Landmark 112024 by Wednesday Journal

Riverside moves to house arrestees in Berwyn

Brook eld made the switch in August

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Riverside is changing where its police house people overnight who have been arrested

Village trustees approved an intergovernmental agreement with Berwyn Nov. 7 that will allow the Riverside Police Department to use the city’s lockup facilities to house its arrestees before Cook County takes custody of them.

“The Berwyn Police De par tment is in close proximity to the Vi llage of Rive rside. They also have trained and ce rt ified lockup personnel that monitor individuals d etained, wh ich alleviates Rive rside officer s from having to do that,” Public Safety Director Matthew Buckley told trustees. “This will substantially decrease the amount of time that our officers spend processing and checking on detainees.”

STORY BY GREGG VOSS, PAGE 9

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Split Riverside board nixes gym in public safety rebuild

Architects provide a condensed plan under the $20 million budget cap

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Amid back-and-forth discussion at Riverside trustees’ most recent meeting, a majority of the board directed to strike plans for a community gymnasium from the village’s project to build a new and improved public safety space next to village hall.

At their Nov. 7 meeting, trustees heard an update from Managing Principal Andy Dogan of Williams Architects before directing him and village staff to pursue a compressed plan for the new building that will be more likely to fall within Riverside’s $20 million budget for the project.

Dogan told trustees he had two potential options to show them: one building upon the design they had previously agreed to that included a community gym and another “that attempts to balance the need for community space” while meeting the village’s budget. Even beyond Riverside’s financial constraint, Dogan said the inclusion of the gym, which would be the final piece constructed, could cause the space to be suboptimal for public safety

“To be able to p lan for the eventuality of a gy m on this site, we are really c ompressing the rest of the progr am, so to speak, for public safety [ and] the spaces they need i nto a smaller area. W hen we do that, the only way we c an maintai n the q uantity of space that is needed, or is recommended, is to start splitting that space over seve r al floor s, so that’s less ideal from a f unctional standpoint, from a time-of-service and a q uality-of-servic e standpoint, for p olice and fire, ” Do ga n said. “We want to point that out, that we ’re wo rk ing with a finite site, and to be able to say, ‘Yes,’ to a p otential gy m simply compresses the rest of the plan. ”

T he new option, which the board preferred overall, would have only two floors above the underground parking compared to the three floors required with the gym. Under that plan, most fire department

spaces, including the truck ba

the first floor, with only firefighters’ sleeping quarters on the second floor. department between shared spaces on the first floor and dedicated rooms on the second floor T he second floor contain community spaces including a meeting room, fitness room and kitchen cooking programming.

OF WILLIAMS ARCHITEC TS is map shows the second oor of a proposed layout for Riverside’s new public safety building that would not include a community gym.

That new option would have the same amount of space for public safety personnel as the previous choice at 26,030 gross square feet, Dogan said, though with only 4,500 gross square feet of community space compared to 10,750 gross square feet. An even smaller version of the new option would have just 22,000 square feet for public safety and 1,950 square feet for community spaces

The smaller version is the only one that could conceivably cost less than Riverside’s $20 million budget, Dogan said. Williams estimated it would cost between about $20 million and $21.8 million in total. The new option, without reduced capacity, would cost between $25.8 and $28.6 million, while the version of the building with a gym could cost up to $50.7 million when all is said and done

After hearing Dogan’s presentation, some members of the board expressed concern about the gym’s inclusion affecting public safety spaces.

“When we discussing whether to retrofit the building or start anew, my opinion was start anew. Why have staff in a subpar part of the building and other staff using brand new facilities? We should be all brand new,” said Trustee Jill Mateo. “If there is a more logical and better layout for public safety departments, then I’m in favor of that.”

Trustee Cristin Evans also spoke out against the gym, as similar spaces already exist in Riverside.

“I think that we should put more resources into the RFD and RPD facilities, and if that means losing our gym, I think that’s OK,” she said. “It’s not like we don’t have gyms that are accessible around

town. All the schools, all of the kids use the gyms, both in school and after school.”

Trustee Elizabeth Kos, who chaired Riverside’s parks and recreation board from 2018-2023, said she thought the village board ought to prioritize the gym.

“We have already, at this point, been faced with having to cut popular programs within parks and recreation because we don’t have gym space. The public schools are using their gyms all the time,” she said. “We do not have adequate space for recreation, indoor recreation, in this town.”

She added that community members may not be supportive of the project if the board were to cut the gym and focus solely on public safety spaces

Trustee Megan Claucherty agreed the board should consider residents when picking a design.

“In these options, I do n’ t see enoug h for the c ommunity, so, frankl y, at the price tag we ’r e talking about, I do n’ t think we have c ommunity suppo rt I do n’ t think a small c ommunity r oom and a c ommunity kitchen c uts it,” she said. “I ’d be happy to discuss sacrificin g some of the other space allocations tha t we re made for the c ommunity, to trad e those for the gy m spac e. I think the gy m space is a priorit y. ”

Ultimately, trustees Alex Gallegos and Aberdeen Marsh-Ozga weighed in against the gym, meaning the board’s majority consensus was to proceed without it

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COURTESY

Cozy Family Reading Night

Thursday, Nov. 21, 6 p.m., LSF Brook eld Library

Time to get cozy! Bring a blanket, pillows, and stu ed animals to enjoy a cozy night of crafts and reading together with family. This event is part of Illinois’ Family Reading Night, an annual statewide event held the third Thursday of November. This event encourages families to spend quality time reading together: how thoughtful is that? Register on www.lsfbrook ied.org, by calling 708-485-6917, or in person. 3541 Park Ave.

Merry Mocktails!

Thursday, Nov. 21, 7 - 8:30 p.m, Riverside Library

BIG WEEK

November 20-27

Whimsical Wednesday

Wednesday, Nov. 20, 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m., Nor th Riverside Public Library

Waltz on down to Whimsical Wednesday at the library! Kids are invited to join in a fun storytime with other little ones of the neighborhood while coloring and listening. Little ones under the age of ve must be accompanied by an adult. Don’t be silly, come by the library and feel whimsy! Register online at https://www.nrpl.info/ event/whimsical-wednesdays-4-2024-11-20/. 2400 S. Desplaines Ave.

Turkey Shoot

Sunday, Nov. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mater Christi, Menarik Hall

Holy Name Society will be holding their annual Turkey Shoot this Sunday in Menarik Hall on the Mater Christi Campus in North Riverside. Fifty turkeys will be ra ed. Pumpkin pie, houska, rye bread, kolacky, panettone, hams, prasky and salami. Groceries, did we say groceries? Hundreds of items to satisfy all your Thanksgiving and Christmas needs. Pull tabs and split the pot with cash prizes and much more. Children’s fun fair to enter tain the young. Football on multi-TVs. Refreshment to rival any tailgate. For more information, call 708-602-1927. 2400 S. 10th Ave., North Riverside

Holiday Trivia Night

Monday, Nov. 25, 7 p.m., LSF Brook eld Library

Make Mocktails to feel merry and bright! Learn how to make simple syrups and extractions to craft myriad herb avored and scented alcohol-free mocktails. We will rethink party punch with herb ingredients, make our own bitters, create avors with herbed simple syrup, stir up a faux Gin, and blend alcohol-free martinis, zzes, and sours while discussing the history of herbs in alcoholic beverages. The presenter of Merry Mocktails is Marcia Lautanen-Raleigh, a gardener, teacher, and owner of Backyard Patch Herbs. Register online ASAP before spots run out at https://riversidelibrary.libcal.com/ event/11493853. 1 Burling Road

Silent Reading Night with Babysitting

Friday, Nov. 22, 6:15 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., LSF Brook eld Library

Need a break? Stop by the Library after-hours for a night of reading in quiet camaraderie. Child supervision will be provided for children ages 6 and older in Meeting Room 1. Kids will enjoy popcorn and watch a movie while adults read and relax upstairs with tea and cookies by the library’s replace. Snuggle up with a good book where the only noise you can hear is the crackling replace. Ahh… sounds like heaven. As always, register on www.lsfbrook ied.org, by calling 708-485-6917, or in person. 3541 Park Ave

Do you think you have what it takes to win a game of trivia? Teams of up to ve people are encouraged to attend this holiday-themed trivia night at the library and compete for prizes. As a helpful tip, grab ve people who have knowledge and interests in di erent categories. For example, if your brother has a lot of sports knowledge but your mom knows a lot of history then grab them both! Walk-ins are welcome to join a team upon arrival. May the best trivia team win! 3541 Park Ave

Listing your event

■ If you would like your event to be featured here, please send a photo and details by noon of the Wednesday before it needs to be published. We can’t publish everything, but we’ll do our best to feature the week’s highlights. Email calendar@wjinc.com.

Compiled by Grace Har ty

12 Berwyn independent candidates face petition objections

ey said the seemingly coordinated e ort over phrasing is ‘ basically election suppression’

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

For most people, the word “election” likely brings to mind the presidential race that concluded on Nov. 5. But some are already looking ahead to the next elections facing the western suburbs: consolidated local elections early next year.

In Berwyn, independent candidates who hope to appear on the upcoming ballot may not have the chance to do so, leaving voters without a say on who wins some races.

Twelve independents running for local positions in Berwyn, including mayor, clerk, treasurer and alderman, are facing objections to each of their petitions — over a minor wording issue.

While the candidates are not running as a slate, they’ve been in contact since the objections were filed and found the complaints were nearly identical across the board, said Micah Caldwell, a candidate for alder man in the First Ward.

Caldwell and the other candidates said they believe that because of a statement from Berwyn Mayor Robert J. Lovero, a member of the DCOB, in which he referred to an unrelated objection to his own petition as one filed “against our team” and referred to the group of independents as “our opponents.”

Lovero could not be reached for comment by publication.

“It really seems like it’s an intentional act meant to tr y to throw o many of these independent candidates.”

MIC

AH C ALDWELL Candidate for alderman in the First Ward

“It really seems like it’s an intentional act meant to try to throw of f many of these inde pendent candidates and leave on the people who are r unning as part of the Democratic Citizens of Berwyn [DCOB], which is the sort of entrenched political group in Berwyn politics,” Caldwell said.

Challenges to petitions are not unusual; candidates and their supporters often try to knock their opponents of f the ballot. This move is unusual because it appears to be a concerted by ef fort by one party to remove an entire group – an unaffiliated one at that –from running.

The issue itself boils down to the wording of the nomination for ms that the candidates submitted. Caldwell and others who spoke to the Landmark said they drafted the for ms with lawyers based on state re gulations. According to a copy of the objection to Caldwell’s petition, the for ms specified that the candidates should be nominated for inclusion on the primary ballot on Feb. 25, 2025, “provided that if no primary election is required, the candidate’s name will appear on the ballot” on April 1, 2025, instead.

According to the objectors, this wording is confusing for voters because of a recent change in Berwyn’s electoral system. In March, residents passed a referendum changing the city’s system from a partisan electoral system to a nonpartisan one. As part of that referendum’s passage, Berwyn changed its system so the real election happens on Feb. 25. That means a primary is always required, making the conditional part of the statement unnecessary.

That means that if a candidate in Berwyn wins more than half of the vote in the primary, they are declared the winner overall,

ARRESTEES

Since 2019, under the village’s agreement with the North Riverside Police Department, Riverside had housed its arrestees there; however, due to a lack of county-certified lockup keepers, Riverside and North Riverside police had to work together to check overnight prisoners every 15 minutes, straining the resources of both departments. The move came as part of a regional consolidation of police dispatches at North Riverside as the West Central Consolidated Communications Riverside is changing its lockup facility now after North Riverside police notified that they will no longer provide lockup services at their department, Buckley said.

Buckley said Riverside only housed about 50 arrestees overnight each year over the past few years. So far in 2024, Riverside has only detained 34 people overnight, according to documents from the meeting agenda. In comparison, he said the villages averages about 270 arrests each year where the person in question is processed and released.

According to the agenda documents, the Brookfield Police Department, which made the same change in August, has not re ported any issues working with Berwyn. The McCook Police Department also made the switch.

Under the new arrangement, Riverside will owe Berwyn $125 per arrestee who is housed overnight, which includes the cost of food, and $20 per arrestee who is processed and released. It will also owe $50 for every time Berwyn police transport a Riverside arrestee somewhere. Buckley said he estimates the new deal with Berwyn will cost Riverside

a static fee plus the cost of meals for detainees. The fee was $1,800 when the arrangement started in 2019, and it’s gone up by 5% per year since then; in 2024, the fee was just shy of $2,300.

Trustee Cristin Evans asked Buckley how long he expected the new agreement to last. “Is it more sustainable?” she said. “I don’t really want to have to go through and do this every couple of years.”

“I agree, because, to be honest with you, there really aren’t any other options out there,” Buckley said. “This agreement will stay in place … until either [Riverside or Berwyn] decides not to have it anymore.”

Evans also asked if Riverside’s project to construct a new public safety building would include a new jail to house arrestees overnight in-house. Buckley said it would not.

“For us to be able to do that, we would have to have 24-hour personnel on site, which is why we moved it to North Riverside in the first place. Once we lost our dispatch center here, we did not have 24-hour personnel,” he said. “If we decided to do that here in Riverside, we would have to build that facility, which, they’re very expensive to build, number one. Number two, we would also have to hire personnel to watch our 50 prisoners a year. So, when you look at the numbers, it doesn’t really work out. That’s why doing these combined areas with multiple towns makes the most sense.”

Trustee Elizabeth Kos suggested passing along some of the arrest fees to the people Riverside arrests; Buckley said Riverside police were looking into how the village could recoup some of those costs

BEN STUMPE

Brook eld regulates commercial lming in town

A new permitting process could streamlin e applications

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

Brookfield is looking to codify regulations for commercial filming companies seeking to work in town.

At the village board’s Nov. 11 committee of the whole meeting, trustees directed village staff to proceed with an ordinance that would establish a permitting process for commercial filming companies alongside fees so Brookfield can recoup costs for staff time or use of public property

Assistant Village Manager Stevie Ferrari explained that Brookfield has been receiving an increasing number of requests for commercial filming in the village this year “In the instance where we do get a commer-

cial filming request, we work with the village attorney to produce a license agreement with the company, identifying and protecting the village as far as pedestrian right-of-way, public land usage and safety, as far as vehicle traffic and pedestrian traffic,” she said. “Currently, when we get these requests, it is communicated interdepartmentally … This takes staff and coordination and effort.”

She said staff recommended implementing a fee table so companies understand the costs associated with taking time away from village staf f. The table would include hourly rates for village personnel, equipment and use of public property.

Ferrari said creating a permit process would mean filming companies must ag ree to Brookfield’s insurance requirements and take responsibility for notifying residents or business owners who fall within a certain distance of the filming site and may be affected. It would also require them to submit a site plan adhering to Brookfield’s traffic safety precautions.

She told the board that Riverside had

Apartment

codified a commercial filming permit earlier this year because of the high volume of filming requests the village rece ives.

“They did amend their code just this year to include a permit process, and that was due to a learned process where some barriers and miscommunication came up, and it was easier to put that through a permit process, where multiple departments are doing review, rather than it only passing through the hands of a staf f or village manager’s office,” she said.

Trustees ag reed that both recommendations made sense.

“This, to me, feels a lot like the special event permits, where it makes the policy clear. It makes it so that outside people can look and say, ‘Well, this is what we need and what’s expected.’ It lets staff know the policy, as far as, these are all the people who need to touch this. Just like you were saying, it probably prevents miscommunication,”

Trustee Jennifer Hendricks said. “I think it makes sense to have the permit process, and it makes sense to have the fee structure.”

OPTIONS FOR TAXPAYERS WITH A TAX BILL THEY CAN’T PAY: PART I

Taxpayers who can’t pay their tax bill by the deadline shouldn’t panic. The IRS offers several options to help them meet their obligations.

