Wednesday Journal 061621

W E D N E S D A Y

June 16, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 46 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Beye morale low as McAndrew forced out Teacher’s contract not renewed and his position filled

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Equity Editor

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

STANDING PROUD: Samina Hadi-Tabassum shared her story of being Asian American with Oak Park parents.

Overt racism. Nuanced shunning.

Being Asian American Local schools ask AAPI parents to share their stories

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Jung Kim still remembers when a group of white boys chased her and her friends around their neighborhood, hurl-

ing racial and sexual slurs at them. Kim, who at the time was an incoming high school freshman, said she and her two friends were just walking over to another friend’s house when the boys approached them and began taunting them for being Asian American.

“I actually didn’t talk about this for years,” said Kim, now a Korean American mother from Oak Park, as she recalled a

A wildly popular and beloved Oak Park elementary school teacher appears to be out of his job, and now his supporters are looking to District 97 officials to address what they believe are much deeper problems related to low building morale and the treatment of teachers at a school known for producing many great ones.

The fight that community members in Oak Park have been waging since early this year to keep Patrick McAndrew — a Golden Apple-winning teacher with roughly two decades of experience at Beye — in his job as fifth-grade teacher ended this week.

On Tuesday, Amanda Siegfried, D97’s communications director, confirmed that the district had assigned “a non-tenured teacher whose contract was renewed for the 2021-2022 school year,” to the post at Beye, 230 N. Cuyler Ave. Siegfried said the district did not interview for the fifth-grade position, because an interview is not required when transferring a teacher from one assignment to another.

She said the transfer was requested by Beye Principal Jennifer Schemidt, who is leaving this month after a year in the role. She plans to return to Naperville Community Unit School District 203, the district she worked in before coming to Oak Park as a school psychologist.

McAndrew’s supporters had been hoping that district would postpone filling the fifth-grade teaching position until interims were hired to replace Schemidt and Senior Director of Human Resources Gina Hermann, who is also leaving. Both administrators were instrumental in the district’s decision not to renew McAndrew’s contract this year.

“How did we get to the point where we’ve lost one of

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On Juneteenth and the presence of the past

ast year, Oak Park was from 1836 to 1846 (hence the “1836 an early adopter when it Project”), but that was enough to formally recognized the seal the fierce ethos of indepenJuneteenth holiday. Now, dence and braggadocio that is the it seems municipalities state’s calling card to this day. everywhere are scrambling to But for all of these claims to exissue their own resolutions, ceptionalism and independence, proclamations and ordinances. we need to ask why Texas wanted Juneteenth, of course, to be free in the first place? What refers to June 19, 1865 — the did it want to be free to do? And date Major General Gordon who was the land liberated for?

Granger’s Order No. 3 was Two books published in recent read in Galveston, Texas. weeks seek to deconstruct the “The people of Texas are mythology of Texas. Together, Commentary informed that, in accordance they connect the significance of with a Proclamation from the the Alamo and the significance of Executive of the United States, all slaves Juneteenth. are free. This involves an absolute equality “Forget the Alamo: The Rise and Fall of of personal rights and rights of property An American Myth,” by Bryan Burrough, between former masters and slaves, and Chris Tomlinson, and Jason Stanford, urge the connection heretofore existing between readers to “reconsider the Alamo, a symbol them, becomes that between employer and we’ve been taught to fiercely and uncritihired labor. The Freedmen are advised to cally remember,” writes Nic Yeager in a remain at their present homes, and work helpful review of the book in the Texas for wages. They are informed that they will Observer. not be allowed to collect at military posts; The “Cowboy, the Rancher, the oilman — and that they will not be supported in idleall wearing either 10-gallon hats or Stetson ness either there or elsewhere.”

— dominate as the embodiments of Texas,” Now, some two centuries later, Texas apwrites historian and proud Texas native pears to be ground zero in our present cold Annette Gordon-Reed in her new book, “On civil war (a term I picked up from Howard Juneteenth.”

University Professor Greg Carr). The cold “Of great importance, as I have said in civil war is an ideological struggle to win another context, the image of Texas has a hearts and minds through interpreting the gender and a race: ‘Texas is a White man.’ past. It is being fought between two sides — What that means for everyone who lives one which sees America as a heterosexual in Texas and is not a White man is part of white man and another who sees America what I hope to explore in the essays of this as a multiracial polyglot. book,” Gordon-Reed writes.

This month, right in time for all of those Gordon-Reed unearths another imporJuneteenth celebrations, Texas Gov. Greg tant figure in Texas mythology, “a figure Abbott signed into law House Bill 2497, also who helped make Juneteenth necessary: called the “1836 Project,” which seeks to the Slave Plantation Owner. Although counter the narrative put forth by the New this species of Texan no longer exists, the York Times’ 1619 Project. influence of the world he (maintaining the “To keep Texas the best state in the gender convention) put in place continues United States of America, we must never to this day.” forget why Texas became so exceptional in This archetype presided, the historian the first place,” Abbott said. writes, in an area developed by Stephen F. The new law establishes an “advisory Austin, a “Virginian-born and Missouricommittee designed to promote the state’s raised” man who would come to be known history to Texas residents, largely through as the “Father of Texas.” pamphlets given to people receiving Austin came to the state “not to create driver’s licenses,” according to Governing cattle ranches and hire cowboys, but to Magazine. “It will also award students on turn huge swaths of the Mexican province their knowledge of the state’s history and Coahuila y Tejas into a western version of the cotton fields of Mississippi that had values.” produced such great wealth for plantation But what values? And what history? To owners.” answer that, we can look to the state’s selfThe Mexican government, looking to avowed exceptionalism. Texas is, indeed, “create defenses against Comanche raids,” exceptional. It’s the second-largest state among other motivations, was eager to in the country when measured by both welcome Anglo-Americans,” she writes. landmass and population. And it’s the only The problem, however, was that there was a state in the country that was once its own strong antislavery sentiment in the country. sovereign republic, whose citizens were “As much as they wanted Whites to come known as Texians. to Texas, most Mexicans were not so keen That republic only lasted for 10 years,

MICHAEL ROMAIN

on them bringing cattle slavery with them,” Gordon-Reed writes.

“Although Austin and his supporters eventually succeeded in gaining exemptions that allowed slavery to continue, the situation remained precarious for them so long as they were a part of Mexico,” she adds. “The Mexican government continued to nod toward ending slavery, while the Anglos and their supporters kept resisting.

The matter was settled when Texans successfully rebelled against Mexico and set up the Republic of Texas in 1836.”

With that move, the historian continues, “the right to enslave was secured, and White settlers poured into the new republic.”

As an added measure of protection, the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, which was ratified in 1836, legalized slavery in the new country and defined people of color who were slaves for life in Mexico as property in Texas. And slaves, who are not citizens, cannot vote (more on this later).

“Forget the Alamo,” Yeager writes, “challenges what the authors refer to as the ‘Heroic Anglo Narrative.’ The traditional telling, which Texas public schools are still required to teach, glorifies the nearly 200 men who came to fight in an insurrection against Mexico in 1836. The devastation at the Alamo turned those men into martyrs leaving behind the prevailing story that they died for liberty and justice.

“Yet the authors of Forget the Alamo argue that the entire Texas Revolt — ‘which wasn’t really a revolt at all’— had more to do with protecting slavery from Mexico’s abolitionist government. As they explain it, and as Chicano writers, activists, and communities have long agreed, the events that occurred at the Alamo have been mythologized and used to demonize Mexicans

in Texas history and obscure the role of slavery.”

The whole purpose of miseducation is to perpetuate the social order and for too many whites in power like Gov. Abbott, the social order depends on a racial hierarchy that makes whites who don’t stand to materially benefit as much as elite whites from racialized capitalism feel good about at least not being Black.

The goal, in their minds, is to hold onto power through non-democratic means and through an ideological framework that provides the glue for binding their everdwindling constituency of fearful white voters.

And so, it is also no coincidence that, as Juneteenth celebrations kick off, Gov. Abbott has signed a bill that would make voting and holding democratic elections much tougher.

“In Texas, legislators have taken one trend we warned about—the criminalization of election administration—to unprecedented levels,” according to a report released in April by three nonprofits: Protect Democracy, States United Democracy Center and Law Forward.

“Texas has also invented a new dubious approach to overturning election results that we had not previously seen,” the report explains, adding that Texas is not alone.

“The 2021 state legislative season may ultimately prove to be a turning point in the history of America’s democracy,” the authors write. “The number of anti-voter laws that have been introduced and passed is unprecedented. These are the ingredients for a democracy crisis.”

As William Faulkner once wrote, “The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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BIGJuneWEEK 16-23 Community Art Exhibit: CONNECTIONS+

View anytime through June 30, with By Discovery Through community donation of found objects, By Discovery artists created an installation in unused real estate space that is inspired by Surrealism and artist Joseph Cornell’s assemblages. 159 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Side Yard Sounds

“Austrian Serenade”

Friday, June 18, 7 to 9 p.m., Compound Yellow See Oui Ennui, whose work builds on “sonic mazes that lead listeners on a dizzying chase through instrumental hip hop, synth explorations, drones, zones and everything in between.” Next up - Friday, June 25, David Boykin. $15. Tickets/more (or pay with cash or card at the door): facebook.com/compoundyellow. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Friday, June 18, 7:30 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club The Symphony of Oak Park-River Forest presents works by Mahler and Mozart in-person inside, masked and socially distanced. A virtual option is available too. A link will be sent at 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 27 and will be available through Labor Day. Live concert attendees will also be emailed the virtual concert link. $21, in-person; $15, later online viewing. Questions: theSymphonyOPRF@gmail.com, 708-218-2648. Tickets: symphonyoprf. org/2020-2021-season. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

Sizzling Summer Dance on the Patio - Latin Friday, June 18, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Cheney Mansion Step out for hot nights of summer dance all summer for both instruction and open dancing on the patio. Individually boxed appetizers available; registration includes two drink tickets. Non-alcoholic beverages available. 21+. $30, Oak Park residents; $39, nonresidents. Up next - July 16, Swing; Aug. 12, Line Dancing. 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.

Chicago’s Newest Murals Thursday, June 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Virtually with the River Forest Public Library Travel throughout Chicagoland with historian, educator, and tour guide Beth Sair as she shares some of the newest murals. Learn unique details about Chicago’s history and uplifting elements about the artists and their mural projects that feature communities, celebrities and whimsical characters. This feel-good presentation tells how artists are improving neighborhoods one mural at a time. Brought in partnership with River Forest Township.

Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/chicagos-newest-murals

“Re-Imagining Connection” Reception Friday, June 18, 6 to 9 p.m., 3D4D by Chicago Sculpture International (CSI) The new CSI space located in Bucktown is opening its first group exhibition, which “showcases works expressing the sensibilities of our inherent human nature and our desire to connect.” It features nine Chicago-area artists, including Forest Park’s Gina Lee Robbins and Oak Park’s Michele Silvetti-Schmitt. Cocurated by Bryan Northup of Oak Park. Attend in person or livestream the reception. In-person/livestream panel talks scheduled June 26 and July 30. RSVP: facebook.com/3D4DxCSI/events/?ref=page_internal.

Exhibition through July 30. Gallery hours: Wednesdays through Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m., by appointment, mask required. More: 3d4dbycsi.org. 1912 N. Damen, Chicago.

Storytimes in the Park Wednesdays, June 16 through Aug. 18, 10 to 10:30 a.m.

Various Oak Park Parks The Oak Park Public Library is partnering with the Park District of Oak Park to bring books, songs and more to neighborhoods this summer. For families with kids 0-5. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own blanket and hand sanitizer. Limited to 12 families, with masks. More: oppl.org June 16 - Scoville Park, 800 Lake St. June 23 - Maple Park, 1105 S. Maple Ave. June 30 - Euclid Square Park, 705 W. Fillmore

Friday Night Flicks: “Zootopia” Friday, June 18, 8 to 10 p.m., River Forest Public Library Lawn Bring a blanket and snacks and watch a movie under the stars. Face masks required. Rated PG; ages 10+.

Held weather permitting, Register: riverforestlibrary. librarymarket.com/events/friday-night-flicks-zootopia.

735 Lathrop Ave.

Reading Colors Your World Sign up and start now, with the Oak Park Public Library Kids ages 3 through rising ninth graders can participate in the summer reading program that’s about rediscovering joy in reading and learning. The goal is to find joy everywhere – in books, in mind and body, in art, in music, in science and nature, and in the world. There are prizes and beads for completing categories. Track participation through Beanstack. Younger children can join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Sign up/more: oppl.org/category/news-events/kids

Music Trivia Contest Wednesday, June 23, 7:30 p.m., Zoom and Kahoot with The Symphony of Oak Park-River Forest Test your musical trivia knowledge. Two devices are recommended — one for Zoom access and one for Kahoot responses. Limited to 50 players. Each player should register individually within households. Winner will be determined by total score in the contest and will receive a gift basket. Free. Questions: 708-218-2648, thesymphonyoprf@gmail.com. Register: symphonyoprf.org

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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Johnson’s strong OPRF hires

’m going to miss Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams. Let’s start there. Whatever notable progress on equity and goodwill and common sense follows at Oak Park and River Forest, well, I’m going to give her the opening credit.

What’s the most important thing a leader accomplishes?

Setting up the leader who follows for success. And while I’m not entirely sure how she pulled it off, I have reason to suspect that the national search for her replacement was rigged. I’ll put it more mildly. The superintendent’s job at OPRF was clearly Greg Johnson’s to lose.

And now we are into the Johnson era and based on the hires and promotions he is making, the man is ready to execute on the vision that he and Pruitt-Adams have led us toward.

I don’t pretend to know most of the women and men he has tapped for critical roles. But it is a diverse and equity-focused assemblage.

There are two hires who I know as a local editor and have long admired. Last week the district announced that Faith Cole would be making the switch to OPRF from District 97. Have to say this is a new one on me. Maybe I’m forgetting but plucking a top person from one district to another is not common. It’s like when Royko gave up on the Sun-Times and crossed over to the Trib.

Cole will become the high school’s director of student services. I can almost imagine what that job will entail. At D97 she had a top role with one of those undecipherable titles the elementary district currently favors. She headed MTSS which, of course, stands for Multi-Tiered System of Support. English, please.

Previously, though, she was an assistant principal at Percy Julian and principal at Mann. That’s where I watched her in action one evening during a PTO meeting. I’d been intentionally invited by a PTO person as Oak Park’s whitest and wealthiest school talked about its own equity issues. Cole was so obviously caring about this school — she is a Mann graduate — and was stunningly candid and knowledgeable about the ways test scores were dividing by race as stu-

dents moved through the grade levels at the school. She didn’t blame it on transfer students.

She said she and everyone in the room needed to take their piece of the responsibility.

It was what Oak Park aspires to — straight talk about complicated issues that are uncomfortable to talk about. It’s hard work and she can do it.

The other Johnson hire that gave me a thrill was Patrick Hardy as the new director of equity and student success.

He will be coming over from the principalship at Proviso East High School. He’s one of three new hires from the Proviso high schools — more on that in a minute.

I met Hardy in my role as publisher of the Forest Park Review. He invited me, and a few others, over for a tour of a school I had never been in. Shame on me. It was the public high school in a community where we published the local paper. Forest Park had so fully repudiated the school, going back to a perceived racial catastrophe back in 1968, that we essentially didn’t cover the district.

Almost no Forest Park kids attended.

Not only was I impressed by the physical structure — aging and uninvested in but polished to its zenith. More so over those three generous hours, I was taken by this man’s spirit, by his personal and profound connections to everyone we met. He knew students by name, interest and challenge.

He knew teachers and had a powerful connection. He called out custodial staff with praise and the little thing he’d just noticed that needed attention. His personal assistant would clearly walk on glass for him.

There is a purge underway at Proviso high schools led by a new superintendent who talks and never listens. He is pushing talent out the door. When a couple of months ago it became clear that Hardy would not be invited back to Proviso, I wanted to put in a recommendation for him at OPRF. But not my job. And not necessary as it turns out.

So these are two people I know. Outstanding. Passionate. Connecting.

It is going to be a notable year at OPRF.

DAN HALEY

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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OP village manager reflects on pandemic

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

For the first time in more than a year, Oak Park will no longer be operating under a declaration of a public health emergency.

As of June 15, the declaration will finally come to an end, and along with it, the broadened authority it afforded certain members of village staff.

“Our intention is that we don’t need to ask to continue the emergency declaration,” Village Manager Cara Pavlicek told Wednesday Journal.

Prompted by COVID-19, the village board first enacted the declaration during an emergency meeting March 13, 2020. As the virus continued its assault, the declaration was reinstated several times, remaining active long after its original expiration date of April 6, 2020.

“It really allowed us, both the village manager as well as the department directors, to address the fluidity of the pandemic in a more responsive way,” she said.

The emergency declaration provided the public health director power to issue public health orders, which became crucial in managing outbreaks at assisted living and nursing home facilities as COVID-19 poses a very high risk to elderly people before the arrival of vaccines.

Ahead of the declaration’s expiration, the village board voted June 14 to allow the public health director to maintain the ability to promulgate guidance and orders related to the pandemic through Nov. 15.

“Let’s say we reverse course and there is an outbreak [in nursing homes], we would

with a vendor that provided dry want the public health director ice on a regular basis without to immediately issue certain having to worry about the cost rules,” Pavlicek said in an interexceeding $25,000. To date, Oak view with Wednesday Journal Park has spent $1,550 on dry ice. prior to Monday’s board meeting.

“With the emergency declaraOak Park Public Health Direction in place, we could just make tor Theresa Chapple-McGruder the decision,” she said. told the village board June 14 Several expenditures surpassthat more than 40 percent of the ing that limit were made under local population remains unvaccinated. the declaration, according to CARA PAVLICEK The extended authority allows Pavlicek, including paying overVillage Manager Chapple-McGruder to expeditime owed to firefighters due to tiously disseminate and issue the increased number of ambuinformation in the event of an outbreak or lance calls and electric work done to preexpansion of vaccination efforts. pare the Public Works Department for the Under the emergency declaration, the more than 45 drive-thru vaccination sites. village manager had the authority to make The cost of the electric work amounted to purchases and enter into contracts pertain- $28,500. ing to the emergency without having to seek The village was also able to help restauapproval from the village board beforehand. rants last summer during the ban on indoor In normal circumstances, the village man- dining by allowing them to put seating and ager cannot make expenditures over $25,000 tables on sidewalks, in alleyways and in without the express permission of the vil- parking areas. lage board.

“Leases of village property, without the Having this ability, according to Pavlicek, emergency declaration, have to go to the vilproved useful in procuring with speed lage board for approval,” said Pavlicek.

Village Attorney Paul Stephanides added equipment needed to adequately respond to the ever-evolving COVID-19 situation. Such specific language to the emergency declarapurchases authorized by the village man- tion to give the village the freedom to grant ager under the emergency declaration in- requests from restaurants looking to included buying freezer chests last November crease dining opportunities outdoors.

With these developments, an end to the for vaccine storage, which cost $4,240.

“The freezers themselves were not that pandemic feels imminent.

“I think it’s a little bit hard when we’ve bad,” she said. “But then what we also had to, because of the temperature require- been so close to it for so long, to not be inments for the different vaccines, we supple- credibly nervous and cautious still,” said Pavlicek. “I’m starting to get to the point mented with dry ice.”

The village of Oak Park’s public works de- where I believe that this is really nearing an partment entered into a supply agreement end and that we’re in good shape.”

Oak Park board focuses on five key goals

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The current village board of Oak Park is already outdoing the previous board in terms of efficiency, at least in the arena of goal setting. The board adopted its goals for the years 2021 through 2023 during its June 14 meeting, just slightly over a month after the May 3 swearing in of new members.

The process of adopting board goals for the years 2019 through 2021, on the other hand, spanned months, with the previous board finally doing so on Jan. 13, 2020.

The alacrity with which the new board adopted goals may astound. Discussion of the finalized goals lasted about 15 minutes before the board voted unanimously to adopt them, save Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla, who was unable to attend and therefore did not cast a vote.

“She would have really rather been at tonight’s meeting,” Village President Vicki Scaman told the trustees.

The 2021-23 goals fall into five categories: residential affordability, racial equity, community safety, sustainability and neighborhood support.

Under community safety, Scaman relayed that Walker-Peddakotla had asked to have the language “firm transparency at the community level” added to ensure information was shared with the public.

Instead of including uncertain community safety goals in the village’s request for proposal (RFP) to hire a consultant to review the police department, Scaman suggested adding an item stating, “contract for short-term, one-time specialized expertise to guide elements of our community safety goals.”

She clarified, “We are still as a village going to be reviewing an RFP and choosing a contractor to assist us through the process of reaching our community safety goals.”

The village president told the board they are set to review the RFP in mid-July, with the hope of approving it in August. She

asked for the addition to be made to increase the transparency of hiring the contractor, whose scope of services will be determined by the board.

The present board members considered the suggested revision and accepted it.

Trustee Ravi Parakkat was concerned that certain goals lacked specificity, stating that people could have different interpretations of each individual goal, including the sustainability incubator.

“It’s really hard to get behind some of these things without that degree of specificity,” he said. “I see a lot of items there in that listing of goals that are not specific enough to wrap my head around at least.”

Scaman said commissions will provide recommendations regarding the goals to make them more specific upon adoption by the village board. The staff-drafted achievement timelines, according to Scaman, will also provide further specificity to each goal.

The village board will review the timelines at its next meeting.

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Honoring All Dads this Father’s Day As this Father’s Day weekend approaches, I want to give some appreciation to all my fellow dads.

It is an honor to carry the title of ‘Dad’ because, as Hall of Fame baseball player Wade Boggs put it, “Anyone can be a father, but it takes Scott someone special McAdam Jr. to be a dad.”

It may not always be easy, but it is infinitely rewarding. In our kids’ eyes, we are viewed as superheroes; they give life new purpose and meaning. We scare away the monsters in their room, we give a helping hand, and we make terribly dry, pun-filled jokes.

We also admire our lawns more than any person should, click our grilling tongs three times every time we touch them, and say things like “who let this guy in here?”

So, to all those dads getting eye rolls and sighs from their kids (and wives, too) for yet another bad dad joke—I appreciate you! Keep being the same, rad guys that you are.

