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W E D N E S D A Y
December 16, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 20 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
It’s a-maze-ing OPRF hopes to fix complicated room numbering system By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Getting confused by the complex room numbering system at Oak Park and River Forest High School is virtually a rite of passage for many of the high school’s freshmen, as iconic an experience as OPRF’s century-old tradition of seniors donning dresses and suits at graduation. The dress and suit tradition ended in 2019, giving way to the more common commencement tradition of caps and gowns. OPRF’s confusing room numbers may be on a similar path to cultural oblivion. During a Committee of the Whole meeting on Dec. 3, the District 200 school board discussed a recommendation by district administrators to undertake an overhaul of the high school’s renumbering and wayfaring system amid the first phase of capital improvements related to the Imagine OPRF facilities master plan. Ronald Anderson, D200’s director of operations, said the district should start the renumbering and wayfaring project amid the $32.6 million first phase construction work — which includes building a new student resource center, a new south cafeteria and new classrooms, among other projects. Anderson said the district is prepared to pay architectural firm FGM Architects, which is handling the construction work, to provide room renumbering and wayfaring signage design services. The money for the project would come from funds budgeted for the first phase construction work. Any costs related to the signage and wayfaring project that fall outside the first phase work will be paid out of the district’s building maintenance fund. Anderson said FGM will charge the district no more than $45,000 for any costs related to the See RENUMBERING on page 18
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
ART IN THE FAMILY: Artist Peter Lenzo, right, moved to Oak Park in 2019 to live with his younger brother Kris and his family. Read their story on page 6.
Tension as OPRF school board rebukes admin over cuts By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
The District 200 school board is expected to adopt the 2020 tax levy at a regular meeting on Dec. 17, but the process of finalizing this year’s levy hasn’t been frictionless, with board members openly accusing administrators of playing politics,
as they look for the $1.7 million worth of budget cuts likely to result from the board’s new levy. The tension between the board and the administration goes back to a Nov. 19 Committee of the Whole meeting, when the administration presented the board with three options for this See BUDGET CUTS on page 18
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THE FOREST PARK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Breakfasts to boast about in Forest Park Five options. A couple will surprise you
Rise and shine! From classic diners to hip coffee shops and restaurants with international flair, Forest Park has a bevy of breakfasts to start your day. Make the most of your next morning meal and carryout from five notable restaurants in Forest Park. For years, Patrick O’Brien of Scratch Restaurant Group would ask himself why he didn’t have a breakfast-focused restaurant in the Food Writer fold. Known for whipping up burgers, mac and cheese and woodfired pizzas, O’Brien opened Lathrop House Cafe mid-pandemic, at 26 Lathrop Ave., and began slinging egg sandwiches, fluffy omelets and even colorful chilaquiles to satisfy local breakfast cravings. Adventurous breakfast lovers will clamor for innovative items like fried biscuits and gravy or chilaquiles — made with fresh tortilla chips simmered in salsa roja. Traditionalists will appreciate the Denver omelet brimming with ham, onion, pepper, and mushroom. Looking to take a drive-thru detour? For many people coffee is an essential part of every morning, but savvy folks know a perfect cup of fresh coffee is hard to come by. Thankfully Kribi Coffee, 7324 Madison St., air-roasts beans on site and consistently brews a clean tasting cup of joe. Kribi Coffee is offering a holiday coffee
MELISSA ELSMO
blend of Columbian, Costa Rican and Sumatran beans. “Cheers Holiday Blend” brings notes of blackberry, cantaloupe, and chocolate pudding to this festive time of year. Pair a memorable cup of Kribi Coffee with a hot breakfast sandwich for just five dollars. Sandwiches come with a choice of meat and bread and vegan options are available. Coffee not your thing? Check out Kribi’s London Fog Tea Latte. A perfect pick-me-up on a gloomy winter day, the warming drink features Earl Grey tea with vanilla syrup Cactus Grill, 315 Harlem Ave., is known for churning out burritos, tacos and menudo and has recently enhanced their menu to include nacho fries, churros and house made horchata. Few folks, however, know Cactus Grill also serves a vibrant array of Mexican breakfast items. DIY-inclined customers will appreciate the huevos a la Mexicana. A pepper-spiked egg scramble served with rice, beans, and corn tortillas provides a perfect opportunity to assemble your own breakfast. Cactus Grill also turns out confident chilaquiles verde with eggs cooked to order. Louie’s Grill, 7422 Madison St., has been around for more than 20 years. The tried and true dine-in establishment was not set up for carryout business but has adapted in the face of need. Today breakfast packages are flying out the door bringing retro diner vibes to family tables in the community. You cannot go wrong with a classic breakfast from Louie’s Grill. Even after a brief ride in the car, the classic combo remained picture perfect and satisfying. Do not overlook the French toast — served with maple syrup and a dusting of powdered sugar, the dish will make anyone feel like a kid again. “Our Oreo pancakes were featured on Chicago’s Best,” said Marigo Doulas, co-owner of
Keep it classic with eggs, bacon and sausage from Louie’s Grill.
The Denver omelet from Lathrop House Café. Madison Park Kitchen, 7525 Madison St. “Everyone loves this use of a classic cookie. We use chocolate pancakes and a sweet cream cheese icing.” Doulas has shared ownership of MPK for seven years with her cousin Niko Doulas and both remain passionate about their family business being an integral part of the Forest Park community. The diner, known for serving notable morning fare like fluffy pancakes and crispy waffles, also brings a brunch vibe to their namesake burger. The MPK burger, cooked to order,
photo by Lourdes Nicholls
Grab a coffee and a sandwich at Kribi Coffee comes appropriately topped with bacon and egg! Who says you can’t have a burger for breakfast? *All food credited to Melissa Elsmo was ordered via carryout and plated at home
Feel like a kid again with French toast from Louie’s Grill.
Oreo pancakes from MPK are an indulgent breakfast treat.
Chilaquiles verde from Cactus Grill in Forest Park comes with rice and beans.
all photos by Melissa Elsmo
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Yes, there’s a vaccine, but how do you cure mistrust?
n the West Side last month, I stood listening to a group of pastors and politicians demand that the federal government prioritize Black and Brown communities during the process of administering the COVID-19 vaccine. The demand is reasonable. Black and Brown people have been disproportionately harmed by this virus, so it’s only fair that we be among the first in line to get protected from it. At the same time, though, the preachers admitted that Black and Brown people have been conspicuously missing from the vaccine’s clinical trials — not the sort of information that will endear us to an unfamiliar vaccine. On Monday, I saw a tweet from prominent New York Times reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner Nikole Hannah Jones (one of the brains behind the Times’ “1619 Project”): “First Covid vaccine administered in NYC, broadcast on live TV, to a Black woman healthcare worker by a Black woman healthcare worker.” And I learned on Tuesday that Loretto Hospital, the safety net hospital in Austin, would administer Illinois’ very first COVID-19 vaccine. Those are instances of what I call cosmetic equity. The reality looks like something else.
For instance, Dr. Lois Clarke, from a glass of Flint water when a number of experts are Loretto’s director of clinical still saying this water’s not safe? research, said last week that It’s still going through the same Blacks and Hispanics account corroded lead pipes? It was such for half of the country’s COVa disappointing thing to see.” ID-19 cases, but only 15 percent I should note that Obama of participants in early vaccine also confronted a “crisis of trials were non-white. confidence” in the financial With talk of the COVID-19 markets during his first year in vaccine coming aboard, I began office and the solution his team to poll close relatives and crafted was not simply to “projfriends. If given the chance, ect confidence,” but to pump would they take the COVID-19 trillions into the very banks that vaccine tomorrow? To a person Commentary created the crisis in the first … “No.” place. Flint got a show, but Wall But Obama said he would take Street got substantial support. it (if Dr. Fauci signed off on it), I pointed There were other reasons the vaccine out once, before immediately regretting wasn’t polling well in my unscientific even bringing the point up in that instance, analysis. One of my “respondents,” my my memories racing to Obama in Flint. best friend, reminded me of the Tuskegee In May 2016, the first Black president experiment, when the federal government traveled to the predominantly Black Michibasically gave a group of poor Black sharegan city and sipped a glass of filtered water croppers in Alabama untreated syphilis on camera, no doubt to project confidence and watched as many of them suffered for and to assure “angry residents that their 40 years. children would be fine in the long term The government persuaded the sharedespite the ‘complete screw-up’ that concroppers to participate by telling them that taminated their drinking water with lead,” the study would last less than a year and according to a Reuters report. that they were receiving free health care. Filmmaker Michael Moore, who pre“Selected participants [in the initial dicted the presidency of Donald Trump, COVID-19 vaccine tests] will receive free said Obama “is just trying to reassure healthcare for up to two years, regardless people that everything’s okay. To drink of insurance status,” announced Loretto
MICHAEL ROMAIN
officials last week. Again, the mistrust is not unfounded. Let me emphasize that I’m not trying to sow even more mistrust about the vaccine among Blacks. The mistrust already exists and it’s only been exacerbated in recent years by apparent governmental impotence in the face of systemic racism and inequity. It’s one thing for Donald Trump to play games with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or to try selling the public a bleach cure. Most Black people know
Trump for the con he is, which is why we pushed Joe Biden into the White House, despite Biden’s apparent flaws. As a collective, the Black vote, despite the Candace Owens shtick about the ‘Democratic Plantation,’ might be the most pragmatic voting bloc out there. But it’s another thing, when the politicians we pragmatically place our votes behind end up presiding over business as usual. This headline from the Sunday Chicago Sun-Times is a case in point: “Promises of Diversity In Illinois’ Legal Weed Biz An ‘Epic Failure’.” One year after the state legalized recreational marijuana, dispensaries in Illinois “have sold $580 million of recreational marijuana over the first 11 months of the year,” the Sun-Times reports. And yet, the Sun-Times added, “there’s not a single licensed marijuana business that counts a person of color as a majority owner” — despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker calling the state’s weed industry “the most equitycentric in the nation, ‘’according to the Chicago Tribune. That’s like bragging about being the most ethical staffer in the Trump White House. We live in an age of extreme mistrust and the current power elite is not up to the challenge of effectively confronting the sentiment. Instead of experts and managers and the wealthy guiding us through multifold crises, maybe they need to figure out ways of democratizing the knowledge, wealth, resources and connections that they’ve hoarded. A vaccine won’t inoculate us against the viral diseases of racism and inequality — only a radical redistribution of wealth and power, and a radical rethinking of values, will do that.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
122 Oak Parkers test positive for COVID-19 in past week 20 River Forest residents contract coronavirus during same timespan By JAMES KAY Staff Writer
For the eighth week in a row, over 100 Oak Park residents tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Oak Park Department of Public Health, 122 Oak Park residents tested positive for coronavirus from Dec. 9-15.
Those who contracted COVID-19 over this past week range in age from “from less than 20 into their 90s.” The Village of River Forest’s COVID-19 database also shows there were 20 residents who tested positive for COVID-19 in the same time period. Now averaging over 20 new COVID-19 cases a day, Oak Park’s rolling 14-day positivity rate is at 6.87 percent. River Forest’s positivity rate also went up from last week (8.04 percent) and is now at 8.84 percent, according to Northwestern University’s COVID-19 database.
As nursing homes and long-term care facilities’ death rate has increased nationwide, another resident, a 96-year-old woman, died at Belmont Village of Oak Park this past week. Her death marked the fifth resident death at Belmont. Belmont Village Oak Park has also had 14 resident and 24 staff cases since the village started providing updates to the public on long-term care facilities on March 18. As for Oak Park’s other assisted living facilities, Berkeley Nursing and Rehab Center has had 11 resident deaths, 15 staff cases and 47 residents test positive for COVID-19;
Brookdale Oak Park has had 10 resident and 19 staff COVID-19 cases along with two resident deaths; Oak Park Arms has had six resident and four staff cases while one resident died after testing positive for COVID-19; Oasis of Oak Park has had 23 resident cases, 12 resident deaths and 12 staff cases. 1,905 Oak Park residents have tested positive since March 18, according to the village. Cook County’s Director of Communications, Natalia Derevyanny, announced on Dec. 14 the county has had 7,311 COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Bedtime Story with Santa Tuesday, Dec. 22, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the Park District of Oak Park Get snuggled in, open up your device and listen to some holiday stories from the jolly old elf. $5; $8, non-residents. Register: pdop.org
BIG WEEK December 16 - 23
Letters to Santa Through Dec. 24, Oak Park Conservatory Need to get your wish list to Santa? Print out some stationery, write him a note, then drop it off at the Santa Express mailbox located inside the Conservatory. Printable stationery here: pdop.org/assets/1/7/Letters_ to_Santa_Template.pdf. 615 Garfield St., Oak Park.
Jazz Prayer Friday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m., and after, Virtually with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Join this third Friday of the month jazz prayer program. December’s theme is nativity prayer. Music selections include “A Child is Born,” “Celebration of Christ’s Birth” and “Cry Me a River.” Tune in: facebookLive@goodshepherdlc
Prisms of Winter Friday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Virtually with the OPRFHS Music Department See a performance from the typically sold-out show safely at home, featuring the school’s choirs, orchestras and bands. Free. Access here: events.absolutepros.live/ oprf-prisms
Holiday Storytelling
Saturday, Dec. 19, 1 to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Virtually with The Actors Garden Celebrate the holidays with magical stories. At the end of the workshop, act some of those stories out. For ages 7-10, $15. Register: theactorsgarden.com/ classes.html
Legal Options for Family Caregivers Thursday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m. to Noon, Zoom with Oak Park and River Forest Townships Center for Disability & Elder Law address legal services on Power of Attorney for health care and property as well as Living Will declarations. More: oakparktownship.org/event/legal-options-for-family-caregivers. Register: 708-636-8850.
Holiday Boutique Through Dec 27, Expressions Graphics Shop for art and gifts made by local artists in the gallery online. Gallery hours: Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon; Fridays, 3 to 5 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m.; and Sundays, 1 to 3 p.m. More: expressionsgraphics.org/holiday-boutique-2020. 29 Harrison St., Oak Park.
Christmas Music from Latin America Sunday, Dec. 19, 4 to 5 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Take a musical journey to Latin America as singer Miguel de León and his five-piece band play some of “the most famous and beautiful” villancicos (Christmas songs) that are sung during the holiday season. Free. Register: oppl.org/calendar
It’s Christmastime in the City: Chicago and its Yule Time Traditions and Contributions Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Zoom with the River Forest Public Library Join historian/entertainer Clarence Goodman as he highlights Chicago’s holiday traditions from the windows on State Street to the Sears Wish Book. In partnership with River Forest Township. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com
Holiday Party Concert Friday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Virtually with Chicago a cappella The group that performs annually in Oak Park comes to town virtually with live solo performances of ensemble members’ favorite holiday songs, two new choir performances — “Ave Maria” by Javier Busto and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (with lyrics on the screen to sing along) — and videos from past holiday concerts. $8. Tickets/more: chicagoacappella.org
The No Shush Salon: Zig Zag Claybourne Thursday, Dec. 17, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Hear from the author of The Brothers Jetstream: Leviathan and its forthcoming sequel Afro Puffs Are the Antennae of the Universe. Then, listen to performances by local creatives and share works-in-progress or newly finished endeavors. Presentations limited to 15 minutes. Spectators welcome. Register: oppl.org/ calendar
Try-It Thursdays & Queerios: Comic Drawing Thursday, Dec. 17, 5 to 6 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Join an interactive workshop with Chicago webcomic artist and game designer Ashlynn Barker, creator of Fake Gamer Girl comics. Her work covers topics including being trans and mental health. Come ready to draw with pens and sketchpad or blank paper, and be prepared to ask questions about comics, art and games. Best for grades 5 through 8. Register: oppl.org/calendar
Chicago’s First Black Banker Monday, Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m., Virtually with the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Author Don Hayner tells the story of Jesse Binga, who came to Chicago in 1892 with $10 and became a millionaire realtor and Chicago’s first Black banker. His story traces the origins of racial change in one of the most segregated cities in America and tells how he stood as a national symbol of hope for communities isolated by racial animosity. Register: nineteenthcentury.org
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Anan’s final bow That Abu-Taleb announced last week he will not run for a third term came as little surprise. Oak Park has a worthy tradition of two terms and out. That he waited until December to make it official reflects a desire not to be a lame duck too early and, I’d suppose, his still coming to terms with Tucker’s decision not to run as Abu-Taleb’s designee for a replacement. He still seems a bit stunned that Tucker is sitting this election out. I am, too, for that matter. It seemed like a well thought out plan until the plan changed. For his part, Tucker is still assessing how his deserved bona fides as a progressive are now read as too middle of the road for some activist portion of the Oak Park electorate. The election next spring for village president will be fascinating. Unless there is a late entrant — and the petitions are all due by Dec. 21 — there will be four candidates. Three tend toward the progressive end of the spectrum and one is right of center, an unusual stance in Oak Park. Abu-Taleb, in our interview last week, inserted himself into that race. Forcefully. “I know who I won’t endorse. I will not support Trustee Boutet.” He called her disruptive to the village staff and board and repeated the word from four years ago that Boutet “has an axe to grind with the village manager.” That axe was likely sharpened when Manager Cara Pavlicek did not promote Boutet from acting village attorney to the permanent post. Abu-Taleb had positive words for Trustee Dan Moroney who, he said, had matured in office and knows how to read a budget. There will be time for that campaign next year. I’d close by noting that Abu-Taleb accomplished a lot of what he said he’d do. Oak Park has had an intense building boom that created a skyline and broadened the tax base. He genuinely fixed the futzed-up economic development programs both at village hall and the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation. He reimagined Madison Street and brought it back from the dead. The village finally created a five-year capital plan, added steady funding for it and the alleys and the streets in town are in decent shape. He made tough choices early in COVID and has been consistent since. His blind spots are his blind spots. He’ll leave office having not led on equity or reimagining policing. He was the right person eight years ago, and he knows he is not the right person for the next four. I offer him thanks for his service, his decency and his vision — even if Anan Abu-Taleb that vision was ultimately limited.
ight years ago, Anan Abu-Taleb ran for Oak Park village president on a platform of “We’re Open for Business” and “Tall is Better Than Short.” There was a dollop of “We’re Just About Broke, and That’s a Problem.” That was really about it. AbuTaleb did not talk about sustainability. Or equity. Or connecting with Austin. Or even connecting with the park district. It was a simple, direct and limited promise of change. And Abu-Taleb was elected readily over what turned out to be the last in the lineage of Village Manager Association candidates who had largely ruled Oak Park for better than a half century. Six years ago, after ground was broken on the first of several high-rises along the Green Line in downtown Oak Park, I asked Abu-Taleb how he had co-opted the long-vocal critics of forward change, especially tall change, in the village. He seemed a little surprised himself but grateful. Four years ago there were a few fissures and renewed talk of “shade studies” and the life of trees as the Albion high-rise project moved through Oak Park’s newly accelerated planning processes. Still, AbuTaleb ran unopposed for a second term. Two years ago, Bob Tucker, the last of his early allies on the village board, cycled off and that was the end of the halcyon days for Anan. The past 18 months have been a battle, with Abu-Taleb often looking as if he doesn’t grasp the changed landscape, objects to the lingo, and likes his public safety more traditional than reformed. And then came COVID. Wreaked havoc on both village hall and the Abu-Taleb family’s livelihood in the restaurant business at Maya del Sol and a fledgling spot in Pilsen. As for all of us, it has been a hell of a year.
