WednesdayJournal_072926 by Wednesday Journal

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

LemonAid marks 25 years with new direction

Sept. 11 event on River Forest block has raised $700,000 in 24 years

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Carl Olson has a long history with LemonAid – since his literal birth in gust 2001.

That was a few weeks before the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York. The residents on the 700 block of Bonnie Brae Place in Rive est wanted to do something – anything –to respond to the tragedy.

The next year, six f amilies launched LemonAid, a literal lemonade stand that raised $400 for He phzibah Chil dren’s Association.

It’s 2026 now, and over the last ter century, LemonAid has raised north of $700,000 for nonprofits and charitie primarily throughout the Oak Pa River Forest area. Olson has been ther for just about all of it. And ah, the memories.

“I remember it being way smaller than it is now,” Olson said. “It was completely different day of. It was more private, I felt like, and I guess my favorite memory is at the end, after the entire block put on a really great show for all the charities, we’d gather as a block and we would sit and all watch a movie and celebrate a good job.”

LemonAid organizers and representatives from local char ities take part in a happy hour meeting on July 23.

Most importantly, it was fun with a purpose that’s still paying dividends today, though this will be the last year in its present form. River Forest Township,

which has been involved for many years in the event, is providing stewardship so it can continue in the future – whether on the 700 block of Bonnie Brae or elsewhere in the community.

So in a way, it’s the end of an era, kicked of f by a July 23 happy hour at 727

Bonnie Brae, which invited block residents and re presentatives from nonprofits and charities that have benefitted financially over the years from LemonAid. This year’s event will be on Sept. 11, of

See LEMONAID on pa ge 16

Most PE spaces will be complete by Sept. 1

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

The new physical education wing in the southeast portion of Oak Park and River Forest High School will not be open when the new school year starts on Aug. 25, the school announced on July 27.

[D]ue to unavoidable circumstances — including weather delays and regional trade-labor shortages — completing the entire facility prior to the first day of school is no longer feasible,” Greg Johnson, OPRF superintendent, wrote in an email addressed to the OPRF community Monday. “While our construction firm has worked diligently to ramp up and resequence work, a phased opening has become necessary.”

Work began in the spring of 2025 on what is called Project 2. The project began with the demolition of the southeast corner of

See PROJECT 2 on pa ge 12

SYDNE Y LOVA N

River Forest Boy Scout dies at Michigan summer camp

By SYDNEY LOVAN Reporting Intern

A falling tree limb kills 11-year-old while hiking

A Boy Scout from River Forest died hiking at a Scouting America summer camp in Michigan on July 23.

The 11-year-old sustained severe injuries that became fatal after a falling tree limb hit him at the Owasippe Scout Reserva tion, according to the Muskegon County Sherif f’s Office as cited by multiple news sources.

It is reported that the sheriff’s office was notified just after 5 p.m. on Thursday responded to the incident with help from the Blue Lake Fire Department and other emergency responders.

At this time, a name has not been leased to the public, but a spokesperson for the family expressed their appreciation to the community for rallying around them.

“The family is grateful for the whelming support from the greater Oak Park-River Forest community and asks privacy at this difficult time as they grie the loss of a child,” wrote a person authorized to speak on behalf of the family to Wednesday Journal.

Scouting America, for merly Boy Scouts of America, Pathway to Adventure Council which serves youth across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana shared its condolences and details of the tragic incident in a statement on social media on Friday.

“The safety and well-being of every

youth and adult in our care remains our highest priority. Council leadership and Reservation staf f are working closely with the appropriate authorities and following established protocols,” the statement read.

“At this time, our focus remains on supporting the family, the unit, and everyone affected by this tragic loss. We will share

additional information as appropriate and when it becomes available.”

The organization reco gnized how this hard loss can impact children and adults, encouraging leaders to check on scouts and offer resources.

No one else was hurt, and authorities are still investigating the incident.

A er recent ICE deaths, Oak Park residents gather for vigil

Protest held at Scoville Park

By LILLIAN ALI and SYDNEY Reporting Interns

Oak Park residents recited protest anthems, and lit candles Friday night in honor of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Gurer ro, Texas and Maine who were shot and killed by Immigrations and Customs ment officers earlier this month.

“I know the community here [in Oak Park] is very active and ve about what is happening to our brothers and sisters,” said Maureen Meshenberg, who described herself as a “concerned neighbor” who helped organize Scoville Park, Lake Street at enue. “I knew the people would come.

Meshenberg said the vigil was part of a nationwide movement supported by the Disappeared in America campaign, which coordinates nonviolent action in support of immigrants’ rights. The vigil included a poetry reading from Meshenberg, perfor mances from Oak Park’s chapter of the national protest group Singing Resistance, speeches from various community leaders, and a moment of silence.

Maureen Meshenberg, organizer of the vigil, speaks to attendees.

Elizabeth, a member of the Singing Resistance who chose not to provide her last name for reasons of safety, told Wednesday Journal there was a “unifying effect to everybody singing the same song at the same time.” Elizabeth and the other

Protest signs condemn ICE and advocate for immi grant rights.

Singing Resistance members present at the vigil led attendees through call-andesponse protest anthems, such as one inolving the re petition of the phrase “you cannot erase them.”

Juan Munoz, an Oak Park township trustee, also spoke at the vigil. In addition to commemorating the deceased, Muñoz spoke about the impact ICE activity can have on an entire community. He referenced his own detainment by ICE last fall, when he was arrested while protesting outside the Broadview ICE facility.

“The trauma of what ICE is doing in our communities does not end when someone

is released. It does not end with a funeral. It lives in the families who are afraid,” Muñoz said in his speech. “For too many Latinos, our humanity is measured by our legal status.”

Betty Alzamora, a park district commissioner in Forest Park, spoke at the vigil. She has been volunteering and advocating for immigration-related issues for 30 years. Currently, she volunteers with PASO, or the West Suburban Action Project, which serves and supports immigrants in Chicago’s wester n suburbs.

“It is a sad and brutal reality that this is the world we have come to live in, that we are seeing abductions taking place on a daily asis. We’ve seen it here in Oak Park We’ve seen it in communities nearby,” she said.

Community members lig ht candles during the vigil.

Jane Hseu, who attended the vigil, also noted the ICE activity in and around Oak rk. She said that activity is part of the reason she felt the need to attend events like Friday’s vigil.

“It’s all around us,” Hseu said. “They took somebody in Oak Park like a week or two ago, and it’s all over the Chicago area.”

Alzamora emphasized the importance of local and community organizations. She said while it has escalated in recent years, the ICE activity vigil attendees were protesting was not new.

“I’ve worked with too many families who ve lost family members to these kidnappings, these disappearances. It has not been something that has just popped up over the last two years,” Alzamora said.

SYDNE Y LOVA N

Members of Singing Resistance Chicago lead songs at a vigil honoring Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Duran Guerrero in Scov ille Park on July 24..

Heritage House property management company assessed citation nes

HUD-subsidized proper ty plagued by issues for years

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

As far as Irma Baker is concerned, yes, progress regarding living conditions at Heritage House has been made.

The question for her, though, is how long will that last?

“Are they going to keep it up?” said Baker, president of the residents’ council, when speaking of Pacific Management, the property management company which oversees the senior housing midrise. “They shouldn’t have to be told to do stuff when they know it has to be done.”

The property management firm wound up July 23 in Oak Park’s adjudication court after previously receiving 10 citations from the village gover nment for substandard conditions in the building. Village officials said all 10 issues have been resolved. Management received a small fine for each citation.

Heritage House, 201 Lake St., was constructed in 1978, and is owned by Heritage House Associates LLC with Wellness America the managing member. It is a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 rental subsidized property. Put simply, residents pay 30% of their rent and HUD pays the remainder.

It has been plagued for years by issues like filthy floors, rats and bedbugs, inadequate garbage dumpsters and other matters, including outsiders entering the building unfettered

It got to be so troubled that the village of Oak Park began issuing citations this spring for violations, instead of the usual warnings. On July 23, 10 total citations were addressed by the village’s office of adjudication and Judge Gilbert J. Grossi.

The issues in all 10 citations, ranging from the temperature in one apartment to the noninstallation of an exterior door key fob to inadequate garbage pickup, were found to now be in compliance with village code

Still, Pacific Management was assessed a $50 fine by Grossi for each citation.

“At the time when the citations were written, they were not in compliance,” said village building inspector Gabriel Ponce, who

visited Heritage House Thursday morning

“That’s why they got the $50 fines. Had they not been in compliance today, I’m sure the fines would have gone up.”

Baker said things started happening when she met with a HUD official that hired a temp agency to clean the building, which went very well. She also said she thought the result of Thursday’s hearing was fair But maintaining that going forward will be the ultimate litmus test.

“They fixed everything that the inspection said was going on,” Baker said., adding that all will improve “if they can continue to keep the building clean and keep people from coming in and out that don’t live there, just doing stuff that shouldn’t be done.”

Onsite building manager Tommie Brown declined comment after Thursday’s adjudication, but Pacific Management attorney Jeffrey Gilbert pointed to the positive.

“I think they got property into compliance and fixed the problems (and did) what needed to be done,” he said.

Jeffrey Richards, president and CEO of Pacific Management, was not in attendance Thursday. He did attend a June 2 residents meeting and fielded questions and concerns about the state of the 14-floor building, which features an atrium with a skylight and two sets of entry doors.

Based on a Wednesday Journal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, the village confir med that no new citations were issued after that June 2 meeting.

“We have gone out and we have visited the property, but we have not found anything that we’ve actually had to write a ticket about,” said Jonathan Burch, assistant village manager and neighborhood services director.

Meanwhile, Baker said she’s not had any discussion with Brown about conditions.

“She did bring HUD to my house, to my apartment, and I spoke to them,” she said.

“I did most of the talking. I told him how the building was when I first moved there, and how it is now, and how all of us would like for it to be back. I told him I was concerned about the protection of the building and the cleanliness of the building.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Angel Cano Lead Server

How did you end up at Maya Del Sol? A close friend who worked at Maya told me it was a great place to work, so I applied and it went well! I started as a stocker and busser, spent some time at the host desk and have progressed into a lead server on the team.

What do you love most about the job? The familiar faces and freindships, all coming together to form lifelong relationships that I know I’ll keep forever.

A favorite memory or story from your time here? The same friend that referred me to Maya once dropped 5 gallons of our house mole sauce in the middle of a shift, all over himself and the cooler. SInce we needed the sauce for service, instead of cleanup they put him straight to prepping the next batch.

Outside of work, what keeps you busy? Watching movies, drinking coffee and hanging out with friends and family trying to savor the moments.

Your go-to order at Maya — one dish, one drink. The zipakna - a mezcal margarita that is nice and lime forward with a touch of angostura bitters for aroma. Cochinita Pibil because I’m a big fan of slow cooked meats, it takes me home.

One thing guests would be surprised to know about you? I have over 200 vinyl records. I love collecting and enjoying with family and friends.

144 s oak park ave mayadelsol.com

Referendum on single-family zoning turned down by Oak Park trustees

Discussion gets heated as attendees express confusion and concern over the proposed changes

By SYDNEY LOVAN Reporting Intern

Tensions rose in Oak Pa rk’s village hall council chambers as questions and comments were called out by attendees in the audience mainly towards Trustee Cory Wesley at the July 21 meeting. Ultimately, the village board voted 5-1 against an advisory referendum on proposed changes to single-family zoning .

Trustee James Ta glia, seconded by Wesley, motioned to discuss the option of an advisory referendum on recommendations from Opticos, a consulting company, on how to help increase “missing middle housing” and possibly eliminate single-family zones

Village President Vicki Scaman was absent from the meeting due to a family obli gation. Over 20 community members spoke during public comment on this subject, largely in favor of a referendum and overall expressing concern about what impact this change could bring.

sustainable and permanently woven into our community, it is your duty to anchor this process in broad public trust.”

Ta glia was the one vote in favor of a referendum arguing that the zoning changes are “monumental” enough to war rant public input.

“Let’s be the board that trusts and listens to the people of Oak Park,” said Taglia. “Let’s be the board that reco gnizes the difference between ordinary policy decisions and foundational ones.”

Wesley said he seconded this motion because he believes in democracy and allow-

have b een held, they have not always b een followe d.

“The law in Illinois is clear. The village board votes for zoning. That’s just how it works,” said Wesley.

Trustees Brian Straw, Derek Eder and Jenna Leving Jacobson shared similar opinions that the topic is too nuanced to effectively ask a yes or no question on a ballot.

“I don’t think that an advisory referendum provides the same level of meaningful engagement as a real open hearing town hall for um strateg y does provide for, and that’s why I am not in support of this advisory referendum,” said Straw.

Eder and Leving Jacobson also acknowledged community concerns about how to ensure af fordable housing is created with the zoning changes, and does not pave the way for more housing inequities.

