If one were looking for a reason to continue exercising well into what is typically considered “old age,” one need look no further than Bob Hakes. At 88, Hakes is still biking 20 to 25 miles, three
essential news. essential voices.
By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter
The Oak Park village board officially cut funding for the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation during its May 22 meeting – the same meeting where a proclamation was read honoring departing OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch for his service to the village. Lynch is returning to the private sector.
days a week, and running or swimming, depending on the season, twice a week. He golfs on Thursdays. On Sundays he watches the morning news shows with his wife Lucy, because, you know, you gotta take a break sometimes
“I want to be around for a while,” said Hakes, “and I have a lot more left.
We have four kids, seven grandkids and four great-grandkids. I want to see them grow up. And I have to stick around to help take care of Lucy.”
According to Don Jensen, one of Hakes’ cycling buddies and a retired
See HAKES on pa ge 16
Trustee Cory Wesley, for mer OPEDC board chair, was the sole vote against the measure, which passed 5-1 with Trustee Chibuike Enyia absent from the meeting.
Cutting the OPEDC’s funding is part of a wider restructuring of village staf f and the remaking of the organizational chart. The steps were recommended by village staf f to address the pending retirement of Tammie
See VILLAGE HALL on pa ge 10
Who has not been in the position of having to wait to use a single-occupancy bathroom while another sits unoccupied?
T he only difference between the unoccupied and the occupied restroom is the sign hanging on the door, designating one for males and the other for females. The people most often in this situation are female, according to the Illinois General Assembly.
To rectify that “inequitable situation,” the state legislature passed the Equitable Restrooms Act in 2019, requiring singleoccupancy bathrooms be designated all g ender or g ender neutral in public buildings, restaurants and businesses. The law went into effect on the first of the following year, but people in Oak Park still find themselves having to choose between a little stick figure and a little stick figure with a skirt when going to the bathroom.
“It’s really silly not to comply with this law,” said Beth Streit, an Oak Park resident. “All you have to do is change the signs on the doors.”
Streit is not the only Oak Parker who feels this way; 54 people signed the open letter Streit wrote urging those who manage places with single-occupancy rest-
rooms to comply with the act in the name of inclusivity. T he letter was recently published in Wednesday Journal.
Sarah Corbin, another Oak Pa helped Streit by gathering signatures on the letter to draw attention to the She told Wednesday Journal she simply put out a request on a few Facebook groups and people volunteered to ha their names added to the letter
“People were extremely glad to sign on to encourage inclusiveness,” said Corbin Corbin didn’t even g et the chance to include everyone’s name, as some saw her request after she had already sub mitted the letter for publication.
Switching a sign on a door is easy, not doing so contributes to more than just a bunch of women lining up, waiting for their turn to use the facilities. Having only male and female restrooms presumes there are only male and female people, leaving those who are g ender fluid, nonbinary and transgender to choose which bathroom to use.
“Transgender people may feel uncomfortable choosing a bathroom, particularly in a time of transition when it’s not clear where they are on their journey yet,” said Streit. Corbin has personal experience with this, as a parent of a transgender child.
“I myself have a transgender child and know that the bathroom designation is a source of discomfort for them,” Corbin said.
Even for those who identify as male and female, the implication posed by gendered restrooms that one type of person does not belong in this area can be awkward and harmful, as well as being inconvenient.
For a mother and her young son or a father and his small daughter, a gender-neutral single-occupancy restroom provides a place of relief for the body. It also relieves the mind of any hesitancy or embarrassment that might arise from having to use a restroom that does not align with the parent and child’s different gender identities. This also applies to people who need assistance from others to do certain daily activities.
“I have an elderly uncle who needs a lot of help and his wife can’t go into the bathroom with him,” said Streit.
The purpose of the letter is merely to encourage compliance by raising awareness.
If all people, re gardless of gender, have the biological need to use the restroom, why not make restrooms inclusive for all people? It seems obvious but in a society that has operated a certain way for centuries, sometimes a reminder is needed
“I really believe that the issue is one of awareness raising and not something that business owners are resistant to,” said Corbin.
“Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community”, a new book by Wednesday Journal columnist Ken Trainor, an Oak Park native, is based on short essays, published over three decades in the local newspaper, that chronicle life in a dynamic, ever-evolving town where the unique meets the universal. The unifying thread is true community — nding it in the extraordinary ordinary, in the day-to-day, the face-to-face, the moments of beauty, and, as Thornton Wilder said of his play, Our Town, nding “a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life.” Our Town Oak Park aims for that same “rainbow’s end,” capturing the experience of being alive — in one middle-sized, middle-class, Midwest town at the beginning of the 21st century. Join this pedestrian-friendly journey in search of true community.
Wednesday, May 24, 3:30-5 p.m., Oak Park Public Library
Exercise your creativity while learning the basics of using computer-aided design tools, in par t one of this two-part series. In par t two (on June 14), you’ll use TinkerCAD to create a 3D object to be printed on the librar y’s Makerbot SKETCH 3D printers. You must register for and attend par t one in order to attend par t two. For grades 3-5. Register now at oppl.org/ calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Tuesday, May 30, 4-5:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library
You, Me, A Greater Good Foundation (AGGF) is a mentoring program that provides a comprehensive Restorative Social Emotional initiative to help students in grades 6-12 gain self-awareness and build healthy relationships/community. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Sunday, May 21, 2-3:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library
Bestselling author William Hazelgrove joins us to share the fascinating Chicago true-crime stor y of Al Capone’s connection to the 1933 World’s Fair. Fans of Devil in the White City will be especially interested in this presentation. Brought to you in partnerwnship. 735 Lathrop Ave.,
Thursday, May 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library
This literary discussion features Monica Eng and David Hammond (authors of Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites), as well as Wendy Altschuler, author of Perfect Day Chicago. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.
Monday, May 29, 9:30 a.m., Ashland Avenue to Keystone Park River Forest Park Distric t, Village of River Forest, and Kiwanis Club of River Forest-Oak Park are proud to present the 98th annual River Forest Memorial Day Parade, Ceremony and Community Picnic. The parade begins at Augusta and Ashland, traveling south on Ashland to La ke Street, then west to Keystone Park, where there will be a ceremony and a free hotdog lunch.
Monday, May 29, 11 a.m., Scoville Park
All veterans, their families and friends, and all area residents are invited to attend Oak Park ’s traditional Memorial Day ceremony at the “Peace Triumphant” monument in Oak Park ’s Scoville Park. Illinois Senate President Don Harmon and Village President Vicki Scaman will give welcoming remarks. O cers from the Oak Park Police Honor Guard will post the Colors and o er a ri e salute. The History Singers will lead in patriotic singing; a bugler will play “Taps” as wreaths are laid; and Army Chaplain Kerstin Hedlund will provide the invocation and benediction. 800 Lake St., Oak Park.
Friday, May 26, 5-7 p.m., Oak Park Arms Senior Living Lurrie Bell, a longstanding veteran of the Chicago blues scene, will sing and play guitar with the Caught O Guards, an Oak Park blues/soul/jazz oc tet. A c anned-food donation for Oak Park Community Fridge is encouraged at this outdoor event. 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.
Saturday, May 27, 4 p.m., Outta Space
All-day commemoration of this local rock club will feature music from the Snake Bite Healers, Dirty Green, Naomi Ashley ’s Other Band, Barb Cli ord & the Shakin’ Tailfeathers and the New Heartaches. $10, 6840 32nd St., Berw yn.
All roadblocks to the Park’s 24-hour g as station cleared. T he lawsuit filed lage on behalf of seven Oak tions was dismissed with prejudic ing it is the judge’s final ruling on the case
While village staf f have nounced the dismissal, wh March 21 by Cook County Circuit Cour Judge Neil H. Cohen, the with the result.
“We are pleased with Ju ing in the case,” said Paul Stephanides, Oak Park village attor ney
The gas stations could have appealed the decision but did not do so within the required 30-day window, meaning the case is now officially closed. Wednesday Journal has reached out for comment to a representative for the gas stations, as well as their
attorneys Samantha Ditore and John Ellis of Chicago-based law firm Ellis Attor neys. The ban, which limits gas stations’ hours
etween 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. assed last September to limit inrime perpetrated at 24-hour notably the fatal shootaelyn Logan-Bledsoe last the BP station at 100 Chi-
as station owners and filed the lawsuit against the vilSept. 27, arguing the ban was unconstitutional. The gas stations further alle ged the ban violated their property rights by efoking their business licenses, as well as violated the Contract Clause in S. Constitution by prohibiting them from carrying on their contracts with fuel
Cohen’s ruling refuted the unconstitutionality claim, writing that no fundamental right was at issue in this case nor does the ordinance involve any class of individuals who have historically been subject to discrimination. He further asserted the gas stations had not provided any evidence to support the argument the ban would have any
impact on decreasing violent crime committed in Oak Park.
The judge likewise contested the alleged violation of property rights and the Contract Clause, writing no business licenses were actually revoked and the village is not a party to any of the contracts at issue.
Cohen used several legal precedents to uphold his ruling.
The ordinance has received wide support by members of the community, as well as the owners and managers of Oak Park’s 7-Eleven convenience stores, who requested and were granted inclusion in the ordinance, citing several armed robberies that occurred within their shops.
The village was not immediately able to enforce the ban due to a temporary restraining order filed by the legal team representing the gas stations that was granted Sept 30. Cohen rescinded the order Nov. 15 and enforcement began. Wednesday Journal has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to determine whether any gas stations have violated the ban since it went into ef fect
From watermelon and corn to peaches and tomatoes, ripe and juicy, seasonal delights make the hottest months pleasurable. But before you rush to the grocery store, consider: what if you could grow it all in your own backyard? Not just during the summer, but fall and winter produce too?
One Oak Park nonprofit wants to make that a reality.
“Our focus is to create a system for backyard gardening that people who didn’t know how to garden could easily learn and become successful their first year,” said Estelle Carol, co-founder and co-executive director of the Deep Roots Project.
The seeds for the Deep Roots Project were sowed years ag when Carol and Will Schreibe the other co-founder and coexecutive director, decided to take up gardening together. Neither had much practice all with gardening. Schreiber had slightly more than Carol, having grown up with relatives who were independent farm ers. Aside from the exposur he didn’t have much personal experience. Their mutual lack of experience did not make for a bountiful harvest their first year of gardening.
“It was a disaster,” said Schreiber. “Nothing worked. Everything was a mess.”
Their lack of initial success Schreiber in part attributes to conflicting and confusing information over the best gardening practices. Through trial and er ror, Carol and Schreiber persisted, ultimately becoming skilled gardeners.
“Most people would just give up and quit,
but we didn’t,” said Schreiber.
The two co-founders sought to use their hard-won expertise to help others through the Deep Roots Project. The non-profit provides all the essentials required ing a ve getable garden, sun not included. Through its online shop, burgeoning thumbs can purchase raised cedar beds and planter boxes, all built by Schreibe Organic compost specifically for food is also available for purchase also purchase worm castings, a natural fe tilizer made of worm excrement, through the Deep Roots Project online shop.
“Our goal was, and has consistently been, to supply the best ingredients for the absolute best prices,” said Schreibe
The team at the Deep Roots Project tr by pickup to gather the materials. The compost comes from a dairy farm in McHenry County, while the worm castings come from Wisconsin and the cedar is sourced from Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee. It’s
does he have a garden, but his work with the Deep Roots Project has prompted him to consider picking up a trowel himself.
“I’ve been thinking about actually starting one myself with those really, really nice, beautiful beds that Will makes at Deep Roots,” said Jaimes.
The prospect of reaping the literal fruit of his labors makes starting a garden attractive to Jaimes. Rather than factory far med produce, homeg rown food can be enjoyed for far more than just its taste.
“It’s coming from your own hands and your own hard work,” Jaimes said.
such problems as pests and irrigation. Carol, an artist and web designer, plans to grow the non-profit’s educational content by creating instructional videos.
The Deep Roots Project became a certified non-profit in 2018 and, just like zucchini on the vine, has grown and matured with time. The COVID-19 pandemic helped to nur ture the Deep Roots Project, as more and more people cultivated outdoor hobbies to pass the time spent at home. This year, the non-profit has 62 returning customers and 42 new customers with 32 cedar bed orders so far.
“There’ll probably be more because that’s what happened last year; we ke pt getting orders over the entire growing season,” said Carol.
all very much worth the trip, according to Schreiber.
Orders are delivered to customers by Javier “JJ” Jaimes, who is a popular among the clientele Jaimes is not a gardener nor
The small team, which also includes horticulturalist Rafaela A. Crevoshay, behind the Deep Roots Project continues supporting its customers long after delivery by posting informative content on the non-profit’s website. The Deep Roots Project also provides something of a gardening concierge service, speaking with customers to solve
One of the best parts about gardening for Carol and Schreiber is the ability to feed others, perhaps inspiring them to give gardening a try. The Deep Roots Project is always in need of volunteers and right now, the non-profit’s own ve getable garden is flush with delicious spinach – far too much for Carol and Schreiber to eat alone. They are happy to share.
Ispent my spring semester junior year studying abroad in Rome, Italy. When I returned, my parents picked me up from the airport with some concerning news. My dad was scheduled for heart surgery in a few days.
This was surprising to me for a couple of reasons. One, I thought my dad was perfectly healthy. I had never known my dad to talk about his health. My dad was a quiet guy and never complained. Even if he was suffering from a cold or the flu, he did not talk about the way he felt. I would only know he was sick by hearing his hoarse voice or seeing him constantly sneezing.
Plus, to my knowledge, my dad had never visited the doctor before. Sure, he talked about an emergency room trip when he was in a car accident as a teenager, and when I was younger, he received stitches when he cut himself working on the house. But I had never known my dad to visit a doctor for even a routine checkup. So, the fact that he not only spoke of his ill health but had initiated a visit with a doctor that wasn’t an ER trip and was now having surgery scared me. This meant his heart symptoms must have been severe.
Thankfully, my dad’s heart surgery was successful. His prognosis was good. Throughout the next several years, my dad changed his bad habits and visited the heart doctor regularly. Unfortunately, he did not continue that good behavior. By the time he was 68 years old, my dad had long stopped visiting the heart doctor. On August 28, 2002 my dad had a heart attack
and died in his sleep. Sixteen years after his heart surgery.
My dad was only 68 years old when he died. I often wondered, if he had been more comfortable talking about his health and visiting the doctor, would he have lived longer? In my experience, men are more reluctant to talk about their health and visit a doctor than women. Does research back up this theory? If so, what causes the reluctance? What can I do to help my sons avoid the same fate as my dad?
Studies show that men die younger than women, and they have more illnesses throughout their lifetime than women. Men also get sick at a younger age and have more chronic illnesses than women.
Considering that data, you would think men would be motivated to visit a doctor more often than women. But that is not the case. According to a 2014 survey, men were half as likely as women to go to the doctor over a two year period. A 2019 survey found that men would prefer household chores, like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, to a doctor’s visit. Many of those who did see their doctor were not completely honest.
In fact, men often delay seeking medical attention even when they feel sick in the hope that the illness will eventually clear on its own. Of course, this delay in receiving treatment often results in serious consequences. Consequences that could have
been prevented with routine medical care.
Why are some men so reluctant to visit a doctor? According to researchers, there are many factors. Men’s risk-taking nature may lead them to believe they can beat disease by toughing it out. Traditional beliefs about masculinity are another reason. Some men hold on to the misconception that seeking help makes them less masculine and powerful. In their attempt to hold on to perceptions of masculinity and power, they get into denial, which eventually increases their vulnerability to diseases.
