Wednesday Journal 093020

W E D N E S D A Y

September 30, 2020 Vol. 41, No. 9 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Housing Forward checks into Write Inn Hotel Signs year lease for interim housing

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Housing Forward has made a major stride in its battle to upend homelessness by entering into a year-long lease with Write Inn, 211 N. Oak Park Ave. Housing Forward, which works to transition people experiencing homelessness into stable housing, will use the hotel to house clients in its interim housing program.

“We’re super excited,” said Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward executive director. “This is a game-changer for us.”

The interim housing program provides temporary housing for clients until a permanent residence becomes available. The 65-room hotel will not act as an emergency shelter. Housing Forward will use it strictly for interim housing. The individuals who will soon move into the Write Inn have already been screened and approved by Housing Forward for permanent housing.

“We want to make sure that homelessness is rare and brief and short-term,” said Schueler.

Once permanent apartments become available, the individuals will move out of Write Inn and other approved clients will take their place.

“We can provide them with short-term accommodation, and set people on the right path,” said Schueler. “We don’t want anyone to be acclimated to the circumstances of homelessness.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Housing Forward operated emergency night shelters at rotating locations and did so for 27 years.

The highly infectious nature of the virus made that traditional model untenable. Since March 23, Housing Forward has been operating with great success out of hotels, including the Carleton of Oak Park on Pleasant Street.

“This is going to be our future,” said Schueler.

Under the new hotel system, Housing Forward clients have inSee HOUSING FORWARD on page 11

Photo by Shanel Romain

STAYING FOCUSED: Parents and their homebound students, including Jacoby (left) and Benjamin Santiago, are finding endless Zoom classes difficult. School districts cautious on re-opening plans (see sidebar on page 16).

Remote learning wearing thin on D97, D200 families Districts 97 and 200 proceeding with caution

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Will Santiago bought a house in the Arts District in Oak Park back in June. Earlier this month, he secured a permit to renovate the kitchen and bathroom. While he and his family wait to move into their remodeled home,

they’re renting an apartment in the village. All of this while Santiago runs his small business, West Suburban Garage Doors, which has its offices on Marion Street in Oak Park.

On Sept. 14, Santiago showed Wednesday Journal a glimpse into his daily routine, which involves managing his business, the remodeling of his recently purchased home and now, with Oak Park students still learning remotely, the education of his two young sons, Benjamin, 8, and Jacoby, 11.

See REMOTE LEARNING on page 16

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Take a bite out of Berwyn

THE CLASSIC LALO’S MARGARITA features Jose Cuervo

Savor six noteworthy sips and nibbles designed to cultivate cravings

Tradicional reposado tequila, triple sec and lime juice.

Provided

Taco twist Zacatacos, 6212 W. Cermak Rd., serves up a non-traditional papa taco that flies low under the radar on a menu boasting many Mexican favorites. An indulgent bite, the papa taco is filled with fluff y mashed potatoes before being deep fried to a crisp golden brown. Topped with lettuce, tomato and cheese, the crave-worthy parcel is like eating a comforting hug.

MELISSA ELSMO

THE PAPA TACO from Zacatacos is comfort food through-and-through.

HOT HEADS clamor for Tijuana Dogs at Cigars and Stripes Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Wings vs Dogs

Folks in the know clamor for Ronnie Lottz’s unique take on BBQ -- just don’t Food Writer ask fans to choose between the Tijuana street dog or smoked wings. Both dishes offer a carnival of flavor and Cigars and Stripes BBQ Lounge, 6715 Ogden Ave, serves both under a vintage back lot tent from the Ringling Brothers Circus.

The hand-cut wings are dry-rubbed, smoked, and grilled before serving. The resulting wings are sublime and need little more than a squeeze of lime, but Lottz has several signature sauces available for those looking to douse their wings.

The Tijuana dog features a smoked, baconwrapped, all-beef hot dog served on a flour tortilla topped with cheese, onions, pico de gallo and a grilled serrano pepper to put some spice in your life. What may seem like a mishmash of ingredients comes together in a bold and harmonious bite.

Margaritas to-go Berwynites have grown to appreciate Lalo’s Margaritas and now the mainstay restaurant at 3011 S. Harlem Ave. is offering “margs to go.”

Available in three sizes, the cocktail is designed to bring the Lalo’s restaurant experience to the comfort of your own home.

“Whether you choose their classic lime or real fruit selections such as Mango or Strawberry, your weekend suddenly looks that much better,” said manager, Daniel Castañeda.

SMOKED WINGS are a winner at Cigars and Stripes

Hyped up rolls People should believe the hype behind the Italian beef eggrolls served at Lavergne’s Tavern, 6546 Windsor Ave. -- the appetizer has a near cult-like following for good reason. Brimming with beef, giardiniera, and cheese, these crispy rolls are sliced on an extreme bias and served with au jus for dipping. Grab a napkin and indulge!

Satisfying soup Ms. Laura Guerrero, mother of six and owner of Tacos y Salsa, 6346 W 26th St, honors her ancestors by preparing her family’s traditional home-style recipes, including an array of soups and stews.

“As soon as the weather starts getting cold soups start flying out of here,” said cook Victor Franco “The Caldo de Cameron is made fresh every day.”

A single bowl of this deceptively complex and highly satisfying soup includes a dozen shrimp. Special spices like bay leaves and oregano help elevate the warming tomatobased soup, while a garnish tray filled with onion, cilantro, avocado and lime allow diners to customize their meal.

TACOS Y SALSA serves up homestyle shrimp soup Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

LAVERGNE’S TAVERN has a vast menu, but these eggrolls are a fan favorite.

Melissa Elsmo

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Community — a most beautiful thing

ast Friday, the Parks Foundation and the Park District of Oak Park hosted an outdoor screening of the recently released documentary film, A Most Beautiful Thing, on the grounds of Cheney Mansion, where about 50 people sitting 6 feet apart took in the story of the first Black high school rowing team in the nation.

Afterward, Reesheda Graham Washington, of RGW Consulting and Live Cafe & Creative Space, facilitated a virtual panel discussion Commentary that included Arshay Cooper, one of the film’s subjects and an author whose book serves as the basis for the film.

The park district’s screening of A Most Beautiful Thing comes amid a years-long effort by the district and leading community members to build a new indoor recreation center.

The screening was an implicit acknowledgment by the park district and the Parks Foundation that you cannot build another Oak Park institution without at least examining the precepts and practices on which Oak Park’s existing institutions are built.

Before Oak Park builds another “place to belong” (the slogan on the cover of a handout containing the proposed center’s mission and purpose, along with some architectural renderings), it’s always wise to ask who in the space will belong there and who won’t. And to whom will it belong?

Friday’s screening was a creative way of posing those questions and rethinking the answers. The documentary itself works in the vein of Steve James — the longtime Oak Parker whose documentary films, which include “Hoop Dreams” and “America to Me,” don’t so much seek to resolve the multi-layered social problems that make up their core as much as unsettle established assumptions about those problems.

A Most Beautiful Thing explores the unlikely bond forged by several classmates at Manley Career Academy High School on Chicago’s West Side after they’re lured by free pizza into joining a rowing team established by Ken Alpart, a brash white futures trader.

Cooper and his teammates, now alums, recall Manley as one of the most violent high schools in the city. As teenagers, they witnessed someone shot dead in front of the high

MICHAEL ROMAIN

school during a drive-by. The neighborhood is dominated by gangs and drugs and guns — terrain that young teenagers often must learn to navigate on their own.

“We did not like each other, like we had no love for each other,” Cooper, referencing his rowing teammates, told Washington after Friday’s screening. “Every day going to school we had to be tough. And we had fear.”

The boys were as fearful of the water as they were of the West Side until they “started pulling for each other and developing that magical rhythm,” Cooper said. “That’s when it became meditative … that water was completely life-changing.”

The boys show flashes of brilliance as a rowing team, but they don’t end the season as champions. In fact, for years after the rowing team at Manley High folded, Alpart was convinced it was a failure. The boys, seniors in high school, left Manley with no big wins on the water and no grand plans to go off to college.

And then the boys became men, most of them entrepreneurs, and began telling people about how beneficial their experience on the rowing team, and Alpart’s mentorship, had been to their development. They had been baptized by the water’s tranquility and transformed.

“I love basketball, I love football — I’d run all my life, I’d been chased, I had a lot of trauma,” Cooper told Washington. “So when I played basketball, it was a trash-talking sport and I wanted to fight. When I played football, the coach was always like, ‘Knock ’em dead.’ So [those sports] triggered a lot of trauma. But when you’re part of a nonconflict, non-combative sport, it actually reduces all that trauma.”

“I love that you are calling out this notion that there are more athletic opportunities for young, Black boys than basketball and football,” Washington said.

Her statement prompted me to think about a tragic reality — Blacks, bearing the remnants of that original trauma of being packed like sardines into the bowels of cargo ships — have been historically denied access to water as a means of mitigating this remnant trauma and all the other trauma that flows from it.

Nowadays, instead of the cargo ship, we’re packed like sardines within the “trauma and conflict sports” of basketball and football, and if we’re successful gladiators in those arenas, we’re sold into the pros to compete in the sportsentertainment-industrial complex.

Any reconstructed notion of community recreation in Oak Park has to confront this historic racial inequity in recreation, its impact on our society, and aggressively seek

to rectify the inequity at the local level.

Cooper also critiqued white do-gooderism. Alpart judged the success of his rowing team based on the number of kids who went to college or got great grades or won races.

When he didn’t see those results, he deemed the program a failure. But his definition of success was incomplete.

“Move your organizations, move your community with the Black voices who live there,” Cooper said. “You can’t measure success on how you think it should be. Ken said, “We weren’t winning and I thought it was a failure.’ But you have to understand that getting guys from different gangs together is a win. Culturally, overcoming the fear of water is a win.”

It’s encouraging that the park district has leaned into its community outreach regarding the proposed community center by centering the voices of longtime Black Oak Parkers for whom many of Oak Park’s institutions have been anything but places of belonging — people like Stephen Jackson, Christina Waters and Juanta Griffin, all of whom were panelists on Friday.

During an Aug. 12 virtual town hall on the proposed community center, Waters said that when she was a child growing up in Oak Park, there were neighborhood-based community centers that were safe spaces for young people (“places where my friends and I would hang out, order pizza; we didn’t have to have any money, we didn’t have to have a certain grade to get in”).

“Later on, when that changed from a community centerbased model to a program-based model, that went away,” Waters said. “There was no longer these safe spaces where we could go to spend quality time with staff and get to know our neighbors. I believe a community recreation center will provide that.”

Alpart wanted a good program and his idea of success was “program-based” — all about metrics and meritocratic milestones (perhaps to create a compelling narrative for some white philanthropists). But that’s not what a genuine community of belonging is all about.

A genuinely open community accepts people for who they are and allows them to flourish in their own skin, not solely in the accoutrements of success — and success, as this society understands it to be, is becoming increasingly hollow, distorted and corrupted by structural racism and growing wealth inequality. In the area of recreation, as in everything else, the playing fields need to be corrected, not the people.

“Talent is everywhere,” Cooper said. “Access to opportunity is not.”

D200 furloughs support staff amid remote learning Last week, the District 200 board approved memorandums of agreement between the district and two units of the Service Employees International Union — Campus Safety and Support, along with Buildings, Grounds Custodial and Maintenance — to “furlough or reduce work hours for some employees in lieu of a permanent reduction in force,” according to a statement the district released Sept. 24.

The agreements will be in effect until the end of the first semester and come as Oak Park and River Forest High School continues school on a remote basis due to the CO-

VID-19 pandemic, D200 officials said.

Under the agreement with Campus Safety, officials said, three full-time and nine parttime employees have been temporarily furloughed. The district is offering a $10,000 retirement incentive to union members who are eligible for retirement, if they retire no later than Dec. 31.

Under the agreement with Buildings and Grounds, the district will temporarily reduce work hours for 11 skilled maintenance workers, 28 custodians, one assistant head custodian and a dock attendant, officials said. All of those workers who are eligible

for retirement will be offered the same $10,000 retirement incentive, if they retire no later than Oct. 1.

“While our goal is to return to in-person learning for all students as quickly and safely as possible, the board recognizes that we have hard choices to make in the meantime in order to be good fiscal stewards for our community,” board President Sara Dixon Spivy said.

“We are actively working on a reentry plan that will help establish a timeline for all students and staff to return to campus.

We are optimistic that next semester we will

have some level of in-person instruction, which would allow us to recall furloughed staff. However, we acknowledge the hardship this creates for those employees in the meantime, and in no way does this decision reflect on our appreciation for their service to the district. We hope to be able to reunite our Huskie family in the near future.”

At a board meeting in August, the district approved the furlough of eight full-time and 14 part-time Food Service workers, who aren’t unionized.

Michael Romain

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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BIG WEEK September 30 - October 7 Under the Influence

Through Thursday, Oct. 1, 1-5 p.m., Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave. Oak Park The exhibit can be seen in person. Visitors must wear a face mask. Only 10 visitors allowed in the gallery at a time. In our hyper-connected, contemporary society, the term “under the influence” is often associated with illicit drug use or the effects of alcohol consumption. But every one of us is under the influence of something — our past, our family, political climate, social media, peer groups, other artists and more. Whether good or bad, by choice or unconsciously, influences and influencers change our behavior, beliefs, thinking, values and culture.

Artists are the mirrors of culture. So what influences you?

Voting by Mail?

Darwin Day Essay Contest

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Submissions open through Oct. 31 (https://elhumanists.org) End of the Line Humanists, a local suburban nonprofit, announces its first Darwin Day Student Essay Contest, for high school (9th12th grade) students living in or attending school in Oak Park, River Forest or Forest Park. This contest is designed to foster and celebrate science literacy among young people in our community.

Participants will have the opportunity to earn cash prizes and recognition. Winners will be published on the End of the Line Humanist website, and be invited to speak in person or virtually at our annual Darwin Day celebration in February 2021. This competition is made possible by a grant from our parent organization, American Humanist Association.

Essay subject: The relevance of Charles Darwin’s theories in the 21st century.

Length: 1,000-1,700 words • 1st Prize: $500 • 2nd Prize: $250 • 3rd Prize: $100 Judges will include three local scientists, and one writer/editor. All judging will be blind. Information on eligibility, contest rules, submission guidelines, and judge’s bios at https://elhumanists.org.

NAMI Metro Suburban, Oct. 4, 1:30 to 3 p.m.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Join NAMI’s three-part series as we focus on “Cultivating Mindfulness: Addressing Household Stress”. The presenter is Adenia Linker, MEd, SAYD, CYT. • Oct. 4, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

• Oct. 11, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

• Oct. 18, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

You may attend the entire series or just some of the sessions.

Experiencing challenges that are increasing household stress? One strategy that can strengthen coping skills and support well-being is developing a mindfulness practice. Attendance is free, and CEUs are available for a fee of $15. If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is located at 814 Harrison St. in Oak Park.

708-524-2582. www.namimetsub.org.

Virtual Cabaret Performance Saturday, Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. via Zoom

Chili Cook-off and Folk Showcase Zoom event, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m.

Music and Potlucks, a community organization, will sponsor a livestream event, the Homecoming Chili Cook-off and Acoustic Neighbors Folk Showcase on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4 p.m. The event will support Beyond Hunger Food Pantry in River Forest. This is Music and Potlucks’ fifth season of presenting music events to support the homeless and the hungry. The evening features “Chicago’s official troubadour,” Mark Dvorak in a Zoom performance along with Acoustic Neighbors, a gathering of local musicians including Josh Kotin, Jason McInnes, Susan Reeder, Ronna Baron and Betsy Backes, who will perform a couple songs each. To learn more about Beyond Hunger, go to www.gobeyondhunger.org. Follow Music & Potlucks at www.musicandpotlucks.org.

Chicago A Cappella’s concert features live performances and virtual choir videos of pop and jazz favorites by 12 of the ensemble’s vocalists. Tickets are $12. Register by Oct. 2 at noon to reserve your spot. During the one-hour concert, directed by Paul Langford, the singers will present solo performances of some of their personal favorites, with some accompanying themselves on guitar or piano.

The songs include pop tunes such as “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” and “Long, Long Time;” American Songbook standards including “Someone to Watch Over Me” and “Misty;” and Broadway show tunes like “You Are Woman, I Am Man” from Funny Girl and “Single Man Drought” from I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The concert serves as a fundraising opportunity for the group, which has experienced a significant drop in revenue this year due to the cancellation of in-person performances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Tickets can be purchased at chicagoacappella.org.

Important: Mark and return your ballot as soon as possible. Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received at the Cook County Clerk’s office within 14 days after Election Day.

Once your application is verified, a paper ballot will be sent in early October to the mailing address designated on your application All vote-by-mail ballots come with postage-paid ballot return envelopes Return your ballot:

New! Deliver it to a secured drop box at any Cook County early voting location Via standard U.S. mail (must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3 at the latest) Important: Mark and return your ballot as soon as possible to ensure that your ballot arrives at the Cook County Clerk’s office within 14 days after Election Day.