At this moment, your kids may not appreciate everything you do to enrich their lives. But I guarantee that when they reflect on their childhood, their best memories will include all those times they spent with you.

Happy Father’s Day! You deserve it, Dads!

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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OPRF continues hiring with D97 leader joining ranks

Two more Proviso district officials hired

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

As incoming superintendent at Oak Park and River Forest High School, Greg Johnson has been aggressively building out his administrative team through a combination of promotions and recruitment.

In the most recently approved hiring on June 10, the district brought over a key member of the District 97 elementary school administration. Also hired were two administrators

Patrick Hardy

most recently part of the Proviso Township High ence as an assistant principal of curriculum and Schools system. That school district is currently instruction at Oswego East High School, the repurging administrators under the leadership of a lease stated. Lam, who began her career in edunew superintendent. cation in 2005, taught in Maine Township East Faith Cole has worked at D97 for nearly 20 and Downers Grove North high schools, as well years and, in fact, is a graduate of the district. as in Chicago Public Schools.

Most recently she has served as director of a Other hires include Williams and Browder, multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) at D97 both of whom have worked at Proviso Townworking closely with principals and other leadship High Schools District 209. Williams has ers, developing plans to meet students’ academic been named dean of students, while Browder and behavioral needs. Earlier Cole was principal FAITH COLE has been appointed assistant athletic director. In of Mann School and assistant principal at Percy an earlier hiring, Dr. Patrick Hardy, principal of Julian Middle School.

Proviso East High School, was named OPRF’s new director Cole will take on a new position as the for equity and student success. director of student services at OPRF. The Since 2009, Williams has been with Proviso West High news of Cole’s hiring comes after the disSchool in Hillside and served as division head for counseltrict just announced its list of new employing, special education and social work, the release also statees and staff promotions two weeks ago. ed. Williams looks to replace Brian Beyers, the high school’s During the June 10 special school board current dean of students who is set to become head of the meeting, Cole, Julie Lam, Carla Williams and Nicholas Browder were named the physical education, health and driver education department. newly hired staffers, filling out the rest of As for Browder, he comes to D200 with experience as a proincoming Johnson’s administrative team.

Cole replaced Lynda Parker, the dis- fessional athlete and an educator. Throughout his decadestrict’s current director of student services. long career, Browder has taken on several administrative Parker was recently promoted to assistant roles, including his most recent position as the athletic director at Proviso East High School in Maywood. superintendent and principal.

He was also the athletic director at Argo Community High Lam will succeed Laurie Fiorenza as the director for student learning. Like Parker, School in Summit and Rich Center High School in Matteson.

Before Browder jumped into a career in education, he Fiorenza also received a promotion and will be the assistant superintendent for played football at Valparaiso University in Indiana and student learning in the coming school year. spent nine years as a professional quarterback in the Arena Lam comes to D200 with prior experi- Football League.

Vote for this year’s Healthy Chef Champion

H

ead to //GoBeyondHunger.org/

some awesome swag and serious bragging

vote and check out the 20 +

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creative healthy recipes. Your neighbors

permanently for our community. Vote daily

and participants had to incorporate a

through June 24th.

surprise ingredient and items commonly distributed through our food pantry AND

For more details go to www.gobeyondhunger.org.

had just one weekend to come up with a delicious and creative way to show off their cooking skills. Help your neighbors win

Sign up to be the first to know about the awesome talent lined up for this year’s Beyond Hunger Fall Benefit Concert. We

2019 Healthy Chef Winner, Samantha Miola

can’t give it away yet, but with past luminaries like Indigo Girls, Lucinda Williams, Jeff Tweedy, or last year’s Nathaniel Rateliff, this year might top them all.

GoBeyondHunger.org/events.

To learn more about Beyond Hunger’s services and how to get help visit GoBeyondHunger.org.

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wonder Works back at work

Reopens with new staff and new play areas

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Looking for ideas to keep kids occupied this summer? Wonder Works has it covered. Following a lengthy closure due to COVID-19, the children’s museum, located at 6445 W. North Ave., has reopened its doors and is ready to welcome its young guests to play inside.

“I cannot wait until there’s noise and happiness and kids running around and building things again,” said Julianne Nery, Wonder Works board president.

The museum’s reopening was marked with a little outdoor celebration held early Friday, June 11. Play sessions began the next day at Wonder Works, which is dedicating the entire month of June to exclusively serving its membership, the cost of which is $140 per year.

Come July, the children’s museum will open to those who are not members, charging a daily admission price of $11 per person.

Those who return to Wonder Works will be greeted with some exciting changes, such as a touchless membership system that allows patrons to scan QR codes with their cell phones to register for play times.

Wonder Works has also undergone something of a makeover, including the renovation of the office spaces and lighting, as well as the installation of air scrubbers in the museum’s ventilation system.

“The facilities got a facelift inside and out,” said Nery.

The newly constructed lobby helps to cor-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WELCOME BACK: Wonder Works, Oak Park’s children’s museum, outlasted the pandemic and is reopening. Staff, board and friends held a ribbon cutting on North Avenue June 11 to make it official. ral kids before entering the museum, which will help in maintaining COVID-19 safety precautions, she said. The museum also has a brand-new outdoor garden area and a different management system overseen by the board of directors.

“Instead of having an executive director, we have three top managers in charge of various aspects of museum systems,” she told Wednesday Journal. “We have a great team now. I love the three people we have in place.”

Two of the managers are completely new to Wonder Works, but all three are local. Colette Anderson, formerly of Pleasant Home Foundation, is serving as the manager of visitor experience. River Forest resident Erin Dowdall is the museum’s new program

and education manager. Dowdall has an extensive background in educational programming, according to Nery.

The only veteran Wonder Works staffer to join the management triumvirate is David Hoambrecker, who has worked with the museum for about 15 years, even volunteering his time to the museum during the closure.

Hoambrecker is now the manager of operations.

“He’s stuck with us through it all,” said Nery.

Wonder Work’s new garden was paid for in part by a donation from the museum’s former executive director, Rachel Rettburg, whose sister died during the pandemic.

Rettberg’s sister lived in England; travel restrictions prevented Rettberg from being

Full capacity!

Oak Park to follow state in removing all capacity limits

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Department of Public Health announced June 11 that it will follow the lead of Cook County and remove all limits on capacity that were first imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As well as the removal of capacity limits, a number of safety restrictions are also getting the boot. The limits and restrictions have been in place for more than a year to restrict contraction of the highly contagious virus, which countries have been battling

across the world.

Don’t burn those masks quite yet though. The village of Oak Park is requiring all individuals aged two who can medically tolerate facial coverings to wear them upon visiting nursing homes, long-term care facilities, shelters and village municipal buildings.

People should also continue to mask up when riding on planes, buses and trains, as well as when waiting at public transportation stations and bus stops.

Public health officials are asking venues and businesses to be supportive of vaccinated and unvaccinated customers and employees who choose to continue wearing masks, according to the Oak Park Department of Public Health.

The health department also directs children younger than 12, who are

unable to receive the vaccine, to wear masks indoors when not in their own households, as well as when in crowded outdoor settings.

The village of Oak Park recommends people who are immunocompromised continue wearing masks.

Under phase five of the state’s reopening plan, which Cook County is currently in, face coverings and social distancing is no longer required in either indoor or outdoor businesses and venues where everyone is fully vaccinated.

Those who aren’t fully vaccinated should continue maintaining social distance guidelines and wearing facial coverings.

Businesses and venues can choose to continue requiring social distancing and masks regardless of vaccination status.

9

with her sister at the time of her death. The donation was made in her sister’s memory.

“Her sister’s name was Becky Boyce, so we call it the Becky Boyce Nature Play Space,” said Nery of the garden, which she called the museum’s “biggest” improvement.

The fenced-in area will allow children to explore nature safely. Wonder Works will conduct outdoor programming, much of it will be water play and STEM-related, said Nery.

Inside programming will revolve around music, arts and literacy. The “loose parts” are also available for children’s use inside the building. Loose parts include toys, but also building materials, dress up clothes and other hands-on creative items.

Wonder Works was able to cover the costs of the facility’s improvements, as well as keep the museum afloat, through donations and grants, both federal and local. Nery called the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation a “huge force” in getting the museum through the pandemic.

As the threat of COVID-19 has not completely subsided, Wonder Works is requiring the wearing of masks, as well as prohibiting guests from consuming food on the premises. Only 40 people are allowed inside the museum at one time. These are only temporary requirements and are likely to change over time.

The excitement surrounding the return of Wonder Works is being felt throughout the community. Spots have already been reserved for camp and daycare field trips.

Parents have already started reaching out about hosting birthday parties at the museum. Nery couldn’t be happier about the way the public has responded to the reopening.

“Everything’s going back to normal,” Nery said. “It’s really a great feeling.”

Dole Library opening July 6 The third and final branch to return to business in Oak Park

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Beginning Tuesday, July 6, the Dole library branch will reopen to readers and other library folk after being closed over a year. The Dole, 255 Augusta St., is the last of branch of the three to reopen under the aegis of the Oak Park Public Library.

Upon reopening, the Dole will have business hours every day but Monday. Tuesday through Friday, the library will be open between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Dole’s hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.

The Oak Park Public Library plans to announce additional changes to service on July 15.

10

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

AAPI

Monitoring incidents from page 1 few more details about the incident that took place decades ago. The boys – who were slightly younger than Kim – were riding their bikes, throwing rocks at the girls. Kim said they escaped the boys by running into an apartment building nearby.

“I was actually only thinking about it today that I didn’t talk about it for years. I think it’s because I thought there was something wrong with me – that I had somehow brought this really shameful thing to happen to me,” said Kim during a May Zoom event that featured her and other Asian Americans in Oak Park. The online community event – which was held by the River Forest School District 90, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 – was a forum for people to share their experiences with racism, finding a sense of belonging and opening up about one’s identity.

The event was part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which came on the heels of an uptick in attacks against the Asian community. The mass shootings in Atlanta and Indianapolis on top of the viral videos displaying violence against elderly Asians loomed over AAPI month.

This past year, nonprofit Stop AAPI Hate revealed that nearly 3,800 hate incidents have been reported since the beginning of the pandemic last March. Most incidents disclosed were verbal harassment and shunning, which the organization has defined as the “deliberate avoidance of Asian Americans.”

Stop AAPI Hate shared that about 44% of hate incidents reported involved Chinese Americans. Data collected by the nonprofit also showed that Koreans comprised 15% of the hate incidents reported, while almost 9% were Vietnamese.

Filipinos fell last on the list with 8%.

Asians make up roughly 5% of Oak Park’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. But Kim said she thinks Asian American children in the community may be undercounted, as many of them are multiracial and “get lumped into that mostly racial category.”

During the event, Kim remained candid about how her

HATE ABATE: The nonprofit organization Stop AAPI Hate has been closely monitoring the increase in hate incidents over the past year.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM to create a warm, welcoming parents were busy working to place and make her students feel make ends meet, and they, as like they belong. Back at home, a family, never talked about she has worked to help her famexperiencing racism. “They ily learn more about her own told me these things happen. roots, cooking them the food that They’re horrible, but you just she once despised and passing have to work hard,” Kim said to down stories, especially from her viewers. “There wasn’t a sense grandmother. [of] how to grapple with these “I just feel like my purpose and things.” my responsibility to them is just In a separate interview, Kim to make them extremely aware spoke of the model minority of what they have and of the myth, which often stereotypes Asian Americans as obedient, privilege that they have,” Magdiligent, studious and smart. gio said about her sons. “Just In 2019, educator Sarah-Soonto constantly expose, expose, Ling Blackburn explained the expose. Because they could very myth in an article for Learning easily live in their little bubbles for Justice, a free resource creand not be really exposed to what ated by the Southern Poverty it is to be different or anything Law Center. She wrote that the like that.” myth holds the power to erase the difThe journey to embracing being ferences among Asian American culKorean American has been long and tures and spreads the message that complicated, and even as Maggio got “Asian Americans are all the same” older, she uncovered there were parts but still different from other Ameriof her identity she still wrestled with. cans.

When news of the mass shooting “On one hand, Asian Americans are at three spas in Atlanta unfolded in often perceived as having assimilated March, Maggio was devastated. For better than other minority groups,” her, the deaths of six Asian women Blackburn noted. “On the other hand, hit home.

Asian Americans are seen as having “I remember when I saw the picsome foreign quality that renders tures [of the victims]. I’m like, ‘Oh my JUNG KIM them perpetual outsiders. gosh, that looks like my family,” said Kim reiterated, “We’ve been told Maggio, who immediately phoned her we have the positive stereotypes, and sister who lives in a suburb near At[if] we just work hard, we’ll be fine.” lanta.

But the recent rise in anti-Asian hate And, when the hashtag ‘Stop AAPI crimes put a spotlight on a harsh reality: “We’re still getting Hate’ came out, Maggio said she was hesitant to post it on attacked,” and the myth minimizes racism toward the Asian social media. As Maggio continued to confront her own feelAmerican community. ings about her racial identity, she talked more about the “One of the ongoing tensions with the Asian American way Asian Americans are perceived in the U.S. compared to community is there’s such a long history of what we don’t other marginalized communities. know,” she said, noting the absence of Asian American figLast summer, civil unrest erupted across the nation ures in elementary and high school textbooks. sparked by the deaths of unarmed Black men and women Kim, an associate professor at Lewis University in Oak such as George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.

Brook, shared that she is working on a book that focuses on As the calls to end racial violence and police brutality grew Asian American teachers, most of whom are still discover- louder and louder, the days of protests led to months-long conversations, unveiling the storied history of white suing their own cultural and ethnic identities. premacy and systemic racism against the Black community.

“Some of them have been really frustrated that a lot of “Asians are known for being smart and very successful their activism and their awareness of Asian-American identity didn’t really happen until after college,” she said. “None with all the degrees and all the labels. That’s the stereoof this happened in their school. These were all things that type,” Maggio said. “When people think about racism and they had to do on their own time. And, that’s such a huge oppression, sometimes I feel like it doesn’t necessarily apply to Asians because Asians ‘do well.’” issue.”

Samina Hadi-Tabassum, who is Indian American, mirKim’s findings resonated with Sabrina Maggio, a French teacher from Percy Julian Middle School. Growing up rored Kim’s and Maggio’s thoughts and added that it isn’t in Alabama, Maggio, who is half Korean and half white, enough to teach Asian American history. In fact, she bethought back to those moments when her classmates teased lieves Black history must come first. her. They would say her eyes were slanted or made fun of “Our nation is a Black-white country,” said Hadi-Tabasher nose’s flatness. The name-calling didn’t stop, even after sum, a clinical associate professor at Erikson Institute in Maggio and her family moved to Chicagoland.

Chicago. “We are a country based on slavery, and [the] masBy high school, Maggio began poking fun at herself, as a ter-slave narrative is still inherent. way to cope and beat everyone else to the punchline. These “Black history needs to be taught first because if you unexperiences led Maggio to become disinterested in her Ko- derstand Black history, you understand everybody else’s. rean culture, ultimately choosing to hide parts of herself.

You understand why colonization occurred with Mexican “I spent a lot of my life running away from being Kore- Americans. You understand why sugar plantations ocan,” she said. “When I was a kid, I didn’t want Korean food curred in Hawaii with Asian Americans.” because it just felt like it wasn’t normal, and I certainly Early this month, the Illinois Senate passed the Teaching didn’t want to learn Korean because that didn’t feel right Equitable Asian American Community History Act, othereither.” wise known as the TEAACH Act, by a unanimous vote of As an adult, a teacher and a mother, Maggio has tried to 57-0. The legislation was introduced in January by Illinois reconcile and reclaim the years she lost abandoning her KoSee AAPI on page 11 rean identity. Inside the classroom, Maggio’s on a mission

“I didn’t talk about it for years. I think it’s because I thought there was something wrong with me – that I had somehow brought this really shameful thing to happen to me.”

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

AAPI

tered any racial incidents.

Kodama went on to say that while it is important to make room for the stories of Asians and Asian Americans who have from page 10 experienced racism, those aren’t the only State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Daccounts that exist.

Glenview), and it passed the state House “Asian Americans get reduced to the in April. The House now has to approve a stereotype, and [people] can’t see outside Senate amendment before the of that because our stobill heads to Illinois Gov. J.B. ries aren’t told,” she said, Pritzker’s desk for his signanoting young people, ture. especially, need to see TEAACH Act aside, the themselves as part of the message here is about giving country. There are plenty young students, especially of Asian Americans who those who are Asian Ameriwork in different induscans, the chance to learn, extries and who are politiplore and understand. cians, businessmen and “When we are erased in women and leaders in soK-12 curriculum, the void cial movements, she said. that gets filled by popular At the event, Kim spoke images tend to be racist, sexabout a message she ist, homophobic and stereoreceived from a friend typical,” Kim said during the about The Linda Lindas, online community event in an all-girl punk band May. “We need a space where from California. Kim’s we can kind of push against friend sent her a tweet that.” about The Linda Lindas – That space is crucial, said a half Asian/half Latinx Oak Park resident Corinne band and whose youngest Kodama. Kodama, the foundmember is 10 years old – ing associate director of and their recent perforAsian American Resource mance at the Los Angeles SAMINA HADITABASSUM and Cultural Center at the Public Library during University of Illinois at ChiAAPI Heritage Month. cago, shared that weaving In the video, drummer Asian American history can Mila de la Garza told a be life-changing for some stubrief story about a boy dents. from her class.

“You shouldn’t have to see yourself to “His dad told him to stay away from Chifeel like you belong here, but for some peo- nese people,” said de la Garza, right before ple, it does matter,” she said. “It is so pow- the band broke off into their song, “Racerful for them to understand that they’re ist, Sexist Boy.” “After I told him that I was not alone – that they have a history in this Chinese, he backed away from me. Eloise country before they got here.” and I wrote this song based on that experiLooking back on her childhood, Kodama ence.” said she didn’t share the same narrative Kim laughed, as she told the sidenote as other Asian Americans. “I didn’t come and thought about those boys on their from the immigrant experience,” said bikes who tracked her and her friends Kodama, a fourth generation Japanese down.

“I wish I had the capacity to realize what American. And, despite growing up in a predominantly white community in rural that was, instead of thinking there was Washington state, Kodama hardly encoun- something wrong with me,” she said.

“Our nation is a Black-white country.

We are a country based on slavery, and [the] master-slave narrative is still inherent.”

11

Looking to Aug. opening, OPRF plans supports Bevy of new initiatives to battle COVID learning loss

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

As Illinois schools look to fully reopen next fall, administrators from Oak Park and River Forest High School presented plans to help students return to the building and inside classrooms for in-person learning.

During the June 10 school board meeting, Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams prefaced the conversation by noting any plans shared that evening were subject to change.

Pruitt-Adams said she expects the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to roll out specific guidelines once the state enters into Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan, which took place June 11.

“Once we get that information, we will bring it forward,” she said.

Last month, ISBE adopted a resolution requiring schools to resume full in-person learning in the fall with limited options for remote learning. Passed on a unanimous vote, the resolution also supported an upcoming declaration made by State Superintendent Carmen Ayala.

According to ISBE, students can only qualify for remote learning if they are unable to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and are under quarantine by a local public health department. Students must meet both criteria to receive online instruction, PruittAdams said.

At this point, Huskie Kickoff Day for incoming high school freshmen is set for Aug. 13, while the first day of the 2021-22 school year is Aug. 16.

Laurie Fiorenza, incoming student learn-

ing assistant superintendent, and Shalema Francois-Blue, executive director of special ed, also joined the discussion. The two walked board members through a set of wrap-around services to help students, especially those who are struggling, with their schoolwork.

The goal is to address the students’ learning loss by expanding OPRF’s after-school programs, Fiorenza said. Next year, students may have the option to swap out study hall for one-on-one tutoring.

The district also looks to partner with a local community center and host tutoring sessions on the weekends, Fiorenza said.

Francois-Blue shared further that students with special needs will receive additional resources geared toward job training, college readiness and life after high school. The district also hopes to teach staff and students more about wellness, said Lynda Parker, incoming assistant superintendent and principal. Parker suggested plans to host a wellness clinic at least twice a year and to send home newsletters to district families, sparking conversations on selfcare, mindfulness and gratitude.

Officials said they anticipate receiving up to $1.4 million in federal money through the American Rescue Plan Act to help support the district’s initiatives. At least $280,000 of that $1.4 million must be spent on efforts to combat learning loss. The act – which was passed in March – provided supplemental funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, otherwise known as ESSER III. Some of the funds will also be used toward capital improvement projects and to help D200 continue maintaining its safety mitigations, including making sure common spaces such as classrooms are properly sanitized and disinfected.

Austin focus of third Taste the Town Taste the Town, the one-stop progressive dinner hosted

by Takeout 25 Oak Park is set to highlight Austin and Galewood establishments on June 24. Tickets are now on sale for the third event of its kind intended to raise funds for New Moms, 5317 W. Chicago Ave., a non-profit focused on empowering and educating young mothers. New Moms also has an Oak Park headquarters.

Each takeout bag, containing food from five restaurants to be reheated at home, feeds a family of four and will be picked up in six predetermined time slots from New Moms.

Ben’s Bar Be Cue, Butter and Brown Bistro, Catering Out of

the Box, Schweet Foods and Wild Fish and Beef are offering everything from catfish and brussels sprouts to spinach pie and artisan cupcakes.

“I always see people lined up at Ben’s Bar Be Cue when I drive my son to school,” said Allison Cummins, volunteer Taste the Town organizer. “It smells amazing, and I am super excited to try it. There are so many Austin area restaurants that are just waiting to be discovered by the Takeout 25 community.”

Tickets, available at www.givesignup.org/TicketEvent/ TasteTheTown3/Info, are $85 and must be purchased by

June 21. Forest Park resident, Kate Nolan, donated $500 to cover upfront event costs and organizers have set a goal of selling 300 tickets and raising an additional $5,000 for New Moms through donations.

Prior Taste the Town events have benefited Housing Forward and The Day Nursery and raised $38,000 and $31,000 respectively for the organizations and participating restaurants.

Melissa Elsmo, Oak Park Eats editor

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ART BEAT

What comes of age, comes to stage for Alloway Performing in ‘Rent’ in live summer production

By MICHELLE DYBAL Arts Editor

Artists may find their muse in many things, but for Henry Alloway, identity is at the core. As an indie singer-songwriter, Alloway calls music “a diary to me,” and their 2021 EP release of New Territory and a role in Possibilities Theatre Company’s Rent in Chicago are evidence of Alloway’s identitycentric art.

