WednesdayJournal_052825

Page 1


o top development o cials depart within two months members not long after one of his peers resigned citing a d as the village’s economic vitality administrator, was terminated from his position April 25, according to docuournal via a FreeCrawford did comment for this story through his professional social media

Melcher
Marett

WEDNESD AY

Oak Park mo to ‘strict enfor t’

The village plans to issue tickets to both proper owners and contrac violate the ban after June 1

Two years in the making, Oak gas leaf blower ban is set to go into full effect on June 1.

The village is all but done ings to property owners and landscapin contractors found using g blowers, as Oak Park mov forcement” of the ban its village proved in 2023. The village of the tools during the summers of 2023 and 2024 but only issued two tick time, Neighborhood Services Director J than Burch told Oak Park’s village trustees at the Tuesday, May 20 board meeting

“Beginning June 1 of this year, there will be a full ban on gas-powered leaf blowers,” he said. “It applies certainly to landscapers, it applies to business owners and the ordinance was written in such a way that it applies to property owners who are using a landscaping firm that is doing the work on the property. So, it gives the village the ability to do enforcement on both the property owner and the landscaper if they’re found using that gas-powered leaf blower.”

The ordinance was approved in support of the village’s Climate Ready Oak Park Plan, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 in a bid for carbon neutrality by 2050. Using a gas-powered leaf blower for 1 hour of work emits as many pollutants as 15 cars driving for one hour, according to research published by Environment America’s Research and Policy Center.

The ban also comes with restrictions on how and when electric leaf blowers can be used in Oak Park. Electric leaf blowers, a much greener alternative to gas-powered options, can only be used between the hours of 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays and between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. The noise from their use is not allowed to exceed 65 decibels.

Edward McCormick, of Oak Park, uses a leaf blower to move leaves into a pile near the curb in 2020. Gas-powered leaf blowers are now banned in Oak Park.

The ordinance goes into full effect after a two year public information campaign led by Neighborhood Services that involved holding landscaper listening sessions, publishing online communication and flyers in English and Spanish. Neighborhood services staff had also been tasked with distributing information about the ban to any landscapers they saw working in the community.

“The village did outreach in 2023 and 2024 and it continues to do it now to a variety of different groups,” he said. “There’s a carry-over benefit from the eng agement activities from the previous two years but I also want to be clear that we did do an additional round of surveying this spring. We also held a landscaper open house back in April as well as doing a lot of direct engagement of landscaping firms.”

Trustee Cory Wesley said it was important that the village consistently issue tickets to both property owners and contractors who violate the ordinance, to encourage contact between noncompliant property owners and their neighbors that re port them and so that an inordinate burden doesn’t fall onto landscapers.

“I don’t think we should ever issue one ticket without the other,” Wesley said. “I think the only way to keep this contained and reasonable is if there’s some kind of interpersonal accountability among neighbors.”

“Most of the landscaper contractors in our village are going to be Hispanic, and calling authorities on people here to do a service feels icky, too. So there needs to be a consequence for the person that’s paying them to be here,” said Wesley.

EDIT OR ’S NOTE

The story from last week’s issue online “Marijuana dispensary could come to North Avenue in Oak Park” has been corrected to better reflect Judith Alexander’s comments and the role of The North Avenue District as well as the fact that the proposed North Avenue Streetscape project would be a state-led ef fort, not an initiative led by either the village of Oak Park or the City of Chicago.

k Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan ter Brendan He ernan

ewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

ntributing Editor Donna Greene

rc Bleso , Nicole Chavas, ck Crowe, Mary Kay O’Grady, e Salter, John Stanger

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

elopment Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

MELCHER

Marett, who was on the men’s rowing team.

First was practical; she had no experience rowing, though her parents, Chuck and Traci Melcher, both rowed in college. The second was physical; Marett said rowers are tall and slender. Melcher was 5-foot-6.

So what if the odds may have been stacked against her? She worked, and worked hard, especially her freshman year to make the team. She kept going, even through the pandemic, when the rowing season was cancelled. By her senior year, she was a captain and in the stroke seat of the varsity eight. For the uninitiated, that’s prestigious. She ended up first team all-Big Ten and second team allAmerican.

“She worked like crazy,” said Marett, a Cleveland native. “Her whole first year consisted of just making the cut and overcoming a physical deficit. She kept coming back.”

Now the 25-year-old is plying her hard work and never-give-up attitude in a different way. On April 16, she was out for a run in Madison, training for a marathon. She was reportedly hit by a distracted driver who ran a red light. Melcher suffered a traumatic brain injury, which resulted in an induced coma. Marett described it as a “very unfortunate incident of negligence.”

Though her injuries are serious and recovery will take time, Marett said she’s on the right track, because she knows how to bounce back

“She seems aware and has movement in her limbs, seems to have a good level of understanding, and a good sense of humor,” he said.

The Oak Park community, where Melcher’s parents live, has rallied behind her and Ma-

“She worked like crazy. Her whole rst year consisted of just making the cut and overcoming a physical de cit. She kept coming back.”

ALEX MARETT

Charlotte’s husband

heila Berleman, played a big role in coordinating the FitzGerald’s event.

mom turning this grief lex and Charlotte and the ,” she said. The Violet Hearts has an “indie-rock vibe,” she said, and while ays covers of different her band will play original tunes. this extra effort hasn’t gone unnoMarett and Chuck Melcher eally touching to see all oming out to help Charlotte,” Maett said. “It’s going to be a really fun night. will mean the world to us. We’re thankful for it and can’t wait.”

Rowing dur ing the Wisco Big 10 Championships in 2021

rett, 2021 Wisconsin graduates who were married last September and closed on their first home just prior to the accident.

A GoFundMe page dedicated to medical expenses and care has raised over $100,000.

That will be augmented by the proceeds from a benefit concert at 8 p.m. June 4 at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn.

The Violet Hearts, which includes Melcher’s high school pal and soccer teammate Quinn Berleman-Paul, will open, with Tributosaurus following, performing the

songs of the Beatles and Rolling Stones.

John Paul is Berleman-Paul’s dad and bassist for Tributosaurus. He said the concert is going to be special for him and bandmates Curt Morrison, Chris Neville and Matt Spiegel.

“It’s just doing what we can to be of assistance,” Paul said, adding that there is going to be a flood of emotion that evening.

“Absolutely,” he said. “We’re just glad to be able to help.”

Berleman-Paul said her mom and Paul’s

Melcher said the caring of the Oak ommunity has always been strong, amily moved to the area ahead of his daughter’s freshman year “She immediately made friends with the Chicago Edge soccer team, and then school,” he recalled. “She had these groups of friends that were welcome and opening. Oak Park was right for her – the kids were good, the school was good, the church was good.

“She found her home here.”

Tickets for the FitzGerald’s ev ent are $35.20. If you’d like to contribute to the GoFundMe page, visit https://www.gofundme. com/f/help-charlotte-recover-from-a-devastating-brain-injury

May 31st 9am-7pm June 1st 12pm-4pm 500 Blk of Circle Ave.

between Adams and Jackson in the Alleyway Addresses: 517, 531, 537 Circle, 520, 524, 532, 544 Hannah, 7337 Jackson

Williams re ects on 9 years on the D90 school board

Nine years is generally a long time to have served on a board of education.

But when you add two-year stints as secretary, vice president and most recently president for River Forest District 90, as Stacey Williams did, those nine years might seem a lot longer

But she loved them all, and now that she’s stepping away from the board presidency, she’s had time to think.

“It felt like nine years was long enough, and I think the board needs fresh thinking,” she said. “Our community benefits from fresh thinking over time. We’re lucky because we’re in a community where people are engaged.”

Katie Avalos is replacing Williams as board president. Newly elected board members are Katie Bevan, Josh Ehart and Beth Vlerick.

All three schools in the district – Lincoln Elementary, Willard Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School – were designated Exemplary in the annual Illinois Report Card 202324 made public last October

Exemplary schools are those that rank in the top 10% of the state, while Commendable schools rank in the next 67%.

“Our schools are among the top in the state, and as a board member, I can’t take credit for that,” she said. “That is teachers and administrators in collabora tion with the board.

“I think I’ve tried really hard to maintain a high-functioning board, so our meetings are productive and doing our job of gover nance of District 90. I think that is the role of the board president.”

Williams and her husband, Mark, had two children attend District 90 schools. The oldest, Mark, who graduated from Roosevelt in 2018, is a junior at Santa Clara University in California studying engineering. Their daughter, Gabrielle, Roosevelt class of 2020, is a freshman at Yale.

When the youngsters were in first grade, she had schedule flexibility to be able to participate in Lincoln’s Center Time, a volunteer role that helps teachers. From there, she served on the PTO, the superintendent’s In-

Iclusiveness Advisory Board, and then the district’s strategic planning committee.

In 2016, a board member departed and that opened up a new opportunity for Williams.

“When they were interviewing I decided to give it a try and I was fortunately selected, and I enjoyed it,” she said.

Soon, her children would graduate and head on to St. Ignatius for high school.

Shortly after that, in March 2020, came the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I guess it was surreal,” she said of those days. “It was unlike anything we had experienced before. Early reports about the virus, understanding what was happening, keeping an eye on it. ‘We’ll just have an extended spring break,’ but it didn’t happen that way.”

The board had recently passed a resolution regarding an e-learning plan, so “pivoting was a little bit easier,” she said. “We weren’t entirely off guard.”

The next year, 2021, was a board election year, which presented a new challenge, from the standpoint that everything was virtual –

Sponsored Content

election events, candidate forums, meet and greets. But she still won.

These days, the pandemic feels like a long time ago, and Williams would rather focus on the now. She’s planning on serving on other nonprofit boards, for one, but her long history with the District 90 board means she’ll have an eye on what’s going on.

What are the biggest issues Avalos and the new board will face?

“Over time, obviously, finances,” Williams said. “A significant portion of money comes from property taxes, and the bulk of our spending is on teachers and staff, which gives you little flexibility in what you can do.

“I think that will be one of the biggest challenges for the board. You want to give your kids everything, but you can’t give them everything. You have to make choices. Politically, that’s every school board across America.”

As for the newly elected board members, Williams implored them to focus on learning.

“I think once you sit around the table, it’s different,” she said. “You’re governing the entire school district. Everyone in the district are our constituents. There is a lot of learning to be done in the beginning.”

Celebrating Older Americans Month

n 1963, President John F. Kennedy designated that May as “Senior Citizens Month,” at a time when only 17 million living Americans were 65 or older. In May 2025, as we celebrate “Older Americans Month” (renamed by President Jimmy Carter), over 59 million Americans are 65 and older, and this number will only continue to rise. The 2025 theme for the month is “Flip the Script on Aging,” with a focus on continuing to change how American society discusses and approaches aging as a general topic. Stereotypes regarding aging have tended to focus on decline and limitations, whereas “Flip the Script on Aging” seeks to focus on the vitality and wisdom that older adults provide society.

A fun way for individuals and communities to engage with this theme is through activities that promote intergenerational connections and lifelong learning. Community events,

focused on education, games, and music, can provide the means for older adults to share experiences and talents.

Intergenerational connections, which bridge generational gaps and promote mutual understanding, can also come from pen pal initiatives and other collaborative projects.

digital inclusion enhances their quality of life, in large part because it empowers them to remain active participants in society.

Embracing technology also plays a crucial role in supporting older adults and in bridging potential gaps with other generations. Initiatives that teach older individuals to use digital tools help them stay connected with friends and family, but they also allow them to engage in online communities, as well as to access healthcare services. This

The “Flip the Script on Aging” theme also highlights the importance of challenging agerelated stereotypes in all aspects of life, including in the workplace. The promotion of age-friendly policies and practices benefits all people, regardless of age, by ensuring that older adults have equal opportunities to contribute their skills and experiences. Aside from fostering a more inclusive and diverse environment, these skills and experiences strengthen society as a whole.

Older adults absolutely face challenges that younger generations have not yet faced, but initiatives such as Older Americans Month provide an occasion to honor their resilience and determination even as they receive required support. Older Americans Month serves as a reminder to celebrate the contributions of older adults, and it also inspires us to create a society that values and supports individuals at every stage of life. By flipping the script on aging, we can build communities where the experiences, talents, and perspectives of older generations can benefit everyone.

Contact FirstLight Home Care of Oak Park at 708-665-3325 to learn more about how our caregivers can assist older Americans in our community as they seek to age in their homes and to maintain their independence.

STAC EY WILLIAMS

As Zurakowski leaves Beyond Hunger, 65,000

people are fed

‘We can solve hunger any time we want … with political will’

Michele Zurakowski, chief executive officer of Beyond Hunger, has overseen the nonprofit’s significant growth during the past 17 years. She is retiring at the end of next month, leaving the nonprofit in a stronger position after weathering the Great Recession and COVID.

Zurakowski joined what was then known as the Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry in 2008 as a part-time co-chair. The role was originally intended to be voluntary, but she insisted that it be a paid position.

“It was the kind of work that we often expect women to do for free,” said Zurakowski. “But only women of a certain economic class have the freedom to do that. Pay equity and healthcare are important. I’ve strived to provide both for my staf f.”

Banking on Zurakowski was obviously a good investment. During her first year, the food pantry’s budget jumped from $40,000 to $70,000 and the number of people served almost tripled. In 2019, the Food Pantry changed its name to Beyond Hunger to reflect its expanding reach into 13 zip codes and initiated new programs to meet the needs of a growing number of people experiencing food insecurity. In 2024, Beyond Hunger’s budget was $4.5 million and it now serves more than 65,000 people

During COVID, the organization was forced to pivot from a market model to a drive-thru model of distributing boxes of food in First United Church’s parking lot just off Lake Street.

“Food insecurity [in the country] lessened dramatically during COVID because the gover nment committed significantly more resources. We ended hunger for four million children. It really showed that we, as a society, can solve hunger any time we want with resources and logistics and political will,”

Zurakowski said.

One of the programs of which Zurakowski is most proud is Summer Meals for Kids, which was launched in 2014, in collaboration with West Cook YMCA, at St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park. Zurakowski wanted to expand the summer program into Oak Park schools but federal guidelines stipulated that in order to receive funding 25 percent of a participating school’s student population had to qualify for free and reduced lunches. None of Oak Park’s schools qualified.