What is single -family zoning and what are the changes being proposed?

Opticos partnered with the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus and 18 Chicago-area municipalities to study how zoning refo rm can help shape “attainable housing solutions.” The toolkit created from their findings was released in 2025.

Oak Park partnered with Opticos to create a recommendation on how to update the zoning code to address af fordability issues. The recommendation includes changes to language such as “family” to “unit” and neighborhood district designations. These new designations would allow for middle housing options, such as apar tments, to be built in neighborhoods that are currently only zoned for stand-alone buildings that are meant for one household.

“Without broad civic buy-in, even well-intentioned policy risks lacking the democratic legitimacy required for long-term success by the public,” said Oak Park resident Noah Sullivan at the meeting. “To ensure that any progress made on housing diversity is

ing the community to be heard, but he does not believe in holding a referendum. He said previous village b oards have always voted on zoning i ssues without such measures, and when advisory referendums

“Limiting the single-family zoning alone will not guarantee meaningful improvements in af fordable housing stock, and that is why I also am committed to doing this with any zoning changes alongside an inclusionary housing ordinance,” said Leving Jacobson.

Those zoning designations can be traced back to a zoning ordinance adopted by Oak Park in 1921. The code outlined specific areas in the village where only multi-family or single-family buildings were allowed. Some community members and Wesley spotlighted the long-standing conversation of how historical use of single-family zoning enables racial and socio-economic exclusion, prompting a bigger discussion on the origins of current Oak Park codes and reasons to change them beyond af fordability.

SYDNE Y LOVA N

Trustee James Taglia gives his opinion on an adv isory referendum for single-family zoning changes at Oak Park’s v illage board meeting on July 21.

SYDNE Y LOVA N

From le to right: Blaine Hyde, Michael Gi and Chip Popa hold signs advocating for an adv isory referendum for singlefamily zoning changes.

Oak Park to restrict some tra c stops in wake of shooting death

Proposed policy is in line with previous in- depth police assessment repor t

By SYDNEY LOVAN Reporting Intern

Oak Park village staf f, the Citizens Police Oversight Committee, Pivot Consulting Group and the Oak Park Police Department will work together to draft and review new policy within 60 days restricting the use of pretextual traffic stops after a unanimous vote by the village board on July 21.

Trustee Derek Eder, seconded by Trustee Chibuike Enyia, motioned to consider this proposal following the death of Christian Wallace in May. Wallace was shot and killed by Oak Park police during a struggle after he was pulled over for failing to signal a lane change.

Video footage of the incident was released in June and a state police investigation is still ongoing.

nity for bias-based contacts” according to a 2022 consultant’s re port on local policing commissioned by the village government.

The 273-page review of Oak Park police staffing and operations was conducted consulting firm BerryDunn. It provided comprehensive data and recommendations across many policing issues

The re port found that searches of Black drivers, when no arrest was made, we disproportionately higher, 76.72%, than the overall percent of traffic stops involving Black drivers, 49.82%. Additional findings showed if the rate of arrests were proportional to overall traffic stops there should have only been 242 arrests of Black drivers, but there were 416.

“The leading cause of car crashes and roadway deaths are speeding and drunk driving, not broken taillights or expired registration stickers.”

“The leading cause of car crashes and roadway deaths are speeding and drunk driving, not broken taillights or expired re gistration stickers,” said Eder. “When police spend time pulling over people for minor violations, they have less time to focus on reckless driving and other behaviors that actually put lives at risk.”

Eder stressed that traffic safety is “extremely important” and this policy is not to stop police from re gulating dangerous traffic violations.

Pretextual traffic stops, the use minor infractions such as broken taillights or outdated re gistration to investigate other possible crimes, can create an “opportu-

Village Manager Kevin Jackson said at the meeting there is already a preliminary draft of the policy ready for further review.

More recent data on traffic stops released by the village of Oak Park re ported 569 stops in 2025. About 74% of the people stopped were Black despite Oak Park’s Black population being only 18% of residents.

The proposed policy change aligns with BerryDunn’s recommendation to restrict the use of pretextual stops and “clarify that expanding the scope of the initial stop is not allowed,” unless facts prompt further questions.

The Citizens Police Oversight Committee, with support from Pivot, will provide community feedback on the Police Department Draft Policy which OPPD can use to update the proposal. A related item is expected to be on the agenda of the next board meeting on July 28, village government wrote in an email.

Oak Park would be the first municipality in Illinois to adopt a policy of this nature, although some cities and states across the country have already done so according to the Vera Institute of Justice.

“I think this is an opportunity for us to do some things that we should have done already,” said Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson.

Leving Jacobson also encouraged the board to make sure they are robust and intentional in developing these solutions to address disparities that take place after the stop because “this isn’ t the end of the problems that we can eliminate much earlier on.”

One Oak Park resident, T ristan Ro gers, came to the meeting to speak in favor of the policy change during public comment.

“Pretextual stops dispropor tionately target Black and Brown drivers, and too often turn violent, even deadly Restricting

we can take to ensure we never lose another community member to a police encounter over a routine traffic violation,” Ro gers said.

He also criticized other community members attending the meeting to speak on zoning issues, a topic also on the meeting agenda.

“I hope everyone can see the discriminatory connection between the types of homes we permit on our streets and the ways in which police interact with our Black and Brown neighbors,” Ro gers said.

Enyia shared his appreciation to other board members as this is an issue they have talked about for a long time and have had support from Oak Park police to look at. He said now having a date for this policy is “the truest form of knowing that es is coming.”

SYDNE Y LOVA N

e Oak Park Village Board discusses a motion to dra policy on pretextual tra c stops at its meeting on July 21.

DEREK EDER Oak Park village trustee

1122 Hayes, Oak Park

ummer indulgence at the mwood Park

test is on Saturday g. 8 p. hosted by ESPN 1000’s Carmen DeFalco. T he Mayor’s Bocce Cup Tournament r uns all four days.

Thirty-one food vendors offer up an amazing variety of delicious dishes, everything from pizza to barbecue; tacos to gyros; pasta to fried rice; sausages to kebobs; with ice cream, Italian ice, funnel cakes and more sweets to top it all of f. Serving up their best, in alphabetical order, are: Angelo Caputo’s Fresh Markets, Armand’s Pizza, Ava’s Italian Ice, Big Daddy Donuts, Blue Fire Restaurant, Circle Tavern, Donny G’s Ristorante, Elmcrest, Johnnie’s Beef, Ethos Taverna, Fit to Be Fried, Grecian Kitchen, Gringo & Blondies, Jimmy’s Red Hots, La Michoacana, Maria’s Mexican Restaurant, Massa Cafe Italiano, Massa Pizza Company, New Star

KURT CICHOWSKI

Outdoor Shakespeare hopes all’s well that plays well

Forest Theatre Company performs annual summer play for 1st time in Oak Park, beginning Aug. 7

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

For the sixth year, Forest Theatre Company is hosting an outdoor production of a Shakespeare play. But for the first time, the performance will take place at the MooreDug al House in Oak Park, instead of at the Altenheim in Forest Park

Starting Aug. 7, the company will put on three free weekend productions of “All’s Well That Ends Well” on the front lawn of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed private residence at 333 Forest Ave.

Though the Moore-Dug al House had been vacant for years, last spring Michael Roush moved in. Roush is the stepson of Jim Dugal, whose parents bought the home in 1962. Now, Roush is working to restore the house to its state in 1923, when Wright designed it

When Roush moved to Oak Park from California, he reached out to Richard Corley, who founded Forest T heatre Company as Forest Park T heatre in 2021. T hough Corley said his goal from the start was to develop a year-round professional theater company with performances by a variety of playwrights, last year was its first year-round season. In 2021, the company launched with a free, outdoor Shakespeare play in the summer time Forest T heatre Company’s outdoor Shakespeare is performed without any microphones or lighting, “the way Shakespeare wrote these plays,” Corley said. “You can’ t make a moment by lighting. … If the actor doesn’t do it, it isn’ t happening. I consider that radical in a way theater isn’ t anymore.”

Roush himself is a f an of Shakespeare and Corley’s work

“Rick and I go way back,” Roush told the Review. Roush studied classical theater at the University of Minnesota. After he graduated, he connected with Corley in Arizona, where he casted Roush in multiple shows, including as Romeo and Hamlet in Shakespeare perfor mances

“I really trust him as a director and storyteller,” Roush said. “The way Rick directs is, especially with the classics and Shakespeare, to find the clarity of the story and communicate it as clearly as possible. A lot of the time, I feel like things get layered on to moder nize it, but he really focuses on bringing clarity to the words to bring the story through.”

need stories of female empowerment to challenge this notion.”

Corley said “All’s Well That Ends Well” is the lone work by Shakespeare that opens with a speech by a woman. He added, “It’s the only Shakespeare play that has a woman’s desire for a man at the center of the story, in a situation where the man is the one being pursued.”

To emphasize the woman-centered story, Forest T heatre Company’s perfor mance of “All’s Well That Ends Well” has a predominantly female cast — with CC Meade playing the heroine Helen and Me gan Wells playing the Countess

Mead’s character often takes on the role of a man — one of the reasons Corley said the play, in the Victorian era, was so rarely produced, because people thought Helen was “distasteful, very forward and doesn’t act like a woman should.”

Corley said he chose “All’s Well That Ends Well” for this year’s outdoor Shakespeare because of how it asks relevant questions about women’s agency in today’s society, “placing the mystery of power in the center of the play and challenging the notion that power is always centered in male authority,” Corley said. “Right now, we’re in a reactionary patriarchal mode where the progress we felt like we’ve been making over the last 50 years has been basically suf focated. I think we

T he name of the play — a common phrase during Shakespeare’s time — also poses the question about whether the ending is actually a resolution.

“He’s asking you to think about what that means. When stories end well, does it always end well for everyone? Who g ets left out of the story? Who is denied the good ending?” Corley said.

Partnership in plays

Corley said something he’s looking forward to when performing outdoor Shakespeare at a new venue is the acoustics. The Moore-Dugal House faces another Frank Lloyd Wright home, built so residents of both properties could hear each other from their balconies.

“I think there’s going to be an intimacy because you’re surrounded by a neighborhood, rather than in a field,” Corley said, comparing the location to the Altenheim in Forest Park. He added that Forest Theatre Company changed venues because he knows there are eventual plans for Forest Park to develop the village-owned portion of the property where the company has performed and “We are wanting to be a theater company that is serving all of these villages around the near wester n suburbs,” including Oak Park

Both Corley and Roush said outdoor Shakespeare at the Moore-Dugal House will be an annual event. Roush said Jackie Dugal, the mother of the Dugal family, “was always a real lover of the arts. This is such an artistic, iconic, historic house for the neighborhood, and we always felt that we really needed to try and open it up and share it with everyone.”

Though the house was open for public tours until the ‘80s, Roush said it won’t be available for tours or private events until after rehabilitation efforts are completed. He hopes the first floor will be finished by next summer.

“A lot of this structure is so old, you want to match the paints correctly and you don’t want to damage it by trying to rehab it. Finding the right people to help is sometimes time consuming,” Roush said. “We want to share this with people, so I’m really looking forward to doing that and making it a place of art,” starting with outdoor Shakespeare perfor mances

“We hope that everybody around the neighborhood will walk by, see this incredible thing and join us,” Corley said. “It’s free, so just walk in.”

Free performances of “All’s Well That Ends Well” on August 7–9, 14–16 & 21–23 at 5 p.m. at 333 Forest Av enue, Oak Park Reserve your tick et at https://www.foresttheatre.org/plays.

PROVIDED

Megan Wells, who plays the Countess, Richard Corley, and CC Meade, who plays Helen.

IN MEMORIA M

Remembering Andrew

Andrew Joseph Zeh, age 11, was the youngest of five children spread across 14 years. As an explanation for his eye rolls, hip shrugs, neck tilt, and general teenage attitude, which started at age 3, his parents would joke that he was raised by teenagers. Andrew was taught how to walk, using canine training methods, by his brother Matthew, who also came up with the rarely used nickname AJ.

Andrew was famous for his hugs, sweet character and unabashed physical affection for his siblings. He read the room as well as any 11-year-old could and always had a kind and compassionate word for people

Surrounded by a loving f amily at home, he walked the world with aplomb. After losing his school spelling bee (from not studying much) he said, “I thought I would do better because I don’ t g et stage fright.” He was a lector at St. Luke’s 9:30 Mass, impressing people with his clear and confident reading voice.

He be g an exploring theological questions at a young age after suffering a crisis of faith over how to interpret Genesis. He believed in God because he could not bear the thought of there being nothing after you die.

Growing up surrounded by a large f amily, he was moody when only Mom and Dad were home For him, the COVID lockdown was not a sad time. He loved that his favorite (and only) sister returned from colle ge, and everyone else was nearly always available for lap sitting, hugs, or conversation. He inserted himself into any situation, including his siblings’ romantic ones, and once spent an entire afternoon reading

Captain Underpants to Peter and his girlfriend Hana. He allowed them a one-hour break after his sister intervened, but immediately set a one-hour timer with Alexa.