It’s important for taxpayers to file their tax return or request an extension of time to file at irs.gov/ extension by the April deadline - even if they can’t pay their full tax bill. Doing so will help them avoid a failure-to-file penalty.

This extension applies only to the filing deadline, not the payment deadline. Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount of taxes they owe by the deadline should file and pay what they can. Making a payment, even a partial payment, will help limit penalty and interest charges.

• For taxpayers who cannot pay in full

• Taxpayers struggling to meet their tax obligation may consider these payment options.

Trustee Edward Côté suggested including a cancelation fee to recoup costs when a company pulls out at the last minute after the village has already made staff accommodations for the project.

“To your point, we did just have a cancelation today: a license agreement we were working on for potential filming for ‘Chicago Med’ here in the village board room,” Ferrari said. “Staff time was taken. We did host that company to come and view the site, take pictures [on] multiple occasions, and they did cancel, so as it currently exists, they just walk away.”

After the board came to a consensus, Ferrari posed one more question: Should private property owners who are approached for commercial filming follow Brookfield’s permit process if the project will not impact the public?

Ferrari explained the question arose after private filming affected streets without notice.

See FILMING on pa ge 12

• Online payment plans

• Taxpayers who owe but cannot pay in full by the deadline don’t have to wait for a tax bill to set up a payment plan. They can apply for a payment plan at IRS.gov/ paymentplan. These plans can be either short- or long-term.

• Short-term payment plan -The payment period is 180 days or less, and the total amount owed is less than $1 00,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest.

• Long-term payment planThe payment period is longer than 180 days, paid in monthly payments, and the amount owed is less than $50,000 in combined tax, penalties and interest.

Linda Sokol Francis. E.A.

YOUR BEST LIFE with Lisa Capone

As temperatures dip and the air turns crisp, seniors need to take extra steps to stay healthy and comfortable through the colder months. Fall brings beautiful scenery but also an increase in flu and seasonal illnesses. Staying healthy during colder months is all about a proactive approach to wellness. Here are a few simple tips to help keep you feeling your best this season.

First, consider scheduling a flu vaccine. The flu can pose serious health risks, especially for seniors, and getting vaccinated reduces your chances of severe illness.

Staying active is also key. While outdoor walks might be brisk, indoor activities like stretching, gentle yoga, or using light hand weights are great ways to keep muscles strong and joints flexible. Even 15-20 minutes a day can boost energy and mood!

Finally, focus on seasonal foods that support immunity. Fall’s harvest —pumpkins, squash, and apples—are packed with vitamins that can help your body fend off seasonal bugs. Adding warm soups and stews with these ingredients provides both comfort and nutrition.

By taking these steps, you can enjoy the beauty of fall while staying well and thriving all season long!

Visit Cantata.org for more senior living advice or call (708) 387-1030.

Driver with DUI conviction ticketed for not using ignition lock

Brookfield police cited a 46-year-old Chicago man Nov. 11 after his car disobeyed a stop sign.

The officer pulled the man over near the intersection of East Avenue and 47th Street after running his car’s license plates through the police database and learning the owner’s driver’s license had been revoked due to DUIrelated charges. After confirming the driver of the car was the owner, the officer placed the man into custody. The officer noted the man was supposed to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in his car, which was not found, and that the man’s temporary driving permit had expired last year

After transporting the man to the North Riverside Police Department, police contacted Secretary of State police to confir m the man was still required to have a BAIID; they also said the man had last been issued a temporary driver’s license in 2021 but that it since expired.

After reviewing the man’s previous convictions, police determined he qualified for a felony charge; the man had previously been charged for driving with a revoked license and without the BAIID. Police issued the man citations and dropped him off at a Blue Line train station after setting a Dec. 10 court date.

Ticketed for expired registration

Riverside police arrested a woman Nov. 13 after running her license plates and finding they were suspended

Around 11:45 a.m., while on patrol on Ogden Avenue, an officer saw a red car, which they learned had a suspended registration. After pulling the car over near Haas Avenue, the officer asked the driver for her driver’s license and insurance information. The woman could not provide proof of insurance, and the driver’s license she provided came back suspended after the officer checked it through the police database

The officer arrested the woman before transporting her to North Riverside for processing. Police issued the woman citations for the three issues and released her after setting a Dec. 6 court date

Batter y at the Pioneer Motel

Brookfield police Nov. 13 responded to a report of battery at the Pioneer Motel on Ogden Avenue but did not arrest anyone.

According to police, the caller said her adult son had been attacked by his roommate at the motel. The officer met with her and her son. The son said he had been awakened by his roommate accusing him of stealing medication that he said he did not take. He said they began to shove each other, so he called his mother and tried to leave the room. His mother said she fell against a door, injuring her thigh. The also woman said her son’s roommate had pushed her. The officer observed a bruise in the location she described. The roommate told police he had been sleeping when he believed the woman’s son had stolen his medication. The roommate said he was certain the medication had been in his pants pocket. After he confronted the other man, he said a struggle broke out and the other man punched him in the head, although police could not identify any signs of trauma. When asked, the man denied pushing his roommate’s mother into a door

“While professing his innocence, [he] clutched his bible and said he was a Godfearing Catholic and would never do such a thing,” police wrote in the report.

Police could not determine who initiated the struggle, as each man blamed the other. Police advised the two roommates to avoid one another going forward.

These items were obtained from the Riverside Police Department reports dated Nov. 13 and the Brookfield Police Department reports dated Nov. 11-18; they 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 Trent Brown

Ames Elementary celebrates a century

Riverside school look back while preparing fo a bright future

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

The history of Riverside’s A.F. Ames El ementary School is as colorful as it is long Case in point: One hundred years early 1924, at the height of the Roaring 20s Alfred F. Ames was superintendent of side Public Schools, which is now Rive School District 96.

He was working in his of fice at Central Elementary School that day when a delivery man darkened his doorway.

“I’ve got a truckload of bricks and an orde to deliver them to the A.F. Ames School, and I don’t know where it is,” the man said, ing, “Funny, they didn’t put the address on the delivery slip.”

And that’s how Ames learned that the ne school, still vibrant at 86 Southcote Road with 470 students, was to be named after him.

It’s a great story, researched by local historian Jim Petrzilka, and presented at the school’s 100th anniversary celebration Nov. 3, which drew more than 150 people and included a time capsule that will be given to Riverside for its 150th anniversary next year

Ah, memories, pressed between the pages of our minds: That includes Kristin White, who graduated from the school in the late 1970s.

PROVIDED

Riverside Historical Museum members Jim Petrzilka, le , and Constance Guardi presented about A.F. Ames Elementary School’s history at the school’s 100th anniversar y celebration Nov. 3.

“I remember kickball a lot,” she said. “I don’t recall why I remember that, but we’d play kickball in the gym and on the playground. I also remember SRA [testing], doing science experiments, doing my math facts.

See AMES on pa ge 12

It’s the Season of Thanks, and the Olmsted Society sincerely thanks every member, volunteer, donor, and event participant. You all helped to make 2024 a very successful year, and we are very grateful.

Members, it’s time to renew your membership for 2025. Nonmembers, we hope you will join us. Easy to do - just go to our website and click on Membership. Funds raised from memberships, donations, and event sales are used for Olmsted programs, maintaining Riverside’s landscape and more.

Best Wishes for a Very Happy Thanksgiving!

Screenings can detect cancer at an early stage and provide a greater chance for treatment success. And if you are faced with a diagnosis, where you receive your care is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

As a national leader in whole-person care, AdventHealth in the western suburbs offers connections to the renowned cancer care experts at UChicagoMedicine. Find a dedicated partner for your individual cancer journey just down the road.

To schedule a cancer screening go to ChicagolandCancerCare.com.

Opinion

THE L ANDMARK VIEW

Realit y check on Riverside project

Hard choices about Riverside’s most ambitious public building plan in decades were discussed at the Nov. 7 meeting of the village board. A while back, the trustees made the right decision to fully re place current police and fire facilities from the ground up. Then they kept adding pieces to the plan to address genuine needs for more community spaces, such as meeting rooms, a fitness facility, and ultimately a full-sized gym.

T hose add-ons did two thing s. They dr ove up the price of a project the village has limited capacity to fund from $20 million to just north of $50 million. And according to its architectural fir m, the new spaces compromised the plans for state-of-the ar t police and fire facilities by squee zing too much building onto a finite-sized piece of land .

All of this led to a healthy debate among board members. Ultimately, a narrow majority directed the architects to scale back the project by removing the gym and limiting other public spaces on the site.

One trustee, Elizabeth Kos, raised concerns that support for the project among residents might wane without upgrades such as the gym. Kos chaired Riverside’s parks and rec board from 2018 to 2023. She said the village is seriously lacking indoor recreation space and rejected the idea that gyms at public schools could be available for community use.

These are seriously tough choices for this board. But good for them to have an honest discussion early in this process. To us, the priority must be to build first-rate police and fire facilities that will be functional for decades. Whatever can be added in terms of public spaces must fit the budget — affordable yet without overwhelming this limited and lovely site

A wise consolidation

Speaking of police facilities, Riverside will begin to house people it arrests and winds up holding overnight in the lockup in Berwyn. Since 2019, Riverside has had a similar arrangement with police in North Riverside. That village recently chose to end the service.

Riverside now follows Brookfield in shifting its prisoner-holding process to Berwyn. This is a logical and necessary consolidation and Berwyn has the facilities, security and staffing to make this a long-term solution. Along with a consolidation of police and fire dispatch services, this move re presents another important ef fort to consolidate aspects of police and fire services that simply make no sense for the size of Brookfield or Riverside.

Cur rent discussions about rebuilding public safety facilities in Riverside (see above) specifically do not include a lockup. That’s good.

Our question: What is the next opportunity to consolidate these always expensive services among neighboring communities? Our suggestion is to look at fire services. Not a popular notion but a worthy discussion.

OBITUARIES

Stephanie Szot, 96

Former North Riverside resident

St ep hanie S. S zot, nee Szejner, 96, of Oak Pa rk , for merly of North Riverside, died on Nov. 13, 2024. Born on Dec. 14, 1927, she was the w ife of the late Edward J. S zot; the mother of Eddie ( Cin dy ) S zot, Mary (Robert) Oplawski, and St even (Theresa) S zot; the gr andmother of Sarah (Ryan) Boldt and Jacob Szot; sister of the late A nn, Bernard and Mary; and the aunt of many nieces and ne phew s.

Vi sitation was held on Nov. 19 at Ku ratko-Nosek Funeral Home, 2447 S. Des Plaines Ave., North Rive rside, followe d by a f uneral Mass at Mater Christi Church in Nor th Rive rside. Inur nment was private.

In lieu of flower s, masses in honor of St ep hanie would be appreciated Online c ondolences, p hotos and memo ries may be shared with the family at www.Kurat ko N osek.com.

JJames Taccola, 27 Navy veteran, mechanic

d on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. He attended Riverside-Brookfield High School and shortly thereafter, served honorably in the Navy for four years. He loved fishing, gaming, watching football, and using his hands, doing anything mechanical that he could put together. He loved all animals and nature, especially his dog, Luna. Jimmy was a survivor. He started life at 2½ pounds, and although he had many obstacles in his life, he always fought through and did the best he could with the circumstances given to him. He was deeply loved and will be missed

Jimmy was the son of James and Marylou; the grandson of Jane (the late Gerald) Taccola and the late Francisco (the late Delfina) Reveles; the brother of Richard, Stephanie, Monique, and Julie; and the nephew, uncle, and cousin to many

Services were held on Nov. 18, with interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home.

FILMING

from page 7

“Tischler’s was approached for filming on site at their location within their private property boundaries; however, it did require street closure, and the village was not notified until the public right of way

from page 5

and the race never goes to the general election in April. Instead, the general election is reserved for run-off races in cases where no candidate wins outright in February. Caldwell and other candidates said Ber-

AMES

from page 9

“My last year in elementary school, friends and I were into Grease.”

There’s more. At Ames, everybody knew erybody, she said, and “everyone’s mom was your mom. We were allowed to go home lunch if we lived close.”

Her experience at Ames Elementary, whic started when she arrived for fourth was an impetus for her to go into education herself. She is now principal at Walled Lake Western High School in Michigan, about a half hour from Ann Arbor.

was impacted,” she said. “If we did not have a requirement for commercial filming pe rm it for a private property owner, they c ould p otentially neve r notify the village, and we ’re seeing more impact.”

Trustee Kit Ketchmark said that would no longer be a c ase where the public is not affected, but Fe rr a ri said the pe rm it process c an ensure Brookfield knows about the filming and is prep ared if it

wyn did not perform an education campaign about the change or otherwise inform them of it ahead of their filing. They say the objections are just the latest form of ef for ts from the DCOB to maintain power on the city council.

“In my experience in Berwyn and watching Berwyn elections and politics, it is very intimidating in Berwyn if you are not part of the current administration. They will

d oes spill onto public proper ty

“While a c ommercial filming c ompany may let a private resident or business owner know that it is going to be c onfined to their private b oundarie s, review and discussion and notification to the village c an assist with identifying if there’s other proactive measures that need to be taken,” she said.

In c ases where Brookfield d etermines

use various tactics to discredit other candidates or intimidate other candidates or basically make it so that nobody really wants to step up and run against them,” said Patricia Ostaszewski, an independent candidate for alderman in the Seventh Ward.

“This is basically election suppression, right? It’s ballot suppression.”

Now, the candidates are going through a series of hearings to argue the objections

it’s missing something.

She said her school is brand new, with a state-of-the-art building and the all the modern amenities – just like Ames El-

Maybe that’s the charm only time can foster “It had a homey feel,” White said. “We have these great facilities and technology, but it ke home.”

contemporary, Amy Hill, said students her were prepared in all subjects for junior high. She recalled it a “strict, no-nonsense school,” with one class per grade, so she had the same classmates for all of her years Guess what happened because of that?

“The best thing that came out of Ames was I have lifelong friends,” said Hill, who recalls a lot from those days, from the Fun to the red capes that she wore for the Christmas program. “They are still my , lifelong friends.”

Ames Elementary evolved with additions in 1968 and in 2019, which included a library in the back of the school, the multipurpose room and the lunch room. But that’s not all, current principal Todd Gierman said.

“When I reflect on my last 12 years as the principal of Ames Elementary School, I think about the growth we have made as a

filming will actually stay on private property, the village c ould waive the pe rmitting f ee and ke ep the application on file for tracking, Fe rr a ri said.

Ultimately, the b oard reached a c onsensus that private property owners should notify the village of c ommercial filming on their property before directing village staf f to proceed with the ordinance.

to their petitions. At an initial hearing on Nov. 13, Lovero and Fourth Ward Alderman Robert Fejt, both DCOB members on Berwyn’s Municipal Officers Electoral Board, which is overseeing the hearings, recused themselves due to the conflict of interest. At a second hearing on Nov. 18, four objectors withdrew their claims. The remaining eight independent candidates will have their objections argued at a meeting on Dec. 2.

learning community in the area of social emotional learning and supporting the whole child,” Gier man said.

“It also makes me very happy that our Early Lear ner students in District 96 have found a permanent home with the Early Lear ner addition we added to our building,” he added. “We also added a huge library, classrooms and open learning spaces. We continue to evolve at Ames to accommodate the needs of our students and families.”

Likewise for Parent Teacher Association president Kelly Rehmer, who has two daughters attending the school, it’s the now that is just as important as the past.

“I think that the children at Ames are well prepared to go into Hauser [Junior High],” Rehmer said, “because it is one of the larger schools in the district. They do a good job of getting fifth graders well versed. They transfer students for classes.”

Sports

Bulldogs’ Vlcek swims to more records at state meet

Illinois-bound GOAT racks up three all-state medals, six school records

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Probably the only time Riverside Brookfield High School senior Hailey Vlcek has been a slow about swimming was in deciding to pursue the sport. After taking lessons at age 6, she didn’t join her first team until the summer she was 10 at the Village Field Club in LaGrange Park. Soon afterward came her first Academy Bullets club team that fall.

“A lot of girls started when they we 5 or 6. I wasn’t like a top age-grouper or anything. I started getting good in high school,” Vlcek said. “I’ve had to build with so many hard practices, so much hard work just to get to this point, and I’m grateful and astonished how much hard work put in that paid off.”

Vlcek quickly made up for lost time. At her final state meet Friday and Saturda she improved upon her six individual alltime school records during two more allstate performances at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont.

“She’s a special kind of swimmer you hope to get at least once in your career,” RBHS coach Mike Laurich said.

The Bulldogs’ only top-eight, all-state swimmer, Vlcek was fifth in the 200-yard freestyle (1:50.07) and honorable mention all-state in the 500 free (10th, 4:57.67) by breaking her for mer school record by 1.74 seconds.

BILL STONE

“I’m really happy with my 200 free in prelims (1:49.65). My 500 free, I just dropped a lot,” said Vlcek, who will swim at Illinois. “I’m really proud of myself and grateful for everything. I’m mostly proud of how much hard work I put into swimming in the past four years.”

Top-eight performers in F riday’s preliminaries competed for the state title Saturday. The next eight times competed for ninth.

In the 200 free final, Vlcek actually swam f aster than in 2023, when she was third (1:51.05), the highest state finish by any RBHS girls swim-

mer or diver, or fourth in 2022 (1:52.30).

On Friday, Vlcek’s 4:59.41 in the 500 free broke her 5:00.87 school record from sectionals, Nov. 9, but she ended up ninth, 1.18 seconds from the top eight.

“It’s a lot f aster this year. It’s insane. My 500 time last year would have qualified [for the championship final],” she said. “It’s all faster, which isn’ t a bad thing. It’s really cool to see how fast everybody’s going.”

At sectionals, Vlcek also dropped her 200 free school record to 1:49.58 and swam 1:49.65 F riday. She holds all-time school records for the 100 butterfly (59.08), 100 backstroke (51.49) and 200 individual medley (2:08.83), all improved or set this season, and the 50 free (24.22).

“She rewrote the record board at our school,” Laurich said, “a great leader, great teammate. You know you’ re g etting everything when she g ets up there, a g amer. She’s going to be missed but she’s going to be great in colle ge. She could make pretty much any state cut that’s out there. She’s not even close to being as f ast as she

can be (in specific events), which is cool but scary.”

Vlcek displayed some of that versatility at state. Last year, she finished 14th at state in the 100 free (51.75) after also qualifying for state in the 500 free in 2022. The other two of her four events at sectionals helped RBHS relays go after state cuts. Add to that Vlcek’s RBHS pool record for the 200 free and frosh-soph school records for all of her varsity-record ev ents but the 50 free.

At sectionals, Vlcek broke Hinsdale Central’s 200 free pool record for a third time. She has a combined four pool records for individual events at Joliet West and Andrew and a Joliet West record in the 400 free relay with junior Maria Ellis, sophomore Maggie McCoy and freshman Lizzie Ryan (3:49.53, Sept. 19).

“I want to be most remembered for my work ethic and supporting the team,” she said. “I always like to be there for my teammates, whether it’s telling people good luck or good job after their races, and during hard sets cheering people on. I don’t want to be remembered just for my times.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Riverside-Brook eld’s Hailey Vlcek competes in the 200 Yard Freestyle during the IHSA Girls’ State Final meet, Nov. 16, in Westmont.

Hailey Vlcek

Kaminski, Colon, Kasky aid Nazareth’s defense of 5A crown

Riverside, Brook eld residents hope Roadrunners gain title three-peat

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Senior four-year starter and Stanford recruit Gabe Kaminski was quickly noticed as a special player in the Nazareth Academy football program. Just four weeks into his freshman season, Kaminski, already a standout on the defensive line, received his first scholarship offer from the University of Iowa.

“I think I started crying because it was just crazy,” Kaminski said. “I thought it would take me a couple of years to get an offer and then an offer of that magnitude very early on was a blessing.”

Nowadays, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Kaminski is among the greats in Nazareth’s storied history. And he’s trying to help the Roadrunners achieve their first state title three-peat after their 42-8 Class 5A quarterfinal victory at Rochelle Saturda

Nazareth (10-2) plays host for semifinal at 1 p.m., Saturday, against St. Francis (10-2), which won their Oct. 25 meeting 39-36 in Wheaton. Morris (84) visits Joliet Catholic (9-3) in the other semifinal.

In the 2023 5A state semifinals, Nazareth beat the Spartans 38-31 in LaGrange enroute to the program’s fifth state championship, all under coach Tim Racki.

Besides K aminski, a Rive d ent, and j unior Johnny C olon and sophomore Chris K ask y, b oth of also are playing bigger roles this season for a defense that stymied Ro chelle (10-2), wh ich had scored at least 36 points in it s 10 victorie s.

les (15 for loss) with five sacks and a fumble recovery this season.

It’s no wonder Racki mentions Kaminski alongside Nazareth greats and current NFL players Julian Love (Seattle Seahawks) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings), whom Kaminski watched play on his shadow day at the school.

“A four-year starter, four years all-conference. That’s unmatched,” Racki said. “Defensively, he’s at the top. “[He’s also] three years all-state academic. Aside from what everybody sees athletically, it’s his intelligence and football IQ, how he’s able to make adjustments. He still manages to make plays week in and week out re gardless.”

“It’s a blessing if anybody considers me that,” Kaminski said. “There have been so many great players to come through here, Julian Love, J.J. McCarthy, all of those players. It would be a true honor to be recognized up there with them.”

Kaminski and older brother Jacob grew up passionate about wrestling but Kaminski began leaning toward football in middle school. Kaminski did wrestle two years for the Roadrunners, taking second in Class

1A at 220 pounds as a freshman and sophomore Jacob wrestled and played football for two years at Fenwick before attending boarding school in Pennsylvania.

“I don’t think there’s anything better than the team camaraderie on the football field and working together toward a common goal. I think it’s the best team sport there is,” Kaminski said.

As a middle linebacker, Kaminski has been simply dominant, recording 102 tack-

He played linebacker in middle school but was initially switched to defensive for the Roadrunners. He permanently returned to linebacker during last year’s ff run.

“I think the switch was one of my biggest ovements. I kind of felt more free because I was playing out in space instead of my hand in the dir t,” he said. at early scholarship offer only fueled Kaminski’s work ethic.

s always been a dream of mine. A kids, if they had that offer early on, they’d stop and say, ‘Oh, I’ve already made it,’” he said. “But especially my dad kept pushing me, kept telling me it meant nothing. They can take it away. I always had a drive to want to be better, to be better for my team, help the team however I can.”

Colon (53 tackles, 2 for loss, pass breakup) played special teams and was a part-

time starting cornerback in 2023. Now he starts at a hybrid linebacker/cor nerback position that he practiced during the offseason.

“The coaches thought I could do better in the box and it’s been great for me. I’ve got really good guys playing next to me so it’s fun,” he said.

Colon also returns as the holder for field goals and extra points, along with junior long-snapper Richie Skinkis. Junior Frankie Nichols has taken over as the primary kicker.

“Whatever I can give to this team, I’m willing to do,” Colon said. “It’s been going good so I like it. I love this team.”

Kasky (43 tackles, 15 for loss, 5 sacks) is enjoying a breakout season in moving from situational defensive lineman to full-time starter around Week 3.

As a 2023 postseason callup, Kasky recorded a 5-yard sack with Kaminski in the waning moments of the 38-20 state championship victory over Joliet Catholic.

“I didn’t think I was going to start right away [this season]. I was right, but I liked the challenge,” Kasky said. “Eventually, I made my way up and I was very happy to start. I just like playing, the team, the guys, everything about it.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Nazareth Academy’s Chris Kasky (88) and Gabe Kaminski (5) wait at the line of scrimmage for Woodstock North dur ing the IHSA Second Round playo s, Nov. 9, in La Grange Park.

STEVE JOHNSTON

Nazareth Academy’s Johnny Colon (13) runs dow n the eld on kick o coverage against Woodstock North on Nov. 9.

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE

FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Kalei Elisabeth Guedel Case Number 2024CONC001472

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Kalei Elisabeth Guedel to the new name of: Kalei Sorenson Guedel.

The court date will be held:

On January 10, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. at Zoom ID: 95894921843 Password: 226532, Cook County, in Courtroom # 12.

Published in Wednesday Journal

November 13, 20, and 27, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

For any person who was a Special Education Student at Oak Park & River Forest High School and graduated in 2016, 2017, 2018 or 2019, you will have 30 days to contact Susan Graves, at Oak Park & River Forest High School at 708.434.3061 to request your records. On Dec 01, the Special Education student records for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 will be destroyed.

Published in Wednesday Journal November 20, 27, 2024

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

Attention THE AUTO WAREHOUSE & EVER MARES MORENO,

JTKJF5C71E3073577

was towed to our facility per police ordinance. Our records show that the current amount due and owing is $320.00. If payment is not received within 30 days Nobs Towing Inc. will enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3.

Published in Forest Park Review Novembr 20, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

Attention TOYOTA MOTOR CREDIT CORP & ANTONIO REYES,

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 1/1/25, a sale will be held at 1510 Hannah Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130 to sell the following articles to enforce a lien existing under the laws of the State of Illinois against such articles for labor, services, skill or material expended upon a storage furnished for such articles at the request of the following designated persons, unless such articles are redeemed within thirty days of the publication of this notice. Our records show, your 2015, TOYOTA, AVALON with the following VIN 4T1BD1EB2FU046648 was towed to our facility per police ordinance. Our records show that the current amount due and owing is $320.00. If payment is not received within 30 days Nobs Towing Inc. will enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3.

Published in Forest Park Review Novembr 20, 2024

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff vs. ALFONSO RECENDEZ, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendant 24 CH 1921 CALENDAR 57 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on December 16, 2024, at the hour 11:00 A.M., Intercounty’s office, 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, IL 60602, sell to the highest bidder for cash, the following described mortgaged real estate:

Lot 5 in Block 5 in Hillside Manor, a Subdivision of part of the North Half of the North West Quarter of Section 17, Township 39 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the Plat thereof recorded October 5, 1945 as Document Number 1368749, in Cook County, Illinois. P.I.N. 15-17-104-005-0000.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Commonly known as 329 High Ridge Road, Hillside, IL 60162.

The real estate is: 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. Sale terms: At sale, the bidder must have 10% down by certified funds, balance within 24 hours, by certified funds. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 2215 Enterprise Drive, Suite 1512, Westchester, Illinois 60154. (312) 940-8580. 1803562

INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3255050

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

BMO BANK N.A. Plaintiff, -v.-

EUGENE A. PELLEGRINI A/K/A EUGENE A. PELLIGRINI, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants. 24 CH 2514

1811 BRISTOL ST., WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on 9/25/2024, an agent of Auction.com LLC will at 12:00 PM on January 8, 2025 located at 100 N LaSalle St, Suite 1400, Chicago IL, 60602, sell at public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate. Commonly known as 1811 BRISTOL ST., WESTCHESTER, IL 60154

Property Index No. 15-21-411-0030000

The real estate is improved with a Single Family Residence. The judgment amount was $102,124.28 Sale

Terms: 20% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to Auction.com LLC, No third party checks will be accepted. All registered bidders need to provide a photo ID in order to bid. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. (relief fee not required)

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

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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)(l) 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. For information, contact Plaintiffs attorney: Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel LLC. (312) 357-1125 please refer to file number 24-00676. Auction.com LLC 100 N LaSalle Suite 1400 Chicago, IL 60606 - 872225-4985 You can also visit www. auction.com.

Attorney File No. 24-00676 Case Number: 24 CH 2514

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.

I3253810

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST Plaintiff, -v.-

BENJAMIN MCGEE, MARVA MCGEE A/K/A MARVA D MCGEE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants 2023 CH 00549 2918 WILCOX AVENUE BELLWOOD, IL 60104

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on May 1, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 6, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 2918 WILCOX AVENUE, BELLWOOD, IL 60104 Property Index No. 15-16-206-0550000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

Monday at 5 p.m.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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. 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 Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 22-13437il_864723

Attorney Code. 61256 Case Number: 2023 CH 00549 TJSC#: 44-3002

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 # 2023 CH 00549 I3255882

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-OP2 Plaintiff, -v.TAMMY HOLMAN A/KA TAMMY JONES, CAPITAL ONE BANK (USA), N.A., STATE OF ILLINOISDEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

Defendants 2022 CH 10868 1836 S. 3RD AVE. MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 1, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 3, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1836 S. 3RD AVE., MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-14-305-0270000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

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, 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) 236SALE

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. 14-22-08141 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2022 CH 10868 TJSC#: 44-2720

A Special Advertising Section

Season of Giving Season of Giving

Your Local Guide to a Better World presented by

The Foundation was created by the community, for the community. Join us to build a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Together we can invest in real change. Please give to our annual fund today.

We’re All In

By TONY MARTINEZ, JR. President and CEO, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

In the past six years the Oak ParkRiver Forest Community Foundation has been inspired by the generosity of our residents and neighbors. We see how collectively we can transform and modernize philanthropy. And with courage, the Foundation is pursuing new avenues to do just that — to uphold our promise to be of better service to our partners, and to the greater west side. We’re all in this together. We understand that our work, from grantmaking to our investment portfolio to how we operate overall, must intentionally and comprehensively address the racial disparities that exist in order for all members of our community to thrive and prosper. From Community Voices, our landmark report on community needs for West Cook County, to hiring a new outsourced chief investment o cer

(OCIO) to invest in 100% mission-aligned investments, to our new communityinformed grantmaking strategy focused on safety and belonging and mental health, we are all in. We’re grateful for our capable sta , our committed board of directors, and the organizations,

Together we provide support for our most vulnerable residents.

Better together

As we planned this year’s Season of Giving special project, what struck us was how nonprofits from the West Side and across the Greater West Side of Oak Park, Forest Park, Brookfield are finding ways to collaborate. This has been building ov time for sure. And perhaps it was Covid that intensified the acti building of connections. If y Beyond Hunger, an Oak Pa focused on food insecurity, y want to serve Austin, on the city But rather than focus only on direct services won’t there be a more genuine connection if you partner with existing nonprofits alread at work on the West Side? And that is Beyond Hunger does through its collaborations with A House in Austin and What About Us. Sarah’s Inn focuses on individuals and families caught up in domestic violence. Providing temporary shelter is critical. And its ambitious outreach into local schools which focus on prevention of such violence is vital. But these

, Sarah’s Inn also partners with to provide long-term mental health services to its most traumatized clients. And it works with the Pro Bono Network and Housing ward to offer legal counsel and extended housing services

nda Schueler, executive diHousing Forward, says y has a wide range of “Our partnerships help strengthen the community’s safety net,” she . “One organization alone can’ t take on the mammoth responsibility of addressing riers for vulnerable populars of poverty, racism and e all better as a whole than siloed,” says Schueler

Our thanks, as always, for the par tnership er Forest Community Foundation in this endeavor. And this year our thanks, too, for the sponsorship support of Byline Bank and the West Cook YMCA.

businesses, and civic leaders who share our values and are all in too.

Together we provide support for our most vulnerable residents and continue to address the socio-economic and racial disparities keeping each individual from living a ful lled life. e organizations in the Season of Giving guide need your help to continue to do this important work. We need the engagement and involvement of the whole community in order to reach that goal and move our region forward. We hope you’ll join us.

Contributing Reporters

Trent Brown, Jessica Mordacq, Jessica Mackinnon, Zoë Takaki

Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Business & Development Manager

Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Editor Erika Hobbs

Publisher Dan Haley

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

their siloes, nonpro o collaborations

Here’s how Sara and Housing and with other gr

Local nonprofits and social service understood that they can better meet the comprehensive needs of our community

“We are community. But there is so much we all can’t be experts in Carol Gall, executi Inn, a local organization tic violence. “Collaboration is a nent for ensuring that our all their needs met and are themselves in a life free of violenc Founded in 1980 concerned about tims of domestic violence, Sarah’s Inn last year served almost 30,000 adults, children and teens. The organization provides in tervention programs focusing on changin the behavior of perpetrators, prevention programs for students in local schools, and training and education for professionals Sarah’s Inn is headquartered in Forest Park The Covid pandemic was particularly challenging, as people living in abusive environments were isolated from social networks and under considerable stress. The number of people requesting support skyrocketed and, according to Gall, the need for their services hasn’t decreased in the pandemic’s aftermath as people are now struggling from a lack of af fordable housing, food insecurity and the rising cost of living.

“One organization alone can’t take on the mammoth responsibility of addressing systemic barriers for vulnerable populations, with layers of povert y, racism and inequality.”

LYNDA

SCHUELER Housing Forward’s chief executive o cer

“Pro Bono has attorneys who are committed to understanding how the legal system impacts victims, including child custody, divorce, and orders of protection. They do amazing work,” Gall said.

Sarah’s Inn most intensive current partner is Housing Forward, an organization dedicated to ending homelessness in the west suburbs. Earlier this year, the nonprofits launched Safe Bridge, a program providing housing for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence.

Since its inception in 1992, Housing Forward has grown to be a multi-pronged agency providing wrap-around services, including emergency overnight shelter, interim and permanent supportive housing, emergency financial assistance and street outreach.

Last year, the organization served more

partners with Cook County Health on the RISE (Recuperation in a Supportive Environment) Center, a program for homeless individuals needing support after an- inpatient stay in a mental health facility. The center is located inside Write Inn, previously an Oak Park hotel that the organization bought last year and rehabbed for clients needing interim housing Housing Forward is based in Maywood and has many other community partners including Riveredge Hospital in Forest Park, the local chapter of NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition.

“Our partnerships help strengthen our community’s safety net. We’re always scanning the environment to see who is philosophically aligned with our work. The mutual client has to be at the center of the work,” said Schueler.

Beyond Hunger, an Oak Park-based nonprofit tackling food insecurity, partners with both Housing Forward and Sarah’s Inn as well as other local nonprofits. In addition, it teams up with for-profit entities, including grocery stores

TODD BANNOR

Sarah’s Inn Executive Director Carol Gall speaks at the End Domestic Violence Rally in Scov ille Park on Oct. 1.

Thrive Counseling Center: Carol’s Story

“Ihad always been strong, and able to bounce back. This time, it was too much. I was overwhelmed. I felt paralyzed in my thoughts, even my movement made me feel like a zombie. And I felt so distant from everything and everybody ... so ashamed.

‘How could this be happening to me?’ I had nothing to lose, so with the support of my daughter, I started therapy at Thrive. Listening cautiously, and holding on to each word to analyze, I pushed myself to come and began to connect with my therapist Ryne. Her voice was calm and restful. Ryne listened and began to ask simple questions that dug deeper into me than I expected. She started with what

PING:

Pwas going on right now, with open-ended questions from my past situation, revealing things I had suppressed without knowing for years.

I continued to be consistent and coming. It wasn’t always easy, but definitely necessary…It was so hard to see and hear myself talk about my life. The good, the bad, the ups, the down. Talking about myself out loud. Unbearable at times.

I had to learn to forgive myself, and sometimes daily I forgive myself. I’m learning to be vulnerable in a positive way…I pray that anyone that needs therapy, will seek it. I pray that they will have the support they need to do it, and the strength and courage to participate in it. That is my story” (Name and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy.)

So All Can Participate in Music

ING (Providing instruments for the Next Generation) believes all students should have access to instrumental music in the public schools. But with instrument rentals averaging $50 per month, many would miss out. Instead, PING has been supplying band and orchestra instruments to students at the Oak Park and River Forest public schools for more than 25 years, but that is not all.

“To offer true equity to young musicians, we have mentoring programs and access to lessons, music camps, performances, and trips for PING members,” said executive director Michelle Dybal. The PING Mentoring Program, which is celebrating 20 years, supports middle school musicians. PING Partners supports new musicians in grades 4 and 5. In both programs, PING students are paired with mentors from Oak Park and River Forest High School who play the same instruments.

for PING high school students to take private lessons and for PING musicians in grades 5 through 8 to attend summer music camps to access the same opportunities as their peers.

Additionally, the nonprofit organizes and pays

Instruments remain important to PING’s mission, especially this fall when a record-breaking number of new students became PING members: 84. This increase puts a strain on PING’s instrument inventory, which is aging from increased use. “The inventory is primarily built from generous donations of used instruments received from the community, but there is a need for more, bettergrade and different-sized instruments, along with accessories such as bows and cases,” Dybal said. PING’s largest revenue source is individual donors, and does not receive any monetary assistance from the three school districts it serves, D97, D90, and D200. Donations are needed now more than ever: pingoprf. org/donate. Questions/volunteer/donate an instrument, email: info@pingoprf.org

We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone. All are welcome at Thrive. Translation services, including ASL, are available upon request.

Photo: Adam Miller

Changing Women’s Lives at Deborah’s Place

For women like Catelyn, Deborah’s Place represents a fresh start. Having fled domestic violence on the East Coast, she was the victim of a violent crime here in Chicago and suffered an episode of psychosis because of these traumatic experiences. After all this, she found refuge and support in a 120-day transitional program at Deborah’s Place. There, staff helped her get new copies of her important documents and pursue her goal of finding a permanent place to live. Last week, she moved into her own apartment: for the first time in two years, she has a stable place all her own.

With this stable foundation beneath her, she’s excited to continue her career as a pastry chef, and to make her home a welcoming place for her adult children to visit. As Catelyn

moves into this new chapter she’ll continue to have support from Deborah’s Place Alumnae Services. No matter what obstacles may appear, she’s part of a community of care. She says “I’m starting basically fresh, from scratch. I’m going to leave my past in the past and start feeling at peace. I want to be happy— and for a long time, I didn’t think I deserved that.”

Catelyn’s story, like each of ours, is unique in its details—but it’s also one of hundreds at Deborah’s Place, where women’s lives are changing every day. By donating or volunteering, you help accomplish something powerful: once a woman comes to Deborah’s Place, she will never be homeless again. Learn more and support us at deborahsplace.org.

Deborah’s Place • deborahsplace.org • 773-638-6578

Sparking Curiosity, Cultivating Futures

If you’ve ever participated in a docentguided tour of the 95-year-old Oak Park Conservatory, you likely know the feeling you experience afterward. You’ve discovered something new or learned about a unique plant and carry that spark with you which can be shared with others.

Since our founding in 1986, The Friends have offered docent-guided tours of the Oak Park Conservatory. The tours are tailored to each group or grade level and are focused on science and horticulture, climate, and geography. Thousands of preschool through high school students have learned about the difference in rainfall between Mediterranean, tropical, and desert regions.

They have learned about plant defense mechanisms, water retention, and how plants are a source of food for a wide array of creatures. Maybe most importantly, they are curious to understand how they can be stewards of the earth.

This summer, we welcomed a group of Chicago Public Schools students from the After School Matters program for the second year. These kids, ages 14-18, applied for the Horticulture and Botany summer course. Their teacher brought them to the Oak Park Conservatory for a docentguided tour to expand their knowledge of plants

Oak

and climate and to also spark their curiosity about a future in horticulture. The connections our docents make with these kids and all who tour the Conservatory are essential to our vision of cultivating the future.

The Friends have great potential to impact lives in many different ways. From free early childhood programs to adult educational gardening lectures to special events for families, our work is only possible with community support.

We invite you to help expand our efforts to reach residents from surrounding communities with new opportunities and programs. Please help sustain The Friends and the historic Conservatory by supporting us today.

For more information about tours, volunteer opportunities, supporting us financially, or becoming a member, please visit fopcon.org.

COLLABORATIONS

Better together from page 4

and restaurants, to collect food products that otherwise would be thrown away.

What started in 1979 as a holiday food basket program organized by a local Girl Scout troop is now an organization providing a community pantry, home deliveries, cooking classes, and health education programs for more than 65,000 people in the west suburbs and the city’s West Side.

Beyond Hunger operates a community food pantry in the basement of First United Church of Oak Park. During the pandemic, the organization had to switch gears and distributed packaged boxes of food on a drive-through basis in the church’s parking lot of f of Lake Street.

“We found that our clients really enjoyed the convenience, efficiency and anonymity of the drive-through, so we have continued it,” said Michele Zurakowski, chief executive officer of Beyond Hunger.

The org anization has a robust food deliv-

ery program and operates an innovative summer meals program for students in Districts 200 and 97. To avoid any stigma, food is provided to all students, and the

Having a home means everything to me

When Jackie’s relationship became abusive, she knew that she needed to get herself and her three children to safety. Following her stay at a domestic violence shelter, she was connected with an advocate at Sarah’s Inn, who helped identify her immediate needs and supported her as she began her healing journey toward a stable and independent life that is free from domestic violence. rough the Safe Bridge Housing Project, a collaboration between two well-established organizations, Sarah’s Inn and Housing Forward, Jackie was able to nd housing within a community where she and her children feel safe. e

Safe Bridge Housing Project provides survivors and their families with case management and wrap-around support services and resources.

anks to the Safe Bridge Housing Project, Jackie is now raising her children in a neighborhood where they feel safe, with good schools, and where her children are making friends. She is excited about their future and is extremely thankful to e Safe Bridge Housing Project which has a orded her the ability to provide a safe and loving home for her children.

Visit sarahsinn.org to hear more about Jackie’s story and to learn more about Sarah’s Inn’s programs and services.

schools are reimbursed by the federal government for those students eligible for the free lunch program.

Through Rush Oak Park Hospital medi-

cal staf f, Beyond Hunger clients receive blood pressure and cardiac screenings and access to free medical care at the hospital if needed. Volunteers with its Surplus Project collect surplus food re packaged by Rush cafeteria staf f into individual microwavable containers that are refrigerated until being delivered to sites throughout the community.

“We are increasingly focused on reaching people where they are rather than making them come to our home site at First United, which is really constrained for space,” said Zurakowski.

To that end, the organization partners with Austin-based nonprofits A House in Austin and What About Us through its Health Ambassadors project. Beyond Hunger provides nutrition training to the nonprofits’ own constituents who then share what they’ve learned with other constituents on-site.

Par tnerships, which appear to be a win/ win for all involved—for the organizations, their clients and even their donors—allow our local nonprofits to remain focused on their core constituencies while connecting their constituents with a wider range of essential services than they can offer alone.

CREDIT PHOTOSFORFOOD

Michele Zurakowski CEO of Beyond Hunger and chef Rafat Alzein, during Beyond Hunger’s 4th annual Healthy Chef Challenge on May 30.

Across Austin Blvd., nonpro ts nd ways to share services, grow connections

Building trust where there has been skepticism is foundational

By ZOË TAKAKI Contributing Reporter

Nonprofits which work across the border between Oak Park and Austin face unique challenges and growing opportunities. After decades in which Austin Boulevard has served as a hard boundary between neighborhoods which were once united, progress is clear if sometimes halting. There are now several nonprofits with physical presences in both communities and a changing awareness of how more affluent and majority white Oak Park can help best by listening more to Austinites.

Three nonprofits -- New Moms, Beyond Hunger and The Neighborhood Bridge – are among agencies working in both Oak Park

and Austin to serve the two communities in the ways they need to be served.

Prentice Butler, recently named executive director of still new Neighborhood Bridge, recognizes this when discussing how the nonprofit started with volunteers from Oak Park’s four Catholic parishes and has strived to work with the Austin community

“There’s been, unfortunately, boundaries between the community for years, and it’s been exacerbated by this disinvestment,” said Butler. “Many times before where you have a well-resourced community wanting to help out a community in need, there can be, let’s be quite frank, a black and white divide between the two communities. But through the efforts of doing the outreach and having conversations with lots of leaders in the community, I think there is a healthy optimism now where there might have been a healthy kind of skepticism.”

Butler has seen the positive impact of working with both communities.

“I think it’s a positive experience bridging the gap,” said Butler. “What we had in

New Moms’ job training program gives young mothers the chance to build their skills at Bright Endeavors, the nonpro t’s social enterprise that produces soy candles.100% of the proceeds bene t the mission of empowering young moms, their kids, and the local communities.

mind is to bring people together and make sure it’s done in a respectful and equitable way. This is not a top-down approach, this is collaborative. It’s been great to get people from both sides of the line of the community to be able to articulate for themselves what they would like to see.”

When serving both communities, nonprofts often recognize that the two communities have both different and shared needs.

An example of this comes from the nonprofit Beyond Hunger, which has roots in Oak Park for 45 years, and now has expanded to serving a variety of zip codes, including Austin.

Corina Robinson, communications manager at Beyond Hunger said the nonprofit calulated a food insecurity score that showed that Austin residents have about double the level of food insecurity as counterparts in Oak Park

“That encouraged us to start a second produce delivery. We began partnering with

local farmers and local growers in the area, especially within the Austin community and we were able to start doing a second delivery that’s dedicated just to produce for all of our home delivery clients,” said Robinson.

Jenna Hammond, chief development officer of the nonprofit New Moms, recognizes this when discussing the use of services across the two communities.

“There are maybe more services in Oak Park, but there’s also fewer people in need of those services. So then the ratio there works maybe in the favor of somebody in need, whereas in Austin, we’re part of a city that has resources, but there’s so many in need of them, creating a different strain on being able to access those resources,” said Hammond.

In response, these nonprofits put more investment where needed and actively respond to the needs of those asking for their services.

ANJALI PINTO

TODD BANNOR

John Meister, Kenna MacKinnon, Debbie Holiday-Phillips and Dan Doody of Neighborhood Bridge a er a presentation to service providers at Build Chicago on Jan. 9, 2023. See

Juan Silva (center) of the Brook eld Rotary Club and John Dumas (center right), administrative director of Share Food Share Love, stand with others to cut the ribbon on Brook eld’s rst communit y refrigerator.

Rotary Club, food pantry unveil Brook eld’s rst community fridge

Share Food Share Love will host the fridge at its food pantry for anyone who cannot a ord perishables

By TRENT BROWN Staff Reporter

The Rotary Club of Brookfield Riverside and Share Food Share Love food pantry have come together to help anyone in need of perishable food items.

On Friday, Sept. 13, both groups hosted a ribbon cutting for Brookfield’s first community refrigerator. From 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, anyone will be able to access the fridge at the Share Food Share Love food pantry, located at 9030 Brookfield Ave.

While the pantry is providing the space, members of the Rotary Club will be responsible for maintaining the fridge. Friday morning ahead of its first day being open to

the public, Rotary members stocked it full of eggs, dairy products and fresh produce, as well as frozen goods in the freezer.

Juan Silva, a Rotary Club member and co-owner of Brookfield’s Beach Avenue BBQ, told the Landmark his idea for a community refrigerator was inspired by his past work

“Before I started Beach Avenue BBQ, I used to be a social worker in Little Village and other low-income neighborhoods, and the Love Fridge was a thing that existed in those communities,” he said. “I wanted to bring that to Brookfield because I knew that there was a need.”

The Love Fridge is a mutual aid group

With Beyond Hunger’s help, Alma’s table is full this season

At Beyond Hunger, our mission centers the significant role our community plays in ending hunger. More than providing healthy and nutritious groceries, we strive to build relationships with everyone who engages with us. These connections are what keep Beyond Hunger a strong, steadfast pillar of warmth and familiarity that many can rely on.

One of the most impactful ways we complete this mission is by writing holiday cards to our Home Delivery clients, who are homebound seniors and older adults, expressing our gratitude for them. One client, Alma, was so grateful that she wrote back: “As Thanksgiving approaches, I am mindful

of the many blessings I have and that includes all of you and the care that you show me. I am so thankful for your kindness. I am grateful that you are providing me with necessary food items yearround that deliciously sustain me, especially during the holidays.”

This work is only possible with your generosity. Alma’s note is a testament that your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those experiencing food insecurity.

Together, we can put a meal on every family’s table not just this holiday season, but all year round. Together, we can end hunger. Donate today and learn more at www.gobeyondhunger.org.

Beyond Hunger • gobeyondhunger.org

PHOTO BY BOB UPHUES

MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL

KICK OFF THE HOLIDAY SEASON

Kick off the holiday season by exploring all the ways you can participate in programs at the West Cook YMCA that fit your needs and your schedule::

• In-Person at the Y

• Live-streaming at the Y

• Live-streaming on YMCA360

• On-demand on YMCA360

TAKE A TOUR TODAY.

Stop in for a tour and we will show you all that the Y has to offer to meet your needs. Tour guides are available by reservation.

JOIN ONLINE

Receive $0 Joiner Fee and 50% off first month when you join online.

LEARN MORE

PROGRAMS FOR ALL

AQUATICS

Swimming is a life skill as well as great exercise and a challenging sport. All year, the Y offers drowning prevention and swim lessons for all ages, a swim team for the more competitive swimmer, and lifeguard and additional certification courses for those who want to lead the community in being safe.

LEARN MORE

PERSONAL TRAINING

Whether you need a check-up here and there or regular motivation and structure, our personal trainers are here to help you. Each package contains an initial Fitness Consultation to determine your goals and what each session will include. Sessions are 30 or 60 minutes in length.

LEARN MORE

CHRONIC DISEASE RISK MANAGEMENT

Providing evidence-based programs that prevent and manage chronic diseases. We offer programs throughout the year to address arthritis support, cancer wellness, childhood weight management, diabetes prevention, hypertension management, and weight loss.

LEARN MORE

GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH SUPPORTING OUR NEIGHBORS

This holiday season, join West Cook YMCA in providing programs and services that address the needs of our community. With your support, the Y serves as a refuge for those who are housing vulnerable, prevents drowning through complimentary swim lessons, helps our community reduce and mitigate the risk factors for chronic diseases, and collaborates with our school districts to strengthen the academic and social emotional supports of our students.

When you support the West Cook YMCA, you give the gift of wellbeing to our neighbors and have a transformational impact on our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to provide free or reduced membership and access to the Y’s various programs and services to include drowning prevention, swim lessons, reduce the risk of chronic disease, enrichment for youth, and improving the health and wellness for the families and communities we serve.

We have set an ambitious goal that 30% of our membership will have access to the YMCA through contributions such as yours.

EXAMPLES OF HOW YOUR DONATION

GIVES THE GIFT OF WELLBEING:

$25 | ACCESS TO THE Y AS A MEMBER

$50 | PREVENT DROWNING

$100 | SUPPORT STUDENTS

$250 | REDUCE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES

GIVE TODAY IN-PERSON OR MAIL: West Cook YMCA

255 S. Marion St. Oak Park, IL 60302

ONLINE: westcookymca.org/give

BUILD report shows 13% decrease in violence around Austin campus

The gures come from the violence prevention organization’s annual repor t

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

While there was a 9% increase in violence in Austin in 2023, the half mile surrounding the Austin campus of BUILD — or Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development, a gang intervention, violence prevention and youth development organization — experienced a 13% decrease, according to the Chicago Data Portal.

The data is a part of BUILD’s recently released annual report, summarizing the organization’s ef for ts and effects from June 2023 to June 2024.

Since 1969, BUILD has worked to connect young people with each other and support them to overcome barriers and thrive in their communities. BUILD case workers and mentors connect with youth on the West Side in the street, through afterschool programs, and from June 2023 to 2024, in a record 20 schools.

Funded by individual contributions, plus foundation and government grants, BUILD offers support services for mental health, crises and violence intervention, plus programs for colle ge and career pathways, and workforce development. The organization has also hosted over 100 community events or pop-ups to engage the community and inter rupt violence.

“I was in a deep hole when I first came to BUILD. They took me out of that deep hole,” said Liliana, a 16-year-old quoted in the re port. She said BUILD encouraged her to participate in its programs. “I used to be crazy, just a straight hothead. Now, I just go to school, go home and to BUILD. It’s all I do now, and I’m happy.”

In its 2024 fiscal year, BUILD reported it touched the lives of more than 2,750 young people, and its community events reached more than 7,500 locals — over 3,000 more than either of the previous two years.

Of those whom BUILD served, 99% have witnessed violence, 63% in the past year. 83% said they have friends or family in gangs, with 7% involved themselves. And nearly half were bullied, with another 40% recently suspended or disciplined at school.

But since participating with BUILD from the summer of 2023 to 2024, 65% of those who were involved with gangs detached from them or are in the process of doing so. Another 85% had no detentions or expulsions during that time, and 82% had fewer disciplinary infractions.

From the 2023 to 2024 financial year, BUILD saw 6,405 more individual therapy sessions, 2,821 more group ones, and a 260-person increase in the number of

youths in therapeutic care.

The annual BUILD re port tells the story of D, a 16-year-old, who the organization suggested go to therap y.

“Of course there were bumps in the road – he struggled, he really put his mom through the wringer,” BUILD officials said. Now, D has a stipend job at BUILD. “His mom says his behavior has improved. He comes to work every day like he’s supposed to. He’s not disruptive at home. He’s not disruptive at school. So, it takes time, but BUILD works.”

BUILD’s increase in the number of people it has reached is largely due to the organization’s expansion.

While BUILD still operates a commu-

nity site inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, it opened its Youth and Community Hub last year in Austin, and this was its first full year on the campus.

In the summer, the Austin Campus was open until 9 p.m. nightly and until midnight three nights a week — sometimes for a late basketball night or for outdoor movies. Last month, the Austin campus held its first Halloween Spooky Farm

“BUILD Austin feels like a space for everyone, and having grown up just 10 minutes from here, I didn’t feel that I had that,” a BUILD neighbor said in the report. “It makes me feel hopeful to see what’s being built by community.”

FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDE Z

Chicago ar tist Dwight White with middle-school participants from BUILD’s art program at the mural unveiling last October

COMMUNIT Y BRIDGE

from page 9

that operates and maintains 22 community fridges in areas around Chicago.

While Rotary Club members fully stocked the fridge Friday, Silva said it will mostly run based off donations from Brookfield residents or any other charitable people. People who wish to donate unexpired food can access the fridge at the same time it’s open to those in need

Silva said he had approached the Rotary Club with his idea for the fridge three years ago. They were able to raise funds for the initiative but quickly hit roadblocks in the form of village code compliance.

“Our idea was just to put it outside somewhere where people can access it, but we realized that there’s a lot more behind the scenes that goes into it,” he said. “Finally, we brought the idea to John from Share Food Share Love, and he agreed to host the refrigerator.”

John Dumas, the food pantry’s administrative director, said his team was in favor of the initiative immediately.

“Everybody was on board right away, because this really does fill a gap for us. There’s nothing more heartbreaking than [when] we get a call on Wednesday morning after we’ve been open on Tuesday, and somebody says, ‘I’m desperate for food,’ and we say, ‘Come Saturday,’” when the food pantry is open next, he said. “This is great for us because [we can say],

‘Hey, come by, grab something out of the fridge and then come back on Saturday and get your full complement of food.’”

Dumas said the pantry originally thought to keep the fridge accessible at all times, but Brookfield police advised against it for security reasons, so they agreed on the 16-hour daily window instead. He said Share Food Share Love also upgraded its door alarms, installed cameras and fixed it so the door locks itself at 10 p.m. each night.

Aside from that, though, he said there were few barriers to getting the fridge up and running once Share Food Share Love was involved.

“The Rotary, obviously, played a huge part in it, and the village was very supportive. The Chamber [of Commerce] was very supportive. Everybody that we’ve approached about it has just thought it was a great thing,” he said. “We actually ended up having an extra refrigerator, so it was just a question of pushing it out into the lobby.”

Dumas and Silva both said they hope Brookfield will embrace the community refrigerator

“I would encourage the community not only to use [the fridge] if they need food but also to bring food,” Dumas said. “The pantry will be doing some stocking, but we’re really counting on the community to keep it filled.”

“There’s a food pantry over by Eight Corners, and [people in need] have [Share Food Share Love], but there’s nowhere for them to get perishables, such as eggs, dairy, things like that, maybe some fresher produce that we can keep in the refrigerator,” Silva said. “We’re just hoping to give them [some] more options other than the boxed and canned items.”

Bridging the Gap to Help Austin Residents Thrive

Alicia and her daughter had been sleeping on friends’ sofas for months. Most recently, they’d been staying at Alicia’s mother’s house when her mother gave them a deadline to leave. That’s when Alicia turned to her child’s school for help, who referred her to The Neighborhood Bridge. The Neighborhood Bridge contacted several human service providers to help her find a place to live. Today they have a place to call their own.

The Neighborhood Bridge was established in 2023 to help connect Austin families to existing, highperforming human services. We conducted surveys and held focus groups with more than 600 parents and guardians of school-age children in Austin to understand their needs. There was consensus that while there are many

service providers in the Austin area, families and schools don’t know who to contact or struggle to overcome barriers such as trust, bureaucracy, paperwork, and transportation.

That’s where The Neighborhood Bridge comes in. We have built connections to over 40 service providers in Austin. In January, we will begin training our first group of volunteer Advocates. These Advocates will be assigned to families to help connect them to the services they need to thrive. And when families thrive, a whole community thrives. Help us “bridge the gap” for the services Austin families need and deserve. For information about volunteering with The Neighborhood Bridge, contact Jeanne Gallo at jeanne.gallo@theneighborhoodbridge.org. To donate, go to theneighborhoodbridge.org.

ACROSS AUSTIN

from page 8

While there are some struggles when working between Oak Park and Austin, there are many benefits as well.

“Oak Park and Austin have significant community engagement around supporting and addressing issues in their communities. It looks different because the communities are made up of different groups, but they both have people who care very much about the wellbeing of their communities,” said Hammond.

There is also a greater continuum of services when working across a variety of zip codes.

“If a young mom we work with begins at our location in Oak Park and then moves into the city and still needs services, she could come to our Chicago site and access those same services,” said Hammond.

The Neighborhood Bridge has been having volunteers from both Austin and Oak Park work with them, which creates an opportunity for those across the communities to get to know one another.

“For a lot of people, in Oak Park, they have expressed desire to help and to lift up those that have been left behind traditionally in the community, and there’s been a desire in others in the Austin community to make sure that there’s open dialog, and their shared ef fort to make sure Austin is a strong community,” said Butler.

ACT connects and inspires

Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s Austin Community Hub connects Austin residents to resources. At the 5th annual graduation party they hosted alongside the 600 N. Lorel Block Club, local youth were celebrating when Marshall Douthard Jr. shared his passion for architecture and construction.

“[At the graduation,] I thought we were just going to get a round of applause for graduating high school - Mr. Shields did more than that. He recognized us and gifted us with tokens of appreciation for our accomplishments. This motivated me to keep going. I really did not expect it,” Marshall said.

Innovation to get insight into what a project like this entails from both a construction and a community perspective. At the tour, Marshall met different staff, sat in on meetings, and learned what it might be like to have a job in the industry. It is this type of exposure and support that we continue to advocate for because we know how it can inspire our youth!

Marshall recently graduated from the Howe School of Excellence and this experience helped him decide to major in construction management at Illinois State University to graduate with an Associate in General Studies and a Certificate in Construction.

But ACT’s Executive Director Darnell Shields did not stop there, offering the young man a chance to tour the Aspire Center for Workforce

When asked if he had any advice for other youth, he said “If you want to be successful, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there!”

Candace’s Voice and Strength: Embracing Community, the Warrior Way

Opportunity Knocks is comprised of Warriors who utilize voice, interdependence, experience, wellness, and social aspects of their lives to face the challenge of living with intellectual and developmental differences. By focusing on these aspects of their lives, warriors are able to thrive and influence their communities.

One Warrior who has particularly flourished by focusing on these aspects of her life is Candace T. Candace is a newer Warrior who brings a fresh perspective and a smile to every situation. While Candace is not from this area and her family is not near, she has embraced creating a community of her own, which includes her OK Warrior family. Candace is also involved in Arts of Life where she continues to seize every opportunity to show her talents and build up her community.

Candace’s positivity is contagious and she has positively impacted other Warriors in her short time being involved in programs. Candace brings a fresh perspective and experiences to OK. Candace has committed herself to utilizing her voice positively to help her friends when they’re having hard times. She also continues to grow in her love of art and has been an amazing artistic influence at Opportunity Knocks, bringing her voice to the community.

At Opportunity Knocks, we envision an inclusive community where all individuals experience access, presence, and support. Your support will help us continue to build that community. We are grateful for your support in keeping the Warrior Mission moving forward. Please consider a contribution.

The Oak Park Regional Housing Center Continues To Help Residents Expand Their Housing Options

Housing is an extraordinary need but also basic human right. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. McKee had to abruptly uproot from his previous residence to ﬁnd new rental housing. After spending half his life in Oak Park, Mr. McKee had a need and a desire to remain in this community where his roots had been planted. Mr. McKee had used the Housing Center for services in the past. He was excited to learn that the services offered by the Oak Park Regional Housing Center were still available. He recalled the helpfulness of the Housing Center staff and the willingness to ensure that he

would receive the assistance needed to secure housing in the community he loves.

Mr. McKee was seeking a new rental residence that would welcome him and his dog Duke. Gretchen, the Housing Center Residential Coordinator, worked with Mr. McKee to help him ﬁnd a location that was suitable for him and his dog Duke. Gretchen soon found a studio apartment that would accommodate Mr. Mckee with his budget and his furry friend. Mr. McKee has stated that this process put his mind at ease about what his next housing opportunity would be. Mr. McKee has stated he would and continues to recommend the services of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center.

Main Ofﬁce: 1041 South Boulevard • Oak Park, IL 60302

708-848-7150 • info@oprhc.org

Meet Deborah Williams, Associate Director - HUD programming, of the Oak Park Regional Housing Center. Deborah has more than 10 years of experience assisting and educating individuals to become homeowners, manage their ﬁnances and to sustain their homeownership. Deborah makes a “statement” as she provides services to each of the clients that participate in the Oak Park Regional Housing Center’s West Cook Homeownership program. Her most recent impact was the assistance she provided to client Allie. Allie is a housing choice voucher holder who is seeking to become a homeowner. Allie has always wanted to become a homeowner. However, she never received the support she felt she

needed when she would talk to other agencies. When she met Deborah she felt she had found someone who would help her with every step of the way. Despite needing assistance with the basics of technology, Deborah helped her. When she needed to understand terms, Deborah took the time she needed to provide Allie with the information to assist her.

“I didn’t feel like I was being rushed or burdened, which is not what a lot of people exercise nowadays. It was very refreshing getting to know her and knowing that I will be working with her to hopefully become a homeowner soon. I feel better equipped and more adequate when I talk to her. She is an asset to your company.”

- Allie, 2024 pre-purchase homeownership client

Deborah Williams

Ending Hunger

A word about hunger in our region...

When we founded the Share Food Share Love food pantry, we referred to the people we served as our “clients”. Many helping professions use this term. But defense lawyers and psychologists also use the term. And we felt that in our situation, this can reinforce an unwanted stigma and relationship. A relationship that runs contrary to our pantry’s most guiding core value: Upli ing the dignity of people.

Let’s say you are a volunteer at our food pantry and it’s your role to welcome visitors through the pantry. So, you go into the pantry’s waiting room and call out the next service number. And among the several dozen people sitting before you, one raises her hand. And you suddenly realize that the person

raising her hand is your next-door neighbor. What must her experience feel like? What do you want her experience to feel like?

ese were the kind of questions we started to ask ourselves. And we soon stopped using the word “client”. Because the people who come to us for help are not our clients. ey are our neighbors.