“But that still meant that 25 percent of our kids were going hungry in the summer. I knew we had to do something for those kids,” she said.

Zurakowski worked every angle with Oak Park and River Forest High School but the administration balked at offering a summer lunch program. She finally got a meeting with the superintendent.

“I told him that he needed to understand that my spirit animal is the cocklebur and that I was going to be just like a cocklebur on the inside of his pant leg until we could make something happen,” Zurakowski said, laughing.

Eventually, she and the high school worked out an agreement whereby Beyond Hunger would provide meals for “8 to 9 Connections,” a summer program designed to help struggling eighth grade students prepare for high school. Federal funds were used to cover the cost of meals for students who qualified for free and reduced lunches, and Beyond Hunger and the high school split the cost for the other students. The program was so successful that it was expanded to District 97.

“It was important to me that all of the kids got the meals so no one would know who was getting the free meals,” Zurakowski said.

The program had special resonance for Zurakowski. Growing up with intermittent poverty, she was the recipient of free and reduced lunches. Kids like her had lunch cards that were a different color than other kids’ cards. It was a source of shame that she was deter mined not to replicate.

The youngest of five children in a strongly

Retiring Beyond Hunger Chief Executive O cer Michele Zurakowski has been battling hunger for 17 years.

religious family, Zurakowski moved frequently — by the time she graduated from high school in Warsaw, Indiana, she had lived in 17 different places. Her parents were very involved in their church and regularly tithed, even as they struggled financially and refused charity. As a teenager, Zurakowski was expected to tithe a percentage of the money she earned as a babysitter

A stellar student in the top 10 of her class, Zurakowski went to Finland as a Rotary Youth Exchange student during her junior year. Away from home for the first time, she struggled to learn the language. It was her first experience with failure but it also sparked a sense of wanderlust.

Zurakowski attended Manchester College, a small, religiously affiliated institution in northern Indiana. She met her husband John the first weekend of school. They married soon after graduating and went to Poland for two years as part of the Brethren Volunteer Service. Arriving shortly after Poland’s Solidarity movement had been crushed and marital law had been instituted, they relied on ration coupons for staples such as flour, sugar and meat.

After returning to the U.S., they found jobs with an outfitting company that John’s sister and brother-in-law owned in Durango, Colorado. Using llamas as pack animals, they worked as camp cooks and day laborers in the summer and in retail during the winter

Needless to say, Zurakowski’s adventur-

ous spirit was different than most of the people with whom she grew up. This didn’t go unnoticed by some folks back home.

“But my mother was very proud of me I remember her telling one of her friends, who had asked when John and I were going to settle down, that we were living the lives they all wished they could,” Zurakowski said.

The Zurakowskis next landed in Minneapolis where Michele pursued graduate studies in rhetorical criticism at the University of Minnesota. They moved to Oak Park when John got his dream job as the head squash pro at the University Club of Chicago. As a stay-at-home mom with her first son, Zurakowski was very active in Oak Park’s Parenthesis Parent Child Center — she still refers to the friends she made then as her “posse.” She was also active in the Lincoln School PTO.

While Zurakowski maintains that she didn’t come to Beyond Hunger with much organizational experience or business acumen, she has drawn on her strengths for galvanizing people around a common vision and for creating community. She has relied on a local network of strong women leaders for support — and the occasional venting “Through Beyond Hunger, I’ve learned how important community is. This community now feeds 65,000 people a year. We decided, as a community, that this is a worthwhile endeavor and we are willing to make the sacrifices to make it happen.”

TODD BANNOR

Aiming to cut building emissions, Oak Park enlists U of I’s help

Oak Park will pay $100K for a project involving building energy assessments and village -wide education

Oak Park village leaders have contracted the University of Illinois to help the village meet its energy efficiency goals

On Tuesday May 20, Oak Park’s village board unanimously approved a contract with the school that will see staffers from U of I’s Smart Energy Design Assistance Center working to educate Oak Parkers on energy efficiency best practices while helping the village boost compliance with the efficiency ordinance for large buildings it passed in 2023.

the board that the program has similar goals to the “Green Business Program” the village funded in years past.

ability goals contained within the village’s Climate Ready Oak Park Plan, which require the village to cut its emissions by 60% before 2030 in a bid for carbon neutrality by 2050. According to research by the village’s sustainability office, 70% of the village’s present greenhouse emissions come from residential and commercial buildings

Right coverage. Right price. Right here in town.

Since 2023, a village ordinance has required buildings 10,000 square feet and larger to submit benchmark reports on their energy and water consumption. “Reducing building energy use is the most important

step that Oak Park can take to take action on climate change and reach the community’s Climate Ready Oak Park goals,” village officials wrote on the landing page for the benchmark report database

According to that database, the vast majority of buildings covered by the ordinance have not submitted reports.

“We also saw this as an opportunity to help support compliance with our benchmarking ordinance,” Roland Nieratka said. “To provide an incentive to participate in that program.”

Oak Park will spend $100,000 on the program. The expense had originally been slated for approval via the consent agenda at May 13’s board meeting, but the matter was pulled from that agenda so the board could discuss it in more depth on May 20.

“In our conversations with the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center and the report that was done on the Green Business Program in 2023 we saw an opportunity to do a program that would connect commercial businesses with the commercial property owners to do deeper retrofits and energy efficiency work,” she said. “It is something we are hearing from some of our building owners, interest in the village supporting full audits to help them understand what the opportunities are and providing guidance on switching out certain technologies and things that exist in the building.”

Co lin F ane, A gent

212 S Marion Street Fl G

Oak Park, IL 60302

Bus: 708-383-3163

U of I staffers will perform energy assessments on five Oak Park buildings, lead energy efficiency education sessions around the village and provide the village with reports on energy policy best practices based on their work in Oak Park, according to the scope of work report prepared by the university.

www.colinfane.com

“That will go towards building out educational opportunities that will go to a wider audience.”

Village President Vicki Scaman said the program could be particularly effective if some of the buildings studied are in Oak Park’s most densely populated districts

Monday & Friday 9am-5pm

Tue s/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-12pm

“Energy assessments and education can help businesses identify, implement, track, and measure sustainable business practices,” U of I officials wrote in the scope of work report “Assessments can also help building owners and tenants plan and document thei r sustainability efforts, reporting progress to key stakeholders or customers. Through the village, buildings and tenants can also be recognized for their energy reduction and partnership, encouraging other businesses to join and adopt green practices.”

The five buildings U of I will assess will be a “representative sample” of different types of large buildings in the village, according to Lindsey Roland Nieratka, Oak Park’s chief sustainability officer. She told

“I appreciate what this does for us, I’ve talked with business owners and problems come up where they’re overwhelming for them to figure out how to navigate, they can’t anticipate them, they’re very unique,” Scaman said. “When you make policy and have these aspirational goals of how we all want our buildings to be, it’s not just the age of the building that contributes to the challenge, it’s the infrastructure we have here in Oak Park.”

Here’s the deal. The right insurance should help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Call me today.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Colin Fane, Agent

Colin Fane, Agent

212 S Marion Street Fl G

212 S Marion Street Fl G

Oak Park, IL 60302

Oak Park, IL 60302

Right coverage. Right price. Right here in town.

Colin Fane, Agent

212 S Marion Street Fl G

Oak Park, IL 60302

Bus: 708-383-3163

www.colinfane.com

Bus: 708-383-3163 www.colinfane.com

U of I will also put on four educational sessions in the village over the next year, with the first session anticipated for July. Sessions will cover energy use reduction topics and will be aimed at both building tenants and owners, according to the scope of work report

Bus: 708-383-3163

www.colinfane.com

Monday & Friday 9am-5pm Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-12pm

Monday & Friday 9am-5pm Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-12pm

The agreement comes as Oak Park work’s to drastically reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the lofty sustain-

Here’s the deal. The right insurance should help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Call me today.

Monday & Friday 9am-5pm Tues/Wed/Thurs 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-12pm

Here’s the deal. The right insurance should help you feel confident and comfortable. I’m the right good neighbor for that. Call me today.

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

JAVIER GOVEA

Oak Park

Oak Park teen launches running challenge to support disability charity

Oak Park

Oak Park

Car Show

Vintage Car Show

Vintage Car Show

Car Show

Vintage Car Show

When:

See dozens of classic cars...FREE!

See dozens of classic cars...FREE!

Time: 10am to 2pm

Noah Campbell created the 47K challenge in honor of his sister Ella, who has Down syndrome

ka Orthodontics and Tennis and Fitness Centre of Oak Park and River Forest were among the local businesses that supported the project.

When: Saturday June 7, 2025

When: Saturday June 7, 2025

Where: OPRF

When: Saturday June 7, 2025

Noah Campbell, 18, has made the most of his gap year after finishing high school Campbell, a class of 2024 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and an incoming freshman at the University of North Carolina, has used the time since his graduation to create a fundraising project to support the kind of charities that brought his family to Oak Park in the first place. Campbell’s younger sister has Down syndrome and in her honor, he created the 47k Challenge, a project that encouraged local businesses and community members to donate to the Best Buddies organization in honor of him running a distance greater than a marathon along Chicago’s lakeshore.

Time: 10am to 2pm

When: Saturday June 7, 2025

Time: 10am to 2pm

Where: OPRF

Time: 10am to 2pm

Food:

Where: OPRF Museum (Lake St. and Lombard Ave.)

Time:

Campbell came up with the distance of 47 kilometers as a reference to the number of chromosomes people with Down syndrome are born with. The distance equates to about 29.2 miles

Where: OPRF Museum (Lake St. and Lombard Ave.)

Food: Street vendors onsite

Food:

Where: OPRF Museum (Lake St. and Lombard Ave.)

Campbell raised about $2,500 for the charity that supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. It was one of the happiest moments of his life, he said.

Food: Street vendors onsite

Food: Street vendors onsite

708-848-6755

“I really want to help Best Buddies keep growing and expand to more chapters across Illinois,” he said.

It was the resources available to families of children with Down syndrome like the Best Buddies program that brought his family to the village from Arizona when Campbell and his sister were young, he said.

“We really came to this community to find this better support for her,” he said.

“We just found this community because it’s really supported people with special needs, it has lots of great resources, like Oak Leyden especially, that were really helpful. This is just a fantastic place to live in and to raise a family.”

He said he and Ella are very close, and they enjoy spending time together singing Disney music and dancing to K-Pop.

School of Rock, Battistoni-Beam-Poliv-

It was only a few years ago that Campbell struggled to run a mile, he said. So the distance reminds him of the strength his sister has shown to conquer her daily challenges.

“I looked at my sister who was doing unimaginably hard things every day,” he said.

“So it was like, ‘well, if she was doing this, I could do this.’”

Campbell hopes to grow the challenge into a yearly event raising money for the cause, inviting more people to participate alongside him.

“I definitely want to keep expanding this challenge. This is really something that I was really proud to help build,“ he said. “By helping expand this event, bring some more runners, maybe making this more of a citywide thing and helping to work with more local businesses, ideally I get help to expand the Best Buddies program to help it make this great impact.”

COURTESY OF NOAH CAMPBELL Noah Campbell (right) with his sister Ella

From le , Sam Premo-Hopkins, Milo Hansen, Asher Frank, Lars Olson, Sophie He and Lily Zinthefer made up OPRF’s robotics team Electr ical Dysfunction which advanced to the VEX Robotics World Championship

OPRF robotics team

Locals advance to global competition in Dallas after winning state

Anthony Romeo won’t soon forget March 1.

The Oak Park and River Forest High School science teacher and moderator of the OPRF Robotics Club was at a wedding out of town. Two of his teams were participating in the Robotics Education Foundation state finals at Rich Township High School.

As the wedding unfolded, Kelsey Kaiser, his assistant coach who was leading the teams that day, kept in close contact as the tournament progressed.

The pressure built. And not due to the pending nuptials.

The OPRF team known as Electrical Dysfunction was on the verge of making history.

“She’s texting me after every match … ‘We won,’” Romeo said. “Oh, that’s cool. ‘They won another one. They won another

one.’ And by the end, she’s like, ‘Okay, they are in the finals. I’m like, ‘No way.’”

Yessir. Not only did Electrical Dysfunction, consisting of seniors Lars Olson, Asher Frank, Sam Premo-Hopkins, Milo Hansen, Sophie He and Lily Zinthefer, make it to the finals, they won the whole thing.

That put them in the VEX Robotics World Championship at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas in early May against students from around the globe –about 900 teams re presenting 60 countries.

It was a long way from the start of the season, back in September, when Romeo assembled eight teams of 52 total OPRF students, including Electrical Dysfunction, which was anything but dysfunctional by the end of the season.

“For me, it was an amazing way to end of f my senior year,” Olson said. “I’ve never gotten that far. I’ve done VEX since sixth grade, and that’s the best I’ve done.”

Added He: “It was just a surreal experience, to see how many different designs there were across different (teams). It was

PROVIDED

No crime, uncertain punishment for disgraced Concordia baseball coach

Lempesis calls his ac ts ‘immoral, unethical’ but not ‘illegal’

The first week of this autumn will mark 15 years since the Concordia University campus in River Forest was stunned by a sudden series of events that led to the firing of the winningest athletic coach in the school’s histor

On Sept. 27, 2010, Spiro baseball coach, was banned from the campus, and fired se days later when an internal in vestigation found that he’d videotaped sex acts between himself and a Concordia baseball pl River Forest police we in but found no grounds criminal charges. After media coverage played out for of weeks, and a tight-lipped uni versity refused to release any de tails, the issue settled down and faded away The student ated in December 2011 and got mar Lempesis, meanwhile, was exiled from baseball and worked as a ther’s gyros restaurant in Rockford. He lost approximately $90,000 a year in income, including his Concordia salary, money from assistant coaching a Class A baseball team, and revenue from summer youth baseball camps. He lost his house in west suburban Montgomery, filed bankruptcy, and his wife divorced him. He has no relationship with his two daughters.

bling. And an appellate court ruled almost 5 ½ years ago that Lempesis did not receive a fair trial on criminal charges. Those charges, Lempesis insists, were brought due to the homosexuality involved between two adults His situation then got worse.

