Austin Weekly News 041724

Gar eld Park Conser vatory celebrates Earth Month

For the rst time, the conser vator y hosts events and programming all month long to learn about, and laud, our planet

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

The Garfield Park Conservatory puts on programming to celebrate the Earth this month. Earth Day is April 22 and, though the conservatory isn’t holding any events that day, they will host a slew of activities all month long leading up to Earth Day, most of which are free with advanced reservations to the conservatory.

Although the Garfield Park Conservatory is a community pillar for all things trees, flowers and greenery, this is the first year that it’s hosting events during all of Earth Month, designed to teach people more about the planet’s natural organisms

“We figured that Earth Month is more related to who we are and so we’re trying to pivot that way and provide different resources for visitors as they come through,” said Grace Urrutia, Garfield Park Conservatory’s special events and education outreach coordinator.

The March for Peace and a prayer vigil April 13 raise awareness for gun deaths in Austin and its surrounding communities

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

Austin and the greater West Side community marched down Madison Street and gathered for a prayer vigil in Columbus Park Saturday to address gun violence on the West Side

“We demand a better way to live,” community members shouted during the march. “No kids die in the Chi!”

Although the vigil happens annually, and the march was planned more than a month ago, the sentiment was heightened after recent outbreaks of gun violence on the West Side

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Several of the dozens of Jeep dr ivers hung banners out their windows or taped posters to the side of their cars in pr otest against gun violence

Behind Dexter Reed’s police killing, a surge in tra c stops on Chicago’s West Side

‘Pretex tual stops are creating danger, not nding danger,’ an attorney said.

By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago A Growing Community Media partner

It started as a traffic stop for an alle ged seatbelt violation. It escalated to a deadly encounter within seconds.

Since the release of body cam footage showing plainclothes police officers killing Dexter Reed in Chicago, loved ones and activists have demanded to know why the 26-year-old was stopped, and how a simple traffic stop left Reed dead, an officer wounded and cops firing nearly 100 shots in a residential neighborhood.

The traffic stop is part of a pattern that has increasingly targeted Black neighborhoods in recent years and activists say may violate people’s rights. The traffic stops have been called “the new stop-and-frisk.”

And they’ve been particularly aggressive on the city’s West Side, where Reed was stopped and killed

Activists have warned for years that these traffic stops can spark volatile encounters.

In fact, police pull over more Chicagoans in the Harrison (11th) Police District, where Reed was pulled over, than in any other district in the city, according to a Block Club Chicago analysis of police data. The vast majority of those stops don’t lead to tickets.

One-tenth of all Chicago traffic stops happened in that district — averaging more than 154 stops per day — even though the area accounts for just 3 percent of Chicago’s population, according to a report by Impact for Equity. About 96 percent of people living in the district are Black or Latino, according to the report

“The strategy ends up creating a dangerous situation for everyone rather than contributing to any improvement of public safety in Chicago,” said Amy Thompson, staff counsel for Impact for Equity. “Pretextual stops are creating danger, not finding danger.”

She thinks that Reed’s arrest illustrates that danger. “Five officers rushed out in plainclothes for a seat belt violation. It clearly was an attempt to fish for crime,” she said.

Chicago’s Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the oversight agency that investigates when officers shoot someone,

raised concerns over the reason officers gave for stopping Reed. Investigators are uncertain how officers would have seen Reed wasn’t wearing a seat belt given their positions and the fact Reed’s SUV had tinted windows, chief administrator Andrea Kersten wrote in a letter to Police Supt. Larry Snelling, obtained through a Freedom of Infor mation Act request.

Newly released documents show the officers involved in the fatal shootout were being investigated for several other traffic stops that drivers said were unwar ranted.

Police Supt. Larry Snelling, who became

Chicago’s top cop last year, has indicated the number of traffic stops is a problem, too. He has reversed course from previous administrations by pledging to reduce traffic stops. He also has committed to routinely training officers to ensure they act based on “reasonable articulable suspicion or probable cause,” he told neighbors at a town hall the day before footage of Reed’s killing was released.

“People have been sounding the alarm that the massive escalation in traffic stops would lead to more violent interactions because of the way this strateg y is being con-

ducted. These stops have become so routine and they are so ineffective that we knew we would have some tragedy like this occur as a result,” said Ed Yohnka, spokesperson of the Illinois ACLU. “The stops take place in this fashion where guns are drawn and there’s an immediate escalation of things.

How Chicago funneled more cops to tra c stops — and stops surged

Traffic stops in Black neighborhoods surged after a 2015 ACLU report found stopand-frisk encounters were frequently base-

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK C LU B CHIC AGO

A Chicago Police o cer pulls over a driver in West Humboldt Park on March 29, 2023.

less, targeted Black and Latino Chicagoans and routinely violated people’s rights. After the city agreed to reform the practice, Chicago police turned to traffic stops, Yohnka said.

The number of traffic stops Chicago police reported to state watchdogs surged from under 100,000 in 2015 to nearly 600,000 in 2019, according to the Illinois Traffic and Pedestrian Stop Study. Documented stops dipped during the pandemic, but in 2023, Chicago police logged its second-highest number of stops in two decades, according to the Impact for Equity report. Black drivers are stopped up to seven times more often than white drivers, the state report showed. There are few traffic stops in districts where many police officers live while cops disproportionately stop drivers in Black neighborhoods.

But the study vastly underestimates Chicago police traffic stops. A Block Club investigation found hundreds of thousands of traffic stops annually that Chicago police did not report to the state, in violation of a transparency law meant to address patterns of racial bias in police encounters.

Chicago police rely heavily on these encounters to search for contraband like illegal guns and drugs, stopping and arresting thousands more Black drivers than they report to oversight agencies, a Block Club investigation found. Officers make millions of stops but find guns in fewer than one of every 150 stops, Block Club and Injustice Watch found. “It is clear that this kind of stop has nothing to do with traffic safety. It is all about trying to search for guns and drugs,” Yohnka said. “If your expectation is to try to find a weapon, you look at that situation much differently than someone who rolled through a stop sign.”

Chicago police have funneled resources

Attorney Andrew Stroth speaks with the family of Dexter Reed on April 9, 2024, a er the release of body-worn camera footage that shows police fatally shooting Reed.

and manpower supposedly earmarked for other public safety strategies to make more traffic stops and scale up gun arrests, Bolts and Block Club have found

The signature project of David Brown, Snelling’s predecessor, was a community policing unit purportedly launched to build trust between South and West Side residents and police, solve local problems and tackle crime at its root. By 2021, it was the largest unit in the department with over 800 officers.

But an analysis of dispatch records by Bolts showed those officers rarely did those positive community engagement activities.

Instead, they were deployed primarily on the South and West sides as a roving strike team and the central enforcer of the growing traffic stop program. The community policing team stopped and searched more drivers than any other police unit, amounting to nearly one-third of the mountain of traffic stops in 2021, data shows.

The community team was dismantled amid outcry from watchdogs and legal turmoil from drivers and officers who complained of an illegal quota system that discriminated against Black Chicagoans

An ongoing class action lawsuit filed by Black and Latino drivers and the ACLU alleges the traffic stop strategy — and Brown’s community team in particular — flooded Black neighborhoods with traffic stops as a pretext to search drivers without their consent. The complaint references emails sent by then-Deputy Superintendent Ernest Cato III that ordered commanders to “utilize traffic stops to address violence.”

