Wednesday Journal 072220

W E D N E S D A Y

July 22, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 51 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Adduci, Henek announce run for River Forest president Racial inequity cited as reason by both candidates

By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

Two candidates have announced their plans to run for River Forest president in the April 2021 election. Current President Cathy Adduci and Trustee Patty Henek both intend to be on the ballot in the spring.

For Adduci, it would mean a third term as president, and she points to her experience and expertise as her strengths.

“I’m skilled at being the village president,” said Adduci in an interview with Wednesday Journal last week. “We’re in a better place than we were eight years ago. I have a track record that proves it.”

Adduci pointed to positive changes she’s made for why she would be a good fit for a third term in office, and cites her desire to see racial equity in the village as one of the driving forces behind her decision to run.

River Forest residents wanted more transparency, said Adduci, adding that she provided it, in part through the creation of five new committees and commissions.

She also said collaboration between taxing bodies during her tenure has provided better communication between District 90 schools, the library, village hall and other groups. Communication with residents has been improved through a village-wide calendar with events for all bodies listed, and a regular e-newsletter proSee CANDIDATES on page 8

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

RIPE AND READY: Kyle Deblecourt, left, and Katelyn Deblecourt, both of Mokena, get fresh corn ready from the truck of Smits Farm. See story on page 12.

As costs spike, OPRF cuts back construction Board votes to scale back project that ballooned from $32.6M to $41M

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Faced with steep cost overruns, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Dis-

trict 200 board and administrators have scaled back construction plans that were approved in April, when the board decided to move forward with $32.6 million in capital improvements paid for through the district’s roughly $100 million fund balance.

In April, the board approved plans for the renovation of 76 general education classrooms, the reconstruction of the student resource center and south cafeteria, the renovation of the student commons,

the construction of all-gender bathrooms, and critical improvements to the special education space, among other capital enhancements.

In the weeks and months since, the estimated cost of the project has ballooned to around $41 million. Most of the cost overrun comes from the student resource center and south cafeteria renovations, which had originally been budgeted at $13.6 milSee CONSTRUCTION on page 9

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

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John Lewis sacrificed for democracy

T

wo days after John Lewis died on Friday at age 80, I called Congressman Danny K. Davis, who knew Lewis personally for two decades and recently sat with him on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

“I think John had the seniority to be chairman of Ways and Means, but he didn’t want to be chairman,” Davis said. “He was the second-ranking guy on the committee and he was chairman of the sub-committee, but he was the same way in committee business and hearings and discussions — just John Lewis. You couldn’t help but love him and he will go down in history as one of the most revered members of the Congress who ever lived.”

Davis said that Lewis was “unpretentious, easy to get along with, easy to deal with,” and never “got too carried away with himself and who he was. He was a very common, decent guy. Just the essence of decency. The essence of honesty. The essence of integrity. The essence of virtue.”

About a week before his death, I watched Good Trouble, a new documentary about Lewis’ more than 60 years of social activism.

In the film, the Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates described an episode of “Finding Your Roots,” where he showed Lewis the 1867 voter card of his great-great-grandfather — the last member of Lewis’ family to vote before the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

“The vote is the most powerful instrument, the most powerful non-violent tool in a democratic society,” Lewis told Gates on “Finding Your Roots”. “And knowing that a member of my family registered and voted in Alabama, 100 years before I did, before my mother, my father, my grandparents — it’s amazing. So maybe, just maybe, it is part of my DNA, my bloodline, whatever you want to call it.”

If Lewis’ great-great-grandfather knew

unlike any he had ever known,” that his descendant would put Branch writes. his teenage body on the line — By the time he got off of would offer his face and skull to the bus in Rock Hill, South lynch mobs and Alabama State Carolina on May 9, 1961, Lewis Troopers as a living sacrifice had shaken his fears and was on the burnt altar of American well-versed and trained in democracy — what would he non-violent resistance. In fact, think?

Lewis was so confident in his On Monday, I took the first convictions that he volunteered book in Taylor Branch’s seminal to be the first person among trilogy Parting the Waters off the motley collection to test the the shelf and opened it for the white mob that greeted them at first time in a long time, in order the entrance of the whites-only to imagine the human dimenwaiting room inside of the Rock sions of that historic, centuryCommentary Hill Greyhound terminal. long democratic void.

“I have a right to go in here on grounds of Perhaps Lewis’ ancestor would feel the the Supreme Court decision in the Boynkind of dread felt by James Farmer Sr., ton case,” Lewis started before a pause, whose son, James Farmer Jr., was among “followed by a reply of ‘Shit on that’ and what Branch described as a “motley colleca shoving of Lewis back and forth in the tion” of people, ages 21 to 60, who decided doorway,” Branch writes. “One of the atin the summer of 1961 to embark on a tackers threw a punch that caught Lewis in Greyhound bus trip through the segregated the mouth, making the first loud pop of fist South. The riders wanted to push federal against flesh on the Freedom Ride.” and state governments to enforce a series On May 13, the Freedom Riders dined of Supreme Court decisions that rendered with Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta to segregated public buses unconstitutional. celebrate “a successful journey through Lewis had prepared for that summer nearly seven hundred miles of upper a year earlier, while attending college Dixie.” But amid the revelry, King sensed in Nashville. He was among a group of trouble ahead for the riders at their next students who attempted to desegregate destination — Alabama, the state where the city’s businesses by sitting-in at lunch Lewis was born and from which King had counters. just returned.

“White men kicked them,” a reporter “You will never make it through Alafor the Tennessean wrote in an article bama,” King “whispered emotionally” to published in February to mark the 60th Simeon Booker, a Black reporter for Jet anniversary of the sit-ins. “They spat and magazine, one of “only three reporters,” all blew cigar smoke in their faces. They extinof them Black, who took an interest in the guished lit cigarettes on their backs.”

Freedom Ride.

And after all that, John Lewis went to Booker, who had embedded himself with jail. the riders on their long journey through “When a policeman said, ‘You’re under the South, responded to King in jest. arrest’ to John Lewis, a lifetime of ab“He’s the only one I can outrun,” Booker sorbed tattoos against any kind of trouble quipped about the “hulking” Farmer. with the law quickened into terror” and Booker joked with King that the group of dread, which gave way “to an exhilaration

MICHAEL ROMAIN

riders “planned to leave Farmer behind to occupy any white hoodlums who might chase them.”

Later that night, Farmer was woken from his sleep with a phone call from his mother.

His father — the first Black man to earn a Ph.D. in Texas and a notable theologian — had died.

Farmer Sr. “had asked to see ‘Junior’s itinerary’ that night in his Washington hospital bed and, noting that Junior would cross into Alabama the next day, had promptly fallen into a coma and died. Mrs. Farmer would always insist that the old man had willed his own death in order to save his son’s life by forcing him to come home for the funeral.”

There was no such escape latch for John Lewis, whose life of bodily sacrifice culminated in Alabama, on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge — a structure named after a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader. On March 7, 1965, during a march for voting rights, Lewis’ skull was fractured by the club of an Alabama State Trooper.

Since Lewis’ death 55 years later, Democrats in the House have rekindled the fight to restore the Voting Rights Act, which was effectively neutered with Shelby County vs.

Holder, the 2013 Supreme Court decision that stripped the federal government of the power to prevent voter suppression, immediately plunging the country back into the void of the 1960s — when John Lewis risked death to force the government to give him his right to vote, and to stop segregation on public buses and in restaurants.

You’d be hard pressed to find more than a handful of Republicans in the House and Senate willing to restore the act; they will, however, tweet tributes.

This is what democracy looks like.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

D97 moves to eliminate officers from Brooks, Julian

School board says school resource officer program ‘out of date’

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The District 97 school board moved this week to end its agreement with the village of Oak Park that funds two full-time school resource officers at Percy Julian and Gwendolyn Brooks middle schools. The board made the decision at a regular meeting on July 14, although they still need to officially terminate the agreement with the village within the next 30 days.

In a joint statement released July 15, D97 board members said that a “number of students, parents and community members have expressed significant concerns about the effect of having armed police officers in our schools on our culture and climate.

Most recently, several hundred members of the District 97 community reached out to the board urging us to discontinue the use of SROs.” District administrators told board members at Tuesday’s meeting that the role of the school resource officers has evolved beyond the emphasis on discipline and law enforcement. The agreement with the village to fund the SRO program is 21 years old and has added some value to middle school students, administrators said.

But board members said the agreement nonetheless “reflects a perspective on police officers in our schools that is out of date. It does not reflect current understandings and values and is not supported by empirical evidence. It also does not accurately represent how district personnel have indicated SROs are currently used,” the board said.

Board members also echoed the concerns shared by District 200 Oak Park and River Forest High School board members before it moved last week to terminate its own SRO agreement with the village.

“It is also bad practice in general to have an agreement that goes without update for 21 years and that contains no evaluation metrics or measures,” the D97 board stated.

“Typically, D97 contracts last for 1-3 years

and contain provisions for assessing their effectiveness.”

The district has tentative plans to open on-site classroom learning to students a few days out of the week in the 2020-21 school year, but the termination of the agreement with the village means that school resources officers will not be at Brooks and Julian.

“We have shared with members of the district administration that they are welcome to come back to the board with a proposal for a new position,” the board stated, adding that the proposal should clearly describe the role of the position, the qualifications for the role and where that employee would exist within D97’s organizational structure.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

BIG WEEK July 22 - 29

Hallapalooza Celebrate 48 years at Val’s with the theme, Music is Essential. Come for music specials, fun giveaways, a special edition T-Shirt for sale and possibly live outdoor music. Store hours: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Questions: valshallarecordstore@gmail.com, 708-524-1004. 239 Harrison St., Oak Park.

Wednesday, July 29, 5 to 6 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Creator, producer, curator and host Nestor “the Boss” Gomez was born in Guatemala and moved to Chicago undocumented in the mid ‘80s. He told his first story at a Chicago Moth Slam to finally get over stuttering. Surprisingly, he won the slam that night and has not stopped sharing stories since. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Alt_Market Drop-off and Prep site Tuesdays, 10 to 11 a.m. and Saturdays, 10 to 11 a.m., Compound Yellow In partnership with Alt_Space in Austin, Compound Yellow is a drop off site for donations to help fill the Alt_Market two days a week. Bring non-perishable food, PPE and other needed supplies for the Austin community. Wear a mask; gloves provided for assembling care bags. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Selling Your Strengths & Enhancing Your Brand

Thursday, July 23, 7 to 8 p.m., Zoom with the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Get your garden questions answered virtually in this live Q&A session filled with advice and tips from the Conservatory’s master gardeners and director of Horticulture. Plus, learn what to do in your garden now. Come with your questions or submit in advance by emailing operations@fopcon.org. Free. Register: pdop.org.

Libraries are Opening

Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, Val’s halla Records

Many Voices: Nestor Gomez

Get the Dirt

Wednesday, July 22, Oak Park Public Library, Main Branch The Main Library (not Maze or Dole branches) is scheduled to move to Phase 2, “open with specific capacity limits and some onsite staff for materials, technology support. Public computer use by appointment only.”

More: oppl.org/news-events/announcements/oakpark-public-library-closure-faqs-current-updates. 834 Lake St. Monday, July 27, River Forest Public Library More: riverforestlibrary.org/2020/07/06/libraryreopening-on-july-27. 735 Lathrop Ave.

Many Voices: Peace Circle Thursday, July 23, 5 to 6 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Join with community members to participate in a virtual peace circle. Circles generally offer a chance for people to gather and share, using a facilitated process. As questions are asked and the talking piece is passed from person to person, everyone in the circle has an opportunity to share. Those participating agree to keep confidential the personal stories and information shared in circle. This circle is part of the summer reading program with a theme of immigration. Register: oppl.org/calendar

“Multiples for Masks” Enter artful masks now, Expressions Graphics This installation supports an Oak Park printmaking studio while offering one-of-a-kind masks to area non-profits and shelters. Simply sew, buy or otherwise fashion a mask or masks; decorate (both functional and conceptual masks are welcome); coordinate a contactless drop off ; and make a $10 donation per mask to support documentation, installation and coordination of the exhibition. Then check out the installation through the big window of Expressions Graphics, 29 Harrison St., throughout August. More/ enter: expressionsgraphics.org. Arrange drop off : info@expressionsgraphics.org

Wednesday, July 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library At this resume development workshop, learn to accurately convey all your skills and work history, review components needed for a great resume and avoid common mistakes.

Presented by Phil Holmes, CPRW, Employment & Employer Services. Register: oppl.org/calendar.

Nomadicube

Ask the Expert Summer Series

Stop by Compound Yellow See the participatory and collaborative project consisting of an open-framed 10’x10’ pink cube structure created and facilitated by artist in residence Marianne Bernstein. On July 19, clothing, sheets, and other personal items contributed by locals were woven (with the assistance of Fiber Artist Macus Alonso) onto three sides of the cube, leaving the front open for gatherings. To hear more, listen to the Invisible Activity podcast “Curating Space Itself” where Bernstein talks about the project: compoundyellow.com/#/invisible-activitypodcast. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Thursdays through August 27, 1:30 p.m., Virtually with Riveredge Hospital Rapid changes in the way we live, work, learn and socialize have impacted the mental health of many. To help equip parents and caregivers with knowledge and resources, join in 30-minute conversations with Riveredge’s clinical team. You can sign up to as many as you like, ask questions, share concerns or just listen. Topics include mental health signs and symptoms and when to get help; strategies to support your child or loved one through uncertain times; relaxation and mindfulness techniques; and ways to navigate medical, social and/or educational services for your child or loved one. Register: uhsinc.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIvdGvrzksEtPFuFuTQeXtDu8VJucOFxs7

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

5

ART BEAT

From Oak Park, it’s ‘Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!’

