WednesdayJournal_091725

J URNAL

ICE agents at Oak Park Village Hall

ICE agents were pr on Village Hall proper last week, but only spok brie y with OPPD o

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Multiple U.S. Customs and Immi tion Enforcement agents we on Oak Park’s Village Hall property last week but re por tedly left after a brie teraction with local police.

On Friday, Sept. 12th at approximately 10:45 a.m., multiple ICE agents the parking lot of village hall at Madison Street and Lombard Avenue. Members of the Oak Park Police Department approached and briefly spoke with the ICE agents present in the parking lot and the federal agents left the property after about 15 minutes “without issue,” according to village staff.”

at that time,” Dan Yopchick, Oak Park spokesperson, told Wednesday Journal by email.

“The agents did not attempt to enter the building or eng age with anyone else

Oak Park has a sanctuary ordinance on its book that bars village employees from assisting ICE in any civil immigration investigation without a signed court order compelling them to do so.

Oak Park Village President Vicki Sca-

man told Wednesday Journal she appreciated village staf f for handling the interaction responsibly and in accordance with the sanctuary ordinance.

“Village staf f responded appropriately to protect our personnel and residents proactively,” she said. “The Village of

No to QuikTrip says plan commission

Gas station giant QuikTrip bid for blighted Mohr Concrete site must overcome commission roadblock

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Pa rk ’s p lan c ommission voted to enc ourage the village b oard to block pe rm it applications related to p lans to build a major g as station at the long-vacant for mer Mohr concrete site along Harlem Avenue Oklahoma-based QuikTrip is looking to redevelop the for mer H. J. Mohr & S ons Co C oncrete site wh ich sits along Maple Avenue, Harlem Avenue, Garfield Street and L exington Street j ust south of the Eisenhowe r E xspressway in Oak Pa rk , as first reported by We d nesd ay Jour nal in Ju ly. T he proposal was the subject of Oak Pa rk ’s Plan C ommission’s T hursd ay, Sept

QUICKTRIP on pa ge 13

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West Suburban Hospital failed re inspection last month

Hospital’s re sprinkler system and re alarm system failed Oak Park safety inspec tion Aug. 11

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s troubled West Suburban Medical Center failed a village fire safety inspection last month.

On Aug. 11, Oak Park inspectors alerted the hospital that both its sprinkler system and fire alarm system had slipped into violations of the village’s safety code, according to documents obtained by Wednesday Journal via a Freedom of Information Act request.

“Both the fire alarm system and the fire sprinkler system have deficiencies that need to be fixed and they both need to be retested,” inspectors wrote in the documents. The systems were set to be reinspected

by Oak Park staf f on Sept. 1, according to the documents.

A Wednesday Journal FOIA request also revealed that the hospital had failed more than two dozen Oak Park elevator inspections since the start of 2023.

Information on these building issues follow months of dysfunction at the safety-net hospital which has spilled out into the public eye.

Since July, Wednesday Journal has covered re por ted issues at the hospital including accounts of unsafe high temperatures inside the hospital building and the abrupt dismissal of the hospital’s entire Family Birthplace nursing staf f.

On Aug. 8, management company Resilience Healthcare shuttered West Sub’s sister hospital — Weiss Memorial in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood — citing financial woes. At a press conference tied to that announcement, Resilience Healthcare CEO Manoj Prasad broke a media silence and acknowledged that West Sub is in bad enough financial straits that leaders make

spending decisions based on how much cash arrives on a given day.

At a recent Oak Park village board retreat, Village Manager Kevin Jackson responded to a question from Trustee Jenna Leving Jacobson about the “crisis” at West Suburban Medical Center. He said that the village is working to support the institution, but is also prepared for the worst.

“I can’t unpack that completely tonight, but President Scaman and I are dialed in and we’re thinking about the larger picture, and we will be communicating more,” he said. “We’ve been very eng aged on the hospital issue on a variety of fronts. There’s the health and safety of the clientele there, there’s actually how they perform as a neighbor in our community.”

“We also want to look at it from a standpoint of ‘if the worst thing happens.’ We’re thinking about that.”

Jackson has not responded to multiple requests from Wednesday Journal for an interview related to the village’s role with West Sub.

Oak Park seeking consultant to produce report on Reddins killing

The village wants proposals for an ‘after-action repor t’ on the fatal shooting of OPPD Det. Allan Reddins last November

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park is seeking a consultant to produce a report about last November’s fatal shooting of Oak Park Police Det. Allan Reddins. On Aug. 29, the village published a request for proposals looking for a qualified consultant to produce an “after-action report” about the tragic incident. The report would exam-

ine a variety of Oak Park Police Department policies, including police training, command response and post-incident practices, according to the village’s request for proposals

Reddins was shot and killed by a suspect while responding to reports of an armed person in downtown Oak Park on Nov. 29.

A Chicago man, Jerrell Thomas, 37, is facing a life sentence for 56 felony counts, including first-degree murder, in connection with the fatal shooting. Thomas is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 14, according to Cook County records.

Reddins was the first Oak Park police officer killed in the line of duty since 1938.

The consultant’s report would provide a detailed operational timeline of the incident, review “department policies and procedures relevant to the incident” and examine OPPD training standards, supervision and com-

mand response, internal communication and post-incident work, according to the village’s request for proposals

Law enforcement experts consider afteraction reports an important tool to help agencies move forward and learn from violent incidents, according to the International Association of Chiefs of Police

“The development of after-action reports is critical to the continuous growth and promotion of promising practices within the law enforcement field,” according to the IACP. “Response to targeted violence attacks require immediate action amid incredibly complex situations. Critical review of how the incident unfolded and the process by which the target was neutralized can uncover strengths, weaknesses, and challenges that both internal and external stakeholders can lear n from.”

WEDNESD AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Senior Audience Manager Stac y Coleman

Sta Repor ter Brendan He ernan

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Nicole Chavas, Jack Crowe, Vincent Gay, Mary Kay O’Grady, John Stanger, Josh VanderBerg

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Emma Cullnan

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Social Media and Digital Coordinator Maribel Barrera

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Fall Mum & Bulb Sale

Oak Park police need citizen oversight which builds trust: consultant

Pivot,

the group hired to study Oak Park’s Citizen Police Oversight Committee, recommends the village use Cambridge, MA as a model.

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Shop in person: Starting September 19 Shop online now: oakparkconservatory.org

A consulting firm hired by Oak Park’s village government to assess the role of citizen oversight of the police department has made 11 recommendations and this observation: “The message was clear to us, people value accountability in Oak Park, they want transparency but they believe that oversight should build trust and not divide,” said Bart Logue, Pivot’s CEO.

A key recommendation is that the village hire a full-time staf f member to work with the Citizen Police Oversight Committee to allow them to expand their capacity to review citizen complaints about policing and to take on a broader role in assessing policing ef for ts locally.

Oak Park’s board of trustees heard the set of recommendations on how it could reconfigure the committee following the consultant’s yearlong study.

Pivot Consulting is a small agency focused on the field of citizen law enforcement oversight. It provided its recommendations to the board based on a study of oversight bodies across the country and engagement with CPOC members, Oak Park police and village residents

Sept. 9’s discussion served as a study session on the issue, with more board action expected to follow in coming months.

by Minneapolis police in 2020.

The previous village board hired Pivot after making modernizing CPOC a goal, Assistant Village Manager Kira Tchang said.

“In the 34 years since CPOC’s creation a lot has changed including policing standards, both national and local conversations about public safety and impor tant conversations about transparency, equity and professional responsibility,” Tchang said.

Pivot made 11 recommendations to “increase CPOC’s capacity.” Among the group’s recommendations for the village was advising the board to create a full-time staf f position that would support the committee’s work, using the structure of Cambridge, MA’s police oversight board as a model.

Like Oak Park, Cambridge’s police oversight committee reviews the results of completed police internal investigations, but has full-time staf f support and more access to police data, Pivot said.

“The Cambridge review model stood out as what we thought would be the best fit for Oak Park,” said Logue. “It respects the long-lasting impact of the CPOC, but it builds on that institutional le gacy rather than re placing it outright. At the same time, it strengthens their capacity by ensuring that a full-time professional staf f member will help them carry out day-today duties at the direction of the oversight body. We really valued Cambridge’s collaborative approach with police leadership.”

Such a new full-time employee would likely re port to the village’s director of diversity equity and inclusion, but no current staf f member has the capacity to take on additional CPOC responsibilities, Oak Park Village Manager Kevin Jackson said.

Oak Park’s police oversight committee is significantly older than most of its peers in other cities. Created in 1991, the body didn’t change much, even as governments around the country created new police oversight methods and strategies in the wake of high-profile officer-involved incidents — like the murder of George Floyd

“It speaks to a pretty significant demand in terms of workload,” Jackson said. “We don’t have the capacity to take those on right now, and I think that’s what’s being acknowledged in the assessment.”

A member of Pivot’s team — Brian Corr — served as executive director of Cambridge’s Police Review & Advisory Board

See CPOC CONSULTANT on pa ge 13

D97 board was ‘in shock’ at superintendent’s resignation

Shah:

‘I will

always

be cheering on Oak Park and D97’

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

While the specific reasons for Dr. Ushma Shah’s resignation as superintendent of Oak Park Elementary School District 97 last month are still hazy, it was clear the board of education was surprised by her announcement.

According to heavily redacted documentation provided by the district to Wednesday Journal via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Shah resigned via email after the board of education meeting Aug. 12, effective Aug. 15.

“As you can imagine, we’re still processing and in shock, but we truly appreciate your willingness to partner in a positive and collaborative way,” board president Cheree Moore said in an email to Shah the following morning.

But the only clue as to why Shah resigned came in that same day, Aug. 13, when she said re garding a joint resignation announcement the board and superintendent were crafting that “I’d like to be sure to express my perspective of how we got here.”

The next section is completely redacted.

“It is for that reason that I state in my letter of resignation that we do not have the level of mutual respect and mutual confidence that I need in order to continue in this role,” Shah concluded.

Since mid-August Shah has made no public comment about her departure. But on Sunday she responded to a Wednesday Jour nal re porter.

While Shah did not elaborate further about the reasons for her departure, she was direct about one aspect of her tenure at District 97.

“What I can tell you for sure is that I have genuinely loved serving as superintendent in Oak Park D97 for the past three years –and that I am excited about what’s ahead for the district and for myself as well,” Shah said via a message on the social media platform LinkedIn. “I will always be

cheering on Oak Park and D97, no matter where I am.”

In addition to the emails in the FOIA-requested materials provided by the district, a Separation Ag reement and Release of Claims ag reement was included and unredacted. It noted that the district will provide Shah with a neutral reference letter

T he Exhibit B template letter says that Shah was employed as District 97 superintendent from June 1, 2022 through Aug. 15, 2025.

However, the ag reement, which also noted that there would be no mutual disparagement between the Shah and the board, was not signed by either Shah or Moore.

“After finalizing our joint statement on Aug. 15, ther e were no additional terms to ag ree to,” Moore said F riday. She added that there was no financial remuneration to Shah upon her de parture.

Almost immediately upon receiving Shah’s resignation email Aug. 12, Moore requested discretion from Shah.

“We kindly ask three things,” Moore said in an email that evening, “1 – that you do not send any communications un-

til further notice, 2 – please do not communicate with anyone until we have an opportunity to discuss 3 – if possible, please take a personal day to provide us time to create a plan.”

Moore said F riday through a district spokesperson that “the request was specifically related to her resignation” and not all communications Shah responded by saying, “Reg arding a plan, I care about the district and am open to a conversation about a mutually ag reed upon transition.”

T he FOIA-requested documentation showed Shah continued to work on district matters in her final week at the helm, including addressing an inadver tent fire alarm at Washington Irving School on Aug. 13, and providing direction re garding an immigrant f amily that recently moved within Oak Pa rk.

Dr. Grif f Powell and Dr. Patricia Wer net were named co-interim superintendents for the 2025-26 school year, with their tenure beginning Monday T he first board meeting featuring Powell and Wer net was set for Tuesd ay evening

Final mediated D90 teacher contract talks set for Sept. 30

Teachers’ union calls strike ‘last possible resor t’

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

After a mediation session Sept. 8 did not result in a contract agreement between River Forest School District 90 and its teachers, a final opportunity with a mediator is currently set for Sept. 30.

According to an email sent to River Forest Education Association members following the Sept. 8 meeting, RFEA reviewed the district’s proposal, a non-binding conceptual offer, related to compensation.

“Their proposal did not represent the significant movement that we would have expected from the district at this stage in the bargaining process,” the email said. “We have one remaining mediated session scheduled for late September. At that session, we expect the district to respond to our most recent suggested solutions to the economic

barriers the district has identified.”

A district statement noted that it “continues to negotiate in good faith toward an agreement that values our excellent teachers, responsibly manages taxpayer funds, and supports the success of our students

“Negotiating teams representing District 90 and the RFEA began discussions in April 2025 and continue to bargain with the guidance of an impartial mediator,” the statement said. “The mediation process is intended to give the parties increased understanding about bargaining positions and identify areas of potential agreement on unresolved elements. To support an efficient and productive negotiation, district leaders are not discussing the proposed terms outside the negotiating table.”

RFEA co-presidents Lauren Baiocchi and Cindy Crannell said in prepared statements to Wednesday Journal that they are “hopeful that we will reach a fair agreement through our negotiations.”

But what are the implications if an agreement can’t be reached Sept. 30? Could a

teacher strike loom?

“A strike is the last possible resort when it comes to reaching a fair contract,” they said. “We would much rather be in our classrooms with our students than out on a picket line We are focused on coming to an agreement; however, we are willing to do whatever it takes to get the best possible contract for our teachers and our students.”

District 90’s teachers have been working without a contract since Aug. 15 and the two sides have enlisted a federal mediator to move the process forward, which has been a big help, according to Baiocchi and Crannell. Mediation sessions typically last four hours. hours.

“The mediator has been essential to our process. She helps both sides see things from different perspectives and find a way to move forward,” they said.

Communication has been a key strategy for the RFEA throughout the process. More than 120 teachers and community members packed the District 90 board of education meeting Sept. 2 to make their views known

about ongoing teacher contract negotiations. A similar tur nout was expected at Tuesday’s board meeting

“For us, we believe it’s extremely important the community is aware of what the issues are and updated on the status of negotiations,” Baiocchi and Crannell said. “The contract is about what’s best for all of us, our students, our staff and our community. We are so grateful for the continued support we are receiving from parents and community members.