Key dates October 6 Last to register by paper application October 7- November 2 Grace period registration and voting (in person) October 18 Last day to register online October 19 -November 2 Early voting period October 29 Last day to request a mail ballot November 3 Election Day and last day mail ballots can be postmarked

Learn more at: Cookcountyclerk.com/agency/register-vote

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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ART BEAT

Jimmy Carter at his best

By BILL YOUNG

doubled the size of the National Park Service and passed 14 environment bills, anticipating global warming. He strove for peace uick! Who is the only American in the Middle East, bringing Palestine and President to spend 90 seconds in- Israel together for the Camp David Accords. side a melting nuclear reactor? Who He ratified the Panama Canal Treaties, prepassed more legislation than any venting a major war in Central America.

President in the last 50 years, and He also was never called out for lying, and earned the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize? You’d be when running for re-election, gave himself correct if you answered Jimmy Carter. only a middling grade on 60 Minutes.

Jonathan Alter, an award-winning histoFor a man famous for admitting to “havrian, columnist and documentary filmmak- ing lusted in my heart,” Carter has been er, has just published His faithfully married for 74 Very Best, Jimmy Carter, years to Rosalynn, his a Life. On Sunday, Oct. 4, partner in every endeavat 2 p.m., Alter will be the or. They lead a modest life next author sponsored by in Plains, cooking dinners Writing Matters, in conand visiting friends, and, junction with the Nineuntil recently, teaching teenth Century Club. The Sunday school every Sunevening will be a converday morning. sation with yours truly.

Jonathan Alter was Jimmy Carter has cerborn and raised in Chitainly had the most procago. The author of five ductive post-presidency books, including examiof anyone in history. nations of the presidenFrom his involvement cies of Franklin Roosevelt with Habitat for Humanand Barack Obama, he ity to becoming a hero was also a longtime media in Africa for his work to critic and columnist for eradicate Guinea Worm Newsweek. In 2000, he was disease to monitoring the first to predict that more than 100 elections the presidential election around the world (often would be decided in the in dangerous situations), courts. He was executive he has been a moral and producer of Alpha House, ethical exemplar for our an Amazon TV series times. written by Gary Trudeau He grew up on a farm and starring John Goodnear Plains, Georgia, man, about four Repubwith no running water or lican Senators sharing a electricity, and went baretownhouse near Capitol foot most of the year. He Hill. And in 2019, he cowas an avid reader. Most produced and co-directed of his playmates were Breslin and Hamill, an black children of cotPhoto provided HBO documentary film ton pickers whose parabout legendary New ents instilled in Carter Jonathan Alter will talk about his York newspaper columa value system as well new book on Jimmy Carter for nist Jimmy Breslin and as a love of nature. He Writing Matters on Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

Pete Hamill. fulfilled his dream of Join us on Sunday, attending the U.S. Naval Academy and, upon graduation, traveled Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. The event is free, but in order the world as a submarine officer before join- to attend you must register with the Nineing the nuclear submarine program led by teenth Century Club at nineteenthcentury. org.

Admiral Hyman Rickover.

Writing Matters was started by Elizabeth Carter’s first political office was as a state senator in 1962, at a time of ingrained segre- Berg as a speaking series dedicated to serving gation and racism in the South. In 1971, he author, audience and community. Originally defeated George Wallace and became Gover- held on Saturday evenings at the Hemingway nor of Georgia, ending the racist wing of the Museum, we have since moved to Sunday party. Five years later, he ran for President, afternoon webinars, in partnership with the going from zero percent to capturing the Nineteenth Century Club. While virtual for Democratic nomination. In 1976 he became now, we look forward to the time when we can all enjoy the presentations in person, at our the 39th President of the United States.

Although he served only one term, he elegant new venue.

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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At a special Sept. 21 River Forest village board meeting to discuss equity and inclusion Police Chief James O’Shea and Commander Jim Greenwood talking offered their perspectives on equity as it relates to policing, including a recap of the policing forums recently held by the village. O’Shea began with a moving statement: “We have our ears and eyes open to the realities or perceptions that both diverse and devalued populations have and want to share with us … We are here to further healthy dialogue and look forward to implementing substantive changes that advance humanity, hope and conclude in written resolutions and policy and practice,” said O’Shea.

He spoke about the support his department has for reforms and best practices, including a national use of force database, the NAACP Chiefs of Police 10 shared principles, and the use of body cams, something the department hopes to budget for in the 2021-22 fiscal year.

“We support legislative reforms and include rescinding of laws and sentencing guidelines that are institutionally biased and foster racial oppression against people of color,” O’Shea said. “Village governance, employees, residents and the community

as a whole need to work in concert to cultivate the moral and ethical courage to form a framework of equitable outcomes.”

To promote the hiring of more minorities to the police force in River Forest, O’Shea said the department did away with the $25 application fee. As a result, applications shot up, including those for Latinos. In 2019, the department had 26 applications.

In 2020, the number jumped to 91. However, while the percentage of Latinos that applied rose from 31 percent to 48 percent accordingly, the percentage of Black applications dropped, from 15 percent to 12 percent.

O’Shea said the police and fire commission can look into the reasons for the increase in Latino applications over Black applications.

Next, on Sept. 29, the second part of the village board’s committee of the whole meeting will take place, this time to discuss external equity and inclusion as it relates to the larger community. At that meeting, the village’s discussion on its Dominican partnership will take place. Sheila Radford-Hill from Dominican will talk about the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) framework.

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Pavlicek places second in Ann Arbor, staying put in OP Oak Park manager says, ‘I’m glad to be here”

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek does not intend to leave Oak Park or actively search for new employment after not landing the city administrator position in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

“I’m not looking every single day at trade journals or any of those things,” Pavlicek told Wednesday Journal. “I’m glad to be here.”

The opportunity to apply for Ann Arbor city administration, Pavlicek said, just happened to “kind of fall [her] way.”

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Pavlicek performed well during the interview process, becoming one of two finalists for the job after a nationwide search to replace the previous city administrator who was terminated in February.

However, Pavlicek lost out on the gig to the city’s internal candidate. Ann Arbor City Council voted unanimously Sept. 14 to offer the position to Tom Crawford, the city’s interim city administrator and chief financial officer.

During the meeting, Council member Ali Ramlaw thanked Pavlicek for her time and her efforts, calling her a “dynamite candidate, one that made this decision that much harder and one that really deserves recognition and appreciation.”

Oak Park village staff were all made aware beforehand that Pavlicek had been selected as a candidate for the city administrator role in Ann Arbor.

“I think I was really clear with employees when I talked to them about it,” said Pav-

“It’s an unusual profession in that it’s so public when you do accept an interview in another community.’”

CARA PAVLICEK

Oak Park village manager

licek. “It’s an unusual profession in that it’s so public when you do accept an interview in another community.”

Pavlicek called the recruitment process of filling top level administrative roles in local government “very, very lengthy” and that there is a “very, very small chance of being the right match.”

“You go into these processes knowing that there’s going to be some public scrutiny because of the way they just unfold and there’s a very small likelihood that you may actually end up being offered a job,” Pavlicek said.

Her decision to go after the role did not

affect her relationships with Oak Park village board members; in fact, Pavlicek said they were “very gracious” and “very professional” about the situation.

“They were saying like, ‘We understand you’re doing this, but we also understand that you’re continuing to work with your focus on Oak Park,” Pavlicek said.

Pavlicek decided to go after the city administrative position because she felt like it would be a good match for her personally and professionally.

“There aren’t communities like Oak Park very often that would be an opportunity to expand and work at a higher level,” Pavlicek said. “And by higher level, for a village manager, that typically means a larger community.”

While working in a smaller community can be “incredibly professionally challenging and rewarding,” Pavlicek was intrigued by the idea of working for a larger community and delivering services to a greater number of people.

Despite not getting the position, Pavlicek has positive feelings toward Ann Arbor.

“I know that Ann Arbor has a wonderful new manager,” said Pavlicek. “I’m happy for them. I have plenty of work to do here.”

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Citizen commissioner vies for trustee

Trustee candidate pool grows

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Another Oak Parker has entered the race for village trustee in the 2021 election. Health-care consultant Stephen Morales, who sits on two citizen commissions, announced his candidacy Sept. 28. If elected trustee, Morales plans to tackle COVID-19 and the other challenges the village of Oak Park has experienced this year.

“We’re at a very challenging time for the village,” Morales told Wednesday Journal. “I feel like this is an opportunity for me to step forward.”

Morales is in his second term serving on the Environment and Energy Commission. While on the commission, he led a campaign to reduce single-use plastics in Oak Park.

In addition to the Environment and Energy Commission, Morales is the chair of the Community Development Citizen Advisory Committee, which gives the village board recommendations for the allocation of Federal Development Block Grant funds. The commission also makes recommendations for the dispersal of Emergency Solutions Grants.

Morales serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, including current vice chair of Thrive Counseling Center. Morales is also the governance chair for the Center for Healthcare Innovation, a nonprofit that addresses racial and gender disparities in health care.

“As governance chair, I’m actually deciding how big our board is going to be, how to bring on new board members and what the training associated with that is,” said Morales.

His work as governance chair, Morales believes, has given him insight into joining the Oak Park Village Board of Trustees.

“It helps me to think through how I would be coming on to the board of trustees here,” said Morales.

Outside of his commission and philanthropic work, Morales is senior vice president at the Marwood Group, a strategic advisory firm with a focus on health care.

As a candidate for village trustee, Morales’ platform focuses on responsive government. If elected, his goal is to make sure that the citizen commissions are adequately utilized.

“I’ve seen such dedicated people who really want to help our community,” he said. “Sometimes things get dragged down in process and so we have to figure out a way to make the process a little bit faster, and really take advantage of all the people who have contributed so much.”

Morales said he will spend the next few months identifying possible strategies to accomplish the goal of maximizing commissions and streamlining processes.

He is also working to bring greater visibility into an overall plan to address environmental sustainability in Oak Park, instead of taking a piecemeal approach.

“I think something like that can go a long way to making people feel like they’re moving toward something,” said Morales, who has not decided whether he will run as part of a slate of candidates.

“I think having a slate has advantages in trying to bring together a consistent group and voice,” said Morales. “But I think everyone on the slate has to have their own agenda.”

Part of Morales’ agenda is Oak Park’s response to the economic crises that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I really want to think about how we recover, how our businesses recover, how our community recovers from a lot of the tensions we have right now and the economic downturn we’re experiencing,” he said.

Morales is very much in the listening stage of his candidacy and is interested in meeting with members of the community to discuss Oak Park and the issues it faces.

“I do want to go out and have listening sessions with all the different constituents, with respect to policing, diversity

Stephen Morales in our community,” he said.

Diversity is what drew him and his family to Oak Park.

Morales, who is Puerto Rican and Ukrainian, moved to Oak Park with his wife Rumi in 2015. The couple have two children, a 7 and 8 years old.

“We love being here,” he said. “One of the things we absolutely love about Oak Park is that we have friends from all walks of life.”

Morales has lived in Spain, Singapore and Hong Kong but said Oak Park is “something really special” and he wants to build and maintain its diversity.

“You can have a neighbor who’s African American or white or Thai and it’s just a really great experience.”

Boutet is back in the race for village president

Decision inspired by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park Village Trustee Simone Boutet has officially reentered the race for village president, backtracking on her earlier decision to drop out of the running to pursue a business opportunity in Washington state.

In a video posted to Facebook late Tuesday, Sept. 22, Boutet announced her change of mind, saying, “I have a surprise for you all – guess what! I’m back in the race.”

Community support after her announcement she would not run greatly influenced her decision, according to the short video.

“You guys have overwhelmed me with votes of confidence, compliments on how trustworthy you think I am and calls for me to get back in the race,” Boutet said.

Boutet cited the recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as her inspiration to resume campaigning.

“I could literally live a life of sunshine and babies, but upon the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, what I realized is her message – live your values until the day you die,” Boutet said.

In the video, the trustee and former assistant village attorney said she was “worried” about the Oak Park community, its future and a litany of issues it faces.

“We have to deal with racial equity, we have to deal with environmental challenges, we have to deal with the COVID economic recovery in our business districts,” Boutet said.

Gaining the public’s trust in its government through “transparency,” “inclusion,” “accountability” and “doing things in the public’s interest” was what is most important to her, she said.

“With those values in mind, I am happy to say I’m back,” Boutet said.

Boutet rounded out her announcement asking for the Oak Park community’s help and assistance to get her elected village president in the April 2021 race.

“I need you to volunteer for me; I need donations; I need you to work with me; I need emotional support; I need your ideas,” she said.

In a follow up interview with Wednesday Journal, Boutet acknowledged her decision may come as a shock as she announced her intentions to drop out of the running a mere two weeks ago.

“You have the right to go, ‘What the heck is going on?’” Boutet said.

Boutet’s plan was to open a bed and breakfast with her son and stepdaughter in Washington State’s San Juan Islands archipelago.

Her original intention was to have a large role in its opening and operation. Boutet is now only an investor in the new hospitality venture.

In her earlier plan, Boutet said she would maintain her home in Oak Park but travel

to Washington State for extended periods of time to work on the business.

She reiterated that the support and encouragement she received from people in the community, as well as the work of Bader Ginsburg, as the reasons behind her reconsideration.

Boutet said she believes she is the best person to take over as Oak Park’s village president and mayor.

“I have the feeling that I am the most competent because of all the history I have,” said Boutet, who previously served for 12 years as assistant village attorney and for two as interim village attorney.

She is joined in the race by local activist Cate Readling and Village Clerk Vicki Scaman, who began collecting signatures the night Boutet released her Facebook video.

Boutet’s announcement, she said, has been met with great enthusiasm by Oak Park citizens.

“You know, people are ecstatic,” she said.

“People really want me to do this.”

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Number of COVID-19 cases in Oak Park tops 700 River Forest has seen 165 cases since pandemic hit

By JAMES KAY Staff Writer

During the month of September, Oak Park and River Forest had 164 people test positive for COVID-19 between the two villages. Oak Park had 128 people test positive while River Forest reported 36 residents had contracted COVID-19.

Both of the villages’ governments have been tracking and posting updates on their respective websites to keep the public up to date on the latest COVID-19 related activity.

According to the village’s website, 31 Oak Parkers have died after testing positive for COVID-19 since officials started tracking pandemic data in March.

Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley announced on Sept. 2 that two residents between the ages of 40-60 years old died after testing positive for COVID-19.

No other Oak Park residents were reported dead after contracting coronavirus in the month of September.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s online dashboard of suburban COVID-19 deaths, one River Forest resident has died from the disease since the pandemic swept through the area earlier this year.

The person who died was a man over the age of 80. He died May 18.

The Cook County Department of Public

Health’s online map tracking the spread of COVID-19 shows that 165 River Forest residents had tested positive for the disease in total as of Sept. 28.

During this past month, the stretch between Sept. 24-28 hit Oak Park the hardest, as Charley announced 36 residents tested positive for the novel coronavirus in that time frame.

On Sept. 7, 22 positive cases were reported. Three days later, Wednesday Journal reported that 24 Oak Park and River Forest High School students had tested positive for COVID-19 from Aug. 15- Sept. 9.

At that time, District 200 Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams sent an email to families indicating the spike in cases occurred due to a large gathering at an area home.

From Saturday through Monday, the state as a whole averaged 1,918 new cases and 52,394 test results daily. There were 1,709 new cases reported in the previous 24 hours Monday, and 13 additional virus-related deaths. There now have been 8,614 Illinoisans killed by COVID-19.

The IDPH reported 52 deaths from Saturday to Monday, bringing the total death count in the state to 8,614 people. With 41,142 tests reported in the previous hours, the test positivity rate statewide was 4.15 percent in the previous 24 hours, the Illinois Department of Public Health said. That’s a full percentage point higher than the rate reported Sunday.

Capitol News Illinois contributed to this report.

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Getting your hair cut in the great outdoors

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Hair salon Snip City is going to great lengths to serve customers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Located at 819 S. Oak Park Ave., the salon offers customers the option to get their hair done outside in the building’s parking lot.

“I just thought, you know, people are eating outside, we can do hair outside,” said Snip City owner Pasqualle Russo.

Russo originally offered outside styling as a means of getting clients back to the salon, which closed temporarily in March under the statewide stay-at-home order. The outdoor haircuts have proven very popular for Snip City.

“I was doing it more to get our clients back in, but it’s attracted newer clients as well,” said Russo.

Many people feel safer outside in the fresh air while wearing a mask than they do wearing a mask inside. Regardless if people get their hair done inside or outside, Snip City requires clients to wear masks throughout their appointments. All the stylists wear masks as well.

Snip City stylists began doing hair outdoors in the last month, with umbrellas open to shade clients from the sun. Outdoor services aren’t limited to haircuts either.

Despite not having a sink outside, clients

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

FRESH HAIR: Snip City owner Pasquale Russo cuts Susan Motta’s hair in the back parking lot. have been getting their hair colored in the open air as well.

“They can come with their hair already wet or we can spray it down,” said Russo.

“Some people will get it shampooed inside and then immediately go outside.”

Other customers will have Snip City stylists put their color on outside and then wash it out themselves at home.

“Everybody’s got their sense of what they’re comfortable with,” said Russo.

The number of people who want outdoor appointments grows steadily each week, according to Russo.

“It’s starting to build through word-ofmouth,” said Russo.

Russo really enjoys working outside. Even before the pandemic, Russo would some-

times ask his clients if they wanted to have their appointments outside on nice days.

Working outside does present some unique challenges for stylists.

“When it’s windy out, hair is flying around,” said Russo. “I had to do highlights on waist-length hair a couple weekends ago and it was very challenging.”

