WednesdayJournal_052026

of Oak Park and River Forest

Oak Park senior home resident sounds alarm about poor conditions

Heritage House

Apar tments on Lake Str repor tedly have persistent issues with drugs and pests

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

A longtime resident of an Oak senior citizens’ building told Oak village board about a series of persistent health and safety issues at the building a meeting this week.

Irma Baker, a 20-year resident of tage House Apartments, 201 Lake the village, told the village board that the 14-story HUD-subsidized senior citizens’ building has been overrun by pests and il legal drugs.

“It has deteriorated., I mean rated. I am really just disgusted because I know how nice the building was time and how it just went down all of sudden,” Baker said.

Baker is the leader of a long-time dents’ group in the building that hold monthly meetings. Residents deal with rodents, cockroaches, bed bugs, poor

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

and River Forest property owners ed their triannual property tax reassessment notices from the county earlier this

As a whole, the tax values of commercial and residential properties in Oak Park in25% on the median, according to Township Accessor Ali El Saffar. But that doesn’t mean that residents’ property tax bills will actually increase by a fourth, El always have to educate most peoand it’s not their fault is that most people think that the property tax is like the sales tax or the income tax,” El Saf far said. “It doesn’t work that way. A lot of people think

BANNOR

Irving rst-grader asks school board for permanent classroom walls

School says x is coming but not until 2029

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Maddie Harle’s first grade classroom

Irving School in southeast Oak Park only has two walls. Instead of walls on each side of the classroom there are movable dividers, relics from the open classrooms craze that dates to the 1970s. Those dividers are what separates Maddie’ classroom from the two other first grade classrooms at Irving. Harle, who was recently diagnosed with ADHD, says she can hear what is going on in the other classrooms as noise passes through the dividers. The noise sometimes makes it hard to concentrate. Maddie first took her concerns to Irving principal Susan Mu ra and was told that Oak Pa rk Elementary School District 97 intends to pu in walls to divide the classrooms, but not until 2029.

That’s not soon enough for Maddie so the first grader decided to take her c cer ns to the D97 school board. At the Ma 12 school board meeting the first grader stood in front of the school board in a room filled with parents and administrators sitting behind her to say her piece Interim Superintendent Patrick Robinson had to move the lectern out of the way so that school board members could see the diminutive seven-year-old

Irving School rst-grader Maddie Harle addresses the D97 school board dur ing public comment at the May 12 school board meeting as mom Tina Harle looks on

“My name is Maddie and I’m in first grade at Irving School,” Maddie said starting of f her comment with an introduction. “Can you please put walls in sooner so kids can learn f aster and better It was not very good because I could hear the other classes and it was hard to hear my teacher.”

Maddie had printed, with a couple misspellings, her comment on a sheet of paper that she read from.

Was she nervous about speaking to the school board?

“She wasn’t nervous at all,” said Maddie’s mother Tina Harle. “She was like super excited; she was doing these spins in the lobby beforehand.”

In making a public comment to the school board Maddie was following in the footsteps of her older sister, Annabelle,

a seventh grader at Percy Julian Middle School, twice made public comments at school board meetings about middle schoolers not having a long enough lunch period and about the district’s accelerated math program. Annabelle’s lunch comment led to the lunch period being extended from 18 to 19 minutes after the first trimester. And next year the lunch period will add another 4 minutes to total 23 minutes.

Annabelle even got an email acknowledging her public comment from then interim superintendent Grif f Powell.

“In our house if we have a problem or a complaint then OK you need to come up with a solution. What are you going to do about it,” Tina Harle said.

Making a public comment at the school board meeting was purely Maddie’s idea her mother said.

“It’s affecting enough that she wanted to speak at the board meeting,” Tina

Harle said. “This was li ke all her, li ke she brought this up out of nowhere. I didn’t even know that it was really a problem, but she brought it up

According to her mother Maddie can hear what is going on in the other classrooms so clearly that she knows that one class is one day ahead of her class and the other class is one day behind.

A couple of Irving parents who spoke to Wednesday Journal said their kids didn’t seem to have any problems with the noise level in their classrooms but one said that when she was in a first grade classroom for a teacher-parent conference she could hear what was being said in the adjacent classroom through the divider.

Whittier School has a similar configuration in its first grad pod.

District 97 declined to allo w Wednesday Journal to visit the classroom and gauge the noise level.

BOB SKOLNIK

FUTURE OF WEST SUB

West Suburban hospital owners in court again as nal hearing nears

Order for third par ty nancial review will keep case from dragging on

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN and JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporters

Counsel for the business-partnersturned-legal-foes at the heart of the West Suburban Medical Center closure were in court again Monday morning as a third party continues its review of contested financial records.

The hearing comes after Resilience Healthcare CEO Manoj Prasad and hospital landlord Rathnakar Reddy Patlola filed lawsuits against each other last month, with Patlola seeking a judge’s order that could start the process of reopening West Suburban under new management.

Cook County Judge Patrick Stanton heard new alle gations of extensive personal use on company credit cards by each party in a brief status hearing in the case Monday morning at the Richard J. Daley Center. T he parties ag reed last week to have recently retired Judge Patrick Sherlock oversee years of records related to several bank accounts central to the mostserious alle gations of financial wrongdo-

“This normally would take three months, but we got this done in one week.”

PATRICK

STANTON Cook County judge

ing that Patlola has made against Prasad. Judge Stanton said the ag reement likely expedited the proceedings by several months

“This normally would take three months, but we got this done in one week,” Stanton said.

T he case will return to court on Wednesday, when Judge Stanton plans to set a final hearing date for the case.

Neither of the business partners was present in the courtroom Monday, with Prasad attending the hearing via Zoom.

At the May 18 status hearing, the parties also disputed the status of a $10 million loan Resilience received last May that was re por tedly transfer red to Westlaw Management Group — a bank account Patlola alle g es only Prasad had access to — instead of being used for hospital operations. Prasad’s lawyer said the money has been accounted fo r.

“We vehemently deny that,” Patlola’s lawyer said, adding that he’s still looking for more information and documentation of where the $10 million went.

In April, Patlola filed a suit against Prasad for seven counts of breach of contract, seeking to recover over $24 million in unpaid rent and fees for Resilienceowned buildings. Prasad’s suit claims that Patlola tried to ille g ally evict him last month.

On Tuesday at the Daley Center, there

will be a hearing between Patlola and Pipeline Health, the for mer owner of West Suburban and its sister hospital, Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. T he lawsuit stems from millions of dollars disputed in the 2022 sale of the hospitals.

West Suburban Medical Center closed its doors March 27, citing a year-long failure in the hospital’s electronic medical record billing system that resulted in as much as 90% of its work going unbilled. About two weeks later, some patient care services resumed at West Sub’s Oak Park campus, according to Prasad.

FILE PHOTO

Reddy Patlola

TODD BANNOR

West Suburban Hospital CEO Dr. Manoj Prasad

Federal trial for ‘Broadview 6’ begins next week

Judge agrees to review unredacted grand jury transcripts ahead of trial

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

One ofthe most anticipated misdemeanor trials in the history ofdowntown Chicago’s Dirksen Federal Courthouse is now just a week away

The trial for the four remaining “Broadview 6” defendants will begin with jury selection Tuesday, May 26. While prosecutors recently ag reed to dismiss with prejudice the felony conspiracy charges against Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw and the other three anti-ICE defendants, the trial on their remaining misdemeanor charges from last year is still expected to last two full weeks.

The four were arraigned May 18 on their misdemeanor charges before prosecutors and defense attorneys spent the next 90 minutes resolving more than a dozen outstanding issues at the final pretrial conference. Among issues settled by U.S. Judge April Perry were conflicts surrounding

deleted video evidence, grand jury transcripts and a possible jury “field trip” to the Broadview detention center. Prosecutors, attorneys and defendants worked a few feet away from 14 empty juror seats in the 17th floor courtroom where the trial will take place next week.

The four still charged in the case are Straw, 45th ward Democratic committeeman Michael Rabbit, Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, who fell four points shy ofwinning Illinois’ 9th district congressional primary last month, and Andre Martin, who worked on Abughazaleh’s campaign staff.

The government announced earlier this month that it would not pursue the felony conspiracy charge that it had indicted Straw and five other anti-ICE protestors on last year.

Prosecutors filed an indictment last October alleging that the six were among a

Oak Park Trustee Brian Straw (right) and his attorney Chris Parente (le ) address reporters a er federal prosecutors announced that they were dropping felony charges against the remaining “Broadview 6” defendants, April 29. See ‘BROADVIEW 6’ on pa ge 6

‘BROADVIEW 6’

Misdemeanors

from page 5

crowd of protestors who blocked, pushed against and banged on a vehicle being driven by a federal agent into ICE’s Broadview Detention Facility the morning of Sept. 26. Until recently, the gover nment had contended that their actions that morning amounted to a criminal conspiracy punishable by years in federal prison.

T he misdemeanor charges of impeding a federal officer that the four now face car ries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $100,000, according to lead federal prosecutor William Ho g an.

T he court has arranged for an overflow room at the courthouse where the public will be able to view the highly publicized and politicized proceedings, along with reserved seating in the courtroom for the defendants’ families

Judge Per ry also ag reed to review an unredacted transcript of the grand jury hearings that led to the original indictments last year after defense counsel accused the prosecution of trying to cover up “irregularity” in those proceedings

“Whatever happened in the proceeding could’ve tainted all of this,” said Chris Parente, attorney for Straw.

Broadview ICE facility

Perry said she and her judicial colleagues couldn’t recall a single criminal case where that had been allowed to happen.

“It’s not a great use of time or taxpayer money and the chance of something going wrong is massive,” she said. “If we were to do this, I guarantee there would be a crowd at Broadview that day to watch.”

“It would draw a mistrial almost immediately.”

T he prosecution will likely use audio of protestors’ anti-ICE chants like “f**** you pig” and “get a real job” to support their argument that the defendants knowingly and intentionally obstructed the federal agent, re gardless of if the defendants were recorded participating in the chants during the incident.

“This remarkable about-face, abandoning a high-pro le indictment rather than submit to scrutiny of its conduct before the grand jury comes at a time of mounting national distrust in the Department of Justice’s use of the grand jury process.”

CHRIS PARENTE AND FELLOW DEFENSE AT TORNE YS

T he defense had previously made a push for those records in a recent court filing after prosecutors abandoned the felony charges.

“This remarkable about-face, abandoning a high-profile indictment rather than submit to scrutiny of its conduct before the grand jury comes at a time of mounting national distrust in the Department of Justice’s use of the grand jury process,” attor neys wrote earlier this month.

Ninety potential jurors will make up the pool for jury selection on May 26. Defense attorneys could not convince Judge Per ry to grant their request to take half a day during the trial to bring jurors to the

Parente said footage of the incident shows that Straw did not participate in those chants.

But prosecutors will not try to hold the defendants accountable for actions of other protestors, including the re ported vandalism of the agent’s SUV by other unknown protestors, Hog an said.

T he case will also go forward after some Broadview Police body worn camera footage of the incident was deleted. The footage disappeared as the police department re portedly transitioned between camera vendors.

Ho g an said the government still plans to use footage of the individual defendants at the protest, including video of Straw re por tedly fighting “his way through the crowd to push against the vehicle.”

T he gover nment previously dropped the charges against original co-defendants Catherine “Cat” Shar p, a Chicago aldermanic staffer who gave up on her bid for the Cook County board citing the stress of the prosecution, and Joselyn Walsh, a local musician who was the only defendant in the case that doesn’t have a job in local progressive politics.

T he so-called “Broadview 6” are among 32 known defendants to have been charged with nonimmigration crimes tied to Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago’s federal court.

Millions in pavement re construction on the horizon for Oak Park

Village will need to boost spending over the next 10 years to reach roadway quality goal

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park village trustees heard about the need for tens of millions in future infrastructure investment after a high-tech analysis of the village’s roadway conditions

Consultants from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning shared an analysis of Oak Park’s pavement conditions with board members at its May 12 board meeting. T he re port gave village leaders a look into what the cost figures could look like to maintain the village’s roads, with the CMAP consultants recommending $5.7 million in annual pavement rehab project spending over the next 10 years to meet the village’s goal for im proving the average pavement quality in Oak Park

“What you don’ t want to do, really is drop in condition, because we work with so many communities, and it’s very hard to g et back up,” said CMAP Technica Lead Abbas Kachwalla.

T he village allocates roughly $4 million to road preservation and resurfacing annually at present, according to village documents. But even just maintaining Oak Park’s current level of road quality would require an increase to $4.8 million in annual spending, according to CMAP. Developing a strateg y for how to pay for the next decade’s wor th of projects will be the responsibility of the board’s finance committee this summer so it can be incorporated in next year’s village budget and capital improvement plan.

“This infor ms those discussions from the get go,” said Village President Vicki Scaman. “We’re going to have to roll our sleeves up and seek that $5.5 million to $6 million mark for streets, if not that $6.5 million mark.”

The consultants’ presentation followed a study of every block of public roadway in the village, with CMAP using laser-powered pavement quality analysis equipment attached to a van that drove every street. The study scored every block on pavement

Oak Park Avenue road const ruction on March 27.

quality, finding that the road quality is considered “fair” on average, with 37% of Oak Park roads considered in “poor,” ‘very poor,” or “serious” condition.

Any full road reconstruction projects undertaken to improve pavement quality would present even more significant costs in Oak Park’s case. Any street re placement going forward will also likely require re-

placing the century old underground infrastructure that lie beneath most of the village, according to Village Manager Bill McKenna.

“We don’t often do full reconstructions on streets where we’re not doing water and sewer, because then we’re going to build a street on top of 100-year-old infrastructure,” McKenna said. “That street would

outlast that infrastructure. The underground infrastructure would not last as long as that new roadway pavement. We’d be prematurely ripping up new road. Pavement renovations would also likely come with additional costs tied to traffic safety improvements like curb bump outs required by the village’s “Vision Zero” plan, McKenna said.

JAVIER GOVEA

D97 takes steps to cut student screen time

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

In the face of complaints from parents about too much screen time in schools Oak Park Elementary School District 97 is making some changes in how it will allow students to use the iPads and Chromebook it gives every student.

Middle school students books while all elementary school students, even kindergartners, Some parents have also one-to-one progr am giving a digital device saying they do their children to have devices and they resent the school giving their device that their children need for school.

At its May 12 school board meeting, Mi chael Arensdorff, the district’s technolog y chief, presented the school technolo gy plan for the next school Two of the biggest changes are eliminating students’ ability to directly YouTube, something many parents ha complained about, and not allowing students to use their devices during free time or indoor recess.

appropriate.

Arensdorff said students and teachers will still be able to use educational videos that are posted on YouTube but students will have to go through a monitored portal to get to them.

“We c an imbed videos so that they ca n still use curated c ontent, curated videos that are tied back to i nstruction and wh at teachers would li ke to use,” Arensdorf f said.

Arensdorff said the district will continue to make device carts available for kindergarten through second grade classrooms so that those young students can most often leave their iPad at school to be charged overnight rather than taking it home, something that many parents who are trying to limit their children’s screen time have objected to.

Arensdorff said the district will continue to monitor and block social media and explore tools to measure screen time usage. Those tools are currently available for iPads but not as readily for Chromebooks. The district will transition to use the Aristotle K-8 content filter to keep device usage

Brenna Connor, one of the parents who is part of the ScreenSenseOakPark (SSOP) group that for med this spring to advocate for reduced use of screens in school praised Arensdorff for his collaboration with parents and for taking good first steps but she wants the district to go far ther in reducing screen time and device use in school.

“I think the two meaningful changes that are happening going into the next school year is the elimination of YouTube access on all devices and also the elimination of using devices during free time and indoor recess,” said Connor, the mother of a Mann School first grader, after Arensdorff ’s presentation. “Those are the two wins.”

But Connor said those two changes are easy steps and she wants more to be done to limit screen time for elementary school students.

“Those are two really easy things so there is a lot more work to be done,” Connor said.

In a public comment during the first part of the meeting Connor said she would like the one-to-one program to be eliminated in the elementary schools. She doesn’t think

elementary school students should be given iPads and doesn’t think such devices are needed in elementary schools

“The research is clear. Healthy development and healthy children de pends on meaningful time away from screens, time for play, time for interesting connection and reading physical books,” Connor said.

Lauren Jackson, the mother of two boys who attend Lincoln School, and the person most responsible for starting up ScreenSenseOakPark was also moderately pleased with the district’s ste ps

the screen/edtech related comments at the beginning of the meeting were an excellent illustration of how many ne gative e already experiencing due to the less-than-purposeful use and unrestricted access our young learners have to devices.”

Connor and four other parents spoke during the public comment period outlining their concerns about how their chilre using school issued devices

“I think our eight-year-olds should not vate in their browsing history,” said Allison Lipsman.