“We continue to remain hopeful that we will reach a fair agreement through our negotiations That being said, we are still working to educate our community, parents and members about what it is we ’re fighting for.”

The pair say they are “optimistic every time we come to the table that we can walk away with a tentative agreement, and we will continue to be hopeful we can find common ground soon.

“We hope the district comes to the table willing to work with us and is open to our perspective as well as feedback.”

Oak Park board approves designs for Percy Julian streetscape Plan looks to transform Chicago Avenue in honor of the breakthrough chemist,

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park village leaders have approved design concepts and construction costs for a Chicago Avenue streetscaping project that will honor famed Oak Parker Percy Julian.

The project will add artwork, historic installations, new sidewalk paving and other design elements to Chicago Avenue from Austin Boulevard to East Avenue — where the Julian home sits at the northwest corner. The project will also work to incorporate ideas from the village’s Vision Zero traffic safety plan, widening Chicago Avenues intersections at East Avenue, Ridgeland Avenue, Lombard Avenue and Humphrey Avenue while inte grating the new design elements.

The board approved cost estimates putting the price tag for the project at over $5.3 million including contingencies. The village set aside $5 million for the project’s construction between fiscal years 2026 and 2027 in the capital improvement plan the board approved last November.

The board approved the plans unanimously.

“This is something we want people in our village infor med about,” said Village President Vicki Scaman, a consistent proponent of the project. “The great life of Dr. Percy Julian and his wife Anna’s many accomplishments as well as their stories here

PROVIDED

A potential logo for the Dr Percy L. Julian Streetscape projec t

in Oak Park.”

Julian became one of the most celebrated chemists and scientific entrepreneurs of the 20th century after discovering methods to synthesize medically important compounds from natural sources. This made possible the mass production of progesterone and other drugs effective for treating glaucoma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and many other ailments, according to the Science History Institute. Oak Park’s Percy L. Julian Middle School was named for him

in the 1980s.

activist and long-time Oak Parker

Julian, a Black man who grew up in Montgomery, Alabama under Jim Crow, was also a celebrated advocate for social justice, civil rights and racial progress in Chicagoland and beyond. Throughout his career, his labs employed many young Black chemists who were discriminated against elsewhere.

His wife, Anna Julian, was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in sociolo gy in the U.S.

The family moved into the home on East Avenue in 1950 from Maywood, when Oak Park had few Black residents. Their home was attacked multiple times in ef for ts to intimidate the Julian’s out of the community.

Installations in different sections of the streetscape will highlight different aspects of Julian’s life, with one part focused on his family life, one section focused on his scientific breakthroughs and another on his activism.

The corridor will include a variety of different artistic elements including sculpture, on-street murals, banners and digital artwork. Things like benches, sidewalk pavement and light fixtures will be designed to evoke scientific imagery.

Trustees Jim Taglia and Derek Eder did express reservations over an augmented reality program pitched by consultants to go along with the physical installations. While it would allow visitors to interact with information that can’t fit on other dis-

plays, the program comes with a price tag of more than $600,000.

“I’ve seen some of those tools be done successfully, but I ag ree with Trustee Taglia that I don’t just see the justification for it,” Eder said. “I think about the uptake of such an app, you have to develop it and maintain it, it’s not just a one-time cost it ’s an ongoing cost. I wonder if we’re trying to uplift Dr. Julian’s le gacy and make it more visible, is an AR app the way to do it.”

Architectural design firm Planning Resources Inc., communications firm Prescott Group and engineering group TERRA Engineering are all serving as village consultants on the project. Work by the consultants on the project started shortly after Jan. 1 this year.

The corridor will share Chicago Avenue with several developing cultural districts on Chicago’s West Side, including Austin’s Soul City Corridor and Humboldt Park’s Invest South/West Humboldt Park Chicago Avenue Streetscape Project.

Board members said they hope that the project will be a boost for businesses in the corridor, a win for traffic safety in the village and that the work will pay of f by elevating Julian’s le gacy alongside other Oak Park icons like Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway.

“This a great treatment, I didn’t know quite what to expect but it exceeded my expectations both in vision and in cost,” said Trustee Cory Wesley.

Illinois’ rst lady tells story of remaking governor’s mansion

Nineteenth Centur y Club welcomes MK Pritzker

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

MK Pritzker, the first lady of Illinois, will tell the backstory of how she worked to update the gover nor’s mansion in Springfield when she visits the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association on Se pt. 29.

Pritzker will be discussing her 2023

book, A House That Made History: The Illinois Gover nor’s Mansion, Le gacy of an Architectural Treasure.

Pritzker worked with acclaimed interior designer Michael S. Smith to bring a curated collection of fine art, crafts, and furniture to the Italianate–Greek Revival mansion. Calling on her back ground in architectural history and design, Pritzker researched and documented the mansion’s cultural history and changing architecture in the book.

Mary Ann Porucznik, communications director at the club, said the book tells two stories. “The first part talks about the

redecoration of the mansion, and then it goes into short bio graphies of every single Illinois gover nor and their spouses. So, it’s not only a decorating book; it’s a history book.”

Gertrude Johnson, a club member, was the driving force in inviting Pritzker to speak. Porucznik says that Johnson, “read the book cover-to-cover and was so taken with it, she thought that Mrs. Pritzker would make a great speaker.”

This is typical of the club’s enrichment series. Porucznik says, “That’s the wonderful thing about the Nineteenth Century Club events. So many of them are

MK PRITZKER

New daycare gets zoning approval for Ridgeland site

Former medical o ce was once considered for 36-unit luxury apartment development

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing

Oak Park’s Zoning Board of unanimously approved a special use cation from KidSpace Academy the now vacant building Ave. at its Se pt. 3 meeting

In 2023, Ambrosia Homes and de Tim Pomaville had an option to the property and designed a ry apartments on the site, up to 11 residential units

At that time, a group of bors for med the group, Oak Wright-Sized Development (OPWSD,) to bring attention to their concerns when larger buildings than zoning allo built close to existing residential areas Pomaville abandoned buying the property or going lage zoning board for appr be reached for comment for this story.

Frank Lipo, who is a neighbor of 505 N. Ridgeland, and a member of OPWSD said the group is not a “NIMBY” group, refer ring to the acronym for Not in My Backyard. Instead, he says, “I disagree with that name. I think neighbors and the whole community should have input on large developments. Anytime something doesn’t get approved people tend to jump to blaming neighbors. This was not the case here. The pushback to the 36-unit building was to get closer to the size permitted by zoning.”

Lipo, who attended the Sept. 3 ZBA meeting to speak in support of the day care center, said, “I attended the zoning board of appeals meeting with several neighbors. We all

member-driven, especially our Monday progr ams.”

Angela Skalla, the club’s president, says members are very excited about welcoming Pritzker. T he event is sold out for lunch. She notes a typical Monday lunch attracts 60 to 80 attendees, but they are up to 140 for the Pritzker event. T he auditorium at the club seats 400, and there are still tickets available for the speaking portion of the event.

T he club partnered with Dandelion Bookshop to provide copies of the book for sale after the presentation. If attend-

505 N. Ridgeland Ave.

spoke in support of the applicant. As did all of the speakers.”

Village President Vicki Scaman said the application has not been reviewed by the village board but says she thinks that a daycare is a good use for a space that has been vacant for years.

“I was not involved with the previous development plans for [505 Ridgeland]. No one sitting at the board table said no to the previous development. He just pulled back.”

She adds, that in the case of the daycare, “We have a by-right request of a small busi-

ees preorder the book through Dandelion, the book shop will deliver the books to the event for Pritzker to sign.

Porucznik says the club’s monthly speaker is a highlight for their members and the public. T he series r uns from October through April. This year, the series benefits from a grant from the Toshiba International Foundation. T he Japanesethemed enrichment series will include Japanese dance, poetry, art and a partnership with local high school students who are studying Japanese.

As the club approaches its 100th an-

ness owner. While that lot might have had a lot of uses, they’re coming forward with a business development plan that I understand is in high demand. Long story short, this is someone coming forward with a business plan for that lot. While we don’t want to miss an opportunity for new density, this a viable use of that lot.”

Scaman said an idea getting a lot of focus in the village is the concept of a “missing middle” of af fordable housing in the middle of the price range, but she doesn’t think businesses and housing are neces-

How to attend

The event takes place on Monday, Sept. 29 at 1:15 p.m. in the 2nd floor ballroom of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association at 178 Forest Ave. in Oak Park Reservations for the lunch and speaking program are sold out, but reservations for the speaking portion alone are

niversary in 2028, Skalla says that the enrichment series is one way that showcases their place in the community. “We

e as president of the oard, our 2024 Strategic Plan outhe missing middle is lenty of opportunities very careful where that. Large buildings Park because there’s ccess to transit and amenities within walk’t necessarily suit w. This lot is not the last location for the missing middle.” pportunity in Oak Park for the missing middle and said, “What we’d businesses on the r possible, residenfordable housing above.” board are particuChicago Avenue and have seeing Chicago Avenue rcy Julian-themed

Scaman said the day care center meets a lot of goals of the village and says, “We’re supporting a level of diversity in our small businesses that mirrors our community and our values.”

Adding that she has heard first-hand about the struggle to find childcare in the village, Scaman said, “This can be a win-win. I can’t identify another daycare in the area. You need what people need -- basic services -- to support density. Daycare is definitely one of those basic needs. Rather than mourn a lost opportunity, we focus on where else we can do that. Where else can we identify opportunities for more density? North Avenue, Chicago Avenue, South Oak Park Avenue, Lake Street and more.”

available and should be made by Sept. 26. Tickets cost $30 for the speaking program. Fee waivers are available.

Tickets can be purchased on the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s website.

Questions or inquiries can be addressed by calling 708-386-2729 or emailing pritzkerquestions@nineteenthcentury.org

provide culture and fellowship to our 350 members, and membership is open to anyone.”

LIFE with Lisa Capone

Senior Living: The Sooner, The Better

Moving to a senior living community may not be your first choice, but delaying the decision has drawbacks. Your well-being is at stake—senior communities provide essential services that enhance physical, emotional, and social health. Waiting too long could mean missing out on support that improves your quality of life.

Additionally, postponing the move can make the transition more difficult. Moving is a big step, and delaying it may lead to unexpected challenges. By making the move earlier, you can adjust at your own pace and fully enjoy the community’s amenities.

Social connections are vital at any age, and senior living offers a built-in network of friendships. Procrastination could mean missing out on meaningful relationships that bring joy and companionship.

Ultimately, moving sooner allows you to embrace a more comfortable, engaging, and fulfilling lifestyle—why wait to enjoy all that senior living has to offer?

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

When ‘Return to Me’ came to South Elmwood

Oak Park neighbors revisit their street’s Holly wood moment 25 years later

By MELISSA DE JESUS -VASQUEZ Contributing Reporter

It all started with a simple question on Facebook. On June 5, 2025, in the South Oak Park Neighbors group, Brian Stemley posted: “Filming on 100 block of S. Taylor? Curious where/if I might see it streaming?”

While scrolling through the comments, one response from Paul Clark stopped me cold. He wrote: “When they filmed “Return to Me” with Minnie Driver and Jim Belushi and Bonnie Hunt (who also directed) on the 700 block of S. Elmwood, there were long Hollywood trailer trucks parked on two blocks of Elmwood and Van Buren and Ridgeland for a few days for scenes that took maybe five minutes of the film.”

I nearly leapt from my chair. I live on the

700 block of South Elmwood!

I immediately told my family. Later that week, while visiting a friend in Park Ridge, I mentioned Paul’s comment. To my surprise, she rushed to her basement and returned with a tote of DVDs which included, Return to Me. She read the synopsis aloud, and by the next evening, my family and I were watching the movie

We were instantly hooked, not only by the story but by the idea that our own block had been part of it. Afterward, we debated which house had been filmed. I guessed 724, my husband insisted it couldn’t be. My daughter even stepped outside to compare. With curiosity running high, I emailed my neighbors.

The mystery was solved almost instantly.

The homeowners at 743 confirmed: “It’s our house! We have pictures and a signed copy of the script. It’s one of my favorite movies, but we didn’t know about it until after we were under contract.”

The floodgates of memory opened. One neighbor recalled spotting Minnie Driver at a Corner Bakery in Streeterville during

L EMON A ID 2025

filming: “She seemed so nice,” they said. Another remembered how the fire department sprayed water to create a rainy scene. And then came one of the best stories. A longtime resident recalled how their son, Donald Jr., climbed the street sign at Elmwood and Van Buren. They taped the word “Holly” over “Elm,” turning it into “Hollywood.” Wednesday Journal even picked up the prank in a 1999 article titled “The Corner of Hollywood and Vine Buren?”

That detail sent me on a hunt. I reached out to Wednesday Jour nal for a copy of the article and was directed to the microfiche collection at the Oak Park Public Library. So, one Saturday morning, my husband and I pored over reels of archived issues until we finally came across Ken Trainor’s piece. We were thrilled whereas, true to form, our teenage daughters were far less impressed.

Inspired by a neighbor’s suggestion, we decided to bring the story full circle. At our most recent block party, with the projector glowing, popcorn in hand, and neighbors gathered in the middle of the street, we watched “Return to Me,” 25 years after Hollywood first came to South Elmwood. Return to Me (2000) tells the story of a Chicago architect who donates his wife’s heart after her tragic death and then falls for the woman who receives it. For us, it’s now also the story of our block, a small but unforgettable piece of Oak Park history.

TODD BANNOR e annual Sept. 11 fundraiser bene ted both Opportunity Knocks and rive Counseling this year.

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Actor Jim Belushi with Elmwood neighbors dur ing lming in 2000.

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Welch securing political terrain ahead of State Central Committeeman election

Harmon continues to evaluate race

By BILL DWYER Contributing Reporter

“Every battle is won before it’s ever fought,” the Chinese warrior philosopher Sun Tzu wrote some 2,400 years ago. Or as Speaker of the Illinois House Emanuel “Chris” Welch likes to put it, “Winners do the work.”

With six weeks remaining before candidates begin filing nominating petitions, Welch has done the work and appears favorably situated to attain Sun Tzu’s ideal of victory without confrontation. He has crafted a show of support that may well avoid an actual battle for the 7th District seat on the influential Democratic State Central Committee.

