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W E D N E S D A Y

September 16, 2026 Vol. 47, No. 12

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JOURNAL @oakpark

of Oak Park and River Forest

Throngs turn out for LemonAid’s th 25 anniversary

History and neighbors once again team up for fun and memories at event that commemorates Sept. 11 anniversary

Page 16

Tensions high at first zoning meeting, misinformation rampant online Facebook video claiming Wright homes to be demolished goes viral

By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

Twenty-five years later, a much older Carl Olson held up his outstretched arm to the very first LemonAid banner.

There, up in the top left corner were his own red handprints from when he was a baby, just above his name, next to those of dozens of other youngsters from way back when.

“I was really small,” Olson mused as hundreds made their way Friday along the 700 block of Bonnie Brae Place in River Forest for the 25th edition of LemonAid, an event that has raised well over $700,000 for nonprofits and charities primarily throughout the Oak Park and River Forest area.

And that amount doesn’t include proceeds from this year. But like the day it

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

SYDNEY LOVAN

See LEMONAID on page 15

Fall Performing Arts

A child plays in foam on Bonnie Brae during the annual LemonAid event on Sept. 11.

Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Oak Park are going to be demolished.

This is the opening claim of a video by Ken Weiss and Dalton Sturm released on the YouTube channel This House and shared across Facebook last weekend.

“No, this isn’t clickbait. This one will also be demolished, so will this one, and this one,” said Weiss in the video showing pictures of the historic Wright homes which help define Oak Park’s identity.

Carollina Song is the owner of one of the homes shown in the video, and she made one thing clear: Her house is not going anywhere.

See ZONING on page 13

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Main post office to be named for Det. Reddins

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

General Manager Max Reinsdorf Editorial & Audience Strategist Matthew Schwerha

Cong. Danny Davis moving resolution in Congress

By BILL DWYER Staff Reporter

Cong. Danny K. Davis is set to introduce a resolution in Congress on Wednesday, Sept. 16 to rename the Oak Park Main Post Office on Lake Street in honor of slain Oak Park Police Detective Allan Reddins.

Reddins was killed on Nov. 29, 2024 while confronting an armed suspect outside the main library on Lake Street. The shooter, a habitual criminal with a violent history, refused police orders to put his hands up.

Instead, he fired several shots from a gun he had stolen from a family member. One bullet struck Reddins just under his vest on his right side, causing massive internal damage. He died less than an hour later at Loyola Medical Center.

The suspect was then shot by an Oak Park police sergeant and is currently in jail awaiting trial on multiple murder charges.

Davis said it gratified him to support the effort to assure that the legacy of a cop so committed to his role as protector and public servant won’t be lost to the passing of time.

“We hope to get it processed before (the current) Congress ends,” Davis said. The resolution has the support of the Illinois House delegation, and the support of both US Senators Tammy Duckworth and Richard Durbin. He said he’s also contacted House leadership to help assure the resolution moves forward expeditiously.

Davis said naming the post office for Reddins was “The least to be done to pay tribute to an individual who has given his life protecting the rest of us. To honor his life, his legacy, and making sure the people in the community where he worked remember.”

Davis said the honor is also “a way of reinforcing the importance of law enforcement and the role law enforcement plays in all our lives. I think the connection of law enforcement to community is a very important aspect of it.”

Reddins was widely seen as someone who embodied the very best of law enforcement, an imposing yet caring man who was both a protector and a mentor, a genuine

public servant who took to heart the motto “to serve and protect.”

“Detective Reddins was such a kind soul, who really cared about everybody he came in contact with,” Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman said. “Reddins’ greatest priority was to do his job with compassion and respect.”

Oak Park Police Chief Shatonya Johnson spoke of the “raw” feeling of that day after Thanksgiving 2024.

“Losing an officer in the line of duty is something I will never get over,” she said.

It was a day that rocked the police department to its foundation. Scaman recalled going to the hospital after the shooting and feeling overwhelmed by the impact of Reddin’s death on his fellow officers. She said she witnessed “members of the police department as a family in that devastating moment in Oak Park history.”

The impact was felt far beyond the police department. Days after Reddins’ murder, hundreds of people crowded into the village hall courtyard despite bitter cold to participate in a candlelight ceremony in his honor.

“We came together and focused on the humanity and the bravery of members of our first responders,” Scaman said. “Who put their lives on the line every day and run toward danger, instead of running away.”

Johnson seconded Scaman’s observation, saying, “Our community really came together during this. It wasn’t just the police department that was hurting.”

The process of deciding how to honor Reddins took time to unfold, both for Reddins family to process their grief, and for officials to settle on an appropriate honor.

“My engagement was about supporting the family,” Scaman said. “When the family was ready, when the family was interested and supportive of this next step, then I would be 100% supportive.”

“We did have a joint phone call with the family, and they are supportive,” she said.

“We’re just grateful (Reddins’) family consented to having this done,” said Davis.

Davis said he first approached the village last year. Scaman said Village Trustee

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Staff Reporters Sydney Lovan, Hector Cervantes, Bill Dwyer, Jackie Pisano, Bob Skolnik, Gregg Voss Sports Reporters Melvin Tate, Bill Stone Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Contributing Editor Donna Greene Columnists Marc Blesoff, Nicole Chavas, Jack Crowe, Vincent Gay, Mary Kay O’Grady, John Stanger, Josh VanderBerg Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck CREDIT OAK PARK POLICE DEPARTMENTT

Allan Reddins James Taglia took the lead in dealing with Davis’s office on the details. Taglia said he was “just a conduit” to Davis, who, he said, told him, “I will do everything I need to do” to make the resolution happen.

Taglia lauded the broad support across elected village government and staff for honoring Reddins, saying, “Our village manager, village staff, the village board, all rallied around this. There was universal agreement.”

“There are many co-sponsors who agreed to support this, from both parties,” he added.

Taglia’s board colleague, Brian Straw called the honor “a wonderful idea,” and Reddins a hero whose sacrifice “should not soon be forgotten.”

“It’s the highest honor we can pay any individual,” Taglia said. “I wanted to make sure he wasn’t forgotten. It just needs to be memorialized and remembered.”

Johnson expressed hope that as the second anniversary of that tragic November day approaches, people can celebrate rather than mourn.

“I’m (utterly) grateful that he will be honored in such a noble manner,” she said.

“The entire police department is looking forward to the day.”

Asked what her department was planning to bring to the ceremony, Johnson said, “We’ll collaborate with Danny Davis’s office and work together to make sure it’s memorable.”

Editorial & Digital Design Lead Javier Govea Design and Production Associate De Sergio Villalona Visual Designers Susan McKelvey, Darby Godman Sports Photographer Steve Johnston Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls Marketing & Advertising Associate Emma Cullnan Legal Notices Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Operations Associate Susan Liss Babin Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera Senior Advisor Dan Haley

H OW TO R E ACH US P.O. Box 6670, River Forest, IL 60305 ■ PHONE (708) 613-3300 ■ EMAIL dhaley@newswellchicago.org ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

Changing course, judge to appoint receiver for West Sub

plan quoted the IDPH decision, “hospital Blow to Prasad as judge says leadership has not demonstrated the necessary improvements to safely re-open new leadership necessary the hospital to care for the community’s

By BILL DWYER Staff Reporter

Saying the legal imbroglio over the shuttered West Suburban Medical Center “has gone on long enough,” Cook County Circuit Court Chancery Judge Patrick Stanton on Friday said he will appoint a receiver to assume control over both West Sub and Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

Stanton said he will make a formal appointment during a hearing in his courtroom on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 15 (after print deadline).

Asked about the development Saturday morning, Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon, in whose district West Suburban Medical Center is located, said he was waiting to learn more details before commenting.

“We’ll watch this closely,” Harmon said.

“I can offer more thoughts when I know who the receiver is.”

Ramco Healthcare, which owns the actual hospital properties, has sought to have Kansas City based attorney Mike Flanagan appointed receiver since May. Other community groups not party to the lawsuit have called for Chicago-based Insight Health Systems to be appointed.

In his renewed emergency motion to appoint a receiver filed with Stanton last week, Ramco attorney Scott Kaplan said Ramco did so “in order to protect the ongoing and future operations of Resilience Healthcare at Weiss Memorial Hospital, LLC.” Kaplan made note of the fact that due to numerous “shortcomings” on the part of Resilience Healthcare and owner Manoj Prasad, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) declined to extend the hospital’s provisional license.

“Despite having over a year to make improvements at Weiss Memorial,” Ka-

residents…”

According to numerous media reports, Stanton said in court Friday that the receiver’s role will be to “secure the assets” of both West Sub and Weiss, and work to assure the transfer of the hospital assets as outlined in a settlement agreement reached back in May. In explaining his decision, Stanton said several developments led to his reconsidering his decision on a receiver, including Weiss Memorial’s losing its state license and detailed allegations that Prasad was transferring medical equipment from the two hospitals.

“Based on what’s occurred to date, I think someone needs to take control of this entity and it should no longer be the current parties,” Stanton said.

The judge’s decision is a major defeat for embattled West Sub CEO Manoj Prasad, who has fought for months to maintain control over both hospitals and their considerable assets.

Stanton had previously denied Ramco’s request for a receiver after a daylong hearing in late May. Ramco had asked that a receiver be appointed, or in the alter native, enforce a settlement agreement that had been hammered out in the judge’s chambers between the parties months ago, with Prasad present for the deliberations along with attorneys for his Resilience Healthcare.

Prasad eventually dropped the attorney who’d been involved with that settlement and has attempted to back out of the agreement.

Kaplan asked Stanton in May to appoint Flanagan as receiver, saying Flanagan has extensive experience serving as a receiver in the healthcare industry, and is “willing and able to act … to effectuate the settlement” and work toward allowing Insight Healthcare to manage West Sub pending the sale of assets to Insight.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

Jim Farrell joins Oak Park village trustee race

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Chloe Kratz Server

His focus remains on single-family zoning

How did you end up at Maya Del Sol? I actually met Colleen through the gym. I heard so many great things about Maya and the people who work there, I decided to give it a shot. I love being a part of the team!

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

Over two decades ago, Jim Farrell came to Oak Park for love and family, and now, he hopes to get even more involved with the community as a village trustee.

Farrell announced his election campaign at the Oak Park village board meeting on Sept. 1 during public comment.

The main focus for his campaign is the hot-button issue of proposed changes to single-family zoning.

“I thought I had a unique opportunity to make a difference and really raise the level of discussion about some of these important issues,” said Farrell in an interview with Wednesday Journal. “The most important one, the most urgent one, is the change in zoning that’s being anticipated and really pushed very quickly through by the current village board.”

Farrell studied urban economics and public finance at the University of Michigan and retired from being president of his management consulting company JP Farrell & Associates Inc, over a year ago.

He feels his academic and professional experience offers the knowledge and training needed to help fully understand impacts zoning changes could produce.

Farrell said, from what he has seen, he feels that the “ill-advised set of policies” being proposed unnecessarily threatens property values, which in turn, will impact the funding for schools and the village.

He has been able to collect signatures for his election petition and talk to hundreds of community members at the Oak Park Farmers Market to connect with other residents in a way he hasn’t been able to before.

“I’m getting a lot of support from friends and neighbors and other Oak Park residents who simply believe in my primary message, which is the board needs to focus on stewardship. And by stewardship, I

What do you love most about the job? Definetly the people and the atmosphere. I love all the positive energy and sense of community at Maya.

A favorite memory or story from your time here? A favorite memory I have at Maya was pajama day during New Year’s Day brunch. It was fun seeing all the creativity and different pajamas everyone came in with!

Outside of work, what keeps you busy? Outside of work, you can usually find me training for a race, spending time at the beach, or working towards my goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.

Your go-to order at Maya — one dish, one drink.

My go to order is the salmon with a coyopa on the rocks with a salt rim!

One thing guests would be surprised to know about you? I am in the process of going back to school to become a Physical Therapist.

JIM FARRELL mean they need to be more careful with the public funds,” said Farrell.

He said he feels like the current board “strays too far from its mission” which he defined as “safety, police, fire, public health, street cleaning, snow removal, and managing the infrastructure for distributing water, managing sewers, roads, and parking.”

Two areas for immediate improvement Farrell identified “is setting goals appropriately and setting boundaries appropriately.”

The election season for local positions is just beginning with petition documents and certificates of nomination due in November. So far, four candidates for village trustee have officially announced their campaigns for the three board seats that will be on the ballot. The election will take place on April 6.

“It’s not too late to get in the race, and the more points of view we have on the table, the easier it is for the public to understand what the alternatives are, and so, I look forward to having that debate,” said Farrell.

144 s oak park ave mayadelsol.com

Celebrating Ageism Awareness Day Featuring Raymond Jetson founder and author of Aging While Black The 19th Century Club 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park, IL Friday, October 9 Doors open at 6:00pm Raymond Jetson’s keynote will be followed by a conversation with members of the Aging In Communities Commission and then questions from the audience.

Food provided. Admission is free.

Sponsored by the Village of Oak Park Aging in Communities Commission The Book Loft Oak Park will have copies of Aging While Black available to purchase.

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

O’Hare Flyer gets strong no from River Forest village board Unanimous opposition to high-speed rail project

By BOB SKOLNIK Staff Reporter

Monday night the River Forest Village Board unanimously passed a resolution opposing the proposed O’Hare Flyer high speed private rail service between downtown Chicago and O’Hare Airport that would run through River Forest with trains passing every 15 minutes between 4 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The vote came after approximately 90 minutes of public comment from 20 people who spoke out against the proposed rail line. Only one person spoke in favor of it. More than 100 people attended the village board meeting that was held in the Fox Auditorium at Trinity High School to accommodate the large crowd. Opponents of the proposal said that the high-speed rail line would be dangerous and disruptive to life in River Forest. “[I]t takes a literal village to stand up to a private, politically connected company that wants to send a high-speed train nearly 24/7 past homes, schools, libraries, trauma hospitals and parks,” said Renu Shah a member of the steering committee of the newly formed group S.T.O.P. (Stop the O’Hare Passthrough).

