W E D N E S D A Y
April 15, 2026 Vol. 46, No. 41
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JOURNAL @oakpark
of Oak Park and River Forest
Why D97’s new supt. left her last job Contributing Reporter
When Terri Bresnahan, the incoming Oak Park Elementary School District 97 superintendent, applied last fall to be the next superintendent at the Oak Park district she knew that she wouldn’t be at her current job as superintendent in northwest suburban District 59 next year no matter what happened in Oak Park. That’s because Bresnahan’s contract at District 59 was expiring July 1 and it was not going to be renewed. “It was sort of come to mutually,” said TR Johnson, president of District 59 school board, of the decision of the district and Bresnahan to part ways when her contract expired. “Everybody thought it would be best just kind of for the board’s vision for
A Special Advertising Section
Wellness and
Guide
Special section Page B1
Eviction notice posted at West Suburban’s River Forest campus
D97 board members say they knew about Bresnahan’s D59 departure By BOB SKOLNIK
Health
Spring 2026
TODD BANNOR
Incoming District 97 Superintendent Terri Bresnahan, flanked by Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman and community activist Kina Collins, speaks to students in the auditorium of Brooks Middle School on March 27. the future that we don’t renew her contract.” Bresnahan told District 59 families on Aug. 1, 2025 that this was going to be her last school year. “Earlier this summer, the Board of Education and I agreed on this transition to make way for the board’s vision for the district’s future,” Bresnahan wrote in her letter to District 59 families. On Jan. 28, one day before the District 97 townhall for Bresnahan and the other District 97 finalist Angela Dolezal, the District 59 school board voted to appoint Brett Galli-
Notice addressed to Manoj Prasad alleges more than $7 million in unpaid rent By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN and JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporters
ni, who was working in Houston, to succeed Bresnahan and held a reception for him. Bresnahan did not attend that brief school board meeting or reception. She also wasn’t at the Feb. 11 District 59 school board meeting because she was at a conference. Soon after the District 97 school board voted 5-0 on Feb. 24 to hire Bresnahan, who will not begin working full time for District 97 until July 1, District 59’s school board and Bresnahan wasted little time in parting ways. At its March 11 school board
An eviction notice was placed on an entryway to West Suburban Medical Center’s River Forest campus on Monday, Wednesday Journal has learned. The 5-day eviction notices were addressed to Resilience Health CEO Manoj Prasad and a Pipeline Health co-president from Ramco Holdings, the hospital’s landlord and part-owner. The notice alleged that there is more than $7.25 million in unpaid rent owed to Ramco for the River Forest property. The eviction note comes after hospital leaders closed both West Suburban Medical Center’s
See BRESNAHAN on page 16
See EVICTION NOTICE on page 9
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CONGRA CONGRATS RAT RA ATS
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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Israel boycotts will be topic for township’s annual meeting
W E D N E S D A Y
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
General Manager Max Reinsdorf
A resident petition put the matter on the agenda, with residents voting Tuesday night to put it on the November ballot
Staff Reporter Brendan Heffernan Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Oak Park residents will take part in an obscure direct democracy process this week, with a question about boycotting, sanctioning and divesting in Israel on the line. Oak Park Township is hosting its annual Town Meeting at the Oak Park Main Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14. The township’s annual meeting provides an opportunity for residents to gather signatures to put an item on the agenda that Oak Parkers at the meeting will then vote on to decide whether or not the matter will go before Oak Park voters as an advisory referendum on the ballot in November’s general election. The question on this year’s meeting agenda is “do you support the right of individuals and organizations, including state contractors, to boycott, divest and sanction Israel?” The same question is on the agenda for several other townships around the state. The petitions come as violence in the Middle East escalates and the Illinois legislature considers repealing a 2015 law banning state pension funds from being invested in companies that divest from or boycott Israel. The boycott question is the only resident petition on this year’s agenda and it’s the first petition to make it on Oak Park township’s annual meeting agenda since 2024. The deadline to submit petitions to the township was March 1. Petitions need only15 signatures from registered Oak Park voters to get on the township’s annual meeting agenda. The boycott petition received 26 Oak Park signatures that were verified by Cook County officials, according to Oak Park Township Clerk Lou Anne Johannesson. Any registered Oak Park voter can attend the annual meeting, speak about the issue and vote on whether or not to put the question on November’s ballot. Each township in the state is hosting an annual meet-
Senior Audience Manager Stacy Coleman
Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Contributing Editor Donna Greene Columnists Marc Blesoff, Nicole Chavas, Jack Crowe, Vincent Gay, Mary Kay O’Grady, John Stanger, Josh VanderBerg Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Operations Associate Susan Babin
JAVIER GOVEA
ing Tuesday night, Johannesson said. Johannesson said she spoke with more than 30 residents on Friday about the upcoming town vote, leaving each of them a “civics lesson” on the township’s arcane annual meeting process. There’s understandable confusion about the meeting, as Oak Park township is the only local government entity with a process like this, she said. “I think one of the wonderful, exciting things about townships is that we act as a conduit for the direct voice from the public,” Johannesson said. “The village of Oak Park’s board will vote on behalf of the people that elected them. It’s representative government. The township has that in terms of its board, but once a year there is an opportunity for direct voting from the public, which is why townships, unlike any other municipal government in Illinois, are the vehicle for people to drop off a peti-
tion and have something be considered by the community at-large.” If Tuesday’s meeting ends with the petition’s approval and Oak Park voters support it again in November’s election, the referendum would not have specific legislative implications but it would advise all the local governmental bodies on voter’s position on the matter. The vote on Tuesday comes amid a larger push in Illinois to revisit the state’s decadeold law banning state pension funds from investing in companies that boycott Israel. Illinois is one of 38 U.S. states with a law on the books banning public pension investments into companies that boycott or divest from Israel. House Bill 2723 and Senate Bill 2462 were both introduced last year to repeal the law, with supporters saying that the restriction goes against freedom of speech. See TOWN MEETING on page 13
Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley
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CIRCULATION Jill Wagner • jill@oakpark.com • (708) 613-3340 PRINT/DIGITAL ADVERTISING Lourdes Nicholls • lourdes@oakpark.com • Ext. 3329 Emma Cullnan • emma@oakpark.com • Ext. 3304 CALENDAR EVENTS calendar@wjinc.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by NEWSWELL. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2. A one-year subscription costs $65 within Cook County and $105 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to NEWSWELL, PO Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305. © 2026 NEWSWELL
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Oak Park Energy Navigator aims to help residents save money, energy Program hopes to make homes more energy efficient through grant opportunities
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Oak Park is working to recruit residents to take advantage of a new program aimed at saving both money and energy. The village recently “hard-launched” it’s Oak Park Energy Navigator program. “OPEN” was developed via a village partnership with Elevate, a Chicagoland energy efficiency nonprofit, and offers residents free in-home energy assessments so residents can receive professional instruction on what improvements they can make for their homes to be more energy efficient, how they can get the work done and how they can get help paying for the upgrades. Residents can request assessments through the village website. Assessments can be requested by both property owners, and tenants, according to the village. Oak Park’s village board voted unanimously to commit an additional $500,000 to launching OPEN in February after the program moved through a successful pilot phase. Elevate expects the cost to the village to average around $6,275 per property served. Oak Park Sustainability Chief Lindsey Roland Nieratka said the program has demonstrated value for residents in both single-family and multifamily homes. “It’s pretty comprehensive, it frames everything for the property owner in terms of a journey,” she said. “We’ve had a really strong response. A good mix of applicants and building types. We’re pleased to see that initial mix.” While the assessments can point residents toward the variety of energy efficiency grant and loan programs offered by the village’s sustainability office, the reports will also provide information on accessing energy incentive programs offered by ComEd, Cook County and other institutions. Program analysts are aiming to complete energy assessments at six to eight properties each month with a focus on helping low-income households, households strug-
VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
gling to keep up with their energy expenses and elderly and disabled residents, according to Elevate’s Mark Milby Oak Park is one of only a few cities in the country offering this type of service, said Milby, who serves as Elevate’s senior director of programs. “Oak Park’s definitely a leader in this sense,” he said. “A program like this can act as an accelerator.” The program rose from the village’s Climate Ready Oak Park Plan, which hopes to cut Oak Park’s carbon emissions by 60% before 2030 in a bid for net-zero emissions by 2050. About 70% of Oak Park’s emissions come from commercial and residen-
tial properties, according to the village. The program is a sort of an evolution from a community volunteer group the Oak Park Climate Action Network’s climate coaching program, a grassroots effort where volunteers helped advising neighbors on making their homes more efficient. Elevate will still likely refer “100% of navigator clients” to volunteer OPCAN climate coaches, the consultants told the village board in February. Mike Nickels runs Energy Matters, a local HVAC contracting company serving Oak Park and River Forest. He also owns a six-unit multifamily rental property in Oak Park.
Nickels’ building was one of the property’s assessed during OPEN’s pilot phase. He said that even though he’s a home energy industry professional familiar with Elevate’s work, his assessment still pointed him towards programs and savings he didn’t know existed before. “They have a bunch of different tools and metrics that their engineers use to do a site assessment,” Nickels said. “I’m a professional in the industry, but they introduced even more context. So, for a regular homeowner, they’re going give you a lot of resources, and then they are also there to really help bridge the gap between a homeowner and the contractor.”
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Journal hosts Eve Ewing for conversation on equity from academics to Marvel comics Journal and Dominican partner for wide ranging conversation from comics to poetry to film By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter
PHOTO BY NOLIS ANDERSON
Eve Ewing
In recent years, issues of race, neighborhood equity, education and politics have topped news cycle coverage on TV news, social media platforms and print news publications. That’s why on Thursday, April 16 Wednesday Journal is partnering with Dominican University’s school of education to host a community talk exploring the intersections of society, diversity and academia. The discussion will be held at 7 p.m. at the university’s Lund Auditorium inside the Performing Arts Center, 7900 W. Division St. “A Conversation with Dr. Eve L. Ewing: Education, Equity and Justice from Original Sins to Superheroes,” will feature Ewing, an acclaimed author, sociologist and professor
at the University of Chicago, whose work centers on the issues of racism, inequality and urban education. In addition to receiving her master’s degree in teaching from Dominican in 2009, Ewing holds a master’s degree in educational policy and management from Harvard University (where she served as editor and cochair of the Harvard Educational Review). With a combination of work experience as an educator at both the elementary and university level, Ewing is currently an associate professor at the University of Chicago, where she teaches courses on race, education and Afrofuturism. Outside the classroom, Ewing has authored numerous books, most recently “Original Sins: The (Mis)education of Black and Native Children and the Construction of American Racism,” which explores the idea that Ameri-
ca’s school system has historically reinforced the idea of white intellectual superiority and an upholding of the U.S.’s racial hierarchy. A New York Times and USA Today bestseller, the book was also named a “Best Book of the Year” by The New Yorker, Esquire, Elle and the Chicago Public Library, and was longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal. Ewing has also published poetry collections, written “Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side,” and been involved in several projects for Marvel Comics, including the “Black Panther,” “Exceptional X-Men” and the “Ironheart” series. Ewing has also co-written a young adult graphic novel, “Change the Game,” alongside former NFL quarterback and American civil rights activist Colin See EVE EWING on page 7
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NEWSWELL Chicago publications earn 43 awards Journal, Austin Weekly, Review and Landmark have strong showing
By DAN HALEY Interim Editor
The news and design staff of Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark has won 43 awards in the 2025 Illinois Press Association editorial contest it was announced last week. The wins crossed categories of hard news reporting, features, special projects, photography, page design and websites. The Review topped the list of winners with 14 awards, nine of those for Jessica Mordacq, a staff reporter for both the Review and the Austin Weekly News. In addition to recognition for news, government beat and business reporting, Mordacq was honored for her obituary on Dorothy Gillian, a long-active Forest Parker who died in 2025. Mordacq is also appreciated for win-
ning what the old-timers here are certain is the organization’s first-ever Agriculture Reporting award. That was for her coverage of Opportunity Knocks making an agreement with the Village of Forest Park to use land at the Altenheim for its very small farm/very large garden. Austin Weekly was recognized for its investigative work on West Suburban Medical Center, as well as notable features and obituaries. The twice-annual West Side Magazine was honored among special sections. The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark earned 11 wins, five of them for the work of Stella Brown, staff reporter. In addition to news, government, business and features, the Landmark received notice for its annual Answer Book special, for overall page design and for best website. Wednesday Journal won 13 awards for a range of news and features in-
cluding features by Gregg Voss, Jessica Mackinnon and Bill Dwyer. Ken Trainor won for his original columns, and the Viewpoints section he edits was honored as one of the top editorial page sections. The Journal also was recognized for photography, page design and its website. The paper’s annual Answer Book and the 2025 Election Guide were honored among special sections. The paper’s Juneteenth section was recognized for Distinguished Coverage of Diversity. In June, the press association will host its annual conference, which includes the announcement of the final placement in each category. Also at that luncheon, General Excellence in various circulation categories and the overall Sweepstakes trophies will be awarded. A year ago, Mordacq and the Review won the David B. Kramer trophy for the top small circulation paper in the state.
Meet M eet Elizabeth Berg E lizabeth B erg on her o n ttour our ffo er or h for new novel n ew n ovel
OVE STORY RY L IFE: A L O VE S TOR Y LIFE: LOVE April 18th, 2:00PM CT Free Program! All are welcome! Nineteenth Century - NCCA, Writer's Talk & Book Signing The Nineteenth Century Club Historic Landmark Building 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park, IL 60301
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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NAMI Metro Suburban mental health crisis ‘living room’ program opens Program launched in Oak Park after $450K in village funding
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
A new program meant to help people experiencing mental health crisis is now open to patients in Oak Park thanks to the village government’s support. NAMI Metro Suburban and the village of Oak Park cut the ribbon on a new “living room” mental health support space last week. The program, operating out of NAMI Metro Suburban’s offices at 816 Harrison St, will provide a space for people in a mental health crisis to come and receive care from a trained NAMI recovery support specialist. “The village is proud to support and help fund this important initiative, which expands access to compassionate, community-centered care and strengthens the local mental health response system,” Oak Park officials said in a statement about the ribbon cutting this week. The specialists are trained to “provide a listening ear and real coping strategies to help” and connect patients with appropriate mental health resources in an environment designed to feel homier and more comforting
EVE EWING from page 5 Kaepernick, and the short story “Timebox” with award-winning singer and actor Janelle Monae. Dr. Sara Rezvi, an assistant professor of education at Dominican, will moderate the conversation with Ewing. Rezvi, whose research focuses on integrating social justice and cultural responsiveness into math education, works to address systemic inequities and explore identity formation. “Is the purpose of education just to learn reading, writing and arithmetic, or is it something greater than that?” Rezvi said. “I think that’s a question we’re trying to interrogate at the School of Education. As a Hispanic-serving institution, we’re preparing teachers to support students of color and those who are immigrants — all of this is intertwined, as you can’t become
than a doctor’s office or hospital setting, according to the group. The program is open to anyone 18 years old or older and the service is provided free of charge, according to NAMI. The NAMI Metro Suburban chapter group already operates living room programs in Summit and La Grange. The Oak Park program will be open to the public from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, according to the group. Oak Park’s village government committed last year to funding the new community mental health crisis program over a three-year pilot period. Oak Park’s village board voted in the fall to provide $450,000 in grant funding over the course of three years to NAMI Metro Suburban to support the mental health care organization establishing a new “living room” crisis care program in Oak Park. NAMI had already allocated over $205,000 in yearly funding for the program but needed $150,000 in yearly grants from the village to cover the program’s budget. Local living room programs can help reduce the strain on emergency rooms, accord-
ing to NAMI’s presentation to the Oak Park board. “Although emergency rooms are designed for acute physical ailments, over 12% of all visits are due to mental illness or substance use,” NAMI wrote in its proposal. “Despite not having psychiatry beds, Rush Oak Park Hospital reported that for calendar year 2023, it had 757 visits to the emergency department related to psychiatric crisis. Over 27% of those visits were from Oak Park residents. This underscores an urgent community need for effective and accessible mental health support in Oak Park. Unfortunately, many hospitals and their emergency departments – including Rush Oak Park Hospital and West Suburban Medical Center — are not adequately equipped to treat mental illness, whether because of short staffing, hospital policy surrounding treatment times, or stressful surroundings.” According to the proposal, the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center, which handles 911 calls for Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park, received over 2,500 calls related to psychiatric distress, most of which were for Oak Park residents.
an educator in this current sociopolitical moment without recognizing that your silence is complicity and you either respond to it or are invoking cognitive dissonance.” Rezvi says that since Dominican does its best to uphold its Sinsinawa order tradition of justice, the university is the ideal place to host the discussion on these topics. “This goes beyond DEI language — we’re talking about a spiritual stance, a justiceoriented stance, a faith-oriented stance, in a time when people of color are being kidnapped off the streets because of who they are perceived to be, which scares me,” she said. “Like all suburbs in Chicago, [Oak Park and River Forest] have very historical antecedents that are still very present to this day about redlining, segregation, gentrification. This conversation is a conversation with both the present and the past because the past does not go away; it still fractures into the present.” Dr. Josephine Sarvis, associate dean in the education school, says Dominican is
proud to host Ewing not just as an alumna but because she says her work has greatly contributed to shaping national conversations about education and equity. “Ewing’s work challenges us to confront the history of education while also imagining a more just and hopeful future for our schools and communities,” Sarvis said. “[The discussion is] not meant to convince you of one thing or the other, they’re just meant to instigate a conversation,” said. Rezvi. “All of these things are very important in a city like Chicago which we think of as very progressive and liberal but in fact is one of the most segregated cities in the country. She really does a beautiful job of articulating and analyzing in ways that are coherent to the everyday layman who is not in education research.” Tickets are $15 for the general public, $10 for Wednesday Journal subscribers and donors, and free for Dominican students and staff. To purchase tickets, visit dom.edu/ arts-minds.
Spring A Time for Change
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pring arrives with quiet insistence, softening the ground and coaxing stubborn buds into bloom. The air shifts, lighter, filled with Scott possibility, as if the McAdam Jr. world is rehearsing renewal. In much the same way, a family business changes when the next generation steps forward to lead. What was once rooted in tradition begins to stretch toward new ideas, technologies, and perspectives. The older generation, like winter, does not vanish but recedes, offering wisdom beneath the surface. Meanwhile, the younger leaders test their instincts, learning when to preserve and when to prune. Mistakes can happen, just as late frosts threaten blossoms, yet growth continues. Customers notice subtle differences: a refreshed look or a different voice. Still, the core remains intact, nourished by years of care. Spring teaches that change is not an ending but a continuation. As seasons turn, so too does leadership, ensuring that what was planted long ago continues to thrive in new and unexpected ways for years ahead. We are excited for the future as McAdam, like spring, moves into the next generation of leadership.
2001 Des Plaines Ave. Forest Park • 708-771-2299 www.mcadamlandscape.com
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I got my
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST
GANGSTER TOUR
Upcoming dates: June 21, July 26, Sept. 20, Sept. 27, and October 11, 2026 Historian John J. Binder conducts this two-and-ahalf-hour bus tour of gangster history starting from FitzGerald’s in Berwyn (6615 Roosevelt Rd)
Book tickets online at: https://fareharbor.com/chitowngangstertours/ ($40/$36 seniors and military) Questions? Please call 708-287-9118
TOD BANNOR
West Suburban Hospital CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad speaks at press conference at the hospital on April 1.
EVICTION NOTICE from page 1 main Oak Park campus and the River Forest clinics on March 27, citing a prolonged failure in its billing system that left the hospital without the revenue to cover its payroll. In the weeks since the announcement, the future of the decades-old safety net hospital and hundreds of local jobs have sat in uncertainty. Resilience and Ramco bought West Sub and the now-closed Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago from Pipeline in 2022. A lawsuit filed last year alleged that Resilience still owed entities associated with Pipeline $67 million in connection with the sale. The evection notice also follows a public split between Prasad and Ramco owner Reddy Rathnaker.
Through a press representative, Rathnaker called for West Sub to continue without Prasad’s involvement as he reportedly courted a deal with Insight Chicago, a non-profit agency that’s taken over operations of Mercy Hospital, a failing institution in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood. Though Reddy is also a 40% owner of Resilience Healthcare, his representative said he was not involved in the management or operations of West Suburban. Prasad confirmed at a press conference earlier this month that Reddy had no day-to-day operational responsibilities with the hospital. In the months leading up to the closure, Wednesday Journal reported on a variety of financial issues at West Sub and at Resilience Healthcare including unpaid vendors, the loss of the hospital’s once-revered doctor residency program and millions owed in state and local taxes. This is a developing story.
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2025-2026
Our 94th Season!
SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026 – 4PM
TROMBONE TREAT
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHAPEL • RIVER FOREST MOZART
Symphony No. 35, Haffner
HIGGINS
Concerto for Trombone (Midwest Première) Timothy Higgins, soloist
SCHUMANN
Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54 III Allegro vivace
Jay Friedman, Conductor
Timothy Higgins, Trombone soloist
Concerto Competition Winner Dylan Zhang, soloist BERNSTEIN
West Side Story: Symphonic Dances Dylan Zhang, Piano
Pre-concert Conversation with David Leehey at 3pm. Free reception after concert. Free parking in the garage located at 1124 N. Bonnie Brae Place (one block west of Harlem Avenue between Division and Thomas Streets) in River Forest. Chapel just west of garage exit. Individual tickets $30 THROUGH 4/18/26, $35 on concert day. Students through college always FREE to our River Forest concerts! Go to SymphonyOPRF.org to order tickets, and to DONATE. Questions: Email TheSymphonyOPRF@gmail or call (708) 218-2648
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YOUR
BEST
LIFE with w wi ititthh Li L Lisa isa is sa Ca C Capone apon ap one ne Your Best Life This Spring As the days grow longer and the air turns warmer, spring is the perfect perfe p f ct fe time for f r seniors to refresh fo refr f esh their fr th heir routines and refocus refo f cus on overall fo wellness. This season brings g renewed energy, blooming surroundings, surround dings, and new opportunities to stay active, social, and engaged. Taking ga proactive approach to wellness welllness can support p y your well-being and help you ffeel fe ell your best best and enjoy enj n oy all that spring nj has to offer. off ffe ff fer. Spend time outdoors to enjoy enj n oy nj y ffresh fr esh air, sunshine, and the beauty beauty off the o the season season Stay y active with light exercise like walking, wal lking, stretching, or yoga g to support strength, and mobility mob bility Incorporate fresh, f esh, seasonal foods fr f ods fo like leafy fy greens, berries, and fy vegetables vegetab bles to nourish your body Declutter and refresh refr f esh your living fr g sspace pace to to create create a calm, calm, organized, organized, and uplifting uplift f ing environment ft Reconnect socially by joining activities, events, or simply p spending time with friends f iend fr ds and neighbors Stay y on top of wellness by scheduling sch heduling check-ups, reviewing medications, and setting new health goals By embracing these simple p habits, you the can make the most of th he season while supporting your health and vitality. Spring is a time of renewal— perfect making it the perfe f ct opportunity to fe refresh, reset, refr f esh, and continue living fr your best life f every day. fe
Visit Cantata.org fo fforr more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.
Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support Short-Term Rehab • Long-Term Care • Home Care
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D90’s young authors showcase creativity and imagination By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Amanda Zieba, self-proclaimed word nerd and renowned author of young adult and children’s books, wasn’t the only prolific writer in the house Thursday at Lincoln Elementary School. That was the evening River Forest School District 90 hosted its annual Young Author’s Celebration, where more than 120 students were recognized for their book-writing prowess, with award winners from first through eighth grades, and singular top authors from each school. It’s impossible to say how many of these youngsters will grow up to become just like Zieba, in one form or another, but she’s hopeful. “If we don’t present them the possibility, the chances are far less,” said Zieba, who gave a talk to separate lower- and upper-grade audiences, where she recounted her career, her writing process and answered questions from students. “As I said in the presentation, when I was graduating high school and I told people I wanted to be a writer, there were very few people who thought that was a good idea,” she said. “It’s not that they were trying to be unkind or dash my dreams, they were just trying to be practical. “It’s very important to me to show them I’m a real person, this is my real job. If it’s one you’re interested in and you want it, keep it on your list of possibilities.” In speaking to the top authors from each school, you get the sense that writing will indeed be a big part of their futures. Take seventh-grader Maya Karmali, whose book Echoes of Pain & Resolve was the top selection for Roosevelt Middle School. “I looked up a lot of women and I was very inspired by them,” Maya said of her book’s subject matter. “They overcame a lot of challenges, they overcame oppression and they were very inspiring to me. I also have a lot of strong women in my family, like my mom, who’s a doctor.” The list of women she researched was extensive – the Biblical Eve, Frida Kahlo, Billie Holiday, Marie Curie, Joan of Arc and even Joan Rivers. It took Maya “a while” to write her book because she’s a stickler for revision. She had to revise each entry five times until she felt it
PROVIDED
The student top authors from each District 90 school were honored Thursday at the annual Young Author’s Celebration. From left, Willard School third grader Lorelei McLamb; Willard third grade teacher Katie Till; Roosevelt Middle School fifth grade English/language arts teacher Jerri Gapastione; Roosevelt seventh grader Maya Karmali; Lincoln School librarian teacher Danielle Brauweiler; and Lincoln fourth grader Bridget Olshesky. was good enough to include. Historical women is one example of a heavy subject matter. So is 9/11, which was the subject of Lincoln School top author Bridget Olshesky, a fourth-grader whose book was titled Twin Tower Catastrophe. “I like writing historical fiction a lot and sometimes I enjoy just starting a story and seeing where it takes me,” she said. “I just get a general idea from the start. It wasn’t something specific, it was just one historical event I was interested in.” She added that she came up with the idea months before she decided to enter it into the competition, and then finished the book the night before it was due. If you’re a writer of any type, you can relate. Third grader Lorelai McLamb was Willard School’s top author for her book The Family Tree, a tale of time travel. “I didn’t really have anything that made me really want to do it, but I kind of got the idea of time travel and thought if I made it into looking at grandparents and relatives, it would make it more interesting,” Lorelai said. How hard was it for her to write her book? “If there was a scale of one to 10, with one being easy, I would say probably a
five,” she said. Bridget, Maya and Lorelai will join top student authors from across the state at the Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival on April 25 in Tinley Park. Zieba wasn’t the only adult impressed with all the student authors. So were the program teacher sponsors – Katie Till, a third-grade teacher at Willard, Danielle Brauweiler, librarian teacher at Lincoln and Jerri Gapastione, a fifth-grade English/language arts teacher at Roosevelt. One thing is certain. With hundreds of stories to read, it was a Herculean task for those three to read all the stories, identify grade-level winners and then the top authors for each school. “I usually read grade level by grade level, and I just kind of am looking for different story elements that stand out,” Till said. “Kind of related to what Amanda Zieba said today, you’re looking for them to show, not just tell, and how your character develops along the way.” “It is definitely hard and there are years and grade levels where, ‘These kids are just killing it – how do I pick?’” Gapastione added. “But then there are some times when you read, and you’re like, ‘This kid is for sure a standout.’”
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
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OPRF’s CITE program thrives at Grant-White School District 200 leases first floor at shuttered District 91 elementary school
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
For years and since its formal close in 2022, Grant-White Intermediate Elementary School in Forest Park was underutilized, but since the start of this school year it has been buzzing with activity. Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 has shifted its Community Integrated Transition Education, or CITE, program from the River Forest Community Center to a larger space at Grant-White, where it leases the first floor from Forest Park School District 91 for the 55 adults in its program. That floor includes five classrooms, the gym, a kitchen, a conference room and the main office. It’s a solid arrangement for OPRF graduates like Marcus Reed, who attended District 91 elementary and middle schools, and is in his first year in the CITE program. “Grant-White has been a great place to work on my independent living and vocational skills,” he said. “It gives my friends and I the rite of passage from high school to transition. The building gives us the space to work and the Forest Park community of-
PROVIDED
CITE student Sal Martinez at his job at the Junction Diner on Madison Street.
fers so much to practice our skills.” For example, he said the school at 147 Circle Ave. is perfectly positioned for access to public transportation like PACE buses and Metra. “I love Forest Park,” Reed said. “I am hoping we can stay in this location.” Fawn Joyce is the special education program chair for the CITE program and is just as stoked as Reed about the new digs. Joyce, who has been at OPRF since 2007 and the CITE chair since 2014, said that while the River Forest Community Center was workable, it just wasn’t feasible longterm. “We have the space to spread out and learn,” she said. “At River Forest Community Center we had three dedicated classrooms and one that shared space and we were on top of each other.” At Grant-White, the “space is huge (and) it’s off-campus. Its best practice to have transition programs outside of the high school,” she said. The CITE program is for adults aged 18-22 that graduated from OPRF and is designed to provide an outcome-based opportunity that promotes students’ optimal independence, Joyce said, adding students have a wide range of abilities. “We have students in some of our classrooms who have their licenses and drive to Triton for classes,” she said. “Some students take public transport, most of our students do. Part of the curriculum is managing public transportation. Some students work on independent daily living skills, meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking, hygiene and grooming, health and fitness.” Andrea Neuman is District 200’s director of special education, and she said the GrantWhite space is perfect in part because it is Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant and wheelchair accessible. Neuman said when space got tight at the River Forest Community Center, District 200 considered multiple options, including houses that could be renovated and other buildings. But then Grant-White School came about and it was a revelation. “It was important that it was a totally separate building,” she said. “It’s amazing. We have the whole gym.” The feeling from District 91 is mutual. “The district is honored to host a spe-
PROVIDED
Jennifer Berggren and Nikhil Puri are actively engaged in CITE’s microbusiness, where they design and create custom mugs for local community members and organizations, building valuable vocational, teamwork, and customer service skills through handson, real-world experience. cial education program at Grant-White for young adults to help them develop life skills,” said interim superintendent Dr. Robert Hubbird. Shannon Wood, District 91 school board president, highlighted the broader vision. “The message to our community, by partnering with the CITE program and Oak Park and River Forest High School, is that we are keeping the space educationally focused and supporting a part of our community who need extended care and support learning important life skills,” Wood said. “This partnership aligns with D91’s mission, vision, and especially our equity statement. We are removing barriers to opportunities that allow all children to reach their full potential.” CITE member JaQuan Loggins said he lives closer to Grant-White than he does to ORPF. “Since we have been here, I feel my classmates and I have been less distracted and able to focus on instruction since we have
the space,” Loggins said. Like many CITE adults, he works off campus at Brookdale, the independent and assisted living facility in Oak Park, which is within walking distance of Grant-White. “This is giving me the real-life skills to become the independent adult I am today,” he said. In addition to Brookdale, CITE members work at local businesses like Junction Diner, Forest Park Public Library, Robert’s Westside, Play It Again Sports and John Hayley’s Unbreakable Fitness. Don’t get the impression that once adults exit the CITE program at 22 years old that they are forgotten. CITE not only helps them pivot to independent living, volunteering, employment or post-secondary education, such as at Triton or College of DuPage, but tracks their progress. “The last day of CITE should look like the first day of what their future should be,” Joyce said.
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
River Forest balances budget as revenues increase
Budget proposal draws on reserves to cover some non-recurring costs By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter
Describing River Forest’s financial condition as “remaining strong,” Rosemary McAdams, finance director, presented a balanced FY2027 general fund budget at the April 13 village board meeting. Covering non-recurring expenditures with cash reserves, as has been done in previous budgets, balances the budget. Estimated revenues of $22,496,285 increase 6.89% from $21,046,487 in FY2026 and estimated expenditures of $23,291,316 increase 6.72% from $21,249,031. Covering the difference between estimated revenues and expenditures with $795,031 in non-recurring expenditures leaves a balance of $4,914. Non-recurring expenditures include $310,000 for a portion of the annual contribution to the Intergovernmental Risk Management Association for liability insurance; $129,945 for police, fire and public works equipment and services; and $360,000 for pedestrian safety improvements on Lake Street. The budget presentation by McAdams and Matt Walsh, village administrator, was followed by a public hearing at which no member of the public spoke. The village board is expected to vote on adopting the budget at its April 27 meeting. The fiscal year begins on May 1 and ends on April 30, 2027. Estimated revenues from taxes, which total 66.06% of the budget, include $8,065,640 in property taxes, up from $7,937,975; $3,164,366 in sales taxes, up from $2,636,379; and $1,506,882 in non-home rule sales tax, up from $1,175,404. McAdams said the village receives only a portion of the property taxes that River Forest residents and businesses pay. Approximately 88 percent of the average property tax bill can be attributed to other taxing districts, such as schools, library, forest preserves, township and county government, she said.
Additional revenue includes licenses and permits, $1,849,920; charges for services, $2,834,335; fines, $349,473; and grants and contributions, $68,274. McAdams said film production fees increased $200 for the base fee plus an increase of $250 per day of production and a fee was added for the electric vehicle charging station and the overstay fee maximum was increased $70. She also said officials anticipate additional permit fees from the Madison Street development project. “We’re always looking for grant revenue,” said McAdams. Almost 90% of expenditures go to salaries and benefits and contractual services. For FY2027, estimated salaries and benefits expenditures are $15,642,592, up from $15,031,999; and estimated contractual services expenditures are $5,655,616, up from $5,195,454. McAdams said all union employees are under contract and the budget includes 3 percent salary increases for all non-union employees. Police pension contributions increase by $26,311 or 1.29% and fire pension contributions increase by $20,355 or 1.10%. McAdams said the consolidation of statewide police and fire pensions, which went into effect in 2021, has improved the village’s pension investments. She said that although the village continues to beat industry trends with health insurance premiums through its membership in the Intergovernmental Personnel Benefit Cooperative, health insurance premiums are expected to “significantly” increase overall, with an increase in PPO of 17.7%; HMO of 21.3%; and 8.8% for dental premiums. “We budget conservatively,” McAdams said. Village President Cathy Adduci and several of the village trustees thanked McAdams, Walsh and other staff members for their contributions to the budget process. “Thank you so much,” Adduci said. “Overall, this is fabulous.” McAdams, in turn, thanked her co-workers. “It was a team effort,” she said. “Many thanks to all who contributed.”
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
TOWN MEETING
Putting pressure on Israel from page 3 Both bills have slowly worked through the committee process, according to state house records. The Senate bill has 13 co-sponsors while the House bill has 22, according to legislative records. Illinois Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, whose district includes parts of Oak Park south of I-290, had signed on to co-sponsor the bill last year but is no longer sponsoring the bill as of last month, according to legislative records. She is one of eight state senators whose sponsorship for the bill has been removed, according to legislative records. There are currently 28 companies listed as boycotting Israel by the Illinois Investment Policy board, including Adidas and Air Canada. In 2022, Chicago-based investment research giant Morningstar came very close to being put on the investment backlist over one of its subsidiaries’ “Human Rights Radar” investment research product was found to have an “anti-Israel bias” in an outside law firm’s in-
vestigation. One of the concessions the company made to avoid Illinois sanctions was ending its use of UN Human Rights Council information for the product, according to a report at the time by the Times of Israel. A referendum on Israeli boycotts could come before Oak Park’s hyper-liberal electorate this fall, as support for Israel has become a dividing line among Democrats. Candidates’ views on the war in Gaza and the U.S. support for Israel loomed large in primaries across the country last month. This was true in Illinois’ 7th district primary, where the American Israel Public Affairs Committee poured millions of dollars into the campaign of City of Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who lost to longtime West Side State Rep. La Shawn Ford. Progressive activist Kina Collins, who finished fourth overall, was the top vote-getter in Oak Park after campaigning on a platform sharply critical of Israel. In response to a news article about Conyears-Ervin’s loss posted on X, AIPAC called
out Collins’ campaign in the 13-way primary in particular. “In this race, we were proud to help defeat Kina Collins, an anti-Israel candidate and would-be Squad member who was endorsed by @TrackAIPAC,” the group wrote in a post on X. It’s now been two-and-a-half years since the war in Gaza began, while a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire has been in place since last October. More than 71,000 Palestinians were killed and more than 171,000 were injured between Oct. 7, 2023 and Jan. 28 of this year, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Around 2,000 Israelis have been killed since the start of the war, mostly during Hamas’ initial attacks in October 2023, according to Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies. The national interest in U.S.-Israeli relations has only grown in the wake of the U.S. and Israel’s new shared war with Iran, with recent ceasefire talks between the nations reportedly collapsing over the weekend, according to the Associated Press.
A referendum on Israeli
boycotts could come before Oak Park’s hyperliberal electorate this fall, as support for Israel has become a dividing line among Democrats.
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
New life for old rides
inaugural year, Silver says about River Forest Community 12That volunteers came together; this year, she says over 20 volunteers helped make the Bike Exchange brings second Exchange a success by spreading the word, helping drop off bikes in the days leading life to gently-used bikes for up to the event at Silver’s home for tuneups, and working the day of to help things all ages run smoothly.
By JACKIE PISANO
Alongside volunteers, the Bike Exchange was also held in partnership with Green4Good environmental stewardship comThis past Sunday in River Forest, one mittee (consisting of local parents of River group of volunteers spent the morning do- Forest School District 90) and the Village ing their part to get people excited about of River Forest’s Sustainability Commiscycling by offering access to affordable bi- sion. Green4Good, Silver says, was foundcycles while encouraging sustainability. It ed by parents to encourage environmental was part of the River Forest Community stewardship at school, home and in the Bike Exchange, hosted outside Roosevelt community. Middle School. Silver adds that when she first came up Since 2021, the Bike Exchange has served with the idea of the Bike Exchange, she to provide child- and adult-sized bikes and had no idea if people would actually come gear, from hitches and helmets, to riders in out and participate. four ways: by bringing a bike “We learned so much duror bike accessory that they’ve ing year one and two. One of outgrown or no longer use the things we implemented in and exchange it for a new the second year was putting bike; by donating a bike or a bike sticker on the bikes bike accessory; by making a that found a new home,” she monetary donation and leavexplained. “Each year, we’ve ing with a gently-used bike or changed the sticker slightly, bike accessory; or bringing and this allows us to see when an existing bike for on-thebikes come back through the spot registration with the Exchange, which is really inRiver Forest Police Departcredible.” ment. Bikes and gear are purShe added that a large part chased for a small donation, of the program’s success has LINDSEY SILVER and the event also includes been because of the value Bike Exchange founder bike cleanings and tuneups it has created for families, on the spot. whether financially, socially Lindsey Silver, the River or emotionally. Forest resident who started “We’ve focused on making the exchange, says the idea the event better each year for the exchange came a year and always reflect back on into the pandemic from a the spirit of why we are doing conversation with her husband, Damian, this, which at the core is to provide someabout how she noticed several social me- thing special to our community,” she said. dia requests from local parents looking for Through volunteers and sponsorship for bikes for their kids as supplies were grow- the Bike Exchange come from River Forest ing low both in stores and online. residents, Silver says the Exchange has al“I decided to post on one of the River For- ways been open to people from any neighest neighborhood Facebook groups to see boring community. Every year, she says, if the concept of a bike exchange already the event has patrons come from Oak Park, existed, and if not, would people be inter- Forest Park, Elmwood Park, Riverside and ested?” Silver said. “The responses were even Elmhurst. overwhelmingly positive. We decided to see Additionally, bikes and gear leftover what it would take to make an event like from Sunday’s event were donated to Oak this happen, and the first Exchange took Park’s Hephzibah Home, furthering the place on Saturday, April 17, 2021.” group’s mission of community outreach Contributing Reporter
JACKIE PISANO
Trying out a new/old bike
“It is just the best when people walk in and find me to tell me that this is a family tradition.”
ACKIE PISANO
Lindsey Silver, who founded the Bike Exchange, and her husband, Damian and bike ownership for kids from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Five years in, Silver says it has been “incredibly meaningful” seeing the support from so many people — alongside seeing smiling faces leaving the Exchange with new-to-them gear and a positive mindset. “Thinking about the feedback that we re-
ceive each year makes me smile,” she said. “It is just the best when people walk in and find me to tell me that this is a family tradition and that they look forward to the Bike Exchange each year. It can also elicit such happy emotions when you see the bike you’ve donated get chosen as ‘the one’ by someone else.”
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
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Weight loss clinic moving into former pharmacy building The clinic will operate out of 6142 Roosevelt Road after receiving approval from Oak Park’s zoning board
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
A part-time weight loss clinic will operate out of a former pharmacy building in Oak Park on a stretch of Roosevelt Road targeted for development. Tatanisha Funches, a local nurse practitioner, received approval from Oak Park’s Zoning Board of Appeals last week to open a medical clinic at 6142 Roosevelt Rd., once occupied by a pharmacy. The zoning board was scheduled to hear another proposal for another new business on the same block, a new banquet hall and event venue at 6136, but the commission’s vote on that matter was tabled to a future meeting. The weight loss clinic will operate out of a second-floor suite in the building, while the first-floor area once occupied by Segreti Pharmacy remains vacant. Funches said her clinic, which is to be called Funches Healthcare, will provide
outpatient care, preventive medicine and chronic condition management care for patients with obesity. “I’m building it from the ground up to help people, especially with managing diseases,”
Funches told the zoning board. Funches said that she has another fulltime job, so she plans to open the clinic on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 6100 block of Roosevelt Road has been eyed for increased development in recent years, as Oak Park and Berwyn leaders look to boost economic action, walkability and traffic safety along their municipal border through a Roosevelt Road Corridor Plan. The busy stretch of road currently has a high rate of business vacancies. A previous version of a municipal Roosevelt Road development plan adopted by Oak Park back in 2005, mentioned vacancies on the 6100 block of Roosevelt Road as a pressing issue. The medical clinic is at the other end of the 6100 block from the future site of a village-subsidized affordable housing apartment complex. East Coast-based affordable housing developer the Community Builders received $700,000 from Oak Park’s
affordable housing fund last February to construct a 28-unit apartment building at 6140 Roosevelt Rd. That property, a vacant lot that was once a gas station, has been in limbo over the last year, as land owner Yves Hughes sought village approval to build, then promptly tear down, an electric vehicle charging station in order to satisfy the deal he made with the Cook County land bank to acquire the lot before selling it to The Community Builders. Oak Park’s village board denied his request last October, with Trustee Brian Straw calling it a “massive waste.” “This is not a useful development; this is just a small investment to recoup $300,000 in land prospecting,” Straw said. “Had the applicant followed through with the terms of his deed in a timely manner that would be one thing, but he did not.” Hughes still owns the lot, according to a search of Cook County land records.
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
BRESNAHAN
Equity journey in D59 from page 1 meeting, which Bresnahan did not attend because of illness, that school board unanimously approved a mutual separation agreement in which the school board agreed to pay Bresnahan in a lump sum all the salary and other payments Bresnahan was due through June 30 even though the employment relationship between Bresnahan and District 59 would end at the close of business March 20. Instead of starting on July 1 as originally planned Gallini agreed to start work in District 59 in late March working four days a week while his family remained in Houston. Both Bresnahan and Johnson said they thought it would be beneficial for Gallini to get started in District 59 right away rather than wait until summer as is customary. “I approached her only because we were paying attention to the (District 97) meetings and knew that she was up for that position,” Johnson said explaining how the mutual separation agreement came about. “It was a quick conversation and she agreed whole-
OAKPARK.COM heartedly. If I didn’t connect with her, she would have connected with me on it.” What made Bresnahan a controversial superintendent in District 59, which is a sprawling district that covers Elk Grove Village, and portions of Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, Des Plaines and unincorporated Cook County, was her plan to turn the district’s 10 elementary schools into grade level centers. Elementary schools would be paired with five schools which served kindergarten through second graders and five schools serving third through fifth graders. That plan was a key element in what Bresnahan called the district’s equity journey that she embarked on in 2022, little more than a year after being hired in 2021. Bresnahan said she was hired to focus on equity but the school board president who led the board that hired her was defeated when she ran for reelection in 2021 before Bresnahan took over in District 59 on July 1, 2021. Grade level centers are not unusual, they are used, for instance, in Forest Park, but they are not the norm. Bresnahan’s grade level center proposal was designed in part to achieve more similar demographic and academic achievement profiles across schools in a district that is 42.9 percent Hispanic, 36.1% white, 12.6% Asian and 4.1% Black. Bresnahan also created
grade level centers when she was the superintendent of Berkeley District 87 which covers portions of Berkeley, Bellwood, Hillside, Melrose Park, Northlake and Stone Park. The proposal for grade level centers generated vociferous opposition from many in the District 59 community and was voted down by a 5 to 2 vote by the District 59 school board, which included five members who had voted to hire Bresnahan in 2021, on December 12, 2022. Before the vote 10 people made public comments. All spoke against the grade level center plan. Some of those public comments included harsh criticisms of Bresnahan. Two parents accused Bresnahan of bullying and trying to intimidate those opposed to her plan. “A person in a position of power who reprimands staff and peers for voicing a differing view, one that intimidates and condescends, one that no longer has the trust and faith of this community and staff is no leader and has no interest in what is right for our district, I move to initiate a vote of no confidence to suspend the superintendent,” said parent Deb Behnke. Behnke’s remarks drew applause from some in the audience but no such vote of no confidence was considered. Debbie Diatte also voiced pointed criticism
of Bresnahan. “Since the start of this equity journey it has felt deceitful and you have also been condescending to parents, staff and teachers, not to mention how you’ve talked to members of your own board,” Diatte said. In a nearly hour long telephone interview with Wednesday Journal Bresnahan said hearing such attacks on her was hurtful and said they were not accurate. “I don’t think it was fair that I was called a bully or that I was using any type of intimidation,” Bresnahan said. “I think we went through a very fair process. I had parents on the equity task force.” Joseph Sagerer, a physics professor at Dominican University who was a member of the District 59 school board at the time who voted in favor of the grade level center plan, was a strong supporter of Bresnahan. He said the attacks on Bresnahan were “hyperbolic.” “District 59 was a complex situation and usually you get people who really like someone and people who really dislike someone in a situation of a superintendent,” Sagerer said. “Any time you ask major changes to a school district people are going to be passionate about it.” Sagerer, who now serves on the High School District 214 school board after one
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM term as a District 59 school board member, said he thought Bresnahan was a great superintendent. “Dr. Bresnahan is really focused on a student-centered approach to education,” Sagerer said. “She works with a diverse group of students and makes sure that each student gets the resources that they need.” The president of the District 59 teachers’ union did not reply to a telephone call or a text message from Wednesday Journal. Bresnahan said she thought the timing was bad for her grade level center plan because coming off of the COVID pandemic people were looking for stability and normalcy. “I think that timing for major changes coming off of COVID was a significant factor,” Bresnahan said. A couple of District 97 school board members told Wednesday Journal Bresnahan had been up front with them during the interview process and let them know she was leaving District 59 because of a misalignment of values. “I knew that she was planning to leave that district and that was why she was looking for a new position,” Gavin Kearney, a board member, said. “They agreed that they had different visions for where they wanted to go so they agreed to part ways. She was pretty forthcoming about that during the process and she mentioned that in the townhall as well.” Bresnahan’s focus on equity was a major plus for the District 97 school board. “We viewed her commitment to equity as a real positive and she talked about a number of different things that she did to try to advance equity in the two districts where she had been a superintendent,” Kearney said. District 97 school board member Holly Spurlock also liked Bresnahan’s commitment to equity and her values. “She said that there were some changes in her district that led to some misalignment of values and she was looking for a place that more aligned with her current values,” Spurlock said. “We took that as, like a good thing.” District 97 school board members also liked Bresnahan’s experience. In addition to her nearly five years as a superintendent in District 59 she served for six years as the superintendent in Berkeley District 87. “The other thing that’s a real positive about her is that she has 11 years of superintendent experience and that’s something that’s going to be a big benefit to us,” Kearney said. Even some of her critics in District 59, said Bresnahan did a good job with curriculum. In her five years leading District 59 the district put in new curricula in math and English Language Arts and reviewed all its con-
tent areas. “There’s no denying she did a good job with that,” Johnson said. Almost exactly three months after rejecting her grade level centers proposal the very same school board voted unanimously to extend Bresnahan’s initial three year contract for two more years and give her a substantial raise even though she still had more than a year left on her original three year contract. The contract extension also caused controversy because it came less than a month before school board elections and was initially placed on the school’s consent agenda. Items on the consent agenda are usually uncontroversial and voted upon in a group. But before the school board could vote eight people made public comments at that March 13, 2023 meeting. They all called for the school board to remove the contract extension from the consent agenda and vote on it separately which the board did do. The public commenters also asked the board to delay a vote on the contract extension until after the upcoming school board elections which took place only 22 days after the board meeting. One of those making a public comment was Johnson, who was then running for the school board allied with two other opponents of the grade level center plan under the Save Our Schools (SOS) banner. Behnke also spoke against a contract extension for Bresnahan. “The only thing that’s been accomplished is discord and mistrust in the district,” Behnke said. Another person, Steve Tucker, said residents “deserve better than back room deals and secret handshakes over superintendent contract extensions.” Before the vote school board members said the timing was not nefarious but typical in that school boards generally don’t like to allow a superintendent to go into the last year of her contract without an extension in place. The SOS slate swept the 2023 school board elections defeating one incumbent who had voted against the grade level center plan but for the contract extension. In an uncontested 2025 school board election more critics of Bresnahan were elected. Two school board members had resigned in 2024 leaving Bresnahan without any strong supporters on the school board. No one on the current District 59 school board was on the school board when Bresnahan’s contract extension was approved. Both Bresnahan and Johnson said despite their disagreement on the grade center level plan they developed a solid working relationship. “I got along with Terri pretty well in our time that we worked together as people can with different viewpoints on certain issues,”
said Johnson adding he didn’t think Bresnahan was a bully. Johnson, who said that he was not interviewed by District 97’s search firm or anyone from District 97 about Bresnahan, said that he believes Bresnahan is a good fit for Oak Park. “I think she is a good superintendent especially if your major concern is equity and achievement and curriculum and that sort of thing and so that’s why I think she is going to be great at Oak Park,” Johnson said. “I think it is a perfect fit for her.” Bresnahan agrees. She was excited when she found out that District 97 was looking to hire a new superintendent. “I knew that it was a district that much more aligned with my values,” Bresnahan said. Bresnahan declined to say how many superintendent jobs she applied for this year. Bresnahan said she is not looking to advocate for grade level centers in District 97. “It is not the right thing for every community,” Bresnahan said. “We have to look at what the community needs, we have to look at what the data is telling us.” She said her decisions and recommendations would be driven by data and analysis. Spurlock said she doesn’t believe grade level centers would be a good fit for Oak Park. “They’re obviously not quite as appropriate for a 3 ½ square mile district,” Spurlock said. Although Bresnahan won’t begin work in District 97 as the full time superintendent until July 1 she has started occasional visits to the district to learn more about it and prepare. She said she will probably spend approximately one day a week in the district in April and then a bit more in May and June. According to her contract with District 97 Bresnahan will be paid an hourly rate commensurate with her $270,000 annual salary for any time spent in the district before July 1. Bresnahan grew up in Palatine. Her parents divorced when she was young and she lived in a two bedroom apartment with her mother, who sometimes held down three jobs to make ends meet. Bresnahan qualified for free lunches at school and that is partly how she developed her passion for equity. “I think equity for me began at a very young age,” Bresnahan said. “I come from a diverse multicultural family, my father immigrated to the United States along with the rest of his family.” She said she is proud of her accomplishments at District 59 and before that at District 87. She said her record at District 59 involved much more than just the grade level centers battle.
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“From the time I was hired to the time I left I had 16 different board members,” Bresnahan said. “That’s a significant turnover for a school district and so I think that while that one portion, I think, gets highlighted that was not the summary of my five years in 59.” She pointed to her work on curriculum. “We did major, major work in shifting the trajectory for teaching and learning, particularly around our curriculum, getting solid curriculum in place so that we could lay a foundation for all students to access the materials and resources that they needed,” Bresnahan said.
D97’s other superintendent finalist The other finalist for the District 97 superintendent job, former Longfellow School principal, Angela Dolezal, also will not be working at her current district next year. Dolezal resigned her current position as the Director of Teaching and Learning at Riverside Elementary District 96 under pressure in March, a month after Bresnahan was hired in District 97. Her resignation was accepted at a brief special meeting on March 26. District 96 Superintendent Martha Ryan Toye, a resident of Oak Park, declined to comment on the record about that reasons for Dolezal’s resignation saying that it was a personnel matter. Ryan-Toye also declined to say whether Dolezal’s contract would have been renewed had she not resigned. Dolezal is working remotely for the rest of the school year and has not been hired elsewhere. “We told Martha that members are worried that Angela may be replacing her when she retires,” said an email from the union co-presidents to District 96 teachers sent on June 25, 2025 that was obtained by the Landmark and Wednesday Journal. states. “Angela is interested in becoming a superintendent, but Martha feels the board will do a full search for the best candidate.” The email goes on to state that the anonymous letter did catch the school board’s attention. Ryan-Toye declined to comment about the circumstances of Dolezal’s resignation but did say that she doesn’t put credence in anonymous letters and that the anonymous letter was not the reason for Dolezal’s resignation. The email from the union presidents also stated that Ryan-Toye would work with Dolezal about the complaints outlined in the letter. Spurlock was asked whether she had concerns that both District 97superintendent finalists were not wanted back at the districts they worked in this year. “It doesn’t concern me at all,” Spurlock said.
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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Oak Park City Apartments sell for $23 million Village to net $184,000 through transfer tax
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
A large Oak Park apartment building will be under new ownership after a multi-million-dollar sale went through last month, according to county records. California-based FPA Multifamily bought Oak Park City Apartments at 675 W. Lake St. from a venture of Boston-based investor Intercontinental Real Estate in a deal that closed March 25, according to Cook County property records. The building sold for $23 million. The building has 125 rental units. It last
sold for $20 million in 2009, according to Cook County records. The apartment complex at Lake and Euclid sits on the site of the original Oak Park Village Hall. The building was demolished after Oak Park moved its municipal offices and police department to Madison and Lombard in the 1970s. The village of Oak Park will receive $184,000 in transfer tax funds as result of the sale, village officials confirmed. Oak Park’s transfer tax rate is $8 for every $1,000 of a sale, according to the village. The sale was first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business.
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‘Arms and the Man’
Forest Theatre Company performs the play April 23 through May 10 at Madison Street Theater By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter
The western suburb’s only professional year-round theater company, Forest Theatre Company, is wrapping up its first full indoor season this month with George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.” The plan will run at Madison Street Theater in Oak Park from April 23 through May 10. The satirical comedy follows a Bulgarian woman, Raina, at the end of the SerboBulgarian War. Though engaged to be married, Raina falls for a Swiss mercenary fighting for Serbia, leaving her to decide between two men. A known socialist, Shaw was an early advocate for feminism and was anti-war. Through “Arms and the Man,” first produced in 1894, Shaw punctures illusions of marriage and international conflict that were popular at the time, and remain so today. “Shaw felt strongly that war was something promoted by leaders to achieve their ends, and it exploited notions of nobility and heroism that were inculcated in men and women from a very early age,” said Richard Corley, who launched Forest Theatre Company in 2021 as Forest Park Theatre. “He would be one of these people who says, ‘Who says that people have to be a certain way?’” “We live our lives, many of us, in a kind of illusion that we have adopted from our society and our parents. Some of us, quite honestly, never grow up,” Corley added. This is Corley’s first time directing “Arms and the Man,” Shaw’s third play and first commercial success. It’s also one of the first opportunities for Forest Theatre Company’s main group of actors to play different roles than they’re used to. “I’m looking for opportunities for these actors to play roles that expand their abilities as actors and expand their notion of what they can do on stage,” Corley said, both as
a way to develop actors’ repertoire and surprise audience members with their range. “One of the great pleasures of having a company is that you get to know the artists well enough that you can see there’s a talent or skill set they have that they haven’t really had the opportunity to use,” Corley added. “It’s a challenge. These roles don’t necessarily land in the sweet spot of where these actors are. They have to stretch themselves. And at the same time, all of these roles are within their toolkit somewhere.” For example, he said, Elizabeth Hope Nahulak displayed impressive emotions of grief and rage as the titular Elektra in the Forest Theatre Company play in November. But in “Arms and the Man,” Nahulak embodies Raina, a noble drama queen with comedic richness, Corley said. He added that she’s a fantastic singer and hopes to find a future role for her to show that.
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Elizabeth Hope Nahulak, far left, during rehearsals for “Arms and the Man”
Upcoming plays After “Arms and the Man,” Forest Theatre Company will hold its annual Shakespeare in the Park, performing “All’s Well That Ends Well” in August. While Forest Theatre Company typically hosts Shakespeare in the Park at the village-owned space at the Altenheim in Forest Park, the annual performance will take place in Oak Park for the first time this year at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Nathan G. Moore House. “Even though we loved performing [at the Grove], we were looking for more community opportunities and partnerships,” Corley said, mainly as a way to keep the company growing when the arts organization doesn’t yet have a substantial donor base. “Before we started in the fall, I was very concerned that we wouldn’t be able to do this season because of financial issues,”
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Marck Kiselevach and Avery-Slade Fountain, who play competing love interests to Elizabeth Hope Nahulak’s character in “Arms and the Man” Corley said. “We’re living from play to play, basically.” While Forest Theatre Company will end in the black this season, it continues the effort to raise more money. Last season was the first where the company sold subscription memberships, 65 of them, which Corley is hoping to double in the upcoming season. “What we’re trying to do ultimately is build something that we can invite all of these communities into and they can find ownership of. We feel like the opportunity is there, and we feel like we’re growing.
We’re not at sustainability yet, but we’re hanging in there,” Corley said. “My job is to continue putting really good, high-quality art on the stage and make sure that, when people come to see the work, they’re not only entertained, but they can see the vision behind what we’re trying to do.” Forest Theatre Company donates to the Forest Park Review. “Arms and the Man” runs April 23May 10 at Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St., Oak Park. Buy tickets at https://ci.ovationtix.com/36958/production/1268212
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Oak Park police investigate child sexual abuse incident By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter
Oak Park police are investigating a reported sexual assault of a child. A juvenile Oak Park resident was standing in the 700 block of Lake Street on April 6 when a man rode up on a bicycle and sexually assaulted them, according to police. The suspect then fled on his bicycle, according to police. The suspect is wanted on criminal sexual abuse charges, according to police records.
Robbery on train A Hanover Park woman was riding a west bound CTA Blue Line train when she was approached by three suspects. One of the suspects tried to speak with the woman before he spit on her and punched her in the face, according to police. The other two suspects held her down and stole her cell phone. The three suspects fled the train at the Austin Boulevard stop, according to police.
Aggravated assault arrest A 37-year-old Oak Lawn man was arrested in connection with a reported violent incident in Oak Park last year. The man was arrested in Bridgeview on charges of aggravated assault in connection with an incident that occurred in the 700 block of Lake Street on Dec. 18, 2025, according to police. The victim in the incident was a Maywood resident, according to police. These items were obtained from Oak Park’s Police Department reports dated April 6–14 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 a description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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Takeout 25 tackles online reviews in new way A new AI-driven program helps restaurateurs manage their customer feedback
By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter
Takeout25 is piloting a new program, 20fy. ai, to help restaurant owners understand and respond to online customer comments. The non-profit organization that evolved out of trying to save local restaurants during the COVID pandemic now wants to help those same businesses navigate the online environment. Founder Ravi Parakkat spearheaded the development of the program that will consolidate reviews on one dashboard and aid owners and/or managers in responding to individual comments RAVI PARAKKAT and to trends that can be divined from that customer data. “It leverages AI to save independent restaurant owners time, reduce their stress while helping them grow and make money,” Parakkat said. “It’s an extension of what we’ve done in terms of community building and helping independent restaurants with Takeout25 in the last five years, but now this is doing that at scale using a technology platform.” Twenty-eight local restaurants have signed up to test the program, including Happy Apple Pie Shop, Old World Pizza, Amerikas, Café Cubano and Twisted Cookie. “We see both the pros and cons of using AI tools in the restaurant industry,” Amerikas’ owner and chef Armando Gonzalez said. “It can be incredibly helpful in responding to online reviews efficiently and in gathering valuable insights into guest experiences, service trends and menu preferences.” The idea addresses the balancing act that restauranteurs have do to monitor and respond online. According to Parakkat, 93% of customers look at online reviews before they try a new place. And if a rating is below 3.5 stars, they are unlikely to try it at all. “If you can change the rating by one star,
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Landing page for 20fy.ai that translates to increased revenue,” he said. “When a customer says something bad, it’s very personal for an independent restaurant owner. Yet many of them are also not native English speakers. There are a lot of factors keep them from engaging online without realizing that’s actually a factor in their long-term viability. What we are trying to do is make it really simple and easy and time-efficient for people to respond to these reviews or engage on these forums so that they can build trust with their customers.” The platform aggregates reviews from Google, Facebook and Instagram (other sites may be added later). This allows restauranteurs to respond from one online location and gives them AI help to write appropriate responses. The next element analyzes the data in the reviews to help figure out what is most
connection we have with our guests. Buildimportant or bothersome to customers. “See what’s a trend that you need to be ing relationships and making people feel paying attention to,” Parakkat said, “posi- seen and appreciated is at the heart of what tive or negative.” we do, so it’s important From there the AIthat any technology still platform will also help allows that warmth and create social media authenticity to come posts that address those through. We believe trends. It can also aid in AI can be a useful tool promoting specials and when used thoughtfully, unique details. but it should support – Takeout25 is keeping not replace – the human a watchful eye on its connection that makes creation. dining experiences “We’re being very, memorable.” very cautious with the Even though the platARMANDO GONZALEZ technology,” he said, form is currently in the Owner of Amerikas restaurant “because it’s got seripiloting phase, Parakous implications to the kat is looking forward owner.” to a larger roll-out. He Said restaurateur Gonzalez: “Hospitality hopes to keep the costs very economical, so is deeply personal, and one of the things that independent restaurants can afford the we truly value and thrive on is the genuine services.
“We believe AI can be a useful tool when used thoughtfully, but it should support – not replace – the human connection that makes dining experiences memorable.”
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Homes House walk spotlights homes of early River Forest tycoons
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
Historical Society’s May house walk opens five homes with entrepreneurial owners By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter
The Oak Park River Forest Historical Society is hosting its annual spring house walk on Sunday, May 3. The five houses featured are all in the northeast corner of River Forest — the first time this neighborhood has been featured in 22 years. Rachel Berlinski, operations manager of the
Oak Park River Forest Museum, which houses the historical society, notes that the plan for this year’s walk began when board member Genevieve Jones offered to share the house that she and her husband Alex have lovingly restored. Four other homes in the neighborhood quickly fell into place. Only after the line-up was planned did the walk organizers discover that all five original homeowners had been business tycoons. Berlinski says, “All of the first owners made a name for themselves in business and then built their dream homes. Our theme of American Dream Home ties into that and into the fact that it’s America’s 250th anniversary this year, and that ties into the American Dream.” See HOUSE WALK on page 24
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PHOTOS BY TODD BANNOR
Genevieve Jones in the front yard of her River Forest home, with Vizsla, her dog, on April 8.
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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HOUSE WALK
Tycoon’s former residence from page 22 Berlinski credits Jones with sharing her house on the walk. “Gen is an incredible board member, and she’s really such a steward of [her house.] She’s so open to sharing its legacy.” Jones says she and her husband already had experience with restoring a large historical home when they moved to River Forest from New York state. “We love old houses,” she says, and then adds, “But it’s a lot of work.” They purchased the William Sloan House about 10 years ago and were thrilled to find that while they wanted to make updates to the kitchen and other necessities, previous owners had been careful preservationists of the home. Jones says, “The house came with a white manila envelope full of items, and every owner just adds to it for the next.” Included in that envelope were photos of the home’s original interiors, as well as photos of the yard, which once spanned two lots and included elaborate landscaping and tennis courts. Today, the framed photos line the walls of the entry, where guests can compare the décor today to the décor from 1926, when the house was completed. Some
TODD BANNOR
Foyer and staircase
TODD BANNOR
Breakfast room
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TODD BANNOR
Genevieve Jones’ River Forest home, dining room items – like the foyer light fixture – are exactly the same. Sloan, the home’s first owner, founded the Sloan Valve Company in 1906 in Chicago, ushering in the modern plumbing era with his invention of the revolutionary manual Royal® Flushometer. The Royal Flushometer was the first of its kind, designed to replace tank and chain fixtures. Unlike its predecessors, it requires less water and energy — a reliable flush unaffected by gravity. Sloan’s proclivity for plumbing was exhibited in the home’s 12 bathrooms. Each bathroom still has its original toilet, as well as the original tile. The basement bath is tiled in the colors of the six main bathrooms of the house. Previous owners took loving care of the Georgian Revival style home. The home has had some famous visitors, including two visits by Barack Obama — the first when he was running for senate and the second time, when he filmed a campaign commercial in the living room in 2007. The Jones family lived through an extensive kitchen renovation. Jones says the renovation was guided by asking themselves, “If William Sloan was here today, what would he have done?” So, they modernized all of the features for plumbing, refrigeration and cooking, but kept to the spirit of the original house with details like cabinetry and tile. In a niche by the rear door, Jones preserved the original keys for each room of the home, each labeled with the name of the room’s occupant. She remarks, “I wanted to acknowledge who was here before us.” Other homes on this year’s walk include a 1919 Dutch Colonial Revival designed by Henry Fiddelke for a family whose business produced propeller bolts and grenades for both World Wars, as well as a more lighthearted product: roller skates. Another home was built between 1937 and 1938. Although the builder and architect are unknown, and the first owner’s identity was disguised by a land trust, Historical Society researchers say he was in the business of organized crime. The newest house on the walk was built in 1958 in the modern contemporary style. The home’s original owner was the founder of the Radio Flyer wagon company. Berlinski says prior to the walk, two of the owners had already been into the historical society to research their homes and says that the organization is well-equipped to
Kitchen
TODD BANNOR
Living room
Before you go The Historical Society’s Spring House Walk takes place on Sunday, May 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $40 each, or $35 for historical society members. Tickets may be purchased at the organization’s online store at oprfmuseum.org/store, or by phone at 708-848-6755 or in person at the Oak Park River Forest History Museum. The event is limited to those over age 12 and pets will not be allowed in the private homes. The tour homes are not ADA/wheelchair accessible and public restrooms are only available at ticket-pickup. Watch the group’s website for the location announcement. All proceeds benefit the Oak Park River Forest Historical Society, a nonprofit community organization, which operates Oak Park River Forest Museum at the corner of Lake and Lombard in Oak Park.
help new and old homeowners learn about their homes and who used to live there. “The houses on our walk this year are pretty extraordinary,” she says. But she emphasizes that the historical society has plenty of information for “normal” houses too. “There’s so much information to share,” she says.
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 Email: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org
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VIEWPOINTS
Posts vs. reporting
here’s a funny contradiction we don’t talk about enough. We spend a lot of time worrying about how much our kids are on social media and the risks that come with it. What gets less airtime is that the adults are right there with them. I’m absolutely part of the problem. Left to my own devices, I’ll choose an hour of scrolling over a movie without thinking twice. That really came into focus for me after reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt last year. The book digs into the impact of phones and social media on adolescent mental health, but it also made me look in the mirror a bit. I loved it, and it pushed me to be more intentional about putting my phone down and being present. Every year I take a month off social media just to prove to myself that I can. This year I went two months, cold turkey, outside of LinkedIn for work. And during that stretch, the thing I missed most wasn’t entertainment or even connection in the traditional sense. It was simply knowing what was going on in the village. That absence made something really clear to me: not everyone is on social media, and even for those who are, it’s not a reliable way to stay informed. If we actually care about being a connected community, we need shared, trustworthy places to go for information. That’s where local journalism comes in. Now, to be clear, I am not a journalist. I’m just a random guy who writes a column and occasionally hits “submit” with a level of confidence that probably exceeds my qualifications. Which is exactly the point. There’s a difference between people like me sharing thoughts and actual reporters doing the work to get the facts right. Social media is great at what it does. It’s fast, it’s immediate, and it’s perfect for quick-hit updates. New pizza place on South Boulevard? Social media is going to break that news before the ovens are even fully hot. But it’s not built for depth, verification, or accountability. It’s a running stream of reactions, not a source of record. If you want to understand something complicated or important — like what’s really going on with West Suburban Hospital — a random Facebook group isn’t the place to go. That’s the kind of story that requires reporting, context, and follow-up. It requires journalists doing actual work. That’s why outlets like Wednesday Journal matter so much. They’re not just another voice in the noise. They’re one of the few places committed to getting the story right, especially for the people in our community who aren’t plugged into social media at all. They’re a connective thread in a village that can otherwise feel fragmented. And the reality is, that thread is getting thinner. The newspaper industry has been hit hard by the internet. Nearly 150 papers closed last year alone, and there’s no reason to think that trend is slowing down. If we want to keep a reliable source of local news, we have to treat it like something worth supporting. Social media will always be there for the quick hits. But if we lose the people doing the deeper reporting, we lose something much harder to replace: a shared understanding of what’s actually happening in our community.
VINCENT GAY
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Shrubtown: p. 27
Why we oppose the war in Iran
oday we invoke the language of the late Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On April 3, 1967, at Riverside Church in New York City, Dr. King preached a message opposing the war in Vietnam. In April of 2026, we declare our opposition to our nation’s war in Iran for the same moral reasons. First, we are convinced that peacemaking and understanding is always a better option than weapons of war. Peacemaking, by definition, de-escalates, while warfare escalates and puts all of us in greater danger. Total war injures and murders populations indiscriminately and is always immoral. It crosses the line of war against a regime and military MLK combatants to war against the innocent and vulnerable. In Iran, we have crossed that line. The Iranian government and military, with less conventional military power, fights asymmetrically and ends up crossing the line too. We now understand more fully why all of the recent previous American administrations wisely chose options of negotiation and diplomacy over the unpredictably of military conflict. Secondly, we earnestly admit that the people of Iran have historically been exploited by foreign powers and have had their national resources unjustly plundered by American and Western economic interest. In short, they have reason to mistrust our goodwill. Our Central Intelligence Agency helped overthrow the democratically elected Iranian government in 1957. We have worked to install leaders who work in our interest and not theirs. In this climate, a clerical-led Islamic state emerged. For decades we used crushing economic sanctions to hinder development and choke off their budding middle class, impeding the kinds of liberal sociopolitical reforms that probably would have occurred naturally with material prosperity. True peacemaking on our part requires truthfulness and maturity. We are not always right and we were not altogether right when it comes to the history of U.S.-Iranian relations. Thirdly, our national prosperity and power carries responsibilities for maturity and leadership. Our national narrative includes aspirations to lead the world in peacemaking and global human rights. We are the last nation on earth that should cavalierly violate international law and engage in war crimes. We must admit and address the fact that our nation’s government has become the world’s great-
est purveyor of violence, arms dealing, and lawlessness. Our national aspiration and profile has devolved from “city on a hill” to “gangster in an alley.” We have become a superpower rogue state and an international pariah. In good conscience, we can no longer sing “God Bless America.” Theologically, only peacemakers can rightfully claim to be “God’s children.” Our social justice organization comes out of the African American “Black Church” tradition of prophetic speech. We are intimately aware of America’s flaws and inherent contradictions. Just days ago, our own nation voted against the United Nation’s General Assembly WIKIMEDIA recognition of the shameful history and ongoing effects of the grave inhumanities of four centuries of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. As African Americans, our moral authority comes from being intergenerational Americans who have also been victims of the worst crimes of America. Our problematic relationship with this soil is older than the Republic. With our odyssey, we embrace the call to speak truth to power and demand that we live out the true meaning of our national aspirations and our creeds. We declare that this war against the Iranian people is immoral, unjustifiable, and unconstitutional. It also imperils the survival of the entire human race. Either the President’s Cabinet or the Congress of the United States must immediately step up to their responsibilities and remove a Presidential administration that has brought us to the abyss of global catastrophe. We call upon all Americans to use all of your power and influence today to correct our course. We will support all legal, legitimate and moral citizen efforts to bring the reckless Trump regime to an end. We must all act now. The mid-term elections may be too far away. God help us before it is too late.
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Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch
Board Co-Chair, Leaders Network Senior Pastor, New Mount Pilgrim Church
Rev. Ira Acree
Board Co-Chair, Leaders Network Senior Pastor, Greater St. John Church
Rev. Cy Fields
Co-Chair, Leaders Network Senior Pastor, New Landmark Church
David Cherry
President, Leaders Network
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Losing Les Golden, the ultimate gadfly
es “Cut the Taxes” Golden has died. Les Golden has always been there. For decades. In his wonder. And in his vast annoyingness. The very definition of a gadfly, Mr. Golden was consistent in his suspicions of all aspects of local government, willing to make a scene, so certain that local taxes were a ripoff that he worked to change his name before a run for local office because he wanted the ballot to read “Les ‘Cut the Taxes’ Golden.” Always he had the number of the local editor on his speed dial. I picked up about half the time. Only when I had at least 10 minutes of my life to spare. To his credit, over time he seemed to understand that I actually did have a meeting to go to, a business to run, and he began to condense his rioting thoughts. Way at the start of our newspapers, back in 1980, there was a fellow named Howard Allen. Lived in a large and rickety house on Austin Boulevard. Attended every Oak Park Village Board meeting. And he owned public comment. Long, harsh screeds against every aspect of what went on at village hall. I sat through a lot of those and started to tune out until one evening, mid-screed and in his unchanged tone of outrage, I realized he was saying something notable, even newsworthy. News ensued. And it is why I always told the young reporters to listen to the gadflies because there is sometimes a kernel of insight, a viewpoint that needs to be heard. Les Golden died on April 6. He was 82. Lived in the house where he grew up, cared for his folks as they aged. His resume is as eclectic as you might imagine. After OPRF, he went off to Cornell and then Berkeley where he got degrees in engineering physics and then astronomy. He taught at UIC and Roosevelt. But then he was also a comedian and actor, a person who claimed he had invented systems to win at blackjack and roulette. He and his twin Bruce led the band in patriotic tunes at Oak Park’s annual fireworks for years. And locally he was a political activist. One of the founders of the local political party that put the first dent in what was the heretofore untouchable Village Manager Association political party. In more recent years his gaze turned to the Park District of Oak Park where he was hellbent on saving trees and a berm at Field Park. More recently he helped organize a decent neighborhood opposition to a newly proposed fieldhouse in that same park. Oak Park gets a lot of acclaim for its opinionated citizens. Les percolated with strong opinions. But he also had a streak of action in him. He put himself in the fray. And he was true to his always contrarian views. Maybe he liked me a little. Maybe I liked him a little. But I kept listening.
