland Common Pool, at 415 Lake St.

As far as the renovation goes, it was time, she said.

“We did an original master plan re view in 2014, and then we did another in 2021, and as you can imagine, pools crack as they get older,” she said. “Lots of water was being lost by cracked pipes and the shell. That was the impetus behind renovations to that particular portion of the pool.”

The cost for the $3 million project was covered by both tax dollars and user fees, she said. Ann Marie Buczek, director of marketing and community engagement for the park district, said 10,500 passes were sold for Rehm Pool last year, which doesn’t include walk-ups.

Perkins+Will of Chicago is the project architect, with construction work being completed by Crossroad Construction in Addison.

Current work at the pool includes finishing the roof on the pump house and pouring the concrete footings for a new slide and stairs Additionally, an electric transformer is being installed because village code requires an electric heater

Amenities for the renovated diving well include an open slide, an enclosed side and a “daisy-chain walk,” Arnold said, where kids and adults can cross that area of the pool on faux-lily pads, and try not to fall in. Arnold said she is excited about trying to cross that herself

Another key accoutrement is a current

Renewal work underway at Rehm Park Pool on March 14.

channel, utilizing jets that circulate the water for resistance, which will be ideal for adults and seniors keen on getting exercise

Arnold said that once info rmation about the renovation was put out, including signage, there was “lots of chatter.”

“I think that part of our philosophy is about bringing f amilies to g ether to create memorable experiences,” she said, “whether it’s going down the slide with your kid or walking across the lily pads. It maximizes spac e.”

Rehm Pool opened in 1966. It was part

of what was then known as South Park T he park at East Avenue and Garfield was eventually renamed Rehm Park after Col. Arthur D. Rehm, a member of the first park district board.

Buczek said the renovation will be the source of a lot of fun memories for many as the 2025 season begins.

“We’re excited about this,” she said. “With the number of people that can use it, it will be a great opportunity, rather than the four folks who can be there at one time.”

WEDNESD

AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Sta Reporter Brendan He ernan

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Marketing & Advertising Associate Ben Stumpe

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Senior Advisor Dan Haley BOARD OF

Chair Eric Weinheimer | Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

TODD BANNOR

Help Wanted Kitchen Help

Oak Park board weighs in on new hemp ordinance

Age limit and other restrictions considered on sale of THC products and kratom

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park trustees heard from the village’s public health director last week on a new ordinance banning sales of kratom and unregulated THC products to people under 21.

The discussion was the latest event in a months-long dialo g ue b etween the village and the b oard over wh at to do about the sale of these products, whose indust ries have operated in le g al gr ay areas for year s.

The proposed ordinan ce c ould see fines as high as $750 per infraction lai d on businesses wh o sell the products to underage p eople, or who sell the substances in packages that c ould be mistaken for c andy or snacks

pass policies re gulating hemp sales. For example, in 2023 Elk Grove banned businesses from selling unregulated THC products after re ports that a store in the community had knowingly sold an 11-year-old a psychoactive product.

Trustee Chibuike Enyia said that he’s heard from constituents that similar things have been happening in Oak Park.

“There are business owners that have already shown they’re willing and able to take those first steps forward, but we also have to find the bad actors who are doing this. And I can tell you I know where some of them are,” he said. “I was approached by a mom the other day who said ‘I followed my son, watched him go purchase this, go right out of the store and begin to smoke right after he walked out of the store.’” Last fall, village public health officials recommended that

“I know that there’s at least five local municipalities that when they banned the sale of [unregulated THC] they banned the sale of kratom, so they generally go hand-in-hand,” said Greg Olsen, director of Public Health for Oak Park.

The ordinance would also require businesses selling the products to display a sign advertising the new age limit and require them to only sell the products from behind a service counter. It is on the board’s March 18 consent agenda for a second reading and “anticipated final adoption,” according to the village.

If enacted, the ordinance would go into effect June 1.

Oak Park is a few years behind the first village governments in Chicagoland to

THC products, owe their origin to the 2018 Farm Bill, which made the sale of hemp products federally legal so long as they contained less than 0.3% by dry weight of THC, the chemical in marijuana that gives it its psychoactive properties

While this provision opened the door for the boom in non-psychoactive CBD products, it also created a loophole for an industry to sell products chemically engineered to provide the “high” of marijuana that don’t sur pass the federal 0.3% THC limit. In 2023, the hemp-derived THC market was valued at over $3 billion nationwide, according to an analysis by Brightfield Group

Trump cuts briefly force Oak Park staf fer out of job, future ‘uncertain’

Public health sta er was one of 200,000 worker told they were let go until the decision was reversed

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

T he Oak Park Public Health Department thought that it had lost federal funding sponsoring a staf f member’s place in the village, but the decision has been reversed — for now.

Since October 2024, the department had benefitted from the work of Maya Feuilladieu, a staffer participating in a prestigious Center for Disease Control fellowship progr am. Last month, Feuilladieu rece ived notice that she’d been terminated from the CDC, as President Donald Trump ’s administration pushed federal agencies to g et rid of staf f who’d been employed for less than a year.

Feuilladieu returned to work at village hall last Thursday after receiving notice from the CDC that she’d been reinstated, according to Oak Park Communications Director Dan Yopchick.

“Last month, the associate received a termination notice from the CDC, however, the associate was infor med again by the CDC

Continued from previous pa ge

There is no age-limit for buying these products in Illinois, although many vendors self-impose an age limit of 18, according to the American Trade Association for Hemp and Cannabis.

Kratom is another unregulated plantbased substance, often sold in the same tobacco shops and convenience stores as hemp-derived THC products. The state of Illinois already imposes an age limit of 18 on kratom sales, but the ordinance will raise that limit to 21 in Oak Park

that they have been reinstated in March,” Yopchick said in a prepared statement. “For now, the Public Health Associates Program seems to be up and running again but it’s continuation is still uncertain.”

Roughly 1,300 probationary employees at the CDC were fired last month, along with over 5,000 across the entire Department of Health and Human Services, according to the Associated Press.

Feuilladieu, a recent Northwestern University graduate, is one of roughly 100 young public health professionals taking part in the CDC’s fellowship program. The program funds placements for recent public health graduates to gain field experience with local health departments around the country while working on special projects. Feuilladeieu’s work in Oak Park has included helping to develop a new program improving access to care and working on the village ’s opioid overdose prevention progr am, among other projects, Yopchick said.

T he CDC’s Laboratory Leadership Service, another agency fellowship prog ram that prepares PhD level scientists to lead lab safety ef forts, was also targeted in last month’s round of funding cuts

While most of the fellows in both programs have been reinstated, CDC leaders were ordered to deliver plans for slashing the agency’s work force through more layoffs by T hursday, March 13, according to

Kratom is known to produce an opioidlike effect in high doses and a stimulantlike effect in small doses, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

It’s often marketed as a mood and energy stabilizer, but the FDA has issued a warning against the substance, citing the damage it can cause to user’s livers, hearts, lungs and neurological systems as well as its addictive potential.

“Consistent with FDA’s practice with unapproved substances, until the agency scientists can evaluate the safety and effectiveness of kratom (or its components)

T he New York Times

For mer CDC director Tom F rieden wrote an editorial for STAT on the heels of the cuts last month, calling both fellowship programs “essential” to public health and safety in the United States.

“CDC reform requires strengthening programs like these, not eliminating them,” Frieden wrote. “Public health reform should focus on building a stronger workforce, not dismantling the few programs that strengthen it. PHAP and LLS fill critical gaps in public health infrastructure, and no alternative programs exist to replace them. Cutting them is a short-term budget

in the treatment of any medical conditions, FDA will continue to warn the public against the use of kratom for medical treatment,” according to the FDA. “The agency will also continue to monitor emerging data trends to better understand the substance and its components.”

While kratom is considered a “substance of concern” by the DEA, it remains federally unregulated. Fourteen states have banned the sale of kratom, including Indiana and Wisconsin.

A state bill last year sought to enforce an age limit of 21 for hemp-der ived TH C

move that will have long-term and costly health and economic consequences for national security and public safety. If the goal is a healthier American and a better CDC, eliminating PHAP and LLS is the wrong way to get there.”

The Trump administration’s ef for ts to cut federal jobs have been tangled up in federal court as Democratic states’ attorney general offices challenge the layoffs. An order laid down Thursday told the administration that it must offer to rehire more than 10,000 fired probationary workers across several agencies.

The White House has appealed that ruling

products, but it failed to make it to a final vote before the end of the legislative session. Fo r now, re g ulating the sale of those products is left in the lands of local municipal bodies li ke the Oak Pa rk Vi llage Board.

“Keeping our young people safe is the paramount thing,” Enyia said. “There definitely needs to be some type of penalty so people understand the severity of this. Creating a damaged mind at a young age, they shouldn’t have to be exposed to things like this.”

James O’Shea, River Forest cop for 30 years, retires as chief

Accomplishments include depar tment technological modernization

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

James O’Shea, the retiring River Forest po lice chief, remembers vividly his first month on the job, in January 2018.

There were a million things going through his mind – the pressure of moving up a rank, to say nothing of becoming police chief, a whole town to look after, spending time with officers and supervisors. And much more.

There’s a phrase he uses that accurately conveys what those days were like for just the second internally chosen police chief over the past four decades.

“There wasn’t anything, but everything going through my mind,” O’Shea recalled “The for mer chief, Greg Weiss, left the de partment turnkey. There wasn’t a lot of cleaning up that had to be done.

“It was, ‘How do we need to serve the community?’”

Matt Walsh, village administrator, said O’Shea’s successor will be announced this week, and will be an internal promotion, though he declined to elaborate. O’Shea will officially step down April 30.

O’Shea is a Fenwick High School graduate, and began his law enforcement career in 1991 with the clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. In 1995, he joined the River Forest Police Department as a patrolman and rose through the ranks to detective, detective unit supervisor, patrol sergeant, patrol division commander and ultimately deputy chief before being named police chief.

O’Shea has done a lot in his tenure as police chief, particularly through the technological lens. He implemented license plate readers, a village-wide street camera system, body-worn cameras and in-car mobile cameras, along with several chase mitigation technologies.

But another of his major achievements was bringing the department to full force even

as other local departments have remained short-staffed. How did he achieve this?

“We needed to make sure we were competitive,” he said. “[It was] a combination of great marketing and competitive wages and creating an environment where you are caring about officer wellness and their families. They want to come to a place with a family environment.”

He said the marketing piece extended well beyond Illinois, into Wisconsin and Indiana and elsewhere.

To say O’Shea’s tenure was interesting is a gross understatement. There were the repercussions of national events, civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, demands for police reform and, of course, the Covid-19 pandemic. Those situations required an “all hands on deck” posture, he said, while at the same time keeping the department safe.

Walsh said keeping residents safe includes being a positive presence. That, he said, is

JAMES O’SHEA

CHIEF RETIRES

from page 7

where O’Shea excelled

“Being approachable is one skill he has,” he said. “He took efforts to host community safety meetings and answers questions and addresses crime trends and make suggestions for residents to secure their homes

“I think it’s a great asset to have a police chief that has been with an organization so long. He knows the town like the back of his hand.”

As for his successor, he played an integral role in that selection. He said the key to success there was to “cultivate and mentor our future leaders. It’s the current members of our department that know the community best and all the towns around us.”

community because of his efforts.

“I want to thank Chief O’Shea for his dedication to this community and for leading the modernization of our police department,” Adduci said in a press release. “Public safety is the village board’s top priority, and Jim executed this very important assignment. I congratulate him on his retirement.”

“I think it ’s a great asset to have a police chief that has been with an organization so long. He knows the town like the back of his hand.”

CHIEF JAMES O’SHEA

But working with people like Walsh and Cathy Adduci, village president, has made a difference as well.

Adduci said that River Forest is a stronger

O’Shea serves as the executive director of the West Suburban Directed Gang Task Force and the Triton College Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. He’ll have to step away from those duties, but that doesn’t mean he’ll step away from law enforcement completely.

He said he is going to take the summer off to spend time with family and head to his Wisconsin property to fish, boat, hike and camp. After that?

“I anticipate you’ll see me out working with another agency or on the private side,” he said. “I’m keeping that close to the vest.

“I’m too young to sort of sit back and not share the knowledge I’ve accumulated over the past 30 years.”

Campaign for Democracy

Ravi supporting a local small business

MOHR CONCRETE

What’s next?

from page 1

can, you can trust that the current developer has tried to make the numbers work.”

Scaman said that pending the outcome of the foreclosure process, it could make sense for the village to purchase the land. “I as one elected official would be supportive of purchasing the land,” Scaman said. “When it’s a situation that the land would otherwise go on undeveloped without the assistance of government, then it absolutely is appropriate.”

In 2022, KrohVan had acquired two parcels of land from the defunct concrete

company. The larger plot had housed the main concrete plant at the corner on Harlem Avenue and Garfield Street, while the smaller parcel on Garfield Street, was used by Mohr to store concrete trucks.

Early on, it was clear that the smaller tract would be home to a Kiddie Academy daycare center, which opened as an over 13,000 square foot facility last year, but the developers had bigger plans for the bigger parcel.

Company staf f told Wednesday Journal at the time that it hoped to develop two thirds of that land into an apar tment complex and put a Marriott hotel on the rest of the plot.

Last October, H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. filed a foreclosure suit against the developers, saying that KrohVan still owes on the mortgage loan ag reement that matured

last summer.

“The defendants have not paid the balance of the loan which matured on June 2, 2024,” the October filing said. “Current principal balance due on the note and mortgage is $4,026,830 plus interest, costs, advances for taxes, insurance and fees; and less any credits for payments received.”

H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. also claimed that the developers owed $157,241 in unpaid interest in their October foreclosure filing.

The pa rties had extended the mortg age’s maturity date twice. The new owners were hit with a Mechanic’s lien for more than $7,000 in unpaid contractor work last summer, according to the filing.

A case management hearing in the case is set for next month, according to county records.

H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. had been one of the

longest running businesses in Chicagoland when it closed its doors in 2018 after nearly 110 years of operation. T he old plant structure has sat rusting now for nearly 7 years.

KrohVan did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication.

Village of Oak Park spokesperson Dan Yopchick said that the village is aware of multiple entities interested in pursuing construction projects at the corner on Harlem Avenue and Garfield Street.

“The redevelopment of the Mohr Property is a priority for the village of Oak Park,” Yopchick said in a prepared statement. “I can confirm that there continues to be parties interested in developing the portion of the Mohr property that abuts Harlem Ave. As of today however, no official plans have yet to be submitted for Village permit or zoning review.”

FILE PHOTO

LONG AG O: From le , Karen Mohr Richards, Tracy Walsh, Steve Mohr, Dolly Mohr and Celeste Mohr at the family’s Redi-Mix concrete facility in Oak Park.

FILE PHOTO

LESS ISN’T MOHR: e Santa at the top of Mohr Concrete became an iconic image

Bud Mohr with Santa at H.J. Mohr & Sons Co e iconic Santa sat atop the concrete hopper since 1957.

She grew up at Goldyburgers, now Sullivan vies for Top Chef

Using skills honed on Circle Avenue, executive chef at Monteverde makes it to national TV

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Local chef Bailey Sullivan is a contestant on season 22 of Bravo’s hit reality TV cooking show Top Chef. The first episode aired on Thursday, March 13, with the winner to be crowned, or should we say toqued, in June.

Sullivan practically grew up in a restaurant. Her parents Mike and Terry Sullivan bought Forest Park favorite Goldyburgers in 1981, before she was born.

“I attribute a lot of where I am right now because of the time I spent growing up with my dad at Goldy’s,” said Sullivan, who was recently promoted to executive chef at Chicago’s Monteverde. “I got to see the relationship that my dad had with so many people, the staf f, the re gulars. That strong sense of community, at an early ag e, was something that I realized I wanted for myself.”

The cooking bug bit early too

“When she was very young, she was always interested in cooking,” said her dad, Mike Sullivan. “There used to be a cooking school on Madison Street called Flavor. They had classes for kids. Every birthday, Christmas, anything, that’s all she ever wanted was another cooking class.”

they made an exception in her case,” said Mike Sullivan.

“He’s just always had my back and always supported the dream, mom as well,” said Bailey Sullivan.

After high school in LaGrange, Sullivan enrolled at Kendall Colle ge to study for a career in the business. She landed an internship at Acadia, then a job at Yusho Logan Square. After graduation she joined Michelin-star red Parachute, before settling in at Monteverde, (1020 W. Madison St., Chicago) in 2016.

“I went to the first class, and I think I was like 10,” Bailey Sullivan said. “At that point they don’t let you hold a knife yet and I remember going home a little disappointed. And my dad was like, maybe we could talk to them about it.”

“Because she was so serious about it,

Monteverde owner, chef and Top Chef season 9 finalist Susan Grueneberg could tell that Sullivan had the right instincts and drive.

“She has proven to be the type of chef who not only has a great influence on our menu, but she’s cultivated lasting relationships with everyone in her midst, from our network of far mers and purveyors to fellow teammates to our guests,” said Gru-

eneberg. “It’s been an honor to watch her evolve and grow.”

That belief in Sullivan’s abilities led Grueneberg and her partners to promote Bailey to executive chef at the restaurant earlier this month.

For now, the action is on TV. Sullivan moved through episode one without elimination. Her risk-taking risotto was rated by the judges as not the worst they’d eaten during the competitions.

“Going on any reality TV, I think it’s always a little bit of a risk, right?” said Sullivan.

But Top Chef is special. It has been on her radar for a long time.

“When I was young my mom told me

about this new show on Bravo all about cooking,” Sullivan said. “And when I watched it made me realize that cooking could be something done at a higher level than I had ever seen before.”

The show’s pressure cooker atmosphere is a crucible.

“You get to learn a lot about yourself and not just who you are at the shop, but who you are as a person,” Sullivan said. “Of course it’s risky, but sometimes you have to put yourself out there and take that risk. And you hope it pays of f.”

Locally, Goldyburgers (7316 Circle Ave., Forest Park) plans to tune their TVs to the Bravo show each Thursday night. Sullivan’s brother Nick is at the helm of the restaurant now.

“We kind of ended up being a restaurant family,” Mike Sullivan said. “I am very proud of my kids. They’re just the nicest, kindest people you want to meet.”