Shah and a few others said the existing train tracks which would be used by the Flyer run by their back yards and that a high-speed train would be dangerous and disruptive.

The people behind the O’Hare Flyer have proposed to run a battery powered high speed train that would run on or alongside existing rail lines at speeds of around 80 mph and potentially include a stop in Forest Park. Dave Lundy, a lobbyist and communications consultant, is the CEO of O’Hare Flyer LLC. The estimated cost of the O’Hare Flyer is $2.25 billion.

The resolution passed by the village board urges the sponsors of the O’Hare Flyer to “cease advancing their plans and explore alternative route options for the O’Hare Flyer” and requests federal and state elected officials, including Senate President Don Harmon and House Speaker Chris Welch, to “not take any action allowing for the development of the O’Hare Flyer.”

One public commenter, Ron Steele, called on River Foresters to pressure Harmon to oppose the O’Hare Flyer proposal calling for River Foresters to write, call and email urging him to oppose the O’Hare Flyer proposed route.

“It’s very important that Don Harmon commits to something really quick and we need to let him know that,” Steele said. “We can talk about processes and kids on bikes all we want but he could wake up tomorrow morning and just make a phone call and shut it down because he’s the Senate president. This corridor is his and he hasn’t said no. He said he’d like to hear from the neighbors so here we are. Nobody lends $2 ¼ billion against a project that the Senate President opposes in his own backyard.”

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Renu Shah, of S.T.O.P. speaks out against the proposed O’Hare Flyer rail line at the Sept. 14 meeting of the River Forest Village Board.

When Harmon was asked for comment Tuesday morning his spokesman sent Harmon’s previous statement to Wednesday Journal.

“While I appreciate the significant positive impact this project could have on Chicagoland, I’d like to hear from my neighbors who will be most directly impacted,” Harmon’s statement said.

Erik Huston made the only public comment supporting the O’Hare Flyer. Huston, who was booed when he finished his comment, said that fast train service between O’Hare and downtown Chicago would bring environmental benefits.

“More people relying on transit to and from the airport means fewer cars on roadways,” Huston said.

Less traffic would benefit everyone, Huston said.

The resolution also calls on other municipalities along the proposed O’Hare Flyer route to oppose the proposal and some have already have done so.

On the same day as the village board meeting Melrose Park Mayor Ron Serpico sent Lundy a letter opposing the O’Hare Flyer project as proposed. Cook County Board member Maggie Trevor and Ronald Pellegrino, the executive director of the West Central Municipal Conference, also sent letters to Lundy opposing the O’Hare Flyer proposal. “[C]ommunities such as River Forest and surrounding municipalities similarly situated could face increased congestion and longer travel times, as frequent rail closures on major north-south corridors disrupt daily commutes and slow emergency response,” Pellegrino wrote.

A spokesman for O’Hare Flyer said the team behind the project would like to meet with village officials to discuss the project and clear up misunderstandings.

“The O’Hare Flyer team has requested the

opportunity to meet with the River Forest Village Board to present the project in detail and answer their questions,” said John Digles, a spokesman for O’Hare Flyer in an emailed statement. “We are fully committed to meeting with the River Forest community as well. We were not invited to tonight’s board meeting and have not yet received an invitation to meet with the board. We are concerned that several aspects of the project are being misunderstood or misrepresented.”

Before the vote on the resolution some village trustees expressed frustration that they did not hear about the O’Hare Flyer project until recently although Village President Cathy Adduci met with Lundy last year and again this summer. Adduci said that Lundy gave her essentially no information in those meetings. Adduci said that she and Village Administrator Matt Walsh met with Lundy and Harmon at Harmon’s Oak Park office in July and that’s when she found out about the proposed route of the O’Hare Flyer but still didn’t receive any renderings. Adduci said that she never signed a non-disclosure agreement.

“We were left flatfooted here,” said Erika Bachner, a village board member.

Fellow village trustee Katie Brennan agreed.

“I was playing catch up for sure,” Brennan said.

Walsh said that he understood the frustration.

“I share the board’s frustration with the lack of context,” Walsh said. “There were no renderings.”

Adduci said there is still much she doesn’t know about the details of the project but said that she is opposed to it as it is presented.

“This is not a good thing for us and that we need serious conversations around things like alternative routes,” Adduci said after the meeting.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

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Affordable apartment project opens in Soul City Oak Park Regional Housing Center led effort to build 78-unit apartment with 50 affordable units. Rehabbing Laramie State Bank is next

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Five years after the Oak Park Regional Housing Center submitted a proposal to construct affordable housing in Austin, the nonprofit has completed its first development project on a stretch of the Soul City Corridor on Chicago Avenue.

The ribbon cutting for the Austin United Alliance apartments next to the historic Laramie State Bank building took place Sept. 10 at 5200 Chicago Ave. The apartment building hosts 78 mixed-income units, including 50 affordable units.

On Sept. 25, tenants will begin moving into one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Each unit boasts large kitchens and bathrooms with lots of natural light.

“Our residents have the opportunity to live in what I like to call modern suites, right here on the West Side of Chicago,” said Ald. Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward at the ribbon cutting. “These are spaces that provide comfortable dignity and a sense of pride, and our residents deserve nothing less. …

When we invest in our buildings and neighborhoods, we’re not simply changing the appearance of a block. We are creating environments where people can feel proud to live, raise their families, and build their future. And that is why development like this matters.”

Lissette Castañeda, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Housing, gave multiple examples of the types of tenants who would be moving into the 50 affordable units.

“This would be a family of four making $60,000-to-$73,000 a year,” Castañeda said. “That’s a single mom working two jobs to make ends meet. That’s Grandma on disability and Grandpa on a fixed income from his pension. That’s the young family on their own, trying to ensure they keep a roof above their heads and food on the table.”

During his speech, Mayor Brandon Johnson, who lives in Austin, spoke about the need for affordable housing on the West Side.

“Working people should be able to live wherever they want in this city, and we should make sure we prioritize the communities that raise them,” Johnson said. He added that Austin used to be the largest neighborhood in Chicago. Today, it’s “the most concentrated, largest community where Black people reside. The only folks that have been pushed out of this city have been individuals who live on the West and South Sides. And if we’re going to build the safest, most affordable big city in America, it starts by repopulating the very communities that bring the soul to this city.”

State Rep. La Shawn Ford — who is the Democratic candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in the November election — said the Austin United Alliance apartments are

SYDNEY LOVAN

Athena Williams, center, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, joins Mayor Brandon Johnson and other officials at the opening of the new affordable apartments at the Laramie State Bank building in Austin. improving the economic value of the neighborhood he grew up in.

“This building right here, it increases property value for my mother’s house that she bought in 1974 because this vacant lot that was a brownfield is now a place where people live,” Ford said.

Journey to Austin United Alliance In Jan. 2020, over 600 people attended Chicago Department of Planning and Development community meetings “to help identify the most catalytic investment locations along Chicago Avenue,” said Ciere Boatright, commissioner of the department, at the ribbon cutting. “The consensus was overwhelming. The best spot was the corner of Chicago and Laramie.”

Responding to a Request for Proposals, seven developers submitted prospective designs, which were analyzed at more community meetings.

In 2021, Athena Williams, executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center and an Austin resident, and Austin United Alliance were announced as the winning proposal. The nonprofit, which provides services to housing seekers and housing providers, then began its first development on the long-vacant lots and restoration of the adjacent, decrepit Laramie State Bank.

“Right here, next to this old bank building sat four vacant lots, and they sat empty for years,” said Jessica Caf-

frey, executive director of the Cook County Land Bank, which bought the vacant parcels in 2022. “They were tax delinquent, and nothing was happening. They had racked up years of back taxes that made potential buyers question whether it was worth the investment. But that’s what the Land Bank does, and that’s why we exist. We take properties that everyone else has written off as not worth it, and we make them a great investment for the community.”

The Chicago Department of Housing contributed $30 million to the Laramie State Bank apartments project, and tax credits for low-income housing generated another $20 million, according to Castañeda.

Cong. Danny Davis — who attended the ribbon cutting and to whom Williams dedicated a mural wrapping around the first floor of the building at the start of the ceremony — was one of the original sponsors in 2000 of new market tax credits, which give private investors tax credits in exchange for developing in low-income communities.

Despite city funding and buy-in from Pivotal Housing Partners — a design and development partner that Oak Park Regional Housing Center recruited — the apartment project was not without its hiccups.

“This didn’t come because Athena [Williams] snapped her fingers and pulled everyone together. Athena actually had to deal with opposition, but she stayed the course,” Ford said. “When you see this, you’d think everyone would be for it because Chicago and America needs housing. But See APARTMENTS on page 19

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

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JACKIE PISANO

Wilson Loibner, general manager of Blackberry Market’s new Oak Park location, comes to town with six years of experience with the family-run chain.

There’s buzz about Blackberry Market

Cantata Adult Life House Services 11am-12pm Open Family business opens fifth location in Arts District, filling Brookfield, B r o o k f i IL L steld, I 8700 31 Street 12pm-2pm Entertainment neighborhood cafe vacancy left by Buzz Cafe cantatafest.org& Food Brookfield, IL location before the brand pulled out of the cantatafest.org

By JACKIE PISANO 11am-12pm OpenKids House Saturday, October 3rd location last fall.

Funfor Family& Expanding on the chain’s success in Glen Cantata Life 111am-12pm 1amEntertainment -1FreeEntry 2Adult pm O Open penServices H House ouse& Food In 2012, Anna Davidson launched Black- Ellyn, 12pm-2pm La Grange, Naperville and Oak Brook, st berry Market in downtown Glen Ellyn with Davidson said the deciding factor on launchEntertainment Food 112pm-2pm 2pm-2Saturday, pm8700 E nte31 rOctober taStreet inme3rd nt & F Fo ood a simple mission: combine elevated, fresh ing a fifth location in Oak Park came down to Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support • Short-Term Rehab • Long-Term Care • Home Care

Staff Reporter

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Brookfield, Adult LifeIL Services food in a welcoming space dedicated to fosCantata st tering genuine community connections.

Funfor Family& Kids Funfor Kids 8700Family& 31 Street Fourteen years later, Da11am-12pm Open House FreeEntryIL FreeEntry Brookfield, vidson has expanded her 12pm-2pm & Food cantatafest.org mission into Oak Park, openFun forEntertainment Family & Kids ing the cafe’s fifth location 11am-12pm Open Kids House this one in the village’s Arts Free Entry Funfor Family& District. The goal remains: Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support • Short-Term Rehab& • Long-Term Care • Home Care 12pm-2pm Entertainment Food FreeEntry delivering a signature focus on community to a village cantatafest.org which prides itself on neighFunfor Family& Kids borly camaraderie. cantatafest.org FreeEntry Located at 905 S. Lombard Ave., Black-

Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support • Short-Term Rehab • Long-Term Care • Home Care berry Market is breathing new life into a historic neighborhood storefront. The spot, ndent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support • Short-Term Rehab • Long-Term Care •which Homehoused Care the iconic Buzz Cafe for nearly three decades before its 2023 closure, was Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Support • Short-T Short-Term -Te -T Term Rehab • Long-T Long-Term -Te -T Term Care r • Home Care re r re followed by a brief stint as a Kribi Coffee

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the village’s warm energy and dedication to local business.

“Oak Park is a vibrant, diverse community that supports local businesses,” she said. “I also loved the space that was available and the history of it being a cafe for so long. I love being in neighborhoods where folks can come in everyday and enjoy our coffee and food, connect with others and enjoy our space. This spot was perfect.”

Disappointed in the loss of another cafe in the Arts District as Kribi pulled out from the building last year, local Realtor and former Buzz Cafe owner, Laura Maychruk, joined forces with her husband Andrew Maychruk

OAKPARK.COM and long-time Arts District landlord Mark be overseen by Davidson’s nephew, Wilson Loibner, who comes to Oak Park with six Finger to repurchase the property.

Immediately after, Maychruk began reach- years of Blackberry Market experience ing out to businesses across Chicagoland she ranging from supervisor and front-house thought would be a good fit to set up shop in manager to assistant general manager and now general manager. southeast Oak Park.

“Blackberry Market does a great job hav“We were looking for a similar concept to Buzz Cafe, so Blackberry Market made the ing something to offer for everybody, no matlist,” she said. “All of us share the vision for ter the day,” Loibner said. “This is true for the Arts District and also have the shared our food, bakery and drinks, where we do history of the revitalization of the district our best to create options for people that are over the last 35 years. At this point, we want nut free, gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, to make sure that the district stays on course vegan and people that are not any of these to becoming a mecca for all of the arts, in- above. You can get food with your friends and family, get food to go, just stop in for a cluding the culinary arts.”

One week after Maychruk emailed Da- tea, have a quiet moment with a coffee, get vidson in January, the two met and the deal catering for an office breakfast or just stop in was sealed. In February, Blackberry Mar- for a dessert. We work hard to accommodate ket signed a lease on the property, and the people’s everyday needs and make no part of wheels started turning on breathing new life our menu an afterthought.”