In May 2012, an Elmhurst patrol officer ound Lempesis in the backseat of a car with ho turned out to be in high school. He was arrested and held for uestioning, his car, cell phone and laptop were forensically scrubbed and his house searched. he high schooler was determined to have lied about being 19, empesis was released without charges.

But the Concordia incident was publicly resurrected when school officials issued a press release that October, detailing why they had fired Lempesis two years earlier, and announcing the hiring Chicago attorney Patrick Collins onduct a thorough investigation of Lemvior with his for mer player

Collins, a for mer United States Assistant Attorney, had prosecuted for mer gover nor George Ryan and sent him to prison. He reportedly spent more than 400 hours on what was said to have been an almost half-milliondollar investigation, interviewing some 40 people and examining gigabytes of documents.

coached filed a lawsuit in federal court, alleging he’d been raped by Lempesis and others.

Sometime after the media reports of the Concordia investigation and the civil lawsuits, the River Forest Police Department initiated another investigation.

Over the 2015 Labor Day weekend Lempesis was arrested at his Rockford home. He was released on $200,000 bond five days later on Sept. 9, after putting up 10 percent cash through a credit card.

On Dec. 5, 2017, after a bench trial, Circuit Court Judge Gregory Ginex found Lempesis guilty of one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of sexual abuse. On Dec 27, he sentenced him to 10 1/2 years in prison.

An amended lawsuit by the for mer player against Concordia was settled within the next several months

Lempesis has pointed to a long list of errors in his trial but is most bitter about what he believes was central to Judge Ginex finding the for mer player’s testimony against him credible. A for mer Cook County ASA, Lempesis alleges, improperly suggested in a motion to Ginex that there might be a minor on the Concordia videotape. And even though the video shows activity well outside the time frame of the alleged criminal behavior, it played a central role in Lempesis’s conviction.

The justices “found errors with regard to the disclosure of evidence that could have been used to impeach (the for mer player’s) testimony…”

“Ginex’s limitation on Lempesis’ subpoena for evidence,” they ruled, “prejudiced defendant because defendant’s subpoena sought relevant and material information that could have aided in his defense.”

The justices also found “error with (the for mer player’s) testimony at trial which could have been highly prejudicial … and the thwarting of our ability to review a significant discovery ruling by the trial court without additional significant delay.”

“Under the circumstances of this case, we believe a new trial is warranted to address or avert a potentially erroneous conviction and/or undue prolonged detention.”

That legal victory would be the start of a nearly yearlong back and forth in which the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office filed multiple petitions that, despite failing, took months to be heard and ruled on. During all that time, Lempesis remained in prison.

“How can a person still spend another 11 months in prison when they have their verdict overturned and case remanded for a new trial,” Lempesis asked

Lempesis has repeatedly acknowledged that his behavior with his player was wrong. But he adamantly insists he is innocent of ever sexually abusing minors.

“It was immoral, unethical, but not illegal,” he said. “At no point did I do anything illegal or deserve to be tried and put in jail.”

“I destroyed my family, I destroyed my career, everything I’d worked for up till then,” he said.

Lempesis is not a sympathetic figure. A federal bankruptcy judge opined while ruling in his favor that he “is not an admirable person.” And his behavior has been widely disclosed in the media.

But the legal system routinely makes distinctions between criminal and unethical behavior, even behavior some people find trou-

In the wake of the announcement, the baseball player was contacted by Concordia and subsequently retained a lawyer.

In February 2023, Concordia released a summary of Collin’s report.

In part it read “the for mer coach was terminated by the university in September of 2010 after an internal review revealed that he had engaged in physical and other sexual misconduct that did not involve minors.”

“At this time all hell breaks loose in my life,” Lempesis said.

In May 2013 the for mer player filed his initial lawsuit, claiming breach of contract and false advertisement by Lempesis. No mention is made of alleged sexual abuse of him by Lempesis as a junior in high school.

Several months later, a for mer student at a middle school where Lempesis taught and

“She’d seen the tape herself, so she knows there’s no minors on the tape,” Lempesis said. “She did it just to poison the trier of fact. Willingly, knowingly.”

“Everyone knows there were no minors on that tape. The FBI had that tape. If there were any minors on that tape, I’d have been arrested, charged, prosecuted, long before 2017.”

Ginex ruled the video inadmissible, but he mentioned it at sentencing, as corroboration of Lempesis having “groomed” the former player as a teen.

Lempesis appealed his conviction on multiple grounds, and on Dec. 31, 2019, the Illinois First District Appellate Court unanimously overtur ned his conviction.

The three appellate justices ruled that “(Ginex) did not conduct an in camera review of Collin’s notes of interviews other than interviews Collins believed involved an inconsistent statement by (the for mer player).”

On Nov. 10, 2020, Lempesis had a bond hearing, but the state requested a continuance, saying they needed more time to prepare. On Nov. 24, Lempesis was released

He would soon realize he faced another grinding exercise in waiting. His first court date was set for Dec. 29, 2020. Since that time, he has driven several thousand miles to court to sit through more than 40 hearings His next hearing is Aug. 4, and a second trial – if there is one – will begin no earlier than December, fully six years after his conviction was overturned.

A spokesperson for the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office said in an email last week that the August date is a pretrial status hearing before Judge John Wilson and will be held at the Maybrook courthouse, “What’s happened over the past 15 years is also wrong,” he said bitterly, adding, “the system has failed an innocent man.”

“I’m out of prison, but I’m not free.”

T WEEK: Another trial?

SPIRO LEMPESIS

e River Forest Police Honor Guard leads the Memorial Day Parade dow n Ashland on May 26.

Healthy Minds Matter YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to shed light on an important but often overlooked topic: the mental well-being of older adults. Many seniors face unique emotional challenges, including loneliness, grief, changes in health, or the stress of transitioning to a new lifestyle.

Here are some simple, effective ways seniors can support their mental health every day:

Stay Connected: Reach out to family, friends, or neighbors regularly. Even a short conversation can lift your mood.

Keep Moving: Gentle exercises like walking, stretching, or chair yoga can boost your energy and reduce stress.

Try Something New: Learning a hobby, craft, or game helps keep your mind sharp and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Stick to a Routine: Daily structure provides a sense of stability and purpose.

Get Outside: Fresh air and sunshine can naturally improve your mood.

Rest Well: Good sleep supports emotional balance and clear thinking.

Mental health matters at every age. This May, take small steps each day to care for your mind—you deserve it.

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

Window work: Local artist catches eyes with creative designs

Windows are her canvas

At first glance, you might wonder what’s with that doggie in the window Jen Dunk paints them all over town: dogs, hummingbirds, squirrels, gingerbread houses. Part of her artistic practice includes window painting that helps Oak Park businesses attract attention.

“I did visual merchandising as a career before I had kids,” Dunk said. “This old- fashioned, lower tech is getting more popular. It’s the small-town feel. It doesn’t feel slick.”

Her first customer was Candycopia on Lake Street and it has built from there.

For recent work on windows at Madison Street’s Sear’s Pharmacy, Dunk conjured up a passel of pets who can now get their med prescriptions filled there. Ken Bertini, former owner of Segreti Pharmacy on Roosevelt Road, now works out of Sears.

“When we came here, we started to decide how to market,” Bertini said. “Jen’s pet, her dog, is one of our patients and then she just said one day, ‘I paint windows.’ So, she sent me a picture and we talked about it and I said that’s going to be a great idea.”

The window’s stack of pets is a play on Ber-

tini’s veterinary meds-focused business card

The process started with a photo of Sear’s windows that Dunk sketched over with her idea. Once that was approved, she outlined the piece in white acrylic paint. Next came a full white coat and then the color pass. The paint is water-soluble, so she sealed it once she was done, but it will eventually succumb to the weather. When it’s time for a new scene, the paint will come off the window with the help of a razor blade.

“Businesses – the employees can’t wait to see the next iteration,” she said. “I’ll change up the outfits on these dogs and stuff like that. So, it’s just kind of fun.”

Bertini said that Dunk’s images fit the vibe of Sear’s Pharmacy, which has long used its windows to cheekily engage with the passing traffic. Window painting is new for them, but on brand

“For sure it is kind of playful, solicits smiles,” he said.

For Dunk, the process is almost as enriching as the finished work.

“I have a lot of fun conversations while I’m painting,” said Dunk.

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR
Jen Dunk painting at Sears Pharmacy on Madison Street.
RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR e Sears window nished.
JEN DUNK
Lively Athletics on Oak Park Avenue

Oak Park approves zoning map, but trustees eye reform

Reforms may be on the way after the village hires a consultant

Oak Park’s village board voted to approve a village zoning map at its meeting Tuesday, May 20, but several trustees spoke to their desire to see fundamental changes made to the village’s zoning rules.

The board approved the official zoning map as is required by Illinois state law. The map passed the board by a vote of 5 to 2, with trustees Cory Wesley and Brian Straw voting against the map as a declaration of their interest in progressive residential zoning reform targeting an increase in “missing middle housing” for Oak Park

“Missing middle” housing is defined as medium-density housing “that provides diverse housing options along the spectrum of af fordability, which includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and bungalows,” according to the National Lauge of Cities. In an Oak Park context, village leaders have identified a lack of multi-bedroom condos and other af fordable housing types suitable for families as a gap in the village’s housing stock.

Wesley said that Oak Park’s zoning code contradicts the village’s progressive values While Oak Park touts its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, it’s stood by a zoning code that’s enforced racial and economic segregation by keeping large swathes of the village zoned only for single family residence construction, Wesley said.

“Ultimately this is me refusing to vote for a zoning map that is racist,” he said. “We have done a lot of things to pursue those goals. What we have not done yet and hope we do soon is taken the time and spent the ef fort to unwind the racism that is built into the current statute so a zoning code that we have going forward can be without the se greg ation built-in, both economic and race-based.”

Straw seconded Wesley’s criticisms of the code before matching his “no” vote “I do think we have enough info rmation to eliminate exclusionary zoning, allow

the construction of two flat s, three flats and four flats across oak park and take further steps,” he said. “We do not need to pause consideration of eliminating exclusionary zoning before we study those other things.”

Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson said she ag reed with Wesley and Straws appraisal of Oak Park’s single-family zoning and , but she voted to approve the map.

“I’m interested in approaching it more comprehensively in a broader housing plan,” she said. “To look at both af fordability and inte gration, in order to increase af fordability and opportunities for improving inte gration in our neighborhoods. ”

Village President Vicki Scaman said the village request proposals from consultants on what residential zoning reform could look like in Oak Park later this year.

“What I’m hearing tonight is when that comes forward to us in the (Requests for Proposals) that we will be ready to act,” she said. “I just think that we will be a pretty amazing group to host the conversation and the sense of urgency is heard.”

Municipalities across the country have debated the idea of ditching single family residential zoning in ef for ts to address affordability and density issues. Evanston, Oak Park’s peer in many ways, is considering eliminating single-family residential zoning as the city develops a new comprehensive plan and zoning code

Illinois House Bill 4795 was introduced last year and would’ve banned single-family zoning in cities with populations larger than 100,000. The bill did not make it to a vote.

Last July, the board oversaw a study session covering possible zoning reform, where the board weighed proposals that would eliminate or reduce the number of singlefamily residential zones in Oak Park

In an interview with Wednesday Journal after the vote, Wesley said that he expects the board to discuss the topic again soon after the village finds a consultant.

While approving the map was part of a procedural process to comply with state law, it was important for him to take this opportunity to speak to his perspective

“For me, it’s basically approving racism,” he said. “When we drop a new zoning map that is not drawn from the le gacy of racism, then I’ll vote ‘yes.’”

2024�2025 | 93rd SEASON!!

SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 2025 � 4pm

Resplendent Romantics

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CHAPEL� RIVER FOREST

WAGNER

Rienzi Overture

WAGNER

Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod RACHMANINOFF

Piano Concerto No. 3

Thomas Pandolfi, soloist

Free parking in the garage located at 1124 N. Bonnie Brae Place (one block west of Harlem Avenue between Division and Thomas Streets) in River Forest. Chapel just west of garage exit.

Pre-concert Conversation with David Leehey at 3PM. Free reception following the concert.

Tickets are $30 online through 6/7/2025; $35 on concert day.

Students through college admitted free of charge. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit SymphonyOPRF.org

Questions: Email TheSymphonyOPRF@gmail or call/text �708� 218�2648.

Jay Friedman, conductor
Thomas Pandolfi, soloist

Your News. Your Community.

ROBOTICS

from page 9

kind of cool to see different cultures and communities.”

Let’s g et one thing out of the way early T hese aren’t the kind of robots that battle each other with sharp implements, saws and flamethrowers.

No, the season consists of a task that’s in the form of a g ame called High Stakes, said Zinthefer, who coordinated the coding for Electrical Dysfunction’s robot with Premo-Hopkins

“There is a 15-second autonomous period and a one-minute, 45-second drive control period, (where) the robot has to do a certain set of tasks.” Zinthefer said. “I would say we never stopped working until the season is done.”

The goal for the locals was to build a conveyer on their robot, which picked up rings of f the floor within a square.

“You have an intake and at the other end of your robot, you clamp down on these stakes and you load these rings on to score,” Olson added. “The goal is to put them on little poles.”

Romeo had been to Worlds before at his previous school, so he knew what Electrical Dysfunction would be up against in Dallas. But sometimes, you have to learn for yourself.

“From their first match when they were competing, they instantly realized, ‘Every match is going to be like this state final,’” he said. “The teams in that top le vel, they don’t make mistakes. We were holding our own, (but) it’s like playing in the NBA. The dif ference between good and really good is huge.”

Electrical Dysfunction won four matches and lost six and didn’t make it to the championship finals round of their division. But that wasn’t the point.

“I would say it’s definitely different than Chicago,” said He. “I think Chicago is more condensed. It was very spread out in Dallas Where is everyone? Why is everything so spaced out. It was still a beautiful city.”

Suffice to say, it was the experience that mattered, and not just in Dallas, but throughout the season.

“They are the most humble kids ever,” Romeo said. “They always get in there, try their best, (show) great sportsmanship and helpful to the entire club. They always made time for everybody “I could not be prouder.”