Now that Bailey Sullivan has made it to Top Chef, she wants to re present herself, her family and her home well.

“I’m just incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud to re present Chicago. You know, growing up in the suburbs, moving into the city, I just could not be more proud to have the opportunity to re present Chicago. I love it so much.”

Tune in: Top Chef – Thursday nights, 8 p.m. – Bravo cable channel

DAVID MOIR/BRAVO

Bailey Sullivan cooking in episode 2 of ‘Top Chef.’

MARCUS NILSSON/BRAVO

Bailey Sullivan ‘Top Chef ’ contestant

MIKE SULLIVAN

Jacob Lewis, Bailey Sullivan, Mike Sullivan

West Suburban names new president of medical sta

Hospital o cials sent the previous president a cease-and-desist letter around

the time he resigned

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

There will soon be a new leader for medical staf f at West Suburban Medical Center. On March 10, West Suburban announced Dr. Chidinma Osineme will become president of the hospital’s medical staf f, leading 500 providers, starting next month.

According to the West Suburban Medical Staf f bylaws, the president of the group is responsible for re presenting the policies, needs and g rievances of the medical staf f to the CEO and governing board. Resilience Healthcare, which bought West Suburban and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago in December 2022, has an advisory board rather than a governing board, and the medical staf f is an inde pendent nonprofit group separate from Resilience.

Osineme was elected vice president of West Suburban’s medical staf f and changed roles after Dr. Paul Luning resigned as president. Luning will remain in his role – which he’s held since 2007 – as chief medical officer of PCC Community Wellness Center, a Federally Qualified Health Center that West Suburban contracts services from and which hosts doctors doing their residencies at the hospital.

Osineme will fill out the remainder of Luning’s term through June 30, then star t her own two-year term as president.

The medical staf f president is also responsible for serving as the chair of the Medical Executive Committee, appointing chairs and members of medical staf f committees, and authorizing medical staf f fund expenditures.

Osineme serves as chief medical officer at Chicago Family Health Center, where she oversees 25-some medical providers and all clinical operations. She has also served as medical director at PCC Community Wellness in Chicago and as associate program director at Carilion Clinic VTC Family Medicine.

“Her expertise spans across various domains, such as maternal and child health, addiction medicine, and academic medicine. She is also an accomplished lecturer and published author in f amily medicine,” said West Suburba n’s statement regarding the Howard University Colle ge of Medicine graduate.

Leaders of West Suburba n’s medical staf f are elected. Most members serve two years each as treasurer/secretary, then vice president before being elected president.

Luning declined to comment on why he resigned as president of West Suburban’s medical staf f.

West Suburban sent a statement March 7 that accuses Luning of organizing a campaign to force its CEO Manoj Prasad to sell West Suburban. It also says Luning discouraged potential resident doctors from coming to the hospital’s Family Medicine Residency Program.

West Sub’s future

Three months shy of completing his twoyear term, Luning said he resigned at the hospital’s monthly medical executive meeting on March 5. The day after, Luning said he received a cease-and-desist email from the law firm re presenting the hospital.

Prasad said Luning resigned on March 7 and the cease-anddesist letter is dated March 5.

Luning has been a member of the West Suburban medical staf f since 1995, when he was one of two members in the sec ond class of West Suburba n’s Family Medicine Residenc Progr am. He was associate progr am director of the resi dency progr am from 2003 to 2020.

and mattresses, stretchers, wheelchairs, plus ultrasound and operating room equipment.

“We still have much work to do, but just two years out from nar rowly averting catastrophe, West Suburban is moving in the right direction,” Prasad said in the March 7 statement. “We’ re upgrading, we’re growing, and we’re looking to the future.

And in a March 14 statement, West Suburban announced the opening of a Women’s Health Clinic at both its Oak Park facility and River Forest campus.

“We are very proud and excited to expand our services to include a dedicated unit that will focus on women’s health,” Prasad said in the statement. “This is a significant step for us as we continue providing high quality care that our patients expect and deserve.”

West Suburban medical staf f’s leadership changes come at a time when the hospital’s only residency progr am has lost accreditation. After the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education withdrew West Suburban Medical Center’s accreditation Jan. 21, West Subu rban announced March 7 that it would be appealing the withdrawn accreditation.

The accusations against Luning come after nearly a year of public outcry from resident doctors at West Suburban, who say the state of the hospital has declined since Prasad bought it at the end of 2022.

In its March 7 statement, West Suburban officials said the hospital has hired over 200 staf f members in the last year, enhanced services, and bought new equipment like dialysis machines, patient monitors, beds

As residents decide whether to transfer to a hospital with an open residency spot or undergo the matching process again to find a new residency location, they say a major factor in the future of their education is whether Prasad will allow federal Medicare funding which hospitals get for residents’ education – to travel with them to another hospital. But residents haven’t heard about Prasad’s decision since the director and associate directors West Suburban’s Family Medicine Residency Program over a month ago that they couldn’t take Medicare funding with them.

“There’s really no way to communicate our concerns to [Prasad] and for him to tell us his plans,” Kirtan Patel, a first-year resident at West Suburban, previously told Growing Community Media, the parent company of Austin Weekly News and Wednesday Journal. Residents said they’re trying to organize meetings with Prasad’s lawyer and their union lawyer, but nothing

has been scheduled yet. “We want him to discuss it with us.”

When asked whether he’s made a decision about West Suburban’s Medicare funding, or when he will, Prasad told GCM that’s a subject for collective bargaining.

Residents voted to unionize November 2023 in order to have collective bargaining power in asking for better patient safety and investment in their education. Last year, the union had two bargaining sessions in February, one in March, two in April, three in May, and two in June – none of which they said Prasad came to.

According to Prasad, union and hospital lawyers met several times last summer before union lawyers started declining proposed session dates. Now, attorneys from the union and hospital are work ing to schedule more meetings.

Prasad said he hasn’t attended these meetings because he’s not a pa rt of the bargaining team, and discussing matters related to employment f alls under c ollective barg aining

“Once they for med the union, they became part of a collective bargaining unit, so it became unlawful for West Suburba n Medical Center management to directly discuss any areas that fell under the collective bargaining realm, including all matters relating to their employment, and these communications stopped,” Prasad said.

But the Residents United at West Subu rban union says Prasad could be a part of bargaining discussions and he’s not prohibited from talking to residents because they’re unionized.

“As part of that unionization, they made a lot of noise,” Prasad added. “They told a lot of lies to the community, they wasted a lot of time that they should have spent training and refused numerous requests by the designated institutional officer and program director to resolve concerns.”

Now, Prasad said he’s working to better West Suburban’s re putation.

“This institution has served Chicago for more than 110 years,” Prasad said in the March 7 statement. “I’m determined that it sees another 110, and that those years be defined not by financial strife and crises, but by the quality care we provide and the lives we save.”

DR. CHIDINMA OSINEME

DR. PAUL LUNING

RE-ELECT VICKISCAMAN

ForOakParkVillagePresident

—RayHeise,FormerVillageAttorney

Leadershipmatters—

Leadership matters integrit ision, and alues. e need another four

“ThevillageisindeedfortunatetohavesomeonelikeVickiwhobrings exceptionalintegrity tothetable,andcombinesitwiththe vision understandingnecessarytosettherightcourse,andthe driveand determination tothengetusacrossthefinish.”

wise, thoughtful, and collaborative approach to valuescentered governance benefits both the Oak Park of today and the village that will be here when we are gone. ”

“Her wise,thoughtful,andcollaborativeapproach tovaluescenteredgovernancebenefitsboththeOakParkoftodayandthe villagethatwillbeherewhenwearegone.”

Rev. Alonzo Pruitt

—Rev.AlonzoPruitt

“Inthistimeofgreatpoliticaluncertainty,themostimportant workwecandoisrighthereinourcommunity. Wechoose Vickitoleadtheway.”

“In this time of great political uncertainty, the most important work we can do is right here in our community. We choose Vicki to lead the way. ”

Former Trustees, Annie & Adam Button Salzman

FormerTrustees,Annie&AdamButtonSalzman

“Vicki is one of the most collaborative leaders I have ever met. Even if I were to disagree with a particular decision, I know that Vic will have met with all stakeholders and taken great care in listening to all of their concerns. ”

“Vickiisoneofthe mostcollaborativeleaders Ihaveevermet. EvenifIweretodisagreewithaparticulardecision,IknowthatVicki willhavemetwithallstakeholdersandtakengreatcareinlistening toalloftheirconcerns.”

—CarollinaSong

Carollina Song

Followthelinktoread Vicki’sSubstack forthe truth,verified.

*Paid for by Friends for Vicki Scaman

In order: Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson, Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman, River Forest Village President Cathy Adduci.

River Forest youth pens and publishes an adventure book

Jack Drur y, 9, uses imagination to tell tale of riding Chicago’s el to Willis Tower

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

At the tender age of nine, Jack Drury has the heart and soul of a writer.

He’s already published his first children’s book, “Elevated Adventures,” which takes the reader through his eyes on a ride on the Chicago el, down the Green Line, then the Orange Line, all the way to Willis Tower, where his dad, John, works.

Writing the book, which is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, among other local shops, was almost as much of an adventure as the story itself, according to the Grace Lutheran School third grader, who wrote it when he was eight.

“I had so much fun using my imagination to tell a fun story about our neighborhood and Chicago,” Jack said. “I’m a Chicago kid. I love observing people and being close to the city. Kids should write more stories about adventures in the best city in the world.”

There were many influences in writing “Elevated Adventures” for Jack, according to his mom, Jill Drury, who has authored her own children’s book, “Julius and Little Nero.”

First of f, he’s a big fan of 1980s movies

See JACK DRURY on pa ge 17

Oak

PROVIDED

Jack Drur y and his book

Park Police Patrol Union

“Theworkwestartedisn'tﬁnishedyet andIwanttokeeppushingforward.Ibelieve inthiscommunityandIwanttokeepdoing theworktohelpitgrowandthrive.”

RE-ELECT FOR OAK PARK VILLAGE TRUSTEE

Chibuike has been endorsed by:

✅ State Sen. Kimberly Lightford

✅ State Rep. Camille Lilly

✅ State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford

✅ Congressman Danny Davis

✅ Oak Park Fireﬁghters IAFF Local 95

✅ Moms Demand Action®

✅ Sierra Club®

EARLY VOTING: March 17-31

ELECTION DAY: April 1 Make your voice heard, have a plan to vote!

Paid for by Friends of Chibuike Enyia.

JACK DRURY

from page 14

like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Of f” and “Adventures in Babysitting,” both set in Chicago.

Another big inspiration was the Young Authors contest for River Forest School District 90, where he attended Willard School before shifting to Grace Lutheran. As a first grader, he entered a different book in the contest and didn’t win but came up big as a second grader with “Elevated Adventures.”

Not winning that first year was a big lesson for the youngster, according to mom.

“It was great preparation for what authors have to go through,” she said. “I think it taught him about feedback and revision and seeing things from someone else’s perspective.”

Her son said that his big issue was having lots of ideas but having to pare them down.

“I wanted the book to stop at every el station all over the city,” he said. “I wanted to ride the train nonstop. But my mom and dad helped me edit my story, so it was more focused and easier to follow. But it was hard to listen and decide which ideas to take out of the story.”

Sounds like a seasoned author. Another inspiration from his parents is the fact that they traveled a lot after they got married and after they had Jack. That includes such far-flung places as Greece, New Zealand, Machu Picchu (Peru) and Easter Island

T here was also Rome, where they’ve been three times, and once with Jack.

Introduction to Centering Prayer Workshop

Sat urdayMorning

8:30am

St Edmund

That’s where some of Jill Drury’s inspiration for her own book came from.

But perhaps the biggest inspiration for Jack was bedtime storytelling with his dad. At one point, he started telling a story about a little boy who skips out for the day, takes the el into the city and goes down to meet his dad at Willis Tower.

Saturday Morning, March 29 • 8:30am-12:00pm

Sat urdayMorning , March 29

St. Edmund Murphy Hall • 188 S. Oak Park Ave.

8:30am - 12:00pm

188 S Oak

Contemplative prayer allows the hunger and thirst for God to well up.

St Edmund M urphy Hall

188 S Oak Park Avenue

Sat urdayMorning , March 29

8:30am - 12:00pm

St Edmund M urphy Hall 188 S Oak Park Avenue

Contemplative prayer and thirst for

Deepen your relationship with God. Centering Prayer is a silent method of consenting to God’s presence and healing action within us. Learn the basics of a centuries-old method of silent prayer by sitting with God while opening your mind and heart to wordless communion.

Contemplative prayer allows the hunger and thirst for God to well up.

Register at 8:15. No charge. Donations welcome. Register by sending an email to rbrtgorman@protonmail.com Walk-ins welcome.

Contemplative prayer allows the hunger and thirst for God to well up.

You are encouraged to attend four follow-up sessions on Wednesday evenings in April from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Zoom.

Deepen your relationship with God Centering Prayer is a silent method of consenting to God’s presence and healing action within us. Learn the basics of a centuries-old method of silent prayer by sitting with God while opening your mind and heart to wordless communion.

T hus, that was when “Elevated Ad tures” was born.

Bob and Kathleen Gorman of Oak Park are commissioned presenters of the Centering Prayer method and facilitate silent retreats for Contemplative Outreach.

Deepen your relationship with God consenting to God’s presence and basics of a centuries-old method of opening your mind and heart to wordless

Deepen your relationship with God Centering Prayer is a silent method consenting to God’s presence and healing action within us. Learn the basics of a centuries-old method of silent prayer by sitting with God while opening your mind and heart to wordless communion.

Sponsored by Spirit and Light: A Catholic Collaborative for Living Faith

Register at 8:15. No charge. Donations welcome. Register by sending an email to rbrtgorman@protonmail.com Walk-ins welcome.

“It’s a simple story, but it’s really Jill Drury said. “It’s so Jack. Jack such a positive outlook. I couldn’ trying to make it a good memory for

You are encouraged to attend four evenings in April from 7:00 to 8:30

You are encouraged to attend four follow-up sessions on Wednesday evenings in April from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on Zoom.

As for Jill Drur y, writing her book times was as perplexing as her son’s

“I think when you have passion proj ects, you’ re putting in a lot of creati ergy,” she said, adding her book came out in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic be g an. “You go through a ton of ent ideas, and then you realize you ha revise and edit and simplify things.

Bob and Kathleen Gorman of Oak Centering Prayer method and facilitate

Bob and Kathleen Gorman of Oak Park are commissioned presenters of the Centering Prayer method and facilitate silent retreats for Contemplative Outreach.

Sponsored by Spirit and Light: A Catholic Collaborative for Living Fatih

Bob and Kathleen Gorman of Oak Park are commissioned presenters of the Centering Prayer method and facilitate silent retreats for Contemplative Outreach.

LCOVID-19 memories still feel fresh

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

ast week marked the fifth anniversary of COVID-19 being declared a worldwide pandemic. It touched all aspects of life, including the sports world. Locally, the IHSA suspended all competitions, and that lasted for the remainder of the school year

COVID ended potentially good seasons for several teams, and for this Tate’s Take column, I talked with a couple of for mer coaches as well as an athletic director to get their thoughts

be canceled for a little while. The next time I saw the players, it was May 1, when they tur ned in their uniforms. I felt so bad for those kids.”

Kolbusz especially felt awful for his five seniors – Ali Bur ns, Karly Cantrell, Jacky Neuman, Sarah Phelan, and Julia Youman –whose OPRF careers abruptly ended

“Not only did their careers end,” Kolbusz said, “but they also had graduation virtually. I felt awful for them. They were really good, skilled kids.”

For mer Fenwick boys basketball coach Staunton Peck was preparing the Friars for a Class 3A sectional final at St. Ignatius against the Wolfpack. Led by seniors Cal Malcow, Ryan Planek, and Sean Walsh; juniors Bryce Hopkins and Trey Pettigrew; and sophomores David Geiser and Max Reese, Fenwick was a state contender with a 26-7 record and had outscored its opponents in the playoffs by a 262-148 margin.

“We’d beaten Westinghouse to get to the sectional final,” said Peck, now the president of St. Catherine-St. Lucy School in Oak Park. “St. Ignatius told us we were limited to two parents per player for the game; that was what the IHSA was doing, trying to figure things out on the fly without canceling the season.

“That Thursday, the kids asked if we were still playing. We said yes, but that Friday at 11, the IHSA canceled the state series.”

It was frustrating for Peck because he felt the Friars were playing well and capable of not just winning the sectional, but potentially advancing downstate

“Obviously disappointing. I think we had the second-most wins of any team in program history,” he said. “Bryce was conference player of the year, and Trey was also all-conference. We had a lot of accolades, but we felt there was unfinished business, and you can never go back.”

Meanwhile, the Oak Park and River Forest High softball team never played a game that spring. The Huskies got some practice days in before the plug was pulled

“I remember it like it was yesterday,” said retired OPRF coach Mel Kolbusz. “We had an outdoor practice at Ridgeland Common on March 13, and everything was going good; we had a nice team coming back. I get home, and there’s an email saying school’s going to

Trinity athletic director Ken Trendel was in his 17th year at Dominican University in River Forest as an assistant athletic director for communications in 2020 and was with the baseball team in Florida when word came about the season being called off.

“It was super-emotional because we had guys who knew they were going to be playing their last game,” Trendel said. “We had a pitcher who was hoping to get cleared to retur n from injury later in the season; he was a senior who got hurt as a junior.”

In the Stars’ final game of the trip, Dominican head coach Steve Hardman allowed the injured senior, who hadn’t received the medical clearance, to take the mound for a few war mup pitches in the middle of an inning. Once he completed his pitches, Hardman called time once the hitter came up to the plate and brought in a healthy reliever

“It was a really cool experience, but also emotional,” Trendel said. “The young man just lost it, and all his teammates came out to the mound and hugged him.”

When Trendel moved on to Trinity that fall, COVID was still wreaking havoc. But he says his Dominican experience helped him manage the situation.

“We’d spent so much time on Zoom trying to figure how to return safely,” he said. “I did feel prepared coming to Trinity in what we needed to do and how to do it.”

Eventually, things returned to normal in the fall of 2021. But I feel for those kids losing an entire year or so of sports and how much that hurt.