Oak Park resiinto revitalizing the dents eager to visit cafe into Blackberry Blackberry Market Market. include Katie WeavWith a soft opening er, who enjoyed the last week, Blackberry cafe’s La Grange loMarket officially hostcation, and Ann Beed its grand opening miss, who is visiting on Tuesday — an allthe cafe for the first day event featuring the time. cafe’s wholesale coffee “It’s exciting to partner, Intelligentsia, have something in offering all guests free drip coffee. The cafe this space — anothalso hosted other giveer option for lunch JACKIE PISANO aways as well. and somewhere to Maychruk says what Blackberry Market, 905 S. Lombard hang out for a little she’s most excited Ave., is open daily, ready to serve bit,” Weaver said. about is the Arts Dis- breakfast, lunch, coffee and everything While Bemiss trict “having its gath- in between. never visited Blackering space back once berry Market, she again.” said she was eager “Anna and her team have created a beau- to visit the new Oak Park spot after hearing tiful, warm and very welcoming place filled positive reviews online. with happy, helpful staff that will once “I had read about Blackberry Market on again, make this space a magnet for friends Facebook, and reviews of the food and difand families to meet and enjoy good food and ferent things they have, and I was really conversation,” she said. impressed with the food,” she said. “Today, Along with its focus on community, David- I ordered the Tuscan turkey sandwich — it son says Blackberry Market is unique for was great.” its emphasis on being intentional about not Eager to get settled in Oak Park, Davidson only the coffee it brews, but the quality of is looking forward to connecting with returning and new patrons alike. the food served.

“I love seeing old friends meet up, a casual “I do think it’s unusual to be so intentional about our coffee and our food — most spots date, a child and their parent — any human focus on one,” she said. “We have a long connection matters and that’s what we’re history and a very talented team commit- all about,” she said. “If we can foster more ted to both. We believe in hand crafting the connections for our guests, then I call that best possible options for our guests to enjoy. success.”

Blackberry Market is open daily from 7 We’re so proud of who we are and what we offer — we think Blackberry Market will a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, including menus and catering options, visit blackspeak for itself.”

Daily operations at the new location will berry.cafe.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

OPRF hires 12 new faculty. None are Black Little headway toward goal of matching percentage of Black students and teachers

By BOB SKOLNIK Staff Reporter

Twelve new faculty, including one counselor and one social worker, were hired to work at Oak Park and River Forest High School this school year. While six are individuals of color none are Black. Five of the new faculty members are Hispanic, one is Asian American and six are white according to a report that was presented at the Sept. 10 OPRF school board meeting. Just over 40% of those who applied for an OPRF faculty post this year classified themselves as non-white.

While Roxana Sanders, OPRF assistant superintendent for human resources, described the diversity of the new hires as “an encouraging result” and noted the change from last year when only five of the 22 new teachers that were hired were teachers of color, Fred Arkin, a veteran school board member, had a different reaction.

“I’m very disappointed in what’s in the report,” Arkin said noting that for the last decade or so OPRF has been trying to increase the number of Black teachers at the school so that the percentage of Black faculty matches the percentage of Black students at the school. “I haven’t seen an appreciable change since we started talking about this 10 years ago, specifically talking about the importance of having our faculty and the racial makeup of our student body mirror each other. The biggest problem is we didn’t hire one African-American faculty member this year and I understand the difficulties and we’ve talked about the difficulties and I’m just not seeing any kind of improvement.”

According to the report 15% of current OPRF students are Black while 10% of OPRF teachers are Black. Currently 71% of OPRF faculty members are white while only 53% of OPRF students are white.

Meanwhile, 13% of OPRF teachers are Hispanic, up from 10% in 2023-24, while 16% of OPRF student are Hispanic. Right now, 6% of OPRF teachers are Asian or Pacific Islander while 4% of students fall into that category. The percentage of OPRF teachers who are white has dropped by two percentage points since 2023-24 dropping from 73% then to 71% this year.

BOB SKOLNIK

Assistant Superintendent Human Resources Roxana Sanders and Director of Employee Relations and Recruitment Janel Bishop deliver an employee demographics report at the Sept 10 OPRF school board meeting.

Sanders noted that the 12 openings for new faculty this year was a relatively low number and that close to 30 teachers will be retiring over the next two years which will allow for more opportunities to increase the diversity of its faculty. Because OPRF typically has few teacher openings in any one year it is difficult to meaningfully change the composition of the faculty quickly.

“We don’t have a lot of faculty openings,” Sanders said.

Janel Bishop heads employee relations and recruitment. She told the school board that OPRF will be taking a number of proactive steps in the future, including hosting a job fair, to boost the applicant pool. Bishop said that OPRF has imple-

mented a new more user friendly application system. She also said that OPRF gives implicit bias training to anyone who serves on a hiring committee.

“We plan to expand our advertising through social media and professional organizations and job boards that specifically reach candidates of color,” Bishop said.

“We hope to engage employees and alumni as recruitment ambassadors and monitor recruitment sources, selection stage, and hiring demographic data so that we can identify which strategies are producing the strongest results.”

Audrey Williams-Lee, president of the school board, said she wanted to find out more about the availability of teachers of

color, especially Black teachers.

“Do you have data, accurate data, on actually what’s the availability of teachers of color, particularly Black teachers, because some of it is that there is sometimes, in certain areas or over certain specialties, just simply only so many people,” Williams-Lee said. “I would love to understand how we’re attracting people relative to what’s available because sometimes the talent pool just isn’t there and we may never be able to have it match our student population because there may simply just not be enough teachers that we could hire for these roles.”

Sanders said it can be particularly difficult to find science teachers of color.

Arkin pointed out that OPRF pays teachers very well and should be able to attract good candidates to fill teacher vacancies.

He wondered what has happened to the “grow your own” program that OPRF began some years ago to try to recruit minority alumni to come back to OPRF to teach.

“What we’re doing isn’t working,” Arkin said.

The percentage of both Black students and Black faculty at OPRF has decreased in recent years with the percentage of Black students dropping from 20% in 202324 to 15% this year while the percentage of Black faculty fell from 12% in 2023-24 to 10% this year.

While the percentage of Black teachers at OPRF is less than the percentage of Black students the percentage of Black employees overall at OPRF, 23%, exceeds the percentage of Black students. The percentage of Black OPRF employees was 25% in 2023-24.

Blacks make up the plurality of two employee groups at OPRF: the campus safety team and “classified” employees, mostly teacher and student aides and secretaries.

Just under 50% of the members of the campus safety team, security guards, are Black while 28% are Hispanic and only 18% are white. Among the classified employee category 45% are Black while 33% are white and 17% are Hispanic.

Whites make up 62% of employees in the administration category while 28% are Black and 7% are Hispanic. Among buildings and grounds workers 44% are white, 32% are Hispanic and 24% are Black.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

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Petition for Right of Recall process makes progress Jacob Drews leads another effort in local politics

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

Community members, led by young political activist Jacob Drews, have started collecting signatures for a binding referendum on a right of recall process for the Village of Oak Park. If they are successful in gathering the necessary signatures, the measure would be on the ballot in municipal elections next April.

Right of recall is a mechanism that allows residents to remove a local elected official from their role before the term is completely served through a petition and majority vote. It is a mechanism that Oak Park does not currently have.

“It will be a good democratic guardrail.

This isn’t about one issue or one specific person on the board, it’s just good governance,” said Drews. “We have very good progressive values, we have a very involved citizenry, but there are always other things that we can do to improve our local government, and I think adopting recall is one of those things.”

A recall process is often seen in municipalities across the country including all of Wisconsin and Michigan and even nearby villages such as Arlington Heights and Wheeling.

JACOB DREWS The recall process would require 25% of voters in the previous election to sign a petition to get a vote, and then a majority vote would be needed to actually remove the official from office.

Drews began researching the recall process about five years ago while he was in high school and working on another legislative effort with the support of former Gov. Pat Quinn.

Together, they proposed an advisory referendum on the 2024 ballot asking residents if they should “have the initiative right to amend and propose ordinances by

“It will be a good democratic guardrail. This isn’t about one issue.

It’s just good governance.”

SYDNEY LOVAN

The Oak Park village board discusses a motion to draft policy on pretext traffic stops at the meeting on July 21, 2026. voter petition and enact those ordinances by voter referendum?”

The referendum question received an 85% majority vote in favor, however, it has not been voted on by the village board to actually go into effect. Trustee James Taglia shared his support for creating a ballot initiative process should it come to a vote. President Vicki Scaman has shared in the past that she would be open to it as well, but she did not respond to inquiries on where the idea stands now.

Drews said he was disappointed it has not moved forward yet but remains hopeful.

“I am very optimistic that there will be a vote on it in the, hopefully, not-so-distant future. I believe that there’s a responsibil-

ity when there’s a mandate by the voters to do something that gets done,” said Drews.

The right of recall petition proposes a binding referendum for the upcoming April 6, 2027 election meaning the government would be legally required to carry out the result should it pass.

The effort is still in early stages as Drews and other volunteers are getting signatures to qualify for the ballot. The requirement is 1,900 signatures, but volunteers are aiming for closer to 2,500 to create a buffer in case some signatures are not accepted.

Volunteer, and neighbor to the Drews family, Maria Ferrera has gotten involved in the effort attending the Oak Park Farmers Market to collect petition signatures.

“I was kind of I was surprised at how an-

gry people were, and obviously rezoning is on everybody’s lips, but a lot of people felt that it was more than that, and that there are a series of things, and that the village board wasn’t really listening to the voters,” said Ferrera. “So I’m really thrilled that we’re making so much progress on it.”

The petition is not due until the end of the year, so Oak Park residents that are registered voters are still able to sign.

Rules require all signatures to be pen-topaper and there is more information on how to sign on the initiative’s website.

“I think that we can affect change at the local level,” said Ferrera. “Oak Park only has like 50,000 people, and so, we as a community should be able to affect change locally.”

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Oak Park first responders gather to honor the lives lost on 9/11 Speakers share a message of unity and support

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

built on trust, mutual respect, accountability, and shared commitment to the dignity of every person,” said Scaman.

Johnson expressed her gratitude not just for the firefighters, paramedics and police officers, but also public works and health departments highlighting Oak Park’s whole effort to ensure community safety.

“It reminds us when our community faces dark moments, and let’s face it, Oak

Early on a morning 25 years ago, the United States was changed forever when nearly 3,000 people lost their lives in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorism attack. On Sept. 11, 2026 Oak Park came together, in a shared sense of community to commemorate the past and hope for a better future.

First responders, village trustees and other officials, and residents gathered in front of Oak Park Fire Department Station 1 on Euclid Avenue where local leaders offered speeches and the names of those who lost their lives were read.

“Let us set aside our differences, the noise and the distractions of everyday life, let us listen, let us reflect and let us remember.

Most importantly, let us carry forward the values that SYDNEY LOVAN have emerged in the aftermath of that terrible day — Oak Park Fire Department first responders stand in the values of compassion, a line while people speak at the 9/11 memorial event courage, service, unity, and hosted at the main fire station on Sept. 11. hope,” said Chief JT Terry.

The message of unity despite difference and the sense of together- Park has faced some dark moments, what ness that came from such a tragic day was it means to stand together, come together, echoed by all of the speakers including Viland to answer the call.” said Johnson. lage President Vicki Scaman and Chief of “May we always remember that service is Police Shatonya Johnson. about people, unity is about strength, and Scaman shared her, and the community’s, appreciation for the “professionalism, together we are stronger.”

Police Chaplain Adonna Reid ended the passion, and dedication” of local first receremony with a prayer, or moment of sponders. She said differences make a comreflection for any practice, and reshared munity “vibrant and democratic” while reminding us of our shared humanity and children’s TV icon Fred Roger’s impactful message from 25 years ago to “look for the care for one another.

“We can have deep gratitude and cour- helpers.” age for those who are in the worst danger “We’re all called to be courageous in this to protect our person, while also recogniz- thing called life, standing for what is right, ing that the strongest communities are what is good,” said Reid.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

ZONING

Many additional concerns that Weiss shared in the video such as ensuring affordability and a lack of space to expand were echoed by attendees of the Shape Oak Park presentation.

When the statement that single-family from page 1 homes will not be eliminated was made She had the opportunity to tell Weiss as by the presenter, shouts rose from the aumuch at Shape Oak Park’s sometimes rau- dience calling it a lie or “disingenuous at cous informational meeting on the proposed best.” changes to single-family zoning on Sept. 14.

The zoning recommendations from the The first floor of the Community Recre- Opticos consulting firm outline three new ation Center on Madison Street was packed zoning designations in place of the existing with people and fueled with tension. The eight. The proposed changes remove singleroom that was used for the meeting could family only zones to allow for mixed-use not hold the people who showed up, easily buildings such as duplexes, four-plexes, and over 100, and spilled into the lobby where the in specific cases, a larger multi-unit buildcrowd was still tight. One attendee said it was ing. Single-family units are still allowed, “tone deaf” and “out-of-touch” for the orga- but other housing types will be allowed nizers to not prepare for such a large crowd. alongside them as well.

“Imagine how I felt when I watched that One attendee of the meeting, Kevin Kell, misleading, misinformation, propaganda, has been following this discussion and atand learned that apparently my house is due tending meetings since March. He shared to be demolished imhe was “frustrated” minently,” said Song with what was bein an interview with ing presented and Wednesday Journal. wishes the addiSong said she is tional tools that will be needed to achieve “maniacally in love” these goals of affordwith her house with ability were being absolutely no plans shared in tandem. to sell to a developer, “It’s been said at and she believes the board meetings, this village would never is only one piece allow for the landof the puzzle, but I mark home to be haven’t heard what changed even once the other piece of she is gone. CurSYDNEY LOVAN the puzzle is,” said rently, none of the Attendees of Shape Oak Park’s Kell. “To me, let’s homes featured in step back, slow the video are up for informational meeting discuss and wirte down, let’s identify on posters at the Community Recreation sale. what is the real pur“I support the Center on Sept. 14. pose and needs that Shape Oak Park we have, and come proposed zoning up with solutions changes. I think that they are due, and I think that they are reasonable, and I think that the on how to get us there.”

Kell said he is concerned about an inracist underpinnings of the single-family crease in absentee homeowners if existing zoning is enough,” said Song.

Weiss expanded on his claim in the over units are turned into multi-units and rented 12-minute-long video explaining how the pro- out.