A for mer lieutenant on the community team sued the city in 2021, claiming leadership retaliated against him for refusing to require officers under his command to conduct at least 10 stops daily. Though the community team was disbanded, Snelling reinstated it under a new name.

“Every officer in those units is not one that’s in the community, talking to neighbors and trying to find solutions,” Yohnka said.

April 10-17

BIG WEEK

Sponsored by Austin Coming Together, an Austin Weekly partner

13th Annual One Earth Film Festival: a WoC-focused event

April 19 6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m., Kehrein Center For the Arts

The 13th annual One Earth Film Festival is led by the incredible Ana Garcia Doyle. On this evening — fa cilitated by the theater’s director Reesheda Graham Washington — will illuminate the presence of women of color as advocates for the ear th and both its beauties and challenges. Two lms will be screened:

Sign up and join One Earth Collective, Build, Field Museum, Openlands, NCH2, Friends of the Parks, Oak Park Climate Action Network, and other partners in an Earth Day clean-up of Columbus Park.Two Locations: Meet at pavilion / shelter house north of Columbus Park Field House on Central Avenue in Chicago or at BUILD Chicago at 5100 W. Harrison St. Schedule for Saturday, April 20:

• 9 a.m. sign in at the shelter / pavilion or at Build

• 9-11 a.m. trash clean-up, garden prep at Columbus Park or at Build

• 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. re ection & lunch at the pavilion in Columbus Park Sign ups and waivers are required: https://bit.ly/BUILDEarthDay

Run/walk club

Thursdays, 5 p.m., LaFollette Park

The Austin running crew facilitated by CARA focuses on improving the health and wellness of the Austin Community by walking orrunning. Learn more at cararuns.org/arc. 1333 N. Laramie

Legal assistance days

Every third Saturday, 9 am. – 12 p.m and every fourth Tuesday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Join the Hope Community Justice Center for an opportunity to speak to an attorney at low to no cost! Visit https://www administerjustice.org/location/hopecommunity-chicago-il/ or call 855-818-4554 for more information.

A Good Neighbor is a feature-length documentary about a Latina single mother’s ght against racism and climate change as she campaigns for city council in one of the nation’s most polluted zip codes. Farhoud Meybodi’s lm Earthbound is a documentary that veals a catastrophic plastic waste crisis in Nairobi, and the ways that Nzambi Matee risks everything to pioneer technology that transforms plastic waste into sustainable paving bricks in her hometown. Afterward, a facilitated discussion will be held. Doors open at 5 p.m. Admission includes one drink ticket and plant-powered refreshments. For more informawww.oneearth lmfest.org/ lms-az-2024/earthbound-nzambi-matee-a-goodneighbor. 5628 W Washington Blvd.

Fireside chats

Free investing seminar

Saturday, April 20, 11:30 am, Build

Join the Tau Gamma Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for a free seminar to learn about nancial planning and investing from licensed nancial and certi ed exit planning advisor, George Christo-Baker. Hope to see you there! 5100 W. Harrison St.

Circle for Circle Keepers, Every Tuesday, 6-8 p.m. ever y Wednesday, 6-9 p.m., Build

Interested in connecting with and getting to know other Circle Keepers? Desire to ne-tune your Circle Keeping skills, while learning new techniques, while building resources? For Circle Keepers, contact: Edwina Hamilton, edwinahamilton@buildchicago. org or 773-227-2880.

Bethel’s daily bread & wellness o ce

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Lunch daily 12 -1p.m. For more information, call 773-887-3630 or contact mkay@bethelnewlife.org. 4950 W. Thomas

GEORGE CHRISTO-BAKER

Lawmakers, cannabis industry calls for ban on ‘delta-8’

Other psychoactive hemp products are among the banned items, as well

By HANNAH MEISEL Capitol News Illinois A Growing Community Media partner

Illinois’ largest cannabis business association is pushing to ban the sale of delta-8 THC, an increasingly popular psychoactive substance that’s popped up in corner stores across the country in recent years.

New legislation filed in Springfield this week revives an ongoing debate over delta-8 and other hemp-derived products, which are totally unregulated in Illinois even as the state approaches the five-year anniversary of legalizing cannabis

For those who’ve been trying to break into Illinois’ still-young cannabis industry, the state’s inaction on delta-8 is an insult to the thousands of dollars and years of work that some business operators have put into trying to get their businesses off the ground.

“It is deeply disheartening and, frankly, a betrayal by the state to allow these shops to pop up and call themselves dispensaries,” Ron Miller, a co-owner of his family-run Navada Labs and BLYSS Dispensary in Mt. Vernon, said at a Capitol news conference Thursday

And for the industry’s lead lobbying group, the Cannabis Business Association of Illinois, delta-8 represents other threats, including continued reports of Americans getting sick after consuming unregulated products, and the growing efforts to market delta-8 to young people.

At that news conference, CBAI Executive Director Tif fany Ingram stood next to a table filled with delta-8-infused candy and snacks in packaging strikingly similar to the multi-national brands they were designed to imitate. In one hand, Ingram held up a bag of Fritos corn chips and a similarlooking bag of “Fritos” snacks with small cannabis leaves on it

Additionally, Ingram said, without having to pay cannabis-related taxes or other compliance costs, delta-8 businesses are not only undercutting legitimate licensed dispensaries, but the price is also accessible to kids.

“It says on the door you can only be 21 to come in,” Ingram told Capitol News Illinois of her trips to faux dispensaries in Chicago’s South Loop and Uptown neighborhoods to

purchase some of the delta-8 products on display at the news conference. “But no one checked my ID.”

State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado, D-Chicago, said her 15-year-old daughter has told her that delta-8 products are very accessible to her peers.

“As a parent, there is nothing more scary than to hear stories from your child about how kids are ‘greening out,’” she said. “And when I asked her questions like, ‘Hey, are these kids getting the supply from their parents?’ ... she says, ‘Oh no, we just go to the corner store.’”

In addition to selling the products at corner stores and gas stations, delta-8-focused bakeries have also become a business model in the city of Chicago, according to reporting from the Chicago Sun-Times

Under Senate Bill 3926, businesses caught selling delta-8 or other unregulated hempderived products would face a $10,000 fine. Ingram acknowledged that the threat of fines is only as good as an enforcement mechanism but said the law would at least allow the state’s Department of Agriculture to investigate the businesses

Additionally, the bill would create 50 new state licenses for legitimate cannabis dispensaries and 50 new licenses for cannabis infusers, which Ingram said could help bring entrepreneurs currently selling delta-8 into the fold. The measure would also require a state task force to study delta-8 products to ensure their safety, which Ingram characterized as more of a “pause” than an outright ban.

But those already operating in the delta-8 space said the bill would amount to an outright ban on delta-8 and other hempderived products

Glenn McElfresh, a co-founder of Chicagobased hemp-derived beverage company Plift, called Thursday’s news conference “very frustrating and full of inaccuracies.”

“Many of the claims made today do not represent the thousands of businesses who produce or sell safe, accurately labeled, and tested products,” he said.

State Rep. LaShawn Ford has been pushing for regulation of delta-8 products, warning that prohibiting them would undermine the criminal justice goals of legalizing cannabis in Illinois. Ford and state Sen. Lakesia Collins of Chicago are pushing a pair of bills tha would restrict the sale of delta-8 products to anyone under 21, along with taxing them and creating a new class of state licenses fo hemp businesses

“We don’t want to re gulate thousands of current businesses out of existence,” Col-

lins said in a statement. “We want re gulation, not termination, when jobs and opportunity are at stake, especially in Black and brown communities.”

