W E D N E S D A Y
Sample ballot inside Pages 31-33
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
October 24, 2018 Vol. 39, No. 13 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
Foam flakes turn Pleasant District into snow globe
Construction contractor faces fines for building material litter By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter
Winter came early for the area around Marion Street and South Boulevard, according to business owners and residents near that intersection in Oak Park’s Pleasant District. That’s because of a virtual blizzard of tiny flakes from insulation boards being installed at the 250-unit luxury apartment building under construction at 1133 South Boulevard. The flakes are similar in size to the white material inside of a snow globe and have found their way into every nook and cranny in the area. That includes cracks in the bluestone sidewalks, brock streets, grassy areas and parkways, parked cars and a number of businesses and residences as far south as Pleasant Street. Larger flakes of foam insulation also were littered around the construction site and could be found in nearby streets and alleys. Oak Park Chief Building Official Steve Cutaia said in a telephone interview that Romeoville-based Kole Construction, a subcontractor for the project by Lincoln Properties, has See PLEASANT DISTRICT on page 14
Scary in Scoville
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Kids sit in rapt attention as librarian Shelley Harris reads a spooky story during the Oak Park Public Library’s Haunted Trails Tales at Scoville Park on Oct. 22. Families followed footpaths to story spots, choosing between “light fright” or “spine-chilling tales.” For more photos, visit online at www.OakPark.com.
Pomp and ‘changed’ circumstances By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Since 1877, Oak Park and River Forest High School seniors have, with a few exceptions, worn dresses and suits to commencement, which has historically been held on the high school’s campus. During this year’s commencement, however, the venerable suits and skirts will likely give way to navy blue caps and gowns, and the ceremony
SAVE THE DATE
itself moved to the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. During a committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 16, administration officials recommended that District 200 school board members vote to approve the attire and venue changes. The board is scheduled to vote on the change of venue during an Oct. 25 regular meeting. A vote on the attire change could happen sometime in November. Technically, no board vote is needed in order See CAPS AND GOWNS on page 12
SAY Connects Page 17-20
SAY Connects presents, After “America to Me”: On the Ground in Oak Park and River Forest A community conversation for our villages on November 28, 2018 Julian Middle School Auditorium • 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Tickets: FREE - For more info or to RSVP, visit the link below.
Tickets at: www.OakPark.com/sayconnects