By MICHELLE DYBAL Arts Editor

It’s the most listened to hour in public radio. And during these COVID-19 days it is recorded in Oak Park.

National Public Radio (NPR) says “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” their popular weekend morning radio show, garners its largest audience. The host, almost from its start in 1998, is Oak Parker Peter Sagal.

It’s a ritual around the house after breakfast, or people schedule their shopping trips around it, Sagal said listeners have told him about the show over the years. Now fans are saying they are “very, very grateful for the sense of normalcy.”

The NPR show, which airs on WBEZ in Chicago Saturdays at 10 a.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m., also is available as a podcast. The radio show is a tongue-in-cheek quiz program about current events. It is a way to “laugh at the news.”

Pre-COVID-19, it was recorded live-on-tape style in front of an audience at Chase Bank Auditorium in downtown Chicago, as well as on-the-road locales. These days, though, “Wait Wait …” originates from Sagal’s small converted bungalow in northeast Oak Park where he is sheltering with his wife and two dogs.

Sagal uses a broadcast-quality digital recorder, like the ones NPR journalists carry in the field, and his rotating panel and guests of the week connect virtually. Call-ins from listener contestants are pre-recorded. Bill Kurtis, longtime Chicago broadcaster (and one-time Oak Parker), joins in as judge and scorekeeper. Sagal claims to be no more tech-savvy than to have the ability to push the play and record buttons.

“I’m almost proud that I still can’t operate any equipment,” he said, after hosting the show for 22 years.

Once the program is recorded, it is digitally transferred to the show’s producers who see that it is edited and turned into the most entertaining one-hour for listeners.

For now, “Wait Wait ...” is “recorded in front of an audience of no one,” as announced at the opening. They have no plans to go in front of an in-person audience until “everything is back to normal,” according to Sagal.

With the “Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!” home studio in Chicago previously welcoming 400-450 people per show, Sagal said doing it now with a 50-person limit isn’t worth putting panelists on planes. Tickets to in-person shows cost $30 or $85, depending on whether audience members choose general admission or premium seating, which includes a spot in the first two rows and “a tote bag of goodies.”

So Sagal’s home office, with his many books, including 200 or so signed by their authors, acoustic panels and professional microphone, are his headquarters and stage.

He is also joined by a Carl Kasell bobblehead

doll. Kasell was the official judge and scorekeeper of “Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me!” from 1998 until 2014 after a 30-year career as an NPR newscaster.

“I started out in a closet but it was cramped and did not improve the acoustics,” Sagal said.

Guests from the “Quarantine Edition” range from astronaut Christina Koch to actors Tom Hanks and Don Cheadle.

There was a transition period in March before the show went fully remote. Recording artist Big Boy was scheduled for a March 14 air date. Sagal and the “Wait Wait …” team were on the road for this show, and recorded it at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, without an audience, to keep everyone safe from the spread of COVID-19.

“It will be unusual for us to make our little jokes without anyone laughing, but on the other hand, no it won’t,” Sagal quipped at the start of the show.

Because “Wait Wait …” was originally produced out of a radio studio before moving to the live audience format, Sagal is familiar with missing out on listener reaction.

“Feedback is so multifaceted. The audience will let you know if they’re annoyed, if they appreciate what you’re doing, if they want more or less of something. That influences what you do.”

In preparation for each show, Sagal does research and writes a script which goes to the producers who “punch it up.” He calls it “collaborative improvement” where he and the producers talk about how the writing can be made better, funnier.

“We are a group show, so we serve as each other’s audience and give feedback,” Sagal said. “It is a key to our success.”

From that, a script with about eight jokes is created for the show, which tapes on Thursdays. But during the program only two or three jokes get through as Sagal adjusts to what is happening in the moment. Panelists include comedians Paula Poundstone, Jessi Klein, Helen Hong, Maz Jobrani among others, as well as personalities who intersect with the news industry, such as P.J. O’Rourke, Mo Rocca and Roxanne Roberts. There are typically three panelists per program.

Sagal said what makes the show special and interesting is the spontaneity with the panelists.

These days, though he remains connected to the panel and producers virtually, it is not the same.

He misses his colleagues, whom he calls his friends, and misses traveling for the show, which takes him on the road about once a month.

“It is the longest I have gone without sleeping in a bed that is not my own,” the lover of travel said.

And he misses live audience members.

“I want to know everyone is having a good time,” he said.

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Schools pivot. May pivot again

P

ivoting. But pivoting with consistency.

A neat trick.

But it is what I heard Friday from Dr. Carol Kelley, superintendent of Oak Park’s District 97 elementary schools, during a one-of-a-kind Zoom meeting which also included Dr. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, superintendent at OPRF; Village Manager Cara Pavlicek; and, quietly in the background, Mike Charley, the public health director for Oak Park village government.

The call came about after a sincere question I asked of Charley by email earlier in the week. With the two local school districts making divergent reopening plans — D97 in a hybrid in-school and remote learning model and OPRF going nearly fully remote for the first semester — did Charley still have the authority to dictate schools must close the same way he shuttered playgrounds and restaurants back in the spring?

I heard back from Pavlicek who said it was unclear if the village had that power but touted the active collaboration ongoing

between the three entities. The Zoom meeting was set.

Curiously, Pavlicek opened the session by saying that while the village board did not extend the village’s “state of emergency” after early June, it did extend Charley’s extensive authority through Nov. 15. So theoretically the public health director retains that authority.

All on the call agreed that they’d actively follow any directives coming from Gov. J.B. Pritzker. And there was consensus that the entire situation will remain fluid even as aspects of the current plans continue to be built out. “We’ll continue to look at data,” said Kelley. “We are poised and ready to pivot to remote,” she said.

The high school got criticized by some last week when it said all classes would be remote. Why is Evanston Township High School planning a hybrid model was a

social media cry? But by Saturday, Evanston Now, a digital newsroom in the north suburb, reported ETHS was shifting its plans to all remote for at least the first three weeks of the semester.

In neighboring Forest Park, there were hosannas and hissing after the elementary schools announced full-time, fullymasked school five days a week.

The teacher’s union, among others, objected. And on Monday the district did a 180 and said all classes would be remote at least until Halloween.

These are all good people. Doing their best in a hell of a situation. There just isn’t a correct answer. And the virus dictates next steps.

All of the people on the call were fully aware of the deep stress all constituents are feeling. One of the superintendents described everyone suffering “PTSD in the

DAN HALEY

spring.”

The schools pledge that remote learning — two days or five a week — will be far better when schools reopen. Tighter curriculum, more structure, consequential grading are in store. Pruitt-Adams, though, stressed great attention has been placed on creating social emotional tools to keep students from further anxiety and mental health issues.

“Our first week will be all about relationship building between students and staff,” she said. There will be a strong focus on freshmen whose arrival at OPRF “will be unlike any other class before.”

Just underway are discussions of how to offer after-school services to elementary students previously served by Hephzibah programs in all the elementary schools and by the park district. The grade schools are clear they can’t accommodate the programs while keeping their buildings clean and safe. And Charley was most clear that opening up high school facilities to after-school programs would “involve lots of logistics.”

So those discussions continue.

Oak Park chooses equity training provider

Village board opts for National League of Cities

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Board of Trustees decided in a 5-2 vote to use the National League of Cities program for equity training during a July 20 village board meeting, without seeking a recommendation from the Community Relations Commission (CRC). Leon Andrews and Rita Ossolinski of the National League of Cities attended the virtual meeting to answer questions and provide more information to board members.

Although multiple public comments called on the board to choose the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), of which the village became a member in

January, GARE did not submit a proposal for consideration due to its fast-growing rate of membership.

Community Relations Commissioner Maya Puentes wrote in public comment that not consulting with the CRC and getting the commission’s feedback was a “clear indication” of the board’s unwillingness to work with the commission in an “honest and collaborative manner.”

Puentes wrote that she attended an all-day training through National League of Cities last year and “was not impressed, especially with how they handled the racial equality and governing portion of the session.”

Going with the National League of Cities, Puentes wrote, would be a mistake not only because of her experience with them but because the organization went through GARE for its own training.

“Why not go straight to the much more

Quick start for ‘Slow Streets’ As a part of its consent agenda, Oak Park’s village board voted to implement the “Slow Streets” pilot program during its July 20 meeting, per the recommendation of the Transportation Commission.

“Slow Streets,” also referred to as “Shared Streets,” is a program that provides greater social distancing opportunities while exercising, walking and bicycling outdoors by limiting auto traffic along certain streets to only that of delivery, emergency and residential vehicles.

The pilot program will include portions of Van Buren Street, Kenilworth Avenue, Thomas Street and Harvey Avenue.

Neither the agenda item nor board gave the pilot’s actual start date but expect the pilot to begin soon as the Transportation Commission has urged the village move quickly in implementing the program so that the community can enjoy it during the fair summer weather.

Stacey Sheridan

knowledgeable source?” Puentes asked.

She also wrote that she believed the request for proposal should have been shared with the CRC when it first came out because the commission acts as an advisory to the board and “equity is what we’re working so hard for.”

Puentes asked the board to postpone the vote, add GARE to the request for proposal (RFP) and allow the CRC to give feedback.

Out of the six equity training organizations that applied, staff recommended the National League of Cities program, called Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL), to the board because of the program’s experience working with local and municipal governments and its customizable training model.

Trustee Dan Moroney supported using the REAL program, saying it was important to utilize a program with municipal government experience.

Oak Park Human Resources Director Kira Tchang told the board that going with the REAL program would not supersede the village’s existing relationship with GARE but would give the village a greater pool of resources. REAL also provides 20 additional hours of support and virtual training sessions to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

In addition to Tchang, the internal review team that assessed the submitted proposals included Cedric Melton and Cassandra Hurt from the village’s Community Relations Department. The CRC was not provided with the six applications but did provide guiding questions for the interview process.

“I think we have clearly missed the mark

on involving some of the most important voices in this decision and that is the CRC,” said Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla.

Trustee Simone Boutet told the board that a program that trains village staff in its entirety was not what she envisioned for staff equity training. Boutet wanted a program that focused on training policymakers on how to create equitable legislation “rather than worrying about the guys on the street fixing the water main.”

“I really don’t feel like that’s the focus of this thing,” said Boutet.

To her, the REAL program sounded more like diversity training rather than equity training.

“We lead with race in the work we do,” replied Leon Andrews, REAL director.

He also informed the board that prior to submitting their proposal to the village of Oak Park, the National League of Cities informed GARE of their intention to do so.

According to Andrews, all equity training organizations work together to support the wider mission of more equitable practices in the United States and do not compete against each other.

Walker-Peddakotla and Trustee Susan Buchanan brought forward a motion to postpone the vote to allow the Community Relations Commission (CRC) time to give their feedback; the motion failed in a 4-3 vote.

Abu-Taleb and trustees Jim Taglia, Deno Andrews, Boutet and Moroney all voted in favor of choosing the National League of Cities. Buchanan and Walker-Peddakotla cast the two dissenting votes.

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Friends of the Library cancels Oak Park Book Fair Safety concerns push event back to 2021

By JAMES KAY Staff Reporter

This August would have been the 50th year for the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library (FOPPL) annual book fair. Though big plans were in the works to celebrate the milestone, the global outbreak of COVID-19 put a halt to the festivities.

With safety in mind, the nonprofit has decided to wait until 2021 to hold the 50th anniversary fair.

“We always get such a great crowd that comes to this annual book fair,” said FOPPL president Joe Larscheid, “but we had to think about the safety of our volunteers and the public. We felt at this point in time, just looking at where Illinois and the rest of the world is at, it made sense to cancel the event until 2021.”

Even without the unprecedented circumstances COVID-19 has delivered, the book fair would have had a different feel this year. It is usually held at Oak Park and River Forest High School but, due to a two-year construction project at the school, Friends was looking for a different location for the event. But COVID-19 put an end to those plans.

“When Friends of the Library learned of [OPRF’s] construction plans in 2019, they knew they were going to have to find a different space for 2020 and 2021 if they wanted to hold it in a similar way [as] years past,” said Oak Park Library’s executive director, David Seleb. “When the shutdown happened, finding a different location became

more difficult.”

As for 2021, Larscheid believes that having a year off from the event gives the Friends more time to find a venue that would suit the crowds the nonprofit is accustomed to at the fair.

“We had big plans for 2020 and we are going to carry them over to next year when we do this,” said Larscheid. “Hopefully, the world will have a vaccine at that point.

Right now, we are open to hearing from the community about where they would like it to be held or if they have ideas about where we could do it outside of OPRF.” Larscheid added that the loss of revenue from the book fair has hurt the nonprofit, which is working out different ways to make up for the losses.

“Whether it is $5, $10, or $25, we would greatly appreciate [donations],” said Larscheid. “We want to continue to raise funds for the [Oak Park Library] while we look forward to having a great 2021 celebration for the book fair.”

Since they can’t take book donations, the Friends’ website suggests that all books residents were planning on donating to the fair could go to the Little Free Libraries spread throughout the village. In addition, the website has a list of Open Book locations where people can make donations.