DAN HALEY
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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ART BEAT
Sculpting, he feels whole again By MICHELLE DYBAL
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Arts Editor
sculptor has quietly moved into Oak Park from South Carolina, creating and refining fantastical clay works at Terra Incognito six days a week on average. And through the end of Dec. 22, his sculpted heads, each telling a story of sorts, will be showing at the Oak Park gallery. More than a third have sold. The artist, Peter Lenzo, who turned 65 last week, has art at institutions such as the Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington D.C.), Racine Art Museum (Wisconsin) and Arkansas Arts Center (Little Rock). He moved to Oak Park in June 2019 to live with his younger brother Kris Lenzo and his family. Both brothers are disabled. And, it turns out, both are artists. Peter, four years older, was struck by a car while riding his bicycle in his 20s. The resulting traumatic brain injury led to seizures later in life, which now affect his memory. Kris was in a work accident at 19 and uses a wheelchair. He looks out for Peter, making sure he eats right and gets exercise. Kris dances with Momenta, Oak Park, and teaches their Everybody Can Dance workshops in addition to performing. He recorded a piece, “Midnight Ride,” to be viewed virtually during the pandemic. For Peter, what started as an assignment for his middle school art students became a focus of his art in the last two decades. Peter wanted to introduce an African-American art form to them, “face jugs,” which have a rich history in South Carolina going back to slavery. He began working on samples at home. “To be able to demonstrate it, I had to learn how to do it, so I sat down and started making some and I just fell in love with them,” Peter said. “It felt like I was making what I was supposed to make.” The forms grew from there when his young son suggested adding pieces of fired clay as teeth for the faces. Next came sculpted twigs and leaves. They “started going around these little antique junk stores looking for porcelain things” that his son liked. Now Lenzo adds 100-year-old-plus antique doll heads; such objects as sculpted wishbones, purchased from another artist’s installation after it was taken down; his own sculpted kiln gods and other found objects. The works take on meaning, reflecting what is happening around Peter. With hopes a having a grandchild, a fertilitythemed piece is in process. Multiple faces in the show relate to the pandemic, such as King COVID, Plague Doctor (1918), COVID Dreams, Plague Devil and another Plague Doctor wearing a sculpted pointed leather mask that Peter said was used during me-
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
FACE TIME: Peter Lenzo struggles with the effects of a past brain injury — except when he is sculpting. dieval times. He even has a head telling the story of the “election fiasco.” It includes a salt and pepper shaker he obtained in DC years ago in the form of the Washington Monument and the White House. “It’s like each one is a page in a journal,” he said. “It’s what’s going on outside and inside of me.” His sculptures with funnels on their heads are reminiscent of the Tinman from the Wizard of Oz, referencing the characters’ quest for a brain. “I think about memories … I have dementia,” Peter said. “These heads are all hollow. They’re made from a thrown pot on a potter’s wheel and then they’re altered by pushing in and pushing out, so the heads, my portraits, are empty because my brain is not working right, but I’m storing memories on the outside.” Peter developed his passion at an early age. He began working with clay when he was 10 and his mother signed him up for a ceramic class. “My parents were really into having us all
into extracurricular activities and pushing us toward musical instruments or sports teams or something besides just going to school,” Peter said. Those classes were hard to come by, but he took more when his mom could find them. In high school he discovered the pottery wheel. “I scammed my way out of two other classes and took two ceramics arts classes in the middle of the semester and started doing it pretty constantly from that point. I was 14.” It was then that he decided he would be a potter. While Peter exercises a certain amount of control in sculpting the clay before firing — carefully selecting tools and brushes among a large collection of packed containers — he also leaves some to chance. The artist takes pieces of broken, colored glass from bottles and embeds them into the clay. How they melt, coloring and highlighting the sculpted face as the molten substance drips down during firing leads to surprises. “Glass is like a ceramic glaze, but it’s missing one ingredient and that’s the ingre-
dients that makes it stay on the pot,” Peter said. “So it just runs right off. But the thing I like about it is it really defines the lines of the piece, those things that I know are there, but I can’t see them until the glass identifies it.” It can take 40 hours to complete a complex head. Peter has a timer set so he remembers to take a break, to get up and move. While he said memory loss has become worse over the years, when he sculpts, he is 100 percent whole again. “Working with clay is the only time I feel like I don’t have any deficits,” he said. “What I want to make, I can make. “Most everything else in my life I do so much worse now,” he said. But when it comes to his art, “I can do this as well as I ever could. It’s the only time I feel normal.” To view the exhibit online: terraincognitostudios.com. To inquire about in-person viewing at Terra Incognito, 708-383-6228, 246 Chicago Ave, Oak Park. View Kris Lenzo’s dance “Midnight Ride” at momentadances. org/dancing-at-a-distance.
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
The Takeout 25 effect Local impact on restaurants is tangible and is being copied By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats editor
After a steady stream of local media attention including spots on WGN radio and news segments on Fox 32 and NBC5, Takeout 25 Oak Park is starting to draw interest from coast-to-coast. The relentlessly positive movement urging residents to spend $25 per week on Oak Park carryout fare is now being replicated in Palo Alto, California and Sunnyside in Queens, New York with additional interest from Evanston and Aurora as well as Arlington, Texas. “I really feel like a proud father. It is in its early days still and we are still taking baby steps, but I am happy to help anyone along this journey by sharing our experiences,” said Ravi Parakkat, Takeout 25 Oak Park organizer and also a candidate for Oak Park village trustee in the April election. “I wish them all the best and hope this will be wildly successful nationally.” When Parakkat crunched the numbers to help local Oak Park restaurants survive the COVID winter on the horizon he was not sure his simple formula would resonate with residents. Parakkat created a mathematical formula designed to encourage community members to help local restaurants survive the pandemic winter ahead. He assumed $10,000 in monthly expenses for each of the 100 restaurants in Oak Park — meaning the Oak Park community would need to generate a million dollars a month in restaurant takeout business to help keep restaurants afloat. Parakkat was initially looking for 10,000 Oak Park households to spend $25 each a week or $100 each a month on local restaurants this winter to hit that critical million dollars. “We always had an ambitious goal, but I wasn’t sure if it was achievable,” said Parakkat. “Ultimately this is about households and people are spending more on average than the $25 weekly pledge.” Thanks in part to a formalized partnership
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Santa sightings at One Lake Brewing
with River Forest and organic support from neighboring communities, the Takeout 25 Oak Park Facebook page is gaining approximately 1,000 members per week and currently has more than 4,000 members. Members share photos of meals, speak positively about their carryout experiences, and make inquiries when they are looking to satiate a specific mealtime craving thus diversifying their ordering options. And restaurants are feeling the Takeout 25 effect. In a video posted to the page Anthony Miniscalco, co-owner of Tre Sorelle Ristorante, 1111 Lake St., expressed gratitude to Takeout 25 members saying, “I just wanted to say thank you so much. It means the world to me and my employees and it has been a lot of fun to meet all the new customers.” Miniscalco went on to offer a wine special and free gelato samples to Takeout 25 members. Jimmy Chen, owner of Poke Burrito, 1025 Lake St., credits Takeout 25 with being able to rehire staff members at his Oak Park location. In a post to the Facebook page with a photo of six employees Chen said: “My staff wants to thank Takeout 25 Oak Park. Half of them are getting rehired back to Poke Burrito Oak Park. You don’t know how much everyone taking action means to them.” Amy Parakkat, Ravi’s wife, is responsible for restaurant outreach and much of the PR that brought media attention to Takeout 25. Oak Park residents and volunteers, Melanie Sabelka and Jayson Franklin, also played key roles in getting Takeout 25 off the ground. Sabelka created the pledge setup and manages the Google restaurant finder within the group. Franklin helped build the website and started and helps oversee the Facebook group. Both Sabelka and Franklin are already working with the Parakkats to brace for the long months ahead. “With the December holidays everyone is in a mode to celebrate, but once we cross into the new year, we know our next hurdle will be keeping the momentum for the first three months of 2021,” said Parakkat. “We are consciously expanding our base through collaboration and brainstorming programs to help keep momentum going.”
On Thursday and Sunday evenings through Dec. 20, Santa Claus will be masked up and ready to hear your kiddos’ Christmas wishes at One Lake Brewing, 1 Lake St. in Oak Park. “People have been so supportive of One Lake Brewing, the least we can do is provide some holiday magic in the community,” said Kristen Alfonsi, co-owner. Children can enjoy hot chocolate while waiting for Santa to make an appearance on One Lake’s heated rooftop.
Reservations are required and savvy parents will put “Santa” in the notes section to ensure he will visit your table. Additionally, Santa is providing curbside service to customers picking up carryout fare. Parents should ask for “the Santa experience” when calling in their order. Expect Kris Kringle to pass food through the car window and linger for a fun-loving holiday chat and pictures.
Melissa Elsmo, Oak Park Eats editor
Temporary closure for Margaritas In response to COVID-19 and nearby apartment construction, Margaritas, 804 S. Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park, entered a temporary closure known in the restaurant industry as a hibernation on Sunday, Dec. 13. “We are not upset with the village, but we are not doing well,” said Rene Roman, owner. “For this business to work we need to have at least 50 percent capacity for indoor dining. Then we will see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.” Margaritas would re-open sooner if
federal stimulus money became available, but a change in the weather and the return of outdoor dining will not expedite their return. “We only have room for four or five outdoor tables,” said Roman. “That just isn’t enough. We will be back when indoor dining is allowed again. If we close maybe, we can free up some business to help another restaurant survive.” Follow Margaritas’ Facebook page for updates on their plans for reopening.
Melissa Elsmo, Oak Park Eats editor
Oak Park serves George’s one-day closure For failure to comply with indoor service ban By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
George’s Restaurant, 145 S. Oak Park Ave. shut its doors temporarily Dec. 9, after the village of Oak Park Public Health Department issued a one-day order of closure for
failing to comply with the ban on indoor service in restaurants. According to the closure order, Oak Park police observed customers eating inside George’s Dec. 1. Customers were seen eating inside the restaurant the following day as well, leading the village to serve the restaurant with a cease-and-desist notice, issued Dec. 2. Police officers returned to George’s Dec. 3 to determine whether the restaurant was
adhering to the indoor dining ban but were not allowed inside the premises to conduct the check. Interim Public Health Director J.T. Terry issued the closure order Dec. 8, with the order going into effect midnight, Dec. 9 and expiring after a period of 24 hours or, as the order states, “until such time as George’s comes into compliance with this Order of Closure.” The restaurant has since reopened for
takeout service only. Cajun Boil, 1109 South Blvd., was issued a cease-and-desist notice for indoor dining in November but it has since complied with the ban. “I think it is interesting to note that residents have been quick to contact the village when they observe what they think may be violations of state’s order suspending on premise, indoor dining,” village spokesman David Powers told Wednesday Journal.
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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Chibuike Enyia isn’t your typical candidate
By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
One of seven people, so far, vying to fill three soon-to-be open trustee spots, Chibuike Enyia (pronounced Chee-bee-kay Enyuh) has a laundry list of issues he plans to tackle if elected to the village board of Oak Park this April. “I grew up here and seeing the change that I want to happen and continue to happen in Oak Park is going to take a lot of work,” Enyia told Wednesday Journal. “I know that I can’t wait for someone else to do it and I want to be a part of that change.” From pandemic relief and support for small businesses to racial equity and police reform, Enyia hopes to address everything that this year has brought to forefront, while upholding the village’s values. “For the past 30 years, I’ve heard about diversity, opportunity, education, safety, health, clean environments,” Enyia said. “We have to be a better representation of that.” That representation begins with the elected leaders of Oak Park. “We need leadership that is going to reflect what needs to be done in our village,” he said. Enyia is one of three candidates for trustee with the support of Represent Oak Park, a local political group. Anthony Clark and
tivism, fine arts and different Juanta Griffin are also in that cultures. trio. He’s lived in the community The son of Nigerian immifor 30 years now, choosing to grants, Enyia’s call to leadership raise his own children here so is something of a family tradithat they could have the same option. His great grandmother led portunities he did. the women’s rebellion in 1929 Enyia also knows that Oak against colonial rule in Nigeria. Park isn’t a perfect place. He His uncle fought against genothinks more could be done to encide in the Nigerian Civil War. tice small and Black-owned busiHis first cousin Amara Enyia CHIBUIKE ENYIA nesses to come to the community. ran twice for Chicago mayor – in Enyia would like to see greater the 2015 and 2019 elections, during the latter of which she snagged an en- collaboration between taxing bodies. “And I definitely think there’s a lot of dorsement from Chance the Rapper. “I was so glad to see her run and try to thought that needs to go into policing,” said shake things up, especially with the po- Enyia. He believes the concept of policing should litical machine they have in Chicago,” said be reimagined to eliminate police pulling Enyia. “I was super proud.” Despite his impressive family back- over Black people at an inordinately higher ground, he doesn’t believe he’s of the same rate than they do white people. tradition as the people who usually run for “We need to make sure that, especially for village board. our kids of color, they are being treated fair“I’m not your typical candidate; I don’t ly,” said Enyia. “Police need to make sure have law degrees,” he said. “I’m an everyday that they’re not traumatizing.” person, just like anybody else.” To do so requires not just providing greatEnyia’s family moved to Oak Park when er transparency but doing so in language he was 4 years old. As a kid, Enyia took part easily understood by people outside of law in much of what the community had to offer. enforcement, according to Enyia. He participated in Boy Scouts. Wrestled and “Not all of us know police speak,” said played football as a student at Oak Park and Enyia. River Forest High School. While at OPRF, Industry lingo is seldom comprehensible he appreciated the many clubs available to to the general public, which Enyia learned students, exposing them to community ac- during the six years he spent in the com-
munications field, prior to starting a small video company with friends from OPRF. Enyia supports mental health initiatives provided to police officers. He thinks the village has made a step in the right direction this year by entering into the $20,000 agreement with First Responders Wellness Center (FRWC), which will provide one-on-one counseling sessions with sworn officers. “There are ladies and gentlemen who work for the police who I completely respect what they do on a daily basis and they put their lives in danger,” said Enyia. “People need to remember that as well.” The current village board often suffers from a lack of consensus among members. Discussions devolve into arguments, with members taking personal swipes at each other, which seldom lead to compromise. If elected, Enyia wants to change the atmosphere of inflexibility to one of cooperation. “Let’s work together to make the most of what we have here in Oak Park, which really is great, but we can make it better,” he said. Although he isn’t afraid to challenge others on issues about which he feels strongly and is committed to speaking up for the groups not consistently represented at the board table. “I want to represent them,” Enyia said. “I want them to know there are people who care about them.”
Abu-Taleb not seeking re-election as mayor By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
After eight years serving as Oak Park’s mayor and village president, Anan Abu-Taleb will not seek a third term in office in municipal elections next April. In a Dec. 10 interview with Wednesday Journal, Abu-Taleb officially announced his plans to hang up his hat as mayor. “I think eight years is sufficient,” said Abu-Taleb. “I feel honored that I was given the opportunity to serve the community.” Giving credit to staff and his fellow board members, both past and present, Abu-Taleb said he is proud of the accomplishments and the relationships made while in office. “I’m happy with the progress we made. I think we did what we set out to do,” Abu-Taleb said. “And I’m very grateful for the support I have received.” During Abu-Taleb’s two terms, Oak Park has seen a building boom including multiple high-rise buildings downtown, improvements made to its streets and alleys, greater investment in technology and a more economically dynamic Madison Street. Abu-Taleb remade a stagnant Oak Park Economic Development Corporation (OPEDC), which he affectionately referred to as his “baby.” Abu-Taleb talked up downtown’s transit-oriented retail and apartment developments, which include the Albion building. Having those developments, he believes, not only helps lessen the tax burden, but increases traffic to local
business and provides the village greater economic opportunity. “I believe the more people that can call Oak Park their home, the better it is for us,” he said. Abu-Taleb’s pro-development stance has not always gone over well with Oak Park residents. Some of the achievements made during his two terms have courted the criticism and ire of some community members. “I think it’s important to recognize that the village of Oak Park is very dynamic, and it requires a lot of time and energy to fulfill the role of mayor,” said Abu-Taleb. “It’s a demanding position.” Abu-Taleb has faced considerable and unexpected challenges during his last year in office, not least of which has been navigating the village during the COVID-19 pandemic and that accompanying and ongoing economic crisis. As a restaurant owner, Abu-Taleb has also had to grapple with the severe blow COVID-19 has dealt the food service industry. The decision not to seek a third term was made with the input of Abu-Taleb’s wife and their children – adults themselves. Stepping down permits Abu-Taleb and wife Margi more time to concentrate on their restaurant ventures. He did consider going for a third term after former village trustee Bob Tucker decided against running for mayor in 2021. Abu-Taleb had hoped to pass the torch to Tucker. “If Bob Tucker tried to announce a year ago that he wanted to run, his yard sign would have been in my front yard,” Abu-Taleb said.
The mayor, he believes, should be someone with a high degree of self-discipline, someone able to immediately switch into the mode of governing from that of campaigning, someone likable and willing to share credit with others. For Abu-Taleb, Tucker fit the bill entirely. “I’ve always wanted to leave the village in a better place than when I took [office], and I felt that part of doing that would be having somebody like Bob Tucker to succeed me,” Abu-Taleb said. With Tucker out of the running, Abu-Taleb has not given an endorsement to any of the four candidates vying to replace him as mayor – Cate Readling, Village Clerk Vicki Scaman, and current village board trustees Simone Boutet and Dan Moroney. However, Abu-Taleb talked positively about Moroney, saying the first-term trustee “has integrity, is intelligent and is grounded.” Abu-Taleb said Moroney “understands math and numbers and the budget.” Abu-Taleb made it very clear Boutet would not be receiving his backing. Abu-Taleb said Boutet has always had an “axe to grind” against Village Manager Cara Pavlicek and called Boutet’s behavior as a trustee “disruptive” to the process and “disrespectful” to staff. “I want the community to understand that Trustee Boutet has acted, on a local level, in a way that’s being acted out at a national level.” Abu-Taleb did however enthusiastically endorse Trustee Deno Andrews for reelection as a trustee.
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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Clerk Scaman takes aim at top job
Village clerk’s plans for village president race By STACEY SHERIDAN
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Oak Park Village Clerk Vicki Scaman is ready to begin campaigning in earnest for village president. While her opponents have already begun efforts to promote their candidacies and talk to the press, Scaman told Wednesday Journal she felt it wrong to begin campaign activities prior to the village board passing the 2021 budget. “I take my role as village clerk very seriously,” Scaman said. “To undermine my colleagues as they’re navigating budget season, I don’t feel would be appropriate or ethical as the sitting village clerk.” Instead of partaking in the COVID-19 equivalent to hand shaking and baby kissing, Scaman focused on building her volunteer committee. Now that the budget has passed, she is ready to embark on the proverbial campaign trail. “I’m stepping forward to run for village president because it’s a crucial time in our history,” she said. Scaman’s term as village clerk ends in April. She had always anticipated running for a second term but given the difficulties of 2020 and the position of the village, she changed her mind, setting her sights instead on village president. “We need somebody that has experience in directing policy, somebody who’s experienced listening to the community and navigating our systems,” Scaman said. “Somebody who’s actually worked with our other governmental partners for community-level goals.” Throughout her career, Scaman has worked as a teacher, a businesswoman, a non-profit leader and an elected official. She served as the chairperson of the village’s liquor board and was a founding member of Parents for Student Success at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Scaman was a member of the coalition of parents, former police chief Rick Tanksley and township officials that brought youth adjudication to the village. “I’m talking decades that I’ve been involved,” said Scaman, who also raised her children in Oak Park. She’s also an advocate for transparency, sustainability, restorative justice and racial equity. She helped organize the June 4 Black Lives Matter march with State Representatives Camille Lilly and LaShawn Ford. Scaman is running against part-time park district employee Cate Readling, as well as current village board trustees Simone Boutet and Dan Moroney. Readling, Boutet and Scaman fall on the progressive end of the political spectrum, but Scaman thinks it unwise to categorize the candidates based purely on sex or political ideals.
Ready for Snow Season? We Are! With the prospect of snow looming for the next 100-plus days, what are you really paying for in your snow and ice management contract? The first, and most obvious, is the service provided when winter weather occurs. However, that is only a fraction Scott McAdam Jr. of the equation. Many companies are in a “race to the bottom” to acquire contracts with aggressively low pricing. So, what is this other, and larger, part of the equation? A constant state of readiness—months of planning for routing, staffing, material allocation, and equipment preparation take place to ensure that winter weather events are reliably serviced. Readiness is being available 24 hours per day, seven days per week (including all holidays). Readiness is showing up when we say we will. Readiness is communicating impending weather hours, if not days, in advance. Readiness is a promise to our customers. Photo provided
READY TO RUN: Vicki Scaman, Oak Park’s village clerk, is launching her campaign for village president. Currently, she has three opponents in the race which will be decided in April. “One of the challenges that I think has contributed to polarization in our community is this attempt to put people in boxes,” said Scaman, who noted she’d been pushing progressive issues and doing equity work before they became everyday topics. “It shouldn’t be man versus women.” Rather, candidates should articulate why residents should cast ballots in their favor, said Scaman. While her current role as village clerk requires her to be virtually silent during board meetings to maintain neutrality, Scaman wants voters to know she has the capability to lead conversations and rein in unproductive behavior. “I don’t use that as village clerk because it’s not appropriate, but I do have that skill set,” she said. As village president, Scaman has plans to utilize an approach of collaboration among Oak Park taxing bodies to maximize re-
sources and push progress toward specific goals. “My strategies are to make sure that our goals and the goals of our community partners around sustainability, racial equity and economic recovery are linked,” she said. Scaman would bring into office with her the relationships she’s built across governmental bodies. Beyond that, she doesn’t think the village can afford to take on those issues alone. “We’re, quite frankly, not going to have the money to do it any other way,” Scaman said. With her extensive background working in the community, Scaman is confident she is the person Oak Park needs to lead it through pandemic recovery, to stoke progress socially and to fashion a more unified village. “If I didn’t feel I was the best candidate, I wouldn’t be running,” she said.