At St. Luke’s Pack 67 and Troop 16, and Owasippe Scout Reservation, he arrived already known as “someone else’s” younger brother. Most of the time, this was something he reveled in, but it had some downsides. When one teacher mistakenly called him Jonathan, he glowered at her until she called him Andrew.

A re gular at Pack 67 events from birth, he happily participated, then led by the time he was an Ar row of Light Scout.

He was also a re gular at the River Forest/Oak Park Kiwanis meetings and events, including the bowlathon and the Memorial Day Parade. Doted upon by the club members, he enjoyed ringing the opening bell and reminded his father to leave home on time. A helping of unlimited library computer time plus Kiwanis snacks sealed the deal.

He witnessed all of his siblings’ accomplishments, but assumed he could do them too, and probably earlier. At his first full-fledged Troop 16 Campout, when the Scoutmaster announced the Senior Patrol Leader election, Andrew asked when he could r un.

Most parents are wise enough not to admit to a favorite, but in the Zeh f amily, Andrew topped everyone’s list.

His impact will continue in the lives of his parents, Mary Anne and Robert; his siblings Lou (Susan), Peter, Matthew, and Johnathan; his extended f amily, his Scouting f amily, and all those he touched in his

BREAKING

morial contributions may be made to the Andrew Joseph Zeh Charitable Memorial Fund at the Oak Park-River Forest Com-

leadership & service, and related charitable causes in the Oak Park and River Forest community

PROVIDED

Andrew Joseph Zeh

PROJEC T 2

the school and then a new structure was built there, including a new swimming pool and third floor gym, at a cost of approximately $102 million.

The new structure had been expected to be completed this summer before the new school year begins although the schedule was always considered tight and challenging. Last winter Gilbane Construction’s Jeremy Roling, the project manager for Project 2, told the OPRF school board that despite a delay caused by some very cold winter weather he was aiming for “substantial completion” of Project 2 by July 31. Roling told the school board then that the new swimming pool should be completed by Aug. 6 and new third floor gym was expected to be completed by Aug. 12. That turned out to be overly optimistic. Instead, the new pool and the new gym are now both projected to open on Oct. 1. According to Johnson’s email, what are described as “[m]ost Project 2 spaces including primary PE areas” are

expected to open Se pt. 1, just one week into the new school year

Since the for mer west pool is being infilled the girls swimming team will have to practice at a nearby high school until October as OPRF will be without a pool until the new pool opens.

“We are finalizing arrangements for swim team practices to be held elsewhere in the interim,” Johnson wrote in the email.

Johnson said in the email that all PE classes, student programming and athletic activities will begin on schedule and continue uninter rupted despite the late opening of the new physical educatio n wing

T he ribbon cutting for Project 2 has been postponed. It was originally scheduled for Aug. 22 but now has been rescheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. The new facility will also be open for community tours on Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. until noon.

“We appreciate your patience and flexibility as we put the finishing touches on these transformative spaces for our students,” Johnson wrote in the email.

A spokeswoman for OPRF said that more details on the delay will be made public when Gilbane presents a re port to the school board at its Aug. 6 meeting.

ree nalists for RF township supervisor appointment

Selection is expected at Aug. 11 meeting

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

On July 21 the River Forest To Board met in closed session to interview the three finalists for the position of Forest Township Supervisor, a position that will become vacant next month when current River Forest Township Supervisor John Becvar of ficially resigns.

T he supervisor is the highest of in township gover nment. T he to supervisor serves on and presides the township board and is also the executive of township gover nment. supervisor position is considered time but requires significant work. Rive Forest’s supervisor is currently paid an annual salary of $49,382 and the supervisor is expected to work at least 1,000 hours annually. Becvar has said he typically works about 30 hours a week.

Museum in Oak Pa rk .

“I have a deep appreciation for the township’s mission and a clear understanding of the responsibilities the role demands,” wrote Druckman in her letter application for the supervisor position.

For mer township board member Karen aubman said Druckman was an “exemplary” township clerk.

“She met every deadline,” Taubman said.

Druckman has worked at Wonder Works since November 2021. She also publishes the French Foodie Mom website. According to her resume Druckman has previously worked as a consultant for American Express and as the director of loyalty marketing for WebMD.

T he three finalists for the supervisor position are believed to be current River Forest Township Clerk Mark Hosty, former township clerk Vanessa Druckman, and Jessica Iverson, a for mer member of the River Forest Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee.

Although Becvar declined to identify the finalists, Wednesday Journal filed a public records request and received the applications, including letters of interest and resumes, of all those who applied to become supervisor. Two others, in addition to Hosty, Druckman and Iverson, applied for the position. T hey were John Morrissey, an aide to Stat e Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and the first vice-president of the Young Democrats of Illinois, and current Oak Park Township Supervisor Tim T homas. Morrissey told Wednesday Journal he withdrew his application after he applied for the post. T he River Forest township supervisor must live in River Forest although T homas could conceivably be hired to serve as an inde pendent contractor until the next election. That is how Kathy Elliott was recently named the township assessor.

Hosty, who was appointed township clerk in November 2025 after the resignation of for mer clerk Margaret Detmer, has the most experience in local govern-

ment of all the applicants. He served for 16 years, from 1999 until 2015, as a member of the Forest Park Village Council. In 2015 Hosty was defeated in his bid for a fifth term. Hosty owned and managed the popular Madison Street tavern Healy’s West Side in Forest Park for 25 years before it closed in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

In his letter of interest for the supervisor position Hosty pointed to his experience in local gover nment.

“For the past seven months I have had the pleasure of serving as the township clerk and the opportunity to work closely with the current supervisor and gained a knowledge of the complexity of the position,” Hosty wrote. “During this time, I have worked with Supervisor Becvar to learn the details of his duties. As a result, I feel I am uniquely qualified to serve as the next township supervisor of River Forest Township. My 16 years of being an elected official has trained me for the intricacies of leading a gover nment organization. I have experience working with both constituents and managing public services.”

In Forest Park Hosty was a strong ally of for mer mayor Tony Calderone, who served as Forest Park’s mayor from 1999 until 2019. Hosty was an active combatant in the often bare knuckles politics of Forest Park.

Hosty has also been active in Re publican politics. He was elected as a del-

egate to the 2008, 2020 and 2024 Re publican National Conventions. In 2008 he was elected as dele gate pledged to former Arizona Senator John McCain and in 2020 and 2024 he was elected as a delegate pledged to Donald Trump. Hosty served as a member of Illinois Re publican State Central Committee re presenting the 7th Cong ressional District from 2018 until earlier this year when he did not r un for reelection to the party post. In 2022 Hosty ran for a seat on the Cook County Board but finished a distant second in a threecandidate field in the Re publican primary receiving 13.78% of the vote.

Hosty, who grew up in Oak Park, moved to River Forest approximately 10 years ago. For mer River Forest Township Assessor Pam Kende, who resigned her post last month, told Wednesday Journal in May that she was impressed with Hosty’s work as clerk and said she thought he would be a good replacement for Becvar.

“If the current clerk becomes supervisor it would be a good thing for River Forest Township,” Kende said. “He’s been really a calming and ef ficient forc e.”

In addition to serving as township clerk Hosty works as a real estate broker

Druckman ser ve d as townshi p clerk from 2021, when she was elected r unning unopposed, until she resigned the p ost in 2023, the same year she bec ame marketing and development manager for the Wonder Wo rks Children’s

Druckman graduated from Georgetown University in 1995 where she majored in European History and Diplomacy. She received an MBA from Fordham University in 2001.

Iverson is the founder and principal of J Iverson Communications a firm she started in 2018. From 2015 until 2018 she worked as the global head of brand and communications for the trading firm DRW and from 2013 until 2015 she worked as a communications manager for Walgreens Boots Alliance. For nearly six years, from November 2007 until July 2013, Iverson worked as a communications manager for the state of Wisconsin.

Iverson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin in 2000 and earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2012.

Iverson attended the July 14 meeting of the township board to observe.

In her letter of interest Iverson pointed to her experience as a business executive and community volunteer

“I am uniquely equipped to manage the township’s fiscal gover nance, public outreach, partnerships and services,” Iverson wrote. “With my youngest child starting kindergarten at Lincoln Elementary this fall, I am facing an exciting personal turning point and looking to channel my executive experience into the community I call home.”

The township board is expected to choose the next supervisor at its Aug. 11 meeting.

JESSIC A IVERSON MARK HOST Y VANESSA DRUCKMAN

Fare well

Eats reporter Risé Sanders-Weir takes a step back

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

Covering the food and restaurant business beat for you has been a delight. Moving forward though, I’m stepping back on the volume of my work because I’ll be splitting my time between Oak Park and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

In thinking about how I should commemorate my three years of diligent interviewing and eating, I struck on something that has daunted me – chitterlings. I grew up in Arkansas and was aware of the dish but have never eaten it.

In general, I try to follow in my father’s footsteps when it comes to food. His philosophy has been (and he’s made it to 85 years by following it): if he can see that someone

has eaten a dish and lived, he will try it. It’s a hard standard to live up to and I don’t always measure up, but I’m proud enough of my record. I drank kumis (fermented horse milk) when I had the chance to travel to Kyrgyzstan with a documentary film of mine. I’ve eaten cricket tacos. I tried fried cicadas thanks to Dave Odd and the folks at Carnivore

I’m not saying that chitterlings are as exotic as those, but still I had my tre pidations. They are made from pig intestines after all.

I often drive by Chef Daddy’s at 5944 W. Lake St. in Chicago. The painted lettering on its window says: “Home of Chitterlings, Errrday!” For many, especially African Americans, this dish is a reminder of home and caring grandmas, whose means may have been stretched, but whose love and ability to cook were not. For me the window sign was a challenge. T he gauntlet had been thrown down.

I invited a friend who often joins me on food adventures and we ventured for th.

True to form, chitterlings were ready to go. I should mention that they are not cheap. The process to turn them from of f al to nostalgic dish is intense. A small cup is $28. A large one is $50. We ordered a small. It ar rived with vinegary hot sauce. Sometimes chitterlings are fried. These were boiled, lightly seasoned and served with a bit of broth. The texture was tender but chewy, kind of like an oyster. I didn’t do a strenuous job of chewing, but I did finish my po rtion. They didn’t have a strong flavor,

though they are org an meat with its attendant ear thiness

Food ar ticles for the papers are not reviews. We focus on getting news of openings, closings, events and community uplift out to the readers. When asked whether I do reviews, I always say, “They don’ t pay me enough for anyone to hate me over what I writ e.” Do I have opinions? Sure. If I don’ t like something, I don’ t write about it. But there is so much to cover, you shouldn’ t infer that just because it hasn’t been written about it ’s not worthy.

I’m hitting the road (you could take Route 66 almost the whole way) for a professor position at the University of Ar-

kansas, teaching media law in its School of Jour nalism and Strategic Media. It’s a dream job that will allow me to combine my love of jour nalism and my documentary filmmaking.

I’m glad I checked another food adventure of f my list this summer. Truly, I’ve savored every bite in Austin, Brookfield, Forest Park, Oak Pa rk, River Forest and Riverside T hank you to the papers, the restaurants and you, the readers, for allowing me the privileg e of covering this beat. I challenge you too to get out there and try something new. It might not become a favorite, but it will likely be a good story to tell.

LYNET TE HOAG

Risé Sanders-Weir at Chef Daddy’s

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Chitterlings at Chef Daddy’s

One person injured in River Forest home invasion

Police arrest and charge suspect

By SYDNEY LOVAN Reporting Intern

Rive r Fo rest p olice ar rested and charged a person with four f elony of f enses after responding to a re ported home invasion early on Ju ly 20 a ccording to a press release.

T he preliminary investi gation revealed one of the residents of a home on the 100 block of Gale Avenue c onfronted the pe rson as they we re alle gedly t rying to forcef ully enter through the patio d oor. Th e i ntruder went i nto the home armed with a knife and a fight broke out.

A lthough one of the residents sustained non-life-threatening injuries, both residents we re able to make it out of the house and contacted police

Around 1:45 a.m., Rive r Fo rest p olice, with help from neighboring law enforcement and a K-9 unit, we re able to p lace a perimeter and find the i ntruder j ust a few blocks aw ay

T he suspect was charged with home invasion wh i le armed with a d angerous we apon, home invasion c ausing great bodily harm, ag gr avated battery with a d eadly we apon and ag gr avated battery c ausing great bodily har m.

from page 6

“What you’ re arguing for is a system that keeps people like me from living next to people like you,” said Wesley during the meeting. “The reason the zoning change is important is because housing types dictate race.”