On March 17, voters will cast ballots for both a Democratic State Central Committeeman and a Committeewoman in each of 17 districts throughout Illinois.

Like Welch, State Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park has had his eye on the coveted seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Danny K. Davis. Both are veteran politicians in powerful state offices, with well-funded campaign committees and solid political power bases

Unlike Welch, however, Harmon has not announced any endorsements for his candidacy, and that may prove to be decisive in a contest that may never become a race.

Welch hit the ground running July 31, the day Davis announced he would not run for re-election to Congress or the State Central Committee. In less than 24 hours, he had announced endorsements from 18 elected officials, including Davis. By Labor Day he had more than three dozen endorsements and now has more than 50.

It is a displ ay not merely of quantity, but of quality. Many of the endorsements are from key office holders in areas outside his and Harmon’s suburban power bases, including nearly all of Chicago’s sprawling West Side, most of downtown Chicago, and all of the southeast and southwest side areas in the 7th District.

“That was his strategy, to not have a race,” said one veteran westside political figure,

Map from the Chicago Board of Elec tions show ing the 21 Aldermanic wards that are fully or partially within the boundaries of th e 7th State Central Committee District. ose wards that have elected city and party o cials who have endorsed Welch are circled.

who asked not to be named.

“A lot of people talk politics, not a lot of people do politics,” said C. B. Johnson, another long time westside political activist and social welfare advocate who’s run for public office before. “You can’t get into this business not expecting the unexpected.”

Welch has dominated the narrative throughout, producing a growing drum beat of inevitability, if not invincibility, as he publicly counts up his supporters. While Danny Davis’s imprimatur was significant, it is now backed up by an impressive roster of influential Chicago ward political figures well versed in the task of getting voters motivated and to the polls.

On Sept. 10, Welch announced four more endorsements, from Chicago alderpersons Jessie Fuentes (26th), Jeylú Gutiérrez (14th)

Timmy Knudsen (43rd), and Lamont Robinson (4th).

There are 21 Chicago wards that are totally or partially within the boundaries of the Illinois 7th District, and Welch has secured the support of one or more key figures in 14, including 10 ward committeepersons directly responsible for getting out the vote. (The 4th, 15th, 22nd, 26th and 43rd wards have small voter percentages within the 7th District).

After Welch’s initial endorsements in August, Harmon released a brief statement through a spokesperson that he was “planning to circulate petitions as I have in the past several elections, and I’ll evaluate the field as we approach filing (deadline).”

In a statement Monday, Harmon said, “A constituent in our community was killed by an ICE agent on Friday under questionable

circumstances. There will be plenty of time for politics, and I trust Democrats will give their attention when that time comes. For now, I’m evaluating the race, and paying attention to elected officials who have voiced their preference. I’m focusing on the pressing issues before us, not spending my time asking my friends to choose between the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate.”

The westside politico believes Welch has established a dominating political alliance throughout most of the westside wards.

“I don’t think Harmon expected Welch to go out and box him out so early,” the westside politico said, adding, “I don’t believe Harmon reached out to any of them for endorsements.”

“I’m not surprised he’s getting the quality endorsements,” Johnson said of Welch. “I

endorsed him. I’ve watched him grow and mature (as a politician). We all do, when you go into this business. It’s on the job learning.”

Welch has made no secret that he intends to maintain African American leadership in the 7th District. “He clearly made a point that this seat should be held by a Black person,” the westside politico said.

Danny Davis, Johnson said, was a man who “has always been about poor people, black, white, green or blue. He wants someone there who will serve the people.” Welch, Johnson said, is seen as the person best able to continue that legacy, and Welch is aggressively seconding that notion.

“Across the country, we see how communities of color are being silenced,” Welch said in an online post. “That’s why in Illinois, it’s so important that our diverse communities always have a seat at the table on our local gover nment boards, in our State Capitol, in Washington, and within our Democratic Party.”

Political force multipliers

While endorsements alone don’t guarantee victory, used well they can play a key role. There is a proxy aspect to quality political endorsements, where elected officials or organizations vouch for another candidate. It is a political force multiplier that can extend the reach of a candidate beyond their established power base

“You’d rather have them than not, have people on your side,” the westside politico said.

“That’s an important factor,” said Dick Simpson, for mer 44th Ward Alderman and UIC political science professor emeritus. “If they’ll put in the work, put your name on palm cards, use the endorsement in direct mail, (then) the support of any party people does make a big difference.”

“Being urged to vote by someone you trust and respect and have voted for can be influential,” Simpson said. “If (voters) are handed a card from the local ward organization saying vote for Welch, they’ll tend to do it.”

‘Going

door to door

’

Johnson said local political organizations make a big difference in West Side political races. The widespread support Welch has attracted will provide him surrogates who will “go to the door” in large areas across the West Side and elsewhere in the 7th District.

“Politics has changed a lot,” Johnson said. “The ward bosses are gone.” But, he added, “You can’t discount the door. You have to go to (a voter’s) door. It’s a sign of respect to knock on my door. To ask for my vote. It means something to people.”

Simpson called the Democratic state cen-

tral committee “a pretty obscure office,” and said the largely unknown nature of the party position makes it a good fit for an endorsement motivated campaign. While the office is a plum for many ambitious Illinois politicians, he said a majority of voters aren’t aware of its existence.

“Voters don’t have a high degree of concern about who is in it, about who gets elected,” Simpson said. That can play to the advantage of someone willing to do the political shovel work in the field, where the more motivated voters turn out in an otherwise low turnout election.

“There are fewer people (voting) in prima-

ries,” Simpson said, adding, “though in the 7th District, this will be slightly different.”

“I think they both want to have a say on the state central committee,” Simpson said of Welch and Harmon. “Or a say on who is in the chair.”

In the end, though, all three ag reed that, politically, the point is not to win a primary, but to avoid having a primary. As Sun Tzu also tutored, “To subdue the (opponent) without fighting is the acme of skill.”

“That’s the easiest way to win a race,’ said Simpson.

Johnson let out a chuckle when he noted his 2024 primary loss to 29th Ward incum-

bent Alderman Chris Taliafer ro by just 308 votes, a slim 2.8 percent margin.

“If I’d been able to keep Chris Taliafer ro of f the ballot, I’d have done it,” Johnson said.

It is looking more and more like Welch will have the final say on the central committee seat, after putting Harmon in a position where, as he “evaluates the field” with filing time approaching, he will see no one but Welch -- surrounded by an ar my of political support -- and find himself pondering yet another adage by an ancient Chinese sage

“Who wishes to fight must first count the cost.”

Can local journalism survive? Thrive?

An important discussion sponsored by the League of Women Voters Oak Park and River Forest and Growing Community Media

The internet killed off many newspapers and other legacy publications are struggling to survive. Meanwhile a new wave of young online publications is attempting to fill the vacuum and cover their communities. If democracy is to survive, voters need to know the candidates running for office and their positions. Readers, local donors and foundations have stepped into the fray, but will their philanthropy be enough?

Join the discussion

Tracy Baim Executive director of Press Forward Chicago, a pooled fund helping local journalism

Max Reinsdorf Interim executive director, Growing Community Media April Alonso Co-founder of Cicero Independiente

Amethyst Davis Founder of the Harvey World Herald

Judith Crown Co-president, League of Women Voters Oak Park and River Forest, will moderate the discussion

•

p.m.

Frankie Cordero, Oak Park puppeteer, wins TRIO Award

Sesame Street, Tonight Show, CSI: Las Vegas among his credits

By JESSICA MACKINNON Contributing Reporter

Frankie Cordero, Emmy-nominated puppeteer and Oak Park resident, was honored with the 2025 National TRIO Achiever Award, one of the highest honors presented by the Council for Opportunity in Education, during the Educational Opportunity Awards Dinner in Chicago on Se pt. 9.

TRIO is a federally funded student services progr am that helps low-income and firstg eneration students achieve a colle ge de gree. T he annual award is presented to TRIO Program alumni who have overcome adversity to achieve excellence in their professional lives and communities. Past recipients include actress Viola Davis, U.S. Sen. Raphael War nock of Georgia and author Sarah Smarsh.

Cordero is an alumnus of the University

of Connecticut, where he was involved in the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. While pursuing his bachelor’s de gree in puppetr y, he survived a near fatal hit-andr un accident and persevered in his determination to be a puppeteer

Cordero is best known for his work on Sesame Street, where he brings to life the beloved character Rudy Monster, and on Fred Ro gers/PBS Kids’ Donkey Hodie, where he plays Purple Panda. A puppeteer for two decades, his credits include work for The Jim Henson Company, Fred Ro gers Productions, T he Tonight Show, CSI: Las Ve g as and Frankie and Frank.

“I would not have been able to authentically tell stories as a performer without the academic knowledge and life experiences I gained through the Student Support Services progr am. At a time when federal funding for public broadcasting and organizations like TRIO is under threat, I feel that we must support them more than ever to ensure that education is in greater reach for the disadvantaged,” Cordero said during his acceptance speech.

PHOTO BY ALINA CORDERO

Frankie Cordero with Kimberly Gorman, director of stude nt suppor t ser vices at the University of Connec ticut, Cordero’s alma mater.

QUICKTRIP

Village board’s decision

from page 1

11 me etin g, with c ommissioners voting 7-2 to recommend that QuikTrip’s applications for alley vacation, plat of subdivision and special use pe rm i ssion be d enied at the end of a four- hour meeting A head of the vote, c ommissioners had a dded conditions that would’ve implored the g as station to a dd solar p anels to the building and eight electric vehicle charging stations to the site, but the proposal still failed to clear the commission.

T he proposed site would include a 6,445 square foot co nvenience store buildin g and 16 f ueling p ositions. T here would be no diesel f ueling for trucks on the proposed site, a ccording to the proposal documents.

T he co rp oration would have to d emoli sh all the existing structures on the site.

T he proposed project would have three entrances — one on Harlem Avenue, one

CPOC CONSULTANT

Hire full-time sta er

from page 4

from 2010 to 2024.

Other recommendations included providing the committee with more data and standardizing the role CPOC has when the police department looks to adopt a new surveillance technology

The set of recommendations comes after the village board voted to cancel the department’s contract with Flock Safety — turning off the eight license plate reading cameras the company operated in town citing concerns that the cameras helped aid federal immigration enforcement. That vote came months after CPOC members submitted a document to the village board in March asking for more access to Flock camera data.

“Access to investigative search outcomes is critical for CPOC to fulfill its oversight duties,” they wrote in the document. “Evaluating search justifications, false positives, and case outcomes enables CPOC to determine

on Garfield Street and one L exington Street.

In the proposal, QuikTrip would take over most of the for mer industrial site but would create a second lot that c ould be developed by another entity on the south end of the site.

“We’ re excited to present QuikTrip to the c ommunity as a whole,” said Al i Burkhes, QuikTrip’s real estate project manage r.

A head of the meeting, the village rece ived 16 letters arguing against the p lanned development and c ommissioners heard from a large group of residents who o pposed the g as station c onc ep t for a variety of reasons.

A new g as station on the site c ould wo r sen traffic on an already c ongested Harlem Avenue, suit the neighborhood p oorly and c onflict with Oak Pa rk ’s sustainability goals, critics argued

“We strongly encourage you to reject the p lan being c onsidered tonight,” sai d L aura Derks, a member of the Oak Pa rk Climate Action Network. “This plan conflicts with at least three of the Climat e Ready Oak Pa rk g oals. This p lan would a dd significantly to our greenhouse g as emissions and make our vision of

whether ALPR searches lead to lawful, unbiased, and effective enforcement actions — or whether their use meaningfully contributes to public safety in Oak Park. Without this information, CPOC cannot accurately assess whether ALPR searches are achieving their intended purpose or being misused.”

One CPOC member — Jack Powers — spoke out at two village board meetings in favor of the village keeping its contract with Flock Safety

Board members received the consultants’ recommendations positively but spoke to the necessity for highly specific guidelines based on the recommendations to shape the commission’s future. The board will address the issue again when specific ordinance changes are drafted by village staff for a final vote.

“If we had this a couple of years ago, I think we might’ve navigated some conversations a little better,” said Village President Vicki Scaman. “With a staf f person for CPOC, or whatever it’s going to be called in the future, we can address a lot. Including some of the questions raised tonight around technology. I think we need to flesh out what that job description would look like so it’s best suited for our village.”

a vibrant, green and resilient c ommunity much more challenging as climat e change ef fects grow exponentially. ”

A C hang e. org p etition asking village leaders to block the proposed development has over 1,200 signatures.

Oak Pa rk ’s village b oard will have the final say on the f uture of the project in Se p tember or October, village staf f sai d this week.

T he old c oncrete p lant has sat r usting since the Mohr c ompany closed i ts d oor s in 2018 amid financial woes. Once home to one of the longest r unning businesses in Chicagoland, the vacant site is among the only large p lots of land available fo r development in Oak Pa rk .

Any sale and redevelopment of the property will happen in c ontext of the foreclosure c ase involving KrohVan — the site’s last set of would-be developer s — and the Mohr family

Karen Richards, d aughter of Dot and Bud Mohr, told We d nesd ay Journal that the case was still ongoing last month.

L ast October, H. J. Mohr & S ons Co filed a foreclosure suit against the de veloper s, saying that KrohVan still owes on the mortg age loan ag reement that matured last summer.

“The defendants have not paid the b alance of the loan wh ich matured on June 2, 2024,” the October filing said. “Cur rent principal b alance d ue on the note and mortg age is $4,026,830 p lus interest, c osts, advances for taxes, i nsurance and f ees; and less any credits fo r pay ments rece ived.”

H. J. Mohr & Sons Co. also claimed that the developers owed $157,241 in unpai d i nterest in their October foreclosure filing.

T he pa rt i es had extended the mortgage ’s maturity date twice. T he developers we re also hit with a Mechanic’s lien for more than $7,000 in unpaid c ontractor wo rk last summer, a ccording to the filing.

P rior to QuikTrip’s publicized i nterest, Oak Pa rk Vi llage President Vi ck i Scaman told We d nesd ay Journal that she’d li ke to see the village consider pu rchasing the proper ty

“I as one elected official would be suppo rt ive of purchasing the land,” Scaman told We d nesd ay Journal in March “When it ’s a situation that the land would otherwise go on und eveloped without the assistance of gove r nment, then it absolutely is appropriate.”