“It’s been shown absentee landlords do not posed zoning changes could allow for different unit types to be built in place of existing have buy-in into community like somebody single-family homes making the original de- living there, especially as a homeowner,” said Kell. “I have buy-in because I have a lot finitive statement more conditional.

New developments can only happen if a invested in this community, and I don’t want property owner chooses to sell and an advi- to lose that.”

There will be five more information sessory review would be required for potential new construction inside one of Oak Park’s sions hosted throughout the village in Sephistoric districts. For demolition of a home tember and three public hearings with the inside a district, additional approvals are re- Plan Commission are set for October with quired from the Historic Preservation Com- the commission’s recommendations to the mission. Weiss highlighted that old homes village board and the board could have a final vote by the end of the month. The first that sit outside of the district do not receive public hearing will be Oct. 1. that protection.

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OAK PARK FILM SCREENINGS

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Wednesday, September 16 6:15 - 8:45 pm Oak Park Public Library Veteran’s Room 834 Lake St, Oak Park Sunday, September 20 12:30 - 2:30 pm Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Community Center 1019 South Blvd, Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Straw running for new term on OP village board Local issues such as safety and communication are among priorities of one of the ‘Broadview Six’

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park Village Trustee Brian Straw, who drew national attention as one of the “Broadview Six,” is running for reelection.

Straw officially announced his campaign in a recent video posted to Facebook. The election will be held April 6.

“Four years ago, I ran for village trustee to help shape Oak Park’s future for our children and grandchildren,” said Straw in the opening of the video. “I challenged us to imagine the Oak Park of the next 50 years, an Oak Park that takes care of its neighbors and fights for common sense solutions rooted in our shared values.”

Straw listed some of the current board’s accomplishments and his priorities going into election season, as he strolled down the sidewalk of one of the village’s neighborhoods.

He featured a biker, a school bus and ending at the North Fire Station on Augusta.

He highlighted passing the secure storage ordinance, the Vision Zero bike and pedestrian safety plan, and the community efforts

to rally around immigrants in a time of fear and uncertainty.

Straw was notably one of the “Broadview Six” who were federally prosecuted after protesting outside of an ICE processing facility during the time of Operation Midway Blitz.

All charges were dropped in May. “I will forever be in awe of what Oak Park can accomplish when we stand up for our neighbors and work together. And my family will always be grateful for how this community stood with us,” said Straw in the video.

He also emphasized making sure Vision Zero becomes a reality and following through with building an updated North fire station as work that still needs to be done should he be reelected.

Straw shared another video on Facebook describing his “over 100 conversations” with community members at the Oak Park Farmer’s Market while getting petition signatures and encouraging the open dialogue.

In an interview with Wednesday Journal, Straw said he believes Oak Park residents “are really informed and understand that there are a lot of things going on,” about issues of concern residents have going into the

election season. There is one discussion that has remained at the forefront for months: single-family zoning.

“This topic of housing affordability and how we can sort of preserve the historic character of Oak Park ... for a long time, it was difficult to get people to engage and come out and attend,” said Straw. “It’s been exciting to see people get engaged, and I think that over the last couple of weeks I’ve heard that engagement become much more balanced.”

He also shared that he feels “we all have to do a better job of communicating regarding any policy change,” and he has found a lot of support and understanding when he is able to have direct conversations with people about their concerns on this issue.

Straw was first elected in 2023, and this will be his first time managing his duties in the role while running to be elected for it.

“That is going to be an important thing to balance because this is budget season, and we have a lot of important policy decisions to make,” said Straw. “It’s exciting to be able to continue doing that work while being able to get out and talk to voters.”

He is the fourth candidate to publicly an-

Circuit court judge delays decision on Oak Park referendum question Decision could come this week; supporters planning to get out the vote

By GREGG VOSS Staff Reporter

A Cook County Circuit Court judge is currently considering arguments regarding an appeal to the objection of an advisory referendum question for the Nov. 3 village of Oak Park voting ballot that was overruled last month by a village electoral board.

The objection to the question, “Should the state of Illinois repeal laws that ban state investment in businesses that boycott the state of Israel?” was overruled by a local electoral board consisting of Village President Vicki Scaman and Trustees James Taglia and Chibuike Enyia. The referendum question was brought forth by

Oak Parkers for Free Speech.

Attorney Michael Kasper of the Chicago government-relations law firm Kasper, Holmes & Dring, representing referendum question objectors Alan H. Peres and Piergiorgio Uslenghi, appealed that decision, which ultimately led to a Sept. 11 hearing in front of circuit court Judge Viviana Martinez that lasted 90 minutes and didn’t result in a ruling.

According to an Oak Park village spokesperson, Martinez instead took the matter under advisement to provide additional time to consider the issue and prepare a decision, which could come this week.

The spokesperson said that a ruling in support of the electoral board would mean

its decision stands and the question would stay on the Nov. 3 ballot. A ruling overturning the electoral board would invalidate the referendum petition and as a result, the question would be removed from the ballot, though that decision could be appealed to state appellate court.

Caren Van Slyke of Oak Parkers for Free Speech was at Friday’s hearing at the Daley Center and said the arguments in front of Martinez were “pretty robust,” but wasn’t surprised there wasn’t a decision Friday.

“She had a lot of questions she needs to consider and do what she has to do,” Van Slyke said. “She is well aware of the timeline.”

But to Van Slyke, there is a larger issue at play.

nounce his plans to run for the three open seats on the village board this April.

Jim Farrell, an Oak Park resident and retired president of management consulting firm JP Farrell & Associates, announced his campaign at the board meeting on Sept. 1.

Sarah Abboreno Corbin and Trustee Derek Eder shared their campaign announcements last month. Trustee Cory Wesley has not said whether he plans to run for reelection.

Straw said he is looking forward to all of the candidates interacting with voters and having important conversations, and he hopes all who participate do so respectfully.

“Anybody who is looking to run for local office is doing so because they care deeply about this community, and they have a heart for service,” said Straw. “It isn’t an easy job, but it’s an incredibly important job, because local government is one of the places where you have the biggest impact on the people living in your community.”

Potential candidates were able to start getting petition signatures on Aug. 25, and there is still time to decide to run as candidate petitions and certificates of nomination are not due until November.

“I think Oak Park should be concerned about the effort to remove (the referendum question) from the ballot,” she said. “After signatures have been collected, there is a period of time where the voters’ home addresses and signatures can be checked and challenged.

That is the normal process to guarantee there are enough valid signatures to put it on the ballot. They chose not to do that.

“Instead of doing the nitty gritty work, they asked the courts to step in for hypothetical fraud.”

Jesse Bauer is also with Oak Parkers for Free Speech and while he wasn’t at Friday’s hearing, the fact that it lasted 90 minutes without a decision was a bit of a surprise for him. For now, he said, the organization is operating under the assumption the question will remain on the ballot.

To that end, he said it is planning community outreach efforts to get out the vote, involving education, fundraising, town halls and canvassing.

The group Jewish Community and Friends for Democracy, which is not affiliated with Peres and Uslenghi, offered no statement on the matter.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

LEMONAID

Quarter century of caring from page 1 commemorates – the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center towers – LemonAid is about people and history.

“It goes to show how small LemonAid used to be,” Olson, an event co-chair, added of his handprints. “It used to be two tents.

Now it’s tens of tents.”

Indeed, tents galore ran along both curbs of Bonnie Brae Place, flanked by banners from previous LemonAids, which harkens to history. But on this sunsplashed late-summer Friday, fun was the order of the day.

There was Beat the Streets Chicago’s booth featuring a pullup bar. If kids could SYDNEY LOVAN do 10 pullups, they’d receive swag from the wrestling organization like T-shirts and Chris Hauri, one of the LemonAid founders, smiles as a child donates money during socks. the annual event on Sept. 11.

Fun, for sure, and maybe even hilarity when a reporter tried his hand at the task, some good came of it locally.

But that’s a news story for another day. failing miserably. But look deeper and chat “Really, the biggest way I learned about What mattered Friday was that everyone with Beat the Streets program director Pat- 9/11 was just going to LemonAid every had a good time, whether it was doing rick Martinez. year,” Chien said, “every year coming back pullups at Beat the Streets Chicago’s tent, “I remember I was in sixth grade,” he to this event and learning more and more sit ups at the neighboring tent of Fitness said of 9/11. “And I was a wrestler growing about what the attacks meant and what Formula Clubs in Oak Park, or dancing up, so that morning I was we’re doing about them, around in the billowing foam at Wonder actually doing pullups in and why we’re giving back Works Chidren’s Museum’s area, complete the living room with my dad with the Foam Daddy machine. A dozen or to this community.” when we watched the plane And LemonAid will re- more laughing little ones were in the midhit the tower.” turn for the foreseeable fu- dle of the fun at any given time, along with He was clear that Friday’s Executive Director Rachel Weber. ture. pullup challenge was just a “Who doesn’t love bubbles?” Weber said.

“With the help of the coincidence, but still, it took Oak Park and River Forest “They’re magical. It’s one of those things him back.

Kiwanis Club and River where they can dive into it and hide but Music drifted over the Forest Township, we are still be visible to everybody and touch the event, including an elegant proud to announce that bubbles. It’s a whole sensory experience.” piano performance from As Walsh and Gaertner and others preLemonAid will continue on Oak Park and River Forest 700 Bonnie Brae for 2027,” pared their ceremonial remarks, 78th DisHigh School senior Helen Chien announced at a bell- trict state Rep. Camille Lilly spoke about Donoho. She, like Olson, ringing ceremony, which what the event – foam and all – means to CAMILLE LILLY was an event co-chair with included remarks from the community.

State Rep. fellow OPRF seniors ConRiver Forest village Admin“It means togetherness, it means love, nor Chien and Mark Jung, istrator Matt Walsh and a driven by the future with our young peoalong with Donoho’s Fenpoem read by village Fire ple,” said Lilly, sitting in the front row. wick sophomore sister MiChief Tom Gaertner.

“There is no place else doing this work.” randa and Fenwick junior What future LemonAids Olson thought the turnout for this year’s Ethan Wynne. Fifth grader will look like is still fluid, event was on par with recent years. Hauri Shalva Glick and fourth according to neighbors like thought it was better. grader Sophie Sears were junior co-chairs Patty Henek and Chris Hauri, some of the “This has been one of the best things in this year. founders back in 2001. River Forest Town- my life,” Hauri said, standing next to a jar Donoho and Chien were born signifi- ship Trustee Keith Strom, who noted his stuffed with monetary donations, “just in cantly after 9/11, but they know the story municipality has assisted with matters the way I’ve seen kids grow up with such from their history classes. And while they like permitting and insurance for Lem- a great spirit of philanthropy and just the realize it was a terrible moment in their onAid, said plans for a “LemonAid 2.0” will community this builds and what we’ve country’s history, they also realize that likely start in October. done as a community.”

“It means togetherness, it means love, driven by the future with our young people.”

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withLisaCapone w wi itith thL hLi Lis isa saC aCa Cap apon one ne Experiencing Caregiver C aregiver Burnout??

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• Strategies to Reset: It’s important f r caregivers to seek support fo p for and living practice self-care. Senior living communities and respite care services off ffe ff fer relief by providing p profe f ssional fe offer professional f r their loved fo loved ones, allowing care for caregivers time to rest and recharge.

Taking a break doesn’t mean giving up on caregiving; rather, it ensures caregivers remain healthy and strong enough g to continue caring for f r their fo loved d ones in the long term.

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FA L L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

Oak Park residents’ vehicles struck by fleeing driver in Forest Park police chase The offending driver got away and no one was injured

By SYDNEY LOVAN Staff Reporter

What started as a garage burglary in Forest Park became a vehicle pursuit into Oak Park where three cars were hit by the fleeing suspect, one of which had the driver still in the front seat.

On Sept. 8, around 12:30 p.m., Forest Park police responded to an in-progress garage burglary on Circle Avenue according to the police report.

The person was described as a man in a yellow utility vest, and the resident of the home using a NEST security camera saw the car back into the garage. The resident began yelling through the camera and contacted a neighbor about the incident.

The neighbor then confronted the alleged burglar in the garage while he was taking things from shelves and then left through the alley. The witness reported seeing a woman in the front seat of the car as well, and the only reported item stolen was a snowblower.

According to the report, Forest Park police units saw the car at Harlem Avenue and Jackson Boulevard. Police attempted to curb the car but did not succeed and continued to pursue. The pursuit went into Oak Park where three cars were struck and the fleeing car got away.

The car crashes were within Oak Park’s jurisdiction, so the Oak Park Police Department responded. According to the Village of Oak Park, the fleeing car sideswiped one car which caused them to hit another parked on the opposite side of the 100 block of South Grove Avenue.

As the pursuit continued, the fleeing car allegedly hit another car near South Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue, but the owner declined completion of a report.

The supplemental report on the pursuit

is not available from the Forest Park Police Department as it is a continuing investigation, however, Wednesday Journal interviewed the driver of one of the struck cars for a first-hand account. We are withholding the name of that person for reasons of privacy.

According to the driver, the back bumper of their car briefly pinned the offending vehicle before they were able to drive past and police cars followed. A witness to the event was able to help the driver out of the car and to contact family and police.

The driver, who was trying to look for parking on South Grove Avenue when struck, described the “scary experience” sharing they “couldn’t speak, and I was very shaken up.”

They shared their surprise and frustration with the police pursuit as they felt the narrow street conditions and high speed made for reckless conditions.

“I don’t know how fast they were going, but they were driving very recklessly through a huge part of town, and luckily, all the kids were in school, and nobody that I know of was seriously hurt,” said the driver. “But that’s all I keep going back to, is this should never have happened, and if this ever happens again, a kid or somebody, could get killed or seriously hurt.”

Garage burglary is a forcible felony which is grounds to initiate a police pursuit, according to Forest Park Police Department policy.

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FA L L P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

Get Creative With Us! Forest Park Arts Alliance brings artists and residents together to enrich our lives through the joy of art.