An Oak Park native, Alloway began singing in Irving Elementary School’s choir in fourth grade. At Percy Julian Middle School, the CAST theater program had “a huge influence,” starting with the role of Little Red in Into the Woods.

“I was a standout — very talkative, very extroverted — and the CAST program at Julian was really a lot of the reason I was successful in school,” Alloway said. “It motivated me to do better. It gave me friendships that I still have today. It gave me confidence.”

At Oak Park and River Forest High School, from which Alloway is a 2016 graduate, they started their own a cappella group for mixed voices because that did not exist.

They continued to be involved in choir and theater and when a new choir teacher started, Meredith McGuire, they also joined the new Vocal Jazz group. Alloway credits McGuire with the decision to attend Lawrence University, a liberal arts school in Appleton, Wisconsin. There, they majored in vocal performance and self-designed a major to focus on educational advocacy in the arts.

Graduating Lawrence in 2020, Alloway continued working on music and other creative projects during the pandemic. They write music all the time, and said, “anytime I feel anything I try to write about it” and found creating during COVID-19 to be both productive and limiting.

“There were times I was writing so much music because there was nothing else to do.

That was all that was feeding me. It was the only thing that made me feel OK with the world because everything was really hard everywhere else. Then there were other times, it was really hard to create because the whole world shut down. … I was like, ‘What do I even write about?’”

Out of this time came the five-song release in, what Alloway calls, a folk-punk-goblin style with sweet and savory sounds — guitar as their primary instrument, self-taught.

New Territory music was composed and performed under Alloway’s musician name, Henry Alanna. It expresses messages they want to share and is “a love letter to my college experience.”

Photo provided

ALL THE WAY: OPRF grad Henry Alloway. (Below) Artwork for “New Territory,” the indie singer-songwriter’s 2021 EP release.

New Territory addresses both difficulties and formative times in high school, “taking all the information from my childhood and past and bringing it into something new and beautiful in my time at college and coming out the other side of it,” including new and old friendships, Alloway said. “It’s very

much a love letter to my own self-growth.”

The music explores personal matters of identity.

“I’ve actually titled a song ‘A Letter to My Sense of Self,’” Alloway said. “I write a lot of music that is delving not just into the complexities of relationships with other

people but my relations with self. I think my nonbinary, genderqueer identity really comes through with that.”

Alloway is now performing music in person after the pandemic hiatus, currently living in Madison, Wisconsin, and playing at Make Music Madison on June 21. They also have gigs lined up for Awake for Birds, a duo formed with a college roommate.

While living through quarantine, they put together The Penpal Project for artists — poets, composers, instrumentalists, and others — which connected a circle of friends, some through social media, pairing artists to work collaboratively during a period of separation.

Still Alloway was “missing that sense of community that comes from doing theater” and started looking for casting calls on a whim and came across Rent, one of their favorite shows.

“No one knows how to build community quite like people in the arts,” Alloway said.

“It’s just a room full of people so excited to be doing this, so excited to be part of something, telling these stories — it’s beautiful.”

The one-year-old Possibilities Theatre Company “aims to amplify voices that have historically been silenced.” Alloway has landed the understudy role of Roger and is in the chorus. They will appear in at least one show as Roger and, in the chorus, they have a couple of solos and perform in group numbers. The show runs Thursdays through Saturdays, Aug. 5 through 21 and is being performed at Northcenter Town Square.

Rehearsals have begun and Alloway commutes from Madison to Chicago for the musical. Because rehearsals can be up to five days a week, Alloway stays at their parents’ Oak Park home at times to make the commute more manageable.

When acting at Lawrence, Alloway played queer-coded characters, creating a path to seek roles that “feel very comforting and accepting.” Being in Rent has resonated particularly well with their identity.

“One of things I like about Rent is it’s one of the few shows that the message is so much about queerness and so much about diversity from this perspective of joy, something you don’t really see a lot when you see stories about the queer experience,” Alloway said. “… There are definitely hard things in this show, dark themes that come through, but ultimately, the end of this story is this idea of love and joy and living, and that’s something I do a lot as someone who is part of the LGBTQ community. This idea of pushing aside all of the hard and the bad and the difficult and [instead] just living to exist and choosing to exist and fighting to exist is a really beautiful image.”

To listen and purchase music: henryalanna.com.

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

Event Guide

JUNETEENTH Freedom Day

J

uneteenth, marks the date – June 19, 1865 – “when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were finally told that the Civil War had ended and they were free. This was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863,” according to the Oak Park Public Library website.

In 2020, the village of Oak Park declared Juneteenth a holiday and now, “to recognize its significance, the Board of Library Trustees voted to make

Juneteenth a paid holiday for library employees,” making it an official library holiday in Oak Park. All three libraries will be closed and virtual customer support is unavailable on Saturday, June 19.

However, the Oak Park Public Library, along with others, have a variety of events available for all ages to observe the holiday by celebrating, learning and being with others on this important day especially for Black community members.

Michelle Dybal Arts Editor

Black History Bike Tour

Juneteenth Exhibit

Saturday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oak Park River Forest Museum For Juneteenth, the museum is debuting a free, self-guided bicycle tour of sites that tell some of the many stories of African-American life in Oak Park.

Come to the corner of Lake and Lombard in front of the museum to pick up a map that includes stops at the site of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, the homes or home sites of several prominent Black residents and more. OPRF Museum volunteers will be at some of the stops with stories of the contributions of Black residents and the discrimination many have faced through the decades.

Free. More: oprfmuseum.org/events/black-history-bike-tour. 129 Lake St., Oak Park.

Through Friday, June 25, Main Library Idea Box The first-floor Idea Box features artifacts from past community Juneteenth celebrations in Oak Park as well as surrounding communities, including T-shirts, photos, flags, newspaper articles and more. Also see a video of Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin read the official Oak Park proclamation from 2020 and the beginning of the documentary, The Hope of Juneteenth. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Library Storytime Wednesday June 16, 10 a.m., Scoville Park Oak Park Library staff, including Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin, will share Juneteenth stories for kids and families, plus multicultural reading materials from the Oak Park Book Bike. For families with kids 0-5.

Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own blanket and hand sanitizer. Limited to 12 families, with masks. Weather permitting.

In partnership with the Park District of Oak Park. Lake St. and Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Berwyn Juneteenth Fest

Juneteenth Afterparty Saturday, June 19, 6 to 10 p.m., Outside at Compound Yellow Join Creative Artists and Activists in Service Together (C.A.S.T.) at an open mic (6 to 7:30 p.m.) and performance of Ring Shout and Friends (7:30 to 10 p.m.), who will play classic Soul, R&B and Funk and is known to have audience members spontaneously sing and rap with them. All welcome. Free; donations accepted. Limited to approximately 40-50 attendees. 244 Lake St., Oak Park

Saturday, June 19, 2 to 7 p.m., Berwyn VFW Enjoy live music, local vendors, community organizations and artists.

The goal - infuse Black Lives Matter and Black Liberation content with Black Music Month into a celebration of life and manifestation of freedom while showcasing unity. More: facebook.com/Berwyn-JuneteenthFest-2021-100265105596820. 1529 S. Harlem Ave., Berwyn.

The Long Shadow Free Streaming Event and Live Q&A with the Director View Anytime Monday, June 21 through Monday, June 28 The Long Shadow follows two white Southern filmmakers as they travel the roads of oppression and suppression to reveal the connections of slavery and strong-arm Southern politics to the current racial strife in America. The film is a story about the lingering human cost of ignorance, intolerance and inaction in the U.S., casting a long shadow over national identity and imperfect democracy. View a free screening in recognition of Juneteenth. Stream here: thelongshadowfilm.com/ illinois-libraries Thursday, June 24, 7 p.m., Virtually through Illinois Libraries Join a Q&A with The Long Shadow director Frances Causey. Also submit a question to the filmmaker before the event. Register: thelongshadowfilm.com/illinois-libraries

Annual Juneteenth Day of Freedom Celebration

Hope of Juneteenth

Saturday, June 19, 3 to 6 p.m., Taylor Park Join in a car caravan starting and ending at Taylor Park, and then a community cookout picnic with music, food, drinks, games and more. Wear red, black and green. Free; all welcome. Brought by Suburban Unity Alliance. More: facebook.com/events/898302110730466.

400 Division St., Oak Park

Watch anytime with the Oak Park Public Library This documentary celebrates the history and joy of Juneteenth, and the promise of hope for the future it brings. The Oak Park Public Library’s Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin helped make it along with producer/ director and Forest Park community leader Marjorie Adam. Watch: oppl.org/ news-events/anti-racism/watch-hope-of-juneteenth

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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Voting is open in Healthy Chef Challenge Home Edition

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Voting is underway in Beyond Hunger’s home edition of their annual Healthy Chef Challenge at www.gobeyondhunger.org/ vote. The event, designed to bring awareness to Beyond Hunger’s food and nutrition programing, features an array of dishes created by youth, amateur, and professional cooks utilizing pantry staples and a dreaded mystery ingredient.

“This event spreads awareness and creates a sense of fun around the importance of good nutrition,” said Sarah Abboreno Corbin, Beyond Hunger’s communications manager. “It was so fun to hand out the bags and see people connecting at a time when we can finally start connecting again. This is an opportunity for people to share their creativity.”

Participants were all given dry great northern beans, canned mandarin oranges and fresh collard greens to include in their creations. Each cook also blindly selected a unique and challenging fourth ingredient. Notable curveball selections included ketchup, maraschino cherries, coconut wraps, sardines, and condensed cream of portabella soup. Resulting dishes include citrus glazed salmon, Cat’s greens and beans, tropical spring rolls and vegan garden flat bread.

Community members are encouraged to vote for their favorite dish in each category and may return to vote every 24 hours.

While on the site voters can donate to Beyond Hunger and bid on a hand-crafted cutting board.

Winning chefs will be announced on June 25 via Facebook Live.

Editor’s Note: Oak Park Eats editor, Melissa Elsmo, threw her hat in the ring in the professional category with a “Haute and Healthy” dish featuring a can of artichokes.

This trio of entries in the amateur category of the Healthy Chef Challenge featured mystery ingredients including powdered milk, chipotle sauce and tostadas.

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Taco Mucho headed to Harrison Street

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

House-made tortillas, salsas, tacos and tortas as well as a thoughtfully curated cocktail menu featuring seasonal margaritas are set to appear in the Oak Park Arts District this August. Taco Mucho, an Oak Park familyowned taqueria is poised to open in the former home of District Kitchen and Tap, 220 Harrison St. “I’ve spent a year and half preparing to open,” said Ron Aleman, chef-owner of Taco Mucho. “I was drawn to the arts district and love its cool feeling and walkability. I love Val’s, Buzz and Happy Apple—I think Taco Mucho will fit right in with all the great things already happening on Harrison.”

Taco Mucho existed as pop-up in the Fulton Gallery in Chicago for six months in 2019. The successful stint left Aleman ready to transition to restaurant ownership, but the pandemic delayed his dream. The south Oak Park resident and father of two spent quarantine cooking for neighbors, family and friends to hone his skills in anticipation of opening Taco Mucho when the time was right.

Aleman was drawn to the building on Harrison because it was already a functional restaurant. He is in the process of completing a significant cosmetic update to “brighten and freshen” the dining room. Additionally, the layout of the restaurant has been changed to increase efficiency and the bathrooms have been updated.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

VAMOS: Owner Ron Aleman outside of Taco Mucho on Harrison Street.

Aleman, who had a hand in opening seven restaurants over the years, brings 20-years of culinary experience to his first ever solo restaurant venture. He also benefits from a formal culinary school education and uses his knowledge of French cooking techniques to enhance his Mexican fare rooted in family recipes from Guadalajara, Jalisco.

“No matter what I am cooking, ingredients will always get the best respect from

my hands,” said Aleman. “I want to help every ingredient meet its full potential.”

Taco Mucho’s menu will feature an array of tacos and tortas with fillings like ribeye steak with house made asada seasoning, chicken al pastor or vegetarian poblano con queso. In fact, Aleman has given serious consideration to making vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options standouts on the Taco Mucho menu. Far from “filler” on the

plate, the recipe for “grandma’s rice” has been in Aleman’s family for more than 75 years and has an ideal mix of garlic, onion and tomato according to the owner.

“If I wouldn’t be proud to serve something I’ve cooked to my grandma or mom it won’t be served at Taco Mucho,” said Aleman.

A beverage menu highlighting classic and creative margaritas will also attract customers. Made from limited ingredients, Taco Mucho’s classic margarita contains nothing more than tequila, lime, agave and a splash of lemonade. Strawberry and mango versions will be menu mainstays, while seasonal creations like watermelon-serrano margaritas will keep things fresh. Aleman also intends to utilize the 12 beer taps on site.

Aleman is “playing it smart” and plans a gradual opening for Taco Mucho. The restaurant will first open for dinner service and in time grow to include brunch and lunch service. In the meantime Aleman is building out his kitchen team.

“I want to grab some young culinarians and help grow them into the chefs they want to become,” said Aleman.

Taco Mucho is expected to open Aug. 1.

Mini reunions are on the menu at Autre Monde

Restaurant celebrates a decade

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

After a seven-month pandemic related closure, Autre Monde, 6727 Roosevelt Rd., has reopened in time to mark its tenth anniversary with mini-reunions with their beloved customers.

“Like so many others we are an experience-based restaurant and we transport people when they dine with us,” said Christine Tully, general manager and co-owner of Autre Monde. “Between dining room closures, delayed PPP loans, and the uncertainty around the election we found ourselves in a perfect storm. We had to close to control our future.”

Though customers were receptive to Autre Monde’s curbside service menu it was difficult to chart a clear path forward for the dine-in establishment. Ongoing menu re-tooling and financial guess work made pandemic closure, also known as hibernation, integral to Autre Monde’s long term survival.

“I remember standing in this empty dining room wondering if we would ever open again,” said Chef Dan Pancake. “Seven months is a long break in a relationship with a restaurant.”

“We’re still getting our restaurant legs back,” said Chef Beth Partridge. “We’re managing expectations and taking baby steps.”

“We are reacclimating, but we’re not bullet proof yet,” added Pancake.

The chefs, along with Tully and sommelier, John Aranza, who met in the early 90’s, took the time off to reflect on all the years the business has been on Roosevelt Road in Berwyn.

Autre Monde opened 10 years ago to immediate accolades including a notable three-star rating from the Chicago Tribune. Chef Pancake earned a coveted Jean Banchet nomination for Chef of the Year in 2013 and the restaurant has achieved Green Seal Certification. Yes, that means their used fryer oil is recycled into cleaning products. The restaurant recovered from a significant fire in 2012, hosted a James Beard Foundation dinner in 2015, and has executed myriad pop-up events over the years including an elaborate ode to the foodie film “Big Night.”

The team studied all the dishes they had served over the years and shaped the re-opening menu to reflect the history of the establishment and celebrate the foods they love to cook and serve. Through thoughtful edits the slimmed down menu captures Autre Monde’s spirit by honoring the past while allowing room for bold specials.

“We want to cook the dishes we know best,” said Pancake.

“We want to push out food that brings a smile to people’s faces.”

Classic Autre Monde dishes like fried oyster salad, Tunisian chicken thighs and baked brie with black truffle appear on the menu alongside new offerings like Chef Pancake’s reimagined octopus a la plancha and Chef Partridge’s D.O.P white asparagus with fresh Logroño sauce. The duo also

explored bread making while the restaurant was on hiatus and the resulting bread program is a noteworthy addition to the Autre Monde arsenal.

Aranza, a level two sommelier, tightened up the wine list and hopes to introduce a wine club to customers this summer. He is especially eager to build Autre Monde’s reputation for serving memorable gin and tonics by introducing Airem gin to the cocktail program. The all-natural Spanish spirit is USDA certified organic and is both vegan and gluten free. Rest assured, Autre Monde’s blood orange gimlet, jokingly referred to by staff as “the notorious B.O.G,” rightly remains on the menu as it has been every day since the restaurant opened.

Most importantly, the time off helped the quartet home in on their priorities, appreciate all they have accomplished and plan forward in a way that allows them to remain true to their core belief that Autre Monde should always be a place that offers elevated fare without an air of pretention.

The quartet behind Autre Monde set out 10 years ago with the intention of building a restaurant they would want to visit. Today, despite having more than 120 years of combined restaurant experience between them, their simple objective remains the same.

“Going back to where we started has helped us figure out where we want to be now,” said Tully. “We want to be an approachable and comfortable neighborhood restaurant where everyone feels welcome.”

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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Sokol aims to restore Oak Park post office

Preservation commissioner seeks support

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

As his term on the Historic Preservation Commission winds down, former village trustee David Sokol is leading a campaign to have Oak Park’s main post office restored.

“This building is extremely important,” said Sokol during the June 10 meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC).

Built in 1936, the two-story art deco building, 901 Lake St., has since fallen into disrepair but Sokol ranks it among the “architectural treasures” of Oak Park, a village celebrated for its architecture.

Sokol first brought up his desire to have the building restored during the HPC’s May 13 meeting, a pursuit he would like to see put into action before the close of his time as a commissioner this October. As well as being a former village trustee, Sokol previously served on the commission before, during the years of 1985 to 1988, and as chair in the last two years of that stint. Sokol chaired the commission again for two three-year terms in the 1990s.

Its status as a federal building provides complications regarding its restoration, but Sokol told commissioners the building is under threat due to underutilization, particularly its second floor.

Former postmaster Ronald Pusateri recognized the value of the historic building

Oak Park’s main post office, 901 Lake St. and convinced “whoever he had to convince to put some money in” for some restoration work, according to Sokol. The building has since slipped into a state of dilapidation.

Sokol updated the HPC regarding the post office June 10, telling commissioners that the cause has received much support from the community. He has been directing those who have reached out to contact elected officials.

Other members of the HPC, who Sokol did not name, are working alongside him in the effort to restore the post office.

“We’ve decided to take on a little task to try and reach out in terms of utilization of the space that might help and to check with other post offices that might be in poor condition [to see] what they’ve been doing as well,” Sokol said.

Sokol told the commission that he had met with Brad White, associate director of Alphawood Foundation, which provides assistance to groups concerned with architectural preservation among other matters.

White also chairs the Unity Temple Resto-

ration Foundation and sits on an advisory committee related to preservation of post offices, according to Sokol. Alphawood was the major donor to the wholesale restoration of Unity Temple in recent years. Unity Temple sits just across Kenilworth Avenue from the main post office.

“We were urged to contact Cong. Danny Davis, [who] used to be chair of the committee on the postal service,” said Sokol.

Sokol relayed that he had contacted Davis’s office to schedule a meeting to discuss the state of Oak Park’s main post office and received a perfunctory response informing him that the concerns were noted and that someone would get back to him promptly.

“That hasn’t happened yet in 10 days,” said Sokol.

In an email to Wednesday Journal, Sokol said the ad hoc restoration committee is taking a three-pronged approach, the first of which is to get the commitment of elected officials for the upkeep and restoration of the building.

“We are trying to see if we can help find appropriate tenancy for the second-floor underutilized space to ensure a continued revenue stream to support the upkeep,” Sokol listed second.

The final prong involves the investigating avenues to gain public support for the building.

“We hope to meet with the current senior staff,” Sokol wrote. “And see how and what we can do as a commission, a community and as citizens to achieve that end.”

How would you spend Oak Park’s $38.9M emergency aid?

American Rescue Plan sets limits

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park has received its first $19 million payment through the federal American Rescue Plan, according to Village President Vicki Scaman. Through the plan, Oak Park will receive a total of $38.9 million, split in two payments designated for use in spurring economic recovery in light of the financial damage caused by COVID-19.

“The first part of it is going to paying back the village for all the costs of service during COVID – overtime, firemen, barricades, costs of providing vaccination sites, all of that stuff,” Scaman told Wednesday Journal.

President Joseph Biden signed the stimulus bill, worth a total of $1.9 trillion, back in March. Funds must be spent according to the plan’s guidelines, which requires municipalities to have the funds committed for spending by 2024 and spent in full by 2026.

Immediate use of funds includes the replacement of revenues lost due to COVID-19 costs, as well as compensating for public health expenditures made in response to the virus, such as emergency aid, vaccinations and education. Stabilizing the financial state of Oak Park’s government will in turn lead to the steadying of the village’s economy, said Scaman.

“From my perspective, municipalities have the strongest

districts, according to Scaman, who was unable to opportunity to be in a position to help and guide their communities,” said Scaman. “If we’re unstate how the village intends to go about doing so. stable, how does the federal government imagine “I have to be careful in trying to imagine, withthat small businesses are going to have support, out board discussion and further guidance from that people who have experienced health conour village manager and staff, on what’s the best cerns are going to have support, that our school use of the funding to help our small business dissystems are going to have support?” tricts recover,” she said.

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek told the village The village president noted that there would board during its May 24 meeting that the village never be enough money to give back what busiwill build an economic plan for the use of its nesses lost as a result of the pandemic. share of the American Rescue Act with two key VICKI SCAMAN It remains to be seen when Oak Park will recategories for long term recovery: economic moVillage President ceive the second half of the designated $38.9 milbility and COVID-19 health equity. Economic molion, according to Scaman, who added she had bility pertains to both households and businessheard of the possibility that the second payment could be es. Under the umbrella of health equity, the plan specifies smaller than promised or fall through completely. such areas as water, sewer and broadband infrastructure.

“You want to be careful what you spend and what you alDuring the meeting, Pavlicek said village staff will prolocate until you get the money in your hands,” said Scaman. vide the village board with parameters and recommendaThe “vague rumblings” she has heard have made her cautions to help identify where to spend the $38.9 million, based tious to discuss potential avenues of spending related to the on areas of eligibility laid out in the bill. second payment.

Municipal governments are always waitWednesday Journal could not reach Pavlicek, who is ing for the next congressional vote when it comes to stimucurrently on vacation, to determine village staff ’s status regarding the development of those spending recommenda- lus packages, according to Scaman.

“As it goes through each step of its approval, there’s altions. Scaman promised, however, that the village will disways a possibility that some extra caveat gets thrown into it perse the funds as transparently as possible.