Time and money are additional reasons for men not visiting a doctor. One study found that the time a man spends in the doctor’s waiting room is a predictor of whether he will return for checkups.
To be fair, women get plugged into the healthcare system at an early age seeing gynecologists and then just get in the routine of annual visits. Still, men have a habit of avoiding doctor visits and only attend if they have a problem that really impacts their lives.
Luckily, healthcare research is focusing on this problem and employing successful tactics to encourage men to visit the doctor regularly. One study found that workplace health promotion programs, which included health education and coaching, can improve men’s engagement with healthcare services. Another study found that reminder
systems, such as phone calls, text messages, or mailed reminders, were effective in improving men’s adherence to recommended preventive care. A third study concluded that involving romantic partners in the process can increase men’s engagement in preventive health services.
How often should men go to the doctor? Much depends a lot on age and health. A general rule of thumb: men ages 18 to 39 should have their blood pressure checked every two years, but if it reaches a certain threshold, it should be checked yearly. Men ages 45 and older should be screened for diabetes every three years, but if they are overweight the screening should start at a younger age. Men over age 35 should be screened for high cholesterol and heart disease prevention every five years, but if they have diabetes, they should be screened more often. Men with no family history of colon cancer or polyps should be screened for colorectal cancer every five to ten years between the ages of 50 to 75, but the screening should start earlier if they do have a family history.
Thankfully, societal norms are changing, and men are finding the education, comfort, and encouragement they need to maintain a healthy body. Estate planning is no different. Men (and women) are finding that creating an estate plan is easier than they realized and more streamlined allowing them to successfully check estate planning off their to do list.
A long vacant Walgreen’s store on North Avenue in Galewood could become a McDonald’s though some neighbors objected at a community meeting last week saying the site is already a traffic tangle as Ridgeland, Narragansett, North and Mobile Avenue all cross at the foot of the elevated development parcel.
T he developer and Ald. Chris Taliafer (29th Ward) promised a follow-up meeting in short order that would also include resentatives from the fast-food chain.
Troutman & Dams, a real estate fir based in Chicago’s Elston Industrial Co ridor, is working with McDonald’s a restaurant with a drive-thru at Mobile Ave., Chicago.
Eric Dams, one of the fir m’s principals unveiled the proposal during Taliafer May 17 community meeting, wh held at Rutherford Sayre fieldhouse, 6871 W. Belden Ave. He said his firm is in the process of buying the site, and, if is complete, they will lease it to McDonald’s.
T he plans call for them to demolish the Walg reens building and build a smaller building with a wraparound drive-thru. Cars would enter through the existing entrance at the southwest corner of the lot, and there would be 45 parking spaces along the lot’s perimeter
T he drive-thru requires a Special Use permit, and the Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals usually defers to local aldermen on whether to grant one.
During the meeting, several residents expressed concern about the drivethru’s impact on traffic, both along North Avenue and the nearby residential streets, as well as noise and customers tossing garbage onto the street.
Dams said that McDonald’s would mitigate the noise. T he drive-thru window would be facing North Avenue, and the site would be sur rounded by a six-foot fence.
Beth Chlumecky was one of several
neighbors who said she was wor ried not just about the customer cars, but the freight delivery trucks
“Nobody wants a semi up and down the street, that damages the street, that damages the trees,” she said. “And that little section of traffic is a nightmare as it is. Adding a drive-thru is even more problematic [for] traffic in that area.”
Dams emphasized that the plans shared during the meeting are preliminary, and he would be willing to have another meeting to share more details Taliafer ro said he will schedule another community meeting, which would include McDonald’s re presentatives, sometime in the next 1-2 weeks.
T he site takes up most of the land between Narragansett Avenue and the spot where Ridgeland Avenue becomes Mobile Avenue. Cars traveling north tend to tur n from Ridgeland to Narragansett. A bus
turnaround used by Pace bus route 311 and some r ush hour CTA Route 72/North buses is located on the west edge of the side, wrapping around a Dunkin Donuts location. To further complicate the situation, the lot is partially raised, because the ground slopes slightly east of Narraganset – which means that the developer is limited to the access point that’s already there.
T he Walg reens was closed in early summer of 2015. It served as a COVID-19 testing site at the height of the pandemic, but, other than that, the site remained vacant. It ended up in foreclosure in 2022, and it was purchased in an auction by a company that, according to the Illinois Secretary of State data, is owned by executives at Manhattan-based Tokio Marine HCC insurance company.
Dams said that his company has been working with the current owners to advertise the site for prospective tenants.
“We’ve been working on the site for the last 9-10 months, the interest that we had is auto parts, collision re pair, a plasma donation center, a dollar store, not some of the things tha t we thought would work with the community,” he said.
Dams said that they couldn’ t g et any ocery tenants to open on a lot that size size of the building is currently 12,000 square feet, and most grocers are 30,000 square feet, and there’s not enough property to do a bigger-size building and enough parking,” Dams said. While they initially wanted to preserve building, none of the prospective tennterested. McDonald’s, he said, een the most promising possibility
t know what the feeling, the feed[from the community] is for McDonut that’s what I’m here to g et,” he said.” I’ll take all your questions, com-
Dams said the lease would be with Mc, and it would be up to the f asthain to decide whether they operat e orate-operated or franchised loca-
“McDonald’s does it the right way, it will be a nice-looking building, masonry on all four side s,” he said. “The site lighting will all be cut of f at the proper ty line, so it doesn’t spill out to adjacent neighbors.”
T he current zoning allows them to put in a restaurant by right, but drive-thrus require a Special Use pe rmit
When asked about job opportunities fo r local youth, Dams said that the location “will be hiring 30-40 full-time employees.”
Athena Williams, a neighbor of the site as well as executive director of the Oak Park Re gional Housing Center, echoed other neighbors’ concerns and questioned whether the area even needed a McDonald’s, saying that there are several nearby.
While there are currently no McDonald’s in Galewood itself, Austin as a whole has three – at 5133 W. North Ave., 5015 W. Madison St. and 5153 W. Chicago Ave.
T he Elmwood Park McDonald’s is located near Galewood’s north border, at 7217 W. Grand Ave., and the River Forest location is also within easy driving distance, at 626 N. Harlem Ave.
Dams responded that McDonald’s considers its locations carefully and studies what impact a new location might have on the existing ones
“Their study is very sophisticated, and their biggest concern is impacting the other stores,” he said.
“Nobody wants a semi up and down the street, that damages the street, that damages the trees.”
BETH CHLU MECK Y Neighbor
• National Green Build Rating “Silver”.
• Five story contemporary condo.
• Low carbon footprint construction.
• High efficiency air conditioning
• Building wide water heating.
• Tight thermal building wrap.
• Energy Star Plumbing.
• LED Lighting.
• Air exchangers keep air fresh & clean.
• 1200sf Roof Garden reduces runoff.
• Electric charging stations in garage.
• Residents embrace sustainable living.
Oak Park Commons Cohousing
info@oakparkcohousing.com
oakparkcommons.com
708-772-8817
from page 1
Grossman, whose vast Development Customer Services Department is now being split into two separate departments: Neighborhood Services and Development Services. The Community Relations Department, which was not under Grossman’s umbrella, is also being permanently inte grated into the village’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The proposition, developed by Village Manager Kevin Jackson, was first discussed publicly May 8.
nomic vitality in Oak Park. Beyond that, its role was unclear.
“We would look at them to continue meeting in the area of economic development,” said Kira Tchang, Oak Park human resources director. “And I think that is it for the time being.”
As its sole funder, the village’s rescinding of financial support could cause the OPEDC to collapse, but the village does not have the power to dissolve its partner agency, which has played a key role in some of Oak Park’s largest investments in recent years.
Economic development has stalled lately due to a lack of available parcels and changes in the market, including the expiration of tax increment financing districts.
Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.
Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.
Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.
Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.
Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.
Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.
Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.
Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.
Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.
We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.
IS VACCINATED
The restructuring is budget neutral as the $571,500 budgeted annually for OPEDC will now go toward funding four new full-time positions at village hall. Two part-time village staf f positions have also been eliminated, resulting in a savings of $42,120, which will likewise go toward funding new positions. Future economic development matters will be handled internally. The economic development corporation is solely funded by the Village of Oak Park in a yearly contract. Eliminating that funding now leaves the future of the agency in doubt. Wednesday Journal has reached out to the agency and its board chair for comment. The village board ag reed to reduce this year’s funding to $400,000, which can be done by not having to pay Lynch’s salary. Lynch announced he was leaving OPEDC for the private sector in April, ahead of restructuring discussions.
The agency’s current contract expires this February. OPEDC’s role in the remaining 90 days of its funding will be to assist the village in conducting a study about eco-
The agency could try to find new backing to stay afloat but it could also make a case to the village board to restore its funding. The village board left the door open to discuss a new contract or a contract extension. This could take the form of the OPEDC helping the village incorporate economic development in-house or consulting on the revitalization of certain corridors and small business growth.
Village President Vicki Scaman told Wednesday Journal she would welcome the opportunity to evaluate a new contract, one that is “mutually beneficial” to the village and the agency, which she called a “g reat resource.”
“A future relationship with the OPEDC may look different but it is not destined for demise,” said Scaman.
our
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A future relationship with the OPEDC may look di erent but it is not destined for demise.”
VICKI SC AMA N Village president
Be sure to properly extinguish all lit substances. One River Forest resident’s taste for cigars led to a house call from the River Forest Fire Department Sunday night.
Fire fighters responded to the
In less than two weeks, Beyond Hunger’s Healthy Chef Challenge is back, live and in person at Goose Island’s Barrel House. Launched in 2018 this annual event captures the enthusiasm and spicy fun behind Beyond Hunger’s Nutrition and Health Education program. This year guests will experience an immersive cooking and healthy eating experience: Health Ambassadors and Dietetic Interns are partnering up throughout the venue to offer hands-on education such as knife skills and meal preparation demonstrations. Guests will enjoy delectable bites featuring Beyond Hunger Healthy Recipes. And over the course
Come out and see this year’s competitors and judges in action:
June 1st, 7pm-10pm
Goose Island
Barrel House Competition
of the night, the competition will be heating up in the beautiful Barrel House kitchen where area chefs compete for the best dish, using healthy ingredients found on the shelves of Beyond Hunger’s food pantry. Finally, celebrity judges’ taste, compare, and name the 2023 Healthy Chef Champions.
“We are thrilled to be at Goose Island’s Barrel House this year. Guests will get to sample Goose Island Beers and our VIP’s will enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of the Barrel House.” says Teri Miller, Beyond Hunger Director of Development, “Goose Island has been a phenomenal event partner.”
Master of the Menu:
Zita Smith
–
Zita Cooks Catering
Connor Hepburn
– The Alinea Group
For tickets visit //GoBeyondHunger.org/events
Victor of Variety:
Yvonne Ivy – PHS Dessert Bar
Arshiya Farheen - Verzênay Chicago
Judges:
minor incident at 10:44 p.m., May 21, to put out a fire that had broken out on the deck of a home in the 900 block of Forest Avenue
The fire, according to River Forest Fire Chief Tom Gaertner, was started by a discarded cigar that
the homeowner had thought he had put out.
The fire was very small and was almost dead upon the arrival of the firefighters, causing very minimal damage to the deck.
— Stacey SheridanEmily Hallock
– Masterchef Semifinalist Season 12
Sam Yousif – Managing partner of B-Health, OP Chamber
– The 31-year restaurant critic at the Chicago Tribune
Phil Vettel
Liz Abunaw
– Forty Acres Fresh Market
The event would not be possible without area sponsors including: First Bank Chicago, Kribi Coffee, Byline Bank, Music & Potlucks, Forest Park Bank, T-Mobile
To become a Healthy Chef Challenge Sponsor please contact Teri@GoBeyondHunger.org
By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon (D-39th), who also serves as the Oak Park Township committeeperson, announced the process for filling Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s seat on the Cook County Board.
Prior to his election as Chicago mayor in April, Johnson was the commissioner for Cook County’s 1st District, which includes Oak Park, Forest Park, part of Chicago’s West Side and portions of Proviso Township.
Under the Cook County Code of Ordinances, vacancies on the county board are filled by the members of the election committee of the political party of the person who last held that seat.
The election committees are made up of committeepersons who re present Chicago wards and suburban townships within the district, and their share of the vote is apportioned according to how many voters in their district voted for Johnson in the Nov. 8, 2022 election for county board.
This means that Harmon and County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, the Proviso Township committeeperson, collectively hold 58.72% of the vote. If they vote together, they will determine who is chosen by themselves.
Because Oak Park Township had the highest portion of the vote, Harmon serves as the selection committee chair. In a statement to the media, he indicated applica-
tions for the position can be submitted email to firstdistrictvacancy@gmail.com. The dates for in-person interviews and a meeting where the re placement will be selected have not been set yet.
Johnson resigned from his seat effect May 13, two days before as the Chicago mayor. In a statement to the media, he stated that it has been a “true honor” to serve on a county board.
“As excited as I am about mayor of Chicago, I am also sobered and humbled to be leaving my constituents and colleagues on the Board, because together, we have done so much important transform Cook County go stated. “As I look back on these last four years, I am particularly proud that, under President Toni Preckwinkle’s steady leadership, we centered equity and justice in all of our work. Whether it was the Justice for Black Lives resolution, which helped frame our budget deliberations, or the Just Housing Ordinance, which protects individuals with arrest records from housing discrimination, we focused our energy on centering and uplifting our most vulnerable, most marginalized communities. Compassion, competency and collaboration propelled everything we accomplished.”
Yarbrough previously told Growing Community Media that, until Johnson resigned, the selection committee couldn’ t start its work. She also indicated that the work likely won’ t start until after the Illinois General Assembly adjourns on May 19.
Normally, the city commiteepersons’ shares of the vote would be allocated based on ward boundaries that existed at the time of the most recent election.
But the current committeepersons were elected in the March 2020 Democratic primary, before ward boundaries were redrawn in 2022. Selection committee spokesperson Tom Bowen said that, for the purpose of allocating the vote share, they took the November 2022 precinct-level data and applied it to the previous maps.
This shifted the makeup of the selection committee – 24th Ward Committeeperson Michael Scott and 36th Ward Committeeperson Ald. Gilbert Ville gas, whose wards were drawn into the 1st District in 2022,
won’t be voting, but 2nd Ward Committeeperson Tim Egan, whose ward was drawn out of the 1st District in 2022, will.
While it doesn’t alter the overall vote difference between the city and suburbs, it does mean that the 29th Ward committeeperson, Ald. Chris Taliafer ro, who would’ve had the biggest share of city votes under the 2022 map (13.31%) now has the thirdbiggest share (6.68%). Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward committeeperson, now has the highest percentage (11.59%) in the city
The seat is open to re gistered voters who have lived in the 1st District for at least a year. Several West Side community activists and faith leaders have publicly expressed interest.
That includes Rev. Ira J. Acree, co-chair of the Leaders Network, a faith-based West Side social justice group and pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church; for mer 29th Ward alder person candidate and Cook County Board president candidate Zerlina Smith-Members; Marshall Hatch Jr., head of West Garfield Park’s MAAFA Redemption Project; and Austin activist Claiborne Wade.
Harmon stated he welcomes more applications.
“Anyone interested in applying to our committee for the appointment should submit a resume and a short cover letter signifying their interest and qualifications,” he said.
Those who have ever considered being a foster parent were welcomed to attend an informational picnic last weekend to learn more about taking the next step to being a welcoming family for kids in need. The event took place in Thatcher Woods in River Forest.