We’re all neighbors here. Our food pantry’s long-term goal is to alleviate the causes of hunger in our 15-village region. is requires that we bring neighbors together. Including those in need, volunteers, donors, and strategic partners. Because in a word, the rst step toward ending our community-rooted problem is by recognizing that we are all neighbors in the e ort.

Share Food Share Love • 630-347-5390 • sharefoodsharelove.org

Wonder Works Children’s Museum Strives to Serve ALL Children

Wonder Works Executive Director Rachel Weber says, “Wonder Works Children’s Museum stands out because of its size. We are small and mighty and we seek to serve ALL children, regardless of ﬁnancial difﬁculties or sensory needs.”

In 2024, Wonder Works Children’s Museum doubled their number of sensory friendly play sessions. Twice a month on Sunday, the museum opens an hour early for an accessible and inclusive environment and partners with Kids Unlimited Therapy Services and Lifespeed Behavioral Support Services. To best prepare the environment for a sensory friendly experience, each Wonder Works for Everyone session offers pre-registration for a limited number of families. Through the Museums for All program, Wonder Works Children’s Museum offers $3 admission to anyone with a LINK/EBT card. Regular museum admission is $15 per person and $13 for seniors, ﬁrst responders, educators, and military personnel.

Wonder Works Children’s Museum works with several local social service organizations, including Friends of the Children, a House in Austin, and Family Focus, to offer free admission to agency clients. Organizations partnering with Wonder Works can rent the museum at no cost to host private events for their families. The museum also hosts regular community partner nights to bring all the social service agency clients together to play and learn about other services available in the community.

Wonder Works Children’s Museum is a 501c3 non-proﬁt organization and depends on donations to make museum admissions possible for ALL children. Make a gift to Wonder Works today at www.wonder-works. org/give .

6445 W. North Ave. • Oak Park, IL 60302 • (708) 383-4815

Families afﬁliated with social service

DeAvioun nds hope with the support of New Moms

De’Avioun felt completely alone. She was in the nal months of her rst pregnancy with little support from her family. She questioned the quality of life she could provide for her child and considered putting her baby up for adoption. How could she do this all alone? One day, in a nal e ort to nd support, she searched the internet and discovered New Moms.

When she learned how New Moms’ programs supported young moms just like her, she courageously walked through the front door of New Moms, where she was warmly met by our Family Support Manager, Courtney. is step changed everything.

she could be a wonderful mom to her baby.

De’Avioun sees a bright future for her and her daughter. Encouraged by New Moms sta , she has enrolled at Triton College to pursue an Associate’s degree in architecture and plans to graduate in 2026. De’Avioun’s personal experience with housing insecurity fuels her aspirations to design residential homes.

A single glimmer of hope can transform a person’s journey from shadows to light. Today De’Avioun is leaning on the supportive community of New Moms while she discovers and achieves her goals.

For De’Avioun, New Moms’ programs became a lifeline. She enrolled in New Moms’ doula services two weeks before welcoming her baby girl into the world. With this new supportive community around her, she saw a future where

“New Moms has helped me gain more selfawareness and given me the con dence to be a mom, because I didn’t have it before.”

New Moms | 773.252.3253 | www.newmoms.org

Holiday Food and Gift Basket Brings Joy to Hundreds of Families

Holiday Food and Gi Basket, a program of the Community of Congregations, has been a beloved tradition in Oak Park and River Forest since the 1970’s. Every year we provide grocery gi cards in November and holiday gi s in December to families that have been referred to us by schools, township o ces, and social service agencies.

is year, 780 families ranging in size from individuals to families of twelve have been referred to us. Each individual or family will receive a Jewel-Osco gi card that varies from $35 to $80 depending on family size. We hope that these gi cards will help o set anksgiving grocery expenses and provide a more enjoyable holiday.

gi s, and deliver them to us at United Lutheran Church the week of December 9. en on Saturday, December 14, volunteers will load up their cars with the wrapped gi s and spread holiday joy throughout our community.

As one past recipient said, “You brought Christmas joy that warmed my heart in a truly special way. is is the rst year in several that I am actually looking forward to Christmas and I need to give you 100% of the credit.”

We also match families with sponsors who shop for gi s o a provided wish list, wrap the

Our small program has a big impact because of the support of community members like you. For information on how you can be a donor, sponsor, or volunteer, please visit our website at www.communityofcongregations. org/holiday-food-gi -basket/. ank you for helping our neighbors in need.

New Moms exists so young moms do not have to parent alone. Our impact is multi-generational, exponential, and beautiful.

Young moms and children need stability to take the next steps forward.

New Moms ensures that young moms have what they need to thrive.

Economic mobility is key to lasting change.

Being

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ADVANCINGINCLUSIVEEQUITABLECOMMUNITIES

ADVANCING INCLUSIVE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

ince 1972, The Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC), an organization regarded as a leader for fair housing rights, expansion of housing options, and economic opportunity, has been providing services to residents of the Village of Oak Park and the surrounding West Cook County communities including Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

For many years, OPRHC spent much time creating the residential integration you see in the Village of

ADVANCING INCLUSIVE EQUITABLE COMMUNITIES

Oak Park today. This work, intentional in nature, allowed people of all races to learn about fair housing and their opportunities to live where they choose to live. Fast forward to a new century, as we celebrate 53 years of service to the community, we are beginning to pivot our work to strengthen community ties and residential relationships while continuing to help people with their housing needs. We are still here… for you!

I was living in Wisconsin and wanted to move into Chicagoland area. I went out to visit apartments through the OPRHC GUIDE service, with Gretchen, to find a new Home. I wanted to move here for a new job and to be close to my girlfriend. I needed to be close to the CTA Greenline for his new employment. were out, I fell in love with a great apartment in an owner occupied 2 Flat in the Austin Community. was an affordable, spacious, two bedroom apartment with a yard and a parking spot available. moved in on 11/3/2023 and love with the Chicago neighborhood just east of the Village of Oak Park! at OPRHC provided great service, knows the communities well, and how to work with the landlord!

Karl

Whilewewereout,Ifellinlovewithagreatapartmentinanowneroccupied2FlatintheAustinCommunity. Itwasanaffordable,spacious,twobedroomapartmentwithayardandaparkingspotavailable. Imovedinon11/3/2023andlovewiththeChicagoneighborhoodjusteastoftheVillageofOakPark! TheteamatOPRHCprovidedgreatservice,knowsthecommunitieswell,andhowtoworkwiththelandlord!

Athena Williams, Executive Director

Byline Bank fosters growth and unity in local communities

As a nancial institution, Byline Bank is well-versed in the art of investing. But as a community bank, Byline understands that its role extends beyond just accepting investments; it also actively invests back into its community.

In the last two years, Byline Bank gave over $160,000 in sponsorships, donations and grants and over $2.7 million in community development loans. In addition, Byline employees volunteered over 550 hours with Oak Park and River Forest organizations.

“Our involvement in the community is organically driven,” said Susie Goldschmidt, Byline’s Oak Park and River Forest Market President. “We’re here; we get to know local organizations who are on the ground and problem-solving, and we get to know local people who ask us to get engaged—we try to answer those calls.”

In answering the call, Byline has helped advance a number of Oak Park and River Forest initiatives including those related to animal welfare; the arts; diversity, equity and inclusion; education; nancial literacy; food

security; mental health; and family support. Some highlights include the following: e arts. Byline sponsors Music & Potlucks, the Oak Park Festival eatre, the Oak Park Art League, the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, Heritage Chorale, the Michael Teolis Singers, and One Voice for Arts. ese sponsorships enhance access to locally driven entertainment and provide the community with an opportunity to come together and unite behind its shared love of the arts.

Diversity, equity and inclusion. Byline supports organizations such as the Oak Park Area Lesbian & Gay Association, Oak Leyden, Place to Belong, rive Counseling Center, AgeOptions, the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Dragon Boat Race for Literacy, and the West Suburban Special Recreation Association. ese e orts contribute to fostering a more inclusive and equitable community—a place where success is attainable for all.

Food security. Byline Bank is deeply committed to Beyond Hunger, a charitable

organization dedicated to combating hunger through various programs and services. Byline provides essential community development grants for operational needs and sponsors the nonpro t’s annual fall bene t concerts. Goldschmidt also sits on the Beyond Hunger Board of Directors.

Byline’s community involvement is not limited to traditional philanthropy within nonpro ts. “We of course give where there’s a pressing need,” Goldschmidt said, “but we nd it’s meaningful to invest in the economic ecosystem and the community as a whole.” For example, during lunch meetings at its Oak Park and River Forest branches, Byline arranges for catering from nearby eateries—a small yet meaningful way of supporting the local economy, Goldschmidt notes.

Consistent with its status as the top Small Business Administration lender in Illinois, Byline advocates for local businesses as a member of the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce and a sponsor of

Takeout 25. Goldschmidt also serves as president of Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance and as a member of the Village of Oak Park Business Association Council and Imagine Foundation Advisory Council. In addition, Byline has a presence at most Oak Park and River Forest community events, including the Memorial Day parade, Oaktoberfest, ursday Night Out and OPRF Rotary Food Truck Rally.

“We want Oak Park and River Forest to thrive,” Goldschmidt said. “Wellfunctioning charities, well-supported businesses and a tight-knit community equates to more opportunities for our customers, their families and our employees who live and work here. We’re giving back and pitching in because it’s what neighbors do.”

River Forest Memorial Day Parade

Beyond Hunger Healthy Chef Challenge

Oak Park A Day in Our Village

Byline Bank Asian Employee Resource Group

Animal Care League Development and Marketing Workplace Room

League of Women Voters Oak Park River Forest Gala celebrating 100 years

Beyond Health Care: OPRF IWS Provides Lifesaving Support for Families

Bella was four when her mother, Irene, first brought her and her brother to the IWS Children’s Clinic. The Clinic, the cornerstone program of OPRF IWS, offers infants, children and young adults 0 to 21 medical, dental and behavioral health care, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Now, at 11, Bella has benefited from years of physicals, health visits, and dental care.

The Clinic stepped in. Through its Emergency Food Fund, supported by donations, Irene received immediate assistance. Fulgencio connected the family with food programs, transportation for medical visits, and social services. Bella also received a backpack, school supplies, a uniform, and a winter coat through Clinic programs.

But the Clinic’s support went even further—through behavioral health services, Irene and her family received critical help during a crisis. For two years, Yajaira Fulgencio, the Clinic’s Behavioral Health Director, worked closely with Irene, a single mom, who was unemployed and struggling financially. The family had lost their home and was relying on $50 per month from a Link card for food.

Reflecting on the journey, Fulgencio shares, “The IWS Children’s Clinic is a special place. Not only do families get high-quality health care with short wait times but they receive behavioral health that can turn around lives. Irene has started a new job with benefits. The family is living in their own apartment.”

Thanks to support from the IWS Children’s Clinic, Irene and her family are in a better place today. Please consider donating at oprfiws.org/ donate. (Names have been changed for privacy.)

Infant Welfare Society of Oak Park & River Forest • oprfiws.org/donate

OPRFCF Shifts Its Investment Strategy to Fully Align With Its Mission

Over the past several years, the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation has been making changes to ensure every aspect of the organization and its work re ects its mission to advance a racially just society and equitable outcomes for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and surrounding communities.

“As a philanthropic institution, we have the ability to not only partner with local organizations working to solve the complex problems facing our region, but also to invest our assets in ways that can help reduce many of these problems at their root,” said Sheryl Martin, chief nancial o cer of the Foundation.

As it works toward the goal of 100% alignment with its mission, the Foundation is changing the way its investments are structured so they re ect best practices in the eld — sustainable, responsible investing, with special attention given to investments that

have particular relevance to racial equity and justice. As part of this shi , the Foundation recently named Bivium Westfuller (BWF) as its outsourced chief investment o cer (OCIO).

An OCIO works with the organization’s

investment committee and senior leadership to determine appropriate investment goals, asset classes and risk parameters, in accordance with the organization’s mission and strategy.

e Foundation’s new investment strategy will encourage publicly traded companies to end practices that harm communities of color and adopt practices that promote racial justice through shareholder pressure — for example, by disclosing employment statistics on the racial makeup of their workforce. e strategy will also allow the Foundation to avoid supporting companies whose business practices or products do not align with its mission.

We have the ability to not only partner with local organizations working to solve complex problems, but also invest our assets.

Sheryl Martin is the chief nancial o cer at the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation.

Sponsored Content

Give a gift that every child will remember forever—the gift of a happy childhood. From now through December 31st, when you give a gift online, it will be matched by generous donors during our Hephzibah Holiday Challenge.

Nature Therapy is Healing Therapy

Nature has amazing healing qualities— just ask Jenny Wise, Art erapist at Hephzibah Home. Nature therapy is a regular part of the treatment we provide for children living at Hephzibah Home, where abused and neglected children ages 3-11 come to heal. Research shows that when a child engages in nature-based activities it helps those who have su ered from trauma become more resilient and recover sooner. Research also shows that nature therapy may in fact o er more comfort than some traditional therapies and allows children to connect to something other than their trauma.

immediately named the cicada Caramel, noting its pale coloring and similarity to the sweet treat. is led to an impromptu lesson in entomology by Jenny, who adapts lessons based on what they nd in nature. e girl decided to take Caramel on a walk to show the cicada the world through her own eyes, re ecting on the beauty of nature all around her and introducing the cicada to sta and fellow children before carefully returning Caramel to the garden.

During the planting season at the Hephzibah Home Garden, one child unearthed their rst cicada of the season. She

Nature therapy teaches children that just as in nature, transformation and change in their lives are possible. We are grateful for our supporters, community partners and our dedicated sta members who always nd new ways to help children heal.

Hephzibah Children’s Association • 708-649-7100 • hephzibahhome.org

One Earth Collective inspires action to preserve our planet

Over the past 13 years, One Earth Collective has reached diverse communities with impactful programs centered around environmental sustainability and justice. We educate the public about environmental issues, focusing on the intersection of environmental, racial, and social justice, and inspiring individual and systemic change. Programs include One Earth Youth Voices, One Earth Local, and the One Earth Film Festival, the Midwest’s premier environmental lm festival. rough a unique arts-for-social

change model, the lm festival provides much-needed knowledge and inspiration to audiences locally, nationally, and globally to combat the paralysis felt when confronting climate change. A 2024 audience member shared, “Once again I found my experience seeing beautiful provocative lms topped only by the excellent facilitated discussion with lm stars and directors and local activists. I love that OEFF blends art, community, ideas to create an inspiring experience, every time!”

Home Sweet Home

The American Dream is all Bintou wanted for herself and her daughter, Caddy. She never expected the journey to be easy. However, trying to nd a secure, stable life a er moving to the US from Africa became an uphill battle. Not only was Bintou struggling to raise her autistic daughter alone, but she was also ghting for services for Caddy who struggled in school. Bintou o en had to miss work to deal with frequent school disruptions leading to lost wages.

Luckily, Bintou was connected with Hephzibah’s Intact Family Services caseworker, Holly Little, who knew exactly what to do. Holly helped the family nd the right school for Caddy, and was able to secure housing for the family, allowing them to move into a safer apartment. According to Bintou “Hephzibah is the best thing that happened to us. ey’ll take you from nowhere and put you somewhere. Look at me!”

On top of these challenges, they were also living in less-than-ideal housing and were even forced to move to a shelter for a short period of time. Eventually, Caddy’s behavior in school resulted in DCFS intervening to help Bintou nd the help she needed.

When families thrive under Hephzibah’s care, it’s a success story for everyone. Families receive the services they need, and sta see families strengthen and ourish. When asked why she performs this important work, Holly says, “I just really love helping people”. We couldn’t agree more

Hephzibah Children’s Association • 708-649-7100 • hephzibahhome.org

The Joyful Giving Catalog2024

Animal Care League

Animal Care League o ers 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 1,300 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 di erence 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.

Arts Alliance Forest Park

Become a Member and Create With Us! Arts Alliance Forest Park. The Catalyst for Creativity.