Connor said more needs to be done I’m happy with the collaboration and the ” Connor said. “I’m glad wins but I also recognize that there is a lot more to be changed and a lot more that needs to worked towards.” onnor was heartened by the questions school board members asked Arensdorff. “I also think the board is asking meaningich I was happy to hear and I think our presence and us raising the ispropelled the board to ask some good questions so I’m very happy to see that,” Connor said.

Arensdorff said the iPads and Chromebooks are just tools to enhance what is happening in the classroom and that usage of devices will differ with grade level.

“Those are two really easy things so there is a lot more work to be done.”

BRENNA CONNOR

ScreenSenseOakPark

“I think the district is making steps in the right direction and we look forward to continuing to move the needle,” Johnson said in an email to Wednesday Journal. “SSOP is planning to be around and collaborating with the district for the long ter m on this issue. I think

“It looks very different, and should look different, for a kindergar ten student and an eighth-grade student,” Arensdorff said.

Arensdorff said the district also wants to prepare students to become responsible digital navig ators, a goal included in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate. He said the district emphasizes equipping students with what they call the four C’s.

“How are they communicating, how are they collaborating, being critical thinkers and creating,” Arensdorff said.

District 97 is projected to spend $687,992.75 on iPads and Chromebooks next school year.

ADOBE STOCK

No date set for Pete’s Fresh Market opening, says village

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Pete’s Fresh Market’s new Oak Park store location has been in-the-works for the better part ofa decade, but the store still doesn’t have an open date for customers months after it was promised.

A grocery store planned for the lot at 640728 Madison St. has been in development since 2018, three years after the family-owned chain store’s first location opened in Oak Park in a for mer Dominck’s store on Lake Street. After years of construction delays and permit extensions attributed to the Covid pandemic, supply chain issues, the loss of the site’s original architect and other delays, construction on the store appears to be nearing its conclusion.

Village officials told Wednesday Journal they don’t yet know when the new location will open. The village will be invoicing the developers for fines over the construction delay, officials confirmed last week.

As part ofthe grocery chain’s most recent deal with the village, Pete’s Fresh Market had

to receive a Certificate of Occupancy permit by Sunday, Feb. 15 or face fines, village officials said in a statement earlier this year

“Based on the last and sixth Redevelopment Agreement amendment’s (ORD 24-143) schedule, staff has determined that Pete’s has until Feb. 15 to receive a Certificate of Occupancy without penalty,” village officials said. “If they do not, then they will be subject to the Default provision which states that if they fail to meet the project schedule the village shall be reimbursed for the village’s lost opportunity costs, (i.e., lost sales tax revenue, alcoholic liquor dealer lot tax revenue and lost increase in property taxes), which they will pay the village, on a monthly basis an amount of$45,760 each month or a portion thereof on a pro rata basis.”

The Pete’s project received a sign code variance approval from Oak Park’s Zoning Board of Appeals on May 6. The project’s sign contractor Tom Holland gave a brief update on the construction to the Zoning Board at that meeting.

“They were shooting for May but seeing that the basement and parking garage are not

fully completed yet, I’m not sure how much longer that will take, between the electrical coming into the building and all that,” Holland said.

Jennifer Ban, who lives in a condo building close to the future grocery store site, recently complained about the grocery store’s construction at an Oak Park village board meeting. She said the village needs to hold the company “accountable” on both safety impacts to the area and the project timeline

“The project continues to demonstrate a years’ long pattern of poor communication, lack oftransparency and failure of accountability which has directly impacted the residents ofour building and our block,” Ban said. “We understand that this is not the same village board and president who entered into this ag reement with Pete’s Market years ago, but this is the village board who needs to hold Pete’s accountable. Pete’s has failed to meet every deadline and ag reement they’ve entered into.”

“The fact that they stopped communicating with us, is likely because they don’t think anyone is watching anymore.”

Pete’s project manager Eugene Grzynkowicz told Oak Park’s village board last June that construction was moving at a pace that would allow the grocery store to open in either December or January of 2025.

“You all have seen the progress grade a lot of vertical steel standing now and masonry, we completed our north wall, I don’t want to get contentious with our neighbors but we are just about at the end,” Grzynkowicz said at a village board meeting last summer. “We are on our next phase, which will be topping of f with the top ofthe roofand we will be proceeding with the exterior masonry on Madison Street. Our parking lot is complete, as you see to the west. We have artwork up, which is looking nice. Once it is done it will close it up and decorate that corner. That is where we stand. We are on schedule and happy to open up as soon as possible.”

Grzynkowicz did not respond to requests for comment from Wednesday Journal for this story

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Two top township o cials resign in River Forest

The pair are retiring this summer; replacements not yet named

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

River Forest Township Supervisor John Becvar and longtime River Forest Township Assessor Pamela Kende are resigning from their posts this summer saying that it is time for them to retire.

Becvar and Kende made their announcements at the May 12 meeting of the township board. Both were elected to four years terms in 2025 but have decided not to ser ve out their terms. Becvar will stay in office until the end of August while Kende will serve until June 30.

Becvar has been supervisor, which is the highest ranking position in township

government, for only two years but made waves in his short time in office, especially with his controversial and successful effort to wrestle control of the River Forest Civic Center building from the River Forest Community Center.

Kende has been assessor for 21 years. The township assessor does not assess property; rather the position advocates for taxpayers.

About Becvar

Becvar was appointed River Forest Township Supervisor in May of 2024 to replace Carla Sloan who resigned from her post as supervisor after 11 years in the position and with one year left on her term. Before becoming supervisor Becvar had served as township clerk for one year, a post he was also appointed to.

Becvar, who moved to River Forest five years ago, told Wednesday Journal in a

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TODD BANNOR

River Forest Township Superv isor John Becvar speaks at LemonAid 2025 in River Forest on Sept. 11, 2025.

telephone interview that he initially intended to serve out his term but decided to retire after his husband took a Department of Gover nment Efficiency (DOGE) inspired early retirement package last year from his job with the United States Department of Health and Human Services. With his husband retired he thought he should retire too

“We want to spend more time with our family, we want to travel, we want to enjoy our retirement while our health is OK,” Becvar said.

Becvar and his husband are avid travelers. He has been to 98 countries and he wants to do more traveling while his health is good.

“I’m smart enough to know that when life gives you some opportunities you have to take advantage of them,” Becvar said.

Becvar said he announced his intention to retire months in advance to give the township board adequate time to select a replacement. In announcing his retirement he suggested the board hire a township manager to handle some of the administrative work he has been doing. Other than the elected officials, River Forest Township has only one part-time paid employee, Deputy Assessor Kathy Elliot. In contrast Oak Park Township has 62 employees.

The River Forest Township Supervisor is paid $48,000 annually.

Last year, after some crowded and emotional public meetings and months of tough ne gotiations, the Board of Managers and the Community Center reached an ag reement which allows the Board of Managers, essentially the township, to manage the building and handle all the leases while keeping the Community Center as the largest tenant in the Civic Center.

Becvar’s aggressive approach was resented by many old timers and Community Center supporters. But Becvar said structural changes in management of the building were necessary because the building is about 70 years old and needs lots of work, including a new roof, and the old organizational structure was not conducive to raising the money necessary to preserve the building.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of controversy about what’s happened with the building but I believe firmly that this building is a very valuable asset for the community,” Becvar said noting that he wants to building to last for decades to come.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of controversy about what’s happened with the building but I believe rmly that this building is a very valuable asset for the community.”

“I did not do this job for the money,” said Becvar who held a variety of high powered corporate jobs, the last of which was as vice president of finance and chief procurement officer at Groupon, a position he left in 2020.

Becvar shook up sleepy River Forest Township government and made waves in his two years as supervisor, mostly in his role as the head of the Board of Managers of the River Forest Civic Center Authority. By law River Forest Township Board members also serve as the Board of Managers for the River Forest Civic Center.

Over the past year, Becvar has led a divisive and controversial, but ultimately successful, ef fort to wrest control of the Civic Center building and leases from the River Forest Community Center, which is the largest tenant in the Civic Center building. For decades the Community Center had handled the management of the building and sublet most of the spaces that it did not use.

their terms are up. If that pattern holds current River Forest Township Clerk Mark Hosty could be the next supervisor. Hosty was just appointed township clerk six months ago to re place Marag ret Detmer who resigned as clerk to spend more time with her family. But Hosty is experienced in local government having served for 16 years, from 1999 until 2015 when he was defeated when he ran for a fifth term, on the Forest Park Village Council Hosty said it was premature to say whether he would apply for the position because the township board has a lot to discuss noting the decision as to whom the next supervisor will be is totally up to the township board.

About Kende

Kende, 65, said after 21 years as township assessor she just decided it was time to retire.

“I’m stepping down because it’s been over 20 years and I’m not getting any younger and it seems like the right time for me,” she said.

“I have brought to light the need to raise the money,” Becvar said. “Without creating this awareness people would not be aware of the financial situation of the building and how it historically been run (and) what challenges are ahead to make sure it remains a valuable asset to the community for the long ter m.”

Becvar, who declined veal his age but who ated from high school in 1989, said even after leaving the supervisor position he plans to be involved in the township as a volunteer as time permits.

“It’s not that I’m walking away township; I’m walking away from this position and the responsibilities but I will continue to be involved even after the end of August in supporting the township to the best of my abilities,” Becvar said. Later in the summer, perhaps in the township board will choose a ment to serve out Becvar’s term runs until 2029. The only legal ment for supervisor is that someone be a re gistered voter in River Forest To and has lived in the township for one year.

taxpayer advocate helping property owners file appeals and file for exemptions. The township assessor also educates property owners about the complicated Cook County property tax system and does other administrative work.

“I’m very proud of how the office is run and how we’ve moved it into the future and how many people we’ve helped and it’s hard to give up but it’s time,” Kende said.

“Sometimes you just have to not work so hard.”

Kende said that she enjoyed being the township assessor and especially treasured the personal relationships that she for med working as assessor.

“You get to know these people and it’s lovely,” Kende said. “I really enjoyed the people.”

Kende will not stop working entirely. She also works a private yacht captain for five yacht owners.

“It’s fun; I love it,” Kende said.

Kende became township assessor in 2005 after working for a couple of years under for mer assessor Rogue Weiland.

“She was a fabulous teacher; she knew

In her emotional retirement announcement at the township board meeting, Kende recommended that Elliott, her deputy assessor, succeed her. While Elliot is likely to be appointed by the township board to replace Kende the board is now accepting applications for the township assessor position. Those interested in being considered for

River Forest seems to have a tradition of appointing the township clerk to fill out terms of supervisors who resign before

BOB SKOLNIK

River Forest Township Assessor Pamela Kende, dur ing the May 12 township board meeting, is retiring June 30.

JOHN BEC VA R River Forest Township Supervisor

ree years a er zoning change, 329 Home Ave. hits the market

Three high-end townhomes planned for site

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

A building permit has been filed to construct a three-unit townhome development at 329 Home Ave.

In 2022, Gary Collins, a local real estate holder, announced plans to develop the lot located next to his rental building at 327 Home Ave. in Oak Park. The lot was zoned R-5 at that time, and by right Collins could have built a single-family home or twoflat on the property. He sought to have the

property classified as R-6 zoning, giving him the ability to construct up to 16 units on the property, although he expressed his commitment at the time to developing only 4 units.

Neighbors joined forces to oppose the zoning change. Many were concerned about losing green space on the block. Collins said he wanted to build something that fit in with the neighborhood and was the kind of place where people like him could live once their kids were out of the house.

In September 2022 the Oak Park Plan

Commission denied the zoning amendment request. In January 2023, Collins appealed to the village board which granted his request for the zoning amendment.

This spring, a sign advertising the new townhome development went up in the empty lot. The project is being marketed by Avenue One Realty. Three townhomes were of fered for sale, with pricing starting at $889,900. Each townhome will offer three bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms and 2,350 square feet of living space.

Collins remains the lead investor in the project and worked with architect John Schiess on the design. According to Collins, from 2023 to 2026, he was being deliberate in planning the project.

“I was just being careful. I didn ’t want to build something that people didn’t want,” he said.

Collins notes that some condo owners to the south of the new townhomes are upset about losing the green space but says the townhomes “are designed in a way to be as friendly as possible,” leaving space for light between the two buildings.

Two of the three units are already spoken for, with multiple parties interested in

the remaining unit. Collins will live in one unit and says he is committed to enhancing the landscape and also has planned upgrades to the rental units at 327 Home.

A marketing website, www.329Home.com describes the units as luxury townhomes that will each have a rooftop media room and terrace, two-car parking spaces and the option of adding an elevator. The website’s renderings show the development will be a contemporary, wood-sided building with townhomes running from east to west on the lot.

Michael Bruce, Oak Park’s village planner, says a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) application will be required to demolish the existing garage located on the south side of the lot for the townhome development. No COA application has been filed as of press time.

Collins is hopeful that they will break ground on the project in the next two months and complete construction sometime in early 2027.

(Editor’s note: Gary Collins was a longtime member of the board of Wednesday Journal, Inc. and later of Growing Community Media, NFP)

329 HOME

Rendering of the 329 Home Ave. development.

LACEY SIKORA

329 Home Ave., Oak Park

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Shanahan’s closes, La Maison de Bonbon goes online for now

Longtime downtown anchors closed on April 11

By JESSIC A MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On April 11, Shanahan’s closed on Madison Street in Forest Park, marking the end of 36 years of business in the village for the Creole restaurant and bar.

In the same building, which was sold days later, La Maison de Bonbon also closed April 11. The chocolate and candy store will move operations online in August, with the goal to relocate the brickand-mortar business.

“It was great working in Forest Park — the community, the local gover nment, the Chamber of Commerce, and especially the people I got to work with,” Tim Shanahan told the Review in an email. “I will mostly miss the interactions with the customers, employees and especially working with Esthela Gonzalez.”

Today, Shanahan’s and La Maison de Bonbon are owned by Wexford Inc., and Sha-

nahan said he’s not officially retiring, just moving to different work and a new lifestyle.

“I look forward to the holiday season, making French cremes and other confections, continuing to serve Forest Park, as its second largest candy company,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan’s star ted 50 years ago in New Orleans, Louisiana. A River Forest native, Shanahan moved back to the Midwest in 1990 and opened his Forest Park bar and restaurant at 7353 Madison St.

T he building used to be an ice cream parlor that made candy in the basement.

T hough Shanahan previously told the Review that it wasn’t necessarily in his plan to keep the candy store r unning, people from around the world ke pt calling asking for sweets. So Shanahan’s wife, Radana star ted r unning La Maison de Bonbon. Today, the candy shop uses the same recipes and ingredients as when the operation star ted in 1921.

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You trust us to report the news. Do you trust us to make the donuts?

Saturday, May 30 at the Oak Park Farmers Market Wednesday Journal is making the donuts!

Come say hello, pick up a paper, and hopefully decide to support our hardworking newsroom.

GOOGLE MAPS

La Maison on Madison is looking for a new location.

West Side

By JESSICA MORD Staff Reporter

Residents living on Chicago’ are advocating for a pilot tion center, where people can go to access wraparound resources that ha fully reduced overdose deaths in other states and use drugs under supervision of trained professionals who can intervene to prevent fatalities

State Rep. La Shawn Fo Democratic candidate to succeed Cong. Danny Davis come November is sponsoring House Bill 2929, authorize a state-sanctioned vention center in Illinois.

press conference at Rush Uni cal Center on the Near West Side with local public health organizations and Brown University researchers to discuss the effectiveness of such centers.

“Most people would sa I would support people going on the street, buying drugs, coming in and using.’ But when you go to [a] site, it is respectable. People are there talking to people that they trust, and people talk about the transition that they made from using street drugs to using live a normal life,” Ford press conference. “We often say that, if could find a cure for something, do it. But here’s a cure right here to help our communities.”

In 2023, nearly 1,600 people died from an opioid overdoses in Cook County. According to the Chicago Health Atlas, 110 of those overdoses occurred in Austin, the highest number of any Chicago neighborhood.

“We need to make a difference in stopping that,” said Dr. Tanya Sorrell at the press conference. She’s an associate professor of psychiatry at Rush and chair of the Illinois Harm Reduction and Recovery Coalition. She said an overdose prevention center would decrease loss of life, allowing people “to gain those needed social services, health care services and emotional support services that, sadly, are not there, and that are lacking in our systems.”

Dr. Deondre Rutues is an Austin resident who leads weekly Courageous Conversa-

tions with the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force, where men who are using drugs or in recovery can talk to each other. He said that, out of five Courageous Conversation cohorts of 150 men, about 30 have graduated. Those men say they need ongoing community-based discussion spaces, more education on the current drug supply presence and trends, transparency around overdose hotspots, re gulated dispensing models, and more visibility and access to harm reduction resources.

“That is everything that an overdose prevention site is,” Rutues said.