The Chicagoland Foster Care Recruitment Collective’s Foster Parent Recruitment picnic was an oppor tunity for those who have felt the nudge towards being a foster parent to receive more information on the process in a low-pressure environment.
“Becoming a foster parent is not a decision people just wake up and decide to do, it is usually a long game,” said Nancy Silver, foster parent recruitment and support specialist at Hephzibah Children’s Association. “It can be a slow burn when you are just getting information and learning about the first steps. I think each time we build a little thing and see certain people come back and build moments and build support there.”
“Months of planning went into this event, so it was amazing to see it take of f on
Saturday,” said Emma Fojtick, intake and licensing supervisor at Hephzibah Children’s Association. “I can speak for every agency involved in the collective when I say that any opportunity for the community to lear n more about foster care is worthwhile This is especially true when it gives current and/or for mer youth in care the platform to articulate their lived experiences in the system. This is my second collaborative recruitment event, and both times I’ve been incredibly moved and inspired by the stories of each panelist. Everyone in attendance came with open ears, curiosity, and a willingness to listen. I would have loved to see a larger turnout, but if this event leads to even one person becoming a foster parent or support to a youth in foster care, than I consider it to be a success.”
The free, family-friendly event included presentations on the licensing process, the criteria needed to foster in Illinois, informational tables, and agency representatives who provided additional information. There was also a panel of for mer foster care youth who talked about their experiences along with the importance of having a safe and supportive foster home in their lives.
The event was a collaborative ef fort among members of the Chicagoland Foster Care Recruitment Collective, a group of social service agencies helping provide foster care and adoption services in the Chicago area including Oak Park-based Hephzibah Children’s Association, Kaleidoscope, Kids
Above All, Lawrence Hall, Little City, Our Children’s Homestead, SOS Illinois, and UCAN.
Fojtik said having all the agencies under one roof allowed for people to gather information quicker rather than having to reach out to each individually.
“If you have ever wanted to be a foster parent you can learn about the next step and where to go from there,” Fojtik said.
A goal of this event was to raise awareness and encourage others to look into fostering and drawing back the curtains on a need that is often not spoken about. Silver said the world of fostering, and the needs of children in the foster care system, is oftentimes misunderstood, which gives space for events like these to bring some understanding.
“You can see movies and shows and they talk about foster care but there aren’t many opportunities to engage in the foster community,” Fojtik said, “Fostering eally a life changing experience and it shakes up your world and it is important go through that with an agency that you are connected with.”
The need for foster parents is crucial, said Silver.
According to the press release by Kaleidoscope with data from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, as pril 30 of this year, there were 20,448 children ages zero to 21 years old in the Illinois’ child welfare system.
“There is a huge need for additional loving people to open their homes to kids in need,” Silver said. “You can talk to any y in the country and they will tell you the same thing, which is that we need more foster parents. Frankly speaking there aren’t enough homes for the kids who need homes.”
physician, medical evidence indicates that being physically active improves the quality of life in many ways. He refers to a National Council on Aging article reporting that regular exercise may slow brain aging by up to 10 years.
“A lot of people become more sedentary as they age and that’s the kiss of death. The slower you move, the faster you die,” said Jensen, 76. “Bob is always positive and upbeat. He has had some health issues but he’s still doing everything — we should all be doing something.”
Hakes started running in the late 1970s with his buddy, the late Joe Powers, to train for the Frank Lloyd Wright Races. He started slow, running a half mile, then a mile, then three miles. He ran his first 10K (6.2 miles) in an impressive 48 minutes
“Joe was 12 years older than me and just before the finish line at the high school, he came up from behind and zipped around me. I never forgave him for that,” Hakes said, laughing
Hakes has now run a total of 38 marathons as well as several half-marathons, triathlons and 10Ks. He achieved a marathon PR (personal record), 3 hours and 5 minutes, during the 1985 Chicago Marathon, the same year that renowned runner Joan Benoit won the women’s division with a PR of 2 hours and 21 minutes. The difference was that Hakes was
Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota because of the scenic course through rolling hills hugging the shore of Lake Superior, his most memorable was his first Boston Marathon, which he ran in 1983 with his pal Bud Ames.
“The crowds along both sides of the route were so exhilarating. We could hear the roars of the Wellesley College girls a mile away and they were slapping us and cheering us on with huge smiles. When we got to the end, I told Bud that we should go back and do it again,” he said.
Over the years, Hakes has enjoyed the rich camaraderie of many longtime local runners and cyclists, many of whom he has outli d. It’s a tight oup that has included
the late Monroe Sullivan, Don Offermann, Jon Van, and Warren Johnson, as well as Powers and Ames. He was one of the original members of the Oak Park Runners Club (OPRC) and the OWies, a group of runners who meet every Saturday morning at the intersection of Oak Street and William Avenue in River Forest.
Hakes and several other members of the OPRC started the “Good Life Race” in 1982 as a small, neighborhood race around Lindberg Park. The 5K event, the proceeds of which benefit local nonprofit organizations, is now one of the premier races in the Chicago region.
He and Bud Ames biked the week-long RAGBRAI (Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Race Across Iowa) several times, riding country roads along the 460-mile course and camping out in Ames’ two-man tent. Hakes claims it was a great way to see the “real America.”
“There’s solace in camaraderie,” he said. “Life is worth living when you have good friends. Bud Ames used to say there are no secrets between runners. All my friends were professionals — doctors and lawyers and bankers and such — and I’m just a high school graduate. I opened my ears and listened to them and learned from them — and I competed with them.”
Hakes graduated from Foreman High School in Chicago before being drafted into the Ar my in 1957. He attended clerk typist school at Fort Leonard Wood near St. Louis, where he met Lucy, his wife of 65 years. The training positioned him for a spot with the military post office in Frankfurt, Germany, where he sorted and distributed mail from the U.S. to Ar my Post Offices (APOs)
throughout the country. To this day, he can remember the postal numbers associated with each of the APOs he serviced (trust me — I tried to stump him).
He and Lucy enjoyed an extended honeymoon in Europe, skiing in Munich and driving the Autobahn to Paris where they rented a room near the Arc de Triomphe. Hakes, a jazz aficionado, was thrilled to hear Lester Young, Kenny Clarke and Jimmy Gourley at the famed Blue Note. He still has his prized collection of jazz records. They welcomed their first child while overseas.
When he returned to Chicago, Hakes found work at Warp Bros., a family-owned business, founded in 1924 by Harold Warp He and Lucy bought their first house in Oak Park, at 311 N. Lombard Ave., for $40,000. Hakes stayed at Warp for 50 years, before officially retiring in 2003, although the company called him back a few years ago — when he was in his 80s — to fill in after his replacement retired.
“You always have to give at least 110% — always do a little more than is expected of you. I practiced that at work and I practice it with my marriage. I was kind of a bad boy, smoking and drinking too much with my buddies after work during the early years of my marriage. But I’m making up for it. Do you know what I do now? I make the bed and sometimes I even make the coffee and the toast. How do you like that?!”
Lucy supports her husband’s devotion to exercise and has accompanied him to several of his marathons. They are active members of St. Edmund Church, where Hakes sings in the choir.
“His running and biking keep him out of the house — and the house is never messy when he’s not around,” she said with a laugh.
“Bob is sharp as a tack,” said Oppenheim. “I call him the Energizer Bunny. He keeps up with the cycling group and occasionally he’ll take the lead. He’s engaging and always talking about politics and complaining about Trump. How many can do that in their 80s?”
“Bob is always positive and upbeat. He tells great stories and his memory is incredible,” said Jensen.
According to Hakes, the key to a successful life is to always have something to look forward to — every day. That includes his exercise routine, the crossword puzzle he does every morning to keep his mind shar p, the delicious meals Lucy makes for him, and the nice Manhattan he frequently makes for her.
This July, he and Bob O’Connor will participate in the National Senior Games in Pittsburgh — Hakes will compete in the 50, 100, 200 and 400-meter races.
Needless to say, he’s looking forward to it
An Oak Park woman thwarted a carjacking attempt by two men in the 100 block of South Harvey Avenue at 10:22 p.m., May 20. The woman was sitting in her 2019 Mazda, when the men approached her, one coming to the driver’s side and the other to the front passenger’s side. One of the men then tapped a window with what police referred to as a “metal object,” telling the woman to get out of the car.
Instead of exiting her vehicle, the woman put the car into drive, which resulted in her being told, “Don’t do it,” by one of the offenders. She ignored them and safely drove away from the scene.
An Oak Park resident was held at gun point while out walking in the 400 block of Madison Street at 3:30 p.m., May 17. The male offender had exited the passenger’s side of a four-door silver sedan before approaching and pulling the gun on the victim. After the offender said something inaudible to the victim, the victim ignored him and continued walking. The sedan was
last seen traveling east on Madison Street being driven by a woman with an unknown number of females in the back seat.
Three people were robbed by an armed man at 9:21 p.m., May 16, in the 200 block of Chicago Avenue. The victims, one Maryland resident and two Florida residents, were sitting in a vehicle when they were approached by the offender, who pointed a black handgun and demanded they turn over their cash. The offender was last seen fleeing on Harvey Avenue with the victims’ cash and two of their wallets. The estimated loss is $800.
An Oak Park resident was robbed of her vehicle while making a food delivery at 10:45 p.m., May 20, in the 100 block of South Harvey Avenue. Two masked men approached the victim and ordered her to hand over her keys, which were grabbed from her hands. The two men then fled southbound in the victim’s 2017 Honda.
A 9 mm gun magazine with nine rounds of ammunition was taken from an unlocked 2017 Toyota Highlander during a burglary in the 1000 block of North Austin Boulevard between 8 p.m., May 14, and 8 a.m., May 15. A credit card and $400 in cash were also taken from the Highlander for an estimated total loss of $500.
■ Someone removed a 2006 Volkswagen Jetta parked in the first block of Washington Boulevard between 8 p.m., May 16, and 5 a.m., May 17.
■ A gray 2016 Dodge Charger RT was taken between 8 p.m., May 15, and 11:30 a.m., May 16, in the 300 block of Wisconsin Avenue.
Someone broke the rear passenger’s side window of a 2023 Kia Soul then peeled the vehicle’s steering column between 4 p.m.,
May 15, and 6:23 a.m., May 16, in the 1000 block of South East Avenue.
■ Someone broke the rear driver’s side window of a 2013 Hyundai Elantra by throwing a brick at it between 9:30 p.m., May 17, and 7:24 a.m., May 18, in the 400 block of Lake Street.
■ Someone damaged the steering wheel lock and key ignition of a 2015 Honda motorcycle between 2:45 p.m. and 8:10 p.m., May 15, in the 900 block of Pleasant Street.
These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports, May 16-22, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s help in making an arrest
Compiled by Stacey Sheridan
855 Lake St., once at risk of sur viving, has been completely rehabbed
By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter
Built in 1924, the building at 855 Lake St. in Oak Park was once known as the Oak Hotel. In recent years, the building was home to 63 efficiency apar tments. In May 2018, developers Ayman and Nadeya Khalil of Icon Capital LLC purchased the building for $3.97 million and embarked on a years’ long renovation.
Pandemic-related issues exacerbated the already heavy lift the couple had in remaking the vintage building, but they have breathed new life into a building that many thought was beyond saving.
While not classified as affordable housing by the village, in the past few decades the building was known for its low rents and deteriorating state. In 2011, when a teenager from Wisconsin died of an overdose in the building, then-Police Chief Rick Tanksley said the rundown building was often the subject of noise and burglary complaints.
In 2019, shortly after the building was vacated, there
was a fire in a few units, and the building was deemed unfit for human occupancy.
Ayman Khalil says that when he and his wife dove into the remodel work, they found that the building required even more work than they initially expected
“You know how it goes when you open the walls and it turns into a one of those jobs where you have to do everything,” he said.
The couple have been involved in development in the Chicago area since 1997 and say the pandemic made for a lot of extra headaches. Staffing and supply-chain issues pushed the finish date back, but they are happy to finally be actively leasing in Oak Park
They worked hard to salvage some of the original art deco elements, including the woodwork in the lobby and the decorative stonework on the exterior.
“We tried to keep what we could,” Nadeya said.
e pandemic may have slowed the project, but the former Oak Hotel at 855 Lake St. (top) has been fully rehabbed inside (above) and is currently leasing its predominantly studio-apartment inventory of units
from page 19
“We decided to feature the vintage look because that’s what this building screams at you, but we made it completely modern inside,” Ayman said.
In general, they ke pt to the same footprint for the building’s 64 units. Approximately 85% of the units are studio apar tments that measure 400 square feet. The studios are currently renting for $1,350 to $1,450 per month. There are a handful of larger one- and two-bedroom units.
The studios feature kitchens with stainless-steel appliances and quartz countertops. A moveable island allows tenants to reconfigure their spaces. There are dishwashers and laundry in each unit.
Parking is available for an additional fee with space for 52 cars in the building’s parking lot. Ayman Khalil notes the proximity to the Green Line.
“Some tenants just use the train, so we should have a parking spot for everybody who wants one,” he said. A new elevator was added to the rear of the building, and Salitha Graham, the property manager for the building, is a resource for tenants.
Jim Ongena of @properties is the leasing agent and holds open houses for prospective renters every Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. The first and second floors of the five-story building are essentially at capacity.
“The neighborhood has had a great rece ption to the building,” Ongena said. “It’s been a blast being here on the weekends.”
He says that people often stop by just to share how excited they are that the building has been rehabbed.
“There’s a positivity in the neighborhood because it sat for so long,” Ongena said.
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Oak Park and River Forest High School senior and three-sport athlete Reese Garland discovered something about herself after all-state honors at her first IHSA Class 3A girls track and field state meet in 2022.
“I learned that I’m a very competitive person and I respond well to competition,” Garland said. “I’d consider myself a very competitive person, but also I have fun under pressure and that’s what I love.”
On May 20, Garland went out with two more personal bests and top-nine, all-state medals in her state return at Eastern Illinois University before leaving for the school prom.
Garland finished second in discus with a lifetime-best 44.39 meters/145 feet, 7.75 inches and fifth in shot put with an outdoor-best 12.93m/42-5 just shy of her 42-9.75 best indoors.
Last year, Garland was fifth at state
in discus with a then personal-best
128-6.5. The University of Souther n California recruit graduates as the Huskies’ No. 2 thrower to 2009 graduate Brittany Smith, who holds both event school records.
“I was so close to beating the (147plus discus) school record,” Garland said. “I felt pretty confident, and I’m really happy with my results. Shot put was good. I could have done a little better, but top five still.”
Discus and shot put distances carry over for the 12 finals qualifiers from Friday’s preliminaries to Saturday.
In shot, Garland was third after prelims at 12.93 meters but was passed by two throwers Saturday who exceeded 13 meters. Garland then turned her attention to discus, where she also was third entering finals (42.04m/137-11).
“I just kind of changed my mindset and used that as motivation to throw further and placed me top two,” Garland said.
On her first throw in finals, Garland moved into second (144-9) followed by the 145-7. Huntley senior Ally Panzloff won with a lifetime-best 48.73m/15910.5.
In 2022, Garland was an all-state fifth in discus with a then personal-best 128-
6.5 and began gaining interest from college coaches.
OPRF senior Avery Minnis was 24th in the 3,200 (11:40.42), whose finals were in two heats. Minnis will compete at St Louis University.
Fenwick sophomore Mia Menendez again finished an all-state seventh in the Class 2A 800 meters on May 20, her 2:19.02 easily beating her seventh-place 2:20.38 finish from 2022.