Cognitive decline can steal the past, but it doesn’t have to steal the future. Pioneered to curb the effects of cognitive decline, Circle of Friends® is a unique, evidence-based program for building brain fitness. It was developed by Belmont Village in collaboration with the nation’s top universities and healthcare institutions — and it works. Residents enjoy a rich, therapeutic program of physical and mental activities designed to maintain brain function and build self-esteem.

Man threatens to ‘smash’ intervener with bottle during robbery

Oak Park police investigated a robber y at a local grocer y store where the suspect threatened a Cicero resident who intervened

Oak Park police are investigating a robbery incident in which the suspect reportedly threatened to “smash” someone with a bottle of liquor he was attempting to steal. This came after the victim attempted to intervene in the incident, according to a recent police activity re port.

Police responded to a re port of a robbery at a grocery store in the 7000 block of Roosevelt Road, where they learned that a man had re por tedly been found taking bottles of tequila and vodka of f of a shelf and zipping them up his bag. When someone confronted the man, he threatened to attack them with the bottle, according to the police re port.

The suspect is wanted on a charge of aggravated robbery, according to police.

Burglary incidents

Oak Park police are investigating several recent burglary incidents in which valuable items were stolen from homes or motor vehicles in the village

Police are investigating an incident at a home in the 1200 block of North Taylor Avenue in which a burglar re por tedly stole a small television, a bed frame, several pairs of gym shoes, a sofa and a DVD collection. The estimated total value of the stolen items is $1,535, according to police.

On the afternoon of May 20, police believe that someone broke into an Elmwood Park resident’s vehicle while it was

parked in the 200 block of North Ridgeland Avenue. The suspect re por tedly stole a wallet containing several credit and debit cards before using the cards at a Cicero business shortly after. The total value of the stolen goods is estimated at $1,401, according to police.

Police are investigating another incident that re por tedly occurred at a home in the 1100 block of North Harvey Avenue in which a burglar alle gedly stole a bicycle, a lawnmower, a lawn edger and a leaf blower. The total value of the stolen items is estimated at $1,175. The incident occur red sometime between May 15 and May 21, according to police.

On May 22, police believe that someone broke into a Lyons resident’s vehicle parked in the 600 block of Highland Avenue in order to steal several tools. The suspect stole a Milwaukee brand saw, shop vacuum and two nailers. The total value of the stolen tools is estimated at $1,560, according to police.

Battery arrest

Oak Park police arrested an 18-year-old from Chicago on battery and criminal damage to property charges in connection with an alle ged attack on an Oak Park resident. Police arrested the teen inside a business in the 400 block of Madison Street the evening of May 21, according to police.

These items we re o btained from Oak Pa rk ’s Po lice Department re ports date d May 16 - 23 and re present a portion of th e incidents to wh ich police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only b een charged with a crime and cases ha ve not yet b een adjudicated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect only wh en a serious crim e has b een c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rge, and police ha ve provided us with a detailed a description of the suspect as th ey seek the public’s h elp in making an arrest

Saturday, July 26, 2025 • 11am-7pm

Old Warsaw • Bus

e complete event breakdown and updates will be posted at SawasOldWarsaw.com/2025-bus-trip

Cost per person includes the Lunch Bu et at Sawa’s Old Warsaw, along with the fun- lled-round-trip accommodations to Perogi Fest in Whiting, Indiana. Do not wait as you’ll want to sign up now - so you don’t miss the bus!

** Early Bird Special ** Sign up on or before June 20th and pay only $65 per person!

His termination letter cited conflicts with colleagues among the reasons for his dismissal.

“Significant concerns with your behavior and performance have persisted,” the letter said. “In particular, you have demonstrated poor communication, lack of follow-through on direction from your supervisor, inadequate project management and productivity, failure to consistently demonstrate a sense of teamwork, failure to adhere to workplace policies and procedure s, a lack of problem-solving ability, poor relationship management and a lack of ownership and responsibility for your role in interpersonal conflicts.”

T he move from the village came a few weeks after for mer Development Services Director Emily Egan resigned from her position. T he village announced Egan and Crawford’s hirings at the same time in January 2024, as the village projected a new vision for its economic development

management in the wake of its decision to stop fundin the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation and the retirement of Tammi Grossman, the longtime director of Oak Park’s sprawling development customer services de partment.

“[Egan and Crawford] ar going to be really good assets to our team,” Village Manager Kevin Jackson said at the time. “They’ll be able to grow with the village and the community.”

Less than 18 months later, are gone from village hall. Jackson did not respond to an interview request for this story.

Craig Failor, the longtime village planner, was elevated to the development services director position upon Egan’s departure. T he village ’s development director is responsible for overseeing building permits and inspections, business services, parking, village planning, historic preservation and zoning Crawford had originally interviewed for the development services director

position, but after hiring Egan for that role the village brought Crawford on as well. T hey initially of fere d him a title of assistant development services director, but created the Economic Vitality Administrator role with the hope that Crawford would use his back ground in real estate, city p lanning and business to manage a number of projects for the village, a ccording to documents associated with hi s h iring.

Egan turned in her letter of resignatio n to Jackson on Fe b. 7 ahead of taking a c ommunity development leadership p ost in north suburban Wi lmette. In her exi t i nterview Egan d escribed d ealing with a “toxic wo rk environment” and not f eeling supported wh i le navig ating c onflicts with c olleagues, a ccording to documents associated with her resignation and obtained by We d nesd ay Jour nal via FOIA.

“Lack of suppo rt and/or b elief of my s ide of the story when my supervisor was attempting to listen to the challenges fo r myself and within my department du e

to specific i nterpersonal i ssues,” Egan wrote in an exit i nterview q uestionnaire about her least favo rite pa rt of wo rk in g at villa ge hall.

In documents associated with Crawford ’s dismissal, village leaders described re peated c onflicts b etween hi m and Egan. T he village had hired an “executive c oach” to help Crawford and hi s cowo rkers c ollaborate productive ly, to unsatisfactory results, a ccording to the documents

“The village also made several attempts to create role clarity, resolve internal conflicts and enhance your ability to succeed, including providing you with an executive coach, removing you from the Development Services Department via special assignment and physically relocatin g your office, and permanently changing your title and removing you from the Development Services De par tment,” the termination letter said.

T he village has an open job posting for the Economic Vitality Administrator role, advertising a salary range of $111,000 to $160,950. Oak Park is also hiring for a Parking and Mobility Services Manage r position within its Of fice of Development Services.

June8,2025

June8,2025 ResplendentRomantics

TristanandIsolde: PreludeandLiebestod

PianoconcertoNo.3

Snowflakes (we’re not kidding)

Join us in supporting the Museum of Beadwork’s 2025 annual Collaborative Community Project.

TristanandIsolde: PreludeandLiebestod

ThomasPandolfi,soloist

PianoconcertoNo.3

JayFriedman,conductor

ThomasPandolfi,soloist

JayFriedman,conductor

ConcertsonSundays,4pmatConcordiaUniversityChapel,RiverForest Studentsthroughcollegeadmittedfreeofcharge Freeparkingat1124BonnieBraePlace

ConcertsonSundays,4pmatConcordiaUniversityChapel,RiverForest Studentsthroughcollegeadmittedfreeofcharge Freeparkingat1124BonnieBraePlace

Their theme for this year is “No Two Alike,” and they are accepting beaded snowflakes that will be part of an installation exhibit in their gallery.

• Make a beaded snowflake during our drop-in workshop.

• Take your snowflake home, or, if you want, leave it with us and we’ll send it to the Museum of Beadwork.

• $6 per item. No reservation necessary.

More details are available at: www.beadinhand.com/whats-blooming-on-harrison.

Pinhead Design by Dish Jewelry that takes chic to a whole new level!

Fat Cat Art Gallery Presents: The Work of Our Arturo Reyes

A powerful retrospective celebrating 26 years of painting by

This bold, color-driven collection bursts with energy—featuring fullbodied hues, gestural marks, erratic lines, and dynamic movement. Reyes' mastery as a colorist is on full display, alongside his raw, expressive aerosol and textured collages work and selection of intimate watercolors and charcoals. Arturo Reyes captures the spirit of an artist in constant motion.

Stop in and explore our gallery during the What’s Blooming weekend!

RIVERSID E ARTS WEEKEND

JUNE

7 & 8

SATURDAY, 10 AM - 5 PM | SUNDAY, 10 AM - 4 PM

Make plans to join us for this family-friendly event! Enjoy refreshments from local vendors, art demonstrations and musical entertainment in historic downtown Riverside.

40+ Artist

Exhibits Including ceramics, jewelry, mixed media, painting, photography, watercolor, wearable fiber, and more!

A sampling of the 70+ artists showcasing their work this weekend at “What’s Blooming on Harrison”

Day in Our Village

Upgrade your block party game and book The Zemi Coffee Cart today! Bring Puerto Rican coffee and drinks to your upcoming block party and event! Book online today!

Elevate your coffee, tea and drink experience with The Zemi Coffee Cart! Find us near the library at A Day In Our Village!

Day in Our Village

A Day In Our Village 2025

Welcome back to Scoville Park for the premiere summer event in Oak Park

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the incredible groups and organizations that have participated in this premier summer event over the years. This year, we celebrate 51 years of fun right here in Oak Park, IL!

Last year, we finally brought back the Foam, and I’m thrilled to announce that it’s here again! Special thanks to the Park District of Oak Park for making that happen. So grab your family, friends, and a towel, and join us at Scoville Park this Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM for an unforgettable day!

For me, this event marks the official start of summer. But none of it would be

possible without an amazing team of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly to keep things running year after year:

• Greg Kolar has been hard at work securing spaces for over 140 local businesses and organizations showcasing their services.

•Cory Kohut has lined up a fantastic selection of restaurants and local delicacies in our food court near the library patio.

• Chris Edwards has searched far and wide to bring you a great lineup of live Yacht Rock theme music to keep you moving all day long.

• Bev Smith has been recruiting volunteers to ensure set-up is smooth and seamless

I feel incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such passionate individuals who make this event so special, year after year.

Don’t miss our Ontario Street fun area this Sunday! We’re closing Ontario

Street from Oak Park Avenue to Grove Avenue to vehicles so you can enjoy even more activities. The Park District is debuting an exciting Prime Time Racing Activity, where four to six competitors can test their skills by racing two-foot-long radio-controlled cars on a banked 26-foot race track!

Now, we just need one more thing—YOU! Come out on Sunday and enjoy a fantastic day with friends, neighbors, and elected officials, all while soaking up the sun and the Foam, grooving to the music, and savoring everything Oak Park has to offer.

See you there!

Michael Stewart Day in Our Village

June 9th to 13th

June 16th to 20th

June 23rd to 27th

July 7th to 11th

July 14th to 18th

July 21st to 25th

July 28th to August 1st

August 4th to 8th

chicagoedgesc.com/club/summercamps

MICHAEL STEWART

51st A Day in Our Village Festival

Sunday, June 1 • 11 a.m.

- 4 p.m.

Most sites are accessible to those with disabilities. Free “Disabled Only” parking also is available. Public restrooms (also accessible) are located just west of the Scoville Park Tennis Courts. Disabled Parking will be on Oak Park Avenue, north of the loading/unloading Zone on Oak Park Avenue For more information on A Day in Our Village, call 708.358.5408 or e-mail community@oak-park.us.

A Day in Our Village is an event, organized by volunteers, to celebrate the vitality and the rich advantages of our diverse community, and provide the opportunity for all residents, their families, and friends to come learn about the myriad of organizations (civic, cultural, social services, religious and business) and share in this Oak Park experience

Hemingway District .............................................................48

Baha’i Faith Community of Oak Park ...................................49

FirstLight Home Care Oak Park ............................................50

Riveredge Hospital ...............................................................51

Senator

Democratic Party of Oak Park ..............................................57

Oak Park Concert Chorale, Inc. .............................................58

Secular Jewish Community &School ..................................59

Kinfolk CoLab .......................................................................61

Race Conscious Dialogues ...................................................62

First United Church Nursery School .....................................63

Committee for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel ...................64

Oak Park Regional Housing Center, Oak Park Cycle Club .....65

The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest ............66 Arbor West Neighbors..........................................................67 Deep Roots Project ...............................................................68

Nutriquity, PLLC ...................................................................70 Colin Fane- State Farm Insurance Agent .............................71 Troop 308 .............................................................................72 Oak Park Climate Action Network .......................................73

PING! Providing Instruments for the Next Generation ........74

Medical Aid in Dying/Compassion & Choices .....................75

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church ........................................76

NAMI Metro Suburban ........................................................77

Comedy Plex Comedy Club ..................................................78

Dadventure Guide ................................................................79

DivaDance OPDG ..................................................................80

Frick Kids Art ........................................................................81

Moms Demand Action ........................................................82

Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago .................................83

Pure Health Chiropractic ......................................................84

PetVets Animal Hospital ......................................................85

Oak Park Homelessness Coalition ........................................86

Housing Forward .................................................................87

Pilgrim Community Preschool & Pilgrim Congregational ..88

Tim Coan Guitar Studio ........................................................89

Mindful Motion Physical Therapy ........................................90

Zen Life and Meditation Center Chicago .............................91

Learning Edge Tutoring ........................................................92

Oak Park Writers Group ........................................................93

Empower Family Therapy ....................................................94

Festival Committee Liaisons

Volunteer Chairpersons

Greg Kolar

Festival Co-Chair, Activities Co-Chair

Michael Stewart

Festival Co- Chair, Publicly

Cory Kohut

Festival Co-Chair, Refreshments/ Restaurants Chair

Bev Smith

Hospitality

Chris Edwards Entertainment

Bill Planek

Fundraising

Jai Wright & June Stout

Info Booth and Video

Food Court @ Library Plaza,

Scoville Park & Grove Avenue

Cassandra Adediran

Village of Oak Park, Community

Relations Coordinator, DAVY Awards

Erik Jacobsen

Village of Oak Park, Communications Manager

Joe Kreml

Village of Oak Park, Media Production Manager

Tom Fulton

Village of Oak Park, Public Works

Street Supervisor

Chris Lindgren

Park District of Oak Park Deputy Director of Properties and Planning

Susan Crane

Park District of Oak Park

Special Events Manager

Domino’s Pizza, Pizza by the slice.