Members enjoy a variety of bene ts including discounts to events, advanced notice to opportunities to showcase your talent, all while collaborating with other local organizations and businesses including Forest Park Theatre, the Park District, Historical Society and the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce.

Programs include the well-attended and known StoopSessions, Tellers’ Night, GarageGalleries, Makers’ Market and FiberFlash. You were born creative. Join the only Forest Park arts organization that assembles like-minded art enthusiasts for the love, fun and beauty of art.

Join us! Visit forestparkarts.org/ become-a-member-1

Everything you need for a better world:

Austin Coming Together (ACT)’s mission is to increase the collective impact of our 50+ member organizations on improving education and economic development outcomes for Chicago’s Austin community. Since 2010, we’ve been connecting residents to services, attracting investments for the community, and building capacity for policy change. Recent e orts include co-developing the former Emmet School into the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation and supporting the Austin Eats Initiative, a 20+ group focused on strengthening the community’s food access infrastructure.

Learn how Austin is leading e orts to move forward together, and how you can support, at AustinComingTogether.org/AustinCares

Beyond Hunger

For 45 years

Beyond Hunger has been harnessing the power of communities to create a hun-

ger-free future. Our food pantry, home delivery program, nutrition education classes, and bene ts services program provides hunger relief that goes beyond basic nourishment. Our goal is to provide our clients with the immediate and long-term tools they need, ensuring that no one is left behind in the battle against food insecurity. This work is not possible without our community. Whether you volunteer, advocate for those in need, or donate, you are essential in moving our mission forward. With your support, we believe hunger is solvable.

BUILD

Since 1969, we have embedded mentors in schools and across neighborhoods to connect with youth who need support. Wrapping young people in the opportunities and care they deserve, we help them build hope, resilience, and a path to a promising future. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school, 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: www.buildchicago.org

CAYR Connections

CAYR Connections is a 501(c)3 nonpro t founded in Oak Park.

CAYR stands for “Come As You Are,” and we advocate for embracing neurodiversity, the natural variation of human brains. We believe that there is no “right” type of brain, and that an inclusive, accessible society improves the world for everyone, not just neurodivergent (Autistic, ADHD, etc.) individuals.

Your donation helps us fund current programs and create new ones, too! We are working on a neurodiversity-a rming afterschool and summer program for 2025.

The Day Nursery

located at 1139 Randolph Street in

educates young children ages 2 to age 6, and o ers working families a safe and nurturing environment for young minds to learn and grow. We are proud to share our most recent assessment scores for meeting or exceeding age exceptions for literacy & language, 93%; social-emotional, 87%; and physical development, 95%. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to provide a ordable and equitable access to high quality education for all young children.

Visit thedaynursery.org/ to donate today. Thank you.

Deborah’s Place

For women experiencing homelessness in Chicago, Deborah’s Place opens the door to opportunity and stability. Going beyond just shelter, Deborah’s Place provides a supportive community and wrap-around services. Each year hundreds of women receive dedicated guidance as they pursue their goals for healthier, safer, more independent lives. With a key in her pocket and a team by her side, anything is possible on her journey.

You can help Deborah’s Place change lives by donating or volunteering. Learn more at www.deborahsplace.org.

Learn more about how you can get involved in the ght to end hunger by visiting www.gobeyondhunger.org or donating using this QR Code.

Visit www.cayrconnections. org to learn more. Your generosity helps celebrate “minds of all kinds.”

Austin Coming Together

The Oak Park & River Forest Day Nursery,

Oak Park,

Building self-esteem at BUILD

Dis 16, and had been struggling with low self-esteem and trust, hanging around the wrong group of guys. So early on in our relationship, the four of us took him and his mother grocery shopping: they were so amazed. ‘Nobody ever did this for us,’

D said, looking up with tears in his eyes. ‘Man, why do you guys want to do all of these things for me?’ Some of the youths are just not used to people being nice. Eventually we recommended that he get therapy, and he did. Of course there were bumps

in the road—he still struggled, he really put his mom through the wringer. But we were persistent and consistent, and we started to see the change. Now, he now has a stipend job at BUILD, he has a community of support here. His mom says his behavior has improved. He comes to work every day like he’s supposed to. He’s not disruptive at home. He’s not disruptive at school. So, it takes time but BUILD works.

MMisty’s journey from housing crisis to housing stability with Housing Forward END HOMELESSNESS

isty was just 29 years old when she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Since then, her medical condition has progressively worsened. She has battled thyroid cancer, strokes, depression and bariatric surgery. During this time, Misty was forced to leave her family home after her mother died. She relied on friends for a place to live, which only furthered her need for stability. But Misty kept fighting.

After an extensive stay at Loyola University Medical Center, Misty began her journey with Housing Forward. Her hospital social worker knew she needed a stable place to heal and referred Misty to Sojourner House, one of two Medical Respite Programs operated by Housing Forward and our hospital partners. Misty confesses that if

Sojourner House had been unavailable, she would have needed to recuperate in the hospital full time. As she admits, “batteries and a plug” are the life-saving devices she needs to keep her heart pumping.

Misty’s journey from housing crisis to housing stability was secured with her recent move to Broadview Legacy Apartments, Housing Forward’s new permanent supportive housing development that opened in May. When asked how she feels about her new, fully furnished, apartment, she says emphatically, “I love it here!” Her next steps are a surgery to remove excess skin after her loss of over 200 pounds and getting onto the heart transplant list. Working with her case manager, Misty believes there is hope for a happy, stable life while maintaining her health.

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

Early care and education is the workforce behind the workforce. It makes everything else possible, and it allows children to reach their full potential from day one. We are a community-driven organization that cultivates the development of the whole child, birth to age five, by engaging families, local organizations, early childhood educators, caregivers, and health providers to create equitable, nurturing, and interconnected systems of support. Donate today to ensure that our community continues to be a place where families and their babies have the care, relationships, and resources needed to thrive!

Invest in early childhood. Whatever the size, your donation will make an important impact. Learn more and give at www. collab4kids.org.

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park

The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing. The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an understanding of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature. Your gift supports creative outlets for people of all ages through professional teacher development, local author and performing artist programs, inter-generational engagement, a writer-in-residence program, as well as student writing workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

For more information about us or to donate online go to hemingwaybirthplace.com or

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory

Built in 1929, the Oak Park Conservatory is a Historic Property of the Park District of Oak Park. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Conservatory offers three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants and two outdoor gardens including a play area for toddlers. The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers a wide range of programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. From volunteering to educational and recreational opportunities, tours, and classes, there is something for everyone to enjoy year-round. To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

GROWING COMMUNITY

Growing Community Media Media

Growing Community Media is the reader supported newsroom behind four great local news publications covering our neighborhoods and villages. We publish the Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal of Oak Park & River Forest, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark. We focus our efforts on Essential Civics -- five vital purposes which have never been more important. Democracy. Accountability. Equity. Connection. Civility. Our reporters tell stories which strengthen the fabric of our communities while holding local governments and institutions to account. We know local news is the glue which holds our communities together and we depend on our readers to support our journalism.

Donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia.org/donate

Founded in 1897,

tial treatment program for severely abused, neglected, and traumatized children and those in need of behavioral intervention ages 3-11. In addition, Hephzibah offers foster care services, comprehensive services for children and families in crisis, positive parenting services and an abuse & neglect prevention program. Hephzibah also provides affordable after-school care and summer camp for Oak Park families of all income levels.

To make a donation, visit www.hephzibahhome.org/donate-now

Holiday Food and Gift Basket

Holiday Food and Gift Basket, a program of the Community of Congregations, has beenspreading holiday joy to families in Oak Park and River Forest since the 1970’s.

In November, every family referred to us receives a grocery gift card paid for with donations. On the second Saturday of December, volunteers deliver holiday gifts that have been purchased by sponsors from a provided wish list. Our small program has a big impact because of the support of community members like you.

Visit our website at www. communityofcongregations.org/holidayfood-gift-basket to find out how you can be a donor, sponsor, or volunteer.

Housing Forward

Housing Forward is passionately focused on one vision – ending homelessness.

Housing Forward is a recognized leader in suburban Cook County offering a coordinated response for people experiencing a housing crisis to quickly resolve their situation. We believe in bold, comprehensive approaches to prevent homelessness whenever possible, respond to people in housing crises, and create stability through permanent housing for the most vulnerable members of our community. Each year we assist more than 2,000 individuals and families with compre

The Imagine Foundation

The mission of the OPRFHS Imagine Foundation is to champion community excellence by raising funds to support OPRF facilities improvements to meet evolving educational needs. The Foundation was created by community volunteers who understand that the school district cannot cover the costs of the entire Imagine Plan out of its cash reserves, nor can taxpayers. The Foundation is an independent nonprofit that works in partnership with the school to augment public investment with private philanthropy. Imagine Foundation invites you to take part in this unique community system of support by donating to help secure the future of OPRF Huskies! www.imagine-foundation. org/donate

L’Arche Chicago

Life is better together…

Quality care for adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities extends beyond the basics of supporting someone with their basic living and medical needs. It’s about creating opportunities to say, “I’m living my best life” and mean it! L’Arche Chicago is committed to the highest quality of care for our core members (adults with disabilities), and our intentional community makes it possible for us to experience life to the fullest, together. Mutual relationships transform lives at all three of our homes, located in Forest Park and the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. Our newest home in Oak Park will serve four more individuals and is thoughtfully designed to be ADA compliant and universally designed to meet all current and future accessibility needs.

You make our community stronger – Join us by making a gift today! www.larchechicago.org

708-660-1600

hello@larchechicago.org

Hephzibah Children’s Association

Celebrate Minds of All Kinds with CAYR Connections

“Idiscovered that I was Autistic only a er my daughter’s diagnosis. I always knew that I was di erent, but I didn’t know why. I struggled to t into a world that didn’t make sense and learned to ‘mask’ or ‘camou age’ my neurodivergent traits, which impacted my mental health. Learning that my mind wasn’t awed—just wired di erently— was a life-changing revelation,” says Megan, a teacher and board member at CAYR Connections.

CAYR (pronounced “care”) stands for “Come As You Are.”

CAYR Connections’ goal is to promote neurodiversity, the natural variation in human brains, and educate our community about ways to be more inclusive, accepting, and a rming of neurodivergent people (e.g., Autistic, ADHD, Dyslexic, etc.) Many late-diagnosed folks like Megan have found that as they accept and embrace their neurodivergence, they feel positive

DECEMBER 3

impacts on their mental health and well-being. Megan adds: “Discovering neurodiversitya rming practices empowered me to embrace who I am and advocate for both myself and my daughter. I know that accommodating myself and my daughter will have a positive impact on our lives. I hope that my advocacy work with CAYR can help others, too.”

CAYR’s programs support neurodiverse individuals and families of all ages. From our CAYRgiver Circle for parents and caregivers of neurodivergent kids & teens, to our partnership with the Chicago Neurodiverse Social Club for neurodivergent adults, we aim to create a more inclusive, accepting community. Our next goal is to open an a erschool and summer program! Learn more and join us at www.cayrconnections.org.

CAYR Connections • cayrconnections.org

OPRF’s MakerSpace

A shining example of the transformative power of modern learning environments

magine a space where students make ideas

What was once a humble arts and crafts room has transformed into the vibrant MakerSpace, a collaborative hub of innovation inside our

offers all students access to a range of tools and technologies. Huskies can get their hands on everything from 3D printers and scanners to

Students are empowered to explore passions, discover new interests, and enhance traditional classroom experiences. Whether they’re recording original songs, designing fashion, printing valves for science projects, or engineering structures to visualize advanced calculus problems, the MakerSpace provides the perfect platform for project-centered learning. As OPRF’s facilities continue to evolve, the MakerSpace serves as an example of the impact 21st century learning spaces can have on the

youth of our community. Imagine Project 2 continues this work by bringing new Physical Education and renovated theatre facilities to OPRF by summer 2026.

The OPRF High School Imagine Foundation champions community excellence by raising funds to support facilities improvements to meet evolving educational needs. You can help ensure that future generations of Huskies have increased access to modern facilities by making a tax-deductible gift to support Project 2. Imagine becoming part of the team

building the future of OPRF!

Learning Edge

For over 30 years, Learning Edge has been a part of the Oak Park and Austin communities. Our mission is to strive for more equity in education by providing Chicago-area students who live in underserved communities free one-to-one tutoring and academic enrichment opportunities enhanced by caring, mentoring relationships. We help students improve their foundational math and reading skills, complete their homework, and foster their love of learning. Your support helps us provide school-year tutoring to over 100 students in grades K through 12 each year.

To donate or volunteer, please visit our website www.learningedgetutoring.org.

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program

Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has

New Moms

No one should parent alone. For more than 40 years, New Moms has partnered with young moms, 24 and younger, to help them build the con dence needed to achieve long-lasting success. We understand how homelessness and poverty impacts young families. Through housing, paid job training, and family support, our holistic approach provides support for young moms a ected by systemic barriers. By fostering each moms’s unique talents, we blend behavioral research, e ective strategies, and practical experience to create pathways for young families to unlock brighter futures. Join us in this life-changing work. Visit newmoms.org/season/

The Neighborhood Bridge

The Neighborhood Bridge (TNB) is a nonpro t established in 2023 that is working to

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 nonpro ts, who account for 80% of its usage. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in ve areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The Nineteenth Century is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the building. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join. Our Monday programs are now being live-streamed as well as available a week later on our website for all to enjoy.

If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org. You can also make

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation invests in our future. We bring together nonpro ts, businesses, civic o cials, and caring residents to uncover and tackle issues of vital importance, and to attract resources to address unmet needs. Today we share our community’s vision to increase high quality childcare and education, support healthcare and mental health services, grow nancial security, and enhance safety, belonging and stability for all who live andwork in our region.

Join the Foundation and help ful ll our vision of a racially just society in which all members of our community thrive and prosper. Donate today at oprfcf.org.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Oak Park Regional Housing Center has

OPALGA+: Offering life-changing scholarships for LGBTQIA+ high school graduates

Since 2014, OPALGA+ has annually raised funds and distributed scholarships to local LGBTQIA+ youth and allies for postsecondary education. In 2024, OPALGA+ awarded its largest amount yet: ten $5,000 scholarships for a total award of $50,000. No one can attest more powerfully to the impact of these funds than the students themselves:

“I want to go into psychology. The mental health resources in my community–African American and also LGBTQ–are really low. It’s a market that’s not being helped, and that’s what I want to do. I want to help those people.”

—Kennedy Smith, 2024 OPALGA+ scholar, Lindblom Math & Science Academy now attending University of Wisconsin-Madison

“Receiving the OPALGA+ scholarship definitely reflects my activism for the LGBTQ+ community and continues to make sure they’re being represented, and that their voices aren’t being taken away because their voices matter just as much as everyone else’s do.”

—Sean Groh, 2024 OPALGA+ scholar from Lane Tech attending Drake University

“I attended high school in a Latinx community with few LGBTQ resources. I was the type of student who sat in the back of the room and never said much. Now in college, I’m much more outgoing and am the future president of the Prism Club, the LGBTQ club on campus.”

—Emily Gonzalez, two-time OPALGA+ scholar, attending Dominican University Class of 2027

We are accepting applications for 2025-’26 scholarships through March 15, 2025. Your generosity makes these efforts possible. Please help us support the next generation of LGBTQIA+ leaders. opalga.org/donate

OPALGA+ • opalga.org

Breaking Down Barriers to HealthCare:

Pillars Community Health provides compassionate & accessible whole-person care

Samuel* was referred to Pillars Community Health a er seeking medical attention at a local hospital. Samuel’s rst language was not English, and he found it challenging to comprehend the information they provided, and the questions asked. Without health insurance, and as the primary provider for his family, Samuel was deeply worried that his medical issues might negatively impact his family’s wellbeing. He arrived at Pillars Community Health feeling frustrated, isolated, and anxious about not only his health, but his family’s future.

are available in multiple languages and some services are provided free of charge, while others are o ered on a sliding fee scale, based on each person’s ability to pay.