Henry Fulkerson, for mer president of Housing Forward, spoke during public comment and pushed back against those who shared concerns over their neighborhoods changing.

“It is supremely arrogant for ‘MIMBYs’ to state that perhaps they will allow some affordable housing as long as it does not change the character of their neighborhoods,” said Fulkerson. “This racist dog whistle, ‘don’t change the character of our neighborhood,’ is a public insult to our black neighbors and people of color.”

Other community members said they are asking necessary questions, and do not feel it is fair to be labeled as racist.

“I’m not saying any of you are racist. I’m not saying any of you created the system. I’m not saying that any of you are to blame for not having destroyed it already. I’m not even saying that you’re to blame for not hav-

ing known about it, but you know about it now. So what do you do next?” said Wesley.

What comes next?

During the unprecedented dialogue back and for th between the board and the attendees, many expressed confusion on what these votes actually mean and what the next steps will be.

The village board will vote on July 28 to accept, but not approve, the Opticos recommendation. If the board votes in favor, the recommendation will be given to the village’s Plan Commission.

Although the referendum was denied, there will still be many opportunities for the community to share their opinions on this topic.

Village Manager Kevin Jackson said there will be at least four meetings around the village and online for public eng agement before the plan commission will begin hosting its own public hearings.

Only after those steps are completed will the plan commission then vote on it recommendation back to the village board for the trustees to then vote on whether it goes into action.

An official decision on this recommendation is not expected until October.

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LEMONAID

A new direction

from page 1

course, from 3 p.m. to 7 p. m.

Mary Re y nold s, executive director of the C ollaboration for Ea rly Childhood in Oak Pa rk , said L emonAid is “such a c ool o pportunity for a c ommunity to c ome tog ether

“What it meant for us at C ollabora tion for Ea rly Childhood was a c ouple of thing s, ” she said. “One, obviously it ’s a great f undraising o pportunity, but the other thing is, because it ’s such a gather ing of c ommunity, and it ’s such a c elebra tion, a big pa rt of our mission is c onnecting with f amilies and c onnecting with p eople, it gives us the o pportunity to do that.”

Ditto for Te ri Miller, director of development for Beyond Hunger in Oak Pa rk

“I think it really stems from this ide around c ommunity, and anyone c an create a movement to b etter the c ommunity and ser ve p eople around you,” Miller said. “Many of these organizations are examples of that. We we re started by a Gi rl Scout troop in 1979. T hey saw a need and it grew i nto the organization we are tod ay

“Being a pa rt of L emonAid, that kind of helps suppo rt the wo rk we do.”

Neighbor Chris Hauri was one of the founders of L emonAid way back when, and said the upcoming event will be another extr avaganza, with stations fo r nonprofits and charities where you ca n

Ethan

learn about their mission and wo rk T here will be a special d onation station where people can give to LemonAid, with f unds to be distributed to all 26 nonprofi ts and charitie s, along with a giant tent with lemonade and ba ke d g ood s. Best of all, everything is free and p eople c an begin d onating to their favo rite nonprofit or charity on their we bsites starting Au g. 15.

“We’ve t ried to ke ep it as simple as p ossibl e, ” Haur i said, pointing out that L emonAid is not a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. “E ve ry time we ’ve looked i nto (that), we have to have a b oard, go through attorney s, pay for a license.

We ’re li ke, ‘Let’s ke ep it simple.’ We have no official leader s. ”

But L emonAid has c ommitted cochairs. A long with Olson, who wo rk s

in human resources in downtown Chicago, there are Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo rest High School seniors C onnor Chien, Helen Donoho and Mark Jung, along with Donoho’s Fenwick sophomore sister M irand a and f ellow Fenwick j unior E than Wy nne T he younger j unior co-chairs are fift h gr ader S halva Glick and fourth gr ader Sophie Sear s.

“For me, it ’s taught me a lot about philanthropy and how to give back to your c ommunity,” said Chien, who co-chaired with Jung his sophomore year. “When I grew up at first, when I would go to L emonAid, I would see it as a big block pa rt y and a fun event, and as I got older, I star ted to realize why it started, the real pu rp ose behind it

“Making a difference in your c ommunity is super important, whether that’s helping people get counseling services or tutoring, it ’s about helping other p eople at the end of the day. ”

Wynne said LemonAid is special because “it’s community … this is the area that I grew up in and (it’s great) to see there are people around me that show support to everybody and are there to help and just give back.”

To donate right now LemonAid, visit its website 9-11LemonAid.com

SYDNE Y LOVA N

Chris Hauri, one of the original LemonAid organizers, speaks at the “happy hour” event on July 23, encouraging local charities to interact with one another.

SYDNE Y LOVA N

Wy nne, one of the 2026 LemonAid youth leaders, helps organize his group during a game.

Homes

Bidding wars in Gunderson Historic Districts

Here’s Gunderson history and a snapshot of a very lively market

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

Oak Park has two Gunderson Historic Districts: one lies north of 290 in the area bounded by Ridgeland and Scoville Avenues between Harrison and Madison Streets. The other lies south of 290 in the area bounded by Home and Wenonah Avenues between Garfield and Roosevelt Road. The firm S.T. Gunderson and Sons was founded by Norwegian immigrant Severt Gunderson who came to the United States when he was 9 in 1848. After a few buildingrelated businesses were destroyed by fire, Severt founded a lumber business and recruited his two sons, Seward and George, to work with him. The father and sons soon became developers, building subdivisions along Chicago’s bustling streetcar lines. Between 1889 and 1925, the family established subdivisions throughout the West Side of Chicago and Oak Park. The first subdivision in Oak Park, was platted on Home and Wenonah in 1890. Almost 60 homes were sold with construction beginning in 1905.

The second subdivision was constructed shortly thereafter and consisted of 208 single family homes and 22 two-flats.

In 1907, Seward moved to Oak Park with his family. Seward’s house anchors the second Gunderson Historic District at 701 S. Elmwood Ave. (https://www.oakpark. c om/2012/10/16/oak-pa rk -couple-giv esseward-gunderson-home-a-new-historicfacelift/)

George and his family built a home across the street at 700 S. Elmwood Ave. Today, the Gunderson homes and the subdivisions are highly sought-after ar-

eas. A look at recent sales in Seward and George Gunderson’s neighborhood shows us just what these historic homes are selling for today.

The home at 734 S. Gunderson sold on June 30 for $876,000. Listed at $799,000, the 6-bedroom, three-bathroom house offers roughly 2,200 square feet of living space. The home boasts the Gunderson brothers’ signature front porch, oak woodwork and stainedglass windows. Built in 1908, the home had a roughly $16,000 property tax bill in 2023.

See GUNDERSON DISTRICT on pa ge 18

734 Gunderson Ave., Oak Park

704 S. Elmwood Ave.

GUNDERSON DISTRIC T

from page 17

On May 15, 704 S. Elmwood sold $810,000 after listing for $720,000 in March. T he four-bedroom, three-bathroom house has roughly 2,800 square feet of living space, pocket doors and stained glass windows. T he home received multiple offers when it was listed in March. Built in 1906, the home’s 2023 property tax bill was roughly $20,000.

One of the few homes in the neighbo hood not designed by the Gundersons ga nered the neighborhood’s highest sales price this summer. T he Owen H. Jones House at 639 S. Elmwood was designed architect Roy Hotchkiss in 1920.

Listed at $995,000, the California-style bungalow sold for $1.3 million on July 2026. T he five-bedroom, three-bathroom house has bedrooms on the first floor, slate roof and roughly 2,200 square feet of living space. The home had a pr oper ty tax bill of approximately $17,000 in 2023.

Realtor Laura Maychruk was the listing agent for 639 S. Elmwood and 734 S. Gunderson. She sold another Gunderson home earlier in the spring: 608 S. Elmwood. Listed at $679,000, the home closed in April for $760,000. Maychruk says

that house still had its original built-in in the dining room, complete with keys.

hruk says the recent sales in the Gunderson Historic District re prefocus among buyers. T he trend used to be towards open concept homes, wood trim and painting everyite and grey. “Now, there’s been a shift,” she said. “Buyers want wood, vintage character and trim. People are really embracing the char m.”

hruk says she thinks the $1,300,000 for 639 S. Elmwood Ave. might record-setting price for a vintage home in South Oak Park. She says her open house at the home was mobbed with interested buyers and there was “an incredible bidding war” for the home. She thinks people gravitated toward the home because it had been updated in an historically accurate way, with a sensivity to the original design. he neighborhood is also very popular rs right now. Maychruk said

the whole south side of Oak Park and the Arts District are drawing buyers for the walkability to shops, restaurants, ice cream, schools and parks.

If you’d like to learn more about the Gundersons, join the Oak Park River Forest Historical Society on the evening of Aug. 11 for its walking tour, “Growing with the Gundersons.” Kicking of f at the Longfellow Park pavilion at 7 p.m., the 90-minute tour will share the history of the Gunderson Brothers and will also include lesser-known stories such as the history of the house once named the Oak Park Academy of Fine Arts, the controversial temporary homes built to ease the post-World War II housing crisis, and why this neighborhood was once called “Fertile Acres.”

The tour costs $10 or $8 for members. More information and re gistration can be found here: https://oprfmuseum.org/ eve nts/g rowing-gundersons-walkingtour-6

PROVIDED

639 S. Elmwood Ave, Oak Park

John Curtin on police shooting p. 22

A zoning debate gone bananas

OVIEWPOINTS

ak Park’s zoning debate has lost its moorings. The fight over it has become the sorcerer’s apprentice scene from Fantasia: the brooms multiplying, the water rising, no one able to make it stop. Can we just pause and admit this discourse has gone bananas?

I’ve lived here a mere seven years, and I’ve lear ned we’re constitutionally incapable of a low-stakes disagreement. us a routine municipal update and we’ll inflate it into an existential Grand Battle for the oul of the Village

CHAVAS

r all the sound and fury, the Shape Oak Park itself expects this change to barely re gister anytime soon — because meaningful physical and real affordability, need far more than an updated code can deliver.

t with how little it actually rewrites about the look and feel of our neighborhoods. Our “single-family” blocks are already dotted with o-flats and small apartment buildings, many built before 1940 — homes that couldn’t be built under today’s code. The proposed zoning code better reflects the existing housing stock and provides flexibility for the future.

But flexibility isn’t the same as activity. Zoning alone doesn’t drive development; it only says what’s allowed. It’s good at preventing things and poor at causing them. The real drivers are economics — demand and the cost of building and policy rules and incentives that can make one type of development easier and another harder. And it’s all connected

You can see those forces in action 20 minutes to our west. Hinsdale has seen roughly half its historic homes torn down since the late 1990s. Larger lots in a desirable community meant that a teardown and McMansion replacement was faster than renovation, and buyers had the money, the desire, and the space for bigger homes in Hinsdale. Zoning couldn’t protect Hinsdale’s “community character.” What finally slowed the wrecking was a renovation incentive package: grants, tax rebates and streamlined permitting.

Why hasn’t that happened in Oak Park? Our smaller lots don’t pencil out for teardowns the way Hinsdale’s do. And our historic districts, which cover roughly a third of the village, make tearing anything down genuinely hard. As a result, only an occasional small house on a larger lot gets knocked down and replaced

Now look east, to Chicago’s North Side, where two-flats have been legal all along. There the market ran in reverse: in high-cost, walkable neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, buyers merged two-flats back into singlefamily homes, shrinking supply and pushing prices up. Between 2013 and 2019 the city lost 11,775 units in two- to four-flats, nearly half of them to single-family conversions

We’ve seen the limits of an ordinance passed in good faith right here in Oak Park, when we legalized accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Restrictive design rules and high construction costs mean only a handful have

DOOPER

’S

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310

Email: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org

MEMORIES

To have freedom, we have to give up some

freedom

When I took classes in American history and politica science, much time was devoted to discussing the maintenance of our freedom.

I learned that the balanced libe our country respects sound authorit and is known as ordered libe means that people in a free society do not become selfish or self-centered Instead, they agree to maintain thei individual freedom by orderly way of life li stitution and the state constitutions stress as a major purpose.

My teachers emphasized the fact that true political freedom depends on justice and order, and on the restraints imposed by living with other people Justice is the principle and the process by which each person is assured the things that belong to him/her, like life, liberty, and dignity

on the part of others. No one can be free unless other persons help him. ve like Robinson Crusoe and be happy. The truly free person cannot exist alone eedom is sometimes endangered desire to use his/her y to control the freedom of oth-

A person, too, may take advantage his/her rights to harm the common

r example, a person may make a speech in order to cause a riot. People, erzealous in protecting freedom such as during a time if crisis, like wartime, some persons will call for censorship of speech and press to safeguard our country. The apathy and indifference of the majority will allow the dangers to exist.