Do Not Forget Your Lunch Box : Hot dogs. Polish, Italian Beef, Burgers Veggie Burgers, Snow Cones

Taco Mucho – A variety of Mexican food and soft drinks

Scratch On Lake. Serving beer and wine. Candycopia. Assorted Candy Jackson O’Brien. Serving Ice Cream Zemi Coffee Cart. Serving coffee

Suzy Antell

Oak Park Public Library, Deputy Director

Scoville Park Stage

@Lake St. & Oak Park Ave

Here’s the line up of entertainment for Sunday, June 1, 2025

This year’s music theme will be Yacht Rock 10am, School of Rock

11:30am, Tiny Bubbles

Noon Halua I Ka Pono

12:30pm Yacht Rock-ettes

1:30pm Davy Awards, Announcements

2:00 China Groove

3pm Dance Party

3:30 Retro Radio

Scoville Park Activities –

The Park District of Oak Park will be providing family friendly activities in our park for the enjoyment of residents and celebrating the Village of Oak Park.

Ontario Street area: The Park District of Oak Park is sponsoring Prime Time Racing! Put your racing skills to the test as four or six competitors will race two foot long radio controlled cars around a twenty-six foot banked track!

Join the Park District of Oak Park, in the center of Scoville Park for a fun, Fantastic Foam Party! Cool off with foam blasting from the Foam Cannon. Make fun hairdos, dance to the music and enjoy some good old fashioned fun. Please bring a towel and dry clothes as you will get wet.

• Village President Vicki Scaman

• Village Manager Kevin Jackson

• Chief of Police Shatonya Johnson, Oak Park Police Department

• Oak Park Public Work Department

• Oak Park Fire Department

level Sponsor

Special Thanks

• Oak Park Police Department

• Communications Department, Village of Oak Park

• Nancy Diaz & Jackie Hargrove, Finance Department, Village of Oak Park

• Park District of Oak Park

• Oak Park Public Library

• Thanks to all of the volunteers who made this event possible for the last 51 years!

Please ride a bike or walk to this fun event!

Supporter

Your News. Your Community.

fair | live music | carnival rides saturday, may 31 | 11am-9pm | on harrison street, humphrey to highland

Axis Earthenworx

Functional ceramics crafted with intention and soul - made for everyday. www.facebook.com/dpbesser www.instagram.com/AxisEarthenworx www.etsy.com/shop/AxisEarthenworx

A sampling of the 70+ artists showcasing their work this weekend at “What’s Blooming on Harrison”

Manos de Maya Cooperative

Empowering women and girls

Handwoven up-cycled Guatemalan textiles Fair Trade, San Antonio Aguas Calientes, Sacatepequez, Guatemala

FB: manosdemaya • www.manosdemaya.com

what’s blooming on harrison

Spread the Love Body Butters and Scrubs with Essential Oils, LLC

Luxurious, healing, all-natural skincare that nourishes, uplifts, and transforms lives. spreadthelovebbs.com

Tenryukan Aikido Dojo

Original railing from 1886

t and renovator’s ak Park project more than just a f lip

enue restored and updated

When Berkeley and Harvard-trained architect Steven Huang came to Oak Park looking for a home to renovate and sell, he was drawn to the village’s historic architecture. Originally from China, Huang teaches at the Illinois Institute of Technolog y, and in his spare time enjoys exploring historic places.

With a small renovation under his belt in Berwyn, he turned to Oak Park and found a great candidate for his first major makeover in a Queen Anne style home at 237 S. East Ave. The oldest home on the block, it had been loved by its previous owner for over 60 years, but the home was in need of maintenance and interior and exterior updates.

The walls might have been crumbling, but Huang saw the potential to honor the home’s past while bringing a more modern

feel to the interior. Huang, who had work experience at firms like SOM (Skidmore, Owens & Merrill,) knew local architect Frank Heitzman. Heitzman, a for mer Historic Preservation Commission chair, reviewed Huang’s plans for the home

Huang ke pt the front of the house very true to the original plan. He retained the original porch railings, front door and front staircase. He maintained the placement of the original fireplace in the living room but updated it with marble sourced from Turkey. He also maintained the original window sizes but installed new windows throughout the home.

“When touring other homes in the area, I saw a lot of built-ins,” said Huang. He worked with his IIT architecture students to design built-ins in the living room and dining room of the home.

See RESTORATION on pa ge 36

RESTORATION

from page 35

Over the years, the original millwork had been removed from the house, so in the front rooms, Huang installed millwork that was appropriate to the home’s 1886 build date.

At the back of the house, Huang put on an addition and used more modern trim to delineate the old and new spaces in the home. The original kitchen was quite small, but with Huang’s addition, it now houses an 11-foot island and three new windows at the back that frame the flowering fruit tree in the back yard

The addition continues on the second floor of the home. What was the original primary bedroom at the front of the house joins two other bedrooms that share a hall bathroom.

T he new primary suite at the rear of the house is pa rt of Huang ’s a dditio n and features an organi c, swooping ceiling. Huang said, “I wanted the room to be filled with light. ”

Echoing the three windows in the kitchen, there is a bank of three windows overlooking the backyard’s fruit tree. With very intentional design, Huang planned for skylights in the new primary bathroom to fill that room with light. The soaking tub is tucked beneath a picture window and the

bathroom’s marble echoes the marble in the living room fireplace.

What was once unfinished attic space was converted into a spacious work-fromhome office or a fifth bedroom with another full bathroom. The unfinished basement was also remodeled and houses a large laundry room and family room.

Throughout the house, Huang used his expertise to create a feeling of light and space.

His attention to detail extends to the backyard where he created a pea gravel patio in the shape of the shadow of the house. Along with all new mechanicals, water line and a garage, the house is well suited to last another 140 years.

The house was listed for sale with Heidi Rogers of Baird and War ner for $1,200,000 and sold for $1,204,375 in May.

Huang said that prior to beginning the proj-

ect, he spoke with the for mer owner, who was only the second owner of the home. A librarian, she had lived in the house 60 years and raised four children there. While she wasn’t able to come to see the home post-renovation, he hopes she would appreciate seeing her house brought back to glory. When he chose a color for the paint on the exterior, he kept it a pale shade of blue, similar to what was there when he bought the house

Rear addition with a bench stair Muti-functional attic
Primar y bedroom with skylig ht
PHOTO S BY JUNFU CUI

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Starting an old-school conversation

WActs of hate w ill not bring us peace VIEWPOINTS

hen I moved to Oak Park five years ago, Facebook was an indispensable tool for getting to know my new community

Contractor recommendations from Oak Park Working Moms, yard inspiration from the Garden Club, free stuff via Free to a Good Home — a wealth of knowledge and support, all from my at social media had to of fer.

CHAVAS

Which is why it’s so disappointing when I see those same neighbors spiral into toxic discourse. say things online we’d never say to someone’s react without thinking, toss out broad statements like they’re facts, and lose empathy for the people on the other side of the screen.

come to expect this in local political groups. ’t expect it from my native plant group, here I witnessed a full-blown moderator revolt er posts referencing non-native plants. When tual friendships are destroyed over Zinnias w we’ve lost the plot. everyone else, I have opinions. But I in creasingly get no satisfaction from sharing them online — usually regretting my half-baked tak on someone else’s half-baked take. So I’ve to two uniquely analog outlets: writing letters to Wednesday Jour nal, and stand-up comedy.

When we moved in and the for mer owner’s Jour nal subscription landed the paper on my porch, I was struck by the robust opinion section — and quickly learned that if you submit it, they’ ll publish it. Having this kind of old-school outlet felt strangely novel.

With this slower approach to community discourse, I’m almost de lighted to get an incensed rebuttal. It means someone was so committed to responding, they took the time to write it out, send it in, and wait a week to be heard. I’ll take that over a snarky Facebook comment any day. Meanwhile, I’ve always loved stand-up. I believe comedians are society truth-tellers. When the Comedy Plex opened last year and offered classes signed up. With my kids tur ning 5 and 7, I finally had some daylight to tr something new. I thought it’d be a fun activity and a way to sharp public speaking. I didn’t realize I’d also find a new forum for my vo Now I have another venue to share my perspective on topics like parenthood, and the oddities of life in Oak Park (leaf-bagging jok in this town). The audience has no choice but to listen, yet no obli find me funny. It’s humbling, terrifying, and thrilling all at once. It of vulnerability that cannot be experienced sitting behind a screen.

A five-minute set, like a 500-word column, forces you to sharpen y message. There’s no room for filler, no space to meander. It’s not a clap back, and it’s not a rant. You write, rework, second-guess — and then eventually, the deadline hits

Iwas heartbroken to learn of the murder of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, two Israeli embassy workers senselessly killed in Washington D.C.

ANAN ABU-TALEB

T heir lives were cut shor t in an act of violence that has left their f amilies, friends, and neighbors devastated. I want to express my deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them.

One View

T heir loss is profound, and my heart is with their community in this time of mour ning As someone born in Gaza, I know this pain. Earlier this year, my oldest brother was killed — two weeks after his 35-year-old son. Two

extremists on all sides and makes it harder for those of us trying to bring people together — Jews, Muslims, Christians, Palestinians, and Israelis alike. It reinforces false, dangerous narratives that paint Palestinians as inherently violent and unworthy of freedom, dignity, or empathy.

It also puts our communities here at home in danger. It poisons the public conversation. It silences the voices of the oppressed. It creates a climate where hate feels justified and violence is mistaken for strength. And it gives our leaders the excuse to turn away from what

With stand-up, the feedback is immediate: laughter or silence. With writing, you wait — not for a comment, but hopefully a conversation.

Nicole Chavas lives in Oak Park, where she runs a sustainable planning and design firm while her kids run everything else.

lost, whether in Gaza, Tel Aviv, or Washington, deserves to be honored.

Violence like this doesn’t just har m its victims. It sets back the cause of justice. It turns potential allies into skeptics and closes hearts that might otherwise be open. It fuels

have stood with the people of Gaza in their suf fering and struggl e. That shared humanity is our only hope.

Anan Abu-Taleb is a longtime Oak Park resident. He served two terms as Oak Park mayor, 2013-2021.

OUR VIEWS

Holding Jackson accountable

If it feels as if Oak Park’s economic development ef for ts have been stuck in neutral over the past 18 months, it is because they have been stymied by intense internal infighting among high-ranking staf f and then the resignation of one leader and the firing of the other top development person.

Emily Egan was hired as Development Services director in January 2024. She lasted just over a year before she found safe haven as Wilmette’s economic development leader. In her February exit interview, a copy of which was obtained by Wednesday Jour nal through a Freedom of Information Act request, Eg an pulled no punches. She called Oak Park’s village hall a “toxic work environment” and detailed her frustrations with Village Manager Kevin Jackson and specifically his management of Brandon Crawford, who in the course of his one year in Oak Park, was either Egan’s subordinate or later her peer with his newly invented Economic Vitality Administrator title.

Egan said in that document that she did not feel supported by Jackson as she worked to navigate conflicts with colleagues

“Lack of support and/or belief of my side of the story when my supervisor was attempting to listen to challenges for myself and within my de partment due to specific interpersonal issues,” she wrote

Jackson finally fired Crawford in late April. In both a perfor manceimprovement plan document and ultimately in the ter mination letter, Jackson and Kira Tchang, the village’s HR director, skewered Crawford for an array of alle ged failings as a leader and a colleague. Poor communication, lack of follow through, late or poorly done reports, lack of problem-solving ability, and a refusal to take ownership of the seemingly endless conflicts with colleagues were all noted.

On a specific topic, Crawford was criticized for not completing a report on how the village might create a TIF district to include the vacant eyesore that is the Mohr Concrete site on Harlem. Village President Vicki Scaman has recently suggested the village ought to buy the site.

While not mentioned, we’d add that Crawford ought to have faced consequences for overseeing the absolutely vapid consultant’s report on economic vitality. Purposeless but expensive drivel was our take.

Jackson owns the failure of Oak Park’s economic development infrastructure. Along with Scaman, they dismantled the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation. And despite long notice of Tammie Grossman’s retirement as Oak Park’s development guru, he built a new structure which has now imploded

The newly remade Oak Park Village Board ought to have tough questions for Jackson. And even though the previous board recently extended his contract with a generous raise and added perks, it ought to institute some form of comprehensive peer review of his performance by his colleagues at village hall.

While we are reporting this week on the collapse of the economic development ef fort, there have been a troubling number of departures of department heads at village hall over the past year which we will be re porting on in the weeks to come

Our village creed

Oak Park has an important story to tell — about showing grace under pressure, finding the courage to become a more open, welcoming and inclusive village, filled with people of all backgrounds. We still have wide lawns, as Ernest Hemingway probably didn’t say, but we stretched our minds — and opened our arms.

Oak Park has been called “The Middle-Class Capital of America.” Our story is important because if it could happen here, it can happen anywhere. And for this country to thr ive, it needs to happen everywhere.

TRAINOR

Happily Ever After is never guaranteed. We need to keep telling our story because some people forget and some haven’t heard it yet, and because the story is not finished. It’s still being written, and you and I are writing it.

The story is distilled in Oak Pa rk’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement — that’s right, DEI and proud of it! — which serves as our village creed and whose origin dates back 61 years, to 1964, to a newspaper ad of all things, signed by over 1,000 Oak Park and River Forest residents. In January of 1964, less than a year after a racial incident involving the Oak Park Symphony (a good story for another time), local residents attended a series of three public forums on race issues at First Cong re gational Church (now First United Church of Oak Park).

At the end of the third session, people were asking, “What do we do now?” A core group met and decided to put an ad — a double-page spread — in the local press. Activist June Heinrich wrote the text, which appeared in the Oak Leaves and the Village Economist on April 16, 1964. The title is simple, direct and unpretentious: “The Right of All People to Live Where They Choose.” That ad drew a lot of attention. It led to a series of Open Housing marches on Lake Street, protesting unethical real estate practices. That led to the Fair Housing Ordinance, which put Oak Park on the DEI map. And that led to our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement in 1973, read aloud every two years when new village board members take their seats. Here is a condensed version of that statement, using some of the language of later versions in order to bring it up to date:

We belie ve in the essential oneness of humankind, and seek to foster such unity in our community by declaring:

That we want residence in our villa ge to be open to anyone interested in sharing our benefits and responsibilities, re gardless of race, color, creed, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation,

langua ge, gender, economic class, mental/physical impairment or disability, or any of the other characteristics that too often are used to divide us from one another;

That we belie ve both our commonalities and our differences are assets;

That we commit to breaking down the barriers of the systems of oppression that limit and divide us;

That we reject bias toward any group of people because no group of people is superior and no group is inferior;

That we affir m all people as members of the human family, deserving of equal treatment;

That we belie ve in equal opportunity for all in education and occupations, in harmony with constitutional guarantees of our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

That mutual understanding between people can best be attained by an attitude of reciprocal good will and increased interaction;

That creating a mutually respectful, multicultural, equitable and welcoming environment does not happen on its own. It must be intentional; That all citizens, in a spirit of justice, dignity, and mutual kindness, should accept the challenge that still faces all Americans 249 years after the Declaration of Independence: embracing di versity and achieving equity and inclusion for all — in word, thought, deed and law.