Hemp and marijuana are both derived from cannabis plants, but hemp can only contain 0.3 percent or less THC. If it contains more THC than that, it is considered marijuana. In 2018, the annual federal “Farm Bill” made the distribution and sale of hemp and its byproducts legal federally.

Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.

Ihaven’t ranted in a while.

One of Black America’s biggest problems, in my humble opinion, is that our presumed leadership are some of the most non-visionary folks in the world. Recently, Kamala Harris, vice president of the United States, who is one heartbeat away from being president, decided to give a re porter a lecture. She said it was going to be a breakdown history lesson. She then went on to state that the women’s NCAA basketball championships didn’t have any brackets until 2022. Of course when the internet got hold of that nonsense, they began to post pictures of Obama’s bracket pics for the women teams from 2013.

Now if she had merely answered a question incorrectly, I could understand the capacity for error. But when you tell someone you’re going to give them a teachable moment, the lesson should be accurate! The imagery of her saying something so foolish and erroneous will forever haunt her

Imagery is powerful

Social media can be a very cruel and unsympathetic plat form. The mother of Dexter Reed, the young man shot 96 times by Chicago police, held a press conference recently. She was wearing a black outfit and matching hat. She also wore a bright orange wig/weave. And the internet was very cruel about critiquing not only her behavior in front of the cameras, but what she was wearing. After she initially finished speaking, she collapsed into the arms of those who stood with her. The memes about her reaction were unusually cruel. The hatred and the mockery of her anguish poured out at every level.

JONES

Black people have always been fodder for mockery by others. Some of it has been based on pure racial stereotypes, while

www.ChicagoParkDistrict.com

others mock what we choose to do. I’ve always had a pet peeve when a male gets to be the spokesperson for some tragic occurrence, and wears a brand new sports team pullover with matching baseball cap. That attire makes it hard sometimes for people to take the situation seriously when the spokesperson doesn’t even dress in a serious manner. All one has to do is go back 60-plus years to the men and women marching for our civil rights, who did not do so in sports attire and leisure wear. The men wore business suits because they were about business. The women wore clothing that made them look like any other woman, and not an outfit that could easily pass as a Halloween costume.

Speaking of imagery, prom dresses are

now starting to appear across the internet. There’s something sickening about the half-nakedness these young girls and their parents are choosing for them to wear. One dress I saw, there were appliques covering her breasts, but the rest of the dress was sheer fabric cut at an angle to expose the left hip and thigh with the right side being solid fabric. How any school would allow such an outfit to be worn at the dance perplexes me.

There’s also now a trend to expose one’s behind ... especially the crack. I’m not a fan of that look either. Then ag ain, when we have some of the most famous folks in the world exposing themselves in that manner, we should not be shocked that young girls are trying to emulate it. The old folks used to say, if folks knew better they would do better. I guess in today’s world the saying has to be updated: They don’t want to do better even if they know better!

TRAFFIC STOPS

Contested strategy from page 3

“Our clients described traffic stops wher officers approach the car with their hand on their gun. People are being singled out and targeted for their race. It points out the danger of these stops, the inefficiency of the stops and the tragedy of the situation.”

Officers who are supposed to respond to 911 calls have also been steered toward traffic stops, a Block Club investigation found

Hundreds of officers each day are assigned to rapid response duty, answering top-priority 911 calls and reducing long wait times that have become a pressing concern for many communities, according to police directives. It is supposed to allow beat officers to stay on their local patrols and build community relationships rather than respond to emergency calls

But dispatch data shows rapid response officers rarely handle 911 calls. Instead, the majority of those officers are dedicated to traffic stops, the data shows.

“That’s a lot of manpower,” community organizer Arewa Winters said. “While we have all these issues going on everywhere, and you’re pulling people over with no good outcomes. Is that a practical use of manpower?

Could you be somewhere else doing something else?”

Police supt. promises to reduce tra c stops: ‘we have to unlearn old things’

Snelling, the city’s first superintendent chosen under a new community oversight commission, has broken from past leadership by promising to address the harms caused by the mass use of traffic stops. Former Supt. Brown denied the existence of racially discriminatory stops and quotas and rejected evidence that stops were used to fish for gun possession cases.

At an April community hearing, Snelling acknowledged how traffic stops are part of the department’s strateg y for dealing with guns, touting the department has scaled back on traffic stops while still increasing gun arrests. Snelling plans to continue to reduce traffic stops by training officers on different tactics, he said.

“We have to train the officers out of that and bring them into something new,” Snelling said. “In order to g et them to learn new things, we have to have them unlearn the old things.”

Snelling said Chicago police have conducted 46,000 fewer stops in 2024 compared to the first quarter of last year. Police spokesperson Thomas Ahern declined to share a source for how the department tracked that reduction in stops, saying the statistic came from “computer data.”

ve years since it took effect, according to a recent report

“Whether or not Snelling views traffic stops differently, in order for community to have clarity on what their interactions with law enforcement will be, and even so police has clarity on what they can and cannot do, there needs to be a for mal policy on these pretextual stops,” said Thompson of Impact for Equity.

When the goal is to investigate unrelated crime, officers are motivated to escalate a traffic stop to search for contraband, not deescalate the situation, Winters said. The tactic widely used in Black neighborhoods thrusts hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans each day into a high-risk situation that could tur n lethal at any moment.

Investigators concluded Reed shot at officers first. But the focus on who fired first distracts from the bigger picture, Winters said: Neither the officers nor Reed were in a potentially deadly situation until police pulled Reed over.

“The conversation needs to begin with what the police started with and how they approached that young man.”

It is reminiscent of when officers killed Philando Castile during a traffic stop near Minneapolis in 2016, Winters said. Officers used a broken taillight as a pretext to stop Castile and investigate him for an unrelated armed robbery nearby, an investigation showed. Within a minute of the encounter, officers fired at Castile while his girlfriend and her 4-year-old child were in the car.

“People are being singled out and targeted for their race. It points out the danger of these stops, the ine ciency of the stops and the tragedy of the situation.”

Spokesperson of the Illinois ACLA

To address the long-term issues with traffic stops, Snelling committed to bringing traffic stops under the supervision of the federal consent decree so the reductions “will be long lasting after I am gone,” he said.

But many are skeptical and urge the superintendent to take more immediate action. Only 6% of the requirements from the consent decree have been met in the

That same year, Winters’ nephew Pier re Loury was killed after officers pulled over a car he was in to investigate a shooting earlier that day. After the 16-yearold tried to run away, an officer shot Loury after the teen climbed a fence.

“I know so many other families who have lost loved ones to police. We’re retraumatized, we’re frustrated, we’re angry, we’re hurt,” Winters said. “It’s truly overwhelming. But at the same time, we have to fight. We have to push back on the narratives that they try to spin.”

This article was produced as a collaboration between Block Club Chic ago, a nonprofit newsroom focused on Chicago’s neighborhoods, and Bolts, a nonprofit publication that covers criminal justice and voting rights in local gover nments.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

A Chicago Police o cer conducts a tra c stop in Gar eld Park on Feb. 14, 2023.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

Police Super intendent Larr y Snelling speaks at a press conference to address their robbery prevention and response strategies at CPD Headquar ters on April 12, 2024.