Since 1980, across 400 square miles of Chicagoland, we have striven to be one of the most reliable and professional snow and ice management service providers in the region. And with that goal, our management services continue to go beyond just responding to a winter weather event. While some independent contractors may “plow snow,” it takes a well-designed operation to manage it effectively. Learn more about our Snow & Ice Management services at: McAdamLandscape.com/ commercial/snow-removal
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Fine chocolates seek COVID cure
As corporate gifts shrivel, local chocolatiers need local customers By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats editor
Candy season is in full swing according to Tim Shanahan, owner of La Masion de Bonbon and Shanahan’s, both located at 7353 Madison St. in Forest Park. The chef/chocolatier is stocking up on chocolate, European butter and sugar, but not to fill large corporate orders commonly associated with the holiday season. “If we keep our current pace, we are looking at corporate sales being 65% lower than they were last year,” said Shanahan. “But our community sales have been unbelievable. We are up 40% in local business and this is what is making this year survivable.” Shanahan, who took over the 100-year-old candy making business in 1990, cannot specifically account for the decline in corporate sales. He suspects small businesses are hurting financially and need to curb expenses but worries more that owners may not know where or how to deliver candy during a pandemic. Historically, gift items would be distributed in offices and with large numbers of people working from home Shanahan fears a factor in the decline could be as simple as not knowing where to send the candy. Restaurant business at Shanahan’s is down 80% in the last 60 days and 60% on average year to date. And while La Maison de Bonbon has lost 10-15 smaller corporate accounts, Shanahan remains optimistic. “Math is working in my favor to survive,” said Shanahan. “Thanks to local support, La Maison de Bonbon is supporting Shanahan’s right now and we are fortunate we crosstrained our staff.” Since opening in 2010, Donna Fantetti-Slepicka. owner of River Forest Chocolates, and her dedicated team have been putting a sweet spin on the holiday season, but they too have seen a notable dip in corporate year end gift giving this year. “We have seen a major decline in corporate gifts this year. I’d say it is right around 50% lower,” said Fantetti-Slepicka. “I thought corporate orders would be stronger because there won’t be parties this year, but now I wonder if more businesses are giving cash bonuses.” While the chocolate shop owner is short on answers about certain sales declines, she shares Shanahan’s appreciation for local customers. “Retail sales have been better. Sales are smaller, but all the encouragement to shop local is working,” said FantettiSlepicka. “A post on Oak Park Working Moms made a huge one-day difference for us.” While she feels threatened by big box stores offering cheaper versions of her own confections and cannot compete with online only or non-brick and mortar shops, she wants to see everyone succeed. There is pressure to innovate to stay ahead, but Fantetti-Slepicka works hard to keep what she has built. “This shop is everything to me.” said Fantetti-Slepicka. “Shopping online is really easy, but River Forest Chocolates offers a really unique shopping experience, and we won’t be here if people don’t come in.” River Forest resident and newcomer on the local business scene, Lisa Munro, was moved by the challenges local business were facing and started Elle Belle Box in hopes of supporting the small businesses she loves. “When the world shut down, I knew many of our local shops were not set up for e-commerce and sales were probably not as robust as owners would have hoped,” said Munro. “I wanted to figure out a way to help.” Munro is trying to drum up business for local products by
Photo by Melissa Elsmo
combining them with other themed gift items into high-end gift boxes suitable for corporate gifting or individual purchase on a local and national scale. “My initial though was to have 100% of the items sourced from River Forest, Oak Park and Chicago, but I ran into legal issues that prevented me from reselling items,” said Munro. “Now Elle Belle Box is a licensed as a wholesaler. While I still sell many local items, I supplement with other products and include gift cards from local shops and boutiques.” Early hiccups foiled some of Munro’s plans to keep her boxes fully local, but Elle Belle’s thoughtfully curated boxes consistently feature hyper-local items from River Forest Chocolates, Kribi Coffee, Olive and Well, Rare Bird Preserves and Todd and Holland Tea Merchants. Each box in the Elle Belle collection contains at least one local product. In the last two weeks Munro has been “swamped” with corporate and custom orders. “In the beginning I was worried people would view me a competition, but that hasn’t happened,” said Munro. “We all believe in community over competition.” “I encouraged the start of Elle Belle Box,” said FantettiSlepicka. “I think it is a good idea and in time we’ll know how much it helps struggling businesses in the community.”
BITTER SWEETS: (Top) Donna Fantetti-Slepicka of River Forest Chocolates talks with a customer. (Right) Lisa Munro of Elle Belle Box.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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FitzGeralds rolls out Christmas Bus to a block near you Live holiday tunes from the Opportunity Knocks bus By MICHELLE DYBAL Arts Editor
It may be dashing through the snow into your neighborhood, decked out with holiday décor, a real-live Santa and a band playing holiday tunes. The FitzGerald’s Community Christmas Bus is making the rounds from Berwyn to Riverside, all ends of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park, too. It could even venture elsewhere if demand is there. While people “can’t have the same kind of family plans and holiday travel, we have something silly like this bus rolling down their street,” said Will Duncan, FitzGerald’s owner. The concept started in early April with Truck Concerts when all was shut down due to COVID-19, including the Berwyn nightclub. The music venue asked residents to sign up for a Truck Concert visit to their block when the vehicle was slated to be in their neighborhood. Based on the number of signups, the route was planned and those blocks with the most interest were paid a visit. In return, FitzGerald’s asked for a donation to support musicians and nightclub employees.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
LIVE FROM THE BUS: Chicago Skyliners Holiday Trio (Vinson Johnson, singer/saxophone, Bobby Schiff, keys, Bill O’Connell, drums) perform on FitzGerald’s Holiday Music Bus. Could be coming to your block. While FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., was able to reopen its premises with outdoor entertainment for a while, Duncan feels that is no longer safe to do. The Truck
Concerts were so popular, that throughout the pandemic, they have continued every Saturday night. But, for December, a new twist was introduced.
It was time to trade up from their mobile pick-up truck stage to a bus to protect from the winter chill. Enter Donnie Biggins, FitzGeralds head of music, who suggested they work with Opportunity Knocks, the River Forest non-profit which owns a bus that is not in use due to the pandemic. According to Duncan, FitzGerald’s has a “mutually beneficial partnership” with the nonprofit since he took ownership of the nightclub in March. Opportunity Knocks supports teens and young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as they pursue educational, occupational and social interests within the community. Now a portion of proceeds from donations for the Community Christmas Bus visits go to Opportunity Knocks. “The support has been heartwarming,” Duncan said. “The money raised is outstanding. And people want to see their local music venue survive.” The Bus is also bringing some much-needed holiday cheer. Once COVID restrictions are lifted, Duncan expects these traveling concerts, which include a version for private events, to continue because they are a new revenue source FitzGerald’s would not have had, they are still in demand and are so much fun. Sign up for a Community Christmas Concert on your block: fitzgeraldsnightclub. com.
Be Safe, Be Well & Best Wishes
Representative Camille Y. Lilly, 6937 W. North Avenue, Oak Park 773-473-7300 staterepcamilleylilly@gmail.com
State Representative
Senate President
Lilly
Harmon
Camille Y.
Don
Senate President Don Harmon, 6941-B. W. North Avenue, Oak Park 708-848-2002 www.donharmon.org harmon@senatedem.illinois.gov
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100 miles in 30 hours
Board member goes the distance to raise money for Sarah’s Inn By MARIA MAXHAM Editor
Over the weekend, Oak Park resident Siva Balu ran 100 miles to raise money for Sarah’s Inn, a domestic violence agency located in Forest Park. An astounding feat in and of itself, it’s even more impressive since he did in under 48 hours, which was his goal, and all on a treadmill. On the morning of Dec. 11, Balu got on a treadmill in the front window of the West Cook YMCA on Marion Street in Oak Park and began to run. “I wanted to finish a challenging year with a long run,” Balu said in a press release. “Running 100 miles on a treadmill is both mentally and physically a good challenge to take on. I have not run more than 10 miles on a treadmill, so this will be very interesting.” Balu, a board member of Sarah’s Inn, said he wanted to make running such a long distance “meaningful.” So he decided to do it in
support of Sarah’s Inn and bring awareness to domestic violence. Completing the 100 miles took about 30 hours. He’s raised over $6,000 so far; contributions can be made through the Sarah’s Inn website at sarahsinn.org/donate-now. Balu said the run was more difficult than he thought it would be, but remembering his mission helped him persevere. “I underestimated how hard it can be mentally to run 100 miles on a treadmill,” Balu said after he’d finished. “Every time I hit a low point, physically or emotionally, the thought of supporting Sarah’s Inn and victims of domestic violence gave me a boost of energy and kept me going. A huge thanks to Sarah’s Inn, West Cook YMCA and all the supporters who donated, helped, stopped by to wave and sent encouraging messages virtually.” The mission of Sarah’s Inn is “to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations.” Their services include crisis intervention, community education and violence prevention programs for youth. According to the Sarah’s Inn website, last year the organization provided services to over 25,000 women, men, children and families. Sarah’s Inn is in its 40th year of service.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
LONG-DISTANCE FUNDER: Siva Balu goes the extra mile(s) for Sarah’s Inn.
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Candidates file for D97, D200 board seats
So far, 11 running for local boards of education By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Candidates for local school boards have started filing their candidate papers with the Cook County Clerk’s Office at four locations in Chicago and the suburbs. School board candidates have until Dec. 21 to file if they plan on running for school board seats in the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election. According to Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, 482 candidates filed to run for school boards throughout Cook County on Dec. 14 — the first day for filing. As of early Tuesday morning, the clerk’s office showed at least 11 of those candidates are running for school boards in Oak Park. Just two sitting District 200 board members — Craig Iseli and Tom Cofsky — filed on Dec. 14. There are currently four open seats on the D200 board. It isn’t clear yet if incumbents Matt Baron and Jackie Moore intend to run for re-election. Three challengers filed Monday for D200 board seats: former D200 board member Fred Arkin, River Forest attorney David Schrodt, Oak Park author and English professor Mary Anne Mohanraj, and Oak Park businessman Kebreab Henry, who has also served on the district’s Culture, Climate and Behavior Committee. Three people seeking election to the District 97 school board filed Monday: Jen-
nifer Kovar, who serves on the Oak Park Disability Access Commission; research analyst Nancy Ross Dribin; Erin Connor; Jeremy Duffy; and Kate Odom, a clinical psychologist. Wednesday Journal is still looking for background information on Connor and Duffy. The D97 board has three seats open. No sitting D97 board members filed on Monday. More school board candidates could file throughout the week before the filing period ends on Dec. 21. All of the aforementioned candidates filed at 8 a.m., according to the clerk’s records. “All candidates who were in line by 8 a.m. on December 14 had their papers stamped with that time,” clerk’s office officials explained in a statement that day. “If more than one candidate seeking the same office filed at 8 a.m., a lottery will be conducted to determine whose name will appear first on the ballot. “Candidates for the same office who file between 4 and 5 p.m. on Dec. 21, the last day of filing, will also be included in a ballot lottery for the last spot on the ballot. Anyone who filed between 8:01 a.m. on Dec. 14 and 3:59 p.m. on Dec. 21 will be on the ballot in the order they turned in their nomination paperwork.” Candidates seeking other local elected positions, such as village, park district and library boards, are required to file with the district in which they’re running for an elected position. Once candidates file, citizens will have the opportunity to present objections to their candidacies. Wednesday Journal will provide updates as more school board candidates file with the clerk’s office now through the Dec. 21 deadline.
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Three candidates for River Forest trustee
Three potential River Forest village trustees have filed petitions to run in the April election. Lisa Gillis, Ken Johnson and incumbent Respicio Vazquez officially made their intentions known by filing with village hall on Dec. 14. Like Vazquez, Thomas Cargie’s term is expiring this spring as well. Cargie has served as village trustee since 2013. According to the village, nobody has yet filed for the position of clerk, currently held by Kathleen Brand-White, whose term expires in May 2021. State The deadline to file is Dec. 21 at 5 Farm Bloomington, IL p.m. Maria Maxham 2001290
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS
Santa snaps pics with pets All pets are on the good list this year By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976 Oak Park Eats positively encourages readers to think about the food and beverages they consume and seek our unique and memorable beer drinking experience while celebrating Kinslagher’s local partnerships with Carnivore, Opportunity Knocks, Daly Bagels, and Darr-B-Q.
Lots of very good dogs and one decidedly special fish got their picture taken with Santa at Cheney Mansion last Saturday, during the Park District of Oak Park’s first ever “Pet Photos with Santa” event. “We’re excited to be able to do this since there are so many pet lovers in Oak Park,” said Susan Crane, park district events coordinator. With COVID-19 mitigations precluding traditional indoor activities, the park district added the new event to its holiday roster and the response was very warm. “We had 18 slots available, and we had 14 of them filled,” said Crane. “Considering it’s a first-time event, we feel that’s pretty good.” The lovable pets, some of which were dressed in Christmas attire, posed with Kris Kringle for professionally shot photographs. Some families opted to join their pet in their pictures with Santa, while others chose to let their pets get some one-on-one time with the big guy. Although many pups would have probably liked to have sat on Santa’s lap and snuggled into his red furry suit, COVID-19 restric-
tions forbade it. “Animals sit next to Santa and Santa stays masked and gloved,” said Crane. While the event was open to all pets, all but one of the participating animals were dogs. The sole non-canine attendee was Kevin, the betta fish, brought in by a little girl who lives at the Hephzibah Children’s Association on North Blvd. “The fish has become a very important part of her life,” said Janet Sullivan, Hephzibah’s residential coordinator. The fruits of Kevin’s photoshoot with Santa will be a surprise Christmas gift for Hephzibah Home’s behavioral interventionist, who owns the fish. Kevin is used to teach the children responsibility and how to build relationships. The pictures will also go in the little girl’s photo album, which they receive when they leave Hephzibah. “She was very excited,” said Sullivan. “It was a total surprise to her.” While the little girl certainly had fun, decked out in a Christmas dress complete with a mask printed with gingerbread men, Sullivan wasn’t sure Kevin enjoyed the outing. “I don’t know if Kevin’s very happy that I took him out in the cold, but I’m hoping he enjoys having a little photo of himself,” said Sullivan. Whether grumpy or jolly, Kevin is sure to be on the nice list this year.
- Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher
Sip more at Kinslahger.com/ Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:
OakParkEats.com
PUP-ARAZZI: Claire Brocco (above) holds up her dog, Walter, as Carly Rude, takes their photos at the Cheney Mansion. (Opposite page) Santa takes photos with pets, including a beta fish, while dogs Vinny and Walter (below) enjoy their holiday photo shoot.
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Community rallies to help Disney animator
Artist down on his luck due to COVID-19 By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
Former Disney animator and illustrator Philo Barnhart contributed his talents to many beloved features now considered classics, including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Now an Oak Park resident, Barnhart experienced the community’s support after he found himself hard up to pay his utility bills. “I’m not used to that, the kindness of the community,” Barnhart said. “It’s refreshing.” To help pay his bills, Barnhart set up a GoFundMe campaign, titled, “Please help Philo make it to the end of 2020!” The campaign has amassed $1,155 since its Dec. 2 creation, surpassing its goal of $800. “They’ve really risen up to meet me, and they’ve helped me big time,” he said. Barnhart spent 18 years with the House of Mouse but left before the company began profit participation, so he gets no royalties from the films he helped to create. While he still does comic book illustrations, book covers and video game design, as well as a little voice acting, Barnhart relies mostly on income generated by making ap-
Philo Barnhart for the rest of the year. The Oak Park and River Forest Townships’ Senior Services Department is also helping him during this difficult time, delivering meals weekly and making care calls. “I have a nice lady call me every day to check in on me,” he said. Born and raised in Burbank, California, Barnhart grew up in Disney Studios; his father Dale, also an animator, worked on Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, The Jun-
pearances at conventions. “That’s how I make my living nowadays, primarily through live appearances,” he said. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancelation of many conventions and events this year, drying up that revenue stream for Barnhart. In addition to the GoFundMe appeal, Barnhart is receiving rental assistance from the state to keep him in his apartment
gle Book and did the storyboards for Mary Poppins. His mother, Phyllis, also worked as a Disney animator in the ’40s in the inking and painting department. As a child, Barnhart met Walt Disney himself. “I would be speechless in his presence because I was in awe of him,” he said. Barnhart started his own animation career when he was 19, working at the famed cartoon production company Hanna-Barbera in 1977, before joining Disney. As a behind-the-scenes creator, he loves to hear how his work has affected people’s lives. “When you find out years later how your film or your book, or whatever it happens to be, touched somebody, it’s a pretty immediate thrill,” he said. With the advent of computer-generated imagery, Disney moved away from handdrawn animation, a more costly process. Barnhart himself found no fun in the new process. “There’s hardly anyone who holds a pencil anymore,” he said. “I’m a hands-on person; I like to create with my hands.” With the help he’s received this year, Barnhart can continue creating. With longtime collaborator and friend Charles D. Moisant, Barnhart has a lot of projects in the works that he’s looking forward to tackling. “I’m excited for the future.”
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
INSIDE REPORT
17
Oak Parker named among Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’ Forbes Magazine selected Neal Rothschild in the 2021 list of “30 Under 30” working in media. Director of audience and growth for the news website Axios, Rothschild has increased the outlet’s readership by 73 percent in the last year, as well as expanding its social media audience to more than 500,000 on Twitter, 400,000 on Facebook and 90,000 on Instagram, according to Forbes.
A graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School class of 2010, Rothschild now lives in Washington D.C. His parents, Richard Rothschild and Judy Crow, have lived in Oak Park for 32 years. Rothchild’s dad reports that Neal got his start in journalism as a delivery carrier for Wednesday Journal.
Stacey Sheridan
Welch recovers from COVID-19, casts Electoral College ballot
Huskie Booster Club gives back at 50 District 200 officials announced last week that the Huskie Booster Club, the volunteer parent group at Oak Park and River Forest High School, plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary by paying for the installation of a new Tradition of Excellence wall and a video wall that will go in the redesigned Welcome Center. The total cost of both walls is approximately $40,000, high school officials said. The donations come as OPRF undergoes the most extensive campus renovation in
50 years. Fionna Bezaire, the Booster Club’s president, said that Tradition of Excellence plaques, which celebrate notable alumni, are currently “scattered throughout the school and are not uniform.” With the new wall, those photos will be in one area, “in a consistent design with room to grow.” The video wall let students and guests view events and reminders as they enter the building, officials said.
Michael Romain
OPRF’s fall art show goes virtual In days of crowded halls and mass gathering, artwork created by students taking classes at Oak Park and River Forest High School was displayed on walls for all to see. With remote learning, a creative solution was found to celebrate and share student class art from Foundations to Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, Metalworking & Jewelry, and Graphic Design through AP Studio as well as art club works. A virtual art gallery, which looks like the inside of a museum with separate rooms for each discipline, was devised.
(view here: oprfvisualarts.weebly.com) All art was created remotely during the fall semester. For classes requiring equipment, such as those with clay, the visual arts department kept the classes running. According to Jackie McGoey, communications and community relations coordinator at the high school, for an activity such as wheel throwing, portable table-top wheels “were distributed to students on a rotating basis.” Others opted to work at ViaClay, Oak Park, a community pottery studio, she said.
Michelle Dybal, arts editor
Roughly two weeks after announcing that he had tested positive for COVID-19, state Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), whose district spans parts of River Forest, had recovered enough to participate in the Electoral College vote on Dec. 14. “I proudly cast my historic ballot for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris so that we can Build Back Better!” the legislator wrote on his Facebook page.
Michael Romain
Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch
Mahn ‘2020 Senior Director of the Year’ The Illinois Township Association of Senior Citizen Services Committee (ITASCSC) awarded Pamela Mahn 2020 Senior Director of the Year. Mahn is the senior services director for both Oak Park and River Forest Townships. She has successfully overseen multiple programs, including the senior services nutrition program. The program provided 66,549 meals between March and August of this year – exceeding the total number of
meals distributed during the entire year of 2019, according to Oak Park Township. Mahn also played a key role in helping both River Forest and Oak Park achieve dementia-friendly status and serves as the ITASCSC treasurer. ITASCSC also recognized Senior Services of Oak Park and River Forest Townships as its 2020 Innovative Senior Program of the Year.
Stacey Sheridan
A box full of blessings on Lake Street Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake St. in Oak Park, has opened a ‘blessing box’ on its front lawn. The box will be available during the holiday season and provides free food, diapers, and other items to those in need. There are no hours of operation or other requirements. Those in need of food should simply help themselves. The “blessing box” is Pilgrim’s response to the dire need for food assistance in the community. Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap Study reveals one in seven people living in Cook County will experience food insecurity this year and in some parts of the county more than 50% of residents face obstacles to accessing food.
Pilgrim is encouraging community members to add items to the blessing box if they are inclined and able.