I am a proponent of reading our village creed aloud in a public setting — such as this Sunday’s Day in Our Village — every year at high noon.

Oak Park is like no other place on Earth. And yet it is universal. What happened here can and should happen everywhere.

What distinguishes us is that, once upon a time, at a critical juncture in our history, we reinvented ourselves. This mostly white suburb consciously, intentionally, deliberately became a more open, welcoming and fair-minded community. We did it not only because it was right, but because it was the smart thing to do. We took the road less traveled and proclaimed the right of all people to live where they choose. And we did more than just say it. We walked the talk.

Do we still have a long way to walk? Yes. Do we nonetheless deserve to celebrate how we got here and who we are now? Yes. In fact, celebrating who we have become is essential to becoming better.

And because becoming an even stronger community will get us through this dark night of our nation’s soul.

IDOGE is right out of a

have a Kafkaesque story that involves DOGE, Social Security, and me.

As you’ve heard, DOGE is reining in federal spending on a MAGA scale. This amounts to algorithms firing National Nuclear Security Administration and National Weather Service employees as well as air traffic controllers.

I have gained a personal insight into DOGE’s work at the Social Security administration because I will turn 65 years old in June.

My aging peers told me that three months before, I needed to apply for Social Security and Medicare.

JACK CROWE

Last March, I set up an account at https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/ url?a=https%3a%2f%2fLogin.gov&c=E,1,w yDtDT45JMgQnS6FJ9u31qwW8VsUv9ewyuQls-Ncmrjjjwgallgcd5sejc1QFlITNcnbZa5PPRvWBH-cM-kW5UvncS8ibfdbGEn50AJTUKb5Bg,,&typo=1 so I could, in tur n, create a Social Security account and apply.

Something else was going on in March

Elon Musk was busy scaring the bejesus out of senior citizens by claiming DOGE had uncovered massive fraud and that thousands of dead people were getting benefits.

DOGE’s solution was to fire 7,000 Social Security employees and send vague messages about seniors needin g to prove in person that they are not dead.

Meanwhile, I had been unable to link my new https:// linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fLogin. gov&c=E,1,AHq1gO_MJTmmi-J8GXGJHbDzOBS2dQ-7VLzd7F28ZdiBDsBJvAsq3ARnDGfoOujzgmtawAKjVskbc2goBVJRPHuURujN7QXyWGMK47BK-f8-A,,&typo=1 account to Social Security, which could not verify my identity

I tried using online supports and calling Social Security. Mostly, I got lost in an endless loop of automated

Ka a novel

phone options. Frequently I was disconnected. Occasionally, I was put on hold for hour s. So I decided to visit the nearest Social Security office in Hillside. There I found a long line of elderly people, took a number, and waited

When my number was called, a frazzled man behind a glass window asked why I was there. I said I came to apply for Social Security and Medicare because I couldn’ t do so online.

A little annoyed, he said, “You see all these people? They already have social security benefits but they think they need to come into the office and prove in person that they are alive or they will lose their benefit s.” I explained that my issue was different. He took my info rmation, said I was “verified,” and gave me a phone call appointment two months out in the future.

This past week, that long-awaited call ar rived. And here’s the problem:

My name is Jack Cr owe. Has been for 65 years. But my bir th certificate from the now closed St. Anne’s Hospital in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago says my name is John Crowe.

And according to Social Security, no Jack Crowe exists

This is even though my driver’s license says Jack Crowe, as does my U.S. passpor t. And for nearly half a century, Jack Cr owe, not John Crowe, has been paying Social Security payroll taxes.

T he woman said the only solution was for me to get an Illinois court to declare in a court proceeding that John Crowe is Jack Cr owe or visa versa.

And if I get that court order? I will then set up direct deposit for my social security check. Thanks to DOGE, that will require another in-person visit to Social Security.

Our libraries deserve our thanks

Now that the April 2025 Municipal Elections are over, I wanted to take a minute to thank our local libraries for being the League of Women Voters’ valued partner in putting on our candidate forums. Without their helpful and knowledgeable staf f, these for ums would not have progressed as flawlessly as they did.

The League has received many compliments and thanks for the public service of being able to hear from candidates running for local of fice. The library staf f has the expertise to take Zoom registrations and record these events so that my job as moderator was much easier. Even when there were no contested elections (River Forest), library staf f there were able to acce pt some recorded statements from village board candidates to post for citizens to watch.

Though vir tual forums star ted because of the pandemic, the League has found that they still have a place in

educating citizens about candidates. Viewing can be done in real time or later via the posted recordings. This year there were over 4,300 views of our forums! We hope to continue our partnership for future municipal elections.

The next time you visit your local library, please thank the following staf f members for all their ef for ts in supporting democracy within our communities. All were truly a joy to work with.

Oak Park Library - Rashmi Swain, Bridget Optholt, Amelia Vargas

River Forest Library - Brian Wolowitz

Forest Park Library - Martha Sullivan

Westchester Library - Ryan Flores, Patrick Callahan

Elmwood Park Library - Mike Consiglio

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

Peggy Kell

Voter Service chair, LWV OP-RF

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

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

■ Signature details as at left

Living with Harvard Street bike lane s

This response is to Josh Vander Berg’s column on the Harvard Street bike lanes [Harvard or Bust? Viewpoints, May 14]. My wife and I received a letter from the village in mid-December informing us of the Jan. 13 Transportation Committee meeting. We, with our neighbors, attended because we were interested. There was not a “firestorm” of social media surrounding our choice to participate.

View

Once we were there, we were allowed to comment in a 3-minute time frame at the podium in a video recorded statement. Many of us took that opportunity to explain our concer ns. We spoke passionately; we did not “vent our spleens.” Twenty-some spoke, the vast majority were against the bike lanes, and one person was in support

I am a self-employed architect and my wife and I raised our son here in South Oak Park. We have lived on Wisconsin Avenue for almost 23 years. We love our village and refer to our neighborhood as Mayberry. The desire for bike safety is understandable. However, I do not recall seeing bicycle and auto collisions in South Oak Park in the newspapers. The specific desire to bike to school made me recall that our son was not allowed to bike to Lincoln Elementary School. The school had no bike racks and was concer ned about stolen and damaged bicycles

Other bike traveling options by the village’s consultant proposed a loop of bicycling mapped out in the southwest corner of our neighborhood, which included Harvard and Fillmore or Lexington. Near the end of last year, the two paths (not lanes) were changed and designated to be on Harvard. This proposal for bike use was bolstered by recommended bike symbols, signage, and other techniques to slow down cars

The consultants had this as a viable option for pedestrians, bikes, and cars to co-exist.

(Please note the previous loop of the non-bike lane options and maintaining the Harvard parking as-is was mentioned by a member of the Transportation Committee on the night of the March 10 vote. The committee has no transcripts of the design options or the decision process for the public to review.)

I often walk from Harlem to Austin on Harvard. My anecdotal observation and information:

- 100+ residential dwelling units open on to Harvard

- approximately 40 dwelling units have Harvard as their main entry!

- 3 churches use Harvard for parking and drop off (Many are senior citizens).

- 3 schools use Harvard for parking and drop off.

- 60 garages and perpendicular parking spaces back in or out onto Harvard, creating unintended consequences for fast bikes.

- many seniors (I am over 65) rely on ease of access to their property.

Regarding the “raised bike lanes”: this is a phased feature and after the painted lanes are in place, the intent is to physically construct per manent raised bike lanes (curbs, paving, altered parkways, re-engineered stor m catch basin, driveway aprons) that if implemented are projected to be very costly in tax dollars.

The inconvenience to many does not square with the wishes of a few. Limited use by students and recreational bikers during six months or so of good weather does not seem to justify year-round inconvenience or hardship to hundreds of residents, not to mention the disproportionate use of village financial resources.

Please consider the other less expensive and less obtrusive bike use options for this proposed alteration to our physical environment. Please!

Disrespecting seniors

I recently went to the Secretary of State Seniors Only Driver’s License facility in Westchester to renew my driver’s license. I had an unfathomable experience, grave concerns, and outrage re garding the conditions and treatment of senior citizens, many of them in their 80s and older.

What I witnessed was both heartbreaking and appalling. Elderly individuals, some barely able to walk, ar rived with canes, walkers, etc., and were denied the support of an accompanying person. I was told that if a person required mobility assistance, staf f would have to “check with the manager” to decide if they would be allowed entry.

Incredibly, I witnessed the custodial daughter of an elderly mother with Alzheimer’s disease, told she could not accompany her mother inside, and that “it was the law.” Shockingly, during the same time another visitor was allowed to bring a minor child into the facility without question. The inconsistency and lack of compassion in enforcing these so-called rules is deeply disturbing.

These elders are Illinois residents who are required by law to get a state-issued REAL ID, yet they are being met with unnecessary and inhumane barriers. The lack of basic accom-

modations shown to individuals with significant cognitive and/or physical impairment is unacce ptable.

The situation inside the facility was no better. It was dangerously overcrowded, with people packed tightly into small spaces, creating what can only be described as a petri dish for COVID-19. For elderly citiz ens, who remain among the most vulnerable to serious consequences from COVID-19, this environment is not only uncomfortable, it is hazardous.

I am appalled that our elders – many of whom spent their lives working, raising families, and serving their communities – are being subjected to such de grading treatment. The conditions and policies I observed, are disrespectful and potentially life-threatening.

I wrote to Secretary of State Giannoulis and asked him to conduct an immediate investigation into the policies and conditions at this Westchester facility, and to implement clear, statewide guidance that ensure elderly and mobility-impaired individuals are treated with dignity, safety, and common sense.

I was raised to respect my elders!

C. Er fort Ri ver Forest

Board needs a sustainability voice

I am writing to disagree with Alan Krause’s suggestion in last week’s issue. [1]

Mr. Krause opines that Village President Vickie Scaman set a binding precedent in October 2022 when she appointed Cory Wesley to the board following the resignation of Arti Walker-Peddakotla. She selected Wesley in part because he had the next highest vote total in the 2022 election. Significantly, Wesley, like Walker-Peddakotla, championed equity and af fordability, making him a like-minded candidate.

Now Trustee Susan Buchanan is stepping down and President Scaman needs to appoint someone to take her place, pending board approval.

Trustee Buchanan has been a strong and vocal advocate for sustainability and environmental justice, based on her expertise as a professor at UIC and as associate director of its Occupational and Environmental Medicine residency program. I am very grateful to Buchanan for her leadership in our village on these issues.

In fact, I chose the candidates I voted for in this year’s election in part because I knew Buchanan was on the board. None of the unelected candidates featured sustainability front and center in their campaigns. And the next highest vote getter was Lucia Robinson, who voters chose not to return to the board. Therefore, I disagree with Mr. Krause. I support the process that President Scaman outlined in your May 12 article [2], in which she said she would seek someone with similar legislative priorities as Buchanan.

Your thought process is sound, President Scaman, and I am glad you are seeking someone with expertise in sustainability and environmental justice to join our board.

Sources:

1. https://www.oakpark.com/2025/05/20/ scamans-appointment-process/

2. https://www.oakpark.com/2025/05/12/ susan-buchanan-resigns-from-oak-park-villageboard/

Kris Hansen Oak Park

Say it is so for Shoeless Joe

‘Shoeless Joe” Jackson is one of baseball’s all-time great players and he deserves to be inducted into the baseball hall of fame. For many, Shoeless Joe captured the imagination of movie fans by being portrayed in Eight Men Out and Field of Dreams. Others see him as a co-conspirator who sold-out his team in the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal.

JONATHAN PANTON

One View

The Baseball Hall of Fame’s criteria for entry depends on “the player’s record, playing ability, integrity, sportsmanship, character, and contributions to the team.” Shoeless Joe’s play on the field is beyond dispute. His lifetime batting average of .356 is the fourth-highest of any hitter. All-time great Babe Ruth said, “I copied Joe’s swing because he was the greatest hitter I had ever seen.” His performance led to the White Sox winning the 1917 World Series and then the 1919 American League Pennant.

The real question is Shoeless Joe’s integrity. Yes, critics have a legitimate point that he admitted in his grand jury testimony to taking $5,000 from teammate Lefty Williams to throw the World Series. But the story is more complicated.

In 1919 Chicago, gamblers had easy access to players. A teammate, Chick Gandil, wrote in a 1956 Sports Illustrated article that bookmaker Sports Sullivan approached him before the World Series offering to pay each player $10,000 on the premise, “Don’t be silly. It’s been pulled before and it can be again.” The bookmakers knew that the players were easy targets due to depressed salaries and owner Charles Comiskey refusing to launder their jerseys. Gambler Bill Burns’ testimony was that two days before the World Series began, he met with seven White Sox players about fixing g ames. Jackson was not at the meeting and in fact never met any gamblers involved in the fix.

Second, Jackson tried to inform Comiskey. One month after the series, he wrote a letter offering to meet with Comiskey to tell him what he knew about the r umors that the series was fixed. Comiskey ignored his good-faith request. Jackson’s actions show he was honest. In fact, team Captain Eddie Collins, who was not involved in the fix, did not believe Shoeless Joe threw the World Series.

Third, juries sided with Jackson in two separate trials. He was acquitted of conspiracy in the famous 1921 Cook County

Criminal trial. In 1924, Jackson filed a breach of contract lawsui against Comiskey in Milwaukee County. The jury found 11-1 tha Jackson did not conspire to lose the World Series.