“We talk about seniors in high school and college and what they lost,” Trendel said, “but even fifth- and eighth-graders also missed. It’s really sad to look back at how much people missed out, but we understood why we were doing it, and it was a little easier to swallow.”

Here’s hoping that we never have to swallow it again.

Oak Park police investigate string of bike the s

Oak Park police have received several repor ts over the last week of bic ycles being stolen from bike racks near downtown Oak Park

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park police received six re ports of bicycles or scooters being stolen after they’d been left locked to bike racks or lamp posts over a four day span last week, according to police activity re ports.

All of the incidents occurred within a few blocks of each other near downtown Oak Park, either on Scoville Avenue, Lake Street or South Boulevard. Thefts in the area were re ported on March 11, March 12, March 13, with stolen vehicles including

electric bicycles, traditional bicycles and an electric scooter. Multiple of the vehicles were valued at over $1,000.

The total value of the six stolen vehicles is $4,710.

Trespassing arrest

Police arrested a 26-year-old Oak Park man for criminal trespassing at a residence in the 300 block of South Maple Avenue at 4:30 p.m. March 12, according to police.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports dated March 11–March 14 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port 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 a description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

VILLAGE HALL

No cost estimates yet

from page 1

With the village president’s seat and several trustee seats up for grabs in April 1’s local election, the special meeting will be a lame duck session for at least one member of the current board.

Village President Vicki Scaman said the scheduling change is “disappointing,” but necessary. Village staf f wanted more time to review the architectural consultant’s re port so that they could fully understand the impact that the proposal would have on property taxes before bringing the proposal before the board, Scaman said.

“I’m proud of the fact that we’re a board that does its due diligence, and that nothing that’s not fully thought out would be acce ptable to us,” she said.

“I think it’s important that the seven people that are sitting at the board table right now still be the ones to get to vote

on the project that they have been working on for the last year.”

The date for the special session has not yet been set.

The village hall debate has become a central issue for the village president election, as Scaman and her opponent, Trustee Ravi Parakkat, have presented dramatically different pictures of what the construction project would cost the village. Scaman holds that it’s been her priority and the will of the entire board that the total cost of the project be ke pt as close to $100 million as possible, while Parakkat contends that the project would balloon to at least $140 million if continued under Scaman’s leadership.

The discussion of the project has dominated several candidate for ums between the two.

Parakkat said that he’d excepted Tuesday’s meeting to be well attended by prospective voters.

“This issue is incredibly significant to every single person living in Oak Park,” Parakkat said. “It has the potential to price people out.”

H HOFFICIAL NOTICE OF ELECTION, CONTESTS, REFERENDA/QUESTIONS OF PUBLIC POLICY & POLLING PLACES

AVISO OFICIAL DE ELECCIONES, CONTIENDAS ELECTORALES, REFERENDOS/CUESTIONES DE POLÍTICA PÚBLICA Y LUGARES DE VOTACIÓN

OFFICIAL NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, by Monica Gordon, Cook County Clerk

cookcountyclerkil.gov TWPPollingPlaceName

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF POLLING PLACES

The voting will be conducted at the following polling places for each of the aforesaid election precincts selected by the Cook County Clerk.

Las votaciones tomaran lugar en cada de los antedichos precintos de elección seleccionados por el Cook County Clerk.

that the Consolidated Election will be held in Suburban Cook County on:

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Martes 1 de Abril 2025

The Consolidated Election will be held in election precincts under the jurisdiction of the Election Division of the Cook County Clerk's Ofﬁce.

La Elección consolidada se llevará a cabo en distritos electorales dentro de la jurisdicción de la División de Elecciones de la Oﬁcina del Secretario del Condado de Cook.

The Polls for said Consolidated Election will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Locations are subject to change as necessity requires.

En dicha Elección consolidada se podrá votar entre las 6 a.m. y las 7 p.m. Los lugares de votación están sujetos a cambios según la necesidad.

At the Consolidated Election the voters will vote on the following contests and referenda questions. Referenda/Questions of Public Policy will be voted upon in those precincts of Cook County under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Clerk in which a Unit of Local Government has requested the County Clerk’s Ofﬁce to place said referenda/questions of public policy on the ballot.

En la Elección consolidada, los votantes emitirán su voto en las siguientes contiendas electorales y preguntas de referendos. Los referendos/cuestiones de política pública serán votados en aquellos distritos electorales del Condado de Cook dentro de la jurisdicción del Secretario del Condado de Cook en los cuales una Unidad de gobierno local le haya solicitado a la Oﬁcina del Secretario del Condado que incluya en la boleta dichos referendos/cuestiones de política pública.

TOWNSHIP OF OAK PARK

8500010WHITTIER

NOTE: The letter (N) following the polling place address denotes that the polling place itself is not accessible to the handicapped although other parts of the facility may be accessible. An exemption has been granted by the State Board of Elections and signs are posted indicating if the whole building is accessible or if there is a special entrance.

NOTA: La letra (N) después de la dirección de un lugar de votación indica que el lugar de votación en sí mismo no es accesible para personas discapacitadas, aunque otras partes del edificio pueden ser accesibles. La Junta Electoral del Estado ha concedido una exención y hay carteles publicados que indican si todo el edificio es accesible o si hay una entrada especial.

Dated at Chicago, Illinois this 19th day of March 2025

Monica Gordon Cook County Clerk Cookcountyclerkil.gov

Façade upgrade grants near OK for Madison Street and North Avenue in River Forest

If approved, funding would come from TIF distric

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Small business owners and property owners in River increment financing (TIF) districts see financial benefits from a small grant program that was proposed Economic Development Commission (EDC and introduced at the March board meeting

Although no vote was taken, among officials was to mo the program.

In a memo of the village Walsh, village administrator, and Spencer, assistant village manage the EDC was driven by the goal of businesses or property owners customers or tenants. The proposed programs would be funded out of priate funds in the TIF districts on No Avenue and Madison Street. EDC commissioners suggested $100,000 be earmar for the program with $50,000 district, they said. Howeve would not exceed 50 percent activities or $5,000, whichever is less. Funding would be subject to budget approval.

In her presentation to the board March 10, Spencer said applications will be cut of f when requests reach $50,000 in each district. In response to questions from Trustee Katie Brennan, she said the amount made available would be evaluated annually and applications would be limited to one per year.

Spencer said EDC commissioners discussed penalties for businesses that close or relocate outside the village after work on a property is completed but did not make a recommendation. She said each of the communities with similar programs do things differently. One possibility would be to consider the grant to be a forgivable loan that would be retired annually over a period of time such as three years. In response to questioning from Trustees Erika Bachner and Respicio Vazquez, Spencer clarified that the program would

improve the two corridors.

The proposal stems from a suggestion Walsh made to the EDC in September. Following discussion of how these programs work in other communities, EDC commissioners created a framework that would likely succeed for businesses in River Forest and then provided an early draft to the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce to consider with input from some River Forest businesses.

In December, commissioners invited members of the business community to review and provide feedback on the program. Darien Marion-Burton, chamber executive director, presented the draft plan to a handful of River Forest business owners and the feedback was complementary, Walsh and Spencer said in the memo. Overall, business owners were” pleasantly surprised” that the plan supported businesses in this fashion, including attention to accessibility and sustainability improvements for

staff members in October, commissioners determined that the goal of the program is to retain and enhance the historical features of buildings and to provide some financial assistance to small business owners to help offset improvement costs. They also agreed the grant would be applicable only to commercial property owners and small business owners located within the North Avenue TIF and Madison Street TIF Districts whose requests comply with the village’s codes for building, zoning and signs.

Commissioners created a review process and a list of eligible and ineligibl e improvements.

Under the review process, applicants would submit the application, including plans, cost estimates, descriptions of the improvements as well as photographs of the existing façade with their building permit

Staff members would review the application, which would be evaluated on project impact, alignment with the village’s goal for

funding.

Priority would be given to projects that improve the overall aesthetic of the commercial district; enhance the accessibility of the project; or incorporate energy-efficient or sustainable design elements. The village administrator would be given the final approval authority.

Eligible improvements range from energy conservation upgrades and exterior accessibility enhancements for individuals with disabilities to new primary signage and installation of awnings or canopies. Other eligible improvements include restoration of historic exterior architectural elements and installation or improvement of front and rooftop patios or walkways

Improvements that are not eligible include acquisition of land or buildings; new construction or development that is not directly tied to enhancing the primary façade(s); interior signage and lighting fixtures; and flat roofing installation or repair

Madison Street in River Forest

ART BEAT

‘On the Verge’ celebrates local theater, Women’s History Month

The newly rebranded Forest Theater Company is putting on the play at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Looking to celebrate Women’s History Month in an artistic way rooted in community?

Forest Theater Company, previously Forest Park Theatre, is showing eight performances of “On the Verge” at the Madison Street Theater in Oak Park the weekends of March 14 and March 21.

Richard Corley, who founded Forest Park Theatre in 2021, chose to produce “On the Verge” for Women’s History Month. The play features three women who are 19th-century explorers and travel across the world, and time.

“It’s an extremely optimistic play about science and exploration and women and curiosity,” Corley said. “The message of the play is that the future is women. Another [message] is our desire for imagining the future will win out over cynicism and the sense that our best is behind us.”

T he pl ay also aligns with Fo r est T heater C ompany’s g oals.

“What the play is really about, at its heart, is the evolution of language, the way that language changes over time, and the strangeness of American language,” Corley said. “We’re devoted to language centered-plays, classic plays that still feel contemporary, and plays that play around with time and space.”

“On the Verge” features Elizabeth Hope Nahulak, Angelina Davila and Raquel “Rocky” Nguyen, who never leave the stage Avery-Slade Fountain is the production’s only male role, playing seven characters, from a yeti to a cannibal.

Corley said he’s most looking forward to hearing a lot of laughter from the audience, but also “the acrobatic skill level of our actors” who create distinct characters.

“I’m looking forward to talking to people about how they respond to this weird, wonderful ride,” Corley said. “I’m hoping that this will be a play where people walk away from it and say, ‘I’ve never seen anything like this.’”

Elizabeth Hope

Nahulak, Angelina Davila

and Raquel “Rocky” Nguyen rehearse for “On the Verge.”

The future of Forest Theater Company

Earlier this year, Forest Park resident Corley changed the name of Forest Park Theater to Forest Theater Company so that the group could expand beyond Forest Park

Though Corley launched Forest Theater Company because there were no theater companies in town, such groups are also few and far between in surrounding municipalities.

“It needs to feel like it’s not limited to this village,” Corley said of his theater company. It’s “an invitation for more involvement in what we hope will be a re gional theater to attract from all these areas.”

While the group started with Shakespeare in the Park, it expanded to year-round readings of plays at American Legion Post 414. Last fall, “The Misanthrope” marked the company’s first indoor performance, which was held at Madison Street Theater and sold out.

Now, Forest Theater Company is in residence at Madison Street Theater. Corley said he’s planning three plays for this year – “The Two Noble Kinsmen” for Shak espeare in the Park, likely Sophocles’ “Electra” in the fall, and possibly co-producing “The Skin of Our Teeth” with Madison Street Theater.

The theater has a 40-seat Black Box Theater, where Forest Theater Company put on “The Misanthrope” and will house “On the Verge.” There’s also the Main Stage Theater nearly five times that size, where Corley’s company has never performed, but hopes to soon.

“I want to work up to filling that 190-seat theater next

year,” Corley said.

PROVIDED

As Forest Theater Company and Madison Street Theater collaborate, they aim to find the resources to write and develop new plays.

“This is something every theater should be investing in,” Corley said. “It’s something a lot of theaters can’t do because they have to have funding.”

As Corley looks forward to the goal of producing original plays, right now he’s focused on putting on those that speak to the time we live in.

“It’s a fundamental belief of mine that you don’t do any piece of art because it’s a ‘classic,’” he said. “You do it because it’s a piece of art that speaks to now.”

Corley said people can look at a play that shows how history re peats itself in two ways.

“One is ‘Oh my god, do things ever change?’ I think a more meaningful way to look at it as an artist is ‘You are not alone across time.’”

“A rt from the p ast provides a great d eal of solac e, ” he a dded. “Sometimes p eople do n’ t realize wh at art is really fo r. ”

While the art of Netflix TV shows and movies exist, “This play wouldn’t make any sense on television or in a movie theater,” Corley said. “Sometimes it’s really important to sit in a space with other people, breathe the same air, and go through something together.”

“On the Verge” will show at Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St. in Oak Park, from March 14 to 23. Tickets at $15 to $35 and can be purchased at https://ow.ly/OffA50Vjwyj

THE BEST ELECTION COVERAGE IN OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST Time to connect to Wednesday Journal. Time to connect to Oak Park and River Forest

Last week we mailed out thousands of added copies of Wednesday Journal to our neighbors in Oak Park.

We want you to see what an actual authentic local newsroom can do to connect you to your hometown. And we want to connect you, day-by-day, weekby-week to this independent, nonproﬁt, community owned effort.

Early voting starts soon. Election Day is April 1. Our guide tells you about the candidates, where and how to vote. The news section has continuing coverage of the races and the issues. And our expansive Viewpoints section has dozens of letters from your neighbors making their best cases for their favored candidates. Find the guide online at: www.oakpark.com/2025-local-elections

Here’s how to plug in to the best news coverage of Oak Park and River Forest:

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Need to know more about the contested races before you vote?

Catch up on the Journal’s three election forums which we’ve held at the Oak Park library in recent weeks. Here are the links to the recordings:

Spring 2025 Education and Guide Enrichment

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Make Math Make Sense for your kids this summer!

Mathnasium’s summer program is convenient for parents and families, as it can be scheduled around summer camp, sports, and vacations! Each child is taught the way they learn best, so they’re able to develop a love for math and achieve their goals. And it’s a fun and engaging activity all on its own! Math-focused games and activities are incorporated into the learning in a lively and supportive atmosphere for a truly enjoyable summer experience. And because they’re having fun, they’re likely to have gained a new level of enthusiasm for the subject and be more eager to apply themselves when school begins.

We tailor a customized learning plan to account for the goals of the individual, whether they need to:

• Close gaps

• Improve fact fluency in addition/ subtraction or multiplication

• Improve problem solving

• Get a sneak peak at the material they will face in the fall

• Become “algebra ready” for their Integrated math course

• Get ready for SAT/ACT tests

Come see what our program offers, how we can appropriately challenge your student and the strategy for moving your student mathematically forward. The customized curriculum is designed for your student based on a grade level assessment, so you truly know if they are sufficiently prepared for the new content headed their way next fall.

It’s true. The needs of academically gifted & talented students can easily fall through the cracks as continued priorities on testing drive schools to teach to a standardized grade level response. The phrase genius denied refers to those who will suffer a profound gap between their fullest potential and what little is asked of them, particularly when one size just doesn’t fit all.

Perhaps this is part of the reason why schooling for the gifted and neurodivergent can be a boring and isolating experience.

Ask a neuro-atypical child what it’s like to learn with peers who learn differently, and the common reply will relate to waiting. Waiting for the other students to understand; waiting to be challenged more; waiting for answers to higher-level questions; waiting for something to inspire a desire to

Curious if Mathnasium is the right fit for your child? Come in for a FREE TRIAL SESSION to try it out! Call or text today to take advantage of early enrollment discounts! 708-613-4007.

PROVEN RESULTS

Chicago Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 oakparkriverforest@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/oakparkriverforest

mathnasium.com/oakparkriverforest

An Inspiring Opportunity for Gifted Students at Dominican

achieve; waiting… for someone to notice.

Summer enrichment programs for intellectually like-minded students provide inspiring opportunities for both academic and social growth. And quite often, a life defining experience. The Summer Gifted and Talented Program is hosted on the beautiful campus at Dominican University, where our classrooms are buzzing with ideas because we know that talent must be nurtured and fed to fully develop. For us, summer is the highlight of the year. It’s a time when we can feel free to be ourselves, motivated by the energy that comes with the joy of inspired learning.

Visit dom.edu/summergifted for more details about SGAT at Dominican University. Spring Registration is around the corner soon! Inspired Minds, Amazing Possibilities.

1 S. Waiola Ave, La Grange, IL 60525 lagrange@mathnasium.com mathnasium.com/lagrange

Summer Gifted and Talented Program

(SGAT) challenges and inspires highly motivated, academically gifted and talented students entering grades 2-8 in the fall with academic and social enrichment in Math,Science, Writing/Humanities, and Fine/ Performing Arts.

For program information, summer courses and application details, visit: www.dom.edu/summergifted

Questions?

Contact Program Director (remote): Janie Wu, jwu@dom.edu

Or SGAT Assistant (on-campus): Lauren Somers, lsomers@dom.edu

Serving the gifted and talented community since 1987.

Dominican University’s Summer Gifted and Talented Program (SGAT) challenges and inspires highly motivated, academically gifted and talented students entering grades 2-8 in the fall with academic and social enrichment in Math, Science, Writing/Humanities, and Fine/Performing Arts.

For program information, summer courses and application details, visit: www.dom.edu/summergifted

Questions? Contact off-campus Program Director Janie Wu at jwu@dom.edu, or on-campus SGAT Assistant

Janette Torres Arellano at jtorresarellano@dom.edu.

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

Local architect and historic preservationist Frank Heitzman has been living and working in Oak Park since 1975. Since 1977, he has used a number of local buildings for his architectural firm’s offices.

Marion Street makeover

Local architect tackles his own building’s restoration

When in 1991 he and his late wife Sandy came across a building for sale at 111 N. Marion, they thought it would be a good investment. The two-story building had commercial space on the first floor and an apartment on the second

“When my wife and I bought the building, it was used as a jewelry store,” Heitzman recalls of the first floor He opened his architectural of fice on the second floor They later filled the storefront with the Cain Gallery, a locally owned and well connected art gallery. Priscilla and John Cain were the gallery owners. Heitzman recalls attending art shows there on Friday nights, a social event for the town that was perhaps a precursor to Downtown Oak Park’s Thursday Night Out.

Heitzman says the building was constructed in the 1890’s. When he bought it, a huge steam boiler in the basement was providing heat to his second-floor unit as well as the music store renting the adjacent apartment. He removed that connection and patched up other connections between the two units. On the first floor, there was a large, steel-doored vault made out of brick that Heitzman estimates measured 10 by 10 feet. As an avowed preservationist — Heitzman for merly chaired the village’s Historic Preservation Commission

TESY OF FRANK HEITZMAN

— he had to make a few changes to the building’s interior to make it more usable. The vault was out.

On the exterior, he initially left the building as it was at the time of his purchase.

Heitzman thinks that sometime in the 1960’s someone covered the façade of the building with panels over painted brick.

Recently, those panels were starting to fall off, and Heitzman took the opportunity to do a full-scale restoration of the exterior. He says that when he looked underneath

the panels, he discovered a glazed brick of a dark brown color.

“It must have been spectacular,” he says of the original façade

When all of the panels were removed, he could see the ghost of a large bay window that had been taken off at some point in the building’s history.

Armed with some historic photos from the Oak Park River Forest Historical Society, he set about to return the building to its original appearance. He designed and con-

structed a bay window for the front façade and utilized materials that might have been there when the building was first built. Today, the copper accents brighten the trim

“The copper contributes to the beauty of the building,” Heitzman says.

He points out that at the time he bought the building, the jewelry store’s sign was flush with the building and states, “There was an ordinance enacted when the area was made into a mall that all of the signs on Lake and Marion could n’t project. They

had to be flush.”

His current tenant on the first floor, Colleen Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationery, added to the style of the renovation with a new sign. “I really love the sign that Colleen designed with the gold script on a black background. She has a great eye,” said Heitzman.

As the project is wrapping up, Heitzman is pleased with the results. “It was the worst building on the street, and now I think it’s the best,” he says.

PHOTO BY PHILANDER BARCLAY HSOPRF COLLECTION

Historic photo of 107-111 N. Marion Street in 1903

COURTESY OF FRANK HEITZMAN

Historic photo of Marion Street looking no rth from North Blvd.

COURTESY OF FRANK HEITZMAN

A er removal of porcelain enamelled panels

COURTESY OF FRANK HEITZMAN

Before remodeling

Stone lintel needing repair

COURTESY OF FRANK HEITZMAN

A er restoration

Oak Park home sells for $1.5 million

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from January 2025. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the clerk.

Term limits are not the answer

I’m guessing friends, colleagues and perhaps my own family will be sur prised to hear me say that I do not support term limits for state and local elections. Notwithstanding what is happening in our nation’s capital, this remains a democracy. And in a democracy, it is my belief that voters should decide who to elect, including how many times someone deserves re-election.

Are there elected officials who hang onto office too long?

JASCULCA

One View

Of course. But in my view, that is for voters to decide. In places that have instituted term limits, there are also elected officials who have performed exceptionally well and delivered impressive results, but are prevented from running and being re-elected because of term limits.

Do I believe that we need to be encouraging fresh, young talent to run for elected office? Absolutely. But just because somebody is younger doesn’t mean they are automatically more qualified to be elected than an incumbent. Nor do I believe that an incumbent elected official should automatically get the benefit of the doubt over a newcomer.

As the old saying goes, “Elections are about choices.” But I don’t think we should pre-determine those choices by enacting term limits. What I do wish is that folks who are now proposing and pushing for ter m limits would expend that same time and ef fort pursuing enhanced voter eng agement and education.

This publication, Wednesday Journal, does an excellent job of providing local voters with the information they need to make informed choices when casting their ballots. But that isn’t true universally. The incredible amounts of money being spent on political campaigns these days mean that there is frequently more noise than infor mation and facts.

My other fear, and this is coming from someone who has been actively involved in election campaigns for over six decades, is that candidates are spending those immense sums of contributions on everything from social and mainstream media advertising to billboards, but are not investing enough of their own time on direct outreach and engagement with voters.

This responsibility falls on both voters and candidates. Candidates must be willing to make the ef fort and commitment to expand and deepen grassroots engage-

Give panhandlers hope instead of handouts

Oak Park has unfolded a formidable plan that will require the voluntary cooperation of residents [Make Real Chang e, Not Spare Chang e, oak-park.us/realchange]. They are being encouraged to stop giving cash to panhandlers, with the promise that Housing Forward will help panhandlers become independent.

Although principally an org anization for housing the homeless, Housing Forward is staffed to support all dimensions of a sustainable life — medical, mental, le g al, career, income, family and housing. T hey are building additional short-ter m housing, and their “street outreach specialists” visit panhandlers in downtown Oak Park to offer their services directly. Panhandlers will not be forgotten, but the support will be intentional and directional. The loose bills in your pocket could become a contribution to Housing Forward.

Will you sign up for this initiative? Despite the village’s well-laid plans, panhandling in Oak Pa rk will be solved only when nearly all residents refuse to finance solicitors on the street. If any significant percentage

of residents were to continu e, the g ame will be lost. Housing Forward will not succeed if money is still being exchanged on the street.

If we don’ t give our money to panhandlers, what will become of our re putation as people who care? Are you prepared to give up the appearance? In the future, when you walk Lake Street with a friend and encounter a panhandler, will you be too embarrassed to follow the village’s directive to keep the bills in your pocket?

What about the interests of the panhandlers, the people whose needs prompted our charity in the first place? A local leader has explained that the bills and coins given to panhandlers are like putting sand in the gears of their self-development. Housing Forward is working to help street people rebuild their lives from the ground up. For those who are willing, this is a life overhaul. Will the rest of us encourage it or stand in its way? Should you do what looks g enerous or that which is truly life-changing?

OUR VIEWS

Clarity needed on village hall plans

Plans, and costs associated with plans, for the renovation of Oak Park’s village hall and construction of a new police station have tur ned into the single hottest topic in the race for village president in the April 1 election.

Village President Vicki Scaman has said that Trustee Ravi Parakkat, her challenger for president, has been tossing around recklessly high numbers on what the projects will cost. Parakkat, for his part, has said the projects will cost $140 million not counting interest and relocation costs. Scaman has countered that no firm amount has ever been set but that the full board has offered guidance to staff and architects that the projects have to come in under $100 million.

Amid this intense debate, there was hope for some level of clarity in the long-planned March 18 unveiling of the latest round of architectural schematics and broad cost estimates. Unexpectedly when late last week the village government posted the agenda for the March 18 board meeting, there was no mention of a village hall/police station discussion. Instead, a village gover nment spokesperson said that agenda item will be shifted to a post-election April board meeting

Hard to know now where the expected clarity will come from before Oak Parkers vote. Scaman supporters have accused Parakkat of lying about what the project will cost and that the board has been united in setting a reasonable cost cap for the project that is nowhere near $140 million. But in the absence of fresh information from the architects Parakkat’s claims will be harder to refute

Trump chaos hits Oak Park

In the whirlwind of chaos that is the Trump administration’s effort to undercut the functioning of the federal gover nment, it mostly seems like a blur of savage cuts, some court interventions, and another blast at multiple other federal departments.

One of the gover nment roles most valued by rational citizens is the Center for Disease Control, the CDC. And here’s how the chainsaw attack on this agency has played out locally.

The CDC has longstanding fellowship programs for early career public health professionals. Oak Park’s health department has benefitted by having one of those fellows placed here. Maya Feuilladieu, a recent graduate of Northwester n, has worked in Oak Park, with her salary paid by the CDC, since October. Her position was eliminated in February as part of the indiscriminate canning of 1,300 probationary employees of the CDC.

But that action was reversed as the Public Health Associates Program was reinstated earlier this month. Feuilladieu returned to work at village hall last week. However, because chaos is the management approach in vogue at the White House, CDC leadership has been ordered to deliver a new plan for slashing staffing at the agency.

This, of course, is no way to run an organization and it is no way to treat decent people

Blessing the space between us

In these times when anger / is turned into anxiety / and someone has stolen / the horizons and mountains, / our small emperors on parade / never expect our indifference / to disturb their nakedness. …

The media wraps ev erything / in a cellophane of sound, / and the ghost surface of the virtual / overlays the breathing earth. The industry of distraction mak es us forget / that we li ve in a uni verse.

We have become converts / to the religion of stress / and its deity of progress; / may we have courage to turn aside from it all / and come to kneel down before the poor, / to discover what we must do,

How to turn anxiety / back into anger, How to find our way home.

TKEN TRAINOR

he late Irish poet John O’Donohue published To Bless the Space Between Us in 2008, long before the Trump afflictions, but for most of us the emotional landscape he describes above in his blessing “For Citizenship” feels very familiar.

Closer to home, the upcoming election has revealed a rift in Oak Park’s body politic. There is tension, disgruntlement, suspicion, charges of misinformation, charges of indifference to voter concerns, and, yes, anxiety. Oak Park is once again deciding who it wants to be in an uncertain world. Those of us who bother to vote (less than 20% of those eligible typically) will choose a village president and give an indication of who we’ve decided to be — just as Americans nationwide did in the presidential election, when the majority decided to live in a dysfunctional country and destroy their government. Predictably, chaos ensued.

That’s not where Oak Park is, at least not yet, but we are finding out how divided we are. One side wants more economic development to boost the tax base, combined with less gover nment spending (that will surely cure everything!). The other side wants us to do a better job of living our values of diversity, equity, inclusion and sustainability. Are we a true community — or a sack of fractured “sides”?

Most want a new police station and a full complement of officers. But village hall needs a rehab. How much will it cost? People are pissed of f about having to bag their leaves last fall — or at least how that change was implemented. Some want new leadership. Some want to stay the course. We differ on how much, if anything, we are willing to do to achieve equity in our schools, in our institu-

tions, on our streets — and how to keep those streets free of leaf mash. We disag ree on the kind of leader we need: An incumbent president who is a collaborator and facilitator … or a critic who is a loner on the village board of trustees? The critic wants to move in a different direction, but isn’t a team player, some voters say. The incumbent knows how to work with people, but isn’t pragmatic enough, others say. We are approaching a crossroads. On the national level, as well as the local, back-and-forth is our modus operandi because we can’t figure out who we are. There is a long-running quarrel here between development and preservation. Is it either/or? Can we find our way to both/and? How do we honor the le gacy of Percy Julian and save his house in a way that also attracts visitors who spend and support our businesses? What, if anything, should government do to make that happen?

We want a strong economy and a strong ecology We want to be safe and secure and live our values. If we focus entirely on taxes and spending and ignore the values that got us where we are, we run the risk of losing everything we have been. Can we have it all? Is that too much to ask of our next leader?

Here’s the kind of person John O’Donohue blessed in his book:

For a Leader

May you have the grace and wisdom / to act kindly, learning to distinguish between / what is personal and what is not. / May you be hospitable to criticism. / May you never put yourself at the center of things. / May you act not from arrogance but out of service. …

May you learn to cultivate the art of presence in order to enga ge with those who meet you. … / May you treasure the gifts of the mind through reading and creati ve thinking / so that you continue as a servant of the frontier / where the new will draw its enrichment from the old, / and you never become a functionary.

May you know the wisdom of deep listening, / the healing of wholesome words, / the encouragement of the appreciati ve gaze, / the decorum of held dignity, … / May you hav e good friends / to mirror your blind spots.

May leadership be for you a true adventure of growth.

And may the best persons win.

Not for themselves, but for Oak Park and everything we stand for.

e leader we need

The multimillion-dollar Village Hall/ Municipal Campus project has become a central issue in this election. At the Business Civic Council Forum on March 7, I listened carefully as both village president candidates addressed it. The fact that this unnecessary and costly project has delayed the much-needed police facility is deeply concer ning. It directly impacts community safety.

Even more alarming, this project would require annual debt service for 20 years, consuming a large portion of the annual village property tax levy. This financial burden would increase property taxes, push more residents out of Oak Park, and limit funding for essential services

At its core, the Village Hall/Municipal Campus project is unnecessary and shortsighted — especially as more staff work remotely and most residents conduct village business online

I was particularly dismayed by Vicki Scaman’s suggestion to build a café at Village Hall as a way to fund this massive project. As a restaurant owner, I’m intimately familiar with the food business. Suggesting that a café could meaningfully offset these costs reflects a disconnect from financial realities. The boards I served on, alongside village staff, balanced needs and wants while driving new revenue, attracting residents, and bringing investment to Oak Park — ensur-

ing long-term sustainability and growth. Over the last four years, however, there has been no significant new revenue generation, no major economic growth, and no meaningful efforts to expand the tax base. Instead of fostering investment, Oak Park has become increasingly reliant on taxes and fees, placing a greater burden on residents and businesses.

In contrast, Ravi Parakkat has laid out a clear, fiscally responsible plan — prioritizing the police facility while separating it from the costly village hall project. He also proposed using existing budget reserves — which have grown due to police staffing shortages — to fund critical infrastructure without further burdening taxpayers. With economic uncertainty ahead and Oak Park residents already overtaxed, we need a leader who understands these challenges and brings innovative, pragmatic solutions to the table. His work with Takeout 25 proved his ability to think outside the box, support the local economy, and unite the community in difficult times. His track record — Takeout 25, budget exper tise, and pragmatic leadership — proves that he knows how to listen, plan, and deliver real results.

I strongly urge you to vote for Ravi Parakkat for Village President on April 1.

Anan Abu-Taleb Village president, 2013 to 2021

Mellman & Gertz, the right choices

I join the chorus of voices supporting the candidacy of Nathan Mellman and Joshua Gertz for the District 200 school board.

Organizations benefit from fresh perspectives, which Mellman and Gertz will provide. They want what everyone should want: all students being successful, in a safe environment, with necessary resources provided at a reasonable cost.

With graduates and current and future students of OPRF High School, the two have a vested interest in having the high school perform well. They impress me as being very knowledgeable about

the strengths and weaknesses of OPRF High School and what needs to be addressed.

In addition to the needs of all students, let’s not forget the taxpayers who fund OPRF. The immense capital spending should have greater scrutiny (and perhaps some hard decisions) and ballooning administrative costs addressed (such as the waste of having a superintendent in a one-principal district).

Let’s elect Nathan Mellman and Joshua Gertz and give them the opportunity to serve everyone.

Bruce Martin Oak Park

Q&A on term limits for River Forest

Our engaged River Forest constituency has questions about ter m limits. One Village River Forest has the answers:

Q: Will term limits “take away my choice and vote?”

A: No, term limits do not “take away” any right to vote for the best candidate based on competency and ability. Uncontested races take away the voter’s ability to evaluate the best candidate Without a contested race, voters have no choice Term limits open the field of candidates for a given race, providing voter choice.

Q: Do term limits restrict our right to vote?

A: No, term limits do not limit voting rights. Term limits place a limit (8 years total) on the consecutive terms an elected of ficial can serve as president, trustee, and clerk in River Forest once elected

Q: Does term limits mean that anyone now serving on the village board has their ter m abruptly cut of f?

A: No, Illinois law provides that ter m limits are prospective, meaning ef fective only in the future. Term limits do not apply to any current term of president, trustee, or clerk.

Q: How much time can a president, trustee, or clerk serve if elected on

April 1, 2025?

A: Four years. Starting with the 2029 election, the elected president, trustees, and clerk would be limited to serving two ter ms (8 years total). Trustees elected in 2027 will be limited to serving two ter ms from 2027 forward.

Q: If a president or trustee is elected in 2025, can they run again in 2029? And can they only run one more time?

A: A president or trustee elected in 2025 can run in 2029 and again in 2033.

Q: Do ter m limits force openings on a board?

A: No, a lack of candidates for open seats reveals the failure of candidate recruitment and bears no relation to the ter ms served.

Voting Yes for ter m limits on April 1 will provide a real choice for River Forest voters.

Margie Cekander, Dan Cek ander, Kathy Corcos, Bridget Er fort, David Er fort, Sue Foran, Dan Foran, Jayne Gould, Lucia Guidice, Patty Henek, John Henek, Dan & Diana Lauber, John Leonard, Marylen Marty-Gentile, Pierangela Murphy, Ed Pogue, Chrissy Pogue, Tommy Pogue, Trudi Ross, Jim Ross, Phyllis Rubin Members, One Village Ri ver Forest

Taglia’s experience and kind heart

We are writing to recommend Jim Taglia for village trustee in 2025. While many will point to Jim’s financial acumen as his greatest strength for board service (and that he has; he is a CPA, after all!), from our vantage point it is his experience, kind heart, and collaborative approach that tip the scales in favor of our support during this highly contested election. Back in 2017, Jim was appointed to replace Adam as a village trustee after Adam’s bittersweet decision to leave the board to become executive director of the Greater Chicago Legal Clinic. He brought his vast experience from the Township Board to the board table, as well as his fiscal expertise. We were most impressed by his advocacy to provide access

to the life-saving drug, Naloxone (“Narcan”), to Oak Park police officers, helping them save many lives during the opioid crisis.

Annie and Jim worked together as trustees on the village board for two years. On the board, Jim was a good listener, an intelligent decision-maker, and easy to work with. From 2017 to 2019, our board accomplished quite a bit, including negotiating the Albion development, bringing more affordable housing into Oak Park, advocating for more equitable parking policies, and protecting minimumwage laws for Oak Park workers, among other important initiatives.

Annie Button & Adam Salzman Oak Park

SHRUB TO WN

by Marc Stopeck

Addressing panhandling in Oak Park

The Oak Park Homelessness Coalition (OPHC) and the village of Oak Park are committed to making homelessness rare, brief, and one-time in our community. Through collaboration with local organizations, we have made significant progress in providing housing and support services for those experiencing homelessness. Our efforts have led to the creation and expansion of vital resources such as the Write Inn, Emergency Over night Shelter, The Accolade, Keystone Apartments, the Flexible Rental Assistance Program (FRAP), and emergency warming and cooling centers. Recently, the topic of panhandling has become a focal point of community discussions. We recognize that not all panhandlers are unhoused, and not all unhoused individuals panhandle. The complexity of economic hardship and homelessness cannot be reduced to a single visible act. While giving spare change to panhandlers may seem compassionate, it often fails to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness or provide lasting assistance.

To address these challenges, the village of Oak Park has launched the “Make Real Change, Not Spare Change” campaign, which aims to shift the community’s approach to panhandling by promoting impactful support methods over direct monetary donations. The most effective way to address homelessness is not through assumptions or misconceptions but through continued investment in proven

solutions. This initiative encourages community members to support local organizations that provide direct assistance, ensuring that contributions lead to sustainable outcomes.

The village has partnered with the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce to receive and manage donations Funds are used by the village to purchase hotel and food vouchers to support unhoused residents, some of whom may already be receiving services from local organizations. This method provides immediate relief and a pathway to more stable living conditions.

Beyond financial contributions, the campaign emphasizes community education about existing resources, engaging local businesses and residents in strategic solutions, empowering individuals experiencing homelessness with access to coordinated care, and improving public safety, especially in situations where individuals may feel unsafe or encounter aggression.

By focusing on these comprehensive strategies, Oak Park strives to create a safer, more compassionate, and resourceful community. The “Make Real Change, Not Spare Change” campaign exemplifies the village’s commitment to fostering meaningful support for those in need

Vanessa Matheny Community Services administrator Village of Oak Park

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

e goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have su cient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it o en is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.

We reser ve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than super cial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc. Be as speci c as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims. Links may also be included for the online version. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm. As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful.

All submissions must include your rst and last name and the municipality in which you live, plus a phone number (for veri cation only). We do not publish anonymous letters. One View essays should include a sentence at the end about who you are.

If we receive your submission by 5 p.m. on Sunday, you can expect your opinion to be included in that week’s paper (and online), space permitting.

Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com. For the latter, we prefer attached Word les or plain tex t included in the email.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself and/or your connection to the topic

■ Signature details as at left

A vision for Oak Park: Leadership that delivers

am an Indian immigrant who came to the U.S. in 2003 and settled in Oak Pa rk in 2006. As a father of two daughters and husband in a mixed-race family, we have found a true sense of belonging here. I am part of the diversity our community values, and in 2016, I became a U.S. citizen.

With a background in engineering and an MBA, I spent 20 years in corporate America, solving complex problems across three continents. During this time, I conceived and led an award-winning project in Ontario, Canada, making electricity more af fordable for residents. That was the first time I saw how my skills and leadership could directly improve people’s lives — and it changed me. I realized that my corporate success wasn’t enough — I wanted to do work that truly mattered. That’s what led me to:

■ Join Junior Achievement, a 100-year-old, Nobel Peace Prize-nominated nonprofit that helps kids succeed

■ Launch Takeout 25, an initiative that brought the community to g ether to support restaurants and strengthen our local economy

— now a nationally reco gnized nonprofit

■ Step into public service — something I never imagined doing (and my mother still reminds me of that every time we talk!), but I feel called to serve, and here I am.

Why I’m running for village president:

RAVI

PARAKKAT

appreciation for policymaking and developed a strong understanding of Oak Park’s local economy through Takeout 25.

But I’ve also seen our community fall behind due to poor judgment, inef fective governance, and reckless spending.

Over the past four years as a village trustee, I’ve gained a deep

Look no further than the unnecessary village hall campus proposal or the change to leafbagging, where resident concerns were ignored, contradicting our values of af fordabilit y, inclusivity, and equity. We can and must do better.

A safe, vibrant, and inclusive Oak Park cannot remain just a vision — it must be realized through decisive action and collaboration. My focus for the next four

years includes:

■ Fully staf fing the Oak Park Police Depar tment – Investing in a reasonably priced police facility, modern technolo gy, and alter native call response infrastructure, while enhancing bike and pedestrian safety.

■ Reducing our reliance on property taxes – Attracting private investment to diversify our tax base, ensuring Oak Park remains af fordable, sustainable, and diverse.

■ Focusing on core municipal services –Prioritizing good governance, transparency, and responsible fiscal management to serve residents effectively and ef ficiently. I ask for your vote on April 1 to tur n these priorities into action and position Oak Park for a stronger future. I’m confident we can g et this done — to g ether Visit: www.vote4ravi.com

DISTRIC T 200 HIGH SCHOOL BOARD C ANDID AT E

Safety, equity, academic rigor at OPRF

Iwas appointed to the District 200 high school board in July 2023 and currently serve as vice president. My passion for the transformative power of education, especially in the lives of students from poor and marginalized backgrounds, led me to serve. I am also a candidate, and you can lear n more about me, my priorities, and my community and professional experience at audreyford200.com.

A top priority is ensuring we have a safe and inclusive school climate and culture at OPRF High School. My approach to safety encompasses campus, physical, and psychological safety, as these elements are interdependent and need to be addressed holistically.

To maximize student lear ning, our high school must have a culture that fosters belonging. Achieving this requires a multifaceted approach that engages students, faculty, families, and community members in continually identifying opportunities to strengthen the policies, processes, and practices contributing to an inclusive culture.

Also required is a strong commitment to equity, rooted in high standards and

academic rigor. We must reco gnize and address the very diverse needs and past educational experiences of our students. The Honors for All Cur riculum (detracking) and Restorative Practices help address these needs.

There is clear evidencebased research (1) on the harmful effects of tracking on students of color, and our Black and Brown students were over re presented in the Colle ge Prep track prior to the revised curriculum. While still in the early days of the change, we are seeing both encouraging results and challenges to solve as high expectations are set for all students

Restorative practices foster an environment of open dialogue and accountability, leading to improved relationships and contributing to a more positive school climate. Schools implementing these practices re port marked decreases in exclusionary

discipline measures such as suspensions and expulsions (2), and we have seen this at OPRF.

Our Black students receive out-of-school suspensions at a much higher rate than other demog raphics. Restorative practices have helped reduce this disparity by over 50% between school year ’23 and SY ’24 (3), while still applying appropriate consequences per the Student Behavior policy. Our goal, to the greatest extent possible, kee ping kids in school. This continuity supports academic achievement, and reduces the long term ne gative impacts associated with frequent disciplinary removal. (2)

T he two candidates in this race who oppose Honors for All and have been dismissive of restorative practices now purpor t to care about the academic perfor mance of our Black and Brown students. As the mother of two Black sons and a volunteer in districts 97 and 200 in some capacity

since 2006, I have not seen any evidence of either candidate’s involvement in the many conversations and ef for ts focused on driving equity and closing the achievement gap. I find their concern to be disingenuous and inauthentic. Perhaps they are sincere but given their ef forts to try to remove me from the ballot on a technicality to guarantee themselves seats on the board, I will follow the sage advice of Maya Angelou: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.”

(1) Francise, Dania V. and Darity, Jr., William A. (2021). Separate and Unequal Under One Roof: How the Le gacy of Racialized Tracking Perpetuates Within-School

Se gregation. The Russell Sa ge Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences February 7, 187-202. https://doi.org/10.7758/ RSF.2021.7.1.11.

(2) Walker, T. “Do Restorati ve Practices Work?” NEA Today, 8 November 2023, https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-newsarticles/do-restorati ve-practices-work.

(3) D200 February 6, 2025 Committee of the Whole Board Meeting, Discipline Improvement Plan: ISBE.

One View

VILL AG E TRUSTEE C ANDID AT E

Good data leads to good governance

Hi, I am Josh Vanderberg, and I’m running for Oak Pa rk village trustee.

I’ve lived in the Chicago area for 30 years and in Oak Park for the last 13. My wife and I have raised three amazing children here, and I’m an Irving Dad. I am tremendously grateful to this community for the love and inclusiveness my f amily has experienced here — and I’ ll never compromise those values.

I serve on the Citizen Information Systems Commission where I’ve focused on data transparency and worked with the board and police department to create new re gulations that give citizens a voice in the use of police surveillance tech.

In my professional life, I co-founded a

successful energy analytics firm that helps renewables projects inte grate with the electrical grid, then founded an Internet startup in Oak Park designed to spur independent citizen journalism and support our business community.

Because of my back ground, I believe in the power of data to inform our decisions — good data makes for good policy and transparent government. Modern technology holds the promise to make our village easier to live in and easier to do business with. I’ll advocate for

Lucia Robinson, progressive, pragmatic

As an incumbent Oak Pa rk village trustee, Lucia Robinson has been and will continue to be a great board member

What makes a good trustee? An understanding of the community and a commitment to its values, the willingness and ef fort to maintain positive relationships with your peers, preparation, critical thinking, and the courage to ask tough questions to make prudent, well-thought-out decisions. This is Lucia Robinson. As a lawyer, she has the analytical skills to delve into the issues so that good policy is made without unintended consequences. As a Mexican-American mom with a mixed-race family, she embodies the diversity that Oak Park values

Lucia is both progressive and pragmatic. She values fair housing.

JOSH

VANDERBERG

One View

much faster moder nization. For years, Oak Park hasn’t created enough housing to meet our community’s needs. This has resulted in rising costs and rents that are impacting our cultural and economic diversity. I want to change that by enabling more diverse and af fordable housing options so seniors can stay in the community they and the next generation has the opportunity to build their future here.

ve Oak Park for its walkable streets and vibrant business districts, and I want

RICK JASCULCA

We don’t need

term limits

from page 34

She worked to establish the Housing Trust Fund which has allowed the creation of over 100 af fordable housing units. She supported the creation of the ECHO progr am, an alter native response to service calls by using non-swor n of ficers. She supports the constr uction of a new police station but asked for an analysis of how the cost of the new police station will impact taxpayers.

I trust Lucia to carry our community values forward and to do so by thoroughly examining the issues to achieve the best result.

Progressive values, hard work, dilig ence and inte g rity. She has ear ned my vote, and I hope you ag ree.

Vote for Lucia Robinson for trustee on April 1.

Simone Boutet

Former Oak Park villa ge trustee

ment ef forts, and voters must be willing to emerge from their social media silos to spend time listening and asking questions with an open mind.

So let’s not wade into a pond where cynicism proclaims, “Well, if we embrace term limits, then we don’t need to worry about electing someone who tur ns out to be incompetent because he/she won’t be able to run again.”

Instead, let’s commit to enhanced engagement by both candidates and voters. Let’s listen and learn — and then, if we want to honor and respect our democracy, let’s show up and vote, including for village, school board and library board elections. That will be the most effective way to determine how long someone serves in elected office.

Rick Jasculca, a River Forest resident, is founder and chairman of a Chicago-based strategic communications firm.

to double down on what makes that work I will invest in economic vitality and support our business community.

To make our village more welcoming, sustainable and safe, I’m fully committed to Vision Zero and our Bike Plan. My kids bike to school every day, but I always wor ry about them. I am confident we can make changes to our streets that will make them safer for everyone.

I have a bold vision for Oak Pa rk that champions af fordability, safer streets, thriving local businesses and modernizes village government to keep our community diverse, flourishing and ready for the future.

I hope you’ll vote for me for village trustee April 1.

DALE SORENSON

Handling panhandling

from page 34

T he decision is in the hands of residents. The village trustees cannot ban speech that is constitutionally protected. The police cannot arrest panhandlers. Business owners stay low out of fear of scaring of f customers. T he only person who can turn the tide is the one who gives away bills from their pockets Our hope of solving the problem rests in a community consensus in favor of doing what is best for the panhandlers rather than for ourselves. Declining to give money to panhandlers may seem heartless, but you have the chance to make a heartfelt contribution to Housing Forward on their behalf.

T he village’s culture of caring need not be abandoned. It could become deeper and more consequential — with your help.

Dale Sorenson is a 45-year resident of Oak Park.

Elections are term limits, participate!

River Forest residents have an opportunity to vote on the term limit debate. I am voting No. As I told a few residents who approached me with petitions to sign for term limits, I politely and respectfully declined, stating that elections are term limits and elected officials already have 2-, 4- & 6-year terms; then they have to run for re-election. This allows voters who are satisfied with them to vote for them, but it also allows voters who are not satisfied with them to vote them out of office.

Disenchanted voters must find a viable candidate who can appeal to some voters, is willing to run for election, and serve the public. Then they must build

a campaign to promote and support the selected candidate to obtain a majority of voters to win the election and prevent the incumbent to gain another term. It sounds simple enough, but as we all know, it is a daunting process for the opposition, also for the incumbents. By doing that, the opposition gives voters a choice.

A significant number of River Forest residents invested a lot of time, energy and funds to get term limits on the ballot but did little or nothing to promote candidates for the election because there is no opposition. Where is the choice?

In the upcoming election, the trustees for the village board are running unop-

posed; the commissioners for the park district are running unopposed, and the board members for the District 90 school board are running unopposed. In addition to that, one of the candidate slots for trustee of River Forest Township is open and the 2-year trustee slot for the River Forest Library is open. One might assume that many folks are not interested. Where is the choice?

The 2021 River Forest election had a 35.18% voter turnout and the 2023 election had a 20.80% voter turnout). I urge you not to let this issue be decided by a low voter turnout.

Joseph

O’Connor River Forest

Transparency is the key

I have known Vicki Scaman since before she became Oak Park’s village clerk and have always found her to be someone who was deeply involved and committed to our community with honesty and integrity. When Vicki says she is going to do something or show up, she does just that. Not only does she show up, she works hard on behalf of our entire community. Not just a few citizens, but for everyone.

Vicki is transparent, which is something necessary in any government position, whether public servant or paid government personnel.

As for her opponent, I do think Takeout 25 was a great idea, and I’m certainly not

against promoting a grassroots movement to help our local restaurants (all of our small businesses for that matter) and we try to do our part to support them as well. I do however, have some transparency questions about Takeout 25.

I do have a couple of questions. What is the $500 million investment that Ravi talks about?

The Village Hall/Police Department issue seems to be one talked about most, and I would encourage you to read the article on Brian Straw’s public Facebook page, where it is explained in great detail.

I’ve heard from those out canvassing in the neighborhoods, that people were

rude and angry with the volunteers as well as our elected officials. There’s no need to be so ang ry at people willing to serve our community to make it a better place for all of us. There is enough anger from our last election; let’s not bring it to our local election. Our officials live here, pay taxes and have to abide by whatever they implement. We have more in common when it comes to what we want Oak Park to look like, so let’s just be kind to one another. Makes this a much nicer place to live

Please do your research and then Vote for Vicki.

Charlene Schwar Oak Park

Parakkat’s economic leadership

Partnering with Ravi Parakkat to advance the Green Dining Hub within Takeout 25 has been a profoundly impactful experience. In a period of great uncertainty for small, locallyowned food businesses across Oak Park and the region, Ravi provided decisive economic leadership.

By actively eng aging with restaurant owners facing imminent closure, he fostered a thriving network, equipping them with critical survival strategies. His responsiveness goes beyond just listening; he translated their concerns into tangible actions, directly impacting the livelihoods of countless families.

Ravi’s unwavering dedication, despite his numerous commitments, has been very inspiring to me, and I feel grateful to work with such a passionate, driven leader. He demonstrates a rare commitment to leveraging his time, business acumen, and passion to address pressing community challenges with a pragmatic and collaborative approach. He has a strong ability to prioritize and resolve real issues faced by Oak Park residents, ensuring that solutions are infor med by diverse perspectives and input.

I am not an Oak Park resident, but I trust that Ravi can truly make a difference for the village of Oak Park. I encourage you to vote for him on April 1.

Cassie

Carroll Illinois Green Business Program

Parakkat’s concerning comments on climate

Oak Park Climate Action Network (OPCAN), Bike Walk Oak Park, It’s Our Future, and Seven Generations Ahead held the final candidate forum for Oak Park president and trustee candidates on March 10. It was the first-ever candidate forum focusing on climate action and active transportation policy in Oak Park. A hundred people attended, and candidates shared their stances and records on the most pressing issues facing our village and planet.

When asked, “What steps should the Oak Park Village Board take to reach the Climate Ready Oak Park goal of reducing

emissions by 60% by 2030?” Trustee Ravi Parakkat responded that it was irresponsible to spend money now, as the longer we wait, the cheaper the energy transition will be to make, and that “time is our friend” in our climate transition plan. This goes against what climate scientists and advocates have been saying for decades. Climate change is urgent and action is needed now. If we wait for it to be “cheaper” it will be too late.

These comments are especially disappointing to hear as Trustee Parakkat used to be an active participant in our group and

for mer member of the EEC.

Later, Gary Arnold, chair of the Disability Access Commission, asked about comments made by Trustee Parakkat, who said disabled people attending meetings remotely is an acceptable alter native to making village hall ADA accessible. Arnold asked if candidates agreed. None of them did.

Trustee Parakkat doubled down, describing it as an “outside the box” idea for reducing costs of the new village hall. This outside-the-box idea is both immoral and illegal, as it would violate the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and exclude

members of our community from participating fully.

A theme has emerged with Trustee Parakkat: cutting costs above all else. It is, in essence, the central theory of his campaign for village board president.

If we do not invest in our future, in climate action, and in making Oak Park a just and equitable place to live in, we will see it ruined. It is for this reason, and many others, that I am voting for Vicki Scaman on April 1.

Derek Eder

Oak Park Climate Action Network member

Taglia deserves your vote

We know Jim Taglia as a man with a fierce love for his lifelong hometown and a belief system shaped by our community’s historic commitment to diversity and grassroots community involvement. But he also possesses particular skills to help lead Oak Park at this uncertain time in our nation’s history, when shrinking federal and state funds and an uncertain economy will require fiscal restraint to protect core municipal services while managing the tax burden on residents

As a CPA who has led a business for decades, Jim is experienced and knowledgeable about fiscal decisionmaking that prioritizes needs over wants. In his earlier service on the village board, he was, and will continue to be, a voice of moderation. But what we admire most about Jim is his ability to listen and find common ground among competing visions. If elected, Jim will be a bridge-builder on the board, looking for affordable ways to provide robust services to residents while staying true to Oak Pa rk’s core values

There are three open seats for village trustee this election. We urge you to give one of your votes to our friend, Jim Taglia.

Theresa & Frank Lipo Oak Park

Audrey for quality education at OPRF

I am writing in strong support of Audrey WilliamsLee for Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education.

I have been for tunate to serve with Audrey for the last year and a half on the D200 high school board. In my experience, she works hard, brings great judgment and skills to the mission, and prioritizes students in decision-making.

Audrey is what I would call an “impact player” on our board. After joining, she quickly distinguished herself as a highly effective and thoughtful contributor to the challenging and complex work of school board service. Her election to the role of board vice president last year is a testament to the respect she has earned among her peers and other OPRF stakeholders.

We need more public servants like Audrey. The work of advancing quality education, equitably for all students, is never ending. I believe her continued service will have a strong positive influence on the district’s ability to provide opportunity, resources, and educational excellence for our current and future students. Graham Brisben

Oak Park

Taglia cares and collaborates

I am writing to urge my fellow Oak Parkers to vote for Jim Taglia for village trustee. During the pandemic I worked at HUD with oversight responsibility for privately-owned multifamily proper ties with HUD rental assistance in the Midwest Re gion.

T he village of Oak Park wrote a series of code violations at Heritage House, a privately-owned, HUDassisted proper ty for the elderly Village of ficials never notified HUD of the violations so that we could eng ag e in finding a solution for the issues — but Jim Ta glia did. He called me on behalf of his constituents and asked that HUD get involved in obtaining compliance

from the owner.

Jim Taglia’s advocacy enabled my team to engage with ownership to develop a plan of correction for the deficiencies and to bring improvements to the property.

Jim’s advocacy for his constituents impressed me, as did his collaborative style. Care for constituents and working in a collaborative manner to find solutions to difficult problems are essential attributes for a trustee and Jim Taglia will bring those skills to the myriad problems that face the village.

Too little, too late

T he village has finally decided to crack down on panhandling just weeks before the election. Previously the professional panhandlers and drug addicted and mentally ill people that were inundating our downtown area. I have been verbally abused by some of them, and the public garbage were experienced by too many residents.

T he residents of Oak Park have rights, too, and are entitled to a safe community to raise their families in and to age out in. In October of 2024, I sent two se parate letters to the Oak Park Village Board pleading for

action. I cc’d many downtown retailers and provided them with an address to air their complaints. Only one board member re plied both by email and a phone call. That was Ravi Parakkat. He cares about Oak Park residents and businesses and takes action to do so

We Oak Parkers have worked long and hard to make downtown Oak Park vibrant, successful and familyfriendly. I believe that Ravi cares enough to do so. Please vote for Ravi for village president on April 1.

Clare Heskett

Williams-Lee, Arkin, Odell, Schaafsma for D200

I enthusiastically support Audrey Williams-Lee, Fred Arkin, Kathleen Odell and Dave Schaafsma (write-in) for the District 200 Board of Education. Each of them brings unique leadership attributes needed to support the pursuit of our shared OPRF High School goals.

Audrey Williams-Lee has been on the D200 board for around 19 months, but it took less than a few months for her to seamlessly assume a leadership role as board vice president. This should come as little surprise to anyone who knows Audrey — she is hardwired for leadership. In addition to her consistently thoughtful and cogent presence on the board, her perspective as a senior Human Relations executive at large, global organizations is an invaluable contribution to our work on the board.

Fred Arkin bleeds orange and blue. He is as loyal and fierce an advocate for the families of our OPRF community as we could ever hope for. His background in insurance makes him keenly astute to matters of risk management and fiscal prudenc e, but it’s his passion for the school community that is perhaps his most remarkable attribute.

Kathleen Odell, associate provost and professor of

Economics at Dominican University, has served on the OPRF Finance Committee for several years, bringing sound acumen and measured guidance during a period of bold new initiatives and change. Her financial management leadership will be invaluable as we navigate uncertain and unpredictable economic times.

Dave Schaafsma (write-in candidate), professor of English at UIC, is a for mer OPRF teacher and longtime Oak Park resident. Over several decades as an educator of both students and teachers, Dave has mentored and inspired many, while gaining a multi-faceted understanding of the challenges inherent in education.

All four candidates would be outstanding stewards of our shared OPRF community’s goals, faithful monitors of and accurate reporters of valid school data (informing progress made and progress yet to be met), and passionate advocates for the interests and well-being of our children.

We are lucky to have candidates of such integrity and experience willing to step-up and get to work

Jonathan Livingston D200 school board member

Oak Park

Dan Burke Oak Park

Parakkat is the stronger option

Village board goals and aspirations should reflect the majority of the community, balanced by fiscal discipline, reco gnizing a fiduciary duty to residents.

The current board has goals but demonstrates less focus and fiscal discipline than needed to achieve as many as possible. Examples: creating a volunteer committee to review village hall and police needs without financial boundaries, also spending for architectural work that has not yet yielded even the concept for a plan is poor direction, lax use of taxpayer money. That’s essentially how District 200 got to a multimillion-dollar, pool-driven rehab. Was the Imagine Committee approach the board’s inspiration for how to approach village hall/ police station?

Re garding leaf collection, was there a study of “energy saved” vs. increased resident expense and inconvenience? On public safety, why was a tiny minority of activists allowed to hijack board review of renewing license-plate-reading cameras? We have only 8, while River Forest’s board un-controversially approved (5-0) its chief’s recommendation to increase to 37 (https://www.oakpark. com/2025/01/06/more-license-plate-reading-cameras-coming-to-river-forest)

What I hope many want to see in our village president is Ravi Parakkat, who has an Oak Park heart and values combined with an engineer’s analytic mind, someone who can lead a datadriven analysis of an issue, using that as the basis for board discussion and goal prioritization. He won’t capriciously set aside $1 million for the Julian home with no advance analysis of economic benefit for the village We need someone who thinks strategically and tactically. Vicki Scaman was a solid villa ge clerk, a role that played to her strengths. But well done is better than well said. Ravi Parakkat has been a solid tr ustee whose continued presence on the board as village president of fers the more robust choice.

Jack Powers Oak Park

Librarian endorses Annie, Colin, and Mika

Last week my husband and I hosted a meet-and-g reet for Library Board candidates Annie Wilkinson, Colin BirdMartinez, and Mika Yamamoto. The vibe was great; the house was buzzing with lively conversation and positive energy We felt eng aged and eager to join in the work. And we saw the amazing cooperative spirit that motivates and sustains this uniquely qualified team of people.

Collectively, Annie, Colin, Mika and their families represent Black, white, Latinx, Arab-American, Asian-American, multi-faith and mixed-race families, young families, queer families, immigrant families, children with disabilities,

and trans/nonbinary perspectives. As an over-50, white, cis married couple and 30+ year residents, we could approach any library board and find a trustee who “looks like us” and instinctively understands the concerns of our family, but this is obviously not the case for everyone in Oak Park. There is strength in the lived experience of a diverse board. Now is not the moment for people in our dominant demog raphic to take charge and “fix things” at the library. As a librarian, I believe the best qualification of any library trustee is the ability to listen, open-heartedly, to the perspective of every resident and work cooperatively to

re present us all.

Annie, Colin, and Mika reflect our beautiful community. Oak Park embraces this energ y, and these candidates live it every day. Their commitment to our library and compassion for our marginalized communities inspired us. After spending the day connecting with these candidates and our neighbors, we felt a renewed optimism for our treasured library.

Please join us in supporting these amazing neighbors and elect Mika, Colin and Annie to the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees

Vote Vicki on sustainabilit y

In the upcoming Oak Park Village Board election, we’re looking at the candidates’ positions on sustainability, the health of the environment, and reducing Oak Park’s collective contribution to the crisis of rising global temperatures.

On those grounds alone, Vicki Scaman is the clear choice for village board president. Under Vicki’s leadership, an unprecedented level of funding has been

secured specifically to help our community address climate change, including an infusion of $500,000 into the village’s Sustainability Fund. Her work in founding the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4) with leaders in neighboring municipalities testifies to her collaborative approach to addressing challenges that know no borders.

And Vicki is the only candidate for vil-

lage board president endorsed by both the Sierra Club and current trustees. Vicki knows how to listen and learn as well as lead. She’s the leader Oak Park needs if we hope to actualize the ambitious but necessary goal of our Climate Ready Oak Park action plan.

Mike Trenary & Wendy Greenhouse Oak Park

Why D200 needs Mellman & Gertz

T he District 200 school board needs

Nate Mellman and Josh Ger tz for the very reason it doesn’t want them: to provide viewpoint diversity to board discussions. The board deals with critical community issues and reaching sound decisions requires vigorous debate. What are the goals of detracking and are they being achieved? Should it be continued? Is restorative justice an ef fective or appropriate response to acts of violence and weapons at school? Should major capital projects be subjected to referendum before committing significant funds?

Without diverse opinions, invalid assumptions and missing critical information will inevitably result in poor decision-making. Struggling to understand and accommodate conflicting opinions in a board meeting is harder than working

with others who already ag ree, but that struggle results in better decisions.

Viewpoint diversity has never been more impor tant than it is now. In this hyper-partisan time, positions often twist logic more than logic influences positions. Decision-makers often have closed minds and rigid agendas and are willing to assume inaccurate facts and pose convenient assumptions rather than face hard truths.

Those who question these agendas face criticism, demonization, and ostracism. It takes great courage to maintain radical honesty, employ critical thinking, ask unpopular questions, and advance unpopular positions even when the popular path is supported only by easily refutable propaganda. Mellman and Gertz have demonstrated the courage to question the status quo and take the heat.

D200 has seven board members all of whom are aligned to support the agenda of an activist administration. Adding two critical thinkers will not, by itself, change any outcomes. A vote of 5-2 is as effective as 7-0. But if Mellman and Gertz can point out false assumptions or identify overlooked or ignored facts, it can result in more effective policies for students and save the community significant trouble and expense.

D200 needs Mellman and Gertz to ask hard questions, challenge key assumptions, expose ineffective and unsound policies, and restore balance and objectivity to the D200 board. Please join me on April 1 by supporting Mellman and Gertz for the D200 Board of Education.

John Phelan

Former D200 school board member River Forest

Polly Smith & John Boyle Oak Park

I trust Josh Gertz and Nate Mellman to serve in the best interests of our students and community and am proudly voting for them for the District 200 high school board. Josh and Nate’s campaign centers on the three issues that matter the most to me at our high school:

Keeping our kids safe, challenging all students academically, safeguarding tax dollars (1).

Josh and Nate support our teachers and want more resources for them and students while reducing administrat ive bloat. The other candidates are running as a coalition, which comes with issues.

Gertz & Mellman for D200

Incumbent Fred Arkin voted not once but twice to bypass voters on an expensive, controversial pool project, the second time going back on his word to voters that he would put a pool project to referendum (2).

The coalition’s two incumbents voted, and its member of the board’s Community Finance Committee recommended to overtax property owners by $10-11 million in each of the last two years (3).

Overtaxation has been an ongoing issue with the board since 2005, when it used a tax loophole that resulted in a $130 million cash reserve by 2013 (4).

Two coalition members are teachers. As

the faculty and many administrators have education backgrounds, the community benefits from other viewpoints on the seven-member board.

Independent, fiscally responsible and trustwor thy critical thinkers are needed on this board, qualities that describe Josh and Nate. These are the reasons that I suppor t them and encourage you to do the same.

Sources:

(1) https://www.gertzmellmand200.com

(2) March 4, 2019: D200 candidate forum (Fred Arkin: “If we issue bonds, I will pledge that I will vote to have a

Voting Vicki for Oak Park’s future

When I Vote Vicki, I’ ll be thinking about my kids and our village’s future. I am not a frequent Wednesday Journal writer, but feel compelled to respond to Simone Boutet’s letter from March 12, supporting Ravi Parakkat for village president. I could not disagree more! Our country is operating as an olig archy, with an unelected billionaire making the calls as to who gets to enjoy the benefits of America. We need the opposite of that energy in Oak Park

I want to be clear: Vicki Scaman is not a raging progressive. I am. Nonetheless, I am enthusiastically supporting Vicki this election because she is a

decent person willing to work with and support anyone with good ideas, even if it doesn’t personally benefit her. She thinks primarily about the good of our community, and the people in our community. She is not afraid to admit when she was wrong and she is able to change her mind when the circumstances persuade her to do so. This is the type of leader I want my kids to look up to.

Ravi is not that type of leader. As trustee, he made a “joke” about gun violence and rather than directly own up to it, he wrote a passive aggressive letter to the Journal. Ms. Boutet’s primary reason behind supporting Ravi

Promote and keep businesses here

Our business district is looking bleak, especially on Lake Street: Munch, 10,000 Villages, The Book Table, Oberweis, Cozy Corner ... closed. We have tremendous business potential, but we need village board leadership with the foresight to attract new business and the acumen to keep them here. Our taxes are going up; are we getting increased value? Perhaps the board could review our permit

process (known to be costly and cumbersome) and create a team to assist business start-ups. Takeout 25 brought in local money to shore up small businesses and this simple idea did not use any tax dollars. We need more ideas like that. Let’s strive to promote and keep business here and make Oak Park a shopping destination.

Shelly Uslenghi Oak Park

for President is Takeout25. Takeout25 could also be described as monetizing a free Facebook group, akin to a shadow chamber of commerce, through which Ravi was able to directly e-mail many in this villa ge about his campaign without their consent.

In a time when we have Trump and Elon torpedoing our country, I am going to happily vote for joyful warriors who my kids can look up to and who see our community as a place where everyone can thrive. One of those votes will be for Vicki Scaman for villa ge president.

Meghan Paulas Oak Park

referendum. … I am saying that publicly and you can hold me to it.” On April 27, 2023, Arkin voted to bypass a referendum on Project 2. https://youtu.be/ K4afkgWjdVM?feature=shared, starting at 4:04)

(3) Fi ve-Year Financial Projections: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oprfhs/ Board.nsf/files/DBDQ5K679A86/$file/5 Year Financial Projection.pdf

(4) https://www.oprfhs.org/about/business-office/fund-balance-background

Monica Sheehan Oak Park

An open letter to Vicki Scaman

Dear Vicki,

Thank you for all your hard work these past four years. It’s thanks to your leadership that our village has taken the positive first steps toward the electrification of our new buildings We are one of the few communities to go beyond the basic requirements of the state of Illinois stretch codes. Couple these ef for ts with Oak Park’s af fordable housing initiatives and we are a unique community indeed!

I am looking forward to the next four years with Vicki Scaman at the helm.

Tim Kelly Oak Park

Alibrar

Local elections are always important and are even more crucial in recent years, including the position of library trustee. We have seen, over the last few years, the issues, challenges, and consequences of both misinformation campaigns, and mishandling of values we hold dear in our community (equity, inclusion, restorative justice, community eng agement, respectful treatment of staf f and community).

It is crucial to support library board trustees who will uphold and protect these values, which is why I am supporting Mika Yamamoto, Annie Wilkinson & Colin Bird-Martinez

y for all

for the Oak Park Public Library board.

As someone who values restorative justice programs, cultural suppor ts for all communities, and a library that values respectful, ethical programming and treatment of its own staf f, with a focus on diversity, I feel that the choice is clear for a solid slate of candidates who will support the library as a place, space and resource for all of us, and for multiple purposes moving forward.

Mika, Annie, & Colin for Oak Park Library Board, a library for all, for always. Zerrin Bulut Oak Park

e fallout for West Sub’s family medicine residents

We thank the editorial and news staffs of Wednesday Journal and the Austin Weekly News for their ongoing dilig ent re porting on the devastating crisis in the making at West Suburban Hospital because of the hospital’s revoked accreditation as the sponsoring institution for the family medicine residency program.

Not only will the community lose the comprehensive primary care provided by the residents at the hospital and affiliated clinics, but the strongest pathway of future family physicians from the residency program to this underserved community will disappear as well.

On behalf of the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP), we stand in solidarity with the 20 family medicine residents from West Suburban Medical Center, who chose a mission to care for underserved communities in Illinois, only to now face uncertainty in their training and careers.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) revoked West Suburban’s institutional accredi-

tation, leaving 10 first-year and 10 second-year residents scrambling to secure placements at other accredited institutions. These physicians now face immense challenges in continuing their training, advancing their careers, and maintaining their commitment to caring for those most in need.

KATE ROWLAND

One View

Despite hardships they did not create, these residents remain willing to relocate, adapt, and persevere. However, without support, some may be forced to restar t their training, leave Illinois, or even change specialties, causing delays that could limit the availability of skilled, compassionate family physicians in the very communities that rely on them.

The loss of West Suburban’s family residency program is a significant setback, particularly in a state that already struggles to recruit and retain family physicians, especially in underserved areas. Residents who train at community hospitals like West Suburban are among the most likely to stay and practice in these communities. If these physicians

cannot complete their training in Illinois due to institutional failures, it is the patients, especially the most vulnerable, who will bear the greatest burden.

Throughout this crisis, IAFP continues to call on West Suburban Medical Center (WSMC) to provide transparency re garding residency funding. Like most residency programs, funding for the West Suburban residency is provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. If West Suburban does not transition the residency funding to new programs the displaced residents are able to find, we call on West Suburban to explain their rationale and provide other support to assist residents in this transition — perhaps offer displaced residents a travel stipend for interviews with new programs.

IAFP has also urged family medicine residency programs across Illinois to consider these displaced residents and, if possible, find ways to inte grate them — even if it means stretching resources temporarily. The long-term impact of such an investment will be invaluable to both

the residents and the communities they will serve. Even offering a single Illinois residency placement can be a lifeline for these future physicians while reinforcing the core values of medical education, equity, and service.

The evidence is clear: studies have shown that more than half of physicians practice in the state where they trained.

To the West Suburban resident physicians facing this crisis: your success is a success for all of Illinois. Your family physician colleagues stand with you and want to see you complete your training in Illinois — because your presence, your care, and your dedication to your communities are vital. The future of family medicine depends on you and your colleagues in residencies across Illinois. You are needed, and we will continue to fight for you.

Link to most recent coverage https:// www.austinweeklynews.com/2025/03/10/ west-sub-appeals-revoked-accreditationresidents-remain-in-limbo/

Kate Rowland MD, FAAFP President, Illinois Academy of Family Physicians

Moving forward from a mindset of scarcity

It was disheartening to see our collaboratively written, research-based letter about bike lanes dismissed as “opinion” in a response letter in the March 5 edition of Wednesday Journal’s Viewpoints section. Our intent was to provide objective, well-suppor ted information to info rm an ongoing community discussion, without commenting on specific lanes or plans. Instead of eng aging with the content, the response dismissed the conversation outright, while also making the incor rect claim that “no one asked for these bike lanes.” This bold and uninformed statement overlooks the active involvement of numerous community members and organizations actively a dvocating for safer streets and better bike infrastructure. The recently approved Vision Zero Action Plan, which includes expanding bike infrastructure as a key strate gy, received substantial support from residents, including parents, schoolchildren, and local cyclists.

Beyond this particular exchange, I believe we face a broader challenge in how we in Oak Park approach discussions about change. Too often, we operate within a scarcity mindset — the idea that any change is a loss to one group rather than a potential gain for the community as a whole. Those who feel directly impacted by a change, such as residents on a street where a new bike lane is proposed, have an immediate platform to voice their concerns. Meanwhile, those who would benefit, whether it’s commuters seeking safer routes, older adults who want to stay active, or parents who want their kids to bike to school safely, are a more dispersed and less organized group. Because they don’t live on the specific blocks being discussed, their voices are often missing from these conversations, even though they, too, have a stake in the outcome.

Community discussions about change are most productive when they acknowledge both the concerns of those directly

affected and the broader benefits to the entire village. A well-rounded conversation should consider not just immediate inconveniences but also the long-term gains for safety, mobility, and quality of life. When we expand our perspective, we can move from a mindset of scarcity — where change is seen as a threat — to one of possibility, where we explore how change can contribute to a stronger, more connected community. I hope we can move forward with conversations that are thoughtful, informed, and open to different perspectives — with a shared goal of creating a safer, more accessible and thriving Oak Park.

For those who would like to re view the data that informed the original letter written on behalf of Bike Walk Oak Park, here are the sources:

Transportation Research: Impact of Bike Infrastructure on Property Values: https:// trec.pdx.edu/research/project/1330

National Association of City Transpor-

tation Officials (NACTO): Emergenc y Response and Bike Lanes: https://nacto.org/ publication/urban-bik eway-design-guide/ Portland State University Transportation Research and Education Center: Economic Impact of Bike Lanes: https://trec.pdx.edu/ news/study-finds-bik e-lanes-can-providepositi ve-economic-impact-cities

Bic ycle Infrastructure and Traffic Congestion: Evidence from DC’s Capital Bikeshare: https://scholarship.richmond. edu/economics-faculty-publications/57/ League of American Bic yclists: Ridership and Bike Infrastructure: https://bikeleague.org/new-re port-benchmarking-bikenetworks/

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Safety Benefits of Dedicated Bike Lanes: https://highways.dot.gov/safety/ proven-safety-countermeasures/bicycle-lanes Vision Zero Action Plan: https://engageoakpark.com/visionzero

Nicole Chavas

On behalf of Bike Walk Oak Park

Butman, Suber & Brigell for Library Board

I support Megan Butman, Daniel Suber and Bruce Brigell for Oak Pa rk Library Board of Trustees. Each of these candidates brings unique and valuable experience that will significantly benefit the board.

Megan has 30 years of experience as a law librarian, managing professional librarians and researchers with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Dan offers a valuable legal perspective, while Bruce has over 40 years of experience as a librarian in a diverse public library setting.

They have all lived for many years in Oak Park and have a vested interest in the future of the library. To gether, they bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills that will be invaluable to the board.

Megan, Dan, and Bruce have demonstrated a strong commitment to intellectual freedom, ensuring that libraries remain spaces for open access to knowledge and diverse viewpoints. They understand that organizational culture is shaped by leadership and recognize the critical role the board plays in fostering a thriving,

No term limits, run for o ce

I am writing this letter to urge people in River Forest to vote No on term limits. Instead of running a campaign to urge term limits, why aren’t some of these citizens volunteering to run for office? I note that in our local elections there are no opposing candidates for village board or village president; for park board, library board and District 90 school board. Instead of voting for ter m limits, which are another way to nar row a voter’s choices, we should be grateful to our volunteer elected officials. It takes time, energ y, hard work and dedication to run for of fice and serve our community. I should know, having been elected four times and served for 16 years in public office in our communities.

If voters are not happy with the direction or service of these volunteers, I urge them to either run for of fice themselves or recruit and help candidates to run for office. This would be a positive action plan. In our small village of River Forest there is no need to have term limits, and at times there are very valid reasons for electing residents to more than two terms. It is often difficult to find people willing and capable of running for and serving in a leadership capacity. Please vote No on term limits.

Carlotta Lucchesi Former member and president District 90 Board of Education District 200 Board of Education

inclusive, and well-functioning library system.

As the library transitions under new executive leadership, Megan, Dan, and Bruce are eager to provide the necessary support and guidance to ensure a smooth and successful transition. Their expertise in team management, strat egic planning, and advocacy for library services uniquely positions them to assist the new executive director in navig ating challenges, ensuring they have the resources and support needed for effective leadership.

I am confident that Megan, Dan, and Bruce will be outstanding assets to the Oak Park Library Board, bringing a balanced, infor med, and forward-thinking approach to governance. I strongly support their candidacy and encourage you to consider the significant value they will add to both the board and the Oak Park community.

Mellman & Gertz will challenge status quo

It is odd that District 200 leaders say addressing the achievement gap is a top priority, yet their detracking ef for ts are failing to meaningfully address this priority, but they are still all-in on detracking being the solution to this problem.

One quarter of the school’s Black ninth-grade students and one fifth of the school’s Hispanic ninth-grade students are failing at least two core classes. And they’ve done so since before COVID with Hispanic students dropping from 88% to 79.8% meeting the metric “9th graders on track” between 2019 and 2024. (Source: https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/

Scaman for values- rst leadership

At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be a lot of variation from the candidates for village president. Both candidates have identified housing affordability as a concer n. Both have acknowledged the need to be cost-conscious re garding a new police station and upg rades to village hall. Both have identified a need to enhance Oak Park’s economic vitality. So you might be thinking, “What’s the difference?”

After watching debates, reading articles, and reviewing candidates’ websites, I believe the difference is that Vicki Scaman has demonstrated she will lead by putting our community’s core values first. This is critically important because the values we cherish are at significant risk. I have witnessed Vicki demonstrate her commit-

ment to an inclusive community that encourages equity, justice, and multiracial fellowship time after time in Oak Park (and beyond). These are the values that enrich our lives and make many of us proud to live in Oak Park

It’s clear that both candidates intend to govern pragmatically and efficiently. But only Vicki has clearly committed to lead with intentionality to defend and uphold our core values. We need this sort of bold leadership in our community and as an example of principled leadership for the nation.

I’ll be voting for Vicki Scaman for villa ge president this election. I hope you will join me.

Rob Breymaier Oak Park

School.aspx?source=trends&source2=fres hmenontrack&Schoolid=060162000130001)

It appears that D200 leaders are so invested in their policies that they are unwilling to recognize when a change of direction is needed. Or maybe they don’t want to be held accountable for past decisions.

We need board members willing to ask tough questions and challenge the status quo. Only two have shown a willingness to do this, which is why I’m voting for Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz.

Jenny Austin Oak Park

Clean up your grounds!

What a shame that the South Oak Park post office on Harrison cannot keep up its grounds. Four years I have walked by the post office and am disappointed at the amount of litter and unkempt landscaping around the building and also around the adjacent post office parking facility. It is unacce ptable for for a business or a neighbor to neglect their property as the post office does. This is not just something that happens after winter but all year long trash accumulates along their grounds and landscaping. Please be a good neighbor and address this!

Seth Banowsky

Oak Park

Amy Garland Oak Park

Who I’m not voting for

I commend Wednesday Journal for including the Election Guide insert in the March 12 edition. While the guide provided valuable information about the candidates, it fell short in infor ming the public about the current candidates seeking re-election. As the adage goes, past behavior often serves as an indicator of future actions.

Let me be gin with village board member Lucia Robinson, who voted in favor of the leaf-bagging ordinance, despite the lack of community input. This decision has sparked significant community uproar. If she disreg arded the concerns and issues of the community during that time, it is questionable whether she would prioritize them in the future.

The District 200 school board members, Fred Arkin and Audrey Williams-Lee, also face scrutiny for their

actions. They approved the substantial $102 million (excluding potential cost overruns) Project 2 without seeking voter input through a referendum for the anticipated debt certificate. In 2016, the community voted against the pool ef fort, yet the D200 board unanimously disreg arded the voters’ wishes and proceeded with this ambitious project, which includes a pool. While I acknowledge the potential benefits of this project, a new pool is an extravagant addition.

Consequently, none of these candidates will receive my vote in the upcoming election. I sincerely hope that new board members will demonstrate the courtesy of consulting with the community and those who will elect them into their future positions.

Mark Schlosser Oak Park

A collaborative leader

I’m sure I’m not the only person who is tired of the constant chaos of politics in this country. We need leaders who listen to the community’s needs, collaborate with others, and work to address the root causes of problems. Ravi Parakkat has displayed these traits over and over again with his work with Takeout25 and as a village trustee

I have always appreciated Ravi’s analytical approach to solving problems and the achievable solutions he creates. His dedication to our community and his ability to bring people together to address important issues is truly commendable. Ravi’s leadership has made a positive impact on our village, and I am confident that he will continue to serve us well as village president.

Allison Cummins CEO, Blue Outcomes

OBITUARIES

Hannah Voigt, 87

Music teacher, artful accompanist

Hannah Voigt, 87, of Oak Park, died at home on March 7, 2025, surrounded by family. Hannah Louise Wilkins was born on Aug. 14, 1937, in Gloversville, New York, to Kathryn Wemple Wilkins and W. Nelson Wilkins.

She started piano lessons at an early age. Blessed with perfect pitch, she began playing hymns and show tunes by ear at age 11 at her father’s request. She credited her lifelong ability to transpose and improvise to this activity. Her Paris-trained teacher provided a rigorous foundation in music theory and general musicianship.

At Gloversville High School, she played for several choirs and was president of the French Club. She also worked as a church organist and accompanied soloists. She graduated from GHS in 1954 as valedictorian.

Hannah earned her B.S. in Music Education at SUNY Potsdam, and her M.M. in Piano and Music Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester. While in graduate school, she did summer study in Fontainebleau, France with Nadia Boulanger and Jean and Robert Casadesus.

Upon graduating from Eastman, she taught in the school’s preparatory department. In the summer of 1962, while playing cocktail piano at the Aspen Music Festival, she met graphic designer Harry Voigt. They married in 1963 and settled in Oak Park.

That year, she joined the Chicago Symphony Chorus as a soprano, and was tapped by famed conductor Margaret Hillis to teach sight-singing to her fellow choristers. She taught music in Oak Park public schools until the birth of her daughter, Laura, in 1964. By then, she had started her private piano teaching studio. They welcomed a son, Derek, in 1966.

In addition to motherhood and teaching, she continued to perform regularly. In the 1970s, she and baritone Robert Smith inaugurated the Unity Temple Concert Series. During her many years in Oak Park, she accompanied community choirs and performed solo and collaborative recitals, including on WFMT with fellow pianist Barbara Ekholm. She was the organist at Fair Oaks Presbyte-

rian Church for 50 years.

She influenced many, notably through her involvement in the Chicago Area Music Teachers Association (CAMTA). In 2021, she was named the CAMTA music teacher of the year. She gave presentations, mentored new piano instructors, and was chair of the annual Achievement in Music (AIM) program for so many years they lost count. Most of her students took the AIM exams, many saying it gave them confidence, discipline, and a deeper understanding of and love for music.

Harry died in 2007, and in 2012, through a mutual friend, she met physician, tenor and longtime Oak Parker Burton Andersen and they made beautiful music together. They married in 2015 and performed at family events, for friends, at Unity Temple’s Spring Music Festival, served as co-chair of Unity Temple’s biennial Schubert Festival, and serenaded their fellow residents on Thursday nights at Brookdale Senior Living in Oak Park. They attended symphony performances and plays, the Chautauqua Festival, and traveled

She doted on her granddaughters and her music students, whom she encouraged with her larger-than-life smile and inspired with her remarkable enthusiasm.

Hannah is survived by her husband, Burton Andersen; her daughter, Laura Voigt, her son, Derek Voigt (Catherine), and her granddaughters, Madeline, Ashley, Marisa, and Celia. She will be remembered for her generous and loving heart, her intelligence, curiosity, optimism, sense of humor, tireless work ethic, fighting spirit, and ability to inspire others to be their best selves and enjoy life to the fullest. A celebration of her life will be held at Unity Temple, 875 Lake St., Oak Park, on Saturday, April 19 at 1 p.m.

Diane Moses, 81

19th Century Club program direc tor

Diane Moses (nee Kachevas), 81, of Oak Park, died on March 11, 2025. Bor n on Sept. 7, 1943, she was a teacher, public school principal, adjunct professor at Concordia University in River Forest, immediate past president of the Musicians Club of Women, chair of award

winners in concert at Preston Bradley Hall at the Cultural Center, president/director of programs at the Nineteenth Century Club in Oak Park, program chair for the Flossmoor Chapter of the Lyric Opera, and a Greek Mythology instructor. She also loved going to restaurants and drinking wine.

Diane was the mother of Christine Strube and Scott (Lisa) Moses; the grandmother of Rachael Strube and Jack and Kayla Moses; and the daughter of the late Gabriel and Doris Shostak.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park on Saturday, March 22, from 3 to 7 p.m. Interment private.

Memorials appreciated to the Philanthropic Education Organization PEO Chapter BI (www.peointer national.org); the Lyric Opera of Chicago (www.lyricopera.org); or the Nineteenth Century Club (www.nineteenthcentury.org).

Rita Williams, 91

West Sub lab manager, ight volunteer

Rita Maude Williams, 91, died peacefully on March 14, 2025 after a long illness. A longtime Oak Park resident, she was an active member of the community

Donating money and time to countless charities, she never said no to a worthy cause. She touched many lives as a laboratory manager/teacher at West Suburban Hospital and as a celebrated volunteer at her beloved Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio. A world traveler, opera buff, and avid lover of cats, she was a well-read intellectual who devoured 3-4 books a week for her entire adult life. Immigrating to this country in 1954 from the UK, she carved out a comfortable life for her family, earned an advanced degree from Northwester n University’s Kellogg School of Management, and was a “cat mom” to countless felines Rita was preceded in death by her husband of many years, Donald Stenson Williams. She is survived by her two sons, Andrew Stenson Williams and Anthony Charles Williams; a grandson, Eric Anthony Williams; and three great-grandchildren, Ryker, Harper, and Roman.

A celebration of her life will be announced in the near future.

Gail Hague, 88 Economy Shop, Hephzibah volunteer

Gail Louise Elwell Hague, 88, of River Forest, died on Feb. 10, 2025 in Oak Park after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was surrounded by loved ones as she passed peacefully in her home, just shy of her 89th birthday Bor n on March 24, 1936 at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park, to mother Ber nice Carolyn Barton and father Bard Elwell, her only siblings were her older identical twin brothers Bob and Jack.

She lived a long and productive life and her gifts were plentiful. She was a giving, thoughtful person who had the ability to make both close friends and distant acquaintances feel comfortable, as if they were a part of her family. Her charming personality made it easy to laugh and connect with everyone she encountered.

She attended Oak Park and River Forest High School and graduated from the University of Illinois, where she met the love of her life, Richard N. Hague. They married and had three boys. In December 1978, their eldest son, Jeff, was killed in an automobile accident.

In their early married years, Gail taught first and second grade. Throughout her life, she split her time between social engagements and tireless volunteering. As a for mer member of the River Forest Tennis Club and Oak Park Country Club, she loved to play tennis and participate in golf tour naments

She was a past president of the Hephzibah Children’s Association board in Oak Park She was also on the West Suburban Guild of Children’s Memorial Hospital.

She volunteered for over six decades at the Economy Shop in Oak Park. One of her fun business ventures was opening and running PJ Willows, a charming neighborhood store on Lake Street in River Forest (where the Jewel expansion is now located).

One of the passions in which she excelled was baking and cooking. Extended family and friends were able to enjoy her recipes and baked goods over the years, even

throughout her illness

She will be remembered for her exemplary kind and charismatic nature.

Gail is survived by her children, Jon and Mark. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ethan, Marlee and Natalie, as well as her many nieces and nephews and their children.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. until the time of the memorial service, 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 7551 Quick Ave., River Forest.

Pete Sluka, 79 Computer analyst, avid gardener

Pete Edward Sluka, 79, of Riverside, died on March 15, 2025. Bor n on Aug. 16, 1945 near Riverside, he spent most of his life along the Chicago BNSF line (Riverside and Aurora and back to Riverside) but also took detours to Glen Ellyn, Big Rock and Durham, North Carolina.

He graduated from St. Procopius High School (Benet Academy), ear ned an electrical engineering degree from Marquette University, then went on to join Bell Labs in Naperville where he pursued a career as a computer analyst.

He balanced his interests in electronics with a lifelong passion for gardening and was never far from his seedlings and plants. His interests were broad and his strong faith expressed itself in his work to help launch Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) in the Holy Angels church basement in Aurora, which grew into the Hesed House ministry, bringing shelter and support to the homeless. In the past two decades, he also devoted time to Project Cure, the Ascension community garden, and the Honoring Our Mother Earth (HOME) Committee.

Pete’s twinkling eyes and happy spirit, humor and kindness will be greatly missed by his wife of over 50 years, Mary (nee Rogers); his children Stephanie and Patrick; his daughter-in-law, Anna Lentz; his grandchildren, Abraham and Penelope; his siblings, Janice, Michael (Patricia), and Sharon (Stan); his sister-in-law, Marge Barrett (Tom); his brothers-in-law, Jim (Jacque), John (Lois) and Dan (Mary Ann); and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews,

godchildren, extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Megan.

On Saturday, March 22, at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, visitation will be held at 12 p.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 1 p.m., and a luncheon at 2 p.m. In keeping with Pete’s dedication to the environment and living harmoniously with nature, his ashes will be laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to Project Cure, Housing Forward, the Neighborhood Bridge, the Migrant Ministry, or HOME (Honoring Our Mother Earth) in Oak Park, and encourages you to honor Pete with a random act of kindness and generosity to a stranger

Arrangements were handled by Ivins/ Moravecek Funeral Home, 80 E. Burlington St., Riverside

Dorothy Huss, 87 Banker, loved the Sox and the slots

Dorothy B. Huss (nee Jendryczka), 87, of Oak Park, for merly of Chicago, died on March 13, 2025. Bor n on January 25, 1938, she loved the Chicago White Sox and ’50s Rock ’n’ Roll. She had a long banking career and a zest for slot machines

Dorothy was the wife of Frank (celebrating 65 years on Halloween); the mother of Carol Huss (Michael McCarthy) and the late Thomas F.; the daughter of the late Joseph and the late Victoria (nee Nabozna); sister of the late Chester; late Mary; late Josephine (late Chester) Zurowski; late Genevieve (late John) Grygiel; late Jeannette (late Chester) Witkowski; late Matt (late Irene); late Alice (late Bruno) Lejkowski; and late Florence (late Joseph) Ferreri; and the aunt, friend, and neighbor of many.

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at St. Barbara Church, 2859 S. Throop St., Chicago. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish-St. Barbara Church are most appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Pomierski Funeral Home (www.pomierskifuneralhome.com).

SPORTS

OPRF, Fenwick baseball looking to rebound

Early playo exits last year fuel Huskies, Friars

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Last spring, the OPRF and Fenwick baseball teams were anticipating a rematch in the IHSA Class 4A Fenwick Re gional final. Problem was, neither team got there as both were eliminated in their first playof f games: the Huskies by St. Ignatius, and the Friars by Whitney Young.

That disappointment has triggered a hunger within both programs. With each returning plenty of players, both OPRF and Fenwick have reason for optimism.

“We are very excited about this team,” said OPRF coach Kevin Campbell, entering his fourth season. “After our first day on the field, it was apparent that this team is here to work.”

“We enter the season with a mix of experienced returners and promising newcomers,” said Fenwick coach Kyle Kmiecik, in his third year. “There is a strong core ready to step up and continue the team’s tradition of excellence.”

Here are previews of OPRF and Fenwick respectively:

OPRF

LAST SEASON: 22-14 (8-7 in West Suburban Silver)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

Ferren (SR), OF/P (New Yo commit); Brady Green (SR), INF (Bucknell University); George Holland (SR), 1B; Timmy Leark (SR), OF (Maryville Uni Ethan Moore (SR), INF (Uni nessee); Johnny Nelson (JR), INF/P; Kendall Wallace (SR), OF (Milwaukee Area Community College).

TOP NEWCOMERS: C (JR); Adam Dominowski, P (JR); Owyn Edwards, P (JR); Zach Goldberg, INF/OF (JR); Xavier Martin, P (SO); Ian Moor STRENGTHS/CONCERNS: “The junior class brings a lot of athleticism and depth on the mound,” Campbell said. “Offense and defense should be the strengths of the team; the pitching staf f seems to be very deep, just lacks a lot of experience at the varsity level.”

OPRF senior second baseman Ethan Moore takes in eld practice, March 15. Moore w ill head to the University of Tennessee in the fall.

win the day,” Campbell said. “The rest will fall into place.”

Fenwick

LAST SEASON: 23-9 (Chicago Catholic League White champions with 12-2 record)

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Colle ge recruiting is in full swing and local high school student-athletes in the

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS: The Huskies open the season with the Warrior Spring Classic, March 24, versus Thompson (AL) in Tennessee. OPRF plays six games in four days at three Tennessee schools: Blackman and Riverdale High Schools and Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. Also, for the second consecutive year, the East Avenue Showdown with Fenwick will be held at Triton College on May 2.

KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL SEASON: “The message this year is focus on us and

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: SR Andrew Henderson, P; SR Luke Hickey, P; SR Ryan Lazewski, 2B (2024 CCL White AllConference: .430 batting average, 32 RBI); SO Josh Morgan, OF; SR Matt Purta, P; SR Diego Tafolla, INF/P (Car thage Colle ge commit); SR Bryan Tunison, C/UTL (University of Wisconsin-Stout).

TOP NEWCOMERS: SO Ethan Gonzalez, C/1B/OF; SO Jeremy Muno z, C/1B; SO JJ Obaldo, SS.

STRENGTHS/CONCERNS: “Ryan’s

leadership will be vital in the field and at the plate,” Kmiecik said. “Luke Hickey, a 2023 All-Conference pitcher and first baseman, brings both versatility and experience, while Matt Purta steps into the number one starting pitcher role after posting a 5-0 record with 23 strikeouts last year. Josh Morgan is ranked #2 nationally among Prep Baseball’s Class of 2027. He adds excitement to the roster with his elite speed, fielding, hitting, and baserunning.”

SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS: Fenwick gets a chance to avenge last year’s re gional semifinal loss when Whitney Young visits the Priory in River Forest on April 12. The Friars also have neighborhood non-conference games at Riverside-Brookfield, April 23, and ag ainst OPRF at Triton, May 2.

classes of 2025 and 2026 are making verbal commitments to institutions where they will compete collegiately.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), March 13, senior boys basketball center Alex Vin-

cent of Oak Park and River Forest High announced an oral commitment to Case Western Reserve University, an NCAA Division III institution in Cleveland, Ohio. Vincent chose the Spartans over Ar my-West Point, Denison University, Grinnell Colle ge, and Kenyon Colle ge

“The main things that went into my decision to commit to Case Western were the team environment being super-cool and

Local so ball at the plate

OPRF and Fenwick start seasons this week

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

With the first official day of spring taking place this week, the local high school softball season is in full swing. Here’s a preview for OPRF and Fenwick high schools:

OPRF

Head Coach: J.P. Coughlin (fourth season)

Last Season: 28-9 (10-2 in West Suburban Silver, second place); lost in Class 4A sectional final.

Top Returning Players: OF Maura Carmody, SR (2024 4A All-State Second Team; .473 batting average, 2 HR, 32 RBI, 30 runs scored; Dayton commit); SS Elyssa Hasapis, SR (two-time All-Stater; St. Joseph’s commit; .407, 8 HR, 29 RBI, 52 R); 3B Gloria Hronek, SR (All-WSC Silver; Carleton commit; .333, HR, 9 RBI, 24 R); C Julia Mattiace, SR (All-WSC Silver; MIT commit; .398, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 19 R); P/1B Anna Topel (AllState Second Team; Babson commit; .308, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 26 R; 14-4, 2.00 earned-run average, 105 strikeouts).

Other returnees: OF Sofia Ayala, SR (.329, 15 RBI, 19 R); P Molly Chambers, SR (2-0, 3.38 ERA); 2B Georgia Godellas, JR (.361, 10 RBI, 21 R).

feeling like I fit in well,” Vincent told Wednesday Journal. “Case having a top business school that offers my intended major was also very important to me. Lastly, Case is a winning program, having won two of the last three (University Athletic Association) titles.”

Vincent averaged 12.8 points, 13 re bounds, and two blocks per game this season for OPRF. He also made both the West Suburban Silver All-Conference and AllAcademic Teams. He hopes to apply what he learned during his OPRF career as he prepares for the next level.

Top newcomers: OF/C Leia Hammerschmidt, JR; IF Julia Henderson, JR; P Carolyn Rainey, JR; OF/C Charlie Terry, FR; 1B/OF Har per Travis, FR.

Outlook: The Huskies, third in Class 4A in 2023, are eager for a return trip downstate

“Expectations are high, really high,” Coughlin said. “I don’t think they’ll bother us, but like any season, adversity hits; how do we respond to that? We’re good now but are only scratching the surface for how good we can be. This team wants to end the year in Peoria and embraces the challenges ahead.”

Season opener: March 18 vs. Maine South (after deadline)

Fenwick

Head Coach: Valerie Jisa (second season) Last Season: 18-9 (7-5 in Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red); third place in Class 3A tournament.

Top returning players: C Caity Barganski, SR; SS Bella Bigham, SO; LF Kailey Janda, SR (.351); OF Sophia Leonardi, JR; P/OF Leah Lowery, SR (.413, All-GCAC Red, Class 3A All-State Second Team); 1B Molly Mullen, SR; Utility/P Gianna Pescatore, JR (.310); CF Gabriella Simon, SR (.440, 17 stolen bases, All-GCAC Red, Class 3A All-State

OPRF senior third baseman Gloria Hronek res to rst during so ball practice, March 15.

First Team).

Other returning players: Alex Purta, Utility, SO.

Top newcomers: Utility Marge Price, JR; C/OF Ellie Brady, FR; P Sophia Kaleeb, FR. Outlook: After a surprising run to the IHSA Class 3A third-place trophy – the program’s best state finish, the Friars are equipped for another extended run with eight returning starters.

“We’ re very excited to see what these talented student-athletes will do this season,” Jisa said. “We’ re cautiously optimistic,

Fenw ick senior Leah Lowery is focused on the tee as she swings during so ball practice, March 13.

and we’re looking forward to seeing how they will grow individually and together as one unit.

“Our keys to a successful season are keeping the bigger picture mentality and goals of the collective. Being able to get in sync with one another to find a good rhythm for our team to rely on and being productive at the plate and on the bases will be vital.”

Season opener: March 19 vs. Amundsen, 4:30 at Fenwick Priory

“My main thing I’m going to take from Oak Park is knowing a strong team cul-

ture,” he stated. “Throughout my time there, Coach Phil (Gary), Coach Dom (Ferguson), and my teammates ha truly amazing to work around.”

On March 16, Fenwick football and basketball pl Tommy Thies announced on X he has orally committed to Miami University of Ohio ball. Thies, a 6-foot safety, chose the RedHawks, of the MidAmerican Conference, West Point, Buffalo, Central Eastern Michig an, Kent New Mexico, Northern Illinoi Diego State, Toledo, and Western gan, among others.

“For me, the biggest thing was the [Miami] coaches. I feel the demeanor they have and what they want to see out of their players every day is something I can totally

relate to,” Thies said. “The way they strive to be the best at everything they do and the way they push themselves to get 100 percent out of everyone is the main reason, and I can see myself fitting in their scheme. It’s the perfect spot for me.”

He added that although he decided on a major, Miami’s academics made his choice “a no-brainer.”

“Miami has a great culture the field,” he said. “It’s somewhere that done playing, you set yourself

ther Scott is Fenwick’s athletic director and brother Jake a sophomore football and basketball player, re gistered 85.5 tackles (six for loss), two interceptions, 11 passes broken up, and one forced fumble for the Friars last fall. He was voted Fenwick’s Defensive Most

Valuable Player and named to the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division all-conference team.

Tommy, along with Jake, were also inte gral parts of Fenwick’s boys basketball team, which finished 23-12 and advanced to the Class 3A Little Village sectional final, where the Friars lost to St. Patrick, the eventual third-place finisher in the state.

“Any sport you play with your brother, it’s the best thing,” Thies said. “Jake and I have always looked forward to playing football and basketball at Fenwick.”

Thies says he is looking forward not only to one more Fenwick season with Jake, but also beyond.

“We do everything together of f the field,” he said. “All the training, running, and working out, it’s always with Jake. When he makes plays on the field, it makes my job easier. That’s the dream, to play with Jake on the next level.”

ALEX VINCENT

TOMMY THIES

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIRST SAVINGS BANK Plaintiff, -v.-

DDI HOLDINGS LLC, AN ILLINOIS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; TANPHI WELLNESS INC., AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION; SPINOX1 INC., AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION; DONALD OLIPHANT; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2023 CH 03962 6201 - 6209 WEST NORTH AVE OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Order of Default, Default Judgment, Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, and Appointing Selling Officer entered in the above cause on February 22, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 28, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 6201 - 6209 WEST NORTH AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-102032-0000

The real estate is one-story commercial building. The judgment amount was $2,667,110.06.

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765

ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact Paulina Garga-Chmiel, DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 10 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2300, CHICAGO, IL, 60606 (312) 876-1700. 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. Paulina Garga-Chmiel DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC 10 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2300 CHICAGO IL, 60606 312-876-1700

E-Mail: pgarga@dykema.com Attorney Code. 42297 Case Number: 2023 CH 03962 TJSC#: 45-479 I3261453

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ROSIE L. SIMPSON; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ERNEST ROGER BRYANT; DENISE LASHONE COLLINS; ERSKINE LATRELL RICKS; KENOSHA DEANNA RICKS; DENOTA C. RICKS AKA DEONTE C. RICKS; REGGIE L. RICKS AKA REGGIE RICKS; ROSIE RICKS AKA ROSE RICKS; ANDREA LYNETTE COLLINS; AMIR MOHABBAT AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR ROSIE L. SIMPSON; ERNEST R. RICKS; FIFTH THIRD BANK, N.A. S/I/I FIFTH THIRD BANK; RAYMOND E. RICKS; LATASHA D. RICKS; EARNESTINE RICKS; KENTON K. RICKS; RAQKOWN D. RICKS; DEMARCUS M. COLLINS; SHANNON RICKS; CORNELIUS RICKS; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant 24 CH 393 CALENDAR 62 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on April 8,

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

2025, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-10-319-012-0000.

Commonly known as 602 S. 21st Ave., Maywood, IL 60153.

The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms:

At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563. (630) 453-6960. 1496-197806

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3261492

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000278 on March 4, 2025 Under the Assumed Business Name of JENNY KELLY ART with the business located at: 941 BONNIE BRAE PLACE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JENNIFER KELLY 941 BONNIE BRAE PLACE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 12, 19, 26, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING

Request for bids for the “Field Center Construction” Project in Field Park at 935 Woodbine. Oak Park Il. 60302

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the “Field Center Construction” located in Field Park at 935 Woodbine, Oak Park, IL 60302. The project generally consists of the new construction of a 4600 square foot facility, grading, sitework, utilities, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, geothermal wells, landscaping, roofing, concrete work, rammed earth exterior and more. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 a.m. (Central time) on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, IL. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Demand Star website as of 12 pm, Monday, March 24th, 2025. An optional pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for 10 am, April 9th, 2025, at Field Park, 935 Woodbine, Oak Park, Il. 60302. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. Copies of the bidding specifications available at https://www.demandstar.com/ app/buyers/bids/493758/details For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@ pdop.org or 708-725-2050. Only bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. Project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2024. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Park District of Oak Park

By: Sandy Lentz, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal March 19, 2025

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Town, will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025,at the Oak Park Library, 834 Lake St., in the Town of Oak Park, at the hour of 6:30 p.m., for the transaction of the business of the Town; and a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting, following this agenda:

I. Call to Order

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Procedures for Meeting

IV. Supervisor’s Annual Financial Statements

PUBLIC NOTICES

V. Election of Moderator

VI. Township Year in Review:

• COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH BOARD

• ASSESSOR

• SENIOR AND DISABILITY SERVICES

• YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES

• GENERAL AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

• RESIDENT SERVICES

VII. Resolutions to Come Before the Electors:

VIII. Public Comments

IX. Adjournment

All interested citizens, groups, senior citizens and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens are encouraged to attend.

Oak Park Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status in the admission or access to, or employment in its programs or activities. Those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice.

Given under my hand in the Town of Oak Park, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 11th day of March, 2025.

DaToya Burtin-Cox Oak Park Township Clerk

Published in Wednesday Journal March 19, 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed proposals will be accepted for:

2025 Lake Street Intersection Improvements - Design

The Village of River Forest is requesting proposals for professional engineering consultant services (“Consultant Services”), for completion of Design Engineering for the development of construction plans and specifications and IDOT permitting approval of spot intersection improvements along Lake Street from Edgewood Place to Bonnie Brae in the Village of River Forest. Lake Street is owned by IDOT but maintained by the Village through a maintenance agreement. It is expected that the consultant will review existing crossings between the aforementioned limits and provide any suggested improvements along with construction plan and contract preparation 4 intersections along the corridor. It is anticipated that curb extensions will need to be designed at 3 intersections and signage upgrades at 1 intersection that includes the installation of an Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). It is expected that the consultant is familiar with and able to navigate the IDOT permitting process effectively. Respondents must be able to demonstrate expertise with all aspects of roadway related engineering tasks and bicycle and pedestrian improvements. Submittals should include the firm’s qualifications, project team, resumes, project approach, and recently completed related engineering work (high value will be placed on experience assisting municipalities with improvements similar in scope).

The proposal documents are available for download starting Friday, March 14, 2025 at: www.vrf.us/bids

Proposals must be submitted by Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

The proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No proposal shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these proposals to waive technicalities and reject any or all proposals.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 19, 2025

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

CONDUCTED IN PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Township of River Forest in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of the RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP will take place on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, being the second Tuesday of said month, at 6:00 P.M. at the River Forest Community Center at 8020 Madison Street, Room 202, River Forest, Illinois 60305. If you would like to participate via zoom, please contact clerk@RiverForestTownship. org for the information.

The Electors present at the Annual Town Meeting, are meeting for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said Township; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Clerk to Note Public Notice and Availability of Financial Statements and Posting Thereof

4. Execution of Affidavits of Standing as Electors

5. Selection of Moderator and Administration of Moderator Oath by Township Clerk

6. Approval of the Minutes of last Annual Town Meeting on April 9, 2024

7. Reports of Township Year In Review

a. General Assistance Administrator

b. Township Youth and Family Services

c. Township Senior Services

d. River Forest Senior Outreach Coordinator

e. River Forest Mental Health

Committee

f. Township Supervisor

g. Township Assessor

h. River Forest Civic Center

Authority Building Manager

8. Resolutions to come before the Electors - None Submitted

9. Public Comments

10. Proposed Date, Hour, and Place of 2026 Annual Town Meeting:

a. April 14, 2026, being the second Tuesday, at 6:00 P.M.

b. River Forest Community Center 2nd Floor - 8020 Madison Street, River Forest 11. Adjournment

All interested citizens, groups and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens, youth & family services, mental health, and intellectual/developmental disabilities are encouraged to attend. River Forest Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status; those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice to Clerk@ RiverForestTownship.org. Given under my hand in the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 19th day of March, 2025.

MARGARET DETMER, River Forest Township Clerk

Published in Wednesday Journal

March 19, 2025

Legal Notice

Village of River Forest Development Review Board

River Forest, Illinois

Public notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Development Review Board of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter: Application # 25-0009: Proposed Planned Development Ordinance: The applicant proposes to make improvements to Constitution Park including reconfiguring the playground, sand volleyball courts/ ice rink, and ballfield; and adding a picnic shelter with 2 single restrooms, and a sitting plaza. The Legal Description of the property is as follows: LOTS 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, AND 24. IN F. W. CREIGHTON’S SUBDIVISION OF THE NORTH TWELVE (12) ACRES OF THE SOUTH FORTY-TWO (42) ACRES OF THE EAST HALF (1/2) OF THE NORTH WEST QUARTER (1/4) OF SECTION ONE (1) TOWNSHIP THIRTY-NINE (39) NORTH, RANGE TWELVE (12) EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. The address of the property is as follows: 7715 Greenfield Street, River Forest, IL 60305. The applicant is: River Forest Park District.

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing, the purpose of which is to take evidence on the Application for the Development Review Board and Village Board to consider. A copy of the application and meeting agenda will be available to the public at the Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, or at www.vrf.us.

Clifford Radatz

Secretary Development Review Board

Published in Wednesday Journal March 19, 2025