PROGRAMS

•

Makers’ Markets

•

Garage Galleries

•

Garden Posts

•

Sit & Savor

•

FiberFlash

•

Tellers’ Night

•

StoopSessions

•

Film Fest

FORESTPARKARTSALLIANCE

Visit us online at forestparkarts.org

I

Art Is Everywhere in Forest Park

n Forest Park, art doesn’t live only on gallery walls. It appears on front porches and in garages, around trees and on bistro tables. It fills local businesses, pops up along Madison Street, brings filmmakers together for a whirlwind weekend, and gives neighbors and visitors another reason to stop, talk, and experience something unexpected.

Behind many of those moments is the Forest Park Arts Alliance, a community-based organization with a simple mission: “We bring artists and residents together to enrich our lives through the joy of art.”

That mission comes to life through an eclectic collection of programs designed to make art accessible, participatory, and visible throughout Forest Park.

Some events put local artists and makers in the spotlight. The Spring and Holiday Makers’ Markets give shoppers an opportunity to discover original art and handcrafted goods while meeting the people who create them. Garage Galleries transforms garages throughout the community into one-day galleries, creating a walkable art experience where artists exhibit their work in an informal neighborhood setting.

@FORESTPARKARTS

Other programs turn Forest Park itself into a canvas. Garden Posts invites artists to transform ordinary posts into one-of-a-kind works of public art, while Bistro Tables combines art with gathering by commissioning artists to create functional painted tables displayed in downtown Forest Park.

Fiber Flash brings colorful fiber art into public spaces, demonstrating that art can appear just about anywhere.

All donated winter accessories – hats, mittens, gloves – are donated to the Forest Park Library’s Comfort Closet and other organizations.

MARION SIREFMAN, ARTIST. ARTIST'S WORK USED FOR PROMOTIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. FPAA DOES NOT CLAIM AUTHORSHIP.

Special Advertising Section

The Alliance also celebrates storytelling and performance. Tellers’

Night gives storytellers a stage to share personal experiences with a live audience. StoopSessions brings musicians and audiences together for intimate performances on Forest Park’s front porches, turning familiar neighborhood spaces into welcoming music venues.

For filmmakers, the 48-Hour Film Festival presents a completely different creative challenge: write, shoot, and complete a short film in just two days.

The resulting films showcase not only creativity and collaboration, but often recognizable people and places from around Forest Park.

Throughout the year, the Arts Alliance also finds ways to connect creativity with some of the community’s favorite celebrations. Invasion of the Scarecrows fills town with imaginative creations each fall, while the Alliance’s participation in Pride Fest encourages residents to express themselves through art while celebrating inclusion and community.

Together, these programs reflect the Arts Alliance’s larger role in Forest Park: creating opportunities for artists, introducing residents to new creative experiences, and making art a visible part of everyday community life.

Perhaps most importantly, you don’t have to consider yourself an “art person” to participate. You can buy something handmade, watch a film, listen to music from a neighbor’s stoop, discover an artist in a garage, encounter public art on a walk through town—or even decide to create something yourself.

That’s the joy of art in Forest Park. It’s not something you have to go looking for. More often than not, it’s right around the corner.

Discover upcoming events, meet local artists and find ways to get involved with the Forest Park Arts Alliance at forestparkarts.org.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

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The new Austin United Alliance Apartments stand to the left of the historical Laramie State Bank building on Chicago Avenue on Sept. 10.

APARTMENTS from page 7 there are people who didn’t think we needed housing here.”

According to the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, since February, it has provided rental counseling to more than 1,000 Austin residents. And over 400 people attended a single housing application session this June.

“This was a response to a need,” Oak Park Village Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson said of the new apartments after the ribbon cutting. “As some of the speakers alluded to, it’s going to make the whole community healthier and safer, and that’s why I’m invested in figuring out solutions to the housing crisis. It’s public safety, and that’s my job in this role.”

Building Soul City The Austin United Alliance apartments are the latest addition to the Soul City Corridor — a stretch of Chicago Avenue that is actively being redesigned to uplift a historic part of the West Side. The Austin African American Business Networking Association has played a large role in the initiative.

“When no one really focused and believed in Chicago Avenue, Malcolm [Crawford, ex-

ecutive director of AAABNA] did,” Ford said. “He made sure that he got on peoples’ nerves, he offended people, he did all the things he needed to do to make sure that Soul City became the destination that it is today.”

There are several more developments planned for Chicago Avenue and the surrounding area.

“Many more improvements are coming to nearby blocks that will ensure that Chicago Avenue thrives on behalf of all the people that live and work nearby,” Boatright said.

“Roughly two dozen planned and pending projects valued at more than $60 million are happening under the leadership of Alderwoman [Emma] Mitts and Mayor Brandon Johnson.”

In six weeks, the same contractors who completed the Austin United Alliance apartments will begin work on the neighboring Laramie State Bank building. This time next year, the historic Art Deco building will have a bank, coworking space, business incubator and cafe.

“This section of Chicago Avenue is currently still under construction, and that’s proof positive of the investments that are being made,” Johnson said. “The West and South Sides of Chicago will never be ignored, not as long as I’m mayor of the City of Chicago. This economic enclave and corridor on Chicago Avenue, Soul City, really embodies the essence of what this project is about.”

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

Homes

NEED TO REACH US?

email: dhaley@newswellchicago.org

Renovating?

Start with a trio of home experts Architect, designer and contractor work together to solve problems

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

When interior designer Robin Schwadron of R Titus Designs opened a space in the heart of Oak Park in 2023, one of the benefits of the combined studio and storefront was the ability to host community events.

Over the years, she’s hosted mahjong nights, styling classes and even a homecoming dress swap, but some of her favorite events are bringing industry professionals to the studio to talk to homeowners who are contemplating doing work on their homes.

On Sept. 30, she’s joining forces with two locals -- architect Christina Townsend and general contractor Matt Jacknow -- for a panel that will cover how collaboration among the fields of architecture, design and construction can be helpful in any renovation project.

Jacknow says there are real benefits to working with a team made up of an architect, designer and general contractor from the beginning of a project. He says, “The three of us are solving different pieces of the same problem. The architect is solving for space and structure, the designer is solving for how the house looks and lives, and I’m solving for how it actually gets built, what it costs and how long it takes.”

Schwadron says that as designer she thinks it pays off to start a project with all three roles because it helps set budget expectations. “A homeowner can get pricing for

ROBIN SCHWADRON

TITUS DESIGN

This Oak Park kitchen was designed by interior designer R Titus Designs and constructed by general contractor Matt Jacknow. projects or ideas, but they do not have a full plan, and when they go to price out the full plan, the budget is way over what they expected or planned for. Once the client has the full plan, then all parties can price accurately,” she says.

For Townsend, bringing in a team from the get-go is helpful for cohesiveness and defining roles. She sees some overlap between an architect and designer in that both start with floor plans and initial design concepts. She points out that an architect is often a key piece of the puzzle when a project requires permits.

While acknowledging that not every permit requires a set of architectural plans, she says, “Almost all reno-

vations require a permit.” Even when a full set of architectural drawings aren’t required, she says, “A contractor will still need drawings from an architect or interior designer to work from. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to hire a professional familiar with the permitting process and its specific requirements, so they have proper guidance from the start.”

CHRISTINA TOWNSEND

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM Jacknow says this points to another reason to start a project with qualified professionals.

“The single most common heartbreak in this business is a homeowner falling in love with a set of drawings they can’t afford to build. That doesn’t happen when a contractor has been putting numbers to the work while it’s being drawn.”

The architect and general contractor also work hand-in-hand when evaluating the home. Jacknow says the older homes that populate his territory of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park have a lot hiding behind their plaster.

“What’s inside those walls matters as much as what’s on the paper,” he says. “If I’ve walked a house early, I can tell the architect where the bearing walls actually are, where the balloon framing is going to complicate a floor opening, where the old plumbing stack or the ductwork is going to fight the plan. That’s a cheap conversation in March. It’s an expensive change order in September.”

Townsend says it pays off financially MATT JACKNOW and logistically to General Contractor bring everyone on board from the start. “Sometimes, a client decides to bring on a separate interior designer after permit drawings are already underway, which requires revisions to permitting docuTITUS DESIGN ments and added fees … Other times, a conA kitchen designed by R Titus Designs. tractor isn’t consulted early enough to be part of the conversation. A contractor can offer a lot of valuable strategies, especially if clients ture, footprint or roofline; for additions, dormers or attic need to stay home during construction or if they’re work- conversions or moving a staircase; and for whole house reing on a tight budget.” models. He says, “On historic homes, an architect is worth For Jacknow, it always makes sense to get an architect it even when the work is modest, because getting proporinvolved in a project if it involves changes to the struc- tion, rooflines and window and trim details right on a 1905

“The three of us are solving different pieces of the same problem.”

MATT JACKNOW

house is the difference between an addition that disappears and one you can spot from the sidewalk.”

He says designers earn their fees “any time there’s a long list of selections that have to hang together -- finishes, cabinetry, tile, lighting hardware. That’s most kitchen and whole house projects.”

Schwadron echoes their advice and notes that bringing in a designer after an architect and general contractor are already underway can add up to unwanted issues. She says if an interior designer is brought in late, “There will be change orders. This could alter the budget or make a difference in the original quotes from the contractor, plus, there could be added time.”

21

TITUS DESIGN

A dining room by R Titus Designs displays the finishes, paint, lighting and furniture choices that go into a cohesive design.

This Oak Park kitchen was designed by interior designer R Titus Designs and constructed by general contractor Matt Jacknow.

TITUS DESIGN

Schwadron says at the end of the day, she hopes the Sept.

30 event will give local homeowners perspective on the renovation process so that they can make the best-educated investment for their home.

People interested in attending the event at R Titus Designs, 143 S. Oak Park Ave., can register here: https:// www.rtitusdesigns.com/happenings The event takes place on Sept. 30 from 6:30- 8:30 p.m.

22

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

VIEWPOINTS

Shrubtown

p. 25

It’s OK to disagree about zoning

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at (708) 613-3310 Email: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org

A R T B E A T

Our zoning debate will divide us — because the stakes are real, and that is OK. [Our zoning debate should not divide us, Viewpoints, Sept. 2] First, the claim that we need multi-unit housing to be “diverse” is simply not true. There is no evidence that a single-family home is somehow anti-diverse. My own immediate neighbors are Belgian, English, Jewish, Black, interracial, Indian, white, same-sex, Hispanic, and more. That is not an accident — Oak Park is roughly 19.5% Black, well above the national (~12%) and Illinois (~14%) averages, and one of the most deliberately integrated communities in the country. Diversity is not something our current homes prevent; it is something they already deliver.

The village’s own staff confirms it. Its 2026 study found no significant difference in diversity between Oak Park’s three historic districts — the most development-restricted parts of town — and the non-historic districts in Oak Park. Our most restricted, most single-family neighborhoods are every bit as diverse as the rest. Density did not integrate Oak Park; restricting it did nothing to prevent it.

Second, upzoning does not create affordability — it erodes it. The first homes a developer demolishes are the most affordable ones because it pencils out far better to put four units on a $300,000 lot than on a $1 million lot. Naturally affordable older homes are replaced by pricier new construction, shrinking the existing affordable stock. Adding density doesn’t lower the cost of living here; it changes who profits from the teardown.

Third, and most important: the thing crushing affordability isn’t the price of houses — it’s the taxes. Young and moderate-income families can often afford the mortgage here. What they cannot afford are the property taxes — more than double the national average, and three to four times the rate in low-tax states like Georgia and Virginia. In Oak Park, the property-tax bill alone can equal what a family in much of the country pays for an entire mortgage, and it rose roughly 12% in the last year alone. No amount of new construction fixes that. If anything, a village this deep in debt, with pension obligations it cannot credibly fund, will lean harder on the same shrinking base of homeowners.

Even setting all of that aside, there is a deeper problem. The proposal asks residents to risk the life savings they’ve built in their single largest asset so that officials can pursue an abstract goal of being even more diverse. And notice whom our officials represent in doing this: not the constituents who elected them, but the hypothetical residents they hope will live here someday. I don’t recall that being the mission of representative government.

Consider the contradiction. The village will direct a reported sevenfigure sum to one private home — the Percy Julian house, rightly a landmark — on lots its own proposed rules would let hold a dozen units.

When it chooses, it knows a home is worth more than its density. So do the rest of us.

This discussion will divide us. That’s what discussions about people’s homes, savings, and taxes inevitably do — and that is OK. Sources for this piece available in the online version at oakpark.com/ Opinion.

Charles Melcher Oak Park

W

I sure didn’t see this coming

riting a story (short fiction) for the Off Campus Writers Workshop’s (OCWW) 80th Anniversary, TILT: Off-Kilter Stories For A Topsy-Turvy World, an anthology of 39 short stories, was one of the most challenging yet fulfilling writing experiences I’ve had.

I’m thrilled to share my story, “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4 at The Book Loft Oak Park, 1047 Lake St., where I will be joined by two other Oak Park TILT authors: award-winning poet Sheila Elliott and internationally-acclaimed sculptor and artist Margot McMahon, who will also share their stories. Both have been members of OCWW for many years.

I’ve written memoirs, poetry, essays and non-fiction features for local newspapers for many years. I write “Favorite Things” Wednesday Journal/Newswell, where I share creative and unique places and spaces in our community.

But I had never written fiction before.

One of my top New Year’s resolutions last year was to write a fictional short story and try to get it published. Since I wasn’t sure how to accomplish this, I asked several friends who had published stories to recommend classes and writing groups. Off Campus Writers (OCWW) was the group they all mentioned. OCWW, founded in 1946, is one of the oldest and most respected volunteer-run writers groups in the country.

I’ve been a member since January 2025 and have attended many workshops hosted by this supportive writing community, which covers a spectrum of writing genres.