Melissa Elsmo, Oak Park Eats editor
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
BUDGET CUTS
$317,000 in payments for additional staffing; $200,000 in legal services; and $40,000 for special education daily outings; and $165,000 in costs related to clubs, sports and summer camps. In a slide show entitled “Possible Reducfrom page 1 tion Ideas,” administrators said the board year’s levy. could consider possibly reducing the numThe board could tax new property and take ber of clubs, sports and summer camps ofa consumer price index increase of 2.3 per- fered; switching to online novels; and closcent, for a total levy amount of $75,097,891. ing the pools in order to save money on The board’s second option was to just take annual service costs and maintenance. the 2.3 percent CPI increase, for a total levy At a Dec. 3 Committee of the Whole meetamount of $74,781,296. ing, board members were visibly frustrated But the board chose the third option, to by the administration’s recommendations, only tax new property, leaving out the 2.3 with most members describing the list of percent CPI increase, for a total levy of possible reductions as manipulative. $73,409,472. That represents a .4 percent “I am so angry,” said D200 board President increase over the 2019 tax extension of Sara Dixon Spivy. “This is a naked manipu$73,099,996. lation of this board and With the third option, I am incredibly disapthe board requested that pointed.” the administration make Spivy said she’d rebudget cuts equivalent to ceived an email from the CPI amount of $1.7 swim coaches “who are million, said Cyndi Sidor, administrators whipD200’s chief financial offiping up a frenzy of our cer, and Alyssa Alfano, the community over cuts district’s finance director, that are fictitious and in a Dec. 3 memo. that I don’t believe this “This will result in elimiboard has any intennating building rental ustions of making. We are age, overtime, reduction in not going to balance the student sports/clubs, and budget on our students.” support services for stuIn addition, some dents,” Sidor and Alfano community members RALPH MARTIRE said. referenced the proposed Board member In a separate slide show cuts during the meetpresentation that was ining’s public comments cluded in the board packet, portion. administrators said that if “I think the district’s the district absorbed the CPI increase, the move to publish this list is a back-handed cost to district taxpayers would be $79.70 a move on the backs of our students,” said year, or $6.67 per month, on a $400,000 home. school board member Tom Cofsky. “What Administrators added that the $1.7 mil- happened was, when this was presented, lion loss would not be a one-time loss, but an we asked the board to look at areas where amount that “compounds each subsequent we are overspending and get back to us … year,” such that after 10 years, the district it wasn’t to whip up a list of student-centric “will have lost $17 million it would have issues and put them out to agitate the combeen allowed to receive.” munity.” “It does feel very manipulative,” said In order to make up for the loss, administrators proposed a list of possible cuts, in- member Gina Harris, adding that she had cluding $170,000 allocated to purchase food been asking “repeatedly” for the adminisfor events like retirement breakfasts and tration to present information showing how holiday teas; $140,000 in costs for field trips; the tax levy would impact individual house-
Tensions over cuts
“If they don’t really want to deal with the cut and want to get more revenue [they] put politically sensitive stuff on the table and publicize it, so that the general public can create heat and reverse the decision.”
RENUMBERING
Faculty Senate concerned from page 1 renumbering project that fall outside of the scope of the first phase construction work. “This is something that, as we understand it, was born out of the master plan,” said Josh Czerniak, of FGM Architects at the Dec. 3 board meeting. “The feedback gained by the Imagine committee, particularly from students, was that the building is very difficult to navigate, because the existing numbering system really doesn’t make sense and there is a lack of wayfaring
holds. Member Ralph Martire said the administration’s proposed budget cuts seemed eerily familiar to him. “I teach a master’s course on public budgeting and there’s a whole section on how administrators respond to requests for cuts and the first thing they do politically, if they don’t really want to deal with the cut and want to get more revenue is put politically sensitive stuff on the table and publicize it, so that the general public can create heat and reverse the decision,” Martire said. “You look at these items and if you live in this community or you work at this school, you’ve got to know once these things become public there will be one or two people who will be upset and anyone who says they wouldn’t realize that is either incredibly naive from a political standpoint or they’re spinning us,” Martire said. Martire, echoing an opinion expressed by most of the board, said that the administration’s process of looking for cuts didn’t include “a systems review of our administrative costs” and other factors, such as an awareness of the reduced student population at OPRF and whether or not staffing levels have adjusted accordingly. “What I was hoping for was a slightly more thoughtful approach and certainly not one that would focus on programs for special needs kids or the pool,” he said. “My goodness. You couldn’t pick a more politically contentious topic for this neighborhood than the pool.” The Dec. 3 meeting was a rare board rebuke of Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams’ administration, which the board has largely viewed as satisfactory. For her part, Pruitt-Adams said that administrators were just doing what the board had instructed and she emphasized that the listed budget cuts were only “things we need to start considering, because as we move forward we are going to have less and less, so we have to make cuts.” Administrators said that from 2013 to 2019, the district has levied $48.5 million less than what it was allowed to receive under tax-cap law, a reality they said that has necessitated regular budget discipline. The superintendent, who is retiring at the end of the school year, said that the email that Spivy referenced did not come from
signage in the building that certainly doesn’t aid in terms of the numbering,” Czerniak said. He added that now was the “ideal time” to implement the room renumbering project, since the new construction projects, including the renovation or building of dozens of new classrooms, will require new room numbering and room signage, anyway. During the Dec. 3 meeting, virtually all of the D200 board members agreed that the process of renumbering OPRF and creating new signage should be a collaborative effort and that students, staff and community members should play key roles in the process. “I love this for a crowdsourcing project, for a bunch of students in the community,” said board member Craig Iseli. “Having been a parent who travels thorough the school
anyone on her executive team. Pruitt-Adams also emphasized that administrators were trying to avoid cuts to teachers and classrooms. “We were doing what we were asked to do,” Pruitt-Adams told board members. “We believed we were bringing forth items for consideration. None of us want to cut these things, but if we don’t start having a conversation about this, we’ll be here in May and the board will be asking us why we are just now having that conversation.” “I hear you, Dr. Pruitt-Adams, but it still feels manipulative,” Harris said in response. “I need us to not do it this way … this way is just continuing to deteriorate what we’re working to build, which is trust, respect, understanding, community.” Some board members pointed out the district’s roughly $100 million fund balance would allow administrators more time to flesh out budget cuts. “We are not resource poor,” Cofsky said, adding that the district should conduct an “evidence-based” analysis of where its overspending and underspending before taking action, “not just come out and in a week … [give us] the most toxic and politically sensitive areas and put them on a list.” “We can afford a little bit of time, because we do have the luxury of the fund balance,” said member Craig Iseli. “Let’s not force ourselves to [identify cuts] in two weeks.” The board will hold a public hearing on the 2020 tax levy (the third option, as presented in November) on Dec. 17. The board will vote to adopt the levy at its regular meeting, which will immediately follow the hearing.
and having been a student 30 years ago who traveled through the school and tried to figure out where [room 272] is, I feel like there are a lot of people who would … be thrilled and excited to engage in that process,” said board member Gina Harris. Board member Jackie Moore said she would prefer the district wait before spending money on the signage and wayfaring project, particularly in light of pending budget cuts. She said, while she agrees with Iseli that the project should be a community affair, she wanted the district to hold off on the expense. District administrators requested that the board vote on the FGM contract at the next regular meeting on Dec. 17, but the contract did not appear on the meeting’s agenda.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
19
C R I M E
Paintballer damages three homes in NE Oak Park
Three homes were marred by paintballs in Oak Park over the course of one day last week. The first reported incident occurred between 12:39 a.m. and 7:20 a.m., Dec. 11, when someone fired orange paintballs at a home, damaging the front door and window, in the first block of Augusta Street. Another home, located in the 600 block of North Ridgeland Avenue, was damaged after its garage was shot six times with orange paintballs. According to police reports, the incident occurred between 7 p.m., Dec. 10 and 7:39 a.m., Dec. 11. The value of the damage was unknown in the first two cases. Orange paintballs were fired again at a home in the 600 block of North Taylor Avenue between 6:50 and 6:58 a.m., Dec. 11. The paintballs damaged the third home’s stucco façade and windows; police reports state the estimated cost to fix the damage is $100.
Aggravated vehicular hijacking Two male juveniles from Chicago were arrested Dec. 10 in the 3900 block of West End Avenue for an aggravated vehicular hijacking that occurred that same day in the 600 block of South Maple Avenue.
Burglary Someone broke into St. Catherine-St. Lucy Catholic School, 27 Washington Blvd., ransacked an unlocked office and tried to pry open the locked door of a second office between 6 p.m., Dec. 4 and 7 a.m., Dec. 7. The estimated damage is $100.
Motor vehicle theft ■ Someone
while the vehicle was parked on the street in the 400 block of South Elmwood Avenue between 8 p.m., Dec. 8 and 2 p.m., Dec. 9. The estimated loss is $25. ■ An Amazon package containing teething toys was taken from a residence in the 700 block of North Austin Boulevard around 1:30 p.m., Dec. 10. ■ A package containing holiday chocolates was removed from the front door of a residence in the 600 block of Washington Boulevard between 6:52 p.m., Dec. 11 and 1:30 p.m., Dec. 12. The estimated loss is $35.
Dec. 6. The estimated loss is $15,000. ■ The black 2011 Acura MDX reported stolen Nov. 14 from the 100 block of North Humphrey Avenue was recovered by Chicago police at 9:03 p.m., Dec. 8 in the 1200 block of South Kildare Avenue, Chicago. Police made no apprehensions. ■ The gray 2014 Nissan taken during a Nov. 18 carjacking in the 700 block of North Boulevard was recovered by Chicago police without apprehension at 9:19 a.m., Dec. 10 in the 3800 block of West Roosevelt Road, Chicago. ■ The red 2013 Honda CRV reported stolen Dec. 9 from the 100 block of Madison Street was recovered by Chicago police at 12:57 p.m., Dec. 10 in the 5000 block of West Erie Street, Chicago.
■A
FedEx package containing a Purple
mattress was taken from the front door of a building in the 1000 block of Lake Street at midnight, Nov. 23. The estimated loss is $1,000. ■ Someone
removed the rear license plate
of a gray 2013 Nissan Sentra and all of the lug nuts from the front driver’s side tire
JUST LISTED
Theft ■ Someone
removed an unattended and running 2012 Buick Enclave from the 600 block of North Harvey Avenue at 7:26 p.m.,
■ These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Dec. 7 – Dec. 14 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
cut the catalytic converter from a 2008 Toyota parked in the 400 block of South Cuyler Avenue between 10 p.m., Dec. 4 and 5:30 a.m., Dec. 7. The total loss is $1,800.
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Wednesday Journal, December 5, 2018
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
C R I M E
Special Advertising Section
A GUIDE TO AREA CHURCH SERVICES
These items were obtained from the Oak Park and River Forest police departments, XXX, 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.
—Compiled by Devin Rose
Christmas 2020
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:5
Christmas worship at Grace River Forest on YouTube Children’s Service of Lessons and Carols Premieres at 4:15pm on December 24 on the Grace River Forest channel on YouTube. A 70-year tradition in a new video format.
Live-stream services December 24, 7pm Special music and candlelight singing of “Silent Night”
December 25, 10am Hymns, scripture and preaching 7300 Division St.▪︎ River Forest ▪︎ 708-366-6900 ▪︎ GraceRiverForest.org
May the peace & joy of Christmas live in your heart all year long.
CHRISTMAS CHURCH GUIDE
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RIVER FOREST
Jazz Prayer Rebirth
First Presbyterian Church of River Forest is a warm and welcoming community committed to exemplifying God’s love in word and deed. This Christmas we are offering a very special virtual Christmas concert, A Thrill of Hope, released on December 18 on firstpresrf.org. The virtual concert features music by the First Pres Chancel Choir, with congregational singing, instrumentalists, and readings. Then, join us for online worship on Christmas Eve! Gather your family safely at home this year to celebrate with us the birth of our savior Jesus Christ! For more information about our Christmas concert, online services, and more, visit firstpresrf.org.
Friday, Dec. 18, 7:30p Jazz band with readings and prayers live streaming on FB.
Christmas Eve
Service at 5:00p & 9:00p Child-Friendly with Inspiring Pre-Service music and Traditional Candlelight on FB.
GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH
Christmas Nativity Show Visit 400 nativities from around the world.
What do you do when you’ve had a fire and spent eighteen months rebuilding and renewing the structure only to have a pandemic stop your plans for celebration? Stay grounded in God and move to digital worship! God didn’t leave the building when we left the structure. God didn’t leave the community of Good Shepherd when we shifted to a temporary location. God continues with us in this digital moment. We sure hope you see God’s light in Sunday worship and monthly Jazz Prayer. Visit our website at www.goodshepherdlc. org where you will find FB and more links to our Jazz Prayer, Christmas Eve services, and Nativity Display.
all are welcome More details and links at:
GoodShepherdlc.org
GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
During the pandemic members of Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest have gathered for live-streamed worship services every Sunday at 8:30am on YouTube. Live-stream Christmas services will include special music from small groups of vocalists and instrumentalists. The Children’s Service will be presented in a new video format for 2020. It opens with the candle cross procession, a 70-year-old tradition, which was filmed outdoors this year on the church steps. Join us for Christmas worship at the Grace River Forest channel on YouTube where the 2020 Children’s Christmas Eve service video premieres at 4:15pm on December 24.
708-848-4741 | goodshepherdlc.org 611 Randolph, Oak Park
Christmas Church Guide Wednesday Journal Forest Park Review Dec. 16, 2020 1/8 p, vertical
PILGRIM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
I will send you an updated ad for Dec. 23. www.unitytemple.org
Pilgrim Congregational Church UCC extends warmest wishes for peace, hope, love, and joy to the entire community this holiday season. Be part of the season with us at two events on Christmas Eve: 4:30-5:00 a parade with lights, scripture, and rhythm instruments as we seek the Christ child outside the church; and a 7:00pm Service of Lessons and Carols live on our Pilgrim YouTube channel. Everyone is also invited to join us for worship online any Sunday morning at 10:00am. See www.PilgrimOakPark/org/events for details.
UNITY TEMPLE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION Worship is central to the life of our community. It reminds us of who we are, what we can become, how we want to live, as well as what we hope to give to the wider community. Due to COVID-19, our Sunday morning services are currently streaming virtually at 10am and can be accessed on our YouTube channel. Our Sunday morning services follow a regular order of worship each week, which includes a message for all ages, music, prayer, and a sermon. Each week, we seek to provide both comfort and challenge as we draw from many different sources of inspiration.
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holiday services at
Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation Christmas Eve Services Thursday, December 24, 2020 4pm Christmas Pageant & Worship for All Ages 7:30pm Musical Prelude 8pm Candlelight Service with Choir, Carols and Readings
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 949 Lake St., Unit FG Oak Park | $89,999 Anne Ferri & Kim Wojack
828 N Austin Blvd. #3SW Oak Park | $110,000 Swati Saxena
475 Shenstone Rd. #103 Riverside | $140,000 The Dita Group
106 S Scoville Ave. #3B Oak Park | $169,000 Bobbi Eastman
339 Home Ave. #2B Oak Park | $209,000 Patricia McGowan
715 Washington Blvd. #2D Oak Park | $219,000 Bethanny Alexander
210 S Lombard Ave., Unit B Oak Park | $224,000 Peggy Letchos
1109 Erie St. Oak Park | $225,000 Ken Van Santen
424 Park Ave. #205 River Forest | $240,000 Saretta Joyner
204 S Maple Ave. #18 Oak Park | $269,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik
512 S Cuyler Oak Park | $325,000 Bobbi Eastman
3431 Clinton Ave. Berwyn | $329,000 The Dita Group
641 S Maple Ave., Unit C Oak Park | $339,900 Patricia McGowan
170 N Marion St. #8 Oak Park | #369,000 Bethanny Alexander
328 N Cuyler Ave. Oak Park | $399,000 Carla Taylor
320 S Maple Ave., Unit D Oak Park | $479,000 Liz O’Connell
923 Linden Ave. Oak Park | $530,000 Behrenbruch & Bellock
1204 Rossell Ave. Oak Park | $565,000 Swati Saxena
732 S Taylor Ave. Oak Park | $679,000 Swati Saxena
107 S Scoville Ave. Oak Park | $1,250,000 Keller Group Chicago
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
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
NEED TO REACH US?
oakpark.com/real-estate email: buphues@wjinc.com
Homes
How much house can a budget conscious buyer get?
We look at local listings to see what $350,000 will fetch By LACEY SIKORA
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Contributing Reporter
hat you can get for your money varies widely depending on where you are shopping for a home. In River Forest, which in recent months had a $755,000 median price point for single family homes, a budget of $350,000 does not stretch far. Move a bit south to Berwyn, which recently had a median sold price point of $234,500, and $350,000 will likely buy you a bit more house. The typical list price of a home also affects just how many houses will meet a potential buyers’ price parameters. Currently, River Forest has 18 listings for condominiums priced under $350,000, but just one single-family home priced below $400,000. In contrast, Oak Park has 127 total listings priced at or under $350,000 -- 12 of them single family homes. Whether you want your own little piece of yard or prefer the lower maintenance of a condominium, these recent local listings illustrate what you can get for your money if your budget is $350,000. See OPTIONS on page 24
112 E. Burlington St., Riverside (top); 120 Lake St., Apt. A, Oak Park (left) and 144 Lathrop Ave., Forest Park (above)
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OPTIONS
Area homes for a budget from page 23 In 120 Lake St., Apartment A in Oak Park hits the budget on the nose. Asking exactly $350,000, the three-level condominium is located in a greystone building. At 2,400 square feet, the condo has three bedrooms each with an en suite bathroom. The condominium has in-unit laundry and comes with two parking spaces. Property taxes will run you $10,501. If a single-family home is more your style, 1212 N. Lombard Ave. in Oak Park is also on the market, listed for $350,000. The brick bungalow offers 2,985 square feet of living space and Oak Park charm in original stained glass. The kitchen was remodeled in 2015 with stainless-steel appliances, custom cabinets and granite countertops. The home has four bedrooms, including one on the first floor, and two bathrooms. Property taxes are $12,906. In River Forest, you’ll have to go slightly over budget to find a single-family home. The lowest priced house on the market is 26 Gale Ave., priced at $385,000. The brick Cape Cod-style home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 1,366 square feet of space. The home has a fireplace, a mudroom and a partially finished basement. Property taxes
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM are $10,047. In Forest Park, there are more choices at the $350,000 price point for multifamily and single-family homes. There are 36 listings for properties priced at or below $350,000, and 10 of those are single family homes. The building on the market at 144 Lathrop Ave. is a multifamily home, offering two units in the main house and a coach house unit for $349,900. The first-floor unit has hardwood floors and two bedrooms. The second-floor unit is a one-bedroom unit. The building got new roof and siding in 2015, and is being sold as-is. The property taxes were $8,394. Also in Forest Park, 1124 Beloit Ave. is priced right at $350,000. The four-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom single-family home has 2,175 square feet. Recently renovated, it has three levels of living space with an open-concept main floor. Property taxes are $5,922. In Berwyn, there are currently 86 listings priced at or below $350,000; fifty-six of these are single family homes. 1238 Gunderson Ave. is listed at $349,900. The five-bedroom, two-bathroom home boasts a finished basement and roughly 1,130 square feet of living space. The home is recently renovated and includes new electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems. Built in 1910, the clapboard-sided house has an annual property tax bill of $4,072. If you’re looking for an income stream,
1238 Gunderson Ave., Berwyn 3811 Clarence Ave. in Berwyn is on the market for $349,900. The brick two-unit building was constructed in 1960. On nearly a double lot, the building has a 2.5-car detached garage and a property tax bill of $8,465. In Riverside, there are 15 properties currently for sale listed at or below $350,000.
Listed a bit below budget is 112 E. Burlington St., which is priced at $339,500. The three-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom house boasts 1,637 square feet and was designed by architect Arnold Skow. A newer family room has 12-foot ceilings. The annual property tax bill is $7,442.
Proud of our office for helping more families join our community this year. Happy Holidays ! Nº 1 in Oak Park, River Forest & Forest Park! BHHS Chicago 9.5% Baird & Warner 9.2% Gagliardo 6.1%
@ properties 5.9% SOURCE: Per Midwest Real Estate Data, LLC January 1, 2020 through December 15, 2020.
Zak Knebel Broker Associate ZKnebel@BhhsChicago.com
Camile Hoover Broker Associate CHoover@BhhsChicago.com
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400
HomesInTheVillage.com
Featured Listings for This Week Oak Park $820,000 5BR, 2.1BA Patti x124
Oak Park $789,000 5BR, 3.1BA Elissa x192
Oak Park $417,500 3BR, 1.1BA Kris x101
Oak Park $410,000 4BR, 2BA Laurie x186
Oak Park $398,800 3BR, 2BA Kyra x145
Oak Park $378,800 Multi unit Kyra x145
Properties of The Week
221 N Ridgeland Ave Oak Park Multi unit....$739,900 Maria x117
Erika Villegas,
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Elmwood Park $325,000 3BR, 2BR Patti x124
Oak Park $324,500 3BR, 2.1BA Elissa x192
Oak Park $220,000 2BR, 1BA Laurie x186
Oak Park $169,900 3BR, 2BA Marion x111
Oak Park $158,800 2BR, 1BA Kyra x145
Forest Park $114,000 1BR, 1BA Marion x111
2106 Grove Ave Berwyn Multi unit...$429,900 Maria x117
Managing Broker/Owner
Mike Becker
Laurie Christofano
Marion Digre
Morgan Digre
Leticia Cruz
Jane McClelland
Elissa Palermo
Kyra Pych
Maria Rodriguez
Linda Rooney
Kris Sagan
Patti Sprafka-Wagner
Harry Walsh
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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The Joyful Giving Catalog
Everything you need for a better world: • More Art
• More Food
• More Compassion
• More Health
• More Education
• More Housing
• More Equity
• More Peace
Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully!
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 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/
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.
The Collaboration for Early Childhood
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.
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.
Support young children this giving season. For over 15 years, the Collaboration for Early Childhood has embraced the vision that all children should arrive at kindergarten safe, healthy, and ready to thrive. This year we sharpened our equity focus and responded to the needs of our community members affected by the health pandemic and national events of racist violence. We launched Ready, Set, Kindergarten! a virtual support system for 30 families whose children transitioned to kindergarten in the midst of COVID-19. We distributed 175 ‘Activity Kits’ to families of children with disabilities to enhance their at-home learning. We supplied 62 families in need with essential items, and the work continues. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at www.collab4kids. org or follow us on Facebook.