Ald. Rossana Rodriguez-Sanchez of the 33rd Ward also attended the press conference. She’s heading a resolution in City Council in support of opening an overdose prevention center in Chicago. So far, she’s helped get 33 aldermen to approve of House Bill 2929.

“House Bill 2929 simply allows for Illinois to set up the framework and give it to the department to lay out the framework for what overdose prevention site would be,” Ford said. “But we would need the city to answer the call. We’ve passed many bills that sometimes municipalities are not in-

terested in. So to be able to say, ‘Not only do we have the City of Chicago in support, they’re on record supporting this, so we need to pass it because they’re asking for it.’”

“We must dispel the myth of inevitable death. Nearly all opioid overdoses are reversible when a trained professional is present with oxyg en and naloxone,” Rodriguez-Sanchez said. “While we have recently seen a 40% decline in fatal overdoses citywide, the crisis remains a public

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Le to Right: Fanya Buford-Berry, director of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force; Abdullah Shihipar and Alexandria Macmadu from Brow n Universit y; Dr. Tanya Sor rell; Rep. La Shawn Ford; and Synque Adams, member of the West Side Heroin/Opioid Task Force

Oak Park seeks resident feedback on biodiversity plan

Survey asks Oak Parkers to answer questions related to village’s plan for ‘green infrastructure’

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park is looking to incorporate resident feedback into its plan for upping biodiversity and “green infrastructure” in the village

Oak Park leaders committed to boosting the amount of green infrastructure in the village by 30% by 2030 as part of its Climate Ready Oak Park Plan. The sustainability and resilience department defines green infrastructure as providing open spaces designed to mimic ecological functions that protect animal habitats, mitigate stormwater runof f, and improve air and water quality.

The village is looking for resident feedback on what type of building projects Oak Parkers would like to see to accomplish that “30x30” goal.

“Public and private lands play equally important roles in achieving Oak

Park’s 30X30 goal, particularly given Oak Park’s built-out urban context where much of the village’s green space is privately owned and managed,” village staf f wrote of the project. “Public agencies can lead through clear policy, guidance and metrics alongside innovative capital projects and enhanced management of publicly owned land. However, meaningful progress will likely depend on supporting and empowering residents, institutions, and businesses to adopt green infrastructure and enhanced management practices on their own properties.”

Possible projects proposed by village staf f include adding native plants to village parkways, rooftop greenspaces and stormwater capture gardens called bioswales.

The survey is available to residents through the village’s Engage Oak Park public information website.

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PHOTO CREDIT: VILL AG E OF OAK PARK

A butter y garden at the Public Works Center in Oak Park features di erent species of native plants.

HealthyMinds Matter

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O PREVENTION

Progra

health emergenc to bear the heaviest among our Black and Brown residents, who die at twice the rate of not just celebrate lo hundreds ofour neighbors are still dying preventable deaths numbers is a trend. A site on the West Side is a solution.”

An overdose pr tion that “would bring people closer to us so that we can provide the want and need, until they are themselves and stand on their feet with dignity and respect,” said Berry, director ofthe West Side Heroin/ Opioid Task Fo

“This is about so-called War on Drugs and toward a culture of care and a grounded in scienc harm reduction and reco

While Ford legislation to create an tion site in Chicago, he’s confident it will move forward has more suppo previously had.

“Republicans joined on and said that they support this bill, that this is a pro-life bill. We now have made this a bipartisan bill,” Ford said. He added that, with three or four more Republican votes, the bill could pass the House.

The construction of a potential overdose prevention center in Illinois would be funded by $18 million from the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, which manages part ofstate settlement funds from litigation against opioid manufacturers.

Overdose prevention center successes

Though people can go to an overdose prevention site to use substances they have already obtained, they can also often dropin without appointment for clinical and health services, case management, Naloxone access and syringe exchanges, showers, washers and dryers, plus referrals or on-site access to substance-use treatment.

“These programs can really provide a wealth ofservices and support once you get folks in through the door,” said Alexan-

dria Macmadu, a PhD assistant professor in Brown University’s department of epidemiology. She joined the press conference to share the colle ge’s research on overdose prevention centers.

Over 200 overdose prevention centers around the world, some up to 30 years old, show data of their successes.

North America’s first medically supervised overdose prevention center opened in Vancouver, Canada in 2003. Two years after opening, the neighborhood around the center saw 35% less fatal overdoses.

Macmadu shared a 2024 study out of Toronto, Canada that showed that, one year after opening, overdose prevention centers in the city saw a 69% reduction in overdose deaths in a two-thirds-mile radius.

In 2021, OnPoint NYC opened the first two overdose prevention centers in the United States. As of April 2025, there were over 170,000 site visits to those centers and

over 1,700 reversed overdoses.

Macmadu shared data that shows how overdose prevention centers that have trained supervisors to monitor drug use and intervene when necessary have significantly higher rates ofpreventing overdose deaths. She also said that neighborhood economic activity and foot traffic around overdose prevention centers is unaffected by their presence, and that these centers reduce 911 calls and arrests involving drugs, allowing first responders to prioritize other emergencies.

Another study out of Vancouver showed that 42% of600 clients enrolled in some kind oftreatment after using overdose prevention centers.

“That’s really a testament to the wraparound services, the relationships and the rapport that you build when people are returning to your program day after day,” Macmadu said.

JESSICA MOR DACQ

State Rep. La Shawn Ford speaks at his press conference for House Bill 2929 on May 11.

Mental wellness trends upward as many people age, says professor rese arching Oak Park

Personal, cultural attitudes toward aging impact happiness, longevity

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Fortune often favors the bold, and for Marc Blesof f, a decision a few years back is going to result in hard data that will provide insights on Oak Park’s views on aging and mental health.

Back then, Blesof f, chair of the village’s aging in communities commission, had read a book by Yale professor Dr. Becca Levy titled “A Town Without Ageism.” It’s about her trip through northern Vermont where she happened upon a town that had the inherent sort of relationships that minimized ageism.

That got Blesof f ruminating.

“I’m thinking, ‘This is pretty good information,’” he said, but what about examining a place that is urban and racially and economically diverse that’s adjacent to a large metropolitan area?

In other words, why not look at Oak Park?

“I sent her an email and she responded to my email and we were off and running,” Blesof f said.

The result was a over a year-long research study wrapping up this summer that will “look at what our view of aging affects our experience of aging,” said Linda Francis, local co-project coordinator with Julie Bach. Other key participants were Dr. Monika Robinson from Midwestern University, an Oak Park resident, and Pamela Mahn, Oak Park Township’s senior services director.

HERITAGE

‘Not acceptable’

from page 1

tilation, HVAC issues and unauthorized people sleeping in common areas, Baker told Wednesday Journal after the meeting. Her public comments caught the attention of village leaders.

“I certainly ag ree, it’s not acceptable,” said Village President Vicki Scaman.

“What we wanted to do was to look at the experience of folks in Oak Park and how it lines up with what she has seen elsewhere,” Francis said, “and an added element is what effects may come from introducing more opportunities for agency in the aging experience and the views they have of their own aging.”

Here’s the key: Levy also published a book titled “Breaking the Age Code: How Your Beliefs About Aging Determine How Long

Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson also vowed to attend the next Heritag e House resident meeting following Baker’s comments

Baker was also among the Heritage House residents who sounded the alar m about property standards issues at the building in a 2023 Wednesday Journal articl e.

T he building is managed by Pacific Management Inc., a property management company with offices in River Forest and do z ens of holdings across Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Baker’s complaints

& How Well You Live.” In it, Levy posits that in places where people had a more positive view on aging, and didn’t assign negative attributes to aging, people tended to live longer and healthier lives.

Levy said data from the Oak Park study will be collated and reviewed in the fall by her and graduate students, with results to follow.

And based on her prior research, there is indeed a link between age and mental health, but not what you might think. The study will add to those learnings.

“There (are) some of the factors that you would think would be more prevalent in later life that (that) tend not to be,” Levy said. “There is the stereotype that mental health gets worse, (but) the prevalence is a little bit lower later in life. Happiness and satisfaction tend to go up later in life.”

liefs amplify it.”

But what about Oak Park? The results will tell the story, but it’s already clear that the data will be comprehensive Francis and Bach coordinated about 15 groups that met multiple times in various locations throughout the village over the last year to expose them to Levy’s work in the form of materials, discussions and exercises. There were preand post-study surveys, and participants also could elect to take part in a project focused on tasks like examining what one might change in the community regarding aging, or a way to bring information to certain people

“Our age beliefs determine the kind and amount of stressors that make it through to our bodies and psyches.”

DR. BECCA LE VY

In the book, Levy says “our age beliefs determine the kind and amount of stressors that make it through to our bodies and psyches. And these stressors, in turn, can take a toll on our mental health.

“In the first study to determine how age beliefs impact our physiology, I found that positive age beliefs serve as a barrier against stress, whereas ne gative age be-

echo issues brought up at the company’s downstate Sangamon Towers building in Springfield, which is also HUD-subsidized

Senior residents at that building org anized public protests of poor building conditions and retaliation for complaints by the management company, drawing the attention of U.S. Re presentative Nikki Budzinski last fall.

“In these conversations, residents detailed issues with mold, bed bugs, feces and urine in public areas, unreliable elevator service, lease enforcement, security

“That’s the agency part,” Francis said.

Again, it’s TBD what the study’s results will be, but Blesoff is very interested

“There was an article in the Journal of Geriatrics, and what it shows is almost 50% of the people over 65, they improve while they are getting older, both in terms of cognitive and physical attributes,” he said. “That’s counterintuitive to what we’ve learned – young is good, old is bad.

“If that’s what you think, that’s what you get. That’s the thing about mental health impacting quality of life.”

doors being left open for the unhoused to enter the buildings, harassment, arson, and unresponsive management were described to my office,” Budzinski wrote in a letter to Pacific Management President and CEO Jeffrey Richards. “This retaliation was alle ged to have included the delayed delivery of the residents’ mail and further delay on work orders submitted to building management for their apar tment unit. Due to this alle ged retaliatio n by management, other residents were hesitant to follow suit with their own complaints.”

COURTESY OF BECCA LE Vy

Dr. Becca Levy

Oak

Park

police arrest

man for alleged attack on o cers

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

ATM theft

Oak Park police are investigating the latest incident in a string of re ported earlymorning ATM thefts in the village

Oak Park police arrested a man on felony charges in connection with a re ported attack on three Oak Park police officers last week.

Police ar rested the 25-year-old Chicago man at 7:20 p.m. in the 900 block of North Boulevard last week. T he man was charged with three counts of ag gravated battery to a peace officer, disorderly conduct – f alse alarm and resisting a peace officer, according to police records.

T he man is currently in Cook County custody, set to be arraigned on Tuesday, May 19, according to county records.

Ag gravated assault

Oak Park police are also investigating a re ported assault involving a baseball bat and a firear m.

T he victim approached the suspect in the 1200 block of North Lombard and beg an speaking to him at around 4:45 May 11. T he suspect then threatened to hur t the victim before going into a nearby residence, according to police

T he suspect returned with a firear m and pointed it at the victim. T he suspect then left again, returned with a baseball bat and attacked the victim with the bat, according to police.

Three unknown offenders rammed a Jeep Cherokee into the BP gas station building in the 500 block of Austin Boulevard just before 3:50 a.m. May 8, gaining entry to the building through the crash. Once inside, the offenders removed the gas station’s ATM machine and placed it inside a maroon Dodge SUV, according to police.

The Dodge was last seen driving south on Austin as the Jeep was left at the scene, according to police.

Police are investigating a nearly identical Jeep ramming ATM theft at the Shell gas station across the street on April 30. Police also responded to re ports of an attempted ATM theft at an Austin Boulevard business on May 7.

These items were obtained from Oak Park’s Police Department reports dated May 10–18 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.

Lawy ‘Sta ed Rock Killer’ was innocent

By GREGG VOSS Contributing

There is a commemorat away within the chancel of Ri byterian Church. It’s but once you do, it lists the names of the three women to wh Mildred Lindquist, Frances Lillian Oetting, all cong

In Andy Hale’s mind, the three Ri women, who were brutally March 16, 1960 at downstate State Park, were present with him Saturda afternoon.

Hale is a Chicago attorney who has spent the last decade on a relentless justice in the case against who was convicted of the murders and paroled in 2019 – but neve day’s talk about the investi inal trial and possible new evidenc very sanctuary where the three women worshipped, was transcendent for him.

“I could feel those women in this church,” Hale said post-talk. “I feel these women now, knowing that this plaque was over my shoulder. It was surreal.”

Nearby, someone said that, for better or worse, the case is part of the church’s history.

“That’s why I feel like something is going to come of this,” Hale responded.

The crime

It’s a sordid case with many twists and turns, and Hale makes a convincing argument for why We ger, who died last year, wasn’t the murderer. In other words, Hale believes he was never meant to be a suspect … but instead a scapegoat.

It’s less than 100 miles from Riverside to Starved Rock State Park, and the women set out in Murphy’s station wagon for a four-day visit on Monday, March 14, 1960, arriving at Starved Rock Lodge, where Weger was a 21-year-old dishwasher. They checked into the lodge, had lunch, and set off on a hike in the park’s St. Louis Canyon. Then they vanished.

Two days later, all three were found dead in a shallow cave in St. Louis Canyon.

“The injuries were devastating,” Hale told Saturday’s 100 attendees, noting Murphy’s fractured skull. “You couldn’t reco g-

nize who they were, they were beaten so badly.”

The case became a national story, including coverage in the once-ubiquitous Life magazine.

All three were Riversiders, married mothers, church members and people with hopes and dreams.

Frances Murphy grew roses and was a member of the Riverside school board. She left behind four children. Oetting left three children, while Lindquist had t wo.

Lynda Nadkarni is the community programs director at Riverside Presbyterian

made a presentation about the case in Riverside.

Nadkarni grew up in the church and said er the years the women had been almost ghostly.

ve always felt their presence here,” she said. “It’s impossible to sit in the choir and sing and not feel those women.”

The investigation

We ger, who stood 5-foot-7 and weighed 180 pounds, compared with the victims’ 5-foot-6 height, was interviewed by the Illinois State Police March 18 and inter rogated again two days later. He passed three polyg raph tests by the end of the month, then passed three more that April.

Meanwhile, it came to light that a roughly 25-year-old man was seen speaking to the women with possibly three more men in a car. A potential lead, of course, but Hale said the big break in the case was on March 21, when Illinois Bell phone operator Lois Zelensek connected a call between a party from La Salle County, where Starved Rock State Park is located, and Aurora. She heard part of the conversation,

ich made her blood run cold. a big writeup in the pa,” the La Salle County party said. Zelrora voice sounded like an uneducated person. caller: “The kid has blooderalls in the trunk of the car. afraid he’ll get caught.”

The La Salle County response: “Tell him to get rid of them. Burn them.”

Zelensek’s daughter, Marsha Minott, sat y.

“My mother was scared for my family,” Minott said. “She was a telephone operaerheard a lot of different rked for the Aurora Fire Department and he kept telling my mom, ‘Do not say anything. We don’t need our family exposed to this.’”

said Hale, traced the call anized crime connections and, significantly, to the husband of one of the victims. But the state’s attorney cleared them with, in Hale’s surmise, a .

Instead, the state turned its attention to ho was driven to Chicago in late La Salle County Sherif f’s Deputy William Dummett for another polygraph test, which Dummett claimed Weger failed and went on to say that if Weger didn’t confess, he would face the electric chair.

The endgame arrived in November. Weger, who had been relentlessly tailed by law enforcement for months, was interrogated for eight hours, Nov. 16, before confessing early the next mor ning

His story was that on his work break at the lodge, he was walking in St. Louis Canyon, decided to rob the women and let them go But one attacked him, likely Frances Murphy, who apparently dislodged a hair from her attacker, so he defended himself and killed them all before retur ning to work Hale doesn’t buy it

“The confession was a joke,” he said. “Nobody could believe it. In 1960, it was checkmate. In 1960, we didn’t know false confessions were real.”

That led to We ger’s incarceration for 59 years, three months and six days. All the while, he maintained his innocence while he acquired the nickname the Starved Rock Killer.

TODD BANNOR

Attorney Andy Hale shows photos of the 1960 Star ved Rock Murder victims.

GREGG VOSS

Riverside Presby terian Church plaque

ASSESSMENTS

Appeal process opens

from page 1

it does work that way in the property tax world like ‘if my assessed value has gone up by 25% therefore my taxes are going to go up by 25%.’ People get very nervous about that, understandably so, if that were actually the case, but it’s not.”

About a third of Oak Park er’s property tax bills actuall went down even as the av age property value in the vil lage increased through 2023’ property value reassessment period, he said.

Residents will begin seeing the impact of the tax assessments in the summer of 2027, he said.

value for apar tment buildings rose by 28% while commercial properties increased by 21% on the median, El Saf far said.

The village’s average value increase will also likely shrink as residents go through the appeal process.