“Friends of the Oak Park Library does recommend donating to those locations but if you can’t make it out to them, definitely go fill up the little libraries in our community,” said Larscheid. “Usually at the end of the book sale, we have a couple of volunteers take a stack of books and spread the love for reading by filling up those little neighborhood libraries. We think it’s a great thing to do.”

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Maywood OKs Twin Villages Covenant with River Forest

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During a regular meeting on July 14, the Maywood Board of Trustees voted 6-0 in favor of approving a Twin Villages Covenant with River Forest. The move comes three weeks after the River Forest village trustees unanimously approved the covenant during a meeting on June 22.

As Village Free Press has previously reported, the Twin Villages Covenant commits the neighboring suburbs “to the principles of humanity, equity and inclusion,” according to a draft of the document. “The covenant will guide the overarching spirit of our distinct towns to think as one and to interact in more collaborative ways.”

Possible areas of collaboration include the two suburbs committing to “a regional perspective on commercial and residential in-

CANDIDATES

Familiar faces running from page 1 vides the village with updates.

Adduci said she has also made village board meetings more accessible to the public, providing audio, video and streaming capabilities for at least two years, and village government is active on social media.

“We have tried and been successful in getting information out to the community,” Adduci said. “We want to engage as many residents in as many activities as possible.”

She noted her decision-making abilities in leading the village.

“I think the role of village president is not only vision and setting strategy, but in making decisions,” Adduci said. “We do it in a consensus way. I believe there’s only one, maybe two times, where I had to break a tie. And I find that significant … because decisions are often unanimous or a supermajority.”

But what clinched her decision to run for a third term was the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest spurred by the George Floyd murder.

“I thought, there’s still some things we need to do,” said Adduci. “We need someone experienced right now. I feel like I need to stay on to continue the progress.”

“River Forest,” said Adduci, “wants progress and civility.”

As for those who question a third term, she replies, “River Forest residents can determine that,” Adduci said. “Right now, it’s not too many.”

She mentioned infrastructure projects, such as the north side stormwater management system, as progress made under her watch. And, she said, the financial situation

vestment/development,” the “recognition of multicultural holidays” like Juneteenth and Cinco De Mayo, the “exploration of partnerships for procurement with local business,” the collaboration between the Maywood and Oak Park-River Forest Chambers of Commerce and possibly sharing facilities.

Maywood Trustee Miguel Jones, who introduced the covenant and approached River Forest officials with the idea several weeks ago, said he conceived the proposal after listening to a Maywood resident talk about her reaction to a hate crime that happened in the parking lot of the River Forest Jewel back in June.

When Jones introduced the idea in June, the proposal garnered lots of positive feedback from residents in both villages, many of whom expressed a desire to move beyond the racial unrest that has swept the nation in the wake of the May 25 murder of George Floyd

by Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

Floyd’s murder prompted marches and other protest demonstrations all over the country, including multiple marches in Proviso Township that attracted residents from different communities. A June 14 march from Bellwood to Forest Park that was organized by Maywood Trustee Isaiah Brandon attracted several River Forest village officials, including River Forest President Cathy Adduci and River Forest Trustee Erika Bachner, who attended Tuesday’s board meeting in Maywood.

“This is a hopeful document and a hopeful moment for our Maywood/River Forest community,” she said during public comment on Tuesday. “[The document is] a way to share ideas on how we can change our policies and systems to not work for racism, as Trustee Jones put it at our River Forest Village Board meeting, and to stand and

work together.”

During his comments at the July 14 meeting, Jones described the Covenant as “a solutions oriented approach about how we can rebrand ourselves against racism and hate.”

With the favorable vote, the Maywood board also allowed Jones to create a task force on which he will serve as a board liaison. The task force, he said, will be “similar to an ad hoc committee where we can take what this covenant is saying and really operationalize it, be able to brainstorm and come up with ways in which we can partner officially.”

Maywood Village Manager Willie Norfleet Jr. indicated in his comments on Tuesday that the covenant might strengthen the relationship between the neighboring suburbs.

“People have a tendency to fear each other, because they don’t know each other,” Norfleet said. “Once they begin to know each other, relationships can get a whole lot better.”

of the village is strong, with a balanced budget for at least 10 years. Despite COVID-19 threatening revenue, “We never stole from our rainy-day reserve,” said Adduci.

Plans for a third term include continuing to grow the capital fund and looking at the sewer project on Keystone, as well as revitalization of Madison Street through TIF funds.

Adduci plans to continue the relationship the village of River Forest has built with Maywood, a partnership suggested by Trustee Miguel Jones after the recent racial hate crime incident at the Jewel on Lake Street.

“We’re so excited to collaborate with a community we should have been collaborating with for a long time,” Adduci said.

She attended more than one Black Lives Matter demonstration locally and said there’s not been pushback from residents on her antiracist stance, though she acknowledges a Patty Henek silent minority might be out there.

“It’s an important issue around the world and to our community,” said Adduci. “People in River Forest want justice and everyone to be treated well.” She added that one of the reasons she wants to run again is so that “racially, we can make it better.”

Policing is another matter she wants to address, including looking at how to “bring the right people to the door” when

911 is called.

She’s working on a corre s p o n d e n c e program with the police, in collaboration with Thrive Counseling Center in Oak Park, so that when police go on crisis-intervention calls, social workCathy Adduwci ers will show up as well.

“We’re still Mayberry, but Mayberry in the 21st century,” Adduci said.

Henek is throwing her hat into the race too. In 2015, she ran for the board but lost by a small margin, then ran again in 2017 and won, the highest vote-getter in that election for village trustee.

She has thought about running for president since she was voted onto the board in 2017.

“It’s a position I feel ready to hold. I’ve demonstrated leadership, and many residents have expressed to me that they would like to see me in this role,” Henek said in an interview with Wednesday Journal on July 20. With her family’s full support, she would focus on the position as “a full-time job.”

Processes in village government and systemic racism are two issues Henek discussed at length; the need to address both was a driving force behind her decision to run for president.

Like Adduci, she brought up what happened at the Jewel. “What the Jewel incident showed us is that we still have a ways to go,” Henek said. “I think we’re at a point in time where maybe we need a fresh look at things, a fresh perspective, on how we can

really move that needle even further.

“It has been a fabulous community over the past 20 years that I’ve lived here, but I’m well aware of the disparity between our neighboring communities.”

Governance and process is something Henek wants to streamline for the village.

Sometimes, she said, decisions or agenda items are rushed and trustees and residents don’t have enough time to review meeting minutes or agenda packets ahead of time.

Often the voice of dissent on this board, Henek said she believes there’s more support for her ideas than appears at the board table.

“We’re a small community with a lot of overlapping friends,” Henek said, “so it’s hard for people to always go out on that limb.”

Recently asked why garnering support of trustees would be easier as president, she said people want proper engagement and a deep dive into issues, which hasn’t always been part of decision-making in the village.

“We are basically guided toward ‘we should be ready to vote.’ That sort of thing wouldn’t happen under President Patty,” said Henek. “I would be sure that we had the time between meetings.”

Henek also wants to see better evaluation of potential infrastructure projects, given finite resources, her concern being that priority is perhaps at times given to north-side projects without enough data points to properly make those decisions.

She believes in the three basic tenets Adduci often talks about that guide decision making: Does it address safety? Does it address stabilizing property taxes? Does it address improving our property values?

But Henek would add a fourth question to always keep in mind: “Where do our policies come in with regard to systemic racism?”

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

Maywood and River Forest form soccer alliance

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

When the Black Lives Matter movement sparked a global racial reckoning over the last seven weeks, Adam Stern wanted to help fight the good fight at the local level.

As the regional commissioner of the River Forest Youth Soccer League, he reflected on the state of his organization and decided to pitch to the board the idea of including Maywood residents in the league.

“After George Floyd’s murder, my family and I attended marches and listened to all of the local leaders discuss racial inequality,” said Stern. “At that point, I had the idea to see if Maywood had a soccer league and if it would want to join our [league]. Once I found out they didn’t, it was a no-brainer that we should reach out and try to make it happen.”

Earlier this month, River Forest and May-

wood’s village boards passed a twin village covenant to help forge a greater bond between the two communities. With that in mind, Stern wanted to extend that to youth soccer.

In a time where financial security isn’t a given, the River Forest Youth Soccer League has offered to cover fees for Maywood residents who can’t afford the expenses needed to be a part of it.

The league is able to do this partially due to the spring season being canceled. According to Stern, 75 percent of the people who paid for the spring season decided to donate the money to the league instead of requesting a refund.

“We have a little bit of money now to use on getting Maywood residents involved because of that,” said Stern. “I have also had people from River Forest donate so that fees can be waived for Maywood residents to participate even if they can’t pay the fees. It’s been great.”

Maywood Trustee Miguel Jones is excited to give the community a chance to be a part of a soccer league, but he believes there are still concerns that need to be addressed.

“We are known for producing a lot of great athletes,” said Jones. “I think this is a great opportunity for our youth to be a part of one of the most popular sports in the world. But there are things that I want to see from Maywood and River Forest in general that we need to figure out.”

Jones outlined concerns over COVID-19 safety precautions, transportation and the two towns trying to become more familiar with one another. “[Maywood and River Forest] are two different towns,” said Jones. “I think this is an extremely nice gesture that I would encourage Maywood’s youth to take advantage of, but there is the barrier of familiarity.

There’s still a few more things that are the main issues that they might face in order to

fully be able to participate full-throttle, like getting to know the coaches and the schedule.”

Something that Jones thinks is integral to having the two communities make the connection work is having residents from both villages come to each other’s areas. This would include having games potentially being played in Maywood.

“I would definitely like to see games played in Maywood,” said Jones. “We have the parks for it. Again, this is an opportunity to grow the sport here and we have not only a large Black population but an equally and growing Hispanic community as well.

“What I would like to see from Maywoodians is having parents and neighbors encourage our youth to participate in this so that we aren’t putting the onus on the students.

We are committed to building bridges with our neighboring town and that starts with participation.”

CONSTRUCTION Project cut short from page 1 lion, but by June had ballooned to $22.6 million.

Once construction starts this summer, crews will forgo work on 30 general education classrooms slated for renovation and they won’t install a new servery with the brand new cafeteria.

Deferring those two projects cuts around $3 million and $800,000, respectively, out of a roughly $8.4 million hole. Earlier this month, the school board approved $4 million in additional funding to fill the budget hole that remains.

At the board of education’s June 25 meeting, Mike Carioscio, D200’s chief operations officer, said the cost overruns were primarily due to mistaken design and budget assumptions.

“One of the biggest gaps driving a significant amount of costs is the original estimate done for square footage for the student resource center was off,” Carioscio said, adding that an earlier assumption that half of the cafeteria could be remodeled while the other half was newly constructed turned out to be “not feasible.”

The size discrepancy contributed to an unforeseen cost of $2.9 million while the mistaken assumption about the cafeteria translated into $1.1 million in cost overruns. Carioscio also explained that some critical demolition and excavation work in OPRF’s basement contributed to $3.6 million in cost overages, but that work is “already under way” and would be “prohibitively expensive” to scale back.

The cost of the basement, however, is being funded from a pool of funds set aside to pay for 10-year life safety improvements, Carioscio said.

At that June meeting, administrators floated the idea of possibly cutting a range of improvements, such as equipment necessary for instilling solar panels on the high school’s roof, and scaling back others, such as work on the main entrance and student commons.

But school board members declined to cut those aspects of the project, which they said were critical to the district’s approach to equity and would address some concerns brought

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

COSTS SPIKE: OPRF is scaling back its initial phase of construction as costs rose sharply from spring to summer. by students and parents over the years related to how the school’s atmosphere could be more welcoming.

Members of Imagine OPRF, the group that drafted the master plan, have also expressed how important renovations to student commons areas and the main entrance might make the environment at the school more opening and welcoming for more students.

With those projects off-limits, board members advised district administrators in June to return with a more limited variety of options, leading to the loss of 30 renovated classrooms and the servery.

Board members said that it might be wise to hold off on some classroom renovations until they know more about

how drastically COVID-19 changes the nature of learning.

During a special meeting on July 9, the school board voted unanimously, if reluctantly, to defer those projects and to approve an additional $4 million from the district’s fund balance to pay for the revised scope of construction.

Carioscio said that administrators will return to the board with a finalized plan that includes “more detailed” and “exact” numbers, “which will still vary” based on construction bids.

The costs associated with the student resource center construction — the largest aspect of the first phase construction work — “will be pretty solid,” he said.

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Mixed feelings as local college kids return, or don’t, to school

Online classes no substitute for campus life, say many

By HENRY WELDON Contributing Reporter

Forest Oaks has been designed to address the social and

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With summer winding down and the school year quickly approaching, it’s not only school administrators who are trying to decide whether students will return to the classroom for the fall semester.

Many local college students attend schools located in COVID-19 hotspots which could interfere with in-person learning. Some college students are apprehensive about taking classes in the midst of a pandemic.

“Since my classes went online, it was hard to focus on academics,” said Bonmoo Lee, a University of Southern California student.

Lee, 20, who graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 2017, heard his school make the announcement that classes will be held online this fall. He said he would prefer classes be in-person so he could spend more time around other students and professors.