Soon after I joined, I learned of critique groups for a short-story anthology. The topic was “Didn’t

See that Coming,” but you couldn’t use those words in the story. Without a full picture of what OCWW or the anthology were all about, I signed up. The idea of writing fiction, working with a small group, and having my piece published both scared and thrilled me.

At the short story anthology orientation, I asked about the cost and imagined it would be hundreds of dollars, or more. I wondered if I could afford to participate. “It’s free,” they answered. “We’re volunteers,” Most of the six members of my critique group were experienced and published. We met on Zoom weekly for four months. One of our group members Zoomed in from Hong Kong, where it was 14 hours later.

And there I was, a fiction newbie who wasn’t clear what I was doing.

For several weeks at the beginning, I was tempted PHOTO PROVIDED to email my group telling them I was dropping out.

The whole process felt overwhelming. I was humbled. But I also wanted to stay and give feedback on their stories, all different from mine, and learn new ways of improving my story. So I hung in there.

I went in thinking my first draft was pretty good. Looking back, I shake my head. In school, I had always gotten excellent grades in English. I had to remind myself frequently that the critiques were not the same as mediocre or bad grades. My critique group was kind yet straightforward in their feedback. They asked pointed questions that encouraged me to think strategically.

JOY AARONSON One View

See JOY AARONSON on page 26

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM

constant screen use can have on kids’ learning, relationships, and well-being.

My husband and I work hard to keep screens from becoming a default in our daughter’s childhood.

She doesn’t have a tablet at home.

When she’s bored, we want her to pick up a book, make something, play, or find someone to talk to.

Then we send her to school, and school hands her an iPad. I’m encouraged by changes at Mann this year. Screen use has been reduced, iPads are no longer being sent home, and I’m grateful to the administration for listening to parents and taking action.

There’s more work to do, but it’s meaningful progress. I’d like to see that same approach across District 97.

If you feel the same, join us at Screen Sense Oak Park. We’re local parents advocating for dramatically less screen use in our schools. Learn more at ScreenSenseOakPark.org.

Our kids will have no shortage of technology in their lives.

What they’re running out of is childhood.

Madeline Reto Oak Park

Helmets, helmets, helmets!

I agree 100% with the idea submitted by Mary Ann Porucznik and printed in the Aug. 26 Viewpoints section: “Bikers, learn the rules of the road.”

Daily I see bikers riding without helmets (yes, they are not required

by IL law, but they should be by Oak Park). Riding the wrong way, riding without hands on the handlebars.

Riding through stop signs. Weaving through stopped car traffic, endangering pedestrians. Riding three or four abreast without moving over for cars to pass. This happens in my neighborhood near Scoville Park,

and in every other neighborhood I drive or walk through.

As Ms. Porucznik states, bike riders need to learn the rules of the road, take a test, and become licensed before being allowed to ride bikes on our streets. I agree with her suggestion that this requirement should become part of Oak Park’s bicycle safety plan. Violators should receive monetary citations, up to and including license revocation.

Law-abiding bike riders will become law-abiding car drivers.

Ellen Edwards Oak Park

23

Where oaks find safe arbor

Running out of childhood

I was talking with my mom recently about things that were completely normal when we were kids that seem crazy now. When she was growing up, kids spent entire summer days outside before sunscreen was routinely used.

When I was growing up in the ’90s, restaurants put smokers on one side of the room, and somehow that was considered a publichealth solution.

So I asked her: What are we doing with kids today that they’re going to look back on and think, “What were you thinking?”

As the parent of a second-grader at Mann Elementary, I keep coming back to one answer: We’re making screens a routine part of the school day for kids still learning how to focus, build relationships, think creatively, and solve problems.

Which begs a simple question: What is the screen replacing?

A book? A conversation? Handson work? Time with a teacher or classmates?

When smartphones and tablets entered our lives, none of us knew what a childhood saturated with screens would look like. Now we know much more about the effects

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

I think that I shall never see An oak among our downtown trees ...

As our trees begin to please, turning color, some sooner, some later, I thought I would revisit a column that echoes back to 2014. You can also find it in Our Town Oak Park, available at both of our excellent new indie bookstores, Dandelion and Book Loft: he Downtown Oak Park Business Association recently sponsored an Arbor Day contest, asking us to wax eloquent about “what trees do for you,” a remarkably pastoral notion for a business organization whose main job is promoting commerce.

Arbor Day is “Tree Appreciation Day,” a gentle reminder to keep planting these dinosaurs of the plant world to make up for the many lost to loggers and wildfires.

Oak Park and River Forest are located in what is called an “urban forest.” Lovely mature trees, which are nothing to sneeze at — unless they’re in spring bloom — and definitely worth writing testimonials about.

Trees, in fact, are our single most important natural resource, reflected in the names of both towns (and adjacent Forest Park).

Long ago, Oak Park loved elms so much, our parkways were planted thick with them, resulting in spectacular cathedral canopies over our streets. But they did not, alas, have the forestry foresight — or arboreal acumen — to predict that invasive beetles could easily migrate from bough to intertwined bough, wreaking havoc and obliterating these blessed shade-casters.

There is safety in diversity, we learned — even as we began investing in human diversity — and our foresters now plant a wider variety of species to replace the old elms and green ash as they die.

As of 2014, there were an estimated 170 pre-settlement oak trees left in the village. A group called Historic Oak Propagation Project (HOPP), spearheaded by local arborist Kathryn Jonas and local environmental activist Julie Samuels, in conjunction with Morton Arboretum and the Openlands West Suburban TreeKeepers program, collected acorns from 200- to 300-year-old native Oak Park bur oaks and planted them on private property and village parkways. So there’s hope for a renaissance.

Oak Park’s very name pays homage to the

T

KEN

TRAINOR

tree that once dominated this continental divide (though it no longer cracks the top five in our tree surveys). I haven’t spotted many oaks in the downtown business district.

Downtown Oak Park, in fact, is one of the few relatively treeless plains in the village (hence the bastardization of Joyce Kilmer’s famous ode at the top of this column).

The contest instructions were pretty general — discuss “What do trees do for you?” in a poem, essay, or short story, a thousand words or less. Here’s my unsolicited verse.

I settled on oaks because we settled under oaks:

An Ode to Oaks They call you old growth, pre-settlement, heritage oaks, Some here before Kettlestrings arrived in the 1830s, Before James Scoville settled on the high ridge Left by receding glaciers, forming the lower lip of Lake Michigan.

Every summer, you shield us from scorching rays, Your curling branches elicit a certain majesty, Evoking some Gothic fable from other centuries.

Every winter you play possum, miming death, Every spring, defying logic, new shoots explode from your rigid surfaces.

You have given your life to embellish doors and floors And chairs that support our derrieres.

You breathe in pollution, exhale oxygen, no scolding or strings attached, And produce the most beautiful seed on the planet.

When autumn wanes and other trees empty their branches, Your withered leaves cling, playing the wind for one season more.

You make highways for squirrels and perches to rest wings.

You buffer us from the awful emptiness of the sky And instruct us in the power of silence and endurance.

You embody strength and perseverance.

May you always find safe arbor in this Your namesake park.

24

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

V I E W P O I N T S

Hold the firearm industry accountable

On Oct. 21, 1983, Oak Park native James Piszczo, an attorney and Judge Henry Gentile were shot and killed in a Cook County Court room. In the wake of this tragedy, 6,000 signatures across Oak Park were collected and the Oak Park Citizens Committee for Handgun Control was created to appeal to the village for reform. Fortythree years later, firearms are the #1 cause of death for children and teens, and they injure 6,700 Illinoisans every year.

Most firearm owners agree that “With Rights Come Responsibilities.” Our community’s recent focus on secure storage of guns echoes this theme.

However, a 2005 federal law (PLCAA) gave the firearm industry broad immunity from lawsuits, shielding them from responsibility for the harm created by their products. The firearm industry has zero incentive to prioritize safety in product design or reform distribution practices.

Fear and trauma has become the marketplace where firearm makers make their billions. Meanwhile, survivors, families and taxpayers are left to shoulder the costs.

Each year, gun injury costs Illinois families and taxpayers $18-20 billion.

A proposed Illinois state law, the RIFL Act,

Once upon an institution The closing of West Suburban Hospital is such a sad milestone.

Back in 2003 the hospital was getting ready to celebrate 90 years serving as Oak Park’s premier community hospital. I did much of the graphic design and their annual reports for many years. I just thought I would share an ad from that time and mourn the passing of a onetime great institution.

Mary Vostal Oak Park

addresses this imbalance.

Simply put, the Responsibility in Firearm Legislation (RIFL) Act requires firearm manufacturers to share the costs taxpayers pay for gun injury in Illinois and help fund evidence-based violence and suicide prevention efforts and victim services.

To sell, distribute, or import in Illinois, firearm manufacturers must contribute to a fund annually based on how many of their products are recovered following firearm injuries. As their contribution to firearm injury increases or decreases, so does their contribution to this fund.

The RIFL Act currently has amassed 49 House and 27 Senate sponsors, and votes will be held to pass this during the upcoming veto and lame duck session. But the political will of the Governor, Senate and House leadership is necessary.

Call your State Senator, Representative and Governor Pritzker (217-782-6830). For most of Oak Park, that’s Senate President Don Harmon, 217-782-8176, and Representative Camille Lilly, 217-782-6400 Tell them the RIFL Act is needed now. The bill is due.

Lois Thiessen Love

Gun Responsibility Advocates

Let neighbors show you how

Do I insulate my house first and then install heat pump HVAC — or the other way around? Who should I trust to install rooftop solar? If I switch to an induction stove, will I have to replace all my cookware? I want to get off fossil fuels, but where to start?!

Wish you could ask a neighbor these and more questions about clean energy upgrades to your home? You can — at Oak Park Climate Action Network’s 2026 Clean Energy Open House on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. Walk through two fully electrified homes and check out the sustainability upgrades that make them

healthier, safer, fossil-fuel-free, and more energy independent. Ask the homeowners about their experience and meet the contractors they worked with.

These typical vintage houses, both featured in OPCAN’s 2025 Clean Energy Open House, showcase two different approaches to home electrification: one was electrified as part of a gut rehab, the other gradually, spreading costs over several years.

Clean Energy Open House is free but registration is required. Visit opcan.org/ openhouses to register.

Wendy Greenhouse

Oak Park Climate Action Network

A third party is our only hope

T

he column “Politics is not a spectator sport” [Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Sept. 2] addresses the need for a voter to become a lobbyist, not a hobbyist. Be active, not passive, when it comes to voting. It uses that opening to build momentum toward countering the clear and present danger of the current administration. Of course, there is a dire need for getting rid of the radical and deadly Trump administration. The solution offered in the piece: “like them or not, the other party” is the answer. The Democratic Party.

The piece invokes the huge number of the electorate who don’t bother to cast a vote. The implication is that these potential voters could turn the tide and get the Democratic Party in position to fight back.

As I read along, I could not help but find this column a bit condescending to those millions who don’t vote — for Red or Blue.

That is, perhaps they genuinely feel they have nothing for which to vote! The advice that the Democrats or not, they are the answer, is also insulting to any critical thinking “lobbyist” trying to break the stranglehold on a two-party system that has clearly, irrefutably, failed we the people.

How so? Recently nine Democrats joined the GOP in a procedural resolution condemning socialism. Socialism?

Oh, right, things like K-12 public education; fire departments; police and sheriff

departments; public libraries; public roads and infrastructure; the postal service. The fear appeal is alive is well. On both sides of the aisle.

But never mind. You have no other choice but to vote for the Blues. The column makes sure to invoke the mantra perpetrated by the Establishment, to not “throw away your vote for a third party.” Any chance the majority of the non-voters want more choices than a Donkey or an Elephant?

A Gallup poll shows 60% public support for adding a third party. But never mind, it’s the Democrats who are our only hope.

Weren’t they in power with Joe Biden? 81 million voted for him to get rid of Trump.

How did that work out?

But good luck in November. No third parties offered that might tempt you to throw away your right to be a critical thinking “lobbyist.” You have no choice but to support the system that has brought about our current dystopia, as the editorial piece in question here clearly establishes.

Sources: 89,278,948 no-shows for eligibility in 2024 election: U. of Florida Election Lab Nine Democrats joined GOP in condemning socialism: CBSnews.com, News posting by Caitlin Yilek 9/1/26 Gallup poll showing 60% level of support for a third US political party: Gallup News: Politics, 10/20/2025; Jeffrey M. Jones Joe Harrington is an Oak Park resident.

JOE HARRINGTON One View

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

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

by Marc Stopeck

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

Oak Park should have the right of recall

In nearly half of towns and cities across the nation, when a local elected official seriously breaches the trust of their constituents, their voters do not have to wait years to remove them from office. In these communities, the voters have the right of recall.

Oak Parkers for the Right of Recall is working to get a binding referendum question on the ballot asking the people of Oak Park whether they would like to establish a recall process for village elected officials.

We want Oak Parkers to decide for themselves whether they want to join the thousands of communities, including every municipality in Wisconsin and Michigan, that provide their voters with the power of recall.

Here in Illinois, Arlington Heights, Wheeling, Mount Prospect, and Buffalo Grove have had recall for decades.

In fact, Arlington Heights and Wheeling have had it for almost 50 years. We have the constitutional right to recall our governor as well. Oak Park should join this democratic tradition and give its residents the right of recall.

Recall is a democratic safeguard that will help us hold our elected officials accountable. While rarely used, its very existence keeps elected officials faithful to the trust

placed in them by the voters.

Over the past four years, since I was a junior at OPRF, I have been trying to find ways to empower the people of Oak Park with democratic rights that other communities enjoy.

By establishing a recall process in Oak Park, we can change our community for the better. We can make our elected officials more accountable to the people they represent and provide a democratic guardrail that will exist for decades to come.

We need your help to place the binding referendum question on the ballot!