To combat the wind, Russo pinned everything down to keep the hair from moving around. The highlights still turned out great, according to Russo.

“You just adapt; it’s an art,” said Russo.

With fall approaching, bringing cooler temperatures, Russo is unsure how long Snip City will be able to continue its outdoor services.

However, the salon utilizes a range of other safety-conscious customer service practices too. Stylists routinely sanitize chairs, surfaces and instruments inside and outside between clients.

Inside the salon, the chairs are safely distanced and each stylist has their own station.

Clients are required to wait in their cars or outside until their appointment to reduce the number of people around each other at any given time.

The salon also offers disposable masks, so stylists don’t accidentally cut their clients’ fabric masks or stain them with hair dye.

“I want people to know that they can feel safe coming here,” said Russo.

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HOUSING FORWARD Hotel offers opportunity from page 1 creased their engagement with the organization’s services, including its employment readiness program.

“This is one of those silver linings that have come out of the pandemic,” said Schueler.

Case managers check in daily with the clients staying in the hotels. The rotating shelter model made it difficult for case managers to keep track of people’s whereabouts.

The individuals utilizing Housing Forward also prefer the hotel system, according to Schueler.

“We’re going from a model where people slept on a two-inch thick pad on the floor, where they were sleeping eight inches away from a stranger,” said Schueler.

The number of people Housing Forward has to turn away has also decreased since abandoning the rotating shelter system.

“People aren’t having to wait in line for shelter,” said Schueler.

Now, if someone is in need of shelter, Housing Forward is able to screen them and identify any other options that person may have before putting them up in a hotel.

“We’ve been able to divert about 20 percent of those who have called us or have been referred to us,” said Schueler.

In the course of the past seven months, Housing Forward has served 196 individuals and provided 19,860 nights of shelter.

“Which is 50 percent more than we would normally even be able to provide in the course of a normal shelter year,” said Schueler.

Housing Forward pays for the hotels that replaced nightly shelters at a monthly rate. The agreement with Write Inn is unique in that Housing Forward pays based on a daily rate.

“We have a monthly rent based off a negotiated daily rate,” said Schueler.

And can afford to do so using a combina-

The Write Inn on Oak Park Avenue.

tion of state and federal funding, including grants from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Of the almost $1 million in CARES Act funding the village of Oak Park received, the village board gave $400,000 to Housing Forward.

The agreement with Write Inn is distinguishable from Housing Forward’s other hotel agreements in that the use of the Write Inn is strictly for the interim housing program.

“I really want to get clear that it’s not an emergency shelter,” said Schueler.

Housing Forward will begin moving people into the Write Inn in a week or so. Under the leasing agreement, Housing Forward has exclusive access to the Write Inn, which has been closed to guests since March due to COVID-19.

“We really see this as a win-win,” said Schueler. “We’re helping a local small business.”

The hotel’s owner, James Bushouse also owns the building on the southeast corner of Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. His tenants include Oberweis and Mulata.

Housing Forward will staff the Write Inn 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Staff will be supplemented by volunteers. The organization has a network of 1,200 volunteers, most of whom live in Oak Park and attend local churches, according to Schueler.

Clients living in the Write Inn will enter through an entrance separate from the hotel’s restaurant, Hemmingway’s Bistro.

“We encourage everybody to patronize them,” said Schueler.

The Housing Forward entrance will be controlled by a keycard like a hotel, giving staff and volunteers knowledge of who comes and goes from the building. Cameras have also been installed on the interior and exterior of the Write Inn. While the agreement lasts a full year, living in the Write Inn is meant to be a very transitory experience for interim housing program clients. Schueler expects individuals to live there for no more than 90 days.

“Our goal is when people move into the program that we begin to work on their exit strategy, which is getting them into the pipeline for permanent housing,” said Schueler.

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OPRF, Fenwick announce Merit scholar semifinalists

Five students at Fenwick, 10 at OPRF

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Five students at Fenwick High School and 10 students at Oak Park and River Forest High School have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists for 2021.

The schools released the names of the semifinalists earlier this month.

The semifinalists garnered some of the highest scores in the country on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.

Only 16,000 high school juniors, or just 1 percent of some 1.5 million juniors from 21,000 high schools in the country earned the distinction of qualifying as semifinalists, District 200 officials explained in a statement.

The semifinalists will compete for roughly 7,600 scholarships worth more than $30 million. The scholarship recipients will be announced in the spring.

Around 15,000 National Merit semifinalists will be notified in February that they’ve advanced to the final round, where 2,500 winners will be selected for $2,500 National

Merit Scholarships financed by colleges and universities across the country.

D200 officials said that approximately 1,000 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will go to students who meet certain criteria set by corporations.

Among OPRF’s 10 semifinalists is Maggie Rose Baron, the daughter of D200 board member Matt Baron.

“This is a real accomplishment; this is very hard to do,” said D200 board member Ralph Martire during a regular meeting on Sept. 24.

Tradition of Excellence alums announced During a regular meeting on Sept. 24, the D200 school board unveiled two nominees for this year’s Tradition of Excellence.

Both Tradition of Excellence nominees are physicians: Dr. Walter Lawrence Jr., a medical doctor and surgeon, graduated from OPRF in 1942 while Dr. Kiona Allen, a pediatric cardiologist, graduated from OPRF in 2000.

Lawrence Jr. went to the University of Chicago Medical School before continuing his surgical training at Johns Hopkins and Memorial-Sloan Kettering Hospital. His surgical specialty is in oncology.

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He served as chief of surgery at a MASH hospital in the Korean War before being recruited by the Medical College of Virginia “to create the first-ever university-based Division of Surgical Oncology,” D200 officials said in a statement.

Now 95 years old, Lawrence still teaches medical students at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Allen was a gymnast for four years while at OPRF. After graduating, she went to the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and her

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“Dr. Allen’s primary focus is the inpatient care of children who spend a longer time in the hospital and are often recovering from complex cardiac surgical procedures,” D200 officials said. “This also includes patients receiving mechanical circulatory support and single ventricle physiology.”

Allen is currently an assistant professor of pediatrics in cardiology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

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Lake St. restaurants starved for customers Construction at Lake and Oak Park rough on Hemingway District eateries

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Restaurants along the block of Lake Street between Oak Park Avenue and Euclid Avenue are fighting to make ends meet now that construction has completely torn the block up.

“It’s really hurting,” said Gabriel Padilla, co-owner of Rustico, 722 Lake St. “I don’t know if we’re going to survive this.”

Outdoor dining has been an invaluable lifeline for restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The block’s restaurants lost their outdoor dining spaces on Lake Street after the street closed for construction Sept. 10.

Despite a petition calling on the village to delay sidewalk and streetscape work on the block, the village board opted to continue construction as scheduled to avoid potential financial repercussions and a need to resume construction again in 2021.

Since Sept. 10, Padilla said Rustico’s business has dropped 40 percent and that he is worried “big time.”

With the village of Oak Park’s permission, many restaurants, including Rustico, transitioned their outdoor dining setups to adjacent street corners and back alleyways. However, the new arrangement is far from perfect.

“They allowed me to have a back patio, but people can’t get here since they’ve closed so many streets around,” said Padilla.

Padilla said “very few people” are dining in Rustico’s new back patio.

The accessibility of the restaurants has changed considerably since construction started with road detours and the ever-present problem of parking.

Rustico had a special wine and dinner event planned last week that ended dismally because people had difficulty getting to the restaurant due to construction. Of the 52 people with reservations, only 15 people ended up coming.

“They were actually around here,” Padilla said. “They just called, ‘We can’t get there; there’s no parking. Just cancel my reservation.’”

Rustico ended up losing money on the event, as staff had made preparations to feed over 50 people. Much of the food went to waste.

“That hurt,” said Padilla.

The Lake Street reconstruction progress which stretches from Harlem to Austin is nearing its completion with the single block from Oak Park Avenue to Euclid being the final hub of major work. Construction continues to compound the complications presented by COVID-19 for restaurants as many people don’t feel comfortable dining inside yet.

Padilla said he and the owners of neighboring restaurants Amerikas, 734 Lake St., and Papaspiros Greek Taverna, 728 Lake St., often talk about their shared hardships and mourn the loss of their Lake Street dining.

“We always share our opinions about this,” he said. “No one’s doing very well.”

Outdoor dining on Lake Street allowed space to seat diners safely apart and bolstered feelings of community and camaraderie among the block’s restaurants.

It also increased Rustico’s revenue by about 30 percent, according to Padilla, making it the best season the restaurant has had since its opening in 2016.

“It was great, until they took that away from us,” said Padilla.

Now Rustico relies on its regulars to stay in business since construction has all but eliminated foot traffic, according to Padilla. But there’s always hope.

“I think we can get through this with people’s support,”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OUT OF REACH: Rustico had a successful summer with outdoor dining. But the closing of Lake Street for a final burst of major street work has its owners on edge. said Padilla. “And once this construction is over, it will all look very nice.”

Christiane Pereira, the owner of Brazilian café Mulata, hopes more people will come to the block and experience its businesses once construction ends.

“We are hopeful that once the construction is over, and we have a beautiful street and sidewalks that it’s going to drive even more people to come downtown to support the businesses,” said Pereira.

With construction and the pandemic, Pereira said it’s been a “very rough season” for Mulata, 136 N. Oak Park Ave. According to Pereira, the village of Oak Park was very quick to help Mulata adjust when Lake Street closed Sept.

10. Mulata’s corner location allowed Pereira to move its outdoor dining from Lake Street to Oak Park Avenue.

“We’re very lucky that we’re on a corner and we are able to continue having our patio,” said Pereira. “But we don’t have the same walk-in traffic.”

The visibility of the patio has been a savior for Mulata, said Pereira.

Papaspiros relies heavily now on people ordering food for consumption at home.

“Thank God, what keeps us alive is our pickups and lots of deliveries,” said owner Spiro Papageorge. “We’re doing a ton of deliveries at Papaspiros.”

After losing its outdoor dining on Lake Street, Papaspiros staff was unable to open a back patio due to a lack of room. Despite the loss, Papageorge took a practical view of the situation.

“October is coming, who’s going to be sitting outside, you know?” he said. “The weather will change.”

Like other restaurant owners, Papageorge is looking forward to next summer when the street will be nicely paved.

The new sidewalks will be larger by a foot, according to Papageorge, which will allow the restaurant to put outside at

least seven to 10 tables next summer.

He is also excited about the potential of Hinsdale Bank opening a Wintrust Bank branch out of Scoville Square in the former Winberie’s spot.

“And that’s going to help a lot. There’s going to be, I heard, about 60 employees,” said Papageorge. “So, all these employees would come to all these restaurants over here.”

Unlike Papageorge, Armando Gonzalez is not so positive about the future, as his restaurant Amerikas, 734 Lake St., has been hit particularly hard by current circumstances.

“We’re not going to survive,” said Gonzalez, who co-owns the restaurant.

Amerikas has been serving Latin American fare since the restaurant opened two and a half years ago. Oak Park is the restaurant’s only location.

“We used to do really good,” said Gonzalez. “But the pandemic came plus construction, that kills us.”

According to Gonzalez, Amerikas has lost 65 percent of its revenue because the restaurant lost its outdoor dining.

Gonzalez and his partner didn’t try to get alternative outdoor seating because the restaurant has no space out back aside from Gonzalez’s parking spot. Not room enough for a patio.

Owning a restaurant has been Gonzalez’s lifelong dream and now, he faces losing it.

“I love cooking; this is my life,” he said.

Deliveries and carryout have done little to keep Amerikas running. The pandemic has all but crushed the business and construction may be the final nail in its coffin. However, Gonzalez doesn’t blame the village for not delaying construction despite the pleas from restaurants.

“I have nothing against the village; they have to do whatever they have to do,” said Gonzalez. “The street is going to look beautiful for next summer. But probably it’s going to look bad if we’re all out of business.”

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Oak Parkers help break through barriers Lifelong friends encourage facing challenges through their nonprofit

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Parkers Tom Lillig and David Shurna have spent decades working together to inspire others to face life’s challenges head on through their nonprofit organization, No

Barriers USA. Co-founded by Lillig, Shurna and Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to scale Mount Everest, No Barriers USA gives individuals the skills they need to tackle hardships and lead full lives.

“It’s really an organization that is for people who are facing any sort of struggle in their life and seeking to live a life of purpose and meaning, despite the adversity they face,” Shurna told Wednesday Journal.

In their newly released book, What’s Within You, Lillig and Shurna share their personal stories of overcoming challenges and their experience helping others through No

Photos provided

NOBARRIERS: David Shurna (top) and Tom Lillig (below) preach the power of positive living in their book “What’s Within You.”

Barriers. The book offers readers a guide to navigating and overcoming challenges of all sorts — physical, emotional and cognitive. The book is dedicated to Lillig’s late mother, Tina Lillig.

No Barriers and its work has been featured in the New York Times, Huffington Post, and other media outlets. Inspirational football hero Rudy Ruettiger and renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall are among the many endorsements What’s Within You has received.

“We’re really blessed to have many great endorsements from people from all walks of life,” said Shurna.

No Barriers works with wounded veterans, adolescents, caregivers, business leaders, schools, people with disabilities and anyone looking to make a positive change in their lives. All of the book’s proceeds go directly back to No Barriers.

Lillig and Shurna’s journey together started at Emerson Junior High School, now Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, where they played on the school’s basketball team.

“Even at that early age, Dave and I both had visions of doing something that in some capacity would elevate others or do something powerful to benefit the world,” said Lillig. “We both knew we wanted to do it together.”

During their time at Emerson, Lillig and Shurna won the American Legion Award and were chosen to make speeches at their eighth-grade graduation.

A hint of what was to come, Lillig and Shurna’s speeches had messages of selfgrowth and conquering difficulties — both used props.

“For me, the speech was, I had a ladder, and we were stepping up to the next level of who we were,” said Shurna. “As I gave the talk, I stepped up the ladder to talk about how we were moving along in our journey and the next phase of our journey.”

Lillig used an apple as a metaphor for gaining knowledge.

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“It was the apple of our education,” he said. “As I concluded it, I took a bite, signifying us taking that next bite out of our education journey.”

Shurna went on to become valedictorian at Oak Park and River Forest High School; he recently won OPRF’s Tradition of Excellence award. As a student of St. Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, Lillig was senior class president and was awarded “Ignatian of the Year.”

“I think we always had that lens of, ‘How do we make a difference in the world, a positive contribution?’” said Shurna.

While Lillig and Shurna no longer live in Oak Park, both their fathers do. Since the organization’s founding in 2005, No Barriers has partnered with OPRF to bring programs to the school.

Lillig and Shurna care about the whole process of overcoming hardships and challenges, not just the happy ending.

“We really do deeply care about the struggle because we know it takes a lot for everybody day in and day out to get there,” said Lillig.

Most of No Barriers’ work centered on in-person events and seminars; however COVID-19 spurred them to move to a virtual format. The virtual format has allowed No Barriers to reach more people in more countries.

In late June, No Barriers livestreamed their annual conference No Barriers Summit, which 1.3 million people watched in 17 different countries. Lillig and Shurna estimate “tens of thousands” of people have gone through No Barriers programs.

According to Lillig, No Barriers supports and motivates people every step of the way during their journeys.

“What it is, is just making sure that every touchpoint we have with people is one that has the potential to transform a life,” said Lillig. “That’s why the book matters so much to me and Dave.”

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One small thing to change the world.

If I were to ask you just six months ago, what would it take to alter the lives of every person living on this planet, what would you have thought of? What kind of cataclysmic event could shake the foundations of the world economy and close down every public space in the entire world?! You would probably suggest, Heaven forbid, a nuclear attack, a third World War, or a mega terror attack in dozens of countries.

As we now know, it was a virus the size of 125 nanometers – one billionth of a meter – that brought 7.7 billion humans to their knees.

This teaches us about how reality works. Someone sneezed in Wuhan, China and every public space on the planet closed! With a virion almost 75,000 times smaller than a human hair, that first person transformed our entire planet. And the person who passed it on did not have to be a genius scientist, a billionaire, or a visionary tyrant. Any person who sneezed could have done the trick. If I would have told this to you a year ago, you would have deemed me insane.

If this is true of the power to destroy, which runs contrary to the design and purpose of the universe, how much more so when the power is invested positively: Even the tiniest Divine microorganism, transferred through the tiniest soul, can transform the world.

Often, it seems like nothing happens when I perform a mitzvah.1 So I hung a mezuzah,2 so I wrapped tefillin3 in the morning, so I spend 10 minutes daily studying Torah, so I lit Shabbat candles, so I gave to charity, so I began eating kosher, so I said a prayer, so I did a favor for another person. Perhaps these are fine deeds, but let’s not dramatize their impact. COVID-­‐19 has taught us that something doesn’t need to be visible to be hugely impactful. Do not be fooled by the invisible power, by the seemingly invisible deeds, performed by simple invisible people.

There is the invisible killer, and then there is the invisible life giver – the mitzvah! A handshake of love in Oak Park, physical or virtual, tips the scale for the entire planet. It creates an explosion of Divine energy; it releases spiritual light into the universe.

Every mitzvah you and I do releases endless Divine microorganisms into the universe, and the impact is eternal, universal, and infinite.