“College is not all about studying,” Lee said. “Humans are a social animal, therefore students will have a better college experience with classes being held in-person.”

While USC, which is in Los Angeles, might be in a hotspot, other schools are not.

“I have mild asthma so I’m kind of hesitant to go back,” said Cabral Johnson, a University of Illinois student.

Champaign, which is roughly 150 miles south of Oak Park, is not having as bad of an outbreak with the virus. Johnson, 20, who graduated from OPRF in 2018, is hoping

that campus opens up soon so he can return to classes, he said.

Casey McCormick, 20, who graduated from Fenwick High School in 2018, also hopes that he can return to his campus soon, he said.

McCormick attends the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He’s been home since March and is eager to get back.

“It’s distracting being at home where it’s not as strict to complete all the work,” McCormick said.

Even here in Chicago where there still many COVID cases, Saint Xavier University announced it will hold in-person classes in the fall.

“I personally would much rather have another semester or two of virtual classes than face catching this horrible virus and the repercussions that come with it,” said Bethany Bura, 18, a 2019 graduate of Trinity High School who is a student at SXU. Michelle Brown, 18, who just graduated from OPRF this year, plans on starting her freshman year at the University of Missouri.

“I want the number of cases to start to decrease again so the university won’t close,” Brown said. “I just hope everyone follows the guidelines and we are able to have a fun freshman year.”

Brown said that ending her senior year of high school online was difficult.

“Taking online classes during the last few months of high school was horrible,” Brown said. “I really didn’t like it.”

Despite all of the odd circumstances, she can’t wait to begin college.

“I am very excited,” Brown said.

HOPING FOR THE BEST: Michelle Brown, 18, graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School class of 2020, will be a freshman at the University of Missouri this fall

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

11

Trinity leans into restorative justice, racial diversity

River Forest high school looking to hire new HR position, implement diversity training, expand restorative justice practices

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Administrators at Trinity High School in River Forest recently announced a series of measures designed to demonstrate the school’s commitment “to bring change over the 2020-21 school year to better life on and off campus for all students and faculty,” according to a statement Trinity officials released last week.

During an interview Monday, Trinity President Laura Curley said the changes range from hiring a new HR professional who will oversee staff diversity and inclusion policies, and training faculty in the use of “Diversity-Responsive Teaching Strategies” to administering a Climate Survey open to students, alumnae and parents, and “learning about Restorative Justice as an alternative to traditional discipline.”

Curley, who was hired as president in November, said that six people have so far applied for the new HR position. She said school officials had been talking about creating the position at least since she was hired late last year.

She said the idea to implement diversity training came as a result of collaboration between the school and the Chicago Archdiocese, which has hosted Zoom conference calls each week since the pandemic-related shutdowns started in March.

Troy Cicero, president of MulticultuReal Communications Inc., will facilitate the trainings, Curley said.

“Our goal is to make the classroom at Trinity a place where open, mature, calm, rational discussions can happen that will lead to a more just environment for all students,” Curley said.

Trinity’s announcement comes amid national racial unrest provoked by the May 25 murder of George Floyd at the knee of Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin.

Since Floyd’s death, peaceful protests have erupted in cities across the country and many institutions — including schools — have undergone self-reflection.

The reflection is partly the result of testimonies that Black and Brown students and alumnae have been sharing on social media about the racism they’ve experienced at school.

Last month, current and former students at Fenwick High School in Oak Park took to Instagram to vent anonymously about their experiences. Curley acknowledged that a similar Instagram account was created for Black and Brown Trinity students.

“I am aware of it,” she said. “Some of the things are from many years ago and some things we need to look at today.”

Curley said the school set up the anonymous portal online at trinityhs.org/diversity in order for students to share their experiences. She said the school’s marketing team will collect the responses and school leadership will review them prior to Cicero’s diversity training. That way, Curley said, he can “know what people are feeling.”

Curley added that Trinity administrators will also “look into shifting our practices from discipline to restorative justice.” She said procedures and protocols for doing that are still being worked out.

“So much is changing and it’s the right time for us to change as well.”

LAURA CURLEY

Trinity High School President

Trinity’s student body is roughly 50 percent minority, but its teaching population is overwhelmingly white, said Curley. The new HR position would work to bring in more teachers of color.

The new measures come as significant changes happen around the school related to COVID-19 and race, but also as the school experiences major changes in personnel. Curley, the dean of students, two vice presidents and the principal were all hired less than a year ago, she said. Curley was hired last November.

“Considering the state of schools right now, many things that have been traditionally done are going to be reviewed, such as discipline and absence policies,” Curley said. “So much is changing and it’s the right time for us to change as well.”

Local restaurants announce closing

Barclay’s in Oak Park, Heritage in Forest Park will not re-open

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Both Oak Park and Forest Park have lost notable restaurants in recent weeks.

Barclay’s American Grille, 1120 Pleasant St., closed quietly in early July. Located in the Carleton Hotel in Oak Park, the restaurant was known for prime rib, burgers and steaks. A brief message on the restaurant’s website simply states, “CLOSED. It has been a pleasure to serve you since 2009.”

Wednesday Journal reached out to Carleton owner, Mike Fox, who said, “We are not ready to make a comment on this yet.”

Forest Park restaurant, The Heritage, 7403 Madison St, announced via social media it had permanently closed

on July 18 over safety concerns related to COVID-19.

“No one knows exactly what the future looks like for restaurants, but we believe that things won’t go back to normal for quite some time. Because of this, we have decided that we will not be reopening, and unfortunately will remain closed permanently,” said Heritage personnel on Facebook.

News of the closure came after the restaurant temporarily closed after suspending delivery and carry-out services on April 4. The Heritage assured followers they would reopen when they felt it was safe to do so, but three months later still did not feel comfortable inviting employees and guests back to the restaurant and opted to close their doors.

The farm-to-table establishment opened in 2016 and made a name for itself focusing on seasonal interpretations of American classics.

Forest Park Review has reached out to The Heritage owner, Jacob Dehart, for comment and is awaiting a response.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WHAT’S NEXT: Barclay’s American Grille, a mainstay at the Carleton Hotel on Pleasant Street since 2009, has closed. The hotel’s owner has delayed a statement on what might come next in a space which once housed Philander’s, Oak Park’s first upscale restaurant serving liquor.

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

First corn of the season reaches Farmers Market

‘Freshest sweet corn in Illinois’

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

After planting the sweet corn crop on April 22, the harvest is in full swing at R. Smits and Sons farm and fresh ears made their first appearance at the Oak Park Farmers Market last Saturday. Marketgoers found Smits’ sweet corn in a red trailer at the market and ears will cost seven dollars per dozen. Corn season runs through early October.

Smits, whose family farm has been part of the Oak Park Farmers Market since 1976, grows non-GMO “sugary enhanced” corn known for being tender and sweet. The type is also prized for slowly converting sugar to starch after, which after picking helps it retain sweetness for several days after harvesting.

“Our corn is unique because it is picked the same day that we sell it,” said Farmer John Smits. “My brother picks it at 5 a.m. on Saturday mornings before we haul it to Oak Park.”

The 1,200 ears (30 bushels) which Smits brought Saturday sold out quickly. “He will bring more corn next week. Nichols (Farm and Orchard) had lovely corn, too,” said Colleen McNichols, market manager.

In years past, shoppers have been known to make quite a mess by inspecting every ear of corn before purchase, but COVID-19 related modifications have made the farmers market a touch-free experience this season. Smits has increased staff to help shoppers select their corn. Staff will feel each ear to make sure kernels feel full and reach the end of cob before bagging them for customers.

“I have never had a bad ear of corn from Smits’ farm,” said McNichols. “I’ve never shucked any before buying. I just grab a big arm load and it is perfect every time.”

The Shawnash Institute has partnered with R. Smits and Sons to purchase bushels of corn at a wholesale price and deliver it to several Oak Park organizations including Beyond Hunger and New Moms. Shawnash has a mission to “connect those in need with healthy food” and it has a history of fundraising for LINK coupons used at the market.

LINK and SNAP benefits are accepted at the market and will now be accepted for online pre-orders through the What’s Good app.

McNichols was quick to remind market shoppers to wear sun hats and carry umbrellas to combat the sweltering heat this summer. She encourages shoppers to bring a wagon or

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

AS CORNY AS KANSAS IN AUGUST: Foot traffic divided under the viaduct to prevent a sweet corn bottleneck at Oak Park Farmers Market. cart to haul heavy corn.

“I wait for this day all year,” said McNichols. “I am excited. People all over Oak Park will have access to the freshest sweet corn in Illinois.”

Market Ready Recipe: Mel’s Grilled Corn on the Cob 1. Peel back the corn husks, remove silks, but leave husks in-tact attached.

Masks, stress and the farmers market One Farmers Market goer witnessed a verbal altercation over masks near the market on Saturday. Oak Park resident, Amy Merrick said via Twitter: “Well, a giant argument about wearing masks outside the Oak Park Farmers Market just reminded me what a huge amount of stress everyone is under. Try to be kind to each other.”

Commenting on her own post Merrick went on to say she didn’t see how the incident started and appeared to be about more than masks, but said two men “both were so worked up that when they surrounded me and my dog, I couldn’t really figure out what had happened.”

Wednesday Journal followed up with Merrick who added insight via email.

“The older man claimed that the younger one was a ‘menace’ and a ‘danger to society’ for not wearing a mask. The younger man said he had been wearing

a mask at the market, but he took it off once he left,” wrote Merrick. “They were both so angry that they then started yelling at me to take their side. I tried to say that everyone is under a lot of stress and maybe they could let it go.”

Merrick’s dog quietly ate grass the entire time.

Colleen McNichols, market manager, was unaware of the incident as it did not take place in the market or involve market volunteers or staff.

“We are fortunate to be guided by the village’s Public Health Department. Not many markets have that kind of expertise to establish safety standards,” said McNichols.

“We give free masks to those who forgot theirs.”

McNichols went on to remind people wearing a mask guarantees access to the “freshest sweet corn in the state.”

Melissa Elsmo

2. Pull the husks back over the corn cob and secure at the top by tying with a strip of husk or a piece of string.

3. Plunge the prepped corn cobs into a pot of water and allow them to sit, submerged for 30 minutes. Don’t skip this step; wet husks protect the delicate kernels during cooking.

4. Meanwhile prepare a medium hot grill. I use a charcoal grill and prefer to prepare an indirect fire to grill corn, but corn can be cooked over a gas grill as well.

5. Shake excess water from cobs and place over the coals.

6. Cover the grill and cook for about 25 minutes, turning the corn turning frequently until charred, but not scorched on the outside. If corn is cooking too fast move it to a cooler section of the grill.

7. Allow corn to cool slightly, peel back the husks and serve.

Once you have cooked corn in the husk the serving possibilities are simply endless! Enjoy hot corn with a little butter, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, slather it with some basil pesto, or try the indulgent elote inspired topping below.

Evoking the Elote If you’d like to mimic the flavors of Mexican corn served from carts across Chicago give this quick recipe a try!

■ 4-6 ears of grilled corn on the cob ■ 3 Tablespoons butter, melted ■ ¼ Cup mayonnaise ■ 3 Tablespoons Cotija cheese ■ Ancho chili powder, chopped cilantro and lime wedges Brush the hot grilled corn with melted butter and spread with the mayonnaise. Sprinkle with Cotija cheese and garnish with ancho chili powder, cilantro and a squeeze of lime.

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

C R I M E

Churches’ Black Lives Matter banners stolen, damaged

Black Lives Matter banners have become targets for vandals and thieves as two Oak Park churches have had theirs slashed and another church’s banner stolen. Between 6 p.m., July 13 and 8 a.m., July 14, someone stole the 8-by-4-foot Black Lives Matter banner outside Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St. A few days prior, First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave., had its Black Lives Matter banner damaged; the vinyl banner was slashed sometime between 5 p.m., July 10 and 2 p.m., July 11.

Early on July 12, large cuts were also visible in the “Black Lives Matter to God and Us” banner hanging outside of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, 545 S. East Ave., but church officials decided not to file a police report for the damage. According to Rev. Eric Biddy of St. Christopher’s, the church’s banner is about 6 feet tall and the slash about 3 feet in length.

“We’ve repaired it and we’re working on getting it back up,” said Biddy.

Should St. Christopher’s see further vandalism done to its banner, Biddy said the church would put the banner back up “every time.”

“It’s a message that matters to us, that comes out of our deepest held beliefs of who God is and the kind of world God is inviting

us to help build,” said Biddy. “We’re not going to be deterred from trying to stand up for that message.”

For those who have vandalized Black Lives Matter banners and displays, Biddy invites them to give him a call.

“I’d be happy to talk to them and try to invite them into a deeper life than the one they are currently living,” he said. “There are better ways to live.”

cation and numerous credit cards from an unlocked vehicle in the 1000 block of North Lombard Avenue between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., July 15. The estimated loss is $400.

Motor vehicle theft

A masked man exited the passenger side of a white Ford Fusion, showed a black handgun, and demanded money from a male victim, who handed over $100 in cash at 10:21 p.m., July 16, in the 1000 block of Baldwin Lane.

The offender was last seen traveling westbound on Madison Street in the vehicle driven by an unknown person. Police describe the offender as being black, 6-feet to 6-feet-2 and 250 to 300 pounds. He was last seen wearing a red ski mask with the eyes cut out.