“I actually think [the finishes] kind of felt quite similar. I was just trying to get it my all,” said Menendez, whose school-record 2:16.78 won sectionals. “I definitely feel like I have more experience. From all of the training, that’s helped me grow, too, as a runner. I’m very excited for next year, motivated to keep improving.”
Fenwick senior Bella Daley, who will walk on at Illinois, was 11th in the 3,200 (11:23.01), 6.08 seconds from ninth.
Trinity’s 3,200 relay of senior Jasmine Arzuaga, sophomore Jade Morelli, senior Amanda McGreal and junior Myla Roy was 23rd in Class 2A (10:33.78).
OPRF’s Reese Garland threw personal bests in shot put (above) and discus to place h and second, respectively, at the IHSA Class 3A state meet on May 20.
Huskies earn 13 state meet berths, including all 4 relays
By BILL STONEContributing
ReporterOak Park and River Forest High School
senior Elijah Mowatt is headed to his third
IHSA Class 3A boys track and field state meet with team on his mind.
The undefeated Huskies are in contention for their second top-three state trophy since 2012 and possibly first state title since 1987 after winning the Proviso East Sectional on May 17 with 169 points.
“I sacrificed the 200 [meter dash], which is my favorite race ever, to run all three
[sprint] relays,” Mowatt said. “That was a very, very big thing for me and it totally worked out.”
The Huskies earned 13 state berths, including all four relays, with top-two finishes or by achieving state-qualifying standards at the sectional.
Senior Liam Newhart won the 1,600 (4:20.41) and 3,200 (9:17.58) and junior Kaden
Garland swept discus (49.71 meters/163 feet, 1 inch) and shot put (17.66m/57-11.25).
Senior Josh Meister (4.77m/ in pole vault), junior Kwabena Osei-Yeboah (7.17m/23-6 in long jump), sophomore Caleb Schulz (100 in 10.71), the 400 relay of junior Santiago Valle, Mowatt, sophomore Kahrmelo Weaver and Schulz (42.65) and the 800 relay (Valle, Schulz, Weaver and
Senior Rachel Simon had five goals and two assists, and her sophomore sister Hannah had a hat trick and four assists as the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls lacrosse team routed visiting Glenbrook North 19-6 in an IHSA New Trier Sectional quarterfinal on May 22.
“We call them the Simon Connection,” said OPRF coach James Borja. “They’v been playing together for a very long time.”
The Huskies started fast against the Spartans, scoring the game’s first eight goals. Glenbrook North didn’t get on the board until 9:24 left in the first half as OPRF (13-6) opened up a 12-2 lead at intermission.
“We know that when we come out most of the time, we’re the better team,” Borja said. “If we can jump on opponents early we can build on that in the second half.”
Sophomore Harper Thompson had three goals, and classmate Patterson Grant and senior Grace Koch two apiece as the Huskies showed solid balance offensively.
“We can attack from different spots,” Borja said. “We have a lot of kids that can score.”
The victory continued the momentum from May 19, as Koch, the Huskie Ath-
Mowatt in 1:28.77) also were sectional champions.
Senior Nick Parrell (3,200 in 9:17.94) and the 3,200 relay (junior Lewis O’Connor, sophomore Finn Kelly, juniors Michael Michelotti and Daniel Johnson in 7:53.31) were second-place state qualifiers.
Schulz (200 in 22.22) and the 1,600 relay (sophomore Quinn Testore, Valle, senior Paul Delignon, Mowatt in 3:24.97) were third but beat the qualifying standards of 22.33 and 3:28.30.
Like Mowatt, Valle scratched his individual 400 meters to help the relays advance.
“I feel much better [for state], much stronger, much faster, much more team-oriented and driven. I’m definitely feeling better about this time,” Mowatt said. “I really do think that we can contend for a trophy.”
Top-nine all-state finishers earn team points. Eight OPRF qualifiers were among the state’s top-nine sectional performances
letic Council Female Athlete of the Year, scored eight goals and added five assists in OPRF’s 18-7 win over visiting Fenwick to end re gular season play
“It was good to end on a high note, es-
with Meister and Schulz No. 1 and Osei-Yeboah No. 2.
“I think there’s five or six teams capable of winning the state title,” OPRF coach Tim Hasso said. “We got the events down that we kind of built this sectional roster around.”
Garland is the only returning 2022 allstater, taking fifth in discus (lifetime-best 51.58m/169-2.75). At sectionals, he missed his best in shot put by one-half inch.
“I’d say I threw pretty OK in both events,” Garland said. “I’m ready to compete, because state meet last year I went up 15 feet in the discus. I think something similar could happen this year.”
Meister, 14th in 2022, has cleared a schoolrecord 6-1 indoors. He just missed at 6-2 at sectionals.
“Just trying stay consistent within the 15-foot range every meet,” Meister said. “A [personal best at state] would be really nice. A very good end to my senior season.”
pecially because it was against Fenwick,” said Koch, who will attend the U.S. Naval Academy this fall.
Next up for the Huskies is a sectional semifinal against host New Trier on May
Newhart is coming of f second at the state cross country meet last November for the Huskies’ fifth-place state team.
“I’ve never run at any track state for middle school or high school so this a new experience for me,” Newhart said. “I’m hoping to be all-state in both events, maybe a little higher.”
In the 1,600, Newhart’s furious kick over the final 110 meters took him from third to winning by .30.
“I was moving on the back stretch and picked it up with 200 and on the stretch, just everything I had left. It felt great,” Newhart said.
In the 3,200, Newhart and Parrell ran together and switched the lead before Newhart won by .36. Parrell ran a lifetime best.
“I’m very close [to all-state contention] and very excited. I’m 100 percent in for this team,” Parrell said.
24. The Trevians routed Glenbrook South 18-2 in their first meeting this season at OPRF.
Against OPRF, Fenwick (10-7) surrendered the first five goals, but their coach, y Bonaccorsi, lauded the ef fort. you eliminate the first five minutes of the game, which obviously you can’t, I think it would’ve been a much closer outcome,” she said. “The score doesn’t depict we played, and I’m proud that the girls r gave up.”
Sophomores Katy Bermi and Sade Rucker each scored twice for Fenwick, which hoped to bounce back in an IHSA sectional quarterfinal at Maine South on May 22. But the Hawks ended the Friars’ season with a 16-8 victory.
The season for Trinity’s lacrosse team came to an end May 22 as the Blazers (8were blanked by Loyola Academy 19-0 in an IHSA sectional quarterfinal at Maine South.
Senior Paige Smith had another good season, finishing with 100 points (83 goals, 17 assists). Her sister Rian, a sophomore, scored 49 goals and headlines a list of 10 retur ners for next season.
At the IHSA Class 2A Glenbard South sectional May 17, Fenwick High School finished in third place with 89 points. The Friars qualified seven individuals for the state meet this weekend at Eastern Illinois University and won four events.
Freshman Matt Simon won the 400 meters in a personal-best time of 52.88. Senior Grayden Rill took the 1,600 in 4:31.36. Junior Nathaniel McKillop was victorious in the 3,200 in a personal-best 9:34.65 and junior Avion Brown won the high jump with a personal-best height of 1.70 meters (5 feet, 6.9 inches).
Other Fenwick state qualifiers were junior Dean O’Bryan in the 1,600 (3rd, 4:33.27), senior Joep Engbers in the shot put (2nd, 13.15/43-1.7) and junior Jalen Williams in the long jump (2nd, personal-best 6.42/21-0.7).
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Ninety years ago this week, on May 10, 1933, Nazi students organized a huge bonfire in a center square in Berlin. More than 5,000 students arrived carrying torches, accompanied by tens of thousands of onlookers. Approximately 20,000 books deemed as “un-German” were bur ned. In more than 30 other university cities throughout Germany that night, books were torched. Scientific works by Einstein and Sigmund Freud, as well as novels by Ernest Hemingway and Jack London, were destroyed.
Social justice works by Helen Keller were also targeted. The day before the org anized book burnings, Ms. Keller wrote an open letter to German students, noting that “History has taught you nothing if you think you can kill ideas. Tyrants have tried to do that often before, and the ideas have risen up in their might and destroyed them.” Her letter was published on the front page of the New York Times and in hundreds of other newspapers.
Today a heartbreaking memorial marks the spot of the infamous burnings on Berlin’s Bebelplatz — a plaque engraved with a chillingly prescient line from a German play written in 1817: “That was only a prelude; where they burn books, they will in the end also bu rn people.”
Nine decades later, our nation now faces organized book banning, rather than burnings. Re gardless, it should cause alarm among all Americans. Don’t dismiss the current rise in book banning in Texas, Florida, Utah, Missouri, Iowa, and South Carolina as simply the overzealous work of a vigorous and vocal minority. In 1933, the Nazi Party was a minority too. Many average Germans viewed the book burnings as a university fraternity prank, unwilling to believe that a society as educated and culturally rich as Germany’s could actually wish to destroy ideas. Yet totalitarianism often seeps into a society through the control of ideas and free expression.
A recent report by PEN, an organization founded more than 100 years ago in support of freedom of expression, revealed that of the nearly 1,500 book removals
My family is bursting with joy as our community celebrates the opening of the Community Recreation Center (CRC). Oak Parkers made this dream a reality because this is who we are, a high-expectation, never-give-up community committed to elevating the quality of public life for the benefit of everyone.
For individuals and for communities, progress is always in a state of emergence. Sixty years ago, a group of activists and policy makers made a deliberate commitment to put Oak Park on a path to be inclusive, equitable, and racially just. It’s no secret that we are still becoming the community we want to be. Let’s be clear: the advancement of these civic priorities isn’t about checking boxes; it’s about everyone having access to spaces where they feel welcome, comfortable, and have a sense of belonging.
Our park district, or any other agency, can’t simply serve up a sense of belonging; it’s something all of us must help to cultivate. There are lots of things we cannot control, but thankfully we all have the capacity to
control how we relate to one another. The kind of social progress we seek will have a better chance if we push fear and blame aside and use our capacity as caring, compassionate individuals. The kind of progress our community needs is the human relation kind that comes from assuming the best intentions of a person or entity rather than the narrow-minded worst.
This kind of progress can come from hitting the pause button on a negative social media post. It has a better chance of taking hold if each of us looks inside ourselves to see our own unconscious biases. Progress also comes from trust, or at least a commitment to build tr ust, even with people who are different from us.
As children growing up here, my husband and I were exposed to Oak Park’s vision of an equitable community. Through modeling and messaging, this vision was reinforced by our parents and role models and, frankly, that is why we chose to raise our children here.
This vision is why we, and all donors, made a com-
On Monday evening, Oak Park’s village board approved a notable reorganization of departments at village hall. A major portion of the effort, recommended by Village Manager Kevin Jackson, involved prying apart the mega-department that had grown up around Tammie Grossman over 15 years.
This was inevitable with the pending retirement of Grossman who attracted added duties and direct reports like a powerful magnet within village gover nment. The split of duties approved Monday creates a new Neighborhood Services Department focused on housing and a renamed Development Services Department focused on economic growth and development.
Logical. Practical.
What isn’t so simple to execute is the concurrent plan to “pause” funding of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation — which also just lost its veteran leader — with a plan to consolidate all development efforts within village hall.
We understand the impulse for Jackson to move all the development functions and the related personnel under his purview at village hall. It’s what managers do. And with the departure last week of John Lynch from OPEDC he has that opportunity.
The decision Monday night to take some time and a consultant’s expertise to sort out just what Oak Park’s development priorities ought to be going forward is a smart but awkward move. The era of tall buildings rising has about passed as development sites are few and the economy is not favorable to funding such projects. Efforts at retaining smaller businesses, or welcoming Black- and Brownowned businesses, have been haphazard. How Oak Park intentionally adds affordable housing is unclear.
So there are questions to be answered. But a consultant’s report on “economic vitality” will take time. Creating a structure for the new department and hiring choices will be delayed.
That’s OK if the outcome is focused and deter mined based on key priorities.
Oak Park’s history, with its hybrid model of the third-party OPEDC and staff at village hall, was dismal until the past several years. Anan Abu-Taleb, for mer village president, gets the credit for clearly aligning the internal and external roles related to development.
Now it will be Jackson’s opportunity to create a wholly internal development process that retains entrepreneurial energy and realworld development chops, yet operates within a bureaucracy.
Good work at Oak Park Village Hall last week as it pushed through new regulations for local restaurants, which will have a positive impact on the environment while not undermining the viability of our mostly independent local restaurant community. These are actions that have percolated up through the village’s Environment and Energy Commission. There are two components: One requires restaurants to ask take-out customers if they want plastic utensils before packing the meals. Straight-up common sense. The other will end the use of Styrofoam packaging for takeout meals as of the first of the year.
Modest measures but good steps forward.
The following is dedicated to Alan Krause, a Vietnam vet who thinks people don’t appreciate the real reason for Memorial Day. It first ran in 2015:
At 11th and Washington in Maywood, drivers to and from Oak Park and River Forest pass a sign for Conner-Heise Park, a rundown recreational area that you might pay little notice. But the name Heise caught my eye because I knew retired Oak Park village attor ney Ray Heise grew up in Maywood, so I asked him about it.
Our communities are planted thick with memorials, most of them representing lives lost. Maywood more than most. The village due west of River Forest is best known for the Bataan Death March
In November of 1940, men from Maywood became part of the 192nd Tank Battalion which deployed to Bataan in the Philippines following Pearl Harbor. Only 41 of the 122 returned to Maywood alive
One of those who didn’t make it back was Ray Mason, who was engaged to Heise’s mom, and after whom he is named. His mother died never knowing what happened to her fiance, but Heise finally solved the mystery in recent years when he came across a book titled, Ghost Soldiers: The Epic Account of World War II’s Greatest Rescue Mission by Hampton Sides.
Heise wrote to the author, who referred him to a group called the Battling Bastards of Bataan, the “bastards” referring to the fact that the U.S. military, of necessity, had to abandon the soldiers trapped there. The Battling Bastards, in tur n, referred him right back here to Maywood’s Proviso East High School, which happens to house and maintain the most complete record of the fate of those soldiers
“In a day I had a full report,” Heise said.
Ray Mason was in a tank fleeing the oncoming Japanese when it got stuck in a river bed. When the three crew members emerged from the tank, the Japanese questioned them, then told them to run. All three were gunned down.
After the war, Ray’s mom married George Heise, a Marine who served in the South Pacific. Back then, the military’s policy was to send guys from the same area to fight together. They thought it was good for morale, Heise said, but as in Bataan, it could also turn tragic. Of the 15 men who joined the Marines from his dad’s neighborhood, George was the only survivor.
“He had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder before it had a name,” Heise said.
Ray grew up next door to “Aunty Alice,” as they knew her. When his parents divorced, Ray’s dad moved in with Alice, married her and adopted her two children, including Tommy. They had grown up together and now became step-brothers.
George Heise was a “gung-ho Marine” and it seemed to rub off on his stepson, who joined the Ma-
rine Corps after graduating from Proviso East in 1968. Because he wasn’t 18 yet, George had to sign for him.
Tommy Heise began his tour of duty with the 3rd Platoon, D Company, 7th Marines, 3rd Marine Division on Feb. 25, 1969. According to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund “Wall of Faces” website, on May 10, his company was guarding a bridge on Mutter’s Ridge in Quang Tri province, just south of the Demilitarized Zone. At 3:30 a.m., they were attacked by several platoons of the North Vietnamese Ar my. They held the bridge, but nine Marines were killed, including Tommy Heise, who is buried in Forest Park’s Woodlawn Cemetery.