At Taco Azteca you have to try the quesabirria

A new Mexican street food makes mouths water in Brook eld

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter

Driving home from work one day, Cheryl Vargas was craving a new flavor. The owner of Oak Park’s Studio928 has lived in the Brookfield and La Grange area for more than a decade

She noticed the Aztec warrior painted on the windows of the restaurant at 9200 Ogden Ave. in Brookfield offering passersby a taco.

“I’m like, I need to try a new Mexican restaurant, and I like to try new things. So, I stumbled across it and just drove in here,” Vargas said. “That’s how I found Taco Azteca.”

Inside the relaxed space customers order at the register and take a seat. Food from the extensi menu of Mexican and a few Ameri-

only. Her typical first test for flavor. Then she decided to get quesabirria. She had tried it from a food truck once before and thought it was good.

“I’m like, wow, this thing, this is amazing!” Vargas said.

Quesabirria has made its way onto local menus over the past 10 years – an Instagram star for its combination of quesadilla fixings with birria, a style of gently stewed meat. The recipe originated in Tijuana, but the birria process comes from Jalisco. In Mexico the protein is goat, but in the U.S. it’s usually a beef.

Tortillas are dipped in oil. Cheese is melted and crisped on the same grill, before the two are joined together. Birria meat goes on next, then onions and cilantro, if you so desire. The filled tortilla is bent into a taco-shape, and the exterior is grilled again and served with a beef broth to dip in. The liquid has some spicy heat but doesn’t overwhelm other flavors.

“What makes it excellent is the crunchiness and the texture of the taco itself,” Va l

Taco Azteca opened in 2019. The whole Ye pez family pitches in. Eduardo Ye pez owned a carniceria, a butcher shop, in Mexico. His wife, Marta, keeps things moving in the back of the store. Their son, Uri, translated for his father for this interview.

“I’ve always been a businessman,” Eduardo Ye pez said. “When we got here, my dream was to open a restaurant. That seemed easier than opening a butcher shop.”

“He said, ‘I’m specifico,’ meaning he always tries to find the best quality,” Uri Ye pez translated.

This attention to detail is something that Cheryl Vargas noticed right away

“I was so pleasantly surprised to find that I was not constantly spitting out terrible things from my meat. And it’s obviously because he has the background as the butcher, right? Because I mean, there’s nothing bad in there that you’ re going to eat. It’s all going to be wonderful,” she said.

The modest-sized restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Chilaquiles is a popular item on the breakfast menu. Fried tortilla chips are simmered in salsa, then covered with garnishes, like onion, cilantro, crema, and cheese. That’s topped with any style egg you prefer. It’s best eat-

en on the spot because the combination of some chips maintaining their crispness and others becoming soft and chewy is the essence of this dish.

A favorite on the lunch and dinner menu is enchiladas.

“I like the chicken. I like the cheese,” Uri Ye pez said.

“Yes, yes, yes. T hey’re all good,” Vargas added.

The Ye pez family feels that what makes their offerings stand out is both the quality of the ingredients and the care they put into the preparation.

“The timing for it, the prepping is very important. Like the barbacoa, it can take up to eight hours getting cooked,” Eduardo Ye pez said. “And it has to be on low flame. We don’t got to rush. We got to try to find the time to make it and do it right.”

Taco Azteca ow ner Eduardo Yepez and diner Cher yl Vargas

ICE denies reports of two River Foresters allegedly picked up on Sept. 11

ICE spokesperson denies any action in River Forest

By LEAH SCHROEDER Contributing Reporter

Two individuals were alle gedly picked up from River Forest by federal agents believed to be employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) around 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 near North Avenue and Harlem Avenue.

In an email to Wednesday Journal on Sept. 16, a spokesperson for ICE denied that the agency had been present in River Forest last week. Tanya J. Roman, acting

from page 1

Oak Park is infor med, trained and prepared to stand by our sanctuary city ordinance.”

ICE re por tedly abducted two River Foresters on Thursday, Sept. 11 near North and Harlem, Wednesday Journal re ported today.

On Friday morning in northwest suburban Franklin Park, ICE agents shot and killed 38-year-old Silverio Villegas González as the man re por tedly attempted to flee a traffic stop, according to agency officials. An ICE agent who Department of Homeland Security officials said was dragged behind Gonzalez’ car during the incident was released from the hospital on Saturday, according to agency officials. The incident came days after immigration enforcement ef for ts targeted the metro area dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz” by President Donald Trump. The expanded deportation ef fort caused widespread fear among immigrant communities in the city and suburbs.

Roughly 300 ICE agents have been stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base north of the city this month, according to federal

communications director for ICE, said in an email, “ICE made NO arrests in or near River Forest.”

Matt Walsh, River Forest village administrator, said in a statement to Wednesday Journal on Sunday that the village was notified of the incident Thursday evening by River Forest residents. Prior to being notified, Walsh said the village was not informed by ICE about their enforcement ef for ts and that the village did not participate in or assist with any of these ef forts. Walsh also said the incident appears to be specific to the individuals impacted and the village is not aware of any additional

See RIVER FOREST on pa ge 17

officials.

U.S. Re p. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, U.S. Re p. Delia C. Ramirez and IL Re p. Norma Hernandez condemned the fatal shooting and the agency’s ramped-up pressure on immigrants in the re gion.

“We warned that ICE’s aggressive tactics and disreg ard for due process were a violent escalation. This is precisely what the Trump administration sought when they declared the invasion of Chicago. We urge our community to remain peaceful; we also urge DHS and ICE to stop their inflammatory rhetoric and actions, and to be transparent about this incident, including through the release of relevant warrants and body camera footage.”

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also called for a transparent investigation into the killing last week. At a news conference Monday, the governor said that federal officials had provided the state with “very little” information about the killing, according to The Chicago Sun-Times.

“This is the most unusual situation I’ve seen in my entire lifetime, where we have no transparency and the federal government is not policing itself. Even the offices of inspector generals are being dismantled under this administration. So we may never really know what the truth is,” Pritzker said.

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rive partners with Austin school on in-school therapy options for students

Catalyst Circle Rock charter school partners with Thrive Counseling Center to help students, educators and administration to talk about mental health

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

As the school year kicks of f, students at Catalyst Circle Rock charter school will have a second year of in-school therapy available to them.

Oak Park-based Thrive Counseling Center offers therapy, case management, psychiatrist and crisis services to clients. After providing on-site therapy services to about 15 Catalyst students once a week at the start of 2025, Thrive is adding another therapist and day of in-school services this school year to double the number of students served. The goal is to provide accessible mental health services for young people who may face barriers to care

“It’s really helping students. That’s the bottom line,” said Kimberly Walton, a licensed social worker at Catalyst. “The fact that the students can get support in the building, have a small inter ruption to their re gular day, and then go back and be successful after meeting with the therapist several times and able to make some real changes, that’s what I really appreciate.”

“Some of the changes are big enough that you can’t miss it, and some of the changes, it took a mom to tell me how her daughter is engaging with her differently at home,” said Walton.

She speaks of one student who was sent to the dean’s office nearly every day last year After meeting with the in-school Thrive therapist starting this February, Walton said she stopped seeing him in the dean’s office. Another student is vocal about not wanting to go to therapy every time Walton comes to get her from class. But she talks more than any other student at therapy and, when Walton called her mother who signed her up, she said “‘It is helping her We are getting along better. Her attitude is better,”’ according to Walton. Both students attended Thrive’s bridge services over the summer for continuity of care.

“The goal is to reach more students and support more of the students in their needs, whether that be something that is a

little bit more temporary based on an event or something that’s a little bit more long term,” said Daisy Rios, a licensed clinical professional counselor and program manager for youth services at Thrive. “One mom in particular shared with a social worker how she sees a visible difference in her child’s wellbeing and the amount of happiness that her child has and how she feels connected to the services.”

Catalyst Circle Rock is located at 5608 W. Washington Blvd. In Austin and teaches kindergar ten through eighth grade students

This kind of partnership between Catalyst and Thrive has been years in the making.

According to John Meister, who retired as executive director of Thrive in 2022, Thrive thought there was a need for in-school therapy, but didn’t know how to get into a school like Catalyst or others in Austin.

“Even though we suspected there was a need, after discussions with parents and others, it became incredibly evident that the need was there, and it was significant,” Meister said.

But Thrive had never provided therapy inside a school before.

“That was one challenge because the school has to ag ree, they have to provide space, but then you have to overcome the parents’ mistrust,” Meister said. He added that it took time to win that over with help from Catalyst.

“Another significant obstacle is: Can Thrive dedicate its resources?” Meister said. “How does that therapist get paid while they’re trying to build the trust and the client base at the school? You’ve got a lot of complexity over something that should be fairly straightforward.”

It was a new kind of partnership for Catalyst too. Ed Siderewicz — Catalyst’s co-founder and director of mission and external relations, who brings progr ams to Catalyst, whether it’s a one-time collaboration or longtime partnership — came to Walton about a potential partnership with Thrive to provide in-school behavioral

health support

Catalyst works with organizations like Association House and Community Counseling Centers of Chicago to provide inschool community services on a limited basis because of staf f and budg et constraints. It’s the same challenge Thrive would have dealt with too without the Caroline Meister Fund.

“One of the things that my wife and I were able to do with the tragic loss of our daughter [last year] was to help Thrive with, not quite a scholarship, but with dedicated funds to build a program just to help these students,” Meister said.

Thrive’s reach extends beyond the 30some students it will re gularly meet with this year

To address other needs students might have, Thrive has put on workshops for students and educators. Rios said Thrive is looking to expand these workshops and explore what group services would look like at Catalyst.

“I know the workshops to be really popular, and it really gives us access to a lot more scholars,” Rios said. She mentions a recent workshop on substance use prevention that Thrive put on for 75 students. An upcoming workshop with educators will center compassion fatigue and how students’ mental health impacts teachers.

“Me and Kimberly are constantly looking at where the needs are and how we can support them,” Rios said of Walton, who helped Rios launch the in-school therapy services, has given Thrive student referrals, and served as a liaison between Thrive, school administrators and parents. “Her vision of supporting youth and mental health in an educational environment has been a really great support for us.”

Walton said she hopes Catalyst can continue increasing Thrive’s in-school services

“I do hope and pray and claim that someday we could have someone here five days a week,” Walton said.

“Our mission really is about communitycentered mental health and how we can empower individuals and families to con-

e Caroline Meister Fund

Catalyst students who are on Medicaid will have their in-school Thrive therapy billed to their insurance, according to Thrive’s for mer executive director John Meister. If students don’t have private insurance or Medicaid, their therapy services can be covered by the Caroline Meister Fund. The fund also sponsors the training of Catalyst’s administration and educators.

Caroline Meister, the daughter of John and Jean Meister, died in March 2024 in a hiking accident. John and Jean Meister created the Caroline Meister Fund to honor their daughter and her goals to work with vulnerable children and families

Caroline graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School. After attending Oberlin College, Caroline became associate director of the YWCA in Lorain County, which aims to empower women, eliminate racism and promote justice and peace.

“Her favorite part of the job was going to high schools in that community, which was largely African American and low income,” Jean Meister said. “She would lead girls’ circles and create a safe place for teenage girls to find their voices. She dealt with girls who had suf fered trauma and bullying and lots of problems and were able to talk among their peers and resolve some of them.”

Caroline learned of her acceptance in a master’s degree program in drama therapy and family therapy the week before her death.

“The population that is served at the Catalyst schools and the kind of therapy that is offered through Thrive is just so perfect for what Caroline hoped to do with her life,” Jean said.

nect, support, build resilience, and really have some hope in their lives,” Rios said of Thrive. “Having us build this school-based program and embracing my vision of what this can look like has been a really great opportunity, not only for me as a clinician in this community, but also for our residents and for our youth. Because really, that’s what it’s about for me is being able to serve youth.”

Oak Park cyclist struck by car, threatened with gun by driver

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

An Oak Park cyclist re ported that they were assaulted by a motorist while traveling through the village last week.

An Oak Park resident told police that they were riding their bicycle in the 300 block of Augusta Street shortly after noon on Sept. 10 when the driver of a grey SUV pulled up behind them and started honking his horn and yelling at the cyclist. When the cyclist reached a red light the driver struck him, damaging the bicycle, according to Oak Park police.

The driver then pointed a handgun at the victim before driving away west bound on Augusta Street, according to police.

Battery arrests

Oak Park police arrested several people on battery charges last week.

Shortly after 12:40 p.m. on Sept. 13, police arrested a 42-year-old Chicago woman and a 26-year-old Evergreen Park woman on battery charges in connection with an incident that occurred in the 700 block of Lake Street. The victim in the re ported incident was an Aurora resident, according to police.

Police ar rested a 40-year-old Chicago woman on battery charges stemming from an alle ged attack against another

RIVER FOREST

from page 15

planned immigration enforcement activity.

Erika Bachner, a River Forest village trustee, said the incident was “alarming in its speed and secrecy” and “a stark reminder that our community is not in a bubble.”

“Our village cannot and will not be complicit,” Bachner said. “We remain vigilant, prepared and united in protecting the dignity, safety and humanity of every person who visits, works and calls River Forest home.”

Betty Almazora, a Forest Parker and the team lead for the PASO Westside Rapid Response Team, “These are really terrible,

Chicago resident at 2 p.m. Sept. 9, according to police

Police arrested a 57-year-old Chicago man on domestic battery charges in connection with an incident in the 400 block of South Maple Avenue. The victim in the incident was an Oak Park resident according to police.

Stolen vehicle arrest

Police arrested a 35-year-old Harvey man suspected of stealing an Oak Parker’s vehicle. While arresting the man in the 800 block of Clinton Avenue, he re por tedly fought and spat on the Oak Park officers, according to police.

The man was charged with two counts of battery of a police officer and obstruction of justice in addition to the motor vehicle theft charge, according to police.

These items were obtained from Oak Park’s Police Department re ports dated Sept. 9 –15 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed a description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

terrifying times for our community members. We understand that, and it’s so important for us to remain very, very aware and conscious of our neighbors.”

Almazora said that awareness includes re porting detailed information about interactions with federal agents to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights so that its team can provide family members of impacted individuals with information about their rights.

