Wednesday Journal 040820

W E D N E S D A Y

April 8, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 37 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Oak Park extends emergency to May 5

Village cuts parking permit fees, late fees

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

As COVID-19 continues to transform daily

life in the village, the Oak Park village board voted to extend the declaration of emergency at a virtual April 6 board meeting. The original emergency declaration was set to expire April 6; with the extension, the declaration now lasts until May 5.

Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley, as well as the fire chief and police

chief, via videoconference, gave updates on their respective departments and the precautionary protocols each has established to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of public servants and citizens.

According to Charley, Oak Park’s public health department has had some challenges

reporting COVID-19 test results due to patients not providing their home addresses.

“Two of the 68 [COVID-19 cases in Oak Park] have PO boxes, others have no addresses listed,” Charley said.

According to Charley, the two public See EXTENSION on page 13

Austin worries with COVID-19 in prisons Rep. Ford, activists and residents urge Gov. Pritzker to release inmates, establish quarantine measures

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

EASTER BUDS: First Baptist Church didn’t cancel its Easter order with Westgate Flowers. Instead members Barbara Branch and Mary Lee Eneberg toted flowers for delivery to members of the congregation. Story on page 14.

Austin resident Classie Terrell, 71, is worried. Her 50-year-old son is incarcerated at Sheridan Correctional Center and her 32-yearold great-nephew is incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center. Both, Terrell said, have complained of feeling sick within the last several months.

“My great-nephew said he’s been sick with See PRISONS on page 13

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In long-inked pact, Ridgeland Common rink could be used as morgue Unlikely but an option if COVID-19 deaths mount

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With the rising number of COVID-19-related fatalities in Cook County, the ice rink at Ridgeland Common could eventually be converted into an emergency morgue should the increased need exceed the capacity of the Cook County morgue.

Under a 2006 agreement between the village of Oak Park and the Park District of Oak Park, the village has the ability to commandeer park district facilities for emergency mass-sheltering purposes. Although not explicitly stated within the agreement, that includes converting the ice rink inside the Ridgeland Common Recreation Complex, 415 Lake St., into a makeshift morgue.

Jan Arnold, park district executive director, mentioned the possibility on March 19 during a park district meeting — conducted virtually due to COVID-19.

“I would imagine it was a reminder,” said Diane Stanke, park district director of marketing, on behalf of Arnold. “We have new board members too. I don’t know if anybody’s on the board from 2006 when this mass-sheltering memorandum was actually put in place.”

The village of Oak Park reported its first likely COVID-19-related death April 1. As of April 5, Cook County has a total of 210 deaths from COVID-19, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.

“The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office has a morgue that can hold 285 bodies,” said Natalia Derevyanny, spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner. “Because of COVID-19, we brought in a refrigerated trailer onsite in our parking lot, which can hold 30 additional bodies.”

Under the village of Oak Park’s emergency operating plan, “The village will operate in a support function only for mortuary services and will assist the Cook County Medical Examiner (CCME) to the best of its ability as requested.”

The plan states that if “requested by the

Policing COVID-19

The force is in harm’s way … in a new way

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

COVID-19 has breached the Oak Park Police Department, with two police officers thus far having tested positive for the virus. Village Manager Cara Pavlicek said, “We will not give information about the employees’ cases. We won’t tell you whether they are work-related. The rest is protected by HIPAA [Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act] and we won’t release any more information.”

However, she did say in response to a question, that “We have not had to contact any members of the public regarding these officers.” She said that should a case meet necessary criteria, that village staff would notify members of the public who may have been exposed.

The village of Oak Park announced March 30 that an Oak Park police officer tested positive for COVID-19. One day later, the village announced a second Oak Park police officer received a positive COVID-19 test result.

According to the March 30 village announcement, the village placed personnel who had come into contact with the officer

in quarantine as a precaution.

The second officer chose self-quarantine immediately upon experiencing symptoms and has “remained out of the workplace since mid-March,” according to the March 31 village announcement.

The announcement also stated that, pursuant to village of Oak Park personnel policies, “employees who have had direct contact with the officer have been notified, but because the contact was greater than 14 days ago, they are not subject to quarantine.”

Pavlicek noted that the village of Oak Park is abiding by the guidelines laid down by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Unable to operate successfully from the safe confines of their homes, police officers and other essential service providers continue to work in the community despite increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases.

Prior to the March 31 announcement, the village of Oak Park moved to split police officers, public works employees and firefighters into discrete workgroups — those employees work the same shifts on the same days as their group members; they do not move days or shifts.

“With 370 employees,” Pavlicek said, “sadly, this probably won’t be the [only] time we have to report that we have a positive case with an employee.”

CCME and in the event that a local mass morgue facility is required for temporary storage, an arrangement exists between the village of Oak Park and the park district to use their facilities in the best interest of the public.”

Under the shared emergency mass-sheltering agreement, the park district “will permit the use of physical facilities and equipment by the Oak Park Department of Public Health within 12 hours of the request” and for the requested time period.

The Ridgeland Common rink is National Hockey League regulation size, with the sheet of ice measuring 85 by 200 feet. The surface temperature of the ice ranges from 20 to 24 degrees, while the air temperature in the arena averages about 53 degrees. The entire building, including the ice rink and its locker rooms, is around 53,000 square feet.

“The village certainly considers the Park District of Oak Park as an important resource, but using the ice rink as a morgue would be a last resort,” said Oak Park Director of Communications David Powers.

According to Derevyanny, the Medical Examiner’s Office is in the process of acquiring more refrigerated warehouse space.

“Obviously our hope is that we will not need additional space during the pandemic, but we want to be prepared for any eventuality,” Derevyanny said.

However, converting the Ridgeland Common ice rink into a temporary morgue is hypothetical only.

“That is not something we’ve looked into,” said Derevyanny.

Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley could not be reached for comment.

Oak Park reports 68 COVID-19 cases

Oak Park has a total of 68 cases of COVID-19 as of April 6, with three new reported cases confirmed that day. The village previously reported April 5 that Oak Park had a total of 72 cases but retracted that number after address verification determined some of the cases previously attributed to Oak Park were not in fact residents of the village.

According to the announcement, “Test results reported to the state by West Suburban Medical Center often lack addresses, so are attributed to Oak Park until local public health staff can verify residency.”

The three newest cases come just days after the village of Oak Park announced April 2 that a resident who previously tested positive for COVID-19 has died, likely becoming the village’s first COVID-19-related fatality.

According to the village’s news release, the resident who died was a man in his 60s.

The Cook County Medical Examiner will determine the final cause of death.

The news release stated, “[Oak Park Public Health] Director [Mike] Charley acknowledged that although a death was not unanticipated, it remained difficult news for Oak Park Public Health staff as they

considered what the individual’s friends and family likely were going through.”

Also within the April 2 news release, Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb called on the Oak Park community to “keep this man and his family in our thoughts and prayers” and to remain “vigilant in being safe,” to have faith and stay united.

The village will not release further information regarding the fatality or any specifics regarding COVID-19 cases due to privacy laws.

Oak Park village news release bulletins state, “Anyone who has had close, direct contact with any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 is notified by the local public health authority as part of standard patient tracking and case follow-up procedures.”

The 68 total Oak Park cases include a child as young as one years old and a resident of retirement and assisted living facility Oak Park Oasis – the latter of which received the positive COVID-19 test result March 30, according to an order issued March 31 by Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley.

—Stacey Sheridan

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Support Hephzibah Home There are 25 young children, victims of trauma, sheltering in place at Hephzibah Home, and others served by the organization who need support. How you can help: • Donate to the Emergency Fund: hephzibahhome.org/donate • Purchase wish-list items and have them delivered directly to Hephzibah Home: hephzibahhome.org/donate/wishlist • Provide a dinner for children and staff at Hephzibah Home: email hweigel@hephzibahhome.org

Wright Sites

Can-Do Community Challenge

Thursdays, Noon, livestream on Facebook+ Virtually visit Frank Lloyd Wright-designed public sites closed due to COVID-19. Access via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or websites. Free. Brought by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. More: SaveWright.org/WrightVirtualVisits.

Through April 30, benefits Beyond Hunger Join the local hunger relief campaign designed to heighten awareness about local food insecurity. Food pantry donations are at their lowest during the spring. Beyond Hunger supports 1,400 families monthly. That need has increased due to the impacts of COVID-19. If $100,000 is raised, there will be a $25,000 match from Challenge Corp. Schools, organizations and individuals are encouraged to raise funds by making donations, holding virtual food drives, creating fundraising pages and more. Info: gobeyondhunger.org/CanDo2020. Watch the movie A Place at the Table, available on Hoopla/OverDrive through the libraries or free on Tubi/Roku.

Light in Winter: Dance & Music at Unity Temple

BIG WEEK

In February, Winifred Haun & Dancers performed an original composition, set to the original music of Renee Baker, created to reflect the architecture of the space.

View the choreography of Haun, an Oak Parker, and the dance and music that explore the repeating shapes and designs of Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1905 master work of architecture. View: artsforillinois.org/posts/light-inwinter-dance-music-at-unity-temple?rq=oak%20park

Writers & Lovers

Story Times and More with Children’s Librarians

Photo by Claire Busler

April 8 - 15

Virtual Book Club through River Forest Library Access the book by Lily King on Hoopla. Then join a live Zoom discussion in late April.

Writers & Lovers follows Casey, a smart and vulnerable protagonist, in the last days of a long youth, in a novel that explores the terrifying and exhilarating leap between the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another. More at riverforestlibrary.org

Both the River Forest Public Library and the Oak Park Library have YouTube channels so children can view clips of their favorite children’s librarians. RFPL: youtube. com/channel/UCCmWPqymDud_mwuleuU9KPA. OPPL: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoSPYo9unoWw81nT4SjPfE VIUPycrSeDM

Ecological Landscaping: Why? How? Now!

Oak Park Bulk Item Collection Suspended

Livestream Wednesday, April 15, Noon to 1 p.m.

Hear from horticulturist Ken Williams and learn how residential landscapes need to become nature sanctuaries. He will describe why and provide practical tips for how to make it happen with native plants. Meet virtually: gotomeet.me/SevenGenerationsAhead.

Don’t put out old furniture and broken appliances now.

The village’s refuse hauler has suspended collection of large, bulk items typically picked up when a pink refuse sticker is attached. Regular refuse and recycling collection continues for residential properties of five or fewer units served under village contract. More: oak-park.us/ village-services/refuse-recycling

Native Plant Sale Order now through May 23 Pick-up June 6, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Maywood/Lemont Native plants add beauty and benefit the environment.

They provide habitat and food for wildlife, are droughtresistant, absorb storm water and carbon, and are easy to grow. Brought by West Cook Wild Ones. Order: wild-oneswest-cook.myshopify.com/collections. Pick up at Forest Preserves of Cook County Maintenance Facility at Miller Meadow, 2199 S. 1st Ave., Maywood or Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, 12545 W. 111th St., Lemont.

Access Library Materials Virtually Both the Oak Park Public Library and the River Forest Library have eBooks, audio books and movies available through a variety of platforms accessible via their websites with a library card. Digital resources from homework help to newspapers and Consumer Reports are also available. Apply for a library card online too. OPPL digital materials and library cards: oppl.org/read-listen-watch/ your-digital-library. RFPL materials: riverforestlibrary. org/digital; RFPL cards: riverforestlibrary.org/librarycard-pre-registration

Scavenger Hunt Walk Anytime in the Oak Park Arts District Look up at artist-designed, hand-painted banners to spot 15 items. Share photos on social media at #harrisonhunt.

Can you spot a: bicycle, telephone, polka dot dress, kiss, blue square, cat(s), tentacle, violin, clouds, trumpet, pencil, spiders, falling leaf, white bird or two, and a paintbrush (of course!)? On Harrison St. between Austin and Ridgeland.

Art Gallery While the Oak Park Library and its art gallery are closed, the works of the artist scheduled through March was cut short, but can be viewed online. Fine-arts weaver Berit Engen has focused since 2007, on “WEFT and D’RASH – Weaving a Thousand Jewish Tapestries.” More: beritengen.com.

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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ART BEAT

Writing prize named after Oak Park native

Carol Shields Prize for Fiction a new major award

By MICHELLE DYBAL

T

Contributing Reporter

here is a new major literary prize and it is named after a Pulitzer Prize-winning female author who grew up in Oak Park — The Carol Shields Prize for Fiction.

According to the prize website it “is the first English-language literary award to celebrate creativity and excellence in fiction by women writers in the United States and Canada. By putting the work of women writers in the spotlight — and Carol Shields by creating charitable grants and mentorships for marginalized and under-represented writers — this new annual literary award will acknowledge, celebrate and promote fiction by a wider, more diverse, and inclusive group of women writers.”

The prize itself, which is also open to non-binary writers, comes with an award of $150,000 Canadian ($112,500 American), putting it on a different level than other significant literary prizes, such as the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction ($15,000) or The Booker Prize (£50,000).

“A prize that recognizes outstanding work

is a cause for celebration,” said author Jane Hamilton, an Oak Park native. “And one that comes with cash is further cause for joy.

Money can give a writer a boost she needs.

It gives confidence. It can provide time and space, a room of one’s own.”

Hamilton’s books have been made into movies, appeared in Oprah’s book club and her novel,” The Short History of a Prince,” was shortlisted for the UK’s Orange Prize, now the Women’s Prize in Fiction. She is an Oak Park and River Forest High School class of 1975 alumna.

Shields, then Warner, was born in 1935 and graduated from OPRF in 1953.

After graduating from college in 1957, she married Don Shields in her parents’ Oak Park home at 700 S. Kenilworth Ave. and then moved to Canada where they raised a family and she began writing.

Shields was shortlisted for The Booker Prize twice, won the Pulitzer for Fiction in 1995 for The Stone Diaries, won the Orange Prize in 1998 for Larry’s Party and was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2003 for her last novel, “Unless.” She died of breast cancer that year.

Hamilton also noted that she’s thrilled that “Carol Shields will be kept in our collective mind’s eye, a writer who should be celebrated in Oak Park and elsewhere just as Hemingway has been. She is Oak Park’s jewel in the crown.”

Find local reads at local shops Reading during quarantine may help pass the time. Choosing a local author or Oak Park bookseller helps those in the community.

The Book Table is shipping books directly from its main distributor. Books and eBook inventory is listed at booktable.net.

Several Carol Shields and Jane Hamilton books are available. “Bloodstone Cowboy” is a collection of poetry by Oak Parker Kara Jackson, the National Youth Poet Laureate.