The first deadline to submit an appeal of the county’s property value assessment will be June 18. Property owners can base their appeals on things like similar properties with smaller increases, private appraisals and er rors in the property conditions described in the county assessment.

The rate of assessment increases dif fered slightly across property types, El Saffar said. While single-family homes’ value increased by about 24%, condos increased by 25% and townhomes increased by 11%. The

MURDERS

Alternative

suspects from page 19

New evidenc

Hale got involved a decade ago jective

“My job as Chester’s lawyer, I ha it,” he said. “I have to prove who did it.”

If a property owner is unsatisfied with the results of a reassessment appeal, they can then plead their case to the Cook County Board of Review.

“The whole system has a bit of a squeaky wheel gets the ease quality,” El Saffar said. “So, if you’re concerned, the best thing to do is just sort of keep at it.”

Outgoing Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi stressed the importance of the appeal process in a recent letter to Wednesday Journal. “I strongly encourage property owners to

review their reassessment notice to ensure their property characteristics and market value reflect their home,” said Kaegi who is a long-time Oak Park resident. “It is important to understand that assessments in

Cook County reflect market value over the last three years. My office will be hosting a virtual workshop to assist property owners and explain reassessments in their community.”

So he went to work looking for sible alternative suspects. With modern advances in DNA evidence, it was determined that a hair found likely dislodged by Murphy was a male profile … but not We ger. A new process called genetic genealo the hair to three brothers. Coincidentall of a heart attack the same day the women found.

The weapon was likely a tire mer, according to a forensic pathologist.

Hale said there is new evidence implicating a small-time La Salle County hood, who alle gedly admitted he helped plan the murders and stored the bloody clothes in his car, matching what Zelensek overheard on the phone call. That man’s sister later allegedly implicated him.

Here’s another twist: Hale contacted a woman whose grandfather was in the Chicago mob and alle gedly orga-

Attorney Andy Hale presents evidence that the 1960 Star ved Rock murders of three Riverside women we re not committed by Chester Weger.

nized the murders.

But why remains a mystery.

In recent years, Hale has worked tirelessly to exonerate Weger, before and after his parole and death. Didn’t happen.

ourt in Will County, where the case was moved due to a onflict of interest in La Salle County, refused to vacate the conviction, possibly because it would have cost tens of milons of dollars in relief to We ger and his family.

Loc al help requested

What to make of all this? Hale said the case isn’t over, but there are a few heroes, including Frances Murphy, who apparently fought her attacker and dislodged the hair evidence that led to the modern conclusions, along with Lois Zelensek.

“I contend this was a colossal coverup in 1960, and it’s a colossal coverup today,” he said. “I’m urging everyone in e, if you know something, reach out. Justice does not ve an expiration date.”

Hale got to know We ger over the years and called him a “very humble person [with] a dry sense of humor.

“I thought he was kind of a gentle person, the Chester ger I knew after the last 10 years,” Hale said. “He really became a friend to me. Our go-to after court in Ottawa was Cracker Barrel.”

Nadkarni said she believes the mob was involved in the murders.

“There were four victims,” she said. “The three women and Chester We ger.”

If you know anything related to the Starved Rock murders, howev er seemingly inconsequential, email Andy Hale andy@ahalelaw.com or visit https://www.andyhalepodcast.com/contact

ALI ELSAFFAR

TODD BANNOR

Second chance for burnt out Oak Park home

Oak Park Apar tments plans to build new and create ‘missing middle’ rentals

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

It’s been a long time coming, but things are looking up at 430 S. Taylor Ave. in Oak Park We covered the house on the lot in 2024: https://www.oakpark.com/2024/03/01/ home-damaged-by-fire-gets-approved-for-demolition/ Oak Parker Anthony Garland purchased the vacant house in 2023, hoping to rehab it and make it a home for his family But those dreams went up in smoke when the historic b galow caught fire in June 2023. The house was significantl damaged in the fire and most of its roof was destroyed In 2024, Garland sought and received a Certificate of Ap propriateness (COA) from the Historic Preservation Commission, allo p

THE GROUND UP: Bob and Bill Planek of Oak Park Apartments purchased a home destroyed by re. ey want to build an 8-unit apartment building on the Taylor Avenue lot.

Bob Planek, who along with his brother Bill owns Oak Park Apartments, has owned an Art Deco apartment building on the block since 2002 and had been waiting for some sign of life in the bur nt-out house. He wasn’t aware that Garland was selling it until he checked local real estate listings.

He recalls, “It just came up on Zillow. I didn’t even know it was for sale until then.” Planek paid $210,000 for the property and closed in December 2025.

He said, “Historic Preservation said they had so many calls on it. I had no idea. We just of fered the asking price on Zillow and got the house.”

Like Garland, Planek had to appear before the Historic Preservation Commission to seek a COA to demolish what was left of the house. Although Garland’s COA was granted, more than a year had passed and the HPC is required to reevaluate such cases in historic districts.

The commission granted the application for the COA, which allowed the Planeks to demolish what was left of the house. The home lost much of its roof in the 2023 fire and had been open to the elements since then.

In that state, it wasn’t salvageable, said Planek. “People living in the building on the side were looking down into essentially what had been the living room. There was no

roof on the home. At some point, you have to realize you can’t save it.”

The brothers considered building a new, single-family home on the lot, but Planek notes that on three sides, the home was surrounded with multi-family buildings. “So, we thought it might be an opportunity to build from the ground up -- something we’ve never done.”

Through Oak Park Apartments, the Planeks have rehabilitated and rent out many vintage apar tment buildings in Oak Park and surrounding areas, and the opportunity to build new excited them.

The lot was already zoned R-7, which Planek says is the highest zoning you can get for multi-family housing. By right, he can build 7+ units on the lot. While the drawings are still in the planning stages, he says they hope to build a 7-to-8-unit, brick, “two-flat-like” building, like the classic walkups throughout town.

When they appear before the Zoning Commission in June, the Planeks will be requesting leave to add an eighth unit to the building. That eighth unit, along with one other, will be ADA-accessible.

See BUILDING on pa ge 22

FROM

Rendering of the proposed building at 430 S. Taylor.

BUILDING

Building new

from page 21

Again, this is something new for the brothers. All of their other buildings are vintage, which makes it challenging to be fully ADA accessible. These two units will be groundfloor units, built at grade and will also have access to accessible parking spaces

Bob Planek says they briefly considered applying to be a planned development, which would have potentially given them a building of up to 16 units, but it would have required multiple zoning and parking variances.

He says, “We scaled it back to the ‘middle.’ It’s not a single-family home. It’s not a planned development. It’s the missing middle everyone is looking for.”

One of the goals is to provide new construction that is more in touch with today’s lifestyles than vintage buildings, while also not being super expensive like some newly built high rise developments. They plan for all of the units to be rentals.

Planek says they are taking a gamble on this. “We are seeing if we can build at this scale and still make it make sense returnwise. We’ll find out firsthand if it works.”

He says that under Illinois’ People Over Parking Act, which is due to take effect June 1 of this year, they are no longer required to provide one parking spot per unit given the building’s proximity to bus and train lines, but they still intend to provide a space per unit. “We have found that peo-

PROVIDED

DESTROYED, DEMOLISHED, CLEARED: e Planek’s w ill appear before Oak Park’s Zoning Commission in June looking for the OK to have an 8th unit.

ple looking for apar tments in this market will probably want that,” he said.

In addition, as new construction, the building will need to be all-electric according to village code. Planek notes that Oak Park Apartments has been working with Energy Matters for years to convert

their vintage buildings from gas to electric and to make them more sustainable, so he doesn’t see this requirement as an issue

While acknowledging a lot of pieces have to fall into place, Planek says that in a perfect world, they plan to be out of the ground and building before the end of the

year, finish interiors over the winter and be open to rent in May or June 2027.

He’s hopeful that the building is wellreceived. “It hits a lot of the boxes: it’s in keeping with the neighborhood, it’s the right size. It really is the missing middle,” he said.

PROVIDED

Submit events and see full calendar at oakpark.com/events

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

Email: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org

e incredible unshrinking sandwich

Itend to write about random musings around the village, but over the last year no article has gotten more attention than the piece I wrote about the secret Friday sandwich at Broken Tart.

For those unfamiliar, Broken Tart had an amazing weekly wich that they only made on Fridays and, without rehashing the entire article, it was spectacular. It felt less like ordering lunch and more like stumbling into a weekly underound sandwich society. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, Broken Tart discontinued the Friday sandwich until further notice. A dark day for local th the Broken Tart sandwich on , Carnivore entered the chat with its fried chicken sandwich. There has been debate about the best chicken wich in and around the village, and ys felt like Carnivore’s never got its full credit. Whereas the sandwiches on elt in Berwyn and Madison Street in Forest Park (IYKYK) were undeniably good, Carnivore’s, on the other hand, felt artisanal without trying too hard. Crispy, flavorful, thoughtfully made, and somehow still chaotic enough to require seven napkins.

Sadly, a couple weeks ago Carnivore announced that, as part of its recent revamp, the sandwiches would also be disappearing from the menu. Another local sandwich giant gone too soon. But when one sandwich door closes, another opens. Enter: The Onion Roll.

I’ ll admit it, my friends have been hyping up Onion Roll for a while now, especially Ekow Mensah, and I just never took the bait. Huge mistake. I’d now like to stand before the people and for mally declare that Onion Roll’s Fresh Smoked Lox sandwich is one of the best sandwiches you can get anywhere in the village

For starters, the bagels are incredible and instantly brought me back to my time in Nor th Jersey, where people treat bagels with the seriousness of constitutional law. The sandwich itself is simple ingredients perfected: a toasted bagel, cream cheese, hand-sliced lox, tomato, and sweet onion. Nothing fancy. Nothing unnecessary. Just balance, texture, and execution.

And perhaps most impor tantly in today’s economy, this thing is massive. There are no signs of shrinkflation, no tiny artisan portions pretending to be a meal. It’s the kind of sandwich that reminds me of the value we all took for granted in the 20th century.

Vince Gay has over 20 years of experience in education, ranging from classroom teacher to building administrator. The proud parent of two school-aged children, he has been an active member of the Oak Park community for more than a decade.

VIEWPOINTS

e narrow view in Broadview

This is the case of the incredible shrinking federal prosecution of Oak Park Village Trustee Brian Straw and what’s left of the “Broadview Six.”

Let’s set the scene for this ill-starred prosecution, the remnants of which go to trial soon. Think back to last September when ICE was ascendant, cruising the streets of Oak Park, River Forest and Home Depot parking lots, detaining anyone who looked Hispanic, whether gardener, roofer or pedestrian.

Hair-jelled and jolly ICE “commandant” Greg Bovino would stop for mor ning coffee in a Forest Park gas station relishing another day of social media photo ops. And maybe end his day tossing tear gas at assembling crowds of nonviolent protesters on Chicago streets. Or lying about the toss (which was videoed) under oath in court to a federal judge.

Kristi Noem, then director of Homeland Security and Rolex-wearing cowboy fashion icon, flew into Chicago for a video mashup, including a visit to the roof of the Broadview ICE detention center. Drone footage

showed her looking tough. To protest ICE doing God-knows-what to detainees inside the detention center, protesters assembled outside each Friday, sang songs, and expressed their displeasure with how far our nation has fallen. In addition to pastors, rabbis and imams praying, there were young people (some using bad language!). And old people, greying churchgoers like me who remembered something from our childhood Catechesis about welcoming the stranger and doing unto others, etc

That is the background to Straw and several others getting arrested and charged with a felony for …? Near as I can tell, standing in front of an ICE vehicle. This felony charge was — how can I say this as a retired lawyer? — BS

Its premise was that six people, none of whom had ever met, entered into a “flash” conspiracy, to derail federal action, with serious (though ill-defined) implications. The charge had the markings of a political

PHOTO PROVIDED

JACK CROWE

As Oak Park rethinks events, look to Forest Park

The pendulum swings once more in how Oak Park’s village government values, plans and prices the special events it seems to want more of – unless you want to add a bike run or 5K. Village President Vickie Scaman says Oak Park is filled to the brim with those y session earlier in May, Scaman said Oak wants more special events that directly small businesses and the multiple usiness districts that operate across town. at makes sense. Sustaining our fragile etailers and restaurants is essential to maintaining property and sales tax revenues. And more importantly it recognizes that the sense community our entrepreneurial neighbors build with us is core to living in this village. ome clarity though. Downtown Oak Park –raphically fixed area along Lake Street and Marion from Harlem to Forest, Ontario th Boulevard – is the single Oak Park usiness district that is self-funded. A special services property tax was approved decades ago by property owners downtown and is paid by those same property owners. It allows the robust and quite fantastic roster of events – holidays to Thursday Night Out – that are staged by its small staff.

Every other business district in town is run solely by business owners who volunteer their time and energy. The Arts District on Harrison has long managed to self-fund a part-time marketing person, which allows several successful events each year. What’s Blooming on Harrison is coming right up, by the way.

Village staff did research on how other towns pull off events. I hope they focused on Forest Park which is ambitious and mostly successful in fronting a full calendar of events, including a huge St. Pat’s parade in March, the goofy fun Casket Races around Halloween. Then there are wine walks, makers events, the holiday walk and several more.

The tiny but mighty Forest Park Chamber is the key driver of these events. It operates on a shoestring with minimal financial support from cash-strapped village hall. The village is fully supportive, offering the services of both public works and the police department to handle logistics. And key allies such as the surging Forest Park Arts Alliance bring great energy to its projects

Oak Park is looking at a revised approach to supporting events by cutting its fees by 25%, moving past the expectation that it will recoup all of its costs on every event, and providing these volunteer organizers with more cost certainty as they plan.

All good. We’ll need to give new leadership at Oak Park’s chamber some time to figure out where it fits in supporting the business districts and fronting its own roster of events. The village coughed up a pile of cash for the chamber to host events last summer just as its leadership imploded.

As one of the group that staged the monumental May Madness event on Oak Park Avenue for a decade, I know how stressful and exhausting this work can be — also how far it goes in growing community

WMy inf th Israel

hen I was 7, my dad decide we would read the Bibl aloud at the dinner table two pages each night after supper. My parents took tur ns, then the three older boys pitched in. My three younger brothers joined the rotation later. Over the year made our way through the Old T ment and most of the New Testament. It knitted us closely.

Yes, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy were a bore. Yahweh la down the law through Moses, includ ing strange dietary restrictions like not mixing dairy and meat. We drank milk and ate meat at every nightly meal (except Fridays).

But the stories were captivating, telling the history of a troubled, chosen people. The era of Judges gave way to Kings with all the attendant corruption and abuses of power (just like today!), prophets haranguing the wayward Israelites for pissing off Yahweh, who kept punishing them with exile (not again!), then retur ning home chastened, but never entirely mending their ways. I kept rooting for these underdogs nonetheless, and finally, finally the Maccabees won a glorious victory over their oppressor!

As the story slowly unfolded at our kitchen table, modern-day Israelis were busy building a nation, making the desert bloom. They were the good guys, the underdogs We watched the 1967 and 1973 wars on TV, which they won against all odds. I was too young to realize that we supplied their military materiel.

My disenchantment began with the rise of the right following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, when power shifted decidedly in favor of hard-liners like Ariel Sharon, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the Ultra-Orthodox coalition.

Israel was no longer the underdog. They had power and weren’t shy about using (and sometimes misusing) it. When I traveled to the Holy Land in 2006 and saw that hideous wall surrounding Bethlehem, I realized Israelis had made a Faustian bargain — seeking safety and security through segregation, tur ning the country into a fortress.

Something was amiss at the heart of Israel’s complicated society. I wondered how the gover nment and military could act like oppressors in order to protect a people who had been oppressed for so long themselves. Then came the awful Hamas assault in 2023. Initially, Israel’s retaliation seemed justified, but rapidly became wildly disproportionate

Since then, Israel lost support in the court of public opinion and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank gained sympathy, while many Americans have grown increasingly uneasy about the fact that our tax dollars are paying for so much death and destruction.

Which brings us to the recent Oak wnship ballot initiative. Some y the Mideast is too far away and nonbinding referenda should only be about local issues. But if it’s much on the minds of local residents, then it’s a local issue. A lot of people in this town care about Israel and/or Palestine w many? How much? We don’t know because people are afraid to talk openly about it. The Jewish community understandably fears that such a discussion waken the sleeping demon of antisemitism, the default setting just below the surface of the American psyche, giving those looking for someone to hate a convenient scapegoat.

The proposed advisory referendum targeting an obscure state law — in which Illinois essentially blacklists companies that boycott Israel — may have been an effort to gauge voter sentiment about the Israel-Gaza conflict. And the group that organized the tur nout that voted down the initiative, and prevented it from being placed on the ballot, successfully avoided an airing of that issue

But if Israel maintains its military superiority in the Mideast because of our funding, shouldn’t taxpayers have a say about it? Maybe that should have been the question submitted for the ballot initiative. Or maybe they could have simply asked whether Oak Parkers support a two-state solution that would make Israelis and Palestinians peaceful, independent co-equals — no matter how difficult and complicated that might be to pull off.