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
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
Creating a Legacy of Giving
No other organization puts your money to work in our community like the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. For 60 years we’ve connected individuals’ and families’ philanthropic aspirations with local organizations and initiatives, enhancing donor investments and changing lives for the better. With the networks we’ve nurtured, we make your giving go further. We have the knowledge and expertise to turn your financial gift into a lasting legacy – starting today and for years to come.
To learn more about the Foundation and explore how we can help establish a charitable fund tailored to your unique interests, giving level and personal timeline, visit oprfcf.org or call 708.848.1560.
OA K PAR K-R I V ER F OR E ST
Community Foundation
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The Joyful Giving Catalog 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
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 We are the community’s story tellers and our new facility is an 1898 Oak Park Landmark at Lake and Lombard called Oak Park River Forest Museum, selected by Illinois Association of Museums as Small Museum of the Year. We invested $1 million in private funds to create a welcoming space in a former firehouse. Come and check out featured exhibit “Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing,” before it closes in 2021. We are not supported by tax dollars and a gift of any amount funds our 2021 schedule of programs, our research center, and our knowledgeable staff. Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or 708-848-6755
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
I
BUILD helped Angie dream big
n 2018, Angie Rincón Reyes and her family were forced to flee their home in Venezuela. They ended up in Chicago, where they had to rebuild their lives. Angie’s first contact with BUILD was through her brother, Samuel, who introduced her to BUILD mentor Gabriele (Gabby) Castillo. As an Education Outreach Specialist, Gabby helps students plan next steps after high school, providing resources and guidance for post-secondary education at colleges or vocational schools. Angie saw her brother land a scholarship at Columbia College, Chicago, and decided to dream bigger. She joined BUILD’s Education program, connected with Gabby as a mentor, and as they say, the rest is history!
Angie Rincón Reyes
Currently, Angie is in the process of completing applications to eleven colleges with Castillo’s assistance. They include Princeton University, University of Chicago, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. She wants to pursue a major in civil engineering. In addition to her schoolwork at Kelvyn Park High School and college applications, Angie has become a real leader across BUILD’s community, spearheading several events and activities, from the Martin Luther King Day of Service, to International Women’s Day events. And during the onset of the pandemic, Angie took the
initiative to lead two BUILD workshops: How to Remain Resilient, and a Mother’s Day flower-making class. She’s also volunteered in her community to distribute essential resources. According to Castillo, “Angie is a true leader who is bound to succeed at whatever she sets out to do. She has taken advantage of our resources at BUILD, and her future looks incredibly bright.” Join us in BUILDing a better future for Chicago’s most vulnerable youth. Visit and donate at buildchicago.org/
The Joyful Giving Catalog
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
A community committed to learning, giving and sharing
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hen Janet Cushing and her husband Kirke moved from Burr Ridge to Oak Park to live closer to their son and his family, they knew they were leaving more than their home behind. They were leaving their friends and community as well. Janet and Kirke, who is living with dementia, are residents at Belmont Village in Oak Park. While Janet quickly connected with other residents at the building, it wasn’t until a friend suggested that she attend a Monday Lunch at The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association in 2018 that Janet truly felt introduced to the Oak Park/River Forest community. “I walked in the lounge where the members were gathered before lunch
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.
and fell in love,” Janet remembers. She loved it so much that after lunch and the program (the Nineteenth Century’s program season runs weekly on Monday afternoons October through May and contains engaging presentations on topics ranging from art, music and literature to science and the social sciences), Janet became a member on the spot. But she didn’t stop there. Janet has since invited four other Belmont Village residents to Monday Lunch. Feeling the same warmth and inclusivity as Janet, each of her guests become members as well. “I certainly miss our Mondays and appreciate all the programs [the organization] continues to do,” Janet adds, referencing the Nineteenth Century’s commitment to continue its
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 highschool 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,
Janet Cushing 20-21 program season via Zoom until it is safe to resume in its ballroom. Janet embodies the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association’s mission of strengthening its community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building.
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 708-3443577.
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.
To learn more about membership, the organization’s upcoming virtual Monday programs or to make a donation, please visit nineteenthcentury.org or call 708-386-2729 x 3.
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.
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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, 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.
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Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation The Oak
IWS Children’s Clinic helps at-risk children grow-up healthier, stronger and more resilient
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
The Joyful Giving Catalog
Staff at the IWS Children’s Clinic
O
ur stake in childhood health has spanned more than a century. As advocates for children before the 1918 Spanish Flu to the present time with COVID-19, the OPRF Infant Welfare Society has never stopped caring or growing to meet the healthcare needs of at-risk children. Together with generous community support we rallied through the lockdown and endured a dental clinic closure in March, April, and May. We’ve continuously administered critical vaccines, conducted sick and well child visits, held behavioral health interventions, and made referrals to other helping agencies and, since late May, provided our full complement of dental services. IWS Circle members have sewn hundreds of masks, created a pandemic-friendly book program for patients, gifted grocery gift cards and winter outerwear to help meet the
immediate needs of those we serve. For 3,400 children and their families, we are their healthcare safety net. We are their primary care team supporting their child’s whole health, and we are helping them establish healthy routines for a lifetime. These routines are what children need to thrive in normal times and are needed now more than ever. While we are all impacted by this health crisis, for children who already face socio-economic and health inequities, COVID-19 could have lasting effects. We are asking difficult questions and helping families find answers, so that the children in our care can grow-up healthier, stronger and more resilient. If you know someone who could benefit from our services, wish to learn more or to support, please visit www. oprfiws.org.
Each of the organizations listed in this catalog paid a fee to participate. If you run a nonprofit and you would
Everything you need for a better world:
like to be listed here, or if you would like to sponsor a
• More Art
• More Food
nonprofit to be listed here, please contact
• More Compassion
• More Health
Lourdes Nicholls (Lourdes@oakpark.com) or Marc
• More Education
• More Housing
• More Equity
• More Peace
Stopeck (Marc@oakpark.com).
Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully!
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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The Saint Angela family prevails
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hat does it mean to be a Saint Angela Scholar? It means you have over a hundred years of tradition and education supporting you. We are a stronghold in the Austin community. A family that is always loving and supportive. The current pandemic has been hard on all of us. A quick transition to remote learning left us feeling a little helpless, but we came together, as families do, and fought hard to prevail. Staff, donors and families pitched in, without hesitation. Remote learning was unheard of before this; we simply lacked the resources. Luckily, creative thinking and donations allowed us to continue the school year remotely and even open our doors for in-school learners this fall!
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
COVID is still with us. Our school day looks different right now because of our stringent safety protocols, but we are proud to have our doors open. As we strive to keep all of our scholars safe, however, we have many families feeling the effects of COVID in their home life and community. To assist these families staying in
school and staying safe, we have created a special COVID fund. Our scholars always know that We Are Saint Angela School and We Are Family! To find out more about our family and to make a donation visit us at saintangela.org.
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. 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.
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 the needs of our students learning at home. Community support for our PING! students this year is more important than ever. 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.
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OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
The Joyful Giving Catalog Pro Bono Network We believe access to justice should not depend upon your ability to afford an attorney. There are simply not enough legal aid lawyers to help people in dire need of civil legal aid. These include issues of safety from an abuser, adequate housing, critical care documents, and more. Pro Bono Network has enabled 400+ attorneys to give more than 24,000 hours of free legal assistance to over 4,300 clients whose lives were meaningfully changed. To get involved or donate, visit pro-bononetwork.org. Your support will make an impact the lives of many!
The Celebrating Seniors Coalition Board and volunteers
Proviso Partners for Health
Celebrating Seniors Coalition provides needed support for elders
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ince our inception a decade ago, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition has dispelled outdated and inaccurate myths about what it is to be an older adult. These friends and neighbors are active, engaged and accomplished men and women who continue to play key roles in the life of our community. At the same time, the Coalition has raised funds to help meet the basic needs of daily living for dozens of elders. Consider this partial sampling from 2020 alone: We helped a man whose only means of transportation, a tricycle, was vandalized. He did not have the funds to fix the damage, and we covered it through the service of a local bicycle shop. A woman needed a special piece of equipment to help her move about since her vision was limited.
By providing what she needed, the Coalition helped her regain her independence. A woman whose apartment was invaded by a stranger who slept on her sofa. The incident left her uncomfortable using the furniture, and we replaced the couch. We arranged with a longtime coalition supporter, Al-Mart Furniture, to provide a steeply discounted mattress, frame and bedding that provided extra support for a man suffering from deteriorating back, spine and leg problems.
Race Conscious Dialogues RACE CONSCIOUS DIALOGUES The Race Conscious Dialogues are designed for people who are white to deepen their awareness of identity, power and privilege, then develop tools for anti-racism work. The foundational workshop series consists of 4 sessions, 3 hours each, with light readings to be done in preparation. This volunteer-based nonprofit was intentionally created for our community of Oak Park and surrounding areas. All discussions, readings and activities are framed around unpacking and understanding Whiteness - our own racial identities, the historical and current harm being caused by Whiteness, and guided discovery of how we show up and work collectively to eradicate racism. We invite your participation! Donations are appreciated as well www. raceconsciousdialogues.org/donate
Proviso Partners for Health (PP4H) is a community-led coalition to advance racial and economic pathways toward justice, community health, and well-being. COVID-19 disproportionately affects people of color and highlights the unmet mental health needs that Black/African American and Latinx residents have experienced for generations. In response, PP4H launched True You, a virtual series that gives voice to the historical and current racial trauma and promotes racial healing. The series recognizes the power and strength of self-discovery through peer support among people of color. Support our vision and expansion of this work by donating and visiting www. provisopartners.com/
There are plenty of ways to participate in Celebrating Seniors—whether you would like to be an event sponsor, offer a donation, volunteer your time, nominate someone for recognition, or connect in some other way. Learn more at our updated website: www. CelebratingSeniors.net.
g n a H e r e h in t k r a P Oak
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.
We are here for you! You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at OakPark.com
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
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The Joyful Giving Catalog
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Reporting Stories of Social Work Inspired Grant Winner to Get Involved
uring an unsettling year, Celine Reinoso discovered the kind of clarity that will have a lasting positive impact. Reinoso is the 2020 recipient of the OPRFCF’s Kathleen Marian Garrigan Leadership Fund Award, which provides financial aid to 18- to 25-year-olds who have completed an extended domestic community service project and are transitioning to school or work. “I’m thankful for the award, and for the opportunity to tell my story because that’s what I try to empower each person I work with to do – to express the often silenced stories of young people working in this field, or women of color working in this field, or immigrants,” Reinoso says. She says her desire to serve and lead has its seeds in her own story of the forced separation of her Filipino-American family when she was a child, which involved her returning with her mother to live for a time in the Philippines. Born from that experience, her advocacy for marginalized families and individuals and her commitment to accompany them through healing gained momentum during college. Before graduating from St. Louis University in May 2019, the journalism major
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
said she was reporting “meaningful stories of people doing direct service work and realized: I don’t just want to write about people doing it, I want to actually do it.” Following graduation, she volunteered with El Paso Villa Maria in Texas, a transitional shelter that provides services for women affected by complex circumstances related to homelessness, such as domestic violence, addiction, abuse and mental health. She interacted with
UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago 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
residents daily until COVID-19 began to spread. Although different from her face-to-face encounters, she realized while working remotely that she could continue helping clients on paperwork that can be difficult to navigate, such as resumes, job applications and government forms. “Each day I learn something new, whether it be about the world, social work, service, my clients, or myself,” she wrote in her application. “However, the most important
lesson I learned, which I will carry with me through my career, is the importance of empathy, compassion and accompaniment in social justice work.” Reinoso will begin studies for a graduate degree in social work at the University of Missouri-St. Louis in January 2021. To learn more about scholarships and enrichment grants available through the Foundation, visit oprfcf. org and click on the For Students tab.
West Suburban Special Recreation Association 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
Youth Outreach Services 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.
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Local news connects As this hard year moves to its close, we all have a lot on our minds. Gratitude is what we are thinking about here at Growing Community Media. As we wrap up our year of transition into an independent non-profit newsroom across our seven neighborhoods, we are thankful for the opportunity we’ve had this year to provide the connective tissue, the glue that reports on our communities, reflects back the powerful challenges of this pandemic and the powerful local response to this pandemic. That response has come from local governments and schools. It has come from the thousands who rose in a pandemic to demand racial justice. We’ve seen non-profits remaking themselves on the run and we’ve written about kids auctioning off their artwork to raise money for those non-profits. We’ve reported on our entrepreneurs finding a way to hang on until we finally see the light. And we’ve told stories of readers organizing to support those small businesses. Our reporters have been there. And, in this remarkable and often brutal year, we’re grateful to so many of you who have donated, become members of this new venture in local news, who have literally paid for those reporters to be on the street observing and reporting. Between now and New Year’s Eve, we’re asking those of you who value our work but who haven’t signed on yet to join in. We have matching funds ready to double your donation. The current match we are working is from 46 of our very first donors. They’ve raised $18,000. Now we’re working steadily to match it with another $18,000. Help us. Help us build into 2021. With gratitude, Dan Haley Editor and Publisher Growing Community Media P.S. Please help us spread the word by sharing with friends and colleagues who you think would be interested in supporting our work.
To donate, visit www.growingcommunitymedia.com/donate
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com
Our leaders must be accountable for equity
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he scholarship, reflection, and understanding of systemic racism has increased considerably in the last several years. There has been a long history of analyzing its effects, but much more attention has been placed on its origins and its continued role in all aspects of our society. This means instead of just focusing on the problems it has created for Black and Brown people and how to “fix us,” focus is finally on the pathologies that caused the problems themselves and how to root these out of our systems. The previous definition of “white supremacy” that focused on a set of implicit beliefs has been broadened to include the white supremacist characteristics based on those beliefs that permeate the ways in which we live and operate semiexplicitly and explicitly. This means that one doesn’t have to share the beliefs directly to be complicit in upholding those characteristics. We have all been conditioned to do so, albeit to different degrees. We must now all do the work to unlearn them and reimagine new ways of relating and living together. There are particular aspects of leadership that become much more heightened when managing diverse communities. One should, and I would argue must, be able to hear, understand, and incorporate a number of diverse perspectives and needs into policy and practice. One must also be on the journey of increasingly understanding and weeding out white supremacy. It is no longer acceptable to plead ignorance when displaying and actively supporting white supremacist beliefs and ways of operating. Leaders are required to increase their understanding and make change. Most of our local leaders have undergone some form of equity training or have chosen not to do so. I recognize that the work of undoing these pathologies is not a once-and-done event. It is a journey. Yet it is clear when one has embraced the journey and when one is actively avoiding it and preventing others from doing so. When leaders insist on preserving the status quo, which we have seen and know is inequitable, they will be called on it. This is not mean or “terrorist” behavior. It is what is needed to effect change. But we are also conditioned to not challenge those who benefit most from the status quo. We have been conditioned to picture white men as the definition of hard work, professionalism, and competency even when individuals we meet are not. Trump’s statement that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it — in fact his whole approach to life — is built on the expectation that white folks will assume that he is right, virtuous, and competent even when it is clear he is not. I have attended predominantly white schools and spent 25+ years in a white-male-dominated industry. During that time
LINDA FRANCIS
See FRANCIS on page 40
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
VIEWPOINTS R A C E
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Baron’s letter of apology p. 37
E Q U I T Y
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E D U C A T I O N
The volatile ’80s in District 97
Part V in a series on the history of educational equity efforts in Oak Park and the surrounding area.
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JOHN DUFFY
rom 1982 to 1990 in a period as volatile as the ’70s in terms of race and education in Oak Park, a strong racial equity focus arose out of an uprising of parents, community activists, and teachers in District 97. The common denominator in the new turmoil was Superintendent Ernest Mueller. Almost universal in the dissent was the belief that Mueller was out of step with Oak Parkers because of the authoritarian way he was imposing a major restructuring of curriculum organization called “rescheduling” — a change on the surface aimed at supporting students who were not meeting targeted achievement goals. The most significant development in the tumultuous history of race and education in the ’80s was that racial equity advocates indicted D97 for the racial resegregation that rescheduling had created within schools.
One View
Multiple attacks Under rescheduling, all teachers, no matter their expertise, were assigned for the morning in one of three levels of ability-grouped classrooms in math, reading, and language arts. Afternoon classes in social studies, arts, and science would be heterogeneously grouped. Almost immediately, widespread teacher opposition to rescheduling surfaced in all schools, but dissent at Longfellow, Whittier, and Hatch became most pronounced. Opposition came from a wide array of people: specialneeds teachers, arts educators, members of the Black Teachers Caucus, the Oak Park Community Action Organization (OPCAO) and the Concerned Parent Association (CPA), formed by the late Sheldon Liebman, who would later serve on the D97 board for eight years. Additional opposition came from music students’ parents, led by Longfellow parents Mike and Cynthia Papierniak, who documented how music education was being harmed by rescheduling in a way that threatened program sustainability and growth. Even the Gifted Parent Association objected, claiming their children did not benefit from being assigned to the highest level classrooms. The Oak Park Community Relations Commission from 1984 into the middle ’90s joined school activists in confronting racial inequities. When African American Luther Benton, who chaired the village’s Racial Diversity Task Force Subcommittee on Education, shared Black family testimony before the task force in 1984, many were pained to hear about the discrimination and exclusion Black families were experiencing. Leaders in the Concerned Parent Association, like Mary Daly Lewis, were especially outraged with the resegregation of students that rescheduling was causing. While not all opponents of rescheduling were upset by resegregation, an unresponsive administration, superintendent, and board faced throngs of opposition from 1984 to 1986. Still, the D97 board remained incredulous,
and stood firmly behind their superintendent. In a move I later called “educational McCarthyism,” board President Donald Child dismissed the uprising as the work of “frustrated ’60s radicals.”
First Amendment case
In the spring of 1985, first-year Longfellow teachers Linda Beck Olson and Robert Trezevant were dismissed for publicly speaking against rescheduling. They took their case to federal court in Chicago and won their jobs back in one of the most embarrassing chapters in Oak Park school history. Principals, district leaders including Mueller, and the entire school board gave depositions. After five days of court testimony, as Judge James Moran noted in his bench decision, the trial turned on key witnesses, Principal Mary Costa and Mueller. Both testified that “free speech was against the policy of the district.” By September, racial equity activists believed the tide against rescheduling was finally turning. Sheldon Liebman and Mary Daly Lewis from the Concerned Parent Association, and later Henry Fulkerson from the Oak Park Community Action Organization soon joined the board to advance racial equity goals. At the height of the fight over rescheduling, the board shocked stalwarts of managed integration. They temporarily rejected the recommendation of the board-appointed committee on SHELDON LIEBMAN enrollment, headed by former board member David Walsh. The committee recommended several actions to bring more racial balance to school populations, including that school boundaries should be once again redrawn to maintain racial balance to nip fear that any school might be perceived by white residents as too Black. At the same meeting, Victor Yipp, a member of the OPCAO, questioned Mueller about resegregation of students within schools. Racial equity advocates were incredulous as the superintendent stated the district never considered race in assigning children to programs. Next, the Oak Park Community Relations Commission again weighed in. Commission Chairperson John Lukehart, an outspoken advocate for the ideals of integration and racial equity, insisted that resegregation of children within schools was doing harm that the district had to address. Further, Lukehart suggested D97’s problem was not too many African-American students in east-side schools. The focus instead, he argued, should be ensuring more Black families living across the community. Jim Williamson, president of the Whittier PTO and a member of the Walsh Committee, told the board that parents opposed any boundary changes and they were happy and proud of Whittier where 41 percent of students were African American. Extraordinary pressure See DUFFY on page 38
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O U R
V I E W P O I N T S
Even now, much to be thankful for
V I E W S
Nine shopping days
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e are a week-plus away from Christmas. Time enough to make a plan to ease up on those Amazon delivery drivers and put some local into these weird 2020 holidays. Shops across Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park are open for your business. They need your business. We need these small retailers to survive until spring. And it is pretty much in your hands because, as we have all learned, Christmas sales are critical to independent small businesses. In today’s paper we report on the invisible decline two local chocolatiers — La Maison de Bonbon and River Forest Chocolates — are facing this season as corporate clients have cut back substantially on orders that in the past made the year for these dedicated locallyowned shops. That means the rest of us will just have to sacrifice and head over to Forest Park and River Forest to buy some fabulous chocolates. But we have to do it … in the next nine days. From Downtown Oak Park to the Hemingway District — now fully reopened and with the smoothest streets ever — retailers like Geppetto’s Toy Box, Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationery, Careful Peach, The Book Table, Ten Thousand Villages and many others have suffered the dual poxes of a year of road rebuilding and COVID-19. Time to show them some love. Time to remember the genuine warmth of shopping in a store where the proprietors are present and they actually love what they sell. The Arts District on Harrison is open with gifts so unique, craftspeople so devoted, that you are sure to surprise a person you love when they unwrap a gift of art. The easiest thing would be to fire up the laptop and order more stuff from national retailers and digital-only vendors who have figured out a lot of logistics to survive the pandemic. The best thing to do, though, is to head to Chicago Avenue, to North Avenue, to south Oak Park Avenue, to Madison Street, to Lake Street and to invest in the shopkeepers who make these villages worth living in. They need us now.