■ An unattended tan 2007 Toyota Corolla was taken from the 200 block of Harrison Street at 9:15 p.m.; Chicago police recovered the vehicle in the 2400 block of East 78th Street at 4:34 a.m., July 14 and made two apprehensions.

■ The white 2010 BMW reported stolen on July 11 from the 600 block of Forest Avenue was recovered by Danville police at 1 a.m., July 16, in the 1100 block of North Collett Street in Danville; police made one apprehension.

■ The red Ford Fusion reported stolen July 11 from the 800 block of North Austin Boulevard was recovered with two tires missing by the Cook County Sheriff Department at 6:10 p.m., July 16, in the 400 block of East 16th Street, Chicago Heights.

Burglary

Theft

Someone removed a black leather Kate Spade purse with a gold chain and a black leather Coach wallet containing identifi-

■ Someone went into a United Delivery Service truck while the driver was making a delivery and removed a package contain-

Armed robbery

ing ground coffee at 11:45 a.m., July 13 in the 1000 block of Pleasant Place. The estimated loss is $60.

■ A man wearing a yellow traffic vest was seen taking an unsecured men’s blue and white mountain bike from a bike rack in the 200 block of South Marion Street at 3:47 p.m., July 13. Estimated loss is $150.

■ Two high school-aged boys were seen removing a teal women’s bicycle from a yard in the 600 block of South Lombard Avenue at 7:37 p.m., July 13. Police describe one of the boys as “skinny” and the other as “husky.” Estimated loss is $120.

Criminal damage to property ■ Someone broke the front window of a building in the 6800 block of North Avenue between 6 p.m., July 10 and 6 a.m., July 13.

Estimated damage is unknown.

■ Someone used a sharp object to make two long scratches along the side of a vehicle parked in the 400 block of South Maple Avenue at 1:42 p.m., July 15. The estimated loss is $1,000.

■ The driver’s side window of a vehicle was damaged at 3:51 a.m., July 16 in the 400 block of South Humphrey Avenue. Estimated damage is $100.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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15

Homes

Park district goes passive Renovated Carroll Center marries history with state-ofthe-art energy efficiency

By LACEY SIKORA

W

Contributing Reporter

hen the Park District of Oak Park decided to tackle a muchneeded expansion of the Carroll Center, 1125 S. Kenilworth Ave., officials decided to think outside of the box. Way outside.

They brought on local architect Tom Bassett-Dilley for a basic addition, but with the urging of their board and the help of a significant grant, the basic addition morphed into a one-of-a-kind passive energy addition and retrofit of the existing building.

Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning for the park district, notes that the project was driven by a growing need for childcare.

“We’ve seen a large growth of children, particularly in south Oak Park,” Lindgren said. “After-school care has been a big need.

We’ve filled every site we have.”

Lindgren says that rather than decommissioning Carroll Center, a move that at one point was seen as the best answer for the aging structure, the park district decided to expand it to help tackle the growing community need.

The original Carroll Center, which was designed by noted architect John Van Bergen and dates to the 1920s, had been the recipient of a few additions over the years and was in need of updates.

“We went to build an addition but we didn’t have a lot of money,” Lindgren said.

“It was basically going to be a box. We went to Tom [Bassett-Dilley] because he can make a box look great.”

Before the project got underway, a park district board member asked what it would take to make the addition sustainable and See CARROLL CENTER on page 17

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GREEN GUYS: Architect Tom Bassett-Dilley, left, and Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning for the Park District of Oak Park, stand in front of the rain garden at the Carroll Center in Oak Park.

16

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

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ELEGANT CRAFTSMANSHIP can be found throughout this 5 BR French Normandy home. Sophistication is evident from the moment you walk in the door. Impressive foyer, formal LR with fireplace and built-in benches, family room, separate formal DR, updated kitchen, home office. ........................................ $1,100,000

MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE HOME offers 5 BR’s/2BA’s, 2 story LR with WBFP, beamed ceiling, French doors, and original 1920’s terra cotta tiled floor. Dramatic staircase leads upstairs.

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LOVELY BRICK HOME offers wonderful space with beautiful views of the spectacular lot! Original details with two story foyer and hardwood floors throughout. This elegant home is beautifully constructed and large enough to accommodate family and friends for years to come.............................................................. $1,299,000

CONTEMPORARY HOME with 3 BRs, 3-1/2 BAs. 1st floor features include expansive foyer, unique bamboo flrs, multi-faced gas fireplace, office, updated kitchen & fam rm. 2nd FL includes a laundry and office/ or nursery. Finished bsmnt. In-ground pool. Great updates.... $789,000 LOVELY SPLITLEVEL HOME offers newly refreshed contemporary style and wonderful space. Home offers three bedrooms, three brand new bathrooms, beautiful front entryway, vaulted ceiling family room, sunroom, game room, deck, spectacular backyard, attached two-car garage...............................................................................$609,000 STUCCO BUNGALOW located in central RF. Move-in ready home offers 4 BRs, 2 full BAs and retains its vintage detail such as hdwd floors, beamed ceiling, and original woodwork while offering a modern and contemporary feel. First floor living and finished basement. .. $549,000

BEAUTIFUL SIDE ENTRANCE COLONIAL with 4 BRs, 2 full & 1 half baths, spacious center family room, cooks’ kitchen with mud rm, gas fireplace, built-in shelving & art glass windows. Beautiful wdwrk & hdwd flrs. Finished LL. Front & back heated walkway............. $639,000 CLASSIC OAK PARK HOME on large corner lot in Harrison Arts district. Four BR, three BA boasts four levels of living space. Tall ceilings, hdwd flrs, vintage leaded glass windows, updated kitchen with breakfast bar. Finished 3rd floor, newly finished basement. ... $549,000 CLASSIC CHARACTER & VINTAGE CHARM are found throughout this 3BR/2.5BA side entrance Dutch Colonial home in Historic Oak Park. Expansive LR with crown moldings, fireplace with built-in bookshelves, hardwood floors, first fl den/office, eat-in kitchen.

Finished rec room in bsmt. ...........................................................$525,000 BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED 3 BR American Four Square located in the heart of the Arts District! Vintage arched entryways, hdwd flooring, art glass windows, sunroom, kit/breakfast rm combo, mud room, refinished backyard deck, fenced yard and two-car garage. ..$420,900 CLASSIC AMERICAN 4 SQUARE offers a sunroom, art glass windows, built-in bookshelves that surround a decorative fireplace, beamed ceilings and built-in hutch in DR, kitchen with breakfast bar and family room, hardwood floors on both levels. Come make this home your own! ................................................................................$347,00

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

17

CARROLL CENTER Net-zero project from page 15 put in a geothermal heating and cooling system.

After meeting with Bassett-Dilley, the board was inspired to explore Passive House certification, a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in any building, not just homes, which reduces the building’s ecological footprint and results in ultra-low energy use.

Passive House construction is something Bassett-Dilley and his team are well acquainted with, having designed award-winning passive energy homes and buildings throughout the Midwest, including the park district’s Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center.

In general, Passive House methods don’t come cheaply, but Bassett-Dilley was able to point the park district towards the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation’s Zero Energy Grant process. The grant covered over $570,000 of the roughly $1.7 million total cost of the project.

“If you can get to net-zero, you can get a lot of costs covered,” said Bassett-Dilley, who has seven certified Passive House projects and more that are pre-certified. “You have to demonstrate that the project is net-zero, and you have to get third party certification. One of those certifications is Passive House, and I’ve done a lot of those.”

He says that while having the new addition meet Passive House standards was all in a day’s work, the trick was bringing the old parts of the building up to the strict energy-efficiency standards as well.

The older parts of the building were cracked and not insulated, so making the building air-tight and insulated came first, followed by an energy-efficient air-handling system,

lighting and appliances.

In a first for Bassett-Dilley’s firm, at the park district’s request they agreed to be the construction manager on the project. Timothy Eberline, a project manager with Tom Bassett-Dilley Architecture (TBDA), managed the project, and Lindgren, who has experience as a general contractor was

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

SUSTAINABLE: Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning for the Park District of Oak Park (above), points out some elements of the new green-energy physical plant in the basement of the Carroll Center. Meanwhile, signage (top) near the entrance of Carroll Center informs visitors about the building’s energy-efficient design principles and features.

able to aid in the construction process.

The finished addition includes a room with a movable partition that can be divided into two rooms for morning daycare needs and then opened up to become a larger space for after-school groups.

Bassett-Dilley, says the project has been garnering a lot of attention both nationally and internationally, primarily because of the retrofit of the almost 100-year-old building.

It is the first Passive House Source Zero renovation project in Illinois and one of only a handful of zero-energy public buildings in the state.

Amy Henderson of TBDA points out that during current pandemic, the clean air standards of Passive House building can be a real positive (see tbdarchitects.com/2020/06/ covid-19-focus-on-homes.)

“We’ve been focusing on healthy indoor air quality for a long time,” Bassett-Dilley said. “Some of that is focused on healthier materials, and a good portion is the air quality the ventilation system requires. This is part of what’s on peoples’ minds as we look at going back into buildings together again. It’s no guarantee, but at least it’s a better situation.”

The Carroll Center project also includes an impressive solar array, which Bassett-Dilley says is part of the big picture in reducing a building’s carbon footprint. He credits new software that allowed his team to run an energy model during the design process, which helped maximize the efficiency before construction even began.

For Bassett-Dilley and his team, the project was a great way to combine two interests. “We love existing buildings and we know it’s incredibly important to keep them and renovate them when we can,” Bassett-Dilley said. “Tearing down a building and building new results in a huge carbon outflow. Retrofitting is incredibly important.”

His team is working on the retrofitting of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Oscar Balch House in Oak Park, and he says the challenge of adding geothermal and solar while maintaining the architectural integrity and the beauty of the home embodies the mission of his firm.

“It’s easy to just go into the energy side, the easy side, but it’s so important as architects to build buildings that people love, that fit their space,” Bassett-Dilley said. “Buildings shouldn’t just be efficient, they need to be loved.”

18

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

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This should be a layup

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nless the smoldering resentment of our increasingly incoherent president causes him to burst into the flame of spontaneous combustion like Mr. Krook in Dickens’ Bleak House, it looks like the country must endure another exhausting campaign and election.

Being an optimist, I feel pretty good about ending the rule of this Caligula wannabe. Of all the things President Trump has done wrong, he somehow managed to turn a public health issue into a political one. That error will result in the unnecessary loss of tens of thousands of lives, an economic loss of billions of dollars, and immeasurable physical and emotional pain and suffering. Long after the youngest of us are gone he will be unfondly remembered.

The way I see it, there are two possible scenarios whereby he could somehow get re-elected.

The first, less likely one, is that by some combination of voter suppression, Russian manipulation or other chicanery, Trump cheats and wins the election. The short response here is for the Democrats to make sure that doesn’t happen. Figure it out.

The Democrats are supposed to be the smart ones.

The second is that Joe Biden and the Democrats blow it by running a stupid campaign. Recall that this election is binary — either Biden or Trump. The single best thing every Democratic constituency can do is to vote, campaign and donate in support of Joe. Whether your passion is DACA, Me Too, the environment, BLM, income disparity, animal rights, women’s health, education — whatever, the best and fastest way to move the needle in your direction is to get Trump out.

I think Joe gets it. He needs to imitate the 21st-century version of a “front porch campaign” with judicious use of surrogates like the Obamas, Sanders and Warren. They should talk about jobs, infrastructure, police reform, tax the superrich, health care and the restoration of relationships with our allies. Biden needs to avoid being baited into side issues like safe spaces, Civil War monuments, free college reparations, defunding police — pretty much anything AOC is for.

By way of example, take those Civil War statues. Most Americans do not know or care who Jefferson Davis was.

Many cannot identify the decade or even century the Civil War was fought. Relatively few people on either side care passionately about these statues. Those on the far left do.

They find it therapeutic to pull them down because they don’t want to do the hard work necessary to effect more meaningful change. Those on the far right who feel passionately about the issue are likely Civil War re-enactors who enjoy not bathing for weeks at a time like the soldiers they emulate.

On the other hand, lots of voters care about the environment and health care and avoiding pandemics. Perfect is the enemy of good. Alas, good is the enemy of better.

Win the middle and win the election. Carrying Illinois, California and New York by larger margins than 2016 is not important. Carrying Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin is important.

Keep it simple. Joe is not Hillary. Trump is losing it. Keep the car on the road until November. This should be a layup.

JOHN

HUBBUCH

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

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Give people the benefit of the doubt p. 24

Not your grandfather’s Fenwick

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n Fenwick High School’s quest for constant improvement, its board of directors, administration, and faculty are listening intently to the disturbing experiences that some of our students of color have encountered in the past. We will be better for our present and future generations of Friars by ensuring that students of all races and backgrounds feel safe and nurtured, so that they may achieve their full potential and become empowered servant leaders who affect change within our country and world.

A Wednesday Journal editorial recently called for Fenwick to repent for its sins of past racism. The administration and faculty are embarking on this process, which the editorial also acknowledged. We continue to pray for our alumni and past students who were victims of such ill treatment. As I wrote to our 7,414 living alumni last month, it is easy to state that Fenwick stands firmly against institutional racism and that it will not be tolerated at our Catholic high school. It is more difficult, however, to live the tenets of the Gospel and the life of Jesus Christ, to personify the moral truth that Black and Brown lives matter. Yet this is what we are intent on doing.