Three years earlier, Tommy Conner, a 1965 graduate of Proviso East, joined the Marines and headed to Vietnam, where he was killed in action on March 8, 1966. Conner came from a respected family. His father, Leon, a World War II vet who died in 2014 at the age of 96, was active in the Maywood community. Tommy’s brother, Ralph, served a term as mayor of Maywood, 2001-05.
Both Tommys were popular kids during a time when the village was growing diverse.
Their alma mater, Proviso East, endured a considerable amount of racial unrest in the 1967-68 and 1968-69 school years. Perhaps the village had that in mind when they dedicated the park to “The Two Tommys,” one of whom was white and one of whom was black. A gesture, perhaps, symbolizing racial reconciliation. To this day, Heise said, it is known infor mally as “Two Tommy Park.”
Every year on Memorial Day, Heise would stop by the park to visit the memorial to the Two Tommys and then the tank memorial behind Maywood Village Hall where a plaque honored Ray Mason, his namesake, among the many others lost on Bataan.
“I still stop there from time to time,” he said.
Maywood has experienced more than its share of community mourning. Heise recalls the front page of the Maywood Herald, which showed the two sets of parents receiving U.S. flags at the newly dedicated memorial.
Now that memorial is a half century old, “an island in a stark playground. They don’t have the money Sometimes the weeds get pretty long,” Heise said.
“But no one’s ever going to move that boulder,” he added, “and the plaque is still firmly affixed.”
So the memorial will last, even if the residents — and people from other towns driving through — may not know, or much care, who the two Tommys were or why the park is named Conner-Heise
“For many people,” Heise says, “Memorial Day is just a holiday.
“But there was a cost.”
My heart keeps breaking. Way too often, someone I know loses a friend, a family member, a student, or a member of their congregation to gun violence in Chicago. Most of the victims are young adults. When I served Unity Temple, the congregation began sharing in worship the names and ages of all those killed in Chicago. It helped with keeping the human cost of the horrible local epidemic of violence in our thoughts and prayers. Of course thoughts and prayers aren’t enough.
In 2016, gun violence claimed 762 lives in Chicago, more than in Los Angeles and New York combined. Over 80% of the victims were Black men and women. Black church leaders were deeply pained by the growing number of funerals of young people in their communities and were frustrated with the absence of a coordinated strategy by city leaders and their own faith communities. Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain recognized that, in addition to gun violence, Black communities suffer from divestment, over-policing, criminalization of Black bodies, and other for ms of structural violence.
In 2017, Rev. Ciera, along with five other African American clergy, launched Live Free Chicago. They mobilized leadership within Black churches and neighborhoods to organize at the intersection of public safety and criminal justice reform. The growing faith-based organizing coalition expanded to include chapters in Peoria, Rockford, Champaign, Lake
County, Springfield, and East St. Louis.
“Live Free Illinois” (LFI) became the new name with the vision of an Illinois where Black people are free from all types of violence. LFI builds relationships with congregations across Illinois, with the intention of building statewide power to win policy changes that cannot be won with only a Chicago membership base.
Thanks to the relentless street outreach of organizations like the Nonviolence Institute of Chicago, READI, BUILD, and Chicago CRED, the annual number of Chicago homicides is decreasing. But gun violence is still an epidemic. A well-funded Chicago Office of Gun Violence Prevention is needed to implement comprehensive strategies. The Fund Peace Chicago campaign is a priority for LFI.
It wasn’t initially apparent to me that criminal justice reform is a critical part of a comprehensive non-violence strategy, but I learned this 12 years ago, when I was trained in faith-based organizing, the building blocks of which are 1:1 conversations I became acquainted with people with radically different backgrounds yet such similar commitments Through organizing together, legislation was passed to allow people with non-violent felonies on their records to be able to seal them four years after doing their time, thus making employment, housing, and education more accessible. It was inspiring how members
See GUN VIOLENCE on pa ge 31
On Friday, May 12, Ken Trainor launched his latest book, Our Town Oak Park: Walk with Me in Search of True Community, at an event attended by 50-plus locals — DOOPers [Dear Old Oak Parkers] and otherwise — at the Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St. Having had the opportunity to get a sneak preview of the work as its main copy editor, I was in turns informed, entertained, and finally excited to see this collection of three decades of Ken’s Wednesday Journal columns all in one place.
I had read many of the columns at the time they had originally appeared in the Journal, but evidently had missed many more. I learned a lot, smiled a lot, and sometimes was quite touched by these very local yet universal stories.
Taken together, these tightly-crafted and pithy pieces reminded me that Oak Park has an unusually
strong sense of place, and this place has an unusually strong sense of its own civic self. We re present something, and it’s important, and it is ours.
It’s also important to note, in this age of short attention spans, that it’s a really easy read. I’ve been recommending Our Town Oak Park (the title deliberately hearkens back to Thor nton Wilder’s classic play) as a gift idea this spring for local graduates, but I’m still creating a gift list for others I know who used to live here and would like to remember a special place and time in their lives. Thanks for letting us walk with you through this place, these people, and these memories, Ken. We look forward to continuing to walk with you in the coming months and years through your columns in Wednesday Journal.
Marty Berg Oak Park, 1992-2021
of Oak Park and River Forest
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Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, re you to action
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Last week the Oak Park Village Board voted 6-1 in favor of a single-use plastics ordinance; I was the single opposing vote. The ordinance included two parts: “Foodware by request only, effective June 1st 2023” and “Styrofoam ban, effective Jan 1st 2024.” Some exceptions apply, for example:
■ Straws, pre-packaged items and safety lids are excluded from the plastic foodware ban.
■ Schools, health-care facilities, and nonprofits are exempt.
■ Supplies and services during a declared emergency.
■ For businesses with an annual revenue of less than $500,000, the Styrofoam ban and enforcement takes effect only by Jan. 1, 2025. (Most local restaurants are above this threshold.)
I have championed the cause of sustainability in our community and beyond for well over a decade. I was involved with ef for ts to reduce single-use plastics when I was with the Oak Park Energy and Environment Commission in 2019-2020. As trustee, I recommended inclusion of the Styrofoam ban as part of this ordinance when it first came to the board in 2022. In April 2023, I was part of a small group that unsuccessfully lobbied Senator Don Harmon for a statewide ban of Styrofoam.
So then, why did I vote against this ordinance? Two reasons:
■ We are a board that claims to care about community engagement. The village’s community engagement on this topic was predicated on the Styrofoam ban and enforcement taking effect starting Jan. 1, 2025. When we asked the community about this ban, the timing of the ban and its enforcement were an inte gral part of the equation. To move that up by a full year to Jan. 1, 2024 not only invalidates the results of the engagement, but simultaneously wastes taxpayer dollars and staf f time on community engagement. The board decided
to ignore community enement while claiming it to be a priority. That undermines our credibility.
Our local restaurants are supportive of this ban, and are already willingly working toward this goal. I know because, through Takeout 25 (the nonprofit I founded), we working with restaurant wners to build Illinois’ first Green Dining Hub here in Oak Park. In the Takeout 25 restaurant owners’ meet-up in April, we prioritized action on sustainable packaging and composting and are executing that priority.
A premature punitive enforcement action can only harm the collaborative and positive mindset with which the local restaurant community is approaching this problem. Some restaurants have already made the transition to sustainable packaging; some will be ready by January 2024; but the most vulnerable may need a little more time. These are low-margin businesses, serving our neighbors who can least af ford to pay higher prices. Let’s not use a stick where a carrot would be a better enabler. Let’s not whip the willing.
If we instituted the ban in 2024 but delayed the enforcement to 2025, we could have maintained the integrity of our community engagement process while leading other communities on this topic and bringing more people along willingly. We could have managed this transition at a lower cost to local businesses and residents alike.
For these reasons, I had to vote against a ban that I care deeply about, a topic that I have championed for years. I don’t take my votes at the board table lightly and I try to prepare my best on every topic that comes before the board and then vote my conscience in the best interest of this community.
It’s not always easy, but I’m proud of every vote I’ve cast, including this one.
Ravi Parakkat is an Oak Park villa ge trustee.
I was disappointed by the recent headline that “We all need to become architecture snobs” [Dan Stark, Viewpoints, May 10]. The imperative is ridiculous and it is patently absurd that such a transformation would be required.
There’s clearly no need for us to become architecture snobs because that’s what we already are.
Now we can debate the choice of the pejorative snob, but a good many of us do truly love architecture and Oak Park’s aesthetic in particular. And I think the point — despite the mildly incongruous headline — was that we need to start acting like it.
That means speaking up when the butt ugly is proposed, as some of our neighbors in Wright-Sized Development have. Attend
from page 25
that PEN tracked in the last six months of 2022, nearly 75% were driven by organized ef for ts or because of new legislation. The recent rise of organized “parental rights” networks such as Moms for Liberty (with 200 chapters nationwide) and U.S. Parents Involved in Education (with 50 chapters) means that specific books, often with titles that center on LGBTQ+ and gender identity themes or those that address racial inequality and history, are targeted. In some jurisdictions, targeted works include classics of modern literature such as The Diary of Anne Frank, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Bluest Eye by Nobel Prizewinning author Toni Morrison.
With the recent passage of legislation in both the General Assembly and the Senate, Illinois is poised to become the first state to withhold state funding from
village board meetings. Go to the Plan Commission ones, too, and any other bureaucratic get-to gethers that might on their face seem soul-shattering to endure. Make your voice heard in one way or another.
Perhaps that’s what the Viewpoint was trying to say, although who could even tell between all of the “jokes”? Demeaning other suburbs is not the way to rally people to your cause, whatever that may be. Nor is taking potshots at the beloved Frank Lloyd Wright. We are all flawed individuals, sir.
Let’s put aside the insulting rhetoric and come together to stop the accelerating erosion of the Oak Park we love
Dan Stark Oak Parkany of the state’s 1,600 public or school libraries that remove books from their shelves. However, Illinois is not an island. The book banning actions of Texas and Florida governors and legislators demand our urgent attention. They may re present minority actions now, but the prospect of rising censorship around the country is terrifying.
Freedom of speech is enshrined in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. For more than two centuries, freedom of speech and freedom of expression have served as cornerstones of our democracy. If we want these crucial rights to endure, we must remain vigilant in their protection.
Helen Keller’s powerful words to the Nazi students 90 years ago echo back and call us to action in 2023. We’ve learned nothing from history if we think that ideas can be killed.
Anne Rooney is a health-care consultant,
Property owners in River Forest Township received assessment notices from my of fice. As your Cook County assessor, I’d like to explain what this means
We reassess one-third of Cook County each year. We last assessed River Forest in 2020 and must do so again this year. By law, assessments are based on market value. Our algorithmic model used the more than 600 homes that were sold in River Forest during the last three years to value your property, which considered location, square footage, and other factors.
The median sale price for a singlefamily home in River Forest during the last reassessment was $632K. Last year, the median sale price rose to $733K.
Using this data, we estimate the median market value for a singlefamily home is $752K. Price levels vary significantly within each neighborhood.
With your reassessment notice in hand, look at the top right corner to see the value placed on your property. Then, under “current characteristics,” find your neighborhood. Visit the assessor’s website to lear n more and look at your neighborhood to see recent sales and assessments.
If the characteristics listed are incor rect, or if you think your property was over-assessed, consider filing an appeal by May 30. Appeals are free and can be filed online.
We also reassess commercial properties, which are mostly retail and office space in River Forest. The income commercial properties generate drives their valuation. Assessments incorporate a property’s use,
estimated income, market-level vacancy, and expenses. On our website, owners can locate their property on a worksheet that contains the assumptions we used.
If your assessment changes by a certain amount, does that also mean your tax bill will change by the same amount? No. Here’s why: the total amount of property taxes collected in River Forest is predetermined by taxing bodies (schools, village, Cook County, and so on).
Your property’s share of the equalized assessed value in each taxing district basically determines your share of the tax levied by that unit of government. So, if your assessment goes up, while everyone else’s assessment also goes up, your share of the property taxes levied in River Forest may change by a much smaller amount.
How are things looking in River Forest? Assessed value is up 32%, to $70M. Appeals will reduce this number. Appeals compared to the prior reassessment year have declined for four consecutive years now, but it’s hard to estimate the impact of appeals in any single year.
The picture further changes as the Cook County Board of Review also revises assessments through appeals. Also, our local taxing bodies will decide how much to levy next year. This will affect your tax bill in 2024.
To explain more about property assessments and appeals, the Assessor’s Office and River Forest Township Assessor Pamela Kende held a virtual workshop on May 22 and in-person on May 23 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the River Forest Community Center.
More infor mation can be found here: www.cookcountyassessor.com/ event-list.
Fritz Kaegi, an Oak Park resident, is the Cook County a ssessor.
“Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community”, a new book by Wednesday Journal columnist Ken Trainor, an Oak Park native, is based on short essays, published over three decades in the local newspaper, that chronicle life in a dynamic, ever-evolving town where the unique meets the universal. The unifying thread is true community — nding it in the extraordinary ordinary, in the day-to-day, the face-to-face, the moments of beauty, and, as Thornton Wilder said of his play, Our Town, nding “a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life.” Our Town Oak Park aims for that same “rainbow’s end,” capturing the experience of being alive — in one middle-sized, middleclass, Midwest town at the beginning of the 21st century. Join this pedestrian-friendly journey in search of true community.
With every new multifamily building proposed in Oak Park, there is a predictable reaction from a subset of the community. The building is too big. The design is uninspired. The developer will surely cut cor ners to get the project built for a profit
The units are all luxury, none are affordable The large amount of parking onsite will result in more traffic.
towns, and thus an artificial “standard” was created. But why shouldn’t individual businesses and developers determine the right amount of parking based on the size of the site and the profile of customers or residents they are looking to attract?
they do still own a car — taking advantage of Oak Park’s excellent walkability, bikeability and transit-access. Our climate would reap the benefits as well.
The thing is, they’re not wrong. The buildings are big, the design is often “meh”, the rents are high and the “luxury” elements often seem slapped on in order to justify those high rents. But what if the culprit was not the commonly accused “developer greed,” but minimum parking requirements?
Oak Park’s zoning code set the required number of parking spaces for all new commercial and residential development in the village. Most commercial buildings require one parking spot for every 500 square feet of the building. Multifamily buildings requir e one spot per unit; single family and townhomes require two spots.
Why are these specific ratios imposed on us? They may sound scientifically determined, but in fact they are not based on any verifiable data about how many spaces are needed — towns just started copying other
Parking is very, very expensive to build, and it generates no revenue for the square footage that it uses since, as a culture, we have come to expect it to be “free”. Multifamily housing developers need to cover the cost of that parking in other ways — by building more units, charging higher rents, and value-engineering out the good design, thus making the only financially feasible, marketrate multifamily building a large, generic “luxury” apartment building.
According to the Parking Reform Network, conventional parking minimums can increase the rent or mortgage required for an apartment or house by $200-$500 per month. So we all pay for parking, whether we realize it or not.
If developers were not subject to required parking minimums, they could build fewer parking spots and charge for them, letting tenants who wanted the value of onsite parking pay a fair price for them while those who are willing to forgo it could have more affordable rent. They could build more affordable “middle density” housing, or put more money toward excellent design and construction standards. They could attract more diverse residents to our community whose lifestyles aren’t car-centric, even if
In response to last week’s Wednesday Journal coverage on Oak Park’s recently passed ordinance governing single-use plastic materials given out by restaurants, “microplastics” are not specifically banned. Rather, extruded polystyrene foam, better known under the trade name Styrofoam, is banned. In addition, singleuse plastic utensils will now be available only on request.
Microplastics are what’s left when plastics, especially lightweight and fragile Styrofoam, break up. This toxic stuff never breaks down or “goes away.” It will be with us forever. Microplastics are now ubiquitous in our water, air, and soil, and as a result in all our bodies.
The Yale School of the Environment reports that microplastic particles are constantly lofted into the atmosphere. They can travel thousands
But where will the people who live in these parking-spot-free units park, you ask? How will they get around? Maybe we should ask the many people who live in the plethora of beautiful, large and naturally affordable multifamily apartment buildings that my single family home is sur rounded by at Washington and Taylor — all of which were built well before parking minimums existed and thus have no onsite parking.
Perhaps some of them do live car-free, relying on public transit (half a mile walk to the Austin Green Line stop, a distance many Chicagoans could only dream of), walking, biking, taking Ubers and using car-share services like Turo for bigger trips. Others may rent an empty parking pad from a neighbor who doesn’t need it, or are willing to pay for parking farther away from their home in exchange for cheaper rent. I notice no discernable difference in traffic in my neighborhood, relative to anywhere else in the village, and my family benefits from living in one of the most diverse parts of Oak Park Win win win.
A recent Washington Post article makes the case that required parking minimums “raise housing costs, subsidize car ownership and congestion, increase homelessness, deter transit and pollute the air.” Sociologist Matthew Desmond says “there may
be no phrase more soulless in the English language than ‘municipal zoning ordinance’ ... yet there is perhaps no better way to grasp the soul of a community than this.” Zoning is destiny Required parking minimums are an invisible wall into our community that we could knock down at no cost.
We would not be pioneers in this. Dozens of cities across the country have eliminated parking minimums, most recently Austin, Texas, and momentum is growing. West Allis, Wisconsin, an inner-ring Milwaukee suburb similar in size to Oak Park, has no parking minimums
So contact your trustees and tell them why one of the easiest, cheapest and most impactful things we could do in Oak Park right now is eliminate parking minimums ... before Evanston does it first!
Sources:
■ https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/ business/fewer-parking-spots.html
■ https://www washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2023/05/02/eliminatingparking-minimums-liveable-cities/
■ https://parkingreform.org/
■ https://parking reform.org/2023/02/24/ missing-middle-housing-and-the-parkingproblem/
■ https://www.vox.com/23712664/parkinglots-urban-planning-cities-housing
■ Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond
of miles and af fect the formation of clouds, potentially impacting temperature, rainfall and even climate change.
Several years in the making, Oak Park’s Styrofoam ban resulted in part from concerted ef for ts by many local residents and groups. Now everyone can help make it a reality. If a food establishment is still using Styrofoam, ask for an alternative, and let their manager know why. Avoid buying Styrofoam food containers if you must buy single-use materials at all.
Urge our elected officials in Springfield, especially Senate President Don Harmon, to support a Styrofoam ban across our state, following the lead of eight other states, plus Washington D.C.
It’s time.
from page 25
mitment to this project because we all want to live and thrive in an equitable community.
But folks, it is our turn to move this journey forward. We cannot wait for the promise of policy; we must build this kind of community together.
the gift of your full attention because this feeds our desired atmosphere of kindness, community, and that divine sense of belonging.
Wendy Greenhouse Oak Park
Let’s use the CRC as a momentum-builder in terms of advancing a sense of belonging in our community. As you use the CRC, please make new connections with others and give them
If you are fortunate to have extra resources, please donate to the Parks Foundation Financial Assistance Fund because even low-cost programs can be too expensive for some families. Every single member of our community has the capacity to help cultivate a sense of belonging. If any community can fulfill our vision, I am convinced that our generation of Oak Parkers can!
Jo Schuler is co-chair of Community Recreation Center Campaign.
MaryMy elementary school teachers helped develop patriotism in their students in orde to create an appreciation of common memorie hopes, and traditions. Primaril through the study of histor we learned to love and to admire heroes school, there was an easy-goin sense of patriotism that ap pealed to our sense of fun.
We whooped it up for W ington and Lincoln in celebration of their birthdays, drawing pictures of Washington as a boy with a gleeful look on his face as he chopped down the famous cherry tree, or making cardboard versions of Lincoln’s stovepipe hat.
In Miss Holland’s fourth-grade classroom, there was a huge sandbox standing more than 3 feet off the floor in which Steve Squires and I placed a cut-out model of Washington crossing the Delaware.
While we paid respectful attention to the
r and the Civil War, most our study was given to World War II, ich had ended four years before our ear. For Armistice Day we put on a program ommemorating the end of World War ich was still well-remembered by omen.
med our devotion to our ountry not just on special occasions, ut at the opening of every school day stood and pledged allegiance
owing up, parades were held on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, and when I was a Cub Scout, our troop marched in both parades. The troop also attended the Armistice Day program at Scoville Park. My Uncle Hubert a World War II veteran, also marched on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
In my eighth-grade history class, students lear ned that patriotism sometimes becomes dis-
For example, our teacher taught us that many European countries thought that they had a moral responsibility to establish colonies in Africa and Asia in order to bring the “benefits” of their cultures to the people of these continents During the encompassing years of 1922-1945, the Germans under Hitler and the Italians under Mussolini believed that their respective nations had a patriotic duty to expand their territorial boundaries, and these Fascist leaders demanded public demonstrations of loyalty. The penalty for non-compliance was imprisonment or death.
My grandparents — Americans of Ger man heritage — told me that, during World War I, the loyalty of these people was often questioned because the U.S. was at war with Ger many.
During World War Two, thousands of patriotic American-born Japanese men and women were placed in detention camps because of unreasonable fears that these people might be loyal to Japan, our enemy, rather than to the U.S.
As a young person, I learned that patriotism is an attachment to our land and people, admiration for our customs and traditions, and devo-
from page 27
of multiple congre gations pulled together locally and in Springfield to make that legislation a reality.
Ordinary people have extraordinary impact when we intentionally cultivate relationships to bring about meaningful change.
On May 30, 7 p.m., at Oak Park Temple, Rev. Ciera Bates-Chamberlain will present at the Community of Congregations’ Spring Meeting. Come learn how, together, we can help reduce gun violence.
Re v. Alan Taylor works part-time for Live Free Illinois and has a spiritual direction practice. His website is alanctaylor.com.
Timothy Marchant Mojonnier, 73, of River Forest, died peacefully on May 5, 2023 after an 8-month battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. Born on Sept. 13, 1949 in Chicago to Helen (née Marchant) and Harry G. Mojonnier, he grew up in Oak Park and River Forest. In 1971, he graduated with a degree in philosophy from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, where he was active in the student newspaper and campus politics and spent a year studying abroad at the University of Manchester in England
After college, he moved back to Chicago, where he started a career in operations management, eventually earning an MBA from the University of Chicago. As an innately curious person and lifelong reader (with philosophy, history, and business his favorite subjects), he developed a love for teaching and served as an adjunct professor of business at a number of universities, including Loyola, DePaul, and Norther n Illinois.
He had a great passion for travel, taking many trips over the years with his family across North America, Europe, and Latin America. Before any trip, he would take out the longest book he could find on the histor y of the place, and spend months recounting what he learned at the family dinner table.
Shortly before his diagnosis, he and Deborah, his wife of 38 years, fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Egypt and Jordan and visiting the many historical and archeologi-
cal sites. An avid golfer who played tennis when his knees were in better shape, he developed a love for swimming, starting most summer mornings with a few laps at the pool.
He was very involved in his local community. He stayed in close touch with many friends from childhood, college, and elsewhere and was deeply touched by all the people who reached out to support him as he battled cancer, whether it was simply calling or texting with words of encouragement, arranging lunches or coffees, or even flying out from across the country to spend time together.
In addition to his wife, Tim is survived by their children, Laura and Gregory; his sister, Judy Waggener; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents and three sisters (Shirley Stewart, Anabel McDonald, and Pamela Mojonnier).
Ariel E. Follett O’Hara, 86, died on April 11, 2023, in Deerfield. Born on April 10, 1937, in Oak Park, she was an alumna of Oak Park and River Forest High School and Brow University. Passionate about politics, she supported up-and-coming political candidates from her earliest days in Oak Park to her retirement years in Deerfield and was voracious reader of all things political and historical, especially the Civil War and Worl War II. She loved working in the travel industry as a travel agent, ultimately planning and escorting trips abroad, and especially cher ished her time in Antarctica, China, Israel, and Russia, among others. Upon retirement, she split her time among family and friend in Chicago, southwestern Michigan and Sanibel, Florida. She delighted in traveling the world, sharing her passion to explore and
lear n with her children and grandchildren.
Ariel O’Hara was preceded in death by her parents, Dwight W. and Mildred Johnson Follett; her husband, Theodore R. Scott Jr.; and her beloved daughter, Alison O’Hara Barasa. She is survived by her children, Keith (Dena), Julie, and John (Amy), as well as her 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; her brother, Robert J.R. Follett; her sister, Nancy Follett Waichler, and many nephews and nieces.
Services will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 3 p.m., at Kelley and Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Road, Highland Park. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Oak Park and River Forest High School - Ariel E. Follett O’Hara ’55 Scholarship Fund, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation, 1049 Lake St., Suite 204, Oak Park, IL 60301.
For info or directions, please contact Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at 847-831-4260.
Mark Steven man, 70, died on May 12, 2023.
Born in Detroit, an on Nov.
16, 1952, to Douglas and Barbara man, he graduted from Fenwick High School, where eloped a pasmming. At the urging of his g, he moved e, 70s. He was known for swimming in the Gulf of Mexico for hours and could outswim anyone. In 1978, he and his friend Bo acquired “Hotel Hell”
on Boca Grande, which Mark named, where his care for others overshadowed its financial success. A self-taught sailor, Mark took many on sailing trips. During tarpon season, all the boat captains knew him.
Back in Chicago, he treated loved ones to unforgettable sailing trips on Lake Michigan. He established OPRF Best Improvements, a home remodeling business spanning three decades, proudly claiming to have worked on half the homes in Oak Park.
Every Christmas, he became Santa Claus, and his nieces and nephews adored the outrageously entertaining Uncle Mark, who spared no expense bringing happiness to others, often exclaiming, “Who could ask for more?” with an infectious smile
He often bragged about his son, especially after Dylan completed his PhD, saying, “My son! The Doctor!”
In his later years, he found solace impressing loved ones with culinary masterpieces. Despite recent health challenges, he embraced each day, smiling. His partner, Sylvia brought him great joy, along with frequent haircuts and coifing.
He leaves behind a legacy of laughter, boundless love, and an enduring impact on all who knew him.
Mark is the father of Dylan Bellisle and partner to Sylvia Nieves. He was predeceased by his parents and is the brother of David (Danita), Larry (the late Laura), Jim (Joy), Mary (Bruce Corson), Ann (Dale Amtower), Joe (Katy), John (Allyn), and Gerald (Krista) Wyman.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 9 at Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park, followed by a celebration of life on Saturday June 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Goldyburgers in Forest Park
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dave Wyman recovery fund, http://spot.fund/ vgm9psc. For further details, visit PetersonBassi Chapels www.petersonfuneralhome com.
“Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community”, a new book by Wednesday Journal columnist Ken Trainor, an Oak Park native, is based on short essays, published over three decades in the local newspaper, that chronicle life in a dynamic, ever-evolving town where the unique meets the universal. The unifying thread is true community — nding it in the extraordinary ordinary, in the day-to-day, the face-to-face, the moments of beauty, and, as Thornton Wilder said of his play, Our Town, nding “a value above all price for the smallest events in our daily life.” Our Town Oak Park aims for that same “rainbow’s end,” capturing the experience of being alive — in one middle-sized, middle-class, Midwest town at the beginning of the 21st century. Join this pedestrian-friendly journey in search of true community.
Full Time M-F
Must be able to lift 60 pounds.
If interested call 708-209-1636 or email peg@berniesaw.com
Bernie’s Saw & Supply
1222 Circle Avenue Forest Park, Il. 60130
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Collective Impact Manager in the Village Manager’s Office. Under the general direction of the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, the Collective Impact Manager will be responsible for building and assessing racial equity impact needs and developing a strategic plan to support those needs. This includes driving the initiatives focused on the Racial Equity Action Plan through community assessments, community engagement, data functions, and overall internal and external functions. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at ht tps:/ /secure.entertimeonline. com/ta/6141780.careers?ApplyToJob=537117711 or visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.
The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Cashier in the Finance Department. This position will perform all clerical tasks related to the cash receipt function. Collect, process, and deposit payments made to the Village received directly from customers, via mail, lockbox, or from other internal departments. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/human-resources-department. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled, first review of applications will be on May 23, 2023.
The Oak Park Residence Corporation (OPRC) is looking to hire talented and experienced individuals for the following positions. OPRC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide competitive compensation and a generous benefits package.
SENIOR PROPERTY MANAGER, HOUSING PROGRAMS – Provides oversight in the management of three housing communities in Oak ParkMills Park Tower, The Oaks, and The Farrelly-Muriello Apartments.
ROSS PROGRAM SERVICE COORDINATOR (RPSC) – MILLS PARK TOWER – Develops and coordinates service programs that promote self-sufficiency and independent living for Mills Park Tower residents.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/ PROGRAM SUPPORT – MILLS PARK TOWER - Provides administrative and clerical support to Mills Park Tower Property Manager and Assistant Property Manager.
HCV PROGRAMS CASE MANAGER(S) – Provides case management to Oak Park Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher participants.
PROPERTY MANAGER, MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL –Manages multiple market-rate buildings throughout Oak Park. In collaboration with leasing and maintenance teams, provides excellent customer services to residents.
For a complete job description for each of these positions and information about how to apply, please visit our website at https://oakparkrc.com/ about-us/work-for-oprc/ OR Send Cover letter and resume to bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com
Data Associate sought by Avant, LLC in Chicago, IL to Model new data sets that can be incrprtd into the data warehouse. Telecommuting (remote wrk) permitted. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 66215.
IT Professionals: Ent. Lvl to Sen. Lvl. (Multiple positions) SAP Consultants are needed for our Chicago, IL Ofc. Must be willing to travel to set up systems to various clients at unanticipated locations across the nation. Send resume, Cvr Ltr., & Sal. Req. to Tequity Partners LLC at 3348 S. Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
Video Producer, Editor sought by Teamfire Productions in Chicago, IL to wrk w prj ownrs & mngs all aspcts of prdctn job frm start to fnsh. Reqs BS in Film, Arts, or rltd field & frqnt dmstc trvl. Telcmtng frm Chicagoland area prmtd. Mst hv perm auth to wrk in US. Snd rsm & cvr lttr to 200 E Illinois St, Unit 2504, Chicago, IL 60611
The Forest Park Police Department is seeking Part-Time Parking Enforcement Officer(s); Shifts to be filled are 8:00pm – Midnight or Midnight – 6:00am. The position is a rotating schedule assigned by the Supervisor – 4 days on and 4 days off which includes weekends and some holidays. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver’s license, knowledge of basic parking regulations, and good verbal and written skills.
Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130. Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net
KLIS FLOORING INC.
New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 • www. klisflooring.com
Mike’s Home Repair
Drywall H Painting H Tile
Plumbing H Electric H Floors
Windows H Doors H Siding
Ask Us What We Don’t Do
708-296-2060
On-site refinishing of wood and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com
Mulch & Topsoil
Premium Shredded Hardwood �������������������������$28/yd
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Playmat $35/yd
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Blonde Cedar $54/yd
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While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home
Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986
708-524-1030
PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
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 Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 9:00am. 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 2023-24 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled 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 Kiara Colas at kcolas@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3706 to request the Zoom Link information.
Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: YY23010544 on May 9, 2023
Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Firewood, Compost, Gravel, Sand
SureGreenLandscape�com
847-888-9999 • 630-876-0111
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.
Request of Nathan Christopher Gonzales Case Number 2023CONC000747
There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Nathan Christopher Gonzales to the new name of: Nathan Ace Pietri
The court date will be held: On 08/10/2023 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.
Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: YY23010581 on May 17, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE Request for Bids
Priory Park Asphalt Path
Replacement Project
Bids for the River Forest Park District’s 2023 Priory Park Asphalt Path Replacement Project in River Forest, IL, shall be received until 2:00 PM local time, Friday, June 9, 2023, at which time they will be publicly opened.
Bid documents are available electronically at www.rfparks.com starting Friday May 19, 2023. This is a State of Illinois/Cook County Prevailing Wage Project, with a certified payroll to be turned into the Park District.
Published in Wednesday Journal May 24, 2023
PUBLIC NOTICE
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:
FY 2024 Tree & Stump Removal
LEGAL NOTICE
Under the Assumed Business Name of NOTHING MATTERS with the business located at: 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E, CHICAGO, IL 60618. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CLAUDIA LICETH CRUZ 3938 N CALIFORNIA AVE APT 1E CHICAGO, IL 60618, USA
Published in Wednesday Journal May 17, 24, 31, 2023
Under the Assumed Business Name of ARCADIA FINANCIAL STRATEGIES with the business located at: 830-A NORTH BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: DAVID WALZ 1518 ELGIN AVE. FOREST PARK, IL 60130.
Published
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.
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
This project consists of the removal of designated parkway trees throughout the Village in addition to stump removal and area restoration.
The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, May 22, 2023 at:
www.vrf.us/bids
Bids must be submitted by Friday, June 9, 2023 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 24, 2023
The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday June 15, 2023 for Project: 23-2, Resurfacing of Various Streets. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes removal and replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalks and sidewalk ramps, and driveways; combined sewer repairs; drainage structure adjustments; pavement patching; full depth pavement removal; earth excavation; cold-milling of bituminous concrete; installation of hot-mix asphalt base, binder and surface courses; installation of HMA speed humps at various locations; installation of RRFB systems; pavement markings; parkway restoration; and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic
service starting on Thursday June 1, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/yourgovernment/budget-purchasing/ requests-proposals or at www. questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 8539392 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. All prospective bidders must be pre-qualified in the HMA Paving category by the Illinois Department of Transportation. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.
The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
Bill McKenna Village EngineerPublished in Wednesday Journal, May 24, and May 31, 2023
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Plaintiff, -v.MELANIE MARTIN, 300 CHICAGO CONDOMINIUM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF HAZEL J. ANTHONY, GERALD NORDGREN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR HAZEL J. ANTHONY (DECEASED)
Defendants
2022 CH 04036
300 CHICAGO AVE 4N OAK PARK, IL 60302
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 13, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:
Commonly known as 300 CHICAGO
AVE 4N, OAK PARK, IL 60302
Property Index No. 16-05-321-0341007
The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.
If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.
For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876
THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORA-
TION
One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-
SALE
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527
630-794-5300
E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com
Attorney File No. 14-22-03237
Attorney ARDC No. 00468002
Attorney Code. 21762
Case Number: 2022 CH 04036
TJSC#: 43-1809
NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
Case # 2022 CH 04036 I3219832
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN
TRUST 2006-FF14 MORTGAGE
PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF14
Plaintiff, -v.JUANITA J. LACOURT, CHARLES T. GRANT, WELLS FARGO BANK N.A. Defendants
2020 CH 07380
817 S. SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 16, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on June 20, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 817 S. SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304
Property Index No. 16-18-228-019000
The real estate is improved with a single family residence.
The judgment amount was $584,316.19.
Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.
Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no
representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).
IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.
You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.
For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 20 8287.
THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORA-
TION
One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-
SALE
You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.
JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC
30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602 312-541-9710
E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com
Attorney File No. 20 8287
Attorney Code. 40342
Case Number: 2020 CH 07380
TJSC#: 43-1333
NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.
Case # 2020 CH 07380
I3219657
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee of the SCIG Series III Trust; Plaintiff, vs. GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32
NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030
-32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST
U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996;
Defendants, 11 CH 33740
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West
Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001.
Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130. (440) 572-1512. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com
I3219409
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FREDDIE MAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2019-3; Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF KAREN PEISS AKA KAREN P. PEISS AKA KAREN GARDINER KOLOZSY; EDWARD J. KOLOZSY AKA EDWARD KOLOZSY; MICHELLE P. PURCELL AKA MICHELLE PURCELL AKA MICHELLE PEISS; CHARLES H. PEISS AKA CHARLES PEISS; WILLIAM (BILL) BUTCHER AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR KAREN GARDINER KOLOZSY; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 8974
NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at the hour
of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 15-34-124-065-0000 (new); 1534-124-056 (underlying ). Commonly known as 9523 Monroe Ave., Brookfield, IL 60513. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 1396-183819 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3221091
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION; Plaintiff, vs. PATRICIA CRAWFORD; MARION-AT-MILLS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 22 CH 9108
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty
Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-309-045-1019.
Commonly known as 248 S. Marion St., Unit 206, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees re-
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
quired by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)
(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium
Property Act
Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.
For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 7020184095
INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com
I3220520
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION
HMC Assets, LLC solely in its capacity as separate trustee of CAM XI Trust
Plaintiff, vs. Elizabeth Meza aka Elizabeth A. Meza; Agustin Meza; Unknown Owners and Non-Record Claimants
Defendants, 21 CH 2539
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-
EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:
P.I.N. 16-18-135-009-0000.
Commonly known as 826 South Grove Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.
For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illi-
nois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 1491189651 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3220513
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR MFRA TRUST 20151; Plaintiff, vs. MATTHEW O. MCMURRAY AKA MATTHEW MCMURRAY; SOUTH MALL COURT CLUB CONDOMINIUMS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 11906
NOTICE OF SALE
PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:
P.I.N. 16-07-314-024-1022.
Commonly known as 1150 Washington Boulevard, Apartment 1, Oak Park, IL 60302.
The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g) (4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.
For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563. (630) 453-6925. 6184190190 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3221092
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09
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When I was looking for a small business loan, people kept telling me to talk to FPB. After just one meeting, I completely understood what they meant.”
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Local restaurants across the Greater West Side – city and near west suburbs -- have risen to the voluntary challenge of becoming Illinois’ first “green dining hub.” The program is supposed to roll out in earnest this summer, but so far, 12 restaurants and counting have committed to altering operations to become part of an environmentally sustainable restaurant eco-system.
One of those restaurants, the Daly Bagel, signed on to the initiative last October after hearing about it at a meeting of Takeout 25, an Oak Park-based nonprofit that supports local restaurants and other food establishments started by the sustainability-minded Oak Park village trustee, Ravi Parakkat.
Since then, Daly Bagel co-owners Adrienne Guldin and Amanda Daly attest the greening process has been smooth, interesting and relatively easy at the bakery, 130 Chicago Ave. This was a pleasant surprise for the two, who initially felt a little overwhelmed at the prospect of what going green could entail.
“We’re already so strapped for time,” said Daly. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, what are we getting ourselves into?’ but I have to say it has been so painless.”
This, according to Daly and Guldin, is in large part because of Cassie Carroll, founder of the Illinoi Green Business Association and program director of the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The two organizations teamed up to create the Illinois Green Business Program, which provides technical assistance and cost-saving energy efficiency opportunities to businesses
Carroll connected with Parakkat and Takeout 25 through staff at the Village of Oak Park Village staffers had reached out to Carroll initially as part of it Climate Ready Oak Park climate change plan to explore what a green business program might look like for the village From there, her collaboration with Parakkat was born, according to Carroll.
“We thought it would be a great opportunity to help restaurants, especially because they were some of
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the hardest hit during the pandemic, really connect to the energy and cost saving opportunities,” said Carroll. “But then bring sustainability practices to the broader community and ultimately provide greener dining experiences for those in the region.”
To do this, Carroll and her team assess the participating food businesses based on a set of standards, gauging their ener tion and waste and cycling methods, among other areas. Based on how the businesses measure up against the standards, Carroll dev plans for improvement, tailored to each businesses’ needs and limitations Essentially, Carroll the heavy lifting.
For the Daly Bagel, tha meant such suggestions as switching refrigerator to reduce yearly ener costs. Carroll, accordin to Guldin and Daly, provided a list of ommended refrigerator models at different price points and where to buy them.
“She’s doing the consumer reporting and the stuff that we would really like to be able to have the time to do,” said Guldin Carroll and her team understand the individual limitations of businesses and help to find workarounds to offset the environmental and financial impacts associated with certain fixed variables. This includes the massive oven used at the Daly Bagel, which was built in the 1930s for baking bagels
“Because of the nature of what we do, we
can’t change this oven,” said Daly. “This is an oven that is specifically built for what we do, and they haven’t changed the design in nearly 100 years.”
The experience has been so positive for Daly Bagel, the co-owners have been encouraging their peers to sign on to the initiative, which was changed from being a green dining district to a hub, representative of the several municipalities Takeout 25 works within. Food businesses generally want to employ more sustainable practices, according to Daly, but owners often don’t have the know-how or the resources to implement them.
“Our time and our mental energy are already spread so thin, the thought of taking on something, that on the surface appears to be a lot of work, can be a deterrent,” said Daly.
Carroll is something of a green fairy godmother, stepping in and solving problems for food businesses, then returning annually to make sure things still run smoothly. And to help assist the businesses in making these investments, Takeout 25 is putting $25,000 toward the effort if 25 businesses commit.
“It’s not just talk; we are putting our money where our mouth is,” said Parakkat, who is in the process of mobilizing financial sponsors.
And it’s not too late to get involved. Beyond taking active steps to address climate change, the intent is to get as many food businesses on board as possible to make the Greater West Side a dining destination, attracting customers throughout the greater metropolitan area. Carroll and Parakkat are excited to help make that a reality
“We look forward to helping more restaurants within the community really go green,” said Carroll.
In the city of Chicago, historic redlining, disinvestment and the effects of past and current zoning laws, have disproportionately exposed South and West Side residents to pollution. On the West Side, Austin residents live close to sources of pollution that may increase their risk of chronic disease. In 2020, the city’s department of public health found that air pollution disproportionately affects Austin, among other south and west side communities. Due to its proximity to major high-
ways and industrial corridors, there are higher levels of pollutants like particulate matter and ozone in the air.
As a result, Austin residents are at higher risk of health issues like lung irritation, respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease, asthma, cancer, and early death. The city estimates 5% of premature deaths in Chicago each year can be attributed to exposure to particulate matter
“The Austin area is an overburdened community,” said Michael Cailas, associate professor of environmental and occupation health sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Cailas is part of a group of researchers from the university who study disparities in environmental pollution in Chicago. As part of the research titled “Proximity to environmental health hazards in Chicago,” in 2022 they published an interactive map where residents can easily visualize hazardous sources close to a specific location. Considering that children are a vulnerable population, Chicago Public Schools are identified on the map so residents can see what hazardous sources are near a school and how close they are.
MICHAEL C AILAS
professor of environmental and occupation health sciences at
University of Illinois Chicago.
Lavergne Avenue, there are five industrial facilities that release toxic chemicals, including lead and lead compounds, and four brownfields. Lead is known to be a carcinogen, however more research is required to determine if the quantity released is sufficient to pose a health threat to students near facilities that release it Yet, it is known that industrial facilities often increase heavy traffic in the area, worsening air quality due to vehicle emissions. According to the city of Chicago’s 2020 re port, diesel particulate matter is more prevalent
For example, in a mile radius of Spencer Technology Academy, located at 214 N.
See WEST SIDE on pa ge B8
“The Austin area is an overburdened community.”
Associatethe
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in areas with significant traffic and industry. Railyards also increase the presence of particulate matter in the air.
The Environmental Protection Agency requires certain industrial facilities that generate toxic chemicals to report how much of each chemical they manage or release to the air, water or land. According to the federal environmental agency, toxic chemicals are those that cause cancer, chronic health effects, severe immediate health effects and adverse damage to the environment. The information is compiled in the Toxic Release Inventory, which was used to include industrial facilities that release toxic chemicals in the interactive map.
Brownfields are commercial, industrial or abandoned properties with actual or perceived contamination that have potential to be redeveloped. However, the potential presence of one or several contaminants on these properties usually means brownfields remain abandoned as cleanup
tends to be expensive and complex.
The recently inaugurated North Austin Community Center is located on the site of the for mer Glidden paint factory,
a brownfield. The presence of xylene and other toxic substances almost doubled the cleanup costs and delayed the construction process of the new education and sports
facility, said Andraya Yousfi. Yousfi is the manager of partnerships and development at By The Hand Club, one of the organizations which purchased and redeveloped the site that had been abandoned for 40 years. The benefits to the community outweigh the lengthy and costly cleanup, she said. In years past, residents and environmental justice organizers in areas like Little Village and McKinley Park have opposed known polluting companies like metal shredders and asphalt mixing plants from operating in their neighborhoods for environmental and health concerns.
Austin residents can utilize data to urge local government and policymakers to evaluate environmental and health data when making development decisions. Last year, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development ruled the city violated residents’ civil rights by deliberately placing heavy industry facilities in industrial corridors largely concentrated in the city’s predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. The ruling came after a two-year long investigation started after three environmental groups on the Southeast side of Chicago filed a complaint to prevent a metal-scrapping facility from opening in the area.
It all started with a chance meeting.
The Happy Returns art studio and Alt_Chicago (pronounced “Alt Space Chicago), a nonprofit that seeks to improve communities like Austin through art, both operate out of the basement of an Austin loft studio building at 5339 W. Lake St. One day, around two years ago, Happy Returns co-directors Tom Burtonwood and Cody Norman ran into alt_chicago co-founder Jon Veal in a hallway. They talked about their mutual interest in creating something that supports the community around them, combats harmful narratives and improves environmental sustainability.
That conversation led to the creation of Redemptive Plastics. The project hired a mix of West Side residents and people from elsewhere in the city to melt down used laundry detergent containers, forge them into plastic “beams” and use those beams to make benches. Their goal is relatively modest to build three benches in public locations around the Central/Lake Line el station – with the benches scheduled to be installed and un in early June. But in the long run, the project hopes to continue making more benches, training more local residents as they go.
Norman and Burtonwood decided to launch Happy Returns in 2020, and they decided to mo to that building because Burtonwood was alread familiar with it – he had a studio there in 20162017. By that point, Norman and his wife moved
to Oak Park, near Austin Boulevard, and he appreciated having a studio he could easily bike to.
Veal was an Austin native, and fellow Alt_Chicago cofounder Jordan Campbell worked as a substitute teacher at Austin College and Career Academy high school, 231 N. Pine Ave. Veal previously told this newspaper that they wanted to “reframe the narrative, the narrative of disinvestment, the narrave of negativity” on the est and South sides, as ell as to inspire people to take control of their destiny by “taking ownership our community.”
Norman recalled that one of the things they talkabout in the hallway was the lingering impact plastic waste, which oesn’t break down easily. hey kept talking about it “since probably 2021” and developed the idea by early 2022. A $65,000 grant from the Illinois Science and Energy Innovation Foundation’s E(art)H Chicago program helped
to kickstart the project in July of that year.