ED YOHNK A

EARTH MONTH

Honoring Mother Earth

from page 1

Yoga

For $5, adults can take a yoga class with DuShaun Branch Pollard April 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. The class will take place in the conservatory’s Horticulture Hall, so participants will be surrounded by flowers, greenery and a mosaic tile fountain. People of all abilities, from beginners to advanced yogis, are welcome. Pollard, a Re gistered Yoga Teacher and community organizer in North Lawndale, said she became a teacher to bring yoga to more people who were Black and plus-sized, like herself. Re gister for her class on the Garfield Park Conservatory’s website.

Chicago Bonsai Club

Also on April 17, the Chicago Bonsai Club will host a meeting in the conservatory’s classroom from 6 to 7 p.m. Those who drop by with their own bonsai tree, or who want to watch others prune their trees, will have access to free potting soil and wire, plus low-cost plant materials and pots.

Celebrating Earth Day

The weekend before Earth Day, families are invited to attend a walk to identify trees April 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will meet in the Desert House before walking through the conservatory’s outdoor gardens to discuss native trees that are common in Illinois. The walk will be guided by Nature Education staff.

“They are going to provide some information about budding season, what is important for care and [teaching] very basic components of the trees that we have available,” Urrutia said.

Re gister for the tree walk on Eventbrite. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the same day, the conservatory will host indoor and outdoor activities that raise awareness for creativity and sustainability. These include:

■ A found-objects sun print activity, where visitors will collect an object or two from the conservatory’s Artist’s Garden. They will then create a design on cyanotype paper, cover it with plexiglass and sit it in the sun for around a minute to transfer the object’s outline onto the paper.

■ An opportunity to learn about herbal

environmental justice program made up of local high school students. Urban Roots participants will be selling items that they’ve made, like toothpaste and oils, and talking about their benefits.

■ Urban Roots teenagers and the conservatory’s greenhouse and garden education manager will host a demonstration on plant propagation

■ The Kaben Kafo djembe ensemble in the Horticulture Hall from 11:30 to 1:30

■ A pop-up plant sale

■ Plant bingo in the Palm House

Art After Dark, Morning Glories and Budding Botanists

Art After Dark, Morning Glories and Budding Botanists all experience variations of the same programming. Art After Dark, held Wednesdays from 4 to 7:30 p.m., focuses on art projects for kids older than age four. Morning Glories is for children ages three and under on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. Budding Botanists is open to kids of all ages and hosted on the weekends from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The three groups covered decomposition the first week in April. Budding Botanists interacted with the conservatory’s com-

“We provide information on how we care for them and, if they’re interested in creating their own compost bins with worms, how they can do that,” Urrutia said.

But the conservatory didn’t bring out the bins for the Morning Glories and instead created a sensory experience with felt cutouts of the decomposition process so they can manipulate the decomposition cycle. And Art After Dark included more of an artistic component as participants decorated their own fungi, made from recycled cardboard egg cartons and paint.

“We get kids thinking about the nutrient cycle and the roles that different organisms play by finding ways to appreciate the diversity of life,” Urrutia said.

On April 17, 19 and 21, Art After Dark, Morning Glories and Budding Botanists, respectively, will look at how paper is made, with some groups making their own and adding native wildflower seeds.

On April 24 for Art After Dark, April 26 for Morning Glories, and April 27 and 28 for Budding Botanists, discussion will center around pollination and pollinators’ roles in ecosystems. For younger children, program moderators will act out pollination with felt boards, sensory bins and puppet making.

The fifteenth annual for um will host local beekeepers and experts to discuss the ins and outs of beekeeping April 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beekeeper Randy Oliver will host the for um, touching on topics of bee behavior and how to be a good beekeeper. The for um is $45 for the public, $36 for members and volunteers of Garfield Park Conservatory, and scholarships are available Re gister on Garfield Park Conservatory’s website.

Spring Flower Show

Garfield Park Conservatory is hosting its spring flower show “What’s in a Name?” past Earth Month, through May 12. The show focuses on botanical nomenclature, exploring where the names came from for certain flowers, mainly spring blooms like the Anemone ‘Giant Blue Poppy,’ Lilium ‘Josephine,’ Tulipa ‘Rococo’ and Viola ‘Matrix Yellow.’

“We know that Latin names exist for these plans, but where do people create these names?” Urrutia said. “At the end of the day, how can you relate to this plant based on the name that you know versus the name that somebody else knows?”

The conservatory is located at 300 N. Central Park Ave.

COURTESY OF GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY DuShaun Branch Pollard posing for a photo in the conser vatory’s Artist’s Garden.

MARCH FOR PEACE

Grit and grief from page 1

On March 31, nine young people were shot in Austin during two separate mass shootings. A 16-year-old and 19-year-old both died.

The 37th Ward held an evening march April 2 to mourn the victims and call for an end to gun violence.

“A f ter decades of rising c rime and d eteriorating for tunes in parts of Chicago ’s once vibrant ar eas, we need fr esh, new novel approaches to a ddressing our pressing c ommunity public safety challenges,” said E mma Mitts, alderman of Chicago’s 37th Wa rd, in a statement after the shooting s.

On March 21, 26-year-old Black Chicagoan Dexter Reed was shot and killed in Humboldt Park after police officers in plain clothes pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt, according to reports.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability released body camera footage April

Gun violence has long plagued the West Side. In Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, Business re ported. According to the city’s violence reduction dashboard, 2,948 people were victims Chicago last year. In 2023, Austin had the highest number of shootings — 226 — of any Chicago neighborhood. North Lawndale had the next most with 166 shootings.

ch for Peace

Peace headed west from Madison St. before turning around enue. The march was put on estside Block Club Association, an ounded by Talei Thompson ago to revive block clubs, lot Platoon, a group of Jeep ownicipate in local parades and fundraisers to uplift the community. ep s drove down Madison al adorned with b anners or holding signs out the wind ow with faces g un violenc e. About 100 esidents and members from hurches and organizations walked the two miles, playing musi c, chatting with each other and chanting through

want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!” yelled one attendee into a phone, leading the rest of the attend-

Prayer vigil

That evening, about two dozen people gathered at Columbus Park to raise aware-

ness against gun violence and share a meal together. The 16th annual vigil has seen over 200 attendees in past years and was first organized by Fresh Start Fathers, a group founded by James R. Shannon about 25 years ago to educate and encourage men to be present in their children’s lives. At this year’s vigil, small groups of people chatted with each other and occasionally broke out in impromptu prayer.

“God, we’re here because our loved ones fell to the ground,” one attendee led the rest of the group in prayer. “God, I ask that you would strengthen us as we continue to live our life and as we continue to be guided by your spirit.”

“We pray, Lord God, in your will and your power that you would cease the gun violence that has happened in this city,” another man prayed. “Violence comes out of lack of love. Let our young people see the love that you are willing to give us and share with us.”

The first annual vigil started after 17-year-old Marcus Greer was shot and killed at the intersection of Congress Parkway and S. Lotus Ave. in 2008. Greer’s family asked Shannon to pray at a get-to gether mour ning the teenager’s death.

Shannon said, “I just felt in my heart that it shouldn’t end there, but we should continue having a prayer vigil every year until we stop this menacing epidemic that’s defer red to destroy an entire generation of our youth.”