The aforementioned article could be read to imply that Fenwick operates in a non-diverse vacuum, “more likely to draw students from Western Springs than the adjacent West Side.” It is important for us to highlight that, for the school year ended two months ago, our students came from 54 towns and 74 zip codes. The top nine cities represented in the Friars’ student population were:

FR. RICHARD

PEDDICORD. O.P. One View

City

Number of Students

Percentage of Student Body

Chicago

185

16.3%

Oak Park

103

9.1%

Elmhurst

91

8.0%

Western Springs

89

7.9%

River Forest

87

7.7%

Berwyn

74

6.5%

Riverside

73

6.4%

Elmwood Park

59

5.2%

Hinsdale

55

4.9%

Another noteworthy statistic, one that casual observers of the Fenwick Friars often do not realize, is nearly 30 percent of our students are young people of color.

The ethnic/racial breakdown was as follows for the 2019-20 academic year: ■ 17% (193 Fenwick students) were Hispanic ■ 5.5% (62 Fenwick students) were Black.

FILE

3.5% (40 Fenwick students) were Multiracial.

■ 1.7% (19 Fenwick students) were Asian.

Our board’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is in the process of establishing a formal charter. The aptly named DEI Committee (dei, the genitive of Deus, means “of God” in Latin) is charged with addressing racial/cultural and justice/equity issues around six key areas: ■ Cultural Inclusion and Sensitivity Training ■ Policy and Governing Practices ■ Curriculum ■ Student, Faculty, Staff Recruitment ■ Admissions and Financial Aid ■ Community Service The DEI Committee’s work will take some time, but Fenwick commits to the following right now: 1. A school-wide cultural sensitivity and inclusion training program for all students, faculty, staff, administration and the board will be implemented in the 2020-21 school year. Note: The board of directors has already scheduled cultural inclusion and sensitivity training for itself and a member of the DEI Committee is researching options for school-wide training.

2. Multidisciplinary curriculum changes to include a greater diversity of perspective and multicultural pedagogy. Note: A multiyear, multidisciplinary curriculum change has been announced to begin in the 2021-22 school year.

3. Fenwick will re-double its efforts to raise scholarship funds for underserved students. Note: Fenwick just formalized another scholarship fund for students matriculating to Fenwick from under-represented elementary schools.

Read more about Fenwick’s newly formed DEI Committee: www.fenwickfriars.com/about/diversity-equityinclusion.

Rev. Richard Peddicord, O.P., is entering his ninth year as president of Fenwick High School.

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

O U R

V I E W S

Oak Park’s equity effort

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t took way too long, at least two years too long, but Monday night Oak Park’s village board approved hiring a third party to provide equity training for its staff. Of course there was dissension among board members and the final vote was 5-2 in favor of choosing the National League of Cities to implement its Race, Equity and Leadership (REAL) program in Oak Park.

Critics, including Trustees Arti Walker Peddakotla and Susan Buchanan and some members of the Community Relations Commission, said more input should have been sought from the commission.

They favored hiring the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) to do the training. However, while Oak Park became a member of GARE early this year, it did not submit a proposal, allegedly because its services are overtaxed as other communities have begun to focus on equity.

Again, an indication that Oak Park’s village government has been far too slow in bringing legitimate equity thinking into its day’s work.

That said, let’s move ahead. Hiring a single consultant for a specified batch of training is just one component of what will need to be a much more inclusive reordering of village priorities related to race and equity.

Perhaps the REAL program will be strong. Perhaps its interconnection with municipal governance will be a bold stroke.

The genuine question is, “What else is Oak Park’s village government doing to lead on equity?” What is the plan to affirmatively tackle police reform, especially as it relates to transparency in discipline issues and expansion of citizen oversight of police?

We’re waiting with impatience to see leadership on that issue.

Meanwhile, let’s enter this overdue equity training with an open mind and determined expectations to do better.

Trinity’s self assessment

Trinity High School is taking on issues of racism and equity within the River Forest school. They are searching for a new human resources staff member who will focus on its woeful lack of staff diversity, on training staff in teaching strategies reflecting the highly diverse student body. Additionally, the school has announced it will actively survey students, alumnae and parents on issues of racism and the school climate. Trinity is also working to upend its traditional discipline system and, in its place, focus on a Restorative Justice approach.

That’s a lot, and certainly is an indication of how our nation has begun a long-overdue reckoning that systemic racism is pervasive and built into the structures of all institutions, including the allgirls Catholic high school in River Forest.

Trinity will benefit from the remaking of its administration over the past year. A new president, principal, dean of students and two new vice presidents are already in place. Having new and more critical eyes on the immediate and long-term challenges will speed the possibility of genuine culture change.

Good for Trinity.

2021 campaign already underway Ten months out from village elections in River Forest and already there are two declared candidates for village president.

We report today that Cathy Adduci has announced her plan to run for a third term as president, citing her accomplishments and the unsettled circumstances of life in 2020 as reasons for steady continued leadership.

Almost simultaneously, Patty Henek, elected a village trustee two years ago, announced her run for village president. She argues for more open decision-making processes, more opportunities for citizens to be heard and more robust debate at the board table.

This will be an interesting and, we expect, an intense campaign, even within the confines of running for office in a pandemic.

V I E W P O I N T S

Hitting the road in search of a country To help fill the vacation travel vacuum created by the virus, which has forced most of us to stay close to home this summer, I’m offering a second travelogue, this one from 2005 (with some revision): esponding to an acute sense of loss, I designed this year’s vacation trip as a search for America’s fading ideals.

My son and I drove 2,500 miles in nine days — a giant triangle, southeast by northeast by due west — an all-American road trip, national treasure hunt, hoping to find enough to replenish my waning national pride.

I am not proud of what this country has become in the last 25 years. Wealth and power have corrupted us. We now tolerate torture. We have become an overfed, mentally lazy group of passive consumers and lousy citizens, too willing to be led by — and vote for — unscrupulous people who don’t have our best interests at heart. We have the most powerful military, but it hasn’t made us feel safer. We have amassed great wealth (well, a few have), but it hasn’t made us happier.

So I was looking for any evidence of the American ideals I cherish — democracy, justice, equality, respect for civil liberties, opportunity — any echo, anything to hang onto.

We made straight for the Great Smoky Mountains because you can still find a residue of innocence in our national parks. To get there, we had to run the gauntlet of Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a tacky, depressing reminder of our cultural mediocrity. The mountains, however, were a tonic and on the other side, we drove through the Cherokee reservation, testament to the endurance of our native peoples despite their dependency — and ours — on gambling.

We drove a segment of the Blue Ridge Parkway, itself a national park, as lovely a road as this country boasts, built by the WPA during the Depression, testament to the enormous people power we could harness if we ever find our focus again.

We headed up I-81, marveling at the beauty of Ladybird Johnson’s wonderful interstate wildflower program, which is particularly vibrant in Virginia.

We visited old college friends who have built a good life in the beautiful Shenandoah River valley, immortalized in one of my favorite traditional American folk ballads, “Shenandoah,” about the deep nostalgia felt by a native Virginian as he crosses “the wide Missouri” to join the great westward expansion, likely never to return.

We visited the McLean House in Appomattox Courthouse (the town’s formal name) and stood in the room where the Civil War officially ended (though “The War Between the States” as they call it in the South, continues on in many hearts and minds). At the time, the armistice re-cemented the Union (glued it anyway)

R

forging for the first time in our history something resembling a national consciousness — though not a national consensus. We have always been a divided country, it seems, even after Sept. 11.

Continuing north to Gettysburg in Pennsylvania, we arrived too late in the day for a tour, but decided to take the drive that circles this historic site. We pulled over at one point, walked a short distance, and found ourselves on Little Round Top, famous for a critical engagement in the three-day battle in 1863 that marked a turning point in the Civil War. Little Round Top affords a commanding view of the entire battlefield, an eerie but beautiful sight to behold alone at dusk.

Dylan and I had watched the 1993 film, Gettysburg, so we were familiar with this overlook’s role in tipping the battle in favor of the Union forces.

We could not have asked for a better way to be introduced to a site that has been sanctified in our collective consciousness — not by some romantic notion of war, but by the sheer number of casualties (51,000), sacrificed on these fields for causes each side deeply believed in.

If only we could all accept the outcome and come together to create that more perfect union where every human being is created — and treated — equal.

Gettysburg, of course, is also the site of the most eloquent words ever spoken about our nation, Abraham Lincoln noting this war was “testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.” The testing continues.

And so did we — north to Cooperstown, New York, for the Hall of Fame and a celebration of baseball, one of the few unifying influences stitching together our fragmented national consciousness, not to mention father-son relationships. As James Earl Jones testifies in Field of Dreams, a favorite among the films my son and I have watched together, “Baseball has been the constant.” That it has. Civil War soldiers on both sides played it in their camps between battles. Just as the war nationalized the American people, it also nationalized baseball.

“People will come,” Jones said of that field in northeast Iowa, “for it’s money they have, but peace they lack.” He was right. Dylan and I, several years earlier, visited the site where the movie was filmed, and we played there in dreamy contentment. People did come.

On the drive home, we also stopped at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, which all Bears fans should visit since George Halas’ Midway Monsters were to football what the Damn Yankees were to baseball.

Our Great American Trip drove home the fact that the so-called “United” States still lacks a strong sense of national identity. But on the road we learned that, if you go looking, the country is still out there.

Waiting to be rediscovered — and reclaimed.

KEN

TRAINOR

Plenty of ‘clamor’ for in-school classes In your editorial on July 15 [Schools split on reopening, Our Views, Viewpoints] you mentioned “The only clamor we don’t hear locally is from parents or teachers who want full-time, in-school classes restored.”

It might be your opinion, or the opinion of the WJ, that there is nobody clamoring for full-time, in-school classes, but you are either blind or willfully ignorant of true desires of this community. Informal surveys on Facebook in different groups are showing 70-80

percent of people want a five-day in-person option this fall. Even your own reporting of District 97’s parent survey said 71 percent of folks are comfortable sending their kids back to school full-time.

Stating that you don’t see/hear something doesn’t make it true, and it’s dangerous to put forth statements like that, even in your opinion section.

Matthew Arata Oak Park

V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N

by Marc Stopeck

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Linda Francis Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls

I

Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck

If it’s to be, it’s up to you and me

was born on Jan. 9, 1928, the first year of the Great Depression. Herbert Hoover was running for his second term right after the Depression started. My grandfather, Patty Farley heard that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was going to run for president of the United States against him.

He listened to FDR and soon realized that he was calling for a revolution in our government.

At age 4, he took me out with him and since he couldn’t climb up the stairs, gave me the information on FDR to put between the doors and he would always say to me, “in between the doors, me boy, so it wouldn’t fly away.” So we went about 10 blocks and he said, “OK, that will do it.” And FDR won. My grandfather said, “You see me boy, we got Franklin elected — if it’s to be, it’s up to you and me.”

In the first four years FDR called for many changes.

And quite a few happened; change was a-coming. Four years later, I was 8 years old and he said, “Now me boy, you’ve got stronger legs. And the Republicans are telling all kinds of lies about FDR. I will walk with you and we will do a whole precinct.” Which we did. FDR was elected once again. And wouldn’t you know it,

Grandpa said, “You see me boy, we did it again — we got Franklin elected. If it’s to be, it’s up to you and me.”

In 1944, FDR ran again. My grandfather came down with cancer and could not walk the streets. He said, “Now you’re 12 years old; you’ve got strong legs. Here are enough pamphlets for you to do two precincts. And remember, me boy, put them in between the doors so they don’t blow away.” Franklin won again. My grandfather hugged me, and said once more, “You and I did it again. And always, always remember. If it’s to be, it’s up to you and me.”

Now for everyone reading this, we have one of the most important elections in the history of our country coming up in November. Do not listen to the pollsters who say Trump is way behind because he and his companions are going to pull as many dirty tricks as they can. Assume we’re starting off with a tie. Get out there, knock on the door, pass the literature, talk to everyone you know, particularly in the states that are close, and believe this: If it’s to be it’s up to you and me.

Douglas J. Wyman of Oak Park is 92 years old and still believes his grandfather.

DOUG WYMAN

Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

One View

Just wait for the green light I think someone needs to propose a change to the River Forest Board of Trustees. Make the North Avenue and Harlem intersection a No Turn on Red intersection. I have seen the photos of friends who got ticketed.

They are not going against any traffic. So since they didn’t stop the time that the camera wants before turn-

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

ing, they get to fill the money chest of River Forest.

I am following my friends’ lead and not turning right on red. Let the people behind me honk all they want.

I’m waiting for the green light.

Michael Papierniak Oak Park

‘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)

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708 613 3300

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

Give people the benefit of the doubt

Forget ‘income,’ we need a ‘wealth’ tax I am a great admirer of the League of Women Voters. I am not an admirer of their argument (or any other argument I have seen) for a graduated state income tax. The arguments, including the League’s, conflate income with wealth.

“Income” for tax purposes is a technical, complicated, non-intuitive concept.

“Income,” as defined for Illinois income tax purposes, is not a proxy for or even a halfway decent measure of wealth. It is possible to have large “income” and little wealth. It is possible (as any well-situated retiree can attest) to have large wealth and little “income.” Illinois doesn’t tax pensions, 401Ks, Social Security, IRAs, etc.