Order is the principle and process by which the peace and decency of society are maintained

Many persons have trouble understanding that to have freedom, we must give up some freedom. We exchange the life of a savage for that of a civilized person. A person who thinks only of his/ her own freedom and does not worry about the freedom of others often finds other people to be “unreasonable.” No one can expect other people to yield all of their freedom so that one person can be spared the unpleasantness of yielding any of his. No one is entitled to more than his/her fair share of the possible general freedom.

Many of the things we wish to do call for action

I learned that there is no better safeguard against such dangers than the alertness of a free people. Democratic education teaches people to live and let live as long as the basic rights of others are not violated.

In the past 100 years, many parts of the world have fallen into anarchy and then into tyranny. Even in Wester n Europe and parts of Central and South America, the rights of the individual are not as secure as they once were

It is possible that one cause of the decay of freedom is that people do not understand sources from which true freedom comes. They perhaps do not appreciate its religious, moral, and historical roots. Lack of respect for order, justice, and sound authority work to diminish the gift of freedom that has been handed down by generations of men and women.

ADOBE STOCK

A builder’s perspective

At the beginning of the Oak Park Village Board meeting on May 19, 2026, during the non-agenda public comment phase, an Oak Park resident of 39 years named Rick Easty contributed his voice to the public discourse about the proposed policy change to eliminate zoning in residential neighborhoods.

As an active, local general contractor with almost 40 years of experience with the Oak Park housing market, with a dozen completed residential building projects and having served on the Building Code and Advisory Commission during the last fi years (and being the only active general contractor on it), Easty is perfectly positioned to understand the practical effects that would result from pursuit of this policy. He thus fills a glaring void in the public debate by re presenting the views, absent until now, of the developers for whom this policy change is designed to create opportunity and whom the gover nment of Oak Park would need in order to realize the vision for increased housing and population density that some members of the village board have

After introducing himself, Easty says he doesn’t believe “that we should eliminate all single-family zoning” and that Oak Park should be “strategic” about where to change zoning to allow single-family residences to be converted to multifamily residences in pursuit of greater population density. He believ it makes sense to do so closest to rapid transit, retail, and in particular grocery stores.

He then goes on to observe that “unfortunately some of the best potential development land” is in the historic districts and “removing that distinction, where it may make sense, may free up some of those parcels. The unfortunate thing is that there is no economics for 2- to 4-flats and possibly up to 6-flats given the high cost of property and construction. Eliminating all singlefamily residential zoning will more likely result in the purchase of large lots and building larger buildings, as doing so allows Probably 12 units per lot or more. I scouted some sites and that’ exactly what I would do. Some pushing 20 [units].”

While he is “supportive of the concept of more ‘missing middle’ housing,” Easty believes there is “a lot more to consider before eliminating the current zoning of single-family residential districts in Oak Park.”

He advises the village board that “the economics dictate that large multifamily development like that witnessed over the last 10 to 15 years is likely the only thing that will make any economic sense. Since this vote has the potential to change the character of the village that has been thoughtfully developed and maintained by several generations … I suggest that this issue in its final form [be] put before the voters for our vote.”

Rick Easty’s assessment of the economic realities confronting developers should be considered by everyone who cares about Oak Park and its future because his insight is a guide to where the elimination of single-family residential zoning would lead. I support his call for a referendum.

To watch Rick Easty deliver his comments to the Oak Park Village Board on video, go to Oak Park’s website (https://www. oak-park.us/Gover nment/Meetings/Village-Board-AgendasMinutes-Videos), find the May 19, 2026 meeting line and click on “video.” Rick Easty be gins at the 1 minute and 20 second mark. Adrian Marquez Oak Park

My non-r ional beliefs

humanity even though it is impossible to say how. I believe humanity has evolved to the point where we are capable of destroying ourselves but will eventually evolve to where we are no longer capable of destroying the planet or its inhabitants.

I believe Artificial Intellig ence will force us to accelerate the pace of our evolution, and after a dark time when AI undermines our humanity, we will emerge from its shadow and take a giant leap for humankind

I believe there is truth in our beliefs, but the

our selfishness, and that our survival instinct will triumph in an epic battle between the two sides of our nature.

I believe our better angels are stronger than our worst devils, but only if we nur ture our better nature.

I believe that our mission is to do whatever we can to preserve the planet, and in doing so, we will someday harness the energies of love, as Chardin said.

And, for the second time in history, discover fire.

Progress on housing a ordability

As we discuss what the village of Oak Park can do to address housing affordability, it is important to know: no single policy change will fix it. But as a board, we have tools we can use to help: changing the zoning code to allow for more middle-density housing, expanding the inclusionary housing ordinance, and ensuring that they work together to encourage the right mix of affordable and market-rate housing

One View

If we don’t act, home prices will continue to rise in Oak Park, new families will not be able to af ford moving here, and we risk the closure of our schools. I have seen what that means for a community like ours because I used to live in one

I grew up in Lake Oswego, Oregon, an affluent suburb of Portland. My parents, both teachers, decided to move there because of the excellent schools

I graduated from Lakeridge High in 2001. But just 10 years later, their school board closed three elementary schools, including the school where I went and where my mom taught Special Ed.

Why? Because there were not enough new families moving there to support enrollment; the median home price in Lake Oswego is $932,000, double the amount in the surrounding areas

Fast forward to 2018: my family with two young children decided to move to Oak Park for the good schools and racial diversity. Needless to say, we would not be able to afford a $932,000 home, and if prices were that high in Oak Park, we would not have moved here. And certainly, there would not be racial diversity.

If we want to avoid Lake Oswego’s future in Oak Park, to keep our schools open, and to continue seeing new, diverse families moving in, we must address housing affordability. Thankfully, there is time to act in Oak Park, but it’s a long road. Our median home price is $525,000, which is high for Illinois and above the national average. Oak Park is less affordable than all of our neighboring municipalities except for River Forest and Riverside

To increase housing supply and diversity, the biggest policy tool we have is changing our zoning code, which currently restricts the vast majority of our village (86%) to one building type: the single-family home

Allowing for building duplexes, 3-4 units, and ADUs (accessory dwelling units), in addition to single-family homes across the village, would allow for more middle-density housing to be built slowly over time, increasing supply and reducing costs, without changing the character

of our neighborhoods.

However, changing the zoning code alone will not guarantee that any of the new units built will be affordable. To do that, we must revisit our 2019 Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (IHO) that requires 25+ unit multifamily developments to either include affordable units or pay a $100,000 fee for each affordable unit not provided.

Despite the good intentions of this ordinance, Oak Park remains in the bottom 7% of Illinois municipalities for housing af fordability, and 44% of our renters are cost-burdened.

We need to lower the threshold of units covered by this ordinance and increase the fees for not providing affordable units to better align with the cost of building.

How would these changes impact Oak Park? We can look to cities that have already made these changes and see how they’ve fared.

In 2018, Minneapolis adopted their 2040 Plan, ending single-family zoning citywide, eliminating parking minimums (which IL has already done for most of Oak Park in the People Over Parking Act), expanding their IHO, and many other transportation, environment, equity, and economic policies

Six years later, their results are encouraging. Between 2020-2024, rents in Minneapolis fell by 4% compared to a 22% average national increase, and 87 new duplex, triplex, and fourplex buildings were permitted, creating 225 new housing units that would have otherwise not been built. The affordability crisis is not fully solved there, but meaningful progress has been made.

If we pass these changes in Oak Park, what will happen?

If you are a single-family homeowner, and your house is in good condition, nothing will change for you.

If your single-family home is in poor condition and is being sold, you may see a 2-4 unit building replacing it instead of a luxury $1.5M single-family home

If you are a senior, you will see slightly more housing options to downsize into

If you are a renter, you will see slightly more rental options.

If you are a low-income renter, you will see slightly more affordable rental options.

Given the scale of the housing affordability crisis, seeing real, meaningful progress within a few years of passing new local policies is a good goal to strive for. We must try.

Derek Eder is an Oak Park village trustee. View his original post with links and citations: derekeder.com.

Racism or poor decisions?

Shame on you. Your insinuation that the officer involved in the shooting on May 31, acted out of some type of racial animus is appalling. [Race and traffic stops, Dan Haley, Viewpoints, July 22]. I retired as a Patrol Commander with the Oak Park Police Department after 29 years of service, and I can help explain some of your questions

I know the 24-hour gas stations at Austin and Harrison are “Directed Patrol” areas. Maybe the vehicle’s sudden turn into the gas station drew the officer’s attention? Your contention that the officer was looking for a Black motorist to stop just for “driving while Black” is loathsome

I was involved in a shooting in 2002. When asked how many rounds I fired, I guessed four. It was eight. In response to the nine rounds in question, I’m sure the officer couldn’t tell you how many rounds he fired. Adrenaline is a powerful thing. I believe he fired until the offender stopped. And that required nine rounds.

You ask why would the of ficer fire his weapon in the direction of Austin Boulevard? Because the of fender was there, with a handgun, and he was a

bigger threat to motorists and pedestrians

What about shots to the back? My response is “So what?” This isn’t a Wester n movie; this isn’t pistols at 10 paces. This is a real-life deadly threat. Ask the Reddins family about ar med offenders.

Finally, you state that a policy review over “bogus” traffic stops is long overdue. And Oak Park has a long history of stopping Blacks disproportionate to their population numbers: the reason must surely be racism.

I think you would do well to simply acknowledge that police officers are ordinary people asked to do extraordinary work under unbelievably stressful and dangerous circumstances. The constant bashing and allegations of racism undermine the trust and respect required for the police mission to be successful.

Finally, Christian Wallace should still be alive, but it was not racism that killed him. It was his own poor decisions

John Curtin Retired Commander, OPPD Alsip

Remembering Millie Erhardt

You were in your 90s. We got introduced by a mutual friend who likely knew that we were kindred activist spirits. A longtime River Forest resident, you now were at Brookdale Senior Living and played a role there, of course. You participated in a Saturday morning current events group that I’d heard about when another friend moved there. Now we were connecting because I was collecting plastic to be made into free benches for our communities. You’d heard about the project and wanted to participate.

And you sure did! You got your Brookdale neighbors to save their plastic that you would collect and give to me. Then … you got the Brookdale staf f to save their plastic – from food deliveries and other things.

The day before you died, while I was picking up your plastic, the rece ptionist called you over. “Millie, I

have plastic for you!” and she handed you a small bag that you turned over to me, introducing me as “the plastic lady.”

But you didn’t stop at plastic. You learned I was distributing postcards to voters and asked if you could get some. “Some,” you did! It started out small. Maybe you asked for 500 in packs of 50 – always packs of 50. Two weeks later, you’d ask for 500 more. Then you’d ask for 1,000. For every election, the numbers grew. I think this current election you had asked for at least 2,000.

Then, the text that you had died that morning. … Millie, you stayed a force right to the end. Power in a small, 90-some-year-old woman.

Don’t tell anyone that older age means irrelevant. Millie was anything but.

Phyllis Rubin River Forest

From voter to candidate: Running for o ce

Have you ever considered serving on a local village, school or park board? The League of Women Voters of Oak ParkRiver Forest is sponsoring a program to encourage area residents who are considering public service and help them navigate the path to election.

The workshop is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Oak Park Public Library, Maze Branch, at 2 p.m. The library is at 845 Gunderson Ave. in Oak Park. The next election for municipal offices is April 6, 2027 and candidates must file their nomination documents, Nov. 16-23.

At a time when democracy and voting are under assault, citizens are needed to step up to participate in local government and bring their diverse points of view. Two speakers will discuss why people should run for of fice and the considerations they should weigh. They will offer a primer on the nuts and bolts of running. What are the mechanics of getting and staying on the ballot and what are the pitfalls to avoid? What is the best way to raise money and what is an effective campaign? For mer elected officials will share their experiences and advice in a panel discussion afterward.

Speaker Mathias W. Delort served on the Illinois Appellate Court for more than 10 years and in the circuit court for five

Who cares?

I attended the July 9 meeting of the River Forest Development Board on the proposed Madison Street development. To say that I was underwhelmed by the board’s unanimous vote to send the proposal to the village board for final approval is an understatement.

The development board essentially ignored the comments from the majority of the village residents attending the meeting. The couple whose home will be in shadows 10 months of the year. Who cares? The laughable traffic study. Have you ever seen the traffic on Madison at 4:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m? Who cares? The current zoning code mandating at least 204 parking spaces for a development this large. So what? Get ready for repealing the ban on over night parking, at least in that part of River Forest.

I support development in River Forest. How about a similar development at Williams and Division?

Bill Heineke River Forest

years. During that time he trained hundreds of judges on campaign ethics and related topics. He currently works as an arbitrator, mediator and administrative law judge and is the editor-in-chief of the leading treatise on Illinois election law.

Sheilah O’Grady-Krajniak, our second speaker, is executive director of the Citizen Advocacy Center in Elmhurst, serving DuPage County and other areas in building democracy, increasing citizen education and eng agement and providing community lawyer services. Previously, she was director of criminal record relief for the Westside Justice Center. O’Grady-Krajniak also served in the Cook County State’s Attor ney’s Office for more than 15 years in a variety of positions and roles.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in gover nment. With more than 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s most trusted grassroots organizations

For more information, contact Ann Courter at annccourter@gmail.com.

Judith Crown OP-RF League of Women Voters

It really does take … everyone!

The expression “It takes a village …” is commonly used. I would like to amend it to “It takes everyone” in my case

A year ago, I suf fered a severe hemorrhagic stroke. Over the course of this past year, I found myself in multiple hospitals and care centers. I did make it home in January and back to remote work in April. I am not writing for sympathy. I am not a stroke victim but rather a stroke survivor!

There are many reasons that my road to recovery, albeit long, is going so well. For one there is Oak Park Firehouse #2, which responded to my call for help on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2:45 p.m. The ambulance that came took me to Loyola in Maywood. The hospitals all were so helpful caring for me during my many times of need. I also went to Marionjoy in Wheaton and Thrive of Lisle for the bulk of my rehabilitative care. All of the therapists, doctors, nurses and care providers really did a phenomenal job getting me

back where I needed to be.

Then there is my family w ho daily helped me with so many tasks, big and small. I would not be where I am today without them. And, of course, my friends who would visit, call, send email and pen letters. Really so many of them! I do not have the space here to mention everyone’s names. I included one picture of Garrett LeFleur from the fire station. I went there on July 20 of this year to personally thank the team for helping save my life

The truly beautiful thing is that it literally took hundreds of people to save my life! Everyone I came in contact with over the past year played a role with the new me. It is something to keep in mind with your own life. There are countless numbers of people who play such significant roles in our lives.

Never forget that! And thank them all! For it really does take everyone!

David Wick Oak Park

WEDNESDAY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

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

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Your voice still matters

Oak Park residents deserve the opportunity to weigh in directly on the future of single-family zoning. Recognizing the significance of this issue, I fought to place an advisory referendum before the voters. The public response was overwhelming: more than 250 residents emailed the Village Board, with over 95% expressing support for allowing voters to decide the issue through an advisory referendum.

In addition, more than 400 residents signed a petition in just 36 hours calling for the same opportunity. Despite this clear demonstration of public interest, the village board voted last Tuesday to reject the referendum. Re gardless of where you stand on eliminating single-family zoning, denying residents a direct voice on such a consequential policy decision is

deeply disappointing and is not reflective of a board that listens to the community

Although the referendum effort was unsuccessful, the conversation is far from over. The proposal now moves to the Plan Commission for its review, and that process provides another important opportunity for residents to be heard. I support refer ring the proposal to the Plan Commission because it is the appropriate next step in the process, and I encourage everyone to participate. If you care about the future of Oak Park’s zoning policy, attend the public hearings, of fer public comment, and ensure your perspective becomes part of the of ficial record. Meaningful public participation has never been more important.

James Taglia Oak Park village trustee

I want a vote

Four years ago, at 2 o’clock in the morning on New Year’s Day, someone entered the alley directly behind my home and fired several rounds of an AK-47 into the air. Police were called, detectives investigated and, fortunately, no one was hurt. I live in the 700 block of North Humphrey Avenue. On the opposite side of my alley stand several apartment buildings, mostly 6-flats rented to low-income families. During my family’s 17 years of residence in the neighborhood, our alley has transformed into a garbage dump for discarded mattresses, couches, dressers, and other furniture; at times it is a racetrack; during the summer it serves alter natively as a shooting gallery, a playground, a spillover parking lot, a place to set off fireworks, and a hideout to transact nefarious business. And all of these activities are conducted not by the homeowners on Humphrey Avenue but the scores of renters who live in multifamily dwellings just a few feet behind us along Austin Boulevard

Over the years, a revolving door of renters and their associates has troubled the peace and stabil-

Powering up with climate-friendly protein

When considering protein sources, meat and dairy often come to mind first. However, a growing consensus among top medical and health institutions emphasizes that whole-food, plant-based proteins are exceptional for long-ter m health and vitality.

The American Heart Association encourages adults to swap meat for plant sources, noting that “beans, lentils, chickpeas, and other legumes are packed with protein and fiber … [and] improve heart health.” The Mayo Clinic echoes this, advising diners to “move over meat; veggies are the heroes now.” Furthermore, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health emphasizes that “the more veggies — and the greater the variety — the better,” while war ning to limit red meat and avoid bacon, cold cuts, and other processed meats

Beyond personal health, swapping animal products for plant-based proteins offers profound environmental benefits. According to a landmark study by Oxford University published in Science (Poore & Nemecek, 2018), transitioning to a plant-based diet can reduce an individual’s food-related greenhouse footprint by up to 73% while dramatically cutting land and water degradation.

On a broader scale, a Stanford University environmental report estimates that if everyone in the U.S. skipped meat and cheese just one day a week, the resulting emissions reduction would equal taking 7.6 million cars off the road annually.

The best news for Oak Park and River Forest residents is that trying plantbased protein doesn’t require sacrifice — our local dining scene offers a rich abundance of delicious, protein-packed dishes:

■ 100% Vegan: Alice & Friends

■ Multiple Protein Options (e.g., tofu, edamame, soy, beans, nuts): FARE, Sweetgreen, Mora, Katy’s Dumplings, Cava [RF], Chipotle

■ Beans: Maya Del Sol, Cafe Cubano, Hecho en Oak Park, Margaritas, Victory Italian (lima); Scratch on Lake (bean burger); Taco Pros

■ Tofu: Khyber Pass, Penny’s Noodle Shop

■ Falafel: Grape Leaves, Jerusalem Cafe

■ Breakfast Options: Breakfast House (vegan chorizo), First Watch in River Forest (beans)

Incorporating even a meal or two of plant-based protein into your week benefits your heart, protects the planet, and

ity of life in my neighborhood. Renters move frequently; owners, not so much. Sometimes, life behind our home is tranquil, yet other times my neighbors and I must contend with one nuisance after another. As a 27-year Oak Park resident, Black, gay, and from a family of working-class strivers, one of the things I love most about Oak Park is its ethos of inclusivity and equality. However, the village’s move to rezone single-family housing is, I believe, a bridge too far. Indeed, most of the residents who support rezoning, I suspect, do not live in areas like mine that are already experiencing congestion, litter, loud noise, rodent infestations, blocked alleys, and hooliganism. Rezoning is not an abstract issue. The consequences of unilaterally changing the character of any neighborhood are far-reaching and can result not only in a loss of property value but peace, pride, and safety as well. A referendum is required on this issue so that all village residents can have a say. I want to vote

supports our vibrant local restaurants

Sources

1. American Heart Association: 5 Heart-Healthy Eating Habits. https:// www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/ healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutritionbasics/5-heart-healthy-eating-habits

2. Mayo Clinic: Vegetarian Meal Plan. https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/mealplans/vegetarian-meal-plan

3. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Healthy Eating Plate. https:// www health.harvard.edu/healthy-agingand-longevity/healthy-eating-plate

4. Oxford University Environmental Study: Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). “Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers.” Science, 360 (6392), 987-992.

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/ science.aaq0216

5. Stanford University Climate Footprint Study: Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment / Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) Dietary Footprint Report.

https://e360.yale.edu/digest/eatingless-meat-one-day-a-week-carbon-emissions

Eric Samore Oak Park

Plastic-free July targets microplastics

Each year an estimate of 10 trillion plastic pellets end up in our marine ecosystem and is the third largest source of intentional microplastic being released into our environment. In honor of plastic-free July, we need to bring awareness to the issue of plastic pollution.

If the public is unaware of the harmful effects of plastic pellets, they will continue to threaten our health. This is why we need to enforce a zero discharge policy that ensures not a single plastic pellet is spilled into our waters and the proper technology has to be implemented to accomplish this. Illinois residents who care about their environment and their personal health are urged to call their state legislature and ask them to support this zero discharge policy.

Ayanna Townsend Oak Park

Send letters

Ken Trainor, Wednesday Journal

E-mail: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org Fax: 708-524-0047

Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Jarrett Neal Oak Park

Follow the money

Regarding Dan Lauber’s opinion piece [River Forest misses golden opportunity, Viewpoints, July 22], I could not agree more. A luxury apartment complex does not provide much that is valuable to the community. More kids in overcrowded schools, more traffic, more congestion in the parks. It is hard to see how such a small retail project will help stabilize the tax base. When the TIF District is factored in, it will be many years for the village to see any real benefit

When we moved here 26 years ago, our taxes were $11,000. Proposed taxes this year are $36,000. I hate to move from the community where we have lived so long, raised children and grandchildren, have deep, meaningful friendships. Yet that is looking more and more like the reasonable choice

In my view, the village has not successfully made the case for this development. I do wonder who is benefitting from it financially. As always, I think the answer is to follow the money

Jane Moore River Forest

Where was the ‘Review’ ?

On July 9, River Forest’s Development Review Board (DRB) unanimously approved a 5-story, 72-apartment building at Madison and Ashland. The proposal has 79 residential parking spaces, 8 retail spaces and 1 loading space on 3 taxpayerowned lots, 1 institutional and 2 residential, surrounded by historic single-family homes

The hearing felt like confirmation, not deliberation. Board members asked few substantive questions, took few notes, and conditioned approval on a few extra bushes. The outcome appeared pre-determined, with self-interest votes, including four reappointments come April.

For mer DRB Chair Frank Martin provided direction for Findings of Fact in 2018: “A ‘yes’ vote requires a project to satisfy every applicable review standard.” This project fails to meet 10 or more of 15 Standards for Review. The burden the project will place on adjacent property

owners outweighs the alleged economic benefits to the village. (Village Ordinance 10-19-3).

Public speakers who opposed the project, 23 of 27, cited size, density, appearance, inadequate parking, increased traffic, lack of affordable housing, no retail plan, little green space, and an opaque review process

The application left major questions unanswered. Financial information and projected rents were omitted. Property tax estimates lacked assumptions and calculations. Traffic analyses were biased, with incomplete links. Adding detached brick garages increases developer’s revenue while visually and physically impacting adjacent homes

Most striking was the reversal by DRB members Davis and Shoemaker who sat on the Zoning Board (ZBA) during its 2024 review of the village’s proposed zoning amendments. Both expressed

Review this development for yourself

Comedian Richard Pryor advised his fans never to admit to infidelity even if caught in the act: “Who you gonna believe, your lyin’ eyes or me?” The River Forest Planned Development Review Board took a similar approach when recommending approval of the proposed 72-unit rental building at 7620 Madison. At 87 feet tall, the building is nearly three times the maximum 30 feet permitted. It will provide less than half the required parking. Setbacks will be waived to allow open air parking and 13-foot-high garages along the entire proper ty line of adjacent single-family homes. At the meeting, distraught homeowners spoke out about the headlights and

exhaust that will be right outside their windows. The father of a young child talked about the lost enjoyment of their backyard. One speaker presented a computer-generated “shadow map.” It demonstrates that, because the building is due south, several rows of homes will be in the building’s shadow for days on end during the winter.

The board did not dispute the merit of these arguments, which are supported by the facts of the proposal. Instead they chose to accept the developers’ assertion that the project would not adversely af fect the value, use and enjoyment of nearby property. “Who you gonna believe, home-

E-bikes are unsafe

The e-bike situation in Oak Park, River Forest and Elmwood Park is beyond dangerous. I urge the police and municipal leadership to enact stronger legislation than the Illinois law slated to go into effect in 2027 which is much too limited. Our streets and sidewalks have become so unsafe – especially for pedestrians, dogs and the elderly. Public health is about prevention. Let’s act before tragedy strikes our community.

Fran Scott Elmwood Park

owners, your lyin’ eyes or us?”

I urge every River Forest resident to review this proposal, available online at the village website. It’s almost 200 pages long. I encourage you to read the requested allowances from the zoning requirements to get a quick idea of how far off from River Forest standards this project is. Decide for yourself if those most af fected are being treated fairly

I didn’t realize until recently reviewing the TIF District online how many homes are in it. Please stand up for your neighbors now before the damage is done.

Susan Singer River Forest

Why bother?

The village of River Forest sent an email on July15 soliciting public comment re garding the Madison & Ashland development. To what end, just to ignore everyone one more time?! The Development Review Board (DRB) held a four hour meeting last week; three of those hours involved 20+ residents pointing out why the project doesn’t fit and that resident complaints were ignored. Immediately after the residents spoke, the DRB voted unanimously to green-light the project. So … why are they still soliciting public comment?!

David Er fort

Ri ver Forest

concer ns that increases in height and density and parking reductions were too sweeping. Both supported independent review, greater public input and building step-backs from adjacent single-family homes. The ZBA concluded the proposed changes were too extensive, insufficiently justified and inconsistent with preserving village character. Where were those concerns July 9?

Residents observed the DRB hearing and the entire development process, from hiring a broker to selecting a developer, was orchestrated to deliver a decision already made. Performative gover nance.

Source: 9/6/2018

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Margie Cekander River Forest

Why are we doing this?

If you want to see what could happen on your block under proposed rezoning, enter your address on rezoning.yesoakpark.com. If you live in a bungalow, they can build a 4-unit, 3-story, 35-foot-high structure on your block. Minimum lot width is 30 feet, maximum building height is 35. Maximum building coverage is removed so it can be built all the way to the street, eliminating what is already a small backyard and parking for up to four families. Under the new code, vehicle parking minimums would be zero, village wide! So developers would not have to provide a garage or onsite parking.

We didn’t move from the city to have the residential quality of Oak Park changed. I urge everyone to get involved Attend Plan Commission meetings. The new codes have only been done in a few sites. The CEO of Opticus in his book Missing Middle Housing cites Oak Park as one of the best examples in the country, so why are we doing this if we have so many apartments already?

Diana Jacobs Oak Park

Years ago, Diego Armando Maradona said, “La pelota no se mancha”— the ball does not get stained. Reflecting on a life marked by brilliance, mistakes, and addiction, he believed football had to remain above the failures around it.

After the 2026 World Cup, I am no longer sure. This tournament raised a question: What does football (soccer) mean today, and who still owns it?

Soccer continues to grow in the U.S., yet its culture remains different from most footballing nations. Supporting a club or country often means accepting repeated defeat. Losing is not a defect to be engineered away; it is part of unconditional love to the team, to the country, to the game

I grew up playing football in Chile. You needed almost nothing: a ball, a wall, and an after noon. Any child could play, practice, and

Is the ball stained?

dream. Today, many children cannot even watch matches. Broadcast rights hide games behind paywalls, while ticket prices push working families away. A sport that once belonged to everyone increasingly serves interests far removed from the field.

The game itself is also changing. Football is both a physical and mental battle, and its continuous rhythm is essential. Yet cooling breaks increasingly feel less like player protection and more like opportunities to insert sponsors and advertising into the match. VAR can correct serious errors, but reviews measured by centimeters interrupt the instinct, ambiguity, strategy, and human judgment that made football beautiful. Spontaneity was never the weakness. It was the point.

Lionel Messi once represented the child with a ball made real: proof that greatness could emerge from modest beginnings. Now

he is presented as a product. Controversial decisions surrounding Argentina have led some supporters to suspect FIFA needs his story to continue. That proves no manipulation, but the loss of trust is damaging enough. I want to remember Messi as an example, not a brand.

Still, the game finds a way back. Norway’s supporters filled streets and subway cars with the Viking Row, while Haaland showed humor and humanity beyond his superstar image. Cabo Verde, one of the tour nament’s smallest nations, reminded us that courage can challenge power.

Perhaps Maradona was right. The ball itself does not get stained.

We do. And every once in a while, soccer/ football becomes beautiful again despite us

Not just ‘for whites only’

“Single-family residency” is code for “whites only,” according to the Oak Park Board of Trustees in their meeting on July 21. I am in favor of more housing, and more affordable housing, in Oak Pa rk and nationwide. However, according to the board, the purpose of the move to eliminate single-family residency zoning and increase the number of multi-unit residences in the village is to make Oak Park accessible to a broader range of incomes. Why is this needed? Because, according to the board, “diversity” in Oak Park is declining.

The facts state otherwise.

According to the U.S. Census, in 2010, white residents accounted for 71.1% of the village’s population. In 2020, it was 64.5%,

and the 2025 estimate is 63% (and “White alone, not Hispanic or Latino” is 61.5%).

So Oak Park’s “white” population has fallen, from 71.1% to 63 (or 61.5) percent since 2010; while Asian, “Black alone,” “American Indian and Alaskan,” HispanicLatino, and “Two or More Races” have risen to 37%-38.5% of Oak Park’s population. If, as the board insists, single-family zoning is designed to maintain some sort of “whitesonly” hegemony in Oak Park, it is failing miserably.

Board members repeatedly referred to “living up to our community values” and to our “alle ged ‘commitment to diversity.’” However, the data show that in the nor mal course of events and without any extraor-

dinary changes in zoning, Oak Park has, in fact, become more diverse over the past 15 years.

Perhaps in the board’s enlightened view it isn’t the “right kind of diversity?”

What, then, is the real agenda for this proposed change in zoning?

Sources:

2010 and 2020 U.S. Census: https://www oakpark.com/2023/08/15/oak-parks-diversity-and-inclusion-success

The 2025 U.S. Census - Quick Facts, for “Oak Park, village, Illinois: https://www. census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/oakparkvillageillinois/RHI125225

Charles Colson Oak Park

Trustees disregard our voices

NICOLE CHAVAS

Zoned out from page 20

actually been built. Achieving gentle density will take far more than simple permission.

So why do it at all? Because the recommendations are necessary, even if only a first step. They retire a policy with an ugly, exclusionary past. They give us room to adapt as our households keep getting older and smaller. They align the code with who we already are. And they’re low-risk, precisely because they’re low-yield. They force nothing on anyone, and they clear the way for the harder work to come.

We’ve spent extraordinary energy — meetings, money, worry, neighbor wary of neighbor — on a step that will change very little, before we’ve even gotten to discuss the levers that could truly shape our village. Was it worth it?

Sources:

Hinsdale: record 118 teardowns (2005); roughly half of original stock lost since the late 1990s — Crain’s Chicago Business, “Hinsdale says anti-teardown program is saving houses”; Dwell. About 11,775 units lost from two-tofour-unit buildings (2013–2019), 47.5% converted to single-family — DePaul University Institute for Housing Studies, “Patter ns of Lost 2 to 4 Unit Buildings in Chicago.”

Nicole Chavas writes a monthly column for Wednesday Journal. She lives in a single-family home on a block with a two-flat, a six-flat, and a couple of ADUs, and thinks it’s the best block in town.

As a longtime resident of Oak Park, I was troubled to hear that the Village Board of Trustees was likely moving forward with zoning changes to eliminate single-family home zoning without even allowing for a non-binding referendum vote. I attended Tuesday’s board meeting, and I was shocked and dismayed by the lack of transparency around and speed with which the zoning decision-making was proceeding. Most of the public comments and trustee commentary were

related to the underlying zoning issue and not the evening’s vote on a referendum. That in and of itself indicated a seemingly intentional avoidance of community participation and lack of information-sharing by the board’s zoning change advocates. The board of trustees ultimately overwhelmingly voted to disallow a referendum and along the way, Trustee Cory Wesley, a primary advocate of the zoning changes stated that a vote wouldn’t be respected by the board.” I find it incredu-

lous that in a community that prides itself on inclusion and democratic principles, the majority of the board is so brazenly dismissing the very people and opinions they were elected to re present. Multiple trustees alluded to the issue being too wrapped in complexity and nuance to be suitable for a referendum put to the community. I beg to differ.

I encourage all readers to visit the Village Board of Trustees website and watch the video of the trustees’ comments from

Tuesday’s meeting, star ting at 1 hour, 47 minutes. You might be surprised by the lack of compelling reasoning for allowing for community input via what w ould be a non-binding referendum. You might also be surprised by the contempt some members seemingly have for what would be our collective voices. We need leadership on key issues, not condescending lectures drowning out the peoples’ voices. Blaine Hyde Oak Park

Franco Giovi Zaro Oak Park

VIEWPOINT S

Zoning discussion needs mutual respect

The recent discussion surrounding single-family zoning has increasingly been framed in moral terms. Some speakers have argued that single-family zoning is morally reprehensible because, in their view, it continues patterns of exclusion rooted in America’s history of housing discrimination. Others believe that this characterization oversimplifies a far more complex policy question. Understanding both perspectives may help elevate the public discussion. Those who view single-family zoning as morally problematic point to the historical record. They note that discriminatory practices — including restrictive covenants, redlining, racial steering, exclusionary zoning, and unequal lending practices — contributed to segregated neighborhoods and unequal access to housing opportunities. They argue that, although many of these practices are now illegal, zoning that limits neighborhoods to one housing type can continue to affect who can afford to live there. From this perspective, eliminating single-family-only zoning is viewed as one step toward expanding housing opportunity and addressing the lasting effects of historical inequality

Others begin from the same historical understanding but reach a different conclusion about current policy. They agree that the history of housing discrimination is well documented and should never be ignored. However, they view today’s zoning debate primarily as a question of land-use planning rather than civil rights. They argue that zoning is one of many tools used to guide growth, infrastructure, neighborhood design, and housing patterns. In their view, whether a particular zoning policy is appropriate should be evaluated by examining its likely effects, including housing production, affordability, redevelopment patterns, infrastructure capacity, fiscal impacts, and neighborhood character.

The central question, therefore, may not be whether history matters. Most participants appear to agree that it does Rather, the debate is whether eliminating single-family-only zoning is likely to achieve the goals its supporters expect. That is ultimately an empirical question requiring careful analysis rather than assumption.

Public discussion is often most productive when it distinguishes between acknowledging historical injustice and evaluating contemporary policy proposals. Citizens can recognize the enduring effects of discrimination while also asking for evidence about how specific refor ms are expected to work. Likewise, they can support zoning reform without assuming that everyone who raises questions is defending past injustices.

Oak Park has long valued thoughtful civic engagement. Whatever conclusions residents ultimately reach, the conversation will benefit from careful listening, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to examining both history and evidence with equal seriousness.

Robert Milstein

Former Oak Park trustee

Pam Hyde, 78 Teacher, principal in River Forest

Pamela Elaine Re gan Hyde, 78, of Oak Park, died on 2026, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on Sept. 28, 1947, in Brooklawn, New sey, to the late William Rayfield Re gan and Vivian West her gift was caring for others, which she embraced with quiet strength, steadfast optimism, grace, and a sense of humor that brought light even during life most difficult moments.

While pursuing an education de gree at Gwynedd Mer cy University, she met Art, the love of her life, and they married in 1968. After beginning her teaching career in Philadelphia and raising their three children in Oak Park, she retur ned to education. She taught third at Willard Elementary in River Forest before ear a master’s de gree and retiring as principal of Lincoln Elementary in River Forest. Through her compassion, wisdom, and commitment to children, she touched the lives of students, families, teachers, and colleagues.

Bonnie von Ebers, 67

Legal secretary, shopper extraordinaire

She was a devoted wife and mother, cheerful neighbor, empathetic friend, and an avid dog lover. She dedicated much of her adult life to caring for her son, David, whose remarkable 48 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were made possible by her care. Family, faith, and service were the foundation of her life.

Pam is survived by her son, Adam Stephen Hyde (Ruth); her daughter, Alicia Laura Hyde; her grandsons, Charles David Hyde and Vance Barron Hyde; her sister, Donna Cogan; her beloved dog, Cocoa; and many friends and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Hyde; her son, David Michael Hyde; and her parents.

Visitation will be held on Aug. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. Check for details at https://www.online-tribute.com/PamHyde.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. at St. Giles Parish in Oak Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, https://mda. donordrive.com/campaigns/In-Honor-of-David-and-PamHyde, or the Parkinson’s Foundation at https://secure. parkinson.org/site/TR/Tributes/General.

Bonnie Jean von Ebers (nee Oak Park, died peacely 19, 2026. She spent her final days surrounded by those d, having a cup of coffee, listening to her favorite songs, and telling her husband and children, ou more.”

n on Jan. 18, 1959, for worked as a legal secretary where she found not only ved but friends who

she refused to let her cancer diagnosis define her, beating the odds more times than anyone ry setback with remarkable mination, fighting constantly for more memories and ears together. For as long vorite traditions endary Black Friday entures with her sisters that often stretched into twoday events. She cherished family holidays, most notably Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day, refurbishing her and Jim’s family summer home at Goose Lake, sitting on the front porch, and crafting with her daughters, sisters, and grandchildren.

At the center of Bonnie’s world was family. She was the wife of Jim von Ebers, her high school sweetheart; the mother of Kelly Lawler (Dan), Kevin von Ebers (Erica), and Amanda von Ebers; the daughter of Barbara Laper; and Gramma to her five grandchildren, Jaxson, Hadleigh, Adeline, Lillian, and Evelyn. She delighted in spending time with them, taking selfies, and spoiling them on every holiday, milestone, or whenever she found a good sale on clothing in the next size up. She is also survived by her siblings, Cinde, Thomas (Sharon), Barbie (Jerry), and Jimmy (Renee), along with dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family members. She was preceded in death by her sister, Debbie (Dave).

Visitation will be held at Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Road, on July 30 from 3 to 8 p.m., with a chapel service beginning at 7. Inter ment private Bonnie always said if she won the lottery she would give all the money to children fighting cancer. In her memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ronald McDonald House at Loyola University Medical Center Arrangements were handled by Peter B. Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors.