It doesn’t matter who does the mitzvah, just as it does not matter who sneezed – a simpleton or a billionaire. A woman lights Shabbat candles in her private home, and the cosmos becomes a brighter place. A young woman or man prays to G-­‐d, and the planet is infused with holiness and goodness. The impact reverberates for generations, and for eternity, even if we do not always see it.

Never ever underestimate the enduring power and impact of a mitzvah – of the acts, works, and thoughts you perform, day in and day out. It travels the world faster than any virus. It impacts humanity vertically and horizontally deeper than we can imagine. It gives life, love, and light to a world pining for the truth.

So, accept upon yourself one, two, or three mitzvot – good deeds – that you never did before. You may say it’s only a small particle of Judaism. And I say to you: Yes, we’ve learned this year that small particles can change the world.

Sermon delivered by Rabbi Yitzchok Bergstein on Rosh Hashanah. Reprinted with permission by an anonymous donor.

Chabad Jewish Center Oak Park – River Forest • oakparkjewish.org • 708.872.7771 Rabbi Yitzchok & Nechama Dina Bergstein, Co-­‐Directors

1

Good deed Parchment with a Jewish prayer affixed to doorposts of Jewish homes 3 Small black boxes with prayers inside worn by observant Jews during weekday prayers 2

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

REMOTE LEARNING

Support not always equitable from page 1 “This is a challenge,” Santiago said. “I still have to be a husband and grab a beer with friends every once in a while.

I just have to figure out how to deal with this.”

Santiago is among thousands of parents in the Oak Park and River Forest area who have had to adjust to a new pandemic normal in ways formal and informal. With both Districts 97 and 200 sticking with remote learning for the time being, many parents also said they’re growing increasingly anxious about how much longer the exclusively virtual learning experience will continue.

For Santiago, whose wife is a nurse practitioner and works in Chicago during the day, the process of adjusting to this new remote learning normal has been rather ad hoc.

“I was watching the Bears game with a buddy of mine who is a substitute school teacher for Chicago Public Schools, but they’re not using them now,” Santiago said. “So, he said, you and the wife should talk to see how I can help these two guys out. So, that’s what we’re talking about.”

Santiago said that he’s part of a Facebook group for Oak Park dads, but isn’t particularly connected to some of the hyper-organized remote learning alternatives that have materialized in the Oak Park area, such as learning pods that consist of groups of young people who go through remote learning together, as if in an off-site classroom.

Ginger Yarrow, the board president of Providing Instruments for the Next Generation (or PING!) — an Oak Park organization that provides instruments, music lessons, mentoring and other resources for students in Districts 97 and 200 who are in need — said that local institutions need

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM to be particularly aggressive at reaching families who may be out of the loop when it comes to knowing about all of the resources that may exist to help give their children rich remote learning experiences.

“We work very hard at the beginning of the school year to make sure potential PING families have information about our program, so that they don’t self-select themselves out of the program,” Yarrow said. “You might have a parent whose kid wants to play the trumpet, but the family will say, ‘We can’t afford the trumpet, so they self-select out before knowing we’re here.”

Megan Traficano, Oak Park Township’s youth services director, said the pandemic has exacerbated the problem of youth substance abuse in Oak Park and River Forest.

“I think a lot of youth are struggling,” she said. “We already see a lot of self-medication with youth, but I think now, with the heightened anxiety and depression that goes along with COVID-19, the social isolation, I think that we’ve seen a little bit of a spike in some of the substance use.”

Dominique Hickman, a youth interventionist with the township, founded Girls on the Rise in 2017, in order to work with Black and Brown girls in Oak Park and River Forest on issues of self-esteem and self-image.

The program has since evolved into an after-school group that’s embedded into the school day at both Julian and Brooks. Hickman also works with freshmen and sophomore girls in the area.

Hickman said the girls meet during regular Zoom sessions that allow them to vent their frustrations — something that’s particularly critical seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I let the girls know that this is their time to just let your hair down and be comfortable, this is your space for you,” Hickman said. “They’ve already been in class for eight hours. I tell them to just take what they need, relax and talk about certain issues.”

Schools study COVID data for path to partial school opening On Sept. 25, District 97 released an update on what it’s calling a “phased attendance approach” to reopening that “prioritizes the health and safety of our students and staff.”

“This approach is based on a guiding set of metrics, which includes the weekly case count and positivity rate in our region,” said Supt. Carol Kelley.

The plan is broken out into four stages and its metrics are based on guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Oak Park Public Health Department, among other authorities.

Stage four, which is full in-person learning for all students, would require that Illinois be “restored.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health defines this stage as being when “testing, tracing and treatment are widely available throughout the state. Either a vaccine is developed to prevent additional spread of COVID-19, a treatment option is readily available that ensures health care capacity is no longer a concern, or there are no new cases over a sustained period.”

Stage three, which is partially remote learning with hybrid on-site programming for all students in D97, would require less than 70 weekly cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 people and less than 5 percent positivity rate.

According to Northwestern University’s online COVID-19 dashboard, as of Sept. 28, Oak Park’s weekly new case rate per 100,000 people is 71 and its rolling average COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.93 percent.

District 97 officials said that the district is currently in stage two, which is “partially remote with hybrid onsite programming for specialized populations and pro-

grams.” This stage entails less than 150 weekly cases per 100,000 people and less than 5 percent positivity rate.

Stage one was full remote learning for all students, which meant 150 or more weekly cases per 100,000 people and a positivity rate greater than 8 percent.

Kelley said that on Sept. 15, “a small group of students in the district’s multi-needs program began receiving on-site instruction, interventions and support at Percy Julian Middle School.

“We are currently determining the logistics for bringing the next group of students (IEPs requiring 1:1 support and Early Childhood Special Education) onsite — tentatively by early October. The remaining groups associated with Stage 2 will be phased in after we ensure that there are no issues related to the health and safety of our students and staff.

Kelley said that while the district has “not yet identified a specific date, our planning team will be working toward achieving this goal by Trimester 2 as part of our phased attendance approach.”

During a regular board meeting on Sept. 24, District 200 Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said that Oak Park and River Forest High School is also in stage two, which is remote learning with the gradual return of high needs students in September and October.

Pruitt-Adams said the district doesn’t have a date for entering stage three, but is currently in the process of developing an advisory committee that will help administrators determine next steps for moving into that phase.

Michael Romain

Hickman said that the group’s most effective coping mechanism has been journaling.

“Every girl in my program knows that they’ll get a journal and they’ll get journal prompts and they’ll learn how to write things out,” Hickman said. “Most people don’t grow up learning how to journal properly.”

Hickman added that she also teaches her girls the “concept of learning how to ask for help,” which she said is a skill that must be cultivated.

“Sometimes, you can’t run and tell your parents everything,” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard. So, we teach them how to build a supportive network and how to have a trusting adult in their lives and how to identify one.”

Yarrow and Hickman said they both lean on the school districts to ensure that information about their offerings is getting out to parents who need them the most.

“District 97 has been a great partner for Girls on the Rise,” Traficano said. “They’ve been amazing.”

Parents growing anxious While many parents lauded the district’s remote learning curriculum — acknowledging that it’s been a marked improvement over their experience in the spring —many also expressed growing frustration due to the districts not providing hard dates for when they’ll enter phase three.

“I think District 97 is doing the best they can with the 100 percent remote learning format, but my main frustration is that it isn’t an appropriate way in the long-term for kids to learn,” said Mara Maas, a pediatrician who has four kids in District 97.

“I’m a pediatrician who works full-time outside the home and so does my husband,” she said. “Right now, we have our youngest two in Hephzibah, so they’re doing remote learning from inside classrooms at Holmes. Our middle schoolers are doing remote learning from home. We’re fortunate to be able to get them in Hephzibah and to afford a program like that, which I know isn’t an option for a lot of families.

“But I don’t think it’s developmentally appropriate for kids to be getting their education over Zoom,” said Maas.

“It’s been particularly frustrating for my 6-year-old, who has ADHD and cannot focus on those Zooms for a long period of time.”

Elizabeth Thomson is a pediatrician who practices in Oak Park and the mother of five children, including three elementary children who previously attended Hatch before she and her family moved to Elmhurst. She said that she hopes District 97 will work more with local physicians to implement their phased approach.

“Children need to be back in school both from an educational and a social emotional standpoint,” Thompson said.

Elise Rehn, who is also a physician and mother of two children at D97, said that she and her husband have had to hire a full-time nanny to help manage their two children’s remote learning.

“My daughter in second grade has fine motor, as well as visual processing challenges,” Rehn said. “Prior to remote learning, her [individualized education program] stated ‘minimize screen time.’ Her team at Holmes has been working tirelessly to try to accommodate remote learning, so that she can succeed. Unfortunately, learning over an iPad for a 7-year-old with my daughter’s challenges is completely ineffective.”

Rehm, echoing Thompson, said that she would like for D97 to do more to tap into “the wealth of knowledge available in our community about infectious disease and epidemiology,” before adding that, based on Oak Park’s COVID-19 metrics, “we should already be utilizing hybrid learning.”

Will Santiago said he also wanted the district to move to a hybrid learning model much earlier.

“As far as I’m concerned,” he said, “we didn’t have a vote in this.”

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

17

C R I M E

Man shot while driving on Ike in Oak Park

A Chicago man was shot in the abdomen while driving on I-290 at the Austin Boulevard exit at 2 p.m., Sept. 27.

As the victim was driving, a black vehicle pulled up next to him and a man in the vehicle fired several shots, striking the victim. According to police, the wound was superficial, and the victim is recovering.

Oak Park police state that the investigation is ongoing.

The shooting does not appear to be an incident of road rage.

Robbery ■ Two male offenders pushed the victim down and then removed the victim’s bag, which contained two textbooks, a cellphone and a wallet at 8:40 p.m. on Sept. 28 in the 100 block of Elmwood Avenue. The estimated loss is $230.

■ Seven men, one with a firearm, attempted to rob an Oak Park resident of his bicycle at 7:44 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the first block of Lake Street. The offenders approached the victim and demanded he unlock his bike, then several offenders struck the victim.

One offender drew a gun while another tried to remove the victim’s skateboard, before all offenders fled eastbound.

Burglary ■ Someone entered an unlocked vehicle parked in the 600 block of South Taylor Avenue and removed several tools in from inside between 2 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 10:30 a.m. on Sept.

25. The estimated loss is $2,428.

■ Someone took a bicycle from an unlocked garage in the 900 block of North Elmwood Avenue between 5:15 p.m. on Sept. 25 and 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 26. Estimated loss is $1,400.

■ Someone broke into an unlocked residence in the 1200 block of North Euclid Avenue between 5:10 and 9 a.m. in Sept. 26 and took miscellaneous items, including car keys.

The offender then drove off in the victim’s car. Police recovered the vehicle later that day.

■ Someone broke into an unlocked apartment in the 700 block of Lexington Street between 7:25 and 7:30 a.m. on Sept.

27 and took the victim’s purse which contained car keys.

The offender then drove off in the victim’s vehicle. Estimated loss is $4,600.

■ Someone went into an unlocked garage in the 1200 block of Belleforte Avenue during the overnight hours of Sept. 2627 and removed a snow blower. Estimated loss is $400.

Motor vehicle theft An unlocked and running vehicle was removed from the 500 block of South Austin Boulevard at 2:53 a.m. on Sept. 26.

The vehicle was recovered later that day.

Theft A bicycle was removed from the 100 block of Francisco Terrace at 1:49 a.m. on Sept. 25. Estimated loss is $250.

Discharge of a firearm

■ Oak Park police officers responded to a report that shots had been fired in the 500 block of North Cuyler Avenue at 9:41 p.m. on Sept. 24. Officers found a damaged vehicle and window.

■ Oak Park police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 1000 block of North Austin Boulevard at 11:40 p.m. on Sept. 25. Police reported finding shell casings at the scene. No damage or victims were reported.

Public indecency A man was observed exposing his penis in the 500 block of North Humphrey Avenue between 9:04 and 9:15 a.m. on Sept. 25. Police described the man as Hispanic, thin, around 5-foot-9, with short hair and wearing a red T-shirt, dark shorts and a backpack.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Sept. 21-27 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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Homes

River Forest charmer Historic Keystone Avenue home has architecture and fame

By LACEY SIKORA

H Photo provided

HISTORIC TIES: Ernest Hemingway’s mother, Grace Hall Hemingway, lived in the Keystone Avenue home from 1936 to 1951, using a room above the garage as an art studio.

Contributing Reporter

ouses in River Forest and Oak Park have been selling like hotcakes this summer. The surge in activity might be due in part to city dwellers fleeing pandemic restrictions in search of a lawn and room to work from home.

Historically low interest rates are probably playing a role as well, but there are certain homes that barely make it onto the Multiple Listing Service before there is a flood of interest and requests for appointments.

One such house, recently hit the market and was quickly snapped up. Coldwell Banker realtor Kirstin Gloor says she is not surprised. She says of her listing at

551 Keystone Ave., “It’s one of those special houses.”

Historic connections Built in 1881, the house is fronted with a porch boasting a wooden ceiling, brick flooring and decorative arches. The living room includes a period fireplace. Not original to the house, the mantle is attributed to architect Louis Sullivan.

The house also has a connection to local legend. Ernest Hemingway’s mother, Grace Hall Hemingway, used the studio above the garage as an art studio when she lived in the home from 1936 to 1951. Gloor says that Grace Hemingway’s evolution as a painter is inspirational.

“She was such a dynamic woman,” Gloor said, noting that Grace trained as operatic singer and composer and took up painting at the age of 52.

While Ernest was living in Paris with his wife and son in 1926, Grace wrote to him See KEYSTONE on page 21

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 940 Bonnie Brae Pl River Forest | $1,189,000 Ed Bellock

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

732 S Taylor Ave Oak Park | $679,000 Swati Saxena

1215 N Grove Ave Oak Park | $650,000 Keller Group Chicago

190 N Marion St Oak Park | $639,000 Patricia McGowan

1112 Edmer Ave Oak Park | $589,000 Steve Green

1224 Columbian Ave Oak Park | $579,900 Heidi Rogers

320 S Maple Ave. Unit D Oak Park | $510,000 Liz O’Connell

3314 East Ave. Berwyn | $499,900 Roman Lewis

835 N Cuyler Ave Oak Park | $499,000 Ann Keeney

407 N Taylor Ave Oak Park | $469,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

1030 Alexander Ln. Oak Park | $430,000 Swati Saxena

328 N Cuyler Ave Oak Park | $399,000 Carla Taylor

1014 Hayes Ave Oak Park | $379,000 Bobbi Eastman

170 N Marion St, Unit 4 Oak Park | $369,000 Bethanny Alexander

1132 Schneider Ave Oak Park | $345,000 James Salazar

339 Home Ave, Unit 2F Oak Park | $315,000 Heidi Rogers

2950 Oak Park Ave Berwyn | $209,000 Sandra Dita Lopez

617 Washington Blvd, #3S Oak Park | $143,000 Bethanny Alexander

501 N Harlem Ave, Unit 1 Oak Park | $136,000 Jennifer Thomas

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

KEYSTONE Lives large from page 19 about an early exhibit of her work at Marshall Field’s Department Store. After her husband Clarence’s death, it is said that Grace used the proceeds from sales of her paintings to pay the taxes on her Oak Park home on Kenilworth Avenue.

Camera ready While 551 Keystone Ave. maintains its original charms, it has been updated over the years by each family who called it home.

“Every family who has owned it has taken such loving care of the house,” Gloor said. “Each family has honored the history but updated it for the times.”

Gloor says that the sellers, who listed the house with her for $899,000, gutted and rehabbed the kitchen, and the family who lived there before them redid the bathrooms.

“The next family can put their stamp on it,” Gloor said.

Whatever the updates have been, they have been enough to draw the interest of film location scouts. Gloor notes that the seller had more than 10 ad campaigns filmed in the house, including commercials for Pam, Kmart and Lurie Children’s

Hospital.

Gloor says the appeal is obvious when you enter.

“The first floor has 11-foot ceilings, and there’s a lot of natural light pouring in,” she said. “It’s great for the cameras.”

The home lives large with four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, the garage studio and a deep screened-in porch at the rear of the house. Gloor says the sellers frequently entertained 40 to 50 guests.

While large parties might be on hold for a while, Gloor says the house is just what buyers are looking for today. She thinks that many more families might be seeking to leave the city for a suburban home due to recent shelter-in-place guidelines.

“People are looking for the backyard and more space to spread out,” Gloor said.

“Houses with pools are more popular than ever.”

She also notes that the low interest rates on mortgages are motivating many people to accelerate their buying plans because, she said, “You can get so much more for your money.”

Gloor says at the end of the day, the overall community is a big draw, as is its location close to but away from the city.

“One of the reasons real estate in Oak Park and River Forest is booming is because people love the proximity to the city,” she said. “You’re close to two major airports, and you can easily get to the West Loop and the Fulton Market District. It’s a village feel in an urban environment.”

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

VIEWPOINTS

23

My friend, RBG p. 25

A senior voter’s perspective

t age 87, it is likely that this may be the last time I will cast my vote to elect a President of the United States.

Therefore, my participation in the electoral process this time has a special meaning.

I’m not in a dilemma making a choice between the two political parties. While both sides create a heated, emotioncharged election environment, the two factions have positives to offer for the benefits of the electorate in spite of their polarizing philosophical differences. The differences in personalities of the two candidates for the presidency, however, add a sense of urgency and obligation to my choice-making.

For the past four years, party loyalties marginalized cooperation and jeopardized our nation’s security and well-being. America’s Constitution was circumvented

by Trump party loyalists in the Senate’s impeachment trial.

Trump’s inaction allowed the virus pandemic to overwhelm the capacities of our health care system and inflict a tragic, mindboggling loss of lives. A quarantine shutdown of the nation crashed the economy.

In the current election race, the opposition challenges Trump’s fitness for America’s presidency on the basis of his ineptness to carry out the duties of a President, his abrasive conduct, and his inflammatory rhetoric. But Trump’s psychological status is not mentioned in the political arena.

All of Trump’s objectionable behaviors in the past four years are an extension of his lifelong pattern. They have been in his self-interest, not for the good of our country, and not for the good of our people. His characteristic pervasiveness of selfcenteredness and compulsion for aggrandizement are psychodynamics listed in the criterion for a diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder.

Adjunct to his narcissism, Trump lacks compassion, empathy, and exhibits a disdain for others. He stands in opposition to all in his social field, and strives to subjugate everyone. Such personality traits define the antisocial personality disorder. In the past, a person with such traits was called a sociopath.

Decades of work in the mental health field and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology have infused me with an ability to discern pathological behavior patterns. With her book Too Much and Never Enough, the President’s niece, Mary L. Trump, PhD, validates my concerns about Donald Trump’s psychological status, and highlights the urgent necessity to remove him from the White House.

Currently it’s too late to institute psychological vetting of presidential candidates. But it’s not too late to deter the disaster of a continued leadership by a person seemingly afflicted with an altered sense of reality.

With the election impending, I’ll make my choice not only on the basis of conservatism or liberalism, and not merely on the basis of socialism or capitalism. I’ll vote against ruthless disrespect, slander, defamation, and a lack of ethics.

My choice for President and his affiliate party will demonstrate a capacity for empathy, compassion, and caring for humanity. The candidates must demonstrate a desire to serve the people, not themselves. Above all, the occupant of the Oval Office must be mentally and psychologically fit.

I call the readers to join me in thinking at least twice before casting our ballots.

FRED NATKEVI One View

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Before you vote …

s it acceptable … … To separate families at the border and detain children in cages indefinitely? … As the most richly-resourced nation, to lead the world with more than 25 percent of all COVID-19 deaths when we represent 4 percent of the population? … To ask the head of a foreign country to dig up dirt on a potential presidential opponent? … To not denounce the Russian government when it poisons its political adversaries, places bounties on American soldiers, and attempts to meddle in our elections? … To claim every legitimate news story investigating some aspect of his administration is “fake news?” … To promote the idea that if the President loses the election, then the election had to be rigged when the country has had over 200 years of presidential elections that have never been rigged? … To refuse to publicly support a peaceful transfer of power, one of the hallmarks of our Republic? … To repeatedly claim, without producing a shred of evidence and in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, that voting by mail introduces fraud into the election? … To continually raise the prospect of a fraudulent election before it takes place, undermining voters’ belief in the system? … For the President to add to the death toll by downplaying the (airborne) virus in public statements and refusing to wear a mask when he knew how serious it was as early as February? … To boast that he is one of the world’s richest men and to pay NO federal income tax in 11 of the last 18 years? … As Commander-in-Chief, to describe fallen U.S. soldiers from past wars as “suckers and losers,” after earning a draft deferment because of bone spurs? ... To humiliate and debase longtime loyal allies like Germany while not challenging abuses from powers like Russia, Turkey, the Philippines, and Saudi Arabia? … For the Attorney General to serve as the personal attorney of the President? … To oversee an administration and campaign that has already been stained with indictments of seven advisers and the convictions of four following a scandal-free

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administration overseen by the previous President? … To operate a revolving door that has already seen four Chiefs of Staff, four National Security Advisors, two Secretaries of State, two Secretaries of Defense, two Attorneys General, and four Press Secretaries? … To be the first candidate for President in 50 years who failed to disclose previous tax returns? … To praise the white supremacists who rallied violently, and lethally, in Charlottesville as “good people?” … To muse publicly that a 17-year-old boy who brandished, then used, an automatic weapon to kill two innocent people at a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin acted in self-defense? … To constantly play the victim card despite being perhaps the most privileged person in the world? … To govern in a way that presumes the checks and balances codified into our system of government by the founders of the Constitution do not apply to the Executive branch? … To name a Supreme Court justice immediately before the election when that person may determine the election’s outcome? … To conduct a four-day national party convention without ever mentioning George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, or systemic racism in police departments, except to reference the unrelated looting that has been associated with otherwise peaceful protests? … For voters to ignore or discount the President’s payment of hush money to two women who allegedly had sexual encounters with him and bragging about abusing others? … For voters to condone all this as precedents for the behavior of future Presidents? … For voters to count the appointment of judges who oppose abortion and the Affordable Care Act and a reduction in taxes for the wealthiest Americans — the only achievements this Administration can rightly take credit for — as more important than all of these other considerations?

Examine your conscience.

Vote your values.

Dan Doody is a longtime Oak Park resident.

DAN DOODY

One View

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Bold move on homelessness

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his pandemic is a scourge. Lives on hold or upended. Loved ones ill. Hope squelched. Jitters and tears in abundance.

But as they say, a scourge is a terrible thing to waste. And so we continue to watch with awe and respect as local nonprofits on the absolute front line of this blistering moment make leaps only a circumstance of such chaos and crisis make possible.

On today’s front page, we report on Housing Forward and the oneyear lease it has signed for all 65 guest rooms at the Write Inn, the vintage hotel on Oak Park Avenue just north of Scoville Park. The Write Inn has been closed to all guests since the pandemic first took hold in March.

Now those rooms will be put to positive use as a centerpiece of Housing Forward’s interim housing program. This is a solid step up from the overnight shelters in a rotation of local churches that were the foundational strategy of Housing Forward for its first 27 years, many of those years under the name West Suburban PADS. The pandemic made the church-based shelters untenable. Too many people, in too close quarters. They closed down in late winter.

Housing Forward ramped up its interim housing plan back then, renting rooms in local hotels which had plenty of rooms to spare.

This model can be a genuine path to permanent housing for many people enduring homelessness. It goes a long way to bringing individuals fully into the nonprofit’s extensive services — health, job training — rather than just keeping people warm and fed on a cold winter night.

Lynda Schueler, the nonprofit’s longtime leader, says some version of this care “is going to be our future.” Offering wraparound services, moving people from interim to permanent housing, she says, will help Housing Forward meet its goals. “We don’t want anyone to be acclimated to the circumstances of homelessness. We want to make sure that homelessness is rare and brief and short term.”

COVID karma makes this possible. Federal and state money from the CARES Act was funneled to the village of Oak Park which took a notable affirming step in setting aside $400,000 to battle homelessness. The charming Write Inn is available because people are not traveling. In leasing its facility to Housing Forward, this locally owned hotel is also given a lifeline to better days.

Housing Forward is hardly alone in its visionary work during these grim days. But this bold step is remarkable and needs to be recognized.

An expanding race

There is growing interest in the race for Oak Park village president and open trustee seats in the coming April election. That’s good news as the issues facing this village are many and complex. We’ll benefit from a contested race and the sharing of many ideas.

In recent weeks we have been chasing down candidates and potential candidates. This week’s coverage reflects the return to the race for the top job by Trustee Simone Boutet. Just two weeks back we reported that Boutet, having announced her candidacy for village president months ago, was withdrawing from the race to start a family business in Washington State. Under that plan Boutet said she would retain her Oak Park home but would be spending extended periods of time in the Northwest precluding serving as village president.

Now she has shifted course, inspired in part, she says, by the life work of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and will rejoin the race. So by our current count there are three candidates for village president: Village Clerk Vicki Scaman, activist Cate Readling and Boutet. Other names of possible village president candidates are also floating.

On the trustee front, we report today on the announcement by Stephen Morales that he is running for trustee. In an interview with our Stacey Sheridan, Morales said he is uncertain if he will run as an independent or join a slate. The group Activate Oak Park is planning a slate of trustees and there are reports that Boutet is also contemplating a slate.

As with village president, there are additional potential candidates considering making the trustee race.

This is all good.

V I E W P O I N T S

Surrendering our false superiority Dedicated to Kathy Lamar, the first African-American District 97 school board president, who recently taught me a lesson in atonement and forgiveness: ome years ago, I proposed in these pages that we institute a National Day of Atonement, modeled on Yom Kippur, which was observed

by Jews this past Sunday and Monday.

We could start by atoning for racism.

In the wake of the knee-to-the-neck murder of George Floyd and the collateral killing of Breonna Taylor by white police officers who treat Black citizens as if their lives matter less than white citizens, protests were sure to follow.

The reasons for the protests are valid, and conservatives, to be credible, need to acknowledge that validity before they criticize the violence and looting that (sometimes) accompany such protests.

Likewise, progressives need to criticize the violence and looting if they want to be taken seriously when they express support for the protesters.

But let’s take a deeper dive.

What makes white lives matter more than Black lives, especially in the eyes of far too many police officers? It’s an attitude that has long been “baked into the system.”

The system began 400 years ago. To justify the abhorrence of slavery, Americans internalized the myth that Black human beings were “inferior,” so it was OK to treat them as second-class citizens or, as our founders codified it, 3/5ths of a human being. They told themselves they were doing African Americans a favor — by “civilizing” them.

To create our not-so-perfect union, significant compromises were required. The South wouldn’t join unless the North conceded on slavery. To this day our country is based on the notion that white people are superior and Black people inferior. And even though many white Americans now reject that notion, we still grew up in a cultural system where those attitudes (and policies and laws) reinforce the unequal status quo.

I hear white people say, “We worked really hard for our position in this society. We earned it. All they have to do is work just as hard and they too will be successful. This is the land of opportunity.”

Not true. This is the land of “possibility.” America doesn’t become a land of opportunity until we remove all the barriers to advancement. As a whitedominant culture, we have made real progress in reducing racism, but we don’t acknowledge the barriers that still exist and we don’t do enough to remove them.

The prevailing paradigm doesn’t work. That’s why we have so many protests.

But there is a new paradigm for healing racial divisions, as laid out in books such as How To Be An Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, and White Fragility

by Robin DiAngelo, that offers great promise.

In this new paradigm, racism is defined simply as the notion that one group of people is superior to another. Racist ideas, laws and policies support and sustain that notion.

Because we grew up absorbing and internalizing the myth of superiority and inferiority, all of us, white and Black, harbor racist ideas, usually in the form of unconscious biases and attitudes, often

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imprinted when we were too young to know any better. It can be as simple as “expecting” a Black employee to be less competent than white employees and being pleasantly surprised when that turns out not to be true. We pat ourselves on the back for recognizing the competence, but we overlook the initial expectation, which is usually based on hearing other white people talk about Black workers in subtly, or overtly, disparaging ways.

Surveys indicate that white Americans believe Black Americans are generally lazier and that white Americans work harder, which explains the latter’s relative success — just one of many ideas, not based on evidence, that reinforce the superiority/inferiority complex.

The liberating part of the new paradigm is that we already know we have racism within so we don’t have to live in constant fear of making a mistake and being branded a racist. We acknowledge it upfront. Since we all share the problem, it is up to each of us to do the self-examination that makes what is unconscious conscious and put in the effort to eliminate those vestiges. Since we all suffer from it, no one can shame us. No one can “preach” down to us from the sanctity of their pulpit. We’re all in this together. We are not responsible for the system we inherited, but we are responsible for doing our part to change it.

Black Americans have internalized their own version of all this, but as Kendi points out, it is inverted. African Americans may look down on themselves and accept their inferior status because they grew up surrounded by firmly-fixed attitudes.

The old paradigm says only bad people are racists — hate-filled white people like the ones we see in films about the Civil Rights Movement.

The new paradigm says even good, well-intentioned people suffer from racism. It’s a virus that afflicts everyone, so we all have a responsibility to work on overcoming it through honest soulsearching.

Most white people will state emphatically that they are “not racist” because they’re defining racism according to the old paradigm. The new paradigm says you can be either racist or antiracist.

There is no such thing as “non-racist,” no in-between. Those who plead neutrality only perpetuate a racist system by not working actively against it.

Our immigrant forebears worked hard and made sacrifices to climb America’s ladder, sometimes in spite of significant discrimination. But non-black Americans had one big advantage. We had the correct skin color. We eventually joined the club. We are today regarded as “white.”

The new paradigm is our only hope to defeat racism. Racial inequality is at the heart of everything wrong with America. If we conquer it, we can solve everything else because it’s all connected.

No blaming, no shaming, just working our way out of an inherently unfair system that we inherited.

Shedding our false superiority. That’s atonement. We are not working to liberate African Americans. We are working to liberate ourselves. Racism is bad for everyone, not just Black Americans.

Antiracism is good for us.

So is atonement.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

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Hephzibah steps up

OVID-19 has disrupted lives the world over, affecting the global economy and our day-to-day existence. Those who have borne the brunt of COVID’s negative effects, however, are those who are least equipped to withstand its relentless and repeated blows — including the children and families served by Hephzibah Children’s Association.

Despite the substantial financial impact involved, Hephzibah has stepped up its support of the children and families it serves by increasing its programs and spending to meet unexpected needs. As already-struggling families cope with additional hardships such as unemployment, rising food bills, and the management of e-learning, Hephzibah’s Family-Based Services team has kicked into high gear, providing groceries, face masks, school supplies, Chromebooks, Ventra cards, and household necessities. In response to an increasing need, Hephzibah has decided to double the number of intact families it serves.

On short notice, and after running a safe summer camp program, Hephzibah launched a new all-day daycare program with Oak Park District 97 to support e-learning and ensure that working parents could place their children in a safe, enriching environment each day. This crucial program is currently running, with nearly 200 children engaging in activities from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

Hephzibah has additionally ramped up its support of foster families who are shouldering added expenses and whose schools would normally be a source of classroom supplies and daily meals. These families have chosen to welcome children who need extra emotional, physical, medical, and educational assistance,

My friend has died

and Hephzibah is increasing its support of the extraordinary people who have opened their homes and hearts to children in need.

Hephzibah also provides indispensable help and healing to the 26 children who live at its therapeutic center, Hephzibah Home.

Staff members have been in overdrive and have successfully kept the children they care for on a healing path, despite the emotional strains of being confined to the Home.

Learning at the Home has also continued apace, with staff members showing an amazing ability to meet the challenges of managing virtual classes across a wide range of educational and emotional needs and grade levels.

None of the expanded services necessitated by COVID-19 have been easy to deliver and all of these interventions have increased agency expenses. Generous sponsors and donors, who understand that serving our most vulnerable population is a worthy investment, have partnered to help cover a portion of Hephzibah’s additional expenses, and the agency has been able to successfully attain a PPP loan. However, there remains a need for additional funds to continue to expand programs and support for children and families in crisis.

Hephzibah’s staff has worked tirelessly to provide extra help and raise additional funds to support the community’s vulnerable members during the pandemic, and they will continue to step up their efforts for the duration of the crisis.

Anyone interested in donating to Hephzibah Children’s Association can visit its website at: https:// www.hephzibahhome.org.

Beth Cannon is vice president and communications coordinator of Hephzibah’s Oak Park Auxiliary Board.

BETH

CANNON One View

On Sept. 18, I re-posted on Facebook a photo taken on the second anniversary of meeting the Amazing RBG at a Lyric Opera Company event. Two days later I was shedding tears, listening to what so many of the humanitarian folks I have long admired said about what she meant to them and to the world.

I agree that RBG was indeed an icon in so many ways that it isn’t necessary to repeat their words of well-deserved praise as we all know PTOVIDED these, but I want to add that she was more than a woman to be honored FEISTY MEETS FIERCE: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Rose Meyer connected and put on a pedestal to look at and during intermission at Lyric Opera in 2018. admire. She was a real caring human being you could talk to and iPad: “Though She Be But Little, She Is Fierce.” It know she listened to your words and felt your pain. We spoke to both of us, so we bumped fists, but she added spoke about how we both loved the opera and Shake“Feisty” instead of “Fierce,” and the look on my face in speare, and also about her contributions to the laws the photo is because I burst out laughing. that she knew had to be changed as we were both of an We may have met as strangers, but I believe we said age when we had to face many hurdles to climb up the “Goodbye” as friends as she left to return to Washingladder to be heard. ton because she had to be back for an upcoming vote.

I will always remember that she noticed the quote Rose Meyer from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” that covered my Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR ■ 250-word limit ■ Must include first and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

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

H O W

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

A one-year subscription costs $38 within Cook County and $45 outside of Cook County.

Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2020 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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Time to free WJ from the Facebook overlord

Graduated income tax is good for Illinois

In response to the current debate on the merits of a graduated income tax for Illinois, we want to share with readers that on Sunday, Sept. 13, an 83 percent majority of those voting in the Special Meeting of the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oak Park voted to endorse the proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that will be first on the ballot in November. This amendment will allow the state to implement a graduated income tax, also known as the Fair Tax amendment.

We take this rare step as Unitarian Universalists because we believe that now is the time to bring our values of justice, equity, and compassion to the public sphere. Justice and compassion demand that all Illinoisans have access to high-quality education and other human services. Equity requires that those who benefit the most in our society, and those who are most able to pay, bear their fair share of the burden to fund those services. Taxation and budgets are how our values as a people become policy. Thus for us, a just and equitable system of taxation is a moral imperative.