DAN HALEY
V I E W P O I N T S
Living in a Deconstruction Zone
T
en minutes of heavy jackhammering provides a not-so-complementary backdrop to the classical music issuing from my radio alarm at 7:02 a.m. It doesn’t happen every morning, fortunately, in the construction zone where I currently live. Deconstruction Zone would be more accurate. Allegedly, it will someday become a Reconstruction Zone, but I don’t live in the future. I live in the Now, where wreckage extends four blocks of what was previously known as Oak Park Avenue, two blocks either side of the Metra/CTA embankment. Folk wisdom says you must break some eggs to make an omelette. We are squarely in the broken-eggs stage, but A Lamp Road Builders has assured us the omelette will arrive by Thanksgiving — A Lamp at the end of the tunneling. Meanwhile, despite its similarities, this is not hell, which is a place with no hope and no meaning, though I can’t speak for the local shopkeepers and restaurateurs who are undergoing the ordeal with a larger stake in it. My apartment overlooks one intersection of the wreckage, and my building’s front door opens onto it. I’ve lived here for two decades and always thought of Oak Park Avenue as a river, a steady stream of hissing tires on pavement and whatever clatter their inelegant engines add — slightly quieter in the wee hours, but not by much. Police cruisers, ambulances, and firetrucks favored it to exercise their wailing sirens, the music of my nights. Motorcycle deciballovers would let loose their anti-social tendencies, as did drivers with high-intensity stereo systems at full volume. Now hot wheels and muffler-less road warriors must find another venue for their noise orgies. Lately, it’s been strangely quiet here at night and on weekends. The stillness takes some getting used to. But construction commotion makes up for it during the weekdays. Enormous work vehicles rumble awake and dump trucks arrive in the staging area with squealing brakes, overwhelming the pre-dawn songbird symphony. Soon the vehicular parade strikes up the band of wheezing, snorting, revving engines, accompanied by the steady bleat of backup beeping. One would swear they only operate in reverse gear. I rise to shut the windows, which mute the sounds slightly and also prevent the riled-up dust from coating my furniture and floors. Doesn’t matter how nice the weather is outside, there is no such thing as “fresh” air in a Deconstruction Zone. Most days it is replaced by a cloud of diesel exhaust hanging heavy in the air. The ballet of backhoes and front-end loaders begins. Dump trucks maneuver around small mountain ranges of gravel and hills of dark topsoil underlying
the crust of concrete and blacktop, a reminder that our paved paradise is but an impermanent illusion, the good earth below quietly chiding us with its patient permanence. I emerged from my brick-and-mortar bunker one day, stunned to find my block had become a treeless plain. Gone were the pear trees that turned into a lovely cloud of white blossoms every April and every October transformed into technicolor brilliance. Gone too were the Locks of Love so lovingly rusting beneath the overpass, a testimonial to committed relationships. But there is no place for romance in a Deconstruction Zone. Not gone, however, are the memories cemented by walking these sidewalks for the past 36 years. There is meaning in memories, even among the ruins. And though it’s tempting to view this disruption as a microcosm of our nation’s current state of decomposition, there is hope here that it will lead to something better — hope that businesses will survive and benefit from this unraveling, even though good old Tony scowls at the wreckage as he climbs, after a long day, from the cloistered dungeon where he works his magic, raising footwear from the dead. Before we can advance to the streetscape stage, however, there is more dismembering, disassembling, and discombobulation ahead, governed by orangestriped “horses” that blink all night, illuminating the “Road Closed” barriers. During the day, workers in yellow hard hats and greenish-yellow safety vests, cluster here and there studying the latest excavation, shouting an occasional directive to the drivers. The backhoe labors like a lethargic, domesticated dragon, feeding on the good earth and piling it aside for the front-end loader to scoop up and load into a waiting dump truck. The work is rhythmically easy-going. There is even a small mechanized robot that toddles back and forth, dutifully followed by its toggling overlord, whose mission is unclear. The holes serve as graves for gigantic gray concrete cylinders, presumably replacing the obsolete subterranean infrastructure that has served its time and will now rest, rusted and forgotten, in some designated industrial graveyard that none of us want to think much about, even though we once depended on it mightily. This will get old very fast but, as the survivors of Barrie Park can attest, it too will pass. The banks of our Avenue river, once teeming, will bustle again when this necessary purgatory is finished. The local merchants, meanwhile, are still open for business. As are the sidewalks, fenced off from the mayhem and craving foot traffic. It should be an interesting summer.
KEN
TRAINOR
V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
by Marc Stopeck
W E D N E S D A Y
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Viewpoints Guidelines
Equity and civic education
At a recent D97 school board meeting, one local parent expressed her deep frustration that the district is no longer organizing a Washington D.C. trip for our 8th-graders. This trip was part of the district’s civic education program for decades, and participating families found it incredibly rewarding for their children. Last year, there was a trip to Springfield instead. By many accounts, it was lackluster. This year, students went to Nashville, and again, there has been a sense of disappointment, with many families opting out or organizing their own shadow D.C. trip. I remember how excited my classmates were to go to Washington as 7th-graders in River Forest, and how enormously they enjoyed it. It was truly a gift for the class. Unfortunately, I was unable to go because my family didn’t have the resources to send me. That is part of why I have joined with a group of local parents to fundraise and make this trip happen. As a democracy, civic education is the bedrock of our gov-
ernance, and there is no place in the U.S. where students can learn more about our government and our history than in the nation’s capital. A trip to Washington D.C. is an incredible opportunity for young Americans to see the three branches at work, to experience the grandeur of our accomplishments and the complicated history of our past, not to mention the fraught WIKIMEDIA situation of our present. Now is the best time for a young person to go to D.C. to understand how they can become the leaders of tomorrow and work toward a better future in whatever role they choose. It is a shame that the district has chosen to use the guise of equity as the reason our students are no longer participating. Equity is exactly the reason we, as a community and a school district, must come together to invest in our kids and ensure every one of them can make the trip.
Elise Coleman Oak Park
The goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have sufficient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it often is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it. We reserve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than superficial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc. Be as specific as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims. Links may also be included for the online version. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm. As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful. All submissions must include your first and last name and the municipality in which you live, plus a phone number (for verification only). We do not publish anonymous letters. One View essays should include a sentence at the end about who you are. If we receive your submission by 5 p.m. on Sunday, you can expect your opinion to be included in that week’s paper (and online), space permitting.
Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@newswellchicago.org. For the latter, we prefer attached Word files or plain text included in the email. LETTER TO THE EDITOR
‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY
■ 350-word limit
■ 500-word limit
■ Must include first and last
■ One-sentence footnote
names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)
about yourself and/or your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
V I E W P O I N T S
Limit screen time for better learning
As a parent of an elementary school student in District 97, I am mindful of technology use at home. We don’t have iPads, limit TV time, and prioritize tech-free activities. But lately I’ve been thinking about the screen time my child is getting on her schoolissued iPad. In a recent conversation with our school’s principal, I learned that D97 does not implement any time restrictions on these devices. There are guidelines, but no official limits in place. The research on technology in education is worth paying attention to. Students in grades 1-12 now average 98 minutes daily on school-issued devices – over 20% of instructional time, according to the Wall Street Journal, peaking at nearly 2½ hours in sixth grade. Yet studies have generally found that digital tools have not improved academic results. UNESCO and others warn that overreliance on technology can impede learning. A March 2026 analysis from the Curriculum Insight Project found that reading comprehension is lower when young children read on screens, and that states with the strongest recent reading outcomes have maintained low-tech, book-centered approaches. Schools across the country are re-evaluating heavy classroom technology use, and our community should be doing the same – especially in elementary schools,
where the stakes are high. Classroom technology can reduce attention spans, create distractions, and limit social interaction, impeding the development of meaningful relationships with peers and teachers. I’ve reached out to D97’s curriculum director and technology officer to learn what steps they’re taking, including whether they’ll restrict screen time on school iPads, offer parent monitoring tools, or send families usage reports. I’ve also asked my child’s teacher and principal to help limit screen time and prioritize analog learning in the classroom. I know I’m not alone. If you have a child in our local schools, I’d encourage you to ask these same questions. And if you share these concerns, I’d love to connect, because a community of voices is heard more clearly than one. Our kids deserve nothing less. Sources: The Wall Street Journal, https://www.wsj.com/ us-news/education/schools-phone-screens-technologyresearch-c268bda5 https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/29/technology/ chromebook-remorse-kansas-school-laptops. https:// curriculuminsightproject.substack.com/p/to-futureproof-your-curriculum-go Brenna Connor, Oak Park
100% increase. Upon calling public works, the lady responded that she really didn’t know what the service charges were for. So now we pay the village to send us a bill telling us what we owe for water, sewer, and refuse? Yes, we are paying more and for what?!
Kathy Rush Oak Park
When the process really began
On March 31, the village of River Forest circulated its second “Madison Development Newsletter,” featuring a message crafted by Trustee Robert O’Connell: “As one of your village board members, I want to share a bit about the steps the village has taken to date and what residents can expect as we move forward.” He states the process “began in early 2025.” This is most certainly untrue. For a public servant to make this claim ignores the considerable effort the village undertook during summer and fall 2024 when it repeatedly invited residents to host a “Neighborhood Dialogue” in their home — and encouraged all citizens to participate in those important conversations. Their stated purpose: to gather public input on future
Make the Home Ave. bridge vehicular
After attending the Bridging the Ike meeting, I was disappointed to hear that Home Avenue is not part of the I-290 Corridor project. Home Avenue is considered a pedestrian bridge and thus not part of the IDOT scope; it would be addressed at a later date. Before we are too far down the project planning process, consideration should be given to making Home Avenue a vehicular bridge. Currently, residents in this area can only cross 290 at the intersections of Harlem and Oak Park avenues. Harlem is a disaster with heavy congestion due to the el station and 290 ramps. Oak Park Avenue is the busiest north-south street in the village, and with only one lane, it is fairly congested due to its narrowness. Other vehicle bridges in Oak Park are about 4-5 blocks apart, making it much easier to get across 290. While it is good to encourage more bike and pedestrian access, Americans love their cars and use them daily to get around. If the first pillar of the Bridging the Ike project is “Connecting the Community,” then consideration should be given to what it might take to expand the Home Avenue bridge to vehicles. I would hazard a guess that most OP residents didn’t even know Home Avenue is a pedestrian bridge, since it doesn’t affect them. However, for the residents in this area of SWOP (Southwest Oak Park), it has a significant impact on our daily lives. David Enderle, Oak Park
Do we need West Sub?
Paying more for what?
In addition to Michael Mitchell Jr.’s letter, “Pay more, get less?” [Viewpoints, March 25], I would like to share the history of service charges. In 2021, the village began charging $15 quarterly. This continued for four years at the same quarterly rate. Then in 2025, the service charge increased to $18, a 20% increase. One year later, the service charge doubled to $36, a
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development — particularly of the vacant land at the corner of Ashland and Madison. That the village board spent nearly $20,000 on this initiative and then ignored the feedback from those sessions when it engaged JLL to solicit proposals from developers is another story. It’s frustrating to see taxpayer money wasted — and it’s beyond frustrating to read this kind of revisionist history from a village trustee who was in office when the focus groups took place (and who should know better than to try to hoodwink River Forest residents). It begs the question: Is he blind to the real issues at play?
Kathryn Jandeska River Forest
Last year I wrote about the dilemmas that West Suburban Medical Center faced. That has now worsened to the point of closing. As much as we may want to blame the present owners for that result, he is just the most recent in a long line of owners who could not make the hospital function well financially. Some of those issues are in control of the management (who can really believe it took them months to identify a billing problem?). The health-care organizations I worked for (one of which had previously owned West Sub) would have noticed that problem immediately at a month-end close. Some issues were out of their control: migration of “insured” patients to Loyola, Northwestern and Rush, poor reimbursement for Medicaid, and no reimbursements for the uninsured, a demoralized medical and nursing staff, and a facility that looks like it is straight out of a 1950s TV show. Remember, West Sub has been independent, owned by Loyola, owned by Resurrection, owned by Vanguard, owned by Pipeline, and now owned by Resilience (what an ironic name). None of these were able to make West Sub a going concern; each sold to the subsequent owner. So what we really need to do is to question the need for a bricks-andmortar hospital in a town that boasts another excellent hospital at the west end, and is within 5 miles of three others (MacNeal, Loyola, and Gottlieb). What is needed is a master plan for health-care delivery for Oak Park/Austin/Near West Side of Chicago. Much like Blue Cross and Rush have been investing in community health-care resources, so should they. They should create an ambulatory campus with preventive, primary and specialty services and diagnostics, in conjunction with Cook County, Loyola and Rush, and stop trying to be another traditional hospital facility. Gary Wainer, Oak Park
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National Public Health Week was April 6-12. Smoking cigarettes causes cancer. Second-hand smoke does, too. Most people read this and think, “Duh. Everybody knows that.” It wasn’t that long ago when people smoked cigarettes on airplanes. Do you remember when the people sitting at the table next to you in a restaurant lit up cigarettes at the end of their meal? Our older neighbors remember. It was a long, hard and often emotional fight to ban smoking cigarettes in public places. In the end, it became a publichealth issue. In the end, science-informed policy won out. Twenty years ago, what today is understood as accepted fact was a raging, divisive community controversy. Yes, people can still poison themselves and their own health privately if they so choose, but 15 years ago our communities decided in favor of public health. Second-hand smoke was prohibited
As homeowners in the Ridgeland Historic District who have appeared before the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) twice since 2017, we’re delighted to see the Oak Park Village Board engage more deeply with the commission’s sometimes opaque, arcane, and condescending decision-making processes (“Village will study impact of Historic Districts on local development,” April 2). Last spring and summer, our family spent unnecessary time and money consulting with experts, researching, including reading Article 9 of the Village Code on Historic Preservation, and finally gaining approval to demolish a barely-visible-from-the-street,
V I E W P O I N T S
Ageism is a public-health issue
in public places. Towns acted on the principle that what affects one of us affects all of us. In her book, Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long and Well You Live, Becca Levy PhD outlines her 20-plus years of scientific research and experiment at Harvard and Yale universities. You may ask how can my beliefs about aging determine how long and well I live? Here’s two of Dr. Levy’s evidencebased examples: 1) People with pro-aging beliefs live an average 7½ years longer than people who fear or deny getting older. 2) Pro-aging beliefs reduce the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease among those people who have the APOE E4 gene that pre-disposes them to Alzheimer’s. Levy has also quantified how ageism — a widespread form of prejudice that is based on a person’s age — leads to excess costs of over $63 billion a year nationally for a broad
range of health conditions. Her research also found that, in one year, ageism was responsible for 17.04 million cases of the eight most expensive health conditions among those 60 and older. Levy’s findings make a strong case for efforts aimed at reducing the epidemic of ageism, which produces not only a financial cost for society, but also a human cost for the well-being of not just older persons, but of our whole community. Here’s an image: a visible but not-toothick, low-hanging cloud of blue cigarette smoke covering our entire town, seeping everywhere, touching everything and everyone — small babies and children breathing in the smoke — smoke so ubiquitous it is invisible, it is normalized. People coughing everyday but nobody noticing it. Now think of that ubiquitous cloud of blue cigarette smoke as being unconscious bias or any form of othering. Think of
Flexibility on historic preservation
dilapidated and failing one-story garage that is a “contributing resource” to the historic district, circa 1915, in order to build a nearexact replica of the same building. What could have been a rubber-stamp approval required multiple consultations with an architect, a structural engineer, our contractor, and the village planner. We heard that “the commission has been tougher on garages lately,” and we should “create a narrative” to convince the commission to grant us a Certificate of Appropriateness. At the HPC meeting, which was about previous garage approvals in our neighborhood that didn’t follow these same requirements,
we heard, “That wasn’t this commission.” When we said the new building, at 24 x 24 feet, would look the same from the street as the original building at 22.7 x 22.9 feet, we heard, “Well, if it’s ‘bigger,’ that’s not ‘the same’ now, is it?” After being made to feel like criminals, the relief of a unanimous approval was palpable. During a required “advisory review” meeting days later, for which the ARC subcommittee of the HPC demanded additional construction plans, we noticed a commissioner shake his head “no” when we answered that we preferred not to use stucco — an expensive detail not visible from the street.
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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that smoke as being ageism — touching everything and everyone — systemic and internalized ageism, covering our entire town, seeping everywhere. Normalized. We don’t see ads for cigarettes anymore in our local newspapers, but we do see ads claiming wrinkles are bad, claiming gray hair is bad, claiming old is bad and young is good. One of the first steps in banning smoking cigarettes in public places was to understand the science behind this public health issue. Becca Levy has contributed a large step in understanding the science behind the public health issue of ageism. Pro-aging beliefs are good for all of us, no matter how long we’ve been alive. Marc Blesoff is a longtime Oak Park resident and writes a monthly column on ‘Conscious Aging’ in Wednesday Journal’s Viewpoints section.
We love the village’s historic nature and its connection to its past; it’s why we live here. We don’t love the second-job level of attention this project required, and the seemingly arbitrary application of “historic.” It’s especially off-putting when a property is an unremarkable “contributing resource” that merely needs to be dragged into the 21st century while maintaining the same overall appearance and feel. We hope the village board’s study identifies areas of flexibility within the Historic Preservation code so that Oak Park will continue to grow and thrive. Ross Freedman, Oak Park
Where is the dialogue? In recent weeks, River Forest village staff, trustees, and president have responded to resident concerns about the proposed Madison/Ashland development in letters to the editor in Wednesday Journal, emails to residents, and updates to FAQs on the village website. Yet the most fundamental questions from residents remain unanswered. First, the village has not explained why the selection of the developer was conducted privately, with two of the six trustees not present. Why were deliberations of the developers’ proposals held in Executive Session, with no opportunity for public input
and no public record of the discussions? River Forest residents deserve to understand what each developer proposed and the rationale for the selection or rejection of each of those proposals. Second, the village has not provided meaningful details regarding its due diligence analysis of the developer. The village appears to be relying on the work of JLL and Ryan LLC. While hiring experts is appropriate, why can’t the details of the analysis be shared with residents? Even with NDAs, certain discrete information could be redacted and summarized for residents. What
risks associated with the developer did JLL and Ryan LLC identify? No credible analysis would conclude that a developer or a project is without risk. Third, we still have no explanation as to why the EDC was not involved in the review of the developers’ proposals. Fourth, what is the village’s position on lawsuits associated with the developer finalist? Shouldn’t the village respond and explain if and why it did not consider lawsuits problematic and disqualifying? Finally, and most importantly, when will the village have an actual dialogue with its
residents? A dialogue is a back-and-forth conversation, not a one-way communication. Public comments are one-directional, without providing a meaningful exchange with residents. Updating FAQs is not a substitute for dialogue either and is yet another onedirectional communication. The development of Madison and Ashland is complex and requires a dialogue with residents. The first dialogue should not occur at the DRB hearing stage, which is much too late in the process.
Lucia Giudice
River Forest
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V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
Time for new leadership in RF
Thanks to Nate Mellman for responding to my viewpoint, “The Art of Small Town Politics” [Viewpoints, April 1]. It’s good to know that someone read the article. Nate says, “The comment that ‘it’s very difficult to discern why someone would want to hold onto such unpaid jobs’ highlights the very nature of all positions in River Forest government, from the president and trustees down to every member of a commission or board: We are indeed all volunteers.” No argument. We do need all volunteers. But my point is confined to elected positions and in particular to the village president role. As I said in the article, Frank Paris was village president for 16 years. Cathy Adduci has been in that job for 13 years. Ms. Adduci has clung to that position despite her having said years back that she would not run again beyond a certain point (that point has passed). My question is: Why? I’ve personally been president or chair
of several organizations. I have always declined to hold those positions beyond two terms because, for one thing, my ego doesn’t demand it. For another, I’m a firm believer in passing the torch to new leadership. If what I hoped to get done in my leadership didn’t happen, that’s my fault, and longer tenure wouldn’t fix it. Never mind that I was, and remain, old, which is a whole different discussion. We do not need any of our leaders to hold onto their positions for extended periods. Inevitably, things that do not work properly accumulate and staying on longer doesn’t make them better. Unfortunately, there’s also the possibility that errors repeat, as seems to be happening right now. It’s not as if we don’t have strong potential replacement leaders. We do. It’s long past time to make room for them.
Edmund McDevitt River Forest
Trump’s spending on defense
Re: “Trump prioritizes $1.5T in spending for defense,” Chicago Tribune, Sect. B, p. 4. April 4. The latest outrage instigated by President Trump is to demand a massive and unprecedented increase in Pentagon spending, at the expense of slashing all other programs. He is happy to butcher Americans’ health insurance, cut 5 of 6 positions in the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“Revised U.S. plan severs 1,150 posts from agency” Tribune, p. 1 Section B), slash Medicare and Medicaid, eliminate all environmental protections, etc. Trump refuses to spend a penny on any program that helps Americans and might improve our lives. The only thing that seems to motivate him is an insatiable hatred for every living thing on our planet and a desire for revenge on his “enemies,” real or imagined. Does Trump imagine that a massive increase in weaponry would somehow compensate for his starting a war without a plan? Does he imagine that by firing all the experienced generals who know how to conduct wars, no one
will be left to notice that he has no clue what he is doing? Do we really want to give this scatterbrained lunatic infinite power and enough weapons to destroy our planet? Americans overwhelmingly oppose Trump’s pointless, foolhardy, and disastrous invasion of Iran, but we are stuck paying for it. Americans oppose massive tax breaks for billionaires, but we are stuck paying for these. Until the Republican majorities in the House and Senate develop spines, Trump will continue to destroy our lives and our planet as rapidly as his psychotic id tells him to. His increasingly erratic behavior suggests that he is terrified that the midterm elections will bring a Congress that will actually do their jobs and govern, rather than groveling and trying to appease the whims of a senile President with the intellect of a spoiled 12-year-old. He may do something irreversible (cancel the election, use nuclear weapons on Democratic states, etc.) if no grown-ups intervene.
Tom DeCoursey Oak Park
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O B I T U A R I E S
Jim Walwark, 92 OPRF High School teacher
James Hamilton Walwark Jr., 92, a resident of Oak Park for over 50 years, died peacefully on April 1, 2026, in Norridge, with his daughter, Alison, by his side. Born at home in Edwardsville on Sept. 15, 1933 to James Hamilton Walwark Sr. and Gladys Anna Mae Miller Walwark. Raised in Belleville, he graduated in 1951 from Belleville Township High School where he was in the Little Theater Group and a member of the National Thespian Society. That fall he entered Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he was a member of the Southern Players, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, the Arnold Air Society and was the 1953-54 Junior Class President. He remained with SIU’s AFROTC for the full four years and was named Distinguished AFROTC Graduate. He earned his B.S. in English and Education in 1955, and a master’s degree in English in 1956. He entered the U.S. Air Force as 2nd Lt. Navigator in September 1956, training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio with assignments at Ellington AFB, Houston; Mather AFB, Sacramento; and Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. He retired from active-duty on Jan. 15, 1959, and by the end of the month he had begun his first semester teaching English at Oak Park and River Forest High School while simultaneously serving in the AF Reserves. He was honorably discharged as Captain in January 1968. In 1967, he helped create and administer the Alternative XP Program at OPRF, an experimental effort in open education, which advocated and implemented a closer personal relationship between teacher and student. During his tenure at OPRF, he was actively engaged in additional course work: small group interaction, etymology, humanities, and learning disabilities. In 1983, he utilized a one-semester sabbatical to travel the U.S. and Europe to investigate local educational resources. He was a part
of the first Adult Evening Program as well as the original Evening School Diploma Program. For many of his earliest years at OPRF he taught Summer School. In 1985, he received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the University of Chicago. His students cited him for convincing them that “every experience is worth writing about.” His students admired “his calm and humorous approach, facing insurmountable odds with a smile and a little chuckle, determination and patience.” After his retirement in 1992, he took his writing theories to adult communities by starting the Scribblers Group, encouraging his new student demographic to let hidden talents emerge by writing about experiences in a casual, free-flowing manner. His love of teaching, his desire to work with everyone who approached him, and his respect for and love of reading history’s notable authors, spilled over for many years into another leisure time pursuit: being a docent at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Oak Park. Jim and Polly joined Unity Temple 20 years ago and were for many years, active and engaged members. He served as a Pastoral Associate, the team that provided a listening presence to those in need. “His warmth and compassion were visibly evident, and his inviting and welcoming manner was a gift.” His gusto and hearty laughter will be missed. He is survived by Polly Andrews Walwark, his wife of 53 years; his children from his first marriage to Annette Baldwin: Alison Walwark and Bruce Walwark; his grandchildren, Louisa Kwasigroch (Nick), David Walwark Jr. (Marija Zimkute), James Walwark, Maxwell Noto (Caitlin Sciackitano), Elliot Walwark (Karrigan McKinnon), and Claire Walwark; and his great-grandchildren Louise & Vivian Kwasigroch and Ignas Walwark. He is predeceased by his son, David James Walwark Sr. [d. 2017] (Louise Gruenberg) and his brother, Dale Miller Walwark [d. 2024] (Penny Walwark). A memorial service to honor the life of Jim Walwark will be held on Sunday, May 3 at 2 p.m. at Unity Temple Universal Unitarian Church, 875 Lake St., Oak Park. The service will be live-streamed and recorded for viewing on Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation’s YouTube Page.
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Lawrence Fox, 76 The Love Judge
Lawrence “Larry” Fox, 76, of River Forest, died on March 11, 2026. Born on Aug. 31, 1949, he was a Cook County judge for 25 years. Passionate about systemic and social justice, he successfully founded and implemented the Rehabilitation Alternative Probation (RAP) Program, which focused on treatment-based accountability through recovery, in lieu of incarceration. As a longtime adjunct professor at DePaul and Loyola law schools, he mentored future attorneys. A lifelong resident of River Forest, he attended St. Vincent Ferrer and Fenwick High Schools, and went on to attend John Carroll University, Loyola University Rome Center, and completed his Juris Doctor at Loyola University Chicago. Spending childhood summers in northern Michigan and later in Green Lake, Wisconsin nurtured his appreciation for family time: no TV, but lots of Nana’s cookies. Having officiated over 200 weddings either in marriage court or privately, he thoroughly enjoyed his nickname, “The Love Judge.” One of his greatest joys was the relationships he nurtured with members of his youth baseball teams. He dedicated many years as an Oak Park/River Forest baseball and softball coach, having won several village championship titles, and an induction to the Oak Park Youth Baseball Hall of Fame. A fan of travel, baseball, and live music, he visited 48 state capitals and every major league baseball stadium, with photos to prove it. In his later years, he could be found regularly attending his grandchildren’s sporting events or enjoying travel adventures with his wife, Ramona. He had a generosity of spirit that touched many lives and left an impact. Larry was the husband of Ramona (nee Lacey); the father of Laura (Tim) Wagner, Katherine Fox and the late Elizabeth Lacey (Steve [m. Manuela]) Dickson; proud papa of Shea, Quinn and Michael Wagner and Thomas, Maeve and Luke Dickson;
O B I T U A R I E S and brother of Alice McMahon (Pete Mavrelis) and James Fox (Penny Hamilton); and the uncle of many nieces and nephews; and cousin to the Fox, McNally, and Cronin families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Paul and Mardie Fox, and his siblings, Elizabeth “Libby” Fox, Sheila (William) McLaughlin, and Paul (late Sue) Fox. Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, Westchester, on Thursday, April 16 from 3 to 8 p.m. All will meet Friday, April 17, at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 1530 Jackson Ave., River Forest, for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass. Interment private at All Saints Cemetery. Memorials to the Way Back Inn, 104 Oak St., Maywood, IL 60153, are deeply appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co. Funeral Directors.
Cau A Ly, 75
Systems & database engineer Cau A Ly, 75, of Oak Park, died on April 3, 2026. Born in 1951 in Hai Ninh Province in northern Vietnam to a Chinese family, Cau’s early life was shaped by the movement and upheaval of war. When Vietnam was split between North and South in 1954, his family relocated to Tung Nghia in the Central Highlands. Despite frequent separation and hardship, Cau showed remarkable determination from a young age, working to ensure that both he and his younger brother, Lawrence, could pursue their education in Dalat and later in Saigon. While working at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, Cau met the love of his life, Huong. They married in late 1974. Shortly thereafter in April 1975, as the war came to an end, they immigrated to the United States as refugees with Cau’s younger brother. With the generous support of First United Methodist Church, Cau and Huong settled in Oak Park, where they built a new life. He graduated from Northeastern University in Chicago and enjoyed a long
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and successful career as a highly skilled systems and database engineer at EDS, known for his dedication and integrity. Outside of work, he found joy in nurturing his garden, learning new recipes to cook, and reading historical military fiction. Above all, he treasured time spent with his grandchildren, Lucy and Carmine, who were a constant source of pride and happiness. Cau is survived by Huong, his devoted wife of 51 years; his daughters, Van and Joanne; and his beloved grandchildren, Lucy and Carmine. He will be remembered for his resilience and quiet strength. Services were held at Zimmerman Harnett Funeral Home in Forest Park on April 10.
With a special talent for making holidays and birthdays memorable, she created traditions, fostered deep bonds, and built a foundation of love and togetherness. Deb is survived by her four daughters, Laura Parise, Jenny Ford and her husband, Christopher Ford, Susan Koronkiewicz and her husband, David Koronkiewicz, and Julie Tarpley and her husband, Steve Tarpley; her grandchildren, Jack, Ryan, and Luke Ford, Trey and Freddie Koronkiewicz, and Teddy and Harry Tarpley; and her brothers, Timmy and Larry Comeford.
Debra Parise, 75
Federal government administrator
Taught at St. Vincent Ferrer School Debra Parise (née Comeford), 75, of Oak Park, died on Tuesday afternoon, March 17, surrounded by her family. She was a woman whose wit, generosity, and compassion left a lasting imprint on others. Born and raised in Oak Park, she was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Rose and James Comeford. She was also preceded by her husband, Fred Parise Jr., who passed away in 1999, as well as her siblings Joe, Mike, Carole, and Pat Comeford. She began her career in education, pausing to dedicate herself to raising her four daughters. After the heartbreaking loss of her husband, she returned to teaching at St. Vincent School in River Forest. In the face of profound loss, she became the backbone of her family — putting each daughter through college and showing them by example what resilience, strength, and unconditional love look like. She was steady, dependable, and always there when needed. Though delightfully clumsy at times, she balanced it with a sharp wit and a gift for humor, often delivering hilarious turns of phrase and unforgettable one-liners that kept her family laughing.
Robert Marsh, 87
Robert E. Marsh Sr., 87, of LaGrange Park, formerly of Oak Park and Marshfield, Wisconsin, died on April 7, 2026. An Army veteran, he worked as an administrator for the federal government. Robert was the husband of Kathryn Marsh (nee Wiedow); the father of Robert (Michele) Marsh Jr., Alicia (Michael) Austin and William (Elizabeth) Marsh; the brother of David (Pamela) Marsh and the late James (Beverly) Marsh; grandfather of Kaitlyn, Anne, Joseph, Mackenzie and Grace Marsh, T.J. and Michael Austin, and Liam, Abby and Camden Marsh; and the brother-in-law and uncle of many family members, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his eldest grandson, Robert Edward Marsh III. Visitation will be held on Friday, April 17 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 9445 31st Street, Brookfield, IL 60513. Visitation will be held on Saturday, April 18 from 9:30 A.M. until time of Mass, 10:30 A.M., at Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the SUDC Foundation, 101 Eisenhower Pkwy, Roseland, NJ 07068 in memory of “Baby Bobby,” Bob Sr.’s eldest grandson, by clicking the link. https://sudc.org/donate.
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
SPORTS Fenwick baseball, softball enjoy spring break Friars go out of town and find success By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
The Fenwick High School baseball and softball teams headed out of town last week for spring break trips where they each faced high-quality competition, and both teams came home with winning records. The Friars’ baseball team (5-4) spent the week in Panama City, Florida. “Going 3-1 against solid competition was very positive for us,” said Fenwick coach Kyle Kmiecik, “but more importantly, the trip provided an invaluable experience for the guys to bond. On the field, we showed much resilience and battled each game.” On April 7, Fenwick prevailed over Henry County (KY) in a wild 22-16 slugfest. Jeremy Munoz had three hits, including a three-run homer in the first, and drove in four runs. Josh Morgan also had a three-run homer and four RBI and scored three runs. Ethan Gonzalez had a two-run homer, and J.J. Obaldo scored three runs.
The next day, Fenwick split a doubleheader with Madison Central (KY), winning the first game 10-7 and losing the second 12-8. In the opener, Elliot Bastedo, who has a teamhigh batting average of .717, had two hits and Rocco Nero drove in two. The Friars ended the trip, April 9, with an 8-6 victory over Lexington (KY) Lafayette. Morgan had two hits and two RBI, and Obaldo had two hits and scored twice. “We had several players step up during the week,” Kmiecik said. “Junior pitcher Colin Dragus stood out in his first varsity start and did well against a very good Kentucky team. “We saw some key hits from our upperclassmen – Zack Morgan, Beckett Javell, Rocco Nero, and Elliot Bastedo – that really set the tone in our wins. Ethan Gonzalez was phenomenal behind the plate all week and continues to be a main leader for us on and off the field.”
Fenwick softball At Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the Friars (55) won four of their six games during their first spring break trip since 2019. “We had a great experience,” said Fenwick
coach Valerie Jisa. “This was a really good opportunity for our players. I was hoping for a lot of wins; a lot of these teams were really good.” On April 6, Fenwick won its opening game at Pigeon Forge, 5-0, over MadisonvilleNorth Hopkins (KY). Sofia Kateeb went the distance in the circle, tossing a one-hitter and getting 11 strikeouts. She also went 2-for4 at the plate, including a solo homer in the third inning for the Friars’ first run. In the nightcap, Fenwick led Union (KY) Cooper 5-3 going into the seventh. But the Jaguars rallied for three runs to notch a 6-5 victory. There was some carryover in the first game the following day as the Friars were routed by Marshall County (KY), but Kateeb went 3-for-3 with four RBI as Fenwick rebounded in the second game for a 17-2 run-rule victory over Elizabethtown (KY). Gianna Pescatore got the win in the circle, striking out seven in four innings. After a day off, Fenwick ended the trip, April 9, with two wins: 5-4 over McDowell (PA) and 7-6 over Scott County (KY). Ellie Brady and Kyleena Nowinski each had three hits in the first game, and Jordan Rossi allowed four runs on four hits with
nine strikeouts in seven innings. In the final game, Bella Bigham and Alex Purta collected three hits apiece, and Pescatore and Rossi each had two RBI. Kateeb again went all seven innings for the win, posting 13 strikeouts. “None of the [wins] were pitcher-only games. Everybody had to do something defensively to get them,” Jisa said. “[Marshall County] got out of control, but we could’ve done better and knew we needed to learn from it, so we rallied the rest of the trip.” Jisa felt it was important for Fenwick to have a team-bonding experience that solidifies chemistry on and off the field. Besides the games, the team attended Easter Mass together and drove one hour to Knoxville on the day off to see the University of Tennessee softball team play Kennesaw State. With a busy schedule ahead, Jisa feels the trip was very helpful. “The early rainouts put us in a situation where we’ve got four, five games each week. [The trip] taught me how to pace out our players and use them in the right moments against certain competitors,” she said.
OPRF boys lacrosse improves gradually Despite slow start, Huskies are still optimistic By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
Looking at a 2-6 record to begin the spring, it would be easy for one to deduce that the Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity boys lacrosse team is in for a tough season. But head coach Dan Ganschow thinks the Huskies have performed better than the record shows, and he’s confident about a turnaround occurring sooner than later. “Early in the season, we had a strong win
against Riverside-Brookfield and competed closely with a couple of top 10-ranked opponents. Overall, we’ve been tested early, which has been valuable for our development,” Ganschow said. OPRF returned 11 players from last year’s squad that finished 7-11, including junior attacker and captain Connor Ganschow, who leads the team in points; junior attacker Arlo Hungerford, who has 18 goals so far this season; and senior defender and captain Connor Barr. The Huskies also have a pair of newcomers making an impact in sophomore attacker James Mattiace and senior defender Kenan Walsh. “James is a young addition to the roster and is a deceptive shooter,” Coach Ganschow said. “Kenan, who’s in his first year
as a varsity starter, is athletic and dependable against some of our opponents’ top offensive threats. “Our early strengths have been building our team culture and preparing to compete mentally each week. Areas we’re continuing to work on include consistency, execution under pressure, game-speed decisionmaking, and clearing [the ball].” Under Ganschow, OPRF has generally played a challenging schedule, and this spring is no different. The Huskies were highly competitive in losses to Downers Grove South, Mount Carmel and WheatonWarrenville South, all of whom are currently undefeated and ranked. Ganschow is looking forward to upcoming games at Lyons Township, April 14 (after deadline)
and at home with Fenwick, May 15. “Those games should give us a good measure of where we are and what we need to improve,” he said. The West Suburban Silver is perennially strong, and Ganschow said OPRF will need to be at its best against Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, and York – teams he feels are strong contenders for the conference title. “Our goal is to continue building a team that plays hard, plays together, and improves every day,” Ganschow added. “If we stay consistent, compete for four quarters, and take care of the details, we believe we can put ourselves in a position to compete for a conference title and make a strong postseason run.”
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Former OPRF softball star returns, defeats Huskies Baseball splits doubleheader with Maine South
By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate Emily Richardson was a star player for the Huskies’ state championship softball team in 2016, gaining First Team AllState honors following her senior season. Upon conclusion of her playing career at Valparaiso University, Richardson entered the coaching profession. She is in her fourth year as head coach of Amundsen and brought the Vikings to Ridgeland Common, April 11, for a non-conference game against the Huskies. “Emily is wonderful. She’s done an amazing job with that program,” said OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin following Amundsen’s 3-2 victory. “They came ready to play today, and they deserved to win.” Amundsen (8-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Lydia Hulliberger walked with one out and scored on a two-run homer by Ashley Ellevog off OPRF starting pitcher Caroline Rainey. The Vikings added what ultimately proved to be the decisive run in the
third on a fielder’s choice RBI by Allie Reynolds, who was strong in the circle as well, going the distance and allowing two runs on three hits and posting 13 strikeouts. OPRF (11-4) scored twice in the bottom of the sixth. A pair of Amundsen errors allowed Julia Henderson and Georgia Godellas to reach base with one out, and Avery Lane (2-for-3) cashed in the gifts with a double to right-center that plated both. But Lane was stranded as Reynolds struck out Gabriella Chesney and Cecy Piper to end the inning. “[Reynolds] was fabulous, all credit to her,” Coughlin said. “We’re averaging about 10 runs per game and if it weren’t for those errors, she would’ve shut us out.” But Coughlin added that the loss doesn’t take away from what’s been a strong spring so far, and he’s confident OPRF will bounce back. “We’ll be OK. We’re having a great season,” Coughlin said. “I’m happy with this group and how they’re playing. We’ll get back at it.”
OPRF baseball The Huskies (9-6) split a doubleheader against visiting Maine South, April 11. OPRF prevailed 4-2 in the first game but fell 5-2 in the nightcap. “Any time we can get a good team like Maine South scheduled for a Saturday and play two, it’s something that’s going to make us better,” said OPRF coach Kevin Campbell. “I thought we swung it pretty well today, and in the first game, Cam Barnes pitched one of his better games in the last two years. We talked about bringing in a lot of energy and Cam set the tone for us.” Barnes went six innings in Game 1 and allowed a run on four hits while walking two and striking out five. Owyn Edwards allowed a run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly but got the save. Zach Goldberg, Sam Kalina, Robert Kolovitz, Xavier Martin, and Johnny Nelson each had a single, and Kalina and Liam Moroney each drove in a run. In Game 2, a two-run single from Julian
Garcia-Bariel (3-for-4) in the second gave OPRF a 2-0 lead. But Maine South rallied in the third for four runs (three earned) off starting pitcher Seth Osta, who lasted just 2.2 innings. Walks were the biggest culprit for Osta as he allowed five. Julian Collazo relieved Osta and allowed one hit in 2.1 innings. Augie Sterritt finished up, allowing one run in two innings. “We got a chance to see some guys we haven’t seen a lot in the last week and a half,” Campbell said of the second game. “Some of them really showed us that they’re going to compete, whether it’s for a starting job or coming in late in games for pinch-hitting or defense. We’ve got a lot of competition, and we’re excited about that. “We’re right where we want to be,” he added. “We were in a little bit of a rut this week (OPRF lost two of three to West Suburban Silver rival Lyons Township); we weren’t ourselves. We needed to bring the energy and get back on track, and I thought we did that today.”
OPRF boys volleyball fourth at Arizona tournament Three Huskies make AllTournament Team By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys volleyball team had a solid showing in Phoenix, Arizona last weekend, finishing fourth in the Brophy Prep Invitational. The Huskies (7-3-1) finished second in Pool B play, April 10. In the opener, they defeated Mesa (AZ) Red Mountain 28-26, 2517. Following a 22-25, 23-25 defeat to Mesa Mountain View, OPRF ended the day defeating Gilbert (AZ) Highland 25-21, 25-20, and Chandler (AZ) 25-18, 25-23, then split with Queen Creek (AZ) Casteel 21-25, 25-18. On April 11, OPRF defeated Brophy 25-16, 25-14 to advance to the semifinals. But the Huskies lost there to eventual tournament
champion Perry (AZ) 27-29, 21-25 to drop into the consolation round. The Huskies responded nicely with a 2518, 23-25, 15-10 victory over Williams Field (AZ) to advance to the third-place match, which was a 25-27, 25-16, 14-16 defeat to Mater Dei (CA). Outside hitter Trayce Chrusfield III, middle hitter Wesley Kochendorfer, and setter Matthew Proskey were named to the Brophy All-Tournament team. The Huskies travel to Brother Rice, April 20, before returning home to face Hinsdale Central in a West Suburban Silver match, April 21.
Outdoor track and field The Fenwick High School boys took third at the Ridgewood Outdoor Opener, April 11, with 121 points, just 17 behind champion Tinley Park and eight behind runner-up Wheaton Academy. Aiden Williams won both hurdles events
with season-best times. He took the 110 in 14.96 seconds and the 300 in 41.08. Cameron Garrett won the 100-meter dash in 11.28 and the 200 in 23.13, both personal bests. James Kiesewetter was second in the 800 with a personal-best 2:15.74. Kiesewetter also ran the anchor leg of the 4 x 800 relay, which finished second in 9:06.14. Burke Burns, Aidan Powers, and Jason Garza ran the first three legs respectively. In girls’ action at Ridgewood, Trinity placed fourth in the team standings with 80 points and Fenwick was sixth with 43. Senior Aaliyah Porter had an outstanding meet for the Blazers, winning the 200 in a personal-best 28.34 and placing third in the 100 in a season-best 13.89. Sophomore Karis Young won the 100 hurdles in a personalbest 16.39, with senior Gioy Smart taking fourth in a personal-best 18.27. Young also won the long jump with a distance of 4.70 meters (15 feet, 5 inches). Trinity’s 4 x 200 relay of Young, Porter, Mary Burns, and Amira Straw was second
in 1:57.53. Junior Irandi Vargas finished third in the discus with a best throw of 61 feet, 11 inches (18.87 meters). Fenwick junior Mia Bagato won the 1600 with a personal-best 5:32.30. Sophomore Bridget Brunick was second in 5:38.45, and junior Juliana Gamboa was fourth in 5:41.27.
Girls soccer Goals from Lila Sposeep in the first half and Lilly Wright in the second gave OPRF (2-2-1) a 2-1 victory over Sandburg in the Plainfield North Classic, April 11. The Huskies continue the tournament this week with a match against Neuqua Valley at Andrew, April 15. On April 7, Grace Ramel’s hat trick propelled Trinity (3-1) to a 3-2 victory over Montini Catholic. Ramel has 14 goals in four games this season for the Blazers, who host Regina Dominican at Dominican University in River Forest, April 16.
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NOTICE AND REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)
Interested parties are asked to contact the Chief Safety Officer if a site visit is necessary. The District reserves the right to terminate this contract prior to bids being received, to reject any and all proposals, and to be the sole judge of the value and merit of the proposals offered. Upon review of the proposals received in response to the RFP, the District may enter into a contract with the provider that best meets the needs of the District and that the District best feels meets the safety needs of the District’s students, employees, and the surrounding community. The District reserves the right to waive any irregularities, reject any and all proposals, and to be the sole judge of the value and merit of the proposals offered.
LEGAL NOTICE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS
Notice is hereby given that Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the District) requests proposals for Professional Crossing Guard Services at approximately 28 locations in the Village of Oak Park, Illinois. These crossings serve: � William Beye Elementary School 230 N. Cuyler, Oak Park, IL 60302 � William Hatch Elementary School - 1000 N. Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 � Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School - 508 N. Kenilworth, Oak Park, IL 60302 � Washington Irving Elementary School - 1125 S. Cuyler Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304 � Abraham Lincoln Elementary School - 1111 S. Grove, Oak Park, IL 60304 � Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Elementary School - 721 S. Highland Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304 � Horace Mann Elementary School - 921 N. Kenilworth Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 � John Greenleaf Whittier School – 715 N. Harvey, Oak Park, IL 60302 � Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School – 325 S. Kenilworth Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 � Percy Julian Middle School – 416 S. Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302 The District’s objective in issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to provide a means by which to select a single qualified contractor (Qualified Contractor) for Professional Crossing Guard Services. Proposals will be received until 12:00 pm on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, at which time proposals shall be publicly opened. For more information contact Felicia Starks, Chief Safety Officer, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 524-3000 fstarks@op97.org. To obtain a copy of the Request for Proposal in its entirety, please visit the District website, https:// www.op97.org, and navigate to the Business Office page under Departments > Business Office > Bids and Proposals. Proposals may be emailed to Felicia Starks, Chief Safety Officer fstarks@op97.org, hand delivered to the District Office, or mailed certified return receipt requested and received any time prior to, but no later than 12:00 pm, Friday, May 1, 2026. Proposals received after the time specified in the Request for Proposals (RFP) may not be considered at the District’s discretion. Mailed proposals submitted must be sealed and clearly marked as: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 District-Wide Professional Crossing Guard Services Proposal Felicia Starks, Chief Safety Officer 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302
Felicia Starks, Chief Safety Officer
APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION PERMIT Public notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Historic Preservation Commission of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois on Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:
The applicant is: Marty Barakat – Beyond Custom co dba Stanley Garage Builders
LEGAL NOTICE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION PERMIT
Residents are welcome to attend the April 30th, 2026, Historic Preservation Commission meeting and will be provided an opportunity to address the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed project. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. A copy of the application and meeting agenda can be found at Village Hall and on the Village website at www.vrf.us. If you cannot attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting but would like to provide comments to the Historic Preservation Commission, you may submit comments in writing, via letter or email. Comments can be sent to lmasella@vrf.us or 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please call 708-366-8500 with questions.
Application #26-04: Certificate of Appropriateness application for the DEMOLITION of the GARAGE at 236 Keystone, River Forest, IL, a structure listed on the Village survey of architecturally or historically significant properties. The applicant is: The Garage Guy, Inc. -dba- Absolute Garage Builders / Vito Ippolito Residents are welcome to attend the April 30th, 2026, Historic Preservation Commission meeting and will be provided an opportunity to address the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed project. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. A copy of the application and meeting agenda can be found at Village Hall and on the Village website at www.vrf.us. If you cannot attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting but would like to provide comments to the Historic Preservation Commission, you may submit comments in writing, via letter or email. Comments can be sent to lmasella@vrf.us or 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please call 708-366-8500 with questions. Luke Masella Staff Liaison Historic Preservation Commission Published in Wednesday Journal April 15, 2026
Residents are welcome to attend the April 30th 2026, Historic Preservation Commission meeting and will be provided an opportunity to address the Historic Preservation Commission regarding the proposed project. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing. A copy of the application and meeting agenda can be found at Village Hall and on the Village website at www.vrf.us. If you cannot attend the Historic Preservation Commission meeting but would like to provide comments to the Historic Preservation Commission, you may submit comments in writing, via letter or email. Comments can be sent to lmasella@vrf.us or 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois 60305. Please call 708-366-8500 with questions. Luke Masella Staff Liaison Historic Preservation Commission Published in Wednesday Journal April 15, 2026
Application #26-02: Certificate of Appropriateness application for the DEMOLITION of the GARAGE at 743 William, River Forest, IL, a structure listed on the Village survey of architecturally or historically significant properties.
Published in Wednesday Journal April 15, 2026
Public notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Historic Preservation Commission of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois on Thursday, April 30th, 2026, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:
PUBLIC NOTICES
Luke Masella Staff Liaison Historic Preservation Commission Published in Wednesday Journal April 15, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION PERMIT Public notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Historic Preservation Commission of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois on Thursday, April 30th, 2026 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter: Application #26-01: Certificate of Appropriateness application for the DEMOLITION of the GARAGE at 1447 Ashland, River Forest, IL, a structure listed on the Village survey of architecturally or historically significant properties. The applicant is: Mindy Viamontes, AIA - M VIAMONTES ARCHITECTURE + INTERIORS
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
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. WJ/FPR/RB LANDMARK
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER: 13-26-Z HEARING DATE: May 6, 2026 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Madeline Juarez, on behalf of SDOP Corporation, seeking a variance from Section 7-7-15(C)(1) of the Oak Park Sign Code, in order to allow proposed signage to cover more than 25% of a window area along the south wall of the building at 421 N Harlem Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-124-033-0000 (“Subject Property”).
A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER: 14-26-Z HEARING DATE: May 6, 2026 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicants, Eugene Grzynkowicz and Andrew Kowalyszyn, on behalf of Pete’s Market (JD Real Estate Inc.), seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code in order to install two wall signs at 668 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-419-017-0000 (“Subject Property”). 1. 7-7-15(D)(1)(b): For a corner lot, the maximum size of a wall sign located on each building wall shall be established at one (1) square foot per linear foot of zoning lot frontage as measured along the front or corner side lot line of that building wall. The size of a wall sign on each side of the building shall be limited to the square footage calculated on that side only. In no case shall the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the front lot line and the square footage permitted for the building wall located along the corner side lot line be combined to create a larger sign on a wall other than that permitted on each individual wall. The linear measurement of the east and west lot lines is 123 feet, but the signs would be 126 square feet in area. 2. 7-7-15(D)(4): No wall sign affixed to a building, including sign support structure, may project beyond the ends or top of the wall to which it is attached. On existing buildings, a parapet wall must not be constructed for the sole purpose of increasing the
allowable height of a wall sign. For new buildings, when a sign is to be mounted on a parapet wall, that parapet wall must be consistent with the architectural design of the building, including building materials. Wall signs may not be attached to un-reinforced masonry parapets. Wall signs shall not cover windows, doors or architectural features. The west wall sign would cover window features on the front façade of the building. 3. 7-7-15(D)(5): Wall signs should be located on the sign frieze or the sign band of the building immediately above the first-floor window and below the secondfloor window sills in the case of a two-story building. No wall sign shall be permitted to rise above the second story sill line. On onestory buildings, the top of the sign shall be no more than five (5) feet above the top of the main display window on the first floor. Both signs would be mounted near the top of the building. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a crossexamination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park -- Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2026 for Project: 26-01, Water and Sewer Improvements. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of the installation of combined sewer mains including residential service lines, precast manholes, drainage structures and catch basin connections, replacement of watermain and water services, water valve replacements, combined sewer spot repairs, restoration of roadway including curb and gutter, sidewalks, driveways, parkways, pavement markings, curb bump-outs, hot-mix asphalt pavement, and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, April 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 10154984 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening. The work to be performed pursuant to this proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Published in Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
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Wednesday Journal, April 15, 2026
OAKPARK.COM
Special Advertising Section
April 15, 2026 B1
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
Health
Spring 2026
A Special Advertising Section
Wellness and
Guide
B2 April 15, 2026
M
Special Advertising Section
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
Your Whole Family Deserves Whole-Person Care to be cared for at the same time—a teenager working through anxiety with a therapist while a parent receives acupuncture, or a couple in session while their child participates in a group. For families stretched by the pace of daily life, having a shared wellness home can create a quiet but powerful sense of connection—a way of saying that health is something this family values and tends to together.
ost of us manage our health in separate boxes—different providers, different locations, and little connection between them. But there is a better way. Garden Health Group, located in River Forest, was built on a simple but powerful idea: when care is connected, people heal more fully—and families function better. Mental and physical health are not separate, and treating them that way often means something important gets missed. At Garden Health Group, mental health therapists and bodywork specialists work side by side in one shared setting. Services include a range of massage therapies, acupuncture, Rolfing, meditation, and yoga—all thoughtfully integrated to support the whole person. The result is something genuinely rare in the western suburbs: coordinated, whole-person care for every member of the family.
That integration is more than a convenience—it’s foundational to how healing works. Stress, trauma, and emotional strain don’t just stay in the mind; they show up in the body. Chronic tension, disrupted sleep, and physical discomfort are often deeply connected to what we carry emotionally. In the same way, anxiety and depression can be meaningfully
improved through movement, breathwork, and body-based therapies alongside traditional talk therapy. When practitioners share both a philosophy and a space, care becomes more consistent, collaborative, and effective. At Garden Health Group, it’s not unusual for different family members
The practice is also deeply rooted in the community it serves. Garden Health Group is a women-owned, locally-owned, OPRF Chamber member practice. Its therapists accept Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Cross Blue Shield Endeavor HMO, Aetna, Aetna Advantage Medicare, and Medicare, with superbills available for other carriers. Spring is a natural time to take stock of how your family is really doing—and to choose a more connected way to care for your health.
Body & Mind Wellness Embrace Growth Acupuncture Massage Rolfing Thai Massage Cupping Reiki Yoga
Clinical Psychologists Licensed Counselors Social Workers Somatic Therapists Meditation Family Therapy Couples Therapy
Families Couples Adults Children
Aetna | BCBS | Medicare Behind DSW and Whole Foods in River Forest
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April 15, 2026 B3
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
FFC Oak Park: How Chicago’s Best Gym Delivers Real Results
A Wo W Word r fr rd ffrom rom th ro tthee Co C Co-Chairs -Ch C air Ch irs ir rs of o th tthee 10th t Annual Co th C mmunity t Health ty t & We th W lln ll lness Fa FFair i ir Community Wellness
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A key part of Monica’s What began as t Fitness Formula Clubs, transformation has something that we believe that fitness is been the guidance felt more like a not just about results. It is of our expert trainers. chore turned about building a lifestyle that feels Ten years ago, a seed was planted Oak This year's event every stage of life and Atspans FFC, our trainers intoin a routine sustainable, empowering, and uniquely Park-River —journey a belief every every dimension well-being goofbeyond leading— from she truly your own. Monica Forest Bondoc’s at that maternity and pediatric care, physical and neighbor to theappreciated. resources m aternitty ya nd p ediatric They c are, tto op hysical a nd workouts. FFC Oak Park refldeserves ects exactlyaccess what sets recovery, financial wellness, and insurance e that help them live well. Today, that seed has s educate, support, and Monica now our community apart and why FFC has empower visits beengrown voted Chicago’s Gymcommunity three community's into oneBest of our t 's three ty mostto four navigation. Whether youmembers are welcoming a to understand their times a week, balanced yearscherished in a row. traditions, and this year, we are creating a new baby, raising children, managing your bodies and build approach that includes strength honored to celebrate own health, or supporting an aging loved When Monica joined FFC Oakthe Park10th Annual confidence. For for you. training, group fitness classes, and is something in April 2025, shety searching for Community twas Health & Wellness Fair. one, there here Monica, this meant intentional recovery. consistency. She had I am Sun-Hee Yoon, founder of Sage Lifesty Lifestyle t le ty e Thisis is what whole-community t health look ty looks ks gaining the knowledge Whether she explored different gyms, Concierge, dedicated to helping families like. We hope to see you there. to eventually create challenging herself in a worked with private navigate caregiving and aging with her own routines and feel fully high-energy bootcamp, trainers, and tried classes independent in her fitness journey. fi nding focus in Pilates, intention and to bringing health and like yoga, but nothing or taking time to wellness professionals together to better Founder & Owner, Sage Her Lifestyle Concierge LLC growth has extended far beyond quite clicked. “Fitness recharge in our recovery community. serve community t . Joining me is co-chair ty the physical. Monica has developed felt more likeour something spaces, each visit serves a stronger sense of confidence and I had Lori to doMalinski rather of the Public Health Health Department, Village of Oak Park a purpose.Public “What a new mindset around movement. than something I truly Department at the Village of Oak Park. started as a simple gym What once felt intimidating now feels enjoyed,” she shares. Together, we are proud to present a Fair thatt membership quickly exciting. She has embraced new Fromreflects the moment she the full arc of a healthy life in OPRF. became a routine I look challenges, discovered what works for became part of FFC, that forward to,” she says. her, and found genuine joy in showing began to change.
Sun-Hee Yoon Lori Malinski
up for herself.
STEP INTO FFC OAK PARK WITH VIP ACCESS.
Equally important is the sense of community she found at FFC Oak Park. Presenting S Sp poOur nsor clubs are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, creating an environment where members support one another at every stage. Monica has built meaningful connections and even inspired those around her to begin their own journeys. Her experience is a reflection of what defines FFC. We combine best-in-class amenities, diverse programming, and a supportive community to create more than just a place to work out. For Monica, and for so many others, FFC has become a second home. 1114 N Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 • (708) 383-1114 • FFC.COM/OAK-PARK
ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY DAY AT THE CLUB, COMPLETE WITH A TRAINING SESSION AND TIME IN THE RECOVERY LOUNGE. CLAIM YOUR VIP PASS
1114 Lake St | Oak Park, IL (708) 383-1114
Home of the OPRF Community Health & Wellness Fair Sunday, April 19 | 11 AM - 2 PM
B4 April 15, 2026
I
Special Advertising Section
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
Your Hearing Journey Starts with Us
n a world filled with vibrant sounds – the laughter of loved ones, the melody of music, the gentle rustle of leaves – experiencing hearing loss can feel isolating and disheartening. However, it doesn't have to be that way. At our clinic, we understand the profound impact that hearing loss can have on your life, which is why we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective treatment to help you rediscover the joy of sound. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose us for your hearing loss treatment journey: ▪ Expertise and Experience: Our team consists of highly trained audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals who have years of experience in diagnosing and treating various types of hearing loss. Whether your hearing loss is due to aging, noise exposure, or other factors, rest assured that you are in capable hands. ▪ Comprehensive Evaluation: We believe in taking a personalized
approach to hearing healthcare. When you visit our clinic, we will conduct a thorough evaluation of your hearing abilities, taking into account your lifestyle, communication needs, and any specific concerns you may have. This allows us to tailor our treatment recommendations to suit your unique circumstances. ▪ State-of-the-Art Technology: We are committed to staying at the forefront of advancements in hearing healthcare technology. From cutting-edge diagnostic equipment to the latest hearing aid technologies, we offer a range of solutions designed to improve your hearing clarity and quality of life. ▪ Individualized Treatment Plans: We understand that hearing loss is not a one-size-fits-all condition. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns and preferences before developing a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Whether you require hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or auditory
rehabilitation therapy, we will work closely with you to find the best solution. ▪ Ongoing Support and Care: Our commitment to your hearing health doesn't end after your initial treatment. We believe in building long-term relationships with our patients and providing ongoing support and care to ensure that you continue to enjoy optimal hearing health for years to come. From regular follow-up appointments to adjustments and maintenance services, we are here for you every step of the way. ▪ Improved Quality of Life: The ability to hear and communicate effectively is essential for maintaining social connections, staying engaged in activities you love, and preserving your overall well-being. By seeking treatment for your hearing loss, you can experience a significant improvement in your quality of life, allowing you to fully participate in conversations, enjoy your favorite hobbies, and reconnect with the world around you.
6905 North Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 • (708) 445-7171 • savehearing.com
Don't let hearing loss hold you back from living life to the fullest. Take the first step towards better hearing health today by scheduling a consultation with us. Together, we can help you rediscover the joy of sound and embrace a brighter, more vibrant future.
Dr. Cynthia Chow
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A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
The Health and W Th Weellness FFa air is back — and it''ss ffrree! Connect with 50+ local health and w weellness eexxxh hibitorrsss,, discovveer new resourcess,, and makkee a day ooff it with the w wh hole ffa amillyyy..
April 15, 2026 B5
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B6 April 15, 2026
Special Advertising Section
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
Beyond Prescriptions: 25 Years of Personalized, Integrative Medicine in Oak Park
J
uly 2026 marks the 25th Anniversary of Integrative Therapies, Ltd.—a milestone that reflects Dr. Carlos Reynes’ longstanding commitment to doing medicine differently and doing it right. Before founding his practice in 2001, Dr. Reynes spent 10 years practicing traditional Internal Medicine at Gottlieb Hospital. During that time, he gained invaluable clinical experience, but also saw firsthand the limitations of conventional care. Too often, medicine focused on managing numbers, suppressing symptoms, and moving patients quickly through the system. That approach never sat well with him. He knew patients deserved more. So in 2001, he stepped away from the traditional model and built Integrative Therapies, Ltd. from the ground up with a clear purpose: to offer care that actually makes sense. His vision was simple but powerful—identify and treat the root cause of illness rather than
just covering it up. Instead of handing out prescriptions to chase lab values or silence symptoms, he wanted to understand why those symptoms were happening in the first place. That philosophy continues to define his work today. With over 34 years of experience, Dr. Reynes along with Cris Ortiz his medical assistant have helped thousands of patients prevent and reverse chronic conditions through a personalized, integrative approach. Dr. Reynes blends the best of conventional medicine with evidencebased natural therapies, always tailoring care to the individual. No shortcuts. No cookie-cutter protocols. Just thoughtful, patient-centered medicine. At the core of his approach is a focus on lifestyle as the first prescription. Nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress are not side conversations— they are foundational. From there,
he builds customized care plans that may include advanced testing, targeted supplementation, hormone optimization, and when appropriate, prescription medications used with precision and purpose. What also sets Dr. Reynes apart is his independence. As a self-employed physician, he is not constrained by insurance companies, corporate systems, or government mandates. That freedom allows him to spend real time with patients, think critically, and deliver care based solely on what is best for the individual—not what fits into a system. Over the past 25 years, Integrative Therapies, Ltd. has become a trusted destination for patients seeking answers—especially in areas like thyroid health and bioidentical hormone optimization for both women and men. Many come after feeling frustrated elsewhere, and finally experience what it means to be heard,
understood, and treated as a whole person. Dr. Reynes is more than a physician— he is a partner, educator, collaborator, and coach. He keeps his practice intentionally small so he can be available when patients need him, delivering the kind of care he would expect for his own family. Twenty-five years in, the mission hasn’t changed—help people take control of their health by addressing the root cause and building a strong foundation for long-term wellness. If you’re ready for a smarter, more personalized approach to your health, visit www. integrativetherapieswellness.com to learn more.
Lea abou rn more t our appro unique ach
Why Choose Us? W An A n IIntegrative ntegrative Approach A pproach to Health
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708.771.3471
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Dr. Carlos Reynes
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April 15, 2026 B7
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
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Holiday 2025
Your Guide to Hol iday Shopping & Din ing in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Par k
Spring
Performing Arts 2025
Guide
Upcoming Special Sections Forest Park Community Guide • April 29 Mother’s Day • May 6
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B8 April 15, 2026
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
Celebrating our 30th Year as Oak Park’s Original Martial Arts Education Center!
• Authentic Programming Designed, Created and Led by GrandMaster Yu • Emphasis on the Discipline, Wellness and Safety Benefits of Martial Arts Training; creating Community Wellness and Responsible Citizenship
• All Instructors and Masters are Local, trained from within by GrandMaster Yu: consistent, high standards • Safe, Accessible Facility with on-site parking and a caring, Asian-inspired environment in North Oak Park
“GrandMaster Yu is an important part of our community, and personally, part of our family.” – Oak Park Dad “We were referred to you by our son’s OT; we stayed because he feels welcome and we like how you incorporate character building into your instruction and the sense of responsibility.” – Another Oak Park Dad “GrandMaster Yu has a unique ability to instill self-love and self-discipline in children in a purposeful way with structure and humor.” – River Forest Mom “GrandMaster Yu and the Instructors are all amazing: they have had such a positive impact on our daughters!” – Oak Park Mom
JOIN US to Discover how AWESOME you ARE!
6701 W. North Ave., Oak Park
708-383-3456 www.master-sh-yu.com Follow Us!
NinjaLove makes the world go round!
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HOME CARE SERVICES FOR THE SENIORS
April 15, 2026 B9
B10 April 15, 2026
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A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
New Approach Mental Health, PLLC THERAPY FOR A BALANCED LIFE
FIND joy in movement we'll find your pefect fit.
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(224) 603-1751
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April 15, 2026 B11
Aire A ire S Serv erv ooff O Oak ak P Park arrkk • A Andy nd dyy K Ka Kaczkowski, acczzkow wsskii,, W We WestPoint estPoint FFi Financial inancial G Group roup • A Athletico thletico P Physical hyyssical Th TTherapy herapy • Brookdale Oak Park r • CA rk C CAYR Y Connections • Celebrating YR Seniors r Coalition • Chicago Child Ps rs P y hiatry yc r Associates • CI ry C IMPA IM P R • Collaboration fo fforr Early l Childhood • Comf ly mfo mf fort Ke K epers r • Community rs t Support Services • ty Psychiatry CIMPAR Comfort Keepers Consulting Audiology g Associates/ gy s Th s/ T e Hearing Place • Devo v ted Health • DOTD vo T OC • Elder Care Solutions and Home Companion Solutions • Em TD EEmpower power Fa FFamily mily l ly Associates/The Devoted DOTDOC TTherapy Th erapy • Fi FFirstLight r tLig rs igh ig ght Home Care of o Oak Park r • Fr rk FFrick ick Ki K ds Art • Gif ift if ft of o Hope Org r an & Ti rg TTissue ssue Donor Network r • Greater Fa rk FFamily mily l Health • HEA ly E L We EA W llness + Kids Gift Organ HEAL Wellness Longevity t • Home In ty IInstead stead Oak Park r • Lif rk ife if feSp S an Counseling & Ps P y hological Services • Main Line Benef yc efi ef fits t • MOMENTUM OP • NA N M Metro Suburb MI r an • New rb LifeSpan Psychological Benefits NAMI Suburban Approach Mental Health • Niche Phys y ical Th ys TTherapy erapy • Oak Park r Public Library rk r • Oak Street Health • Progr ry g essive gr v Ps ve P y hiatry yc r • Pure Green • Purp ry r oseCare of rp o Physical Progressive Psychiatry PurposeCare Illinois • Renewal by Anders r en • Roya rs ya y l Health Care • Sage Lif ife if festy tyl ty yle Concierg r e • Sarah's rg ' In 's IInn n • Serenity t Holistic Health • Smart Love ty v Fa ve FFamily mily l Services • Sy ly S yn ynerg rg rgy gy Andersen Royal Lifestyle Concierge Synergy IIntegrative In nteegggrrativvee H ealth & W We ellness • TTh he O CD a nd A nxiettyy C enter • TTh he P earl ooff M ontclare • TTh hresholds • TTh hrivvee C ounseling C enter • Chiro One • United Ve V in & Health Wellness The OCD and Anxiety Center The Pearl Montclare Thresholds Thrive Counseling Center Vein V Va ascular C enterrss • V Vi illage ooff O ak P arrkk • W Wa alllyy''ss H earth • W We est C ook Y YM MC CA A•W We est SSuburban uburrb ban S Sp pecial R ecreation A ssociation Vascular Centers Village Oak Park Wally's Hearth West Cook YMCA West Special Recreation Association
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The Austin HOPE Center — opening later this year at 50 5044 044 W. Chicago Ave. — brings together healing, opportunity, partnerships, and equity in one place. Codeveloped by Lurie Children's and community partners, it will offer pediatric specialty and behavioral health services, community health education, and gathering space for youth and local organizations. We're proud to have Lurie Children's as a Gold Sponsor and even prouder to see them investing in the community this way. Scan the QR code to learn r more. rn
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Building Health Brightening Futures
LEARN MORE
OAK PARK RIVER FOREST
Infant Welfare Society
The Children’s Clinic
childrenscliniciws.org
Advancing the health and well-being of children in need
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April 15, 2026 B13
A H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S G U I D E
FFC Oak Park: How Chicago’s Best Gym Delivers Real Results
A
t Fitness Formula Clubs, we believe that fitness is not just about results. It is about building a lifestyle that feels sustainable, empowering, and uniquely your own. Monica Bondoc’s journey at FFC Oak Park reflects exactly what sets our community apart and why FFC has been voted Chicago’s Best Gym three years in a row. When Monica joined FFC Oak Park in April 2025, she was searching for consistency. She had explored different gyms, worked with private trainers, and tried classes like yoga, but nothing quite clicked. “Fitness felt more like something I had to do rather than something I truly enjoyed,” she shares. From the moment she became part of FFC, that began to change.
What began as something that felt more like a chore turned into a routine she truly appreciated. Monica now visits three to four times a week, creating a balanced approach that includes strength training, group fitness classes, and intentional recovery. Whether she is challenging herself in a high-energy bootcamp, finding focus in Pilates, or taking time to recharge in our recovery spaces, each visit serves a purpose. “What started as a simple gym membership quickly became a routine I look forward to,” she says.
A key part of Monica’s transformation has been the guidance of our expert trainers. At FFC, our trainers go beyond leading workouts. They educate, support, and empower members to understand their bodies and build confidence. For Monica, this meant gaining the knowledge to eventually create her own routines and feel fully independent in her fitness journey. Her growth has extended far beyond the physical. Monica has developed a stronger sense of confidence and a new mindset around movement. What once felt intimidating now feels exciting. She has embraced new challenges, discovered what works for her, and found genuine joy in showing up for herself.
Equally important is the sense of community she found at FFC Oak Park. Our clubs are designed to be welcoming and inclusive, creating an environment where members support one another at every stage. Monica has built meaningful connections and even inspired those around her to begin their own journeys. Her experience is a reflection of what defines FFC. We combine best-in-class amenities, diverse programming, and a supportive community to create more than just a place to work out. For Monica, and for so many others, FFC has become a second home. 1114 N Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 • (708) 383-1114 • FFC.COM/OAK-PARK
Keeping INTO Minds Sharp: Lifestyle Habits — and the Right Community — Can Protect Your Brain STEP FFCHow OAK PARK ENJOY A COMPLIMENTARY DAY WITH VIP ACCESS.
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or many Oak Park-area families, the question of how to protect brain health as we age is deeply personal. The good news is science is delivering increasingly clear answers for seniors and families — and they point to the power of everyday habits.
The Alzheimer's Association's landmark U.S. POINTER study found that multidomain lifestyle interventions improved cognition in older adults at elevated risk for cognitive decline. When physical activity, improved nutrition, cognitive engagement, and social connection are combined into a structured program, the impact on brain health becomes even more powerful. Research has1114 shown these also IL have a Lake Sthabits | Oakcan Park, measurable impact later in life, too. (708) 383-1114 That is the philosophy behind
Belmont Village Senior Living Oak Park’s personalized programming — and it's one that resident Dan E. knows firsthand.
When Dan moved in about a year ago, he was quiet, his mobility was limited, and participating in group activities was a struggle. Today, staff and fellow residents know him as "Dan the Man" — one of the most beloved figures in the building. A career in sales had made Dan competitive and driven. At Belmont Village, that spirit found a new outlet. "The ability to work with others," he says, has made all the difference. Working with the therapy team, Dan has improved his posture, balance, and strength in both his arms and legs — gains that have made everyday routines safer and more manageable and recently earned him a new wheelchair that brought
fresh energy to his daily life. Nancy, an Enrichment Leader who assists in running programs at Belmont Village, says it best: "I think if Belmont Village had a prom, Dan would be King."
time engaged in purposeful activities and exhibit far less apathy than those directing their own time.
AT THE CLUB, COMPLETE Dan's journey captures all of this in one story. His warmth has drawn WITHcompelling A toTRAINING Dan also thrives in the cognitive and people him. His drive has fueled real social programming at the heart of progress. And for families across Oak Park SESSION AND TIME IN Belmont Village's approach. Belmont’s thinking about brain health, for a loved one Whole Brain Fitness philosophy engages or for themselves, his experience offers THE residents through physical and mental RECOVERY LOUNGE. an encouraging reminder: it is never too exercise, proper nutrition, lifelong learning, late, and the right community makes all the social connection, and a sense of purpose. CLAIM YOUR VIP PASS difference. For Dan, that means enthusiasm for math, To learn more about Whole Brain art, and music activities — and a growing circle of friends throughout the community.
Fitness and Circle of Friends® at Belmont
Village Senior Living Oak Park, visit Belmont Village's Circle of Friends® belmontvillage.com/oakpark or call 708program supports residents, including 848-7200 to schedule a tour. Dan, with mild cognitive impairment through small group activities seven days a week, designed to create the "just right Home of the OPRF Community Health & Wellness Fair challenge" for each participant. Research Sunday, April 19 | 11 AM - 2 PM has shown that residents in structured programming spend significantly more
B14 April 15, 2026
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Prrreesented by P
No C Cooop pa ayy Requiirrreed
Free F ree entry, free swag bags, and free health scree screenings enin ngs — courtesy of our presenting sponsor, Rush Oak P ark k Hospital. Park No ccatch atch, n no o rreason eason n not ot tto o sshow how u up p. catch, up.
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Be A Neiigggh hbor This Th his is your community showing up for itself. Come be part of it.
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We're W e're ggrateful rateful tto oh have ave S Smart mart B Behavior ehavior S Solutions olutions aass a Gold Sponsor of this year's fair. If your kkid id h as b een tthrough hrough ttherapist herapist aafter fter ttherapist herapist w ithout clicking, they might be the fresh start has been without yyou're ou're llooking ooking ffor. or. S pecializing iin n ttweens, weens, tteens, eens, aand nd yyoung oung adults, their witty and quirky Specializing therapists use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to make it actually stick. Stop by their table and say hello — or find them year-round at 212 S. Marion St. in Oak Park.
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April 15, 2026 B15
Way Back Inn’s Young Adult Recovery Home Program The Way Back Inn Young Adult Recovery Home Program, in a partnership with Family Guidance Centers, focuses specifically on the needs of youth ages 18-24 seeking recovery support from opioid use disorder and/or stimulant use disorder. We help to provide a holistic, culturally responsive recovery experience to help youth rebuild their lives and increase their recovery capital: • Supportive Recovery Housing
• Financial literacy
• Certified Recovery Support Specialists
• Rental assistance
• Recovery Coach & Recovery Home Manager
• Transportation stipend
• Peer recovery network building
• Family & parenting support
• Recovery capital Contact Way Back Inn at 708-345-8422 or visit www.waybackinn.org for more information. Our main office is located at: 104 Oak St., Maywood, IL 60153.
Could I have a problem with gambling? Betting, gaming, wagering – gambling can take many forms. And for some people, gambling can lead to financial problems, relationship problems, and depression and anxiety. But you don’t have to feel out of control. Problem gambling can be managed and treated. You have options, and the Helpline offers support and referrals to the programs that work best for you. The first step is understanding that some people experience gambling as an addiction, and that there is help.
Call 1-800-GAMBLER, visit AreYouReallyWinning.com, or scan the QR code for help.
These services are funded in full or in part through a State Opioid Response (SOR) Grant (H79TI087748) to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
B16 April 15, 2026
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Times are already stressful and the last thing you need to worry about are l-o-n-g wait times. Loretto Hospital is here to support our community and our neighbors!
In need of a test or screening? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Immediate appointments available.*
CALL 773-854-5475 MRI CT Scan X-ray & Ultrasound Mammogram DEXA Scan Gynecological Exams
Colonoscopy Electrocardiogram (EKG) Laboratory Tests Hearing & Eye Exams PSA Screenidngs
*Walk-ins and same day appointments may be available based on insurance authorization requirements.
645 S. Central Ave | Chicago IL | 60644
www.lorettohospital.org