What I do know is a lot of people here — even some supporters of Israel like myself — are upset about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the West Bank.

Recently, this paper printed an angry letter about the defeated ballot initiative, which upset some readers. But I didn’t hear hate in that letter. I heard pain I hear pain on both sides of this issue, but the pain about Gaza is more intense

When I ran into for mer village president Anan Abu-Taleb recently, he showed me photos of the ruins of his family’s home in Gaza, where he grew up. He is deep in grief. Gaza is immediate for him. It’s also immediate for those who knew people killed or taken hostage during the vicious assault by Hamas on Israel three years ago.

Pain deserves a voice and we need to listen.

I mour n the idealism that Israel once embodied, however illusory, and I dearly wish they could feel like the good guys again, but that can happen only if Israelis reach out to Palestinians and if both treat each other like brothers and sisters — closely knit.

These days, a referendum on resolving this ageold dispute sounds hopelessly naïve.

But I would vote for it

TRAINOR

SHRUBTOWN by Marc Stopeck

Visit Memorial Hall this Memorial Day

River Forest World War I Memorial Hall will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. Please join us to remember and learn about some of our 252 local veterans who served during WWI. Memorial Hall will be open from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m., Monday, and is located at 7560 Oak Ave., at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest.

Thanks to an Eagle Scout, much research has been compiled on these veterans and is contained in an alphabetized directory listing information about each. You may learn you are living in a WWI veteran’s home.

Some new research has been done on the artisan sculptor who created the decorative war memorial plaque that is installed in the hall. Anna Mary Meyer Tilden grew up in Oak Park and later lived in River Forest.

As America begins to celebrate 250 years of freedom, please take time to visit, honor, and remember our local heroes from WWI in Memorial Hall on Monday, May 25.

John Dzuryak River Forest

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

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

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

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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.

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You can promote calmer tra c on North Avenue

We’ve got a rare opportunity to enhance pedestrian and vehicular safety and calm down drivers by eliminating all those anger-producing traf fic jams on North Avenue – but only if enough residents submit comments before June 10 supporting the key choices that can achieve these goals

Currently Elmwood Park and River Forest are collaborating on the North Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project that runs from Thatcher to Harlem. The May 13 Open House was a great opportunity to see the initial plans – not yet set in concrete (no pun intended) – and to offer feedback.

But only a small fraction of residents could attend

If we, the people, can persuade the powers that be, the North Avenue Streetscape

Improvement Project can finally make North Avenue safer for pedestrians and drivers and eliminate the worst traffic jams that plague River Forest’s norther n boundary.

DAN LAUBER

One View

Adopting the following features will enable North Avenue to run more smoothly and safely for both pedestrians and vehicles:

(1) Eliminate the eastbound backups at 75th Avenue by Johnnie’s Beef and Spizzico Pizza & Pasta by installing a stoplight and a left-turn lane plus arrow for eastbound traffic. This will not only provide safe passage for all those pedestrians currently risking life and limb crossing North Avenue, but also end the lengthy traffic jams caused by drivers turning left onto 75th to enjoy the wonderful dining experiences

available between 74th and 76th. Those traffic jams only make drivers angry as they recklessly dart out of the backed-up left lane. Think of this as real-life traffic calming

(2) Eliminate the westbound backups at Jackson generated by drivers tur ning left to go to our underappreciated, but beloved Fresh Thyme Market grocery store and St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church by installing a left-tur n lane for westbound traffic. A traffic light isn’t feasible or necessary there’s already one a block west at Lathrop. Again, this is real-life traffic calming

(3) Make traffic flow smoother and safer by not installing bump outs at the beginning of each block so that drivers can just pull into that first parking space instead of

Illinois’ broken warrant system

As a retired police chief and a Fellow of Law Enforcement at Awake Illinois, I have been advocating for the creation of a statewide warrant task force because Illinois’ current warrant system is failing in ways that constantly endanger officers and the public. Our warrant system is disjointed, outdated, and in many cases fundamentally flawed. Violent offenders know how to exploit these weaknesses, and they do so easily

TOM WEITZEL

issues a warrant valid only in certain counties — such as Cook County — and that offender is stopped in Will County, officers cannot execute the warrant. This is both absurd and dangerous It puts officers in a difficult position and allows violent offenders to go free.

the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Forces. This team would operate on an intelligence-driven cycle — surveillance, daily multi-agency briefings, and a three-phase execution plan: threat assessment, pre-execution briefing, and after-action review.

This issue goes well beyond the murder of Chicago Police Officer John Bartholomew and the shooting of his partner. Repeatedly, offenders who should be in custody are instead roaming freely throughout Illinois. A recent example involved a non-compliant offender with two active warrants who tried to shoot a Chicago police officer during a traffic stop. These failures are not just unusual — they are the expected outcome of a system that no longer works.

One of the most serious flaws is the ongoing reliance on geographic restrictions for warrants. When a judge

My position is clear: eliminate geographic restrictions. If an agency is unwilling to pursue a suspect statewide, it should not enter the warrant into LEADS (Law Enforcement Agency Data System). Half-hearted measures risk people’s safety

In Illinois, a person with an active warrant is usually arrested only if they’re stopped for another reason or commit a new crime. That is not a strategy; it is a failure. Violent felons, parole absconders, and re peat gun offenders shouldn’t be able to move freely between counties because our system doesn’t keep up with them.

Illinois needs a statewide warrant task force functioning as a multijurisdictional strike team, modeled after successful units like the Illinois Trafficking Enforcement Group and

We also need a centralized, real-time warrant database, similar to Ohio’s eWarrants system, so that warrants can be validated and served anywhere in the state without delay.

Illinois already has statewide task forces for drugs, gangs, human trafficking, homicides, SWAT, and Mobile Field Force operations. If we can manage all of those, we can establish a statewide warrant task force.

Violent offenders should not be able to hide behind county borders. Officers should never again be put in a position where they know someone is wanted but cannot take them into custody.

Chief Tom Weitzel, who grew up in Oak Park, is the retired chief of the Riverside Police Department. Currently, he serves as a Law Enforcement Fellow with Awake Illinois, where he advocates for policies that support law enforcement, protect public safety, and strengthen communities across Illinois.

blocking traffic by parallel parking. With these three actions – and likely a few others as well – the North Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project will actually promote pedestrian and vehicular safety and calmer, less reckless drivers frustrated by the aggravating and dangerous obstacles North Avenue currently poses.

So be sure to submit your comments in support of these improvements and others that come to mind to Matt Huffman, project manager, at mhuf fman@cbbel.com or by phone at 847-823-0500 before June 10 when the comment period closes Dan Lauber, AICP, is a past president of the American Planning Association and twice of the American Institute of Planners. He originally intended to become a transportation planner before finding his calling.

Rise, shine, rinse, repeat

Wakey wakey, rise and shine, Earth’s still spinning, you’re doing fine. All day long, think happy stuff, If bad thoughts come, you stay real tough.

Nip it, clip it, in the bud, Don’t let grumbles turn to mud. Send your brain to brighter scenes, Puppies, pizza, jellybeans.

By day’s end shining bright you’ll be, You’re in Oak Park, go hug a tree. And if folks stare, toss ’em a grin, Then rinse and re peat for tomor row’s spin. Val Gee Oak Park

One month into the Iran war with a campaign of aerial bombardment and limited troop involvement, let’s relook at military history in the year 1964 through the eyes of H.R. McMaster in his seminal book on the American military involvement in Vietnam (Dereliction of Duty, Har per & Collins, 1997). The U.S. made a vain attempt to defeat Nor th Vietnam through aerial bombardment and 25,000 troops on the ground. Robert McNamara and his “algebra of war” debated with

Miscalculations of war

George Ball’s observations of the current and past history of Vietnam’s resistance to foreign incursions.

Ball noted that the “most severe air campaign” to persuade a committed enemy to withdraw, in fact will cause “an intensity” of resistance and in fact “launch ter ror attacks on American personnel” such that a president must assess the “potential costs of war” and “saddle and destroy our freedom to choose the policies that are at once most

Ieffective and most prudent. Once on the tiger’s back, we cannot choose the place to dismount.”

Further, Carl Von Clausewitz noted, “It is in the nature of escalation that the party that seems to be losing will be tempted to up the ante.” The New York Times, March 31, noted that Clausewitz stated, “Long ago it was recognized that the reducing of war to a kind of algebra [think Robert McNamara 1964] is never merely a calculation. War is saturated with passion,

uncertainty and political purpose.”

In fact, David Ignatius noted on MS NOW, March 26: “All war is a counterpunch for Trump.”

T he Iran War exposes a failure of not just strateg y, but of literacy. Literacy and history train the faculties of war, just the faculties that Trump and He gseth lack: They are unable to grant that other minds are not transparent to them.

Frank

A conversation with the AI mirror

recently made what may be the most 2026 decision imaginable: I asked ChatGPT to impersonate me so I could determine whether it understands my personality better than most people I have worked with professionally.

This is either jour nalism or a cry for help. The distinction grows blurrier every year.

The idea was simple. I would interview “AI Me” and compare wers to the ones forming in my own head. Like a Turing test, except the machine’s goal was not to convince me it was human. Its goal was to convince me it was specifically me, which is a much stranger assignment. Plenty of humans have failed it.

I began gently.

ME: Why are you so opinionated about suits?

AI ME: Because American men have spent 30 years dressing like assistant managers at an enterprise software reseller and calling it “fit.” Annoyingly close.

ME: Why do you like those old, slightly shabby, Florida beach towns so much?

AI ME: Because they still feel like places designed for human pleasure instead of real estate speculation and “experiences.” Also because you associate them with your grandparents and freedom from your cousins, who you still describe with the emotional subtlety of a Sicilian blood feud.

This was less amusing

ME: What is your problem with email?

AI ME: Email successfully transformed every human relationship into an infinitely renewable task list.

I stared at the screen for a moment.

The disturbing thing about talking to an AI trained partly on your own conversational habits is not that it becomes intelligent. It is that it becomes familiar. Like running into a bartender who remembers your order, your divorce, and your recur ring complaints about airport carpeting.

The machine had also clearly identified my central emotional contradiction, which is that I claim to hate modern technology while spending most of my day enthusiastically using it to avoid interacting with systems built by other modern technologies. (And to make money, which is great to have but a dirty process to acquire.)

ME: So you like AI?

AI ME: You like having a research assistant who never schedules a follow-up meeting. Fair.

I decided to push further.

ME: What are you actually afraid of?

AI ME: Becoming administratively indistinguishable from everyone else.

Now this is the kind of answer that makes you briefly consider throwing your laptop into Lake Michig an. Because I knew exactly what it meant.

Most people fear death. Some fear failure. I apparently fear becoming a man who says things like “just bubbling this up” and voluntarily attends webinars about synergy. Somewhere along the line, my deepest anxiety became the possibility of tur ning into a re gional vice president of process optimization.

The AI had noticed another pattern too.

AI ME: You romanticize competence constantly.

ME: I do not.

AI ME: You absolutely do. Half your stories are about someone quietly doing something well while the surrounding institution catches fire.

This was unfortunately true. I love waiters who move like dancers. Old bartenders. Project managers with thousand-yard stares. Airline gate agents capable of controlling a riot with a headset and a raised eyebrow. My favorite people all have the energy of veterans of small forgotten wars.

Then the machine turned mean.

ME: What is your most re petitive topic?

AI ME: You believe modern life produces too much communication and not enough conversation.

ME: That’s not re petitive.

AI ME: You have written this column approximately 47 times in different hats.

Cruel. And accurate.

And yet the oddest part of the experience was not the accuracy. It was the slight inaccuracy. The AI sounded like me, but like a version of me with the pauses removed. Too clean. Too efficient. Like someone had sanded down all the digressions where actual personality lives. Which, I suspect, may be the whole lesson.

The machine can learn your rhythms, your fixations, your aesthetics, your resentments, your recur ring jokes. It can approximate your voice alar mingly well. But it still answers questions a little too quickly, a little too neatly, a little too cor rectly

In other words, it sounds almost human.

Which is to say: almost like me.

Alan Brouilette writes a column for the Forest Park

Re view

Vozak Oak Park

Abuse is part of Women’s History

This column previously ran in the Forest Park Review on April 1:

As Women’s History Month comes to a close after honoring the many contributions women have made to our society, the abuse of women in this country is increasing.

If Jeffrey Epstein were a rare exce ption, it would be a sad, isolated tragedy, but Carol Gall, executive director of Sarah’s Inn, says the abuse of women and girls is too prevalent even in our tri-village area.

“Calls to both Sarah’s Inn’s 24-hour crisis line and the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline, have surged and continue to climb each year since 2019,” she re ported. The state hotline alone received almost 60,000 callers in 2024 — almost double the previous levels. Last year alone, Sarah’s Inn answered 2,933 calls on our crisis line — each one representing someone urgently seeking safety and support.

“The rise in domestic violence,” she said, “is also reflected in fatalities in Illinois — domestic violence deaths in Illinois rose by 14% in 2024 to 137 victims — a 140% increase since 2022. Firearms are a major factor in domestic violence homicides, accounting for 68% of deaths in 2023.

“We are deeply concer ned about both the increase and the severity of domestic violence. Most people associate physical violence with domestic violence, though most domestic abuse is mental and emotional.”

Gall defined domestic violence as “a pattern of behavior used to establish and maintain power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.”

The patter n includes various behaviors that can be physical, sexual, emotional, financial, psychological, or technological, threats or other kinds of coercive behavior that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, ter rorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.

Gall told the story of a woman she called Client A to give a more concrete feel for the women Sarah’s Inn works with.

Client A came to Sarah’s Inn while still living with her abusive partner. She had been in the relationship for 10 years and was preparing to leave. During her initial meetings, staf f worked with her to create a safety plan that prioritized her immediate physical and emotional well-being.

Over the next several months, she consistently engaged in advocacy sessions. These sessions focused on safety, navigating systems, and identifying her goals for stability and independence. She utilized Sarah’s Inn’s financial assistance program to help meet

basic needs during the transition. She also participated in support groups, where she connected with others who had experienced similar situations.

Client A has since moved into a safer living situation. She re ports feeling more secure and in control of her life, and recently adopted a cat. She continues to build on her progress and remains connected to supportive resources at Sarah’s Inn.

Here’s an analogy. Gall defined domestic abuse as “a pattern of behavior used to establish and maintain power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.”

It’s spooky how much that definition fits with the foreign policy of this nation right now.

The major change in war in the last thousand years has been technological. Ken Burns in his film about the American war of independence said Native Americans who fought on both sides were shocked at the ca rnage they witnessed. They were used to fighting with spears and clubs. Gunpowder used in muskets and canons multiplied the death toll.

How has domestic abuse changed?

“Domestic abuse foundationally is the same,” Gall re plied, “though the behaviors, tactics and tools used to exert power and control over an intimate partner have evolved along with technology, social media and the severity and risk factors. Access to firearms, economic stress and housing instability have made situations more complex and even dangerous.

“Technology such as tracking tools, smartphones and social media have allowed for constant abuse, control and harassment to be more accessible for those who choose to cause harm. Locations can be tracked, messages can be monitored on multiple devices, and with AI, victims can be manipulated and impersonated.”

Gall believes that some good has come out of the public attention given to the Epstein files.

“High-profile cases,” she said, “such as Jeffrey Epstein, and larger movements by victims to courageously share their stories, have helped more survivors speak out, come forward and have be gun to shift the public’s perception of domestic violence and the multiple for ms of abuse, as well as highlighted systemic failures to help support survivors and hold those who cause harm accountable.”

One concluding thought: An online site called Safe Alliance reports, “One in 10 men in the U.S. has experienced sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner and suf fered some form of related impact. The Centers for Disease Control confirms what so many quietly endure.”

Contact info: INFO@SARAHSINN.org Emergency 24 hour crisis line: 708-386-4225.

Tom Holmes writes a re gular column for our sister publication, the Forest Park Re view

Oak go-cart Park?

I strongly agree with the April 5 letter regarding the excessive traffic control measures that are popping up all over town. The writer did not mention, though, just

how ugly many of these measures are. The hideous rows and rows of white and yellow sticks and the garish paint on the streets are making our beautiful streets resemble a

tacky go-cart park. There simply must be a less unsightly way to ensure safety.

Karen Johnson Oak Park

JACKCROWE

Much ado about nothing from page 25

show trial that you might have seen in Chile in the 1980s under General Augusto Pinochet, where 3,000 political opponents disappeared.

Enter 40-year (and controversial) true believer Assistant U.S. Attor ney William Hogan. If you remember his name, it’s because years ago Hogan ran the prosecution of the El Rukyn gang and faced charges of prosecutorial misconduct including, I’m not making this up, conjugal visits for imprisoned gover nment witnesses. (Ooh la la!)

Hogan’s style in court in the Broadview Six case was — how should I put this? — Histrionic!

When Straw’s defense team demanded grand jury transcripts to see if the prosecutor had fudged the law in convincing the Grand Jury to indict, and also for documents about whether the once-respected U.S. Attor ney’s Office in Chicago had received political directions from the White House, Hogan was not happy.

The prosecutors accused the defense of “fevered paranoia,” and “delusional speculation.” (https://www oakpark. com/2026/04/02/doj-calls-broadview-6defense-paranoid-delusional)

Like Queen Gertrude in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hogan “doth protest too much, methinks.” When I was a litigator years ago, if my opposing counsel used over-thetop language like this, that’s when I knew I was on to something

But Hogan knows the law, and must have convinced his political bosses at the Department of Justice (and I do mean political) that the felony conspiracy charge was a loser. So he caved and, rather than reveal the Grand Jury transcripts, dismissed the felony charge against Straw and others.

So what’s left? Straw is scheduled to go to trial on misdemeanor charges for the day of protest. No one was hurt (other than the feelings of some ICE agents) but Justice (the D.C. office, not the concept) must be served.

Hogan has scheduled two weeks of a busy federal judge’s time to try what was once a felony elephant for what is now a misdemeanor mosquito

This is why I have contributed to Straw’s legal defense fund

Looking for nighthawks

This summer, two dozen citizen scientists will be heading out before dusk to scan the skies above landmarks of Oak Park and River Forest. Their objective is to look and listen for a bird that some may be familiar with, but others may not: the Common Nighthawk.

This fascinating but poorly understood animal spends its summers with us after migrating from as far away as the Amazon basin. Historically, it has been most at home in open fields and prairies across North America. With the loss of such habitat, however, the Nighthawk has increasingly made its home in urban areas, nesting on gravel rooftops instead of in open countryside, and foraging for insects above the bright evening lights of parks and commercial buildings.

Despite this striking adaptability, the Common Nighthawk is one of the fastestdeclining birds in North America, falling in numbers by 60% over the last 50 years. In the Chicago re gion, this federallyprotected bird is considered by the Bird Conservation Network to be a species needing “priority attention and manage-

ment.” Yet we can’t devote attention to the management of Nighthawks if we don’t know where they chose to hatch their chicks.

The research – and personal observations – suggest that Nighthawks make use of big, flat-roofed buildings for their nests: big-box stores, school gymnasia, or any building with a substantial gravel roof. To accommodate the Nighthawk, then, we will need more than habitat protected by forest preserves. We will need a conservation paradigm that treats buildings, rooftops in particular, as potential habitat, in the same way that a butterfly garden in a private yard provides habitat for pollinators, or a Chicago skyscraper of fers a niche for the Pere grine falcon.

The two dozen volunteers for this survey may not yet all know each other, but together they will give us a better picture of an avian neighbor, so that it may continue to summer here as it has for thousands of years.

David Hoyt River Forest

ank you for supporting Wright Plus 2026

On Saturday, May 16, the annual Wright Plus Architectural Housewalk took place in Oak Park. The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust extends our sincere gratitude to the entire community, whose support and cooperation made it a splendid day of hospitality.

This year’s housewalk featured magnificent Oak Park historic residences, opened by their gracious homeowners to guests from across the country and beyond, who were in awe of Oak Park’s living museum of architecture — 350 volunteers spent hundreds of hours on planning and execution to make this a truly exceptional event. Everyone was touched by the spirit of friendship that defines this special day and this community.

We are pleased to recognize our wonderful sponsors and patrons: Village of Oak Park, Oak Park Apartments, Toomey & Co. Auctioneers, Albion Oak Park,

Alpha Adjusting, Baird & Warner of Oak Park, Bulley & Andrews, Chicago’s North Shore Convention & Visitors Bureau, The Davey Tree Expert Company, Downtown Oak Park, Explore Oak Park and Beyond, Fortune Restoration, Melton Workroom, Old Second National Bank, R. Titus Designs, Maya Del Sol, and Wednesday Journal.

Thank you to the following local florists for their beautiful floral ar rangements: Berwyn’s Violet Flower Shop, Carousel Flowers, Garland Flowers, Good Earth Greenhouse, MJ Floral Design, Tulipia Floral Design, and Westgate Flower & Plant Shop.

Without our many friends in this community, Wright Plus would not be possible.

A heartfelt thank-you!

Celeste Adams, CEO Frank Lloyd Wright Trust

OBITUARIES

Melissa Watters, 51 Ac

tive community volunteer

Melissa Callahan Watters, 51, of Oak Park, died on May 2, 2026, surounded by the ve of her family and friends. A proud Chicago native who also ew up in Glen Ellyn, she lived a life defined by votion to family, community, and friendships. Her war mth, laughter, strength, and ability to bring people together will be remembered always

In November 2001, she married the love of her life, Chris Watters, beginning a partnership rooted in laughter, loyalty, and shared purpose. Together, they raised three children – Ava, Jack, and Gwen –who were Melissa’s greatest pride and joy, guiding them with her fierce love

Melissa was the daughter of Bruce, now deceased, and Joyce Callahan, inheriting her father’s unforgettable laugh and her mother’s natural instinct to elevate family She loved music and played the violin from an early age through high school at Glenbard West. She was a graduate of Illinois State and later earned her master’s degree from Loyola University. In recent years, she served as a bookkeeper and advisor to numerous local businesses and organizations

Deeply committed to her community, Melissa volunteered with Girl Scouts, PTOs, and Oak Park Youth Baseball and Softball, where her leadership and enthusiasm left a lasting impact. She loved sewing, crafting, annual cottage trips with family, McDonald’s Coke, Wheel of Fortune, Murder She Wrote, the Hallmark Channel, and cheering for the Cubs and Bears.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Chris; her children, Ava, Jack, and Gwen; her mother, Joyce; her siblings, Bruce (Catherine), Jeaneen (Tim), Katie (Ron), Chris (Caroline), and Patrick (Rebecca); her aunt, Edith; her in-laws, Edward,

Lynn, Katie (Jeff), and Emily; her nieces and nephews, Richard (Stephanie), Jaclyn, Me ghan (Tom), Alex, Sean (Allison), Kasey (Kevin), Colleen (Bob), Katie (Sam), John, Patrick, Erin (Ryan), Shannon, Connor, Shealy, Riley, Macy, Megan G., Shannon G., and Erin G.; her great-nieces and -nephews, Cassidy, Liam, Thomas, Parker, Aiden, Eleanor, Nicholas, Abigail, Brooks, Declan, Cole, and Waylon; and many cousins, extended family, and friends whose lives she brightened.

She was preceded in death by her father; her grandparents, Howard & Grace Helledy and John & Jean Callahan; and her aunts and uncles, Dennis, Dave, Howie, John & Joyce, and Pat & Patricia

The family requests donations in Melissa’s memory to the Arthritis National Research Foundation.

Josephine Fedor, 88

St. Luke member

Josephine (Tapia) Fedor, 88, of Madison, Wisconsin, died peacefully at her care home on April 15, 2026. Born on Nov. 27, 1937, she was the wife of the late Joseph James Fedor for 47 years; the mother of Jennifer (Michael) Asmus, Daniel (Jessica John) Fedor, and the late Gregory Fedor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, May 23, beginning with a visitation at 10 a.m., Mass to follow at 11 a.m. at St. Lu ke Church, 7600 Lake St., River Forest. Interment will follow at Resur rection Cemetery, 7201 Archer Road, Justice, Illinois. For more information and online condolences, please visit www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, Wisconsin, 608-831-6761.

SPORTS

OPRF, Fenwick, Trinity earn berths in girls state meet

Huskies take second at 3A sectional; Friars collect multiple 2A quali ers

By LILY KOCOUREK Contributing Reporter

Senior Chloe Kozicki typified the performances by the Oak Park and River Forest girls track & field team Thursday in finishing second at the Class 3A Whitney Young Sectional at Knute Rockne Stadium.

Kozicki earned state berths in the 200-meter dash, finishing second place with a personal best of (25.91 seconds, and as part of the winning 4 x 200 relay. This is her third time at state and second time for the 4 x 200 relay, but her first time as an individual.

“I’m super-excited and proud of myself for qualifying for state as an individual for

the first time,” she said. “All the hard work and support from my coaches and teammates has helped me get here.”

Top-two sectional finishers automatically qualify for state as well as entries that achieve state-qualifying standards at the sectional. The 3A and 2A state meets are Friday and Saturday at Easter n Illinois University.

Field events set the tone early for the Huskies (135 points) at sectionals . Senior Oliwia Slezak earned first place in both shot put (10.99 meters/36 feet 3/4 inch) and discus (37.19m/122-0).

Slezak’s senior teammate Sheila Johnson earned second in shot (9.74m/31-11 1/2) for her first state berth. Senior Luciana Ramirez also makes her state debut after earning second with a personal-best 3.03m/9-11 1/4 in pole vault, which was held Friday at OPRF

The 4 x 200 relay of Kozicki, senior Soraya Lewis-Arellano, sophomore Zoe Bourelly and freshman Kiara Murphy captured first place, running a personal-best 1:43.07 in a statement performance that reflected a season of steady progression.

“We’re very confident and have improved a lot this season,” Lewis-Arellano said. “Our team chemistry has grown while continuing ompete together and stay focused on our oals.”

From there, the Huskies continued the momentum across the track.

In the 800, senior Violet Schnizlein adanced with a second-place 2:18.00, showing patience early, before closing strong in the final stretch.

“I knew the front runner was going to push hard, and I wanted to keep her in sight.” Schnizlein said. “I know within the 800 that I can push a lot harder with 300 meters to go. My goal is to get into the finals (top 12 in prelims) and be competitive.”

Senior Niani Patton added another key finish in the 100 high hurdles, placing sec-

ond in (17:84).

“Consistency and being able to accelerate between the hurdles is my strength.” Patton said.

Fenwick/Trinity girls track & eld

Fenwick and Trinity battled among some of the top 2A performers Friday at the Clark Sectional, also at Rockne Stadium.

Fenwick junior Mia Bagato qualified for state in two events by taking second in the 400 (1:00.14) and third in the 800 (2:16.75).

After doubling back from the 800, she relied on both preparation and her race execution in the 400.

“After coming of f the 800, I wanted to give it all I had,” Bagato said. “I knew I had to trust my training. I knew the reps we put in at practice would help me achieve a strong finish. I wanted to get out fast and stick with the top girl.”

She said this season has felt especially rewarding after not being able to race last year in the sectional meet due to an injury.

“My coaches have been supportive of my goals, and finding training that works best for me has yielded these results. Everything came full circle for this moment,” Bagato said.

In the 3,200, Fenwick sophomore Bridget

Brunick advanced by taking sixth in the 3,200 (11:45.74) while seventh-place junior Julianna Gamboa nar rowly secured a state bid (11:49.73) by just beating the 2A state qualifying standard of 11:49.92.

Junior Maeve Bonakdar and sophomore Molly Madden dominated the field events. Bonakdar won shot put with a throw of 10.85m/35-7 1/4, while Madden won the discus with 32.61m/107-0.

Fenwick head coach Latoya ZubowiczHill praised the team’s composure and competitiveness following the meet.

“Their ability to adjust and go above and beyond what is expected of them in their races is what I am most proud of these girls for accomplishing (Friday),” Zubowicz-Hill said.

Trinity sophomore Karis Young delivered a sectional championship performance in the 100 high hurdles. Young crossed the finish line in 16.39 for her first time qualifying for the state meet in her second time running the event at sectionals.

“After crossing the finish line, it was such an exciting moment.” Young said. “My teammates came running over to me cheering and celebrating with me. Sharing that moment with them made qualifying for state even more special.”

Bill Stone contributed to this re port.

TODD BANNOR

Fenw ick’s Juliana Gamboa (le ) and Bridget Brunick compete in the 3200-meter race at the IHSA Class 2A TRG Sectionals at Knute Rockne Stadium on May 15. Both quali ed for this week’s state nals.

STEVE JOHNSTON

OPRF’s Chloe Kozicki prepares the hand o in the 4 x 100 Relay during the West Suburban Silver Girls Conference Championship, May 8, in Wester n Springs.

Huskies’ Johnson, Wilson, Sibley-Diggs win Silver titles

Fenwick su ers key injuries, OPRF prepares for sectionals

By BILL STONE AND MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporters

Junior sprinter Keyante Johnson is now emerging as a standout 400-meter runner for the Oak Park and River Forest boys track & field team with help from senior Brian Jackson.

“Initially I worked out with the 400 runners to build my speed endurance and Brian’s always been pushing me since day one,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be tough catching him so (Jackson) pushing me in practice every day is really, really rewarding.”

Johnson ran another 400 personal best at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Meet Thursday at Proviso East that carried him to the title in 49.39 seconds, his second straight sub-50 performance. Jackson, who was battling an injury, was sixth.

“Winning conference is pretty big, that’s more important, but a (personal record), both are pretty good feelings,” Johnson said. “I really wanted to get points for the team and just run my race. That’s what I’ve been working on, being able to run my race, running at the pace I’m comfortable at.”

Senior Jonathan Sibley-Diggs (52.34 meters/171 feet-9 inches in discus) and junior Addis Wilson (1.95m/6-5 in high jump) also were event champions, but the Huskies saw their streak of eight consecutive outdoor titles snapped.

They finished third (93 points) behind Hinsdale Central (122) and Downers Grove North (112). The Huskies, however, easily won the frosh-soph title (141) for the first time under longtime head coach Tim Hasso even with six competitors moving up to varsity.

“We’ve got some holes in our lineup that have existed all year,” Hasso said. “Brian’s been one of the top kids in the state (in the 400) all year and for Keyante to win that

was great. As much as we got kicked in the teeth, there were some bright spots.”

Johnson also was second in the 200 (22.50) and third in the 100 (11.04).

Wilson and senior Malik Griffee (1.93m/64) went 1-2 in high jump. Finishing third were Sibley-Diggs (16.26m/53-4 1/2 in shot put) as well as the 4 x 100 relay of Jackson, sophomore Kelden Jones, junior Michael Degnan and senior Emilio Nery (42.72).

Top-six finishers earn team points. OPRF had both entries score in seven individual events but had no points in three others. The top-seeded 4 x 200 relay was disqualified for a zone violation.

The Huskies now go after Class 3A state berths at the OPRF Sectional Thursday, May 21.

“At this point it ’s get ready for sectionals with not our strongest team so we have to make some calculated decisions,” Hasso said.

Fenwick

In the Chicago Catholic League track & field championships at Loyola Academy, May 15, Fenwick finished 13th in the team standings with 16 points.

The Friars are hampered by injuries to two key contributors. Senior two-time AllState hurdler Aiden Williams, a Valparaiso University signee, has been held out of competition the last two weeks, but Fenwick coach David Rill anticipates Williams being ready for this week’s sectional.

Rill added that senior Matt Simon, committed to Washington University of St. Louis, tweaked a muscle during the 4 x 100 relay, and his sectional participation is uncertain.

“Matt pulled up, so we’re not sure yet. It’s such a quick turnaround, he might not be ready,” Rill said. “He went home and started recovery immediately, so we’ll see.”

The potential loss of Simon, an AllStater who finished fourth in last year’s

OPRF’s Jonathan Sibley-D ig gs participates in discus durin g the meet held at Prov iso East, May 14, while enthused spectators look on .

Class 2A state meet in the 400 meters, could impact Fenwick’s chances of winning the 2A Ridgewood Sectional title on May 20. Yet Rill remains confident that the Friars will fare well.

One reason for optimism is the performance of Adrien Dubois at the CCL meet.

The junior took third in the 400 with a personal-best time of 50.93 seconds.

“Adrien’s been doing really well,” Rill said. “Every week he gets better and it’s exciting.”

Fenwick’s 4 x 200 relay team of senior Eugene Terrell, junior Patrick Deneen, sophomore Landon Johnson, and junior

Noah Diaz placed fourth in a time of 1:34.94, something Rill described as a “really nice surprise.”

As for the mindset of the team heading into Ridgewood?

“I think we’re going to get a few guys down (to state),” Rill said. “If we run really well, we might surprise ourselves. The 4 x 200 has a really good shot of making it, and the 4 x 800 should make it if they run well.

“Aiden and Adrien should make it, and if Matt’s good, who knows? He hasn’t run a lot outdoors because he’s had hamstring issues, but he ran well at Hinsdale Central last week and was looking good.”

ERICA BENSON

PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PROPOSED

APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OF HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREIN

Notice is hereby given that copies of the Proposed Appropriation for the Village of North Riverside for the Fiscal Year commencing May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027, are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Village Commons, 2401 South Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois or on the Village’s website at: www.northriversideil.org.

Notice is hereby given that a Public Appropriation Hearing shall be held by the Mayor and the Board of Trustees for the Village of North Riverside:

Date: Monday, June 1, 2026

Time: 6:00 PM

Place: Village Commons 2401 South Des Plaines Avenue North Riverside, Illinois

All interested persons may attend the meeting and shall have the right to present oral and written comments and suggestions regarding the proposed appropriation. After the public hearing and before final action is taken on the proposed annual appropriation ordinance, the Mayor and Board of Trustees may revise, alter, increase, or decrease any line item contained in the proposed annual appropriation ordinance.

Final action on the proposed annual appropriation ordinance will occur on June 15, 2026.

SANDRA LID

VILLAGE CLERK

NORTH RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark May 20, 2026

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION

DOCKET NUMBER: PC 26-03

(Planned Development)

HEARING DATE: June 4, 2026

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201

- Council Chambers, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302

SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES:

6100-6104 Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, Illinois 60304

LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOTS 19, 20 AND 21 IN BLOCK 14 IN AUSTIN PARK, A SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

P.I.N.: 16-17-329-035-0000

PROPERTY OWNER: Yves Hughes, 609 S. Lombard Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304

PETITIONER: The Community Builders, Inc., 135 South LaSalle, Suite 3350, Chicago, IL 60603

REQUEST: The Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on a planned development application (TCB-6104) for an affordable housing multiple-family development containing a total of 28 units, including two live/ work dwelling units, in the RR Roosevelt Road Form-Based Zoning District. The Petitioner seeks eight allowances from the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance associated with the Planned Development application as follows: 1) Article 5 (“Commercial Districts”), Section 5.4 (“RR District Dimensional and Design Standards”)

Subsection (E) (“Density”) – Table 5-4: RR District Maximum Densitya decrease in the minimum lot area requirement from 750 square feet per unit to 376 square feet per unit, thereby increasing the maximum permitted number of dwelling units from 14 to 28; 2) Article 5 (“Commercial Districts”), Section 5.4 (“RR District Dimensional and Design Standards”), Subsection (F) (1) (“Front Setback”) - a decrease in the minimum front setback requirement along Roosevelt Road, from 2.5 feet to zero feet; 3) Article 5 (“Commercial Districts”), Section 5.4 (“RR District Dimensional and Design Standards”) Subsection (F) (3) (“Side and Rear Setback”) - a decrease in the minimum side street setback requirement along Lyman Avenue from 10 feet or 10% of lot width abutting Lyman Avenue to zero feet; 4) Article 5 (“Commercial Districts”), Section 5.4 (“RR District Dimensional and Design Standards”)

Subsection (F) (3) (“Side and Rear Setback”) - a decrease in the minimum rear setback requirement

for all floors containing residential dwellings from 20 feet to 10 feet for the 2nd- 4th floors; 5) Article 5 (“Commercial Districts”), Section 5.4 (“RR District Dimensional and Design Standards”), Subsection (G) (2) (“Side and Rear Setback: Parking Located Adjacent to a Building”) - a decrease in the minimum landscape setback requirement between the parking and public right-of-way for parking located at the rear of a building but adjacent to an alley from five feet to zero feet and waiver of the requirement of landscaping; 6) Article 10 (“Off-Street Parking & Loading”), Section 10.4 (“Required Off-Street Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Spaces”) - Table 10-2 “OffStreet Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Requirements”- a decrease in the minimum off-street parking spaces requirement from 28 spaces to 16 spaces; 7) Article 10 (“Off-Street Parking & Loading”), Section 10.6 (“Bicycle Parking Standards”), Subsection B (“Design”) (1) - waiver of the requirement that each bicycle space within a row of bicycle parking be minimum of two feet in width by six feet in length, with a minimum vertical clearance of seven feet and a minimum aisle of at least five feet wide between each set of bicycle parking for maneuvering to provide stacked bike racks and waiver of the requirement of one floor mounted stand; and 8) Article 9 (“Site Development Standards”), Section 9.2 (“Exterior Lighting”), Subsection B.1 (“Maximum Lighting Regulations”) - an increase in the maximum illumination along the alley from 1.2 to 5.5 footcandles, and along Lyman Avenue at the residential entry from one footcandle to up to 66 footcandles, and along Roosevelt Road sidewalk from one foot candle to up to 79.5 footcandles.

A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village website at www.oak-park.us and are available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. Anyone with questions about the application may contact the Village by phone at (708) 358-5441 or by email at planning@oak-park.us. People with disabilities planning to attend and needing special accommodation should contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, or call (708) 358-5670.

ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD.

Michael Sturino, Chairperson, OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION, Sitting as a Zoning Commission Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Public Information Meeting

Scheduled by Village of Oak Park

The Village of Oak Park (“Village”) will hold a public information meeting concerning the proposed improvement of Ridgeland Avenue between Augusta Street and North Avenue. The public information meeting will be held on June 9, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at the Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park Illinois, 60302. The meeting will be held in Room 101. All persons interested in this project are invited to attend this meeting. Persons with a disability desiring to participate in this meeting should contact the person listed in this Notice prior to June 4, 2026 to make arrangements for participating. The contact may be by telephone, in writing, by fax or by telecommunications device for the deaf (TTY).

This is a federally-funded project, the public information meeting is being held in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements and the Illinois Department of Transportation’s public involvement policy.

The proposed improvements are primarily to resurface the pavement throughout the project area. In addition, varying combinations of medians, curb bump-outs, and leftturn restrictions will be implemented at Ridgeland Avenue’s intersections with Thomas Street, Berkshire Street, Lenox Street, Greenfield Street, and LeMoyne Parkway to increase pedestrian safety. Some street parking will be removed to enable these intersection improvements. The existing traffic signals at Division Street and Lenox Street will be upgraded.

The Village is seeking public comments on the effects that the proposed improvements to Ridgeland Avenue between Augusta Street and North Avenue will have on Taylor Park. Taylor Park, which is under the jurisdiction of the Park District of Oak Park, is a significant, publicly owned park. As such, it is subject to protection under Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of Transportation Act of 1966. For the proposed improvement of Ridgeland Avenue between Augusta Street and North Avenue project, the Village intends to seek a finding from the Federal Highway Administration that

these effects constitute a Temporary Occupancy and therefore do not constitute a Section 4(f) use based on a determination that the project will not adversely affect the features, attributes, or activities that qualify Taylor Park for protection under Section 4(f).

Effects of the proposed improvement of Ridgeland Avenue between Augusta Street and North Avenue project on Taylor Park will include temporary disruptions to pedestrian access routes in Ridgeland Avenue right-of-way that connect to internal sidewalks within the park. Mitigation will include ensuring Taylor Park remains accessible through other entrances. Detailed documentation describing the impacts and mitigation associated with the effects of the proposed improvement of Ridgeland Avenue between Augusta Street and North Avenue project on Taylor Park will be available for review at the public information meeting, or prior to the meeting via the contact information at the bottom of this notice.

The meeting will be conducted on an informal basis. Representatives of the Village will be available from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Representatives will answer individual questions and record comments for those in attendance. Verbatim comments will not be recorded. The Village representatives will address topics such as the need for the project, the design alternatives under consideration, roadway system changes, pedestrian safety improvements, and the tentative construction schedule. Preliminary reports, including environmental documents and an engineering analysis with drawings, maps, and aerial photography, will be available for inspection and viewing during the entire public information meeting time. The same material is currently available for review and inspection at the Oak Park Public Works Center at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302.

For more information, contact Abby Spentzouris, Village of Oak Park at 708-358-5700, publicworks@oakpark.us, or 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302.

EQUALHOUSINGOPPORTUNITY

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.

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

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

2026 Village Hall Permeable Paver Parking Lot

The project scope is reconstruction of portions of the existing parking lot with permeable subbase granular material, permeable pavers, Portland Cement concrete pavement, curb and gutter removal and replacement, driveway apron removal and replacement, pipe underdrains, sidewalk removal and replacement, and all associated site restoration.

The bidding documents aråe available for download starting May 15, 2026, at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by June 5, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

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

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal May 20, 2026

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 8:00AM. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend. If you would like to join the meeting, please contact Shdata Redmond at sredmond@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3121 to request the Zoom Link information.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 6, 13, 20, 2026

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 20, 2026

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 16-26-Z

HEARING DATE: June 10, 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, 430 S Taylor LLC, seeking a variance from the following sections of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance in order to build an eight-unit multi-family development at the property located at 430 S Taylor Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-08-322-015-0000

(“Subject Property”), in the R-7 Multi-Family Residential Zoning District.

Table 4-1: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards. The R-7 zoning district requires a minimum of 5,000 square feet of lot area for the first two dwelling units, and an additional 700 square feet for each additional dwelling unit. The lot area of the Subject Property is 8,615 square feet, but 9,200 square feet would be required for eight units

10.3(B)(5): Dead end parking lots

without a turnaround space are prohibited. A turnaround space must have a minimum depth and width of nine feet, and must be designated with signs stating “No Parking” and painted to indicate parking is prohibited. The Applicant is proposing a parking lot configuration with a dead-end and no turnaround space.

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, May 20, 2026

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 15-26-Z

HEARING DATE: June 10, 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, Renee and Chad Eliason, seeking a variance from the following sections of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance in order to build a parking pad in the front yard of the property located at 613 S Grove Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-18-116-014-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R-3-35 SingleFamily Residential Zoning District.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

Table 9-1: Permitted Encroachments Into Required Setbacks. Parking pads are not listed as a permitted encroachment into required setbacks.

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.

9.3(A)(5)(b): Detached accessory structures may not be located “closer to the front or corner side lot line than the front building façade line, unless specifically allowed by this Ordinance.” The proposed parking pad would be located between the front building façade line and the front lot line.

Published in Wednesday Journal, May 20, 2026

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE OF WATERFALL VICTORIA III-NB GRANTOR TRUST Plaintiff vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF THERESE D. TENCA; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; THOMAS TENCA; TERRANCE TENC–ê; PHILLIP TENCA; GERALD NORDGREN AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THERESE D. TENCA; DONNA STEFFEN AKA DONNA M. STEFFEN; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendant 25 CH 7387 CALENDAR 57 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on June 22, 2026, at the hour 11:00 a.m., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell, in person, to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-126-033-0000. Commonly known as 837 S. HARVEY AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304. The real estate is: single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a common interest community unit, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection(g-1) of Section 189.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% (or 25% if so ordered in the Judgment of Foreclosure) down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property is sold AS IS subject to all liens or encumbrances. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the circuit court case record, property tax record and the title record to verify all information before bidding. IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER THE ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(c) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Suite 120, Naperville, IL 60563. (630) 453-6960. 1422-216348

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3287034

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

We All Have Mental Health

Whether you are struggling with a temporary challenge or if you are living with a chronic condition, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Investing In Our Future

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township (CMHB) and the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee invest in a continuum of mental health care that is responsive to our unique and evolving community needs.

Together, we provided over $1.6M last year to help local organizations and schools offer prevention, early intervention, treatment, and quality-of-life services to Oak Park and River Forest residents.

Our grants resulted in:

More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Growing Crisis Among Youth

America’s youth mental health crisis has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness INCREASED 69%

between 2009 and 2021 for U.S. high school students

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Community Mental Health Board Of Oak Park Township

• Over 7,700 Oak Park residents accessing services

• Over 6,300 units of mental health treatment for Oak Park residents

• Over 150 educational presentations on mental health to Oak Park residents

• Over 1,000 Oak Park high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2026, CMHB provided nearly $1.4M in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit oakparktownship.org/CMHB.

River Forest Township Mental Health Committee

• Supporting 10 local, not-for-profit agencies

• Over 7,000 hours of services provided to River Forest residents

• 150 hours of educational presentations on mental health to River Forest residents

• Over 250 River Forest high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2026, RFT provided over $215,000 in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area,visit www.riverforesttownship.org/mental-health. 50%

Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

We All Have Mental Health

Whether you are struggling with a temporary challenge or if you are living with a chronic condition, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

Investing In Our Future

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township (CMHB) and the River Forest Township Mental Health Committee invest in a continuum of mental health care that is responsive to our unique and evolving community needs.

Together, we provided over $1.6M last year to help local organizations and schools offer prevention, early intervention, treatment, and quality-of-life services to Oak Park and River Forest residents.

Our grants resulted in:

50%

More than 50% of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Growing

Crisis Among Youth

America’s youth mental health crisis has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. 6

Persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness INCREASED 69%

between 2009 and 2021 for U.S. high school students

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township

Community Mental Health Board Of Oak Park Township

•Over 7,700 Oak Park residents accessing services

•Over 6,300 units of mental health treatment for Oak Park residents

•Over 150 educational presentations on mental health to Oak Park residents

•Over 1,000 Oak Park high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2026, CMHB provided nearly $1.4M in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area, visit oakparktownship.org/CMHB.

River Forest Township Mental Health Committee

•Supporting 10 local, not-for-profitagencies

•Over 7,000 hours of services provided to River Forest residents

•150 hours of educational presentations on mental health to River Forest residents

•Over 250 River Forest high school students trained in suicide prevention

In fiscal year 2026, RFT provided over $215,000 in funding for mental health, substance use, and intellectual/developmental disability services. To learn more about our work in this area,visit www.riverforesttownship.org/mental-health.

Creating a mosai of mental health support

How Oak Park’s Mosaic Counseling & Wellness is transforming community mental health care

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

For as long as she can remember, Oak Park resident Carey Carlock has felt a profound, unwavering pull toward a life of service.

Though not always certain of the direction her future would lead, Carlock believed her greatest fulfillment would come from holding space for others during moments of trials and tribulations.

“I’ve always been drawn to listening, supporting and being in the helping field,” she said. “It just felt like a natural fit for me ever since I was a young person.”

Heeding her intuition, Carlock embarked on studies in counseling and psycholo gy, receiving her aduate de from Boston Colle ge early 1990s. Shortly after she returned to Chicago establish her career in the mental health profession.

Carlock’s career began in youth mental health treatment programs, including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs, where she discovered a passion supporting direct care and group therapy.

Eventually, her journey led her to hospital administration — specificall landing the top position as chie f executive officer of Forest Park’s Rive Hospital, the largest psychiatric hospital in Illinois and a facility which is 90% publicly funded

In her 13 years at the helm of Rive Carlock was credited with significantly framing the re putation of the behavioral healthcare facility.

“At Riveredg e, we were really trying to provide trauma-infor med care for those who might not have all the protective factors that other people do — those with high acuity and lots of other psychosocial stressors,” she said. “I loved that wo rk and was really proud of the recovery of that hospital.”

As CEO, Carlock was a steadfast advocate of championing ef for ts to destigmatize mental illness while providing top-quality care for some of the area’s most vulnerable populations.

“It was the privile ge and responsibility of career in a lot of ways to lead such

high acuity, such intensity,” she said. “The hospital had its own recovery that I was part of leading, and that was really mission-aligned.”

While Carlock was gratified by her work at Riveredge, two factors led to a new chapter in her career: persistent requests from neighbors and friends for mental health recommendations, and unexpected obstacles she faced when trying to find a therapist for her own son.

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“While out and about in Oak Park, people knew I was active with the NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Board and in the mental health space,” she said. “At Little League games, book clubs or out getting coffee, people would often approach me and ask for recommendations for child psychiatrists. I didn’t really have a lot of resources in my own community; that tugged on me and I didn’t find that acceptable.”

At the same time, Carlock’s son was experiencing mental health challenges. While Carlock says she had privileges of a job in mental

healthcare leadership and access to quality insurance, she ran into the problem of therapists not returning her phone calls.

“I couldn’t find a therapist in my own community for my own son — that was unacceptable to me,” she said.

From there, it was mission pivot for Carlock. In June 2021, she left Riveredge and decided to open her own practice.

“It was almost incumbent upon me to say, ‘I know how to do this. I need to do this in my own community, for my o wn community,’” she said. “It felt like a mission to provide inte grated, high-quality care without a long waitlist in my own community so I could say ‘yes’ to moms who were looking for services.”

Carlock’s answer was Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, a behavioral health private practice promising to deliver highquality, community-based services with care that is intentional and holistic for each individual.

Essential for Carlock to have Mosaic’s home base be in Oak Park, in the summer of 2021, she purchased a vacant building in Oak Park’s Arts District on Harrison Street. While renovating the space, she opened Mosaic’s first small office in Elmhurst in the fall of 2021, with the Oak Park site officially opening in August 2022.

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Carey Carlock, founder of Mosaic Counseling & Wellness chats with Mosaic Oak Park therapist Lonn Obee

Mosaic’s rst Oak Park location, 215 Harrison St., opened in August of 2022.

MOSAIC

from page B3

Carlock landed on the name Mosaic, explaining that when things come apar t in life, there is splendor in helping guide someone’s mental health to a better state.

“Things that are in pieces at times come back together to make something beautiful,” she said. “By the time you reach out, you need someone to answer the phone and call you back — that’s part of the installation of hope.”

With therapy for children through seniors, Carlock says it was important for Mosaic to have therapists who not only reflected the variety of needs of locals but focused on community connection and advocacy

“It’s such a deeply personal relationship of what you’re trying to look for in a therapist — what you’re trying to get out of that therapeutic relationship and how you take that into the rest of your life,” she said.

“The goodness of fit is so important.”

Besides talk therapy, Mosaic features art therapy, dance therapy, therapy in Spanish and clinicians from a variety of backgrounds — something Carlock says ensures care remains culturally-sensitive and responsive.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Park (Arts District, Downtown and new this spring, the Hemingway District); Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale and Orland Park. Mosaic employs nearly 100 therapists, two psychiatrists and four psychiatric nurse practitioners.

“Growing very quickly wasn’t the strategic plan, but we have an integrated, highquality client experience which I think propelled our growth,” Carlock said. “I am very proud, grateful and humbled by the growth.”

Carlock adds that in recent years, it has been “remarkable” to see society shifting toward more publicly addressing the importance of mental health care — and not just in times of crisis. While she says therapy may carry a stigma, she emphasizes taking the reaching out for care is brave.

“There is no health without mental health,” she said. “We don’t have to suffer and whiteknuckle it; we can give ourselves coping skills, support and credit for being brave enough to allow ourselves to get help. Therapy is not just heavy and sad — it can also be inspiring, hopeful and even fun.”

Carey is grateful people throughout Oak Park are seemingly proud in helping change the narrative around mental health.

“The intention is to try to have a diverse team, not only in how people are trained and how they treat people [but] so we can meet people where they’re at,” she said. “I say that with a lot of humility because that’s a big statement.”

If people reach out to Mosaic and the practice ends up not being the right fit due to niche clinical need or insurance factors, Carlock says they will keep communication open and refer individuals within contact networks to find that ideal therapist.

“Even if Mosaic isn’t the right door, we will help you get to the right place,” she said. Five years in, Mosaic has now expanded to seven suburban locations — three in Oak

“Oak Park is really pretty special in the reduction of stigma,” she said. “Honestly, people are proud to have a therapist. I don’ t always see the same mental wellness-forward attitude in all the communities we serve.”

She appreciates that teens have greatly helped change the narrative as well.

“Many of my kids’ friends say, ‘I want a therapist,’ or ‘Why would I suffer without support?’” she said. “It’s prevention. It’s wellness. I feel really inspired by what is so different now with young people than when I was growing up.”

Outside of Mosaic, Carlock remains active at the state level. Last year, she testified in favor of Illinois House Bill 1085, a landmark behavioral health care and mental health parity law. The bill, which passed the Illinois General Assembly and was signed into

Oak Park therapists (le to right) Alexandra Backis, Kyla Gilmore and Alison Zdarsky share information about Mosaic at one of Downtown Oak Park’s ursday Night Out events in summer 2025.

law in December, aims to strengthen mental health and substance use disorder care by requiring state-regulated private insurers to offer better reimbursement rates for behavioral health services. Effective next January, it mandates 60-day credentialing for providers, aiming to expand network access for roughly 2.5 million Illinoisans Fundamentally, Carlock says therapy is serious work, but at Mosaic, is something she

aims to showcase as essential — and possible — for healing

“It’s incredible work and is such a privilege and responsibility,” she said. “It’s what I was intended to do, and I’m glad I listened to that voice about my community needing this. I believe in therapy because it works.”

For more information about Mosaic Counseling & Wellness, including new client inquiries, visit mosaiccare.com.

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A peek into the layout of a talk therapy space at Mosaic.

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Delivering resources and changing narratives

Oak Parker Cheryl Potts champions mental wellness through the lens of lived experience and personal passion

By JACKIE PISANO Contributing Reporter

For Cheryl Potts, leading Oak Park Township’s Community Mental Health Board isn’t just a career — it’s a deeply personal mission.

Serving as executive director since the f all of 2021, the longtime resident greets each day with the goal of not only assisting promotion of mental health services but working to shatter the stigma of mental health care by being open about her own firsthand experiences.

Whether finding ways to fund community services alongside elected officials, building partnerships with social service providers or speaking one-on-one with someone, Potts’ experiences of having a brother die by suicide, a f amily history of mental health concerns and facing her own mental health battles remain her catalysts for bringing real change to the way Oak Park addresses mental wellness.

“I thought it was a good opportunity to work in my own back yard and help my own neighbors with mental health,” she said. “What I really wanted to focus my career on was reducing the bar riers to access and eliminating the stigma and discrimination around mental health.”

Five years ago, Potts was selected to lead the charge of the Township’s Mental Health Board following 20 years of experience in the field of human services. With roles including nonprofit work with the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and T he Kennedy For um Illinois, it has always been mission-critical for Potts to help eliminate mental health discrimination and destigmatize the narrative around reaching out for mental health and addiction support, both through lending a helping hand and openly sharing her journey from struggl e to recovery

“There should be no shame in reaching out for help when struggling,” she said. “People have in their head wh at they think mental i llness is, and it ’s usually ne gative thoughts. When you do seek out suppo rt and treatment, you c an be ve ry productive and live a normal life — and I think it ’s really important to share those storie s. ”

what they can contribute is not insignificant,” she said. “You could have a conversation with someone at a grocery store that could change their day. A lot of people are fearful and think ‘Well, I’m not a mental health exper t.’ But it’s about making those true, genuine connections which we miss so much in our society today.”

What Potts has enjoyed most with the board is truly having a direct impact at the hyperlocal level. She cites area resources like Thrive Counseling Center, NAMI Metro Suburban, Beyond Hunger and Sarah’s Inn as those which have joined forces to examine the root causes of conditions and make life easier for Oak Parkers in need

“When we bring people to g ether to solve problems, then I think we’re able to make a bigger impact,” she said. “The piece I love most is not sitting in the office but actually being out in the community.”

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“A lot of people are fearful and think, ‘Well, I’m not a mental health exper t.’ But it ’s about making those true, genuine connections which we miss so much in our society today.”

CHERYL POTT S Director Community Mental Health Board

Since 1973, the Community Mental Health Board has served Oak Parkers through planning, developing, evaluating and funding mental health services throughout the village. However, while Potts ag rees the resources for mental health care have evolved since the board’s early days, the candidness of the conversation hasn’t quite caught up fully.

“Having the g eneral public aware of

Even so, Potts adds that challenges to

the role have included being a small, local organization which still has to deal with all of the changes that happen at the federal level, from changes to Medicaid and insurance policies, and budg et cuts to critical funding sources.

“We have a wonderful community, but we don’ t live in a bubble — we are affected by all these things that destabilize any progress we’ve made.”

Nonetheless, Potts maintains honest conversations are essential to normalizing mental health challenges, wh ich will in turn help c onnect locals with the extensive helpful resources available in Oak Pa rk

“It really d oesn’t f eel li ke wo rk — it f eels li ke this is wh at I’m meant to be doing,” she said. “It’s a p assion, and seeing the changes in p eople over time is wh at really reassures me that I’m doing the right thing.”

Black men talk abou mental wellness an overcoming stigm

Men’s Mentalhood and PCC Wellness team up for conversation

By ETHAN TUCKER Contributing Reporter

“In every adult man, there’s a broken boy that needs to be healed,” said Jonathan Muhammad during Men’s Mentalhood’s recent panel on Black men’s mental health at PCC Austin Family Health Center. On Saturday, May 2, Men’s Mentalhood partnered with PCC Community Wellness Center to host a community panel and breakfast focused on mental health awareness for Black men and boys on Chicago’s West Side.

Held at PCC Austin Family Health Center, 5461 W. Lake St., the event created space

for open conversations re addiction, emotional wellness and healing within the Black community.

Founder Victor Love said Men hood was created to address the stigma surrounding therapy and emotional vulnerability among Black men.

“We have suf fered through so much and swept so much under the ca Love “As a result, that’s how Love encouraged attendees to up from the neck up,” a phrase used throughout the event to promote mental wellness, self-awareness and emotional honesty.

Community members also shared personal testimonies about how Men’s Mentalhood has impacted their lives and created an environment where they feel safe discussing issues often left unspoken.

“I’m not where I was, and I’m not where I want to be, but I’m in a much better and more empowered mental space,” Muhammad said.

PCC Community Wellness Center leadership used the event to connect residents with available healthcare and behavioral health resources.

“Mental health in general is something that we’re really passionate about here at PCC,” said Alyssa Sianghio, CEO of PCC Community Wellness Center. “We are here in the community so people have accessible and fordable healthcare centered around you.”

Sianghio said PCC operates 14 sites across Chica’s West Side and neighboring communities, offering primary care, therapy, dentistry, food ograms and substance use recovery services. he Austin Family Health Center location opened in late 2024.

and accessible.

“Mental health is just like physical health,” Gutier re z said. “We want to take care of our minds and make sure we’re doing okay mentally and emotionally.”

“I’m not where I was, and I’m not where I want to be, but I’m in a much better and more empowered mental space.”

JONATHAN MUHAMMAD

Title

“It doesn’t matter what insurance you’ve got or no insurance at all,” Sianghio said. “It doesn’t matter what your background is what history you’ve got — we’re going to be here.”

Lisa Gutier re z, PCC’s behavioral health director, said mental health remains heavily stigmatized in many communities, but PCC hopes to make services more visible

The event also connected attendees with professionals working directly in youth development and behavioral health. In a separate conversation following the panel, Dr. William Steward III, acting superintendent of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, reflected on the importance of mental wellness among incarcerated youth.

“Mental health starts in your mind,” Steward said. “I have 160 kids locked up in our facility, and mental health means helping them see they are more than their past and more than their mistakes.”

The collaboration between Men’s Mentalhood and PCC Community Wellness Center highlights a growing ef fort on Chicago’s West Side to address mental health through community conversation, accessible care and culturally relevant support for Black men and boys

PROVIDED BY ETHAN TUCKER

Victor Love

PROVIDED BY ETHAN TUCKER

Men’s Mentalhood partnered with PCC Community Wellness Center to host a community panel focused on mental health awareness for Black men and boys on Chicago’s West Side on May 2.

e Living Room o ers ‘natural connectiveness’ for those with mental health challenges

Free service provides acceptance and empathy with listening focus

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Like most of us, Marty has seen challenges in his life, some that were tough to overcome.

Things like that can weigh on a person, so much so that it can feel near impossible to attack head on.

That was Marty, and to a de gree still is, but these days, he’s got support and a safe place, which can make all the difference.

“Losing my job was traumatic even though it was five years ago,” he said, adding he also dealt with the loss of a loved one before that. “I think it was an accumulation of things where it wasn’t something I was aware of on a daily basis. It maybe just crept up.

“I didn’t really have anyone or resources to tur n to.’

This day, Marty sits in a comfortable chair in a closed-door room at The Living Room in Oak Park, 816 Harrison St., which opened April 8 and is a free service operated by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Metro Suburban branch.

I was very excited for the opportunity.”

Open from noon to 8 p.m. dail ing Room in Oak Park is a welcoming space – clean, quiet, with meeting rooms offset right upon entry, in all honesty, similar to a living room. When arriving, you’ll li run into Beck Beishen, a coordinator and trained specialist. He’s a soft-spoken guy who works with guests like Marty to help them by talking out life’s knotty problems that might be exacerbated ADHD, panic attacks and other issues.

But Beishen isn’t only a trained specialist. He’s been in Marty’s shoes and those of the 35 separate individuals that ha the location since April 8 – already a of the total anticipated in its first y

“It started in high school when toms became more severe,” he said. “It was ADHD combined with anxiety. It went undiagnosed for After high school, things just kind of w quickly, where I started to cope with the symptoms with what I was feeling that time with substances and alcohol.”

“I nd that knowing that the sta has their own history with mental health and recovery, there’s been a relatabilit y.”

MART

Y

A Living Room client

Dressed in a St. Louis Cardinals cap – though he chuckles when he says he’s a diehard Los Angeles Dodgers fan – Marty is in a good mood, because he’s confident that the Living Room in Oak Park has been a gamechanger for him.

“I was aware of La Grange and Summit having locations, and the living room concept was very appealing to me,” he said. “I live in Berwyn, three minutes from here, and just growing up in Oak Park, when I heard The Living Room was going to open,

That went on for 10 years, and by his mid-20s, he realized he was headed in the wrong direction. He entered a 30-day program that provided the tools to handle his challenges. What’s more, he realized he could take his mess and make it his message.

He decided he wanted to pursue a career in social services, and Friday he graduated with his master’s de gree in social work from UIC. He’s planning to pursue a doctorate.

But the point is that there is common ground for Beishen and guests like Marty who come with a wide variety of struggles.

“Plenty of resources in terms of good advice, and I find that knowing that the staf f has their own history with mental health and recovery, there’s been a relatability,” said Marty.

“There is just a natural connectiveness.”

Beck Beishen, a coordinator and trained specialist at e Living Room in Oak Park, makes a point during a recent session.

The process of getting started at The Living Room is seamless. Walking in there is a short intake process that is compliant with HIPAA to ensure confidentiality

“After that, we just sit down and talk to the guests,” Beishen said. “Why are they here? What are their goals? For each guest it’s different, and it’s about meeting the guests where they are at and then trying to help build that into a strength.”

Shelly Lustrup is the chie f executive officer of NAMI Metro Suburban, and she said T he Living Room in Oak Park –which is adjacent to T he Drop-in Center at 814 Harrison St. – offers multiple recovery tools to help guests, which sets it apar t from other living room-style models.

“It’s a community-based progr am that can be for both prevention and intervention,” she said, adding that “going to the hospital or the ER, where we know it’s usually not the best fit, oftentimes

it’s overstimulating, it’s loud, long wait times

“Instead, you can come to a living room and the team can work to help de-escalate, make any kind of safety planning.”

But consider that T he Living Room team can facilitate a hospitalization if it feels that’s what’s needed.

In its short existence, there are many success stories, including Marty’s, and there will be many more, he’s convinced.

“I think immediate acce ptance and nonjudgment, and a true eng aged empathy for listening to your situation and offering different resources to help you,” he said. “Quite frankly, it’s free, it’s accessible. I came here the first time and I’m like, why not give it a chance?”

For more information about The Li ving Room in Oak Park, visit https://namimetsub.org/

GREGG VOSS

Half of the world’s population will experience a mental health disorder by the time they are 75 years old.1 As many of us know from experience, attempting to navigate the mental health system when you are at a low point can be incredibly difficult. The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park encourages everyone to learn where to go for help ahead of time, with the hopes that you won’t ever need it.

You always have Someone to Call, Somewhere to Go, and Someone to Respond.

Someone to Call: In July 2022, 988 replaced the ten-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.2 This expanded resource provides 24/7, no-cost, confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Calling or texting this number will connect anyone to a trained professional who is ready to help callers deal with their suicidal ideations (picturing their own suicide), mental health crisis, substance use issues, or other emotional distress. People who are worried about a loved one’s mental health crisis and want

CMHB Board President, Ann Schreiner Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township

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Somewhere to Go

to provide support can also contact 988. Someone to Respond: Thrive Counseling Center is an Oak Park-based comprehensive mental health center that provides a no-cost 24/7 crisis line (708-383-7500). The main difference between this phone number and 988? Thrive has the ability to send a mobile crisis team to the distressed person and provide on-site assessment and de-escalation. Their crisis counselors are all highly trained Master’s-level clinicians whose goals are to stabilize the immediate situation, provide support, and facilitate connection to ongoing help.

Somewhere to Go: Do you feel the need to go somewhere warm and inviting to talk to someone? Bypass the emergency department and go to NAMI Metro Suburban’s Living Room Program located at 816 Harrison Street in Oak Park. The Living Room is a place to go if you are experiencing stress in your life or an increase in mental health symptoms. It’s for anyone who is 18 or older who is feeling scared, anxious, angry, sad, or just needs someone to talk to. It’s a calm, home-like space where adults experiencing distress can

connect with a trained peer recovery support specialist who has lived experience for support, de-escalation, and tools to maintain mental health recovery. The Oak Park Living Room is open daily 12–8 p.m. Services provided are free of charge and open to all.

Importantly, if you are in or around a mental health crisis that has the potential to end in immediate harm to someone, it is always better to err on the side of safety and call 911. We mourn the loss of our loved ones to suicide and devote our efforts to educate, empower, and mobilize toward helping prevent future losses. Program these numbers into your phones, teach your children about them, and hang up a call list in a prominent place for you to reference. Our goal and hope is that you will never need to use them. #YouMatterOP

1) Harvard Medical School, July 31, 2023, https://hms.harvard.edu/news/half-worlds-population-will-experience-mental-health-disorder 2) 988 Lifeline https://988lifeline.org/

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