If the goal is for “the wealthy” to pay more, the appropriate mechanism is a wealth tax, not an income tax. Real estate taxes are the closest analogue to a wealth tax in our Illinois system. So in my view we should be discussing graduated-rate real estate taxes with the excess over the basic flat rate being remitted to the state.

Graduated income taxes are destined to evolve into a surtax on middle-class wageearners, not on the wealthy. The truly wealthy are not wage-slaves; they can and will aggressively manage their income

taxes, as a consequence of which graduated income taxes will fail to produce the projected receipts and will inevitably be extended to middle-income wage-earners.

But the wealthy cannot control the value of their McMansions and CastleCondos except by relocating to cheaper digs or removing the toilets.

Here’s a simple thought experiment: Who will campaign vociferously against graduated income taxes? Earners of high wages, as should every about-to-be-plucked middle-income wage earner. The Pritzkers of the world won’t object much to graduated income taxes because they can largely avoid the impact. But they would go nuclear in opposition to graduated real estate taxes.

Yes, we need constitutional amendments, but not for income taxes mislabeled as wealth taxes. We need one amendment for graduated-rate real estate taxes, if the goal is for “the wealthy” to pay more, and another to tax (to the extent federal law allows) retirement income, in order to give a more rational meaning to the concept of “income.”

Bob Stigger

Oak Park

Fair Tax doesn’t help middle-income taxpayers The recent Fair Tax op-ed from the League of Women Voters stated, “The fair tax will mean ending the injustice of having the highest-income earners pay about 7 percent of their income in state and local taxes while the lowest- and the middle-income earners pay a rate twice as high, up to 14 percent.” Unfortunately, this is a misrepresentation of the facts and requires more explanation.

These percentages come from a study known as “Who Pays” by the progressive think tank ITEP. “Who Pays” provides a breakdown of the overall tax burden by tax bracket for each state using three components: income, property, and sales taxes. It then adds these percentages together and ranks the states by the perceived progressivity of their tax structure.

While Illinois’ lowest earners (anyone making below $21,800) do indeed pay an overall tax rate of 14.4%, state income tax comprises only a tiny portion of that total (1.5%). The overwhelming majority comes from property (6%) and sales (6.8%) taxes.

Even a significant income-tax reduction for these folks, which the Fair Tax does not offer, couldn’t move the needle much.

Property and sales tax are the main driv-

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ers of tax burden for the lowest earners in Illinois, not income tax. Since the Fair Tax does nothing to address either of these, low earners will continue to struggle under the Fair Tax. According to ITEP, Illinois has the third highest tax burden in the country for these low earners who comprise the lowest 20% of all taxpayers in the state. Even worse, Illinois has the second highest tax burden in the country for anyone earning between $21,800 and $109,500 (what ITEP calls the middle 60%). Again, the Fair Tax rate structure does little to nothing to address their overall tax burden. In other words, under the Fair Tax, the bottom 80% of all taxpayers will have one of the highest tax burdens in the country. The Fair Tax will own this.

Fixing Illinois’ finances is going to require more than lazy analysis and halftruth slogans. I encourage the LWV and other Fair Tax advocates to be more forthright in their communications. Voters deserve to know the facts about the Fair Tax, good and bad, so they can make an informed decision.

Nick Binotti Oak Park

“Appoint for yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every person with a scale weighted in their favor.”

That’s the most famous teaching of Joshua, son of Perachiah, co-president of the ancient Jewish “supreme court” called the Sanhedrin. Joshua emphasized the importance of having both authorities we can trust and peers we can confide in. And to everyone — teachers, friends, and strangers — always give the benefit of the doubt.

Assume their intentions are good and their reasons for not acting the way you think they should are legitimate.

I can’t think of a better lesson to help us navigate the local debate about schools “reopening” this fall. Discussions held in board rooms and living rooms and, particularly loudly, in social media spaces invoke a wide array of research, values, and emotions.

Healthy debate reflects both curiosity and

respect; but things turn sour when we forget to assume that our neighbors are wise, hardworking, and good.

Parents, teachers, and administrators all want what’s best. As priorities compete, reasonable people can disagree on how to balance them. Teacher safety, student health, childcare needs, public funds, and other factors influence these choices — and behind it all, a plague that has claimed untold lives and thrown the entire world into disarray.

We need not hold our tongues or stifle debate. But as we express ourselves and push for what we think is right, it is essential to remember to judge one another favorably, to extend the benefit of the doubt, and, ultimately, to seek partnership and collaboration in recovering from this crisis as a community.

Daniel Kirzane

Associate rabbi, Oak Park Temple

Now is the time to speak out It is interesting to see how other Chicagoland high schools are planning to reopen in the fall. Except for OPRF, it looks like other districts are prioritizing bringing students into the classroom in a limited/hybrid manner (for those parents who want that).

Importantly, these other schools’ approaches result in almost double the amount of minimum instruction time than in the current OPRF plan. I have reached out to the board and administration to learn from what these other districts are doing so we can make sure the equity gap does not grow and our Huskies receive the instructional time they need.

What will I march for? What will I fight

for? An education for our children. In a time when we are fighting for equity as a society, why are we taking actions that will increase the OPRF equity gap? Why in the progressive village of Oak Park are we being told we need to reduce our instruction time in half when our peer schools like Evanston are not?

Our Huskies need more than a minimum of 30 minutes of “live” instruction/class/ week. We are better than this, Oak Park.

Now is the time to raise our voices to the OPRF administration and demand they educate our children. If not us, who? If not now, when?

Lisa Reed

OPRF parent

City paper partners with OP-RF Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is pleased to announce that we will serve as the Chicago Reader’s fiscal sponsor as the newspaper goes through the process to become a full 501(c)3 nonprofit.

The Reader was founded in 1971 and publishes a biweekly newspaper serving the city and suburbs, as well as daily content online and on social media. The paper covers politics, culture, and produces in-depth investigations. It announced its transition to a nonprofit journalism model in 2019.

We are pleased to provide fiscal spon-

sorship for the Reader as it takes this important step to ensure its future. This relationship makes it possible for the newspaper to receive foundation grants for the important work its reporters and freelancers produce every day.

Independent journalism is a vital service to our local communities, and support of the Reader is a good fit with the foundation’s vision of a vibrant, sustainable and caring community.

Tony Martinez Jr.

President and CEO, OP-RF Community Foundation

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Gloria Garofalo, 76 Frank Lloyd Wright Trust stalwart

Gloria Jean Garofalo (nee Prochazka), 76, of Oak Park died on July 11, 2020. Born on Oct. 30, 1943, Gloria grew up in Westlake, Ohio before spending two years at Miami University and later becoming a stewardess in the 1960s for United Airlines in Chicago. There she met John, her husband of 54 years, and raised their family in John’s hometown of Oak Park. She was an assistant teacher at Emerson (now Gwendolyn Brooks) Junior High School in Oak Park and assistant GLORIA GAROFALO director of individual giving at Brookfield Zoo. With the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, she started as a volunteer but later acted as the tour center director, director of public programs, and eventually director of development before her retirement.

“I think she was probably one of the biggest cheerleaders Oak Park and the organization ever had,” said Joan Mercuri, former Wright Trust CEO and board member.

“She was always, always looking out for the volunteers and trying to make sure they had a good time,” said Jack Lesniak, architect and FLW founding board member. “She meant a lot to the volunteers.”

Gloria was an active member of the community, volunteering with the Whittier School PTO, Campfire Girls of Oak Park, president and secretary of the Oak Park Day Nursery Board, volunteer at the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and board member of the Ernest Hemingway Foundation. She was a longtime member of the women’s philanthropic group PEO. “She was a force to be reckoned with,” said J.T. Garofalo. “She was full of energy, very vivacious. Her life impacted a lot of people.”

Gloria Garofalo was the wife of John R. Garofalo; the mother of Christine (Eric) Lussow and J.T. (Arthur Thompson) Garofalo; grandma of Tyler and Cade Lussow; sister of Gus (Joanne) Prochazka; sister-in-law Ronald (Gerry), James (Sandi) and the late Mauro (Carol) Garofalo; and the aunt and great-aunt of many.

She will be greatly missed.

Services are private. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made online or by mail to the PEO Foundation (a program for continuing education) in memory of Gloria and her local Chapter BI/IL by visiting the PEO International website at: https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-pce.

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

Jane Johnson, 101 Queen of pie crusts and fun

Jane Christie Johnson, 101, died peacefully on July 14, 2020. Born on July 29, 1918, she almost made it to her 102nd birthday. She raised her children in Chicago and Oak Park. She volunteered at West Suburban Hospital and

O B I T U A R I E S was active as a den mother with the Cub Scouts and a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and served as treasurer of the Nineteenth Century Club. She started working at the Oak Park and River Forest High School switchboard and beJANE JOHNSON came secretary in the Dean’s Office.

Known for her baking, she taught many neighborhood children about baking cookies, cakes and pies. The “classes” were held in her kitchen where she was the queen of pie crusts.

A member of First United Methodist Church, she organized bake sales and the “Birthday Bash,” a monthly meal at a local restaurant celebrating each month’s birthdays. Her sparkle was infectious.

At Rotary, she write their newsletters as well as the “MMN — Mom’s Monthly Newsletter,” which included jokes and kept the family connected. For years she had college-age foreign students living in her Oak Park home while they took English classes, providing warm hospitality and support. She loved traveling with her husband on cruises and exploring Greece, Alaska, the Bahamas, Italy, Ireland, and Paris with friends, daughters, and grandchildren. She was the “Queen of Fun.” The week before she died, she wrote, “I’ve had a great life because of Dad and all my family. Thank you, one and all!”

Jane Johnson was the wife of Raymond A. Johnson; the mother of Alan (Martie McMane), Curt (Sharyn), Jan Kelley and Karen (Ali) Nimrouzi; the grandmother of Darrell (Maricel) Rikert, Sohrob Nimrouzi, Knowl Johnson (Shirley Tephly), Sahar (Jake) Hartsock, Ramine Nimrouzi; and great-grandmother to Auden Hartsock, Emory Rikert and Madden Hartsock. Jane was one of nine children of Axel and Ruby Anderson and all her siblings and their spouses predeceased her, as well as her husband and Curt. She has many nieces and nephews.

A private family gathering and service have been held. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Carey Kadlec, 71

State Tollway Authority supervisor Carey Kadlec, 71, a 67-year resident of Oak Park, died on July 13, 2020 with his family at his side.

He attended Lincoln School, and Oak Park and River Forest High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard a destroyer escort CAREY KADLEC which was fired upon from shore during the Vietnam War. Upon discharge he first worked as a pressman at the Chicago Sun-Times, then became a supervisor at the Illinois State Tollway Authority, from which he retired.

A lifelong, avid fan of the White Sox and Blackhawks, he enjoyed coaching Pony

League baseball with his brother, Randy.

Carey was the father of four sons, Brian, Tom (pre-deceased), Jeff, and Kyle. He leaves five grandchildren, and his wife, Patricia Anderson Kadlec.

A celebration of his life will be held when the coronavirus pandemic allows for normal social action.

Annette Miley, 74 Former director of Oak Leyden

Annette DeSpain Miley, 74, of Oak Park, died on June 19, 2020 at her home, surrounded by family after a twoyear battle with cancer. Born on April 29, 1946 in Burlington, Iowa to Ralph and Maxine (McClure) DeSpain, she graduated ANNETTE MILEY from New London High School in 1964 and from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1968. She served as director of Oak Leyden Developmental Services for intellectually disabled adults in Oak Park until 2001, then worked as assistant financial aid director for North Park University until her retirement in 2018.

Annette was preceded in death by her parents and one brother-in-law, Gerald Hopson.

She is survived by her two sons, Jeffrey Miley (Lauren Reeves) and Jason (Jessica) Miley, and one granddaughter, Cassandra, two sisters, Sonja Hopson and Rita (Charles) Smith, and seven nieces and nephews. A memorial will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday July 26 at Peterson-Bassi Chapels, 6938 W. North Ave. in Chicago. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Annette’s life.

Flowers and condolences may be sent to Peterson-Bassi for the service. In accordance with her wishes, memorials have been established for St. Jude, PAWS and the American Cancer Society.

Arthur Skwerski, 82 Bagpiper, writer and docent

Arthur Peter Skwerski, a 40-year resident of Oak Park, died peacefully on June 21, 2020 of complications resulting from Parkinson’s disease. Born on April 11, 1938, he was educated in the Fullerton and Central Avenue ARTHUR SKWERSKI neighborhood. After graduation from Weber High School, he entered Loyola University, and studied at Northwestern University and the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, graduating from the latter with a degree in marketing and advertising, and held a variety of industrial advertising and management jobs for the remainder of his working life. He served in the Army National Guard during the late 1960s.

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

25

Art Skwerski was a fun-loving and talented guy who for 21 years played the role of Herod in First Baptist’s outdoor live nativity diorama, “Journey to Bethlehem.” Among Art’s other talents, he was an award-winning bagpiper, a bagpipe instructor, a saxophonist, and a published short story writer. He served for 15 years as a docent with the Brookfield Zoo, and volunteered with the Animal Care League in Oak Park.

For 50 years, he was married to Jacquelyn Pledger Skwerski with whom he traveled the world. The couple had one son, Peter Kenneth, who died in 2008 at the age of 34. Art was the only child of the late Lottie and Arthur Edward Skwerski. He was preceded in death by numerous aunts and uncles.