JESSICA MOR DACQ

Locals and organizations joined the 7 Slot Platoon, a group of Jeep ow ners, in a March for Peace against gun violence April 13, 2024.

JESSICA MOR DACQ is year’s annual vigil took place a block away from where 17-year-old Marcus Greer was shot and killed in 2008.

A er years of tension, can Riot Fest win over West Siders?

Riot Fest is set to return to Douglass Park in September

By LEEN YASSINE Block Club Chicago

A Growing Community Media partner

Riot Fest organizers are boosting perks for locals and business owners, reducing noise and more to address longstanding concerns about the annual West Side festival, but some remain frustrated with the fest’s yearly takeover of a neighbo hood park.

Riot Fest hosted its first community meeting in March to prepare for this y festival, which runs Se pt. 20-22 at Douglass Park, 1402 S. Sacramento Drive. It’s ninth Riot Fest that will be hosted in the public park after the pandemic canceled 2020’s fest.

Last spring, Riot Fest launched “Beyond the Fest,” an initiative to better suppo North Lawndale and surrounding neighborhoods, said George Her rera, Riot Fest’s director of community relations. That includes internships for local youth, better traffic management, decreased sound levels, ticket giveaways to neighbors, park cleanups and more.

Festival goers cheer as AFI per forms during the last day of Riot Fest in D ouglass Park on Sept. 17, 2023.

Her rera said he feels much of the criticism is unfair, and organizers are always open to learning how they can better ser ve surrounding communities, he said. Organizers responded to noise complaints by monitoring and placing limits on audio levels, and positioning speakers from Mount Sinai and St. Anthony hospitals, Her rera said. Parking has also been moved further from the park to ease traffic, he said. And in 2022, Riot Fest parted ways with a contractor tasked with organizing the festival after a community meeting enflamed tensions between fest oranizers and West Side residents.

Mullen wasn’t swayed.

hy is it okay to have a massive festival across a quiet zone?” she said. “Why doesn’t our community matter?”

Joel Novak, a neighbor and health care er, said Riot Fest feels “exploitative.”

“Not because I’m anti-music or antifestival,” said Novak, 38. “It’s a for-profit company that’s making use of a public place like a park and blocking it of f to the community at large for an extended period. … That doesn’t really benefit folks that are in the neighborhood who are lacking recreational space or green space.”

Changes this year include providing “no parking” signs for neighbors by request to ease traffic and moving the fest to a later date to avoid overlap with Mexican Independence Day celebrations. A recording of the meeting is available online.

“We really wanted to show the community that we cared more than just those three days on the weekend,” Her rera told Block Club Chicago.

Some of the fest’s outreach ef for ts have worked. Some local business owners who have vendor ag reements with Riot Fest told Block Club they appreciate the ef for ts to include neighbors in the festival and give their businesses extra visibility.

Other neighbors feel locals simply aren’t benefitting enough from a festival that generates millions for the Chicago Park District while closing of f large swaths of the park land for weeks during peak outdoor season — bringing tens of thousands of fans, noise, traffic and trash to the area.

Neighbor Susan Mullen, who lives a few blocks from the park, said Riot Fest’s improvements are noticeable, but they don’t address the “core issues” many neighbors have with the festival.

“It’s about the privatization of public spaces that often happens in disenfranchised communities,” Mullen said. “The people take a backseat for the profits.”

Riot Fest ’s Public Park History

Riot Fest was founded in Chicago in 2005 and moved from Humboldt Park to Douglass Park in 2015 after similar pushback from neighbors. It used to also hold events in Brooklyn, Toronto, Dallas and Denver, but now is only in Chicago.

Friction has been building for years, particularly as neighbors accused organizers of ignoring their concerns. Backlash grew after a Riot Fest contractor belittled neighbors at a meeting in 2022. Riot Fest organizers said they cut ties with the contractor after that.

Tensions reached a boiling point in 2022, when two other festivals were added to the park’s summer roster. From June to mid-September of that year, sections of the park were closed for weeks at a time as Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash, Heat-

wave music festival and Riot Fest brought in thousands of fans, mostly from outside the neighborhood.

Lyrical Lemonade and Heatwave moved the following year.

But Riot Fest has doubled down on its place in Douglass Park, and supporters have been more vocal at community meetings. Ald. Monique Scott (24th), whose ward includes the park, has dismissed critics, saying many of them live outside the area.

Local groups like the Douglass Park Advisory Council, the North Lawndale Eagles football team, Little Village Foundation, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago West Community Music Center have supported the festival.

“I am here to defend my community from people who don’t look like me,” Scott told the Park District board when commissioners approved Riot Fest’s permit last year. “When you have people like this come to our community, it can create a positive economic impact. This gives them hope, it helps fuel the businesses in my community.”

Scott, a for mer Park District supervisor, and Park District officials declined comment for this story.

Novak said he “could definitely still hear the music from inside the facility” while working at the hospital during the fest last year.

Winning Over Local Businesses

Riot Fest officials said they are working to support neighboring North Lawndale, Little Village and Pilsen businesses by including them in the festival.

Organizers offer a two-hour workshop to local shop owners, teaching them the ins and outs of participating in a festival, Herrera said. The workshop launched last year and covers everything from how to re gister as a vendor in the city, what health certificates a business needs, how much inventory to prep for, budgeting scenarios and more, he said.

Riot Fest draws tens of thousands of attendees each year. Promoters have said it has generated $14 million in revenue for the Park District since 2015, although the Park District would not say how much of that money directly benefits Douglass Park Riot Fest organizers will host two in-person meetings April 27. Neighbors can sign up to attend here.

COLIN BOYLE/BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-23-02738

Commonly known as 4931 W HIRSCH ST, CHICAGO, IL 60651 Property Index No. 16-04-214-0100000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, DARYL L. SMITH A/K/A DARYL LEE SMITH, RODNEY SMITH, EDWARD SMITH JR., DAMON RITENHOUSE AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE, DERRICK SMITH, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 1785

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, May 14, 2024 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. 16-16-206-018-0000.

Commonly known as 5100 W. QUINCY ST., CHICAGO, IL 60644. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a multi-family residence. The successful purchaser is entitled to possession of the property only. The purchaser may only obtain possession of units within the multi-unit property occupied by individuals named in the order of possession.

Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 357-1125. 18-05318 XOME INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3241531

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENTCHANCERY DIVISION REGIONS BANK D/B/A REGIONS MORTGAGE Plaintiff, -v.RYON R. LONG A/K/A RYON LONG, COASTAL COMMUNITY BANK, 757 ORLEANS AT CHICAGO CONDOMINIUM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS

Defendants 23 CH 7725 757 North Orleans Street, Apartment

IL, 60606,

at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described

estate:

known as 757 North Orleans Street, Apartment 1204, CHICAGO, IL 60654 Property Index No. 17-09-201-0181072

The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $430,054.93.

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 2911717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 23-099301.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial

GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 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. 16-13-408-034-0000. Commonly known as 2730 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL 60612. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act.

Under the weather?

We’re here to help.

RUSH offers same-day primary care appointments for children and adults at several convenient locations in and around Oak Park.

From colds to checkups to chicken pox vaccinations, our providers can provide quick, high-quality care for a variety of non-emergency health issues.

We also offer on-demand and scheduled video visits, allowing you and your family to get the same top-notch care in the comfort of your own home.

Visit rush.edu/make-an-appointment or call (888) 352-RUSH (7874) to schedule an appointment.

A word

from the OPRF Chamber Executive Director, Darien-Marion-Burton

As spring breathes new life into our community, I am thrilled to extend a heartfelt invitation to the 8th Annual Community Health & Wellness Fair, brought to you by the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce and proudly presented by Rush Oak Park Hospital. Scheduled for Sunday, April 21st, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Community Recreation Center (CRC) in Oak Park, this event is more than just a fair – it’s a celebration of our shared commitment to health, equity, and well-being.

For me, this fair is not just an event; it’s a reflection of our collective dedication to building a healthier, more connected community. As Executive Director of the Chamber, I am deeply passionate about creating opportunities for our residents to thrive, and the Health and Wellness Fair embodies that mission perfectly.

This year’s fair promises to be our most comprehensive yet, with over 80 exhibitors offering a diverse array of services aimed at empowering you to prioritize your health. From vital screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, A1C, heart health, and bone density provided by Rush Oak Park Hospital to on-site therapy

sessions offered by Diamond Sponsor Centre PT and initiatives addressing social determinants of health showcased by Diamond Sponsor Dominican University, there is something for everyone at this event. But our focus extends beyond physical health – we understand the importance of holistic well-being. That’s why, for the first time, we’re introducing a self-care lounge and a dedicated children’s play area in partnership with Wonderworks Children’s Museum, ensuring that every member of our community leaves feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

Let’s come together to prioritize our well-being and strengthen our

Oak Park residents, meet your newest healthcare advocates, Dr. Katie Maietta and Dr. Stephen Whitfield! These highly skilled physicians have recently joined Lake Street Family Physicians, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a commitment to exceptional patient care.

Dr. Katie Maietta: A Local Expert in Primary Care

Originally from LaGrange Park and now residing in Oak Park, Dr. Katie Maietta has returned to her roots to serve the community she knows and loves. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Illinois Wesleyan University, she furthered her education at Penn State

College of Medicine, graduating with dual certifications in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics following her residency at Rush University Medical Center.

Having spent over 11 years as a primary care physician at Loyola, Dr. Maietta is well-versed in treating patients of all ages and genders. Her areas of expertise include preventative medicine, newborn care, adolescent health, and women’s health. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring Chicagoland, and immersing herself in the beauty of nature.

Dr. Stephen Whitfield: A Compassionate Advocate for Inclusive Care

Dr. Stephen Whitfield, a graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, brings a passion for community-focused healthcare to Oak Park. Completing his residency at Northwestern, he is board-certified in family medicine with a specialization in HIV treatment.

Dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities and promoting inclusivity, Dr. Whitfield provides comprehensive care for patients of all ages and genders. He speaks Spanish and

community bonds. Join us on April 21st and take the first step towards a healthier, happier future. For more information and to register, visit OPRF Chamber of Commerce’s website. I look forward to seeing you there!

strives to ensure that every patient receives culturally competent treatment. Outside of his medical practice, he enjoys listening to comedy podcasts, engaging in friendly games of chess, and spending quality time with his siblings.

Together, Dr. Maietta and Dr. Whitfield are committed to delivering personalized, compassionate care to the Oak Park community. Whether you’re in need of routine check-ups, specialized treatment, or simply seeking guidance on your health journey, you can trust that you’re in capable hands with these two exceptional physicians at Lake Street Family Physicians. Please call us to schedule an appointment at 708-5248600.

Darien-Marion-Burton

Your Hearing Journey Starts with Us

In a world filled with vibrant sounds –the laughter of loved ones, the melody of music, the gentle rustle of leaves – experiencing hearing loss can feel isolating and disheartening. However, it doesn't have to be that way. At our clinic, we understand the profound impact that hearing loss can have on your life, which is why we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective treatment to help you rediscover the joy of sound. Here are just a few reasons why you should choose us for your hearing loss treatment journey:

▪ Expertise and Experience: Our team consists of highly trained audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals who have years of experience in diagnosing and treating various types of hearing loss. Whether your hearing loss is due to aging, noise exposure, or other factors, rest assured that you are in capable hands.

▪ Comprehensive Evaluation: We believe in taking a personalized

approach to hearing healthcare. When you visit our clinic, we will conduct a thorough evaluation of your hearing abilities, taking into account your lifestyle, communication needs, and any specific concerns you may have. This allows us to tailor our treatment recommendations to suit your unique circumstances.

▪ State-of-the-Art Technology: We are committed to staying at the forefront of advancements in hearing healthcare technology. From cutting-edge diagnostic equipment to the latest hearing aid technologies, we offer a range of solutions designed to improve your hearing clarity and quality of life.

▪ Individualized Treatment Plans: We understand that hearing loss is not a one-size-fits-all condition. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns and preferences before developing a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Whether you require hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or auditory

rehabilitation therapy, we will work closely with you to find the best solution.

▪ Ongoing Support and Care: Our commitment to your hearing health doesn't end after your initial treatment. We believe in building long-term relationships with our patients and providing ongoing support and care to ensure that you continue to enjoy optimal hearing health for years to come. From regular follow-up appointments to adjustments and maintenance services, we are here for you every step of the way.

▪ Improved Quality of Life: The ability to hear and communicate effectively is essential for maintaining social connections, staying engaged in activities you love, and preserving your overall well-being. By seeking treatment for your hearing loss, you can experience a significant improvement in your quality of life, allowing you to fully participate in conversations, enjoy your favorite hobbies, and reconnect with the world around you.

Don't let hearing loss hold you back from living life to the fullest. Take the first step towards better hearing health today by scheduling a consultation with us. Together, we can help you rediscover the joy of sound and embrace a brighter, more vibrant future.

The Synergy Team can help you feel your best again. Contact us for a supportive, personalized, and holistic approach to weight loss and weight management, nutrition, mental health, and overall wellness.

We o er:

• Medical weight loss

• Nutritional counseling

• Holistic health coaching

Judy Seals, APRN, FNP-C Founder and Nurse Practitioner, Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness

Judy Seals, APRN, FNP-C Founder and Nurse Practitioner, Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness

APRN, FNP-C and Nurse Practitioner, Integrative Health and Wellness

• Mental health medication management

• Ketamine treatment for mental health

• BHRT (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy) for women

You deserve to feel amazing

You deserve to feel amazing

You deserve to feel amazing

708-808-2940

708-808-2940

hello@synergyintegrativehealth.org | synergyintegrativehealth.org

hello@synergyintegrativehealth.org | synergyintegrativehealth.org

708-808-2940

hello@synergyintegrativehealth.org | synergyintegrativehealth.org

- Increase Overall physical and mental wellness

- Increase Agility, Flexibility and Awareness of your Surroundings

- Gain real skills you can use “Just in Case”

- Honor your Life’s purpose: Walk through your world with Poise and Confidence!

Celebrating our 30th Year as Oak Park’s Original Martial Arts Education Center!

6701 W. North Ave., Oak Park

708-383-3456

NinjaLove makes the world go round!

www.master-sh-yu.com Follow Us!

50% of people who have heart attacks and stroke had “normal ” cholesterol blood tests.

A family history of heart attacks, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, high cholestoral, & strokes is an indicator for having a CIMT test performed

Pawfficer Howie the Police Dog

The CIMT test is an FDA-approved Carotid Artery Ultrasound that:

• Screens for cardiovascular disease, the #1 killer of men and women in the U.S.

• Identifies risk for heart attack and stroke more accurately than traditional methods and is endorsed by The American Heart Association and The American College of Cardiology

• Is non-invasive and without radiation

•A quick, painless, 10- minute test

Hanging out with friendly animals is a great way to reduce stress and feel happier. Come and visit with Pawfficer Howie, the police dog from the Oak Park Police Department. Howie has undergone more than 1,250 hours of service training with SIT Service Dogs to assist with officer wellness, help with victim comfort services for traumatic incidents and increase community engagement at public events. You can even follow Pawfficer Howie on Instagram! Check him out at @pawfficer_howie

Image of CIMT test to analyze blood flow and detect the presence of plaque and atherosclerotic disease of the carotid arteries

Presented by:

SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2024

11AM - 2PM

COMPLIMENTARY PHYSICALHEALTH SCREENINGS | NEW SELF-CARE LOUNGE | KIDS PLAY AREA | FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY | FREE MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. RSVP is encouraged for faster entrance. diamond sponsors

Silver sponsors Gold sponsors Platinum sponsors

Learn more: oprfchamber.org/health-wellness-fair

New Strategy Devised To Engage, Educate, and Connect the Community to Mental Health Resources

The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission launches a new digital media strategy designed to enhance residents’ access to mental health resources in the community. Similar to effective healthcare models that coordinate patient care, health education, and resources, their strategic communication approach follows suit. You may have noticed the tidbits of information, relatable content, and testimonial videos on their social media, which are geared at meeting the community where we are at in our current conceptualization of mental health, engaging with us, and guiding us to next steps in accessing resources.

While the Proviso Township Mental Health Commission has been around for over 50 years,

“It’s refreshing to us to say that we’re making an impact with the resources that we’re providing”

- Commission President, Mike Corrigan

many community members are still learning about the service agencies and resources the PTMHC funds in their own community. The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission ensures that we have prevention and treatment services in our community. These services

include Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Developmental Disabilities, Senior Care, Youth Prevention, and Crisis Intervention.

Mental and Physical health go hand in hand and most people will experience symptoms of a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime. The most common mental health conditions are anxiety and depression; conditions most commonly heard of, if not experienced.

In addition to the direct-tocommunity messaging, the commission has taken initiative to provide the communities it services with information and resources that are simple and easy to incorporate into their existing resident communication channels; an effort

4565 W. Harrison Street, Third Floor Hillside, IL 60162

www.ptmhc.org • 708.449.5508

to help keep everyone informed. “It’s refreshing to us to say that we’re making an impact with the resources that we’re providing,” says Commission President, Mike Corrigan.

To learn more or get connected to resources in your community, visit www.ptmhc.org or call (708) 234-TALK(8255). Their friendly and caring team will connect you to resources that are a fit. It’s completely confidential.

You can also learn more by following them on social media.

Facebook: @PTMHC

Instagram: @provisomhc

YouTube: @ProvisoMentalHealth

The Proviso Township Mental Health Commission ensures that you have prevention and treatment services in your community. Services include Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Developmental Disabilities, Senior Care, Youth Prevention, and Crisis Intervention.

4565 W. Harrison Street Third Floor Hillside, IL 60162

Connect with us:

4565 W. Harrison Street Third Floor Hillside, IL 60162

Call (708) 234-Talk(8255) or visit ptmhc.org to learn more about resources in your community. It’s completely confidential.

www.ptmhc.org

M: 708.449.5508

www.ptmhc.org

M: 708.449.5508

Vice President Commissioner Secretary Commissioner Treasurer Commissioner Executive Director A. President

Vice President Commissioner Secretary Commissioner Treasurer Commissioner Executive Director A President

Michael A. Corrigan President

Angela D. Walker Vice President Orlando Velasquez Secretary

Cedric D. Giles Treasurer

Jesse D. Rosas Executive Director

Michelle De La Rosa Commissioner

Nicole Gilhooley Commissioner

Thomas D. Olson Commissioner

Translators from Dominican University

The OPRF Chamber is committed to ensuring that every attendee can communicate with providers at the Health & Wellness Fair. Thanks to Dominican University, translators from their Translation and Interpretation Studies Certificate program will be on site all day to assist any attendees who need a helping hand. So encourage everyone you know who might need health services to come along. Language will not be a they need to stay healthy and focus on wellness.

Canker sores hurt—really hurt. These small sores with outsized pain can make eating, talking, and even sleeping diffi cult. But fi rst, what is a canker sore, and how do you know if you have one?

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small, shallow lesions that develop on the soft tissues in your mouth or at the base of your gums. Unlike cold

What is a Canker Sore?

sores, canker sores do not occur on the surface of your lips and are not contagious. However, they can be painful and frustrating.

Most canker sores are round or oval with a white or yellow center and a red border. They form inside your mouth — on or under your tongue, inside the cheeks or lips, at the base of your gums, or on your soft palate. You might notice a tingling or burning sensation a day or two before the sores appear.

Know the Six Symptoms of a Canker Sore

• Redness inside your mouth

• A sensation of heat

• Swelling

• Pain

• A yellow-gray lesion with a surrounding red ring

• Challenges with everyday activities such as talking and eating

Need to get Rid of A Canker Sore Fast- Introducing KOURZEQ

J Mataria, Pharmacist (RPh) and owner of Sears’s Pharmacy , has heard from customers for years asking him for a way to heal a canker sore fast. J says, “In the past, there were no products I could really recommend to heal a canker sore quickly. Now, I can confi dently recommend a customer visit their dentist or physician for a KOURZEQ prescription; we can then fi ll their

prescription and get them back to feeling better.”

To contact Sear’s Pharmacy for KOURZEQ or other prescription needs, call 708-386-6304 or visit the pharmacy at 1003 W. Madison, Oak Park.

Online telehealth visit with licensed medical provider BeyondMD. They ship the prescription right to your door. 708.386.6304 1003 Madison St. Oak Park, IL OR

Walk with a Practitioner

The OPRF Chamber has a NEW program at the Health & Wellness Fair this year called “Walk with a Practitioner” a free, healthy, indoor activity to get people moving and connected with medical professionals. Join a local practitioner for a stroll on the CRC’s indoor track and have a chat about what ails you, or get advice on how you can help someone else in your life. No need to register - just pop up to the track, choose your practitioner and get started!

Schedule:

11am - 12noon

- Nurse Kitty Monty, RN - Oak Park Dept of Public Health

- Chris Ward - Way Back Inn, Gambling & Substance Use Disorder Treatment Organization

- Danielle Desire, Acupuncturist, Serenity Holistic Health

12noon - 1pm

- Alexander Neuman, DO - RUSH Oak Park - Primary Care

1pm - 2pm

- Keri Fair, MD - RUSH Oak ParkPrimary Care

- Mahmoud Lotfi, Chiropractor - Royal Health Care

Fitness Classes from Park District of Oak Park

Plan to come by the Community Recreation Center for FREE classes in the second floor Fit Studio. No registration required! Just come along and join in.

Yoga 11:00-11:45am

Strength Training 11:45-12:30pm

Yoga Sculpt 12:30-1:15pm

Strength Training 1:15-2:00pm

Keri Fair, MD

Mahmoud Lotfi, Chiropractor

Nurse Kitty Monty, RN

Alexander Neuman, DO

Chris Ward - Way Back Inn

SAME GREAT REAL ESTATE GROUP WITH MORE TECH!

SAME GREAT REAL ESTATE GROUP WITH MORE TECH!

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home” advantage.

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home” advantage.

We are now part of an innovative real estate company, Compass, that has exceptional marketing strategies and technological tools that streamline the process of buying, selling, or renting a home.

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home” advantage.

We are now part of an innovative real estate company, Compass, that has exceptional marketing strategies and technological tools that streamline the process of buying, selling, or renting a home.

Gagliardo Group, which includes 4 generations of realtors, has over 20 licensed realtors, who are highly recognized and respected in the Oak Park, River Forest and greater Chicagoland area. They are among the most knowledgeable real estate agents in the field with personal roots in the communities they serve, giving them an “at-home” advantage.

Contact one of our agents today to learn more about our real estate programs and services!

Contact one of our agents today to learn more about our real estate programs and services!

We are now part of an innovative real estate company, Compass, that has exceptional marketing strategies and technological tools that streamline the process of buying, selling, or renting a home.

O: 708.771.8040 | Gagliardogrp.com

O: 708.771.8040 | Gagliardogrp.com

We are now part of an innovative real estate company, Compass, that has exceptional marketing strategies and technological tools that streamline the process of buying, selling, or renting a home.

Contact one of our agents today to learn more about our real estate programs and services!

O: 708.771.8040 | Gagliardogrp.com

Contact one of our agents today to learn more about our real estate programs and services!

O: 708.771.8040 | Gagliardogrp.com

Mathnasium’s summer program is convenient for parents and families, as it can be scheduled around summer camp, sports, and vacations! Each child is taught the way they learn best, so they’re able to develop a love for math and achieve their goals. And it’s a fun and engaging activity all on its own! Math-focused games and activities are incorporated into the learning in a lively and supportive atmosphere for a truly enjoyable summer experience. And because they’re having fun, they’re likely to have gained a new level of enthusiasm for the subject and be more eager to apply themselves when school begins.

We tailor a customized learning plan to account for the goals of the individual, whether they need to:

• Close gaps

• Improve fact fluency in addition/ subtraction or multiplication

• Improve problem solving

• Get a sneak peak at the material they will face in the fall

• Become “algebra ready” for their Integrated math course

• Get ready for SAT/ACT tests

Come see what our program offers, how we can appropriately challenge your student and the strategy for moving your student mathematically forward. The customized curriculum is designed for your student based on a grade level assessment, so you truly know if they are sufficiently prepared for the new content headed their way next fall.

Curious if Mathnasium is the right fit for your child? Come in for a FREE TRIAL SESSION to try it out! Call or text today to take advantage of early enrollment discounts! 708-613-4007.

Gagliardo Group is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

Gagliardo Group is a team of real estate agents affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws.

Individual&CouplesTherapy•GroupTherapy•Art&PlayTherapy•EMDREatingDisordersTherapy TraumaBasedInterventions•IntegrativeWellnessTherapy•StressReduction/MindfulnessTherapies

HELPINGPEOPLEDEALWITHTHEFOLLOWINGISSUES

Depression&Anxiety•AttachmentDifficulties•EatingDisorders•LGBTQ+issues•SensoryProcessingIssues BipolarDisorder •PersonalityDisorder•GriefCounseling•AdjustmentIssues(Marital,birth,adoption)

Webelievethereisabenefittoyoubyourcollaboratingwithhealthcare partnerstomakethetherapyexperienceforadults,children,couples,and familieshappenininnovativeways.Weseeintegrativetherapyandcounseling asawaytoexplore,develop,andenrichtheselfforyouandyourfamily.

SERVINGMULTIPLELOCATIONS

THROUGHOUTCHICAGOLAND

CHICAGO•3047LincolnAvenue,Suite400

CHICAGO•2600S.MichiganAvenue,Suite211

CRYSTALLAKE•457CoventryLane,Suite116

HINSDALE•15SpinningWheelRoad,Suite406

LIBERTYVILLE•1641N.Milwaukee,Unit9

NORTHRIVERSIDE•7222CermakRoad,Suite703 OAKPARK•715LakeStreet,Suite273

Weacceptmostprivateinsurances,privatepayand willassessasliding-feescalebasedonyourabilitytopay.

773.312.3612

www.innovativecounselingpartners.com

Thanks to our Health Fair Vendors

Attendee Company

Amada Senior Care NorthShore

American House Oak Park

Andy KaczkowskiWestPoint Financial Group

Astra Health

Athletico Physical Therapy

Atlantia Clinical Trials

Austin Oasis

B-Health

Belmont Village Oak Park

Brookdale Oak Park

Celebrating Seniors Coalition

Centre Physical Therapy, LLC

Civinte Candle Bar

Coach Angie RN

Collaboration for Early Childhood Comedy Plex

Community Support Services

Compass College Advisory

Consulting Audiology Associates, LLC; The Hearing Place

Devoted Health

Dominican University

Edward Hines Jr VA Hospital

Family Medical Care

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park Fitness Formula Clubs

Flourish Research

Frick Kids Art

Gottlieb Memorial Hospital-Gottlieb Center for Fitness

Grace Therapy and Wellness Center

Grachan Agency

Grow Collective HealthMarkets

HERIF-Healthcare Education, Research and Innovation Foundation

Individual & Family Connection

JDC Business Solutions

JenCare Senior Medical Center

Julie Naturally LLC

Kadampa Meditation Center

Chicago

Krys Rollins, FNP, PLLC

Lake Street Family Physicians

Mathnasium of Oak Park/River Forest

Meridian Psychiatric Partners

Midwest Alternative Treatment Clinic, PC

Moments at Home Respite Care and Home Services, LLC.

Monarch Psychiatric Services,Ltd

Mosaic Counseling and Wellness

NAMI Metro Suburban

Natalie Walsh Designs

North West Housing Partnership

Novick Orthodontics

Oak Park Arms

Oak Park Children Therapy

Oak Park Elementary School District 97

Oak Park Public Library

Oak Park Township

Oak Street Health

Park District of Oak Park

Kopicki Family Funeral HomesTerry Zachata

Renewal by Andersen

Riveredge Hospital

Royal Health Care

Rush Oak Park Hospital

RUSH Physical Therapy

Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC

SANDERS & ASSOCIATES

Sarah's Inn

Senior Citizens Center of Oak Park-River Forest

Serenity Holistic Health, Inc

Smart Love Family Services

Stride

SunCloud Health

Synergy Integrative Health and Wellness

The Reiki Brigade

The Sheridan At River Forest

Thrive Counseling Center

TVG-Medulla, LLC/Chiro One Wellness Centers

Victory Centre of Galewood Village of Oak Park

Vivian Juan Malli at The Federal Savings Bank

Way Back Inn

West Suburban Special Recreation Association-WSSRA

Wonder Works Children's Museum

YogaSix Oak Park

LASER HAIR REMOVAL: all skin types

PRP: hair rejuvenation, natural ller

MICRONEEDLING: scar reduction, wrinkle reduction, skin tightening

INJECTABLES: Neuromodulators (Botox, Dysport etc), Fillers (Juvéderm, Voluma etc)

LASER SKIN TREATMENTS

· Laser Facial

· Wrinkle Reduction

· Rosacea

· Age and Sunspots

· Spider Veins

· Onychomycosis

· Wart Removal

· Acne Treatment