But Illinois does not have a just and equitable system of taxation because its Constitution mandates a flat income tax. As a

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

There are a growing number of us in the technology and advertising communities who have seen the effects of social media on our own families, as well as the alarming amount of personal data collected and shared about us to advertisers, other third parties and sometimes nefarious actors (i.e. Cambridge Analytica, Russian Troll Farms, etc.). What Tristan Harris, a former Google design ethicist, has done with the Center for Humane Technology is truly becoming a movement among many of us who have determined the current social network models of selling users as the product compromises many of our own personal standards for privacy in a democracy (Please watch “The Social Dilemma” on Netflix).

So why does Wednesday Journal and its

result, income inequality has increased as lower-income earners have had to bear a greater share of the tax burden. The state has made cuts to crucial services, denying many Illinoisans the lives of safety, dignity, and opportunity to which they are entitled.

Predictably, these inequities disproportionately impact people of color, and the catastrophic coronavirus pandemic has only exposed and worsened these problems.

The majority of our congregation who voted believes a graduated income tax is a necessary step toward creating a just, equitable, and compassionate society here in Illinois. Although the Illinois Constitution currently prohibits this fair and logical policy, Illinoisans have the chance to change that when they go to the polls on Nov. 3. If the Fair Tax amendment passes, Illinois will join the federal government and 32 other states, including most neighboring states, in implementing a more fair and equitable income tax. We encourage all Illinoisans to vote “Yes” for the Fair Tax.

nonprofit parent Growing Community Media insist on Facebook Connect to verify users in the comments section of online additions?

What information is Facebook scraping about us in our very personal relationship with our community? There are other technologies that can be employed to verify someone is an actual member of our own community.

I understand that independent media took a beating in a period of media consolidation and corporatization of newsrooms. It’s as if independent media had to surrender to the Social Media overlords to ensure relevance. Those times are changing and it is time for Wednesday Journal to cut the cords with Facebook.

Mark Miller

Oak Park

The ‘big stick’ approach

I was walking my laps in Mills Park last week when this happened: A boy, about 8 or 9, approached me and told me to stop. He was carrying a long stick. He pointed the stick at me and asked me what I was doing and where I was going. I told him I was taking my walk. He said “You got COVID?” I said I didn’t. He said I could pass.

Willa Shultz,

President, Board of Trustees Unity Temple Congregation Oak Park

Then his friend, also carrying a big stick, called out to a man who was working on the building roof: “Hey, you up there! What are you doing? You got COVID?” The man called down that he didn’t.

Today’s version of “cops and robbers.”

Mary Kay O’Grady

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

Another inane issue

Taking a name off my lawn sign In hyper-partisan Oak Park, I never thought I needed a political sign out on the front lawn in support of a particular candidate. I’ve been a Democrat since I was 6 years old, when my father took me to a Kennedy rally at the Teaneck Armory, just days before the 1960 election. Dad also was a volunteer for the local JFK campaign committee in Englewood, New Jersey. Surprisingly, my parents were the only Democrats in a family of Irish Catholics for decades.

Regardless, there is an altered Biden sign outside.

I’ve altered it because there is another name on the sign: State Senator Don Harmon. I’ve received questions and comments from my neighbors on why I have covered up the senator’s name with duct tape.

Like other people in Oak Park, Illinois’ 39th District, and throughout the state, I have issues with Sen. Harmon. Some of those issues include his effectiveness in resolving the state budget crisis, including public pension reform, and especially his efforts as part of the Democratic Party leadership to rebuff attempts to include a referendum on a ballot

to establish an independent mapping commission for voting districts.

Regarding that last issue, despite the federal intrusion by the Trump administration, the results of this year’s U.S. Census will be used for redrawing voting districts throughout the state. Without a referendum or legislation after this Census, the redistricting of Illinois will continue under the current procedures and partisan gerrymandering orchestrated in part by Don Harmon.

But that is not the reason I obscured Don Harmon’s name on the yard sign. My simple reason is that Sen. Harmon is not even on the ballot! Really, he was re-elected to the State Senate in 2018 for another four-year term. Why distract attention from the Biden/Harris ticket? There won’t be another vote on Don Harmon until 2022, so why is he on the signs now?

He’s no longer on the one in my yard.

sive issue! It reminds me of how it makes my heart warm to know how our Nuclear Weapons Free Zone has worked to eliminate nuclear weaponry all around the world! Unfortunately, no one told the governments of the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea.

One more thing: has the village board ever heard of an unforeseen circumstance? I can think of two: First we will burn more fossil fuels since it will be a longer distance to many places. Second, there will be more traffic on the parallel streets since drivers will still need to go the same direction they were going before they arrived at the “Safe Street.” And then the people who live on the parallel street will complain that there is too much traffic.

We need a safer street, too. Oh no!

Now what do we do? Create more “Safe Streets” or add more “Speed Tables”?

I am sure the board is happy to add more inane/time-wasting issues to their agenda.

The Oak Park Village Board has decided to solve another problem that does not exist. They want to provide a safe place to walk and run. Has the board never heard of sidewalks?

A sidewalk is defined by Webster as “a usually paved walk for pedestrians at the side of a street.” while it defines a street as “a: a thoroughfare especially in a city, town, or village that is wider than an alley or lane and that usually includes sidewalks; b: the part of a street reserved for vehicles.”

If you cannot figure out how to maintain social distancing on the sidewalk, I suggest you cross the street (Webster’s definition of street, not the village of Oak Park’s) or walk on the parkway.

So, walkers and runners can use the sidewalk and bikers can use the street since a bicycle is a vehicle, right? What about rollerblades, you may ask? I say go to a “Roller Rink.” It is designed for the use of roller skates and rollerblades.

I know this argument will make no difference to the village board since we lead the way in progressive politics. This is a progres-

Chris Donovan Oak Park

Where are the parents and consequences?

The teenagers who tore up the Mayor’s garden, painted f-bombs on sidewalks, threw objects at the windows, and disturbed the peace because they did not like the village board decision on defunding police were wrong. Their parents should be involved. The vandals should be punished by doing community service. Their actions should

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not be excused. The right way to protest is to attend meetings. Get involved and work for change.

Especially shame on board member Arti Walker-Peddakotla for not condemning their actions.

Midge Cogan Oak Park

Tom Shallenberger

Oak Park

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Send us an email, with your submission to WJ40@oakpark.com, by September 15, 2020

V I E W P O I N T S

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Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

29

Giving tax credit where credit is due

ith about one month to go before Illinoisans vote on whether to amend the state constitution and switch to a graduated income tax, let’s review two of the lesser-known tax policies embedded within the “Fair Tax.” Along with the well-publicized graduated tax rates, the “Fair Tax” includes a new Child Tax Credit of $100 per child for taxpayers earning below $60,000 that phases out as one reaches $100,000 in income. The “Fair Tax” also includes an increase in the Property Tax Credit from 5 to 6 percent.

Both tax credits are sound, progressive tax policies. There’s just one small problem: Neither requires a constitutional amendment.

Both tax credits could be implemented today under the current flat tax. The Property Tax Credit has been on the books since 1991. I don’t recall it ever being increased

until now, despite how much our crippling property tax burden has grown over the past few decades. Apparently this child tax credit was playing hide-andseek all these years, only to be found right before election time.

Using Governor Pritzker’s Fair Tax calculator, a married couple with $60,000 in income, two children and a $6,000 property tax bill would receive a $43 tax reduction without these added tax credits, a mere fraction of a fraction of a percent of what they pay today. That’s not even enough to cover the recent hike in license plate fees. But tack on these two tax credits and their tax reduction jumps to $300, a far more persuasive number. Basically, these tax credits are an Enron-esque attempt to gin up the “Fair Tax” numbers and hide the regressivity in the graduated tax rates for working families. And because the

“Fair Tax” marketing campaign wavers from poor to misleading to unethical, it leads voters to believe graduated rates are the magical source of the tax reduction, not these tax credits.

A recent study by the Institute of Taxation and Policy found that over the past 20 years, Black and Hispanic taxpayers paid $4 billion more than they would have under the “Fair Tax.” But as illustrated in the example above, the vast majority of that $4 billion would have resulted from these two tax credits, not a graduated income tax. Why has our Democrat-led state legislature willingly withheld billions of dollars from people of color for the better part of two decades when it was well within their existing taxing power to do something about it?

Furthermore, why weren’t these tax credits implemented this budget year? The

NICK

BINOTTI One View

“Fair Tax” squad obviously knows their value. Why, during a worldwide pandemic, did Gov. Pritzker choose to withhold hundreds of dollars from working families at a time when every dollar is needed, now more than ever?

Should the “Fair Tax” fail, these tax credits can still be implemented and improved. Double the property tax credit to 10 percent. Triple the child tax credit and raise the age limit. The personal exemption was $1,000 when it was first introduced 50 years ago. If it were indexed to inflation (another glaring deficiency of the “Fair Tax”), it would be over $6,700 today instead of $2,275. Raise that too. All are progressive changes as millionaires are not eligible for these tax credits.

Time is running out to check out the “Fair Tax” calculator. Just give credit where credit is due.

Nick Binotti is an Oak Park resident.

Access to justice needed more than ever

So many things have changed in our lives in the last six months. You probably have experienced unprecedented changes in your personal, family, community, school, and work lives this year. The COVID-19 pandemic and continuing incidents of racial injustice have impacted our lives in many ways.

Low-income people have felt the impact in the extreme, forced to face the pandemic and persistent injustices without resources to navigate or overcome their challenges. The access to justice gap between those who can afford to hire an attorney and those who cannot has grown larger and more dangerous. Increasing numbers of people are losing their housing, health care, jobs, education, benefits, and even lives, and do not have access to critical legal assistance.

According to the Aspen Institute, over one million Illinois residents and 40 million people nationwide are at risk of being evicted when the current moratorium expires. Unemployment and government benefit claims have skyrocketed, with frequent denials or delays. Medically vulnerable seniors are having difficulty obtaining critical advance directives. Victims of domestic violence are having trouble getting the protective orders they need for themselves and their children. The existence of sometimes decadesold criminal records is preventing

people from securing new jobs or obtaining new housing. And Black, Brown, and Latinx communities are impacted with all of these issues at a much higher rate, while also experiencing systemic racial injustices in our legal and economic systems.

Since 2011, Pro Bono Network has provided more than 24,000 hours of free legal services to low-income persons who otherwise would not have access to critical legal assistance.

This year, PBN staff, volunteers, and partner agencies have stepped up in whole new ways, and are creating methods to serve clients in need remotely and safely, using new technologies and adapting current projects. We have started new programs to address pandemic-related legal needs and racial inequities, including many of those mentioned above.

If you are an attorney who would like to help us seek justice for vulnerable people in Cook and DuPage counties, we have training sessions scheduled and opportunities available to get you started. We provide support, backup, and insurance. You provide your time and energy. Together, we can change someone’s life.

We have virtual trainings starting in late September. For more information you can visit volunteer.attorney or email info@pro-bono-network.org for more information.

Linda Rio

Executive director, Pro Bono Network

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

STREET ESCAPE: Some streets in Oak Park had a different look and feel this summer.

The Slow Streets program works From my viewpoint along Van Buren, and contrary to the writer in last week’s WJ [Slow Streets program is a failure, Viewpoints, Sept. 23], the Slow Streets program is successful. As soon as the signs were in place, I noticed a distinct reduction in the volume of traffic. Furthermore cars were moving more slowly. Before Slow Streets we had cars racing down the street, some even blowing through the stop sign at our corner.

It is wonderful to see families with young children biking along Van Buren, couples walking down the street, and friends walking and talking while being able to maintain a safe distance. The street has truly become multi-use.

I can’t speak for all of Oak Park, but where I live, Slow Streets works. I hope it continues in the future.

Bill Peterman Oak Park

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

T

When Dad’s work came home

he Sears catalogue would arrive on the porch of our Berwyn bungalow, and we’d want to know which of its photos Dad had retouched at the office. He worked at the R.R. Donnelley’s & Sons printing company, located near Lake Michigan on Cermak Road. Donnelley’s stood, in the ’50s and ’60s, as one of the world’s largest printing companies, churning out Time and Life magazines, mail-order catalogues, telephone books, Sports Illustrated, and much to Dad’s moral consternation, Playboy.

Many of the families in our neighborhood would receive the Sears catalogues on the same days. The thick, fall and spring books comprised over 600 pages, displaying everything from clothing to hardware to appliances.

But it was the Christmas catalogue’s arrival, filled with all the sparkling toys, that really got kids’ attention. Perusing its pages made possible my Christmas lists. I found my favorite holiday gift of all, the “Fighting Lady” battleship, in one of them.

Dad would explain which of the pictures he had fine-tuned. His editing focused on color and shading.

We’d compliment and critique his handiwork. He’d explain how each photo’s colors actually arrived at his desk in multiple, overlaid negatives. Jumping past the technicalities, my sisters would press and tease him about which women’s underwear pages he might have had a hand in beautifying.

These review sessions with Dad helped make his work real to me, even though he carried it out at a place in the city which I only visited once or twice.

He was loyal to Donnelley’s. His department formed a very good softball team that played at Grant Park.

I’d watch some of the games, and got to know his teammates. Dad pitched and played left field; he threw “lefty” and batted “righty.”

When I was little, I was naïve enough to assume that somehow, the “R and R” in the company name had something to do with Dad and me; after all, he was Richard Sr., and I was Richard Jr. Maybe, I figured, the “& Sons” part referred to me and his co-workers’ boys.

So I was, for a few years at least, a little awestruck by what Dad did in his work. He labored in this plant by the lake but made it seem close to home.

By the time I was a dad, beginning in the late 1980s, first in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and then in Oak Park, it was easier to make my work tangible to my kids because I worked, in part, at home. I’d prepare for the Political Science classes I taught at Penn State; my daughter would push open the door, walk into my

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Moving day: These empty cubes hold many memories Several readers asked us to reprint some of the late John Hubbuch’s columns.

This one ran on July 19, 2006: oving residences is a very old and universal experience for humans. Even Adam and Eve had to look for a new place after God served them an eviction notice in the Garden of Eden.

I have never been very sentimental about moving because I believe in the Cube View of Housing. The rooms in your apartment, house or castle are cubes. There are sleeping, eating, relaxing and personal hygiene cubes stacked on top of one another. You then decorate and fill your cubes with lots of stuff that television tells you you simply must have. The more cubes you have, and the more stuff you put in your cubes, the happier you are.

Supposedly.

So here I sit in a folding chair in the middle of my house waiting for the movers to come, but I feel kind of sad. I walk through the rooms and cinema-like images flicker through my brain. Marsha and I and our three boys have lived here on the 1200 block of Belleforte for almost 20 years. 100 birthday celebrations. 20 Father’s Days. 20 Mother’s Days. 20 block parties. 20 progressive block dinners. Lots of team soccer, baseball and basketball parties at our pool. First steps.

First dates. First cuts from teams.

Lots of successes. Some disappointments. Our children grew from boys into men in these rooms, in this place.

M

RICH

KORDESH One View

PROVIDED

R.R. Donnelley & Sons building on Cermak Road office in the basement, and ask if she could “type on my file.” Occasionally, I took her with me to campus.

In the capitol, she and her brother, one of whom I was holding, appeared in a photo session with the governor and members of the policy council I staffed.

After we had moved to Oak Park, my kids got to visit sites of projects in the city on which I worked.

They helped in our vegetable garden, which became a subject of my writing. Two of them went with me on separate trips to Ethiopia, where I taught for a few years. With my research focused in part on the roles of families in community development, their presence infused that particular scholarly agenda with an intimate grounding in reality.

What a wonder it is now, then, that as a grandfather living in Chicago’s South Loop, I can take my 2-yearold granddaughter for a walk on the very sidewalk along which the now former Donnelley’s plant sits.

Mayor Daley declared it a Chicago Landmark in 2004.

Today, it houses insurance and tech companies, but Donnelley’s symbols and lettering still adorn its façade. I can see its tower from the 18th Street overpass, near Soldier Field. When my granddaughter is a little older, I’ll explain to her that in that building, years ago, my daddy made colorful pictures of toys that came in a great big book right to our house.

Rich Kordesh grew up in Berwyn, raised his kids in Oak Park, lives in Chicago, and will soon return to Oak Park.

The kitchen where I would prepare eight pieces of sugar toast each morning, so Nick would gain weight for sports.

The bathroom upstairs where 9-year-old Phil wrestled a 5-pound Oscar fish into a giant water-filled bag while we laughed until we cried.

The back porch where we hosted a giant graduation party the night Steve Kerr sank the jump shot off Jordan’s pass to win another NBA championship.

The basement where the boys played for hours on the Jordan jammer and the mini soccer goals, while I served as coach, announcer, scorekeeper and security?#34;all at the same time.

The living room where I would drink a six-pack of Stroh’s, smoke a pack of Marlboro’s and sing Mellenkamp’s “Hurt So Good” over and over until Marsha told me to shut up. Another reason I quit drinking.

Maybe these rooms aren’t just cubes of plaster, lumber and dry wall. Maybe they aren’t just places where we temporarily put our sofas, tables, chairs, beds, pictures and decorative landfill.

Your house is where you make the memories that define who you are and what you value. And if that’s so, then moving to a new home is an opportunity to start anew. Our new house is where we will celebrate future holidays and birthdays. First grandkids. It’s where we will retire. New neighbors. New block parties.

One door closes. Another opens.

JOHN

HUBBUCH

Got a kid in college? We need their vote

To magnify our impact on the November election, many of us are focusing on competitive congressional or senate races outside our district by donating money, writing postcards, or phone banking.

Here is another high impact task that’s close to home.

In central Illinois, the race in the 13th Congressional District of Illinois (IL13) is very close. IL13 includes University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and Illinois State University (ISU) campuses. In 2018, Democrat

Betsy Dirksen Londrigan almost flipped the district, losing by only 0.76 percent. This year Londrigan is running again.

What’s our connection? UIUC enrolls the most OPRF High School graduates of any school after Triton, according to 2006-2019 data, and ISU is 7th on that list; around 250 OPRF students were attending college in IL13 at any one time.The Fall 2020 enrollment numbers from UIUC alone say there are 243 enrolled students associated with OPRF zip codes.

In other words, our students represent about 12 percent or more of the margin of victory two years ago.

I propose we talk to our friends and neighbors and get out the vote of these 250-300 students in IL13.

For more information about voter registration and early voting at UIUC, here is a link to the Champaign County Clerk: tinyurl.com/champ-cc Is your friend’s kid out of state? I’ve got you covered. Check if their campus is in a

competitive race with this spreadsheet — tinyurl.com/campus-competitive-2020. I’ve included the county to help you check the voter registration requirements.

The 2020 election is too important to leave votes on the table, especially in swing districts and states. If you are the parent or friend of a college student, especially one eligible to vote in a competitive election, talk to them and get them to vote.

Frank Hansen Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

presents

A Wednesday Journal & A Tribe Called Aging Production

wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L

Our Covid-19 free gift to the community - watch it free on ZOOM in your own home

Appreciating the beauty of impermanence, a quarterly Film Series encouraging everyone to embrace and respect our aging population and the transformation of our society.

Here

Awhile

Friday, October 16 • 10am In this sweet and beautiful film, Anna returns home to Portland to reconnect with her estranged brother after 15 years apart and what feels like a lifetime of guilt. Under the guise of reconnecting, Anna needs her brother’s support to make an important life decision that puts a new strain on their recently repaired relationship. Terminally ill Anna has returned in order to use the Oregon death with dignity law. By spending time with her grown brother, his girlfriend, her own life partner and a quirky neighbor, Anna and the group form a bond that strengthens their relationships more than she could have ever expected. In each of their own ways, they learn to celebrate life, love and maximize the time that they have together.

JOINING US FOR POST-FILM Q+A/DISCUSSION IS DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER TIM TRUE AND CO-WRITER CSABA MERA.

Signature Sponsors

Non Profit Patron Sponsors

Oak Park Township/River Forest Township

Learn more and register at: wabi-sabi-here-awhile.eventbrite.com

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O B I T U A R I E S

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

Roberta Sullivan, 80 Chicago public school teacher

Roberta D. (Bobbie) Sullivan, 80, of Forest Park, formerly of Oak Park, died on Sept. 21, 2020. Born on April 13, 1940, daughter of the late John and Nora Dougherty, she was a graduate of St. Luke Grade School, Trinity High School and Rosary College. A retired Chicago public school teacher, she loved family, friends, music, travel (especially Puerto Vallarta), reading, dinners with the “pot-luckers”, old musicals, Blackhawks hockey, slide shows, playing canasta, Lily Lake, margaritas and a good laugh (“A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants.”)

Bobbie Sullivan was the wife of the late Thomas E. Sullivan; the mother of Maura (Paul) Priem; the grandmother of Thomas, Jack and Paul Priem; the baby sister of Norene “Bliss” Gillespie, Mary Eileen “Bunny” Mullins and the late Jack (the late Lois) Dougherty; the aunt, great-aunt and greatgreat-aunt (aka “Aunt Bobbie,” “Tante,” and “Tia”) of many, many nieces and nephews (blood and “adopted”); and the cousin and niece of many.

Thanks to the “village” of family, friends and caregivers who provided support, friendship, entertainment and distractions over the past few years, especially the staff of Brookdale and Brookdale Hospice of Oak Park, and her in-home, end-of-life caregiv-

ers, Pam W. and Anna W. Interment was held on Sept. 25 at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Thomas E. Sullivan Scholarship Gift Fund, c/o Fidelity Charitable Investments, 920 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 or Just Live (justliveinc.org) are appreciated.

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

Martha Lubben, 88

1953. Together, they had three children.

Michael, Lucy (Steve) and (the late) John E. Lubben. She was the grandmother of 10 (Steven, Michael, Kristin, Joshua, Ryan, Lauren, Tim, Jamey, Nicole, and Jaymee), great grandmother of 10 (Marie, Ivan, Jack, Will, Nicole, Anna, Camden, Emmie, Landon and Gage), sister of (the late) Edward, William and Samuel, and the aunt of many.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Heart Association.

John Quane, 68

Owner of The Pour House in Berwyn Martha L. “Marty” Lubben, 88, a longtime resident of Oak Park, died peacefully on Sept.

23, 2020 at Loyola Medical Center.

Born on July 11, 1932, she was the owner of The Pour House in Berwyn for many years along with her husband (the late) John H. Lubben. An avid bowler for many, many years, she was a hospital volunteer at Oak Park Hospital and member of several senior card and bingo clubs. She also enjoyed spending time with her large extended family and especially loved playing cards and games with her grandchildren/greatgrandchildren and did not ever let them win! She was a 50-plus-year member of St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Oak Park.

Marty married John H. Lubben in May,

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Teacher, photographer, advocate for equity

John Leo Vincent Quane, 68, of Oak Park, died on Sept. 22, 2020. Born on Feb. 15, 1952 and raised on the West Side of Chicago, he attended St. Angela Grammar School and St. Patrick High School, where he was on the wrestling team for four years. A graduate of Northern Illinois University, he received a master’s degree from the University of Chicago. His life was filled with family, service to community, and a love of art, sports, and music. He loved coaching his daughter’s softball teams. He cared for and connected with all of their friends. He was a hero to his daughters.

John worked as a classroom teacher and administrator for Chicago Public Schools for 35 years. He loved his work teaching and learning with children and was a passionate advocate for justice and equity in the public school system. In his retirement, he loved to travel and was a prolific photographer. He captured the beauty of

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL

LaVergne Fanta, 92 Volunteer at the Home & Studio gift shop

LaVergne Fanta, age 92, of Oak Park, died on Sept. 27, 2020. Born on Feb. 25, 1928, she was a longtime volunteer in the gift shop of the Frank Lloyd Home & Studio, and a former longtime member of the Women’s Club of the Illinois Institute of Technology.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband and sons in the United States and Europe.

LaVergne was the wife of the late Paul E. Fanta and the mother of David and John (Jane) Fanta.

Services are private.

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

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/467-9066 before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

of Oak Park and River Forest

Voting by Mail?

the world and its people, and it gave him joy to share his images with others. We are so grateful for the way you spread love through our lives, John. We will never forget you and we are stronger for having you.

John Quane was the father of Abigail, Amelia, and Alegra Quane; the brother of Robert (Joanne), Maureen Quane, Frances (Dennis) Kube, Anita (Marv) Szidon, and Terrence (Hortencia); son of the late Robert and Cecile Quane; former husband of the late Patricia Guajardo Quane; and the uncle, brother, and cousin to the Quane, O’Reilly, Conrad, and Guajardo families.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Angela School or St. Patrick High School, both of Chicago.

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

Important: Mark and return your ballot as soon as possible. Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received at the Cook County Clerk’s office within 14 days after Election Day.

Once your application is verified, a paper ballot will be sent in early October to the mailing address designated on your application All vote-by-mail ballots come with postage-paid ballot return envelopes Return your ballot:

New! Deliver it to a secured drop box at any Cook County early voting location Via standard U.S. mail (must be postmarked by Election Day, November 3 at the latest) Important: Mark and return your ballot as soon as possible to ensure that your ballot arrives at the Cook County Clerk’s office within 14 days after Election Day.

Key dates October 6 Last to register by paper application October 7- November 2 Grace period registration and voting (in person) October 18 Last day to register online October 19 -November 2 Early voting period October 29 Last day to request a mail ballot November 3 Election Day and last day mail ballots can be postmarked

Learn more at: Cookcountyclerk.com/agency/register-vote

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

33

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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

Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion.

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

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

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

HELP WANTED

FLOATER YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST Hephzibah Children’s Association is a social service agency in Oak Park, IL providing a variety of programs including Residential Group Homes, Foster Care programs and other Family Based services and Day Care.

ANIMAL ASSISTANT Part—time Animal Assistant. 25 hours per week. Will train. Call Prairie State Animal Hospital 708-5249720 to get application to fill out.

We are accepting applications for part time Floater Youth Development Specialists in our Day Care program for the 20-21 school year.

You will assist with e-learning and provide supervision and care to 5-11-year-old (Kindergarten-5th grade) children in the Oak Park community.

The position is part time, as needed, between the hours of 7:20 am and 3:20 pm weekdays – approximately 16-24 hours per week.

Requirements include: • Minimum of 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work, or related college courses • Experience working with children You will supervise and assist children with e-learning programs; plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help, lunchtime, snack time and more.

The program follows the safety guidelines of the IDPH including daily health screening of all staff and participations (temperature check and health questionnaire) required face masks, social distancing and cleaning & disinfecting.

Contact: MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer Retirement Actuarial Consultant sought by Aon Consulting, Inc. in Chicago, IL to work under minimal supervision to assess the short & long-term costs of pension, retirement, & rltd medical benefits plans. Will travel to various & unanticipated worksites throughout the US. Tuition reimbursement available for actuarial exams & rltd training. Reqs a Bach deg in actuarial sci, actuarial mathematics, mathematics, or a rltd field + 6 mos of retirement actuarial exp. Must have 6 mos of exp in each of the following: Assessing the short & long-term costs of pension, retirement, & rltd medical benefits plans; Utilizing ProVal valuation s/ware to calculate pension valuations; Collecting & analyzing data to perform annual valuations rltd to plan administration & govt compliance; Calculating actuarial data & actuarial assessments to project (both stochastic & deterministic) long-term fin’l info for pension & post-retirement plans; & Preparing funding & acctg reports for defined benefit pension plans.

Must have passed the following SOA actuarial exams: exam FM (fin’l mathematics); exam P (probability); exam IFM (investment & fin’l mkts) (formerly exam MFE); exam LTAM (long-term actuarial mathematics) (formerly exam MLC); exam STAM (short-term actuarial mathematics) (formerly exam C), or the equiv CAS or foreign actuarial exams. Interested candidates must fax resume to 312-381-9423 & cite job title in response.

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER PART-TIME Part-time Electrician’s Helper.

Must have own transportation.

Call for more info.

708-738-3848 HAPPY KIDD’S WEST INC. 6928 W 16th St Berwyn, IL 60513 We are seeking a Director and 2 teachers. Director must be qualified and have Associate’s degree or equivalent. Teachers must be director or teacher qualified. Mon thru Fri. working with Infants to 6 yrs old. Compensable salary negotiable based on experience.

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

Senior Consultant sought by Aon Consulting, Inc. in Chicago, IL to perform health & benefits strategy & actuarial consulting. May work from home as needed.

Tuition reimbursement available for rltd exams & training. May travel to various & unanticipated worksites throughout the US. Reqs a Bach deg in Fin’l Actuarial Mathematics, Actuarial Sci, or a rltd field + 3 yrs of health & benefits actuarial consulting exp. Must have at least 3 yrs of exp in each of the following: Providing actuarial consulting for benefit strategy, goal setting, benchmarking, plan dsgn, pricing strategy, budget setting, & bid/selection projects; Providing actuarial client svcs incl taking ownership of outcomes, strategizing client needs, delegating tasks, & bldg client relationships; Performing peer review of docs; Explaining actuarial methodology & results; & Providing business dvlpmt support.

Must be a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries or Associate of the Society of Actuaries. Candidates must fax resume to 312-381-9423 & cite job title in response.

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE LOCAL REALTOR ANGELIQUE Actively looking to guide BUYERS and SELLERS in the home buying/ selling process. The market is HOT right now. Call someone who will work diligently, honorably, and incredibly hard for you and your real estate needs. You are my priority, and it will show. I put in the work to stay current and educated on market trends in order to get you the most money for your property or the best deal on your new purchase.

Call/text/email me today! alohnes@daprileproperties.com 708-663-3028

You have jobs.

We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified!

Call 708/613-3333

SUBURBAN RENTALS FOREST PARK 3BR 3 BR apt, 2nd oor, w/ dining rm and breakfast nook. New kitchen w/ granite & stainless. New baths central air, free laundry. Garage space included. 2 blks to blue line. $1800 + deposit & credit check required.

312-802-8291 COZY TOWN HOME FOR RENT Cozy Town Home for Rent. Two bedroom, One Bath, with partial finished basement and washer and dryer. 1 block from the amazing Lincoln Elementary School. Walk to the Blue Line, Grocery Store, Cafe, Ice Cream Shop, and great parks. One parking space included. Tenant pays all utilities. One month rent and one month security deposit required.

Credit check required. Owner pays water and refuse. $1450. Available October 15, 2020.

Please email townhomeoakpark@gmail.com for inquiries.

OAK PARK 2BR 2BA CONDO Condo for rent on a great location near downtown oak park: 2 bedroom 2 bath condo, only electric bill not included. $1600 a month, $1600 deposit. For more information please call 224-475-7929.

OAK PARK: ROOSEVELT/ OAK PARK AVE. CORRIDOR 2BR 4RMS close to blue line. On site laundry, parking, heat & water incl. $1200/ month 708-383-9223 WESTCHESTER 3BR 1.5BA Westchester 2nd oor apartment for rent. 3BR, 1.5BA. Heat & water, appliances incl. 1 parking space incl.

Garage space avai. $1450 plus 1.5 mo security. Avail. Oct. 1.

708-642-1408

SUBURBAN RENTALS

CITY RENTALS 3BR APT FOR RENT 4949 W IOWA $1200/mo. Application required.

Non-refunded $600 move-in fee.

Call between 10am and 7pm.

773-626-5994

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

DELUXE 3BR APT DELUXE 3BR APT 5955 W HURON First Floor. Large kitchen, all electric appliances. Near West Suburban Hospital. Near all public trans. $1150/mo.

Call 773-637-8677 for appt.

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

OAK PARK–6597 North Ave. *598 sq. ft.

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

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL SPACE

GARAGE/YARD SALES

A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN A 6-SPACE SHOPPING CENTER: 1600 Sq Ft. • 321-B S. Harlem Ave./Madison St. area - Forest Park, IL. • Very Good Condition – Recently Updated. • Heavy foot/road traffic area. • End space. 45-Space Parking Lot! • For more details: Serious Inquiries ONLY: CALL/TEXT, at: Or: D.B. (708) 828-6491

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT DOWNTOWN OAK PARK Downtown Oak Park, on Marion St. Nice office with skylight. Heat and A/C included. Approx 220 sf.

Call Mr. McNamara 630-215-3253 Buying? Selling? Renting? Hiring?

Wednesday Classified 708-613-3333

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Oak Park

GARAGE SALE 531 FAIR OAKS ALLEY SAT 10/3 8AM TO 11AM

C O N C R E T E C O N S T RU C T I O N “QUALITY IS OUR FOUNDATION� ESTABLISHED IN 1987

COMMERCIAL ˜ INDUSTRIAL ˜ RESIDENTIAL

708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL

ITEMS FOR SALE DECK FURNITURE 48â&#x20AC;?wicker patio table with glass top, plus 4 chairs (2 swivel) and matching umbrella. Small side table with glass top too. Best offer.

708-528-0896 FURNITURE ITEMS FOR SALE American Leather Comfort Sleeper Queen size. $400 obo.

7ft Cloth Couch w/ Wood Trim $175 obo.

Double Bed Set With dresser and nightstand. $125 obo Lounge Chair & Foot Stool Fabric and wood. $25 obo Vintage metal Porch Chair, Rocker & Table $150 obo Metro Shelving Tea Cart 30 inches w/ Quartz top $35 obo

Ceiling Fans Installed

OPEN VIEWING 200 ADDISON RD RIVERSIDE SAT 10/3 & SUN 10/4 NOON TO 4PM

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ďŹ&#x201A;ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; lead, plastic â&#x20AC;&#x201C; other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

PETS While youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

Teak 2 seat Porch Bench $45 obo

For appointment to view call 773-879-5578

ELECTRICAL

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors â&#x20AC;˘ Home Re-wiring â&#x20AC;˘ New Plugs & Switches Added â&#x20AC;˘ New circuit breaker boxes â&#x20AC;˘ Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp â&#x20AC;˘ Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â&#x20AC;˘ Bonded â&#x20AC;˘ Ins. â&#x20AC;˘ Low Rates â&#x20AC;˘ Free Est.

Danby 21 inch Refrigerator $50 obo

For pictures email alek6185@gmail.com

CEMENT

MAGANA

Furniture - desks, tables, chairs, bureaus, other home furnishings, camping and sports gear, bike and other household items. Come masked up and ready to shop.

30 inch Frigidaire With top freezer. $150 obo

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

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

CEMENT

cat calls

Oak Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Original Pet Care Service â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Since 1986

Daily dog exercising Complete pet care in your home )PVTF TJUUJOH t 1MBOU DBSF Bonded References

Lost & Found, Items for Sale run free in Wednesday Classified. Call

524-1030

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

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

GARAGE DOORS Our 73rd Year

Garage Doors &

Smart Door Openers

Sales & Service Free Estimates

(708) 652-9415 www.forestdoor.com

and To Be Given Away ads 708-613-3342 to place an ad.

34

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

CLASSIFIED HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

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

708-296-2060

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

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

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

HVAC HHHHHHHHHHHH H H H HUGHS HVAC H H H Furnace tuneup – H repairs on all models H H *clean burner *check H H H belts on blower H H H *check pumps on hot- H H water units & zone valves. H H 708-556-7895 H H Licensed • Bonded • Insured H H Serving the near-west suburbs. H H H HHHHHHHHHHHH

LANDSCAPING NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more.

Hand weed removal.

Clean-ups.

Call 24 hrs.

708-447-1762

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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

LANDSCAPING

Secret Gardener

PUBLIC NOTICES

The

WEEDING 8"5&3*/( o 1-"/5*/(

Old-fashioned, common-sense gardening, with no herbicides or power tools.

708-899-8967

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Subject Property Address(es): 640 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

About GoTo: It’s free for you to view. Watch it from your phone or tablet, live at the meeting time or later as a recording. In addition, dial in is available just like a conference call.

Proposed Development: New Pete’s Fresh Market grocery store

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Virtual Location (will feature video Presentation and drawings of the Project)

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

773-637-0692

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLIONIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

SCOTT J. LEVY (32596) Attorney for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street, Suite 504 Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS )

) ss COUNTY OF COOK )

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Request of Kazimir Hugh Boyle Case Number. 20 M4 2415

Published in Wednesday Journal 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/2020

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Kazimir Hugh Boyle to the new name of: Kazimir Huard Boyle

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: Y20004465 on September 22, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of SUGA BAKERS with the business located at 153 23RD AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KEELIE BANKS, V 153 23RD AVE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104

The court date will be held: on 10/27/2020 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Dr., Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # 111.

Published in Wednesday Journal 9/16, 9/23, 9/30/2020

LEGAL NOTICE Dr. Linda Oster DDS. and Marion Street Dental, LTD. will be closing November 1, 2020. After November 1, inquiries handled by custodian at: MSD2020@mail.com Published in Wednesday Journal 9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/2020

To submit comments, email contact: Eleni Pecoraro at eleni@api-architects.net If you can’t make the meeting: We will record it and post it for you to watch at a later time!

Published in Wednesday Journal September 23 and 30, 2020

In re the Marriage of ELVIA MENDOZA, Petitioner, and JOSÉ ELIAS ZAVALA ÁLVAREZ, Respondent, Case Number 2020D-006515.

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, on or before October 31, 2020, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

MIDWEST ROOFING

Purpose of Meeting: Pre-Planned Development Submittal Discussion

Go To Invite Link: Please contact Eleni Pecoraro via email at eleni@api-architects.net

Work Guaranteed

ROOFING

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF VIRTUAL NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

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

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME

PUBLIC NOTICES

Date: Thursday, October 8th on GoTo Virtual Meeting service

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PUBLIC NOTICES

Published in Forest Park Review 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/2020

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: 20004498 on September 23, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of LAMAR’S T-SHIRTS with the business located at: 310 S. 7TH AVE., MAYWOOD, IL 60513. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: LAMAR DUGGER, 310 S. 7TH AVE., MAYWOOD, IL 60153

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: Y20004605 on September 24, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of DESIGN WORKS & GRAPHICS with the business located at: 1108 FERDINAND AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ROBERT KNUTH 1108 FERDINAND AVE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130

Published in Forest Park Review 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/12020

Published in Forest Park Review 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/2020

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter: The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Laura and Andrew Maychruk,owners of the property at 210 Gale Avenue, who are proposing to construct a new detached garage in the rear yard.

Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance.

The applicants are requesting a major variation to Section 10-9-6 that would allow the new garage to have a maximum height of 23 feet - 0½ inches (23’-0½”). The Zoning Ordinance allows accessory buildings to have a maximum height of 18 feet (18’-0”).

The legal description of the property at 210 Gale Avenue is as follows: LOT 1 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 3 FEET THEREOF) IN CHARLES D. BROWN’S SUBDIVISION OF THE SOUTH 1/2 OF LOT 3 AND ALL OF LOT 4 IN BLOCK 2 IN EDWARD C. WALLER’S ADDITION TO RIVER FOREST IN THE SOUTHEAST 1/4 OF SECTION 11, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www.vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www.vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing.

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www.vrf.us/zoningvariation.

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: Y20004554 on September 23, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of NGREEN PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS with the business located at: 3013 S. WOLF RD #247, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: NATALIE GREEN 2007 S. 8TH AVE. MAYWOOD, IL 60153.

Published in Forest Park Review 9/30, 10/7, 10/14/2020

LAW OFFICES OF MALIKA T. ASSAR, P.C., Attorney for Petitioner, 420 West Huron Street, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL 60654.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, COUNTY OF COOK, ssCircuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division In re the Marriage of Farzana Khan, Petitioner, and Mohammed Hussain, Respondent, No. 2020 D 006030.

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

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance to said Petition and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before November 3, 2020, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

Dorothy A. Brown, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal September 30, October 7 and October 14, 2020.

Sincerely, Clifford Radatz Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal September 30, 2020

Starting a New Business?

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice Here.

Call for details: 708/613-3342

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: October 15, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 11-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use application filed by the Applicant, Don Oliphant, pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix”) of the Oak Park Zoning District to construct and operate a drive-through facility at the property located at 6209 North Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-05-102032-0000 in the NA North Avenue District.

In addition, the Applicant seeks a variance from Sections 8.4 (I) (6) of the Zoning Ordinance which requires that a drive through lane must have bail-out capability for all vehicles that have entered the drive through lane and that the bail-out lane shall be a minimum width of 10 feet. The proposed bail-out lane features a menu board that would prevent all vehicles within the drive through lane from having bail-out capacity.

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

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and

ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2020. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom webconference means or by phone.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal September 30, 2020

STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/ Zoning Board Of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/ Zoning Board Of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:00 P.M., in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at 6:00 P.M., in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for additions and amendments to Title 17 of the North Riverside Zoning Ordinance Chapters 5 thru 8 to accommodate a single list for all permitted and conditional permitted uses.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for additions and amendments to Title 17 of the North Riverside Zoning Ordinance Chapter 12 Administration and Enforcement.

Applicant: Village of North Riverside 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546

Applicant: Village of North Riverside 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside

Village of North Riverside

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in RB Landmark 9/30/2020

Published in RB Landmark 9/30/2020

Attention! Home-improvement pros!

Reach the people making decisions. Advertise in Wednesday Classified.

Call 708/613-3342

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: October 15, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 10-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on an application for a special use permit filed by the Applicant, Antonio Durham, to operate an educational facility-vocational use pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix”) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance to permit a Glitter Nail Academy at the property located at 238-240 Madison Street, Property Index Number 16-08-319026-0000 in the DT Downtown Zoning District.

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

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2020.

An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Published in Wednesday Journal September 30, 2020

REQUEST FOR AUDIT PROPOSALS The Oak Park (IL) Housing Authority, a local public housing authority, and the Oak Park Residence Corporation, a not-for-profit housing development corporation, are each seeking proposals for audits of their books and records for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020. The chosen firm will also be responsible for preparing the annual Federal and Illinois income tax returns for the subject entities. Proposals may be submitted for either or both audits.

Respondents must be experienced in HUD accounting techniques and requirements. For the complete RFP, including instructions for the submission of your proposal(s), please go to https://www.oakparkrc. com/rfps-rfqs. Proposals are due by 2:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Published in Wednesday Journal 9/30/2020 PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of BERNEITA B. HINES-WILLIAMS Case Number 20204004264.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: BERNEITA B. HINES-WILLIAMS to the new name of: BERNEITA BRADDY HINES The court date will be held: On November 24, 2020 at 9:30 am at 1400 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, IL 60153 in Courtroom # 112 /s BERNEITA B. HINES-WILLIAMS Published in Wednesday Journal 9/30, 10/7, 1014/2020

35

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: October 15, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 06-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a special use application filed by the Applicant, Donn Todd, to operate a contractor shop, Tayloe Glass currently operating at 301 South Boulevard pursuant to Section 8.3 (“Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance at the property located at 248 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 1608-319-022-0000 in the MS Madison Street Zoning District.

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

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the

COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 17, 2020. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oakpark.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom webconference means or by phone.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal September 30, 2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS LEGAL TITLE TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2016 SC6 TITLE TRUST Plaintiff, -v.EDILBERTO V. VERZO, MARCELINA C. VERZO, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019CH05533 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 23, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 28, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 300-302 NORTH CUYLER AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-107-0090000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the

residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in

order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-04111 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH05533 TJSC#: 40-2200 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2019CH05533 I3156607 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST; Plaintiff, vs.

LORNA J. RANKER; CHARLES K.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

SECTION 001100 – ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID PROJECT:

Field Stevenson/ Forest Park Middle School Compressor Replacement Project 925 Beloit Ave Forest Park, IL 60130 Project No. 200147

ARCHITECT: Wight & Company 2500 North Frontage Road Darien, Illinois 60561 OWNER:

Board of Education Attn: Bob Laudadio Forest Park School District #91 424 Des Plaines Ave Forest Park, IL 60130

Sealed bids will be received in duplicate by the Owner to the attention of Bob Laudadio at the place, date and time stated below and there publicly opened and read: PLACE:

Forest Park School District #91 424 Des Plaines Ave Forest Park, IL 60130

DATE:

October 20, 2020

TIME:

10:00 am

Any proposal received after the time and date stated above will be returned to the Bidder unopened.

The competency and responsibility of the Bidders will be considered in making awards.

Bid security in the form of a certified check, cashier's check, or bid bond made payable to Forest Park School District #91 in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid is required of all parties submitting a proposal.

One proposal will be received for the complete scope of work.

Plans and specifications can be obtained through BuildingConnected (https://www.buildingconnected. com). All addenda and bidding related correspondence will be distributed on this website. The drawings and specification files for the project are available at no cost and can be viewed on the BuildingConnected website www.buildingconnected.com in the public plan room section of the website. Wight and Company can arrange access for prospective bidders to view and download plans free of charge. Send plan access requests to Mr. Jitendra Valmik at Wight & Company at jvalmik@wightco.com or Ms. Beth Hills at bhills@ wightco.com.

Plans and specifications will be available on the BuildingConnected website (https://www.buildingconnected. com) on Tuesday, October 6th, 2020 after 1:00 pm.

There will not be a scheduled pre-bid meeting.

However, any bidder who wants to visit site prior to bid opening can coordinate their visit with Bob. See contact detail below: Bob Laudadio Forest Park School District #91 424 Des Plaines Ave Forest Park, IL 60130 rlaudadio@fpsd91.org Work #708-366-5700 ext. 313 The Owner reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, and to waive informalities to any bid when such is deemed by the Owner to be in the Owner's own best interests.

This advertisement is issued in the name of Forest Park School District #91.

END OF SECTION 001100

Published in Forest Park Review September 30, 2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

RANKER; CITIZENS BANK NA; Defendants, 18 CH 2459 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-327-034-0000.

Commonly known as 1185 S. LOMBARD AVE., OAK PARK, IL 60304.

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

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 18-04613 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3156269

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on September 11, 2012, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on October 27, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1526 N. AUSTIN BLVD., OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-106-020; 16-05-106-021 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

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

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

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a

mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

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

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

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

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-12-14848 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 12 CH 019546 TJSC#: 40-2199 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 12 CH 019546 I3156592

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.ORA L. WADE, GERALD NORDGREN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR JESSIE BRUMFIELD (DECEASED) Defendants 12 CH 019546 1526 N. AUSTIN BLVD. OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE

36

Wednesday Journal, September 30, 2020

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1147 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

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THE ARCHITECTURAL INTEGRITY of this 4 BR, 3BA farmhouse has been preserved whenever updates were completed. Double door entry, antique light fixture, hardwood flooring, art glass windows, natural trim work and high ceilings are found throughout this home.............................................................................$625,000

GRAND SPRAWLING HOME with an abundance of interior and exterior living areas. 5 BRs, upstairs laundry, 3 full & 1 half BAs, 3 fireplaces, full basement with recreation room. Grand two story family room incorporated into an open plan kitchen. Hardwood floors throughout main level. ............................................ $787,000

815 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC HOME offers everything for today’s modern living. Custom-built home has the highest quality finishes. No detail was missed. Brick and stone exterior, wrap-around porch, eleven-foot ceilings and oversized windows. LL has 2,000 feet of living area............ ........................................................................................................$1,295,000 ELEGANT CRAFTSMANSHIP can be found throughout this 5 BR French Normandy home. Sophistication is evident from the moment you walk in the door. Impressive foyer, formal LR with fireplace and built-in benches, family room, separate formal DR, updated kitchen, home office. ..................................................................................$1,100,000 STATELY HOME located on a picturesque River Forest block! This 5 bedroom, 3 full/2 half bath home includes four floors of living with two finished family rooms, a large study and three fireplaces. Large sundrenched rooms with elegant cove molding and windows. In-ground outdoor pool. ...................................................................................$819,000 SPLITLEVEL HOME offers newly refreshed contemporary style and wonderful space. Home offers three bedrooms, three brand new bathrooms, beautiful front entryway, vaulted ceiling family room, sunroom, game room, deck, spectacular backyard, attached two-car garage .............................................................................................. $599,000 LOVELY BUNGALOW offers wonderful space for family and entertaining. Original details blend seamlessly with all the current updates.

Four BRs and 3 updated full baths on each level. Kitchen opens to family room. Full finished bsmt offers rec room, laundry area, bar & wine storage. ................................................................................................... $569,000 PRICE REDUCED CITY LIVING CONVENIENCE in a charming village atmosphere. This large Cape Cod is not a drive-by. Ten large rooms with four bedrooms, four full baths, and a huge 1st-floor family room with a wet bar. Three-season room, and a kitchen with 42” oak cabinets............................................................................................$550,000 CENTER ENTRANCE COLONIAL offers wonderful space! Deep lot, large deck, and original details throughout the home. Features include large living room, sunny sitting room, hardwood floors, updated kitchen, family room, full finished basement, and a two-car garage. ...........................................................................................................$440,000

THREE STORY GRAND VICTORIAN on 100 x 218 lot in the heart of the Frank Lloyd Wright district. This estate features 6 Bedrooms, 2 Full baths, 3 fireplaces, many historic details including double front entry doors sourced from the Historic Pullman Estates section of Chicago. ...........................................................................................$650,000 RARELY AVAILABLE, “Cavalcade of Pride” award-winning home on 50 x 170 ft lot. Includes high ceilings, oak staircase, marble fireplace, separate formal dining area, spacious den/family room with stained glass and built-in bookcases, eat-in kitchen, and a large full basement with storage. ................................................................................... $639,000 BEAUTIFUL SIDE ENTRANCE COLONIAL with 4 BRs, 2 full & 1 half baths features a spacious center family room, cooks’ kitchen with mud room, gas fireplace, built-in shelving & art glass windows.

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Originally 2 bedrooms, but now open to new floor plan and added bedrooms and baths. Could be a flip or a great home to live in. ............. ............................................................................................................$185,000

831 HOME • OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 13

STATELY SOUTHERN COLONIAL blends old world craftsmanship with elegant modern updates ideally located. Grand foyer, elegant LR with fireplace, recently remodeled gourmet kitchen, mudroom, family room, large basement with den/office.

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RIVER FOREST HOMES

FRENCH COUNTRY ESTATE built for flexible living. Fully renovated and expanded to preserve the feel and charm of a 1946 home, with all the conveniences of modern amenities and finishes. Sits on a private, double lot. Large pool, 5 BRs w/BAs, 2nd Fl laundry, private office, finished basement. ...........................................................$1,749,950 MODERN DREAM HOME centrally located on a corner lot with fenced in yard has plenty of entertainment space! Designer touches throughout the 6 bedroom, 6 full and 1 half bath home with beautiful LR, DR and large kitchen with open floor plan to the family room. So much more to see! ...................................................................... $1,699,000 STUNNING FRENCH NORMANDY house that has been remodeled and refinished from top to bottom. New wiring, plumbing, hvac, all floors, generator, roof work, and more. Just drop in your furniture and enjoy, from the fantastic front entrance all the way to the basement. ..............................................................................................$1,349,000 LOVELY BRICK HOME offers wonderful space with beautiful views of the spectacular lot! Original details with two story foyer and hardwood floors throughout. This elegant home is beautifully constructed and large enough to accommodate family and friends for years to come..............................................................................................$1,299,000

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COLONIAL REVIVAL STYLE with Tudor Revival influences built in 1909. Stunning six-bedroom home displays sophistication and tasteful elegant décor. It offers wonderful space for family and entertaining with beautiful views of the spectacular oversized corner lot.$1,395,000

MELROSE PARK HOMES

WELL CARED FOR BEVERLY in great location! Features beautiful hardwood flooring in most rooms, remodeled master bath, updated kitchen, and finished basement with second kitchen for those large family parties! Freshly painted. Fenced yard. Absolute move-in condition!....................................................................................................$339,900

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