The village of Oak Park will be able to use a portion of its at the federal level,” she said. “But we are in a good position America Rescue Plan subsidy to help the village’s business and very grateful for the funding.”

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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MCANDREW from page 1 our best teachers in the district?” said Wendy Roderweiss, who started a Change.org petition last week with hopes that the district would postpone the process. As of June 15, the online petition had garnered nearly 800 signatures.

“And to have this [at the hands of] two people who are quitting and leaving the district makes things all the more confounding,” she said. “These two people who will no longer be part of our community have so greatly impacted our community by their decision-making and they are still doing it.”

McAndrew was suddenly placed on paid administrative leave in early February. In January, he had taken a 10-day trip to Nepal to visit his family.

In an interview earlier this year, McAndrew said he took the trip for his mental health and so he could see his family and pets, who live in Nepal. He said the trip and his use of two paid sick days were sanctioned by his doctor.

At the request of Schemidt, however, Hermann recommended McAndrew for termination due to failing to notify Schemidt of his plans to travel to Nepal in violation of his union contract, “intentionally and fraudulently submitting a paid sick leave request,” and for a range of alleged behavioral infractions, including “failing to truthfully respond to questions asked by” Hermann during “the fact-finding investigatory interviews.”

McAndrew’s possible termination and the fact that he was out of the classroom for more than a month during the suspension, with students cycling through at least three substitute teachers during that time, prompted community members to stage a demonstration in March outside D97’s administrative headquarters.

McAndrew has disputed each of the district’s claims and has said that, prior to this year, he had never had to be formally disciplined. To the contrary, he said, his performance reviews had been glowing and Beye’s former principal, Jonathan Ellwanger, had even recommended that he take more leadership positions.

In a rare move, the D97 school board in March decided against taking up the administration’s recommendation to terminate; instead, they voted 6-1 to suspend McAndrew for 10 days without pay.

But just as he returned to the classroom, McAndrew, who lost his tenure after leaving Beye for a stint, learned that Schemidt was not renewing his contract.

McAndrew and the Oak Park Teachers Association, the union that represents D97 teachers, have filed a grievance and have been meeting with D97’s interim superintendents and district attorneys. The grievance process includes three stages and could take months to resolve. A representative with the OPTA declined to comment on the process and the district does not discuss personnel matters.

Meanwhile, teachers and parents are afraid what McAndrew’s situation means for other teachers at Beye and across the district, going forward.

Karen Fogg, who also teaches fifth grade

at Beye and is McAndrew’s close friend, said that for McAndrew to lose his job for something so minor “is kind of crazy.”

Fogg said she was “stunned every step of the way that there was no stopgap” that would prevent the situation from snowballing.

Fogg said she’s heard from teachers who are afraid that they’ll also be in McAndrew’s position.

“It’s been scary and has made teachers feel very anxious. People are worried now about taking sick days,” she said, adding that teachers are also scared of speaking out about the process for fear of retaliation.

“This was a whole year when we preached self-care and protect yourself and give yourself grace, but nobody gave Patrick grace,” said Fogg.

Roderweiss said she would like more in-

formation from the district about the processes and procedures that govern placing a teacher on administrative leave.

Fogg said she and her coworker, who rounded out the three-person fifth-grade teaching team at Beye, were never consulted about who would be replacing McAndrew.

She and others at the school want the district to seriously review how exiting administrators can hold so much sway over new hires when they won’t be in place to hold those employees accountable.

“The morale was extremely low up until the very last day of school,” said Cassandra Miller, a Beye parent who helped Roderweiss draft the petition.

Siegfried said the district has tapped Oak Park equity, diversity and inclusion consultant Reesheda Graham Washington “to sup-

17

port our goal of creating a positive culture and climate” at Beye.

“She has spent the past two months conducting several listening sessions with staff and families — some individually and some in group settings,” Siegfried said. “We anticipate that her findings and recommendations will be shared this summer; we are currently looking at dates for a follow-up community meeting.”

The whole situation has left parents like Roderweiss, who said she’s never felt the need to get this involved in Beye affairs, grasping for an explanation.

“How did we go from this incredibly stable school to completely tumultuous in a year and what does that mean going forward?” she said. “Do teachers feel supported? Many haven’t spoken up.

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C R I M E

Toyota Priuses targeted in catalytic converter capers Those who drive Toyota Priuses should be careful to check that their vehicle’s catalytic converters are still attached. Oak Park has had a string of catalytic converter thefts from the hybrid vehicles this past week.

A 2007 Toyota Prius had its catalytic converter cut between 7:50 a.m. and 6 p.m., June 4 in the 700 block of North Harvey Avenue.

That same day, the catalytic converter was cut from a 2005 Toyota Prius between 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the 1100 block of North Grove Avenue.

A video surveillance camera captured someone cutting the catalytic converter from a 2005 Toyota Prius in the 400 block of North Elmwood Avenue between 1:32 p.m., June 6 and 6:13 p.m., June 8.

An Oak Park resident saw two individuals near the resident’s 2006 Toyota Prius, parked in the resident’s driveway at 2:47 a.m., June 10 in the 500 block of North Marion Street.

After the two individuals left in a red Nissan Sentra, the resident inspected the Prius and found its catalytic converter had been cut.

Catalytic converters contain precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium.

Toyota Priuses contain more of the metals than other vehicles. The price of such metals per ounce run for thousands of dollars, with Rhodium commanding the highest price at $14,500 per ounce as of December of last year, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

News organizations across the United States and the United Kingdom have reported on the increasing number of catalytic converter thefts from Priuses. KUOW reported in May that Prius catalytic converter thefts were up 3,800 percent in Seattle and King County this year. In March, a suspected thief was crushed to death by a Prius while trying to remove its converter in California, according to a news report from ABC 7.

Attempted burglary Need a helping of

Someone removed the screen to an unlocked bathroom window of a residence but was unable to get inside at 2:14 a.m., June 7 in the 100 block of South Oak Park Avenue.

Motor vehicle theft

Call Jill at (708) 524-8300 or visit OakPark.com/subscribe

Someone removed a 2003 Subaru Legacy from the fourth floor of a parking garage in the 1100 block of South Boulevard between 5 p.m., June 9 and 6 a.m., June 11. The estimated loss is $4,500.

Burglary ■ Someone entered an unlocked 2016 Honda CRV and took a MacBook Pro laptop computer and a wallet between 9:25 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., June 6 in the 1100 block of South

Boulevard. The estimated loss is $820.

■ Someone took money from the glovebox and a pair of gloves from a 2008 Hyundai Sonata with an unlocked passenger door between 10 a.m., June 6 and 7:30 p.m., June 8 in the 900 block of West Lake Street. An estimated loss of $70.

■ Someone broke into a 2005 Toyota and removed an Amazon Echo device and a remote starter between 5:30 p.m., June 12 and 1:48 p.m., June 13 in the 1100 block of Westgate Street. An estimated loss of $400.

Theft ■ Someone took a package containing a window air conditioning unit from the lobby of a residential building in the first block of Division Street between 4:23 p.m. and 5 p.m., May 30. The estimated loss is $396.

■ A man was observed taking an unsecured and unattended BMX-style bicycle from outside a residence in the 700 block of Wesley Avenue at 6:44 a.m., June 11. He was last seen traveling northbound on Wesley Avenue with the bicycle. The estimated loss is $100.

■ Someone cut the catalytic converter from a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., June 7 in the 200 block of South Boulevard.

Criminal property damage ■ Someone shattered the front passenger’s side window of a 2021 Ford Ranger at 1:30 a.m., June 7 in the 400 block of Austin Boulevard. The estimated damage is $150.

■ A Toyota Camry’s rear driver’s side tire was slashed between 5 p.m., June 6 and 6:45 a.m., June 7 in the 1000 block of North Boulevard. The estimated damage is $200.

■ The rear driver’s side tire of an Acura 3.0 CL was slashed between midnight and 6:45 a.m., June 7 in the 1000 block of North Boulevard. The estimated damage is $200.

■ Someone slashed the rear driver’s side tire of a Mitsubishi Mirage in the 1000 block of North Boulevard between 5 p.m., June 6 and 6:45 a.m., June 7. The estimated damage is $100.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports June 8 through June 13 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded.

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

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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“There’s a lot of research on which hospitals and what kind of training results in better outcomes, and we consistently see that providers who perform more joint replacements have better outcomes.

Rush University Medical Center is the No.1 hospital in Illinois for joint replacements because we do a lot of them, and it makes us very good at it.”

For Paul Morris, 66, this common procedure was life changing. Paul has always been active and athletic, participating in sports like shot put, track and judo in his younger days and playing golf and hitting the gym as an adult.

Then, five years ago, he started to experience a tremendous pain in his left knee that he couldn’t relieve. He went to a Chicago-area hospital to have it checked out.

me; he didn’t tell me what to do,” says Paul. “It was evident I was having problems, and he went through all of my options with me, including not performing surgery at all.”

“I was told that I needed a knee replacement and there was nothing I could do about it,” Paul says. “I didn’t like my experience with them, so I put it off and bought about 20 different knee braces so I could keep golfing with my friends on the weekends.”

After the consultation, Karas, his surgical team and Paul decided that he might benefit from a partial knee replacement instead of a full one. Paul’s team noted that this option offered an easier recovery and higher retention of function and feeling.

Finally, he couldn’t ignore the discomfort anymore.

Between golfing, talking walks with his wife and playing with his family, he was constantly limping.

When he felt that he could no longer keep up with his grandkids, he called Rush on the advice of friends and neighbors who had positive experiences with their own knee and hip replacements.

Paul was up and walking the same day as the surgery, though he stayed in the hospital overnight so his care team could monitor him for some pre-existing health conditions.

A resident of the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Paul was grateful to have the option to have the procedure performed at Rush’s Oak Park or downtown location. He and his family decided that Oak Park was more convenient for him.

Paul’s care team discussed all his options, which was incredibly reassuring. “Dr. Karas listened to

And the result of his procedure? “Now that the weather is nicer, I’ve been walking with my daughters and their kids without any pain at all,” says Paul. “I’m looking forward to golf season this year.”

The only regret Paul has about his knee surgery is not doing it sooner.

“It changed my life,” he says. “Looking back, if I had proceeded with this five years ago, I might have lost more weight and been in less pain.”

Join Vasili Karas, MD, MS, for a free webinar on July 6 to learn more about knee replacement. Register at rsh.md/knee-2.

Call (312) 432-2598 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Karas.

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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SPORTS

OPRF runner cruises to 3,200-meter girls state title Welin’s second place finish in 1,600 meters was also second fastest in state history

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School junior Josephine Welin had special fans Saturday to personally witness her significant improvements upon returning to the IHSA Class 3A girls track and field state meet.

“I got to see my grandparents that I haven’t seen in over a year because of COVID,” Welin said.

An inspired Welin again proved herself as the best in the state. And this time it’s official.

Welin won the 3,200-meter state championship in 10 minutes, 36.36 seconds and finished second in the 1,600 with the second fastest time in IHSA state finals history (and a school record) at 4:42.55 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

This past cross country season, Welin clearly was the No. 1 girls runner in Illinois but the IHSA-sanctioned season ended with sectionals and no state meet. The pandemic ended the 2020 track season in mid-March.

“I’ve been waiting to win a real state title for a long time,” said Welin, whose sophomore season was washed out by the pandemic which also ruled out the 2020 cross county state meet. “I know cross country I technically won, but it wasn’t IHSA-official, so just to have that state title is really meaningful to me.”

The overwhelming 3,200 favorite after her blazing school record 10:19.68 at the Lyons

Photo courtesy of Dan Chamness

TITLE TIME: Although she ran the second-fastest 1,600 meter time in girls state meet history, OPRF’s Josephine Welin (above, leading the pack) finished second in that race at the state meet on June 12. Earlier in the day, however, Welin won a state championship in the 3,200 meters Township Sectional on June 3, Welin’s state victory by 7.76 seconds in the heat and humidity mirrored her cross country success.

Welin’s 1,600 time would have won every IHSA state meet before Saturday.

The race occurred around 9:40 p.m. – roughly six-and-a-half hours after the 3,200 – after the second of two lightning-storm delays lasted more than four hours. One positive was optimal distance running con-

ditions.

Coming off her previous-best 4:44.52 at sectionals, Welin led most of Saturday’s 1,600 and broke the all-time state finals reSee TRACK on page 22

OPRF boys track breezes to sectional title Huskies qualify all 4 relays, 9 individuals to state meet

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys track and field team ran away with the IHSA Class 3A Lane Tech Sectional title on June 9 with 157 points, 84 better than runner-up Niles West.

The Huskies finished first and second in two events, the 100-meter dash (Naahlyee Bryant, DeShawn Willis) and the pole vault (Thano Pantazopoulos, Josh Meister). In all, OPRF qualified all four relays along with nine individuals

for the state finals, which take place June 19 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

The Huskies’ other individual winners were Ryan McFadden in the 200 meters, Ian Kelley in the 300 hurdles, Kaden Garland in the shot put, and Wells Ipema in the high jump.

Garland also advanced in the discus with a second-place showing.

Three of OPRF’s four relays were victorious. The 400-meter relay of McFadden, Willis, Liam Moroney and Bryant won with a time of 42.01 seconds, and the same four won the 800 relay in a time of 1:29.75. The 1,600 relay team of Ben Brandt, Owen Augustine, Eamon Cavanaugh and Lou Delano took first in a time 7:57.97, while the 3,200 relay of Emmett Perry, Augustine, Leo Rooney and Brandt took second and advanced to the state meet in 3:28.49.

Fenwick advances relay, 6 individuals to state Fenwick High school’s track and field team placed second at the IHSA Class 2A Glenbard South Sectional with 102 points. The Friars qualified one relay along with six individuals for the state finals on June 18.

Fenwick’s day was highlighted by a one-two finish in the 800 meters. Lee O’Bryan won with a personal-best time of 1:58.73, followed by Grayden Rill at 1:59.15. The Friars’ other individual winner was Stephen Brown, who won the 200 meters in a personal-best 22.79 seconds.

Other advancing individuals were Brown in the 100 meters, Rill in the 1,600 and Zac Daley in the 3,200.

The Friars’ 400-meter relay of Brown, Max Reese, Joey Schultz and Jacque Walls was victorious in a time of 43.70 seconds.

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

@ @OakPark

21

New Trier outlasts Huskies in baseball sectional final

OPRF scores twice, leaves bases loaded in seventh

day, was intentionally walked by Zacks to load the bases, but Jack Flagg bounced out to Florida to end the game.

Afterwards, Parenti said he hopes his returning players for next season will learn from the seniors, whom he felt stepped up as leaders down the stretch and in the playoffs.

“Hopefully, the younger guys saw the example from the seniors on how to lead, and when it’s their turn next year, they’ll have the same kind of fun we had this year and represent OPRF baseball well,” he said.

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School rallied twice during their IHSA Class 4A Sectional final against New Trier on June 11, tying the game in the sixth at before scoring twice and loading the bases in the seventh. However, the Huskies came up one run short, sending the Trevians into the supersectional round with a 9-8 victory.

“There’s no quit in these guys,” said OPRF coach Joe Parenti. “They always believe they can win a game, even when we were down three going into the last inning.

The last few games were a lot of fun, and I’m glad the guys to experience the atmospheres they were in - that’s what postseason baseball is all about.”

The Huskies (17-8) fell behind 6-2, but rallied for one run in the fifth inning and three more in the sixth, when OPRF took advantage of a pair of wild pitches and an errant pickoff attempt at third to tie New Trier at 6-6, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

However, Louis Florida led off the seventh inning with a long home run to right -- his second of the day -- off Jack Spinks to give New Trier a 7-6 lead.

“The kid was locked in today. There’s nothing else you can say,” said Parenti. “Those were two well-hit balls on pitcher’s pitches, not on hitter’s pitches.”

The Trevians added two more runs on a

OPRF soccer ends Cinderella run

Carol Dunning/Contributor

I GOT IT: OPRF shortstop Jared Cortez settles under a pop up during the Huskies’ 9-8 loss to New Trier in the IHSA sectional semifinal game in Oak Park on June 11.

RBI single by Sam Zacks and an error by OPRF center-fielder Mason Phillips.

Yet, OPRF rallied once again. With one out, Miles Kirk homered to left. Then Phillips doubled and scored on a Jared Cortez single to cut the deficit to 9-8.

After Josh Diamond drew a walk, Ethan

Glossa hit a grounder to New Trier third baseman Graham Mastros, who stepped on third to force Cortez. But his relay to first baseman Florida was errant, allowing Diamond to advance to third and Glossa to second.

Dan Michaud, who had three hits on the

The Oak Park and River Forest girls soccer team’s Cinderella run in the IHSA Class 3A state tournament came to an end June 8 as the Huskies fell at Benet Academy 4-1 in the sectional semifinal round.

Julia Daun had the lone goal for OPRF, which finished with a 7-8 record that included the program’s first regional title since 2011, a goal OPRF coach Christie Johnston set at the start of the season.

“It was a physical game. We gave [Benet] quite a game and the score doesn’t reflect how hard we played,” she said.

Johnston believed the Huskies’ competitiveness improved as the season progressed, and that bodes well for next year when several top players return.

She’s optimistic about more success in the near future if the offense can take more steps forward.

“I like the way the players have bought into my expectations for them,” she said.

“If we’re able to put more goals into the net, next season’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Top-seed Montini rallies late to edge Trinity

Blazers’ season ends in sectional semifinal round

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Trinity High School softball team looked to be headed for a major upset during a Class 3A sectional semifinal June 9, leading top-seeded Montini 2-0 in the bottom of the sixth.

But Taylor Utrata hit a two-run homer off Danielle Hoffman to tie the game for the Broncos. Then in the seventh, Miranda Bondurant’s one-out double plated Amanda Wozniak with the game-winning run as Montini dealt Trinity a season-ending 3-2 defeat.

“We played well, but just couldn’t hang on,” said Trinity coach Bob Osborne. “Montini is a good team, and we went punch to punch with them.”

Despite the loss, Osborne deemed the season a success, given the Blazers’ program has gone through four coaches

in the previous four years.

“The kids believed they could beat Montini. “Earlier, I don’t think that would’ve been the case,” Osborne said. “We had to go through a process and I thought the girls did a great job. We became a tough team to beat at season’s end, and people noticed us.”

Jessica Hoffman -- Danielle’s older sister who will attend Ball State University in the fall -- headlines a group of four seniors exiting the program. But with the majority of Trinity’s roster returning, there is cause for optimism next season.

“They’ve worked hard and bought in,” said Osborne. “[That culture] was gone when I came back here, and I had to rebuild it. We’re in a better position now, but we need to keep improving and bring in more talent.”

Marist too much for Huskies OPRF softball coach Mel Kolbusz knew that in order to pull an upset in a Class 4A sectional semifinal June 9 at

top-ranked Marist, his Huskies would need to play a perfect game.

Unfortunately, the Redhawks’ leadoff batter doubled and then came around to score on two errant throws. That set an ominous tone for the day as the Huskies (16-7) committed multiple errors in a 9-0 loss.

“Marist is the number one team for a reason. We knew we had our job cut out for us,” said Kolbusz. “The kids believed they could win, but we couldn’t make any mistakes, and that first play happened.”

The entire OPRF pitching staff of Cassie Metzger, Alex Prouty and Emma Brandt will need to be replaced next season as all three have graduated and there are no others with varsity experience.

But Kolbusz says that there is strong talent at the lower levels which, along with the experience gained by the returning regulars, should ensure another competitive season for the Huskies in 2022.

“I told the team to do whatever you need to do in order to improve and be better than you were this year,” he said.

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Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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OPRF girls lacrosse gets past Fenwick in sectional semis St. Ignatius ends Huskies’ state playoff run

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Whenever Oak Park and River Forest and Fenwick high schools meet in athletic competition -- especially in the state playoffs, the contests often go down to the wire.

However, that was not the case when OPRF and Fenwick met in an IHSA girls’ lacrosse sectional semifinal on June 9.

The host Huskies (8-8) scored the game’s first nine goals and coasted to a 15-4 victory over the Friars.

“We had a lot of girls scoring which helped us a lot, and our goalie [Kat Andries] stepped up big,” said OPRF coach James Borja. “She’s been having a lot of strong games lately, saving a lot of shots.”

The Huskies’ scoring against Fenwick was balanced, with three players -- Greta McNulty, Rachel Simon, and Tao Tao Stolz -- scoring three goals apiece.

The short-handed Friars (10-7) struggled to sustain offensive attacks and spent a large amount of time pinned in its’ own end of the field, particularly during the first half.

“We were missing some people, and with the heat it’s hard to keep up with a fast team like [OPRF],” said Fenwick coach Tracy Bonaccorsi. “But I’m proud of the girls; there’s nothing to hang their heads about. We had an awesome season.”

Fenwick senior Caroline Finn was a bright spot, scoring all of her team’s goals.

The Florida Tech signee was lauded by Bonaccorsi afterwards for her efforts throughout the year.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

INSTANT OFFENSE: OPRF’s Greta McNulty (center), who scored three goals in the game, dashes upfield during the Huskies’ IHSA sectional semifinal win over Fenwick on June 9 in Oak Park.

“Caroline will go down as one of the best to put on a Fenwick lacrosse jersey,” said Bonaccorsi of Finn, who finished her career with over 100 goals.

Despite having a sub-.500 record entering the state tournament, Borja believed

TRACK

First OPRF state title since 1974 from page 20 cord of 4:43.65 in 2A by Woodstock’s Kayla Beattie in 2011.

Still, Welin was edged out by Normal freshman Ali Ince (4:40.85) after she surged past Welin with about 350 meters left.

“I don’t think I could have done much else to try to win [the 1,600]. I executed my race plan pretty much as I wanted to, and someone else just so happy to outkick me at the end,” Welin said.

Welin becomes the first OPRF individual to win state in a track event since Lisa Hamity’s 1-mile title at the second IHSA girls state meet in 1974. OPRF girls cross country coach and track distance coach Ashley Raymond also won an IHSA 3,200 state championship in Class AA as a senior for Glenbard South in 2005 (10:40.28).

“When I won, I didn’t really talk about it or tell anybody about it, but I find myself telling as many people as I can about her story,” Raymond said.

“The plan for the 3,200 was to run for the win and conserve some energy for the 1,600. … Josephine wanted to push the

OPRF’s rigorous schedule prepared the team well for the postseason.