You’ve got to eat We know our readers value our local restaurants. We see it in the enthused response to the Takeout 25 Oak Park movement. This is the organic project cajoling and demanding that locals order at least $25 per week in takeout from a nearby restaurant. The Facebook page for this project has already hit a fabulous 4,000-plus members. And, between mouthfuls, they are chatting away about how they love this spot, that dish, these determined entrepreneurs who took the leap in opening a restaurant and are now hanging on by a thread to keep dreaming. As we report today, we are also starting to see the Facebook responses from local restaurant owners who are feeling the love, ringing up the sales, actually calling back employees they had let go as business plummeted. Ravi Parakkat is the local fellow who did the math and figured out we need to collectively spend at least a million a month among 100 local restaurants to keep them going till the vaccines take hold. (Parrakat is also a candidate for village trustee.) He observes that we are more likely to spend freely on takeout between now and New Year’s. It is the dark days of January and February that worry the project organizers as we hunker down in the cold with federal benefits drying up and credit card bills piling up. That is when we will really need to focus on keeping our local restaurants alive. So make a plan. Plan to shop for Christmas in our wonderful and beleaguered local stores. Plan to eat takeout from our astounding but endangered collection of independent restaurants.
As we near the end of this difficult year, I decided to go back to the last one, 2016, to see what I had to say during that “darkest of times.” Here’s what I wrote two weeks after the worst election of our lifetime. I even found something nice to say about social media!
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t’s tougher to feel thankful this year. If you watched John Oliver’s takedown of 2016, you might agree this year will go down as one of the worst. Most are thankful the Cubs conquered their curse at last, but it’s almost as if the price of the Cubs’ good fortune was to drain fortune from everything else. But that, of course, is superstitious thinking. I’m thankful superstition doesn’t rule my reckonings. Instead, let gratitude rule. Unexpected good may eventually come of the Great American Electoral Catastrophe of 2016. We just don’t know what it is yet. In the meantime, I’m thankful life is never all bad and that suffering can lead to good. One bright light of the mindfulness movement contends there are two kinds of pain: suffering that leads to more suffering and suffering that leads to less. I’m thankful for the latter and pray for that outcome. I’m thankful for the mindfulness movement and for Terry Kinsey’s Unity Temple meditation sessions each week, which have helped me become less emotionally hyper-reactive. I’m thankful for Wednesdays with my grandsons and for Pope Francis and Barack Obama and for family and soul friends, for Mary Oliver’s poetry, Krista Tippet’s On Being, Sy Safransky’s Sun magazine, Paul Krugman’s columns, and books by Parker Palmer, for breakfasts at Hemmingway’s Bistro, pizza at Malnati’s, bike rides on the Salt Creek Trail, movies at the Lake Theatre, outdoor plays at Festival Theatre, and myriad other small delights that make living enjoyable and/or meaningful. But this year of all years, I’m trying to look beyond the usual. I’m thankful there is so much more to life than politics. I’m thankful I’ve lived long enough to fit even an avoidable calamity like the 2016 election into a much wider context than I had when I was younger. I’m thankful that growing older bequeaths the gift of perspective, that the disappointments of life are inseparably intertwined with its joys and that somehow suffering makes our appreciation of life’s beauty all the more intense. I’m thankful for such moments of grace and for those who contribute to the beauty of the world and teach us how and where to look for it. I’ve never been so thankful for social media as this past year. We have mourned, commiserated, celebrated, vented, hoped and tended our dashed hopes together, as a community. We are not only stronger together, we’re smarter together. I am thankful for the shared path through life because it is inclusive, and inclusiveness always triumphs in the long run. The alienation, isolation
and divisiveness of exclusivity cannot last. I’m thankful for the long run. I’m thankful that everything doesn’t have to be completed in one lifetime, that we can hand over the torch as our faculties falter. I’m thankful for the humility of imperfection and for the release of perfectionism, which is too heavy a burden to carry after a certain age. I’m thankful for the ability to let go and also the ability to hang on: to what is important, and especially those we love. I’m thankful our capacity to love grows as we “grow” older instead of withering on our aging stalk — a ripened, less self-centered love, a love more freely given, a bond stronger than the centrifugal forces that would pull us apart. Stronger, I pray, than death itself. I’m thankful for love’s gravity, which is more like the moon’s — lighter than earth’s, allowing us to transcend its “surly bonds” and soar together. I am thankful for the moon, and the earth’s long-distance dance with the sun, and the expanding universe’s long-lasting dance with destiny, wherever it leads. I’m thankful that we don’t have all the answers but seem to be evolving toward truth. I am thankful for being and for becoming and for patience when it pays dividends. I’m thankful for the gift of acceptance and the ability to make the best of flawed situations — and also knowing when not to accept what is plainly wrong, as wrong as the look on you-know-who’s face. I’m thankful that there is more to us than meets the eye and more to us than ego. I’m thankful that among the things hardest earned is wisdom. I am thankful that when life breaks our hearts, it breaks them open instead of apart, as Richard Rohr said. I’m thankful there is always more to being human. I am thankful for God, a notion that approximates something greater, beyond our ability to comprehend, a tractor beam pulling us forward to some end — or to some endlessness. I am thankful for the mystery of it all. I’m thankful for this planet and that its future lies in our hands, forcing us either to grow up and become responsible or to perish. I am thankful for every “moment of truth” that awakens us and for the awakenings that may eventually save us. For the dreams we pursue in our waking state and for the dreams that visit and replenish us in the night and offer glimpses of what might come later — or what might come after … I am thankful that we have the capacity for gratitude even during the darkest times. I’m thankful for resilience and persistence, even when we long to just give up. To whatever and/or whoever makes all this possible in spite of everything, I am deeply thankful. Four years later, it’s nice to know our resiliency and persistence paid off. I wonder what we’ll be saying four years from now …
KEN
TRAINOR
V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N
by Marc Stopeck
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 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 Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer
Baron’s letter of apology Editor’s note: Matt Baron, a member of the school board at Oak Park and River Forest High School, sent a letter of apology to an Oak Park woman deeply offended by the contents of a letter to the editor he had sent to Wednesday Journal. That letter was published in the Nov. 25 Viewpoints section. The letter has since been removed from the Journal’s website, and the paper’s opinion editor has acknowledged it should not have been printed and offered an apology [Viewpoints, Dec. 9]. In submitting his apology letter to the Journal, Baron said he sent the letter on Dec. 6 to the woman referenced in his original letter. On Dec. 8, he said, the woman told him he should also send the letter to Wednesday Journal. This is Baron’s explanation of the origin of the letter of apology as well as the letter itself. What follows is a correspondence, a letter of apology, that I wrote and sent, via e-mail, on the afternoon of Sunday, Dec. 6 to a fellow Oak Parker. In her response to me on the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 8, she noted that I should send this letter of apology to Wednesday Journal. Out of respect for her wishes, I am doing so. Below is my letter of apology: Dear Ms. (NAME REDACTED), I hope this correspondence finds you and your family doing well. We barely know each other; we met one time briefly during a festival in Downtown Oak Park. I wish the best for you and your family, and for your larger community of friends.
When I saw your Facebook comment two weeks ago, it was the latest in a series of comments online, and in other spaces, that Oak Park residents have made, and which have been distressing to me. In response, my letter used language and imagery that, I have come to learn, may be retraumatizing to you. I did not know your background, or those elements of your personal history that others have shared in the days since my letter was published. I am sorry for all the horrors that you have experienced. As you know, other than using a pronoun, in my letter I make no reference to you or your background. My focus was to urge one another to hold each other to higher standards of communication, especially when we have significantly different perspectives on any number of issues. For purposes of exhorting my neighbors and fellow Oak Parkers to do better, I see now that the analogy that I used was far too intense. My words were needlessly over-the-top as I sought to stir people in this community to push back on unfair character attacks. While it was not my intention to create any divisiveness in the community or pain for you, that has become the impact. And now, as input from a variety of people has raised my awareness of the role that I bear in this matter, I must take responsibility. I am deeply sorry for any pain that my words caused you, your loved ones, or anyone else. With respect,
Matt Baron
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
‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY
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■ Must include first and last names,
■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,
municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)
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your connection to the topic
Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302
H O W
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ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00. A one-year subscription costs $41 within Cook County and $51 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2020 Growing Community Media, NFP.
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
Moderation sustains white supremacy
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constantly worry about doing the right thing. And I worry about trying to do the right thing but doing it poorly, or it being received in a way I did not intend. Often, I worry to the point of inaction. I know that I am not alone. There are many in our community who want to help but aren’t sure how. We can start by speaking up. I saw something and as was suggested I am going to say something. I saw a letter steeped in the words and themes almost exclusively used to target Muslims. I saw racism, and I believe the marginalized members of our community when they say they saw it. The issues we face as a community are often difficult and nuanced. They deserve better than to be boiled down to racist tropes. We need to have complex conversations. The laws, rules, and norms in America, and Oak Park more specifically, have largely been written and established at tables occupied almost exclusively by white people, usually just white men. Other perspectives are relegated to the margins around these laws, rules, and norms. These marginalized people have, for too long, occupied these empty margins, full of unheard concerns and unheeded needs. This is a fundamental part of the white supremacist systems that define the American experience and from which Oak Park is not exempt. It can be difficult for white men, like me, to understand and cede space to the needs of those that America has historically pushed to the margins. I am no exception. I occasionally fail to recognize problems within the spaces I occupy — even when I go looking — because my life experiences as a white man have not presented me with barriers experienced every day by women, BIPOC, Muslims, Jews, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and everyone else that America has deemed “other.”
This background is important because even actions that are not actively hostile to those marginalized communities can still be supportive of white supremacy. In fact, any action taken without an effort to hear and consider the perspectives of these communities is, in a way, an action in furtherance of white supremacy. It is my duty as an elected official to make sure that all voices in our community have a chance to speak, even if what they say may make me uncomfortable. It is not, however, for white men to tell people who have been marginalized that they need to tone it down, or be nicer, less divisive. They have been asked for far too long to stay quiet to make white people in power more comfortable — and that has consistently failed to move the needle toward equity. It has allowed leaders to satisfy themselves with incremental and moderate solutions in the pursuit of consensus. There are times when consensus is appropriate, but when it comes to recognizing the struggles of marginalized people and what government can do to help create equity, we need to move beyond moderation. The Fair Housing Ordinance of decades past that made so many in our village proud was not an act of moderation, it was a bold step. We cannot leave that kind of vision on the mantle to be occasionally polished for show. Instead, we must look to it as a reminder of what we can do when we are willing to be bold and pursue progress. Oak Park and its elected leaders, myself included, must not look to moderation as a guiding principle. Oak Park needs to take action to center those who have been pushed to the margins. To do anything less — to fight for moderation — is to fight for white supremacy. Matt Fruth is a member of the Oak Park Public Library Board of Commissioners.
MATTHEW FRUTH One View
The sidewalk shuffle Most Oak Parkers have aced the latest pedestrian dance. But in order to promenade smoothly along the sidewalks, here’s the Top 10 rules: 1. Kindergartners holding hands, walking two-by-two, get preferential sidewalk space. If they’re coming toward you, make a Dos-à-dos and throw a wave to these precious little peeps and their teachers who so diligently wear their masks. 2. People on crutches. Even if you feel a sense of ownership for your bit of pavement, Grapevine swiftly to the side and remember how difficult it was when you sprained your ankle. 3. Dogs. Is the dog disciplined with four paws in coordinated alignment, or is it pulling on the leash? In any event, Waltz lightly toward the road and call out, “Good Dog,” by way of encouragement. 4. Bicycles. If the person is 15 years or older, they should really be on the street, but sometimes a person is scared of bicycling in traffic. In which case why not do the Moonwalk and keep that critical scowl under your mask. 5. People carrying heavy shopping bags. They’ve already made a ton of decisions: Organic, lactose, gluten? Give them a break Chasse off to the side and be thankful you don’t have their groceries to put away. 6. Three or more in a bunch. If you’re a single, Pasodoble onto the grass and puff out your chest to show you’re not intimidated. 7. You’re on the block when a newcomer approaches out of the blue. Technically, you could have a stand-off — you were there first. But why upset yourself ? Make a Cross Body Lead and give up the real estate. 8. You’re in a bad mood. Do a Thunderclap which incorporates clapping in the air with a sliding motion. What the heck — it can’t hurt, and you may feel better. 9. Parent with stroller. Do a Pirouette and be happy you don’t have a baby to nurture through this pandemic! 10. Busy sidewalk. Salsa across the road. It’s lovely to see people out and about, but until we’re all safe let’s not step on each other’s toes.
Val Gee
Farewell, Oak Park! It is with mixed feelings that I say farewell to Oak Park. I’ve lived here since 1958 and seen a lot of changes in that time, some good, some bad. My husband and I have sold our house and have left the village. As of Nov. 11, we are now residents of River Forest. It will be strange not to be an Oak Parker after all these years. I’ll miss my organic garden, cultivated to attract butterflies, bumblebees and birds, but not the weeding. My husband will miss his workshop and being able to blast the stereo, but not mowing the lawn or shoveling snow. We’ll miss our lovely neighbors and Keith, our exceptional mailman. We won’t miss the short-sighted decisions that are resulting in increased density in the village, while at the same time people are kvetching about a shortage of parking. We’ll miss the superb customer service we get when dealing with the good folks working at village hall, from Clerk Vicki Scaman and Village Manager Cara Pavlicek, to the two lovely ladies who helped me get my final water bill paid on a Friday (when the lobby was actually closed to the public) so that we could get our transfer stamps in time for the closing on our house. Let’s not forget the folks in the building and permits department who answered my many village code questions so promptly. We won’t, however, miss the divisive politics. We won’t miss the sad group of so-called progressives who
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Oak Park
are as extreme in their politics as the current administration in Washington, only in the other direction. We won’t miss the misguided folks calling for less policing, while the number of carjackings, holdups at gunpoint on the streets, and thefts seem to be on the rise, if the police blotter published weekly in this paper is any indication. We’ll miss living in view of Lindberg Park, but we won’t miss the chuckleheads in vehicles who come barreling down our street (clearly marked as a “Dead End” from three directions), typically after running the stop sign at the corner, then slam on the brakes when they discover that they can’t drive over the cul-de-sac to get to North Avenue (except for motorcycles who just drive on the sidewalk). While we’ll miss many things about life in Oak Park, we look forward to the opportunity to learn what River Forest has to offer. It does seem like we moved just in the nick of time though. The Dec. 9 Wednesday Journal reported that Oak Park is hiking property taxes by 3%. On the other hand, River Forest had announced at their Nov. 9 board meeting that they won’t raise the property tax levy in an effort to provide financial relief to River Forest residents. Sad to have to say, we won’t miss Oak Park property taxes.
Louise Mezzatesta River Forest
DUFFY from page 38 from the media, the enrollment committee, and longtime advocates of managed integration like Bobbie Raymond from the Housing Center, Sherlynn Reid, director of Community Relations, and Ann Armstrong, from the Village Manager Association, Oak Park’s candidate-slating group, all challenged the board to act. The board soon reversed itself and made the last significant boundary adjustment in Oak Park school history.
Coup de grace Going against best practices emerging within mainstreaming and disabilities education, the D97 administration in 1988 shockingly proposed a complete isolation of all special-needs learners into separate classrooms. Teachers stepped forward en masse to denounce the proposal. This time their voice would not be suppressed. The board rejected the idea. Within a year, the divisive Mueller would depart and Jack Fagan would be hired superintendent to help set a new commitment to racial equity with widespread community involvement in drafting the 1990 Strategic Plan. John Duffy is a cofounder of the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education.
V I E W P O I N T S
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
OPRF board, listen to the community
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arlier this month at an OPRF High School board meeting, we heard outrage from our community about the high school’s proposal to cut student-focused activities. Frankly, the criticism was well deserved. The proposed budget cuts focused on special education, sports, student programming and the pools in the middle of a pandemic while spending over $40 million on the Imagine Project. Adding insult to injury, our children have not seen the inside of our high school since last March and the proposal was to cut the exact activities our kids are yearning for to feel any sense of connection. The presentation was short-sighted, incomplete and inadequate. Others have suggested it was more insidious; we all have our opinions. More importantly, if you re-listen to the three-plus hours of public comments, you’ll find that it was about much more than budget cuts to special education, student clubs and pools. The comments were passionate statements about what people believe our community stands for as well as what our schools should stand for. The comments were critical yet hopeful about our future. Community members explained how academicallyfocused schools that also offer excellent extracurricular programs will attract young families. This then leads to vibrant communities with a growing tax base. Our children wrote about how being part of a high school sports team or club is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Past Huskies emphasized that when students put in hard work together on teams, such experiences break down barriers and offer leadership opportunities along the way. Folks also mentioned how academics, school spirit and a sense of community matter, and not just when it’s politically convenient. You could feel the aspirations our community members have for their children and our high school. The discussion was about much more than pools. Let’s hope our board actually listened to our concerns and begins to talk with us and not at us.
Switching gears. If our current OPRF Board of Education and administration felt that our out-going President should have never replaced Ruth Bader Ginsburg so close to the election, then our current leaders should not hastily move forward with replacing our superintendent. It’s the same situation, but worse. The local election season is underway, our community will have elected new board members by April and our superintendent is not retiring until July. Why the artificial deadline of April? Another question to ask is how many single-school districts have both a superintendent and an assistant superintendent? I encourage this board to take a deep breath and allow our community to participate in this superintendent selection process. Some may go so far as to say that it should be someone local who understands our community and aspirations — call us crazy? Our board was so vocal earlier this month about how they want to build bridges with the community and are willing to look at all expenses at our school. Here is a chance. I hope our board can be reflective enough to step outside of their own echo chamber. Our board should want to work with the entire Oak Park and River Forest community and have an honest and open discussion about our next leaders. Such a discussion just started at the last board meeting. What will our board and administration do now? More echo-chambering or more actual outreach and listening to everyone? Time will tell. OPRF does not belong to any outgoing superintendent. OPRF does not belong to any single board of education. OPRF belongs to all the students, all the parents and to the entire community. Those public comments earlier this month were about our community asking our board to listen. Yes, actually listen to what our community wants in a high school. Go Huskies! Ross Lissuzzo is an Oak Park native and a River Forest resident.
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LISSUZZO One View
Leaders must embrace truth of systemic racism
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’ve been mulling over the comments from Matt Baron that were recently published in this newspaper and then rightly lamented by the publisher. By now, no one needs me to rehash them entirely as I’m not the first to react. The words were in and of themselves racist and derogatory, whether intended or not. To single out Muslim members of our community as terrorist, especially when the views they express are not unique in the community, is clearly racist and reinforcing stereotypes. And, coming from Baron, who has a long career in communications, it can hardly be considered an oversight. What’s more unfortunate is that after time for reflection, Baron reasserted his comments in a manner that demonstrated he learned very little from the objections to his rhetoric. He further added to the harm by responding to these rejections in his official capacity as an elected official — using time in a board meeting to address his personal business. As is all too common, all of that was enveloped in the absurdity of hiding behind tolerance. But tolerance does not mean any view is acceptable. Tolerance is rooted in justice, fairness, and equity. Expressing views that perpetuate stereotypes of oppressed groups is in opposition to tolerance and should be condemned in a community that values diversity and inclusion. We should also remember that this event occurred because the person Baron attacked said what many of us in the community believe. That Dan Maroney, a candidate for village
president, has in his current service as a village trustee repeatedly expressed views that served the perpetuation of white supremacy. These views were most prevalent in his comments at the board table on the Diversity Statement. In those discussions, he fought against including “breaking down systems of oppression” at more than one meeting. He also lobbied for the inclusion of adding “political perspective” alongside the legitimate list of historically oppressed categories, which include race, gender, and sexual orientation. Both attempts served to water down the statement and reduce the intensity in which the village would be encouraged to act. To my mind, these actions demonstrate that neither of these persons are in sync with the values we hold dear in Oak Park. While there is still much to accomplish, the core values of our community for the past five decades have been about building a community that is more tolerant, more inclusive, and more equitable. If we are to continue on that trajectory, we will need leaders in our community willing to embrace the hard truths of structural racism, systemic oppression, and, yes, white supremacy. Those who want to minimize these truths by incongruently arguing for tolerance will lead us in the wrong direction. Rob Breymaier is the former executive director of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center and a former member of the District 97 school board.
