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W E D N E S D A Y
December 24, 2025 Vol. 46, No. 23
WJ45
2025
1980 - 2025
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J URNAL
Special Advertising Section
@wednesdayjournal
@oakpark
Page 18
Parks plan $40M referendum on indoor pool at Ridgeland Common
OPRF senior performs ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at Bears game
Unexpected vote will be on March ballot
Anika Sherman sang the national anthem in front of 65,000 people at Soldier Field By ELIZABETH SHORT
Church guide
of Oak Park and River Forest
By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
The staff gathered around and road trippers looked up as Sherman, wearing gray knit pajamas, gave her impromptu performance. Her best friend, Hollyn
Could Oak Park have two new indoor swimming pools within two blocks of each other in a few years? That will be up to the voters in March because on Dec. 18, in a move that seems to have come as surprise to most everyone outside the Park District of Oak Park, the park board unanimously approved a resolution putting a $40 million bond referendum on the March 17 primary election
See ANIKA SHERMAN on page 26
See PARK POOL on page 16
COURTESTY OF CHICAGO BEARS
Contributing Reporter
Anika Sherman singing at Soldier Field.
For warm up, Anika Sherman performed the U.S. national anthem at a Taco John’s in an Indiana rest stop. “I’m not actually here to buy tacos,” Sherman, singer-songwriter and OPRF senior, told employees. “I’m going to be singing the national anthem for
the Bears game next week, and I was wondering if I could practice.” Sherman said she needed to perform before the game “just to get the nerves off,” even if the audience was 10 people in a Taco John’s.
Happy
Holidays!