Locals featured as guest authors in the pages of Wednesday Journal include mystery writers Julia Buckley and E.C. Diskin, Annette Hulefeld (mysticism) and Garrett Glass (religion), Claire Lombardo and Julie Justicz (family-centered fiction), memoirwriters Ally Golden and Val Gee, Floyd Sullivan (baseball) and Robert K Elder.

At The Looking Glass, orders received by

email or phone (books@thelookingglass. com, 708-434-5515), can be fulfilled through no-contact delivery or pickup. Options include blind date books ($5; $4, young adult), or a selection will be curated for readers who provide a favorite genre or author.

Selections from local authors include poet Lucas Jacob and novelists Mary Frances Zambreno, Emma Gates and Elizabeth Berg.

Both book sellers have gift certificates for sale, which provide cash flow for expenses while the doors are closed. The Book Table is also accepting donations on its website.

For those on a tight budget who want to experience the work of local authors, eBooks and audio books are available through the Oak Park and River Forest public libraries.

Michelle Dybal

The flag stays in the closet

W

hen out walking our dogs lately — they alternate walks since together they are stinkers — I have noticed an intensifying number of American flags being displayed.

We’re flag-flyers and my immediate feeling, seeing four or five consecutive homes with the Stars and Stripes in the wind, was appreciation. But as Hugo (mixed poodle mutt) or Rue (golden doodle) and I neared home, I wasn’t inclined to go into the front hall closet, pull out the flag and display it in a sort of unifying declaration against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Do I feel unified with my neighbors?

Absolutely. With my colleagues here at the Journal? Yes. I feel connected to Oak Park and River Forest with the straight information officials pump out and the ways residents are connecting.

I feel kinship with the city of Chicago and a mayor who is tough as nails but surprises me with a sense of humor and delights me as a true White Sox fan. I even feel part of the state of Illinois — shout-out to Rantoul and Dwight and Cairo — portions of the state I have always felt bifurcated from.

So if I had a Chicago flag (and it’s a darned good flag) or a State of Illinois flag (have no recollection of it but it must exist), I’d happily display them from the porch.

I’m stuck though, and pretty sick that I’m stuck, on the American flag.

I’ve flown the flag when it felt that those on the right wanted to question my right to it.

We broke it out after 9/11. We flew it at the start of the Iraq war. (Yes, I know.) It was up for months when the economy imploded in 2008. When conflict came, flying the flag was succor for our savaged hearts, a declaration of

faith in our collective future.

Today the pain of the pandemic is more massive than any of those conflicts.

More death and illness. More danger on the frontlines of health care.

As data accumulates, the disheartening, unsurprising truth is that our health and our illness is separating us, as always, by class and by race. The percentage of African Americans dying of the virus is completely disproportionate to the population.

It is access to health care, which isn’t fair or equal. It is working people still stocking shelves or cooking takeout at great risk, while newspaper publishers can pound a keyboard from safe havens.

We face pervasive and justifiable fear.

An economy screeched to a standstill.

In reality, near full uncertainty on a timeline for recovery. It isn’t going to be

by Easter, obviously.

And all of this under the leadership of a president who is frighteningly incompetent, personally failed, who can’t tell the truth to save our lives, and who will go to his ruin still trying to divide us.

Well I’m divided. Fully divided. Don’t have it in me to declare unity with the utter chaos his government has brought to a widely predicted pandemic. Can’t watch the news. Can’t stop watching the news. Absolutely cannot watch his daily unreality show in the late afternoon. Can’t believe the cable channels give up almost two hours a day for his lies and his blathering.

In this horror show, in my reaction to it as reflected in our glorious flag, I am not alone.

And so to every person flying the Stars and Stripes, bless you. I’ll credit you with being a better person than I am in this moment. But I just don’t have it in me.

DAN HALEY

H O W

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R E A C H

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Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PHONE 708-524-8300 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com | www.RiverForest.com CIRCULATION Jill Wagner, 708-613-3340 circulation@oakpark.com DISPLAY, DIGITAL, EVENT ADVERTISING Dawn Ferencak, 708-613-3329 dawn@oakpark.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES Mary Ellen Nelligan, 708-613-3342 maryellen@oakpark.com NEWS/FEATURES Dan Haley, 708-613-3301 dhaley@wjinc.com

CALENDAR Michelle Dybal calendar@wjinc.com SPORTS/PARKS James Kay, 708-613-3319 james@oakpark.com

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In-county subscription rate is $38 per year, $65 for two years. Annual out-of-county rate is $45. © 2020 Growing Community Media NFP.

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Westlake Hospital will reopen to treat COVID-19 cases Melrose Park institution will house up to 230 patients

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During his daily briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced that Westlake Hospital, 1225 W. Lake St. in Melrose Park, will reopen temporarily to treat the growing number of patients coming into area hospitals in the western sub-

urbs.

“Last Monday, I informed you that in Cook and the collar counties, we formally launched work on three facilities,” the governor said during the April 2 briefing.

Those facilities include three shuttered hospitals and McCormick Place, the convention center in Chicago.

McCormick Place will be the largest facility once it’s complete, with roughly 3,000 beds, Pritzker said. Metro South Medical Center in Blue Island and Advocate Sherman in Elgin will together host more than

500 beds, the governor said. Westlake Hospital will house 230 beds, he said.

“Construction at all four of these sites will be completed on a rolling basis throughout April,” Pritzker said. “We’re also finalizing the necessary steps to stand up an alternate care facility in central Illinois in the coming weeks.”

Pritzker said the temporary facilities will not replace existing medical infrastructure, adding that patients will be first directed to existing hospitals. Patients who aren’t as sick will be transferred to the alternate

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f you do, you should know how important foot care is. Over time, diabetics risk developing foot complications. When the nerves are damaged from chronic high blood sugar, feet can become numb or painful with burning or tingling. This is called diabetic neuropathy. When diabetes affects the arteries, circulation to the legs and feet may be compromised. Either of these conditions may lead to serious problems including ulceration, even amputation.

The key to prevention is early diagnosis of diabetes, and regular foot exams from a podiatrist. Diabetics who receive regular foot care, including paring of calluses and debridement of thick fungal toenails, are almost four times less likely to undergo an

Dr. Linda Lambert

amputation than those who do not seek treatment.

Medicare and some private insurances cover 1 pair of diabetic shoes and 3 pair of protective insoles each calendar year. Dr. Lambert has been a supplier of diabetic shoes since 2002. The shoes come in 30 different styles each for men and women.

These include boots, lightweight colorful athletic shoes, and dress shoes. Even patients who are not diabetic love the look and comfort of the footwear. Diabetic socks, slippers and compression hosiery are also available.

Protecting your feet with appropriate footgear is an important aspect of preventive care for diabetics.

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As of March 24, Pritzker said, the state had roughly 26,000 non-ICU beds and 2,600 ICU beds. About half of the non-ICU beds and less than half of the ICU beds are currently available, but “those numbers have dropped in the nine days” since the data came out.

Area elected officials and activists have been pushing the state to reopen Westlake for two weeks.

On March 20, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), whose district includes part of River Forest, released a statement encouraging the governor to reopen Westlake, which closed last year.

The hospital’s for-profit parent company, California-based Pipeline Health, announced its intention to close the institution in early 2019, just weeks after finalizing the purchase. Last August, Westlake filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

A few days later, the Maywood-based Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, a faith-based social justice nonprofit, launched an online petition pressuring state officials to reopen the hospital. And on March 25, Welch, state Rep. Kathleen Willis (77th) and Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (4th) released a joint letter to Pritzker.

“We strongly encourage your careful and expeditious consideration to reopen Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park to help provide additional medical resources and services to our neighbors who need it most,” the legislators wrote.

When reached on April 2, Welch said that the bankruptcy trustee was “key to the whole thing happening.”

The lawmaker shared an email he received on March 23 from an employee of Wilshire Pacific Capital Advisors LLC, a financial services firm based in Beverly Hills, Ca. “Over the past two weeks, I have attempted to get the attention of government officials and other hospital operators to exhort them to reopen Westlake Hospital as part of the state’s emergency response to the COVID-19 epidemic,” the employee, whose name has been withheld since the person was unable to be reached for comment last week.

“The leaders of these various organizations are understandably swamped, but they are missing an essential opportunity. Westlake is a huge facility, capable of supporting a large Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for ventilator patients. The building has all the gas lines in the walls, it has negative pressure rooms to limit the spread of the virus, it has everything that the community needs to expand inpatient healthcare capacity.”

The employee added that they had been “contacted by certain parties who are considering using Westlake for post-acute care.

Although Westlake has plenty of space for that, any hotel can be used to provide postacute care. Only acute care hospital buildings can provide ICU care. That is the best and highest use of the facility.”

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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Courtesy Triton Facebook page

PITCHING IN: Triton College officials recently donated thousands of pieces of personal protection equipment (PPE) to area first responders and health-care workers.

Local schools donate to hospitals, first responders

OPRF, Triton and Dominican have given thousands of goggles, masks

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

As medical workers and first responders face a critical shortage of much-needed personal protective equipment, local schools have stepped up to donate their own supplies to workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last month, Oak Park and River Forest High School officials — including teachers Paul Noble and Amy McGrail, and Associate Superintendent Greg Johnson — scoured the building and found more than 20,000 disposable gloves and goggles from science labs to donate to Rush University Medical Center.

Noble was prompted to organize the effort after getting a call from Evie Kavinsky, the mother of one of his former students. Kavinsky’s husband is a cardiologist at Rush who was going to be caring for COVID-19 patients.

The hospital was “short on protective eyewear to care for these patients,” according to WBEZ, which picked the story up last month.

“These goggles are going to be at a premium in September and while we find new ones every year, we may be hard pressed to find them in September,” Noble told WBEZ. “So [students] may not be doing any labs in the fall — labs that have any danger or toxicity of any kind they may not be able to do, but it seems obvious this was a more urgent need.”

Area colleges have also chipped in, with Dominican University and Triton College recently donating personal protective equipment from their respective science departments.

Dominican University in River Forest collected PPE from its Borra College of Health

Sciences, as well as the biology, chemistry, art and theater programs, said Jessica Mackinnon, the college’s public information director.

Mackinnon said the school donated “approximately 50,000 gloves and 3,000 masks to area medical centers and first responders, including the River Forest Police Department, Loyola University Medical Center, Alivio Medical Center and Mount Sinai Hospital.

We also sent some PPE to the St. Dominic Villa at the Mound, the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters motherhouse in Wisconsin, and have reserved some PPE for our own expected purposes.”

Triton College donated roughly 9,000 gloves; 2,000 masks; 600 gowns; and hundreds of caps, shoe covers and biohazard bags to the fire and police departments of River Grove, Norwood Park and Leyden; Loyola University Medical Center; Gottlieb Memorial Hospital; Rush Oak Park Hospital; and Cantata Adult Life Services.

The supplies came from the college’s Health Careers & Public Service programs, Engineering Technology, Chemistry & Biology, and the Center for Health Professionals, officials said.

“Triton College continues to be a resource to our local community especially during challenging times. Around the world and across the region people are pulling together and deciding how to best support healthcare workers as they care for the sick. We are fortunate to be able to donate much needed resources to support our local community,” said Paul Jensen, associate vice president of academic innovation and workforce education.

If you have any supplies you’re interested in donating, email state officials at ppe.donations@illinois.gov. Include in the email the quantities you have of each item and your address to determine the best drop-off point.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Austin cops team up for elders with Beyond Hunger 15th District has list of highrisk Austin seniors

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis new partnerships are emerging to address the changing needs of vulnerable populations.

On March 31, more than a dozen uniformed Chicago police officers descended on Beyond Hunger’s food pantry in Oak Park to pick up more than 3,000 pounds of groceries bound for 100 high-risk residents in Austin -- seniors with dementia, chronic illness, or disabilities.

“Senior citizens are among those most effected by the COVID-10 pandemic; they need to stay home to stay safe making it more difficult to access groceries,” said Adriana Riano, program manager at Beyond Hunger.

“We need to do what we can to fill that gap.”

Beyond Hunger has operated a homedelivery program for four years in concert with Oak Park Township’s senior services program. Riano said Beyond Hunger has been looking to expand its home-delivery program into Austin for quite some time.

Police officers in Austin’s 15th district complete well checks on senior residents in the 60644 and 60651 zip codes throughout the year. More than 100 seniors in Austin have been identified as “level one,” meaning they have mobility or memory issues that make it challenging for them to leave their homes to travel to a grocery store or food pantry.

Officer William Martinez is the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) Youth officer in the 15th district, but with schools closed and afterschool programs canceled he and other CAPS officers pivoted when they were granted permission to aid seniors

during this unprecedented time.

“This undertaking was triple the size of our regular home delivery program,” said Riano, “we had to request an extra truckload of food from The Greater Chicago Food Depository to meet the demand.”

It took two weeks of planning to get the job done, but on March 31 the operation swung into motion. Beyond Hunger pre-packed bags for residents that included “a little bit of everything.” Each senior received 37 pounds of nutrient dense foods including milk, eggs, cereal, bread and canned goods.

Because Beyond Hunger is working to minimize the need for volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak, uniformed officers picked-up more than 200 bags of groceries and packed them into four vehicles. The process was a team effort and remained mindful of proper social distancing.

“Beyond Hunger provided so much food we had to make two trips,” said Martinez.

Martinez worked with Commander Yolanda Talley, Officer Tonya Collins and two units of District Coordinating Officers to personally distribute the donated food over two days.

“The issue facing many seniors is they are on a fixed income and are running on fumes at the end of the month,” said Martinez. “To be honest many of them, especially those without other family, cried when we delivered the food to them.”

“The Chicago Police Department has made a partnership with Beyond Hunger that has made a difference in the Austin community,” said Martinez. “We hope to keep this going long after this pandemic subsides.”

Beyond Hunger and CPD are looking to schedule a second distribution later in April and have tentative dates scheduled.

Courtesy Beyond Hunger

SPECIAL DELIVERIES: Officers from CPD’s 15th District picked up 200 bags of groceries from Beyond Hunger in Oak Park. Officers distributed the food to vulnerable seniors in Austin.

Courtesy Dr. Scott Yen

JUST IN TIME: Internal medicine and family medicine residents enjoy a donated lunch during a long shift at West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.

Neighbors offer real meals to West Sub docs

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Community provided lunches are lifting morale among medical residents working at West Suburban Medical Center during the coronavirus pandemic.

Fear is a common emotion when treating a potentially deadly virus according to Dr. Scott Yen, director of the internal medicine residency at West Sub, but the internal medicine and family medicine residents at the Oak Park facility are determined to face this fight.

Hardworking residents man the hospital 24/7 in rigorous 12-24-hour shifts. That brisk pace has only increased during the COVID-19 crisis, but a Meal Train organized

by Cathy Yen, supported by members of the Oak Park and River Forest community, has become a bright spot during stressful hospital shifts.

The collection of 40 family and internal medicine residents at West Sub work in groups of 25 per shift. Time is short during busy days and residents are rarely fed by the hospital. Additionally, the hospital cafeteria closes at 2 p.m., making food options scarce later in the day. Organizing meals has ensured all internal and family medicine residents will have access to a full meal every day of the week.

“Residents are not paid a large salary and having these lunches makes them feel appreciated.” said Dr. Yen. “The donations show the community cares about the work we are trying to do here while people are getting very sick.”

The Meal Train offers slots for individual community members to order a lunch for 25 every day of the week. A few slots to host a

meal for 25 are still available, and cash donations in any amount are also accepted to provide meals for the Night Float Team made up of up to six members daily.

Kinslahgher co-owner and River Forest resident, Keith Huizinga, hosted a restaurant-made lunch for the young medical professionals last week.

“Healthcare workers are the foot soldiers in the battle with Covid-19 and we all need to pitch in and support them to the best of our ability,” said Huizinga. “Doing so while also supporting local businesses like Carnivore is really a no brainer.”

Meal Train participants have already organized meals from Trattoria 225, LaVergne’s Tavern, Pig and Fire, Courageous Bakery, Delia’s Kitchen, Starship Restaurant and Hecho en Oak Park. Candies from River Forest Chocolates and mini chocolate pies from The Happy Apple Pie Shop received rave reviews from residents last week. The Meal Train schedule indicates residents should anticipate receiving meals from Billy Bricks, Lea French Street Food, Karl’s Craft Soup/Sugar Beet Schoolhouse and Alpine Subs in the coming weeks.

Dr. Yen emphasized just how much young doctors appreciate little gestures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“These residents are young, and I care about them like they are my own kids,” said Dr. Yen. “Seeing them fed everyday really tugs at my heart because I see how these lunches brighten their mood.”

Interested in helping the residents in Internal Medicine and Family Medicine at West Suburban Medical Center? Sign up to provide a meal or make a donation at www. mealtrain.com/trains/2y0my8

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

Exchange student leaves Oak Park with heavy heart Teen’s study abroad program cut short

By JAMES KAY Staff Reporter

Over the last eight months, Elsaid Youssef made the most out of his time in the United States.

Commuting from Oak Park to Garfield Park during the week, the 16-year-old sophomore at Providence St. Mel High School excelled in the classroom, carved out a role as one of the “Brainiacs” in St. Mel’s production of “High School Musical” and made the golf and basketball teams. He quickly became a member of the community and the community quickly recognized him as one of their own.

However, due to the global outbreak of COVID-19, Youssef ’s time with the AFS-USA and Youth Exchange Study (YES) exchange programs has been cut short months before he was supposed to head back to the suburbs of Cairo, Egypt.

“Going to the airport, not being able to get gloves or hand sanitizer at any markets, and going on two planes that people have been on, of course I am worried,” said Youssef during an April 2 phone call with Wednesday Journal, the day before his flight back to Egypt. “My host family was able to find two handmade masks which is good, but I am worried, yes.”

Youssef took a connecting flight from Washington, D.C., back to Egypt on April 3, but he was placed in quarantine for two weeks in Marsa Allam, Egypt, about 460 miles away from Cairo.

After being notified that he was going to be sent home a week before his flight, the end of Youssef ’s time with YES and AFS-USA felt abrupt for a variety of reasons.

When he first arrived in the United States last August, Youssef met other exchange students at the program’s orientation in Washington, D.C., before everyone went to their assigned locations.

Originally, those students were going to reconvene in Washington to share their experiences. However, AFS-USA and YES had to send their students back to their home countries,

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

DEPARTED: Elsaid Youssef, an exchange student from Egypt, prepares to leave his home away from home. meaning he wouldn’t get to see the people he met last year.

“I communicated with them a lot, but it’s also really nice to see [the other students in the program],” said Youssef. “[Going to Washington] was our only chance to see each other, and now we won’t get to see each other again.”

Youssef ’s host family was stunned by the news they would only get one more week with him before he had to return to Cairo. When he first arrived, he was going to stay with a River Forest host family.

However, for logistical purposes, his original hosts notified AFS that they couldn’t take him in and the program was left searching for another route. That’s when Oak Park-

er Laura Stamp and her family stepped up and welcomed Youssef with open arms.

“When we first discussed bringing him in, [Stamp’s daughters] were a little hesitant, because it was their senior year and they weren’t sure if they wanted to have another person in the house with so much going on,” said Stamp on April 3. “But after a while, [AFS] still couldn’t find a place for [Youssef] to live, and the kids had actually met him since they had friends who knew him. They said, ‘Oh yeah, let’s do it’ because he is so funny, smart, and charming. It was no problem at all.”

The connection was instant for both sides.

The Stamps supported Youssef by attending the musical he performed in, along with his choir concerts, basketball games and golf matches. While it was difficult driving him every day to a different high school than the one her daughters attended, Stamp and her family got to know the community at Providence St. Mel. “The things that started as being a little bit of a pain ended up being a new way to meet people,” said Stamp. “We were able to get more involved in the community and we got to find out about Providence St. Mel which is a wonderful school. They were thrilled to have him there and really accepted him.”

Since he had never been skiing before, the Stamps took Youssef to the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, they were planning a road trip to New Orleans with Youssef at the end of March.

There was also a plan in place for Youssef ’s father to travel to the U.S., so he and Youssef could travel to California.

Even with the complications that came at the end of his experience with AFS, Youssef found his time in the United States very enlightening.

“Since [Providence St. Mel] is 100-percent African-American, I got different perspectives,” said Youssef. “That was absolutely great, because I got to see the difference in how people adapt being African American or being a white American or being a Latin American. If I was only in Oak Park, I wouldn’t have gotten to see everyone.”

Sheltering in place when home isn’t safe

COVID-19 escalates domestic violence threat

By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

Almost everyone in America has been told that home is the safest place to be right now.

Sheltering in place is recommended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

But what if the biggest danger you face lives at home with you? More than 10 million Americans are victims of “intimate partner physical violence” every year, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV).

While staying home is an important and potentially life-saving method to stop the transmission of the disease, being stuck at home can be mentally and physically devastating for victims of domestic abuse. For too many people home is not a safe place to be and forced isolation in the same residence can be dangerous.

Carol Gall, executive director of Sarah’s Inn in Forest Park, said that sheltering in place has created additional safety concerns for those living in abusive situations.

“It can become a huge safety issue, especially if someone is living in the same household as the perpetrator,” said Gall. “The COVID-19 situation is stressful for everyone, but once you add in the additional layer of an unsafe home, it escalates the danger. The level of violence can increase.”

Gall said even people living in safe houses where there is no abuse feel stressed.

“There’s a feeling of a loss of control,” said Gall, who added that perpetrators of abuse often have power and control issues.

A situation like the COVID-19 pandemic can escalate their need to try to control things – and people – around them.

Even under normal conditions, leaving an abusive situation can be difficult. But the options were simpler when victims could get out of the house more easily than they can now.

When they could take their kids somewhere.

When they could go to work to get away. With all non-essential businesses closed, many people don’t have safe places to go.

Additionally, said Gall, abusers use threats or scare tactics to further manipulate and control their victims. Victims might be told they won’t be allowed back in the house if they leave. Or if they go out and get sick, abusers might threaten not to get them medical care.

Domestic abuse shelters in general, many of which are group homes, need to be mindful of social distancing to prevent transmission of coronavirus while providing safe havens for domestic violence victims who need help. Gall said Sarah’s Inn and other shelters have been working with hotels to provide partnerships for extended stays.

Individual counseling is available by phone, said Gall, but for some people it doesn’t feel as safe as meeting in person.

“Talking on the phone can come with confidentiality issues,” said Gall, who went on to say that the meeting space at Sarah’s Inn

facility has become a “safe space” for a lot of people. Talking on the phone isn’t the same as having a safe sanctuary.

Group meetings, an important outlet and educational service for many clients, have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although Gall said Sarah’s Inn has been working on setting up virtual groups, which hopefully will be available next week.

Maintaining confidentiality was an important part of setting up the platform, so it took a few weeks to get it up and running.

Gall said she’s noticed an uptick in calls from victims in need of other types of emergency assistance, including housing support for rent or mortgage payments, food, and household supplies like toilet paper. The best way to help, said Gall, is to donate online through the website at sarahsinn.org.

But all domestic violence agencies including Sarah’s Inn, said Gall, are still providing critical services for people in abusive situations.

Sarah’s Inn’s 24-hour crisis line is available at 708-792-3120. The text hotline is 708-792-3120.

10

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

11

Oak Park businesses reinvent in race with COVID-19

Not nearly business as usual

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With COVID-19 preventing in-person shopping and in-restaurant dining, thereby limiting classic forms of customer service, local business owners have had to get creative in how they operate.

“We all have to adapt to the situation,” said Moses Valdez, co-owner of Selleria Veneta, a purveyor of leather accessories.

One of Oak Park’s newer retail ventures, Selleria Veneta, 141 N. Oak Park Ave., just opened in November. After closing down the showroom in March, Valdez and his business partner Cecilia Romanucci ramped up the boutique’s social media output, using it as a means to promote and sell products.

“We’re losing that human touch in our store, so now we have to do it virtually,” said Valdez.

Selleria Veneta offers free domestic shipping for online purchases. Customers can also shop via Facetime calls and Facebook Live shopping events.

On March 21 and 22, Selleria Veneta invited other local shops to participate in a joint Facebook Live shopping event.

“The event was to create a bond with the other Oak Park retailers during this situa-

“What we have right now is hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of books that are sitting in a store that we can't do anything with.”

taurant undergoes sanitization,” Valdez said. tion multiple times a day.

Some of the participat“We’re cleaning the resing shops included Careful taurant every few minutes,” Peach Boutique, 1024 North said Roy. “Before people Blvd., and Lively Athletics, leave, we’re wiping the door 109 N. Oak Park Ave. handles down, you know, “It was a way to promote not to offend anybody, just shopping local, to support to make sure everything is local businesses, but also to really nice and sanitized.” create fun energy,” Valdez Some customers call said.

JASON SMITH Surf ’s Up directly to place Selleria Veneta carries Co-owner The Book Table orders, but people can also artisan-made leather goods place orders through Door made imported from Italy Dash, GrubHub and Post– a country famous for its leather products, but also one experiencing mates.

However, customers may not be able to tremendous hardships at the moment due to order food through those apps at times beCOVID-19.

Despite offering carryout, seafood restau- cause Surf ’s Up doesn’t always turn those rant Surf ’s Up, 6427 W. North Ave., has seen apps on because the companies take a large its business drop consistently since Gov- cut of the profits – “Typically 30 to 35 perernor J.B. Pritzker ordered restaurants to cent,” Roy said.

Surf ’s Up has not had to lay off any of its cease dining room operations.

“We definitely have seen business de- workers, but it has had to reduce the number crease probably between 35 and 40 percent,” of hours employees work. Although Surf ’s said Denise Roy, who owns Surf ’s Up with Up business has decreased, the number of dishes per order has increased as people husband Eric.

Customers come into the restaurant to now buy for their whole families.

“We are getting bigger orders, but it’s just order food, then return to their cars and wait for an employee to bring their orders not as many orders,” she said.

The Book Table, an independent bookto them.

Surf ’s Up employees practice social dis- store, 1045 Lake St., has moved operations tancing and wear gloves and masks. The res- entirely online. Owners Jason Smith and

Rachel Weaver now take orders through email. Their wholesaler then dropships each order directly to the customer.

“It’s certainly been a difficult time as we’ve shifted into being an internet company run on our couch at home,” said Smith.

The husband and wife team have committed to paying their six employees paid time off while the brick and mortar store is closed. Smith and Weaver are also continuing to pay their health insurance premiums.

“Our intention is to pay them throughout this entire pandemic,” Smith said. “We’re doing that with the support of our customers.”

Financial support from customers comes in the form of not only buying books but buying gift cards for use when the store reopens. People can also make direct donations at the store’s website to help with expenses.

“What we have right now is hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of books that are sitting in a store that we can’t do anything with,” said Smith.

The Book Table also intends to look into aid programs through federal and state government. However, Smith still has concerns for the future.

“There is certainly worry,” he said. “I can’t imagine there’s a single person in the country right now who isn’t worried.”

Be strong.

April is Alcohol-Awareness Month

Parents: Don’t give in to pressure to provide alcohol to teens.

78% of 8-12th graders report that their family has clear rules about alcohol & drug use. You can start now.

(68% 12th graders, & 80%10th graders)

For more information and to discover local resources: www.OakParkTownship.org/PYD This campaign is supported by the Strategic Prevention FrameworkPartnerships for Success Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.243 funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through a grant administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services.

Supporting youth in Oak Park and River Forest Townships.

Oak Park & River Forest Townships

@Positive Youth Development

12

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Enjoy our FREE Online Workout at www.TENandFiT.com Greetings from Your Tennis and Fitness Centre Fitness Department!

We hope this finds you doing well and staying healthy, as you experience this period of shelter in place. Thank you for your patience. Everyone appreciates your role in supporting a more positive outcome to a difficult situation.

We miss you, our entire community at-large, and the vibrant atmosphere created by all.

Although we have faith in getting back to some level of normalcy, although, it may not be soon enough for your active needs. To help you stay fit we’d like to share trainer-led exercise demonstrations as they are made available to us.

Ellen Petrick presents Strength Workout - Kickboxing New! Strength Workout - Foam Roller

Tennis Pro Tip Our Head Tennis Pro:

John Morlidge

The Yoga Centre Presents Meg Barber - Parivrtta Trikonasana Meg Barber - Samavritti Breath Practice Meg Barber - 1 Hour Yang Yoga Hatha - Teresa Heit-Murray

Visit Facebook.com/TenandFitOakPark and Facebook.com/TheYogaCentreOakPark for more info!

We know that you will enjoy these class offerings. More to come!

301 Lake St., Oak Park (708) 386-2175

Stay Healthy at www.TENandFiT.com

266 Lake Street, Oak Park (708) 524-YOGA

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

PRISON

carcerated individuals.

Without urgent action, the lawsuit states, “the novel coronavirus is likely to spread not just inside the walls of Illinois’ 28 prisons, but throughout prison communities as well. Nearly from page 1 37,000 people are incarcerated in Illinois, livthe flu and had been throwing up. He hadn’t ing in close quarters where all aspects of daily been able to eat. They gave him a test and put life, including healthcare and food service, take him in a one-person cell,” Terrell said during an place.” interview last week.

Terrell said last month, the last time she “I was concerned about my son in December,” spoke with her great-nephew, he told her that she said. “At the time, he said he had a cold. I he had tested negative for COVID-19, but that he talked to [Rep. La Shawn K. Ford] about my son believes there are more prisoners who may be getting early release, because he is eligible for sick with the virus than people know. work release. I had not heard about “He was a food service worker, the virus at the time. I was just concleaning pots and pans,” Terrell said cerned about his cold and what hapof her nephew.

“He said one of his pens when you’re sick in there.”

Terrell is one of many concerned older colleagues was sick and unrelatives, activists and lawmakers able to work, as well.” who want incarcerated individuals Terrell requested that her son and released due to the spread of COVgreat-nephew remain anonymous ID-19 in Illinois prisons, which they due to concerns for their wellbeing. say are ill-equipped and underpreFord said the Department of pared to handle sick inmates in norCorrections also needs to be more mal circumstances — let alone hunREP. LASHAWN FORD vigilant about monitoring released dreds of prisoners infected with a highly contagious and deadly virus. inmates, many of whom return to “The Department of Corrections clearly communities like Austin. He referenced the doesn’t have the healthcare capacity to take care case of Timothy Loving, a 59-year-old Austin of individuals with severe illness,” said Ford resident who was released from Lincoln Correc(D-8th), whose district spans most of Austin and tional Center on March 11. Five days after his into the near west suburbs. release, Loving was pronounced dead at West Ford regularly takes constituents on trips to state prisons. Last week, he launched an online Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office call to action, encouraging his constituents who wish to see their incarcerated loved ones or fam- ruled that Loving died from respiratory failure ily members released due to the COVID-19 pan- related to COVID-19. He also had underlying demic to fill out a form. As of April 3, the peti- medical issues including diabetes and chronic tion has garnered roughly 800 entries. substance abuse.

“We know that the conditions you live in can It isn’t known how Loving contracted the impact your quality of life and health, and it’s virus.

During an interview last week, an embeen on record that our prisons are old and deployee with the department’s COVID-19 support teriorating,” Ford said last week. “The facilities line said that while he could not comment on have mold, asbestos, lead, rodents — all of that.

And if you’re an inmate at a prison, it’s highly Loving’s case specifically, IDOC is not testing likely that if you are exposed to an infected per- prisoners before they’re released, unless they son, you’re going to get it, because it’s very diffi- show any symptoms of the viral disease. cult to practice social distancing. It’s like impos“If we don’t test them, they should at least be sible. That alone is a recipe for disaster.” quarantined at a nice facility for 14 days,” Ford As of April 3, the Illinois Department of Corrections has reported 27 confirmed cases of CO- said, adding that the current pandemic bolsters VID-19 among staffers and 53 among inmates. an argument he’s been making for years in Springfield.

The results of 187 tests are still pending.

“Since 2014, I’ve introduced and passed resoThe most confirmed cases have been reported at Stateville Correctional Center, a maximum se- lutions to urge the governor to release non-viocurity state prison in Joliet that houses roughly lent people from our state prisons,” he said. “I 1,500 inmates. The prison has 17 confirmed cases have also passed resolutions to urge prosecuamong staffers and 49 among inmates. On March tors and judges not to recommend sentencing 30, Department of Corrections officials reported non-violent people to prison.” that the first incarcerated individual to die from Ford said that, if people are not released from COVID-19 in Illinois was held at Stateville.

State prison officials have said they’ve taken the state’s prisons, the COVID-19 pandemic various measures to manage the spread of CO- could potentially overwhelm the hospital sysVID-19, including putting a halt to visits; quar- tem in the rural areas where most of the state’s antining sick inmates; and placing all facilities prisons are located. with confirmed cases of COVID-19 on lockdown, “Hospitals in those areas only have the ability which prohibits any movement in the facility exto maybe take care of the populations that have cept for medical care.

On April 3, a group of Chicago civil rights been counted [in the U.S. census],” he said. “The attorneys filed a class action lawsuit against last thing those towns need is to have people inPritzker and Rob Jeffreys, the director of the fected going into their community hospitals.

Department of Corrections, on behalf of 10 in- There will be no room for the residents.”

Ford makes case

EXTENSION

How firefighting changes from page 1 health nurses in the department are completing case “surveillance,” including reaching out to the sick person, as well as their family members, friends, business associates and people with whom they may have come into contact.

“As of late, the number of close contacts with each one of the positive cases has been a lot lower than it was in the beginning. The governor’s shelter in place order made a huge positive impact,” Charley said.

Charley said COVID-19 has breached senior community residences; seniors, along with the immunocompromised, are at highest risk for contracting the virus.

“Four senior living facilities have confirmed positive COVID-19 cases: one long-term care facility, one assisted living facility and two independent facilities,” Charley said.

According to Charley, the health department worked with the facilities before and after the confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses.

“The health department’s primary role is to prevent and stop the spread of disease at these facilities,” he said.

“We were very proactive by visiting all these facilities prior to having any positive cases, but certainly now that since we’ve identified the cases, we’re providing for case follow up, guidance and consultation to the facility administrators, property managers and health care workers.”

Due to the nature of the pandemic, Charley said the Oak Park health department closely monitors the evolving guidelines issued by the state of Illinois and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pertaining to COVID-19.

“We’ve regularly updated the [Oak Park] documents, bulletins, and public health orders based on this information,” Charley said. “We also, in turn, use what we know locally for those documents and public orders.”

The public health department issued a supplemental order concerning grocery stores. The supplemental order includes an occupancy maximum, based on the sales floor square footage and social distancing requirements, to limit the number of customers shopping at one time.

“That went into effect April 4,” said Charley. “We’ve gotten lots of positive feedback from grocery stores.”

Residents can view all COVID-19 documents, announcements and orders on the village website.

Oak Park Fire Department has also updated its operations, including their responses to calls, in relation to the CO-

13

VID-19 pandemic.

“On a normal call, if an ambulance and an engine goes for support, in the past we might have had two or three people enter the building,” said Fire Chief Tom Ebsen. “Now, we just have one person enter, do a quick triage, and try to keep the number of personnel going into the building to a minimum.”

The fire department sometimes asks dispatch to have the caller, if capable, meet the firefighters at the door to do triage inside the ambulance. This allows firefighters to avoid entering a building.

The fire department has also modified its command team, adding a temporary deputy chief of infection control and reassigning tasks for the deputy chief of community services to support the Oak Park public health department.

“We’ve platooned our administrative staff so we’re not all here on the same day. We’ve divided ourselves into thirds, so we work every day but we only come into the office once every three days,” Ebsen said.

Fire department personnel wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and strictly adhere to guidelines from the CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The stations and equipment undergo regular sanitization.

The department also regularly takes the temperatures of employees.

“We have yet to have any of our personnel test positive for COVID,” Ebsen said.

The Oak Park Police Department has implemented a similar staggered schedule for its officers and personnel.

“We put some protocols in place to keep the citizens, officers and their families safe,” said Police Chief LaDon Reynolds. “We’re responding to all emergency calls for service, but we have implemented the recommendations from the CDC and the IDPH regarding social distancing and the use of PPE.” Reynolds said the police department is working with the health department and other taxing bodies to keep the community and public recreation areas safe.

“We’ve seen a reduction in calls for service, but our essential policing services are maintaining the status quo,” Reynolds told the board.

(For more information regarding Oak Park police and COVID-19, please see page 3.)

The village board voted to waive and suspend fees for parking permits, decreasing quarterly fees by half, to provide financial relief for residents experiencing hardships as a result of the virus.

The board also voted to waive and suspend the 10 percent late payment penalty on water charges. The village has committed to not turn off water for those who cannot pay.

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Church helps keep flower shop abloom First Baptist honors its Easter flower order

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Easter this year has a decidedly different feel due to COVID-19. As the pandemic rages on, churches have halted normal services, basically eliminating the need for floralfestooned altars. With services streaming online, congregation members worship remotely from their homes and florists reap mostly cancellations.

“We’ve been just pretty much answering phones to take cancellations,” said Adam Szetela, co-owner of Westgate Flower & Plant Shop, 841 S. Oak Park Ave. “Sales have been pretty much non-existent since the shelter-in-place order.”

Florists have taken a major virus-induced hit with the cancellations of weddings, funerals, school dances and spring religious services.

Westgate has lost thousands of dollars “without question,” said Szetela.

Aware of the economic strain COVID-19 represents, First Baptist Church of Oak Park, 820 Ontario St., decided not to cancel its yearly Easter order in an act of both community and financial support.

“We wanted to keep our order because we wanted to support Westgate during this time,” said Pastor David John Hailey. “We kept the order and told our congregation that we would be willing to deliver flowers to their homes, their front doorstep.”

Members purchase the live potted plants — usually hyacinths, lilies and irises — and then the church will use them to decorate the altar. After services, they take the plants home with them.

Hailey believes the decision to support Westgate prompted more members than usual to purchase the Easter plants.

“Some of our folks at the church decided they would buy a plant for someone else,” said Hailey. “There were a number that were bought for elderly people, for those who are sick and were not able to worship with us on a regular basis prior to the COVID crisis.”

First Baptist Church ordered 78 palm branches, 13 lily plants, four tulip plants, three hyacinth plants, one daffodil plant, two azalea plants, seven hydrangea plants and 200 individual perishable flowers — a combined total of $759.

“It’s great to be supported by the community,” said Szetela.

He and Paul Peters, Westgate’s co-owner, were definitely “touched” that First Baptist honored their order.

“It’s really nice to have that outreach of

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support,” Szetela said.

First Baptist office administrator Mary Lee Eneberg helped drop off the plants to members, making no physical contact with them and maintaining safe distance.

“Some people wanted to talk on the phone” while she was dropping off flowers at their homes, Eneberg said. “That might have been more valuable than the actual delivery.”

After a month of not seeing friends and staying inside, people have become starved for human connection, Eneberg believes.

“We don’t realize how much we need other people, sometimes just to be around other people,” she said.

Her husband Bob helped with the deliveries. According to Eneberg, one family put out a roll of toilet paper on their front step to say thanks.

Another purchased a lily for an elderly man who had not been able to attend church in several months. Standing on his balcony, the man and Eneberg waved to each other.

“That was really touching, that contact,”

she said.

While the government has not listed it as such, she considers traveling to drop off the plants essential.

“We’re all supposed to stay at home, and we’ve been honoring that,” Eneberg said.

“There is a little voice in the back of my head that says, ‘Well, you know, is this essential?’ The congregation is the body of Christ and that communication and that connection is so important.”

She also believes that tending to the plants will give people something worthwhile to do, while stuck inside, waiting for the virus to subside.

“I’m hoping it will bring some joy to people in their homes to see the lily or the tulips.”

For the pastor, the flowers symbolize a brighter future to come.

“We also see new life in the flowers, and it’ll serve as a reminder that in the midst of this crisis, there will be a day when we return to life as we have known it,” he said. “It will give us an opportunity to celebrate anew.”

C R I M E

Vehicle hijacked on Lake St. A vehicular hijacking occurred on April 6 at 7:16 a.m. on the 200 block of Lake Street. A black male, approximately 40 years old and 6 feet tall entered the passenger side door of the victim’s parked car. He demanded the victim exit the vehicle and pushed the victim out. The offender then got into the driver’s seat and fled. The vehicle was later recovered in Chicago.

black umbrella, and jumper cables. The total estimated loss was $1,320.

School buses vandalized

Rubik’s Cube stolen

Three parked school buses in the Fenwick High School parking lot on the 500 block of Washington Boulevard were vandalized on March 30 between 7:15 and 7:30 p.m. Unknown offenders spilled brake fluid inside two of the buses and discharged a fire extinguisher inside the third. Damage is estimated at $1,000.

A package containing a Rubik’s Cube, valued at $10, was stolen from the front steps of a residence on the 700 block of Scoville Avenue on March 30 at 5:50 p.m.

Handgun and laptop stolen A Glock 9mm handgun and a laptop computer in a brown leather satchel were stolen from a car on the 400 block of S. Maple Avenue on March 30 between 7:17 and 8 p.m. The car was not locked.

Cash taken from mailbox $2,000 in cash was stolen from a locked mailbox on the 1000 block of Pleasant Street on March 31 between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Vehicle robbed Several items including cash were stolen from a vehicle on the 100 block of N. Kenilworth Avenue sometime between March 30 and 31. Items included a radar detector, a

Bike taken from back porch A bicycle, valued at $338, was taken from a resident’s back porch on the 800 block of S. Clinton Avenue between March 19 and March 21. The dark blue specialized hard rock bike had been secured.

Thief walks off with T-shirts and deodorant A male offender stole eight white T-shirts and six containers of Old Spice deodorant from Walgreens on the 6400 block of Roosevelt Road on April 2 at 6:23 p.m. He took the items and walked out of the store without paying. The estimated loss is $163.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports March 31-April 6 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

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

Compiled by Maria Maxham

CAMP GUIDE | Special Advertising Section

APRIL 2020

April 9, 2020

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e d i g u n i r G Sp p m a C IL APR

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Special Advertising Section

Spring /SummerSwim /Summer Swim Lessons Lessons For Ages 3 and up • Sign-up is open now...limited spots available!

Indoor Pool No Rain Outs Small Class Sizes Experienced Instructors Join our mailing list at max-aquatics.com Or follow us on Facebook

4751 South Vernon in McCook • Across from The Max

4751 South Vernon in McCook

5 Ways Around the World Culture Camp for Caring Kids Summer break campers explore countries and cultures 5 ways: games, art, music, stories, and cuisine. After projects, play, and plenty of time in nature, our campers go home happy, fulfilled and “good tired.” Next morning, kids can’t wait to come back!

Across from The Max

Thanks to Melissa’s passion and experiencing our coffee first-hand by “cupping”, we thank Oak Park Eats for the positive exposure!

- Jacques, Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Experience A.L.M.A.’s: • trained teachers • positive encouraging environment • easy, convenient enrollment/payment

At A.L.M.A., we work with families who have an inclusive world view - a world where creativity and compassion are ordinary. If you share our vision, please email us at: cfi.alma@gmail, visit our website: ALMA-CF.org, or call us at 708-769-4853.

Enjoy a cup at CounterCoffee.com Jacques Shalo, Counter Coffee

Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:

OakParkEats.com

Special Advertising Section

CAMP GUIDE

CAMP LISTINGS A.L.M.A 5 Ways Around the World Culture Camp for Caring Kids Campers at A.L.M.A. explore the “5 Ways Around the World” through the games, art, music, stories, and cuisine of many cultures. Creative and collaborative activities help children understand different communities by building one!

Between projects, play, and plenty of time in nature, kids in our camps go home happy, fulfilled and “good tired.” Our 5 Ways Around the World camp is so fun that the next morning the kids can’t wait to play and create at A.L.M.A. again!

This camp is right for your family if you want: • trained teachers • a positive encouraging environment • explorations of the arts and cultural diversity • your children to come home happy • a culminating celebration of achievement • easy and convenient enrollment and payment At A.L.M.A., we work with families who have an inclusive world view.

We are committed to making a world where creativity and compassionate action are ordinary.

If you share our vision, please email us at: cfi.alma@gmail or Fill out an intake form at the bottom of our website: alma-cf.org We look forward to hearing from you!

Chicago Edge Soccer Club Register online at pdop.org/programs/camps/ Our Chicago Edge Soccer Club summer camp program with the Park District of Oak Park and River Forest Park District is BACK!! Professional

soccer coaches from the staff at Chicago Edge will teach new soccer skills in a fun and dynamic environment with each day focusing on a specific topic and finishing with our always popular World Cup mini tournament. It is ideal for the beginner or the experienced travel soccer player. We also have a program for kids aged 4 to 6, which is a great introduction to soccer.

Register for one or multiple weeks NOW!”

The Friendly Music School 6731 Roosevelt Rd, Berwyn, IL 60402 708-749-1932 FriendlySchool.org The Friendly Music School is here to help you with the skills you need to play guitar in any style. Whether you’re brand new to the guitar, picking it up after a break, or trying to learn what you can online, you’ll progress faster and have more fun along the way with our core guitar program and supportive community. We offer group guitar lessons at the beginner, advanced beginner, and intermediate levels, but we also offer the popular “create your own group” class–register with your own friends, family, colleagues, etc., for a specific day/time/instructor.

For any group, classes are 60 minutes and 8-lessons per session.

Visit friendlymusic.community

International Mansion Hosting The The Language and Music School Est. 1994 509 N Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 708-524-5252 InternationalMansion.com/ All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring!

All AGES! Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings:

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The Viola Project summer camps

Oak Park Shakespeare summer camps for girls and gender nonconforming youth SPIRITS, SPRITES, AND SORCERERS: THE TEMPEST

Join the magic and mayhem...

July 27-31 | 9am-3pm Ages 10-14

VAULTING AMBITION

It's an election year. Stand up for what you believe in!

August 3-7, 9am-3pm Ages 12-16

Register online at www.violaproject.org Located in Austin Gardens 167 Forest Ave

APRIL 20 20

Summer CampGuide

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APRIL 2020

Special Advertising Section

WEST COOK YMCA

RELATIONSHIP | ACHIEVEMENT | BELONGING

3 WAYS TO REGISTER

1 Register Online: www.westcookymca.org/camp

2 Contact Youth Development Department at 708-383-5200 or daycamp@westcookymca.org

3

CAMP MAGELLAN DAY CAMP 2020

June 8th– August 21st Program Site: 305 Circle Ave., Forest Park, IL

BEST SUMMER EVER There is no better way to spend a summer than enjoying outdoors with friends.

And this year, West Cook YMCA is the place for kids to be all summer long!

Summer camp at the Y means days filled with activities at the local forest preserve, swimming, games, sports and field trips!

WE WILL BE HERE WHEN SUMMER BEGINS Be ready for the Best Summer Ever for your child. We are accepting registrations for camp and we will be ready when the Shelter in Place is lifted and we can safely reopen.

Register at the West Cook YMCA Front Desk 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302

YMCA_2020_WJ_Camp_Ad_10_25x11_33_fnl.indd 1

2/10/20 12:14 PM

CAMP GUIDE | Special Advertising Section

APRIL 2020

April 9, 2020

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Back by Popular Demand: Coding Sports Camps Kick Off June 8th

O

nce again Code Play Learn and Specifically, they will use, Microbits, MIT’s Legacy Sports will combine forces Scratch and App Creation Tool, Ready this summer to offer their one-ofMaker IO, LEGO Robotics, VEX, Spheros a-kind full-day weeklong Coding Sports and more.

Camps that engage kids both mentally and Greenwald enjoys helping students physically. Serving boys and girls currently become technology-literate as they build in kindergarten through the 8th grade, the a strong foundation for lifelong learning, Coding Sports Camps whether in technology or will kick off the week other disciplines. of June 8th and run While Coding Sports through the week of Camp promises to challenge August 17th . and engage children in “Mind and body—it dramatically different doesn’t get any simpler ways, a common thread than that,” said pulses through the entire Greenwald. “We were day: to enable each child - Matt Greenwald pleasantly surprised that to think creatively, reason nobody had thought of systematically, and to work it before, and we are and play collaboratively. excited to continue blazing this trail with The Monday through Friday program parents and their children.” begins daily at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 4 Beyond the athletic component, p.m., with an on-site lunch break in the Legacy Sports instructors emphasize the middle. development of character-building traits like For more information about Code Play positive communication skills, teamwork Learn’s and Legacy Sports STEM & and good sportsmanship.

Sports camps please visit our website at Through Code Play Learn, campers will Codeplaylearn.com/opsummer-2020 or call spend the other half of the day creating, 708-374-8286. Space is limited register coding and building their own computer now. games, apps, Minecraft Mods and robots.

Mind and body it doesn’t get any simpler than that.

Full Day

CODING SPORTS CAMPS Summer Registration Is Now Open Robotics VEX & LEGO

Computer Game Creation

App Creation Lego Robotics

Minecraft Modding

Scratch Game Development

Coding

Scratch Game Development

ForFor registration and all our our programs programsvisit visit: www.codeplaylearn.com registration andinformation information about about all www.codeplaylearn.com 708-374-8286 Ridgeland, Oak Park, Park,ILIL60302 60302 708-374-8286• •132 30 N. Chicago Ave., Oak

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April 9, 2020

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APRIL 2020

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6/15 - 6/19 @ Ridgeland 6/22 - 6/26 @ Ridgeland 7/6 - 7/10 @ Ridgeland 7/13 - 7/17 @ Taylor 7/20 - 7/24 @ Taylor 8/3 - 8/7 @ Taylor 8/10 - 8/14 @ Ridgeland 9 AM to Noon Ages 7 to 14 9 AM to 10:30 AM Ages 4 to 6

Register online at pdop.org/programs/camps/

Questions? email murray.ďŹ ndlay@chicagoedgesc.com

Think local.

OakPark.com ForestParkReview.com RBlandmark.com Complete local news coverage.

Breaking news email updates.

Expanded video and photo coverage.

Community links.

Check it out!

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APRIL 2020

April 9, 2020

21

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

Perfect for children, teens, and adults!

Language and Music Camp!

Special 2020 Offer!

Spanish Immersion no Spanish experience necessary.

$248 per month

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

$199 for the first month!

Preschool Group (ages 2-4), Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Group (ages 5-8), 3rd-5th grade group (ages 9-11).

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

Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!

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

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

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

INSTRUMENTS CURRENTLY OFFERED:

ATHLETIC TRAINING CURRENTLY OFFERED:

SPECIALTIES CURRENTLY OFFERED:

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

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

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

Cinematography, Coding

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

Co-Founders, Maria Emilia and Brando

The Language and Music School At International Mansion

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

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April 9, 2020

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APRIL 2020

Special Advertising Section

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

Max Aquatics 4751 South Vernon Ave. McCook, IL 60525 Max-Aquatics.com

River Forest Community Center Summer Camp Programs 8020 Madison Street River Forest, IL 60305 (708) 771-6159 RFCC.info Offering full and part-time programs for parents & tots and children ages 3-12 years of age. Activities include arts &crafts, games, sports, water play/ swimming, field trips, special events, and more!

The Viola Project 773-349-2685 Violainfo@violaproject.org ViolaProject.org Join The Viola Project in Austin Gardens for our signature Shakespeare summer camps! The Viola Project unites and empowers girls and gender nonconforming from diverse backgrounds to stand up, advocate for themselves, and demand inclusion. Both week-long camps are full of acting, ice cream, and fun, with a focus on getting campers to speak up and speak out on what’s important to them, whether that’s running

for president or writing a sonnet.

Financial aid is always available.

Camps are run in partnership with Oak Park Festival Theatre and The Nineteenth Century Club.

Learn more and register online at ViolaProject.org

WEST COOK YMCA 305 Circle Ave Forest Park, IL 60130 708.383.5200 WestCookYMCA.org/camp West Cook YMCA’s Camp Magellan is your child’s destination to have the best summer ever!

Days are filled with activities at the local forest preserve, swimming, games, sports and field trips. Your child will experience the best of what summer has to offer – all in a safe environment where they can try something new, build friendships, and make memories to last a lifetime.

For children ages 5-14. Camp runs weekly session from 9:00am to 4:00pm with available extended care from 7:00am-9:00am and 4:00pm-7:00pm, so you can rest easy knowing your child is having their best summer ever, all day, with the Y. For more details, please contact our team at 708.383.5200 or daycamp@westcookymca.org

CampGuide

Adult & Kids Swim Lessons, Lap Swimming, Water Running & More!

Welcome to Max Aquatics, an indoor, 25-yard, 6-lane pool serving the instructional, fitness and recreational needs of all ages and skill levels in the western suburbs (Western Springs, LaGrange, LaGrange Park, Brookfield, Riverside and more) and nearby Chicago. We are conveniently located in McCook, across the street to the south and east of The Max sports complex.

We are proud to be part of such a dedicated swimming community.

Chicago is the #2 swim market in the US, only behind Southern California, according to USA Swimming.

Visit Max-Aquatics.com/ to see all of our Swim Programs We look forward to seeing you at the pool!

A PRIL 2020

Do you have a camp you would like to promote?

F EBRUARY 2020 Find out about our upcoming in-print and online opportunities.

CampGuide

Contact Lourdes Nicholls at Lourdes@oakpark.com, or Marc Stopeck at Marc@oakpark.com.

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

Homes

NEED TO REACH US?

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

Virus impacts property tax appeals

Deadline to file protest suspended indefinitely

By LACEY SIKORA

I

23

Contributing Reporter

n a typical reassessment year for Oak Park, the 40 days between the mailing of reassessments and the deadline for assessment appeals is the busiest time of the year for Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar.

He increases his full-time staff of one with six or seven new employees and works night and day on appeals for Oak Park property owners. This year has been anything but typical. Reassessments went out Feb. 27, and a few weeks later, regular activity came to a screeching halt with stay-at-home orders due to the novel coronavirus.

“Reassessment is always a crazy time in our office,” ElSaffar said. “You add in a pandemic, and it becomes a lot crazier. We have in-person appointments for appeals, and over the years, we have steadily increased to where we are seeing 60 to 70 residents a day during the appeals period.”

He recalls watching the news around

March 8 and hearing about a handful of coronavirus cases in the state and wondering how it would impact the appeals process.

By March 12, he realized that in-person appointments would have to be stopped, but it took a lot of work to halt and reimagine a process that was well underway.

The entire month of March was booked solid with appointments, so the first order of business was calling everyone who had appointments to let them know they would become virtual appointments done over the phone.

“Just like everything, when you have a process that works well, and then you go and change everything, it takes a while,” ElSaffar said.

Over the week of March 16, he worked to set up the office to conduct the appeals process remotely. It was time during which he says his unanswered voicemails ballooned.

While the Cook County Assessor’s office was initially reluctant to change deadlines, ElSaffar said that he and other township assessors reached out to ask for more time, and it quickly became clear the assessor’s office would agree.

“There was good reason for them not to want to change the deadline -- communities

and schools rely on this money,” ElSaffar said.

“But then the assessor’s office had to stop some of their employees from coming in.”

The Cook County Assessor’s website (www.cookcountyassessor.com) states their office is currently closed to the public and customer service via phone is also suspended. It notes that the deadline for appeals has been suspended until further notice.

ElSaffar said that for villages in the western suburbs who had not yet received reassessment notices, those notices will be delayed as well.

“Berwyn’s notices were supposed to go out in early April,” ElSaffar said. “I think the assessor’s office realized, wisely, that you don’t want to freak people out in the middle of a pandemic.”

As of April 1, ElSaffar and his co-workers have filed 1,050 appeals for Oak Parkers, and they are booked solid through the initial appeals deadline of April 7 with appointments. He said that any Oak Park resident who wants to file an appeal can call his office and make an appointment and they will continue to work to help residents.

As to what the new deadline for appeals will be, ElSaffar says it is hard to predict and notes that even the IRS has extended its

April deadline to mid-July.

“The truth of the matter is, it all depends on how long this goes on,” ElSaffar said.

“For 30-something years, our second installment bills were always late, and we got that back on track. We’re at a point where we have to react to the times.”

ElSaffar cautions that it may be an urban legend, but that there is a rumor the reason why Cook County pays property taxes in arrears is said to be because of a break taken during the Great Depression.

Could he see any delay in the bills that go out in summer 2019? Again, he says it depends on how long the pandemic continues and the circumstances faced by residents. If people are facing grave financial difficulties in the late summer, perhaps there could be a delay.

“I can’t tell you when the appeals period will end or if bills will be due as they regularly are,” ElSaffar said. “The government still has to work, but I can imagine a scenario in which people have problems paying their mortgages or their bills.

“It is a reassessment period to remember.”

ElSaffar reminds residents they can still take advantage of his office’s free services for appeals and urges them to call 708-3838005 to set up a phone appointment.

24

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

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DOOPer’s Memories: I needed the eggs P. 27

Yearning for a different kind of virus

W

ARNING: What follows are the individual, non-expert thoughts of a 71-year-old male living in Oak Park, Illinois. Although I am pretty egotistical, I do not presume to tell anyone about anything. It is written, Sunday, April 5.

I do appreciate the concern that everyone has for old people like me during these troubled times. But trust me I have thought about death quite a bit as I have gotten older.

I get it. I am more vulnerable to COVID-19, but then I am more vulnerable to heart disease, Alzheimer’s, the flu, falling down the steps, etc., ad nauseum. Old people always are dying.

Don’t feel sorry for me. I’m retired.

I don’t have kids living in my house. I do spend a lot of time in my basement watching TV, reading and listening to music. But then I did that before. I have discovered Don Julio tequila. It is excellent when paired with The Eagles.

I went with Marsha during senior hours to the River Forest Jewel. Big mistake. The place was jammed — with old people and those trying to game the system. Next time I’m going to encourage Marsha to grocery shop during non-senior hours.

Most afternoons we drive to a Kane or DuPage County Forest Preserve and walk around for an hour. Not bad.

With no traffic you can get there in 30 minutes. Last Sunday we just drove up Michigan Avenue and down Lakeshore Drive. Piece of cake. As a kid the Sunday drive was a big deal. Just like it is now.

I have stopped watching the hysterical, anecdotal-driven TV news and internet. I get it: thousands of Illinoisans and hundreds of thousands of Americans are going to die; we should stay in our house; doctors and nurses have it tough; Trump is an idiot; things will get worse, then better; and poor New York is screwed. I do check the CDC and Illinois, Cook County and Oak Park websites from time to time. They are the source of all the data, which is then processed by the bias machines of choice.

I don’t think I’ll wear a mask because: (1) I don’t have the virus, (2) I stay 6 feet away, and (3) I’ll look like a dork.

I suppose if everybody is wearing them, I may have to, but if I do, I’m wearing a Guy Fawkes or Joker mask.

I do feel bad for single people without kids, parents or siblings in the area. It makes me more thankful for Marsha.

Most of the time.

The worst part is I miss my grandkids. They are oblivious to these times, and are infected with the virus of optimism, love and happiness. This particular virus can be communicated by photos and FaceTime, and for that I am grateful.

However, all studies show the best way to contract this virus is by contact: hugging and lap-sitting. I’ll eventually be able to reduce social distance to zero inches.

Can’t wait to get it.

JOHN

HUBBUCH

I

The keys to getting through all this

imagine that, growing up, most of us had something we were notorious for losing.

For me, that something was my house keys. I don’t know why, but I lost so many keys that I developed increasingly elaborate ways to break into my parents’ home so I (hopefully) wouldn’t get caught and inevitably pay for another set.

Mom and Dad, please know that I’m still sorry for leaving the ladder perched outside of the side window.

Happily, it’s now become quite rare for me to lose my keys. And as I sit inside sheltering in place, I’m left reminiscing about a pair of keys that have no chance of getting lost because I currently have nowhere to go. Instead of that being depressing, it reminds me how lucky I am to be a part of this amazing town, and all because of a pair of keys.

Three years ago, I was home from college for summer break. Upon getting back one afternoon, I realized I couldn’t find my keys anywhere. While not a disaster, I was particularly disappointed because not only did it hold all of my keys and library card, but I had gone multiple years without incident and knew this meant the end of any reputational improvements.

After wondering whether I could still fit through the window, an incredible thing happened. I received an email from a clerk at the Chicago Public Library, who let me know that a pair of keys had been found in Oak Park and turned in to the police department there.

After ecstatic jumping, it struck me what needed to happen for me to get my keys back. First, someone had to not only pick up my keys but to then go and turn them in. Second, the employee at the police department had to realize that my Chicago Public Library card meant that I could be identified and then go out of his or her way to contact the library. Third, that library clerk would have to look me up and then write that danceinvoking email which allowed me to pick up my keys the following day.

Sadly, we all find ourselves today with concerns much greater than where our phone, keys, or wallet are. I know people are scared for their health, their loved ones’ health, whether their savings account can outlast this pandemic. But what I also know is that we truly do have each other’s backs. That support is real, it is happening, and it will continue for as long as we need each other to be there.

I think it’s easier to feel a little lost these days, as I know I do. But like anything we struggle to find, we are never alone within that space. There are always others who want to go the extra mile. While none of us know when this will be over, I am thankful that I can look out for others, knowing they’re looking out for me.

Meghan McCoy has been an Oak Park resident for the majority of her 24 years. She works at a nonprofit downtown and looks forward to the day when we can all give each other hugs again.

MEGHAN MCCOY One View

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

O U R

I

V I E W S

Legacy of Mony Ruiz-Velasco

t is not possible to know fully what has gone on within the offices of PASO - West Suburban Action Project in past months. Certainly it was unhappy and intense. The result, announced last week by the nonprofit’s board, is that Mony Ruiz-Velasco, the longtime executive director, has resigned, a search has begun for a replacement, and it is unstated if the office staff, which has been on strike, will return when the office eventually reopens after the pandemic is beaten back.

All that said, we offer words of support for the work of this powerful and necessary organization. We are lost in the fog of Donald Trump’s mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic in America.

But let’s not lose the memory of the horrors of this president’s abuse and manipulation of immigrants seeking America’s once-real opportunities.

PASO has been street-level effective in representing individuals caught up in this mean-spirited and wrong-headed political gamesmanship. And at the community level, it has done strong work in helping many near-west suburban communities come to terms with welcoming ordinances, and with defining relationships between local police departments and federal ICE agents.

And there is no denying that the leader of that effort, strong and determined, has been Mony Ruiz-Velasco, an Oak Park attorney and clearly a human rights activist. She deserves our thanks for her leadership.

The power of the block Back in the 1970s, Oak Park was frantically trying to figure out if it were possible to build a community that was racially integrated for the long haul. A lot of visionary projects were launched in that remarkable decade.

But it was a simple idea fostered back then that we have long seen as among the most impactful efforts. Block parties. Novel idea at the time. Close the street. Fire up the grills. Get people — neighbors but strangers — to spend a day together. It allowed the new people, mainly white people but some new black residents, to know each other, to create bonds, to lessen the chance fear would convince a neighbor to pull up stakes for Elmhurst.

Right now in the throes of this pandemic, 50 years out from the first block parties, we are most inspired by the power of the block to find ways to create connection, to lessen isolation, to offer some hope in a seriously bleak moment.

Last week’s front page had the image of Olivia Ortiz taking part in a fun run on the 500 block of Highland. A couple of weeks ago we featured the weekday morning ritual on the 800 block of Linden where families, mostly with kids but not entirely, come outside at 8:30 a.m. to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before eLearning begins.

Over the weekend, we posted a video on our Facebook page of the 500 block of North Elmwood gathering — but not overly gathering — to accompany a recording of Bill Withers’ singing “Lean on Me.” It was wonderful. Made more wonderful by remembering Withers who died just last week.

We also posted a gallery of photos by our Alex Rogals of the Mann School Teacher Parade last week. Another great, simple, powerful idea that had great meaning for Mann students and for their teachers.

We’ve heard of other blocks banging pots and pans ala New Year’s Eve. We know there is a lot of shopping for elders going on. The senior outreach program in River Forest is going gangbusters. Tell us what else is going on where you live in Oak Park and River Forest.

Send us an email at thisisoakpark@gmail.com or thisisriverforest@ gmail.com.

Casting off the shadow of death

W

hy is this week different from all other weeks?

For one thing, it’s the first major holiday of the pandemic era.

Actually it’s a double holiday: Passover and Easter have always been joined at the hip. Passover, based on a lunar calendar, often falls on the first full moon after the 21st of March (though not always).

Easter, also a lunar-based holiday, is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the 21st of March. Jesus’ Last Supper (Holy Thursday) was a Passover Seder.

Passover celebrates liberation of the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. Easter celebrates liberation of humanity from the bondage of death. They are the most significant events in Judeo-Christian mythology.

The world’s great authority on mythology, Joseph Campbell, in his book, Thou Art That, said the central truth of Passover and Easter is this: “We are called out of bondage in the way the moon throws off its shadow to emerge anew, in the way life throws off the shadow of death. Easter and Passover have the same roots; we are called out of bondage to our old tradition. Easter is not Easter and Passover is not Passover unless they release us, even from the tradition that gives us these feasts. … Easter and Passover make us experience in ourselves a call out of bondage, yes, but so experiencing them does not destroy the religious tradition.

Understanding these symbols in their transcendent spiritual sense enables us to see and to possess our religious traditions freshly.”

There are many kinds of bondage: addiction, dependence, abuse, discrimination, racism, economic servitude. Slavery takes many forms.

We are currently being held hostage by this virus. But that bondage provides an opportunity to renew our religious traditions. We can’t worship in traditional ways. Too dangerous for our health. We’re forced to be creative, to reinvent, to resurrect what is most important.

Campbell said our religious traditions lose their meaning if we can’t apply this living mythology to our own lives. This is not just about something that happened to somebody long ago.

The Easter myth says a great religious figure died and rose from the dead. The Passover myth says an entire people was spared by the angel of death and thus liberated from slavery.

How do we make such seemingly preposterous stories come alive in our lives?

If Jesus rose from the dead, we can arise from deadness, a viral affliction for most if not all of us. We all experience death in living: The death of a pet, of a marriage, of loved ones, of a chapter in our lives, of a dream.

There is also the internal deadness of complacency, stagnation, isolation, insulation, cynicism, emotional or spiritual paralysis. And then there is the deadliness of this pandemic.

Death is our loyal companion throughout life.

We experience deadness within ourselves — in our body, in our heart, in our soul, and also

in our relationships. Deadness of faith, trust, hope, meaning. A kind of soul-sickness or weariness. The fear of death itself can keep us from living fully.

Deadness even extends to God — the God we have believed in who is not God but an unworthy facsimile, a personification of the lesser angels of our nature, flawed theologies of the past, or our own spiritual immaturity. A God who is too small to be God as Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries puts it. That God needs to die — in order to be resurrected in a fuller form.

According to Campbell, “The mystical writer Meister Eckhart once wrote that the ultimate leave-taking is the leaving of God for God.” A larger God, whom the late Brian Doyle called by many names, such as “Coherent Mercy.” My preferred term for the God who may or may not exist is “Greatest of All Mysteries.”

Doyle wrote eloquently about believing the impossible: “It is illogical, unreasonable, unthinkable, unprovable, nonsensical, counter-cultural, and in direct defiance of all evidence and human history. Isn’t that great? Isn’t the loopiness at the center of it the best thing of all? We never admit that — but maybe we should celebrate it.”

The Resurrection and Passover stories are impossible for our rational minds to believe.

But they speak to a deeper part of ourselves through the language of myth, Campbell said.

They allow our psyches to cast off the shadow of death and emerge anew. Rising from death or deadness is another way of saying coming to life again — to your senses, to your mind and heart, to yourself and each other, to life itself, life all around you. It means waking up, just as the natural world all around us awakens.

Take a walk and you’ll see a holy host of people casting off the bondage of the virus and doing little more than watching the world wake up.

There might not be a better way to celebrate Passover and Easter (and starting on April 23, Ramadan).

But we are also in the throes of a wider awakening — countrywide, worldwide. We’re in the process of rising from the deadness of our institutions, politics, and traditions — rising from this pandemic, awakening to a renewable, more sustainable world.

The Israelites awoke on the morning after the angel of death passed over to find themselves liberated. Mary Magdalene and the other apostles awoke on Easter morning, but Mary was so eager she ran ahead and was the first to see the open tomb.

Death, according to our mythology, means to be born anew. What is your liberation? What is the open tomb in your life? What is your miracle?

What resurrection is imminent?

How will you celebrate Passover and Easter and Ramadan (or whatever you celebrate) in this era of social-distancing?

Here’s one way: Arise from deadness. Come alive.

The world is emerging anew all around you.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S A G I N G

T

W E D N E S D A Y

D I S G R A C E F U L L Y

The Storm is Passing Over …

hree short weeks ago, I celebrated a significant birthday and joined the ranks of the “seriously elderly.” Before that I had just been elderly, and my attitude was more puzzlement than sadness. I think the next benchmark is “I didn’t know she was that old,” and the one after that is “No kidding! Is she up and around?”

My family and I were just on the edges of recognizing the dangers of COVID-19.

I knew it was bad, but I selfishly wanted to go out on my birthday. So we did, to two different restaurants on two different days: Hemmingway’s, my favorite, and Golden Steer, one of their favorites. I looked at the packed bar at Golden Steer and thought: “They’re doomed.” Not me, them. By the way, I wouldn’t have eaten so much if I’d known I’d be obsessed with food — getting and eating — within a week.

I brashly announced to all and sundry that I wasn’t afraid to die — that it would be preferable for someone my age to die than a young person, or God forbid, a child. Since I have a few serious health conditions, one involving my lungs, it seemed likely.

Then the news described what dying from this virus would look like — lying isolated, sick as a dog, in a crowded hallway without friends or family, waiting to be evaluated, and then probably intubated until I died — alone — because of the danger to any friends or family. Uh, no thanks.

A week later my building closed to all but emergency and essential visitors and a week after that we were informed that the first resident of another senior building had died of COVID-19.

Being isolated hurts as much as lost love.

I’ve always spent a lot of time alone by choice and I’ve always dreaded being alone. So the days have alternated — one where I feel fine and one where I feel waves of anxiety. I’m having a hard time sticking to one glass of wine a day, and feel awful if I drink more than one glass.

I feel worse if I watch Trump’s endless press conferences. I tell myself that I just want to stay informed, but really, it’s the equivalent of a teenager going to a horror show just to see how much they can stand before they have to cover their eyes.

The best part of my day is watching a Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York tutorial on how a democracy is supposed to work in a crisis, how to speak in complete sentences and paragraphs, and the meaning of family. Praying for a President Cuomo. Also Mother Lori Lightfoot of the Little Sisters of Divine Impatience for Vice President.

Governor Pritzker should stay in Illinois to get us out of the pension crisis.

About the title of this column. “The Storm is Passing Over” is a spiritual that my Sounds Good Chorale for seniors is rehearsing for our spring performance.

It’s got a tempo that does not come naturally to my South Side Irish ears, but I’m singing it constantly, either out loud or in my head … and heart. It gives me waves of joy. I’m tempted to sing it on my walks in Mills Park, but I don’t want to scare the babies and the dogs. I look forward to busting a move when we have our online rehearsals this week (it’s a blessing that we can’t see or hear each other).

I recommend listening to the version by the Detroit Mass Choir.

MARY KAY O’GRADY

Our nonprofits survive, we survive As the number of COVID-19 cases and related deaths continue to rise in Illinois, our community is coming to grips with the new reality of the local effects of a global pandemic.

This pandemic has forced us to change our daily lives to ensure not only our own health and safety, but to help secure our community’s well-being. Many of us are doing what we can to curb this virus by working from home, practicing social distancing and taking other precautions.

For our nonprofits, their work is vital to combating the economic, social and health strains caused by this pandemic. Their path forward on how best to serve vulnerable community members, now and in the future, face an unprecedented number of challenges. How does an organization’s staff and volunteers keep themselves and their clients from spreading the coronavirus without the necessary health safety supplies, such as gloves, hand sanitizer and wipes? Many had to cancel their annual fundraising event, which supported a significant portion of their operations. How will they be able to support their ever-growing client base over the long haul without worrying about losing government, corporate, philanthropic and individual support?

This unprecedented public health crisis deserves an extraordinary response. Our nonprofits need your support now more than ever. That is why the Oak Park-River

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

Forest Community Foundation calls on the donor community to continue – and increase – your support today.

We realize that financial concerns have arisen for many of you these past few weeks. However, history shows that Oak Park-River Forest residents have tapped their remarkable and well-known spirit of caring during pressing times and given whenever they can.

We ask that you donate directly to organizations and programs you already support. Another option to support area nonprofits that are providing food, shelter and related health and human services during the COVID-19 outbreak is by donating to the Foundation’s Rapid Response and Recovery Fund online at oprfcf.org. Donations to this fund will be matched 1:1 by the Foundation up to $100,000.

We continue to be inspired by humanity’s efforts to protect, educate and uplift each other. Amid circumstances unlike any we have known, we ask you to please thoughtfully consider joining us to provide funding that can aid stability throughout the neighborhoods in which you your families and your friends build your lives.

We are grateful for you. We stand in solidarity with you as we weather this storm.

Be well.

Tony Martinez Jr.

President & CEO OP-RF Community Foundation

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

D O O P E R ’ S

M E M O R I E S

I didn’t believe, but I needed the eggs

T

he Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated as German customs. However, my family members didn’t try to convince me that rabbits lay eggs. I knew enough about rabbits and birds that I wouldn’t fall for this bit of folklore no matter how German it might be.

When I was a little guy, I was told the Easter bunny dyed the eggs and gave them to my family members to hide after I had gone to sleep on the Saturday night before Easter Sunday.

After I was 5 years old, I knew that my mother and grandmother dyed the eggs and then gave three eggs apiece to family members to hide. I went along with the game because it was fun for them and for me.

The adults took their eggs and hid them anywhere and everywhere on the first floor of our house. The exception was that one egg was always placed in one of my shoes.

When we came home from the early church service on Easter Sunday, the hunt was on for me.

I was allowed a half-hour to find all 18 eggs, and when I searched, I found eggs in drawers, under furniture, under cushions, in potted plants, and even in the fireplace.

I needed all of the time given to me, but I was always able to find all of the eggs.

By the time I was 8 years old, though, the egg hunts stopped because my family members felt I was too old to pursue this tradition.

I agreed with them even though hunting the eggs was a lark.

I don’t think my grandfather was too fond of the tradition because he believed the Easter bunny was a questionable character.

In fact, he would often refer to an unreliable person as an Osterhase [Easter rabbit].

Spring vacation from school started on Good Friday and continued through Easter Week. The day after Easter was called Zweite Ostern [second Easter] and was a day when many older people and young children spent the day visiting friends and relatives.

On the Monday after Easter, the men in our home returned to their respective jobs, so we made our visitations on Monday after supper.

We always saw my great aunt and uncle — Jane and Jack Keenan — who lived in an apartment on Oak Street in the city on a rotating basis.

That is, one year we would go to their home, and the next year they would visit us in Oak Park. This practice continued until Jane and Jack moved to Cape Cod in 1951.

When my uncle Hubert married in 1952 and moved to Rogers Park in the city, we followed the same visitation routine as we had done with Jane and Jack.

In 1956, our family decided to discontinue the visits, so this tradition, just like the Easter egg hunts, disappeared from our lives.

Even though I liked hunting the eggs, the best part came when I ate the brightly colored eggs over a two week period. Believe me, those eggs tasted better than any eggs I have eaten since that time.

JOHN

STANGER

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A plan going forward

The United States is in a COVID-19 disaster. As of 10 days ago, we had more confirmed cases than any other country (148,089, next is Italy 101,739, Spain 85,195, China 82,198). This is no time for blame.

We need action, now! We must learn from the wise actions of South Korea, China, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, reinforced by the disastrous choices made by Italy and Iran. We responded too late to prevent large-scale infection of our population, but we must do what we can.

(1) We need a strict nationwide shutdown of all non-essential activities. We must enforce social-distancing. People can leave their homes only for groceries, exercise, or health-related activities. Those doing essential jobs must continue working. Without a coordinated effort, compliant states will stave off the most severe spikes of sickness, but delinquent states will be hotbeds cultivating millions of infectious people.

(2) We must have extensive testing to map where the virus is and quarantine those who test positive. Massive production of testing kits is essential. After the shutdown, people who test negative can go back to work. This systematic approach would require sacrifice but only for a limited time. A failure to enact coordinated nationwide measures would prolong the pandemic for many months, causing many unnecessary deaths.

Because the federal government lacks the willpower to undertake this essential nationwide effort, state governors must organize and intervene. We need a nationwide task force to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and coordinate the response. If some ill-informed governors refuse to cooperate, we must block travel from these states. The federal government should pay for testing and treatment.

The media can help by refusing to air political speeches masquerading as COVID-19 updates, and substitute daily interviews with reports from the task force.

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

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What I assumed and how I learned otherwise

A

s a therapist with over a decade of experience in crisis intervention, I assumed I would be better prepared to handle the effects of the COVID-19 crisis as a mother in my own home.

Initially, I was able to process the magnitude of the pandemic while remaining grounded: I looked on from afar, took time to pause and to reflect, and at times even reached a place of deep gratitude for my health, home, stability, and other privileges I am afforded that many do not have.

When I heard of school closings beginning around the country, I concluded that if schools closed here it would be an opportunity for me to connect more deeply with my children — to see in real time what they’re learning, and to have a chance to participate more directly in their education.

As the crisis began to escalate, I became overwhelmed by the hysteria, distracted by grief, and quite honestly discouraged by the thought of being confined at home with three kids, unpredictable resources, and no plan. How would I keep my children active and engaged with no library, ballet, or playground? How would I hold it together so my children didn’t know how sad, scared, and overwhelmed I felt? How would I manage my new role as educator in addition to my work responsibilities as a therapist and supervisor?

I found myself feeling helpless and facing the same challenge as many of my clients: how to respond to the unknown.

I witnessed in my community and on social media a way that many people chose to respond: plans, lists, agendas, colorcoded schedules. In a panic, I mimicked this response and attempted to remain grounded with orderliness — I made schedules and nametags, assigned seats, organized art supplies, and labeled ... well, everything. I frantically turned my house into a model kindergarten/preschool.

In short, it failed.

On the first day, the water table was flipped over within an hour thanks to my surprisingly strong 2-year-old. The chairs from the darling reading nook had been propped upside down on the couch to be used as springboards. In fact the only successes of the first day were that my 4-year-old had written a play about how much she missed her teachers, and my 6-year-old had made a calendar counting down the days until school starts again. When my husband asked me that night how it went, I defeatedly said,

“The only thing they learned is that I’m not a great teacher.”

What went wrong? In my own moment of crisis, I had forgotten to check in honestly with my children and myself to see what we really needed. I had hoped my feigned enthusiasm and sense of control would keep them from knowing how scared and overwhelmed I felt. But they did know.

What I’ve realized since making space to listen to my own intuition again is that I don’t need to convince my children that everything is fine, that nothing is changing, and that I’m not afraid. I need to be myself.

I need to be present and engaged, and let them know it’s OK to feel scared. I need to reassure them it’s natural to want things to stay the same or go back to the way they used to be. I need to remember my intentions and beliefs as a parent — that children learn through play and meaningful engagement, with things they are curious and passionate about, and through authentic interactions with others modeling healthy emotional expression and communication. Easier said than done, yes. So most importantly, I need to know when to ask for support.

I have talked with friends and family more in the last week than in the past year, and I’m reminded of how resilient we are. The pandemic is straining our financial and healthcare systems, disrupting and taking lives, and testing the fabric of our compassion and faith in one another. And we are showing up, connecting, and coming together as communities, even at social distance. I’ve seen in our response to the crisis that adults still have imaginations, that we often fail to recognize the importance of creativity, and how valuable imagination and creativity are, apparent in the efforts put forth by teachers, neighbors, and leaders to maintain a sense of connection. I’ve seen that learning does not require a desk, exercise does not require a gym, and community is not defined by proximity.

My work in crisis intervention hasn’t fully prepared me for this crisis. What guides how I respond to these novel challenges is my intuition as a mother, my role as a member of a community, my ability to ask for help, and my willingness to reimagine our world.

We may need to do this at a 6-foot distance, but we don’t need to do it alone.

Kristen Keleher is director of Community Outreach and a therapist at Thrive Counseling Center.

KRISTEN KELEHER One View

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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We’ll provide some structure, some topics, some guests, some small group breakout rooms, mostly a space for those of us hoping to age with intention through these pandemic times.

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

Grateful for your caring and support

n a recent issue of the New York Times, there was a group of letters to the editor published under the heading, “How a virus has disrupted my life.” Mine goes under the heading, “How the virus has caused me to be grateful for my life.”

This terrible pandemic has caused pain and suffering throughout the world, and it has forced us to prioritize what is truly important in our lives. The usual day-today activities are trivial — family, friends, community, health and love are focus values now.

I am extremely fortunate to have a loving, caring family and friends who are equally supportive. I am reasonably healthy and buoyed by the thoughtful, frequent phone calls and emails concerned for my welfare. Offers of help have been overwhelming.

They range from shopping to housework to cooking

to doing chores or laundry — and even disposing of my trash!

Food and flowers have been left at my door and even my kind mail deliverer has offered to help me in any way she could. I also must commend our village services, which help me feel safe and secure.

Although I follow all the scientific suggestions seniors should use for their best health, it is difficult to remain completely isolated. But the warmth and love expressed toward me has kept me close, and more than replaced the many activities that a few weeks ago filled my days.

Thank you, dear family, friends and community. I am truly grateful for you.

Harriet Hausman is a longtime resident of River Forest.

HARRIET HAUSMAN One View

How about reducing alcohol and substance use?

I’d like to take exception to one small, but important part of John Hubbuch’s “Tape these tips to your fridge!”

Viewpoint in the March 25 Wednesday Journal. My consternation is with tip #3 “Increase alcohol and marijuana consumption, but only by 25%.” Thank goodness for the qualifier!

I am an Oak Park resident and volunteer with a number of groups trying to reduce alcohol and substance use and promote recovery, particularly, but by no means exclusively among youth. At a time when youth can’t even go to the library, let alone school, we need to be seriously concerned about permissiveness and access, not to mention idle time.

Oak Park and River Forest youth, for example, have some of the highest rates of underage drug and alcohol consumption in the state and that includes eighth-grad-

ers. I realize Mr. Hubbuch’s “Tips” weren’t directed at youth, but it is in print and with no qualifier.

Maybe we could substitute the healthier alternative of “3. Feel good about yourself and others — volunteer.” And maybe Wednesday Journal can counter that bad advice by talking with the Community Mental Health Board’s Addiction Recovery Team and Oak Park Township’s Workgroup for Positive Youth Development during April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month.

These are tough times that require, excuse the pun, sober advice, and recommending increased drug and alcohol consumption by anyone just smacks of a lack of awareness of the breadth and depth of the problem.

Celebrating Seniors Week postponed

T

he 10th Annual Celebrating Seniors Week, originally scheduled for May 14-21, has been postponed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a future date, a rescheduled week of educational, entertaining and other activities to honor those who are 60-plus in our community will be determined. In addition, we will regularly provide updates on other elements of Celebrating Seniors that will continue, such as the selection and recognition of this year’s “60 Over 60” honorees.

Meantime, in the coming days and weeks, we will provide ongoing communication and support for the myriad efforts already under way to combat the spread of COVID-19. The Celebrating Seniors Coalition is composed

of volunteers serving Oak Park, River Forest, and Forest Park, and we are committed to serving those communities during this sensitive period.

Since 2011, we have celebrated, recognized and supported the older adults in our community who have displayed grace, caring, compassion, fortitude and resiliency in bettering our quality of life for many decades. Now those same qualities are what we all must draw upon as we look out for one another.

Through funds we have raised as well as through our partnership with the local townships, one of our cornerstones has been support for older adults who are facing financial need. That will continue.

In addition, the village of River Forest, River Forest Township and Township Senior

MATT BARON One View

Ron Elling

Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Choosing one another

O

ne month ago, I had no idea what was about to happen. I was spending time with my family, going to work, exercising, playing in a band. I was living my relatively privileged life, with its normal ups and downs and mundane stresses. I was aware of the coronavirus and COVID-19, of course, and had some low level of concern. But the crisis, like those of SARS and MERS in recent decades, seemed like it was something for other people in other places to worry about. I had sympathy, but not empathy, for those people because I didn’t see my own situation in theirs.

In the following weeks, the crisis remained remote for me, like many Americans. That started to change the evening of March 11. That was when the NBA shut down, Tom Hanks announced his diagnosis, and my job asked us to work from home for the foreseeable future. That was the moment when the crisis started to become real, and that crystalized for me in the next two days, as the state of Illinois announced the closure of all schools for at least two weeks. In the next several days, Oak Park announced shelter-inplace. The crisis moved from something that others elsewhere are dealing with to something real for me.

We have no idea what comes next. What is undeniable is that this virus, like any crisis, is putting a strain on our systems, and it is in times of strain that you see the true nature of those systems. Are we a society that provides medical care for all of our people? Or do we leave everyone’s medical care to the choices of their employers and to their own level of wealth? Are we a society that provides sick leave for all people, so that they can care for themselves and their loved ones and slow the spread of disease? Or do we allow each company to decide on sick leave for itself, forcing some people to work when it would be better for their health and that of others for them to stay home? Are we a society that keeps our elderly members close so we can learn from and care for them as they age? Or do we shove them into nursing homes where they live near other old and sick people and where disease can quickly pass from vulnerable resident to vulnerable resident?

This crisis is already greatly affecting every one of us. And I hold in my mind and heart that many people in our nation and around the world have been and will be impacted through illness and death. But I wish we would learn that we cannot address the existential threats we face as individuals. As humans, we have evolved to exist as individuals and to live in societies. We cannot tackle COVID-19, climate change, poverty, white supremacy, and any of our other massive challenges by acting alone. We cannot choose ourselves. We must choose one another.

Jim Schwartz is an Oak Park resident, an educator, and a blogger at Entwining.org.

JIM

SCHWARTZ One View

Services are collaboratively establishing a Care Corps of volunteers to help seniors during this time. Volunteers will be able to help with non-direct contact services like prescription and grocery pickup, dog walking, and light yard work. Volunteers will be subject to a background check and will be directed to practice social-distancing and other health safeguards.

If you are a senior and you need Care Corps assistance, or if you wish to become a Care Corps volunteer, please contact Helen Kwan at rfseniorhelp@gmail.com.

Below are links to resources that are especially helpful for older adults, as well as the entire community as it relates to looking out for older adults.

■ Administration for Community Living: https://acl.gov/COVID-19 ■ AARP-How to Fight Social Isolation of Coronavirus: https://tinyurl.com/AARPFight ■ AARP Live Q&A Event: The Coronavirus: https://tinyurl.com/AARPCovidQA

■ Free Ivy League courses: https://tinyurl. com/IvyFree ■ Virtual art exhibits: https://tinyurl. com/PBSArt ■ RF Township Senior Services: http:// www.riverforesttownship.org/seniorservices.asp ■ Oak Park Township COVID-19 resource: https://tinyurl.com/OPTCovid For regular updates about our organization’s ongoing activities and plans, please visit www.celebratingseniors.net as well as our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ CelebratingSeniors.

One final note: as is widely known, older adults are especially vulnerable to COVID-19. We extend our gratitude to everyone, of all ages, who is choosing “we” over “me” and abiding by the social-distancing and other recommendations that have been shared by health officials.

Matt Baron is an Oak Park resident and founder of Inside Edge: Public Relations & Media Services.

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

33

In old South Oak Park, they now speak Spanish

didn’t know it until recently, but apparently I was raised in the original South Oak Park. Today’s 1500 block of South Clarence Avenue in Berwyn, where I grew up, was, before the turn of the century, situated in a swath of territory then known as “South Oak Park.”

According to the Berwyn Historical Society, the area between Roosevelt Road and 16th Street, bordered on the east and west

by Ridgeland and Harlem, was actually considered a part of Oak Park until, in the late 19th century, the Oak Park and River Forest High School District set Roosevelt Road as its southern boundary. That move cut off the area, between Roosevelt and 16th Street, from what had been its home community. Shortly thereafter, in 1901, the same set of parcels, making up what would later be my boyhood neighborhood, was incorporated into the new municipality of Berwyn (I lived there from 1957 through 1972).

Berwyn and Oak Park are each grooved deeply into my bones. I lived in the former for 15 years, in the latter for 22 years, counting the year in which I rented an apartment as a graduate student on East Avenue near the Green Line. What a surprise, then, to learn that 1504 S. Clarence, the bungalow in which I was raised, is on a plot of land that was once part of “South Oak Park.”

Just last week, for the first time in over 40 years, I took a walk around my former neighborhood, parking our grey, Ford, C-Max hybrid on the 1400 block of South Wesley, adjacent to the baseball field on which I cavorted. That park had been the home of the St. Mary of Celle Little League. I stepped into the parking lot beyond the outfield fences, and surveyed the diamond, dormant now in winter.

I played on this field in the “minor” league for boys, age 9 and 10, and then in the “major” league when I was 11 and 12. I was actually quite a star back then. I was tall and could throw hard with good control. Playing for the Berwyn Eagles, and then for our league’s all-star team, I was undefeated in my final year as a pitcher.

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In the all-star game, we beat LaGrange 2-0. I struck out 10 batters in six innings, and held the team from that elite suburb to two hits.

I notice that the scoreboard in center field is no longer there.

The sunk, brick dugouts have survived; something you don’t see in many youth baseball parks. Behind home plate, there is a square wooden building, painted green just as it was all those years ago. Back then, a dad would sit with a microphone and speaker behind the screened window of a similar structure, and announce the game to the fans in the seats along the right field foul line and those watching from beyond the fences.

My dad, I recall, once had fun at my expense during a game in which he was at the mic. I was playing shortstop. There were two outs with a runner on first. The batter hit a ground ball to me, which I fielded cleanly.

I wasn’t sure how many outs there were so I ran and tagged second base, forcing the runner, and just to make sure, threw to first to complete the double-play ... unnecessarily.

With a chuckle, my dad teased me over the speaker: “Four outs!”

Our pastor at St. Mary of Celle, Father Robert Mastny, or to us, “Father Bob,” founded the league in 1950. Back then it was limited to the boys. A former threesport athlete himself, he stayed close to the organization and the teams. The rectory in which he lived is located opposite the field, as are the church, school, and convent. It was a short walk to the diamond for him. In fact, the parish campus — church, school, rectory, convent, baseball field and parking lot — is situated entirely on that block, between Wesley and Euclid.

For a Catholic kid like me, and there were many of us in those days, Father Bob and the parish were part of everything. Following the annual, opening-day parade, he would bestow a blessing on the assembled teams. After the season, he would start the awards dinner with a prayer as well.

St. Mary’s was my school. Father Bob handed out our report cards at the end

of a grading period. When he walked into the classroom, we would all rise and say in unison: “Praise be to Jesus and Mary, good afternoon, Father Bob!” He greeted us warmly, sat down at the teacher’s desk, and one-byone, review and hand out each report card, calling each of us to the desk by name. He would admonish a kid for a bad grade, and praise him or her for an “E” (for excellent). If you received a “C”, “D” or “F” in conduct, he’d have a stern word with you. I remember a couple of kids with bad grades for conduct going back to their seats, holding their report cards, crying.

He didn’t mind calling you out during Mass either. For a few years, at least, each grade would attend its own special service, once a month. During eighth grade, he didn’t like the way I was mumbling during the collective recitation of the Our Father.

In mid-prayer, he stopped us, pointed at me, and told me to recite it for everyone to hear. I did. Then we continued the group recitation.

Even though the border with Oak Park was only a few blocks away, I don’t remember ever thinking much about our municipal neighbor to the north, at least not until high school. I attended Fenwick for two years and got to know a lot of guys from “The Village,” as well as from other western suburbs.

At Fenwick I started to understand that Berwyn was viewed as, and was in fact, quite a different place from Oak Park, River Forest, Elmhurst, and other more middle and upper-middle communities. I learned from other students that they looked on me as a “greaser.” In fact, that was the label with which some of the sophomore guys on the baseball team tagged me. I sat at the “greaser table” in the lunchroom.

You could tell us apart from the majority “climbers” at the school by our pointed-toe shoes, combed-back hair, and the different way we had of carrying ourselves.

I didn’t understand consciously at the time that the greaser-climber distinction was rooted in class differences. But in my

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gut, I knew that when I left school at the end of the day and headed home across Roosevelt Road, I did in fact live in a town with smaller houses, tighter lots, and a different posture toward daily life. I transferred from Fenwick to Morton West during my junior year, and graduated in 1971. I left for college after that, and rarely ever went back to Berwyn.

After growing my career for 20 years in Pennsylvania and Indiana, I returned to our area in 1996 and bought a house in the “new” south Oak Park, on the 700 block of South Scoville Avenue. My wife Maureen and I raised our four kids in The Village, moving from that small Victorian on Scoville into a larger Victorian on the 100 block of South Elmwood. For 10 years, I coached my three sons’ teams in Oak Park Youth Baseball. Some of our games took place at Maple Park near Roosevelt Road, where as a kid, I had crossed over to play pickup games. We joined Ascension Parish and sang in the choir.

We downsized after all of the kids had attended District 97 schools as well as OPRF High School. In 2017, we moved to the South Loop, but maintain close ties with friends and family in Oak Park.

So Oak Park and Berwyn have cycled back and forth in me. In some respects, Berwyn is a different place now. Looking back, I recall how many of the guys on my Berwyn Eagles baseball team were Italians, many of whose families had moved from the West Side during the construction of UIC. I see that the old St. Mary of Celle Little League still exists as the corporation created by Father Bob. But it’s been renamed the Berwyn Little League and is now dedicated wholly to girls’ softball.

My old team’s roster carried names like Pasquinelli, Barbato, Gaspari and Compobasso. Today, the little league invites girls to sign up, in Spanish or in English: “Registro de ninas de Softball” proclaimed on its Facebook page. The original South Oak Park’s majority is now MexicanAmerican, with many having moved, like the Italians before them, from Chicago’s West Side.

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Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

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

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

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

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED FOOD SERVICE WORKER – TEMPORARY FT SUMMER The Hephzibah Children’s Association Summer Day Care program is accepting applications for a Food Service Worker to be a full time seasonal employee in our program that runs from June 8th through August 14th. The days and hours are Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Responsibilities include preparing and serving snacks and lunch, maintaining established standards of food safety, keeping kitchen, lunchroom and equipment in good and sanitary condition, and meeting all required reporting requirements.

Requirements include: High school diploma or equivalent Quantity cooking experience Food Sanitation Manager Certification (or willingness to obtain by June 8th) Contact: Amy O’Rourke – Director of Day Care at: aorourke@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer.

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

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

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Interested and qualified applicants can visit our website at http://www.oak-park.us/ for more details.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

MAINTENANCE PERSON WANTED American Security in Forest Park is seeking an experienced Maintenance Person to work part-time Mon-Fri, 4-6 hours p/day.

SUMMER SEASONAL STUDENT EMPLOYMENT The Village of Oak Park has openings for the 2020 Summer Seasonal Student Employment. Opportunities are in the Engineering, Water & Sewer, Streets Division, and Fleet & Forestry Divisions. Interested applicants must be 18 years old and actively enrolled in a post-secondary academic program. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www. oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

$17 - $20 p/h, based on your experience and abilities.

You must live within 20 min of 15th & Harlem.

Job Req: Vehicle, Cell phone w/ texting, no criminal record.

Responsibilities: Building repairs and maint, basic electrical & plumbing, light cleaning, & a variety of other tasks.

Email your resume to jobs@ americansecurityservices.com or call 708-383-6969 ext. 240 M-F 9a-5

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

Total college credit is a minimum.

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

SUMMER PART TIME SEASONAL HELP The Hephzibah Children’s Association Summer Day Care Program is accepting applications for the following part time seasonal opportunity in our summer program that runs from June 8th through August 14th.

Youth Development Specialist – Greeter: Two-hour shifts Monday through Friday from either 7:30-9:30 am or 4:00-6:00 pm. Provide care and supervision of the children. Responsibilities include supervising indoor and outdoor free play, greeting and welcoming parents and children and serving snack. Requirements include H.S. diploma or equivalent and experience working with children.

Contact: Amy O’Rourke – Director of Day Care at: aorourke@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer.

SITUATION WANTED EXPERIENCED CAREGIVER Experienced caregiver licensed in compassionate care seeking employment within a home environment. Salary negotiable. Please call Ms. Tate at 708-691-2770

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

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THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy offices for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wifi; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays.

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708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

The Forest Park Public Library has set up a phone line to assist Forest Park. Give us a call to talk with library staff. We can help you get a virtual library card, assist with library resources, connect you with job/ business resources, and much more.

Call 708-366-7171 Monday – Friday 11 am – 5 pm Or leave a message at any time.

More info at fppl.org.

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Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

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CEMENT

Get a Virtual Library Card The Forest Park Public Library has many great online resources available to Forest Park community members. We offer ebooks, streaming movies, digital magazines, Lynda. com, language learning, Ancestry.com, and much more. All you need is a library card! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a card or need to renew your card? We can help!

Sign up at fppl.org/templibrarycard, email askus@fppl.org, or call 708-366-7171 (Monâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;Fri 11 amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;5 pm).

If we arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there, leave a message.

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ďŹ&#x201A;ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; lead, plastic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

PETS While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Original Pet Care Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

524-1030

Attention! Home-improvement pros!

Reach the people making decisions - your target demographic.

Advertise in Wednesday Classified.

Call 708/613-3342

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;ooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM PUBLIC NOTICES

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

GARAGE DOORS

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Garage Doors &

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HANDYMAN

BASEMENT CLEANING

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

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CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

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Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

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Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

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PUBLIC NOTICES

708-296-2060

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD 8820 Brookfield Avenue BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS 60513 LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

HANDYMAN

The Village of Brookfield will be accepting proposals for providing:

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

35

Professional Services for Demolition of 4006 Blanchan Avenue Specifications, general information and proposal forms are available in the Office of Community Development, Village of Brookfield, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois 60513 Sealed proposals will be accepted until 12:00 P.M., Friday, April 24, 2020, at the Village of Brookfield Administration Building, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois.

Nothing herein is intended to exclude any responsible firm, or in any way restrain, or restrict competition.

All responsible and eligible firms are encouraged to submit proposals.

The Village reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals, to waive informalities or technicalities in any proposal, and to accept the proposal which it deems to be in the best interests of the Village.

Published in RB landmark 4/8/2020

Starting a new business?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad!

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice here.

Call 708/613-3342.

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING Notice Is Hereby Given To the legal voters of The Town of Riverside in the County of Cook and the State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said town will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 Being the second Tuesday of the month At the hour of 6:01 P.M. at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL for the transaction of miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of the officers, and decide on such measures as may, in the pursuance of the law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide on the following: Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, Election of The Moderator, Approval of the Minutes from the Last Annual Town Meeting, New Business, Setting the date for the next Annual Town Meeting, and Adjournment. .

Liane J. Blauw, Clerk Riverside Township Dated: March 18, 2020 Published in RB Landmark 04/01/2020

RIVERSIDE TOWNSHIP BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE AND PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given to the legal voters of Riverside Township that the Town Board has drafted a Tentative Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the 2020 – 2021 fiscal year. Copies of said budget and ordinance are available for inspection during regular business hours, Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Township Office at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546. A hearing on the Budget and Ordinance will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2020, at 5:45 p.m. in the Riverside Town Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL. Liane J. Blauw Clerk, Riverside Township March 14, 2020 Published in RB Landmark 04/01/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST Plaintiff, -v.EDILBERTO V. VERZO, MARCELINA C. VERZO, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 05533 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 27, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-107-0090000 The real estate is improved with a multi-family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-04111 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 05533 TJSC#: 40-655 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2019 CH 05533 I3148307

TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR FFMLT TRUST 2005-FF11, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005FF11 Plaintiff, -v.BRIAN HOLLOWAY Defendants 19 CH 00561 125 SOUTH LOMBARD AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 24, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 125 SOUTH LOMBARD AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-302-0150000 The real estate is improved with a yellow vinyl siding, one story single family home with a detached two car garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite

1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 268445 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 19 CH 00561 TJSC#: 40-595 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 00561 I3148758

to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 267501 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 18 CH 12736 TJSC#: 39-8007 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 18 CH 12736 I3149364

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION SELENE FINANCE LP Plaintiff, -v.LARSENIA HORTON, NEIL SMITH, ASSURANCE RESTORATION & CONSTRUCTION, INC., PRAIRIE HOUSES OWNERS ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 12736 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 20, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 14 DIVISION STREET, # 14, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0480000 The real estate is improved with a brown brick, three story townhouse with an attached one car garage.

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

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

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

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

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

36

Wednesday Journal, April 8, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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