SPORTS

River Forest 12U baseball earns hard-fought District 10 title

Three wins in losers bracket to punch state ticket

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Whenever a team loses its first game of a double-elimination postseason tournament, it has to dig deep if it wants to avoid another loss that would end its season. That was the situation the River Forest 12U baseball team faced last week after losing its opening game in the Little League District 10 tournament to Elmhurst, 6-5, July 19. But the team responded well to the adversity, winning three consecutive games to win the district championship and advance to the Illinois Little League Majors state tour nament.

“It’s been a long time coming. It feels really good,” said River Forest 12U coach Frankie Giglio. “We won the district championship in 10U, and we lost to Elmhurst last year (11U). But this was the year that truly mattered; the 12U season is what everyone strives for.”

Following the opening loss, River Forest went into the losers bracket, and routed Franklin Park 15-5, July 20, to earn a rematch against Elmhurst, whom River Forest had to defeat twice in order to win the district. And that’s exactly what they did. On July 21 in Keystone Park, Matt Irvin hit a grand slam in the top of the fifth, which proved to be the game-winner as River Forest prevailed 7-5.

The following night in Elmhurst, Irvin

again starred at the plate with two hits, including another home run, and two RBI as River Forest scored five runs in the top of the first in a 9-6 title-clinching victory. On the mound, winning pitcher Jack O’Keefe allowed four runs (all unear ned) on three hits and struck out three in 1.1 innings.

“It’s very difficult in baseball to win three consecutive games and a title from the losers bracket,” Giglio said.

The 12U team consists of the following players: Aidan Connelly, Grayson Elfvin, Valentino Giglio (Frankie’s son), Liam Goggin, Charlie Goldhaber, Chris and Matt Irvin, Louie Lothson, Owen Medina, O’Keefe, Paddy Sheahan, and Danny Zarco. Besides Giglio, coaches are Bayard Elfvin, Pat Sheahan Sr., and Tom Irvin.

Defense is of highest importance in postseason play, and Giglio feels that’s been a key factor this year

“When we picked this team, we went toward the defensive end of things,” he said.

“Liam and Charlie are our shortstop and second baseman up the middle and sometimes they’ve saved games single-handedly with their gloves. That was a huge help. Behind the plate, Valentino has been a wall and helps every pitcher as much as he can.

“On the offensive side of things, Matt has done something I’ve never seen, and I’ve been

Elmhurst/River

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The more things change, the more they

July 22.

home runs in his last 22 at-bats. From top to bottom, when we’ve needed a hit, someone’s stepped up, plain and simple. And the pitching’s been truly remarkable.”

Beating Elmhurst twice in a row for the district championship, Giglio said, was especially sweet.

“Elmhurst’s had our number recently,” he said. “The last time a River Forest team won was four years ago. It’s not an easy task, so this is incredible.”

River Forest opened state play on Saturday with a 3-2 victory over Olney. Sheahan went all six innings on the mound to earn the win, allowing two runs on just four hits. Goggin and Chris Irvin each had an RBI

Later that day, River Forest managed only two hits, both from O’Keefe, in an 11-1 de-

grit and character on Sunday in a 7-6 extrainning victory over Beardstown. Zarco belted a three-run homer in the top of the first, and River Forest led 6-1 after five innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, Beardstown scored five runs to force extra innings. River Forest responded in the top of the seventh when Goldhaber’s two-out double plated Lothson with the go-ahead run. Connelly retired Beardstown in order in the bottom half to notch the save

In the final pool-play game on Monday versus Burbank, River Forest jumped out to a 6-0 lead after 3½ innings but couldn’t hold on and lost 10-9 to get eliminated from state

However, Giglio is still proud of his team.

“No matter what, we had a good run,” he said.

Forest 14U rolls to junior state title

Has chance at trip to four th straight World Series

stay the same, a perfect description for this year’s Elmhurst/River Forest 14U baseball team. The coaching staf f may be new, but the results are not when it comes to the Il-

lini Junior League state tournament. For the fourth consecutive year – and fifth time in six years, Elmhurst/River Forest took home the championship, defeating

Burbank 10-1 in the finals, July 23. Roshan Vitha had three hits, with Mario Iveljic, Tiago Rangel (thr ee RBI), Ayden San Roman, and Tyler Welch each adding two. On the

SUBMIT TED BY FRANKIE GIGLIO

e River Forest 12U baseball team celebrates its District 10 title-game victor y over Elmhurst,

e Elmhurst/River Forest 14U baseball team celebrates its Junior League state championship last week. e team is at this week’s Central Regional seeking its fourth consecutive trip to the Junior League World Series

mound, Iveljic went the distance, allowing one run on five hits with four strikeouts and a walk.

“The boys played so well. It made it really fun,” said Elmhurst/River Forest coach Rob Fleming.

While the majority of the team is from Elmhurst, River Forest has four players: Will Bartolucci, Jon Ellis, Daniel Go ggin, and Jimmy Madden. Both Bartolucci and Ellis missed last week’s game with injuries, and it’s unclear whether they’ll be able to retur n later this postseason.

“Jon is a great pitcher, but he’s been out with a hamstring pull and been in the dugout with us. Will played in the district series, but then started football at Fenwick and in the first day or two, he broke his thumb. He’s a strong hitter,” Fleming said.

“Jimmy and Daniel are great. Jimmy pitched in two state games and got a big three-run double (against Burbank), which really helped us win. We’ve been lucky to have these guys.”

Fleming added that there were no issues adding the River Forest players to the team. In fact, he thought the chemistry developed quickly.

“We had to go through the process of qualifying. T he kids from Elmhurst already knew each other. We got the River Forest players, and the boys got to know and g et comfortable playing with each other,” F leming said. “They ’re just having fun.”

Elmhurst/River Forest 14U’s recent success has created high expectations for the program. But Fleming says the players and coaches welcome them.

“These kids know previous teams have won re gionals and went to the World Series. They’re really hungry to get there themselves,” he said. “It looks like it’s an easy thing to do, but it’s not. They know there’s going to be some tough competition at the (Junior League Central) regional.”

Elmhurst/River Forest has a bye in the double-elimination Central Re gional, July 29-August 2. The club opens play on July 30 against the winner of the tournament’s first game, Missouri or Wisconsin.

Fleming knows his team needs to be ready for the first game, particularly if Wisconsin is the opponent.

“Wisconsin’s really good, and they know that. They know them from travel ball,” Fleming said. “It’s going to be tough.”

In order for Elmhurst/River Forest to punch a ticket to the World Series this week, Fleming says getting effective pitching will be important.

“The one thing we’ve been slightly worried about is pitching. We don’t have a lights-out pitcher, we’re just relying on our guys having good performances and they have been so far,” he said. “And we’ve got to keep hitting; if our pitching isn’t going to be lights-out, we’ve gotta score runs. We turned on the run production at state; if we continue to do that, we’ll be OK.”

WNBA all-stars shine in Chicago

But Sky has no representation as franchise continues to struggle

Some thoughts on the Women’s National Basketball Association’s All-Star Weekend which took place 24-25 and was hosted by the Chicago Sky.

Normally, this event w have generated a lot of buzz locally. After all, having the best of the best WNBA ers in town for one weekend is a feather in the cap for host teams. But since winning it only WNBA title in 2021, the Sky’s fortunes have rapidl declined

The Sky entered All-Star Weekend with a 9-18 record and to make matters wo while luminous players such as Caitli Clark, Angel Reese, and ticipated, the Sky did not ha take part. No one was voted in by the fans. Nor was anyone selected to the rosters by the honorary All-Star general managers –WNBA legends Cynthia Cooper and Teresa Weatherspoon.

Jeff Pagliocca, was unable to turn the team around up to this point.

Why has the Sky been in a downward spiral for the past few years? I believe it’s because of ownership. Michael Alter has owned the franchise since it joined the WNBA as an expansion team in the 2006 season. In 20 years as majority owner, he has gone through nine head coaches, the only extended period of success provided by James Wade, who guided the team to the 2021 championship. Among the players on the title-winning group were local legends Candace Parker and Allie Quigley

But following the 2022 season, Alter allowed Parker to leave via free agency, and Quigley retired. Wade stepped down during the 2023 season to take an assistant job with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors.

In 2024, Weatherspoon was hired as head coach but lasted just one season, following a 13-27 record. Tyler Marsh took over last year, but he, along with general manager

The constant coaching and front office changes have created a sense of instability and given the Sky a weak reputation among WNBA players. That, plus the fact that a long-awaited and necessary practice facility has yet to be completed, makes it difficult for the team to attract marquee free agents. Located in Bedford Park, the facility was supposed to open before the season and was going to be where the All-Stars practiced and held Media Day. Instead, those events ent to the newly opened Obama Presidential Center, which has a ull-length basketball court, and the Sky says the new facility will not be open until this fall – after the season is over. While the ys aren’t necessarily Alter’s ault, they create a feeling of anizational mistrust among ers around the league. hen there’s this: several of the WNBA’s ers such as Elena Delle wles, and Parker have played for the Sky, but have either demanded trades or left with bitter feelings toward the organization. That’s not a good look for Alter and his franchise stewardship. Moreover, unlike other franchises who beefed up their staffs by adding more assistant coaches, trainers, nutritionists, and massage therapists, until this season, Alter ran a bare-bones program with few staff. That’s not conducive to building a winning culture for the organization.

If the Sky wants to re-establish itself as a destination franchise, Alter either needs to increase his investment in staff and personnel or sell the team to someone who wants to win and be successful every year. For the Sky to not have one player participating in All-Star Weekend in their hometown is embarrassing, and it should serve as a wake-up call.

Sky fans have long been passionate about their team and don’t deserve this nonsense. But as long as Alter remains the franchise’s owner, it’s hard to see things improving any time soon. And that’s a shame.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3360 | BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG Let the sun shine in... Your right to know In print • Online

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 am to 12:00 p.m. local time until 1:00 p.m on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 for the following:

Village of Oak Park 2027 Parkway Tree Pruning Bid Number: 26-120

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

A mandatory pre-bid meeting shall be held on Wednesday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m. at the Public Works Center in Oak Park. Bids received from bidders who do not send a representative to the pre-bid meeting shall not be considered.

The Village of Oak Park reserve the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, 2026.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 29, 2026

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: M26001814 on July 8, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of JAMIE JONES PAINTING with the business located at: 4132 ELM AVE, BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JAMIE MOCK JONES 4132 ELM AVE BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA

Published in RB Landmark July 15, 22, 29, 2026

SECTION I

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

2026 SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

This project will include the removal and replacement of sidewalks and other related work.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 12th day of August, 2026, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 12th day of August, 2026, at the Village Hall.

Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal and project specifications are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ehancock.com. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday, the 6th day of August, 2026.

All bidders wishing to obtain bidding documents must be approved by the Village prior to obtaining bidding documents. All bidders must provide proof that they are prequalified with the Illinois Department of Transportation to perform 100% of the value of the work before being issued bidding documents. A non-refundable fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that f the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that

the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards. The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

Published in RB Landmark July 29, 2026

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: M26001840 on July 15, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of ARMSTRONG GALLERY with the business located at: 135 AKENSIDE RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ALEXANDRA BLOMGREN 135 AKENSIDE RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA.

Published in RB Landmark July 29, August 5, 12, 2026

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: M26001868 on July 23, 2026 Under the Assumed Business Name of MARGOO & CO. with the business located at: 9035 27TH ST., BROOKFIELD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: BRIDGET MASSENGILL 9035 27TH ST BROOKFIELD, IL 60513, USA.

Published in RB Landmark July 29, August 5, 12, 2026

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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

Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc

Plaintiff, -v.Derrick T. Broadway; Lesli Broadway; Defendants. 2025CH08611 1028 MAPLETON 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 5/18/2026, an agent of Auction com, LLC will conduct the Online Only auction at www.auction.com, with the bidding window opening on 8/24/2026 at 10:00 AM CDT and closing on August 26, 2026 at 10:00 AM subject to extension, and will sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate.

Commonly known as 1028 MAPLETON AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-116009-0000

The real estate is improved with a Residential Property. The judgment amount was $124,548.83 Sale Terms: Full Sale Terms are available on the property page at www.auction.com by entering 1028 MAPLETON AVENUE into the search bar. If sold to anyone other than the Plaintiff, the winning bidder must pay the full bid amount within twenty-four (24) hours of the auction’s end. All payments must be certified funds. No third-party checks will be accepted. All bidders will need to register at www.auction.com prior to placing a bid. 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) (l) 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(g1). 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. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: CODILIS & ASSOCIATES PC (630) 794-5300 please refer to file number 14-25-05043. Auction.com, LLC 100 N LaSalle St., Suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602872-225-4985 You can also visit www.auction.com. Attorney File

No. 14-25-05043 Case Number: 2025CH08611 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. I3291045