Alt_Chicago CEO Curry Greene said their goal was threefold – to reduce plastic waste, provide employment opportunities for local residents and address a major symptom of disinvestment in communities like Austin.
“One of the signs of disinvestment in the community is trash [on the ground],” she said, adding that “it isn’t that the community itself is dirty” – it’s that there are fewer garbage cans on the streets people can throw trash into Greene said they originally thought they would have to pick up laundry containers of f the street – but it turned out that laundromats welcomed someone taking the used containers off their hands. After all, she said, hauling waste costs them money
“Now, we’re inundated with plastics every week,” she said. Workers cut them apart and thoroughly clean them of any detergent residue. The large pieces are then sliced into tiny pieces, and those pieces are mixed together, melted down and poured into a mold that creates board-like plastic beams. They then use those beams to make benches. Happy Retur ns and Alt_Chicago spaces are close to each other, and work is spread across both.
“It’s a true collaboration,” Norman said. “The only thing that’s separating us is a hallway.”
For the first cohort, they hired 10 people. About two-thirds of them came from either Austin or another West Side neighborhood. Greene said they used their networks to try to get the word out.
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“It was really important to Jon that we offer jobs to people who live in the community,” she said. “We really need jobs here, so it was really important to him and for all of us to offer jobs. We [recruited] heavily in the Austin community, we had a workshop back in October, just inviting people to see the process and sign up as part of the cohort.”
Norman said they train the members of the group. While the first cohort will only work through the end of spring, the hope is that the skills and experience will help them find jobs elsewhere, or work on their own art projects.
Greene said they wouldn’t start the search for a new cohort until later this summer, but anyone interested can apply by filling out the volunteer interest form on the project website and noting they want to be hired in the message field
The benches will be installed at the Aus-
tin branch library, 5615 W. Race Ave., Harambee Community Garden, 5701 W. Midway Park, and a privately owned vacant lot at 327 N. Waller Ave. Redemptive Plastics will hold a grand opening event.
From there, Redemptive Plastics plans to continue making benches, and they are considering other uses for the beams, such as fences and even school rulers. They have even been toying with the idea of making a whole playground out of recycled plastic.
As the interview concluded, Green and Norman made a point to mention someone who wouldn’t be there for the festivities. Veal passed away suddenly on Dec. 21, 2022.
“He was a huge part in the [project’s conception], coming up with the name, Redemptive Plastics, and the vision of the project,” Greene said. “It was a huge loss for us, and we’re committed to continue this vision and staying true to his values.”
Those values, Norman said, are “thinking about the community, and sustainability in the community” and making sure that the community has meaningful input on anything they do.
“We just want to make sure that the West Side gets the oppor tunities,” he added.
“We just want to make sure that the West Side gets the opportunities.”
CO DY NORMAN Austin artist
While getting to travel halfway across the world to attend one of the largest conferences on climate change, a local student says it is the changes that we make on a local level that can make a difference.
Manolo Avalos, 17, attended the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference COP27 held in November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. He made that trip along with other students from the Chicagoland area who participated in the Seven Generations Ahead youth-driven project, It’s Our Future.
The junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School said he was dedicated to addressing issues surrounding climate change that his generation has inherited, saying that the consequences of passiveness will be grave.
“We are going to be dealing with it,” Avalos said. “Sorry to be blunt towards the old generations but they have frankly done nothing or a poor job. We will see cities, villages, wiped out because of sea levels rising, flooding, and that is just one of the reasons why we should care and act and educate ourselves. That is a barrier with some people, especially with topics such as recycling and composting, education is key.”
For Avalos the interest in environmental issues began in his seventh-grade science class at Roosevelt Middle School, 7560 Oak Ave., River Forest, where his science teacher raised trout in class to release into the wild.
“That really got me interested,” Avalos said. “Just watching it during class, when we weren’ t taking care of it, he had us put in a lot of work but it was for a good purpose, releasing it afterwards.”
At OPRF, Avalos got involved in the OPRF Sustainability Committee, which helped create the high school’s ambitious sustainability plan, which is currently being implemented. Avalos also got involved in the environmental club at OPRF
Cindy Wong, OPRF Environmental Club
Sponsor, said Avalos, is the president of the environmental club.
“He is the type of kid that just goes for it, he is not afraid of the red tape or people possibly saying no, if there is something on his mind that he feels is an issue, he goes for it,” Wong said. “Rarely do I see
kids who have that sort of initiative.”
That initiative to be active in finding solutions to the climate crisis has long been with Avalos, who not only participated in clean ups but also joined It’s Our Future when he was in the eighth grade. The program was developed by Seven Generations Ahead with the help of local community partners as well as Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, Chicago Climate Youth Coalition, Sunrise Chicago, and The River Forest Sustainability Commission among others.
It was through It’s Out Future that Avalos attended the biggest climate change conference, COP 27.
Gary Cuneen, founder of Seven Generations Ahead, said the program received support from the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation along with the Lumpkin Foundation to help send participating students to the conference after receiving approval from the United Nations to be an official observer of the conference.
Cuneen said a major goal of the program is to send Chicagoland youth who might not otherwise have exposure to the conversations surrounding climate change.
“Now we are expanding to new communities, to make sure that youth of color and some low to moderate income youth have the opportunity to participate in the COP experience as well as other students,” Cuneen said. “This project gives us the opportunity to expose high school students to the largest conference in the world that is attempting to deal with the climate crisis.
It is a life changing experience; all the students say it.”
With over 200 countries participating in the conference, students were able to hear important dialogue and learn more on how certain actions from more affluent countries are impacting others across the globe.
“A big part [of this year] was loss and damage, where they talked about how a lot of rich countries, like the United States, are causing the damage but we are not paying it forward to more lower-income countries that don’t have the resources to combat that issue,” Avalos said.
Being able to go to Egypt was a phenomenal experience, said Avalos, adding every
day they were exposed to different panels as well as sessions by key leaders in the world of climate change advocacy, including John Kerry, U.S Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, who gave the closing statement at COP27.
Avalos said a highlight of the conference was speaking with Dr. Katharine Hayhoy, a climate scientist and professor at Texas Tech University, who said something that will stick with him forever.
“She said we have to connect our hearts to our hands,” Avalos said. “I think a lot of people in Oak Park and River Forest, and I would argue across the country, we know what is happening, we are feeling the impacts, or hearing it on the news…the hands part, that comes in by educating and taking small steps to make a difference.”
While learning and coming face-to-face with issues surrounding climate change can be overwhelming for many, including himself, Avalos said the best way to combat the information anxiety is to take action.
“I need to get my hands dirty and start acting,” Avalos said.
These opportunities give students a chance to see issues from outside the perspective of Oak Park, said Wong.
“The number one thing is perspective. We, here in Oak Park and River Forest, I
think that we are a little bit cuddled. We have leaders here, at the school level, at the village level that are very environmentally focused,” Wong said. “But when you look outside globally, that level of support is not there…so for them to go to a conference with such a global perspective, they get to see [that].”
Being able to expose students to the conversations happening around the world re garding the climate crisis opens up their minds to how they can help on a local level, said Cuneen.
“It gives them an opportunity to see what other people are doing, to learn from other leaders and hopefully [it] gives them a leg up moving forward on developing their interest, and potentially professional interest, in relationship to sustainability and climate and equity,” Cuneen said. “As you know, climate and equity go hand-inhand.”
Avalos said he has walked away with a stronger passion for change at a local level, saying it is often more doable and reachable, and important.
“Local actions are easier to convince mayors, like in Oak Park and River Forest, and others, than working on the federal level,” Avalos said. “While there are big federal groups that are lobbying, that is really hard.”
“I need to get my hands dir ty and start acting.”
M ANOLO AVALOS OPRF student
Looking to create a more sustainable and climate conscious community, three Proviso communities, Bellwood, Maywood, and the Lindop school district, are working alongside Seven Generations Ahead, to make composting a part of daily life.
Seven Generations Ahead SGA, dedicated to building healthy and sustainable communities, co-developed The Cross Community Climate Collaborative C4 with the Urban Efficiency Group and the mayors of River Forest, Oak Park, and Broadview to help bring together minority and non-minority communities to achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions and other equity and sustainability goals. Currently, C4 helps support 14 disinvested and under resourced communities in the state of Illinois.
ready implemented composting to see what they would be able to make work at D92.
Additionally, D92 would like to figure out a plan to be able to redirect food that is still able to be consumed and give back to community members who might be experiencing food insecurity.
“It was very enlightening to hear that some schools were already doing this and they have ways to make the food available to people who might not have it,” Jackson said.
In response to the element of composing, Jackson said it will be a learning tool for the community, so its inception beginning in schools where students will be able to directly learn about the benefits makes sense
JANIECE JACKSONAs part of their work, the collaborative submitted a project for a USDA grant via their composting and waste reduction grant program, which provides funding for municipal programs serving residents as well as programs serving K-12 schools. Fo the grant, SGA will be workin with Broadview, Bellwood, and Maywood to help implement food scrap collection residential program as well as provide community education on recyclin and composting, which will be showcased through their SGA’ Zero Waste Schools program.
The two-year $300,000 grant was awarded in February 2023.
“I think Proviso Township is really taking the lead on that and to partner with the school districts is the way to go,” Jackson said. “We are educating our students and we need to be on the forefront of that but also making sure their health is good and the environment is good and how important it is for us to stay on top of that.”
GARY CUNEEN
According to Gary Cuneen, SGA’s director, the program will help organize zero waste teams in schools for Bellwood School District 88, Maywood District 89, and Lindop School District 92. They will be working with faculty, school administrators, custodial and food service staf f along with students to eliminate waste sources, increase recycling, and divert food scraps from the landfill by collecting them and taking them to a composting site.
Dr. Janiece Jackson, superintendent of Lindop School District 92, said the district was looking into different ways to be able to address different food issues they have seen, including food waste. Jackson said the district is currently focusing on touring other school districts which have al-
“We will be working with their municipal governments to analyze their hauling contracts to support provisions that build in food scrap diversion and collection and to design educational components to the programs so that residents are educated on
See COMPOSTING on pa ge B17
from page B15
what can be composed and what can’t be,” said Cuneen.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said targeting composting “just made sense” when talking about environmental issues
“We wanted to make sure that we can have residential value of organic waste that is captured,” Thompson said, adding that composting falls under their resource and regeneration goals to achieve sustainability. “When you talk about partnerships and collaborations it makes sense for our municipalities to partner with our school districts and the nonprofit sector to roll out these initiatives so that we can become wholesome in the types of works we participate in.”
The importance of these partnerships is crucial, especially fo r Black and Brown communities which have historically seen a disparity in the resources allocated to them.
munities, especially in the Black and Brown communities, then we have to take an active role in the change and in the process,” said Jackson.
The program is still in the very early stages of implementation, as Cuneen said they are currently looking at hauling contacts before they begin the second step, which would be setting up a collection bin system within the schools
Cuneen said participants are also working towards building a regular meeting schedule with those who will be involved in the implementation of the programs at the schools.
“We are also in a data gathering phase right now,” said Cuneen. “We want to know what they are currently doing with recycling and eventually we will be doing waste audits that will look at what the waste sources are and how they can be eliminated.”
Bringing these programs to the Proviso Township community is seeing a larger worldwide issue and breaking it down to work that can be addressed at a community level. By working to remove food scraps from entering landfills, Cuneen said it lowers the production of methane gasses which contributes to green-
Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you can take steps for a more sustainable, energy efficient, and cost effective home!
Composting: Compost your food scraps! Oak Parkers can sign up for curbside composting if they live in a single-family home or up to a five-flat building. Renters can also bring scraps to one of four locations. Visit bit.ly/VOPCompost to learn more.
Weatherization: Homeowners and renters can reduce energy waste and costs by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. Proper insulation, LED lights, and weatherproofing are simple ways to improve energy efficiency. For home efficiency resources, visit Oak Park Climate Action Network's resource guide at bit.ly/electrify-your-oak-park-home.
Solar Energy: Homeowners and renters can switch to clean energy. Illinois Solar for All and Community Solar programs offer options to fit a variety of housing situations. Visit Citizens Utility Board's community solar resource guide at https://bit.ly/cub-community-solar. Learn about Illinois Solar for All at www.illinoissfa.com.
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“It impacts the Black and Brown
With the urgent need to tackle climate change, more attention is paid to the impacts of companies on the environment and the communities they operate. A 2023 report published by the Intergove mental Panel on Climate Change -- the United Nations scientific arm on climate change -- notes that greenhouse gas emissions need to be cu by almost half by 2030. This reduction needs to happen in all sectors so global temperatures in crease no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius w compared to pre-industrial levels, a goal that quires private and public entities to make chang es in their operations and investments
For everyday people, ESG investing, also referred to as sustainable or socially responsible investing, provides an avenue to invest their money in companies that make better environmental and social decisions. This often includes taking steps to reduce their carbon emis-
sions. In the last decade, and particularly, in the past four years, more people have become interested in these investments
“When I started working with sustainable in ing in the 1990s, the way that people did sociall responsible investing was using gative screens to avoid owning the types of companies that they didn’t want to own in their inv ment portfolio,” said William M. illy, senior vice president and senior financial advisor at Mer rill Lynch Wealth Management.
“Now through technologica vancements and better re ing, what’s more common is onsidered ESG investing, that not only avoids the types of companies that people don’t want to own, but actually identifies companies that are making good decisions in those areas.”
While the terms sustainable investing and ESG investing are often used interchangeably, investment firm Edward
Jones differentiates between the two. Sustainable investing is an all-encompassing term for financial investments that take into consideration people’s values. Within this umbrella are investors who exclude specific types ompanies they consider “negative actors” from their investment portfolios, for example, ossil fuel companies or gun manufacturing ompanies, commonly referred to as valuesased investing.
ESG investing, as its acronym denotes, coniders a company’s environmental, social and r nance performance. This information is monitored and self-reported by companies.
“What ESG investing typically does is incenompanies to make good decisions,” Reilly added that because companies have to repo rmation like their environmental risks, carbon footprint, the way they treat their employees and the diversity of their board, they tend to make more responsible decisions
This information is paired with traditional financial measures so investment managers can evaluate the company’s
risks and opportunities and align them to their clients’ financial goals
“We rely on them to provide data through their annual reports, but a good active manager in that space is going to do their own research and assign their own risk factors to certain companies,” said Joe
O’Krepky, financial advisor at Edward Jones
This additional layer of active management is important as the demand for ESG investing has increased and continues to increase. Bloomberg projects that by 2025, global ESG assets will exceed $53 trillion. Knowledgeable financial advisors are key, as companies can provide misleading information suggesting they are more environmentally responsible than they really are, a ter m known as greenwashing
Financial research shows that ESG investments offer benefits to investors, such as diversifying their portfolio and reducing risks. “If you invest in companies who have good scores in environmental, social and corporate gover nance metrics, those compa-
nies tend to have higher earnings, they tend to have higher dividend yields, their stock tends to perform better on a 12-month basis [and] they’re less likely to go bankrupt,” Reilly said.
ESG investing also provides a mechanism for people to encourage comanies to have a better performance.
“To me, ESG is always about being an active investor and having a voice in that boardroom,”
O’Krepky said, adding qualified and committed financial advisors are key to help investors have a voice in the companies they own.
“And if the company that you’re investing with isn’t carrying your voice to them, then they’re not the right manager for you.”
“Shareholder activism is when owners of companies, owners of stocks, owners of mutual funds take action to address the company and make them act better,” Reilly said. “So, we help our client be good shareholders and help the companies that they invest in make better decisions and become better.”