At Pillars Community Health we envision communities where everyone has access to the care they need, when they need it. We are committed to eliminating barriers to care, such as language and income. Many of our services

A er arriving at Pillars Community Health Samuel was greeted by one of our care coordinators, who spoke his native language, and Samuel relaxed a bit. rough the care coordinator, Samuel and his team collaborated, determined a diagnosis and followed up with the appropriate treatment plan. We applied sliding scale discounts to his services and assisted him in applying for medication assistance. With support, Samuel was also able to recover more quickly and return to work relieving his stress about supporting his family.

*Named altered for anonymity.

Oak Park River Forest Museum

Oak Park River Forest Museum is the caretaker of local history and community storyteller. It o ers many programs and exhibits for visitors and can be rented for private events. The museum, located in a renovated 1898 rehouse at Lake and Lombard next to Stevenson Park, is operated by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. Check out our family-friendly Hometown Legends Scavenger Hunt that challenges visitors to nd LEGO versions of famous residents hidden around the museum. A gift of any amount funds our 2025 activities, research center, and knowledgeable sta .

Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or call 708-848-6755.

OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation

100 Years of Impact: OPRFHS Scholarship

One Earth Collective

One Earth curates vibrant environmental programming that inspires action, facilitates learning, promotes justice, and fosters equity and inclusion to create resilient communities and a healthier planet. We focus our work in 3 areas - One Earth Film Festival, One Earth Youth Voices, and One Earth Local. One Earth Film Fest’s 14th season will take place April 16th-22nd, 2025. We’re excited to welcome Chicagoland audiences back live, in addition to our virtual screenings. Join us for captivating lms, engaging discussion, impactful action opportunities and community-building. Memberships start at $35.

Learn more and donate at oneearth lmfest. org/give

Opportunity Knocks

Opportunity Knocks was founded in 2009 by families and embraced by a community that

OPRF Infant Welfare Society

Since 1916, OPRF IWS has supported families through the IWS Children’s Clinic, providing medical, dental, and behavioral health services to underserved infants, children, and young adults up to age 21, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The Clinic serves families in the western suburbs, Chicago, and Cook and DuPage counties. In FY2024, it provided over 8,000 visits to nearly 3,000 patients. OPRF IWS is powered by its donors, sta , members, and volunteers. Join us in advancing the health and well-being of children in need.

To learn more and donate, visit opr ws.org.

Pillars Community Health

Pillars Community Health is a nonprofit provider of medical, dental, behavioral health, and domestic and sexual violence services to individuals and families who need care. We

PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation)

PING! is a community nonpro t organization providing band and orchestra instruments, mentoring, workshops, and access to lessons, music camps, and trips to students who bene t from support that are in grades 4 through 12 in Oak Park and River Forest, Illinois, public schools. In a community with very high-quality school music programs, PING! students can be on par with peers regardless of their nancial situations and feel like they belong. PING! programming also brings diversity to instrumental music classrooms and beyond, providing access to some traditionally underrepresented populations.

Donate: pingoprf.org/ donate. Instrument donations: info@ pingoprf.org

River Forest Public Library Foundation

Listing: In person and online, River Forest Public Library serves everyone from toddlers to seniors by connecting them with information, entertainment, and each other in a welcoming space. RFPL Foundation works to ensure the vitality of the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and grants. Foundation grants have enabled the Library to repurpose mechanical room space to build a new multi-purpose meeting room and ADA compliant restroom, refresh the Children’s and Teen spaces, maintain the Memorial Garden for gatherings, o er community events like the Dooley Band concert and Summer Reading Kicko , and more. Please donate at rfplfoundation.org and help your Library continue to serve and connect our community for generations to come.

Sarah’s Inn

Sarah’s Inn is a community-based organization whose mission is to improve the lives of those a ected by domestic violence and to break the cycle of violence for future generations. We o er services in three areas of program focus: Intervention services for families a ected by domestic violence that includes Advocacy and Counseling; Prevention education for youth to give them the tools to develop healthy relationships; and Training and Education for professionals and community-based organizations to create a network of skilled ambassadors. Intervention services are con dential, bilingual (English/ Spanish), and o ered free of charge to survivors and their children.

Make a donation at sarahsinn.org/donate

Share Food Share Love Food Pantry

Our food pantry serves 15 villages, where over 7,000 of our neighbors are living below the poverty line. Most (83%) live in just 7 of our 15 villages. Which makes ours a region of “haves” and “have-nots”. But we are all neighbors here. Like many food pantries, we are a not-for-pro t business. Which means our collective purpose is to one day go out of business: We are working collectively toward a time when neighbors in our region are no longer oppressed with hunger. A time when enough of us have come together to uplift all of us.

End Hunger. Uplift Neighbors. Learn how you can help at sharefoodsharelove.org

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

The award-winning Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest and its esteemed conductor Jay Friedman continue to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain a ordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and neighboring communities.

Make your end-of-year tax-deductible donation at SymphonyOPRF.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

The Joyful Giving Catalog2024

When Rose Mattax was a child, she treasured the idea of a neighborhood being a close-knit community where people looked out for each other, spent time together, and supported each other. In her adulthood, she longed for that connection with her neighbors. Everything changed when L’Arche Chicago bought the house across the street.

This gathering is a highlight for everyone, with new players often joining in.

Shortly after L’Arche moved in, Rose received a knock on her door. Jean, a core member resident, and an assistant brought over home-baked cookies, marking the start of many new friendships. Over the past eight years, these connections have grown into cherished traditions and lasting memories.

L’Arche provides integrated homes for adults with intellectual disabilities.

Every Wednesday, Rose sits across from Noah, another core member, at the L’Arche Chicago dining table, ready for their weekly game of Uno.

On less frequent occasions, Jean will get a hankering for a nonalcoholic beer, and Rose gladly accompanies her to O’Sullivan’s in Forest Park. Jean’s wit and humor never fail to charm the server, making these outings truly special. Rose’s home has transformed into what the community fondly calls the “L’Arche Annex.” For many of the young assistants, moving into Rose’s upstairs apartment is a significant step as they prepare for the next chapter in their lives. This maintains the sense of community – friendship, support and mutual growth.

“I couldn’t have imagined the joy that L’Arche as a neighbor would bring into our lives. I treasure every moment of these invaluable friendships. Life is better with L’Arche as a neighbor.” For that reason, Rose is known to always extend invitations for others to join the L’Arche community

L’arche Chicago • 708-660-1600 • larchechicago.org

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association Presents “Raining Pianos” Program

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association is known for sharing its building with the community. This year it has extended this mission to extend the use of its important asset, the Steinway pianos with some of our talented community members. This past summer our newest program, entitled “Raining Pianos” was held at 1pm on the fourth Monday during the months of June thru September. It featured five accomplished pianists from surrounding communities who sprinkled us with music from the nineteenth century. Each pianist performed on our lovingly restored Steinway piano. Our series began with Heather Peterson from Oak Park, who after her beautiful performance

explained how her chosen pieces related to her life. The talented Cacie Miller, who performed in July, said her music has helped her navigate the world around her. In August, brothers Brian Ling(a sixth grader), and Owen Ling (a high schooler)shared the spotlight. Both brothers have competed in international competitions and performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall. Each brother has also received first place awards in performance. Our summer series ended with a member of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, Doug Cotsamire. He has taken piano lessons since second grade, and has been studying classical piano in Oak Park for eleven years. Recently retired from his rheumatology practice Doug amazed us by performing some of his favorite piano pieces.

At L’Arche Chicago, supporting adults with disabilities includes valuing the strong, meaningful bonds that form when you build friendships within the community.

Thrive Counseling Center

Thrive Counseling Center has provided mental health services to Oak Park and surrounding communities for over 120 years. We build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being, regardless of their ability to pay. We envision a world where mental health is valued, proactively nurtured, and in reach of everyone.

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• Psychiatry and medication management

• 24/7 Crisis intervention

• Case management

• Suicide awareness and prevention training

• Thrive Talks community education programs

Open Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 9am-5pm, and Saturday from 9am-2pm. To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500.

Way Back Inn

Since 1974, Way Back Inn has successfully provided long-term residential and outpatient treatment for substance use and gambling disorders. Our mission is to rebuild lives damaged by addiction in a personalized healing environment. This holiday season, we ask that you gift responsibly with the youth in your family. Children who have early exposure to gambling experiences, including lottery tickets, are more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life.

For more information or to make a donation to our program, go to: www. waybackinn.org or call us at 708-345-8422.

West Cook YMCA

When you give to the West Cook YMCA, you impact our community today and tomorrow.

100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to providing scholarships to children, adults, and seniors- your friends and neighbors-transforming their lives through access to health screenings, chronic disease prevention programs, after-school programs, swim lessons, homeless prevention for residents, and Y memberships that can open the door to help each person become their best self.

To donate, visit // westcookymca.org/give or send your check to West Cook YMCA, 255 S. Marion St., Oak Park, IL 60302. (708-383-5200)

West Suburban Special Recreation Association

West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA help provide nancial assistance to those participating in our year-round programs and summer day camp.

To make a donation please visit wssra.net.

Wonder Works Children’s Museum in Oak Park

Wonder Works Children’s Museum has been a community gem on North Avenue since 2003. Our small but mighty museum plays a very important role in nurturing young minds, fostering a love of learning, and bolstering social and emotional skills. In 2024, we continued to grow museum access for ALL children through discounted admission for families with nancial needs, sensory-friendly play sessions, and social service agency partnerships. As a 501c3 non-pro t organization, individual donations to Wonder Works Children’s Museum are crucial to bringing our mission and programs to life.

Visit Wonder-Works.org/give to donate and support the museum.

OPRF Museum Tells Your Community’s Stories—Large or Small

Good things often come in small packages.

That’s why the Illinois Association of Museums named Oak Park River Forest Museum the state’s Small Museum of the Year soon after it opened its doors in 2017. The museum is in an 1898 firehouse that underwent a $1 million renovation, transforming a vacant building into a welcoming Oak Park Landmark next to

be rented for private events. OPRF Museum, at 129 Lake St., Oak Park, is operated by The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest. The featured exhibit on the museum’s first floor tells the 150-year history of OPRF High School.

Whether you’re interested in sports, the arts or building additions, this exhibit has it all.

The museum’s second floor contains a “Wall of Fame” highlighting famous residents, a children’s play area, and an award-winning exhibit about Fair Housing.

Visit our Fields Research Center, open by appointment, to research almost everything related to the villages including homes, community groups and businesses. Membership has many benefits. For information, visit oprfmuseum.org or call 708848-6755 and follow The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest on Facebook.

Building Community, One Story at a Time

“I

t’s not Wednesday unless I read the paper,” says long-time reader Jeannette, who connected to her community by reading the Wednesday Journal since she moved to Oak Park in 1994.

“It is more than just a local paper. It is a feeling of belonging in a special community...stories about people and organizations in OPRF doing great things that I would not otherwise know about,” she says.

Growing Community Media brings a sense of belonging and connection to thousands of readers in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Riverside, Brook eld, and the West Side of Chicago.

but it also keeps readers informed about local government, businesses, nonpro t organizations, events, schools, and much more.

“ anks for keeping us informed!” says longtime reader Kelly.

“I gi a subscription to all my new clients in Brook eld and Riverside,” shared Allan, a longtime supporter of local news. Not only does local news build community,

Our reporters tell stories that strengthen the fabric of our communities while holding local governments and institutions to account. We know local news is the glue that holds our communities together and we depend on our readers to support our journalism. To those who subscribe, purchase papers at newsstands, advertise with us, and donate to our community news, we thank you.

“Keep up the good work!” - Herbert You can donate for news that matters to you at growingcommunitymedia.org/donate

December 15, 2024

Holiday Promise

February 16, 2025

Espectacular Espanol

June 8, 2025

Resplendent Romantics

Concerts on Sundays, 4 pm at Concordia University Chapel, River Forest Students through college admitted free of charge

Free parking at 1124 Bonnie Brae Place

Play an instrument?

Email SymphonyOPRF@gmail.com if you'd like to join the orchestra.

AEmpowerment: The Impact of the

OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation

s Oak Park and River Forest High School celebrates its 150th anniversary, the OPRFHS Scholarship Foundation proudly reflects on its long-standing commitment to empowering students. In the 2023-24 school year, 92 graduating seniors received a total of $222,150 in scholarships, allowing them to pursue their dreams at 4-year universities, 2-year colleges, and trade schools.

What makes the Foundation particularly unique is its connection to the high school. Few high schools can boast of a dedicated scholarship foundation as robust and impactful as ours. Since its founding in 1924, the Foundation has been more than just a financial resource. It stands as a testament to the power of community-driven investment in education. Each scholarship is an intentional contribution to a student’s future, recognizing character, academic excellence, leadership, artistic talent, community service, and more. These awards don’t just open doors—they create pathways to long-term success.

The ripple effect of this investment is seen throughout the community. Students who benefit

from these scholarships are not only prepared to succeed in their fields but also to give back in meaningful ways. Many become leaders, artists, and innovators who return to support the very Foundation that helped them get started.

As we honor this remarkable milestone, we invite you to join us in continuing this legacy of opportunity. Your support ensures that future generations of OPRFHS students will have the resources they need to reach their full potential. Visit scholarships4oprfhs.org to contribute and make a lasting impact. 150 Years of

Season of Giving Season of Giving

Animal Care League

B24, B26

Arts Alliance Forest Park B24

Austin Coming Together .................. B14, B15, B24

Beyond Hunger ............................................. B9, B24

Build, Inc B24, B25

Byline Bank B20, Back cover

Cayr Connections B24, B28

e Day Nursery.................................................. B24

Deborah’s Place ............................................. B6, B24

e Collaboration for Early Childhood B27

Ernest Hemingway Museum B27

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory B6, B27

Growing Community Media............B27, B35, B39

HEPH Foundation .............................................. B25

Hephzibah Children’s Assn B22, B23, B27

Holiday Food and Gi Basket B18, B27

Housing Forward B26, B27

Index of Organizations and Sponsors

e Imagine Foundation

B27, B28

L’Arche Chicago B27, B33

Learning Edge Tutoring ...................................... B29

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program, Inc ....... B29

New Moms B18, B29

e Neighborhood Bridge B13, B29

Nineteenth Century Club B29, B33

OPALGA+ ................................................... B29, B30

Oak Park Regional Housing Center ......... B19, B29

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

..........................................................B2, B3, B21, B29

Oak Park River Forest Museum B31, B35

OPRF Infant Welfare Society .................... B21, B31

OPRF Scholarship Foundation ...........B5, B31, B37

One Earth Collective B23, B31

Opportunity Knocks B15, B31

Pillars Community Health B30, B31

PING!

B5, B31

e Progress Center B31

River Forest Public Library Foundation ........... B32

Sarah’s Inn ...................................................... B7, B32

Senator Don Harmon B36

Share Food Share Love Food Pantry

..............................................................B16, B17, B32

State Rep. Camille Lilly ....................................... B36

Symphony of OPRF .................................... B32, B37

rive Counseling Center B5, B34

Way Back Inn B34

West Cook YMCA B10, B11, B34

WSSRA.................................................................. B34

Wonder Works ............................................ B17, B34

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$20,000 MATCH FROM THE GCM BOARD

Donate today GrowingCommunityMedia.org/donate We need to reach our 100 Champions goal by Dec. 31

Our fall fundraiser is happening now - Join us at GrowingCommunityMedia.com/donate

Committed to Oak Park and River Forest

Whether you’re seeing a movie at the Lake Theatre or heading for a hike in the G.A.R. Woods, we think you should be able to get all of your banking done in your neighborhood… with people who love the area as much as you do. Byline is privileged to be a part of the Oak Park and River Forest community, and we are proud to partner with local nonprofits like Beyond Hunger and sponsor local events like Thursday Night Out in downtown Oak Park.

To learn more about our commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf