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W E D N E S D A Y

November 11, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 15 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Count the vote rally Page 17

Small biz support leads to bickering Oak Park board Frustration at Monday board meeting

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The two main items on the agenda Monday night for the Oak Park village board were a discussion of how Oak Park might support small businesses during the pandemic and how to enforce a state ban on indoor dining as COVID-19 spikes.

Topic one devolved into complaints and recriminations among board members and toward business leaders. Topic two was never actively discussed even as some local eateries violate the governor’s edict.

“Government is slow, and changes are gradual,” said Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, effectively but inadvertently summarizing the meeting itself.

The small business discussion began with rousing public comments from Oak Park’s business community, including a letter penned by 16 Suitcases owner Michelle Vanderlaan and signed by several other small business

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GO, JOE!: Leo Go, 7, and Millie Hernandez wave Old Glory on Saturday in celebration of the news that Joe Biden will be our next president.

After Biden win, Oak Park exhales, and then village rejoices ed vot est For er Riv How Oak Park and See VILLAGE BOARD on page 6

County Clerk’s According to election data released by the Cook 88 percent Biden for ingly helm office, Oak Parkers voted overw the ballot on dates candi -party third four to 11 percent. The share. vote the local collectively garnered less than 2 percent of still Biden but , share In River Forest, Trump doubled his vote the was nsen Jorge Jo n taria Liber won 75 percent to 23 percent.

1 ering garn t, Fores River in idate cand y strongest third-part percent of the local vote share.

Celebrations across the village after Joe Biden declared winner

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

As soon as CNN on Saturday called the presidential race for former Vice President Joe Biden, Millie

Hernandez exhaled and bounded out of her house.

“We have a real president! We have a real president!”

Hernandez chanted while waving a large American flag at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue.

“The first day of the election, my family and I were practically crying, because we thought Trump was going to win,” Hernandez said, as passing drivers See BIDEN on page 17

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Mexican fare with a homemade flair in Berwyn La Lupita celebrates a mother’s touch in every dish

For 16 years La Lupita, 6539 Cermak Rd., has been a celebration of the hard work and grit it takes to succeed in the restaurant industry.

“The restaurant is named after my mother, Lupita Figueroa, and you can still find her in the kitchen,” said Salvador “Sal” Figueroa, the manager. “Our dishes are all homemade with her recipes, her seasonings, and her special touch.”

For as long as Sal can remember his mother has been involved in the food industry. Though the origin-story of the Cermak Road mainstay takes us far from the Berwyn thoroughfare.

Though Sal is American born he and his family returned to Cuernavaca in Morelos, Mexico when he was just two years old.

Food Writer

MELISSA ELSMO

As he and his sisters grew up, Sal watched his mother set up a dining table in their front yard. Friends and strangers would take a seat and Lupita would bring out an array of homemade dishes like pozole blanco and a deep dark mole with origins in her hometown located in the Guerrero region of Mexico. The money she earned helped the family, but more importantly she was honing the recipes that would eventually form the spine of La Lupita’s menu.

In 1992 the Figueroa family returned to the United States and settled in Chicago. While Lupita took factory jobs, she proved to be an insatiable cook and quickly started offering her culinary services to local businesses and neighbors.

Lupita’s Mixed Fajitas feature a combination of skirt steak, chicken and shrimp sauteed with onions, tomatoes and green bell peppers..

“We could not keep her out of the kitchen,” laughed Sal. “I would come home and there would be strangers eating in our kitchen. Before long she had cooked for so many friends and neighbors that she had good business catering parties.”

Then, in 2004 Sal drove past a vacant restaurant on Cermak Road. More kitchen than dining room, the diminutive space held just four tables and offered the perfect steppingstone for Lupita to take her culinary career to the next level.

Thanks to her loyal customer base the transition to restaurant ownership went smoothly for the scrappy cook — by the time Lupita opened her namesake restaurant she had built enough relationships to sustain the business well beyond its infancy.

“Looking back, now I can see Dalia Figueroa, Chef Rick Bayless, Lupita Figueroa, my mother is a true example of Fabi Figueroa, and Salvador Figueroa at the James an entrepreneur,” said Sal proudly.

Beard Awards after-party in 2019 “She passed along that mindset to Provided all three of her children.”

Today Lupita and her children all have distinct roles at the restaurant, but her passion to keep home-style Mexican food front and center on Cermak remains unwavering.

Today La Lupita serves both yellow and blue

Melissa Elsmo

corn tortillas made from scratch and continues to offer her complex mole and three variations of pozole daily. Served with flautas, La Lupita’s pozole blanco features hominy with pork meat, pork rinds and avocado, topped with a flavorful white mole sauce.

White, green and red pozole have been the “icons of La Lupita” for years, but the dish has become more popular since Lupita was invited by acclaimed chef, Rick Bayless, to serve her pozole verde at the after-party for the James Beard Awards last year.

“What an experience,” said Sal. “When Chef Bayless introduced himself to my mom and shook her hand I just stood there watching. I was so proud.”

A mango-rita (left) and cucumber margarita feature a sweet and sour tamarind rim.

La Lupita at 6539 Cermak Rd in Berwyn.

Cazuela de Pozole Blanco Estilo Guerrero from La Lupita

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Melissa Elsmo

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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There’s a lot to learn from this Black and Brown election chatter

O

ver the last week or so, I’ve learned a lot about this election, about race, about equity and about this country from Black, independent news sources and journalists like Roland Martin, whose election coverage was outstanding.

Please subscribe to Roland Martin Unfiltered — his daily digital show on YouTube, where Latino political scientist and Democratic strategist Matt Barreto unpacked the apparent conundrum of Trump’s increased Hispanic support, especially in Florida, after fiascos like the president’s mismanagement of Hurricane Rita in Puerto Rico and his child separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Let’s talk about Miami,” where Trump’s Hispanic support was particularly high, Barretto said. “Miami is only 3 percent of the entire national Latino electorate and last night you would have thought that was all — that we were all Cuban or Venezuelan. But even in Florida, only about one-third of Latinos are Cuban and one-third are Puerto Rican.

“So, we need to take the Latino electorate state-by-state and we need to take a state as complex as Florida and break it out by different geographies and ethnicities,” he said.

“And one of the things we found last night looking at the data is that in the Puerto Rican community in Orland, in Tampa, in Osceola County — we did really well.”

I’ve used the term Latinx as a journalist more and more over the last two years, but after last week’s election, the term is under scrutiny and I’m beginning to rethink my own usage of it.

Carlos Ballesteros, of the Chicago Sun-Times, tweeted that “there is no such thing as a unified Latin@ identity, so maybe we should stop using the term unless we’re citing census/demographic research?

“White supremacy demands different groups from different parts of the world zero out their differences and unite under the white identity. It might be too late to reverse racialization, but maybe there’s still time to refer to ‘Latinos’ in a better, more specific way? Idk [an abbreviation for: I don’t know]. Like, when writing a story about Mexican, Central American and South American immigrants in Chicago, I don’t see the need to say ‘Latinos’.”

said another Black man, who also declined to Martin agrees, explaining that Democratic disclose his identity. “I think Trump has more politicos often try messaging ethnic experience with money than Biden and Trump minorities with too broad a brush. Perhaps, will let you know what he feels about whatever; he said, catchall words like Latinx fall into whereas Biden, to me, be hiding.” this tendency.

We also spoke with two Hispanic men, brothers “We have got to stop saying Latinx,” Martin who live in Melrose Park who echoed Trump’s said. “You’ve got to say, ‘We’re going to have a baseless claims of a stolen election. targeted effort for Cubans, for Puerto Ricans, “I just don’t think it was a fair election, for Venezuelans, etc.’ And a separate strategy because of all the fraud going on and the fake for Mexican Americans in Texas, which would mail-in ballots,” Andres Fernandez said. be completely different from the strategy for “The winner is the winner,” said Joseph Chicanos in Chicago or Dominicans in New Fernandez. “But there is a lot of fraud in the York.” world.”

Barreto said that when his firm, Latino Commentary On Nov. 5, as demonstrators were protesting at Decisions, asked people in polls “about what Lake and Harlem in Oak Park against Trump’s they want to identify as, Hispanic is still the attempts to stop the vote counting, I asked Don Smith, a overwhelming term by about 65 percent and then Latino or Latina. Only about 2 percent use Latinx, which is sort of an 61-year-old Black man who was waiting for a Pace bus, to explain why some Black and Brown men, particularly insider or D.C. academic sort of term. Even among young celebrities like Ice Cube and Lil Wayne, fall for Trump. people, it usually doesn’t get more than 10 percent among “Taxes,” Smith said. “They want to keep that money. them.”

“When you talk about African Americans in this country, They want to be like him. But they should realize that they can’t go 10 and 11 years without doing their income taxes. I you’re talking about people from Alabama, Georgia, bet you they’d go to jail. That’s what they should realize.”

Mississippi,” Martin said. “When you talk about Latinos Meanwhile, Greg Carr — the Howard University in America, you have to think nationalities, because they professor whose weekly segment, “In Class with Carr” on have a national identity; whereas, African Americas the Karen Hunter Show (which you can watch on YouTube) simply say, ‘I’m Black.’ So, you can’t ignore the nationalist has been invaluable to my personal development — talked perspective of these voters.” about politicians like John James, a Black man running Martin adds that there are even “white Hispanics,” who for U.S. Senate in Michigan who obscured the fact that he’s identify more with closely with white voters than with Republican while touting his support for Trump. Carr said Hispanic voters. many Blacks may have supported him, because of his race “Think of how the Black population is changing with — a mistake that millions of white voters committed with Haitian, Jamaican, Caribbean, Ethiopian and Eritrean,” Donald Trump.

Barreto said.

“Don’t take race as a proxy for your best interests,” “Many people who supported Donald Trump who were Carr said. “We must learn that lesson. We’re way past the Black were those immigrants,” Martin said. politics of demographics.”

They were also Black men like the ones I interviewed On the street and on social media, often out of sight in the suburbs and that my colleagues interviewed in the of corporate media behemoths, these are the nuanced Austin neighborhood. conversations Black and Brown people are having among “The president that I voted for didn’t win,” said one, who themselves during this election cycle. requested anonymity. “It’s a sad day. I can’t be entertained White people will learn a lot by listening in. no more. Biden will be too boring.”

“I think Trump is better with the economy than Biden,” CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

MICHAEL ROMAIN

COVID-19 cases soar in Oak Park, River Forest Positivity rates spike in villages

By JAMES KAY Staff Writer

COVID-19 continued to spread throughout Oak Park and River Forest this past week. In Oak Park 138 residents tested positive for coronavirus since Nov. 3, according to the Oak Park Department of Public Health. With the latest cases, Oak Park has had 1,173 residents test positive for COVID-19

since March 18, when the OPDPH started reporting cases.

River Forest’s COVID-19 database indicates that 31 village residents tested positive for COVID-19 since Nov. 3.

Oak Park and River Forest’s positivity rates have soared since last week, according to Northwestern University’s COVID-19 database. Oak Park saw its positivity rate go from 7.04 percent on Nov. 3 to 8.75 percent on Nov. 8. River Forest’s positivity rate, which was at 3.98 percent on Nov. 4, spiked to 7.24 percent on Nov. 8.

Two Oak Park residents who tested positive for COVID-19 died this past week, marking the village’s first COVID-19 re-

lated deaths since Oct. 23. The two fatalities were men in their 90s, according to the village. Both lived at Berkeley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 6909 W. North Ave., Oak Park.

River Forest’s COVID-19 database does not display the number of residents who died after testing positive for COVID-19.

Cook County’s Director of Communications, Natalia Derevyanny, announced the county has had 5,711 COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

BIG WEEK

Too Soon to Forget: The Journey of Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.

Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library This documentary, by capturing the stories of nine families, examines living with Alzheimer’s disease in mid-life: the isolation, the adjustments, and the healing power of community. Register: oppl.org/calendar

November 11 -18

“Hemingway in Comics” Author Event

“The Warmth of Color”

Sunday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m., Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore

Wednesdays, 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 to 5 p.m., Dancing Krow Studio & Social Club The arts collective’s fall exhibition celebrates peace, love, mindfulness and well-being. View art, shop creations by local artists and more. Also, see the art shelf window display and the smile peace flag garden. Wear a mask and social distance in the gallery. 43 Harrison St., Oak Park.

Join Oak Park author Robert K. Elder for a socially-distanced book launch party. Elder’s research into Hemingway’s comic presence demonstrates the truly international reach of Hemingway as a pop culture icon. Wear your mask. 7419 Madison St., Forest Park.

Women on Opposite Sides of the Law Artist Member Exhibition

Holiday Hors d’ Oeuvres

Opening Friday, Nov. 13, 1 to 9 p.m., Oak Park Art League (OPAL) During the 100 days leading up to OPAL’s Centennial Year, artist member works will be on display that best exemplify their current body of work. Social distancing will be observed; masks must be worn. 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.

Wednesday, Nov. 18, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the River Forest Public Library In this culinary program, Chef Michael Maddox will demonstrate canapés to wake up your guests’ taste buds and get them anticipating an enjoyable dinner.

This program will cover a range of flavors, textures, and tastes. Held in partnership with River Forest Township. Free. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket. com/events/holiday-hors-d-oeuvres-virtual-culinary-program

“Stamped” Community Book Discussions Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Share thoughts on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds. The book offers a history of racist and anti-racist ideas in America, from their roots in Europe until today, adapted from the National Book Award winner Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi. Join in for a presentation followed by discussions in separate breakout rooms. Dominican University students will lead these peace circle breakouts, which draw on the Stamped educator’s guide. Held in conjunction with Brooks and Julian Middle Schools’ fall curriculum read. Prior to attending, please watch The Daily Show with Trevor Noah segment featuring authors Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi who explain how their book focuses on the culture of racism in America. Next Session: Tuesday, Dec. 1. Register: oppl. org/calendar.

Concordia-Chicago Fall Concerts The music department present four virtual concerts.

Nov. 13, 8 p.m. – The Wind Symphony has traveled the world bringing its musicto schools, churches and concert halls.

Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. – The Chamber Orchestra plays a range of repertoire from Baroque to contemporary.

Nov. 15, 4 p.m. - Kapelle’s choral concert present a program that spans five centuries.

Nov. 16, 7 p.m. - Jazz Band performs music by composers and arrangers from the Big Band age to 21st century artists.

Free. View the livestream or on Facebook live: cuchicago.edu/academics/colleges/ college-of-arts-sciences/music/

Saturday, Nov. 14, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Library Hear authors D.M. Testa (Defending the Dillinger Gang: Jessie Levy and Bess Robbins in the Courtroom) and Shayne Davidson (Queen of the Burglars: The Scandalous Life of Sophie Lyons) discuss how women on opposing sides of the law confronted many of the same challenges and discrimination, where men made up the rules. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Oppression Within the Prison System Wednesday, Nov. 11, 5:30 to 7:30 pm., Zoom with the Oak Park Library Join in a presentation by the Living History Project on the impact of mass incarceration. The prison system has a history in this country that informs what exists today. Register: oppl. org/calendar

Friendship Bracelet Design Thursday, Nov. 12, 4 to 5 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park library Students in grades 4 to 8 can discover their creative abilities while calming their minds and bodies in this Try-It Thursday event. Engage with friends while sharing creative and awe-inspiring visual designs with one another. Have scissors, a ruler, a piece of cardboard and four strands of embroidery floss (72 inches long for each strand) ready. If supplies are needed, request a Try-It Thursday kit, and pick it up from the Main Library when it is ready. Register: oppl.org/calendar.

Supported Storytime Friday, Nov. 13, 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Zoom with the Oak Park Library Enjoy books, songs, dancing and more in this storytime designed for children with disabilities ages 3 and up, with caregiver support. Siblings welcome. Register: oppl.org/ register

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Novelist Sue Miller is next Writing Matters author

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“The sky was lavender above nce upon a time, people gathered together for him. Yellow lights were commany different reasons: ing on in the apartments in the to dine out, to mark occahouses across the street. The sions such as birthdays rooms they revealed seemed full and graduations, to find relief of promise and mystery. Had in the company of like-minded there been, ever, such a beautiful individuals -- girls’/boys’ night evening? Everything felt strange out, anyone? And many of us and new to him.” loved and relied upon events Let us deepen the scene: Lucas having to do with the arts: theis someone who is having trouater, museums, movies and -- my ble dealing with what it means favorite -- readings. to be a father, and sitting at this I created Writing Matters to bistro he is hearing the siren present authors to my communisong of a former freedom. He ty who wrote excellent sentenccannot feel love, at least not yet, Guest Author es, and who had the ability to for someone he describes as “the get at something in a profound un-Gerber baby.” It’s an intriguway. When COVID-19 hit, we ing dilemma, something people could no longer gather together at places rarely admit to. And yet it exists, probably like the Hemingway Museum (now closed), far more often than we think. where Writing Matters once took place, to The main focus of the novel, though, is on sit side by side and take in words that we Annie, a photographer married to Graham, would analyze after the reading while we a bookstore owner, whose appetite for life is drank wine and ate what I must say were re- large. Maybe a bit too large: Annie finds out ally good treats, and enjoy the bouquets of after his death about an affair. fresh flowers. All this while the author sat What to do with information like that, eswith bended head at his or her signing table, pecially when the one who betrayed you can personalizing books. no longer be reached? What accommodation We may not meet that way anymore, at do you make inside yourself to bring you least not for the time being, but we are still peace with whatever you decide that act of meeting via Zoom, in cooperation with what betrayal meant -- to your partner and to you? will be our new venue, the elegant NineThere are so many things to think about teenth Century Club. And speaking of el- when you read this book, and so much to egant, I’m proud to say that the next author admire. Please come to hear a conversation we will be presenting is Sue Miller, who is between Sue Miller and me, and bring your as stylish and sophisticated and insightful a questions and comments with you. writer as you’re likely to find anywhere. On Perhaps, when you come, you’ll set yourSunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m., we will be talking self up with some wine, some treats and a about Miller’s new novel, Monogamy. beautiful bouquet -- just to hold you over unThere are so many passages in this book til we’re back to the real thing. that I read a few times over, for the pleasure Writing Matters is held in partnership of words that sounded more like poetry with the Nineteenth Century Charitable Asthan prose. Here is the character Lucas, sociation. For this free event on Sunday, Nov. sitting at a metal table in an outdoor bistro 22, 2 p.m., register at nineteenthcentury.org. after he has just taken his wife and infant Signed copies of Sue Miller’s “Monogamy” daughter to the airport for their month-long are available at The Book Table, booktable. net, 1045 Lake St., Oak Park. visit away:

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

VILLAGE BOARD

Bickering about business from page 1 owners.

“We are deeply concerned for the survival of the business community during the pandemic,” Vanderlaan wrote.

Vanderlaan’s letter stated the business community is interdependent and each business works as a whole to make Oak Park a vibrant, successful place. Calling for a unified and comprehensive campaign to promote local offerings, the letter listed

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM multiple communities that have taken such action successfully.

The letter also asked that the village of Oak Park expand such shopping initiatives as Downtown Oak Park’s Shopper’s Reward program and Better Lake Street Rewards program.

The village board also received a letter from the Oak Park River Forest Chamber of Commerce stating that the chamber had developed a soon-to-be-launched communitywide shop local digital gift card that could serve as “a natural and easy way” for the village to meet its goals.

The chamber also asked that the board implement a “passionate, cohesive strategy to support” all of Oak Park’s businesses.

“The chamber has been publicly asking for this since March of this year,” the chamber’s letter read.

The small business recovery taskforce, which according to the letter was started at the insistence of the chamber, was created in May and hasn’t met since July.

Trustee Dan Moroney said he understood the frustration felt by businesses struggling to survive the economic turmoil caused by COVID-19 but called the idea that the village hasn’t done anything to support the business community “inaccurate.”

At the request of Moroney, Village Manager Cara Pavlicek recited a list of all the ways in which the village has relaxed policies, discounted and waived permit and li-

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cense fees and issued forgivable grants to support businesses.

Moroney stated that taxpayers would eventually have to eat the cost of the support already given by the village, a number he declared to be in excess of $500,000, through higher tax levies.

Moroney felt it unrealistic to view the village support as being the difference between the business community’s survival and collapse, as the village could only do so much.

Trustee Deno Andrews brought forward a consumer spending match proposal that one of the village’s partners could manage a program wherein people purchase gift certificates at a discount; the village would then make up the difference up to a capped amount. Andrews suggested $25,000.

Andrews said the small business taskforce had a meeting scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 12, during which he hopes other detailed suggestions will arise.

Trustee Simone Boutet wanted the board not to focus on what it had failed to do before but on what it can do in the immediate to help businesses.

Abu-Taleb expressed his displeasure with some groups, particularly the chamber of commerce, who felt the village has not been supportive of the business community.

“I’m really disappointed in their approach and their tone and the message they put out,” said Abu-Taleb. “I’m very disappointed in the leadership.”

He also urged the board to remember that they direct policy, not marketing initiatives.

“We give directions to staff,” said “We can give them ideas, but we cannot interfere on how that gets executed.”

Abu-Taleb said it was the board’s “fiduciary responsibility” to respect and honor the village government process.

Trustee Susan Buchanan thought the board didn’t need to come up with additional ideas as numerous stakeholders have given very specific requests.

Moroney and Boutet wanted to hear specific aid proposals that would dictate exactly how the program would be funded.

“This is not an orderly process,” said Moroney.

Boutet also wanted to do what was requested by the business community.

“Our lives would be so much easier if we allowed staff to do their jobs,” Abu-Taleb lamented.

Pavlicek said the duration of the pandemic was longer than any had anticipated, and that staff had presented the idea of a marketing campaign in a “contentious” board meeting early into the COVID-19 crisis.

“The idea of marketing did not have majority support,” said Pavlicek. “It’s really hard for us when an idea is put forward and it’s rejected, not unanimously but by the majority of the board, and then it’s brought back to us.”

Trustee Jim Taglia wanted to defer on any decision making until staff had an opportunity to give a recommendation.

Abu-Taleb directed stakeholders with suggestions to reach out directly to village staff.

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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To trim costs Oak Park trims leaf collection schedule

Pick-up timeframe reduced from eight weeks to six weeks

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

One of the joys of autumn is watching the leaves on the trees turn from green to yellow to orange to red before they fall gracefully from branches. One of the pains of autumn in Oak Park is having to rake those leaves into the streets for removal. This year, the leaf collection window for Oak Park residents has narrowed by two weeks, saving the village much needed green.

“We went from eight weeks to six weeks this year to save on some additional funds,” Public Works Director John Wielebnicki told Wednesday Journal.

The reduction has provided the village of Oak Park with $28,198 in savings, according to the “2020 Accomplishments” section for the public works department in the recommended 2021 village budget.

According to Wielebnicki, the village had originally planned to pay roughly $218,000 for eight weeks of leaf collection this year. Oak Park paid around $212,000 for eight weeks of pick up last year. Illinois Waste Management, which handles leaf collection, has an annual rate adjustment of 2.5 percent.

“Next year, we’re going to still stay at six weeks of pickup,” Wielebnicki said. “But we got to pay 2.5 percent more which is $194,000.”

Leaf collection in Oak Park began Nov. 2 this year. Each neighborhood will have leaves picked up once a week over the six-week period. Wielebnicki anticipates six pick-ups will be enough to keep the leaves at bay.

“You can never predict the timing of when leaves will fall,” said Wielebnicki.

In the first couple weeks of pick up, crews collect fewer leaves; the amount of leaves collected per trip increases as weeks progress, according to Wielebnicki. Crews began picking up leaves later this year due to the reduction.

“When we started, the piles were a little bigger,” said Wielebnicki. “We’re pretty much caught up already.”

The challenge of deciding when to begin collecting and

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BLOWING IN THE LEAF BLOWER: Edward McCormick, of Oak Park, uses a leaf blower to move leaves into a pile near the curb for leaf pick up on Ridgeland Avenue. when to stop each year is an inexact science. Continuing to pick up leaves into late December, the higher the risk of snow.

“When leaves go down and we have to start snow plowing, it just becomes very messy,” said Wielebnicki.

Ending pick-ups in the second week of December, Wielebnicki called “a little risky.”

“But that’s the best we can do as far as pushing the leaves,” he said.

If the village has more leaves than pick-ups this year, Wielebnicki said the best thing to do is to mulch the leaves by leaving them on the grass and then mowing over them.

“They’re good for the lawn,” said Wielebnicki.

Wielebnicki believes the decision to reduce the leaf collection program was made in part to encourage people to mulch the leaves into their yards.

To ensure your leaves get picked up during the six weeks, do not put yard trimmings in the piles of leaves, which complicates the collection process and sometimes prevents leaves from getting picked up, according to Wielebnicki.

“Don’t be trimming your bushes and trimming your trees and then putting all those branches in the leaf piles,” said Wielebnicki. “Those need to be disposed of through regular yard waste.”

Police contract negotiations begin in moment of reckoning Village trustees weigh in on the process

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

As the country continues to grapple with police issues and systemic racism in law enforcement, the village of Oak Park and the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) will soon begin negotiating a successor contract for patrol officers.

“The actual negotiations are expected to begin later this week,” said Oak Park Communications Director David Powers.

The current patrol officer contract expires Dec. 31, giving the village a unique opportunity to address national issues over policing and race that are also felt locally,

but with both parties staying mum, it is unclear whether if or how those matters will be addressed.

Lisa Shelley, deputy village manager, will represent the village government in negotiations, while representatives from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 8 will represent patrol officers.

Shelley confirmed that the parties were getting the process started but declined to comment further, stating she did not take calls from the press during negotiations.

Oak Park police officer and FOP Lodge 8 president Joseph Nash also refused Wednesday Journal’s request for an interview.

“We look forward to sitting down with the village to reach a new collective bargaining agreement, but FOP Lodge 8 does not comment on ongoing negotiations,” Nash said in an email to Wednesday Journal.

The two groups have not begun discussions in earnest but have been in contact with each other, according to Powers.

“They have been talking about scheduling and virtual platforms,” Powers told Wednesday Journal.

The Oak Park village board received an overview of the negotiation process in an executive session Nov. 2, but trustees did not share details so as not to derail contract talks.

“The only meeting we have had is an informational meeting, informing us of how the process works and we got some questions answered,” said Trustee Susan Buchanan.

Trustee Deno Andrews wouldn’t comment on what was specifically addressed during the executive session but stated that the village board does not usually provide concrete goals to Shelley ahead of negotiations.

“Typically, we don’t give the negotiator a hard list of things to accomplish,” said Andrews.

According to Andrews, the board gives Shelley a broad idea of what they would like to see addressed during negotiations.

“Negotiators start working with each other and then ideas start to formulate there, and the specifics come out of the negotiations,” said Andrews.

Police discipline and transparency is a hot button issue for the Oak Park board of trustees but certain aspects of it are mandated by state law, which the village has no latitude over.

Since Oak Park cannot change Illinois law as a whole, Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla felt that the contract should not implement policies that strengthen the impediments presented by state mandates.

8

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park library shares books, not COVID

Partners with The Book Table to provide books to family non-profits

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Public Library has kicked off its “Books Empower” initiative, a new grant-funded initiative to distribute new and unused books to those most in need while strengthening partnerships across the community and also supporting small business.

“It’s one of those rare situations where it’s honestly win-win-win,” said Jason Smith, co-owner of independent bookstore The Book Table, the program’s book supplier.

The logistics of “Books Empower” are fairly simple: The library purchases the books through the Book Table, 1045 Lake St., using $25,000 in grant money from the Illinois State Library. The books are then delivered to the non-profit organizations New Moms and the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society (IWS). New Moms and IWS then distribute the books among those who utilize their services.

“In order to make it as safe as possible and to try to limit the number of hands exchanging all the books along the way, we decided we would partner with local community organizations who are already reaching our target audience,” said Sarah Yale, the library’s community engagement manager.

Yale called New Moms and IWS a “natural fit” for the program because the library has partnered with both organizations in the past.

The library chooses which books to purchase based on feedback provided by New Moms and IWS. The list of books is then shared with the Book Table, where Smith checks the titles’ availability and processes the order.

“We are working exclusively with the

Photo provided

JASON, THE BOOK TABLE MAN: Jason Smith, co-owner of The Book Table on Lake Street, with a supply of books headed to local non-profits including New Moms and Infant Welfare Society’s Children’s Clinic.

Book Table,” said Sarah Yale, the library’s community engagement manager. “We wanted to support our local independent bookseller.”

An estimated 600 books have been purchased so far. Unlike borrowing library books, “Books Empower” allows recipients to keep the books they receive to help them build their home libraries. New Moms is even incorporating the books into their programming, according to Yale.

“What we’re hearing from some of their staff is that they’re using the books we’ve sent them to engage their families in deeper conversations,” said Yale. “It’s really rewarding for us to hear that.”

The program is also rewarding for New Moms and the families the organization supports, according to Gail Shelton, New Moms director of family support.

“This donation will help our staff continue to walk alongside families as they build and foster a reading culture at home,” Shelton told Wednesday Journal. “The moms and children are thrilled to add such highquality and diverse books to their home libraries, with stories featuring families just like them.”

The initiative has also enabled IWS to continue its tradition of giving books to the children who come into the health clinic for medical and dental appointments. In

the past, IWS gave away many used books donated to the organization.

“Because of the pandemic, they’re only able to give out new books,” said Yale. “And they had a very limited supply of new books.”

Through “Books Empower,” IWS has a supply of new and completely unused books to give their patients.

“Having our local library support this program is absolutely wonderful!” said IWS Executive Director Peggy LaFleur. “More than ever children need an escape and reading a good story is one of the best ways of doing so.”

The new books also open opportunities for conversations regarding concerns expressed during patient visits, for instance, children dealing with anxiety or a lack of socialization due to COVID-19.

Another rewarding aspect of the “Books Empower” initiative, according to Yale, is the ability to invest in The Book Table, a local business. The economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit businesses of all kinds very hard, especially smaller, momand-pop shops.

“As a library, we care about our local business owners; we want their stories to be heard so people understand what’s going on right now,” said Yale.

Partnering with The Book Table to make this program happen, she said, has been a “wonderful experience.”

The “Books Empower” initiative has only been in operation for a few months, but the library is already looking to expand its reach to benefit more community organizations in the Oak Park area, according to Yale.

“That’s our goal always – to support the other good work that is already happening in the community.”

“We strive to make sure the titles recommended for each order represent the diverse needs, interests, and identities of the community we and our community partners serve,” the library’s Kristen Romanowski told Wednesday Journal. Some of the most recently ordered children’s picture books through “Books Empower” initiative program include: When Aidan Became a Brother (Kyle Lukoff ), The Rabbit Listened (Cori Doerrfeld), Saturday (Oge Mora), You Matter (Christian Robinson) Alma and How She Got Her Name (Juana Martinez-Neal).

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Taco Bell on Roosevelt Rd. goes mysteriously kaput Ampler Development withdraws application

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Yo quiero Taco Bell? More like, “No quiero Taco Bell,” at least in Oak Park, anyway, as Ampler Development has withdrawn its application to build the controversial Taco Bell planned for 6000 to 6020 Roosevelt Rd. The news that Ampler Development will not follow through with the application will likely delight residents near Roosevelt Road, who were widely against having a drive-thru Taco Bell near their homes from the start.

In the project’s first meeting with the Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on Jan. 8, neighbors raised concerns over the Taco Bell’s late-night hours of operation and proximity to many liquor establishments, as well as its potential to cause more traffic in the area.

The fast food eatery did have a few supporters in the community, such as Jim Kelly, who called that stretch of Roosevelt Road “blighted.”

“It’s time for some project to ignite the possibility of further development along that stretch and along that blighted intersection,” Kelly told ZBA members during the January meeting.

Ampler returned to the ZBA March 4, where members agreed to delay ruling until April 1 on the special use permit needed to build and operate a drive-thru window and the project’s other requested zoning vari-

ances. The developer requested the delay to obtain more traffic information.

Due to the onslaught of COVID-19, which began in earnest in the state of Illinois midMarch, the April 1 meeting was canceled, and the project remained in limbo until Ampler withdrew the application Nov. 3.

Tammie Grossman, Oak Park’s development customer services manager, told Wednesday Journal last June that Ampler had not given up on the Taco Bell franchise.

“They’re still wanting to move forward,” said Grossman.

What caused the development company’s change of heart remains unclear at the moment.

Ampler gave the village of Oak Park no reasoning as to why they elected not to proceed with the project, according to Grossman. Nor were they required to.

“They do not need to provide a reason,” Grossman told Wednesday Journal.

This is the second failed attempt to bring a Taco Bell restaurant to Oak Park. In 2017, Taco Bell franchisee Bell American Group LLC had its sights set on building a location at the corner of Madison Street and Lyman Avenue but withdrew their application after the ZBA unanimously rejected it.

An apartment complex is now nearing completion on that site.

Ampler is the same company behind the planned drive-thru Taco Bell in Forest Park at 161 Harlem Ave. Forest Park’s village board gave Ampler its approval to build the Mexican-inspired fast food joint last August.

Wednesday Journal has reached out to representatives at Ampler Development for comment.

A rendering of a Taco Bell which will never be built.

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Born a church, Oak Park Arts Center sold to Free Church Will return to original use as place of worship

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The non-denominational Free Church has successfully purchased the Arts Center of Oak Park, 200 N. Oak Park Ave., for an undisclosed amount. Constructed in 1916, the neo-classical building was built to house the First Church of Christ Scientist of Oak Park. The congregation dwindled by the 1980s and relocated to a smaller church in River Forest. In 1988, Chatka Ruggiero a local apartment building owner and animal advocate purchased the building.

Under Ruggiero’s ownership the building has been used as a venue for concerts, recitals and art exhibitions. For many years its lower level housed the Hemingway Museum.

“I thought that it would make a great performing center,” Ruggiero said of the purchase. “And also, I wanted to save that building.”

Despite its venerable age and character, the building has not achieved landmark status. However, it is a contributing structure in Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historic District, meaning it retains historic integrity and was built within a period of architectural significance, ac-

2020

cording to Susie Trexler, Oak Park’s historic preservation urban planner.

The ambition to convert the building into a space shared by different arts groups never really materialized, according to Ruggiero, as each group wanted exclusive access.

About six months after Ruggiero took over ownership, she began letting the basement out to the Hemingway Foundation where it served as a museum to the beloved Oak Park author until 2017.

The Arts Center was never a moneymaking venture for Ruggiero. The large building with its multiple roof levels requires maintenance and commanded hefty real estate taxes – a lot to contend with for an individual owner.

“It never paid my bills,” said Ruggiero.

In June of 2017, shortly after the Hemingway Foundation left, Free Church began leasing the Arts Center. Ruggiero called the church a “perfect fit.”

“They loved the building and their congregation grew tremendously,” she said.

While the building is officially returning to its roots as a place of religious worship, Ruggiero said Free Church has agreed to continue renting the space to artists in need of concert space.

Free Church had a bit of a winding journey to the Arts Center of Oak Park. The church was started by Pastor Chuck Colegrove and his wife Urshanna in 2012 and for the first three years of its life, the church

Holiday

met at the Lake Theater. It then moved its worship services to Horace Mann Elementary School before finally putting down roots at the Arts Center.

The sale of the property to Free Church went through Monday, Nov. 2, fulfilling a longtime aspiration for the Colegroves and the church.

“It’s definitely been a goal for us to own property in Oak Park and build a church that is a church for generations,” said Colegrove. “As the opportunity came available, we worked hard, we saved our money and we were able to execute the contract.”

Colegrove and his wife came to Oak Park from Houston, Texas with the dream of opening a church that was reflective of the village’s socioeconomic and cultural diversity.

“And really from day one – we had our first service September 9, 2012 – we’ve seen that representation of Oak Park in our community of the church,” said Colegrove.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Free Church had a weekend service attendance of about 500 people. Like most churches, Free Church has had to switch to a virtual worship model. Still, the congregation is excited to finally call the Arts Center its official home.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to be in that building. It’s a historic building, a beautiful building,” said Colegrove. “And we’re excited to be there to be a help to the community any way that we can.”

IT’S TIME TO KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON! PRE ORDERS BEGIN 11/16!

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Friday , Dec. 4 • 3-9pm Saturday, Dec. 5 • 9am-4pm Don’t miss our pre-order bake sale items, reserve a slot for pictures with cardboard Santa, or to preview online items visit our website at www.animalcareleague.org.

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Please note that in person shopping capacity will be limited to ensure proper social distancing.

Shoppers should be prepared to wait in line. All shoppers will be required to wear a mask.

1003 Garfield., Oak Park (Just East of Volvo dealership at Harlem)

Visit animalcareleague.org for full event details!

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

11

The cocktail campaign

Cate Readling employs new-age campaigning

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With nation-wide celebrations and acceptance speeches from the newly announced United States President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as a backdrop, Oak Park mayoral hopeful Cate Readling’s campaign held an intimate virtual cocktail party Saturday night, Nov. 7.

“I want you to close your eyes, and take a deep breath,” Readling told the attendees.

“And I want you to imagine an Oak Park that truly enables every person here to thrive – every single person that you see day to day.”

Readling continued, saying that the nation should celebrate having successfully unseated its controversial incumbent president but not lose sight of the work left to do on a community level.

“The most efficient and effective way to do that work right now is to be involved and pay attention to our local elections,” Readling said.

Readling’s camp has not been fortunate in its timing. The campaign’s launch event on Aug. 25 coincided with the village board’s discussion over defunding the police depart-

ment, which devolved into controversy as youth protestors gathered outside Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb’s home and took out their frustration on the mayor’s potted plants.

Readling acknowledged that infamous night, stating she would have handled the youth protest differently by quoting her husband.

“My husband Chip said, ‘She would have been out in the street with them before now; they wouldn’t have had to march to her house because she would have already been out there talking to them,” Readling recounted.

If elected, Readling told attendees she plans to create a new citizen commission comprised of youth. She also stated she planned to respect the “commission structure” as a whole, saying that, over time, citizen commissions have become “diminished” and “devalued.”

The virtual campaign cocktail hour, of which there will be more, starkly contrasts with traditional campaign strategies, reading more as a peace circle than a pollical event. The handful of attendees introduced themselves by sharing their favorite local Oak Park business and were quick to sing Readling’s praises.

However, the event wasn’t completely devoid of nitty-gritty topics, such as the village’s economic state and its fiscal budget, a process that the current village board is

working through now.

“The budget is, it’s not this scary, unknowable thing. It’s just a document. And it should speak exactly to the priorities and values of our village,” said Readling. “And currently it doesn’t.”

The recommended budget for the fiscal year of 2021 is a whopping 327 pages. She promised to direct village staff to organize future budget documents in a fashion that prioritizes accessibility and equity.

Readling also touched on the recent ballot’s two non-binding Oak Park referenda sponsored by resident Kevin Peppard, both of which passed. The advisory referenda, theoretically but not actually, pose limits on government expenditures and taxation. Readling called them “austerity type measures.”

“I find it ironic that the same folks who

were like, ‘Government can’t really make good decisions for me and also, I’m going to prevent government from doing anything,’” Readling said of the people who voted in favor of passing the referenda.

She also expressed her disappointment that voters failed to pass the Illinois Graduated Income Tax Amendment, also referred to as the “Fair Tax.” Readling’s plans to address the village’s finances relied in no small part on the passage of the graduated income tax amendment.

“We will not be able to fix any of the problems that we have at the state level, which dictates what our property taxes are in many, many ways – particularly as it relates to education, unless we get this Fair Tax referendum passed,” Readling told Wednesday Journal last August.

D97 staffer makes bid for Oak Park village clerk

Lou Anne Johannesson in race

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

While the nation had its eyes glued to television and computer screens, anxiously anticipating the results of the 2020 presidential election, Oak Park’s municipal election this April had taken a backseat. However, that hasn’t deterred candidates from campaigning. Current District 97 school district staffer, Lou Anne Johannesson has joined Deputy Clerk Christina Waters in the race to become the next village clerk of Oak Park.

“I have always recognized that it’s a vital and essential support system for the community, you know, serving as a bridge, basically, between the village board and the community,” Johannesson told Wednesday Journal of her decision to run.

For the last decade, Johannesson has served as an administrative assistant in Oak Park Elementary School District 97, working with student services and supporting committees of the district’s board of education. The role of village clerk, Johannesson called, a “perfect extension” of the work she does with D97.

Such similar responsibilities include recording of meetings in compliance with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, disposing of records and handling meeting logistics, according to Johannesson, who loves performing such activities.

in Oak Park,” said Johannesson.

“I’m kind of a dork in that way. I love the work,” she said. “People are always like, ‘How do you not If elected as clerk, Johannesson would like find this stuff boring?’ And I’m like, ‘I find muto continue her work with IGOV in an unpaid nicipal governance to be actually very exciting.’” capacity if allowed.

Johannesson said she is passionate about the “A lot of times the collaboration can save Oak Park community and has been her whole money for the taxpayers,” said Johannesson. adult life. Having grown up in neighboring River “Irrespective of that, it always seems to add to Forest, Johannesson attended Oak Park and River the quality of life for the community, when we Forest High School. all work together.”

“As soon as I was finished with college, I moved This is the first time Johannesson has sought officially to my first apartment in Oak Park, a public elected office, which she said she never LOU ANNE which I got through the Oak Park [Regional] Housconsidered doing until current village clerk, JOHANNESSON ing Center, which I find to be one of our biggest Vicki Scaman announced her campaign for viltreasures in the community,” said Johannesson. lage president.

Her daughter worked for the housing center as a college “I really see myself as a support person,” Johannesson student. Johannesson’s three children, now grown, all went said. “I’m the behind-the-scenes person and I really see the to OPRF as well. Her kids have helped their mother collect clerk as the same kind of thing.” petition signatures – a process she’s enjoyed.

Scaman, Johannesson believes, has done a great job filling “I’ve met so many people that I would never have met, if the role and broadening government transparency.

I wasn’t out there hitting the pavement getting signatures.

“I do not stand alone in the admiration of how Vicki has And, you know, win or lose, I’m super excited about the prohandled the clerk’s office for the last four years,” said Jocess,” Johannesson said.

If elected, Johannesson brings with her multiple relation- hannesson. “But you know, we can always improve.”

Johannesson wants to build upon what Scamen did in her ships she’s cultivated while working with the Intergovernmental Body of the Village of Oak Park (IGOV). In concur- tenure as village clerk, continuing to promote transparency rence with her position with D97, Johannesson has worked and accessibility. The responsibilities of village clerk, Johannesson believes, suits her. for the past five years as executive assistant to IGOV. “This fits my skillset; it fits my passion for the community “The mission is basically to support and encourage more collaboration and cooperation between the six taxing bodies and desire to be in service in a larger capacity than I am now.”

12

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Oak Park yoga teacher: it’s not just for soccer moms

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

From the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced many people into quarantine to the country’s fraught political divide, 2020 is the year of stress. And now, perhaps more than ever, people need to breathe.

“But most people don’t breathe properly,” said Daryl Satcher, 44, of Oak Park. “We’re born breathing the right way. We come into this world inhaling through our nose and exhaling through our diaphragm. Watch a baby breathe and you can see it clearly. It’s inhaling and exhaling through the nose.”

Eventually, however, the world changes people and they start breathing from the chest up, in a fight-or-flight state, Satcher said.

“A lot of the violence and anger like incidents of road rage are mini-mental breakdowns and they happen, because people don’t know how to find stillness,” he said.

Satcher teaches yoga through A Leading Man, a business he founded that merges the arts and wellness. He said he wants to persuade more African Americans to take advantage of yoga for its mental and physical benefits.

By pure serendipity, Satcher found a fellow African American yoga enthusiast to help him in that mission. After teaching on Facebook for a while, Satcher put out a call for other yoga teachers to accompany him during an outdoor class.

Batya Emunaw Walker, 41, who owns EmunawB Yoga, was the only yoga instructor who responded, he said. The two instructors gelled instantly.

“Batya’s mother was at that class and afterward, she walked up to the both of us and said, ‘You all don’t know what you just did,” Satcher recalled. “She gave us permission to keep teaching together. She said, ‘Where else can you

find a Black man and Black woman working together and teaching yoga?”

In the several months since that first class, Satcher and Walker have taught together all over the west suburbs, including in Oak Park. They now both teach regular classes at Urban Pioneer Group in Forest Park.

Walker said she wants to cultivate an atmosphere in her yoga classes that is more welcoming than the ones she entered when she was just getting into yoga seven years ago.

“I started back in 2013,” she said. “My employer at the time offered it up to us for a health and wellness month. At the time, I was going through a divorce, along with a whole bunch of stuff we, as humans go through, and yoga taught me how to calm my mind, because I was doing too much and carrying weight that wasn’t mine.”

Walker said it wasn’t always comfortable being a Black person in a yoga studio.

“When I was first getting into yoga, I practiced at a known yoga studio that was majority white,” she said. “Of course, I’m eye-balled as soon as I walk in the door. But yoga, to me, is being able to be comfortable in uncomfortable spaces.

Allow yourself to feel whatever you feel in whatever space you’re in. Yoga is finding that stillness in me. Nothing else matters outside of that. If I can provide my students that stillness for that hour, then I’ve done my job.”

Walker said she hadn’t imagined herself becoming an instructor when she started out, but in 2018, someone suggested the possibility.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be teaching yoga,” she said.

Now, Walker teaches yoga full-time and has even provided instruction for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun. Satcher, an actor with an MFA in theatre, said when he started doing yoga, he was 275 pounds “and I needed a spark, something different. I was in a stage reading and a couple of my cast members were yogis. So, I went to a class with one of my castmates and from then on yoga became something that was part of my lifestyle.”

Satcher said that his interest in yoga got more serious four years ago. He’s been teaching yoga for roughly a year, he said. Now, his mission is to see more Black people realize the benefits of yoga.

“My vision is to see Black people practicing yoga,” Satcher said. “It’s a mental and spiritual benefit for all. So, we’d like to bring yoga to places you don’t normally see yoga, with people you don’t normally see practicing yoga. We know there’s a soccer mom stigma with yoga — this notion that it’s only for soccer moms — but it’s really for all people.”

For more information on Satcher’s A Leading Man, visit: aleadingmanproductions.com. For more information on EmunawB Yoga, visit: emunawbyoga.com.

Racial reconciliation focus of Austin symposium

By SHELBY E. HAWKINS AustinTalks

Musicians, poets, storytellers, politicians and others came together on Nov. 5, to discuss what social equity for Austin should look like.

Oak Park resident Reesheda Graham Washington, owner of Live Café, moderated the four-hour event, which was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.

Presented by the Austin Renaissance Council, the first racial reconciliation symposium was held at the Kehrein Center for the Arts in Austin. The event prompted uncomfortable conversations and emphasized the importance of Austin residents sharing stories and taking control of their narratives.

One of the presenters, storyteller Kucha Brownlee, shared the story of her family.

They moved from Mississippi to Tennessee, then her dad went to Chicago, later sending for the rest of his family to join him. Brownlee was born on the West Side, making her a first-generation Chicagoan.

Brownlee reminded viewers of the diversity within the Black community, citing her

family as a color spectrum of shades. She’s a light-skinned woman with loose curls adorning her head and light-colored eyes.

She recalled being part of a protest when a classmate looked at her and questioned her involvement. “Why are you marching? This is not your fight,” the classmate said. “What do you mean?” Brownlee replied. “You could pass,” said the classmate, referring to how her light complexion could allow her to pass for white.

Brownlee, however, said she needed to march because she wouldn’t disown her family. She claimed them just as they claimed her.

A youth empowerment panel, moderated

by Miki Grace, also underscored how important it is to maintain a sense of community.

Dearra Williams recalled growing up in Austin and how all of her resources from food access to education were outside of the neighborhood.

“Why is it like that?” said Williams, a marketing and development associate with Austin Coming Together. “I should be able to stay in my hood to get the food that I deserve and the school that I deserve.”

Others on the youth panel agreed that

building community will result in positive change.

Jeremy Mercado of BUILD said: “I think one of the most powerful things we can offer individuals is our presence… We need to give ourselves more opportunities to be with each other.”

Themes of unity and solidarity continued throughout the event. The director of New Life K.N.E.W. Solutions, Khiry Johnson, gave a lesson on privilege, and how people can use their privilege to other peoples’ benefit.

He recounted going to a restaurant with a diverse group of people where they saw a used noose on the wall displayed next to a rifle. Everyone in the group began taking on different jobs – some asked for the manager, others checked on how the Black people in the group were feeling, and some got the car, urging everyone to leave.

Johnson used this story to illustrate how racial reconciliation is a team effort in which everyone plays a part.

“Racial reconciliation is the top-tier allyship. I need you to be an ally when it’s not easy. I need you to be an ally when it’s not convenient. I need you to be an ally when no

one’s around to watch you be an ally.”

He concluded by telling the audience to “take ownership over how you love yourself.”

With unfavorable stereotypes of Black people still part of the mainstream, the symposium sought to answer how those negative perceptions can be undone.

State Rep. La Shawn Ford (8th) was there as well to talk about social equity. Speaking with Austin Coming Together’s planning and investment manager, Darrel Washington, the Austin lawmaker said equity starts with education.

Ford, who used to be a CPS history teacher, advocates for swapping history lessons in public schools for civics classes until the curriculum is changed.

“The history lessons we teach our children are biased, they’re racist, and they make one person superior over another … we should put a moratorium on the current teaching of history in our schools.”

Organizers say more conversations and events like this will be ongoing throughout the year to highlight more narratives from the community.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

Fenwick ‘pauses’ from in-person learning Fenwick president says ‘to our knowledge’ no cases have been transmitted

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Growing Community.

Fenwick High School took a pause from in-person, hybrid learning late last month, according to Fenwick President Fr. Richard Peddicord. The decision comes as COVID-19

cases increase in suburban Cook County, including Oak Park.

“On October 29 and 30, Fenwick took a two-day pause from in-person, hybrid learning to assess and better understand the rise of COVID-19 cases in and around the school community and how it potentially affects the health and well-being of our students, families, faculty, staff and their families,” Peddicord said in a statement the Oak Park school released earlier this week.

Fenwick is at 505 Washington Blvd. in Oak Park.

“After significant consideration, Fen-

wick announced that remote learning will continue through this week (November 2-6),” Peddicord said. “At this time, we expect in-school learning to resume on Tuesday, November 10, after the Veterans’ Day holiday.”

Peddicord said that there will “no athletic practices or competitions, no rehearsals or theater practices, no club or other in-person activities,” until Nov. 10.

Peddicord said that “to our knowledge, no COVID-19 cases have been transmitted at Fenwick.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Store specific restrictions may apply. Not valid with other discounts or purchase of gift cards.

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED CARE • MEMORY CARE • SKILLED NURSING

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

Fewer signs, costs lowered

By ROBERT J. LIFKA

A safe & smart choice.

River Forest officials gave the green light to a scaled-back version of the village’s firstever bicycle plan at the Nov. 9 virtual village board meeting.

Officials balked when implementation of the plan was introduced at the Oct. 26 board meeting, questioning the number of signs to be installed throughout the village and the wisdom of spending almost $200,000 while the village is facing decreased revenues re-

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

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River Forest officials are taking a second helping of financial assistance from Cook County for reimbursement for expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

After receiving $100,000 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds through Cook County, village officials learned River Forest is eligible for an additional $12,000. At the Nov. 9 virtual village board meeting, officials approved an amendment to the original intergovernmental agreement approved in July, setting the wheels in motion for the additional CARES Act funding.

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced in July that 134 Cook County suburbs will share about $51 million under the CARES Act. Eligible categories include medical expenses; public health expenses; payroll expenses for public safety, public health, health care, human services, and similar employees whose services are substantially dedicated to mitigating or responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency; expenses for actions to facilitate compliance with COVID-19-related public health measures; expenses associated with the provision of economic support in connection with the COVID-19 public health emergency; and any other COVID-19-related expenses reasonably necessary to the function of government that satisfy the fund’s eligibility criteria, excluding costs associated with conducting Coronavirus Relief Fund Single or Program-Specific audits.

Robert J. Lifka

lated to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the revised version, the number of signs has been decreased from 342 to 199 and the estimated cost from $194,000 to $147,936.

Consensus was reached to move forward with implementation of the scaled-back plan despite two trustees expressing concerns.

Trustee Patty Henek questioned whether residents had been given sufficient opportunities to provide input on the plan but Village President Cathy Adduci said she believed residents were given the chance to offer opinions during the two years the plan has been discussed.

Henek also suggested the plan be implemented in phases with the possibility of reallocating funds from the second phase to cover bicycle-related expenses not included in the plan, including infrastructure such as bike racks, but Village Administrator Eric Palm explained that the village would lose economy of scale by implementing the plan in phases.

Trustee Tom Cargie said he felt there “are still too many signs,” echoing comments he made on Oct. 26.

The plan for signs to guide bicyclists along designated routes, create motorist awareness and improve safety at intersections originally included wayfinding signs that would have pointed to destinations such as schools, the town center and the library.

Since the key destinations within the village were thought to be widely known by residents the inclusion of wayfinding signage was removed from the plan, Palm explained.

Bike lane signs, bicycle crossing signs, and turn and decision signs will be placed on existing poles where possible, Palm said. The majority of the plan is located on streets under village jurisdiction as opposed to streets controlled by the Illinois Department of Transportation, such as Thatcher Avenue, Lake Street, Harlem Avenue and North Avenue, he added.

Implementation will also include the installation of bike lane symbols, arrows and shared lane markings; approximately 5,500 lineal feet of solid white lane line markings, and some pavement marking removals.

The estimated expense of $147,936 will be partially offset by a $30,735 grant from Cook County obtained with the help of Cook County Commissioner Peter Silvestri (9th), whose district includes River Forest.

The project is scheduled to be bid this winter with construction planned for spring 2021.

Trustees accepted the recommendation from the Village Sustainability Commission in approving the bicycle plan in July 2019.

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Harmon’s dream of Fair Tax fails with voters

River Forest said No, Oak Park a resounding Yes

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

For well over a decade, State Senator Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) had pushed to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot that, if approved, would allow Illinois to enact a graduated income tax in which higher earners are taxed at a higher rate than those who make less. Currently, the Illinois Constitution requires that the state income tax be flat rate. Last year the General Assembly finally put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot. With billionaire Gov. J.B, Pritzker nearly singlehandedly bankrolling the Vote Yes campaign, proponents were optimistic.

But when voters had their say at the ballot box, the so called “Fair Tax” amendment was decisively defeated getting only 45.5 percent of the vote, far short of the 60 percent yes vote required to change the constitution.

With 99 percent of the vote counted, 474,161 more people voted against the amendment than voted for it.

“Obviously I’m disappointed. Illinois had a chance to take a step toward financial stability and property tax relief and didn’t take it,” Harmon said in a statement sent to Wednesday Journal. “But the voters have spoken. That’s the way democracy works.

I will work with the governor and my colleagues to figure out our next moves. Clearly we need to look at making sure that our overall tax structure is as fair for working families as we can make it.”

The amendment fared well in Oak Park where 72.41 percent of voters voted yes.

But it was a different story in River Forest where 52.83 percent of voters voted against the amendment.

The battle over the constitutional amend-

ment was an expensive battle between two of Illinois’ richest billionaires who funded expensive and nearly nonstop television ads and direct mail campaigns on both sides of the issue for the last month.

Pritzker bankrolled the Yes campaign putting $56 million of his own money behind the campaign. But hedge fund operator Ken Griffin nearly matched Pritzker dollar for dollar, putting $54 million of his own money into the Coalition to Stop the Tax Hike Amendment, flooding the airwaves over the last month or so.

Supporters of the amendment argued that those who make more money should pay a greater share of their income in taxes while advertisements against the amendment said that it was dangerous to give what they termed “Springfield politicians” any more power to tax. They also argued that a graduated income tax would harm the economy.

They also suggested that the amendment would lead to the state taxing retirement income. Nothing in the amendment affected retirement income. Whether to tax retirement income or not is purely a matter for the state legislature and governor.

With the amendment defeated, the state’s leaders must look for other ways to reduce an $8 million budget deficit. An increase in the state’s current flat income tax rate of 4.95 percent and/or spending cuts have been mentioned as possibilities.

Harmon, now the State Senate president, is hoping for more support from the federal government, a more realistic possibility with Joe Biden as president.

“At the same time, this underscores yet again the need for help from Washington,” Harmon said. “The unfortunate reality is that the government of the United States of America has yet to help the 50 states of this great country cope with the economic fallout caused by this global health crisis and Washington’s inability to have a national containment strategy. I hope the new administration will be better for all of us.”

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C R I M E

Man breaks into BP station

A man was observed by a witness breaking the glass window and door to the BP Amoco, 6119 North Ave., and then entering the convenience store at 5:10 a.m., Nov. 4.

The witness saw the man leave the building carrying a box with unknown contents.

The loss was unknown at the time of reporting.

Burglary ■ Someone broke into a vehicle and took a

Bed, Bath & Beyond bag containing several candles at 4:12 p.m., Nov. 2 in the 400 block of Washington Boulevard, Nov. 2. The estimated loss is $100.

■ Someone entered an unlocked residential garage and removed a snowblower between 6 p.m., Nov. 2 and 7:45 a.m., Nov. 3 in the 1100 block of Woodbine Avenue. The estimated loss is $800. Someone took a wireless Bluetooth in-car FM transmitter from an unlocked vehicle in the 400 block of South Scoville Avenue between 5 p.m., Nov. 4 and 1 p.m., Nov. 5. The estimated loss is $18.

■ Someone pried open the deadbolt lock to the rear door of a residence, went inside the home and then ransacked its interior but took nothing between 5:30 p.m., Nov. 5 and

8:45 a.m., Nov. 6 in the 400 block of South Taylor Avenue. Estimated damage to the door is $400.

■ Someone entered a residence through a window and removed an iPod, Apple EarPods, a cell phone and keys to the victim’s vehicle; the burglar then took the vehicle from its outside parking spot between 6:24 a.m., Nov. 6 and 6:15 a.m., Nov. 7 in the 600 block of Gunderson Avenue. Chicago police later recovered the vehicle. The estimated loss is $12,650.

■ Someone took about $4.25 in cash from an unlocked vehicle parked in the 200 block of South Taylor Avenue between 1 p.m., Nov. 5 and 9:20 a.m., Nov. 7.

Recovered stolen auto ■ The 2009 Toyota Highlander reported stolen Oct. 28 from the 200 block of North Cuyler Avenue was recovered by the Chicago Police Department in the 300 block of North Central Park in Chicago at 9:12 a.m., Nov. 2. No apprehensions.

■ The 1999 Toyota 4Runner reported stolen May 31 from the 900 block of Garfield Street was recovered by Broadview police at 3:01 p.m., Nov. 4 in the 800 block of South

13th Avenue in Maywood without apprehensions.

Motor vehicle theft Someone removed a beige 2016 Jeep Cherokee, left unlocked and running, from the 7100 block of Roosevelt Road at 6:35 p.m., Nov. 2. The estimated loss is $25,000.

Theft A package was removed from an unsecured foyer of a building in the 1000 block of North Boulevard between 12:30 p.m., Nov. 7 and 10 a.m., Nov. 8. The estimated loss is $25.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Nov. 2– 9 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

Text scammers pose as local priest Classic internet scams have been adapted to fit more modern methods of communication, moving from email to texting. While not quite the ubiquitous con involving a so-called Nigerian prince in need of cash, a similar cash-grab is targeting parishioners of two churches in Oak Park – Ascension Catholic Church and St. Giles Catholic Church.

Purporting to be local priest, Rev. Carl Morello, someone is sending text messages to churchgoers asking recipients to send gift cards.

Morello serves as administrator at Ascension and pastor at St. Giles. Ascension sent out an emailed newsletter Nov. 5, warning people of the scam.

This is not the first time Morello’s congregants have received bogus text messages. The scam began over a year ago and has happened a few times since, Morello told Wednesday Journal “No one seems to know how to stop it from happening,” Morello said.

Morello believes most people understand the messages are a dishonest ploy for immediate financial gain. Many parishioners who have gotten the texts have called St. Giles to identify if Morello really needs help.

For people who receive these text messages, Morello advises them not to respond.

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

17

Rally for democracy ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Demonstrators rally on the corner of Lake Street and Harlem Avenue in River Forest on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, during a Count The Vote Rally.

BIDEN

Tension, then jubilation from page 1 honked their horns in agreement. “But we had faith and knew that at the end of the day, democracy would prevail.”

A few doors down, Hernandez’s neighbors, Leonard Go and his wife Jessica Roberts, casually gathered on their front lawn, enjoying an unusually warm and sunny November day.

“There’s light at the end of the tunnel,” Roberts said. “Everyone is letting out a sigh of relief and this weather is a sign from above that we’re on the right track.”

A few doors down from Go and Roberts, Julieus Thomas, 29, was dancing on his porch and waving an American flag while Pharrell Williams’s “Happy” blared from a speaker.

“I didn’t think I was going to feel this way, but when I woke up and saw that CNN finally projected it, it felt like a weight was lifted off of my shoulders,” said Thomas, who is Black. “It’s been so hard in this country. I’ve felt like I’ve had to bite my tongue for four years and do what we’ve always done — play the role, fit the part and survive. It finally feels like this roller coaster that hopped off

the rails is back on track and we can enjoy the ride again.”

Thomas said that Biden’s win has prompted a rare moment of solidarity on his block.

“My block has never been this unified before,” Thomas said. “Right after they called the race, everybody came out and we were waving flags and honking. It’s a really good vibe today. And who knew that I was going to DJ the revolution?”

Tension leading up to victory If the weekend was jubilant, the several days after Nov. 3 were marked by tension, as President Trump disputed the election results in states where he was down.

On Nov. 4, a local chapter of the progressive Indivisible movement organized a protest at the busy corner of Lake and Harlem, where roughly two dozen people chanted “Count the votes to victory – C-O-U-N-T!” “The election is legitimate and every vote should count,” said Phyllis Rubin, 76, of River Forest. “There should be nothing to stop the count of the votes.”

Etta Worthington, 70, of Forest Park, organized the protest. She said that the demonstration was part of Indivisible’s national mobilizing effort that’s been in the works for months.

“We have a lot of progressive voices and

we want to get support, and help people realize that we can’t stop fighting for our democracy,” Worthington said.

Luana Sanabria, 18, happened to be walking through Cummings Square, when she spotted the protestors.

“I saw people protesting and I thought they were Donald Trump supporters and was getting ready to yell at them,” Sanabria said.

Sanabria said she can’t vote, because she was born in South America. That doesn’t mean that the election has not affected her, she said.

“I knew that selecting Donald Trump as president back in 2016 was going to be really bad, but I didn’t really notice the affects until this year and it’s been really sad,” she said. “It’s made me feel like less of a human being.”

As Don Smith, 61, waited for a bus at Lake and Harlem, the protestors prompted him to think about the historic election and its possible ramifications.

“If Biden happens to win, I can see Trump tweeting in the middle of the night, because he’s not going give up,” Smith said.

“White people voted for Trump out of fear.

You see what they’re doing now? They’re demonstrating? Trump’s calling that rioting. He’s mixing all of this together and calling it law and order.

“I’ve seen a lot of elections, but I’ve never

seen one like this,” Smith said. “The thing is, you’re really seeing the division of America right now. When most countries overseas become this divided what happens? There’s war.”

Exhale On Saturday, River Forest residents Melissa Heally, Deb Wolkstein and Erika Bachman were wrapping up their impromptu mass celebration in Scoville Park that they organized around the same time that Hernandez was waving her flag in revelry on Jackson and Oak Park Avenue.

“This was just really impromptu,” Heally said. “Where were we going to gather together and celebrate during COVID-19?

So, we decided to come out on the corner and celebrate with other people and each other. That was happening the whole time and it was so fun.”

“There were so many people out with signs who joined us and other people brought instruments,” Wolkstein said.

“It was all really joyful,” said Bachner, a River Forest village trustee. “We’re feeling a lot of joy.”

“This is a good day,” Heally said. “It doesn’t feel real. We can finally breathe again.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

18

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Fenwick is open and safe p. 21

My day as a poll watcher

I

spent Election Day in a small church in Michigan, as a Democratic Party Election Poll Watcher.

I signed up for, and trained for, this event months ago. I did this because I felt compelled to keep my head down and continue to work hard on Election Day and knew that if I did not, I would be wringing my hands and be distracted from my paying job anyway.

Here are some notes from my day, which proved to be overwhelmingly positive and inspirational, with some (predictable) spikes of alarm.

At 6 a.m., I reported to the small, lakeside church to which I was assigned. There was already a line of voters waiting, and the polls wouldn’t open for another hour. When the first voter was let in, he thanked the election workers, and noted that he and the veteran in the wheelchair behind him both teared up when they heard and saw the election crew take the oath and say the pledge of allegiance before they got to work. That was a good start to the day.

Because I am not registered to vote in Michigan, my role as a poll watcher was to know the rules for voting, observe the process, report and question irregularities to the workers, and if not resolved, also report to the Democratic Party. There was also an election challenger present, who had more extensive responsibilities, such as the right to challenge a person’s eligibility to vote and challenge the actions of election inspectors.

I have never seen a more dedicated, professional, and gracious team than I observed in that church on Election Day. They worked like clockwork, processing voters and handling 80 voters per hour with one in-take computer. In the last election, this voting place saw only 221 voters. This year, they processed more than that in the first three hours.

Here are some stats: ■ 10 first-time voters, who were celebrated ■ 11 voters who had received absentee ballots, but decided to instead vote in person (they can do that — the workers had to call to have their absentee ballots voided, to avoid a potential double vote) ■ 2 typos in voting rolls corrected (took a call to the clerk; they made it look easy) ■ 1 voter who came to the wrong precinct was directed to his correct voting place. I hope he made it!

■ 1 first-time voter returned to the polls with his mom after he thought he had made a mistake; He had voted a “straight-ticket,” but then selected a few candidates who were not on that party’s ticket.

Michigan is one of the few states that allows voters to vote “straight ticket,” meaning they may fill one oval next to a party name to cast a vote for every candidate of that party. Turns out his “split ticket” ballot was OK — you can both select straight ticket, and also vote directly for candidates from a different party. Interesting!

■ 9 voters who refused to wear masks (some with children of various ages, who also refused). Some of the refusers were defiant (“I have a right to vote without wearing a mask”), and some would not meet your eye.

I left my assignment inspired, and educated. I’m also curious about how the voters I saw processed actually voted, and will probably look at the stats on that.

I was compelled to be a poll watcher because I needed to continue to do whatever I could in this election. Like so many life experiences, I ended up getting more out of being a poll watcher than I gave. I recommend it.

Katie Brennan is a River Forest resident and a village trustee.

KATIE

BRENNAN One View

PHOTOS BY KHARA COLEMAN

WHAT MATTERS: Signs in Oak Park show solidarity and a commitment to justice.

We will survive and we will thrive

Editor’s note: This was written the day before the election. ight now, my only aim to is write words I may need to read when I wake up on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

With many votes still uncounted, and fear still swinging about violently and unchecked, what words might possibly bring me comfort?

Clearly, I am extremely anxious. But I am trying to think past the despair and chaos and horror and hopelessness — all things I have felt over the past four years. Instead, I hope to remind myself and everyone I know that we will survive and thrive, no matter what happens. How do I know this? Because we have done it before!

In the most literal sense, when I say “we,” I mean African Americans. But I also mean everyone whose human and civil rights are threatened by a government system that tolerates burning black churches, 2020 poll taxes, separating immigrant children from their parents, and then storing them in cages. “We” survived oppression before, and we will do it again.

My family is from the American South, with roots in precisely the parts that you imagine when you think of violent racism. Not only did my grandparents survive not being permitted to vote (not because it was illegal but because they would have been killed), but they raised a joyful, raucous

R

tribe of children, several of whom later became Election Day poll workers.

They raised happy, ambitious children, who raised happy, even more ambitious grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

They bought a home. They danced. They created memories. They didn’t just survive. They sought peace and joy. None of it was easy, but even in the midst of America’s particular brand of legal terrorism, our families dwelled in productive, joyful things.

And my people in a broader sense, African Americans? What a history! In an America that has always stood willing to deny us every civil right the Constitution sees fit to tease us with, my people created jazz and the blues and R&B and hip-hop. My people painted, took photographs, wrote poems, and cultivated a powerful form of Christian worship. Not only did they fight for their civil rights, but they also birthed the Jacksons and The Supremes.

They had — we have — movies and books and musicals and the best dance moves. We have grand cultural movements in the arts and sciences, not just in politics. We educated ourselves and our children, making progress, socially and financially, that no one could have envisioned 100 years ago. In fact, resentment over that progress appears to be at the heart of the most

KHARA

COLEMAN One View

See COLEMAN on page 23

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

O U R

O

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

Civility at home

ver the past four years we have watched with sadness, with worry, with anger as the meanness and lying, the overt racism, the endless strategy of dividing, the absence of human empathy has swept through our national politics. Donald Trump was held to account last week by a decent majority of Americans.

But the seeds of this dystopian view of American life go back way further than Trump and his unlikely and repulsive presidency. Our history brings us to Nixon and the Southern Strategy in the 1960s. But there are outbreaks of American viciousness that go back further still and always intersect with racism.

Trump, though, gets the credit for recognizing and aligning the putrid veins of hate and ignorance, for unleashing and seminormalizing the rage.

This won’t go away readily or soon, not when whole channels of right-wing cable and the internet provide a gathering place for ongoing venom and misinformation.

So, yes, even in this more hopeful moment our worries are profound.

And, for the purposes of our readers in Oak Park and River Forest, we connect the dots of our national decay to the diminishment of civil dialogue and governance that we have seen locally.

We don’t want to overstate it. And we don’t want to ignore it.

But the tenor of political discussion in our hometowns has suffered in these harsh years. We’ve seen it at the high school going back to the way-overcharged debate about a swimming pool.

We’ve seen it at Oak Park’s village hall where the village board has become fractured over policing issues, where discussions have too often become far too personal. Monday night there was odd and intense contention over how to support small businesses.

We’ve also seen moments of grace. We’ve seen eyes opened in this moment of racial reckoning. We’ve seen River Forest and Maywood find a reason to talk after decades of cold and conscious divide. We’ve seen the same bridges begin to span Austin Boulevard, that half-century road of rigid separation and fear.

We are weeks away now from filing deadlines for spring elections for village offices, for school boards, libraries and parks. We want to see aspiration for higher office also be aspiration for honest but civil talk about our complex issues of race, of taxes and affordability, of rebuilding from the scourge of COVID-19.

This is a moment to give everyone a chance, as President-elect Joe Biden said on Saturday night.

The police contract

We get it. A cone of silence comes down around negotiations with public employees. It is currently being lowered in Oak Park where contract talks with rank-and-file cops are beginning.

Here’s the thing: What pay raises get agreed to, what small changes in health care are offered are pretty much irrelevant to the fundamental issue of what Oak Parkers want policing to look like in this village.

This is the moment — and the contract can be the delivery mechanism — for changes in police procedures and culture. For decades, this page has pushed hard on the truth that an essential way to change the priorities of a public institution is through the contract with its largest employee group.

Contract after contract we have pressured school boards at the high school and elementary schools to build progressive language into those contracts around equity. Over the past eight to 10 years those changes have taken hold.

While village board members and staff go bland in their comments on this police contract, we intend to stay hard on this. Issues of discipline and transparency are contract issues. Whether our officers get a 2-percent raise or 2.5 percent is pocket change in this moment.

Don’t lose sight of fundamental reform.

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Democracy stages a comeback

o many things bouncing around in out to be exactly the right person at the my brain after democracy staged the right time, judging by his forceful, focused comeback of the year: speech Saturday night declaring both vicIn the long, agonizing lead-up to tory and vision. Who would have guessed?

Nov. 3, I had no faith whatsoever in “To those who voted for President this country being able to run a fair elecTrump,” President-elect Biden said, “I tion — little faith following the travesty understand your disappointment tonight. that was the 2000 election, no faith in I’ve lost a couple of elections myself. But this year’s vote. So I was astonished in now, let’s give each other a chance. It’s time the days following, to see workers in the to put away the harsh rhetoric, to lower contested states, even Red states, showing the temperature, to see each other again, to a methodical determination to count every listen to each other again. To make progress, last vote, including provisional ballots. we must stop treating our opponents as the They livestreamed the proceedings to allay enemy. We are not enemies. We are Amerisuspicions among the conspiracy-minded. cans. The Bible tells us that to everything Very inspiring. there is a season — a time to build, a time to Tuesday night was agony, the so-called reap, a time to sow. And a time to heal. This “Red Mirage” in full force — same-day voters giving is the time to heal America.”

Trump scary leads in battleground states. The next If anyone can pull it off, it’s this guy. But it won’t be day the slow-motion comeback unfolded. It took three easy. full days, but the mail-in balIn the meantime, someone lots, as predicted, made the should organize a citizendifference. ship ceremony for Donald The long slog gave me Trump, who has lived his time to confront my own entire life in an alien countendency to career from try: the Divided States of worst-case-scenario despair America. With this loss, he (Trump will run the table is finally eligible to become in the contested states and a citizen of the United States democracy will die!) to deluof America, a land where sions of grandeur (if Biden truth matters and where evpicks up all the contested eryone has experienced loss, states, he’ll win in a miniso we empathize with one landslide!). I talked myself another and look out for one off several ledges and realanother. It is our common ized that this had to play out, ground. Welcome, Donald, to however long it takes. the real world. Welcome to In the end, it didn’t take the U.S.A. that long. Saturday, when To his supporters, we the call came putting Biden know what you’re going over the top, was not only through because we went the loveliest weather day of through it in 2016. The JOE BIDEN the fall, but also the sweetest shock, the anger, the depreshighlight of an otherwise sion. Now we have that in pestilential year. One street reveler Saturday night common. As bad as Tuesday night was for us to sit was actually heard saying, “2020, best year ever!” through, the following three days had to be worse Some thoughts in the aftermath: for you, watching your candidate’s big lead steadily The loss couldn’t have come to a more deserving evaporate. We know how agonizing that is. fellow, the victory as well-earned and deserved as any But after 2016 and in the ensuing years, we didn’t ever. This kind of thing doesn’t happen very often, give up. We came together and resisted the wrongs where wrongs suddenly seem so dramatically righted. that your votes helped perpetrate. Just as you aren’t But I know full well we’re a long way from being ful- going away, we aren’t going away either. If Donald ly and finally righted. The culture war grinds on. Still, Trump runs again in 2024, we’ll beat him again. I sugthis is good news, something to savor and celebrate. gest you find a better human being to top your ticket.

Seventy-five million Americans (and counting) The joy that Biden supporters feel with this victory turned out to fire a ruthless, vicious, dishonest, and is tempered by the Democrats’ failure to take the incompetent president. The fact that 70 million other Senate (though they still have a shot). They lost five voters (and counting) failed to recognize this, or seats in the House so far (some races haven’t been managed to overlook it, does not alter the fact that the called). But keep in mind that in 2016, overlooked reality-based population is still more powerful than in the gloom, Democrats picked up six seats in the the conspiracy-based populace. How could so many House. In 2018, Democrats flipped the House. In 2020, people support a man like Donald Trump? We can’t they flipped the White House. Maybe in 2022, they’ll finally flip the Senate. Like it or not, we’re playing the help wondering. long game.

We remain a deeply divided country, to be sure, and There is much about the results of this election to Trump’s supporters remain a formidable, highlybuild on. This country is not finished. We may, in fact, motivated political force. But guess what? So are we. be on the verge of a national renaissance.

Far more formidable and united than we were four But I’m not going that far, having sworn off grand years ago. We’re fully awake now and energized, and we united behind a candidate with lightning speed last delusions.

At least for the time being. spring in the nick of time. And that candidate turned

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Fenwick is open, safe and ready to grow!

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enwick High School reopened its doors eight weeks ago. So far, our 92nd academic year — with its hybrid, “A-B Schedule” — has been like none other in our storied, Dominican Catholic history. Body temperatures of students, teachers and visitors are taken upon entry; anyone with a fever is not admitted. In addition, faculty and staff answer a daily health questionnaire before entering the building.

Half the student body is physically in school on Mondays and Wednesdays, while the other half e-learns from home. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the mask-wearing classmates switch. After each in-class period, teachers diligently disinfect the socially distanced desktops.

The safety and security of our students and our employees is Fenwick’s first and foremost priority.

Families of only 111 students have opted for remote learning exclusively. Some of our educators are teaching from home as well. To date, there have been 10 positive cases of COVID-19 (0.78%) in the building, all of which seem to have been contracted off campus, as reported by our Health Office. Any teenager or adult who had direct contact with one of those cases also quarantined for 14 days as were others identified through contact tracing — an area in which our two school nurses are trained.

In preparation this summer, Fenwick spent more than $325,000 on health and safety protections, including: ■ Upgrading our HVAC system to increase air circulation by 30% ■ Adding plexiglass partitions in classrooms ■ Installing a rapid-read, infrared “camera” temperature scanner in the lobby ■ Providing personal PPE for all faculty and staff We also purchased additional technology to facilitate e-learning — new laptops, software and cameras in every classroom, and an app for health screening.

Fridays during the coronavirus pandemic are for first-year students only, and we are happy to report that our freshman Class of ’24 is 273 members strong!

Fenwick’s total enrollment in 2019-20 stood at 1,132 young men and women.

Last spring during COVID, we were concerned about that number dipping and prepared for the worst. The school’s board of directors budgeted for 82 fewer students as administrators, faculty and staff braced for salary freezes. And we all prayed fervently.

Thankfully, the economic situation improved: Fenwick’s enrollment stands at 1,127 students, down a mere five students from last school year. The Friars acquired a dozen or so students from Guerin Prep in River Grove, which has closed, and a handful more transferred from other private as well as public high schools in the area. God is good, and we all continue to forge ahead, hopeful for a better spring semester and a return to some type of “normalcy” in 2021.

Hundreds of families are signed up for limitedcapacity open houses next week, leading up to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s admissions test date on Saturday, Dec. 5, when we will first set eyes on our members of the Class of 2025. We remain #FenwickStrong and, as always, the Friars appreciate the ongoing support of our surrounding Oak Park community.

Never keeping our eye off the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, we believe that the social and emotional needs of all call for us to be together in person — albeit in a socially-distanced way. The continued academic and extracurricular flourishing of our young people is at stake. May God bless all of us and bring an end to the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rev. Richard Peddicord, O.P., is in his ninth year as president of Fenwick High School.

REV. RICHARD PEDDICORD One View

We did it!

Dear fellow Democrats, Karina Villa on a hard-fought win. Her Saturday marked the beginning of the message of providing better health care end of one of the most incredible periods to the voters and her hard work paid off. of our lives.

The Illinois Senate Democrats now hold 41 Joe Biden is comfortably ahead in the seats, the largest majority in our history. key states needed to be elected president Obviously, I’m disappointed that the Fair and has been declared President-elect of Tax was not successful, but millions of Ilthe United States. He will be inaugurated linoisans voted to invest in Illinois schools in January of 2021, and the process of closand communities while making our tax ing one of the darkest chapters in Americode fairer. The voters have spoken and can history will begin. now we must move forward together with This and this alone is a momentous oca new administration to build back better casion for celebration for our country. Our than ever before. democracy, the rule of law, the decency of This election occurred in the midst of a the American people, and the choice of Illinois Senate President global pandemic that has wrought havoc unity over hate were all on the ballot. Good on our economy and killed a quarter of a was victorious on Tuesday and you made million Americans. Washington lacked the leadership this happen. Your activism, volunteering, donations, that we, as Americans, have come to expect in times of and dedication will be a part of this incredible camcrisis. paign forever.

Yet we see the light coming over the horizon. Bask in I’m also thrilled to congratulate Senator-Elect it today and be joyous. We did it.

DON

HARMON

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 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

T O

R E A C H

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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.

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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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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

Mitigate climate change with community solar

Can’t put solar panels on your home?

Community solar is one of the most effective strategies to address climate change, and save money at the same time.

The rapid growth of the solar industry in 2020 may be one of the most under-reported stories in Illinois. Even with the pandemic, the recession, and all the other issues, there are at least 26 new solar farms in Illinois that are scheduled to be online in early 2021.

And that is newsworthy at a time when there’s an urgent need for action to mitigate climate change.

Interfaith Green Network (IGN) is strongly encouraging individuals, small businesses, congregations, and nonprofits to subscribe to community solar. It’s an easy way to “go solar” with no upfront investment, no physical installation of solar panels, but lower electrical bills. In addition, construction of solar farms brings good-paying construction jobs to areas of low employ-

ment in Illinois, and introduces economic diversity to areas of Illinois that have been struggling economically. It’s a win/win/win situation for subscribers, for the state of Illinois, and for the environment.

IGN is sponsoring a webinar on Thursday evening, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. It will include an explanation of how community solar works, savings benefits, contract terms, how to sign up, and more. You can register for this webinar at https://register.gotowebinar.com/ register/2207072091069364751.

Another way to learn about community solar is the Citizens Utility Board website.

CUB has been tracking the six companies that are now offering community solar and the website has detailed consumer-oriented information about each of them. The web address is https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/solar-in-the-community.

Art Spooner

Volunteer, Interfaith Green Network

An alternative to the Fair Tax

Now that voters have rejected the classwarfare constitutional amendment, let’s consider a more adult approach where everybody shares the pain of past fiscal mismanagement but the underlying problems are addressed and hopefully the pain is manageable. Here is an outline for a program to address the state’s financial woes on a more permanent basis instead of kicking the can down the road and making it the next governor’s problem: 1. No pensions for new state hires; they get a 403(b) plan.

2. To the extent possible, eliminate or reduce the 3% per year guaranteed minimum COLA for state retirees.

3. Amend the Constitution to allow nonflat tax rates, with the limitations that (a) the highest rate on individuals cannot ex-

ceed the lowest rate by more than a ratio of 8 to 5, (b) regressive rates (i.e. lower tax rates on higher incomes) are prohibited, and (c) retirement income cannot be taxed at more than one-half the taxpayer’s normal tax rate. So for example if the rate on a person’s other income was 5%, retirement income could be taxed at no more than 2.5%.

I respectfully suggest to retirees that sooner or later retirement payments are going to be taxed by Illinois because it is the only way to generate enough revenue to dig out of the state’s hole, so they would be well-advised to jump at the chance to get whatever constitutional protections they can.

In memory of Ginie

Bob Stigger

Oak Park

Please donate online or by Virginia (Ginie) Cassin’s mail, noting that your donafamily has announced a plan tion is made in Ginie Cassin’s to have donations in her honor memory. http://www.saveand memory made to the onhemingway.com, or if you going campaign to “Save the prefer to write a check, make Hemingway Birthplace Muit out to EHFOP and mail it to: seum” from closing its doors EHFOP, P.O. Box 2222, Oak Park, this winter as visitor revenues IL 60303-2222. plummet due to COVID-19 manNothing would have pleased datory closures. her more than her many friends Ginie led the foundation as it GINIE CASSIN here and well beyond donating moved to acquire the Oak Park to a large piece of her work on Avenue home in the 1980s and its restoration to its Victorian elegance behalf of the Oak Park community. over the years leading up to the centenJohn W. Berry nial of Ernest Hemingway’s birth in Chairman, Ernest Hemingway Foundation July 1999. of Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Slavery: America’s continuing challenge

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suggest that America should give special status and priority to descendants of freed slaves who are still living in poverty after almost 160 years.

This is around 8 million people, less than 3% of our national citizenship.

When I was in primary school, I thought our country was the first to free slaves, and therefore we were a great people. I did not know much about what the world is and has been. For example, later I learned that the Russian King freed the Russian property slaves two years before American slaves were declared our fellow free citizens.

Several generations ago, the Southern slave class became unschooled, unskilled, destitute freedpersons in a highly competitive America. These easily identified souls were prey for the worst elements of our society. They have been targets for exploitation, immorality, murder, constant slander and exclusion. They have struggled through all of this trauma toward a better life.

Was Frederick Douglass the first highly successful self-freedperson? He said, “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.”

Who exemplifies American values more than this escaped slave? Why aren’t there more statues of him? Since his success, at least half of freedperson descendants have transitioned into the middle class and beyond, but many are still stuck in an American nightmare.

Is there a difference between freedpersons and immigrants? Humans brought here as slaves lost at least three important things that immigrants kept and come with even today. First, the choice of country. Second, the pride, sense of self, and support systems that ethnicity provides. Third, family. Upon emancipation, the freedpersons’ disadvantage compared to immigrants was immense.

Efforts to assist, always a low priority

for our government, have been hampered by constant dilution and the confusion of appearance versus culture. Desegregation and integration became “diversity,” and that takes the focus off of freedpersons’ descendants by including immigrant-descendant women, new immigrants from all over world, and a growing alphabet of gender variations. Government financial assistance has punished fatherhood and family life.

Appearance-based education solutions are having increasing problems. For example, the Ivy League now fulfills “diversity” with rich students from Nigeria and Ghana.

How does a country make things right for descendants of a former slave population that have become a permanent underclass as new immigrants have joined the middle class every year for more than a dozen decades?

I suggest starting at the beginning with the four basics. Give the still impoverished descendants of freedpersons what was originally taken from them. First, the chance and choice of country. We can pay for any of these citizens that wish to transfer for a fresh start to any other country in the world. Anyone leaving will open an immigration spot for someone from their ancestors’ origin area.

Second, we should offer them free genetic testing so that they will at least know their more specific connection to their ancestors and the world. Third, government financial assistance programs must immediately support and reward fatherhood and family life.

Finally, the Freedman’s Bureau died with President Lincoln. It should be revived as the Freedperson’s Descendants Bureau with NASA level funding and the specific purpose of strategically supporting and advocating for slave descendant underclass individuals’ move into the middle class.

Robert Sullivan is an Oak Park resident.

ROBERT SULLIVAN One View

Illinois’ tax system is stuck in the 19th century

The Fair Tax was not a tax hike, it was not a Pritzker tax, it was not a power grab, it was not an increase in legislative powers, it was not a referendum on how Springfield is performing, it was not an invitation to tax and spend, and it was not out of line with the rest of America.

It was an attempt to get us out of the 19th century. We have had a progressive income tax nationally for 107 years. It was an attempt to get us in line with almost all states that have an income tax, which is almost all states. Yes, even Iowa, hardly a bastion of progressivism, has a graduated income tax.

It was an attempt to change one word, “flat”, in our 1970 state constitution to “graduated.” It was an attempt to allow 97% of the population to pay a lower tax rate than the top 3% of earners. It was an attempt to align our

state and federal income taxes.

No one is denying that Springfield has problems. Lack of pension reform, 7,000 plus units of redundant local government, a gerrymandered map that allows many representatives to have no competition, and massive debt, are some of the many problems that Springfield has not fixed. But this amendment had nothing to do with fixing any of these. This amendment was a mere attempt to get us into the 20th century, as President Wilson successfully did with his progressive agenda in 1913.

I am surprised that the majority of Illinois citizens do not know enough about history to counteract the claims made in ads paid for by the top 1% of income earners that were erroneously substantiated by many editorials.

Jan Goldberg Riverside

V I E W P O I N T S

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Affordable housing units too scarce in Oak Park

Despite the pandemic, or perhaps in part because of the pandemic and the large number of people who are fleeing the congestion of downtown Chicago, Oak Park is experiencing a boom in rental housing development.

Last week’s Wednesday Journal reported on two new developments to be built in the village. One, on the former Drechsler, Brown & Williams funeral home site, proposes the addition of 191 units in an eight-story building. The second proposal calls for construction of a six-story building with 84 units on Lake Street just east of Unity Temple. Each development will offer high-end rental apartments in an elevator building.

Several years ago, Oak Park adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance that was put forward to increase housing opportunities for low-income individuals and households at affordable rents. In order to obtain village approval for construction, developers have to choose between designating at least 10% of the total units in a proposed development to be affordable for low-income renters or, alternatively, making a onetime payment of $100,000 per designated affordable unit in lieu of actually supplying affordable housing.

The ordinance is well intentioned. Unfortunately, it has failed to increase the supply of affordable housing in the village. Most developers, like the developers of the two newly proposed projects, have opted to make the in-lieu payment. These funds can be used to help support low-income residents, but to date they have had little impact on increasing the supply of accessible affordable housing I am a member of Arbor West Neighbors, a grassroots, intergenerational organization of residents that supports and enriches aging through community building and advocacy. One of the greatest needs of our low- and moderate-income older residents is affordable housing in accessible dwelling units.

Few of the affordable units in our service area are in elevator buildings. I believe that it is time for the village of Oak Park to restructure its inclusionary housing ordinance to assist the large and rapidly growing number of mobility-impaired older persons and other persons with disabilities in our community who could benefit by living in buildings like the newly proposed developments.

To learn more about Arbor West Neighbors and its goals, please visit our website at arborwestneighbors. org.

Edward Solan

Advocacy committee Arbor West Neighbors

KHARA COLEMAN Still determined from page 19 racially divisive political positions today — many don’t wish to share space, resources, or opportunities with African-American citizens, having long ago accepted the narrative that we

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

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Post-election hopes and concerns

he election of 2020, unlike the election of 2016, did not yield a numerically decisive victory to either political party. Since the morning after the election, followed by the ensuing days of vote counting, the electorate has been held captive, waiting in suspense for a final outcome when the Electoral College convenes on Dec. 14.

The profusion of the incumbent president’s outcries that the election is being fraudulently stolen from him are nothing more than his continued responses to unsubstantiated stimuli. They are revelations of his psychological instability, and verify that such an individual is incapable of leading our nation.

As the vote-counting drags on, my mind recalls an image of Joe Biden on the eve of the election behind a podium. The inscription on the podium proclaimed: “This is a battle for our nation’s soul.”

As I try to create a visual image of the construct of a nation’s soul, I question whether an image of a divided nation’s soul can be conjured-up as a singular entity.

Election Day revealed America as a nation irreconcilably divided, both politically and ideologically, although the two sides are inseparable. It resembles a two-sided Chinese coin with its ying and yang sides conjoined. It’s like a pair of Siamese twins whose separation imperils both siblings.

And then a question arises whether a single soul can serve the conjoined twosome?

Morality motivated President Lincoln to abolish slavery.

The plantations of the slave-based economy found themselves without a labor force. The South seceded from the Union and started the Civil War. But the defeat did not eradicate the racism from the hearts of the vanquished. Its toxin survived and spread

insidiously in varied forms to morph into currentday supremacy hate groups.

The resurgence of hate groups, however, does not define America’s current moral division.

Hate groups make up a negligible portion of our population. The electoral turnout for Trump this time comprises what once was the conservative population of GOP. They were seduced by Trump’s promises to empower them in their quest to erase the boundaries of separation between Church and State. Stacking the U.S. Supreme Court alters the balance of the institution. Justices of the Supreme Court are honor-bound only to be impartial in their interpretations of laws, and not to legislate in favor of their religious dogma.

The discomforting closeness of this election indicates that there will be only minor changes in the legislative bodies.

Likely there will not be significant house cleaning of Trumpism, with Republicans’ retaining their majority in the Senate.

At this writing on Saturday afternoon, Joe Biden had secured 279 Electoral College votes. Now, as he takes on the Herculean task of America’s presidency, his previously established capacities to negotiate cooperation between opposing factions, are about to be put to the test, especially with the Senate set to block him at every turn.

Trump, meanwhile, is not about to quietly fade into obscurity.

He vows to initiate court proceedings to overturn the results of the election. He told us numerous times that he is not a good loser. Our citizens can expect an onslaught of lies, slander, defamations, fact distortions, and calls for severe protests from him to overshadow the Christmas holidays.

Fred Natkevi is a longtime resident of Oak Park.

FRED NATKEVI One View

A wish list for our next president

Dear President-elect Biden, Many years ago, while at my grandmother’s apartment, I met a friend of hers who was visiting. This woman was a “busy-body” type, spewing unsolicited advice. One of her statements, in particular, came to mind following your election.

“Be careful what you wish for; you may be granted your wish!”

If you thought winning the presidency was difficult, the future, unfortunately, seems even harder. We, the American public are a demanding and impatient bunch.

Every goal you set and every promise you made will be expected to be addressed and satisfied yesterday!

“What do we want and when do we want it?” … COVID-19 must be conquered immediately. The economy will be rosy and stable, and the job market will be open wide for all. Answers to improvement of

are inherently unworthy and unqualified for anything good.

In other words, my people are amazing. We never just fought; we have always lived, too.

As for me? I chose to live in Oak Park. More than any other place I have lived, it is intentionally populated by people who are open to seeing the ugliness in America, and then being better. Obviously, Oak Park makes a lot of mistakes. But I can’t imagine ever again living in a place that is not intentional about

the environment and concerns of climate change will be accomplished. Heath care will be improved and prescription drug charges will be reduced.

Furthermore … civil rights, voting rights, and women’s rights will be assured for all. “Justice for All” will literally be in effect, and racism will be ended.

Your cabinet, major leaders, and police will serve the public in a climate of fairness and respect.

Also … The “Dreamers” and immigrants seeking asylum will be welcomed, and the remaining 545 incarcerated children (who were separated from their parents as a result of Trump’s dreadful Zero Tolerance policy) will be reunited with their families. In your efforts to unify our nation, there will be cordial discourse between Republicans and Democrats. Dignity will be restored.

trying to be a better version of the American promise. I know many of my white neighbors still struggle with implicit and unconscious bias. Still, the fact that every other house and every single church seems to have a Black Lives Matter sign means so much to my spirit.

I feel free to seek joy and justice here.

So no matter who is rioting after the winner of this election is determined, I want to remember that although there will be pain, but there will also be survival, with a plethora of

Additionally … To re-establish our status among the nations of the world, you will resume affiliation with our allies, rejoin the Paris Climate Accords, re-negotiate an Iran Nuclear Peace Treaty, and resume trade, rebuilding our world economy.

Add to these issues … You will have to deal with whatever devious plans Trump conjures up to cause disruption of the final fair vote count. Among other disturbances, he may interfere with what our democracy holds dear: the peaceful transition of power.

President-elect Biden, given these challenges, do you really wish to be president?

Certainly, most of the nation wishes you well. My wish is that the majority of Americans support your efforts to heal our divided country and save our democracy.

Harriet Hausman River Forest

things that are worth surviving for. There will still be joy. We will still move intentionally toward justice. And we shall have dancing, literature, music, fellowship and friendship along the way.

Losing an election would not mean that we are defeated. That said, may the promise of justice and equity win the day.

Khara Coleman is an Oak Park resident, and the promise of justice and equity did win the day.

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Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Jer Haagenson, 85

Lawrence Juracic, 92

Longtime River Forester, active tennis player

Salesman for the meat packing industry

Geraldine Mae “Jer” Haagenson (nee Waytula), 85, died on Oct. 31, 2020 from lung cancer and heart failure. Born on April 30, 1935, she was a longtime resident of River Forest, and lived in Stuart, Florida for several years also.

The daughter of Peter F. Waytula and Eleanor V. (Tully) Waytula, she was an active tennis player for many years. She loved being with family and friends and enjoyed their company. A proud Catholic, she attended Mass at St. Giles and St. Luke parishes.

Jer Haagenson married Robert G. (Bob) Haagenson in 1960. She was the mother of Jill A. Haagenson and John R. Haagenson; the grandmother of Nate and Gabe Kennedy and Katie, Bobby, and Jack Haagenson as “Gran Jer.” She was the sister of Beverly (George) Linsner, and Ronald (Bette) Waytula, and the aunt of many nephews and nieces, and a friend to many. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister, her brother, and her daughter, Jill.

No funeral services will be held at this time. A celebration of life event will be scheduled at a later time.

Lawrence A. Juracic, 92, of Oak Park, died on Nov. 7, 2020. Born on Feb. 25, 1928, he was raised just blocks from Wrigley Field in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, he was a loyal and die-hard Chicago White Sox fan. He loved his Sox and ensured his son would follow in his footsteps. He cherished having a beer or bourbon while telling a joke, a story, or just talking sports. A loyal brother to eight siblings, he is survived by one sister, Elaine Stockwell. He served in the Army in the Korean War. A graduate of St. Patrick High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s in Winona, Minnesota, where he also played football. A devoted Catholic and 60-year parishioner of St. Bernardine Church, he never missed a Sunday Mass. He watched his White Sox daily and enjoyed going to the ball

To run an obituary

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com Please include a photo if possible.

of Oak Park and River Forest

2020

We are OPEN! RibFest Every Day!

Mickey’s is the place!

Mickey’s Rib Special B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS

1/2 Slab Dinner

$11.99

Full Slab Dinner

$17.99

includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread

525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily

3 Vienna Hot Dogs w/ Fries $ .49

8

Italian Beef Sandwich w/ Fries $ .49

Gyros Plate Dinner 1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $10.99

Every day Special!

Gyros with fries $7.99

Holiday

In Person & Online Shopping!

bazaar

Holiday items • Pet Items • Gift Baskets

We’ve made adjustments to keep everyone safe while still bringing you all the joy of the holiday season

Friday , Dec. 4 • 3-9pm Saturday, Dec. 5 • 9am-4pm Online Bake Sale & Raffle

8

Wednesday

park with family and friends. He attended the 1963 NFL Championship game in Wrigley Field and saw the Chicago Bears beat the New York Giants. He had a long successful career as a salesman and then found fulfillment as a business leader in the meat packing industry providing corned beef, roast beef and corned beef hash to the market. He cherished his Croatian and Polish heritage and loved spending time with family and friends, whether at the family home or at his cottage in Galena.

Larry Juracic was the husband of the late Eunice A. (nee Nickel) for 49 years; the father of Marianne (Steven) Carlson, Eileen Carraher, Carol (Joseph) Segobiano and David L. Juracic; the grandfather of Lauren, Alison, Megan, Katie, Lucas, Isabel, Ryan and Emma; the brother of Elaine (Tom) Stockwell; and the uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Nov. 13 at St. Bernardine Church, 7246 W. Harrison St., Forest Park, followed by interment at St. Adalbert Cemetery.

Memorials to Catholic Charities (www.catholiccharities.net) are appreciated.

Pictures with cardboard Santaby appointment 12/2 & 12/3

1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger

Big Mickey! $ .99

2

All proceeds benefit our shelter and are needed this year more than ever!

Please note that in person shopping capacity will be limited to ensure proper social distancing.

Shoppers should be prepared to wait in line. All shoppers will be required to wear a mask.

1003 Garfield., Oak Park (Just East of Volvo dealership at Harlem)

Visit animalcareleague.org for full event details!

The Landmark, November 11, 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

25

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

BUSINESS MANAGER – PART TIME The River Forest Park District is seeking applications for a PT Business Manager working 20 hours a week. Starting Salary $26.45$31.26/HR. A full Job Description can be reviewed at www.rfparks. com/job-opportunities

PART TIME DRIVER

COMMERCIAL/ RETAIL SPACE

Local Co looking for Part time Driver.

Must be able to lift 75lbs, Valid Drivers License.

Hours 6 am til 12 pm.

Email HR@sievertelectric.com

A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN SHOPPING CENTER: 1600-1635 Sq Ft.

PERSONAL ASSISTANTS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Progress Center is hosting ďŹ ve personal assistant orientations in November. Personal Assistants earn $13.48 an hour to support people with disabilities so that they may live independently in their own homes, instead of institutions. Duties may include dressing, bathing, cooking, toileting, and cleaning. The orientations will be over zoom on November 13 (9:30 a.m.), 17 (9:30 a.m.), 21 (10 a.m.), 24 (9:30 a.m.), and 30 (9:30 a.m.). For information, contact garnold@progresscil or 708-2091500.

• 321B S. Harlem Ave. Forest Park, IL. • Very Good Condition– Recent Repairs/ Replacement: New ceiling/oor tiles, New baseboards, New HVAC Unit, Bath Lav & sink/ faucet, Drywall, White primed walls throughout. • Suitable for almost ANY business type. • Heavy foot/road trafďŹ c area; Near Oak Park Hospital. • End space. • 45-Space Parking Lot!

PUBLIC WORKS The Forest Park Public Works Department seeks a safety oriented individual for the union position of Public Works Laborer/Truck Driver to perform a variety of manual labor tasks requiring varying skill levels.

Under general supervision, the position of Public Works operates and maintains the Village’s infrastructure and buildings. This position works indoors and outdoors throughout the year in all weather conditions. The ideal candidate for this position will be one who can work as part of a team, has a strong work ethic, and is willing to learn and perform a variety of maintenance and construction related activities.

Essential job duties include but are not limited to: • Snow removal with vehicle mounted plows, skid steers, and snow blowers and shovels. • Care and maintenance of Village owned buildings and properties including mowing, weeding, trash removal, tree management and maintenance, storm drain maintenance. • Pavement and sidewalk removal and replacement • Maintenance of trafďŹ c Signage. • Repair of concrete and asphalt pavement • Operation of heavy duty construction equipment

RETIRED PASTOR OR SEMINARY STUDENT Small conservative church with a very small, elderly congregation in Forest Park is looking for a retired pastor or a seminary student to lead our 10:00 Sunday morning worship service. Pay will be based on your experience. If you are interested please submit your resume to forestparkucc@yahoo.com TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDE MINI ME BUNCH seeks teacher and teacher aide to enhance and expand daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Teacher must have at least Associates’ degree in Early Childhood Education. Minimum 1 year experience preferred in each position. Must love children and be outgoing, patient, exible.

Contact 773-521-9499.

The individual selected for this position will be required to respond to emergencies outside of regular business hours as needed.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

Experience in all construction related ďŹ elds and disciplines are preferred. Position requires a high school diploma or GED, two years Public Works or construction experience and an Illinois

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. $1400 a month, $1400 deposit. For more information please call 224-475-7929.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain a CDL within 6 months of employment.

Position will be open until ďŹ lled, however submittal by November 15, 2020 is encouraged. EOE.

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

The application form can be found at: https://www.forestpark.net/ dfp/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ A P P L I C AT I O N - F O R - E M P L O YMENT-Revised-8-8-19.pdf.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

QualiďŹ ed individuals interested in being considered for the position should email the application form and resume if desired to: vmoritz@ forestpark.net with Public Works in the subject ďŹ eld.

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

Must have own transportation.

Call for more info.

708-738-3848

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. *1116 sq. ft. suite *569 sq. ft. with patio OAK PARK–1053 Lake St. *Entire 3rd Floor, 1275 sq. ft.

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

Serious Inquiries ONLY: CALL/TEXT: D.B. (708) 828-6491

ITEMS FOR SALE

ITEMS FOR SALE

PETS

SMALL CHEST Small plastic chest with six dustproof drawers. Pretty burnt orange color, like new. 33�h x 12�d x 15�w.

708-488-8755

FOREVER HOME NEEDED Billy, a 7 year-old-alpha male dog currently in foster care needs a stable home. Large mixed breed. Good with people but not with other dogs or cats.

For more info call Elizabeth: 775-233-9121

SMALL METAL FILE CABINET 13�w x 30�h x 10�d. 6 skinny drawers.

708-488-8755

CEMETERY PLOTS 4 FOREST HOME CEMETERY PLOTS 4 Forest Home cemetery plots available together or separately. Garden Sec. 61, Lot 342-A spaces 1,2,3,4. $1800 each, transfer costs not included.

Call 847-468-0013 and leave message

ITEMS TO BE GIVEN AWAY FREE SPINET PIANO You arrange and pay for mover.

708-383-7993

WANTED TO BUY

BENCH PRESS WITH WEIGHTS York set includes (4) 3 lb weights; (9) 5 lb weights; (7) 10 lb weights; (2) 50 lb weights together with poles. $79.00 708-488-8755

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

SUBURBAN RENTALS

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:

While you’re away, your pets are okay . . . at home

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

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

524-1030

NOVENAS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful ower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request).

There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. CAC

CEMENT

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

FIREWOOD

FIREWOOD UNLIMITED

Fast Delivery MIXED HARDWOODS CBH & MIX 100% OAK CHERRY OR HICKORY 100% BIRCH Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available

847-888-9999 Order online:

www. suregreen landscape.com

Credit Cards Accepted Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified.

To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

CEMENT

MAGANA

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 Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

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

You have jobs. We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified!

Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.

ELECTRICAL

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

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

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

HANDYMAN Mikeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Do

708-296-2060

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Fans Installed â&#x20AC;˘ Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs â&#x20AC;˘ 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

Attention!

Homeimprovement pros!

Reach the people making decisionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;your target market. Advertise in Wednesday Classified.

Call 708/613-3342

26

The Landmark, November 11, 2020

CLASSIFIED

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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

Let the sun shine in...

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

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

PublicNoticeIllinois.com • OakPark.com | RiverForPUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Park District of Oak Park November 19, 2020, 7:30 p.m.

2021 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners of the Park District of Oak Park will conduct a public hearing concerning the adoption of the Park District’s 2021 Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on November 19, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom during the Board of Commissioners’ regular board meeting.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82143384199?pwd=RlExUjBQVTFsQ1NGR1pybFExTjc1dz09

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

708.749.0011

Meeting ID: 863 7417 0042, Password: 555407; or (312) 626-6799 Dated: November 11, 2020 By: Commissioner Chris Wollmuth Secretary, Board of Commissioners Park District of Oak Park Published in Wednesday Journal 11/11/2020

PLASTERING

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT OF BIDDING Request of bids for 2021 Rehm Park Improvements.

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

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

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20004939 on October 20, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of BLACK FAVES with the business located at: 4508 IDLEWILD LANE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TANISHA BLAKELY 4508 IDLEWILD LANE, HILLSIDE, IL 60162, USA. Published in Forest Park Review 10/28, 11/4, 11/11/2020

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: Y20004951 on October 20, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FLAWEDDBLACK with the business located at: 8141 S INGLESIDE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60619.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: THENIKA NEELY, 8141 S INGLESIDE AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60619, USA Published in Wednesday Journal 10/28, 11/4, 11/11/2020

The Park District of Oak Park will accept sealed bids for the 2021 Rehm Park Improvements at 515 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL 60304. The project consists of the existing trees preservation and protection, removal of existing trees, playground equipment footings, playground mulch surfacing, sand surfacing, playground concrete curb, concrete walk pavement, asphalt pavement, fencing, site furnishings or amenities, as specified; installation of new playground play equipment, artificial play turf surfacing, 4’ ht. ornamental metal fence, concrete curb & walk, porous pave, drinking fountain, portable restroom (Portland Loo), drainage and grading, utilities, existing light relocation, site furnishings such as benches, picnic shelter, picnic tables, bike racks, ping pong tables, baggo game set and landscaping.

The Park District of Oak Park will receive individual sealed Bids until 2:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, December 17th, 2020, at 218 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois. The bidding documents and requirements will be available on the Park District’s website as of 8:00 am Monday, November 16th, 2020. A non-mandatory pre-bid walk-thru is scheduled for Friday, November 20th, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (CST) at 515 Garfield Street, Oak Park, IL. Bid bonds will be required by bidding contractors.

Copies of the bidding specifications are available via the Park District of Oak Park website at: http://www.pdop.org/bids-and-rfps/ For additional information, contact Chris Lindgren at chris.lindgren@pdop.org or (708) 725-2050. Only the bids prepared in compliance with the bidding documents will be considered. This project must adhere to the Prevailing Wage Act of 2020. The Park District of Oak Park encourages minority and women owned business firms to submit bids for this project.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/11/2020

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed separate bids will be received by the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 (the “Board”) for the following project: OAK PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 97 SD97 - SUMMER 2021 ADDITION & RENOVATIONS BEYE, LINCOLN, LONGFELLOW, WHITTIER OAK PARK, IL 60302 BID GROUP 1 – DEMOLITION, EXCAVATION, CONCRETE, MASONRY, STEEL, GENERAL TRADES, MILLWORK/ CASEWORK, ROOFING, METAL PANELS, DOORS FRAMES & HARDWARE, GLAZING, DRYWALL & ACT, FLOORING, PAINTING, SPECIALTIES, ELEVATOR, WHEELCHAIR LIFT, PLUMBING, HVAC, and ELECTRICAL Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m.

CST on Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Administrative offices, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened and read at 2:30 p.m. CST on that date. Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Oak Park Elementary School District 97 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: SD97 SUMMER 2021 ADDITION & RENOVATIONS

Scope of work for Bid Group 1 generally includes, but is not limited to: Demolition, excavation, concrete, masonry, steel, general trades, millwork/ casework, roofing, metal panels, doors frames & hardware, glazing, drywall & ACT, flooring, painting, specialties, elevator, wheelchair lift, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical.

All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or non-conforming bids may not be accepted.

No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available Wednesday November 25, 2020 and are available for viewing/ download online without cost or purchase on the Bulley & Andrews, LLC One Drive, located at the fol-

lowing link. No username or password is required. https://bulleyandrews-my. sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/amantel_bulley_com/ EnFU50U2lZJHvgH8M5EOgUsB37AO8_Gejp_4_ry47Ql0mQ?e=AyfkWu The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

The site will be available for visits by appointment to be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions. Schedule an appointment with Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews in advance if you wish to visit the sites.

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

For additional information on the project, contact Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at amantel@ bulley.com or 219-678-8383.

Dated: 11/5/20 Alex Mantel Bulley & Andrews, LLC

Published in Wednesday Journal November 11 & 18, 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: Y20005127 on November 9, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FOODIE AND FABULOUS with the business located at: 728 N AUSTIN, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: SHERRIE GREEN 728 N AUSTIN OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA Published in Wednesday Journal 11/11, 11/18, 11/25/20

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: Y20005108 on November 5, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of LA CUCINA DI SCUDIERO with the business located at: 2113 W LAKE STREET, MELROSE PARK, IL 60160. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ALEX A SCUDIERO 2113 W. LAKE STREET MELROSE PARK, IL 60160, USA Published in Forest Park Review 11/11, 11/18, 11/25/20

Buying? Selling? Renting?

Hiring?

Wednesday Classified 708-613-3333

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive electronically-submitted proposals for elevator maintenance and repair services until 10:00 a.m. local time on November 27th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Elevator Maintenance and Repair Services Proposal Number: 20-144 Bid forms may be obtained by calling 708-358-5700 or by e-mailing vics@oak-park.us between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

M-F. Proposals must be e-mailed to vics@oak-park.us . The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening.

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: Y20005049 on October 27, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of HAMM FAM ELITE APPAREL with the business located at: 1020 WASHINGTON BLVD UNIT 1B, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANTONIA HAMMOND, 7720 S YATES BLVD, CHICAGO, IL 60649, USA, FRANK HAMMOND, 1020 WASHINGTON BLVD #1B, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA, ROBERT HAMMOND 4907 W PATTERSON AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60641, USA. Published in Wednesday Journal 11/4, 11/11, 11/18/2020

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Published in Wednesday Journal November 11, 2020

Selling your Condo By Owner?

Call to advertise:

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE SERRANO LEGAL SOLUTIONS, LLC Attorney for Petitioner P.O. Box 3581, Oak Park, IL 60303 Attorney for Petitioner

LEGAL NOTICE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway, Ste. 101B Chicago, iL 60614

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of MARIA ESPARZA, Petitioner and BRADLEY HILLERVIK, Respondent, Case No. 2020D007886 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 December 11, 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.

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of NELLY R. COLON, Petitioner and KAJ PER WILLIAM PERSSON, Respondent, Case No. 2020 D 006163 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 and Response electronically to said Petition in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before December 4, 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 11/4, 11/11, 11/18/2020

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 11/11, 11/18, 11/25/2020

Starting a New Business this Year?

Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

The Landmark, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

live local?

work local.

Find your local job here!

On Wednesday Journal’s Local Online Job Board.

Search our ads today at OakPark.com/classified

To place an ad, contact Mary Ellen Nelligan (708) 613-3342 • maryellen@oakpark.com

27

28

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

SPONSORED CONTENT

Reconnecting - Neighbors Knowing Neighbors: The Power of Engagement

By ATHENA WILLIAMS, Executive Director, Oak Park Regional Housing Center

T

he 2020 election, just over, was one for the ages. Tension and worry have been real. With this said, there were many actions taken in recent months by the federal government, particularly in Athena Williams, Executive Director areas around Fair Housing, that may directly impact OAK PARK REGIONAL HOUSING CENTER the very communities we work, live, play, and pray.

With the newly announced administration, we are hopeful better days are ahead on the national front and Oak Park Regional Housing Center will join our National partners to work hard to make that so.

Fast forward to 2020. Did you know that over 40 percent of Oak Parkers are renters? Or, even more so, that over 25 percent of our neighbors live in those lovely old courtyard buildings on Oak Park’s busiest streets?

Those are great apartments and so many of them have now been updated due to multiple partnerships with OPRHC. Even though, those apartment residences are not the easiest places to get to know your neighbors.

In 2017 the Housing Center developed an initiative called Neighbors Knowing Neighbors.

The initial development of Neighbors Knowing Neighbors was to invite Oak Park apartment rental residents to neighboring block club parties. This served as a purpose for residents of the larger buildings to connect to the homeowners in the community via block parties that were happening just around their corner. It was a great project. We even held our first “On the Table” dinner event, with the Austin Community under the

This year, through the OPRHC Neighbors Knowing Neighbors program, we successfully reached out to over 500 of our rental residents to provide support during the early intense moments of the COVID-19 pandemic. we serve. Through our Neighbors Knowing Neighbors programming, OPRHC is launching the “Power of Engagement,” an initiative which will allow affinity groups — Oak Parkers who identify as white, Black, and people of color, Austinites, and potentially a group of people from the Proviso Township area — to meetup (virtually) to discuss ways our various communities address racial tensions and segregation.

It’s important to note these conversations will occur separately and will have a facilitator to promote an honest and open dialogue. Our Community Engagement Specialist, Kamau “Maui” Jones, will be one of the facilitators for the discussions to note key moments in each individual meeting, also facilitating is Lisa Zeigler, our Strategic Initiatives Director.

Maui Jones was recently hired at the Housing Center as its Community Engagement Specialist.

Facebook

Meanwhile, there is the groundwork of OPRHC. Back in the late 1960’s Roberta “Bobbie” Raymond, who would go on to found the Housing Center in 1972, talked about why we need to learn to depend on one another as neighbors. While these conversations were directed toward state and federal policies, it was only natural for the community of Oak Park to use this as a way to begin to foster a sense of connection and empowerment. This connection created a “neighborly” neighborhood in Oak Park. This was the beginning of the Village of Oak Park addressing Fair Housing, expansion of housing choices, elimination of “white flight”, and the fight against red lining.

same banner, “Neighbors Knowing Neighbors”.

This year, through the OPRHC Neighbors Knowing Neighbors program, we successfully reached out to over 500 of our rental residents to provide support during the early intense moments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the injustice displayed during nationwide riots, OPRHC took a stand and provided support for many community protests. But, as a Black woman leading such a notable agency, I personally realized that was not enough. Oak Park Regional Housing Center has addressed integration for more than four decades, but 2020 has confirmed that it is time that we move toward racial healing and transformation in the communities

Once each group has had the chance to voice their opinions, Neighbors Knowing Neighbors will bring everyone together for one epic discussion in an effort to further break down barriers. We know there’s a direct cost to segregation, and it needs to be publicly addressed. All of the work we plan to do will hopefully be presented on a grander scale in the spring 2021 during the OPRHC and community “Power of Engagement” diversity conference.

I know I felt various and intense emotions tied to the election. Now that it is behind us, we need to come together and speak our minds to actively engage our collective problem-solving mindsets. The OPRHC is working to make it as easy as possible to do just that, but it’s equally as important we have as many different people with wholly unique perspectives willing to participate in the conversations.

Please join the conversations.

Property transfers p. B12

November 11, 2020

Homes

Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

Real estate closings go virtual Lenders and title companies adjust practices due to pandemic

By LACEY SIKORA

L

Contributing Reporter

ocal real estate agents have weighed in on these pages about the changes the pandemic wrought on their practices. In-person open houses are out. Virtual open houses are in. Spending the day in the car with your agent touring houses is out. Perusing listings from the comfort of your own couch and choosing a select few to visit, arriving in your own car is in.

Sellers used to spend hours cleaning before showings.

Now they also spend hours cleaning afterwards. Booties, gloves and face masks make everyone feel more comfortable.

Once the stay-at-home orders ended in May, buyers, sellers and their agents quickly found new footing, which helped fuel a brisk summer and early fall real estate market in the near west suburbs.

Other professionals involved in real estate transactions saw a few changes themselves, and as the pandemic continues to affect daily lives, they see many of these new practices sticking around for a while.

For Mary Pellegrini, executive vice president and part owner of Prairie Title Company, which is headquartered in Oak Park and has 11 offices throughout the Chicago area,

the summer and fall have been about adaptation.

In-person closings are the norm for a purchase that inPre-pandemic, she recalls, it wasn’t unusual to have volves a mortgage loan, because Illinois still requires that a crowd in the closing room at the title company. Parents borrowers verify their identities with a notary as a witness. brought children or in-laws to the table, and that was on top A few states have moved to allow this service to take place of the notary, attorneys and real estate proonline, but Illinois has not followed suit. fessionals present.

Pellegrini says that for refinances or allToday, there are far fewer chairs at the cash deals, there are more ways to innovate. table.

Cash deals can be done via FedEx and Zoom, “The seller is not usually coming anyand signing documents can be done remotely more,” Pellegrini said. “The realtors are or at a distance. not coming at all anymore. There are not as Due to the historically low interest rates, many people in the room, because now we Pellegrini has seen a rash of refinances this know the virus is spread by airborne exposeason and says that the industry has been sure.” creative about getting this done in a lowMasks are required in the room, and she touch, outdoor environment.

MARY PELLEGRINI says frequently the only people there are the She has seen attorneys sit in a car next to Co-owner of Prairie Title attorney and the buyers. the homeowners, each with a set of identical documents in their car. Parents with chil“We’re talking three to four people in addidren will leave one parent in the car with tion to the closer,” Pellegrini said. “In the old the kids while the other leaves the car to sign days, it was eight or more. That’s all changed, documents and then switch places. Notaries and it’s changed very quickly.” are travelling to peoples’ homes and verifyShe says that Prairie Title also has a Plexiing their identification on front porches. glas structure they can place on top of their Pellegrini says that these accommodations have proved round tables to divides them into four parts with a space at the bottom to slide documents through. The title company very popular.

“Almost everybody who can is opting for these options,” has also instituted strict sanitizing procedures in between closings. Pellegrini says all of these steps make people feel she said. more comfortable.

See CLOSINGS ONLINE on page B4

“Almost everybody who can is opting for these options.”

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B1

New Price!

504 Park Ave, River Forest Spacious townhouse with over 3,000 sf located on quiet residential street.

3 BR + office, 2.2 BA ................. $499,000 Shea Kiessling | 708-710-5952 shea@cbexchange.com

Just Sold!

1446 Ashland Ave, River Forest Beautiful home on a double lot in River Forest! 4 BR 3.1 BA ................ $1,079,000 John Haagenson | 773-230-6995 john.haagenson@cbexchange.com

Price Reduced!

722 S. Harvey Ave, Oak Park Expanded American 4-square located in the heart of the Harrison Arts District. Large living room with gas fireplace and art glass windows, new kitchen, perennial garden.

3 BR 1.1 BA ............................... $419,900 Joe Langley | Cell 708-243-0330 jlangley.realtor@gmail.com

Coming Soon!

1120 Thomas St, Unit 304, Oak Park 2 BR condo in an elevator building with everything: lots of light, balcony, in unit W/D, 2 parking spaces, master bath, and hardwood floors. Lovely space.

2 BR 2BA ................................... $330,000 Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779 stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com

246 Washington Ave, La Grange 2-unit building with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath in each unit, hardwood floors under the carpet. Perfect investment opportunity!

4BR 2BA .................................... $271,000 Andrea “Bonnie” Routen | 708-544-8440 andrea.bonnie@cbexchange.com

Under Contract!

1215 Linden Ave, Oak Park Gorgeous Mediterranean-influenced home in award-winning Mann School district.

Spacious rooms including 3 bedrooms (one with sitting area, one with a tandem) and 1 full/2 half baths 3+BR, 1.2 BA ........ ................................................... $459,000 Sue Canepa | 312-203-0848 suecanepahomes@gmail.com

Just Sold!

625 Ashland Ave, River Forest Beautiful Victorian, updated kitchen and baths, walking distance to parks, schools, and trains. A must see!

5BR 2.1 BA ................................ $745,000

Just Sold!

1335 Lathrop Ave, River Forest Meticulously maintained home w/ chef’s kitchen. High end basement including sauna and weight room. A must see!

3 BR 3.1 BA .............................. $795,000

Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 sgraves@cbexchange.com

Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 sgraves@cbexchange.com

Just Sold!

1017 Oak Park Ave, Oak Park We got this Arts and Crafts home under contract in a few weeks. We will provide the same professional services and support for you to get you where you want to go. 4+1 BR, 3 BA .......... $330,000 Lisa Andreoli and Meredith Conn 708-557-9546 | 708-743-6973 teamgo2girls@gmail.com

Under Contract!

243 S. Maple Ave, Unit C Oak Park This one is going, going, gone. Let me help you with your real estate needs.

2 BR 2.1 BA ............................... $365,000

Just Sold!

207 Park Ave, River Forest Beautifully maintained home with a large detached studio in a convenient River Forest location. Under contract in 5 days!

4BR 2.2 BA ................................ $640,000

1017 Circle Ave, Forest Park Great 2 Flat for investment opportunity or personal residence. 3 BR unit on 1st floor, and 2 BR on 2nd. Deck, yard, 2 garage & more. 5 BR 2 BA ........................ $365,000

Sue Canepa | 312-203-0848 suecanepahomes@gmail.com

Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Kirstin Gloor | 708-351-8977 kirstin.gloor@cbexchange.com Shea Kiessling | 708-710-5952 shea@cbexchange.com

COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Oak Park 114 N. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park | 708.524.1100 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Realty LLC.

B2 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest Alisa Coghill DonnaAvenue Barnhisel 7375 West North Kay Costello Anne Brennan MANAGING Karen Byrne River Forest, Illinois 60305 Maria Cullerton BROKER/OWNERS Julie Downey Kevin Calkins Kurt Fielder Tom Carraher 708.771.8040 Andy Gagliardo

Tom Poulos

Pat Cesario Joe Cibula Don Citrano

Ramona Fox Laura Gancer Lisa Grimes

Dan Halperin Sharon Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Jack Lattner Iris McCormick Vince McFadden

Elizabeth Moroney Colleen Navigato John Pappas Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro

Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

1135 FOREST • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 12:302:30

1147 JACKSON • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

217 N TAYLOR • OAK PARK

GREAT BLOCK! GREAT NEIGHBORHOOD! This 3 BR brick Cape Cod has charming vintage detail. Sun-filled living room with fireplace that opens to the dining room, mudroom, semi-finished basement with fireplace, laundry room, fenced-in yard with deck, and outdoor shed for extra storage. .................................. $410,000

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. ...........................................$999,000

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

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...................................... .$599,000

1131 FRANKLIN • RIVER FOREST

1210 N ELMWOOD • OAK PARK

221 KEYSTONE • RIVER FOREST

808 S SCOVILLE • OAK PARK

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

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. Beautiful woodwork & hardwood floors throughout.

Finished LL. Front & back heated walkway.......................$639,000

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

SUPER CHARMING light-filled home on extra-large lot.

Delightful front porch, spacious foyer, formal LR & DR all with beautiful hardwood floors. Efficient galley kitchen opens to family room. Gazebo area out back surrounded by natural landscaping.

Vintage barn off alley with a loft. ......................................$449,000

RIVER FOREST HOMES

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

PRICE REDUCED GREAT MOVEIN READY HOME with 3 bedrooms and 1st Fl office. Features include a screened-in front porch with new hardwood floors, enclosed back porch that doubles as a mud room, all BRs with hardwood floors, finished basement with large living area, fenced yard, 2-1/2 car garage.......................................$405,000

26 GALE • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

N E W LISTI NG!

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 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 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 a 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

OAK PARK HOMES COLONIAL REVIVAL STYLE with Tudor Revival influences built in 1909. This 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 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 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................... $599,000

MELROSE PARK HOMES PRICE REDUCED 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!.........................................................$329,000 $329,000

Find that Fall Home!

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS RIVER FOREST 2BR, 2BA. Completely updated. .................$264,000 RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA. Move-in ready! ............................$169,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ...................................................................$699,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ...................................................................$550,000 OAK PARK 3BR, 2 full/1 half BA. Vintage beauty..................$285,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA. Courtyard view......................................$249,900 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Parking space included. .......................$124,500 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Vintage building....................................$110,000 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. No stairs!...................................................$97,500 CHICAGO 2BR, 2BA. Chic, move-in ready! .............................$499,950 CHICAGO 2BR, 2BA. Secure gated lot. ....................................$209,900

Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis

Shop for homes online at GagliardoRealty.com November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B3

CLOSINGS ONLINE Virtual reality from page B1 Through it all, Pellegrini says that Prairie Title and others are working hard to make the process safe for their clients.

“This is probably the biggest transaction people will ever make,” Pellegrini said. “Homeownership is how people build wealth. We are grateful to be able to do this essential work.”

On the mortgage side, Claude L’Heureux, vice president residential mortgages/consumer lending for Forest Park National Bank, says that he has seen a lot of changes in what has been a very busy selling season.

One change is that mortgage lending guidelines have been tightened to get the most current information from borrowers.

“Recency of employment is paramount,” L’Heureux said.

“Especially for the self-employed.”

The pandemic has made lending challenging in some ways, because working remotely creates inefficiencies in the process.

“Turnaround time has increased for appraisals and underwriting,” L’Heureux said. “The time it takes to get everything done has changed.”

He notes that locally, there has also been a much higher volume of transactions, which he says is a good thing, but that volume also contributes to transactions taking longer to underwrite. He notes that many in the industry were putting in seven-day work weeks over the summer.

L’Heureux was not surprised to see a lot of refinancing activity this summer. He points out that interest rates in

the 2-percent range were very motivating for existing homeowners.

But, he was not expecting to see all of the home purchases.

“Surprisingly, we’ve been doing a lot of purchase financing, and we’ve been noticing a lot of second home financing in Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana,” L’Heureux said.

He was not expecting to see so many people opt to purchase a second home, but says that the pandemic made people change their priorities. He thinks it’s possible those second home purchases were fueled by people wanting to get out of town more easily, the stock market rebounding, the

realization that more far-flung travel is not as easy or some combination of these factors.

Overall, L’Heureux acknowledges that after the spring shutdown, a busy summer and fall were nothing to complain about. He says that while things are starting to slow a bit, he continues to caution all of the parties to the transaction to be patient with the lending process.

“In general buyers, sellers and realtors want to get to the closing table as soon as possible,” L’Heureux said. “Lenders need to manage those expectations. There’s a push-pull situation.”

House Hunting?

Find a Realtor.

Find a home.

Get a list of Open Houses.

Every week, every day in

B4 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

605 IOWA STREET, OAK PARK

605IOWA.INFO

1023 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST

1023ASHLANDAVENUE.INFO

Outstanding opportunity to own the iconic Bishops Hall on its estate sized lot

Fantastic 5 bedroom, 3.2 bathroom home meticulously cared for and re-

in the heart of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. $1,550,000

cently updated with today’s amenities.

HASEMAN/CURRAN

ELIZABETH AUGUST

•

708.606.8896

•

greer.gps@atproperties.com

•

773.432.0200

$1,299,000

•

elizabethaugust@atproperties.com

1011 SOUTH BOULEVARD

606 N EAST AVENUE, OAK PARK

606NORTHEASTAVENUE.INFO

1514 BONNIE BRAE PLACE, RIVER FOREST

1514BONNIEBRAE.INFO

This spacious home has room for all the in-home office and e-learning space

Pride of ownership is unmistakable and this home meets the needs of

needed. $725,000

today’s buyer. $599,900

LISA PASQUESI

•

708.848.0200

•

lisapasquesi@atproperties.com

RYAN PARKS

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773.387.3010

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ryanparks@atproperties.com

Stop looking, start finding® atproperties.com

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B5

OAK PARK

OAK PARK

2 BR, 1 BA .....................................$154,900

3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$506,000

Joanne Rosenbush • 708-205-4053

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK

3 BR, 1.1 BA ..................................$530,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK Fantastic solid brick two-flat - Perfect investment!

OAK PARK

3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$550,000

3 BR unit/ 2 BR unit ...................................................................................................... $475,000 Steve Scheuring • 708.369.8043

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK OAK PARK

4 BR, 2.2 BA ..................................$639,000

This amazing Queen Anne Bungalow has been renovated to allow for bright open spaces!

4 BR, 2 BA ..................................................................................................................... $575,000 Steve Scheuring • 708.369.8043

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK This grand traditional home with Prairie accents is located in the magnificent Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District

5 BR, 2.1 BA .................................................................................................................. $625,000 Steve Scheuring • 708.369.8043

OAK PARK

3 BR, 2 BA .....................................$639,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK

5 BR, 4 BA .....................................$659,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK

5 BR, 1.2 BA ..................................$669,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties?

Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com B6 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

OAK PARK

5 BR, 2.4 BA ..................................$820,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK

4 BR, 2.2 BA ..................................$982,500 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK

6 BR, 4.1 BA ...............................$1,000,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK Magnificent grand Colonial features 4 levels of luxurious living.

5 BR, 4.1 BA ............................................................................................................... $1,290,000 Steve Scheuring • 708.369.8043

OAK PARK

6 BR, 5.1 BA ...............................$1,025,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK RIVER FOREST

3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$478,500

The iconic Bishops Hall on an estate sized lot in the heart of the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District.

4 BR, 4.2 BA ............................................................................................................... $1,550,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1 - 3 P.M. 1147 JACKSON AVE

RIVER FOREST

4 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$515,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

RIVER FOREST

5 BR, 3.1 BA ..................................$787,000 Greg & Vee Jaroszewski • (708) 248-0446

RIVER FOREST

5 BR, 4.1 BA ...............................$1,450,000

Light and bright 3 story farmhouse. This house offers multiple home office options including a beautiful library.

6 BR, 4.1 BA .................................................................................................................. $849,000 Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

Greer Haseman • 708-606-8896

Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties?

Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B7

You depend top-selling Why test yourcan LUCK when you canon depend on top-selling Broker, Sarah O’Shea Munoz? Munoz!

Broker, Sarah O’Shea NEW & UNDER CONTRACT

Experienced, Well-Qualified Professional SOLD! SOLD! Responsive, Resourceful & Thorough Efficient, Empathetic & Compassionate

Work with someone who treasures you!!!

538 N. Elmwood SOLD! Oak Park Wonderfully inviting 4BR/2.1 BA…$597,900

SOLD!

915 William SOLD! River Forest 4 BR/ 3.2 BA & 1st Floor Family Room…$1,025,000

SOLD!

1227 Jackson - River Forest 4BR/ 3.1 BA - $899,000

SOLD!

915 Monroe River Forest 3 BR/ 1.1 BA…$599,000

SOLD! 936 Forest - River Forest 3BR/ 2BA - $529,000

SOLD! 415 Franklin #4B River Forest 2 BR/ 2 BA…$244,900

838 N. Elmwood - Oak Park 3 BR/ 2.1 BA - $594,900

633 Ashland River Forest 5 BR/ 3 BA & 1st Floor Family Room….$787,700

FOR SALE 7651 Monroe - Forest Park 5BR/ 2BA 2-flat - $374,977

SOLD!

1234 N. East Avenue Oak Park 2 B/ 2 BA - $374,700

SOLD!

125 N. Euclid #304 Oak Park 1 BR/ 1 BA + Bonus Space…$178,900

SOLD!

River Forest

415 Franklin #3D & 415 Franklin #2F 3BR/ 2BA $267,000 2BR/ 2BA $269,000

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Under Contract in 415 Franklin #4C 14 days!

River Forest 2 BR/ 2 BA….$239,000

314 Wisconsin #1S Oak Park 2 BR/ 1 BA…$289,900

With low interest rates, 643 Garfield #3 - Oak Park it’s a great to Buy & Sell!

2BR/time 1 BA - $134,900 Contact Sarah to plan for your home purchase or sale!

Sarah O’Shea Munoz

ASP (RE), CNE, e-PRO, GRI REALTOR®

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Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago SOMunoz@BhhsChicago.com OSheaMunozHomes.com

708.359.1570

Growing Community Media NFP is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization © BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates,LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.

B8 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 947 Wenonah Ave. Oak Park | $799,000 Swati Saxena

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

615 Belleforte Ave Oak Park | $648,900 Maya Puentes

111 Home Ave, Unit 3 Oak Park | $569,000 Hughes Home Team

527 S Ridgeland Ave Oak Park | $500,000 Peggy Letchos

320 S Maple Ave, Unit D Oak Park | $479,000 Liz O’Connell

1207 Rossell Ave Oak Park | $439,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

835 N Cuyler Ave Oak Park | $429,000 Ann Keeney

736 S Lombard Ave Oak Park | $424,900 Swati Saxena

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

641 S Maple Ave, Unit C Oak Park | $349,000 Patricia McGowan

10826 Berkshire St Westchester | $315,000 Bethanny Alexander

339 Home Ave, Unit 2F Oak Park | $309,900 Heidi Rogers

7531 Brown Ave, Unit H Forest Park | $295,000 Liz O’Connell

324 N Marion St, Unit 2N Oak Park | $289,000 Sheila Price

3505 Grove Ave. Berwyn | $263,999 Sandra Dita Lopez

424 Park Ave, Unit 602 River Forest | $249,900 Saretta Joyner

164 N Humphrey Ave, # 3S Oak Park | $249,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

1109 Erie St. Oak Park | $238,000 Ken Van Santen

3839 Home Ave. Berwyn | $165,000 Linda Von Vogt

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B9

14

Wednesday Journal, November 11, 2020 Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

S P O N S O R E D

Pastas Pastas

Served with a side salad, bread & butter

Two Restaurants, Twice the Fun! Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering

Served with a side salad, bread & butter

Penne Alla Spizzico With mushrooms, pancetta, & peas in our light cream sauce $14.49 Penne Alla Spizzico Mussels Marinara With mushrooms, pancetta, & peas in our light cream sauce $14.49 With plum tomatoes, fresh garlic, & parsley in extra virgin olive oil served over linguine $17.99 Mussels Marinara Artichoke & Shrimp With plum tomatoes, fresh Angel garlic, &Hair parsley in extra virgin olive oil served over linguine $17.99 In our special pesto sauce $15.99 Artichoke & Shrimp Angel Hair Manicotti InSpinach our special pesto sauce $15.99 (3) Stuffed with a 4-cheese spinach blend in our tomato cream sauce $13.49 Spinach Manicotti Penne (3) StuffedAlla with Vodka a 4-cheese spinach blend in our tomato cream sauce $13.49 In our tomato vodka cream sauce $13.49 Penne Alla Vodka Vegetables with sauce Angel$13.49 Hair InFresh our tomato vodka cream Artichoke hearts, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, roasted red peppers, & fresh garlic in our Fresh Vegetables with Angel Hair homemade marinara sauce $13.49 Gnocchi Alla Spizzico Mostaccioli withshrimp, Sundried Tomatoes Potato dumplings, black olives, & tomatoes in our special pesto cream sauce $15.99 And chopped marinated grilled chicken breast in our special pesto sauce $15.49 Mostaccioli with Sundried Tomatoes Check out our Linguine Calamari And choppedwith marinated grilled chicken breast in ourCheck special pesto sauce $15.49 In our homemade marinara sauce $16.99 SeñoroutJeféour Linguine with Calamari Thank You Gnocchi Señor Jefé In our homemade marinara sauce $16.99 Potato dumplings in our homemade marinara or meat saucemenu $12.49 Village of menu Gnocchi Fettuccine Alfredo Potato dumplings in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $12.49 your & $14.49 combine In our homemadeElmwood cheese sauce made fresh to order Park Fettuccine Alfredo & combine your Linguine Frutti Di Mare In our homemade cheese sauce made fresh to order $14.49orders - Spizzico Mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, fresh garlic, & parsley in our light plum tomato sauce $19.49 Linguine Frutti Di Mare orders Rigatoniclams,Primavera Mussels, squid, shrimp, fresh garlic, & parsley in our light plum tomato sauce $19.49 Sautéed broccoli & fresh garlic in extra virgin olive oil $13.49 Rigatoni Primavera Lasagnabroccoli & fresh garlic in extra virgin olive oil $13.49 Sautéed Layered with 4 Italian cheeses topped with mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or Lasagna meat sauce $13.49

7446 W North Ave,

Layered with 4 Italian cheeses topped with mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or Homemade Stuffed Shells meat sauce $13.49 (5) Stuffed with a blend of 4 Italian cheeses in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49

Check out our Check out our Spizzico Spizzico menu menu your & combine Elmwood Park & combine orders your orders

www.spizzicopizza.com

Homemade Stuffed Shells Pasta Olio of 4 Italian cheeses in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49 (5) StuffedAglio with ea blend Fresh garlic sautéed in extra virgin olive oil served over angel hair $12.49 Pasta Aglio e Olio Ravioli Fresh garlic sautéed in extra virgin olive oil served over angel hair $12.49 Cheese or meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49 Ravioli Tortellini Cheese or meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49 Cheese or meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49 Tortellini Pasta orMarinara Cheese meat filled in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $13.49 Your choice of mostaccioli, spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, rigatoni, or fettuccine in our Pasta Marinara homemade marinara or meat sauce $11.49

708-583-0000 708-583-0002 (708)-583-0002

Fresh littleneck clams in our homemade white Wed, clamFrisauce $17.99 Thurs 1111amamto –9 10 pm pm (Closed Mondays) & Sat Linguine Alla Vongole Sun, Tues, & Sat 11 am – 10 pm www.spizzicopizza.com Fresh littleneck clams in our homemade white clamFrisauce $17.99 Additions: Multi-Grain Penne +$1.00, Sausage +$4.00, Meatballs (1) $+2.50 (2) +$5.00, www.spizzicopizza.com Marinated Grilled Chicken Breast +$4.79, Shrimp +$4.79, Grilled Tuna +$4.19, Additions : Multi-Grain Penne +$1.00, Sausage +$4.00, Meatballs (1) $+2.50 (2) +$5.00, Vegetables +$.79, Baked Mozzarella +$1.89, Baked Mozzarella & Ricotta +$3.25, Marinated Grilled ChickenExtra Breast +$4.79, Shrimp +$4.79, GrilledTomato Tuna Cream +$4.19,Sauce +$3.25, Alfredo Sauce +$3.25, Virgin Olive Oil & Garlic +$1.89, Vegetables +$.79, +$1.89, Soup BakedforMozzarella & Ricotta +$3.25, Vodka Baked Sauce Mozzarella +$3.25, Substitute Salad +$1.89, Alfredo Sauce +$3.25, Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Garlic +$1.89, Tomato Cream Extra Bread & Butter +$.45, Extra Romano Cups +$.35 Sauce +$3.25, Vodka Sauce +$3.25, Substitute Soup for Salad +$1.89, Extra Bread & Butter +$.45, Extra Romano Cups +$.35

Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering Dine-in – Pick-up – Delivery – Catering

Nestled in an unassuming storefront at 7230 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park, Lotus boasts a sign offering Szechuan and Mandarin cuisine, Check outbut our locals in-theCheck our SeñoroutJefé know order up Señor lesser known TaimenuJefé dishes at menuwanese & combine your the 31-year-old fam& combine orders your ily-owned establishorders ment.

“My family and I have been coming to Lotus for decades now. We love the Yang Chow fried rice, the Governor’s Chicken, and the Vegetarian Duck.” said Ben Soong, Food Writer Oak Park resident and devoted foodie.

(708)-583-0002 7446 W.(708)-583-0002 North Avenue, Elmwood Park Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am to 9 pm (Closed Mondays) 7446 W. North Avenue, Elmwood Park Fri & Sat 11 am – 10 pm

MELISSA ELSMO

Your choice of mostaccioli, spaghetti, linguine, angel hair, rigatoni, or fettuccine in our Pasta Parmigiano homemade marinara or meat sauce $11.49 Your choice of chicken, veal, or eggplant served over linguine topped with mozzarella, baked in Pasta Parmigiano our homemade marinara or meat sauce $16.49 Your choice of chicken, veal, or eggplant served over linguine topped with mozzarella, baked in Baked Cheesemarinara Rigatoni our homemade or meat sauce $16.49 With Ricotta & mozzarella, baked in our homemade marinara or meat sauce $14.49

7446 W.(708)-583-0002 North Avenue, Elmwood Park Baked Cheese Rigatoni 7446 W.Wed,North Park Thurs Avenue, 11oram 9Elmwood pm$14.49 (Closed Mondays) Linguine Alla Vongole With Ricotta & mozzarella, baked Sun, in ourTues, homemade marinara meatto sauce

Lotus Chinese an Elmwood Park cornerstone 31-year-old restaurant brings a taste of Taiwan to the Western suburbs

Artichoke hearts, mushrooms, broccoli, onions, roasted red peppers, & fresh garlic in our Gnocchi marinara Alla Spizzico homemade sauce $13.49 Potato dumplings, shrimp, black olives, & tomatoes in our special pesto cream sauce $15.99

(708)-583-0000

7446 W.(708)-583-0000 North Avenue, Elmwood Park Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am to 9 pm (Closed Mondays) 7446 W. North Avenue, Elmwood Park

Fri & Sat 11 am – 10 pm Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am to 9 pm (Closed Mondays) www.spizzicopizza.com Fri & Sat 11 am – 10 pm www.spizzicopizza.com We accept all major credit & debit cards.

No checks accepted. Prices subject to change without notice.

C O N T E N T

“They also have a Taiwanese menu which is delicious. Some of our favorite dishes are the Spicy Salt Chicken and Pork Belly over rice!”

Our attention turned to Lotus’ Taiwanese beef noodle soup — after all niu rou mian is the national dish of Taiwan. Variations on the comforting soup abound throughout China and globally, but Lotus offers a traditional take on the homey dish.

Slices of supremely tender braised beef shank swim alongside flat noodles, baby bok choy, cilantro, scallion and pickled mustard greens in a dark broth. The deeply flavored broth has heavy spice notes coming from star anise and black pepper and benefits further from the addition of ginger, garlic, chilies and vinegar.

Ordering this lesser known dish for takeout is a fun DIY project. Noodles and garnishes arrive separately from the meat and broth allowing diners to customize the dish at home.

Lotus also serves up a popular Taiwanese street food called Gua Bao, or pork belly buns. Served on a delicate (and appropriately named) lotus leaf bun, the handheld sandwich features aromatic braised pork belly slices, fresh cucumber, pickled greens and fresh cilantro. Crunchy peanuts finish the rich bite.

Hot-heads should look at the Szechuan dishes on Lotus’ menu — they are known

Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs 11 am to 9 pm (Closed Mondays) www.spizzicopizza.com Fri & Sat 11 am – 10 pm www.spizzicopizza.com

We accept all major credit & debit cards. No checks accepted. Prices subject to change without notice.

We ARE LIVE ONLINE! Your Table is READY For sponsorships or advertising

call lourdes at 708-613-3330 lourdes@oakpark.com Served fresh by

B10 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

Spicy Szechwan Wontons are a Lotus specialty.

Melissa Elsmo

S P O N S O R E D

15

Wednesday Journal, November 112020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C O N T E N T The newest hot spot for Live Entertainment

Great Food Full Bar Live Music

Italian Specialties DONNY G’S HOLIDAY CHEER! OFF SITE CATERING!

Let Us do the Cooking f You

Homestyle Italian Specialties from Our House to Yours

e F tival of the Seven Fish GRILLED SHRIMP - FRIED SHRIMP - SCAMPI SHRIMP

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup would prove to be a cozy meal on a chilly night. to be slick, peppery and especially spicy.

Pay particular attention to their meat-filled Szechuan dumplings smothered in garlicspiced sauce. The generously sized boiled dumplings come four to an order and are doused in a sweet and spicy sauce made from chili-oil, vinegar and sweet soy sauce.

According to Lotus employee, Kayla Martinez, the American Chinese dish, shrimp and lobster sauce, is a popular selection among customers looking for milder and less adventurous Chinese fare.

No matter if you are looking to explore Taiwanese cuisine or prefer to stick with simple fried rice, Lotus has an offering for every inkling.

*ALL DISHES WERE ORDERED FOR CARRY OUT AND PLATED AT HOME

RAW CLAMS - BAKED CLAMS - STEAMED CLAMS in RED or WHITE SAUCE Melissa Elsmo

Lotus Chinese is located at 7230 W. North Ave. Suite 210 in Elmwood Park.

The Best FRIED SMELT - STEAMED MUSSELS in RED or WHITE SAUCE Ever!!! WHITE FISH - GRILLED SALMON - FRUTTI DI MARI

FRIED CALAMARI - GRILLED CALAMARI - CALAMARI in RED SAUCE

Christmas Eve Packag

Pick up only • 2pm until 5pm Cooked or ready for your oven FOOD FOR CHRISTMAS DAY CAN BE PICKED UP WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO HEAT ON 12/24

BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY EVENT OR DINNER AT DONNY G’S EVENTS & LOUNGE Pork belly buns at Lotus Chinese in Elmwood Park come three to an order.

Call to place your order 708-456-3644 7308 W. North Avenue • Elmwood Park donnygs.com • donny.greco@yahoo.com

Melissa Elsmo

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B11

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

River Forest home sells for $900,000

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds for August 2020. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the recorder of deeds.

OAK PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

1150 S Harvey Ave

$385,000.00

Ramzey D Llc

Harnung Adam

938 N Ridgeland Ave

$349,000.00

Ohara James

Jacobson Grant H

818 N Ridgeland Ave

$450,000.00

Sutherland Ian

Van Krevelen Jean Ann

615 S Lyman Ave

$262,000.00

Gibson Joan M

Harris Shana

1011 S Cuyler Ave

$270,000.00

Perez Javier A

Stewart Terez D

1210 Woodbine Ave

$580,000.00

Fish Lee P

Adams Andrew J

240 Home Ave

$625,000.00

Brown Linda L Tr

Hansen Brian

1132 Clinton Ave

$599,000.00

Ono Takayuki

Rowen Jenna

423 S Humphrey Ave

$500,000.00

Divis Timothy E

Connor Jolien

1115 Paulina St

$350,000.00

Chruscicki Jean B

Preissing Christopher

1115 Home Ave

$425,000.00

Quane Abigail

Gilsenan Bryan

324 N Lombard Ave

$525,000.00

Gaspary Joseph A Jr

Shah Neal Dilip

1114 Home Ave

$390,000.00

Keating Kevin J

Munroe Daniel

1046 S Ridgeland Ave

$173,000.00

Yerington Martha

Moctezuma Lillian

1117 N Elmwood Ave

$515,000.00

Brucker Gregory A Tr

Laurel Lucas Kyle

918 S Austin Blvd

$260,000.00

Moreno Kevin

Mckerr & Pk Llc

1101 S Taylor Ave

$434,000.00

West Suburban Bk Tr

Vlahos Ted

101 Bishop Quarter Ln

$395,000.00

Desch Ryan M

Arvis Stephen

1017 Wisconsin Ave

$495,000.00

Chicago Title Land Trust Co

Jackson Jeffrey

710 Clarence Ave

$410,000.00

Davidhizar Benjamin L

Hubert Kristin M

1210 N Euclid Ave

$447,500.00

Beckett Debora Tr

Wilson Maria

105 S Euclid Ave

$490,000.00

Wendell Ryan Prop Llc Series

Crowe Ryan

1114 N East Ave

$635,000.00

Flynn Andrew

Raines Michael

611 N Ridgeland Ave

$425,000.00

Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr

Fernandes Meghan

1125 Wenonah Ave

$473,000.00

Vestal Bradley K

Franken Elizabeth L Tr

828 Woodbine Ave

$429,000.00

Schaer David Tr

Rundell Michael H

1176 S Harvey Ave

$185,000.00

Gedvilas Joseph

Rohde Daniel

647 S Humphrey Ave

$420,000.00

Calice Corrine

Haremski Catherine

317 S Harvey Ave

$670,000.00

Elam Harold James Tr

Penick Jeffrey B

B12 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate â&#x2013; November 11, 2020

1311 Monroe Ave., River Forest

FOREST PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

9 Bergman Ct

$207,500.00

Light David C

Zuffrano Jeffrey

148 Des Plaines Ave

$550,000.00

Warden Stephen L

Apartment Inv Xxiii Ltd Ps

123 Rockford Ave

$331,500.00

West Jason V

Hardin David

440 Ferdinand Ave

$305,000.00

Minaghan Mary Kay

Velarde Dambino Castro

126 Des Plaines Ave

$275,000.00

Mcdermott Denise

Vogt Harrison

7210 Madison St

$2,150,000.00

Madison Elgin Mgmt Co Llc

Martinix2 Llc

1039 Thomas Ave

$446,000.00

Snyder Murray R

Hunt Kathleen B

1034 Hannah Ave

$269,000.00

Easton Jordan L

Mead Erik

140 Marengo Ave

$187,000.00

Peacock Janice E Tr

Hermanson Kevin

131 Ashland Ave

$596,000.00

Griffith Stacey M

Mejia Andrew J

1424 N Harlem Ave

$199,000.00

Alvers Carrissa

Quintos Melissa De Guzman

1311 Monroe Ave

$900,000.00

Cheronis Damon

Park Jisoo

303 Gale Ave

$412,500.00

Watson Kelli M

West Rebecca V

110 Gale Ave

$390,000.00

Barker Ruth A Tr

Burns James

RIVER FOREST

Read .

1 p e t S Recycle .

2 p e St

Dear Reader, Well that was a heck of an election. In a heck of a year.

If there is anything that this year has taught us, it’s that so much of life is uncertain and unpredictable.

But it is reportable. Reportable when the news is scary, even disorienting. Reportable when our neighbors rise and build new ways to connect. That reporting – street level, with names and places you know -- is the work we do.

Beyond any partisan stance, we’re relieved and gratified to hear a spokesman for President-Elect Joe Biden talk up the essential role of independent reporting in a democracy.

While national reporting now turns to the transition between the Trump and Biden administrations, our focus in our seven neighborhoods turns to December filing deadlines, slate building and local candidates figuring out how to campaign in the coming April elections in this rolling COVID pandemic.

There are village boards, school boards, park boards, library boards, referendums that will shape the communities we cover.

Right now we need your direct help to make sure Growing Community Media has the resources to keep our independent community newsroom thriving. We’re asking for you to join in right now. The early response to our annual NewsMatch campaign has been gratifying.

We’re committed to doing the reporting —not just in the weeks to come, but for as long as we can. And you can play a critical role in ensuring that happens with the Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal.

Donate to Growing Community Media any time between now and the end of the year and NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation 12x or double your one-time gift, all up to $5,000. Will you do your part to support public service journalism that never stops working for you?

You can make a difference.

With gratitude, Dan Haley Editor and Publisher 141 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 P.S. Go one step further and share this appeal with someone who will join us in standing up for high-quality, true-seeking journalism.

The stakes are high, and you can help.

To donate, visit www.oakpark.com/donate

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B13

Discover the Tradition of

JUST LISTED

1522 FOREST, RIVER FOREST $895,000 :: 4 BED :: 4.5 BATH Brick Tudor with expansive yard.

UNDER CONTRACT

55+ Senior Apartment Living in your Community

UNDER CONTRACT

“135 Years Young” Winter Move-In Special

FREE! 7310 HOLLY, RIVER FOREST

1119 OAK PARK, OAK PARK

$849,000 :: 6 BED :: 5.5+ BATH Close to train.

Designer kitchen. Awesome yard.

$723,500 :: 4 BED :: 2.5 BATH

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

1st month’s rent FREE! Call for details: 708-366-2206

The Altenheim 7824 West Madison Street, Forest Park, IL 708-366-2206 • www.thealtenheim.com

Mindful TMS Neurocare 1100 Lake St. Suite LL60, Oak Park (708) 434-4080

Congratulations to Mindful TMS Neurocare & Psychiatric Services on their grand opening! Visit them online at mindfultms.com

Celebrating the Oak Park grand opening: Liz Holt, OPRF Chamber of Commerce. Michele Stoehr, Amber Johnson, Dr. Erika Olson, Jordan Chenoweth, Kaycee Davis, Maria Petkoglou, Teresa McKelvy, Emilie Mies, Marisa Franson, all of Mindful TMS. yourWeil own ribbon cutting contact us on oprfchamber.org Dr. Mary Ann For Bender, Foot & Ankle Institute.

Mani Rao, Sameen Hosseini, of Mindful TMS.

B14 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ November 11, 2020

Excellence

(ek’se lens) noun.

The quality of being exceptional; superior

Tom Carraher redefines the essence of real estate service.

CONDOS

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Sunday, November 15 ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

26 Gale Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $410,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 835 N. Cuyler Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$429,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 807 S. Home Ave, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . @properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$435,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 1215 N. Grove Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$650,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1147 Jackson Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$787,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1135 Forest Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$999,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:30-2:30

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

Finding someone who has the exceptional commitment required for professional excellence is rare... ...until you select the real estate professional with a total commitment to excellence in real estate service, Tom Carraher.

Call Tom Carraher at 708-822-0540 to achieve all of your real estate goals.

921 Ontario St. Unit C, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $279,900. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-2 170 N. Marion St. UNIT 4, Oak Park . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$369,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat. 12-1:30

TOWNHOMES

1133 Chicago Ave. UNIT 3E, Oak Park . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$625,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-4

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

320 S. Maple Ave. UNIT D, Oak Park. . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$479,000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12-1:30

Tom Carraher

This Directory brought to you by

Realistic Expectation–Proven Results

mrgloans.com

Providing financing for homes in Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1989.

Conventional, FHA, and Jumbo mortgages Free Pre-approvals

6821 W. North Avenue Suite 201 Oak Park, IL 708.452.5151

Mortgage Resource Group is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee.

NMLS # 207793 License # 1031

7375W. West NorthAve. Avenue 7375 North River Forest, Illinois 60305 River Forest 708.771.8040 708.771.8040

http://tomcarraher.realtor.com

November 11, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B15

The Joyful Giving Catalog Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully!

Everything you need for a better world: • More Art

• More Food

• More Compassion

• More Health

• More Education

• More Housing

• More Equity

• More Peace

Each of the organizations listed in this catalog paid a fee to participate. If you run a nonprofit and you would like to be listed here, or if you would like to sponsor a nonprofit to be listed here, please contact Lourdes Nicholls (Lourdes@oakpark.com) or Marc Stopeck (Marc@oakpark.com).

Animal Care League Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities.

With over 1000 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery.

Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting animalcareleague. org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Beyond Hunger When the pandemic hit, we revamped our service model to keep everybody safe. Instead of inviting people to shop inside our food pantry, we now prepack boxes with nearly 80 pounds of groceries and pop them into car trunks or shopping carts for participants. We’ve added more home delivery recipients knowing that elderly and disabled individuals are more at risk for COVID-19. The contents of each box is tailored to meet the needs of our community.

Along with food, we include toilet paper, toothpaste, and reusable washable masks.

With your support, we can make sure no one in our community goes hungry this winter.

Even a little goes a long way: every $1 donated can feed a neighbor for an entire day.

To donate, visit GoBeyondHunger.org or send checks payable to Beyond Hunger, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301

BUILD Since 1969, BUILD has helped Chicago’s most vulnerable youth escape gangs and violence to become positive

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■ November 11, 2020

leaders in their communities. These young people face enormous obstacles and trauma, and so we surround them with the counseling, mentoring, training, and opportunities they need to build a future and succeed. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school and college support, mental health care, community violence crisis response, and enrichment activities ranging from art and music to sports, podcasting, engineering and gardening. Potential doesn’t discriminate, neither should opportunity.

Join us in BUILDing a better future. Visit and donate at buildchicago.org/

Celebrating Seniors Coalition Since our inception a decade ago, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition has been passionate about dispelling outdated and inaccurate myths about what it is to be a senior in our society.

At the same time, the Coalition has raised funds to help meet the basic needs of daily living for dozens of elders in our community.

As we get to the “other side” of the pandemic and embark on our second decade, join us in Celebrating Seniors—those people 60 and over in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park.

Learn how you can join honor and support these esteemed elders at our updated website: www.CelebratingSeniors.net.

Cluster Tutoring

Cluster Tutoring is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides free one-to-one tutoring to students in grades K through 12 from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Tutor-student pairs work together during the school year on reading, math, and other homework to prepare the student for a successful academic career. When Cluster started nearly 30 years ago, fewer than half of Chicago Public Schools graduated from high

school. Now, all of Cluster’s seniors not only graduate but are accepted at colleges and other post-graduation programs. Donations go toward materials that help students learn.

To learn more or to donate, visit clustertutoring.org.

Concordia University Chicago Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts, Christ-centered, Lutheran university where truth, freedom, and vocation form students for lives of influence and service for the common good. Founded in 1864, the University is located on 40 acres in River Forest, Illinois. Historically a college for teachers, it now offers more than 100 areas of study through traditional, blended or online classes. Students can earn a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees through one of four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and the College of Graduate Studies. Professors are passionate about teaching, learning and preparing students for success in their chosen vocations. Beyond academics, Concordia offers NCAA Division III athletic teams, intramural sports, touring music ensembles and numerous student clubs and organizations focused on service, recreation, spiritual life and more. Currently, more than 6,400 students are enrolled.

To learn more, please visit CUChicago.edu or CUChicago.edu/GiveNow to support our students.

The Day Nursery

Since 1912, The Day Nursery has provided exceptional early childhood education in an environment that welcomes all children, enhances individual strengths, and fosters the academic, social-emotional, and physical development that leads to school readiness.

You can help lay the foundation today for successful adults tomorrow.

To learn more about us and to donate, visit www.thedaynursery.org 1139 Randolph St, Oak Park, IL 60302 708.383.8211 - Fax: 708.383.0692 Email: info@thedaynursery.org - www.thedaynursery.org A United Way Community Partner/NAEYC Accredited

The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory The Oak Park Conservatory began as a community effort to house exotic plants residents collected during their travels abroad. Completed in 1929, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory offers a rich atmosphere throughout three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants.

The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. Toddlers through adults can participate in year-round educational and recreational programs, volunteer opportunities and special events. To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

Growing Community Media Growing Community Media is dedicated to building community through independent, non-partisan local journalism. We believe that high quality community journalism preserves and strengthens the fabric of our democracy.

Independent community journalism holds local governments to account. It connects neighbors. It is the credible source when social media goes haywire, and it allows a community to debate and celebrate. Through Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, Growing Community Media reports local news and tells compelling local stories across many platforms. Our mission calls us to build fact-based accountability and connection, conversation and civility, diversity and a sense of belonging.

Join our mission by donating at growingcommunitymedia.org or contacting dhaley@wjinc.com

The Joyful Giving Catalog Hephzibah Children’s Association Hephzibah is making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and struggling families.

Oak Park’s oldest social service agency, Hephzibah is the only program in Illinois designated to care for the most severe cases of abuse and neglect of young children ages 3-11. Hephzibah Home provides comprehensive, therapeutic care for traumatized young children. Our Family Based Program supports more than 100 foster care children and stabilizes 150 families in crisis. Our Day Care Program delivers quality, affordable day care and summer camp programming for elementary school children in Oak Park.

Make a difference with us at hephzibahhome.org.

Historical Society Forest Park The Historical Society Forest Park was founded in 1975 for the purposes of “collecting and preserving the rich heritage of Forest Park.” The historical society offers tours of Haymarket Martyr’s Monument in Forest Home Cemetery every Saturday in the summer, collect oral histories of Forest Park Veterans of Military service, hosts several historical events a year and celebrates Forest Park.

For more information about the Society, its events and programs, or to donate visit forestparkhistory.org or mail us: Historical Society of Forest Park, PO Box 311, Forest Park IL 60130

Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest The Historical Society Forest Park was founded in 1975 for the purposes of “collecting and preserving the rich heritage of Forest Park.” We offer tours of Haymarket Martyrs Monument in Forest Home Cemetery every Saturday in the summer, have regular bicycle tours of cemeteries, hosts several historical events in partnership with the business community and are raising funds for a mobile museum that can bring Bloomer Girls, Forest Park Amusement Park, the Forest Park Racetrack and more rich history to events around town.

For more information about the Society, events and programs, or to become a monthly or annual donor to support us, visit forestparkhistory.org or mail us: Historical Society of Forest Park, PO Box 311, Forest Park IL 60130

Housing Forward Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending homelessness. We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to housing crises, and stabilize individuals and families through permanent housing. With offices in Maywood and Oak Park, we offer wraparound services including case management, housing, outreach, employment, and emergency assistance. Last year, we served over 2,000 adults and families across 20+ communities. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our emergency shelter and supportive services programs consolidated into a 24/7 Interim Housing model for clients on a path to permanent housing—including medical respite. This site joins Sojourner House and Ohana House in assisting individuals and families, plus two new housing programs focused on youth and veterans.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit housingforward.org, email giving@ housingforward.org or call 708.338.1724 ext.

262.

IWS Children’s Clinic Help us champion childhood health! The OPRF Infant Welfare Society and our Children’s Clinic have continuously been there for at-risk children and families since the start of the pandemic.

We serve the dynamic whole health needs of children: sick visits, critical vaccines at well child check-ups, integrated behavioral health services, and preventive and restorative dental care, including for children with special needs.

Together, we are ensuring the health and well-being of children in our community, including Oak Park, Chicago’s West side, Berwyn, Cicero and beyond.

IWS Children’s Clinic serves 3,400 children each year, and your generosity is key as our costs of providing care have increased substantially due to COVID-19. A gift of $50 pays for two essential vaccines. A gift of $150 provides specialized dental services.

Champion Childhood Health – Give Today! www.oprfiws.org/donate or 708-4068661.

L’Arche Chicago L’Arche Chicago provides high quality care in community-integrated homes for adults with intellectual disabilities in the OPRF area. Our mission is lived through daily life shared in

mutuality: afternoon walks to the park, doctor’s appointments, and dinner parties.

Moreover, L’Arche is committed to life together in a way that welcomes difference. As our society seems increasingly fearful of difference, L’Arche offers a counter story: that the differences so often keeping people apart can become the substance of joyful and transformative relationships.

Make a needed local impact through our people and mission at www.larchechicago. org/opendoors

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has served hundreds of middle to high-school youth providing a variety of programs, workshops, field trips, and experiences designed to increase academic potential and instill cultural pride. Since 2008, the program has hosted free monthly youth breakfasts with topics ranging from anger management/and conflict resolution, etiquette, police/community interactions, sexual health, drug and alcohol avoidance, and academic excellence. Youths practice critical thinking skills to encourage positive life choices. Volunteer mentors interact with youth providing positive role models for college and career choices. Funds are needed to continuously provide free services and incentives for participation.

To volunteer, or to donate, visit us at maywoodyouthmentoring.org, or contact Barbara Cole, founder/CEO at 708-344-3577.

New Moms

New Moms believes in the strength, skills, and potential of all families and communities to achieve audacious possibilities for their futures.

At New Moms, young moms take powerful first steps towards economic mobility and family well-being. Our 2-Generation Approach puts families experiencing poverty in control of their goals and unleashes their potential.

We partner with families to construct the foundations of well-being by strengthening core life skills, incorporating early childhood development supports, building pathways to and preparation for education and employment, and expanding positive social networks and access to community resources.

Learn more and donate at newmoms.org.

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local non-profits (80% of its usage is non-profit). During COVID-19 our building has been largely closed, but we have been connecting with our community with weekly Monday Enrichment Zoom programs.

We are also providing community outreach to food pantries, shelters and first responders. We need your help keeping our ‘doors’ open.

If you would like information about donating, please contact us at 708-386-2729 x 3 or epayton@nineteenthcentury.org. You can also make a donation at nineteenthcentury.org.

Oak Park Art League Celebrating its centennial in 2021, the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is one of the longest, continually running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois. OPAL is a vibrant cultural center where the invitation and challenge to use art as a medium for personal and community growth is made available to people of all ages. Since 1921, OPAL has brought arts education, appreciation, exhibitions, and the spirit of artistic inquiry to the surrounding community. OPAL is committed to meaningful community outreach to the population that makes up our greater community through partnerships and on-site art and programming with local social service agencies through our “Family stARTs” program.

For more information about membership, volunteering, or to make a donation, please contact Executive Director, Jill Kramer Goldstein at 708-386-9853 or director@ oakparkartleague.org. The Oak Park Art League is located at 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center For more than four decades, the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC) has been an advocate for fair housing. Our mission is to achieve vibrant communities and promote intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park. The OPRHC is the only non-profit in Oak Park and the Greater Westside Region that encourages pro-integrative housing options. Our work is at the heart of why Oak Park is such a wonderful, diverse,

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your Community your Foundation Please, give to the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation's Annual Fund today.

OA K PAR K-R I V ER F OR E ST

Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is a unique and vital part of the fabric of our community. With leadership, advocacy, and perseverance, the Foundation has mobilized essential resources to help those most in need in our neighborhood and beyond. Our service to our local organizations, donors, and scholars has continued without interruption, pushing for a more just and socially equitable community.

Together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Donate today at oprfcf.org or call 708-848-1560

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The Joyful Giving Catalog and vibrant community, welcoming to everyone.

Support our work with a donation at oprhc. org/donate. To learn more about the OPRHC call 708.848.7150, inforequest@liveinoakpark. com, 1041 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is based on a powerful promise: to create an enduring institution where people can come together and pool their resources to meet our community’s most pressing needs — not just now, but forever. For sixty years, generations of thoughtful and caring donors and residents have empowered the Foundation’s work to safeguard and advance the community in which we live, raise our families and work.

From helping donors with legacy gift planning, to managing donor advised funds, to strengthening local non-profits, we connect. Visit oprfcf.org or call Rhea Yap at 708-848-1560 to start a fund, discuss your charitable estate plans, or make a donation today.

Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association Through its Bobbie Raymond Summer Enrichment grant program, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Alumni Association helps current OPRFHS students experience life-changing experiential learning opportunities that advance their interests and knowledge in preparation for higher education and future career goals. All freshman through juniors are eligible to apply for awards, though students from under-resourced families receive greater consideration. For more than 20 years, students have traveled to destinations throughout the U.S. and the world, taking part in cultural exchanges, camps, and enrichment opportunities. The future outlook of these life-changing opportunities, and their accessibility for students most in need depends on your support today.

Donate at https://tinyurl.com/oprfalumnidonate

OPRF High School Scholarship Foundation In May 2020, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Scholarship Foundation granted $140,000 in scholarships to 63 graduating seniors. Since 1924, the Scholarship Foundation

has been an important and growing partner in the community, providing much-needed financial assistance to OPRFHS students as college tuition and expenses continue to increase.

Please visit our website at www.scholarships4oprfhs.org. and make a gift to our General Fund to help increase the number and amount of scholarships we offer or to the College Knowledge Project (CKP) Scholars Fund that supports our CKP alumni, many of whom are first generation college students.

We hope you will join us by investing in the future of OPRFHS students today and make a tax-deductible donation. Contact scholarshipsoprfhs@gmail. com to learn more.

Oak Park Mutual Aid Oak Park Mutual Aid (OPMA) is a coalition of neighbors dedicated to directly caring for one another and those around us in greatest need. We provide direct community support including food, clothing and limited financial assistance. Our website and volunteer responders also share a collection of resources that can help support those living in Oak Park and the surrounding area during this difficult time. To date, we have raised more than $47,000 in donations and assisted hundreds of area residents.

The Parks Foundation of Oak Park is committed to equity and diversity

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cholarship funds are available to assist low income individuals and families to participate in Park District of Oak Park programs. The Parks Foundation raises additional scholarship funds so that ALL community members who qualify can participate. In the past 5 years, the annual number of Oak Park residents awarded Park District scholarships grew by over 60%, from 318 to 511 people, all of whom were able to enjoy programs, pools, ice skating and more. The need for program assistance continues to grow. Here is what scholarship recipients say about the program:

As the situation will remain difficult for the foreseeable future, we need your help through donations and volunteering! https://oakparkmutualaid.com/

One Earth Film Festival By taking care of each other, we take care of ourselves. That’s the lesson that the COVID19 pandemic and the growing social & environmental justice movements are teaching us. And that’s the Power of We! The One Earth Film Festival continues to grow and expand our circle of engagement. Save the date for our exciting 10th anniversary One Earth Film Fest, March 5-14, 2021. The Festival was born in Oak Park, and this year, we will be screening virtually to a national audience. Join us for quality films, engaging discussion, meaningful action opportunities and community-building.

Memberships start at $25 ($15 for students / seniors). 0 For more information and to donate, visit oneearthfilmfest.org/give.

“Because I received a scholarship, I was able to learn a new skill—stained glass crafting. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I hope to enroll in the class again, since it’s a skill I never want to forget. I want to build on what I’ve already learned. It’s an enjoyable class and hobby. (Plus, John Curran is an excellent teacher!)”

“My granddaughters loved participating in the gymnastics program.”

“Our daughter is very shy, and prior to starting Playschool at Field Center in the fall, she had little to no contact with other kids her age. Now her teachers say she has really come out of her shell, and she talks about all her friends at school when we pick her up. She is also learning to recognize letters and numbers, which is pretty impressive for a 2-year-old.”

“This program is such a wonderful part of our life. We are so grateful that scholarships are awarded. My child is healthier as a result.”

Please give to the Parks Foundation of Oak Park’s Annual Scholarship Appeal – you can help a child or adult pursue a dream participating in Park District programs!

To learn more, and to make a donation, visit parksfoundationop.org

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The Joyful Giving Catalog Opportunity Knocks Opportunity Knocks is dedicated to enriching life and community for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as they live, work, learn, grow and connect within their community. We use a dynamic, person-centered and community-based approach to programming that serves to engage the voice of our participants, foster interdependent connections, encourage exploration, promote holistic wellness and healthy relationships.

We are 95% privately funded so your support is more important than ever this year in keeping our mission moving forward. To join us in creating a more dynamic and inclusive community for all, visit opportunityknocksnow.org, 8020 Madison Street, River Forest, IL 60305.

The Parks Foundation of Oak Park The Parks Foundation of Oak Park promotes giving opportunities to support initiatives for the Park District. Our mission is to collaborate with residents, community groups and partner organizations to support exceptional projects that enhance and enrich our parks and community life.

We believe a commitment to equity and diversity is what makes our community strong.

Our fundraising efforts enhance scholarship funding to make it possible for all community members to participate in Park District programs. Last year over 200 scholarships were provided to enable individuals and families to participate in park district programs.

To learn more, and make a donation, visit parksfoundationop.org

PING! Providing equitable access to instrumental music for students in grades 4 through 12 in Oak Park and River Forest public schools has been the mission of PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) for more than 20 years. PING! loans band and orchestra instruments to students in need, and provides music enrichment through workshops; mentoring; and scholarships for summer music camps, school music trips, and private instruction. In this challenging year of COVID, PING! is adapting these enrichment programs to fit

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the needs of our students learning at home.

Community support for our PING! students this year is more important than ever.

UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago

For more information, or to make a donation, please visit our new website at pingoprf.org. If you have an instrument to donate, send us an email at pingoprf@ gmail.com.

River Forest Public Library Foundation

River Forest Public Library connects our community with information and entertainment, with each other and the world. RFPL Foundation works to enhance the Library today and for the future through fundraising and advocacy. The Foundation fully funded major updates in the Children’s Room in 2019.

We have provided support for the Lobby/ Circulation renovation, Summer and Adult Reading Programs, special programming, and the Anne Smedinghoff Memorial Garden.

Help ensure a strong community and a bright future for River Forest Public Library with your gift. We gratefully accept cash, credit/debit, securities and bequests. Visit RFPLFoundation.org/donate.

St. Angela School St. Angela School has walked with the families of Chicago’s west side for one hundred years—walked with a deep commitment to enriching the lives, and the futures, of their children.

We have a rich and varied history – and a future of great promise. We provide our children with a safe and loving environment and challenging academics; we help them explore paths that lead to meaningful and rewarding careers; and we teach them, above all, to believe in themselves. As we prepare for our next hundred years, we’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to love and serve all those who choose to be part of our community.

Learn more about St. Angela School at saintangela.org or call us at (773) 6262655

UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities.

Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin. org or send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

West Suburban Special Recreation Association

Running through December!

Community of

All in

Uplifting stories of people making a difference

Community of Caring Pull-out section Nov. 18

F O R E S T PA R K

JOURNAL REVIEW W E D N E S D A Y

Longer lives Why life expectancy is shorter on the West Side

PAGE 6

Basketball life An engineer found purpose through basketball

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Sponsored by

Life as it is Meeting each person where they are

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Inside Wednesday Journal Nov. 4 - Dec. 30 2018

Giving Your local catalog for a more Beautiful Healthy

West Suburban Special Recreation Association provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest & nine other surrounding communities.

Join us for our Virtual Celebration Benefiting the Stars of WSSRA. Auction opens 9:00am November 30. View Auction Items or make a donation at https://one.bidpal.net/ wssrastars2020

Secure Loving Peaceful Community.

Giving Tuesday pull-out section on Nov. 25

OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST

Community Foundation

The Joyful Giving Catalog

Youth Outreach Services Community Giving Guide

Coordinated by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

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Youth Outreach Services supports youth ages 12 to 21 and their families, by providing free programs that offer skill development, therapeutic interventions, and mentorship to improve their safety and well-being. Through the past 60 years, YOS has offered outpatient, community-based behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, after school mentoring and outreach, family therapy, crisis intervention services, case management, foster care, transitional living and housing services, in-school prevention curricula, and juvenile justice programs.

Help youth flourish by donating at www.yos. org/donate or text @YOSCARES to 52014.

Or help empower youth to reach their goals, by calling 773-777-7112 to refer them for services.

The Most Wonderful Guide of The Year!

eason of Giving is a campaign organized by Wednesday Journal and the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation to encourage local charitable giving during the holiday season. It has long

been recognized that when we shop local, our money recirculates through the local economy reaping dividends for the entire community. The same is true for charitable giving. When you donate to local nonprofits, your money goes to

AgeOptions

BUILD, Inc.

work in your own neighborhood. Your donations feed local families, offer safety and learning to local children, and enrich the beauty and art that surrounds us all. Over the coming weeks, we hope that you will take a moment to look over the listings

We connect giving to impact!

Season of Giving listings, in each edition AgeOptions helps to empower older adults in Suburban Cook County by connecting them to information and resources so they can thrive as they age. AgeOptions has served older adults since 1974 reaching more than 155,000 older adults and caregivers last year alone. AgeOptions partners with community-based nonprofits serving older adults and their caregivers to ensure that every aging person has access to in-home care, adult day services, nutritious meals, intervention and prevention of fraud, abuse, and neglect, and advocacy to protect their right.

To donate, volunteer, or simply find out about the many services and programs available to you or your loved ones, go to www.ageoptions.org or call us at (708) 383-0258.

Animal Care League Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need.

Founded in 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. With over 1000 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life saving surgery.

Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting www.animalcareleague. org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Since 1969, Austin-based BUILD, Inc. has helped thousands of Chicago youth escape gang violence to become positive community leaders. BUILD is a second family to young people who face steep obstacles, yet succeed every day with the help of caring mentors who share similar backgrounds.

Programs like the Block 51 Arts Academy, Austin Summer of Opportunity, and BUILDing Girls 2 Women foster creativity, social-emotional health, and academic success of youth ages 6 to 24. Gifts to the Attitude of Gratitude campaign support expansion of programs in Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Hermosa, Logan Square, and Fuller Park.

Visit www.buildchicago.org or call 773/2272880.

The Children’s Clinic/ Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society Will you join us? We’re on a mission to advance the health and well-being of children in need. When you support the OPRF Infant Welfare Society, you help vulnerable children in our community and surrounding areas access critical healthcare, including pediatric, dental and behavioral health services.

Our Children’s Clinic is an important safety net for 3,500 children each year, and your generosity is key. Your gift of $50 will provide a toddler with two essential vaccines. Or for $150, a young patient with autism can receive specialized preventive dental services.

Make a gift at www.oprfiws.org or call 708406-8661.

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

The Collaboration for Early Childhood is your resource for early childhood information in Oak Park and River Forest. We provide the connections vital to every child’s opportunity for success in learning and in life. We work with more than 60 organizations so that parents and their children receive critical information and support services, children are screened for developmental delays, teachers in child care centers, preschools and family child care homes provide high quality programs and our most vulnerable children and their families experience a strong web of support.

For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at collab4kids. org or follow us on Facebook.

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Since 1986, the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory has been inspiring and educating visitors. We manage over 150 volunteers. We offer free tours through the showrooms and free educational programs for kids. We sponsor two free events at the Conservatory KidsFest and FallFest. We host the Uncorked summer-series and we are celebrating the 30th annual plant sale this coming spring.

We give grants to the park district to make improvements to the Conservatory. We rely on volunteers, members and donors to make these events, programs and grants possible.

Please consider helping us grow. Join. Donate.

Volunteer.

For more information about membership, volunteering, or to make a donation please contact Executive Director, Beth Cheng, at 708.725.2460 or director@fopcon.org.

in this Giving Guide. Find an organization that resonates with you. Check out their website. Consider making a donation or volunteering. Spread the word. Don’t just shop local—give Local.

Green Community Connections The most recent United Nations report shows that the worst effects of climate change will hit by 2040 if we don’t act now.

Go “all in” for the planet with your donation to the 8th annual One Earth Film Festival, an OPRF grass-roots effort that inspires climate action, resilience and environmental justice in communities throughout Chicagoland. In 2018, we hosted 60 film screenings, and 95% of surveyed attendees reported being inspired to get involved in issues or solutions.

Protect the planet by joining One Earth today: oneearthfilmfest.org/give.

Memberships start at $25. Bill Reilly of The Reilly Group at Merrill Lynch will generously match your donation now through #GivingTuesday.

Hephzibah Hephzibah Children’s Association was founded in 1897. We serve more than 1,000 children and families each year through innovative, community-based programs.

Hephzibah provides a Group Home for children who have been taken from their families due to profound abuse or neglect.

Our skilled staff recruits and trains foster parents, and offers ongoing support to help all family members navigate challenges.

Our after-school Day Care operates on a sliding scale to serve working parents in Oak Park, with programs based at each elementary school.

To make a real difference in the lives of children and families, please donate today at hephzibahhome.org.

Each of the organizations in this catalog paid a fee to participate in this year’s Season of Giving. If you run a nonprofit and you would like to be listed here, or if you would like to sponsor a nonprofit to be listed here, please contact Lourdes Nicholls (Lourdes@oakpark.com) or Marc Stopeck (Marc@oakpark.com). p.s. You’re also invited to join us for our 20th annual Holiday Housewalk & Market, November 29 – December 1! Another great way to help us provide heartfelt healthcare.