Fourth, and most importantl Jackson testified that he “playe to win.” During the 1919 World Series, he had 12 hits, batted .375, hit the series’ only home run, and committed 0 er rors. Jackson’s on-field performance certainly shows he gave his best.

Shoeless Joe may not have been perfect but his mistake committed over 100 years ago should be forgiven. He played every game like it was his last. It is time for this Chicago White Sox legend to be inducted into Cooperstown.

Sources:

1. Baseball Hall of Fame Election Rules Paragraph 5 https://baseballhall.org/hallof-fame/election-rules/bbwaa-rules

2. USA Today article on Shoeless Joe’s candidacy https://www.usatoday.com/ story/sports/mlb/2025/05/13/who-wasshoeless-joe-jackson-stats-banned-hall-offame/83606707007

3. Shoeless Joe Grand Jury testimony https://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/joejackson.shtml

4. 1956 Sports Illustrated article, “This is my story of the Black Sox series” https://chicagolo gy.com/ baseball/1919worldseries/g andilmystory1956/

5. Bill Burns testimony https://famoustrials.com/blacksox/943-home

6. Shoeless Joe writes to Comiskey, No 15, 1919 https://sabr.org/journal/article/ comiskeys-detectives/#:~:text=Joe%20 Jackson%20had%20written%20 to,come%20to%20Chicago%20was%20 ignored.

7. Eddie Collins on Shoeless Joe, https:// www.cbsnews.com/news/williams-hitsfor-shoeless-joe/

8. 1924 Milwaukee trial https://www. baseballhistorycomesalive.com/shoelessjoe-jackson-part-three-joe-and-the-tainted-5000/

9. Shoeless Joe 1919 World Series statistics https://www.shoelessjoejackson. org/joe#:~:text=Whether%20Joe%20 Jackson%20really%20helped,For%20either%20team.

Jonathan Panton OPRF Class of 2017

Follow us on Instagram!

Top stories, local government, features, events, dining, art, and sports right at your fingertips!

Let’s go read outside, together

The Oak Park Public Library and the Park District of Oak Park invite you to come outside and read with us during a relaxing and community-driven event in Scoville Park on Saturday, June 7, 1-3 p.m.

Together, we’re hosting Parks and Pages: Read with Your Neighbors. The idea is to take the afternoon to slow down, unplug, and enjoy the beauty of nature while connecting with neighbors

The after noon will be infor mal, but we will be there to chat, share activity ideas, and answer questions about local programs and resources. Above all, we want to encourage community members to get outside with a book and enjoy the company of fellow readers!

No re gistration is required — just show up, slow down, and savor the moment. Bring your own blankets, books, chairs, games, headphones, snacks, and whatever else you need to be comfortable outside, and enjoy reading in nature with your neighbors.

See you in the park! Bring a good book!

Margita Lidaka Adult Services supervising librarian Oak Park Public Library

Claire Ong Health & Wellness specialist, Adult Services Oak Park Public Library

Megan Ulczak Senior Program supervisor Park District of Oak Park

Safe at Home bill is too weak

T he Safe at Home bill, cu rrently being considered in Springfield, is too weak — it’s not universal and leaves too many opportunities for unintended users to have access to weapons!

First, it’s important for such a bill to be universal to make sure those with unintended access to weapons unable to use them; only the licensed owner and identified users should be able to access and use. Universal security protects all people, not just some. Biometric locks allow weapons to be immediately accessible to the intended user and prohibitive to others.

Second, guns need to be locked within a safe! Guns in a locked car are not secure; locked safes should be attached to the vehicle frame to be secure.

Third, FOID (firearm owner identification) card suspension should be a primary penalty.

Fourth, require schools to share communications with families about the importance of secure gun storage.

Let’s pass a strong and effective bill that will save li ves!

Lois Love

Oak Park

From tea to co ee, right around the corner

***

Two of my favorite places in Oak Park for sipping coffee or tea, having conversations with friends, reading, and relaxing are located within one block of each other: Kribi Coffee at the Albion Apartments, 149 Forest Ave., and Wise Cup, 1018 Lake St. (next to the Lake Theatre).

JOY AARONSON

One View

Both coffee shops were started by immigrants — from India and Cameroon. Wise Cup owners Shivangi Sandal Khetarpal and Naveen Khetarpal picked Oak Park as their location to open Wise Cup “because it feels like home — creative, diverse, and full of heart. We wanted to create a space that felt welcoming and familiar, where people could slow down, connect, and enjoy something thoughtfully made. Oak Park just fit.”

In addition to coffee and tea drinks, including seasonal lattes, there are Indian influences to be found at Wise Cup, including homemade chutney jars, authentic masala chai blend made in-house, and samosas, a flaky Indian pastry

Wise Cup recently expanded to the empty storefront next door. It was an opportunity to grow and make room for events, collaborations, and creativity. As a tea drinker, I love sipping Wise Cup’s turmeric ginger tea in their flower ceramic cup. This transports me to another country or to the Russian Tea Time Restaurant in the Loop. Since this column is called Favorite Things, I asked Shivangi about her favorite things at Wise Cup. “The people, hands down — especially our regulars. There’s something really special about seeing the same faces every week, watching friendships form across tables. Some of our re gulars have been with us since day one, and it truly feels like a little community. Also, the mor ning ritual of opening the shop, the smell of fresh espresso and samosas, and the first sip of a warm latte — it never g ets old.”

According to their website, Kribi Coffee is a “local, sustainabl e, and Black-owned coffee company.” It was founded by Jacques Shalo, who was born on a coffee farm in Cameroon, Africa. Shalo established an 11-acre farm for Kribi Shalo Co ffee in Cameroon and has also for med par tnerships with over 600 coffee far mers worldwide. Kribi pays coffee far mers a living wage and pioneered the “air roasting coffee technolo gy,” which is better for the environment and roasts coffee fresher, without the bur nt coffee bitter taste of traditional roasting. One of my five-cup-a-day coffee companions ag rees that the taste is much better than traditional drum-roasting coffee.

Customers of Kribi at the Albio n Apar tments are allowed to bring their beverages into the Albion lob by It is a great place for people-watching, including the residents’ dogs and babies. This lobby reminds me of the children’s book Madeline or a fancy hotel in an inter national location. T he large space has many windows giving lots of light and creating an airy feeling. There are couches and chairs placed in “conversatio n rooms” that accommodate many groupings

I’ve been there many times for small meetings and catch-ups with friends. I’m not a big coffee fan — I prefer tea or water — but many of my companions rave about the cappuccinos, lattes, and mochas. I took two of my granddaughters there in the winter and they drank hot chocolate. Sitting in the lobby, they both said, “I feel like we’re in a faraway city.”

Jo y Aaronson is an Oak Pa rk resident who writes stories for Wednesday Journal about her favorite things in the villa ge. Previously, she contribute d to Chicago Pa rent and wrote the Kids’ World column for the fo rmer Loga n Square Free Press.

PROVIDED
Booking it in Scov ille Park.

Stand against violence and repression

Last Wednesday, we stood with Jewish Voice for Peace at a vigil at Chicago’s Israeli Consulate. Our hearts broke as we read the names and held photographs of some of the thousands of beloved Palestinian children who have been murdered by Israel’s immoral reign of state terror against the Palestinian people. Between the endless bombing and the relentless campaign of starvation, the situation of the people of Gaza has never been more catastrophic.

Thursday mor ning, we learned of the tragic murder of two staff members of the Israeli Embassy outside of the Jewish Museum in Washington D.C. in a premeditated act of individual terror. By targeting individuals at this Jewish museum, the gunman’s actions echo past attacks at other cultural and religious institutions. This was an immoral, criminal act that has no place in our unrelenting struggle for peace, justice, and equality for Palestinians and Israelis and for people in the U.S. who are increasingly facing injustice and repression.

It is essential that our unequivocal condemnation of the murders in Washington D.C does not eclipse our consistent demand for an end to the genocide in Gaza, the release of all hostages and political prisoners, and full humanitarian aid.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been murdered. Tens of thousands more are buried in rubble or are critically injured. An entire population is being deliberately starved. The crimes ag ainst humanity continue to reverberate in our communities here in the U.S., making us all less safe.

We are aware that the murders in Washington may be used as a pretext to increase the accelerating re pression of the Palestine solidarity movement and of free speech, due process, and other constitutional guarantees We will continue to resist such repression and call on other supporters of justice and freedom to do so as well.

Steering Committee Committee for a Just Peace in Palestine/Israel http://www.cjpip.org

Nile Gossett, 60 Bridge-building diversity ambassador

Nile W. Gossett, 60, a longtime Oak Park resident, died on May 5, 2025 at the Bella Tella of Elmhurst. Born on Feb. 20, 1965, to Nile Edward Gossett and Essie Lee Todd, he grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He attended Paul Cuffe Elementary School and, starting at the age of 10, worked at his father’s dry cleaning business. At 12, he attended Chicago State University’s gifted center and skipped seventh grade. He graduated eighth grade as valedictorian. He spent summers in Detroit, Michigan with family.

He attended Chicago Vocational High School, then the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), where he earned his bachelor’s de gree in business. His career path took him to the Wrigley Company, the Chicago Bulls, Inland Steel, McDonald’s Corporation, and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce

He moved to Oak Park in 1999. Guiding kids was the thread that brought Nile and Megan together, and they married in 2000. He enjoyed cooking, entertaining friends, Motown music, and was the life of every party.

While working in sales and marketing for Inland Steel Co. in Chicago, he attended a diversity training class and discovered he had a knack for it. He switched to Inland’s training department and joined their diversity task force.

He started his own business, Best Practices Training, as a consultant in 2000 and began leading diversity training workshops for clients that included the village of Oak Park. He also joined Project Unity, a group of white and Black residents, which started in 1993, and encouraged people of different racial backgrounds to interact and socialize.

Gossett liked what he saw and eventually became president of the organization. In a Chicago Tribune profile in 2003, he said, “We put together opportunities to get to know each other. And that’s really the cornerstone. Then you’ ll watch some of your prejudices melt away.” In that article he described himself as an ambassador of “getting people to gether.” Karin Grimes, who co-founded Project Unity, described him as “a natural leader.”

Nile was preceded in death by his parents; his uncles, Theodis Todd, Willie James Todd, Anthony Stanley Gossett and Raymond Gossett; and his aunts, Clarita Grimes and Emma Henderson.

He is survived by his wife, Megan; his son, Alexander Gossett; his daughter, Precious Adrienne Lane (Brendan); his grandchildren, Austin, Olivia, Ava, and Chloe Lane; his sister, Lavisha Littleton; his brothers-in-law, Daveed Allen (WaKisha) and Moshe Allen (Basia); his nieces, Krystal Stokes, Angenique Stokes, Makyia Allen and Layah Allen; his great-nephew, Nile Edward Kameron Gossett; his nephew, John Allen; his aunts, Esther Dantley, Oneida White, and Gloria Lyles; and many cousins, extended family members, and close friends.

Visitation was held on May 19 at Johnson Funeral Home, 5838 W. Division St. in Chicago. A Home going Celebration took place on May 20 at Rock of Ages Baptist Church, 1309 Madison St. in Maywood

Marie J. Roach, 97

Ac tive St. Luke parishioner

Julie Marie “Mimi” Roach, 97, of River Forest, died peacefully on May 19, 2025 at Caledonia Senior Living in North Riverside. Born on July 8, 1927 in Chicago, she was the daughter of the late Fred and Brigid (Fleming) Ouellette and sister of the late Patrick Ouellette She graduated from nursing school at Oak Park Hospital and worked as an RN in the hospital and at a private doctor’s of fice for several years.

In 1950, she mar ried John L. Roach, the love of her life, and the two eventually moved to River Forest where they raised six children. She was heavily involved in St. Luke Church fundraising for the parish and creating a popular and successful area House Walk to benefit the St. Luke School. She served on several parish and school boards.

Though she was a stay-at-home mom, she didn’t stay at home She was in a bowling league for many years and would describe her ability as “smooth.” Mimi and John were both avid bridge players, though she got into duplicate bridge and never looked back, becoming a silver life master and participating in tournaments into her early 90s. She also loved golf.

Famous for her knowledge and love of astrology, she was not above advising some to re-think their plans based on their signs, and was also a historian who researched events past and current, creating dozens of journals over the years featuring fabulous facts and trivia.

She and John had a wonderful network of friends from various walks of life. After losing her husband in 1998, her daughters Monica and Maggie were her constant companions. Her daughter Claire and her son Paul were with her as often as possible.

Mimi was predeceased by her sons, Mark Roach (Linda) and Mel Roach. She is survived by her children, Paul Roach (Connie), Claire Metz (Peter), Monica Roach, and Maggie Cimms; her five grandchildren, Michael Metz (Leslie), Matthew Metz (Sarah), Alexandra Silva (Robbie), Joseph Metz, and Julie Hillis (Jerrad); her great-grandchildren, Lyons Metz and Charlotte Metz; and her sister-in-law, Sister Ellen Roach (Aunt Agnes). Visitation was held on May 23. A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on May 24 at St. Luke Catholic Church, River Forest with interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside. Arrangements were handled by Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities.

SPORTS

Huskies’ Julia Brown, Bella Brauc go out an all-state pair

Blaire Brown, Amelia Hammersley, also all-state at 3A meet

OPRF seniors Julia Brown and Bella Brauc appropriately ran their final high school girls track and field races together on Saturday. Even better, they finished as a top-nine, Class 3A all-state medals pair.

Brown took second (54.51 seconds) and Brauc eighth (57.11) in the 400-meter state finals at Eastern Illinois University – both lifetime bests.

“When Bella qualified for finals, it made me so excited. I feel like all through high school we’ve pushed each other and then I wanted to do good together,” Brown said.

“[Having Brauc] made me more relaxed. Tt would be our last race together, so it would be exciting and fun and happy.”

The two earlier joined Amelia Hammersley and Blaire Brown on the all-senior 4 x 100 relay that was an all-state sixth (47.94). Brauc also was 15th in the high jump finals. Somewhat rushed by the upcoming 400, Brauc missed the opening height of 5-foot-1 after clearing a season-best 5-3 in Friday’s preliminaries.