“We played a schedule this season against top teams in the state, and our girls were gradually able to adjust to the competition,” he said.

entire four laps (in the 1,600), feeling in control and running her own race. I’m so proud of the courage she raced with and, of course, her finish time.”

Before Saturday, Christmas 2019 was the last time Welin saw her grandparents who live near Nashville. They and her grandparents from just outside Springfield saw the 3,200 victory live and rode out the storm delay to watch the 1,600.

Welin now can proudly laugh about her progress since that state track debut in 2019 with the 3,200 relay and finishing 25th of 27 competitors in the 1,600 (5:17.14).

“I was really disappointed in my performance when I was a freshman. Coming back here, it feels like I’ve conquered this track and it feels really good to run a time that I’m really satisfied with,” Welin said after the 1,600.

Other OPRF state competitors were seniors Danielle Chapman-Rienstra in pole vault (tied for 17th, 3.04 meters), Ogunsanya Tiara (20th in discus, 31.74m) and Sophia Rutkowski, who missed the 5 foot, 1 inch opening height in high jump, and the 800 relay of sophomore Rhea Richards, junior Ayanna Townsend, senior Evelyn Dellegrazie and junior Darnesha Fraley (21st, 1:47.84).

Seligmann all-state in two events In the IHSA Class 2A girls state finals on June 11, Fenwick

However, the season came to an end on June 11 as the Huskies fell to host St. Ignatius 14-9 in the sectional title game.

Grace Koch led OPRF in goals during the 2021 season with 35, while Ava Eckman had the most points with 61.

High School senior Delaney Seligmann jumped to her first two top-nine, all-state honors by taking third in triple jump (11.06 meters/36 feet, 3¼ inches) and ninth in long jump (5.23m/17-1¾), one-quarter inch ahead of 10th.

They are the Friars’ first all-state performances in those events and the highest state finish in any field event among their four all-state efforts.

“I’m one to not be really satisfied with how I did and wish I did better. After the meet, I was pretty happy,” said Seligmann, who will compete at Brown possibly as a heptathlete.

Seligmann nearly had another medal with high jump, where she tied for 11th (1.50 m/4-11), two inches from contending for ninth.

Her all-state distances both came on her first of four attempts.

“It really fluctuates but usually it will be either the first jumps or last jumps out of me,” Seligmann said. “I didn’t do as well as I hoped to do, especially with high jump (personal-best 5-2). Long jump I did better than expected because I wasn’t expected to place. And triple jump I did exactly what I expected.”

Sophomore Bella Daley was 10th in the 1,600 (5:21.13), 2.82 seconds from ninth. Other top-15 finishers were senior Katie Cahill in the 3,200 (11th, 12:02.47) and junior Sonia Kuchinic in the 300 low hurdles (13th, 50.92).

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

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

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A beautiful night for a ballgame p. 24

The 15th Amendment, under attack

J

an. 1, 1921, my Aunt Rae was a young bride and a new arrival to Tulsa, Oklahoma, her husband’s hometown. He was a successful leather goods merchant and an oil well prospector. Their home was in an all-white area of the city, apart from the segregated black community.

Growing up, I had very little awareness of the hardship of Black people living in the South and the terrible hatred that persisted from Civil War times. Fast forward to when I was a student at Proviso High School which had a large Black population. My eyes were opened to the bigotry that existed in the South, and in the North, too. A book we read on integration had a reference to Greenwood, a black area of considerable wealth in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Proudly referred to as “Black Wall Street,” business thrived there. In May 1921, 35 square blocks of the town’s businesses and homes, were set afire and completely demolished. Countless Black people were injured and more than 300 people were killed by mobs of white marauders, many having been deputized and given weapons by city officials. This horror infamously became known as the “Greenwood Massacre.”

Reading about this, prompted me to talk with my Aunt Rae and ask her about the vicious rampage that took place in the town where she was living at that time. To my amazement (and disappointment) my aunt had no recollection of any such occurrence. When I pursued the subject of segregation, she seemed annoyed with me, and it became obvious that she had no concern or interest in the non-white community. Perhaps it was my idealistic high school age, but I was shocked by my aunt’s cavalier and heartless attitude.

There may be only a few “No Blacks Allowed” signs remaining, but hatred and racism continue to exist. And almost as destructive to our society is the callous attitude of far too many folks like my Aunt Rae, who simply do not care. We seem not to have learned that “Black Lives Matter.” We must care for each other to support our democracy.

Currently, several of the states are trying to change laws in an attempt to prevent or make it very difficult for Black people to vote. Although only nine states with bigoted legislatures have initiated restrictive laws, other states are interested in a means by which to control and limit voting. I strongly believe that if one group is denied their rights, all of us are limited and impacted. We must appeal to our congressional representatives to stop this unconstitutional outrage.

The Fifteenth Amendment of our Constitution clearly states: “The right of citizens of the U.S. to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this Article by appropriate legislation.”

I am certainly no Pollyanna, but I am practical. If we care for our democracy, we must actively protect fairness and the rights of all people. It’s time to call our elected leaders and insist they uphold the Constitution, saving our democracy in the process.

Harriet Hausman is a longtime resident of River Forest and a longtime member of the ACLU.

HARRIET HAUSMAN One View

JOE BIDEN

W

MITCH MCCONNELL

Love your enemy?

hat, are you saying, that I should love my enemy?

Don’t worry. This essay is not an exhortation. It refers to a dialogue I’ve been having with myself recently, and I’m sharing it with you, my readers.

My issues are focused mostly on the contemporary political front. For example, am I telling myself I should love Mitch McConnell? The Mitch McConnell who did everything in his power to thwart the legislative agenda of Barack Obama and now is doing the same thing with Joe Biden?

I believe the sprouting of this inner dialogue is seeded by my Catholic background and my studies in psychology. Both sources are shouting in my brain: For your own spiritual and emotional well-being, you need to practice “Love your enemy”!

I have found many psychological studies on the subject of hatred of others. One is titled, The Deeper the Love, the Deeper the Hate (Psychology, 12/7/2017) and explores the complexity of intimate relationships.

Another smacks me in the face: “Holding onto hate is like letting someone live rentfree in your mind. Hateful feelings are normal when they occur sporadically. However, the effects of feeling hatred over a long period of time can have devastating effects on your mind and body. … If continued, it leads to conflicts in relationships and to bodily disease.” (“Holding on to Hate only Hurts You,” Joanna Kleovoulou, Psyche Matters).

The teachings of many world religions about “loving your enemy” have been very influential in human history. In part, this is because they are “commandmentlike” teachings and therefore very powerful in shaping their follower’s behavior. However, I find that religious texts on loving your enemy are often violated by the

religion’s followers.

In Christian Scriptures Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor but hate your enemy.’ But I tell you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew, 5:43) Historically, how well have Christians carried out this command? The Crusades (1096-1271) are a cautionary tale. Various Popes recruited loyal Church members to go to the Holy Land to “liberate” it from its Muslim occupiers. If they did, they would be granted Plenary Indulgences — all your sins wiped away. Historians estimate that the death toll ranged anywhere from thousands to millions.

Then there was the Inquisition, started in the 13th Century in Spain, which lasted into the 19th. The Popes (yes, once again) appointed “inquisitors” to go out into troublesome regions, question people intensively, conduct tribunals and mete out punishment, like burning at the stake. The targets were so-called heretics, Jews, Muslims, Protestants, rationalists and people with “superstitious beliefs.” The estimated death toll during the long history of the Inquisition vary between 500,000 and 1,000,000, including Blacks and Indians in Spanish America.

Buddhists are, in my mind, the most emphatic about the importance of loving your enemy but even its followers do not always practice it. One of the most complete and concise expressions of Buddhist teaching on the subject is contained in a 24-minute YouTube video from the Dalai Lama. (Pulitzer Prize winner, 1989).

Summarizing, genuine world peace must come out of inner peace, out of compassion. It extends not only to friends and loved ones but also to someone with whom you have deep anger, turned into hatred. Compassion

JOE MCDONALD One View

See MCDONALD on page 27

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

O U R

V I E W S

Rethinking police oversight

A

week ago, Oak Park’s recently reformulated village board heard the biannual report of the Citizen Police Oversight Committee (CPOC).

Its chair, Donovan Pepper, told trustees the committee had reviewed 10 complaints forwarded to it by the police department’s own internal affairs division or watch commander. The internal police review substantiated 3 of the 10 complaints. CPOC made its own review, within the notable limits of its authority, and sustained those three complaints.

This Monday the village board considered final adoption of its primary goals for the year ahead. One of the five overarching goals relates to community safety. And among the specifics within that goal is “Explore CPOC to be independent and have independence in their oversight of the police department.”

That is clearly stated and long overdue.

That Oak Park has a system in which citizens file complaints about police conduct and then the police do the investigating is ludicrous. Certainly in this moment.

CPOC is largely toothless, a rubber stamp on the department. That CPOC does not actually have the full register of department regulations is troubling. That the police chief has been tasked with reviewing those regulations on his own is not reasonable. That CPOC does not see the names of the officers who have received citizen complaints makes it impossible to note repeat complaints.

In its presentation last week, the committee offered the board its initial recommendations on ways the citizen complaint process might be overhauled.

“What’s the true model of civilian oversight of police and how best can we utilize our role as an entity that makes recommendations to you, the village board,” asked Pepper in his presentation.

There is now an alignment, we believe, between the new village board and the members of CPOC. We’ll watch that evolve as the village board works toward its goals for the year. We’d urge the police department and the village administration to get in alignment, to be active partners in substantially shifting the power center in our community’s civilian responsibility to oversee the policing of this village.

The nature of the complaints, at least as they come down through the current internal systems, reflects somewhat modest concerns. That half of the complaints filed in this period come from people of color, that some 90 percent of the complaints were lodged against white, male officers is of genuine concern.

As we have said multiple times before, Oak Park has a good to very good police department. Now is the time to build a great police department in a community that values both safety and fairness.

This will also be the year, based on board goals, to consider non-police options for responding to 911 and non-moving violations, to review ordinances which disproportionately target Black and Brown youth, review hiring processes in the department and reconsider how the village-run adjudication system might rethink its handling of young people.

This opportunity is right in front of us. We should approach it with optimism and good will.

The other goals

It is hard not be enthused about the five areas of governance that Oak Park’s village board has chosen to focus on in the coming year.

In addition to community safety, discussed above, the board pledges to finally get the village government’s act together on intentionally focusing on racial equity. Somewhere, somehow the village got sidetracked and then divided on a topic that ought to be foundational to how we govern this community. There is an interesting focus on neighborhoods that includes how limited capital improvement dollars are spent. The goals call for a focus on North Avenue and Roosevelt Road. That’s revolutionary. Sustainability also rises to the major goal list with a range of practical and aspirational targets.

The lead goal is community affordability. This is a particular purpose of Village President Vicki Scaman. It starts with a continuing lid of 3% increases on the village portion of property taxes. But it also included a review of the fees that drive Oak Parkers nuts while bleeding them semi-dry.

This is worthy work that the village board is taking on.

PHOTO BY KEN TRAINOR

A beautiful night for a ballgame …

M

y Friday evening walk took me up Euclid Avenue and as I passed Lake Street, I heard the telltale roar of a crowd on the Oak Park and River Forest High School athletic fields, a block east. The last time this happened, it was OPRF girls softball winning in dramatic fashion. Was there another tale to be told? I walked over and this time it was boys baseball. The scoreboard showed 6-3 in favor of the visitors, bottom of the sixth. Could lightning strike twice?

Regardless of the outcome, it was a beautiful night for a ballgame. I found a spot down the third base line, past the outfield fence, just as the New Trier pitching staff came unglued. Walks and wild pitches, smart baserunning and a little timely hitting, plus an ill-advised pickoff attempt at third base, executed flawlessly, except for the absence of the third baseman who didn’t get the memo to cover the base and the pitcher who threw the ball anyway. New Trier went through three pitchers, and the game was tied by the end of the inning.

In the top of the seventh. The Trevians, undaunted, came right back with three more runs, one golfed over the 310 foot sign in right field, so the Huskies faced the same deficit starting the bottom of the seventh. I almost left. I was walking away and stopped myself. I knew better than that, and how many pitchers could New Trier have left?

Besides, it was a great setting to watch baseball.

The warm orange brick of the school catching the setting sun, the façade mortared with over a century of memories, providing a gorgeous backdrop.

And a game of considerable consequence, the state sectional final, as one mom pointed out, answering a query from passersby. This was the place to be.

With one out, a husky Huskie made solid contact.

I couldn’t follow the flight of the ball against the pale blue sky, but I heard the full round sound of the aluminum bat and saw kids running to retrieve the ball as it sailed over the left field fence.

Two runs down.

The fans were back in it again, strewn haphazardly down the third base line, peering through the fence, standing, arms folded, those who couldn’t possibly sit still on metal bleachers moving with

nervous energy after each play. I’m familiar with the feeling.

A perfectly placed blooper dropped into short right field allowing the next batter to take an extra base. A walk put runners at first and second. The next hitter stroked a hard grounder to the third baseman, who did get the memo this time, stepped on third and tried for a game-ending double play, but the ball got past the first baseman. Runners now on second and third. A single through the left side scored the runner on third.

One run down, two out.

A new pitcher, this one a side-armer, borderline submariner. You don’t see much of that at the high school level. New Trier has a lot of pitchers.

An intentional walk loaded the bases, bringing to the plate the batter upon whose shoulders all hopes rested, who would decide whether the game would be tied or won or lost. That’s a lot of pressure for one set of shoulders.

Of course, the pitcher had his plate — not to mention the bases — full as well.

The batter worked the count to 3 and 2, two outs, bags loaded. Here we go again. The pitcher, to his considerable credit, put the ball over the plate. The batter, to his great credit, put the ball in play. You never know what might happen when you put the ball in play.

Did lightning strike? Not on this night. A grounder to the right side. My view was blocked, but I saw the mitts from the New Trier dugout soar skyward and I heard the quiet descend on the Huskies’ sideline, heads bowed, eyes searching the grass for what might have been. They came close. Very close.

Slowly, the crowd began bleeding back into the surrounding neighborhood.

Former baseball commissioner A. Bartlett Giamatti famously said, “Baseball will break your heart. It is designed to break your heart.”

For every happy ending, there is an unhappy ending — the only flaw in an otherwise perfect game.

The poet e.e. cummings wrote, “Life is the only game a man can proudly lose.”

On Friday night, the OPRF Huskies proved cummings wrong.

They lost a game they can be proud of.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Photo by Zachary Whittenburg

SHOW TIME: The Beeson House (above), designed in 1892 by Frederick Schock on Midway Park Parkway, is one of four by the architect in Austin designated a national landmark.

Bittersweet memories of Beeson House

It was quite a bittersweet moment when I reached page 21 of the June 9 Wednesday Journal. A photo of Beeson House, on Midway Park in Austin jumped out and jogged many a memory of that magnificent structure. Those memories were implanted by having spent a great deal of time inside that house, owing to an Army buddy whose relatives owned it. After we were discharged and deposited back to our Chicago and Oak Park roots, Beeson House became his home. Compared to my very modest, unadorned neighborhood at 24th and Damen, it was quite the eye-opener.

I recall there being a ballroom on the third level!

However, no galas occurred during my Beeson days.

In fact, the owners were on the verge of joining “white flight” from Austin more than 50 years ago, a transition that led to Oak Park adopting their Fair Housing Ordinance, which fought the more fearful flight to more far-flung — and “safely” white — suburbs.

Well done. Oak Park today is a stable, diverse

community.

Racial stress points, however, have left some of the fabric of 21st-century Oak Park frayed. Journal articles about race abound in most any issue. Besides the article about Beeson House, there’s “transit’s racial inequities,” “race, equity issues ... at Fenwick,” “journalists of color,” and “Coming to terms with our connection to Tulsa” (when a Black population of that city were massacred).

But back to Beeson House, I recall watching Mod Squad there on a weekly basis in a first-floor nook, beers and snacks at hand. One of the characters, Linc, was played by a Black actor who recently passed, Clarence Williams III. He embodied a tough, crime-fighting figure.

He exuded Cool. It’s one of the cool memories of that 1892 gem on Midway Park. Thanks for writing about it.

Bittersweet memories indeed.

Joe Harrington Oak Park

Rehm Pool patron says thanks

The park district staff have made the reopening of Rehm Pool a smooth and efficient operation (I’ve only gone to Rehm so far and am sure that Ridgeland is also run just as well).

In particular, the entry line and the check-in process are efficiently and speedily handled. I heard many patrons say once they entered the pool, “that went well,” “better than expected,” etc.

Special thanks to Jan Arnold, executive director; Stacey MacNamara, program & operations supervisor/

customer service; and Scott Sekulich, registration and customer support manager for their prompt replies to pool queries and service requests.

Rehm Pool supervisory staff and guards are to be commended as well for their customer service and skills.

Thank you for making this pool season a great one (one that we all sorely missed last year)!

Judy Crowley Oak Park

Oak Park’s overkill kills fireworks

I need to know why Wrigley can house 40,000 fans in the friendly confines by the end of this week, yet the village of Oak Park can’t figure out how to set fireworks off for 50,000 residents in three weeks.

We don’t need the tennis courts and sports fields if congregating is the issue. Let us watch from our

own homes and backyards with the people we feel comfortable with. Let the residents make the decision on how to watch responsibly.

Absolute overkill from the village of Oak Park, once again. Super disappointing.

Belinda Bliss, Oak Park

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Digital Strategist James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

■ Signature details as at left

your connection to the topic

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

H O W

T O

R E A C H

U S

ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

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Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Championing ‘The Greatest Game on Dirt’

A

l Maag has had 16-inch softball in his blood ever since he first played it on the gravel playground of his Northwest Side grammar school. Maag went on to help found the 16inch Softball Hall of Fame (HOF) in Forest Park. Now he has published a book titled, The Greatest Game on Dirt, which chronicles the game from its inception in 1887 to its current state in 2021.

Maag learned the history of softball from the many pioneers of the game he’s interviewed. He wants to pass on their collective knowledge to the next generation. His book is 132 pages and contains hundreds of historic photos. It can be purchased for $35 from the HOF website. He will also be selling copies of the book at the HOF Museum, when he comes to town on July 18 to celebrate the HOF’s 25th Anniversary.

Forest Park is an epicenter in the world of softball, so Maag devoted an entire chapter to the No Gloves Tournament. Maag played in the tournament back when he was a scrappy second basemen, playing for the Baggers. “When we first saw The Park, we were like in heaven,” Maag recalled. “It was like a major league field.”

Maag isn’t the only player to feel this way. The Park has been dubbed “The Wrigley Field of Softball.” The softball diamonds are pristine and the competition is fierce. He first played in the 3rd No Gloves Tournament. The Baggers qualified four more times but the best they could do was to make it to the quarterfinals.

Hanging up his spikes in the early ’90s, he found he could contribute more as a manager than a player. He already had been filling out lineup cards since he was in Little League, and he manages teams to this day. He also organizes tournaments from his adopted hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. His Yuma tournament draws 30 teams from all over the U.S., including Chicago, and he runs a popular tournament in Las Vegas.

The key difference between these tournaments and the Forest Park tournament is that the players are permitted to wear gloves.

“If we want the sport to grow outside of Chicago, gloves are imperative,” Maag declared. He once fielded a team of Arizona All Stars who “couldn’t catch a cold” without gloves. Allowing gloves has made 16-inch softball increasingly popular in the western states.

The tournaments aren’t just for fun; the profits they generate help fund Maag’s nonprofit “Smiles for Kids,” which conducts annual toy drives. He also raises money from the two golf tournaments he hosts. Since 1991, “Smiles for Kids” has raised over a million dollars and distributed 15,000 toys to kids in need.

But he isn’t just a fundraiser and an HOF organizer; he has become the sport’s historian. In 1995, he released a documentary titled, “Chicago’s Game – 16-inch Softball.” It is narrated by legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse, who grew up playing the game. Maag also helps preserve the game’s history through the HOF Museum.

Some HOF members are concerned about the future of the game.

It once was played on summer nights at parks throughout Chicago but those days are long gone. Maag remains optimistic, though, because the game is enjoying a resurgence. The Chicago Park District is reviving softball in the parks. The CPS high schools have softball programs and over 20,000 players are playing co-ed softball in Chicago.

The Greatest Game on Dirt is a must-read for those who grew up in the glory days of 16” as well as newcomers to the game who want to learn how “Chicago’s Game” came to be.

John Rice grew up in Oak Park and now writes a column for our sister publication, the Forest Park Review.

JOHN RICE

PROVIDED

OPENING OAK PARK: The old Baird & Warner Real Estate site on the 100 block of South Marion is among the stops on the Juneteenth bike tour.

Juneteenth bike tour

Oak Park River Forest Museum will participate in the community’s Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 19 by debuting a free bicycle tour of sites that tell some of the many stories of African-American life in Oak Park.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., visitors are invited to come to the corner of Lake and Lombard in front of OP-RF Museum to pick up free paper copies of a map that includes stops at the site of the legendary Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, the homes or home sites of several prominent African-American residents, and some more contemporary stops like the Black Lives Matter street mural near OPRF High School.

The tour will be self-guided but we will have volunteers at OP-RF Museum and some of the stops to offer details about some of the many stories of the

contributions of Black residents and the discrimination many faced through the decades and the fight to make Oak Park a more welcoming and fair community.

Not a cyclist? Or is the weather too bad for biking?

While the tour covers too much distance to be walkable, you could easily do it by car if you prefer.

Telling the stories of Black residents in our community’s history is important all year long, not just for one day, so after the Juneteenth celebration is over this year, we will post the map on our website so it can be downloaded free of charge at oprfmuseum.org. We also will work to promote it to schools, residents, and visitors to our community.

Frank Lipo

Executive director, Historical Society of OP-RF

Keep covering redistricting I want to thank Wednesday Journal for publishing my letter two weeks ago regarding the redistricting of legislative maps bill that was passed by both the Illinois House and Senate and subsequently signed by Gov. Pritzker [Rethinking redistricting, Viewpoints, June 2]. Perhaps the letter shined a little light on the much bigger subject.

I hope that WJ will consider some follow-up article on the redistricting issue itself now that Senate President Don Harmon is among the defendants in the lawsuit by the Mexican American Legal Defense

and Educations Fund (MALDEF), which raises the issue of equity for Latinos who are being “malapportioned” within the new maps. The lawsuit was the subject of an article in the Tribune recently.

It might be interesting for the voters of Oak Park to read in WJ Sen. Harmon’s response to the particulars of the lawsuit and the charge of possible infringement on civil rights as alleged by the MALDEF.

Chris Donovan Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

What’s wrong with pointing out what’s wrong?

I

have a friend, well maybe she is an acquaintance … really on the concentric circles of relationships, she is a step above an acquaintance. More like a “friend-lite.” She said something years ago that has been running through my mind all week.

She said, “I am so good at telling others what they are doing wrong, and seeing errors in systems, that I should be hired to do this for a living.”

Without a hint of irony.

That symphony of arrogance, naivete, pomp, and confidence make her my “friend-lite.”

Her gift from God, to share with all, is the ability to point out what is wrong.

What a treasured skill!

Everyone should have the good fortune of having someone like this around, one who can see flaws, and is willing to share proudly.

How much fun she must be with her inner circle of true friends, wielding her talents of flaw-finding — raising awareness of those around her. A real gem. In a work environment, what a winning skill, judging and highlighting every missed step.

I admire her confidence, her self-awareness, her living demonstration of the Dunning-Krueger effect. She even proudly shares her gift on Facebook, for free, which is so generous of her.

I remember that day, hearing her words and being stunned into silence. Since I didn’t give a reply, it must have affirmed her; since she didn’t point out that my reply was deficient, I must have performed the correct, unflawed response.

She is a successful person, and I am lucky to have her in my life, at a safe distance. I imagine that she sees me as her charity case, her “lite” friend too, a bumble who prefers the company of those who can see strengths and value optimism.

The rose-colored glasses that are worn by my inner circles of friends must be a downer to her.

I haven’t heard from her since I unplugged from Facebook and groups where we shared space. I value her insight and perspective and enjoy wondering how she is navigating the world these days.

Since I am 100% certain that she is not one of the 14 people who are reading this column right now, I will have to wait until we run into one another to catch up. She is not likely to attend an upcoming community event. It seems like the “I Heart Forest Park” event being planned, or any community litter cleanup, or First Thursday Art Walk or the Garden Walk are not her jam.

I know for certain, when we do run into each other, I will get caught up on the all the wrongs because it is her superpower, and she is proud of it.

JILL WAGNER

V I E W P O I N T S

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Back-to-School Supply Drive After a delay last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Oak Park and River Forest Township Youth Services staff and committee are coordinating a “Back-toSchool Supply Drive” to help students prepare for the 2021-2022 school year.

The supplies will be distributed free of charge to youth in the community at our drive-thru event. Online orders may be placed through Amazon and will be directly shipped to Oak Park Township at 105 S. Oak Park Ave. There is also a donation box at the township office available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please note the township is currently not open to the general public; please see our website for updates. We are following COVID-19 protocols to keep staff and community members safe.

We are collecting brand new paper, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers, folders, and more to distribute to all school-age youth in the Oak Park and River Forest communities. Your donation will help bridge the budgetary gap for school supplies and eliminate the stress of students not being prepared for school. Cash donations and Amazon gift cards will also be gratefully accepted.

Please hand-deliver to Oak Park Township Receptionist Keara Scott. There will be a drive-thru event on Aug. 20 to distribute the school supplies.

If you have any questions about the Back-to-School Supply Drive fundraiser and how you can submit your donations, please contact Youth Services at 708-4452727 or email mgale@oakparktownship. org. Thank you in advance for helping to ensure our students are prepared for the first day of school.

Oak Park Township Youth Services

MCDONALD

Frenemies beats enemies from page 23 helps you move beyond hatred about what someone is doing or saying to a recognition that the person is a fellow human being. This attitude is unbiased and promotes emotional and physical health.

Sadly once again, that religious teaching has been violated in Myanmar beginning in 2017 against the Muslim Rohingya, led by Buddhist monks and sanctioned by San Suu Kyi (Noble Prize winner 1991). The UN called it a “textbook” example of ethnic cleansing (New York Times, William Dalrymple).

I found a YouTube video of a Quaker who advocated loving your enemy. He put this teaching into practice when he participated in the lunch counter sit-ins, inspired by the Civil Rights Movement over 50 years ago. The speaker describes a moment when a white supremacist threatened him with a switchblade, pledging that if he didn’t leave immediately, he would plunge it into his chest. The Quaker, with barely two seconds to think, said to the knife-wielder, “Do what you have to do.” The man

backed away. What an example of loving your enemy!

As far as I know, there has never been an instance of a Quaker inflicting violence on another.

New York Times columnist Michelle Cottle recently called Mitch McConnell and Joe Biden “frenemies” (5/12/2021): “But political friendships aren’t necessarily like normal friendships. Mr. Biden and Mr. McConnell have known each other for a long time. … They have grown to respect each other’s political savvy, horse-trading skills and knowledge of the Senate’s arcane rules and folkways.”

She writes that McConnell was the only Republican senator to attend the funeral of Joe Biden’s son, Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015. He later arranged for a cancer research bill to be named after Beau. In 2011, Joe Biden spoke at the University of Louisville’s McConnell Center. In Biden’s final weeks as vice president, McConnell delivered an uncharacteristically funny, touching, and humane farewell tribute to Biden whom he called a “real friend.”

If you will, call it “friendship, Washington style.” Cottle’s article helps me return to the beginning of this essay.

I will deal better with Mitch McConnell’s policies and legislative actions by making him a political “frenemy.”

Joe McDonald is a longtime Oak Park resident and the author of a memoir titled, “Making a Name for Myself.”

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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Michael Poehlman, 60, co-founder of the CAST theater program Michael Poehlman, 60, who with his late wife, Jill Poehlman, founded the Communication Arts, Speech and Theater (CAST) program at Julian Middle School, died at home on June 6, 2021. For more than a decade at CAST, and subsequently leading Dominican University’s Performing Arts Center (also with his wife), he brought professionalism, love of craft, and exuberant joy to teaching the art of theater to thousands of children, parents, and university students.

“There was something golden about Michael,” said Roberta Heinrich, retired Julian language arts teacher who worked with CAST. “His way was to be fierce and gentle at the same time. He believed in people’s children and in people’s talents and in doing the work to realize them.

“Middle school kids can be a mess, and here was this beautiful, kind man who believed in them. Parents would see a child who’d maybe been somewhat sullen coming to life, blooming.”

Trained as an actor with a degree in theater from Florida State University, he began his time in Oak Park co-leading productions of Company and Peter Pan for the River Forest Community Center before he and his wife were recruited by Julian Principal Ben Williams to start CAST. To supplement the modest initial funding, he worked as a closet installer while also serving as CAST’s unpaid technical director. Sue Trezevant,

Susan Fitch Lo Giudice, 65 Teacher

Susan Fitch Lo Giudice, 65, a 14-year resident of Oak Park, died on June 11, 2021, in Oak Park. Born in Bryan, Texas on Sept.

2, 1955 to the late David and Doris Fitch, she

a longtime friend, noted that “Michael and Jill shared a rare bond; he was devoted to her, and they complemented each other in their work and their lives.”

He subsequently directed students in shows

as diverse as Romeo and Juliet, The Wiz, Wiley and the Hairy Man, and The Glass Menagerie. “If a show called for it to rain indoors, he would make it happen. If it called for the actors to fly, he would create the system,” said

Trezevant. His last summer camp version of Peter Pan included performances with flying on an outdoor festival stage, built by middle school students, that was 120 feet wide, 70 feet deep, and four stories tall.

One of his talents was to bring a sense of play to the hard work needed to put up a show. “We called him ‘choreographer of the mop dance,’” said Karla Larios, a former theater student at Dominican University. “When he discovered that students didn’t know how to mop, he taught it as joyful movement. On stage and off, he brought people together into lifelong friendships.”

Following his work at Dominican, he worked as a designer, finish carpenter, and contractor remodeling houses and building furniture.

From rehearsals to tech crew work sessions to meetings, “his hands were always in the air and his whole body would come to life,” said Heinrich. “His humor, patience, and joy brought out the best in people and encouraged them to reach farther than they knew they could.”

He is survived by his many friends and the thousands of students, parents, faculty, and volunteers he and Jill worked with over the years. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Michael’s memory may be made to CAST at Julian Middle School.

In accordance with Michael’s wishes, a memorial service will not be held.

grew up in Denton, Texas and graduated from Denton High School in 1973. She attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas in 1977 and received her degree in History. After college, she began teaching at Tide Haven High School in El Maton, Texas, then taught at Lamar High School in Rosenberg, Calhoun Middle School in Denton, Lake Dallas Middle School in Lake Dallas, and DeLay Middle School in Lewisville.

During her teaching career in Texas, she

received her master’s degree in Special Education from Texas Woman’s University in Denton. She married Salvatore Lo Giudice in June of 1981 in Denton and moved to Oak Park in 2007 after she retired. She began volunteering at Ascension School in Oak Park where she taught religious classes. She was also a longtime volunteer at Chicago’s History Museum.

Susan is survived by Salvatore, her husband of 40 years; her sister, Cynthia Fitch;

and her aunt, Sylvia Jenkins.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Ascension Church in Oak Park on Thursday, June 17 at 10 a.m.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations to ALS Foundation (als.org) or the Chicago History Museum (chicagohistory.org) are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

PROVIDED

STAGE LEFT: Michael Poehlman (top) with his wife, Jill, brought theater alive at Julian Middle School in the 1980s and ’90s.

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director I am there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

advertise • 708-524-8300 • www.OakPark.cOm

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

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Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday July 1, 2021 for Project: 21-3, Sidewalk Improvement Program. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, this contract includes sidewalk angle-cutting, removal and replacement of public sidewalk, parkway and carrage walks, combination curb and gutter, driveways, and PCC basecourse; pavement adjacent to curbs, adjustment of drainage structures, buffalo boxes and all appurtenant work thereto. Sidewalk sequencing during the work and adherence to the completion date is of emphasis for this project as outlined in the plans and proposal forms.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday June 17th, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oak-park.us/your-government/budget-purchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 7879915 for a non-refundable charge of $30.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

All prospective bidders must prove they are pre-qualified by the Illinois Department of Transportation by providing a certificate of eligibility to the Engineering Division at which time a password will be issued for access to the online bid documents. This project is financed with local Village funds and federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including DavisBacon and Related Acts, Section 3, and Equal Opportunity requirements.

Locally funded phases of the project are subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer Published in Wednesday Journal June 16, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

AVISO DE REUNIÓN PÚBLICA

On June 24th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., a meeting conducted by District 94 will take place at Komarek School.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the district for the 2021 - 2022 school year. If you are a parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Komarek School District, you are urged to attend.

El 24 de junio de 2021 a las 1 de la tarde, el Distrito 94 va a organizar una reunión en la escuela de Komarek. El propósito de esta reunión será discutir los planes del distrito de ofrecer servicios de educación especial a estudiantes con discapacidad que asisten a escuelas privadas o que aprenden en casa en el distrito, para el año escolar 2021-2022. Si usted es padre de un estudiante que participa en el aprendizaje en casa, que ha sido o quizas sera identificado con una discapacidad, y usted vive en los límites del Distrito Escolar Komarek, le alentamos a que asista a la junta.

If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, or would like to attend in-person or virtually, please contact Caitlin DiLallo at 708-447-8030 ext. 115.

Si tiene alguna pregunta acerca de esta junta, o le gustaría asistir en persona o virtualmente, por favor comuníquese con Caitlin DiLallo al 708-447-8030 ext. 115

Published in RB Landmark June 16, 2021

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: July 7, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 12-21-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Katie Costianis, seeking a variance from Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, which section prohibits medical/dental clinics from being located within the first 50 feet of the street lot line at grade level or on the ground floor of any building within the DT-1 and DT-2 SubDistricts of Downtown, to allow a medical/dental clinic (chiropractor) use on the ground floor within 50 feet of a street line at the premises commonly known as 191 N. Marion Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-118-049-0000 in the DT Downtown Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park. us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 7, 2021. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 16, 2021

Illinois Classified Advertising Network LEGAL SERVICES

INJURED? If you’ve been hurt in an accident in Illinois, call for a FREE CASE CONSULTATION. Calls Answered 24/7 by Staver Accident Injury Lawyers: 1-888-310-8322

   

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of BRUNILDA OTERO, Petitioner and IYAD ANWAR MOH’D MUSTAFA, Respondent, Case No. 2021D003027.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before July 6, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 2, June 9, June 16, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Bridgette Thatch-Nixon, Petitioner and Cedric Nixon, Respondent, Case No. 2021 D 004962.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before July 14, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal June 16, June 23, June 30, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

Questions should be directed to Bridget Deatrick, Andy Howard, or Eric Hornig, Hitchcock DesignGroup (630) 961-1787, bdeatrick@hitchcockdesigngroup.com, ahoward@ hitchcockdesigngroup.com, or ehornig@hitchccockdesigngroup. com

Park District of Forest Park 7501 Harrison Street Forest Park, Illinois 60130 Aquatic Center Splash Pad The Park District of Forest Park does hereby invite sealed bids for Aquatic Center Splash Pad. Work will include removals, earthwork operations, asphalt paving, concrete curbs and paving, site furnishings, splash pad equipment, utilities fencing, seeding, planting, and subdrainage.

Project manuals, including bid form and specifications, and construction documents are available after 10:00 A.M. on June 16, 2021, from Accurate Reprographics 2368 Corporate Lane, Suite 100, Naperville, Illinois 60563, 630.428.4433 www.hitchcockplanroom.com. Bidding documents are available to download and print at the non-refundable cost of reproduction.

Bids will be accepted at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130 during regular office hours.

All bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the Contractor’s name and address, and “Bid for Aquatic Center Splash Pad,” on the face of the envelope.

Bids must be received no later than July 14, 2021, 10:00 AM. Bids will be opened on July 14, 2021, 10:00 AM at the Park District of Forest Park, 7501 Harrison Street, Forest Park, Illinois 60130. All bidders will be required to submit Bid Security in the form of a Bid Bond in the amount of 10% of the Base Bid, payable to the Park District of Forest Park.

The successful bidder, as determined by the Park District of Forest Park, shall be required to pay, and to agree to pay no less than the Prevailing Rate of Wages, pursuant to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130) for the locality of the Park District of Forest Park (Cook County), to each laborer worker, or mechanic needed or used to complete the work as detailed in the contract to be let. The successful contractor, and all subcontractors shall be required to submit, to the Park District of Forest Park, certified payrolls no later than the tenth day of each calendar month for the immediately preceding month.

The Park District of Forest Park reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, parts of any and all proposals, or to waive technical errors or omissions in submitted proposals.

No submitted bid may be withdrawn until a period of ninety (90) days after the bid opening date, without written consent of the Park District of Forest Park. The Park District of Forest Park encourages minority business firms to submit bids on this project and the successful contract bidder to utilize minority businesses as subcontractors for supplies, equipment, services, and construction.

Published in Forest Park Review June 16, June 23, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE OF ANNUAL BUDGET Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Riverside School District No. 96 in the Cook County, State of Illinois, that a budget for said school district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2021, will be on file and available for public inspection by appointment Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm starting the 18th day of June 2021, at the district’s administrative offices on 3340 South Harlem Avenue in Riverside Illinois. To schedule an appointment please email fittonj@district96.org.

Notice is further given that a public hearing on said amended budget will be held at 7:00 o’clock p.m. on the 21st day of July 2021 followed immediately by the scheduled regular board meeting.

Board of Education Riverside School District No. 96 Cook County, Illinois By: Wesley Muirhead, Board Secretary Published in RB Landmark June 16, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Special Riverside Township Meeting The Riverside Township board will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, June 22, 2021 6:00 p.m., Room 4, 27 Riverside Road Riverside, IL 60546 Agenda: 1. Call to order/Roll Call 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Bridge Bid Analysis and Award 4. Appointment of Deputy Clerk 5. Grant for Riverside July 2, 2021 Concert 6. Adjournment Michael C. Dropka, Clerk Published in RB Landmark June 16, 2021

Find Help Wanted & Marketplace listings on the next page!

Let the sun shine in..

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online Available to you 24 / 7 / 365

OAKPARK.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

30

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

CLASSIFIED

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

HELP WANTED BAND SAW WELDER TECH, GENL LABORER OPENINGS Local sharpening service has two openings: Band Saw Welder Technician and General Laborer position. Apply at 1233 Circle Ave. Forest Park, IL 708-209-1636

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Must have own transportation.

For more information CALL 708-738-3848 GRANTS SUPERVISOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Supervisor in the Development Customer Services Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible for developing. Administering and coordinating activities related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other grant-funded programs for the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than June 25, 2021.

FLEET AUTOMOTIVE CREW CHIEF The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Fleet Automotive Crew Chief in the Public Works Department. This position will supervise, assign, review and participate in the work of staff responsible for providing skilled mechanical duties involving repairs to automotive, heavy or light construction and other power-driven equipment; and will perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility. Position assists Fleet Services Superintendent in planning, budgeting and scheduling in Fleet operations. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications June 23, 2021.

HELP WANTED

PART-TIME FACILITIES MANAGER Oak Park Church seeks part-time Facilities Mgr to oversee daily operations of physical plant weekday mornings; on call for emergencies. Prior experience & computer skills a must. Basic knowledge of heating systems, plumbing & electrical. Supervise custodians, contractors, and space-sharing agreements. Send resume to churchoffice@firstumcoakpark.org JOB REQUIREMENTS • High school diploma (or equivalent). College or Technical Education preferred • A minimum of three (3) years of work-related experience • Computer skills including the ability to navigate and utilize internet and email communication • Strong organizational and communication skills • Driver’s license and reliable transportation with evidence of current insurance • Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

• Sufficient hearing ability to manage communication in person and on phone • Own and operate a mobile phone JOB TYPE: Part-time PAY: Competitive hourly rate COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: Masks are worn. Social distancing.

Extra cleaning schedule.

HELP WANTED

District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions: English Language Learners Teacher (Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School) Social Worker (Roosevelt Middle School) Physical Education Teachers, ( Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.77 at Willard Elementary School) STEM Teacher, Grades 6-8 (Roosevelt Middle School) Instructional Specialist (Roosevelt Middle School) For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/employment for our complete list of employment opportunities.

General Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in field of study, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience with students in a classroom setting is preferred.

General Duties: Provide excellence in education by developing and implementing activities that encourage students to be life-long learners.

Possesses knowledge of District policies and regulations relating to areas of responsibilities. Create an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental maturity and interests of each student.

Application: Apply online at www.district90.org. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

P/T SHAMPOO ASSISTANT Part-time Shampoo assistant salary plus tips please apply in person Anthony Lullo’s Hair Designs 721 South Blvd.

708 848 4455

Oak Park

We are hiring Relationship Bankers in Oak Park, IL. Visit the link below to check out this opportunity to join a great team! https://wintrust.taleo.net/careersection/2/ jobdetail.ftl?job=2100424&lang=en You can also learn about other career opportunities nearby.

ANNOU NC EME N TS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother.

Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. E

CAREGIVER WANTED MCKINLEY AREA Looking for a caregiver (PA) to work nights 11p-7a and days 7a-4p, days needed will be discussed, to care for adult female with special needs. Training by mother approved by DHS HSP. Contact Maria 312 282-5760.

 

¡ STUFF, STUFF, & MORE STUFF !

Oak Park

GARAGE/YARD SALE 1117 S EAST AVE FRI 6/18 8AM TO 4PM SAT 6/19 8AM TO 2PM

Bookshelves, bed frames, large coffee octagonal coffee table, work bench, gardening tools and items, electronics, luggage, toys, games, sports equipment, camping gear.

PLEASE PARK IN FRONT Riverside

BLACKHAWK ROAD BLOCK SALE FRI 6/18 & SAT 6/19 9AM TO 4PM

Over 20 households participating! Something for everyone!!

ITEMS FOR SALE KING SIZE MEMORY FOAM MATTRESS King size, nearly new firm memory foam mattress. (Used only 2 nights) Mattress only. $500 obo.

708-642-1408 BLACK LEATHER COAT Beautiful black leather coat purchased at Saks 5th Avenue. Excellent condition. Size 6. $40.

708-488-8755 NEW AUDIX SPEAKERS PH-3S video shielded power speakers. $100 for both obo. Cash only.

708-383-7892

NEW STUDENT DESK New student desk. Cherry stain. 48w x 26d x 28.75h. $199 obo.

Cash only.

708-383-7892

HOME HEALTH ASSISTANCE River Forest family seeking overnight in-home healthcare assistance. Nursing students, Respiratory Therapists, CNAs, LPNs, RNs, etc. welcome. For more information, contact kpatterson10@gmail.com.

HOME HELPER HOME HELPER WANTED. NICE ELDERLY BROOKFIELD COUPLE, LIGHT DUTIES, 4 TO 8 PM. CALL (708) 341-4077

BLOCK SALE 900 N HUMPHREY SAT 6/19 8AM TO NOON NO EARLY BIRDS

CHERRY WOOD CHAIRS 2 new cherry wood chairs with leather seat cushions. $70 each obo.

Cash only.

708-383-7892

CAREGIVER SERVICES WANTED

Requirements: healthcare experience, honest, respectful to all, Covid vaccinated, speak/read/write clear English, attentive to details, physically able to perform all tasks & safely lift 50 lbs, pull, bend, stoop, reach. References, clean criminal backgrd.

Contact Bonnie, at 847-797-9410 (no texts) or email myinbox123@yahoo.com

GARAGE SALE ALLEY BEHIND 7514 MADISON STREET SAT 6/19 9 AM-2PM GARAGE FULL OF ANTIQUES

Oak File Cabinet, Wicker Chairs, Antq Sewing Machines, Dressers, Mirrors, Brass & Other Beds, Bookcases, Chairs & More! All Priced to Go! CASH ONLY

NOVENA

LIVE-IN CAREGIVER NEEDED LA GRANGE 60525 Live-In Caregiver Needed, La Grange (60525) every other Weekend or Tues 7pm-Fri 7pm, $230-$260/Day ($16.43-$18.57/hr) min 10 hrs for sleep/breaks. Includes meals, own bedrm, guest bathrm, garage pkg, across from Metra, safe condo & area, supportive team. Final pay based on the abilities & communication skills you demonstrate during paid training. I am 69 yr female,105 lbs, polio survivor using tracheostomy, ventilator, oxygen, braces, wheelchair, speaking valve, assistive devices. Responsibilities: Must follow Covid & infection control procedures, safety/sanitation practices.

Transfer me with assistive devices. Operate medical machines, suction trach, perform Foley & suprapubic care, provide personal care.

GARAGE/YARD SALES Forest Park

River Forest Public Schools District 90

HEALTH DEPARTMENT SANITARIAN The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than Until position filled.

RESIDENTIAL COUNSELOR Hephzibah Children’s Association is a social services agency in Oak Park, IL that helps children thrive and families flourish. We offer a variety of programs including residential group homes for children, family-based services (foster care and intact), and after school and summer day care.

We are hiring for a full time Residential Counselor to provide physically and emotionally nurturing care for the children in the Residence, a structured environment that provides consistency and predictability in a community-based setting.

This position will work weekdays (four 10-hour shifts) noon - 10:00 PM and every third Saturday. Flexibility to work other shifts is desired.

Requirements include: • Bachelor’s degree • Experience working with special needs children.

• Must be at least 21 years old.

•Valid IL driver’s license and good driving record • Experience with Medicaid documentation a plus Hephzibah Children’s Association is an equal opportunity employer.

We welcome qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. We embrace a respectful, multicultural, and inclusive environment for employees and the clients we serve.

MARKETPLACE

AREA RUG 8 FT X 9.5 FT very beautiful area rug. Design of natural figures in earth tones. $60.

708-488-8755 OAK TV STAND Oak TV stand with w/ 2 cabinet doors, 1 shelf. 32”h x 27”w x 18”d. $25.00 708-488-8755

local employees . . . happy employees!

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to OakPark.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 • maryellen@oakpark.com

ELECTRIC YARD TOOLS Electric Leaf Blower $25 Electric Hedge Trimmer $25 708-488-8755 CHAIRS Small bedroom arm chair with plaid slip cover. $25.00.

Comfortable upholstered chair with matching footstool from Pier1.

Very light green. $60.00.

708-488-8755

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

CLASSIFIED

31

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

ROOMS FOR RENT

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 1BR

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Small 1BR apartment in DTOP. Renovated and freshly painted. Harwood floors. Walking distance to El. No pets. $850/mo, utilities included.

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

708-657-4226

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

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

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

RIVERSIDE 3 FLAT FSBO Three above grade 2BR apts. Unfinished basement w/ laundry & 1/2 BA. 4 car brick garage. Zoned for residential and office, if desired. Well maintained. $529,000

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 708-446-1324

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

COMMERCIAL/RETAIL RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN SHOPPING CENTER! 315-325 S. Harlem Ave. Forest Park, IL. 1,000 sq ft. Good cond. *Recently Updated. Heavy Business/Traffic Area. (Min. Monthly Rent in the area: $17.50 sq ft.)

OUR PRICE-NEGOTIABLE! TEXT, EMAIL or CALL Mr. B.(708)828-6491 If leave a message: Include Your Name, #, and Type of Business.

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-3838574.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

708-383-0729

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 equalopportunity basis.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777.

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNIT YMEDIA.ORG

S W NE

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H S A FL

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32

Wednesday Journal, June 16, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Property transfers p. B10

June 16, 2021

Homes

Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

DIGGING IN: Oak Park Conservatory volunteers Martha Yount, left, and Mary O’Kiersey, both of Oak Park, work on the vegetable beds outside Cheney Mansion on June 9. The produce is donated to Beyond Hunger.

Oak Park Conservatory offers programs for all ages

By LACEY SIKORA

T

Contributing Reporter

he Oak Park Conservatory is a beloved local institution, so beloved, in fact, that it is one of the three most popular historic sites in Oak Park, welcoming over 50,000 visitors in a typical year. The past year was anything but typical. Nevertheless, the Oak Park Conservatory is welcoming summer (and visitors)

Beyond the greenhouse with open arms and a variety of programs for all ages.

Patti Staley, director of horticulture for the Oak Park Conservatory, says the building is again open for visitors, no reservations required. She also points out that the conservatory’s reach extends far beyond the greenhouse at 615 Garfield St. Programs spread throughout Park District of Oak Park system and involve numerous volunteers.

Master Gardener Program partnership The Oak Park Conservatory has a longstanding partnership with the University

of Illinois’ Master Gardener Program that Staley says began long before her decadelong tenure in Oak Park. She points out that master gardeners go through a tremendous amount of training, making them helpful in a variety of settings.

A master gardener designation is applied after participants complete an 11-week course of classes and an internship of 60 volunteer hours. Classes are taught by University of Illinois specialists and University Extension educators and include classes on botany, soils, vegetables, fruits, flowers, trees and shrubs, grasses, landscaping, insects, and diseases. Once certified, master

gardeners agree to complete 10 hours of education and 30 hours of volunteer service each year.

“Some of what they do includes providing hands-on plant care, working in our parks with specialty plants and perennials, educational programs, and planning special events for kids and adults,” Staley said of the volunteers who choose to work with the conservatory. “They are always able to put a different spin on nature education.”

One newer program aided by master gardener volunteers is the help desk at the Oak See CONSERVATORY on page B5

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B1

BairdWarner.com

822 Jackson Ave River Forest | $999,000 Sheila Price

935 N Grove Ave Oak Park | $969,000 Hughes Home Team

901 N Oak Park Ave Oak Park | $775,000 Keller Group Chicago

192 N Marion St Oak Park | $659,000 Patricia McGowan

147 N Euclid Ave, Unit 406 Oak Park | $649,000 Hughes Home Team

1033 Fair Oaks Ave Oak Park | $625,000 Keller Group Chicago

46 Ashland Ave River Forest | $589,000 Jim & Hannah Gillespie

713 N Marion St Oak Park | $529,999 Patricia McGowan

713 N Marion St Oak Park | $529,999 Patricia McGowan

1029 Baldwin Ln Oak Park | $434,900 Swati Saxena

320 S Maple Ave, Unit D Oak Park | $429,000 Liz O’Connell

821 N Harlem Ave Oak Park | $329,000 Keller Group Chicago

424 Park Ave, Unit 602 Oak Park | $242,500 Saretta Joyner

426 S Lombard Ave, Unit 306 Oak Park | $219,000 Cathy Yanda

809 Washington Blvd, #3 Oak Park | $200,000 Mary Carlin

204 N Kenilworth Ave, #1N Oak Park | $190,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

333 S East Ave, Unit 312 Oak Park | $189,900 Saretta Joyner

7346 Lake St, Unit GW River Forest | $145,000 Steve Green

213 N Marion St, Unit 1C Oak Park | $134,000 Cathy Yanda

7214 Oak Ave, Unit 2NE River Forest | $90,000 Steve Green

1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA

B2 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

HomesInTheVillage.com

Featured Listings for This Week

Erika Villegas,

Oak Park $975,000 4BR, 2.1BA Patti x124

Forest Park $650,000 5BR, 3BA Patti x124

Oak Park $630,000 4BR, 3BA Kyra x145

Chicago $549,900 Multi unit Maria x117

Oak Park $539,000 Multi unit Elissa x192

Chicago $449,000 3BR, 2.1BA Harry x116

Oak Park $325,000 3BR, 2BA Jane x118

Oak Park $319,000 3BR, 2BA Maria x117

Berwyn $269,900 Multi unit Maria x117

Forest Park $199,000 Multi unit Marion x101

Oak Park $175,000 1BR, 1BA Laurie x186

Oak Park $170,000 2BR, 1.1BA Kris x101

Properties of The Week

174 N Taylor Ave Oak Park 4BR, 2.1BA...$745,000 Elissa x192

311 Gale Ave River Forest 3BR, 1.1BA...$675,000 Harry x116

Managing Broker/Owner

Mike Becker

Laurie Christofano

Marion Digre

Morgan Digre

Leticia Cruz

Jane McClelland

Elissa Palermo

Kyra Pych

Maria Rodriguez

Linda Rooney

Kris Sagan

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Harry Walsh

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B3

DON’T MISS IT!

It’s a New Day!

Start with a New Home.

Call Patti Sprafka Wagner (708) 218-8102 to get the job done.

NEW LISTING

4 BR, 2.1 BA, gorgeous Prairie home. Tons of character, incredible bathrooms, master suite, family rm off the eat-in kitchen and amazing deck and deep yard. Wow! ....................................................................$975,000

SOLD WITH MULTIPLE BIDS IN 4 DAYS

2 BR, 2 BA Bungalow in lovely condition. Refinished hardwood floors, beamed dining rm ceiling, updated kitchen with walk-in pantry & fantastic lower level. A beauty! ....................................................................$350,000

139 S GROVE, OAK PARK :: $1,235,000 :: 6 BED :: 4.5 BATH

4+ BR, 3 BA 2-story home on one of the largest lots in the area! 2 car garage & 3 pkg spaces, wrap around deck, open floor plan & finished basement with 8’ ceilings. ....................................................................$650,000

Majestic Victorian in central Oak Park Historic District.

SOLD WITH MULTIPLE BIDS IN 4 DAYS

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

While national news affects the whole country, local media outlets inform the communities we live in.

3 BR, 2 BA craftsman Bungalow with stunning natural woodwork, hardwood floors, living rm fireplace, family rm off the kitchen that overlooks the yard and finished lower level. ...........................................................$375,000 2 BR, 2 BA condo with balcony, in unit washer & dryer & deeded parking space, that is completely renovated! Central air, gorgeous kitchen & baths & great closet space. . ....................................................................$245,900

SOLD WITH MULTIPLE BIDS IN 5 DAYS

5 BR, 2.1 BA Victorian with huge 1st floor family rm off the Shaker style island kitchen with quarter sawn oak cabinetry.

Stunning new bathrooms, master suite Rec Rm & oak floors. ....................................................................$615,000 4+ BR, 2.1 BA brick Colonial with character galore: Paladian windows, stained glass, decorative plaster mouldings, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces, master suite & much more! ....................................................................$639,000

Growing Community Media is part of a coalition of 68 independent, diverse, and community-driven media entities coming together in the spirit of collaboration to create a viable, self-sustaining media ecosystem in Chicago.

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Read more at chicagoreader.com/CIMA.

Donate at savechicagomedia.org Follow us on twitter and like us on Facebook @ChiIndyMedia

B4 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

4-Unit building in a very convenient Forest Park location!

One and two bedroom apartments and 2 garage and 3 separate parking spaces. On a beautiful corner, double lot. ....................................................................$460,000

Take Advantage of the Super LOW Interest Rates!

CONSERVATORY

‘Everyone is over Zoom’ from page B1 Park Conservatory. Begun in 2018, the program offers a chance for local gardeners and plant lovers to get answers to pressing questions “Prior to COVID, the help desk was open every Tuesday for gardeners with any questions,” Staley said. “There were a lot of

questions about plant identification. Volunteers would also help home gardeners repot their houseplants.”

While the help desk went virtual during the pandemic, Staley says she is anxious to bring that in-person service back.

“People want to come back in person and connect with another person,” Staley said.

“Everyone is over Zoom.”

Cheney Mansion gardens Volunteers from the master gardener program, alongside other gardener volunteers,

also help keep the gardens at the Cheney Mansion, 220 N. Euclid Ave., in bloom. Staley says that the vegetable garden is completely volunteer-run.

“The whole show is theirs from planting, to weeding to harvesting,” she said.

All produce grown at the Cheney Mansion is donated to the local food pantry Beyond Hunger.

Oak Park Conservatory volunteers are also responsible for the care and upkeep of the Cheney Mansion’s substantial grounds.

Staley says that while volunteers partner with the Park District of Oak Park in many local parks, Cheney Mansion’s gardens really help show off the skills of the volunteers.

“We are able to take it to that next level with their help,” Staley said.

Other programming This summer, a number of other programs will help locals up their home-gardener game and develop future gardeners.

The Year of the Butterfly continues with educational programming geared towards families.

On Saturday, July 10 from 10 a.m. to noon, learn about bees, flies and wasps and on Saturday, Aug.14 from 10 a.m. to noon you learn about bats and other pollinators. While registration is required, the programs are free to attendees.

“It’s great way to make a weekend activ-

ity,” Staley said. “Go shop the farmers market and then come over with your kids for our programs.”

A July 30 succulent and cactus sale will be followed in the evening by a virtual opportunity to learn how to nurture succulents and help them thrive. Participants will also learn when and how to repot succulents and cacti and how to determine signs of stress in the plants.

The Uncorked series takes place on Fridays June 25, July 23, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24.

Adults 21 and over can enjoy an evening of music and drinks outdoors at the Oak Park Conservatory. Tickets cost $15 and include two drink tickets.

The conservatory is open again this summer for children’s birthday parties beginning in July.

“These parties were a hot ticket before COVID, and we’re really excited to bring them back,” Staley said. “The parties center on nature, with some input from our popular parrots, and the kids do fun nature activities like building terrariums.”

Staley emphasizes that the Oak Park Conservatory is a great place to nurture a love of nature in children and encourages locals to stop by for a visit.

“Our Discover Garden has a water feature,” she said. “It’s a fun, low-key place to visit this summer.”

More information and registration for events can be found at pdop.org/parks-facilities/oak-park-conservatory ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GROUP EFFORT: Kent Gentry (at left) puts together tomato cages at the volunteer-run vegetable garden at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park on June 9, while master gardener Mary Ellen Murphy, of Park Ridge, (below left) pulls weeds and Camille Fenk, of Oak Park, wheels away plant material that will be turned into compost for the garden.

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B5

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest Alisa Coghill DonnaAvenue Barnhisel 7375 West North Kay Costello Anne Brennan MANAGING River Forest, Illinois 60305 Maria Cullerton Kevin Calkins BROKER/OWNERS Julie Downey Tom Carraher 708.771.8040 Kurt Fielder Pat Cesario Andy Gagliardo

Tom Poulos

Ramona Fox Laura Gancer

Joe Cibula Don Citrano

Dan Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Jack Lattner Iris McCormick Vince McFadden

Colleen Navigato John Pappas Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro

Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

326 HOME • OAK PARK

1518 WILLIAM • RIVER FOREST

830 N KENILWORTH • OAK PARK

942 WILLIAM • RIVER FOREST

UNDE R CO NTRAC T!

N EW LI S T I N G!

N EW LI S T I NG!

UN DE R CON TR AC T!

WELCOME HOME! This Updated, Urban Farmhouse checks all the boxes! This 5 bedroom, 5 full bath home offers a large dining area, office/flex space, updated kitchen, additional 2nd FL laundry, a lovely wrap-around front porch, and fully fenced yard that features patio and deck. ..................................................... $929,000

SEEING IS BELIEVING in this amazing house! Everything has been redone, rebuilt, or is brand new! This 4BR, 5 full and 1 half bath home has many amazing features including the gourmet kitchen, expansive family room, and a second full kitchen and wet bar in the basement.........................................................$1,099,000

STUNNING HOME that was expanded with the highest level of craftsmanship throughout. Features include built-in cabinetry, a spacious foyer, wood burning fireplace, stain-glass windows, screened porch, a study, timeless gourmet kitchen, family room, tall leaded-glass windows. ................................................$875,000

GREAT OPPORTUNITY to live on a beautiful tree lined street!

Spacious home with family room addition, updated kitchen that blends beautifully with the vintage charm of the formal LR & DR. 2nd floor includes 3 BRs including large primary with walk-in closet, balcony and laundry room. ................................... $749,000

738 S ELMWOOD • OAK PARK

222 LATHROP • FOREST PARK

1506 PARK • RIVER FOREST

1530 N 5TH AVE • MELROSE PARK

N E W LIS TI NG!

N EW LI S T I N G!

U N D ER CO N T R AC T!

N E W L ISTIN G!

GORGEOUS HOME sits on a 50-foot lot and measures over 3100 square feet. This home has it all; open floor plan on the first level, foyer/music room, crown molding, recessed lighting, beam ceilings, leaded glass windows, a full finished basement, and an enclosed front porch. ..........................................................$685,000

GREAT CURB APPEAL with a cute front porch & traditional charm! Includes large common spaces, combo LR/DR, eat-in kitchen, and flexible space for home office/nursery, a huge backyard with privacy fences, and a two-car brick garage. Rehabbed and move-in ready! ............................................................ $369,000

MOVEIN READY 3 BR, 2-1/2 BA red brick colonial. 1st FL features a LR with wdbg fireplace and built-ins, kitchen with granite counters, refinished hardwood floors and a family room overlooking the backyard. Basement has a playroom, home office and separate laundry room....................................................................... $715,000

BEAUTIFUL WINSTON PARK BEVERLY in move-in condition!

Upgrades include Lennox furnace (within 2 years), roof and gutters (3 years), updated kitchen with newer quartz countertops, center island, and newer appliances and updated baths. Large fenced yard. ..................................................................................... $339,900

1210 WILLIAM • RIVER FOREST

1634 N 76TH AVE • ELMWOOD PARK

547 LINDEN • OAK PARK

815 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST

P R IC E RED UCED

PRI CE RED U CED

GLAMEROUS MEDITERRANEAN COLONIAL in prime Priory Park location! First floor features open foyer, distinctive fireplace, French doors, family room, updated eat-in kitchen with island, expansive sunroom, finished basement, attached 2 car garage & beautiful outdoor spaces! .................................................$1,174,900

SIZE AND LOCATION! This large 4 BR, 3+ BA meticulously maintained home has everything you want. Extra-large kitchen, grand DR & LR with hardwood floors & fireplace, large finished LL with family room, full bath, OFFICE, & ample closets for storage! 2 car garage with loft storage above....................................$499,900

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

PRICE REDUCED OAK PARK 3BR, 3.1BA .......................$464,900 OAK PARK 2BR, 1BA. Location, size, parking! ................. $299,999 UNDER CONTRACT OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA ..................... $239,900 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Updated kitchen & bath.................$167,000

UNDER CONTRACT RIVER FOREST 3BR, 3.1 BA.......... $529,000 PRICE REDUCED RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2.1BA ...............$435,000 UNDER CONTRACT RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2BA ............. $279,000 UNDER CONTRACT RIVER FOREST 2BR, 1BA.............. $154,900

B6 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

P R IC E R E DU C E D COLONIAL REVIVAL STYLE with Tudor Revival influences built in 1909. This stunning six-bedroom home displays sophistication and tasteful elegant décor. It offers wonderful space for family and entertaining with beautiful views of the spectacular oversized corner lot. ......................................................................... $1,395,000 PRICE REDUCED OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. .........................$164,000 UNDER CONTRACT OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA........................ $99,000 UNDER CONTRACT FOREST PARK Two Flat ................$358,000 UNDER CONTRACT FOREST PARK 3BR, 3BA. .............. $339,500

Shop for homes online at GagliardoRealty.com

STATELY SOUTHERN COLONIAL blends old world craftsmanship with elegant modern updates ideally located. Grand foyer, elegant LR with fireplace, recently remodeled gourmet kitchen, mudroom, family room, large basement with den/office.

Meticulously maintained and ready to move in. ........... $1,399,000

Find that New Home!

Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis

Hit It! Fitness 7730 W North Ave Elmwood Park (708) 506-1614

Hit It! Fitness has a new location!

Visit hit-itfitness.com or come see us in Elmwood Park!

Among the Celebrants: Constance Contursi, Hit It! Fitness; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Weil Foot & Ankle; Sam Yousif, Fuller Health Group; Christa Haynes, Boatwright Financial; Susie Goldschmidt, Byline Bank; Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Jake Bucher, Dominican University;Jonathan Biag, Escape Factor; Tyler Haynes, New York Life; Liz Holt & Mark Walden, OPRF Chamber; Peg Dowling, Our Planet Automotive; Bob Stelletello, Right at For your own ribbon cuttingTriton contact us on oprfchamber.org Home Oak Park/Hinsdale/Chicago; Rachel Hindery, College.

Photos: Todd Bannor, Bannor & Bannor

House Hunting?

Find a Realtor.

Find a home.

Get a list of Open Houses.

Every week, every day in

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B7

ELMWOOD PARK

3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$349,900 Ed Bellock • 630-253-7000

OAK PARK

4 BR, 1.1 BA ..................................$425,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

2 BR, 1 BA .....................................$179,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

4 BR, 3 BA .....................................$425,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

2 BR, 2 BA .....................................$340,000 Martha Murphy • 847-977-3456

OPEN SATURDAY 1 - 3 P.M. 726 S KENILWORTH AVE

OAK PARK

5 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$699,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

4 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$375,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

5 BR, 2.2 BA ..................................$750,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

5 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$399,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

4 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$799,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025

OAK PARK

4 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$875,000 Laurie Shapiro • 708-203-3614

7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040

OAK PARK

OAK PARK

Introducing The Cheshire, Oak Park’s stunning new luxury condominium offering!

Spectacular estate home in central Oak Park designed by the famous firm of Tallmage & Watson.

3 BR, 2.1 BA .................................................................................................................. $700,000 Zak Knebel • 773-290-9293

RIVER FOREST

3 BR, 1.1 BA ..................................$589,000 Hannah Gillespie • 708-203-2064 Jim Gillespie • 708-278-1766

6 BR, 5.2 BA .................................................................................................................. $950,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties?

Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com B8 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

House Hunting?

Find a Realtor.

Find a home.

Get a list of Open Houses.

Every week, every day in

RIVER FOREST

RIVER FOREST

The famed River Forest Women’s Club designed in 1913 by William Drummond, is now an efficient and glorious home!

Magnificent and sprawling brick Tudor is located in the heart of central River Forest.

4 BR, 4 BA ..................................................................................................................... $680,000

5 BR, 3 BA .................................................................................................................. $1,098,000

Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

Now in our Second Century of Service

To find a local expert, go to oakparkrealtors.org Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties?

Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B9

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

Oak Park home sells for $975,000

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds from December 2020 to January 2021. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the recorder of deeds.

OAK PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

425 Home Ave 201 S Maple Ave 343 S Maple Ave 1138 Washington Blvd 9 Harvard St 1030 S Maple Ave 428 S Kenilworth Ave 603 N Grove Ave 1019 Washington Blvd 1008 S Highland Ave 8 Le Moyne Pky 1135 Schneider Ave 1043 N Humphrey Ave 212 S Maple Ave 521 N Humphrey Ave 732 S Cuyler Ave 1216 N Humphrey Ave 1036 N Lombard Ave 318 S Harvey Ave 156 N Oak Park Ave 725 S Ridgeland Ave 913 Home Ave 1140 Schneider Ave 6645 North Ave 1119 Paulina St 1151 S East Ave 833 S Lyman Ave 516 S Ridgeland Ave 643 S East Ave 6626 Roosevelt Rd 119 S Cuyler Ave 441 S Taylor Ave 318 S Humphrey Ave 907 South Blvd 259 Home Ave 628 S Elmwood Ave 1107 N Oak Park Ave 721 Clinton Ave 947 N Marion St 825 Woodbine Ave 926 Linden Ave 1200 N Oak Park Ave 735 Augusta St 912 N Oak Park Ave 401 N Cuyler Ave 417 S Oak Park Ave

$113,500.00 $134,000.00 $162,500.00 $187,500.00 $197,000.00 $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $200,000.00 $215,000.00 $236,000.00 $241,000.00 $253,500.00 $260,000.00 $290,000.00 $304,000.00 $355,000.00 $355,000.00 $370,000.00 $370,000.00 $375,000.00 $375,000.00 $385,000.00 $400,000.00 $400,000.00 $407,000.00 $425,000.00 $450,000.00 $459,000.00 $465,000.00 $475,000.00 $490,000.00 $50,000.00 $525,000.00 $530,000.00 $540,000.00 $545,000.00 $598,000.00 $620,000.00 $625,000.00 $645,000.00 $655,000.00 $665,000.00 $672,000.00 $680,000.00 $700,000.00 $710,000.00

Medina Esther Spyr Catherine M Battista James P Marshall Teri L Elm St Homes Llc Pimsarn Sothsri Henning William R Meyer Robert J Nissen Benjamin E Bonigut Kurt Cascade Alternative Holdings Kim Jihwan Claiborne David M Worley Christine A Tr Jones Brent Moroney Colleen Williamson Tuwanda Flanagan Ann T Brougham Reo Owners Lp Pierce Shannon O Yerling Mary Kelly Doyle Extr Dudek Stephen J Kovak Jason R The Magic Fdn Schulz Jeri A Tr Johnson Michael S Keeku Phillip P Nickolich Evanka Weimann Michael Lepkowski Joseph A Jr Robinson Mark W Tumblin Joseph L Belsoff Doris J Tr Clark Kathleen A Tr Hutchins Joseph Lee Jr Stephens Janet M Rogala Christopher R Mccarthy Timothy I Tr Lindgren Brian Rudd Megan C Tr Arnett L Allen Tr Wilson Erika S Woitel John F Riegler Nathan J Lindquist Alan V Tr 417 Op Llc

Roberson Courtney Hall Kadijah Owoc Patrick J Flores Francisco Javier Press Lamont D Jamisola Pachayarak Martinez Marissa Medrano William Coghlan Catherine Gray Louis T Jr Ingram Maurice Petalver Gulnara Honeybadger Holdings Llc Sorenson Dale R Tr Mccormack Josephine Hodge Natalie Ferrell Patrick Ohara Kathryn Pecoraizo Rosilie L Hernandez Paulas Richard A Tr Shouder Timothy D Smith Jessica L Branco Daniel James Oklo Ikaya Llc Sneed Kyle Himelhoch Heather Larson Keely L Paton Tyler J Vliem Justin M Roosevelt Dental Prop Llc Lopez Jose E Mcmahon Jason Scheffers Bryan Herman Gilbert Steadnan Brendan Whitmore Ryan Houts Kristin Bremer Lindsey T Tr Holberg Joseph E Holzer Gregory Mcinerney William P Schilicksup Edward Altier Robert R Saternus Brett Froehle Timothy Wardein Katharine

B10 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

703 N East Ave., Oak Park

OAK PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

439 S Taylor Ave 1209 N Harlem Ave 1107 Washington Blvd 703 N East Ave 114 S Kenilworth Ave 6643 North Ave 439 Madison St 211 N Marion St 2 Le Moyne Pky 7 Randolph St 949 Lake St 201 S Maple Ave 1025 Randolph St 346 Wisconsin Ave 1025 Randolph St 439 Home Ave 611 S East Ave 333 S East Ave 942 Washington Blvd 815 Washington Blvd 1116 S Taylor Ave 1102 S Taylor Ave 723 N Lombard Ave 702 S Maple Ave 1184 S Taylor Ave 521 South Blvd 616 S Oak Park Ave 1033 S Highland Ave 830 S Kenilworth Ave 833 Forest Ave

$75,000.00 $81,500.00 $83,500.00 $975,000.00 $997,000.00 Unknown $1,550,000.00 $100,000.00 $103,000.00 $107,500.00 $120,000.00 $122,000.00 $163,000.00 $175,000.00 $180,500.00 $198,000.00 $215,000.00 $220,500.00 $227,000.00 $280,000.00 $284,500.00 $286,000.00 $289,000.00 $290,000.00 $299,000.00 $302,000.00 $310,000.00 $310,000.00 $310,000.00 $322,500.00

Us Bk Trust Na Tr Cohen Dalia Manjarres Tr Lo Michael A Tr Stewart Chester L Baronger Dev Llc Village Of Oak Pk Mudjer Stephen J Almeida Jason Kotarba Jaqueline Setanta Llc Fonda Scott Jankowiak Aneta Doyle Steven D Molloy Kevin Koller Maggie Merritt Anne F Rodde Daniel J Gete-Derflingher Maria E Shaughnessy Christine A Tr Ocampo Raleigh Martinez Jose Luis Caples Kevin Extr Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Paul Theodore C Kowalski Bernard J Us Bk Trust Na Tr Toorak Cap Partners Llc Tr Drumm Kevin C Divane Jean T Tr Stamm Michael

Wu Hui Fang Obrien Anastasica M J N Q Z 1107 Llc Higgins Colin A Sobran Joanna Oklo Ikaya Llc Oak Pk Land Llc Goodwin Sharon Posten Chanel Hui Anmin Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Dsouza Melville Kungel Janet V Perry Ruth Ann Mendez Karina T Pett Carl Jmg Real Estate Grp Inc Clark James Herrera Mauricio Butler Bryan Wills Alexandra Michelle Richardson Scott Dyson Christina M Niewald Kyle E Solano Juan J Morrissey Robert J 616Oak Pk Llc Johnson Anne H Frumkin Theresa M Loftus Thomas

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

OAK PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

1184 S Scoville Ave

$325,000.00

Knaga Christopher Tr

Andrson Michael

727 S Taylor Ave

$331,500.00

Gilley Sheri D

Langelan David R

1179 S Humphrey Ave

$334,000.00

Riveros Francisco M

Xu Jingyuan

745 S Humphrey Ave

$346,000.00

Kennedy Kathleen G

Carey David Andrew

1212 N Lombard Ave

$348,000.00

Alexander Eddie

Beckwith Kristin Michele

243 S Maple Ave

$355,000.00

Kostandyan Arpine

Walther Linda S

1045 Division St

$355,000.00

Casey Brian M

Leshyn Carrie L

1043 S Scoville Ave

$379,000.00

Sowers Erin H

Mosbey Michael

1182 S Maple Ave

$380,000.00

Lavery Terrence P

Wishne Jeremy B

725 S Grove Ave

$410,000.00

Schuster Theodore

Koll Kevin

1042 S Ridgeland Ave

$414,000.00

Flannick George

Ford Michelle

300 N Taylor Ave

$416,000.00

Krawchuk Keith W Extr

Ingram Kimball

418 S Elmwood Ave

$420,000.00

Snyder Eileen C Tr

Merchen Carolina

1037 N Humphrey Ave

$429,000.00

Hammond Torrence K

Glenn Malinda

626 Woodbine Ave

$430,000.00

Bagnall David

Stumbras Sarah

612 N Marion St

$432,500.00

Cady Wendall Extr

Burell Rachel

1159 S Lombard Ave

$435,000.00

1159Lombard Llc

Smith Michael D

624 S Grove Ave

$438,000.00

Considine Michael

Hill Diane

808 S Scoville Ave

$449,000.00

Fitzgerald Willian

Lindstrom Samantha

621 S Maple Ave

$45,000.00

Block Michael D Extr

Karlin Benjamin S

1126 S Lyman Ave

$452,500.00

Sibilano Dominic P

Braunstein Sarah

110 S Humphrey Ave

$459,000.00

International Dev Grp Llc

Dreis Michael P

933 N Oak Park Ave

$460,000.00

Zawisza Andrew D

Charkow Kristen

413 Wisconsin Ave

$465,000.00

Taylor M Kent

Adaranijo Toyin

1004 S Kenilworth Ave

$472,500.00

Casimiro Roy

Wray John

835 Lake St

$5,000,000.00

Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr

Oak Pk Ii Land Llc

308 Home Ave

$512,500.00

Franklin Wayne H Tr

Siwak Joseph E

1129 Rossell Ave

$530,000.00

Fillmore William J

Krasinsky Stephen

501 Fair Oaks Ave

$540,000.00

Mcginn Matthew David

Janota Jessica Joy

606 Forest Ave

$565,000.00

Barrett Christopher G

Pagan Luis M

307 S Humphrey Ave

$565,000.00

Peters Michael

Wiersma Kendrick G

1223 Linden Ave

$567,500.00

Ingersoll Paui J

Marshall Kimberly C

209 Division St

$575,000.00

Wicklow Dev Grp Llc

Johnson Kelvenia

1125 Schneider Ave

$575,000.00

Levy David

Martz Nathan R

828 Clarence Ave

$580,000.00

Michaud David

Golden William H

222 N Lombard Ave

$595,000.00

Mcsheehy Margaret

Pelaprat Etienne

730 Woodbine Ave

$595,000.00

Golden Christian

Nees Scott

613 S Scoville Ave

$60,000.00

Cozzi Lawrence P

Cozzi Lawrence P Tr

538 N Elmwood Ave

$600,000.00

Connell Joseph

Avila Melissa

732 N Kenilworth Ave

$625,000.00

Aeschleman Paul E Tr

Raspatello Daniel

330 Home Ave

$640,000.00

Schuller Heinz

Martin Owen

338 S East Ave

$70,000.00

Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr

Jaimes Robalba

948 Fair Oaks Ave

$710,000.00

Dolan Thomas G Tr

Verheecke Peter David

1119 N Oak Park Ave

$715,500.00

Petertil Kerry

Zontini Stephan

910 N East Ave

$751,000.00

Byrne Aaron T

Aksoy Soner

1008 Washington Blvd

$77,500.00

Fg Rlty Llc

Mas Nicholas A

804 Forest Ave

$780,000.00

Daniel Jeremy C

Achurra Francisco

333 N Euclid Ave

$810,000.00

Cohen Michael Henry Tr

Lesiowski Thomas

847 N Kenilworth Ave

$835,000.00

Feemster Tangela

Yang Wayne Tr

415 Wesley Ave

$90,000.00

Austin Kimberleigh P

Ford Michael

1129 N Harvey Ave

Unknown

The Judicial Sales Corp

Us Bk Natl Assn Tr

FOREST PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

205 Circle Ave 205 Circle Ave 315 Marengo Ave 315 Des Plaines Ave 918 Elgin Ave 7314 Randolph St 1117 Marengo Ave 226 Elgin Ave 148 Belvidere Ave 1117 Thomas Ave 7228 Elgin Ave 821 Hannah Ave 1124 Beloit Ave 1020 Lathrop Ave 1035 Harlem Ave 840 Lathrop Ave 1040 Lathrop Ave 126 Lathrop Ave 122 Circle Ave 850 Des Plaines Ave 1008 Beloit Ave 811 Beloit Ave 7652 Wilcox St 1017 Harlem Ave 1128 Marengo Ave 914 Lathrop Ave 1074 Des Plaines Ave 926 Hannah Ave 1008 Ferdinand Ave 1245 Marengo Ave 844 Beloit Ave 521 Elgin Ave 210 Brown Ave 516 Beloit Ave 1101 Hannah Ave

$116,000.00 $119,000.00 $120,000.00 $130,000.00 $135,000.00 $217,000.00 $230,000.00 $252,000.00 $259,000.00 $265,000.00 $286,500.00 $310,000.00 $347,000.00 $355,000.00 $398,000.00 $460,000.00 $490,000.00 $535,000.00 $75,000.00 $120,000.00 $139,500.00 $184,000.00 $190,000.00 $190,000.00 $210,000.00 $220,000.00 $225,000.00 $268,000.00 $271,000.00 $316,000.00 $325,000.00 $410,000.00 $435,000.00 $475,000.00 $50,000.00

Kubik Constance M Buerger Diane Dominguez Jaclyn Heydt Maria Ines Von Der Baggett Latrice M Harrison Andre Clark Philip C Tr Sr Spisiak Daniel R Tr Jr Homan Tami M Carris Nathan A Bell Gregory J Faley Andrew John Epic Prop Yorkville Llc North W Housing Ps Slagel Elizabeth Buss Robert Dimaano Michael Jacknow Matthew G La David Rutkowski Wieslaw Us Bk Natl Assn Tr Fannie Mae S & J Kolar Llc Toorak Repo Seller I Trust Rara Gabrina Ih3 Prop Illinois Lp Sykes Robyn B Condon Thomas J Barney Joseph D Frakes Tyler James Legare Alex J Grams Thomas M Wang Prosper L Dark Star Dev Llc Mellin L Timothy

Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Zw Asset Mgmt Llc Series 2 Doss Andrew W Pantoja Carla Almeida Brown Kathleen A Bellie Joann B Quizhpi Kelvin Menich Timothy Daniel Espersen Matthew D Halilovic Ajla Kariott Carla Lemier Ryan Lagunas Anthoula Honorable Ladarius D Salazar Santiago F Nowicki Robert Knapp Colin Carrick Scott Hopkins Lynn M Collier Maurice Burns Terry Kieta Adam Gk Home Inc Smith Venecia Mcginness Caitlin Rauzi Joshua N Coker Kenneth Letendre Joseph Rivera Erwin Reninger Adam Joseph Corral Alex Schrock Sarah B Cooney Matthew Farmer Sylvester 1101 Hannah Llc

RIVER FOREST 1403 Forest Ave 431 Edgewood Pl 7911 North Ave 231 Park Ave 1411 Keystone Ave 743 Clinton Pl 1401 Clinton Pl 923 Forest Ave 941 Keystone Ave 551 Keystone Ave 1130 Lathrop Ave 922 Jackson Ave 1541 Monroe Ave 7911 North Ave 1010 N Harlem Ave 434 Clinton Pl 424 Park Ave 7612 Vine St 1010 N Harlem Ave 1427 Thatcher Ave 111 Keystone Ave 1526 William St 307 Forest Ave 606 William St 7214 Oak Ave 1507 Keystone Ave 946 Keystone Ave 7310 Holly Ct 903 Bonnie Brae Pl

$1,156,000.00 $145,000.00 $208,500.00 $378,000.00 $452,500.00 $515,000.00 $530,000.00 $535,000.00 $625,000.00 $870,000.00 $945,000.00 Unknown $114,000.00 $175,000.00 $200,000.00 $229,000.00 $230,000.00 $420,000.00 $450,000.00 $480,000.00 $483,000.00 $560,000.00 $640,000.00 $682,500.00 $70,000.00 $786,500.00 $807,500.00 $850,000.00 $950,000.00

Siano Josh Mitchell Alberta Sam Lang K Glazer Sanford L Tr Mitchell Sherman C Walsh Mary J Tr Crispino Kathleen L Tr Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Stoffer John W Charkow Jeffrey B Martin Elizabeth P Sheriff Of Cook County Jva Two Llc Reynolds Brian P Jr Cross Haroleon S Meir Eran Tr Petrev Jaclyn M Trainor Charles J Cross Haroleon S Limperis Makis Liphardt Dorothy S Tr Kristen Scott M Sensemann Susan Tr Armstrong Leigh Burke Frances Palmer Geoffrey S Chicago Title Land Trust Elaydi Raed Mims John

Gerbrecht Arno R Rink Jusin M Jimenez Kiara Gonzalez Maguire Mary Stafford & Lockwood Inc Wenzloff Desta G Petersmarck Stephanie Honaman Lisa A Finn Kimberely Campbell Terence Hugh Ghadiali Quraish Raymond J Allen Trust Miller Colleen Acot Joseph Henry Foley Carol Ann Early Catherine E Tomal Daniel Brennolt Quinn Michael Foley Carol Ann Curtis Courtney C Cabrera Rogelio Ramirez Bavlsik Krysta M Varner Stephen Nicolas Keppler Michael J Rodriguez-Erdmann Foro Sullivan Suzanne Holle Kurtis Henfield Malik Britton Thomas P

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B11

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

B12 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

Distinction

(di stingk’ shen) noun.

The act of distinguishing excellence; making a difference

Tom Carraher redefines the essence of real estate service.

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

CONDOS

Saturday, June 19 • Sunday, June 20

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

320 S Maple Ave, D, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$429,000 . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 1-2:30

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

834 N Marion St, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $540,000 . . . . . . . . Open Sat & Sun 1-3 12 S Greenwood Ave, Park Ridge . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 12-2

It is extremely rare to find real estate professionals who set themselves apart with distinction in everything they do... ...unless you select the professional who has distinguished himself by making a total commitment to excellence—Tom Carraher.

Call Tom Carraher at 708-822-0540 to achieve all of your real estate goals.

Tom Carraher

This Directory brought to you by

Realistic Expectation–Proven Results

mrgloans.com

Providing financing for homes in Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1989.

Conventional, FHA, and Jumbo mortgages Free Pre-approvals

6821 W. North Avenue Suite 201 Oak Park, IL 708.452.5151

Mortgage Resource Group is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee.

NMLS # 207793 License # 1031

7375W. West NorthAve. Avenue 7375 North River Forest, Illinois 60305 River Forest 708.771.8040 708.771.8040

http://tomcarraher.realtor.com

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B13

HOME SERVICES CEMENT

CEMENT

MAGANA

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION” ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 )281'$7,216 3$7,26 67(36 &85% *877(56 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

APPLIANCE REPAIR

Supreme1 SUPREME ONE APPLIANCE

All major appliances•refrigerators•dryers washers•dishwashers•disposers•ovens

Julio Gonzalez 773-366-6520

supremeoneappliance@gmail.com

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining.

Low prices, insured.

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

HANDYMAN

HAULING

LANDSCAPING

BASEMENT CLEANING

FAST DELIVERY

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers

HANDYMAN

Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

773-637-0692

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

Mike’s Home Repair

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

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

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

708-296-2060

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

Mulch & Topsoil

Premium Shredded Hardwood ���������������$25/yd Dyed Red ������������������$30/yd Dyed Brown ��������������$30/yd Playmat��������������������$28/yd Premium Blend Dark �$34/yd Premium Bark Fines��$42/yd Blonde Cedar ������������$48/yd • Spreading Available! • Topsoil, Garden Mix, Mushroom, Super Mix, Compost, Gravel, Sand

SureGreenLandscape�com

847-888-9999 •• 630-876-0111 630-876-0111 847-888-9999

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

BRUCE LAWN SERVICE Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

708-243-0571

Public Notice: Your right to know • In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365 PublicNoticeIllinois.com

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066

BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

let your voice be heard

let your voice be heard

www.oakpark.com • www.forestparkreview.com

B14 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021

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

- Jacques, Kribi Coffee, Forest Park

Enjoy a cup at KribiCoffee.com Jacques Shalo, Kribi Coffee

Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at: ForestParkReview.com/category/forest-park-eats/

June 16, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B15

Under Contract!

946 N. Humphrey Ave., Oak Park 3 BR 1.5 BA. Large American 4-square.

Vintage details - modern sensibilities!

Stained glass, decorative fireplace, plus redone electric, plumbing, and mechanicals. Large yard........... $390,000 Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779 Stephanie.Eiger@cbexchange.com

Just Sold!

147 N. Euclid Ave., Unit 507, Oak Park Contact us for a free market analysis today!

Lisa Andreoli and Meredith Conn 708-557-9546 or 708-743-6973 teamgo2girls@gmail.com

Under Contract with multiple offers!

2042 N. 74th Court, Elmwood Park 3 BR, 1.1 BA. This charming brick cottage will capture your heart with its hardwood floors, built-in bookcases, circular captain’s window. ..................................... $299,000 Shea Kiessling | 708-710-5952 Shea@cbexchange.com

Just Sold!

554 Park Ave., River Forest 3 Bedrooms, 2.1 Baths…$675,000 The Market is still hot! Contact me today if you’re looking to buy or sell!

Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 sgraves@cbexchange.com

Just Sold!

7509 Madison St. #4D, Forest Park ................................................... $241,000 Allow me to help you find your dream home!

Michelle Miller | 708-334-5833 michelle.miller@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

937 Keystone Ave., River Forest Stunning! 5 BR, 4.1 BA architectural masterpiece. Huge landscaped yard. First floor in-law suite, home office, private master suite, screened porch with fireplace, hot tub and attached garage.

Sue Canepa I 312-203-0848 suecanepahomes@gmail.com Lisa Grimes I 708-205-9518 lisa.grimes@cbrealty.com

Just Sold!

5624 Murray Dr., Berkley ................................................... $330,000 Andrea “Bonnie” Routen | 708-544-8440 Andrea.bonnie@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

426 S. Lombard, #Unit 304, Oak Park Spacious, updated with parking and in unit washer/dryer! Perfect location and walkable to transportation, stores, restaurants! ............................... $145,000

Just Sold for full list price!

1143 Clinton Ave., Oak Park 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms….$319,000 Shea Kiessling | 708-710-5952 Shea@cbexchange.com

Patty Melgar Hooks | 708-261-2796 patty.melgarhooks@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

946 Home Avenue, Oak Park Great 3 BR/2.1 BA home with hardwood floors. Spacious rooms. Kitchen open to generous dining room. Luscious fenced yard with two-tier deck and patio. Great location near Blue Line, I-290 and Lincoln School........................................ $509,000

Congratulations to Kirstin Gloor, 2020 International President’s Circle Award winner for sales production and commitment to excellence.

Consistently been a top-producing agent in the western suburbs

Kirstin Gloor

John Haagensen

708-351-8977 Kirstin.Gloor@cbexchange.com

773-230-6995

john.haagenson@cbexchange.com

Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 sara.faust@cbexchange.com

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Oak Park 114 N. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park | 708.524.1100 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Realty LLC.

B16 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ June 16, 2021