You can collect signatures in your neighborhood, at block parties, at Farmers Market, at an OPRF home football game, or any of the many events in our community where Oak Parkers gather.

To get involved or learn more, please visit rightofrecall. org or email me at jacob@rightofrecall.org.

Thank you for helping make our village government better.

Jacob Drews Oak Park

The 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 sufficient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it often is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.

We reserve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than superficial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc.

Be as specific as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims.

Links may also be included for the online version.

We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm.

As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful.

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

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

Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@newswellchicago.org.

For the latter, we prefer attached Word files or plain text included in the email.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 350-word limit ■ Must include first and last

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote

about yourself and/or your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

Rezoning won’t aid affordable housing

The Opticos Report, commissioned by the Oak Park trustees in late 2025 to address affordable housing, instead focuses on how zoning changes can attract developers to through incentives to construct multi-unit buildings in single-family neighborhoods. Increased density does not ensure affordability. It does correlate to traffic congestion, school enrollment increases, infrastructure impacts, and more parked cars. Oak Park’s Development Director recently told this newspaper parking is a disconnected issue, not linked to zoning changes. For most residents it is directly connected.

Review of the Opticos Report indicates several conflicts with the village’s 2014 Comprehensive Plan & 2024 Strategic Vision for Housing Plan, including: Opticos p. 7 states, “The updated ordinance should not include standards for minimum lot area” in current singlefamily neighborhoods, and further, “Oak Park does not need minimum lot area standards which can impact reinvestments.”

On p. 8 & p. 9 Opticos states the revised ordinance “should also avoid minimum lot area per dwelling unit requirements for townhouse & multi-unit projects, because these standards func-

JOY AARONSON

tion as density limitations.” And later on p. 9, “We recommend removing the existing maximum building coverage standard from the current Zoning Ordinance.” On p. 10 Opticos states their recommendation to increase the number of principal dwelling units allowed per lot, “would allow greater housing density.”

In contrast, the 2014 Comprehensive Plan includes a strategy for mixed-use & multifamily development in business districts.

The 2024 Strategic Vision for Housing Plan includes Strategy #1, “Allow for Additional Multifamily Housing within Oak Park’s Business Districts & Other Suitable Development Sites.”

Neither the 2014 Comprehensive Plan nor the 2024 Housing Plan includes a strategy of targeting single-family residential neighborhoods for multi-unit development or adopting financial incentives to attract developers.

The trustees (who were elected to represent residents) should take the time required to understand residents’ concerns instead of rushing to adopt the Opticos recommendations.

Ann Straw Oak Park

Taking a Flyer on a far-fetched dream

An 80-mph train running through the middle of River Forest?

Four times in each direction every hour? I’d be a little surprised if that happened. I think the outcry over lights at the tennis courts last year will feel like a convivial garden party compared to what we’ll see if the O’Hare Flyer moves another inch forward.

I kind of like the idea myself, but as an east-side Oak Parker, I don’t live anywhere near the train and would not be affected by it at all. And I can see how River Foresters might not like it.

Nonetheless, I think it would be pretty cool if travelers could get downtown from O’Hare in 15 minutes. It would be great for the city and, generally, what’s good for Chicago is good for surround-

ing suburbs.

Maybe it would be more palatable as a toll train. There could be an iPass-like device that records travel on the tracks and sends a payment to River Forest coffers every time a train passes through. Even more enticing would be a station where inbound travelers could disembark and stay for a Frank Lloyd Wright tour or where outbound travelers could board a train for an eight-minute trip to O’Hare.

But seriously, 80 mph each way every 15 minutes? Hard to imagine a groundswell of support for that.

Karl Lauger Oak Park

First things first

Long live the Monarchs!

The iconic Monarch butterfly appears to have had a very good summer this year in Oak Park. I haven’t seen this many in decades. I don’t know if this is a local phenomenon or more regional, but I think a recent increase in the number of native plant gardens all over the village has had an impact. Many of the monarchs that you see now will be making their long migration to Mexico this month. How they manage this incredible feat with their tiny brains is amazing. With all the bad news we hear every day (usually caused by some human) it’s nice to have some good news. Thanks, gardeners. Keep up the good work!

Viewpoints columnist Josh VanderBerg has anointed northwest Oak Park as the ideal site for a zoning pilot [Sept.

9]. A neighborhood, notably, that isn’t his own. His ideal location for a “safe” pilot site conveniently lands on someone else’s streets, full of real residents who would live with the impact firsthand.

The village hasn’t agreed to a pilot, let alone a location; nothing on the board’s own agenda says otherwise. Mr. VanderBerg has put the cart miles ahead of the horse. Before we start drawing boundaries on a map, we need to resolve the questions actually on the table. And if a pilot is ever seriously proposed, the first question isn’t where — it’s what happens if it fails, and how any damage gets undone.

Oak Park

Oak Park

Ted Sowinski

Rance Clouser

Inventing new people from page 22 For me, learning to write fiction was like learning to write in a new language. It was diving into another world and inhabiting other people I invented.

I got to try on characters’ clothing, hair color, friends, and enter their worlds.

All this was very new to me.

After many revisions and weekly group critiques, we each got to work with a volunteer developmental editor.

My editor started her feedback on my story with: “Great start, Joy, and a fun set up for an ‘I didn’t see that coming’ story. We definitely have some work to do on this story.” She supported me with Zoom and draft critiques. And her final words before sending me on to the next step with my managing editor were, “You earnestly pursued this process with spirit.” I worked with the managing editor on tightening up my dialogue and polishing the narrative.

I’m so grateful for the time and energy the Off Campus Writers Workshop Anthology editors and committee members dedicated to the 39 authors and to publishing this book.

At the TILT event, 2 p.m., Oct. 4, books will be available for sale and signing. To accommodate seating, please RSVP at https:www.thebookloftoakpark.com After Oct. 4, books will be available at Book Loft. You can also support local independent bookstores by ordering from bookshop.org, an online bookstore that splits profits with independent local bookstores.

Specify which local bookstore you want to support.

TILT can also be ordered from barnesandnoble.com and amazon. com.

Send letters to the Editor Ken Trainor, Wednesday Journal E-mail: ktrainor@newswellchicago.org Please include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

Tell them: he’s not fit for office

After reading Heather Cox Richardson this morning, I decided to write to my senators and representative, urging them to speak up about Trump’s unfitness. I give my consent to you to copy, paste and/ or modify my message below if you are so inclined, changing the name for your own rep. You can do all three in about two minutes. Here are the links to the senators’ comment pages: https://www.durbin.senate.gov/contact/email https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/connect/comment Dear Sen. Durbin/Duckworth, I have to believe that you and your staff are aware of Donald Trump’s increasingly unhinged and disturbing social media posts and public appearances.

What I don’t understand is why you and all other lawmakers are not calling it out on a regular basis as a warning to every American about the risk of having an obviously cognitively and emotionally unfit person in the presidency.

I realize that Democrats alone cannot enact the 25th Amendment to remove him from office. But you can certainly join Representative Chellie Pingree in shining a light on the Republicans who are refusing to exercise their constitutional powers to protect the country.

She posted on social media, “This is truly unhinged. I don’t want to hear ‘oh, it’s just Trump being Trump’ or he’s ‘trolling.’ Republicans cannot keep shrugging this off. Congress, the Cabinet + everyone around him has a responsibility to stop enabling this dangerous behavior and start asking whether he is fit to hold office.”

That should be the message of all Democrats multiple times a week. The frequent repetition of that message by all Democrats will cause it to be lodged in the minds of voters of all stripes and become impossible to ignore.

Eventually, legislators will not be able to ignore it, either. This is how the Republicans work with their propaganda, although theirs are mostly lies.

You cannot just cross your fingers and wait for the midterms. Trump is ever more dangerous to the country (and the world) with each passing day.

He must be removed from power ASAP.

Jim Parks

Former Oak Park resident

Visit us online at www.OakPark.com

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O B I T U A R I E S

Erik Sharpe, 32

Member of Midwest Buddhist Temple Erik L. Sharpe died tragically on Aug. 20, 2026 in Leesburg, Florida. Born in Victorville, California on May 6, 1994, he grew up in the Oak Park-River Forest area.

He was a faithful member of Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago.

Erik is survived by his parents, Pauline Sharpe (nee Trilik) & Brian Sharpe and his brother Colin Sharpe, as well as many cousins, aunts and uncles.

Erik had many passions, including cooking, learning new things, exploring languages, history, geography, music, and string instruments, just to name a few.

He had plans to travel abroad, exploring his roots in Ireland and Sweden this coming year.

Erik is deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Nona Stamp George, 83 Teacher and traveler

Nona Stamp George, 83, a resident of Centennial, Colorado since December 2023, formerly of Chicago and River Forest, died on Aug. 11, 2026, after a long illness.

Born on April 17, 1943, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Lucille and Clarence Stamp, she attended Rosary College in River Forest, and after graduation in the mid-1960s, joined the first wave of Peace Corp volunteers, serving two years in the Philippines.

On Nov. 30, 1968, she married Albert S. George Jr., who preceded her in death in 2017. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Gene and Neil Stamp.

Teaching became her profession for most of her life.

She impacted the lives of many people, having taught early elementary grades at Melody School in Chicago into the 1980s, and after a few years’ hiatus, taught Pre-K and Kindergarten at Chicago City Day School, retiring in 2018.

Her service in the Philippines also established her love of travel thereafter, particularly with family and friends.

Over the years, she went to Bermuda, France, England, Scotland, Scandinavia, Turkey, and Peru.

Nona formed caring friendships that were often lifelong. She particularly liked visits to the lions at the Lincoln Park Zoo. After her move to Colorado, she enjoyed the National Western Stock Show and day trips to see wildlife in their Rocky Mountain habitat. She enjoyed reading, movies, music, and theater.

Nona was the aunt of Christopher [Julie], Aiden, and Madeline Stamp, Amanda Stamp Yadav (Mahesh Yadav) and Neil Yadav, and Marjorie Patricia George; and the sister-in-law of Thomas and Beverly George.

There will be a private Celebration of Life luncheon for her family and friends on Oct. 30 in Oak Park.

Rev. Jerry Broccolo, 87

Former pastor of Ascension Parish Rev. Gerard T. Broccolo, 87, retired priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and former pastor of Ascension Parish in Oak Park, died on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026.

Born on June 14, 1939, in Chicago, he attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary in Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/ Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein. Afterward, he was selected to pursue theological studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome during the Second Vatican Council, followed by graduate studies in liturgy at the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy of St. Anselm, also in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 16, 1964, by Most Rev. Francis F. Reh in Rome, and he celebrated his first solemn Mass on Dec. 17 of the same year at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

In 1991, after serving as pastor at Ascension Parish in Oak Park, he moved to Pittsburgh to work with the Sisters of Mercy to make their health-care system a better witness to the good news of Vatican II. In 1997, he was invited to move to the corporate headquarters of Catholic Health Initiatives in Denver, Colorado, where he was a resource for ministry formation for the Office of Personnel Services and served as a consultant on liturgy. He retired in 2006.

Remembered as a teacher and a great theologian, he was the author of Spiritual Renewal of the American Priesthood (1972), as well as numerous articles for Chicago Liturgy Training Publication and other periodicals.

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich will celebrate the funeral Mass on Friday, Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Parish, 124 N. Spring Avenue in La Grange. Interment will be private.

Memorial Mass for Patrick Newton Patrick Newton, 67, died on July 8, 2026. His obituary ran on Aug. 5. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. in St. Edmund Church, 188 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, following visitation at 10 a.m.

Those who wish to may view the funeral Mass at https://www. youtube.com/live/MSCKBarkTy U?is=7ekqQN6AFCQFqRN6.

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

SPORTS OPRF alum continues football career in Europe 2017 graduate takes advantage of unexpected opportunity

By MELVIN TATE

players suffered a season-ending injury.

“It was unfortunate, but that’s how I was able to get out there,” he said.

Earlier this year, 2017 Oak Park and River Forest High But once he started playing, he made the most of it.

School graduate Jared Scott thought his football playing Scott’s 658 yards put him eighth in the league among receivcareer was over. Then his agent called and presented him a ers, something that he’s proud of. chance to resume his career with a pro team. Thing was, the “My last three games, I had over 100 yards in each of team was located overseas – Switzerland to be exact. them,” he said. “Going out there, I initially felt like I was “It kind of came out of nowhere,” Scott told Wednesday going to get closure to football and go out on my last hurrah, Journal in a phone interview. “Basically, I’d come home but what I realized was that I have more to give to the game, from coaching in Utah and was figuring out what was next. so I’m hopeful something opens up, whether it’s back here I’d finished the interview process for a corporate job and got in the States – UFL (United Football League) or Arena – or offered it. Soon as that happened, I got a call to play football back in Europe.”

The AFLE experience is just the latest installment of again.”