ROB
BREYMAIER One View
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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Thank you, South Loop; hello again, Oak Park After a three-year stay, we’re leaving Chicago’s South Loop. We moved here after downsizing, after selling our five-bedroom Victorian in Oak Park in 2017. It’s been an enlightening and rewarding time in the city. There was something liberating in getting rid of 80% of the stuff we had accumulated while raising kids. In our twobedroom, city apartment we welcomed the simpler existence. In the building where we lived, we’ve been the oldest folks among the renters, sharing elevators, the parking garage, mailroom, exercise room, rooftop deck and other amenities with a diverse and much younger group of people. Oak Park is racially diverse, but the South Loop is even more so. And the latter community is a young world, with many college students, people starting their careers, artists, musicians and parents of young children. Two new schools opened across the street from us; one a CPS, K-8, and the other a private, Christian K-12. Once the COVID crisis has passed, the blocks around here will be teeming with kids of all ages flowing to and from those educational institutions. And then there is the lake: I bonded with her quickly after we arrived here. I’ve walked 4-5 times a week, 6-10 miles at a time, along the lakeshore. I’ve trekked south past 41st Street Beach, north as far as North Avenue Beach, and west to the end of the Riverwalk. I’ve taken these hikes for the spiritual and physical exercise, but along the way I came to so appreciate the lakefront’s beauty; I’ve shared a lot of photographs with family and friends. I also began a different kind of work while here, drawing on the thousands of pages of journals I’ve compiled since the early ’70s. Having retired from the community development and policy arena, I write less about policy, politics and community change and more about what I’ve learned, and what I’m still trying to understand, about living my faith in a complicated world with a conflicted self, each driven by interests that can divert one from doing what the Lord wants. I appreciate the relative anonymity I’ve experienced here in the South Loop. It has afforded me time to pray, reflect, walk and write. It put me close in a new way to the energetic upsurge in the racial justice movement, intensified as it was by the broad exposure of dramatic incidents of police brutality. I’ll never forget the beautiful intensity in the marches that rolled down State Street right below our windows, directly past our front door. I’ll cherish the sights from our rooftop at night — the movement along five different train lines, the lights of the skyline, and the sunset beyond the upright bridges to the west. This week, we will move about eight miles west, grateful for our time here, and back to Oak Park, the community that during these years in the city never stopped being home.
Rich Kordesh Oak Park
Changing policing
Although I appreciate the work our Oak Park police do, in order that our police can focus on carjacking, robberies, and burglaries, the village board must provide alternative individuals to handle homelessness, mental health, and domestic disputes. Along with the rest of the U.S., Oak Park must take actions such as preventing chokeholds, thoroughly training the police force in de-escalation techniques, and restrictions on the use of lethal force. As the police contract is negotiated, it must not include qualified immunity.
Tom Ard
Oak Park
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Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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Taking the education hay wagon to market
his past week, River Forest District 90 Superintendent Ed Condon called for a return to some in-person instruction, beginning Dec. 14, and new plans for more time in the classroom beginning after the holidays. Most of these D90 K-8th grade children haven’t seen the inside of a school since they shuttered in mid-March, and there’s unrest in the community because surrounding districts have found one way or another for some inperson instruction. The sudden turnabout came only after one of the largest community campaigns in at least a decade: over 500 signatures supporting an online petition. It called for clear accountability from the board on whether children return to in-person instruction and asked, at their Dec. 14 meeting, for a vote now regarding a hybrid plan set to begin Jan. 19. A Facebook group organizing return-toschool support popped up and went from zero to nearly 200 River Forest members in a few days. There was a coordinated email campaign targeting the superintendent and board President Rich Moore. A green-ribbon effort was assembled by upcoming D90 candidate Scott Hall and several parents organized a peaceful car rally, planned for the Dec. 14 board meeting. Reports of similar community pressure on local districts has been reported across the country. The silence from this newspaper was deafening. Hay wagon is a metaphor that comes to mind describing the state of our local schools, and I’ve been following very close for years. I grew up in the country, where agriculture was the primary industry. At harvest time, whether it was another cutting of hay, trucks loaded with onions or a tractor towing a few tons of grapes, farmers pull their crops to market. Have you ever been behind a hay wagon, loaded down, being pulled toward its destination? Plenty of horsepower pulling the load, and
Keep the profit here
I appreciated Steven Olderr’s letter exhorting us to support our local bookstore [Viewpoints, Dec. 9]. May I add some theoretical justification for his argument? Economists have done the rigorous research to show that supporting local businesses enriches the local economy. Buying from, say, Amazon, or even Walmart, enriches Jeff Bezos or the Walton family. Keep the profit here in Oak Park, and it recirculates.
Loren Hagen
Oak Park
a system of connected parts that each have some say in the successful delivery of goods. These days, I feel like many are just figuring out their place in this metaphor. COVID taught many of us there is competition for who is steering the education wagon. One hand on the wheel are parent groups, who see one direction for the education of their children and work at pulling all others to that end. This influence sneaks into the system and plays out in things like a corrupt caucus, a school board that quietly yet unanimously implements “a fundamental change in instructional philosophy,” or a cancel culture rolling over diversity of thought. Systems where individuals can gain power inevitably are exploited, and when this goes unnoticed, it risks spoiling the whole harvest, before it ever reaches the market. The real farmer is smart though, she keeps a gentle grip that steadies the wheel. She knows, on the vine or in the tree, not all fruit ripens at one time. Like teachers to their students, the farmers’ work plans account for unevenness and a natural variation. When she’s done, the fruit reflects her work and the power of the sun. Returning to in-person instruction taught us more about another hand on the wheel: the teachers union. It’s connected stiffly to the wagon’s hitch and the front wheels. Like teachers, the front wheels have little choice but to follow the pulling. When the crop is light or the wagon is over loose gravel, sudden changes in direction don’t upset the load. It gently rocks and finds its center again. In heavy years, when the bounty is large and the road to market is paved with intention, the same sudden change can cause the front wheels to slip. You must listen close or be a teacher yourself to
hear it. The friction between front wheels and an abrupt new direction produces a rubbery chirp that is easily lost in all the noise coming from up front. The experienced farmer listens for the chirp and slows the whole system to protect the load. After all, if a wheel went out or left the wagon on its own volition, the whole load might topple over. The harvested crop atop the wagon, making a once-in-alifetime journey to market, are children and families served by the public schools. Farmers will center their load on the wagon for stability; strap it down or hold it all in with barriers. It’s amazing, the weight of the produce on top may be an order of magnitude greater than the structural weight of the wagon. Some wagons look as though they’ll collapse under the pressure, and a few broken beyond repair are found in the hedgerow. Still, this load is pulled down the road, arching over bumps and rocking left and right as it heads around the bend. There’s seasonality to farm work too. The off-season involves readying equipment for work next year so there’s trust in the whole system. The farmer sees component parts as essential to a successful delivery. Sadly, it happened a few times while I was growing up. Something in the system unexpectedly failed at exactly the wrong time. It’s particularly lethal when the wagon is headed downhill. At first the driver fights the wheel, the weight of the load, and tries to stay the course, protecting the intention and the valuable harvest. Time has different value in crisis though. Gravity is doing the pulling now, speeds are increasing, and in that few seconds fear overrides the possibility of jumping to safety. Several times I’ve driven one steep hill where it happened. In reaching the bend I can’t help
but wonder how it could have been different for them. We jumped onto the school wagon when we moved to River Forest, as many do. It wasn’t the Farmer’s Almanac, but there was a history of high performance, mostly flat ground, a balance of power and very few squeaky wheels. We were content to be part of the load. We believed an abundant past was the best predictor of a vigorous future. Now, reports show something in the system broke a few years back. The tires have low pressure, we’re being pulled in a different direction, and with COVID we’re gaining downhill speed. Some have already chosen to jump. It’s fascinating to me that community journalism isn’t on top of this, digging into the facts and holding people accountable. Today the email headline for River Forest was about leaf blowers. Last week, news the village wouldn’t raise taxes to assist in COVID relief occurred on page five. An old wagon metaphor is what you find back here, but what do you expect on the front page? At home we teach that everyone makes mistakes, it’s what you do next that really matters. We’ll see if this paper begins to dig into explanations for the sudden school decline that began in River Forest a few years back. If you saw yourself in my metaphor, do you feel like you’re along for the ride, trying to take the wheel, or just own another farm in town? Regardless, we need to work together on this little plot of land so it produces a great crop. Let’s go over our equipment, find the weak links, worn tires and set ourselves up and advocate for children and the next season of growing. Steve Lefko is a 2010 transplant to River Forest, husband and father, and a former corporate scientist who has traded up for the role of Director of Character Development, Lefko Inc.
FRANCIS
The young woman at the center of the Fisher v. University of Texas lawsuit who did not have a good score was more concerned with the Black students who were admitted with low scores than the larger number of white males who were accepted with lesser scores than hers, thus allowing herself to be used to undermine progress. Unfortunately, we still have people actively working to uphold these forms of inequity under the misguided notion that it is the best way to advance their personal agendas. And sometimes it is, just to the detriment of Black and Brown folks. This brings me back to our response to these facts of life. We have gone past the point of having marginalized people tolerate indifference or active harm. We are well past the point of preserving the feelings and reputations of those perpetrating the harm. I participated in corporate gender and
racial equity training 30 years ago. The Civil Rights fight and ensuing legislation took place more than 55 years ago. And yet, our children are still required to continue this fight? Many of our children and grandchildren are calling us to account. It may seem like youthful idealism, but it is not. It is their frustration with how long we’ve tolerated the slow pace of change, despite knowing better. What older folks refer to as call-out culture is merely the long overdue reckoning that must take place. Our slow pace has now left us needing to take big steps. All of us are responsible for supporting this change, but community leaders are that much more responsible and should be held accountable. We need them to help lead our community through this. If they cannot, they need to step aside; or rather, we need to make them.
STEVE LEFKO
Lead or leave from page 35 I’ve seen both hard-working and slacker white men. I’ve seen both professionalism and insanely unprofessional behavior yield the same access. And I have worked with some who are incredibly competent, some ridiculously incompetent, and everything in between. This has shown me the profound misguidedness of those who fear the limited progress of marginalized people. There are many more white men in leadership and positions of power who have not arrived there by merit and are often the least competent.
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
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O B I T U A R I E S
Kenneth Darre, 93 Kenneth Robert Darre, 93, of River Forest, died on July 11, 2020 at the Symphony of Buffalo Grove Nursing Facility. Born on Jan. 23, 1927 in Chicago to Henry Frank Darre and Loretta Thorn Darre, he dropped out of Oak Park and River Forest High School at age 17 to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He trained as a corpsman at Great Lakes and in San Diego and was stationed on the hospital ship U.S. Sanctuary (AH-17) with the rank of Pharmacists Mate as World War II ended. Upon his release from service at age 21, he re-enrolled to finish his final year of high school at OPRF and then enrolled in and graduated from the University of Illinois. He had a long career with Montgomery Wards in Chicago, serving as Corporate News and Field Public Relations director in the 1970s and Consumer Affairs manager in the 1980’s He and his parents were longtime residents of Oak Park. He served as an usher at St. Edmund Catholic Church for 40 years. He and his wife Lauretta were parishioners of St. Luke Catholic Church after moving to River Forest in 1991. Ken Darre was preceded in death by his wife, Lauretta Regan Darre (née Schultz), his parents, and his brothers, Aldis Paul Darre and Robert J. Darre. He is survived by his three devoted stepchildren, John Regan, Laurie Regan Chase and Nancy Regan MacIntosh, and his brothers’ extended families. Due to the pandemic, memorial services were held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Catholic Charities of Chicago. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.
Marianne Reinhofer, 88
Chaplain & minister of care Longtime Oak Park resident Marianne “Pat” Reinhofer (nee Lyons), 88, died in her sleep on Dec. 8, 2020. She was known to many in the community due to her 16-year tenure working at the parish office of St. Edmund Church on Oak Park Avenue. Born on July 11, 1932, in Chicago’s Andersonville community, she attended grade school and high school at St. Gregory the Great Parish on Paulina Street. In 1953, she married and began raising a family, first in the city, then in River Grove, beginning in 1968. While a member of St. Cyprian Parish in River Grove, she became a minister of care and was active in the choir. As her children grew older, she wanted to do more based on her faith heritage and attended college, earning a degree in pastoral studies. Most of the time while attending school, she was employed at Lutheran Social Services as an executive secretary. She worked there because she believed in serving people of all faiths and all walks of life in the Alcohol and Drug Treatment program, helping them on their journey to recovery. After she earned her advanced degree, she became a hospital chaplain at St. Alexius Hospital and Medical Center in Hoffman Estates. In the 1990s she moved to Oak Park with her beloved dachshund, Chloe. She probably knew every dog in the neighborhood by name from her daily walks while she lived at The Mews building at Lake Street and Euclid Avenue.
Pat is survived by her children, Lynn (James) Grogan, Christine (Kenneth) Kuehn, James (Kathy) Reinhofer, Ralph (Sue) Reinhofer, and Peter (Rachel) Reinhofer. She is the grandmother of 12, great-grandmother of five, sister of the late Edward (Nancy, the late Dolly) Lyons, Karen (Hal) Mortensen, and the late Donald (Rochelle) Lyons, and the aunt of five nieces and two nephews. A funeral mass in her honor was held at St. Edmund Church on Dec. 11, Rev. John McGivern presiding. In her memory, donations may be made to the Sierra Club, 70 E. Lake St., Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60601.
Kelley Fogg, 44 IT supervisor
Kelley A. Fogg, 44, a lifelong resident of Oak Park, died suddenly on Dec. 6, 2020 in Oak Park. Born on Feb. 28, 1976, she was a 1994 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School, attended Southern Illinois University, and received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resources Management from American InterContinental University and later her Master of Information Technology in Internet Security from American InterContinental University. She was an IT supervisor at Luxury Portfolio International. A kind and compassionate person whose generosity knew no bounds, she was intelligent, creative and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was loved by her family and friends and her presence on the planet will be missed every day by those who were touched by her. Kelley is survived by her fiancé Mike
Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director
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Stuart; her parents, Ruth Ann Fogg and Arthur Fogg; her siblings, Karen, Janet (Dicky) Griffin, Daryl, and Jason (Linda Crawford) Fogg; her nephews and nieces, Nick Fogg, Amanda Koetter and Sarah Gathright, Devin and Logan Fogg, and Jackson and Riley Fogg; and the greataunt of Reece and Brynleigh Koetter, and Logan and Camryn Gathright. All services are private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Animal Care League of Oak Park (animalcareleague.org) are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.
Donna DiGilio, 93 St. Giles parishioner
Donna J. DiGilio (nee White), 93, of Oak Park, died on Dec. 10, 2020. Born on Nov. 5, 1927, she was a devoted member of St. Giles Catholic Church. Her generous heart is her forever legacy. Donna was the mother of Michael (Joan) DiGilio, Mary (John) Lyons, Ann (Jeff) Williams, Donna (Chris) Hanrahan, Christine DiGilio, Cathy (the late Jim) Malone-Shaw, John (Carrie) DiGilio, and Eva (the late Mark) Walsh; the grandmother of 19; the greatgrandmother of 12; and the sister of the late Russ White. Funeral services are private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St. Giles Church, 1045 Columbian Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302, are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by ConboyWestchester Funeral Home.
Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home
Since 1880
I am there for you in your time of need. All services handled with dignity and personalized care.
Family Owned & Operated
Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667
Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director
I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.
203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191
42
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020 New local ads this week
HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI
WEDNESDAY
CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.
Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/Classified/
YOUR WEEKLY AD
REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO
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.
BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be December 21, 2020.
SUBURBAN RENTALS
SUBURBAN RENTALS FOREST PARK 3BR Jackson Blvd, 3 BR apt., 2nd floor w/dining room and breakfast nook. New kitchen w/granite & stainless, new bath, central air, free laundry. 2 blocks to blue line, 2 blocks to Madison Street. 1700 + deposit & credit check required. Garage available. 312-802-8291 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
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:
WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400
PETS PLEASE HELP! Black cat lost near Marion & LeMoyne on 11/25/20. Will be hiding, please check engines, garages, under decks, etc. Do not attempt to capture, call/text 708-415-7012
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ITEMS FOR SALE 10 FT CHRISTMAS TREE In box. 708-447-1762 POOL TABLE Complete setup pool table 708-447-1762
AUTOS FOR SALE 2013 CHEVY CAMARO 3000 certified miles. 708-447-1762 2002 MERCEDES BENZ S430 10,000 miles. 708-447-1762
A&A ELECTRIC
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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
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PUBLIC NOTICES
KLIS FLOORING INC.
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HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do
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CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair
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SELLING YOUR HOME BY OWNER? Make it stand out. Advertise here! Call: 708-613-3342
Clean out your basement, garage or attic. Ask for John
HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience
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PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY Request of Simone Michele Bartlett Paul Case Number 20206007305 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Simone Michele Bartlett Paul to the new name of: Simone Michele Bartlett. The court date will be held: On January 11, 2021 at 9:00 AM at 16501 S. Kedzie Parkway, Markham, Cook Count, Illinois] in Courtroom # 207 Published in Wednesday Journal 12/9, 12/16, 12/23/2020
Attention! Homeimprovement pros! Reach the people making the decisions. Place an ad in Wednesday Classifieds! Call 708/613-3342
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: January 6, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 16-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Wellie Partners, LLC, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance relative to an increase in density, a reduction of the required side setback and a reduction of a required rear yard setback, to permit a three-story addition with parking on the ground floor and two levels of residential above consisting of two residential units at the premises commonly known as 420 N. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL, Property Index Number 16-07102-031-0000 in the Neighborhood Commercial Zoning District: 1. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) allows one dwelling unit for each 1500 square feet of land. The subject property is 8,125 square feet and thus 8,125/1500 yields 5 dwellings units. In this case, the proposed number of dwelling units is six (6) rather than five (5) units. The property currently has a total of four (4) dwelling units; 2. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) requires a five (5’) foot interior setback for multiple-family buildings. In this case, the interior lot line at issue is the north lot line. The proposed setback is 0 feet, a reduction of 5 feet from the above requirement. 3. Section 5.3 (Table 5-1: Commercial District Dimensional Standards) requires a 15-foot setback from the rear lot line when then is no alley. In this case, the rear lot line is the east lot line. The proposed setback is 5 feet, a reduction of 10 feet from the above requirement. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., by contacting the Zoning Administrator at Zoning@oak-park.us.
The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oakpark.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the main entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 6, 2021. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal December 16, 2020
LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive electronicallysubmitted bids for overhead door maintenance and repair services until 9:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Overhead Door Maintenance and Repair Services Proposal Number: 21-100 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. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
Published in Wednesday Journal December 16, 2020
P
PB
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
CLASSIFIED
43
(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM
Let the sun shine in...
Public Notice: Your right to know
In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Oak Park, Illinois ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed bids for the: Asbestos Abatement Projects at Lincoln Elementary School, Longfellow Elementary School, Beye Elementary School and Whittier Elementary School The Bid Opening will be on Wednesday January 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Oak Park Elementary School District #97 Office located at 260 Madison Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302. At this time sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. A Bid Security of 10% of the Bid is required with the proposal. The Contractor must pay the Prevailing Wage Rates for all work per Illinois Law.
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
A Pre-Bid Meeting is scheduled on Wednesday December 30, 2020. Pre-bid Meeting will be starting at Lincoln Elementary School at 9:00 am followed by Longfellow Elementary School, Beye Elementary School then Whittier Elementary School. Please allow at least 2-3 hours for the walk through. MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE WORN DURING ALL TIMES WITHIN THE BUILDINGS. Copies of specifications may be secured prior to the Pre-Bid Meeting date from the offices of Jacob & Hefner Associates, Inc., 1333 Butterfield Road, Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515, (630) 652.4680. Cut-off date for picking-up plans is 4:00pm, Thursday, December 24, 2020. Contractor shall demonstrate experience of at least five IDPH asbestos abatement projects in projects with a contract value of $100,000 or greater within the last 5 years. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to waive irregularities in the bidding procedure, or accept the Bid that, in its opinion, will serve the best interest of the School District. Any such decision shall be considered final. The Owner reserves the right to set aside a Bid from a Contractor who, in the Owner’s opinion, does not exhibit past experience equal to the size and scope of this project. The bidder shall have a written sexual harassment policy in place in full compliance with Section 2-105 of the Illinois Human Rights Act. All questions shall be directed to Mr. Todd Huffer at Jacob & Hefner Associates, Inc., 1333 Butterfield Road, Suite 300, Downers Grove, IL 60515, (630) 652.4680. Published in Wednesday Journal 12/16/2020
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Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in Wednesday Journalyou Call•the experts before • Forest Park Review place your • Riverside/Brookfield legal ad! Publish your Landmark assumed name • Austin Weeklyhere. News legal notice Call for details: details: CallMary Mary Ellen Ellen for 708/613-3342 708/613-3342
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PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS HEARING DATE: January 6, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 17-20-Z APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Zude Weng, seeking variances from Section 9.4 (Table 9-1: Permitted Encroachments Into Required Setbacks) and Section 9.3 (A) (3) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, which regulate certain accessory structures permitted in required setbacks, to permit the construction of a one vehicle off-street parking space in the required front yard setback at the property located at 819 S. Grove Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Numbers 16-18-133-0190000 in the R-3-35 Single-Family Zoning District. A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined
that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 6, 2021. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone. The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.
Published in Wednesday Journal December 16, 2020
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR MASTR ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGES TRUST 2007-1, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 Plaintiff, -v.ELLEN M. RAVITZ, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 18 CH 03457 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 13, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 11, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 123 S. EUCLID AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-400-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $657,505.06. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the
residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The
www.OakPark.com | www.RiverForest.com
REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003. Please refer to file number 109484. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com Attorney File No. 109484 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 18 CH 03457 TJSC#: 40-924 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 18 CH 03457 I3155622
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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs. CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 1618-428-043-1064. Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 360-9455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3161076
local employees, happy employees! Hire Local. Place an ad on WJ’s Local Online Job Board. Go to RiverForest.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 | Classifieds@RiverForest.com
Wednesday Journal, December 16, 2020
pe Su
Win e
44
r Center
7714 W. Madison, Forest Park 708-366-2500
105 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard 630-629-3330
On Sale December 16th thru 22nd, 2020 Right reserved to limit quantities and correct errors.