This alle ged incident comes amid increased federal immigration enforcement ef for ts after the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation Midway Blitz to target immigrants in Chicago and Illinois Sept 8.

Dan Haley contributed to this story.

ResCorp opens doors to ne apartments on Austin Blv

‘The Pierce’ focuses on climate income mix and aesthetics

By LACEY SIKORA Real Estate Reporter

The first residents are moving this week into “The Pierce,” Oak Park Residence Co structed, environmentally-friendly and board first envisioned more than fi net-zero building puts a new face on in Oak Park and the Midwest, said David dent of ResCor p.

The building is the first new tion along Oak Park’s side of Austin Blvd. in more than 60 years, said Pope. And its design takes ad vistas overlooking Columbus Park the Loop.

While within the scope of the opment plan for an area close to mass transit, ResCorp’s plan drew notable opposition from its immediate residential neighbors when it was unveiled in 2021. The concerns were largely over its height – at six storie ResCor p. is a nonprofit community dev zation whose mission is to promote Oak and economically balanced community by providing highquality multifamily rental housing at reasonable rates for households of all income levels. The entity owns 32 buildings in Oak Park and manages almost 700 units.

Pope said the two-story motel-style apar tment building that ResCorp long owned at 7 Van Buren St. on Austin Boulevard, had outlived its usefulness.

“The property was over 70 years old and would have required significant reinvestment to upkeep. It wasn’t architecturally significant, definitely not something somebody would lay in front of a bulldozer for,” he laughs.

Wayne Pierce, chair of ResCor p.’s board, says the idea for building something new has been percolating for more than 6 years, but it took the right timing to make it happen. He adds that he was very humbled when the board decided

See THE PIERCE on pa ge 20

GOING UP: e Pierce will be the rst new apartment construction on the

60 years.

PHOTO S PROVIDED

Oak Park side of Austin Blvd. in more than

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive electronic proposals at the Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10�00 a.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025, for Project: 25�20, Oak Park Avenue Streetscape. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of installation and maintenance of detour, earth excavation, sewer main and sewer lateral replacement, catch basins, manholes, fire hydrants, valves, vaults, water mains, water laterals, lead water laterals, rain gardens, irrigation systems, curb and gutter, sidewalk removal and reinstallation, roadway milling and HMA overlay, pavement patching, decorative paver installations, tree and plant removal and installation, traffic signal removal and installation, streetlight removal and installation, pavement markings, decorative lighting, EV Chargers, Art Installations, Fiber Optic Cable, specialty signage; and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, September 25, 2025 at 10�00 a.m. Plans and proposals can be found at https://www. oak-park.us/your-government/budgetpurchasing/requests-proposals or at www.questcdn.com under login using QuestCDN number 9877652 for a nonrefundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4�00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

The work to be performed pursuant to this proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK

Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal, September 17, 2025

THE PIERCE

Columbus Park vistas

from page 18

to name the building after him in recognition of his long history with the organization, which has operated in Oak Park for 54 years.

“We’ve been buying properties here, mostly on the east side of the village, for a very long time,” said Pierce, “but we’ve never done anything like this. We used our own money to do this, and it was significant investment on our part — well over $20 million.”

Pope and the ResCorp board wanted to create more housing in an area of the village that hasn’t received a lot of attention. While new high rise apartment buildings rise over Lake Street, Pope notes there has been very little new investment in the east side of town.

“There hasn’t been a new residential building built on our side of Austin Boulevard in over 60 years,” he said.

Location was just one of six motivating principles for ResCorp. They were also guided by sustainability, accessibility, height, affordability and aesthetics

Pope said he heard a lot about why all the new construction in downtown Oak Park was 18 stories high. He wanted to align the building with the neighborhood, and it tops out at six stories. Given the mission of ResCorp, he was committed to including affordable units, as 20% of all ResCorp buildings are occupied by families making 50% of the area median income or less.

Beyond income diversity, OPRC was committed to creating a building that was acces-

sible for seniors, people wanting to age in place and people with disabilities. Every unit and the common spaces at the Pierce are accessible, with an elevator in the building.

Pope says he also got an earful about new construction not being attractive and said addressing the aesthetics piece was also important to OPRC.

In keeping with the village’s climate action plan, it was important to make the building as sustainable as possible, and on that front ResCorp took its charge very seriously.

They partnered with local Passive House expert and architect Tom Basset-Dilley as an energy modeler on the project and worked with architectural firm Ware Malcomb, engineering firm dbHMS and Synergy Construction Group. In addition, Pope said a $2 million grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation was instrumental in their ability to construct a sustainable building.

And the building is certainly sustainable. Pope, himself a for mer Oak Park village president, said it is the most significant netzero, multi-family building constructed in the Chicago metro area in the past five years. “It hasn’t been done on this scale in the Midwest,” he said.

The Passive House design of the building, which allows it to be a net-zero building, also makes for incredibly efficient units for their renters Pope said. “Their costs to heat and cool will be a lot lower. The high efficiency appliances can be operated at a lower cost. And, their units will be very comfortable.”

Pope acknowledges that in 2021 there was neighborhood opposition to the project mainly over its height. But he hopes the final product will allay those concerns. As the

building opens for occupancy this week, he said, “We’re bringing some smaller groups through on tours, and the first group we’re bringing through will be the neighbors. We are deeply committed to being a good neighbor.”

The Pierce consists of 44 units in total: 35 one-bedroom units, 5 studios, and 4 two-bedroom units. Of the 80% of the units that are market rate, Pope says they are available on the open market and can be viewed on the ResCorp website: https://oakparkrc.com/ There is a protocol for renting the affordable units, and Pope says the waiting list began as soon as he held his first community

meeting about the building almost five years ago. ResCorp is using that list and assessing the eligibility of interested parties.

With the first tenants moving in this week and requests from visitors around the country to learn about the building’s net zero achievements, Pope hopes the Pierce will be a game-changer in the housing world. “Our intent is that our building will be a model fo r the rest of the country.”

Pierce adds, “We hope to do other developments in the village, but for right now, we’re just excited to see people move into this one I know it’ll add so much to the village for a number of years to come.”

PHOTO S PROVIDED

ABOVE THE TREELINE: Wide balconies and plenty of glass o er views of both the Loop and Oak Park.

TShrubtown: Bathroom Blues

Second-shi bakery

he one thing I think everyone in the village can agree on is that we are spoiled with bakeries. From Broken Tart up north to Oak Park Bakery down south, it’s an embarrassment of riches. Friends from the city re gularly detour just to stand in line at places we often take

Quick sidebar: before I tur ned 40, I was a donut aficionado. Anytime I eled, my first Google search was “best donut in …,” and I’d go out of y to try it, then post my of ficial These days, though, donuts ke a freight train. One glazed ring and I’m asleep on the couch 20 minutes later. Luckily, I discovered that scones give me the same joy without the sugar crash. ase in point: I’m helping coach 10U Little Huskies football team this year. After our first win end, my wife asked if she ould pick up a celebratory treat for me. The choice was obvious: the Chocolate Espresso Scone from Spilt Milk. If you like sweet scones, I’d argue it’s the greatest scone ever (no cap, as the kids say). I waited in anticipation only to get the dreaded text: “Sorry, closed.”

I get it: Running a great bakery is demanding, and long hours don’t make sense. But it struck me that in our bakery abundance, there’s still a gap. We have fantastic options all mor ning and afternoon, but once the clock hits 5 p.m., the window closes. By evening, if you want dessert, your only real option is ice cream.

Here’s my humble proposal to fill that gap: Collaborations. Imagine grabbing dinner or a cocktail at one of our local restaurants and being able to order a CrumbCrusher cupcake or a Blackout Baking Co. cookie for dessert. A simple partnership could keep the ovens off at night while still sharing the goods. And if collabs aren’t possible, maybe we need something even better: a bakery ATM. We can all get our Sugar Fixe, and suddenly the late-night sweet tooth has an outlet — while our bakers still get their well-deserved rest.

It’s a small problem, sure — what some would call a “FirstWorld problem.” But when you live in a village blessed with this many world-class bakeries, maybe it’s not too much to ask for just one more bite after dark

Vince Gay has over 20 years of experience in education, ranging from classroom teacher to building administrator. The proud parent of two school-aged children, he has been an active member of the Oak Park community for more than a decade.

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

ktrainor@wjinc.com

A call to support the

freshman All-Honors Curriculum

Seven years ago, after analyzing student data and concluding that OPRF High School’s institutional practice of tracking perpetuated educational inequity, District 200 declared its commitment to a “transformative restructuring” of the freshman curriculum (OPRF Restructured Freshman Curriculum Analysis Re port, September 2024).

Then, after extensive research, teachers created the Freshman All-Honors Curriculum which now benefits the majority of students in the school. In the past three elections, the Oak Park-River Forest community demonstrated that it believes in the freshman program that expands opportunity for all students to experience honors-level curriculum.

CITIZENS CONCERNED FOR EDUC ATIONAL EQUIT Y One View

This semester the Freshman All-Honors Curriculum begins its fourth year. To ensure its sustainability and continued success, the D200 Board of Education must provide additional — and more effective — supports for the program and establish an inde pendent Curriculum Equity Advisory Group to monitor and make timely recommendations for curriculum equity.

Our Call for More Supports

Since the launch of Freshman All-Honors, the need

for more supports has been re peatedly documented. After the program’s first year, an evaluation recommended more assistance for students scoring at lower levels on standardized tests (OPRF Restructured Freshman Curriculum Analysis, Sept. 2023). In the year two evaluation, parents requested more student assistance as well (Isobar Restructured Curriculum Analysis, Sept. 2024).

Also, last year Black Oak Park researchers asserted that a lack of support for Black students’ success in honors and AP courses is a long-standing systemic harm that needs immediate correction (Historical Harms to the Black Community of Oak Park and Suggested Re pairs, 2024). The district itself acknowledged that, post-pandemic, more academic and social supports were needed to achieve racial equity (OPRF MTSS Re port, June 2023).

Finally, an initial evaluation of the tutoring program points to the need for considerable revision if it is to address the learning needs of all students (OPRF Tutoring and Testing Center Update, June 2023).

We, the undersigned, remind the D200 high school board of their commitments to racial and educational equity, and we call on the board to:

1. Require the district to provide more effective

OUR VIEWS

Missed development chance

Well sure, Oak Park can always use more daycare slots

And the northwest corner of Chicago and Ridgeland has a lot of virtues as a daycare center. Good intersection. A nothing building that can be readily adapted for daycare use. An overlarge parking lot that works for both pick-up and drop-off of youngsters and could still have a portion converted into an outdoor play space.

So the decision last week by Oak Park’s Zoning Board of Appeals to issue a special-use permit allowing the site’s use as a daycare business is logical and correct.

This new use though is also a notable missed opportunity for Oak Park if it is serious about adding more housing units, finding appropriate sites for greater housing density and beginning real steps away from its single-family-focused zoning

This was a long-vacant medical office building swimming in a parking lot. It faced out into an intersection with three so-so commercial uses — gas station, nail salon and a Domino’s. Traffic was not much of a consideration.

Ambrosia Homes, a Chicago-based developer of homes and apartments, good reputation, active participation by the owners, came forward with a proposal to build high-end apartments. At 36-units and a ho-hum design, this is where the discussions ought to have begun to craft a better proposal.

Instead, with an economic development staff that was incompetent and ever-changing, without clear direction from the village board and president, the whole project went sideways as residential neighbors organized in opposition. Oak Parkers for WrightSized Development blew its wad on lawn signs, feigned horror when labeled as NIMBY’s, and effectively shut down this project.

Eventually Ambrosia Homes walked away. The lot sat empty for another year or two. And now we have a nice daycare.

There is likely no neighborhood that will actively welcome added density. But after fancy consultants tell us that Oak Park needs to fill the “missing middle” in our housing, we need leadership that will work to make that happen. While President Vicki Scaman says Oak Park is actively looking for sites on Lake and South Oak Park Avenue and Chicago Avenue for such needed housing, here the village had a ripe opportunity.

Its lack of development skills and unwillingness to offend neighbors with self-interest in mind leaves us with this lost opportunity.

More transparent oversight

Oak Park was very early in having citizens take a specific role in the oversight of the local police department. Back in 1991, village gover nment created the Citizen Police Oversight Commission (CPOC). And in the 40 years since, it has done good work even as the rest of the nation followed Oak Park’s lead and then sprinted ahead of us in how police oversight is defined

Now a new consultant’s report offers a path to expand the tools and resources CPOC can bring to its oversight. We agree with the consultant that building trust through transparency is the foundation. The Oak Park police do a good job. They can do better with improved oversight.

oughts a yers for Charlie Kirk

I wrote this in July of 2024 after the assassination attempt on Donald Trum With some adjustments, it also applies in the aftermath of the death of Charlie Kirk:

Conservatives, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

I say that partly because I want you to experience firsthand how lame and empty, and above all vague, that sentiment sounds — how phony and hypocritical, especially coming from those who fiercely oppose common-sense gun re gulation that would protect people like Charlie Kirk, and the rest of us, from attacks like the one that ended his young life.

TRAINOR

Nonetheless, my thoughts and prayers — unlike the phony politicians who spout them after every mass killing — are sincere if not altogether consoling.

Here are my thoughts, which are not vague: Now you know how it feels. Perhaps now you can be gin to imagine how parents of the first-graders at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut felt in 2012 when they saw their firstgraders, ripped apar t (literally) on the floor of their classroom, by an assault weapon that you and every Re publican member of Cong ress fiercely oppose doing anything to protect us from. Now at least you know what it’s like to have some crazy, hate-filled person do this to someone you loved and admired. And now you also know what so many of your fellow countrymen go through every day, wondering if they will be the next victims of a deranged murderer. Until now, you seemed to care far more about protecting your precious “gun rights.” Maybe you’ll show more concer n after this latest episode in our ongoing national agony.

Welcome to the club — those of us who are more than fed up, as our loved ones and fellow Americans get picked of f by serial killers carrying high-capacity assault weapons or sniper rifles or semiautomatic weapons tur ned into machine guns using bump stocks. Maybe this will serve as a reminder to think more deeply about all this, and begin to support common-sense gun re gulation that could prevent assassination attempts like this, no matter the target’s political affiliation — such as the two progressive Minnesota state legislators who were assassinated earlier this year. Were you even aware of them? Not many conservatives sent thoughts and prayers after those killings. Maybe Fox News didn’t bother to re port it.

Gun violence, I’m sure you’ ll ag ree, is never the answer, and political violence is abhor rent and infectious. Now that you’ve been on the receiving end of it, I hope you will stop supporting political figures like Donald Trump, who re gularly employs

violence in his rhetoric — inciting a murderous insurrection against our wn Capitol, and re gularly calling for retribution against his “enemies.” No one deserves to be shot, no matter how hateful their rhetoric, no matter how much social media superstars contribute to the polarization that leads to such violence. But maybe this will all of us up to the lesson, long unlearned, that if you live by extremism and divisiveness you may also die by it. Those are my thoughts. Here are my rs:

I pray that instead of hardening our hearts even further, we will all overcome our fears and become wiser, more humane, less intolerant human beings.

I pray that you will examine your political ideolog y and turn away from the inhumane policies that you have been supporting, the ones that put all our lives in danger and that cause your fellow Americans untold suffering.

I pray that you and the party you suppor t renounce your unreasonable, irrational positions on common-sense gun re gulation, something you can actually do, instead of merely thinking and praying.

I pray that you are moved by this experience to feel more empathy for the growing number of Americans, especially the parents of the victims of so many school massacres, whose lives have been ripped apart, partly because of your opposition to measures that could have prevented such killings, both in the past as well as in the future.

I pray that conservative Christians like those who admired Charlie Kirk will stand up to the gun lobby that prevents real progress on this issue and actually vote against candidates who serve that lobby.

I pray that this experience helps you understand the anxiety that so many Americans have been living with for far too long.

And I pray that you undergo a personal conversion and transformation that leads you to support policies that could have prevented such a painful loss.

Don’t just think … do.

Don’t just pray … do your own research.

Think for yourself. Google “national movement against gun violence” and see what comes up. Make a sign and show up at protest rallies. Organize a group at your church that focuses on ways to reduce gun violence. Lobby those you voted for who are making the situation worse, not better.

Don’t just think and pray.

Don’t just hate and blame.

Join the growing national groundswell against gun violence.

Who controls development?

Do corporations or residents control Oak Park’s development?

Last Tuesday, I attended a community meeting organized by QuikTrip, the company looking to install a mammoth gas station at the empty Mohr Concrete site in south Oak Park. QuikTrip hopes to erect this monstrosity a block from my home. At the meeting, QuikTrip had pizza. QuikTrip had drinks. QuikTrip had confidence they could do whatever they wanted.

We mere residents, it seemed, couldn’t say a thing to dissuade them.

About 35 residents showed up to the meeting. Most were very angry; everyone was opposed to the gas station. Two young mothers who had recently bought homes next to the site told me they would move if the gas station is approved. They were fearful for their kids’ safety with increased traffic, fumes, and alcohol sales practically on their doorsteps.

I asked the QuikTrip re presentative, a young 20-something gentleman, if he expected community resistance to the proposal. “Yes, we did,” he said. He’d seen pushback on many of their projects.

I asked if any communities had successfully blocked a QuikTrip gas station. “Never,” he said, with a smirk. He told me

that the Plan Commission and the Oak Park Village Board were essentially a rubber stamp for whatever QuikTrip wanted to do with the site.

I told him my understanding was that the village board can make a decision that reflects the best interests of the community.

“Nope,” he said. He was still smiling.

I was unsettled. All my neighbors believe this project will have a substantial adverse impact on our neighborhood.

Nearly 500 people have signed a local petition against the site. People are distributing anti-QuikTrip flyers door-to-door. Many of us plan to speak at upcoming public hearings.

We wonder, can a massive corporation with a dirty environmental footprint take control of our village’s last piece of undeveloped land? Isn’t Oak Park a progressive, climate-friendly community? Is it true that a cor poration has more of a voice in Oak Park’s development than village residents?

I suppose the answer to these questions is in the hands of Oak Park Plan Commission and the village board.

Antonio Ramirez Oak Park

Say yes … to better development

The proposed QuikTrip development at the Mohr Concrete site on Harlem and Garfield is being promoted as a solution for a long-vacant parcel. But while the site deserves new life, this proposal represents a missed oppor tunity for Oak Park. As the Wednesday Journal editorial rightly observed: “We lack confidence, if QuikTrip is denied, that any other better development is in the offing.” That hesitation is understandable. Yet lowering our standards out of fear that nothing better will come is not leadership — it is surrender. Oak Park has a long history of thoughtful, community-oriented development. We should not compromise that le gacy by accepting a highway-style gas station and convenience store as “good enough.”

Our ‘already but not yet’ lives

Your broad and deep take on this moment in our culture was masterful [We are the go-betweens, Ken Trainor, Viewpoints, Aug. 27]. It could be a key resource in a high school class with youth who are in that confused, unsettled, even scary stage between childhood and adulthood. They need to know that their in-between state is actually our human condition. Social scientists call it “liminal,” and you laid it out so all can see that this is our current condition in this culture.

Way back in the ’60s, my seminary teachers pointed to believers’ “already but not yet” status that the New Testament describes. Googling “already but not yet theolo gy” leads to sites listing Bible passages on that theme. The passages cited there are descriptive: believers are already fully and forever God’s blessed children in baptism, but not yet beyond

Political

the grip of sin while in this life. For myself, a couple of other passages are more helpful because they are personal, speaking to our lived experiences. Our lives keep on being confused and unsettled, lifelong, not just in teen years. So says the first passage, St. Paul’s scathing self-appraisal in Romans 7:14-25. His judgment is that we — not just Paul — have “not yet” arrived; we’re always on the way, lifelong. The “already” finally shows up, to our relief, in his pointing to Christ as our rescuer in v. 25. That’s God’s last word on the matter

A deeply comforting passage in 1 John 3:1-2 is deeply personal: Already, we are God’s children. Take great assurance in that. And the best is yet to come. What a wondrous experience we are promised: being fully and forever in God’s love!

Fred Reklau Oak Park

purpose

of troops in Chicago

I can’t shake the anxiety of watching federal troops prepare to deploy into Illinois. The president says it is about crime, but anyone paying attention knows it is a nakedly political attempt to throw dirt in the eyes of opponents.

Neighbors closest to the site have voiced strong concerns about traffic, pollution, and the lack of alignment with Oak Park’s values. Their message is simple: this project is wrong for this location.

This isn’t about saying “no” to development. It is about saying “yes” to better development. Call it YIMBYism — Yes In My Backyard — for housing, mixed-use retail, transit-friendly density, and green space that enhances our neighborhoods rather than clutters them.

When the Plan Commission meets on Sept. 11, I urge them to think beyond expediency and insist on something better. Oak Park deserves development that reflects its vision, not just a quick fix. Robert Milstein

Oak Park

Why Illinois, California, and Maryland? These are not the most dangerous states in America. They are home to three ambitious Democratic governors, J.B. Pritzker, Gavin Newsom, and Wes Moore, each with impressive pedigrees and national aspirations. These deployments are not random. They are federal mudslinging in the backyards of men he sees as electoral rivals.

If this were really about crime, the map would bleed red. Cities in Re publican states with equal or worse rates of violence are ignored like the Epstein files. Instead, the pattern is obvious. This is not public safety. This is a paranoid incumbent trying to rattle Democratic strongholds, embarrass rising stars, and cover up his own weakness. Troops in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Baltimore are not here to make families safer. They’ re here to prop up a s%#*show.

That is what makes this moment so unsettling. Militarized law enforcement cor rodes tr ust, especially in communities already over-policed. For people around the Second City, it means living with soldiers on the streets, not for protection, but as electoral brown shirts in a stunt that has nothing to do with safety. And the risks are real. Will protests turn into standoffs? Will neighbors be stopped for no reason? Will the sight of troops on our blocks become B-roll in a campaign ad while our safety remains an afterthought?

The message is clear. This is no more a crackdown on crime than his pardons of Jan. 6 rioters. It is an attack on opponents. Illinois, California, and Maryland are being conscripted into a presidential campaign years before a single vote is cast. That is not law and order. It is a desperate hustler rigging the deck before playing.

And it leaves residents anxious, uneasy, and unwilling to be kindling tossed into his man-made lake of fire.

Joshua Cooper Oak Park

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

Community solar is solar for everyone

If you have a ComEd account, you can get solar energy — even if you don’t own your own roof! It’s called community solar, a way for renters, condo owners, or anyone else who can’t put solar panels on their roof to share the energy generated on a solar “far m.” Signing up for community solar is simple (and free), and it can save you anywhere from 10 to 20% on your electricity cost (or more if you are income-qualified).

“I’m cool with the way electricity costs are spiking,” said no one ever. So what’s stopping you? The only reason not to subscribe to community solar is that you already have rooftop panels supplying all your electricity. Got questions about community solar? Get answers at Solar is for Everyone!, a free webinar on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 3 to 4 p.m. Lear n all about community solar — what it is, how it works, how to select a provider, and how to sign up. Organized by Oak Park Climate Action Network (OPCAN), it’s open to all, but re gistration is required: visit https://opcan.org/communitysolar, where a recording of the webinar will be posted later. Plus, check out the resources about community solar and many other ways to make your life, home, and

transpor tation more sustainable, at https://opcan.org/ resources. And if you can use one-to-one help with any of those actions, including signing up for community solar, request a Climate Coach by going to https://opcan.org/ climatecoaches.

OPCAN is here to help!

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

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

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

Mike Trenary

Oak Park Climate Action Network

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

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■ Signature details as at left

is Pro Bono Month, be the di erence

October is Pro Bono Month, so it’s a great time to celebrate the impor tant role volunteer attorneys pl ay in helpin g p eople navig ate le g al challenges. Imagi ne a senior without an advance directive, a surv ivo r of domestic violenc e t rying to leave an abusive mar riage or g et an order of protection, or an immi gr ant facing complex le g al systems without the suppo rt of a lawyer. These situations happen every day, and too often, there’s no one to help. According to a 2022 Justice Gap re po rt , for low-income A mericans, 92% of their civil le g al needs go unmet due to no le g al aid attor ney s

available to help.

Volunteer attorneys are needed now more than ever. Proposed federal budget c uts could cost le g al aid agencies in C ook County over $20 million, leavin g thousands of Illinois residents without the help they desperately need. Staf f at le g al aid organizations are already stretched too thin and volunteers ma ke a real dif ference by helping families, senior s, and surv ivo rs of domestic violence get the le g al suppo rt they need . Th at ’s where Pro Bono Network (PBN ) c omes in. Since 2011, we ’ve been making it easy for attor ney s, whether new,

e vaccine Nazi (no soup for you)

I would like to know how many family members of Trump and RFK get vaccines ag ainst the recommendations of our new “health experts.” We should know this!

Rick Klaus Oak Park

FROSH CURRICULUM

200+ signatories from page 22

assistance to students in the Freshman All-Honors program, co-designed with impacted students and families.

2. Create an authentically independent Curriculum Equity Advisory Group that sets and monitors time-sensitive goals to ensure ongoing improvements to the Freshman All-Honors curriculum.

In doing so, the board will act on its stated commitment to increased academic support with the same vigor it has exhibited for the physical reconstruction of the school.

Henry Fulkerson, Paul Goyette, Hajjar Mohammed-Herbert, Caren Van Slyke, Chettha Saetia, Stephanie Rodriguez, John Du y, Shobha Mahadev, Michelle Major, Lupe Reyes, Katie Diamond, Dot Lambshead Roche, Ti any Verzani,

experienced, taking a career break, or retired, to use their le g al skills to volunteer in ways that change people’s live s wh i le also fitting it into their already busy schedules Wi th training and suppo rt , our volunteers provide critical le g al help. Just last year, PBN volunteer attor neys donated 2,852 hours, assisting 811 clients across 20 dif ferent project areas.

If you are an attorney interested in pro bono wo rk , on We d nesd ay, Oct. 15, you can join PBN downtown to lear n more about wh at we do and also ge t trained in many of our volunteer op -

portunities. We ’re hosting a free, one-day Pro Bono Network Training Conference in Chicago with CLE-accredited sessions in family law, immi gr ation, elder law, and more. By the end of the day, you’ll be ready to jump in, get involved, and transfor m live s.

To lear n more and register for our October event, go to https://www. pbnetwo rk .org/pbntc.

Have a question? Contact our Pro Bono c oordinator, Ronak Maisuria, at info @ pbnetwork.org.

Molly MacCready Executi ve director, Pro Bono Network

e beauty-free Republican world

Re : “Orlando to begin painting over decorative crosswalks tod ay ” Chicago Tribune, Au g. 27.

Ron Desanti s, Re publican governor of F lorida, has announced that all decorative ar twork in Orland o crosswalks must be painted over.

T hese recently installed paintings de pict swans, citrus fruit slice s,

Nathan Du y, Robin Kalish, Jordan Burstein, Alexios Rosario-Moore, Alice Cottingham, Debbie Holliday, Div ya Nagendran, Brittany Nelson, Wendy Greenhouse, Christina Waters, Sheron Shapiro, Nancy Alexander, Margaret Fulkerson, Michele Boutin, Z Bulut, Liz Lukehart, Kiera Pohl, Susan Alexander, Mona El-Shamaa, Dawn Haney, Marnelle Curtis, Laurie Casey, Susan Lucci, Jeremiah Williams, Jodi Walker, Kevin Barnhart, Rachel Weaver, Paul Sakol, Roberta Logwood, Jarvis Hart, Joy Benion, Shirley Halford, Beth Dougherty, David Schaafsma, Bri Pena, Juanta Gri n, Laura Derks, Teresa Powell, Tanya Fisher, Mary Bird, John Murphy, Andrew Kirschner, Rose Kirschner, George Bailey, Laura Navarro, Victorino Duran, Helen Thornton, Miles Jackson, Meghan Carter, Paul Engelhardt, Daniel Burke, Sydney Jackson, Melisa Alabsy, Cheryl Jackson, Sandra Shimon, Dez Murphy, Phillip Garland, Antwon Billups, Nkabila Mwakyoma, Claire Barliant, Kenneth Nelson, Estelle Slocum, James Schwar tz, Kendale McCoy, Thomas Zaino, Will Gilmore, James Poznak, Jenna Leving Jacobson, Susan Messer, Sana Brand, Patricia

fountains, and are beautiful and creat ive. The intent of their destruction is obviously to justify the painting over of rainbow crosswalks that, to some, suggest that we should be tolerant of all human beings created by God . How did it come to pass that the Re publican Pa rt y is now the de -

Nix-Hodes, Norine Gutekanst, Robert Bartlett, Rima Lunin Schultz, Richard Schultz, Bob Giles, Simon Bade-Nguyen, Lauren Taylor, Linda Sandman, Marie Drake, Ann Bolan, Albert Timpo, Pauline Koch, Jennifer Wenschhof, Kathleen Ogundipe, Feighanne Hathaway, Kristeen McLain, John Chapman-Rienstra, Andre Drake, Caleb Drake, Mykel Selph, K atherine Weinstein, Olivia Carberr y, Cynthia Breunlin, Ada TruettSchriber, Karianna Mccants, Burcy I. Hines, Bear Carender, Mary E. Bak, Valerie Morrow, Maya Bird-Murphy, Debra Taylor, Amanda Ortiz, George Arceneaux, Rachel Benoit, Thea Judge, Clayton Judge, Tyrone Williams, Mary Carmen Moreno, Tonia Potentas, Rachel Hall, Dwayne Morgan, Margo Truett-Ouellette, Peyton Martinson, Jamie Connelly, Kadie Whitehouse, Dev Alwine, Aamy Schoe el, Richard Flesher, Kwame Boateng, Bill Tarver, David Garza-Ramirez, Kate Walz, Maria Beur y, Michelina Belmonte, Jason Barthel, Maysa Alkisswany, Victor Yipp, Ann Courter, Pat Anderson, Aman Sal, Patricia Arteaga, Alyssa King, Robert F. Long, Gael Munoz, Georgetta Davis, Majdi Aashkar, Abla

stroyer of art, of anything beautiful, of anything creative ? Is their goal to make the United States the ugliest p ossible country in the wo rl d? Do they intend to eliminate all creativit y, all ar t, all beauty? What kind of a wo rl d do they want to live in ?

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

Abu Zaitoon, Kristine Demara, Michelle Smith, Carrie Wu, Sophia Anacleto, Rani Morris, Molly Crabtree, Clint Bailey, Lauren Wynn, Susannah Hooton, Steven Kososki, Judith Roeder, Gracie Peters, Jennifer Frey, Deborah Levine, Alexandra Backis, Kathleen OKeefe, Jenny Stevens, Leslie Linares, Karen McMillin, Salimah Boufath, Alex Camacho, Jacqueline Stamm, Elizabeth Piatt, Lauren Platt, Patricia Bickhem, L Williams, Margaret Reynolds, Dima Khalidi, Khaled Mohamed, Jennifer Ash, Alex Weiner, Nathalie McCammon-Chase, Ralph Cataldo, Blair Simon, Julia Nash, Pauline Woodson, Doug Woodson, Shavonna Carey, Greg Friend, Jeannette Raggs, Jacinda Bauman, leila massouh, Juan Chavez, Maria Alferez, Kristin Davisson, Cedric Jordan, Dana Ballard, Amani Ghouleh, Lillian Boyd, Claudia Audino, Paul Gage, Fr. Larry Dowling, Christian Harris, Gail Gearhar t, Jean Bacom, Terrence Keleher, Elizabeth Backes, Liz Ziehl, Thomas Edwards, Zara Biegel, Renay Hatten, Lexy Nance, Mon’Toshia Johnson, Chris Thomas, Julia Hyde, Elizabeth Brown, Patricia Du y

As a village trustee in River Forest, I am deeply disturbed by three recent incidents related to ICE activity in our area this week. On Thursday, Sept. 11, two of our River Forest community members were abducted and deported within 24 hours. The abrupt and concealed way this unfolded is profoundly troubling. It is also a clear reminder that River Forest is not immune from these actions. ICE, and other federal agencies working on their behalf, are active here, and we cannot ignore that reality River Forest has a Welcoming Village Resolution that makes clear our position: no village employee, official, or department may use our resources to enforce federal immigration laws or inquire into immigration status. Our policy affir ms that all people, regardless of status, are welcome and safe here, and that the village will not participate in programs deputizing local agencies to act as ICE agents. These principles guide us today. River Forest does not and will not stand with ICE.

Immigrant families and individuals are not outsiders. They are our neighbors, classmates, faith community members, people whose work contributes to the life and well-being of our village, and support local businesses. They are an essential part

We will not stand with ICE

of the fabric of River Forest, contributing to the vibrancy and strength of our community. When ICE, or other agencies on their behalf, act here, they target our community members, and we must stand together to ensure everyone feels safe and protected

ERIKA BACHNER One View

Residents also need to know what to do if they need assistance or see or suspect activity by ICE or agencies acting on their behalf

First, save the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant & Refugee Rights (ICIRR) Family Support Hotline number (855-435-7693) and share it widely. Call this number to report ICE activity, get le gal and social service referrals, and obtain deportation le gal support

Second, if you witness ICE activity, write down the important details: how many agents and vehicles are present, what actions they are taking, the exact location, what clothing or agency unifor ms they are wearing, the time and date, and any equipment or weapons you see. Sharing clear, specific information like this helps community organizations respond quickly and accurately.

As well, I encourage residents to join ICIRR’s Illinois Eyes on ICE Text Network

Re ections on Kirk’s death

I believe I have witnessed some of the worst and best of humanity since the assassination of Charlie Kirk on Sept. 10. The best being the outpouring of condolences, tributes and prayers for Mr. Kirk’s family; the worst being the assassination itself and the disgusting celebration and vitriol in the wake of his murder. The number of people cheering an assassination is dumbfounding to me. People of all walks of life have danced on the grave of a conservative influencer because they do not share his views. It has opened my eyes that many people are even more unhinged than I realized or thought possible.

Political assassination goes against the very grain of American values: our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, both of which Kirk was participating in when he was shot. It does not matter what his political or religious

views were; it matters that a man was gunned down in front of hundreds of students on a college campus while peacefully debating. His wife is a widow and his two young children are fatherless because a coward felt threatened by his convictions

Ironically, the alleged assassin hated Mr. Kirk because he said Kirk was “hateful.” Pulling a trigger because one hates another is the ultimate hateful act. Many of those who disagreed with Kirk did so because they said he was “intolerant.”

Yet many of those same people are intolerant of conservative Christian beliefs. Speech is not violence; violence is violence. When we cannot discuss our differences, and resort to violence, we have lost our way. I pray we find our way again in this country.

Amy Hasegawa Oak Park

at ICIRR.org. This is ICIRR’s verified text alert system for ICE activity. Network participants will receive real-time, verified reports of ICE operations in their area so they can stay infor med and prepared

The day after two River Forest community members were abducted in River Forest, two additional horrifying ICE-related incidents occurred. In Franklin Park, Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a 38-yearold father from Michoacán, was shot and killed during an attempted arrest by ICE agents. DHS initially claimed he resisted arrest and drove toward officers, dragging one with his vehicle. However, video and eyewitness accounts raise serious doubts about that narrative, suggesting he was backing away. Mr Villegas-Gonzalez had just completed a school drop-off, and his record shows traffic violations rather than violent offenses

A separate tragic event unfolded on Friday, Sept. 12, at the Broadview ICE facility during a sustained 12-hour protest. From morning until evening, community members, faith leaders, and activists gathered to oppose these enforcement actions. Demonstrators tried to block transport vans, prayed and chalked messages such

as “America was built by immigrants” and “Love thy neighbor,” and chanted in solidarity. ICE agents emerged from the gates to push protesters back, fired pepper balls into the crowd, and issued dispersal orders over loudspeakers while threatening the use of “less-lethal” weapons. One protester, Kat Abughazaleh, reported being thrown to the ground and injured. These were not minor scuffles; they were moments of violence that should never occur when people are exercising their First Amendment rights

The actions we saw in Broadview and Franklin Park demand full, independent investigations. They are not acceptable in a democracy. My deepest sympathy goes to Mr. Villegas-Gonzalez’s family, the protesters who were har med, and all those carrying the grief and fear caused by these actions. They deserve truth, transparency, and justice. ICE must be held accountable for all these abuses of power.

River Forest must stand firm in its commitment to be a welcoming community. Our village cannot and will not be complicit. We must remain vigilant, prepared, and united in protecting the dignity, safety, and humanity of every person who visits, works, and calls River Forest home.

Erika Bachner is a River Forest village trustee.

An update on River Forest term limits

Dear residents of River Forest,

I’m reaching out personally to keep you updated on the latest information re garding the village board’s important discussions on ter m limits for River Forest elected officials

First, I want to assure you that there is no debate that the referendum for term limits was approved in the April 1 election. We as a board are committed to taking final action on this matter in a timely manner — to ensure our residents who did vote are heard.

Our responsibility now is to confirm that term limits can be implemented in a way that will stand up to any potential future legal challenges, given how the referendum question was originally worded and filed by involved community members.

At our June 9 board meeting when this matter was addressed, village trustees asked our attorney to provide legal guidance. Then during our most recent meeting on Sept. 8 when discussions continued, trustees asked for further legal clarification. The information requested is currently being researched and will be addressed at our first October village board meeting

Whether you supported or opposed the referendum, it is vital that the measure be applied in a legally sound way to stand up to any potential legal challenges. While the process may feel slower than some might expect, taking the time to do this right is critical. The decisions we make now will shape how our community is gover ned for years to come I ask for your patience as we move forward thoughtfully. The discussion will continue at our Oct. 13 village board meeting. I encourage you to attend if you want to learn more.

If you have questions, please call River Forest Village Hall at 708-366-8500 or email the village board through vrf us/contact-board.aspx. You can also visit vrf us/ter mlimits for more information about ter m limits.

It is an honor to serve this community as your village president. I am extremely grateful to our trustees for their careful review of this issue, and to the residents who continue to engage in this important discussion that will impact the future of leadership in River Forest.

Cathy Adduci Village president

Clare Elizabeth

O’Neill Faherty, 89

Co-founded the Lawndale Learning Center

Clare Elizabeth Faherty died in the presence of her family, in LaGrange on Sept. 9, 2025. The first daughter of James and Mary O’Neill of Milton, Massachusetts, she was a beautiful and bright child, excelling in school and adding fresh insights to conversations. She graduated from Boston College, at the age of 20, with a bachelor’s de gree in education, where she met Paul Faherty. Shortly after Clare’s graduation, they married and had five children, Paul (Mary Tsai), Teresa (Robert Blomquist), Sara (Markus Dubber), and John (Libby Hunter). Their youngest daughter, Maura, died in a car accident in 1984. Clare withstood the tragedy through her faith and sustaining friendships with Terry and Renee Norton, Terry and Tom Coffey, Sheila Clements Murray, Mary Ann and Bob Tuerk, Len and Nancy Vertuno, and so many other friends and neighbors.

As a public school teacher on Chicago’s West Side, she taught many kindergartners and first-graders to read, write and play. She believed in education as a human right. In the 1980s, she and Paul, along with other St. Luke parishioners, founded The Learning Center in North Lawndale to teach literacy to adults whose educations had been cut short. They tutored, raised money, served on the board and also taught literature classes in Stateville prison. She heard the call to remember and care for “the least of these,” believing in the equality of all people and fearlessly scorning ideas to the contrary.

She was slim, quick, loved to walk, and reveled in nature, especially at the beach house in Humarock where she and Paul (until his death in 2019) spent many happy summers with their children, grandchildren, nieces and ne phews, and her in-laws, Clare, Tommy, Frank, Sheila, Don, Jack and Jan. At Plymouth Place, she was blessed in the last year of her life with excellent care givers, Roxie, Marquianna, Crystal and others. She took long walks around the natural habitat on the grounds. A large red hawk, whom her care givers named “Billy,” re gularly perched on the balcony of her eighth-floor apartment. She loved the egrets of the Humarock marshes most of all.

Bulbar ALS stole Clare’s voice several years ago but her family and friends can still hear it, melodious and kind and gentle, but she was not one to talk about herself, unless someone asked. The births of her grandchildren, Maura (Matthew Uebbing), Dora, Clara,

Davis (Zed Malmoux), Henry, Delaney, Theo, Luke, Sitota, Sophie, and Lucy, overjoyed her. Her great-granddaughter, HazelClare O’Neill, was the icing on the cake. She loved painting, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, National Public Radio, WTTW, opera, good novels, the New York Times, Shakespeare, and Mary Oliver. She was inspired by Julie Child’s TV show in the 1970s and ke pt her friends and family happy with elegant meals. No one could write a letter like Clare — heartfelt, witty, comforting. Her wisdom was matched by her sincerity. She thoroughly enjoyed life’s many pleasures while staying pure and true of spirit.

At 9 a.m., Sept. 19, visitation at St. Luke Catholic Church in River Forest, will be followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m., with burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Learning Center, tlcchicago.org, are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Zimmerman Harnett Funeral Home.

Charlene Bozarth, 90 Aided polio survivors

Charlene Elizabeth Herndon Bozar th, 90, died peacefully at home in River Forest, on Sept. 4, 2025. Born on April 6, 1935 in Lansing, Michigan to Adeline F. and James I. Herndon, she graduated from Sexton High School in Lansing and went on to earn de grees from Stephens Colle ge in Columbia, Missouri, Michigan State University, and Wester n Michig an University. She was a proud member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, Beta Delta chapter

In 1958, she married Harold Lee Bozarth and they raised four sons, Martin (Carol Anne), Gregory (Shannon), Brian, and Theodore. Their son Matthew passed in infancy. She was the grandmother of Quinn and Emmi, Madeline, Mitchell, Sarah, and Casey, and Matthew and Rachel; and the sister of Abigail Herndon. A polio survivor, Charlene dedicated much of her life to supporting others who faced similar challenges. She served as chairperson of the Michigan Polio Network and founded and facilitated a tri-county support group for polio survivors in the Lansing area. Her advocacy work encompassed org anizing, administrating, speaking, writing, and counseling across the country. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, Michig an State University’s Office of Programs for Handicapped Students named her outstanding alumna of the year in 1985-86.

In 1990, she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she lived for over 20 years before relocating to California and eventually settling in River Forest. In 2019, at age 84, she published her book, Polio & PTSD: One Person’s Struggle and Triumph over the Psychologi-

cal Damage of a Major Childhood Illness, sharing her story to help others navigate similar journeys.