Brown [Illinois State] and Brauc [Northern Arizona] will compete collegiately. Brauc finishes with four all-state medals after taking ninth in the 400 (58.83, 57.40 prelims) and tying for ninth in high jump (1.60m/53) in 2024. The other seniors earned their first medals.

Julia Brown running in the 400-meter dash nals during the Class 3A girls track state meet.

s previous best of 55.58 would placed sixth.

“It was really exhilarating. It was like all adrenaline. Definitely that’s the only 400 where I felt like I gave it my entire everything,” Brown said. “I was like, ‘I’m not any re grets,’ so I just gave it rything I had left.”

Brauc beat her personal-best 57.21 from prelims. Just .12 from seventh Saturday, Brauc collapsed upon her finish. t last 10 meters, that’s when I realnothing left. Because I couldn’ t ted leaning forward as much ould,” she said. “[Personal records] row in this event is pretty really proud of myself. I placed higher than last year so that’s all I can ask for.”

Hammersley and Blaire Brown also peaked as seniors. This was the Huskies’ first all-state 4 x 100 relay since 2015.

also with all of these memories. These are great people.”

T he Huskies’ other state competitors were junior Oliwia Slezak (15th in discus, 36.63m/120-2), Julia Brown (16th in 200, 25.07), the 4 x 800 of sophomores Lucy Stein and Lillian Harmon, junior Violet Schnizlein and senior Nora Butterly (17th in season-best 9:31.81), senior Alana Gerona (25th in 3,200, 11:27.00), the 4 x 400 of Brauc, Hammersley, junior Chloe Ko zick i and Schnizlein (30th, 4:03.96) and Hammersley in the 200 (41st, 26.42) and 100 (43rd, 12.69).

“Honestly, if you would have told me this is what would have happened freshman year, I never would have believed you,” said Brauc, a four-year state competitor. “[For the 400], just being able to warm up with a teammate and know your teammate’s there no matter what you do is the most amazing feeling ever. I made the finals alone last year and honestly it’s so much more to

have someone with you.”

Julia Brown’s second place is the highest 400 finish in OPRF history. With 60 meters left, she still was fourth before a great final surge, behind only Homewood-Flossmoor junior Mariyah Robinson (54.17) and just ahead of Lincoln-Way East sophomore Alaina Steele (54.86), a season-long compet-

“We’ re all seniors and have worked so hard. I just love these people and I’m so excited I’ve gotten to be in finals,” Hammersley said.

“As seniors, we really wanted to go out with a bang and I feel like we really did that (in the 4 x 100),” Blaire Brown said. “All I’ve got to say was it was exhilarating and I’m so glad we can go home with a medal but

In 2A, Fenwick qualifiers were sophomores Juliana Gamboa (3,200 in personalbest 11:25.09) and Maeve Bonakdar in shot put (16th, 10.58m/34-8 1/2) and discus (37th, 27.36m/89-9), senior Mia Menendez (17th in 800, 2:21.32), freshman Avani Williams (25th in high jump, 1.50m/4-11), the 4 x 400 (Williams, Gamboa, sophomore Teresa Urso, Menendez in 4:13.97) and freshman Molly Madden (39th in discus, 24.24m/79-6).

Menendez graduates a three-time allstater in the 800. Her highest state finish was sixth in 2024 with a school-record 2:16.18.

Trinity junior Molly McGreal was 19th in the 3,200 (11:34.91) and scratched from the 1,600.

DA N CHAMNESS
BILL STONE
OPRF’s all-senior, all-state 4 x 100 relay of Amelia Hammersley (le ), Bella Brauc, Blaire Brown and Julia Brown.

OPRF baseball, boys volleyball win conference titles

OPRF softball edges past Fenwick

The Oak Park and River Forest High School baseball team clinched a share of the West Suburban Silver championship with a 5-3 victory over Lyons Township, May 22, the program’s first title since 2022.

“This is special,” said OPRF coach Kevin Campbell. “These seniors are the guys I had as freshmen, so seeing them come together, play how they do, and really embrace the team culture has been one of the best coaching experiences I’ve ever had.”

Although technically a road game, it was played at OPRF because of wet field conditions at LT Peter Farren’s two-run homer in the top of the second gave the Huskies (25-10, 13-5 in WSC Silver) a 2-1 lead. OPRF tacked on three more runs in the third with a two-run double from Ethan Moore and an RBI single from Brady Green.

Starting pitcher Cam Barnes went six innings and allowed three runs on five hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Dino Pantazopoulos took the mound in the seventh and retired LT in order for the save.

OPRF, which shares the WSC Silver crown with Downers Grove North, is the fourth seed at the IHSA Class 4A Reavis Sectional. The Huskies, who are hosting a re gional, meet Jones at 4:30 p.m., May 28. A victory means advancement to the title game against the Reavis-St. Ignatius winner, May 31, at noon.

“They’re a one-day-at-a-time team,” Campbell said. “At the start of the day and at the end of the day, we tur n the page.”

OPRF boys volleyball

OPRF head coach Justin Cousin played on the 2010 team, which won the program’s last WSC Silver title – that is, until this year. The Huskies ended a 15-year drought with a 25-14, 25-16 victory over Proviso West on Senior Night, May 20.

“It’s been a long time,” Cousin said. “There’s been a lot of communication and hard work in practice, as well as attention to detail.”

OPRF (28-4, 5-1) is the top seed in the Hinsdale Central Sectional and will also host a regional. The Huskies faced either Chicago Christian or Richards on May 27 in the semifinal, after press time. A victory would put OPRF in the regional final, May 29, at 6 p.m.

The sectional is loaded with several state title contenders such as Brother Rice, Lyons Township, Sandburg, and York Cousin knows the Huskies will need to be at their best.

“Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” he said. “Honestly, whoever wins [the sectional] will have beaten the best teams. This is one of the most balanced sectional fields I’ve seen.”

Softball

Elyssa Hasapis had four hits and Maura Carmody drove in four runs as OPRF rallied late to defeat Fenwick 12-10 at the Priory in River Forest, May 22.

“It was a wild game,” said OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin. “Both teams played pretty well, a lot of good defensive plays and timely hitting.”

Trailing 10-9 entering the seventh and down to their final out, the Huskies (24-8) tied the game on Gloria Hronek’s single, then went ahead on Hasapis’ single. Hronek also scored on the play due to an error by Fenwick shortstop Bella Bigham.

OPRF is the top seed in its own Class 4A sectional. The Huskies met either Proviso East or Senn in a regional semifinal at Leyden Township, May 27, after press time. Assuming a win, OPRF would meet either Leyden or Morton in the title game, May 30, at 4:30 p.m.

“I like our chances,” Coughlin said. “We’ll be a handful for teams if we play our best softball.”

Bigham and Lowery hit home runs and Gabriella Simon had three hits for Fenwick (12-11). The Friars, who took third in last year’s Class 3A state tournament, are seeded second at the Montini Catholic Sectional and also host a regional. In an oddity, the regional has just three schools and Fenwick has a bye to the final, where it meets either Elmwood Park or Intrinsic Charter on May 30 at 4 p.m.

“We know what we need to do to be a competitive program going into the postseason,” said Fenwick coach Valerie Jisa. “Everyone needs to step up, keep their heads down, and get back to work The talent is here.”

Boys basketball

Fenwick coach David Fergerson was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District Seven Coach of the Year, April 29. In his second season, Fergerson guided the Friars to a 23-11 record and the title game of the Class 3A Little Village Sectional.

Bliss-full regional title for OPRF

Senior

defender nets game’s only goal

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Addison Bliss was still spinning after she scored the season’s biggest goal in the Class 3A Morton Regional final, May 23.

“Honestly, I don’t normally score,” Bliss said after the Huskies defeated the Mustangs 1-0 to advance to the sectional semifinals at Downers Grove South. “I got a ball of f the left side of the box. I saw a shot and I took it. It went in and I was extremely happy about it.”

Bliss’s goal, coming off a corner kick from Abby Cockerill, came with 13:55 left in the first half

“Addison had a great left-footed shot,” said OPRF coach Lauren Zallis, “and it was beautiful.”

OPRF (14-6-1) largely dominated possession for the majority of the contest and narrowly missed out on more goals. Cockerill twice hit the crossbar in the first half, and Tea Dassinger had a great look at a wide-open net late in the half, but pushed her shot wide left.

The Huskies thought they had scored early in the second half on a header from Malie Cassel off a free kick, but they were ruled offside Morton came on strong down the stretch and appeared to tie the game with 5:18 left when Karina EstradaVargas tapped in a rebound on the right side. However, the officials ruled the Mustangs offside, nullifying the goal. Morton wouldn’t seriously threaten again as OPRF went on to win its first regional since 2021. OPRF has played in several close matches this year, and Zallis believed that experience proved beneficial against Morton.

“We’ve seen a lot of adversity and faced these situations,” she said. “They’ve been able to learn how to manage that intensity.”

The Huskies, seeded second at Downers South, met York in a semifinal May 27, after press time. A win would put OPRF in the sectional title game, May 30, versus either Hinsdale

Central or Lyons Township.

“I haven’t had [a regional title] in high school, so this feels great,” Bliss said.

Fenwick

Missing 10 games with a broken right hand, Fenwick senior Kiera Mullarkey returned to action, May 13, on Senior Night. Sporting a pink cast, Mullarkey was among just three senior starters as the Friars lost to Lyons Township 3-1 in the Reavis Regional final Friday.

This was the second straight year in 3A for Fenwick (11-9-1) in the postseason.

“We definitely were a newer team this year, but once we got our playing style, we were able to play well together,” said Mullarkey, who started along with seniors Kiera Kapsch on defense and midfielder Clare Kapsch Fenwick, the No. 4 seed in the Downers Grove South Sectional, took a 1-0 lead when freshman Lily Gaddipati scored her team-high 17th goal off a right-wing cross from freshman Keira Magee 21:17 before halftime.

However, only 1:15 later, the No. 5 Lions (10-9-1) tied the game and took the lead 13:09 before halftime. Their third goal came with 32:26 left.

Fenwick coach Craig Blazer said, “Being down 2-1 was tough but I liked how we fought all the way until the end. I thought we could potentially score right before half on that corner kick but the girls did as well as they could. They played the way we trained. I’m very proud of the girls.”

The Friars allowed just 18 regularseason goals. They had perhaps their most satisfying victory 1-0 over Benet May 12.

Trinity

The Blazers (6-9-1) ended their season with a 7-0 defeat at Lemont in the Class 2A Lemont Re gional semifinals. Junior Grace Ramel led Trinity with 31 goals.

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 for the following:

Village of Oak Park

Water Utility Customer Portal

Bid Number: 25-120

Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 28, 2025

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

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

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

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Monday 16 June 2025, at 7:00 P.M. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, the Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit and site plan review to allow the construction of a self-serve vacuum facility in the B-2 Community Shopping District on the following described properties(s):

Parcel 1:

Lot 15 (except that part described as follows: beginning at the Southeast corner of said Lot; thence South 89 Degrees 11 Minutes 56 Seconds West (assumed) 5.00 feet along the Southerly line of said Lot; thence North 44 Degrees 11 Minutes 47 Seconds East 7.07 feet to the Easterly line of said Lot, said Easterly line being also the Westerly right of way of Harlem Avenue; thence South 00 Degrees 48 Minutes 23 Seconds East 5.00 Feet along said right of way to the point of beginning) in Block 1 in South Addition to Harlem, being a Subdivision of the East 1/2 of the West 1/2 of the South East 1/4 of Section 13, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

Parcel 2:

Lot 16 in Block 1 in South Addition to Harlem in Section 13, Township 39 North, Range 12 East of the Third Principal Meridian, in Cook County, Illinois.

Commonly known as 7201 Lexington Street, Forest Park, IL PINs: 15-13-407-026-0000, 1513-407-034-0000

The applicant is Lex 7201, LLC dba Crystal Car Wash

Signed: Marsha East, Chair Planning and Zoning Commission

Published in Forest Park Review May 28, 2025

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

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

2025 Village Hall Permeable Paver Parking Lot Design Engineering Services

PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE PROPOSED APPROPRIATION FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND OF HOLDING A PUBLIC HEARING THEREIN

Notice is hereby given that copies of the Proposed Appropriation for the Village of North Riverside for the Fiscal Year commencing May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026, are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the Village Commons, 2401 South Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois or on the Village’s website at: www.northriverside-il. org

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

Date: Monday, June 16, 2025 Time: 6:00 PM Place: Village Commons 2401 South Des Plaines Avenue North Riverside, Illinois

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

Final action on the proposed annual appropriation ordinance will occur on July 14, 2025.

SANDRA LID

VILLAGE CLERK NORTH RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark May 28, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

OAK PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT

97 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING JUNE 10, 2025 AT 7:00 PM

The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District

97 will hold a Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 7:00 pm. The purpose of said hearing will be: To receive public comment on a proposed waiver application to allow District 97 to limit physical education with a licensed physical education teacher to 50 minutes every other day for students in sixth through eighth grades.

Published in Wednesday Journal May 28, 2025

The Village of River Forest is requesting proposals for professional engineering consultant services (“Consultant Services”) which include, but are not limited to, the completion of required hydrologic & hydraulic (H & H) analysis, pre-final & final design, preparation of construction drawings & specifications, construction cost estimates, identification & procurement of all required permits, license agreements & grants. The Village has been awarded Green Infrastructure Partnership Grant Funding from MWRD. Respondents must be able to demonstrate previous experience with similar projects described herein. Submittals should include the firm’s qualifications, project team, resumes, project approach, and recently completed related engineering work (high value will be placed on experience assisting municipalities with design engineering for improvements similar in scope).

The RFP is available for download starting Friday, May 16, 2025, at: www.vrf.us/bids

Proposals must be submitted by Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. to:

Village of River Forest Attention: Jack Bielak P.E., CFM Director of Public Works & Engineering 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

Proposals will be considered based on the criteria set forth in the RFP.

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

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

Published in Wednesday Journal May 28, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICE

The River Forest Park District has placed its 2025-2026 Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on file for public inspection. Said Ordinance may be examined on the River Forest Park District website. A public hearing on said Ordinance will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, June 16, 2024, at the Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois.

Michael J. Sletten, Secretary River Forest Park District

Published in Wednesday Journal May 28, 2025

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

Your News. Your Community.

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.