A private family service has taken place. A celebration of life will take place at a later date at First Baptist Church of Oak Park.

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

Susan Terry, 74 Nurse

Susan L. Terry died on July 11, 2020 in Oak Park. Born on Jan. 26, 1946 in Aurora, she grew up on a farm in Batavia and earned her RN at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital (now Rush Medical Center). She went on SUSAN TERRY to earn her bachelor’s degree at Roosevelt University, worked at several Chicago area hospitals and retired from nursing in 2014.

She led an active life and was a positive person who worked to be part of the solution, whatever the problem. She had an exceptional gift for friendship and had an extensive network of friends. She maintained contact with her nursing school classmates for over 50 years, as well as friends at every place she worked and at church.

Sue married Leroy Klink in 1999. He was the love of her life and enriched her life in many ways, most especially making her a mom and grandmother. Together they enjoyed and brought happiness to their families, as well as their friends. They enjoyed traveling, going to plays, musicals, and concerts, and were always socializing with friends and family.

A person of deep faith, she was a servant and leader at Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church in Oak Park. She sang in the choir, served in various offices of the United Methodist Women, and pitched in wherever there was work that needed to be done.

Sue was preceded in death by her husband Leroy Klink and her parents, Homer and Gen Terry. She is survived by her brother, Dennis (Carol) Terry, her sister, Kathy (Dave) Abernathy, and nephews, Michael and Anthony; and Leroy’s children, Mike Klink, Steve (Jen) Klink (and their children, Audrey, Eleanor, and Natalie); and Sherri (Marty) Copeland (and their children, Andrew and Alex).

Services will be held at a future date at Euclid United Methodist Church, 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church or the charity of your choice.

26

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/ClassiďŹ ed/

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion.

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

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

HELP WANTED

River Forest Public Schools District 90 is seeking an Elementary School Special Education Teacher.

Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with Learning Behavior Specialist I Endorsement, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience in special education resource and instructional classrooms is preferred Job Duties: The teacher will be responsible for instructing students with multiple disabilities including: autism, communication disabilities, cognitive and physical disabilities within the least restrictive environment at the elementary level.

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.

Agile Software Developer sought by US Bank Nat’l Assoc in Chicago, IL to develop SW products in agile lifecycle. Req Bach in Comp Sci, Eng or rltd tech ďŹ eld & 5 yrs dev’ing & implmnt’ing appls. Must have 5 yrs w/ Java & Eclipse. 3 yrs w/ Selenium; Cucumber; TestNG; SOAP APIs or RESTful APIs; Jenkins; Unix; & VersionOne or Jira. 2 yrs w/ GIT & Oracle database.

Apply online www.usbank.com.

BETTY’S DAYCARE IS HIRING! We are looking for a qualiďŹ ed Assistant Director (also looking for qualiďŹ ed teachers and assistant teachers), must have a bachelor in Early Childhood Education. experience with Head Start is a plus. email resume to: bettydaycaremr.evans@hotmail. com or call 773-261-1433 Betty’s Daycare Academy Inc. 5725 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago Il. 60651 Director, Biz Planning w/ Mindshare USA LLC in Chicago, IL. Rprts to Group Dir-Biz Plnning & act as expt in the allctd clnt’s biz, w/ knwldge of strtgc goals, org strctre & cul. Bach in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 7 yrs post-bach exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Alt, Mast in ad, mrktng, info tech, or rel + 5 yrs exp in rel mrktng or techcl biz anlysis roles. Of totl, must hve 5 yrs: Usng Excel to crte pivot tbls, VLkups, adv frmulas, connctns to ex data surces & run data anlytcs. Adv data mning to cruch huge data sets in a mul-dmnsnal envron. Of totl, must hve 4 yrs: Mdia, or mrktng exp com w/ clnt accnts & mdia prtnrs on an ongng basis arund mdia & bizrel ques & req. Usng Stats Mdlng to buld modls & undrstnd the rltnshp btwn mdia invstmnts & biz outcmes such as sales. Buldng & usng Multivariate Rgrssn tchnqus to estblsh nexus btwn brnd’s advrtsng acrss dif media chnnls & its biz prfrmnce. Exp w/ Tableau or Sprtfre or Pwr BI to collct, splce, vsulze data from disparate data surces & envron. R, Python &/or SPSS to crnch mssve data sets. Of totl, must hve 3 yrs: Diz, buldng & intrprtng prdctve modls to frecst biz in the lng trm usng vrious hstrc data sets includng mrktng invstmnts, sales & equty. Scnrio Plnning to hlp crte dif wht-if scnrios for biz & infrm invstmnt decisns for c-lvl exec acrss clnts. QualiďŹ ed Applicants: Email resumes to hr.talent@mindshareworld.com & reference Director, Biz Planning

HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualiďŹ ed and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualiďŹ ed. Mon. thru Fri. working with Infants to 6 yrs old. Compensable salary negotiable based on experience.

Call 773-619-5545 or fax resume to 773-728-5437.

River Forest D90 has openings for Temporary Daytime Custodians starting August 25, 2020.

Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience.

For consideration, please send resume to Pam Jenkins, HR Specialist at jenkinsp@ district90.org.

SUBURBAN RENTALS OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223

ROOMS FOR RENT AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro.

Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up.

773-637-5957 Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofďŹ ces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiďŹ ; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays.

Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. *1116 sq. ft. suite *569 sq. ft. with patio RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. *926 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6597 North Ave. *598 sq. ft.

6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. *3 and 5 room suites Strand& & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CEMETERY PLOTS 2 WOODLAWN CEMETERY PLOTS (2) Side by side Woodlawn Cemetery plots. Birchwood Section Lot 415 Part 4 Graves 3&4 unit D. $4,000 for both, includes transfer fees. I will meet at Woodlawn for transfer of deeds. Contact: 847-858-7726

ITEMS FOR SALE BEDROOM SUITE Antique circa 1940’s bedroom suite.

Bed, nightstand, and attached mirros on dresser and vanity 630-961-5662

ITEMS FOR SALE

ESTATE SALES

BUILT-IN BUFFET Very old built-in buffet, golden brown. Leaded glass doors and sides. $150.00 obo.

708-488-8755

Chicago

CABINET AND HUTCH Beautiful ranch oak cabinet and hutch, bought at Marshall Field’s. $199.00 708-488-8755

Estate sale at Garage sale prices.

Furniture, games, books, artwork, decorations, electronics, audio and video goodies, blankets, linens, clothing and shoes, collectibles and curious. Come ďŹ nd a new treasure!

Cash Only. Bring someone to help with heavy items. Mask and Social Distancing measures followed.

CHINA 8 pc set. Edged w/ pink roses 630-961-5662

ESTATE SALE 5110 S OAK PARK AVE SAT 7/25 9AM TO 2PM EVERYTHING GOES!

COUCH AND CHAIRS 93 inch long couch, teal, grey and black print, with 2 reclining end seats. 2 additional matching reclining chairs.

630-961-5662 DINING ROOM SET Rectangular able w/ 1 leaf, felt table pads, plus 5 upholstered chairs.

630-961-5662 LENOX CHINA 5 piece place settings Lenox china, Tuxedo pattern WATERFORD GLASSES Colleen pattern, 2 water goblets, 2 wine glasses, 5 double old fashioned glasses IRISH CARDIGAN Men’s size large.

708-386-6160 SEWING MACHINE White. Like new, in enclosed wood cabinet.

630-961-5662 SIDE TABLES & LAMPS 2 side tables with attached lamps and storage in base. 2 glass bas lamps w/ gold scrolling. 2 white ceramic base lamps w/ gold ecks. With shades 630-961-5662

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park

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.

HOSPITAL BED We will deliver.

708-485-0929

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

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

CEMENT Residential Commercial Industrial Licensed Bonded Insured Free Estimates ¡ Veteran Owned

AIR CONDITIONING/ HEATING AIR CONDITIONING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Air Conditioning Automotive A/C Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Hot Water Heaters Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

Drives Walks Patios Stamped Concrete Curbs/Gutters Garage Floors Foundations Parking Lots Water Control

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

MAGANA

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

devegaconcrete.com ¡ 708-945-9001

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N

GARAGE DOORS

“QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION� ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL ˜ INDUSTRIAL ˜ RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720

Our 73rd Year

Garage Doors &

Smart Door Openers

Sales & Service

'5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7(

(708) 652-9415

FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

FLOORS

ELECTRICAL

New hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;ooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-ďŹ nishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

Free Estimates

www.forestdoor.com

KLIS FLOORING INC.

Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY

Ceiling Fans Installed

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 â&#x20AC;˘ Home Re-wiring â&#x20AC;˘ New Plugs & Switches Added â&#x20AC;˘ New circuit breaker boxes â&#x20AC;˘ Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp â&#x20AC;˘ Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â&#x20AC;˘ Bonded â&#x20AC;˘ Ins. â&#x20AC;˘ Low Rates â&#x20AC;˘ Free Est.

708-409-0988 â&#x20AC;˘ 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts â&#x20AC;˘ 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park â&#x20AC;˘ All surrounding suburbs â&#x20AC;˘ Chicago area

Attention! Home-improvement pros!

Reach the people making decisions - your target demographic.

Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Fans Installed â&#x20AC;˘ Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

HANDYMAN

PUBLIC NOTICES

Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

LANDSCAPING NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more.

Hand weed removal.

Clean-ups.

Call 24 hrs.

708-447-1762

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, August 14th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Police Department Firing Range Ventilation Improvements Proposal Number: 20-135 There will be a pre-bid meeting in the Police Dept. lobby in the lower level of Village Hall at 123 Madison St., Oak Park, IL 60302 on Thursday, July 30th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Bid forms may be obtained from the Public Works Customer Service Center by calling 708358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@ oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. M-F. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020

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

ROOFING

MIDWEST ROOFING All types of roofing repairs Commercial - Residential Call for free estimate

773-637-0692

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20003407 on July 17, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of AROB DESIGN with the business located at: 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B, FOREST PARK, IL 60130.. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ASAD ROBINSON 7445 ROOSEVELT RD. APT. 308-B FOREST PARK, IL 60130.

Published in Forest Park Review July 22, 29, August 5, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE Public Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park Draft Program Year (PY) 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development (Con Plan) and the Draft PY 2020 Action Plan both are available for public review and comment during business hours MondayFriday, effective July 23-July 27, 2020, at the Oak Park Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302; and on the Village Housing-Grants webpage. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

The purpose of the Draft Con Plan is to establish priorities and strategies for utilizing federal fund resources received by the Village for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2025.

The Draft PY 2020 Action Plan contains goals and objectives for implementing the Village’s Con Plan, as well as a description of proposed projects to be undertaken in PY 2020 as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program for the period October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021.

Any comments concerning the Draft Con Plan and Draft PY 2020 Action Plan can be submitted in writing to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at mdwyer@oak-park. us, including at the virtual Con Plan-Action Plan public hearing to be held from 3-5 p.m. on July 27, 2020; send an email to this address to attend the hearing.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 22, 2020

Starting a New Business in 2020?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad!

Publish your assumed name legal notice here Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

27

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS SUCCESSOR TO JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET MORTGAGE PRODUCTS, INC., MORTGAGE ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-RZ2 Plaintiff, -v.JINKY G. BARREDO A/K/A JINKY BARREDO, ALBERTO VELASCO Defendants 18 CH 06920 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD HILLSIDE, IL 60162 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 3, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1441 SOUTH WOLF ROAD, HILLSIDE, IL 60162 Property Index No. 15-20-112-0450000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identifi-

cation for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-18-05254 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 18 CH 06920 TJSC#: 40-1612 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 18 CH 06920 I3152553

of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 5, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-107-0090000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-04111 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 05533 TJSC#: 40-1758 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2019 CH 05533 I3152479

The real estate is improved with a yellow vinyl siding, one story single family home with a detached two car garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088 E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com Attorney File No. 268445 Attorney ARDC No. 61256 Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 19 CH 00561 TJSC#: 40-595 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 00561 I3152370

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION IL LENDING LLC, A FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY; Plaintiff, vs.

PALAJI BROTHERS & POLLAK INVESTMENTS, LLC, A FOREIGN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, AND ANY UNKNOWN OWNERS & NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14294 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-05-106-031-0000.

Commonly known as 6 LeMoyne Parkway, Oak Park, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Mr. Joseph R. Ziccardi at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Ziccardi Law Offices, 77 West Washington Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. (312) 372-3477.

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3152055 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST Plaintiff, -v.EDILBERTO V. VERZO, MARCELINA C. VERZO, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 05533 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, vs.

ELENA F. MARROQUIN A/K/A ELENA FIGUEROA INDIVIDUALLY AND AS GUARDIAN FOR CHRISTIAN MARROQUIN AND NICHOLAS MARROQUIN, JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., MARIELENA SANTANA INDIVIDUALLY AND AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE ESTATE OF RICCARDO A. MARROQUIN A/K/A RICCARDO MARROQUIN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants, 17 CH 954 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, August 3, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-420-011.

Commonly known as 425 S. EAST AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 17-00157 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3152051 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR FFMLT TRUST 2005-FF11, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005FF11 Plaintiff, -v.BRIAN HOLLOWAY Defendants 19 CH 00561 125 SOUTH LOMBARD AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on August 24, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 125 SOUTH LOMBARD AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-302-0150000

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Wednesday Journal, July 22, 2020

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