She will be remembered for her strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others overcome adversity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Adeline and James Her ndon; her husband, Harold; and her infant son, Matthew.

A private memorial service will be held.

Dorothy Deist Wood, 97

Ac tive community volunteer

Dorothy Deist Wood (nee Henn), 97, died on Sept. 9, 2025. Born to Dr. S.C. Henn and Helen Roe Henn on March 2, 1928, she grew up on the South Side of Chicago with her siblings, Helen Martha Henn and Robert Roe Henn, and attended South Shore High School and the University of Illinois, where she served as president of the Chi Omeg a sorority. After earning her teaching degree in 1949, she started a program for the deaf and hard of hearing at Longfellow School in Oak Park. In 1950, she married Raymond Deist, a fellow U of I alum. To gether, they had four sons: Bob, John, Tom, and Bill. She took great pride in all four of her sons becoming Eagle Scouts. Following Ray’s death, she married James Wood. After Jim’s death, she married Fred Good. A fun fact she enjoyed was that all of her husbands served as presidents of the River Forest Tennis Club.

An active member of the OPRF High School community, she participated fully in local school activities, and she served for many years on the board of the Women’s Auxiliary of West Suburban Hospital. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Oak Park and later First Presbyterian Church of River Forest. She loved reading, playing bridge, and tennis and was happiest when she was surrounded by family and friend s. Her cheerful disposition and genuine af fection for people enabled her to make friends wherever she went. Dorothy is survived by her four sons, Bob (Lainie); John (Karen); Tom; and Bill (Leslie McLeod); along with six grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and ne phews.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 at 1 p.m. (rather than on a previously indicated date) at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, 7551 Quick Ave., River Forest, IL 60305.

A reception will be held in the Social Hall at the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations to First Presbyterian Church of River Forest are appreciated.

harriers cruise toward midseason

Boys, girls cross- countr y teams head to Peoria and Detweiler Park state course Saturday

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

The cross-country season is more than a month old for the Oak Park and River Forest boys and girls teams, and already the stakes are getting high.

The teams will head downstate to the Peoria Notre Dame Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiler Park on Saturday, the home of the IHSA state meet and an affair that showcases most of the top talent in the state

“It’s a super-fast course, it’s pretty flat the whole time and not many tight turns,” said junior Nick Houghton, running in OPRF’ boys’ top six. “It’s a great place to run fast times. It’s a very, very competitive meet.”

Senior Yonny Rafter agreed, but pointed out that’s just the beginning of a meat grinder midseason schedule, which includes the Palatine Invitational Meet of Champions on Sept. 27 and the Naperville Twilight Invitational on Oct. 9-10.

And then comes the West Suburban Conference meet, followed by the state series. But Rafter swears his teammates, like Houghton, junior Connor Harmon and seniors David

Schiff, Brady Creel and Julian St. Pierre will be ready.

“We put a lot of work in over the summer,” he said. “We’re very well-rounded and have high hopes for each other.”

Count boys coach Chris Baldwin in that camp

“They took a lot of ownership in their own training and ran a lot of more miles this summer,” Baldwin said. “David, Yonny and Julian and Connor ran in the state meet last year in cross country, so they took some good experience from that.

“They’ve been doing the small things. One thing we preach is getting enough sleep. Your body has to recover from working hard.”

Most recently, the Huskies took fourth Saturday at the DePaul Ram Invite with 119 points, beating Loyola Academy by nine. Schiff took fifth overall with a time of 16:12.70, which was nifty considering Mother Nature was a sourpuss that morning with thunderstorms.

Baldwin carries about 100 runners program-wide and will take about 25 Friday to Peoria, with the rest of the crew arriving the next mor ning

“I think it’s important to run on the state meet course,” Baldwin said. “The course stays the same but the weather changes. It’s a good indicator as to, “Hey, how do you compare yourself year to year?””

Baldwin has been head coach of the boys team since 2015 and has an astute group of assistant coaches, including Abel Reyes and for mer collegiate Division I runner Stephen Traphagen, who joined the program last year

Conversely, Laura Turk is the interim head coach on the girls side, in place of Ashley Raymond, who is on maternity leave.

“She’s done a great job getting our athletes in a competitive mindset,” Turk said of Raymond. “It’s been a great program for a number of years. It’s fluid walking into this space knowing this all has been established.”

Turk, who has about 50 runners in her program, will also take those athletes to Peoria this weekend. What does she expect?

“We want to get a fast race under our belt and have a strong path to run against and take a measurement of where we’re at,” she said, and that shouldn’t be a problem with the amount of talent she has to work with.

The ringleader is senior Violet Schnizlein, who started high school as a track sprinter but then made the transition to distance. According to Turk, Schnizlein has done nothing but picked up exactly where she left off as a junior and OPRF’s lead sectional runner. She’s feeling confident, mostly because she’s worked hard to push herself in workouts. Like her male counterparts, she’ll be ready for Detweiler on Saturday.

“It’s a fun mindset, we get to travel, but it’s important to stay focused and excited for the next day,” she said. “Peoria is a great course, and this is a great opportunity to run fast and get your season going.”

Schnizlein took 11th in 19:05.70 in OPRF’s most recent outing, the 43rd annual Fenton Kurtz Early Bird Invitational on Sept. 6. Junior Emily Jones was 17th at 19:53.40, while junior Bella Crowe was 21st at 20:08.30. All told, the locals took third with 101 points. But bigger things are ahead Saturday, Crowe insisted.

“It’s a two-day thing for us, so it makes it more stressful,” she said. “It’s a big week, a long procedure, but it’s also exciting because there are so many people to compete with.”

Dallis Flowers comes home with the Bears

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School

alum Dallis Flowers (class of 2015) has followed a unique path to the National Football League, including stops at four different colleges before making the 53-man opening roster of the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2022. Now his journey has brought him back to this area and his hometown team.

Flowers, a cor nerback and kick/punt returner, was signed to the practice squad of the Chicago Bears, Sept. 9. In the spring, he inked a free-agent deal with the San Francisco 49ers but was cut at the conclusion of the preseason.

Flowers spent 2½ seasons with the Colts During his rookie season, he led the NFL with a 31.1 yard average on kick returns and was named to the Professional Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team.

The following year, Flowers won a starting

job at cor nerback, but suf fered a seasonending Achilles injury during Week 4. He rehabbed and returned in time for the 2024 season, but was released by the Colts after five g ames. Flowers then reached a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and spent the remainder of the year on their practice squad. He ag reed to a reserve/ future contract with the Buccaneers after the season, but was placed on waivers after the 2025 NFL Draft and subsequently released

Flowers’ #21 jersey number at OPRF was retired by the school two years ago. He’s one of just two football Huskies –Eric Kumerow is the other with #14 – to have that distinguished honor

“I’m so proud of that kid. Dallis is the definition of g rit, hard work, and perseverance,” said OPRF coach John Hoerster. “He’s at home and has an opportunity to put on the orange and blue again and help out the team. He’s ready, and there’s no better kid you could root for.”

Glenbard West 26, OPRF 7

In its home opener against Glenbard West, Sept. 12, OPRF showed plenty of g rit by staying close to one of the Chicago area’s top teams for the majority of the contest. But the Hilltoppers scored twice in the final seven minutes to pull away and hand the Huskies a 26-7 defeat.

“Our kids fought really hard. I just wanted to see them fight for four quarters,” coach Hoerster said. “I wanted them to get in a battle and show some character, and that’s what they did.”

Chris Crape thrilled the home crowd with a 35-yard jet sweep to the right for a touchdown, which pulled OPRF (1-2, 0-1 West Suburban Silver) into a 7-7 tie with 10:05 left in the first half.

With 2:45 left in the half, Glenbard West quarterback Jack Waiti found Chase Cavan for a 23-yard touchdown. But Isaiah Gibson blocked the point-after, leaving the

score 13-7.

OPRF just missed tying the game and possibly taking the lead when a pass from AJ Porter went through the hands of Niko Vielehr, who had beaten his defender by several yards. The missed opportunity proved costly when Porter was picked of f in the end zone two plays later.

The OPRF defense stood tall for most of the second half but wore down in the fourth quarter. The Hilltoppers’ Jamarcus Kelly scored on a 30-yard run with 6:56 to play, and Max Hetlet’s 1-yard touchdown with :38 left sealed things.

Defensively for the Huskies, Logan Gathman had 4.5 tackles, Robert Kolovitz 3.5 tackles, John Matz 3 tackles, and Richie Truelove an interception.

“At the end of the day,” said Hoerster, “we have to do a better job on offense and help our defense out.”

OPRF next plays at Proviso West, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified contractors for Dumping of Excavated Material at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Spoil & Debris Hauling Project Number: 26-101

Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/Building-Business/ Request-for-Proposals. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 17, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified contractors for Dumping of Excavated Material at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 for the following:

Village of Oak Park Dumping of Excavated Material Project Number: 26-100

Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at https://www.oakpark.us/Building-Business/ Request-for-Proposals. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 17, 2025

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CALENDAR NUMBER� 18�25�Z

HEARING DATE� October 8, 2025

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 a special use permit application filed by the Applicant, Dutch Bros Coffee, to build a drivethrough coffee shop, pursuant to Section 8.3 �Table 8�1� Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 316 Madison Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16�08�318�004� 0000 and 16�08�318�005�0000

(“Subject Property”) in the MS Madison Street Zoning District. The Applicant is requesting variances to allow the building location to exceed the build-tozone requirement �Table 5�1�, parking to the side rather than rear of the structure �10.2�B��4��,

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: M25000838 on August 26, 2025

Under the Assumed Business Name of KATE LOVES CODE with the business located at: 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KATIE DONALDSON, 510 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

Published in Wednesday Journal September 3, 10, 17, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CALENDAR NUMBER� 20�25�Z

HEARING DATE� October 8, 2025

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, Steven Ryniewicz �Studio R Architecture, Inc.), seeking variances from Table 4�1 of the Zoning Ordinance to reduce the rear yard setback from 34.26 feet to 4.92 feet and increase the allowable building coverage from 2,998 square feet to 3,096 square feet in order to build an attached garage at 165 N Lombard Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16�08�120�015�0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R�2 Single-Family Residential Zoning District.

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

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 17, 2025

one bypass lane servicing two drive-through lanes �8.4�I��6��, and more than one onsite menu board �7�7�14�B� � Sign Code).

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

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@oak-park.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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CALENDAR NUMBER� 22�25�Z

HEARING DATE� October 8, 2025

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, KDN Signs, on behalf of Azim Hemani, seeking a variance from Sections 7�7�15�B� �1)(a) and 7�7�15�B��4� of the Oak Park Sign Code, in order to increase the allowable area of a projecting sign from 24 square feet to 60 square feet and increase the allowable distance between the sidewalk and the top of a projecting sign from 20 feet to 49 feet at 1140 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16�07�119� 014�0000 �“Subject Property”), in the DT�1 Downtown Zoning

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for Geothermal HVAC system at Cheney Mansion.

Owner: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the Cheney Mansion Geothermal HVAC System at 220 N. Euclid Av. in Oak Park. The project consists of the full installation of all HVAC equipment, necessary ductwork, electrical work, existing geothermal well manifold hookups and components. The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight time) on Thursday October 9th, 2025, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. Copies of the bidding documents and requirements will be available at 4:30pm, Thursday, September 18th, 2025, via the Demand Star website at: https:// www.demandstar.com/app/buyers/ bids/503253/details

A Mandatory Pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Wednesday, September 24th, at 10:00 a.m. (Central Daylight time) at 220 N. Euclid Av., Oak Park, IL 60302.

For additional information, contact Bill Hamilton at bill.hamilton@ pdop.org or 708-725-2052. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors. This contract bid must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2025. Only the bids in compliance with the provisions of the bidding specifications will be considered. Minority and Women Owned businesses are strongly encouraged.

Park District of Oak Park By: Sandy Lentz, Secretary Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison St. Oak Park, Il. 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal September 17, 2025

CALENDAR NUMBER� 19�25�Z

HEARING DATE� October 8, 2025

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 Applicants, Lacey and John Sikora, seeking a variance from Table 4�1 of the Zoning Ordinance to reduce the rear yard setback from 35 feet to 25 feet, 9 inches in order to enclose an existing rear porch at 415 Linden Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16�07�201�013�0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R�1 Single-Family Residential Zoning District.

A copy of the application and

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

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@oak-park.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.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

CALENDAR NUMBER� 21�25�Z

HEARING DATE� October 8, 2025

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

�Hemingway Sub-District).

District �Downtown Central SubDistrict).

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@oak-park.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 17, 2025

APPLICATION� The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Gudrun Snyder, seeking a variance from Section 8.3�A��1� of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, which restricts non-retail uses from locating within the first 50 feet of the street lot line at grade level or on the ground floor of any building. The Applicant proposes an acupuncture/wellness clinic at the property commonly known as 107 N Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16�07�129�036�1003

(“Subject Property”), in the DT�2 Downtown 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@ oak-park.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 17, 2025

Notice of Neighborhood Meeting for Proposed Oak Park Development Development Location: 6104 Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park, IL 60304

Developer: The Community Builders, Inc.

Project Description 6104 Roosevelt is a proposed new-construction, mixed-use affordable housing development in Oak Park, IL, by The Community Builders, Inc., a non-profit real estate developer. The project will include 28 total apartments: 3 studios, 17 one-bedroom apartments, 6 two-bedroom apartments, and 2 groundfloor one-bedroom live/work units. All apartments will be reserved for households earning between 30% and 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). The 2 live/work units will include a retail storefront facing Roosevelt Road with a 1-Bedroom apartment in the back of the unit.

Meeting Details

Salerno’s Pizza & Pasta of Oak Park 7128 Roosevelt Rd, Oak Park, IL 60304 Tuesday, October 7th at 6 PM

For more information, please contact bailey.foster@tcbinc.org

Published in Wednesday Journal September 17, 2025

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

Curious about faith?

At Alpha, you can ask anything—it’s a safe space to question life, faith, and meaning.

Everyone is welcome. You’re invited no matter your background or beliefs. Alpha is free, dinner is provided, conversation is celebrated, and there’s no pressure to come back.

Come and see!

Tuesdays @ 6:30 PM

Starting September 30

188 S. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

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