Scott, who also played basketball at OPRF, accepted the Scott’s football journey since graduating from OPRF. He offer to play for the Alpine Rams, a team based in Biel/Bi- went to four different schools in college: University of Wyoenne, Switzerland. The Rams play in the eight-team Ameri- ming (where he played with Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen), Prairie View A&M University, Jackcan Football League Europe, also sonville State University, and Idaho known as The League Europe. The State University. league, which also has teams in Scott went undrafted in the 2022 Austria, England, France, GermaNFL Draft but signed with the Caroliny, Italy, and Poland, recently conna Panthers following a tryout at their cluded its debut season. rookie minicamp. He was released afIn 10 games with Alpine, Scott ter training camp but signed with the had 47 receptions for 658 yards and Indianapolis Colts and spent the year four touchdowns. He added a touchon the practice squad. down on his only rushing attempt Scott played for the Boston Breakers in the season. Not bad for a guy who of the USFL in 2023 and was drafted by hadn’t played since 2023. the Arlington Renegades in the first “It was great. Just a different exround of the 2024 UFL draft, but he was perience overall,” Scott said of his released. He then went into coaching, time in Europe. “I got to see a differserving as a football assistant in 2024 ent part of the world. Switzerland at Trinity Christian Academy in Addias a whole was great, plenty of big son, Texas, then as an offensive quality cities and small cities. Every city control/assistant wide receiver coach had a lake and they were all nice in 2025. and clean. I used to go to the lake in “Stepping away from playing, I got (Biel/Bienne) all the time and it rea different perspective,” Scott said of minded me of Lake Michigan.” his coaching foray. “I was still trainScott didn’t actually arrive in ing avidly for a playing opportunity, Switzerland until June. AFLE COURTESY OF LARZ KAUS but a friend of mine was a trainer who teams are allowed only four AmeriJared Scott runs down the sideline during volunteered some of his time coachcan players on their rosters, and ing (at Trinity Christian). He recomthe opportunity for Scott opened a game this season with the Alpine Rams mended me and it ended up working up when one of Alpine’s American of American Football League Europe.

Staff Reporter

COURTESY OF LARZ KAUS

2017 Oak Park-River Forest High School graduate Jared Scott with the Alpine Rams of American Football League Europe. out. I had a really fun time doing that, giving back to the kids.

“Then a friend of mine got a job coaching receivers at (the University of Utah) and wanted to bring me in to work under him. That was really fun, and I was glad to get the experience at such a high (college) level. I enjoyed being a bridge to the players and coaches.”

Scott, who received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Jacksonville State and his master’s in athletic administration from Idaho State, will continue to train in preparation for another possible playing opportunity. He’ll also do substitute teaching in Texas and plans on getting his full teaching certification.

While obviously hoping to play next year, Scott is open to the idea of eventually getting into coaching on a more regular basis.

“If you were to ask me 2 or 3 years ago,” he said, “I’d have said no, I wasn’t interested in coaching. But the experience I’ve gotten is pretty valuable. If the opportunity comes, for sure I will consider it, but if not, I will look at other things.”

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

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Fenwick girls’ swimming takes second at its’ invitational Trinity also participates and finishes seventh

By MELVIN TATE Staff Reporter

First-year Fenwick girls’ swimming and diving head coach Bryan Lee knows this season is developmental in nature with plenty of newcomers. But that doesn’t mean a non-competitive year is ahead, at least not with an experienced core of swimmers and divers who have been state qualifiers.

At the Friar Invitational held at the Dan O’Brien Natatorium, Sept. 12, Fenwick placed second with 415 points, with St. Ignatius winning the championship with 518 points. While Lee thought the Friars fared solidly overall, he believes they can still get better.

“There were good swims, but I think this isn’t the best the girls have,” he said.

“We’re still in mid-season, they’re still dropping times and trying to figure things out. They’ve made a great amount of progression, but I can’t say that this is their best.”

Senior Maggie Raniere was Fenwick’s only event winner for the day as she won the 50 freestyle with a time of 25.20 seconds. Her classmate, Maeve Ryan, was second in 25.64. In the 100 freestyle, Raniere was third in 54.76 and Ryan fifth in 55.84.

Juniors Audrey Munley, an Oak Park resident, and Sam Stowe also had solid days for the Friars. Munley finished fourth in the 500 freestyle in a season-best time of 5:24.01 and got fifth in the 200 freestyle (2:00.75). Stowe came in second in the 100 backstroke with a season-best 59.95 and fourth in the 200 freestyle (2:00.56).

The quartet of Munley, Raniere, Ryan, and Stowe combined to finish second in both the 200 (1:40.17) and 400 (3:41.15) freestyle relays. Fenwick’s 200 medley relay unit of Maya Chlopek, Jill Peele, Lily Mullins, and Eden Ling placed fifth (1:59.67).

Peele, a senior, was also sixth in the 100 breaststroke (1:14.01).

“Some of my lower-tier swimmers showed a lot of improvement and gave me something to think about once the championship season rolls in,” Lee said. “Our upperclassmen pulled through as always.

They know what they’re doing and it’s a joy to see them swim.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenwick’s Maggie Raniere checks her team’s time after swimming the 200 Yard Medley Relay during Hinsdale Central’s KP Invitational at FMC Natatorium, August 31, 2024 in Wesmont.

TRINITY Trinity was also competing at Fenwick.

Though the Blazers finished seventh with 83 points, first-year coach Cailey Mazur liked her team’s effort and enthusiasm.

“It was great. They didn’t give up, and that’s all that matters,” she said. “Keep it positive.”

Trinity received three personal-best performances: junior Diana Fedorovicz in the 100 backstroke (1:30.84), sophomore Sofia Vargas in the 100 freestyle (1:09.49), and se-

nior Frida Morales in the 100 breaststroke (1:52.41).

“We’re definitely going to work on our streamlines and our turns and keep our positivity on to the next meets,” Mazur said.

Mazur realizes that building up a program requires patience and is committed to the process.

“We’re building their social and emotional (wellness) as well as their physical work in the pool,” she said. “That’s really important.”

OPRF football pounds Proviso West

Fenwick suffers first loss of season

By MELVIN TATE Staff Reporter

After back-to-back hard-fought defeats, the Oak Park and River Forest High School football team was eager to get back into the win column against visiting Proviso West Friday evening. The Huskies did so in impressive fashion, routing the Panthers 48-12 in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division contest.

Emile Williams opened the scoring with a 36-yard interception return just over three minutes into the game. Then Liam Smith made the most of his only rushes of the night, going in from five yards and one yard respectively to give OPRF (2-2, 1-1 WSC Silver) a 21-0 lead after a quarter.

The Huskies went to the air for their next two scores as Liam Brown (3-of-4, 80 yards) found Norlan Davis for a 24-yard touchdown and Javon Davis for a 35-yard touchdown.

OPRF backup quarterback Thomas Dwyer came on in relief later in the second quarter and scooted 24 yards for another

touchdown as the Huskies built up a 42-6 halftime lead. With five minutes left in the third quarter, Caiden Henderson picked off a Proviso West pass and returned it to the house for a 61-yard picksix, which initiated a running clock for the remainder of the contest.

Defensively, Connor Krumrei had a huge game with 5 tackles (4 for loss) and 2 sacks. Ben Lambe and Calvin Moffett Jr. also recorded sacks.

OPRF hosts York in the Homecoming Game at Oak Park Stadium, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

ST. IGNATIUS 30, FENWICK 20

Friday night at St. Ignatius, Myles Hill threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to freshman Noah Marshall and added another touchdown on the ground. But it wasn’t enough as Fenwick fell 30-20 to the Wolfpack in a Chicago Catholic League Orange Division contest.

Jake Thies added a touchdown run for the Friars (3-1, 0-1 CCL Orange), who lost for the first time since Week 9 of last season at Carmel of Mundelein.

Fenwick will try to get back on the winning track at Wheaton St. Francis, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m.

30 Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026 HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI • Deadline: Monday at 5 p.m.

Let the sun shine in...

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

RE: State of Illinois Paratransit Vehicle Grant for Oak Park, River Forest, Maywood, Forest Park NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VVILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 26-05 (Zoning Ordinance Update) TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

CALENDAR NUMBER: 22-26-Z HEARING DATE: October 7, 2026 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Bogumila Pawlucka, seeking a special use permit for a massage service establishment, pursuant to Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, at the property located at 6955 North Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-06-103-037-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the NA North Avenue Zoning District.

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

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal September 16, 2026

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS CALENDAR NUMBER: 21-26-Z TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

2. Section 7-7-15(D)(1)(5): The proposed wall signs on the south wall would be mounted more than five feet above the first floor window; and

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

3. Section 7-7-9(H)(1): The proposed wall sign displaying menu items shows more than six items of information.

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Doyle Signs, on behalf of Dutch Bros, seeking variances from the following sections of the Sign Code of the Village of Oak Park, to permit installation of multiple wall signs at the premises commonly known as 316 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-08318-004-0000 and 16-08-318005-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the MS Madison Street Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., except holidays.

HEARING DATE: October 7, 2026

1. Section 7-7-15(D)(1)(a): Two wall signs are proposed along the south wall of a single-tenant building where normally only one would be permitted, and a wall sign displaying menu items is proposed to face an interior (east) lot line. Wall signs must face a street;

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal September 16, 2026

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS

HEARING DATE: October 1, 2026

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

PUBLIC NOTICES

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BY PHONE: (708) 613-3360 | BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 - Council Chambers, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 REQUEST: The Petitioner seeks approval of comprehensive amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map, commonly known as the “Shape Oak Park” recommended amendments. The proposed amendments, which are intended to address and incentivize missing middle housing types, include, without limitation, the following: • Amendments to Article 2, titled “Definitions and Rules of Measurement,” of the Zoning Ordinance to update terminology and definitions as necessary, including, without limitation: o Modernizing certain terms to replace the word “family” with “unit” and remove the term “accessory building”. o Adding new definitions for “middle housing” typologies, including “middle housing”, “cottage housing”, “courtyard building”, “fiveplex”, “fourplex”, “sixplex”, and “triplex”. o Amending the existing definitions of “accessory dwelling unit”, “accessory structure”, “coach house”, and “impervious surface coverage”.

• Amendments to Article 3, titled “Zoning Districts”, of the Zoning Ordinance to consolidate similar residential districts and commercial districts, including, without limitation: o Renaming the R-1 SingleFamily Residential District to N-1 Neighborhood 1 District.

o Consolidating the R-2, R-350, R-3-35, R-4, and R-5 Districts and rename them to N-2 Neighborhood 2 District. o Consolidating the R-6 and R-7 Multi-Family Residential Districts and rename them to N-3 Neighborhood 3 District. o Consolidating the HS Harrison Street and NC Neighborhood Commercial Districts and rename them to M-1 Mixed-Use 1 District. o Renaming the RR Roosevelt Road Form-Based District to M-2 Mixed-Use 2 District. o Consolidating the GC General Commission, MS Madison Street, and NA North Avenue Districts to M-3 Mixed-Use 3 District.

• Amendments to Article 4, titled “Residential Districts”, of the Zoning Ordinance to provide purpose statements and bulk, density, and use regulations applicable to the N-1, N-2, and N-3 Districts, including, without limitation, allowing up to 4 principal dwelling units in the N-1 and N-2 Districts.

• Amendments to Article 5, titled “Commercial Districts,” of the Zoning Ordinance to provide purpose statements and bulk, density, and use regulations applicable to the M-1, M-2, and M-3 Districts.

• Amendments to Article 7, titled “Design Standards,” of the Zoning Ordinance to provide right-size design standards for developments and clarify the design review process for applicants.

• Amendments to Article 8, titled “Uses,” to revise the uses in the N-1, N-2, N-3, M-1, M-2, and M-3 Districts to account for various housing types including triplexes, fourplexes, fiveplexes, and sixplexes.

• Amendments to Article 9, titled “Site Development Standards,” to provide updated regulations regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs).

• Amendments to Article 10, titled “Off-Street Parking and Loading,” to provide updated parking regulations associated with the People Over Parking Act. • Amendments to Article 14, titled “Zoning Approvals,” to revise regulations pertaining to Planned Developments and permit then as optional zoning approvals in all zoning districts.

• Amendments to Article 15, titled “Nonconformities,” to provide updates to standards for nonconformities in the Village.

• Amendments to other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance as necessary to implement the proposed comprehensive amendments.

A copy of the proposed comprehensive amendments to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance and Map will be available for public inspection at Village Hall, Development Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. and posted at the following website address: https://engageoakpark. com/shape no later than the end of the business day on Friday, September 18, 2026.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. The Plan Commission may also consider any related and additional relief that may be discovered during the review of this docket.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal September 16, 2026

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by Opportunity Knocks Date: Thursday, Sept 17, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM Location: RFCC 8020 Madison St. River Forest, IL Room: For the purpose of considering a project for which financial assistance is being sought from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), pursuant to IDOT’s general authority to make such grants, and which is generally described as follows: A. Description of project: Our transportation program offers safe, accessible transit for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), empowering them to stay connected, independent, and engaged in their community. Community Integration: Reliable rides to daily programs, evening events, and weekend activities ensure participants never miss out on active community life.

Safe & Accessible Fleet: Wheelchair-equipped vehicles provide dignified, secure transport tailored to individuals with complex mobility needs. Dependable Service: Timely pick-up and drop-off routines remove travel barriers for non-drivers, guaranteeing consistent access to essential services and support networks.

B. This project will be included in a Consolidated Vehicle Procurement (CVP) Program undertaken by the State of Illinois on behalf of Opportunity Knocks with federal funds.

C. Relocation – Relocation Assistance will not be required.

D. Environment – This project is being implemented to minimize environmental impact.

E. Comprehensive Planning – This project is in conformance with comprehensive transportation planning in the area.

F. Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities – All new equipment included in this project will meet ADA-accessibility requirements for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

At the hearing, Opportunity Knocks will afford an opportunity for interested persons or agencies to be heard with respect to the social, economic, and environmental aspects of the project. Interested persons may submit verbally or in writing, evidence and recommendations with respect to said project.

A copy of the application for a state grant for the proposed project for the intended service area will be made available public inspection at Opportunity Knocks 8020 Madison St. River Forest, IL 60305 Contact Person: Susan Mika, Development Director Phone: 708-252-3299 Email: info@opportunityknocksnow.org Published in Wednesday Journal September 16, 2026

Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

Events

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

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Wednesday Journal, September 16, 2026

OAKPARK.COM

“Quality, Affordable, Independent Housing for Seniors” Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, affordable, independent housing for seniors. We offer 75 studio and onebedroom apartments. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, parking, onsite management, and 24/7 emergency maintenance service. The Oaks is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through HUD’s Multifamily Housing Program.

Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent.

114 South Humphrey, Oak Park, Il 60302

For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkha.org or contact us at 708-386-5812.

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