After Instant Savings MUST BUY 2 Bacardi
Balvenie DoubleWood
Vodka
12 Year Old Scotch .. 750ml 49.99
Superior or Gold Sale Price $16.99
13
$
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12 Year Old Scotch .. 750ml 34.99
Glenfiddich
1.75 L
12 Year Old Scotch ... 750ml 27.99
Basil Hayden’s
Bourbon ...................... 750ml 29.99
Burnett’s
Maker’s Mark
Bourbon 90 Proof ......... 1.75 L 42.99
Vodka
80 Proof
11
Maker’s 46
99
Bourbon ..................... 750ml 26.99
Tres Generaciones
Añejo Tequila ............. 750ml 29.99
1.75 L
WINE SPECIALS
Apothic
Kendall-Jackson
Wines
Vintner’s Reserve
6
7
Chardonnay 2019
Assorted Types
99 750ml
AFTER INSTANT SAVINGS must buy 2
90/100 - Wine Enthusiast
Central Coast Rosé 2019 .................. 6.99
Angry Bunch
88/100 - Wine Spectator
Lodi Zinfandel 2016 ............................... 7.99 Regularly $16.99
Delas St. Espirit
88/100 - Wine Enthusiast
Côtes du Rhône 2017 ........................... 8.99
“White Label” 1.75L
Sale Price $24.99
20
$
AFTER INSTANT SAVINGS must buy 2
Bombay Sapphire Sale Price 26.99 $
AFTER INSTANT SAVINGS must buy 2
Grey Goose
Vodka 80 Proof Only Sale Price $44.99 1.75L
40
Regularly $14.99
Kung Fu Girl
Riesling 2019 ............................................. 7.99
Lite, Coors or Bud 24 Pack Cans
1.75L
21
Malene
Regularly $19.99
Dewar’s Scotch
Aberlour
99 750ml
AFTER INSTANT SAVINGS must buy 2
12
99
Sam Adams or Blue Moon 12 Packs
11
99 12 PK
Rotie Cellars
90/100 - Wine Advocate
Northern White 2014 ............................. 9.99
Regularly $29.99
Nielson Unsanctioned
90/100 - Wine Advocate
Pinot Noir 2017........................................ 9.99 Regularly $17.99
Bear Flag
92/100 - Famous Score
Eureka Red NV ..................................... 13.99 Regularly $19.99
Mer Soleil
93/100 - Famous Score
SLH Pinot Noir 2018.......................... 19.99 Regularly $39.99
HOLIDAY BEER BUYS! Bud Light
Hard Seltzer
1199 12 PK
Corona
Hard Seltzer
11
99 12 PK
Truly
Hard Seltzer
12 99 12 PK
White Claw Hard Seltzer
14 99 12 PK
Christian Brothers Brandy
14
99 1.75 L
Jägermeister Jägermeiste Liqueur
56 Selected Botanicals
34
99 1.75 L
Oyster Bay
Sauvignon Blanc 2019
8
99
HOLIDAY SPECIALS - WHILE THEY LAST!
Rum 1.75L
$
Effen
22 Christmas Eve 10:00am - 9:00pm Christmas Day 10:00am - 4:00pm
$
LIQUOR SPECIALS
80 Proof or Flavors
Holiday Hours
Gin
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
750ml
ENTERTAINING SIZE Barefoot Wines .......................... 1.5 L 6.99 Cavit Pinot Grigio ...................... 1.5 L 7.99 Bota Box Wines.........................3 L 14.99 HOLIDAY BUBBLY
Les Alliés
Blanc de Blancs Brut ............... 750ml 5.99
Gemma di Luna
Prosecco .......................................... 750ml 6.99
Roederer Estate
92/100 - Wine Spectator
Brut NV...........................................750ml 19.99
Stella Artois 12 Pack Btls/Cans
Goose Island 15 Pack Cans
1099 Pabst
Blue Ribbon Beer 30 Pack
10
99
December 16, 2020
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY PUBLISHED ITS FIRST QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN CALLED AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) IN 2019. THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DESCRIBES HOW AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER (ACT) IS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT AFT AND OTHER EFFORTS.
AUSTIN
REMAINS RESILIENT After a long year, the community continues to go forward together.
AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT PAGE 3 | 2020 AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. HIGHLIGHTS PAGE 4 DISTANCED AND DISCONNECTED PAGE 7
2
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
Since 2010, Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin community. Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life of all residents. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve four impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets. Learn more at AustinComingTogether.org.
ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers CHAIR
Larry Williams Broker, State Farm Insurance VICE-CHAIR
Angela Waller
TREASURER
LaDarius Curtis Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United
Directors Sharon Morgan
Community & Government Relations Director, Advocate Aurora Health
Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools
SECRETARY
Reverend Reginald E. Bachus
Bradly Johnson Director of External Affairs, BUILD Inc.
Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church
Tenisha Jones
Ruth Kimble
Senior Director of Strategy & Operations, West Side United
Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers’ Network
Reginald Little
Jerrod Williams
Mortgage Loan Originator, Fifth Third Bank
Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court
Dawn Ferencak Senior Marketing Strategist, Zoe Communications Group
Deborah Williams Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Habilitative Systems, Inc.
In Memoriam BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jack Macnamara 1937–2020 FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR
Mildred Wiley 1955–2019
ACT STAFF Leadership Team
Service Delivery Team Sandra Diaz
Planning & Investment Team
Marketing & Development Team
Darnell Shields* Executive Director
Community Hub Coordinator
Ethan Ramsay
Alicia Plomin**
Project Coordinator
Shavion Scott
Jai Jones
Marketing & Development Manager
Director of Strategic Initiatives
Community Engagement Coordinator
Nicole Marcus
Andrew Born
Dollie Sherman
Micro Market Recovery Program Intern
Dearra Williams
Research & Evaluation
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Marketing & Development Associate **Also part of the ACT Leadership Team
*Ex Officio Member of the ACT Board of Directors
We’re hiring! Learn more at AustinComingTogether.org
ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A House in Austin Accion Austin Childcare Providers’ Network Austin Weekly News Be Strong Families Beat the Streets Chicago Because I Care Bethel New Life Beyond Hunger (fka Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry) BUILD Inc. By the Hand Club for Kids Cara Catholic Charities Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures
Chicago Community Loan Fund City of Refuge Cluster Tutoring Program Erikson Institute Friends of the Children Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin Greater West Town Community Development Project Housing Forward I.C. Stars IFF Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Jane Addams Resource Corporation Kids First Chicago KRA Westside American Job Center
Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF) Manufacturing Renaissance Mary Shyrese Daycare Maryville Academy Mercy Housing Lakefront New Moms OAI, Inc. Oak Park Regional Housing Center Open Books PCC Community Wellness Center Project Exploration Renaissance Social Services Inc. Sarah’s Inn South Austin Neighborhood Association
St. Joseph Services St. Leonard’s Ministries Stone Community Development Corporation The Catalyst Schools The Loretto Hospital The North Avenue District, Inc. Towers of Excellence UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work VOCEL Westside Health Authority West Side Forward (evolving from Bethel New Life) Worldvision Youth Guidance
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
An unwavering commitment By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together
A
ustin Coming Together (ACT) was built on the foundation of our core values: unity, commitment, transparency, collaboration, and action; the same stable ground we stand on today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this foundation is what has allowed us to anchor a response.
These recent events have revealed an unfair system that is perpetuating disadvantage in Black and Brown communities in Chicago. If we are to break the cycle, we must name and confront the obstructions in our way. That is why ACT has continued to enhance the coordination of social services; attract public and private investment; and build capacity for policy change. Our work is rooted in relationships. Through these relationships, we are able to more fully understand what Austin needs. By implementing the Austin Forward. Together. plan and generating at-scale investments, we will spur economic development and bring equitable opportunities to the community. And to ensure our improvements take hold long term, we are building strategies to address institutional barriers.
The pandemic has turned out to be a cumulative burden weighing more heavily on some communities than others. Needs have increased in already distressed areas like Austin. Students forced into remote learning are struggling with lack of connectivity, parents We can reimagine are losing jobs, and access to fresh food the way we treat is limited. Plus, those who are employed in our neighbors, in all roles that require them situations, whether in to be in the office or the field risk increased community, business, exposure to the virus in order to support government, or society themselves and their families during these as a whole. uncertain times. At ACT, we have seen a strain on individuals as well as the social services that support them.
DARNELL SHIELDS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER
However, our dynamic member and partner network continues to function as a safety net of the essential services Austin residents need to sustain themselves. As Chicagoans and people across the country spoke out in protest during the civil unrest that followed, we were reminded of the importance and urgency of our work. No matter the circumstances, we advocate for justice for all, which can only be accomplished through organizing, strategizing, and mobilizing to take action in opposition to systemic racism and disinvestment.
As discouraging as the current economic crisis may seem, we cannot let ongoing systemic inequities threaten the progress we have made. We must keep up what has proven to be most effective if we are to help Austin residents thrive: a comprehensive, collaborative approach. We must do it by empowering the people and groups who are here.
This is our chance to not just respond, but to recommit, recalibrate and restructure the systems that should equitably serve us all.
IS RESPONDING! ACT has established a COVID-19 Response Strategy to gather information on community needs and support them through: ADVOCACY COMMUNICATION RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND DEPLOYMENT
5
50K+
600K+
COVID-19 Testing Sites
Masks distributed
Pounds of food distributed
We can reimagine the way we treat our neighbors, in all situations, whether in community, business, government, or society as a whole. There is nothing stronger than pushing forward in a world that has not always been kind to you. This is the true measure of resiliency and that is what we will continue to do in Austin...remain resilient! n
$140K
500
Direct financial assistance to families
Laptops distributed
3
4
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
2020 Highlights from Austin’s quality-of-life plan, called Austin Forward. Together (AFT), is a set of goals created by and for the community designed to address 23 strategies with 84 total actions across 7 Issue Areas between 2019 and 2023: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement. Today, there are more than 40 dedicated volunteer members across seven Task Forces, one for each Issue Area. In partnership with ACT, these Task Forces have signed on over 40 unique organizations as Implementation Partners and together have initiated more than 30% of the plan’s total actions so far! Although this year has caused many organizations involved to pivot or slow their work, here are some of the actions that have been able to move forward.
COMMUNITY NARRATIVE The goal of the Community Narrative Task Force is to revitalize the image and spirit of Austin by promoting assets such as our historic housing, creating a healthy community and building a more robust environment for local arts and culture. STRATEGY 3:
Create environments that foster health and wellness in the community.
ACTION 2:
Promote healthier food choices across Austin.
STRATEGY 2:
Increase the number of authentic images and stories portraying the Austin community.
Racial Reconciliation Symposium makes space for important issues
Working together to feed Austin Existing food insecurity has worsened recently. Fortunately, there has been a paradigm shift in the way Austin’s broken food ecosystem is being revitalized. Numerous partners formed a large planning group to create a grant proposal called Austin Eats. The Lumpkin Family Foundation, The Christopher Family Foundation, and The Builder’s Initiative has awarded $250,000 that will allow this strategy to support: • • • •
emergency food grocery access and culinary entrepreneurship food education gardens and farms
Getting together such a dynamic group to work as collaborators, instead of competitors, does not happen often. Austin Eats will begin immediately and include both short and long term projects.
19
partners involved in the Austin Eats planning process
23
minimum groups will be needed in order to implement all the goals in Austin Eats
$250K
grant will improve the food ecosystem in Austin
On November 5, 2020 the Austin Renaissance Council hosted the Racial Reconciliation Symposium at the Kehrein Center for the Arts, the new state-of-theart theatre inside Catalyst School in Austin.
Candace Moore, Chief Equity Officer for the City of Chicago, spoke about the efforts of Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s Racial Equity Response Team at the Racial Reconciliation Symposium.
To reconcile is not only to restore connection but create it anew. HANNAH BONECUTTER HIP HOP/SPOKEN WORD ARTIST AND PERFORMER AT THE 2020 RACIAL RECONCILIATION SYMPOSIUM
The agenda focused on youth empowerment and community narrative, including a youth panel, adult panel, several artist performances, and an interview with State Representative La Shawn Ford. The event was created to discuss how to work towards restoring years of devastation created by a racist system, while also combating the damaging stereotypes Austin still faces today. In order to repair decades of mistrust and mistreatment, we need to learn, adapt, and take action. Everyone must play their part in solving such a large, complex problem. And that solution can only be identified through open, honest conversations like the ones had at this symposium.
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
5
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The goal of the Economic Development Task Force is to create economic revitalization in Austin and by Austin. We will support new and existing local businesses, entrepreneurs, and the workforce; improve our commercial corridors; and attract new investment to build a stronger, more dynamic local economy. STRATEGY 3:
Build the local economy and small businesses to improve community wealth and selfsufficiency.
ACTION 2:
Attract major commercial anchors.
New event space coming to Chicago Avenue and Lockwood By creating a dedicated space for private events as well as public use along the Chicago Avenue corridor, a formerly unused lot will help the area become a main shopping, dining, and entertainment district. Efforts to encourage local small businesses to use the space, as well as for physical improvements like adding elements to the streetscape, are now underway.
Inspired by vibrant pop art, the fittingly named POPCourts is a collaboration between the Special Service Area 72 Austin Chicago Avenue Cultural Corridor, the Westside Health Authority, United Way of Metro Chicago and the Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Once finished, the space will have a basketball court, a plaza for pop-up markets, a lawn for seating, a spot for food trucks, and a mural painted by local artists.
This colorful space will offer events like pop-up markets complete with musical performances and create excitement for residents nearby. The groundbreaking took place on Saturday, October 24, 2020.
EDUCATION The goal of the Education Task Force is for our local educational system and partners to provide the services, opportunities and support to help all our students stay on track, enrich their education and serve their needs, from early childhood through high school, to job and career readiness. STRATEGY 1:
Improve and expand access to quality early childhood programs.
ACTION 4:
Partner with CPS to align curriculum for a seamless transition to kindergarten.
Setting up support for kindergarten transition Austin Childcare Providers’ Network (ACPN) is a collection of the area’s early childhood educators and an ACT Core Member. The Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development and A Better Chicago will fund ACPN to help improve the framework for Chicago Public School (CPS) students to transition from pre-k to kindergarten. ACPN is leading the efforts in planning the Austin Kindergarten Transition Initiative Pilot which will include childcare providers and kindergarten teachers who have been trained on a shared curriculum and assessment companion, working together to prepare Austin children for kindergarten. Research shows there must be more alignment, coordination, and continuity of learning and practice among childcare owners, state pre-k teachers, and kindergarten teachers. Offering a consistent and effective experience for Austin youth, no matter where they receive their early education, will build a strong foundation for a bright future.
READ THE AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. PLAN ONLINE AT AustinComingTogether.org/QLP
6
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
Plan Leaders Community Narrative
Economic Development
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Briana Shields
Jerrod Williams
Briana Janeé Arts
Kenneth Varner Healthy Schools Campaign
Community Resident & SANA Member STRATEGY LEADS
Erica Staley
STRATEGY LEADS
Manufacturing Renaissance
Lasondra Kern
Heather Sattler
Community Resident
Suzanne McBride Austin Talks
Alicia Plomin
Austin Coming Together
Michael Romain
Austin Weekly News
Cindy Schneider Spaces-n-Places
Community Development Consultant
Education TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Natasha Smith-Walker Project Exploration
Crystal Bell
Ella Flagg Young Elementary School
Charles Anderson
Michele Clark High School STRATEGY LEADS
Housing
Public Safety
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Athena Williams
Bradly Johnson
West Cook Homeownership Center
Allison McGowan
Community Resident STRATEGY LEADS
Shirley Fields Hunters Realty
Rosie Dawson Westside Health Authority
Athena Williams
West Cook Homeownership Center
Ruth Kimble
BUILD Inc.
Marilyn Pitchford Heartland Alliance
Chris Patterson
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago STRATEGY LEADS
Adam Alonso BUILD Inc.
Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.
Edwina Hamilton
Jane Addams Resource Corporation
Pam Price
Gina Young
Chicago Public Schools
Catholic Charities
Melody Lewis
Natasha Dunn
Bertha Purnell
Roxanne Charles West Side Forward
Cata Truss
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIRS
TASK FORCE COMMITTEE CHAIR
Carmen Scott-Boria
Deborah Williams
BUILD Inc.
D’elegance Lane Westside Health Authority
Deonna Hart BUILD Inc.
Jeramie McGill
Habilitative Systems Inc. STRATEGY LEADS
Arnold Bearden
South Austin Neighborhood Association (SANA)
Sharif Walker Bethel New Life
St. Joseph Services
Gina Young
Catholic Charities
BUILD Inc.
Juan Villalobos
Austin Chamber of Commerce VOCEL
Civic Engagement
STRATEGY LEADS
Austin Childcare Providers’ Network
Emily Peters
Youth Empowerment
BUILD Inc.
Institute for Nonviolence Chicago
Community Resident
Sean Schindl
Kids First Chicago
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE?
Contact ACT’s Project Coordinator, Ethan Ramsay at 773.417.8616 or eramsay@austincomingtogether.org for more information
AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2020 QUARTER 4
Austin Weekly News • December 16, 2020
7
Distanced and disconnected:
How COVID-19 has widened the digital divide and what we can do to address it
By Alicia Plomin Marketing & Development Manager, Austin Coming Together
F
orced into remote learning, already vulnerable students are falling farther behind because of the ‘digital divide.’ There is a stark inequity inhibiting those without internet or devices from accessing everything from basic education and jobs, to healthcare and safety information. This divide stood out as an important issue early in the COVID-19 crisis and has since been getting worse, becoming an immediate, critical area of need. There are startling connectivity gaps across Chicago. Just in terms of youth, 1 in 5 kids under the age of 18, approximately 110,000 children, lack access to broadband. Austin, with the city’s largest geographic community and a population near 97,000, has the largest number of disconnected families. Kids First Chicago (K1C), an education and parent advocacy organization, released a report in the spring that stated Austin has nearly 8,000 kids without access to the internet, the most of anywhere in the city.
CHICAGO CONNECTED To address this serious issue, K1C spoke with Austin Coming Together (ACT), a community-based organization working to increase access to the resources Austin residents need to thrive. K1C then established a sponsored internet services program for high-need communities and families. The work of K1C and ACT helped inspire the city to create the Chicago Connected Initiative, a groundbreaking program designed to provide free highspeed internet service and digital literacy to approximately 100,000 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students citywide for the next four years. ACT’s mission has been anchored in the power of community and collaboration since their 2010 inception. This led to ACT being selected as the lead Community Based Organization Partner in Austin for Chicago Connected. Expertise facilitating collaboration has enabled ACT to leverage their network unlike any other community. Their Austin Community Hub team is working to mobilize member organizations and other engagement partners to expand digital literacy support for students and families over the next several months. Plus, ACT looks to these partner networks to help identify areas and populations of greatest need, as well as to stay current on what resources are available.
The digital divide is an issue that has been magnified; but it’s not new. I was on a team almost ten years ago that focused on broadband access and adoption in response to this issue then. Even as a lead agency, we recognize that this is an issue bigger than a single organization can handle. SHAVION L. SCOTT DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER
A GRAND CHALLENGE
COLLABORATION IS KEY
In-person connection is decreasing and the digital divide is widening. Not only is it affecting CPS students, but people of all ages -- adults working or learning from home or on the job hunt, or even seniors who need critical health information or virtual doctor’s appointments.
To date, eight organizations are now working together to support Chicago Connected outreach efforts to reach up to 11,500 households in Austin. They include:
The grand challenge of scaling this effort is there simply are not enough resources to meet the needs.
PROGRAM FACTS • The Chicago Connected team has already reached out to all eligible families via robocall, text, email, or mail and has provided activation codes for them to sign up for internet access immediately. • Families with questions can get assistance at cps.edu/chicagoconnected/eligibility or the Parent Support Hotline at 773-417-1060.
• Austin Childcare Providers’ Network (ACPN) • Project Exploration • Austin Coming Together (ACT) • Helping Our People Excel (HOPE) CDC • What About Us Charitable Enterprises • Vessels Unto Honor Ministry • Life Changing Community Outreach (LCCO) • BUILD Inc. A few additional organizations are also prepared to support digital literacy efforts at both basic and advanced levels in the coming weeks and months. Where the world is right now, being digitally connected is a necessity for everyone, regardless of race, income, or geographic location. Getting everyone connected will take a consistent, collaborative approach over time. n
Chicago’s Austin community is full of incredibly passionate individuals and groups who truly care for one another. It has beautiful architecture, housing stock, and an immense potential for growth. But it is also struggling now more than ever. From job loss to food insecurity, existing problems have recently gotten worse. Austin Coming Together (ACT) has worked alongside our 50+ member network to serve and care for Austin families since 2010. We have connected thousands of residents to critical resources this year, but the need is still growing.
Show how much you care. Join the #AustinCares campaign today!
In order to continue supporting Austin families right now, we need your help. Make an impact where it’s needed most! DONATE ONLINE AT
AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares