Wednesday Journal 012920 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

January 29, 2020 Vol. 39, No. 26 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Connects Page 19

Pete’s Market presents Madison Street plan Initial site plans unveiled to attendees By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The community got its first look at the plans for the proposed Madison Street Pete’s Market during a Jan. 24 public meeting at Oak Park’s main library. If the application, which will soon be submitted by Pete’s to village staff, is approved, the grocery store will be built on the 600 and 700 blocks of Madison Street, between Oak Park and Wesley Avenues, across from a planned senior residential project. The new grocery store would help “revitalize Madison Street.” Oak Park currently has a Pete’s Market, 259 Lake St., the popularity of which inspired the grocery store chain to build a second location in the village. “We feel we can replicate that success with some lessons learned,” said Stephanie Dremonas, daughter of Pete’s co-founder Jimmy Dremonas. Such lessons learned include the importance of having parking more readily available to customers, as well as employees. Finding parking at the Lake Street location is difficult, as spaces are limited. The plans for the two-story, 49,000 square feet grocery store include 115 underground employee parking spots and 131 surface level parking spots for customers. “Parking was a main focus of the design,” said See PETE’S on page 13

Fine dining

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Christine O’Neill, left, and Holly Ashworth, both of Oak Park, chat over drinks and food prepared and served by their kids during Seed Cafe Night at Seed Montessori School. Story on page 7.

Site donated for Oak Park rec center By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Park District of Oak Park is inching closer to achieving its goal of building a community recreation center, thanks to a notable land donation made by Mary Jo and Stephen Schuler, local philanthropists and long-time park backers. Now underway is a capital campaign organized by the Parks Founda-

tion of Oak Park and a renewed effort to gain state construction grants. “It felt right for us to donate the parcels for the purpose of building a community center,” said Mary Jo Schuler. The donation is an acre of land on Madison Street, comprising six property parcels located between Harvey and Highland Avenues and three parcels west of Highland. “It’s become clear from my volunteer

work and from the community feedback collected by the park district over the last decade that there are program and recreation needs in the community,” said Schuler. Mary Jo and Stephen Schuler were both born and raised in Oak Park, where they developed their appreciation for the village’s public parks and the district’s See REC CENTER on page 16

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

From Oprah to... Oak Park

We’re talking to...

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Dominican University Performing Arts Center Tickets: $15 • oakpark.com/conversations • $5 Student*

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Harmon leaves private law firm it hasn’t kept Illinois House Oak Park state Sen. Don Harmon (39th), who was elected Speaker Michael Madigan earlier this month to replace from being a property tax John Cullerton as president attorney. of the Illinois Senate, gave Despite a series of ongoing reformers and anti-corruption federal investigations advocates reason for optimism that implicate numerous last week when he told Chicago Democratic lawmakers at Tonight he’s stepping down the local and state levels, as partner at Burke Burns & including Madigan, Harmon Pinelli, Ltd. DON HARMON refrained from citing ethical Harmon has worked at the Illinois Senate president concerns as a reason for law firm since 2005, where he stepping back from private specializes in corporate law and practice. civil litigation, according to the firm’s “It is important that people have website. real-world experiences,” Harmon “I just don’t have the time capacity said. “Unless you want to overhaul the to be a good Senate president and to system and make everybody a full-time practice law the way I’ve practiced it,” politician, I have a strong belief in a Harmon told Chicago Tonight. It’s a citizen legislature.” break from tradition. The job didn’t keep Cullerton from practicing law and Michael Romain ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Share the hair

Funkadesi.com

Obamarecognized band at FitzGerald’s

They’ve won the Chicago Music Awards five times, they’ve been in Time Magazine, and President Obama said the band “really knows how to get a crowd going.” They’re Funkadesi, and they’ll be performing at FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, on Saturday, Feb. 1. Funkadesi, from Chicago, is popular for their live shows and racial and musical diversity. Their music is a combination of reggae, contemporary funk, Latin, Indian and African beats. The band has been described as bringing the unique talents and varied cultural backgrounds of its members together to create a unifying sound and vision.

FitzGerald’s is also celebrating its 40th year with an upcoming concert series. Tickets for Funkadesi and other events can be found at the nightclub’s website, fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.

Maria Maxham

Hair Cuttery stylist Bonnie Wilson holds up the piece of hair she cut from senior Meghan Weidel.

OPALGA+ celebrates book launch

Members of the community gathered at the Oak Park River Forest History Museum, Jan. 25, to celebrate the launch of

a book chronicling the early days of the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association+ (OPALGA+). Those in attendance, including OPALGA+ founding members, were treated to a gallery discussion of the museum’s exhibit, “Proud Oak Parkers: OPALGA+ at 30.” Compiling chapters written by 20 of the organization’s early members, the

Trinity High School students, on Jan. 24, donated over 18 feet of hair to Children With Hair Loss (CWHL) during the school’s ninth annual “Share the Hair” event. Stylists from Hair Cuttery in Oak Park contributed their time to cut the students’ hair. Twenty-four students participated this year, donating at least 8 inches of hair each. Over the years, Trinity students have donated close to 3,000 inches total to the organization, according to Patti Ferlito Williams, Trinity’s director of marketing and communications. CWHL is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization that provides human hair replacement at no cost to children and young adults facing medically related hair loss. Founded in 2000, CWHL provides customized human hair replacement and care kits to over 300 kids a year, according to their website. These children suffer hair loss related to cancer, alopecia, burns, trichotillomania and other diseases and disorders.

Maria Maxham

book, titled “Oak Park Lesbian and Gay Association: Stories from the HistoryMaking First Decade,” recalls the group’s impact on civil rights legislation and its lasting contributions to the Oak Park area and surrounding communities. The book was edited by Nathan Linsk.

Stacey Sheridan

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Japan Fest Saturday, Feb. 1, Noon to 4 p.m., South Cafeteria, OPRF High School: Attend a fest where the Tokyo Olympics are being highlighted. There will be sports/games language lessons, Olympic trivia, origami, calligraphy, face painting and other activities. Performances include drums, traditional dances, koto harps and martial arts. Free; bring cash for food. Questions: yschmadeke@oprfhs.org. 201 N. Scoville Ave., Oak Park.

IGOV Assembly: The Future of Taxation Saturday, Feb. 1, 9 to 11:15 a.m., Percy Julian Middle School: Join the Intergovernmental Board of the Village of Oak Park (IGOV) and hear from featured speakers, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi and Oak Park Township Assessor Ali ElSaffar. 416 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park.

Jazz Night with the Stardust Serenaders Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 to 9 p.m., Pleasant Home: Enjoy an informal night of fun and jazz from the 1910s and 1920s. $25; $20, members. Drink tickets available at the door. Tickets/more: pleasanthome. org. 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.

“The Big One-Oh!” Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Auditorium, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School: What happens when Charley Maplewood throws himself a 10th birthday party with a house-of-horrors theme and things don’t quite work as expected? Find out in this BRAVO musical. $12; $8, students/ seniors. Tickets/more: bravoperformingarts.org. 325 S. Kenilworth Ave., Oak Park.

“Route 66: A Musical Revue” Friday, Jan. 31 (preview), and Saturday, Feb. 1 (opening), 8 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 2, 3 p.m., Open Door Theater: Take a trip down Route 66 with four singing truckers as they travel from Chicago to Santa Monica. Through March 8. Tickets: opendoortheater.net, 708-386-5510. 902 S. Ridgeland, Oak Park.

“Claimed” Friday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m., Meeting Room, Maze Library: See a premiere screening of a short horror film about The Colony of Roanoke that went terribly wrong. Filmmaker is raising awareness related to the heroin/opiate epidemic. Also March 7, 1 p.m. More: facebook.com/ pg/areyouclaimed/, ellemmercurio@gmail.com. 845 Gunderson Ave., Oak Park.

Jan. 29 – Feb. 5

BIG WEEK Chamber Music Series: Rising Stars Saturday, Feb. 1, 7 p.m., Unity Temple:

Hear solo and chamber works of Chopin, Debussy, Schumann, Liszt, Paganini and more all performed by advanced students from Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Brought by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. $10, suggested donation. Tickets/more: utrf.org/event/rising-stars-concert/. 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

Report on a Trip to the Border Sunday, Feb. 2, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church: First in a series, Immigration: Responding in Faith, Rev. Ben Lynch will share his observations and reflections from his trip to Texas and Mexico in 2019. Thousands of asylum seekers who fled violence and persecution are stranded and living in squalid conditions on the Mexican side of the US southern border. Brought in partnership with Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church. Free; all welcome. More: graceriverforest.org/ resources/church-news/immigration-responding-in-faith/. 7300 Division St., River Forest.

The Unknown Lincoln: Honest Abe’s Early Life and Times Monday, Feb. 3, 7 to 9 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Meet author Jonathan F. Putnam and hear about his mystery series featuring young Abraham Lincoln and his real-life best friend named Joshua Speed. More: oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Local Art Reception Wednesday, Jan. 29, 4 to 7 p.m., O’Connor Art Gallery, Lewis Hall, Dominican University: In Slowly, With Care, artists Joanne Aono, Sherri Denault, Holly Holmes, Kate Ingold, Jeffly Gabriela Molina and Gwendolyn Zabicki present art centered on notions of slowness, labor, caregiving and meditation. Through March 6. 7900 W. Division St., River Forest. Ferguson Art Gallery, Kretzmann Hall, Concordia University: See Eternity, A Moment – Geer Tu’s Travel Record, an exhibit of digital paintings, photographs and ink drawings, which express contemporary city scenes and the societies that lie within. Gallery hours - Mondays through Fridays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7400 Augusta St., River Forest. Through Feb. 22. OPAAC Gallery at Forest Park National Bank: View the charcoal drawings of Carol Freer Rao who creates art from everyday life, taking a moment in time and breaking it down into its simplest form, looking at things from different perspectives. Open Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 7348 W. Madison St., Forest Park. Through the first week in March.

Wednesday Journal, January 22, 2020

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ART BEAT

This church speaks a universal language

Interested in District 90 Kindergarten?

By MICHELLE DYBAL

attend a

2019-20 Kindergarten

Attend a 2020-21 Kindergarten Information Night

tionally. Night “I frequently perform in Oak Park asInformation the Contributing Reporter village has such an appreciation for music t may come as no surprise that the of all genres,” Schlecker said. “It is wonderChurch of Beethoven is not a church at ful to perform in my hometown once again all. It’s a nonprofit putting on monthly and I am honored to be included in the performances that takes its audience on a Church of Beethoven’s first concert at their 6:30 p.m. Welcome and Registration stunning new location.” spiritual journey of music and more. The Feb. 16 program ranges from classical to 7:00 p.m. Presentation “Music is a language of its own,” said Bradley Schuller, artistic director. “We don’t jazz arrangements, including works by John need to have various different philosophies, Williams, Fritz Kreisler and Robert Dauber.Lincoln School Auditorium 511 Park Ave. River Forest “Most notably on the program is a rarely religious boundaries, cultural boundaries; Willard School Auditorium Lincoln School Auditorium music can speak to all of it. I think it can performed arrangement of George Gersh1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest win’s opera, Porgy and connect people. We live in 511 Park Ave. River Forest Forest families residing North“It of Chicago Avenue should attend the program at Willard, and River Forest families living South of Bess,”(River Schlecker said. an age where people are Chicago Ave should attend the program at Lincoln) Willard School Auditorium is a thrilling and beautibecoming less connected. 1250 Ashland Ave. River Forest For more information contact: ful arrangement for vio… This is a format where Casey Godfrey, Lincoln School Principal godfreyc@district9o.org lin and piano by violinist you can be part of a comForest families residing North of Chicago Avenue should attend the Diane Wood, Willard School (River Principal, woodd@district90.org David Davis, Assistant Principal, davisd@district90.org Igor Frolov.” munity, you can be a part program at Willard, and River Forest families living South of Chicago Ave Upcoming will be artof something.” should attend the program at Lincoln) ists who have previously The Church of performed with Church Beethoven was founded For more information contact: of Beethoven, such as Cuby Oak Park native and Casey Godfrey, Lincoln School, Principal • godfreyc@district90.org arteto Tanguro in April, cellist Felix Wurman with Diane Wood, Willard School, Principal • woodd@district90.org a tango pair who bring an inaugural concert in Christine Gerges, Assistant Principal • gergesc@district90.org great energy, according 2008 in a gas station on to Schuller. In May, worldRoute 66 in Albuquerque, famous audience-favorite, New Mexico. Locations Russian cellist Ian Makflowered in Tucson, Dursin, brings his multiham and Santa Monica. genre approach. The Oak Park location, Attending a Church which started approxiALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer of Beethoven concert is mately 10 years ago, is the meant to be relaxed and only one still operating. Bradley Schuller, artistic director family-friendly. The first It is making a change half hour includes sothis year, moving into a of Church of Beethoven cial time with coffee and true concert hall at International Mansion, the recently repurposed cookies. The performance begins with 25 Hales Mansion at Oak Park and Chicago minutes of music. There is a break, a local avenues, purchased by Brando Fermi Craw- poet does a reading, followed by two minutes ford and Maria Fermi of the Language and of silence. The concert then resumes for another 25 minutes. At the conclusion, the auMusic School. “I did a little Facebook post and it went vi- dience is able to talk with the musicians and ral,” said Schuller, who lives in Oak Park. “A buy CDs. New this year are season tickets for both lot of people just shared excitement about adults and students and CDs of previous the possibilities of performing there.” Church of Beethoven previously operated Church of Beethoven performers can be purout of Open Door Theater, where Schuller, chased on the Church of Beethoven website. Another benefit of the new venue is that the an operatic tenor, performed before becom2020 season rental fee supports one student at ing artistic director. With 10 Sunday morning concerts slated the Language and Music School for one year, for the season, Schuller said, having the part of the International Foundation for new “elegant” 75-seat venue with more ideal Education and Innovation established a few acoustics and access to a concert grand pi- months ago at International Mansion. ano makes it more attractive to performers See violinist Cara Schlecker with pianist — anyone who would play or be accompanied by a piano, for instance — singers and Paul Dykstra on Sunday, Feb. 16, 10:30 a.m. instrumentalists, including the artists for to noon, International Mansion, 509 N. Oak the February show, violinist Cara Schlecker Park Ave., Oak Park. $15; $10, children. Tickets/more: churchofbeethoven-oakpark. with pianist Paul Dykstra. Schlecker, who began violin at age 4 and com/ or at the door. Season tickets (10 Sungraduated from Oak Park and River Forest day morning concerts): $120; $80, children. High School, was a Civic Orchestra of Chi- Interested in volunteering or reading poetry: cago member and has performed interna- churchofbeethovenoakpark@gmail.com.

Wed. February 6, 2019

Thursday, February 6, 2020

6:30 p.m. Welcome and Registration 7:00 p.m. Presentation

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

on’t read the comments. Don’t read the comments. OK, I read the comments at OakPark.com on our story about the planned Pete’s Market coming to the village-owned corner of Madison Street and Oak Park Avenue. A few thoughts: Thanks, Pete’s, for investing again in Oak Park with a second store. Tens of millions of dollars of your money, not our taxpayer money. You think having two stores a mile apart will work. You seem to know your business, so I hope you are right. If you are wrong, thanks for investing tens of millions of your dollars in Oak Park. Better luck next time. Oh my, the crappy, poorly run, cramped Jewel a few blocks east on Madison might go out of business. Yep, it might. Would be long overdue. And Jewel’s corporate owners ought to be embarrassed by that store. No one seems happy to be there and the three for $12 watermelon barely lasts 24 hours. I know this because I shop there fairly often. Furthermore, there were long discussions with Jewel about building a new store where Pete’s is going. Seemed like a done deal until corporate got cold feet. Their choice not to reinvest in Oak Park. Their choice to effectively disinvest in Oak Park with that poorly managed, understocked, unhappy store they’ve owned for

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Two Pete’s? You bet 50-plus years. Responding to the nostalgia craze for the subpar Jewel, one commenter made the sage observation that, yes, the Jewel may close. Likely outcome, given the residential housing boom currently, happily reshaping Madison, is that a developer would pick up the Jewel box, demolish it, try to assemble other obsolete or underused commercial property all the way to Ridgeland and propose new housing. What a win that would be for our property taxes, for our effort to continue to boost the local population. Or is someone going to get mushy about the Budget rental car place with its trailer on stilts at the back of the lot? Too late to declare historic status for the old Shell station that became Billy’s Fruit Market, that became empty nearly a decade ago and was urgently demolished this year before it tumbled down. Oh, my, the old Packard car dealership that has been empty for 20 years will not be preserved as part of the Pete’s project. Great building. Love to look at it. Let’s take pictures for posterity. But it is a hundredyear-old car dealership that no one has found a use for in two decades despite

many attempts. One of the changes to Pete’s proposal is to spend a fair amount of extra money to build parking under its store for its employees so there will be more parking for customers. This is a good thing. Makes it impossible, seemingly, to preserve an old building when you are digging a big hole for underground parking. The truly fabulous gargoyles on the building’s exterior, featuring images of auto workers with their tools, will be preserved and used somehow in the new construction. Good job. Now forward. The greater length of Madison Street has been commercially obsolete since the car dealers decamped for Countryside and Elmhurst in the 1970s. The first and only news article I had published as a freelancer in the Oak Leaves in the late 1970s covered this very topic. That’s 40 years of obsolescence, of lost property taxes, of big-time ugly. When Pete’s is built. When a somewhat scaled-back senior project goes in across the street taking out another obsolete car dealership. When new apartments go in

DAN HALEY

replacing another underused old car dealer building at Madison and Gunderson. When the apartments are finished at Lyman. When the townhouses are fully built out at Home on the site of the hideous old District 97 school headquarters. Now that a long empty nurses’ dorm on the Rush Oak Park Hospital campus at Maple has been demolished and rebuilt as a state-ofthe art ER. Then we will have a new Madison Street and it will be one of the great accomplishments of village government in recent years. So stop the nostalgic crabbing. This is all good news. Celebrate. W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Join the conversation Please send Letters to the Editor to ■ ktrainot@wjinc.com or ■ Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 Include name, address and daytime phone number for verification.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Kid chefs cook for the community

Montessori school hosts second ‘Seed Café’ By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Seed Montessori, an after-school program, hosted its second annual Seed Café, Jan. 24, with friends and family in the Oak Park community treated to a fine dining experience, courtesy of the kids who attend the program. Ranging in age from 5 to 10, the kids cooked a full vegetarian menu and provided Michelin-level service as they greeted and seated guests, checked coats, tended bar, waited tables and helped clean up. “People are amazed at how collaborative and cooperative and attentive the kids are,” said Seed Montessori Director Ileana Gómez. “It’s a super exciting night, everyone’s keyed up, and [the kids] are just determined to get their mom that really great looking plate.” The menu included bean dip, roasted vegetables in whole wheat tortillas, potato leek soup, pickled carrots with ginger and pepper, green rice with spinach, parsley and cilantro — all served with fully compostable table settings, making it a zero-waste event. For dessert, the kid chefs made apple crumble.

During meal preparation, the chefs use proper culinary terms, learning distinctions between such things as mincing and slicing, as well as a clove versus a head of garlic. Kids also learn how to safely handle food and cooking utensils. “We have gloves for them to wear while they prepare the food, hot pads, and we have adult supervision,” said Gómez. “We’re very careful about it and no one has ever been injured.” Sugar Beet Food Co-op partnered with Seed Montessori, providing fresh pressed juice, wine, baba ghanoush and hummus. Kids in the program often take field trips to Sugar Beet, where they learn more about eating healthily and making sustainable choices. “It’s been a lovely experience because they connect with the food and the process,” said Sugar Beet Education and Outreach Coordinator Regina Milkovich. “We talk about production and origin of food, topics that are difficult and important to discuss. They take a lot of ownership.” Seed Montessori has been working with Sugar Beet for a couple of years now, becom-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WHAT’S COOKIN’?: Seed Montessori Director Ileana Gómez, left, and Mikki Ball, serve dessert during Seed Cafe. ing a great resource for the program. “They give us educational information about shopping local, about dietary considerations, and also, of course, they make available to us a lot of healthy, organic produce and other food supplies that we use when we’re cooking,” said Gómez. Nine-year-old Tys Van den Bosch acted as bar manager, pouring juice for guests.

“It’s amazing because I like serving beverages to people,” he said. Despite his young age, Van den Bosch has plenty of experience slinging drinks. “Every night I usually serve my dad beer,” he said. But even as an old pro, Van den Bosch still picked up some new mixology tips at Seed Café night. “I learned that you can mix two juices together,” he said. “I never knew you could have them mixed together.” Van den Bosch’s contributions exceeded managing the bar. He, along with the other kids, helped cook and called the food “delicious.” He plans to make it at home with his parents. “Yesterday I cooked for my sister and I made mac and cheese.” His 7-year-old sister also attends Seed Montessori and helped serve beverages, like her brother. The school is not a food preparation operation. While food does play into its programming in an educational way, the after-school program offers a wide variety of experiences for children. “We want people to see children in their full capacity,” Gómez said. “I believe we are underutilizing the skills of our youth.”

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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39 units short, River Forest debates affordable housing Next draft will be more specific in language, recommendations By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

River Forest’s Plan Commission, spurred by state mandate, is working to bring more affordable housing to the village. How to do that in a built-up community dominated by single-family homes, whether to describe affordable housing as a burden or opportunity and raising the potential of more coach houses all came up Jan. 21 at a meeting of the volunteer commission. Commission members reviewed the working draft of an affordable housing plan put together by John Houseal, village planning consultant. River Forest needs to add 39 affordable housing units to bring its overall percentage of affordable housing up to the required 10 percent. River Forest is currently at nine percent. According to the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeals Act of Illinois (AHPAA), any municipality with less than 10 percent affordable housing is required to adopt a plan to remedy its lack of moderately-priced housing. A 2018 report from the Illinois Housing Development Authority’s (IHDA) pegged River Forest at nine percent versus the required 10 percent. IDHA data shows that, of a total 3,788 total housing units in River Forest, 340

meet the criteria for being affordable. Challenges surrounding affordable housing, said Houseal in his presentation, exist for several reasons. The village is a 100 percent built-out community, with 70 percent of the land zoned and developed as single family detached residential. As such, there is limited land available for development, and when there are opportunities, the land is very expensive. Therefore, creating new affordable single-family units is likely not a viable solution. The best option for River Forest, said Houseal, is multi-family and mixed-use development, where the mixed-use portion of the project could help offset the lower rents or purchase price of affordable units. Commissioner Roberto Armalas asked if tear-down taxes, in addition to incentives, should be part of the plan. He asked how the village could preserve affordable units it already has if a developer decided to come in and take them down. In response, Commissioner Ori Gottlieb said he felt conflicted about tear-down taxes because he wants to see property improvement, which might take some units out of the affordable category. “That’s our dilemma,” he said. “Diversity – whatever diversity means – is a good thing,” said Gottlieb. “But on the other hand, compared to how River Forest was 100 years ago, I think it’s great.” He added, “As much as I think affordable housing to some extent is good, it sounds almost as if it’s bad if we tear down bad places.” Bringing up zoning incentives for developers he said, “How

much are we willing to sacrifice the character [of the village] in order to have 39 more [affordable housing] units in the village?” Houseal said Gottlieb’s comments zeroed in on the big questions before the commission: What is the role of local government in telling property owners they can’t sell their property because they have affordable units and the village needs to protect that? And if a property with moderate priced units is sold, and the village requires a one-to-one build of affordable units, how much would be given to the new owner in terms of incentives? When do the incentives make a new project too big? And what impact does that have on the community, the neighbors, the character of the village? “That dance is what we’re trying to figure out,” said Houseal. “Once we figure it out, we can write plan or code. We must make policy decisions before we write the detail.” Commissioner Keary Cragan said some of that policy discussion – and wording in the plan – should center around why the village wants affordable housing not simply from a state-mandated point of view. She mentioned “an incredible number of benefits” affordable housing brings to a village, such as allowing residents to age in place and providing less of a burden on schools. Cragan also took issue with some wording of the plan, especially in a section reading “affordable housing is an economic burden shared by all residents.” Stating that had a negative tone, she commented that the rhetoric should be flipped: If residents can take

advantage of public dollars through a TIF district, for example, they should also be providing a benefit like moderately priced housing. Additionally, Cragan said affordable housing doesn’t have to be ugly. It can be beautiful and unrecognizable as “affordable.” Philip Moeller, River Forest resident and developer of Forest Oaks, an affordable housing development underway in Forest Park, spoke up at the meeting, inviting people to come by and check out the project, one which he said is an example of attractive and affordable housing. Cragan also brought up accessory dwelling units, such as apartments over garages, as ways to bring moderately priced housing to the 70 percent of the village that is zoned and built as single dwelling family homes. Chairman David Crosby agreed, saying that accessory dwelling units might be “the only way to inject affordable housing into single family housing” in River Forest. Houseal will go through the commissioners’ comments and make changes to the plan, including: Removing or rewriting poorly worded phrases such as calling affordable housing “an economic burden”; beef up the section that talks about the benefits of affordable housing; add plan development amendments, including zoning incentives; and recommend accessory dwelling unit language. He will get a new draft of the plan to the commission in the next few weeks. After that, the commission will review the changes and ultimately present recommendations to the village board.

Just Housing Ordinance takes effect

Commissioner’s signature achievement prohibits housing discrimination By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

An ordinance introduced by 1st District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, designed to protect people with prior convictions from housing discrimination is now in effect. Johnson’s district includes much of Oak Park. As previously reported in April 2019, the ordinance is actually an amendment to the Cook County Human Rights Ordinance. The amendment requires landlords and real estate agencies “to determine whether a person has met financial and other qualifications before considering that person’s criminal history,” Marie Claire TranLeung, a staff attorney with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law which helped draft the legislation, said at the time. In a statement released last month, John-

son’s office explained that the teria, such as credit history and Just Housing Ordinance “will employment, before screening protect predominantly people of for criminal history. Ware said color and individuals with disthe “two-step procedure” could abilities from being denied housmean higher housing application ing based solely on their conviccosts that would be passed on to tion history.” prospective tenants. The ordinance, which took efTran-Leung said “no one is fect on Dec. 31, 2019, originally keeping criminal records away passed the full Cook County from landlords and we are not Board of Commissioners last BRANDON JOHNSON creating a bifurcated process.” April. The board passed the spe“We know that black and brown County commissioner cific implementation rules last people are more likely to be arNovember. The 11-member Cook rested and have their records County Human Rights Commission will be used against them when trying to secure responsible for enforcing the ordinance. housing, sentencing them to a lifetime of The ordinance comes into effect after housing insecurity and potential homelessmonths of back-and-forth between land- ness,” Johnson stated last December. “Our lords and a coalition of more than 110 or- ordinance begins to reverse that racial and ganizations and individuals that supported economic discrimination, giving folks a fair the measure’s passage. chance to access stable housing so they can Sarah Ware, who sits on the Board of Il- begin to build better lives for themselves linois Realtors, said last April that the and their families.” amendment would “lead to confusion and According to the Sentencing Project, a inconsistent treatment of applicants,” and nonpartisan research and advocacy organithat the measure would create a “bifurcated zation based in Washington D.C., between screening process” that would involve land- 70 and 100 million Americans — or roughly lords screening for the usual financial cri- one in three U.S. citizens — have some type

of criminal record. For minorities, the likelihood of having a criminal record is particularly stark. Black men are six times more likely, and Hispanic men 2.5 times more likely, to be incarcerated than white men, according to an analysis of Bureau of Justice data by the Sentencing Project. “In Cook County alone, more than 13,000 people left the Illinois Department of Corrections in 2017 needing to find homes that allow them to hold jobs and re-establish ties with families, children and their communities,” according to Johnson’s statement. “But a national study that included Illinois found that four out of five survey respondents reported being denied or found ineligible for housing due to their own criminal record or that of a loved one.” Johnson said the ordinance “addresses age-old, systemic racial injustices that have plagued our county, city and state for far too long. But it’s also a way to ensure safe and stable communities, which is something everyone in Cook County desperately wants.” CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Growing up absurd in Oak Park

Life in Oak Park, before and after ‘America to Me’ By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

It’s been four years since Steve James and his film crew were allowed into the halls of Oak Park and River Forest High School to document how the institution deals with race on a day-to-day basis. The resulting 10-part documentary, America to Me, aired in 2018 on Starz, but life hasn’t stopped for one of the film’s subjects. Charles Donalson, 21, said recently that people stopping him on the street are not as frequent as they used to be in those heady days after the film aired, but he’s still processing the chasm between his low-frequency fame and everyday reality. These days Donalson is an independent artist who currently works in Oak Park at Friday Night Place, a recreational and educational program for Oak Park middleschoolers. “When I started working with Friday Night Place in 2018, I had just dropped out of college and was living with my dad,” he said, adding that, at one point, he was “going to work from different houses almost every day. But those kids were the high point of my day. I see a lot of myself in them.” So much so that on Feb. 13, Donalson will release a music project he said was largely inspired by the young people he encounters every day. In addition to working at Friday Night Place, he also volunteers at the James R. Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chicago.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OAK PARK ALUM: Charles Donalson will release his mixtape about growing up in Oak Park on Feb. 13.

The project, Donalson’s first mixtape, will be available on streaming platforms like SoundCloud and DatPiff for free starting Feb. 13. He said the songs are about his experiences growing up African American in Oak Park, where school suspension is almost a rite of passage and the racial landscape is akin to a real-life game of Minesweeper. “Used to call the cops on the kid for just playing and now they want my autograph, I find it insulting,” Donalson raps

on “Old School,” one of the most resonant songs on the album that give insight on how the OPRF graduate has processed the dissonance between life lived in liberal Oak Park pre- and post- his Starz recognition. In elementary school he was suspended for “some wild stuff,” Donalson said. One song on the mixtape may fill you in on the details. The mixtape, the rapper said, is mostly about his elementary and middle-school years in Oak Park, which were fraught with racial slurs and childhood relationships damaged by prejudice. The great tragedy in the project is that, from the perspective of Donalson and the young people at Friday Night Place, not much has changed. Oak Park, according to Donalson and the kids he works with, is still a place where the overwhelming majority of suspended students within District 97 are black and where African-American culture is insufficiently recognized. And the village is still a place that is reluctant to talk about these chronic problems with the young people who bear the brunt of them, he said. The mixtape isn’t Donalson’s first music project. Last year, he released the album For Whatever You Do, which he co-produced with a friend; however, Donalson considers this year’s mixtape (yet to be named) his first solo project — and his most personal. He said he hopes the project sparks the kind of conversation on growing up black in Oak Park that wasn’t had when he was younger. “At the end of the day, I’m saying what I wanted to be said to me,” Donalson said. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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After disabled Oak Park man is attacked, mayor apologizes Police Chief LaDon Reynolds launches internal investigation into police handling of Dec. 20 incident

son get killed, so I was stuck, but she told me to hang up and call the police. “I feel like we weren’t treated fairly, because when I called the police and when they came down the street, the white guy, the attacker, raised his hand and the police addressed him first before addressing us,” Galloway said. “Once a sergeant came out and assessed By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter the situation, they arrested the guy [but it seemed as if] they didn’t want to arrest The Oak Park Police Department has the guy,” she said. “Clearly my son was opened an investigation into its handling of beat up. He was spitting blood; his teeth an alleged assault against a developmentally were hurting. You can clearly tell my son disabled African American man by his white was trying to get away from [the suspect].” neighbor – a case that prompted an apology Photos of Isaiah after the incident show his from Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb face visibly bruised. and intense discussions among residents Isaiah said that a postal worker in the about a range of pressing local issues, such area witnessed the alleged attack and had as systemic racism and the information demonstrating a treatment of Oak Park’s most pattern of similar behavior vulnerable and marginalized on the part of the man, and a residents. neighbor was willing to speak The incident happened about how Isaiah had also Dec. 20 in the 100 block of mistaken her car for an Uber North Humphrey Avenue. in the past (“but she didn’t The alleged victim, Isaiah beat me up”). Responding “Peanut” Sims, 23, said officers, however, were not he walked outside of his interested in either person’s apartment complex and story, Isaiah said. knocked on the door of a “The lady told the police, car he thought was the Uber ‘If this helps, I [Sims] tried to waiting to drop him off at his get in her car before, but she job at Rush Oak Park Hospital. didn’t beat me up or anything. “I saw the car pull up and The mail man witnessed the thought it was an Uber,” Sims incident and he tried to tell said in a recent interview. “I the police what happened, and knocked on the door three the police told him that [his times and that’s when [the story] was irrelevant,” Sims man] came out and attacked said. “They didn’t want to me. He punched me in the eye hear his side at all.” six times.” The man was eventually Sims, who has a charged with battery arrest. developmental disability, is He was released later that the older brother of Elijah day and is awaiting a court ANAN ABUTALEB Sims, the Oak Park and hearing. When reached for Oak Park mayor River Forest High School comment last month, the man student who was fatally shot declined to speak about the in 2016 while riding his bike incident and left a threatening home from Chicago’s Austin voicemail message for a neighborhood, where he had Wednesday Journal reporter, been visiting friends. who subsequently filed a formal police Sims’ mother Sharita Galloway said that complaint. she witnessed part of the reported attack In the days following the attack, OPRF before calling police. When the responding teacher and activist Anthony Clark shared officers came, however, she said that they a photo and a summary of the incident on first approached the alleged attacker, a Facebook. Many members of Suburban 39-year-old man, who lives down the street Unity Alliance, the Facebook group and from her family, even as her son was lying nonprofit Clark founded, rallied in support on the ground. Galloway and Isaiah said of Sims. that neither of them knew the man before Clark is close to both Sims and Galloway, the alleged attack happened, although both of whom said the suspect continued to Galloway said she sometimes would see him harass them and their family members after walking his dog. getting out of jail. The family has since filed “I was in my house lying on my bed and I a restraining order against the man and heard a commotion outside,” Galloway said Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds said in a recent interview. “I got up to look and that he’s “allocated additional resources” to saw a man getting off someone and, when he the area where the alleged attack occurred. moved, it was my son laying in the grass. I “As a community member, I must say was face-timing my sister. I already had one I have been disappointed in the overall

“I’m sorry about the loss of your son a few years back and I’m sorry about what Peanut went through in this situation … We want a community where everyone feels that they fit in, that they belong.”

SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor

OUTRAGE: Anthony Clark (above) speaking to board members on behalf of Sharita Galloway, whose special needs son, Isaiah Sims was allegedly attacked by a neighbor. Oak Park Police Chief LaDon Reynolds (left) answers questions from the board members and mayor at Tuesday night’s meeting regarding the Isaiah Sims beating that took place in Oak Park. response of the entire community,” Clark said. “Peanut is the sweetest person you’ll ever meet,” Clark said at the Jan. 21 village board meeting. “There’s literally not an angry bone in his body … I hope you understand how dangerous it is for black men in this country, but that danger is magnified often when you’re a black man born with a disability.” At Tuesday’s meeting, Chief Reynolds said that he has spoken to Sims and Galloway, and “was very disturbed about what happened to him, not only because he was the victim of a crime, but I was not enthused about how we handled the situation, so I’ve opened up an internal investigation.” Some board members who spoke about the incident during the meeting expressed remorse and called for the village to understand public safety from the vantage point of its most vulnerable residents, particularly African Americans and individuals experiencing disabilities. “I’m sorry,” Mayor Abu-Taleb told Galloway, who was standing at the public comment dais. “I’m sorry about the loss of your son a few years back and I’m sorry

about what Peanut went through in this situation … We want a community where everyone feels that they fit in, that they belong.” “Community safety and public safety only includes certain residents in Oak Park,” said Oak Park resident Suzanne Fairfax during public comment. “It’s not OK. We need to be taking into account the community safety of every single resident here and acknowledging we have a problem with racism … racism is systemic, and it has many, many tendrils.” Sims, who said that he’s still living with the trauma related to the alleged attack, said that he hopes his story opens up a much larger dialogue in the village. He added that he’s experienced an outpouring of support from community members, one of whom even approached him in the grocery store and offered a hug. “I don’t bother nobody; I’m a nice guy,” Isaiah said. “I treat people with respect. I’m glad to tell my story. I don’t talk about it all of the time, but when people bring this situation up, it shows that they care. I hope this reaches everyone dealing with a disability to show that we are human.”

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Addressing neighbor worries, senior project scales down Plan commission approves Madison Street project By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s Plan Commission approved the modified design plan Jan. 23 for the senior residential community planned for 711 and 725 Madison St. Applicant American House made the changes based on comments given at its last plan commission meeting Dec. 5. “There actually have been rather significant changes to what was shown last. Much of it has to do with the massing of the building,” Dale Watchowski, REDICO and American House CEO, told the Wednesday Journal prior to the Jan. 23 meeting. American House is an affiliate of REDICO, a commercial real development company. Changes to the plan include reducing the maximum height to 82 feet from the originally intended 90. Along Wesley Avenue and the adjacent neighborhood, the building height was reduced to 50 feet and a horizontal setback above 50 feet as measured from the far side of the alley was increased to 50 feet. “When you look at the building from the street, while we’ve maintained the number of floors and we’ve been pretty consistent in the number of units, what we did was we lowered some of the floor heights,” Watchowski said. According to Watchowski, the building was also reconfigured so it wouldn’t look as large when viewed from the adjacent neighborhoods. The reconfiguration also allows for more airspace. The new design plan also considered the

PETE‘S

Community feedback from page 1 plan architect Ken Nadolski, of API Architects. Pete’s Market doesn’t want customers parking in residential streets, burdening nearby residents. The building’s rectangular design is both long and thin, described as “very modern” with “a lot of clean lines and glass,” with a front and back mezzanine. Construction of the building, as planned, would require the demolition of the historic Foley-Rice automotive building, 644 Madison St., which displeased about half of the small group of attendees at the meeting. The Foley-Rice site could not physically support underground parking

Updated renderings courtesy of REDICO/American House

TOP DOWN: Rendering of a proposed senior housing development for 711-725 Madison St. concerns surrounding garbage collection. The doors to the trash room were relocated to the easement or sideyard side of the building, so they do not open directly to the alley and the neighborhood. Garbage trucks will still collect the trash in the alley. “I believe that it should be more well received,” Watchowski said. “We heard them and were responsive to their request.” The new plan also pushed the proposed Euclid Avenue cul de sac 10 feet north of the alley. The original location limited the accessibility of the fire department. The new cul de sac positioning necessitates the removal of an additional tree. A diverter was added to stop southbound

and the mezzanines, but the architect plans to “save what [they] can of the building.” To memorialize the Foley-Rice building, gargoyles on its façade will be repurposed and displayed on the new building, facing Madison Street. The plans place the grocery store’s loading dock and trash receptacles on Wesley Avenue. Pete’s Market also proposes a cul de sac on Euclid Avenue, which would match up with a new cul de sac planned Euclid across Madison Street adjacent to the proposed senior assisted living complex. A traffic study is in progress but won’t be completed in time to include its findings in the project’s initial application. Landscape plans are also still in progress. Pete’s Market plans to hold another public meeting at the Oak Park Arms on Feb. 5 at 7 p.m.

traffic on Wesley Avenue from entering the neighborhood but allows for emergency access. “We rely on the community to better understand what they’re looking for and what would translate into a desirable project,” said Watchowski. According to Watchowski, the company met with a neighborhood group Jan. 15 to show them how their comments were being addressed. Some 18 people attended. “From the feedback we got last night, [the updated design plan] was well received,” he said. “We listened and we tried to act on the requests of the neighborhood.” Watchowski commends village staff for

their assistance throughout this process. “We’ve been very pleased with the relationship we’ve had with the village. They have been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “The staff there has been just remarkable leading us through the development.” The intended senior housing community has 76 independent living units, 65 assisted living units and 33 memory care units for a total of 174 units or 222 beds. “We try to build our communities to serve the needs of residents so that they can age in place. As your needs increase, we can move you to a different part of the building,” said Watchowski. The building has separate floors for independent living, assisted living and memory care. “We refer to it as a continuum of care,” said Watchowski. “As your needs change, we should be able to care for you and that includes moving you into a memory care unit if that need does arise.” At the Jan. 23 meeting, a motion to approve, with a list of 16 conditions, the building design portion of the project passed 6-2. Conditions include LEED certification for the project and a requirement that American House install public art at the site or make a monetary donation to the Oak Park Art Fund. Even with the pared down height, the building’s mass still concerned Plan Commission Chair David Mann, who voted against the motion. Commissioner Jeff Foster also gave a negative vote. The plan commission also approved American House’s request to vacate a portion of South Euclid Avenue. The project, along with the plan commission’s recommendations and conditions, will now go before the village board for final approval.

Renderings provided by API Architects

MADISON STREET UPGRADE?: Rendering of a new Pete’s Market, proposed for Oak Park Avenue and Madison Street.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C R I M E

Armed robbery at Byline Bank in River Forest

Byline Bank at 7751 Lake St. in River Forest was robbed on Jan. 22 at 11:56 a.m. The suspect has not been apprehended. According to the FBI, he is a white male of medium build, between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall. He was wearing a black knit hat, a black winter coat, black gloves, blue jeans and a white dust mask. He reportedly implied he was armed and the FBI believes he may be the same person who robbed an Elmwood Park Bank on Sept. 30, 2019. The FBI is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the unknown suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous. More information and photos of the suspect can be found at tinyurl.com/rwcpfvx

Armed robbery Two teenage boys, one of whom displayed a handgun, approached a woman from behind and demanded her things at 6:08 p.m. Jan. 25 in the first block of Washington Boulevard. The woman did not comply, believing the gun to be fake, but had her keys taken from her. The keys, minus the fob, and a toy handgun were found in the alley. ■ Police describe the two boys as

black, between of 15 and 16 years old. The first offender was about 5-foot-3 and wore black ski hat, black hooded jacket and dark blue jeans, while the other was about 5-foot-2 and wore a black jacket and dark blue jeans.

Aggravated robbery A man approached a woman from behind and reached inside her purse, taking a wallet with her ID and credit cards, then threatened to harm her Jan. 21 at 5:37 p.m. in the 1000 block of North Boulevard. Police described the offender as a black male, about 5-foot-10 and 30 years old, ■ with a goatee and facial tattoos. He was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket with the hood up.

Burglary ■ Someone

entered a residence through an unlocked rear window then took a camera, two checkbooks, cash and miscellaneous jewelry between 2:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the 300 block of South Austin Boulevard. The estimated loss is $1,700. ■ Someone opened an unlocked vehicle door and took a purse containing a Galaxy

9 cellular phone, various credit cards and a wallet with cash at 11:50 p.m. on Jan. 24 in the 200 block of Madison Street. The man then fled eastbound on Madison Street in a silver Dodge Charger. The estimated loss is $430. ■ Someone took a purse containing an Illinois driver’s license, credit cards, pink Marc Jacobs wallet, cash and car keys from a residence on Jan. 26 between midnight and 7:30 a.m. in the 500 block of Grove Avenue. The person then entered the garage through an unlocked service door and ransacked the vehicle. ■ A gray HP laptop computer and a green duffle bag full of clothes were taken out of an unlocked vehicle between overnight on Jan. 22-23 in the 1000 block of Home Avenue. The loss is estimated at $1,650. ■ A person broke into a garage, smashed the rear window of a vehicle parked inside and then took a food processor out of it between during the overnight hours of Jan. 21-22 in the 400 block of South Humphrey Avenue.

Theft ■ A man riding on a bicycle snatched a plastic shopping bag containing a prescrip-

tion bottle from a woman, as she was walking in the 800 block of Madison Street at 1:10 p.m. on Jan. 21. ■ A FedEx package containing a Dell laptop computer was taken from the front lobby of a building in the 300 block of Wisconsin Avenue at 11:02 a.m. on Jan. 22. The estimated loss is $1,300.

■ These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Jan. 21 to Jan. 27, 2020 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan and Maria Maxham

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

Forest Park Preschool

WINTER

FAMILY NIGHT & OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, February 6, 2020, 6-7 pm Garfield Primary School 543 Hannah Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130

SPECIAL EVENT!

Nadeau’s Ice Sculptures,

7623 Roosevelt Road in Forest Park, America’s first full-service ice company, will be on hand to do live ice sculpture demonstrations. Don’t miss it!

Join us for a fun evening at the Forest Park Preschool Winter Family Night and Open House. Current and prospective preschool parents/guardians (2020 – 2021 school year) are invited to join us for some family activities and refreshments in the Garfield gym. Prospective families can learn about the Forest Park Preschool program, view the classrooms, and meet our Preschool staff. It’s a great way to get to know about Preschool in District 91!

For questions or for more information, please call the Garfield Primary School office at (708) 366-6945.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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Monday Afternoon Programs

Jewniversity classes will examine the following topics:

Enrichment Series February 3 – 1:15 p.m. This is Really War: The Incredible True Story of a Navy Nurse POW in the Occupied Philippines. Author Emilie L. Lucchesi, PhD will share the exclusive and inspiring story of Dorothy Still, a 27-year-old California native stationed in the Philippines. February 10 – 1:15 p.m. Opera, Jazz and Musical Theater! Award winning artists Jonathan Beyer (baritone), Amanda Crider (soprano), and Michelle McGovern (flutist) will perform a combination of solo and ensemble works of love-themed music

February 17 – 1:15 p.m. Franklin D. Roosevelt, A Fireside Chat Historical dramatist RJ Lindsay will portray Franklin Roosevelt speaking informally about the Depression, WWII, Eleanor and his Scotty dog, Fala. February 24 – 1:15 p.m. Friends of the Chicago River / Blue-Green Corridor Joanne So Young Dill, director of strategic initiatives, will present the “Blue/Green Corridor,” a sustainable design solution that uses a river and adjacent lands to establish an interconnected passageway between natural habitats.

Evening & Weekend Events

Sunday, February 16 – 3 p.m. The Free Readers Ensemble Wit by Margaret Edson / freereaders.com

Upcoming Classes SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 10:30 AM–NOON: ”Introduction to Ma’ariv” – Learn about the Jewish prayer service held in the evening or night. (Prayer Track; Jewish Living Track) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 10:30 AM–NOON: “Repair the World”– Learn about helping refugees and issues with the Illinois criminal system. (Social Justice Track) Complementary breakfast included; free of charge, but RSVP is required. ALSO, SUNDAYS, 9:00–9:30 AM: Rabbi Adir Glick’s inspiring Jewish Meditation Class To RSVP and learn more about these free programs and about Temple Har Zion, please visit www.wsthz.org

Temple Har Zion

1040 North Harlem River Forest IL 60305 www.wsthz.org 708.366.9000

Temple Har Zion is warm, diverse, and committed to deep intellectual and spiritual life. Temple Har Zion is a leader in the Conservative movement in welcoming interfaith families.

COST: $15 requested donation for non-members for each program. LUNCH: precedes Monday programs at 12 p.m., $25 for nonmembers, RSVP required –all are welcome!

Wednesday, February 12 – 7:30 p.m. Henry Fogel Presents Evenings of Great Music and Conversation Heather Wittels, Violinist and Andrew Rosenblum, Pianist These two engaging artists will present a diverse, vivid program of collaborative works from the classical, romantic, and modern eras. Tickets at the door: Members and their guests $25, Non-members $30, Students $10

Contemporary Judaism, Jewish History, Text, Prayer, Israel, Hebrew, Jewish Life, Jewish Thought, Social Justice, Spirituality, Jewish Culture

Monday, February 17 – 7-10 p.m. English Country Dance English Country Dance is a social dance with a long history and a vibrant modern presence. Dances are taught and called. No partner needed, no experience necessary. Saturday, February 29 – 5:30 p.m. Annual Fundraising Gala PROHIBITION BALL Join us for an exciting Roaring 20’s evening with dinner, dancing and entertainment. Silent and Live Auctions Proceeds will benefit First Floor Renovations $125, reserve by 2/16.

WE SHALL OVERCOME

A CELEBRATION OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR featuring DAMIEN SNEED

2.15.20

An electrifying production, tying together a living lineage of music and culture including traditional and modern gospel, classical, jazz, Broadway and spirituals, interwoven with spoken word from Dr. King’s recorded speeches. Featuring the music of Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, Duke Ellington, Stevie Wonder; Nina Simone, songs from The Wiz and more...

Nineteenth Century Charitable Association 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708-386-2729

SATURDAY, February 15, 2020 | 7:30 p.m. BOX OFFICE (708) 488-5000 • FREE PARKING 7900 West Division Street • River Forest, IL 60305

events.dom.edu

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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REC CENTER

Site donated by foundation from page 1 activity offerings. “Our families, while growing up, benefited tremendously from park district programming,” she said. “My husband and I were in a position to donate.” While the Schulers are “very excited” about the future community center, they did not originally acquire the land for that purpose. “We originally assembled and purchased the parcels almost 10 years ago with the original intent of accommodating the gymnastics center,” Schuler said. “That did not work out.” A new park district gymnastics center was eventually built at Lake Street and Humphrey Avenue. The Schulers held onto the land until Nov. 6, 2019 when the property was transferred from Harvey Madison Development LLC, which the Schulers manage, to the Parks Foundation of Oak Park, a nonprofit that raises private support for projects that enhance public parks and greenspaces. The next day, the foundation transferred the land to the park district. The community center will include an indoor walking track and space for indoor basketball, pickleball and volleyball. It will also allow the park district to expand its program offerings, which Mary Jo Schuler is particularly happy about. “I’ve worked as a volunteer and philanthropist with a program called Success of All Youth and I’m very excited about the extended programming opportunities, not only for youth, but also for families and senior citizens,” she said. The acquisition of the land puts the park district in a better position to make the community recreation center a reality. “The land is one of the biggest hurdles,” said Jan Arnold, executive director of the park district.

Rendering provided

RECREATION DESTINATION: A rendering of the community center proposed by the Park District of Oak Park. The community center, taking up approximately 48,000 square feet, will sit entirely on the donated acre of land. As of now, the park district has no architectural blueprints, just design renderings. The park district plans on having a membership-required fitness facility, afterschool programs and a mix of paid and free programming in the community center. “The funding from the programs and the fitness facility would help offset the costs of the free things,” said Arnold. Free community center amenities include the walking track, as well as a free open gym and community rooms available after school for students. “Not every kid is a sports kid. We want to provide safe spaces for all kids right after school from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday,” Arnold said. According to Arnold, the community center would be a break-even operation. Due to a planned partnership with Oak Park Township, the community center will also give residents, including children and teens, access to mental health services.

The idea to add a wellness center to the plans came directly from a 2016 feasibility survey conducted by the park district, where students told consultants directly that they wanted a place to seek mental health services inconspicuously. “There would be a capital contribution from the mental health board. In essence, it would serve as a prepaid lease for, like, 35 years,” said Arnold. “We haven’t worked out an agreement yet.” Phase one of the project is estimated to cost $18 million dollars. According to Arnold, the Schuler’s donation has a value of a little over $2 million. The state of Illinois has also given $875,000 to the park district for the project. The park district also just applied for the state’s highly competitive Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act (PARC) grant program, requesting $2.5 million. A planned Phase 2 would include an Aquatics Center with indoor pools for warm water therapy, lap swimming and zero depth play. The park district does not intend to levy any new property taxes to pay for the com-

munity recreation center. “One of the things that the park district board has said over the last several years is that they would not be going to referendum to ask for a tax increase in order to build this facility,” said Arnold. The money collected from TIF expirations will not go toward the project but to cover minimum wage increases for park staff. To help the park district procure the rest of the funds, the Parks Foundation of Oak Park just launched a capital campaign, titled “A Place to Belong.” “I think it’s phenomenal. Assisting the park district with extraordinary projects is one of their cornerstones and this definitely is an extraordinary project,” said Arnold of the foundation. “Frankly, it wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for their involvement.” Established in 2012, the Parks Foundation of Oak Park is a completely separate entity from the park department. “The Parks Foundation is not employed by the park district. We are a group of volunteers who are donating our time to help support the park district’s amazing programs,” said Edward Kerros, board vice president of the Parks Foundation of Oak Park. “Over many years, the park district has done surveys in the community and we’ve certainly heard from the community and seen the results of the surveys... and it’s just become very clear that the community wants and will support what the community recreation center is hoping to provide,” he said. Kerros believes the community center will benefit all Oak Park residents, including senior citizens and adolescents. The foundation believes in the importance of community investment and is accepting donations both large and small. “Clearly we’re looking for some large donations if we’re going to get to $18 million dollars to build phase one. However, we’re looking for any size donation,” Kerros said. “We want the community to know that this is for them and if anybody can give any amount, we feel that’s important.”

Grants help fund Rehm Park upgrades, land purchase

Park District of Oak Park buys third parcel near Carroll Park By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Park District of Oak Park recently received a total of $592,000 in state funding to cover improvements to the west part of Rehm Park and help reimburse it for land acquisition near Carroll Park. The funds came from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant. The grant provides up to 50 percent in matching funds for park districts wishing to either buy or develop public land.

A total of $400,000 will be used for Rehm Park improvements, while $129,000 is being used to reimburse the park district for half of the money it spent to acquire a property at 1146 S. Kenilworth Ave. The park district plans to finish up the Rehm Park improvement by the end of the year, while the land acquisition is part of its long-term plan to expand Carroll Park by buying up lots near the northeast corner of Kenilworth Avenue and Fillmore Street. OSLAD allows park districts to request up to $400,000 in matching funds for renovations and new development, and up to $750,000 for land acquisition. Plans for Rehm Park include a new playground with more handicapped-accessible play equipment and “play grass” replacing

the woodchips. Rehm Park’s iconic train loop play equipment will remain. To improve playground safety, the East Avenue entrance will be moved farther north, closer to the fire station. The park district will also place a new picnic gazebo northeast of the tracks, a new ping-pong table directly west of the existing gaga pit and new restroom between the firehouse and the park parking lot. According to the park district, the renovations will begin in July, with the aim of finishing them by the end of 2020. As for Carroll Park, park district spokeswoman Diane Stanke told the Journal that, in 2005, the park district came up with the plan to acquire four properties near the park in order to expand its footprint.

It purchased two northernmost properties in 2007 and converted them into green space. In November 2019, the park district acquired the 1146 S. Kenilworth Ave. property, leaving only the house directly north of it, at 1142 S. Kenilworth Ave., standing. Stanke said that the park district paid $365,000 for the property, with the OSLAD grant reimbursing the park district for half of that cost. If it manages to acquire the remaining lot, Stanke said, the park district hopes to vacate the turnaround at the north end of Kenilworth Avenue. But, as she noted, that is something that would require the village’s permission. Either way, they will decide exactly what to do with all four lots when they purchase the 1142 S. Kenilworth Ave lot.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Photo courtesy transitchicago.com

MOVING ON UP: The Austin/Lake Green Line station at 315 N. Austin Blvd. in Austin will get a new elevator, among other improvements.

Austin Green Line station poised to get upgrades Chicago Transit Agency looking to install elevator, emergency exit in transit hub By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

The Austin/Lake Green Line “L” station, located at 351 N. Austin Blvd. in Austin, is likely to become more accessible for handicapped commuters in the near future. The Chicago Transit Authority’s budget this year includes money to pay for the installation of an elevator running up to the station’s platform and turning the currently sealed Mason Avenue entrance into an emergency exit, among other enhancements. Mike Connelly, the Chicago Transit Authority’s chief planning officer, said that the project is currently “in the first stage of design,” but added that there was no concrete timeline for when the design would be completed and when the construction would begin. Out of the 11 “L” stations serving Oak Park and Austin, only four are designated as handicap accessible: the Central/Lake, Laramie and Cicero/Lake Green Line “L” stations in Austin, and the Harlem/Lake Green Line “L” station in Oak Park. In October 2019, the CTA received $20 million to help cover an estimated $24 million in project costs related to the improvements. While the original Austin/Lake station was built in 1901, the current structure dates back to 1961, when the tracks were raised above street level. The second, Mason Avenue entrance was sealed in 1973 as a

cost-cutting measure. In addition to serving as an ‘L’ station, Austin/Lake station is a hub for city and suburban buses. CTA Route 91/Austin, which serves Austin and the neighborhoods further north, passes nearby, and the hub also serves as a terminal for three Pace bus routes. Route 315 links the area to the suburbs further south, while routes 309 and 313 serve the Lake Street corridor in Oak Park, River Forest and Melrose Park. According to the CTA’s All Station Accessibility Program 2018 strategic plan, the Austin/Lake Green Line “L” station got high priority because the need for improvements is more acute and renovation would be relatively easy. Because of the age of the embankment the station and the tracks sit on, the CTA wants try to reduce the impact on the structure as much as possible by installing the elevator in the existing station house. Because of the size of the embankment and the fact that the “L” shares the embankment with the Union Pacific West Metra line tracks, the platform can’t be widened. This means that, if the current east stairs and the escalator were kept as is, there wouldn’t be enough room for wheelchair users to get to the elevator. In addition, the sidewalks on the ground level don’t currently have enough room to add an ADA-compliant ramp. As a result, CTA will need to take out the escalator, move the east stairs closer to the middle, and expand the sidewalk, which would require the removal of the westbound turn lane. The Mason entrance would be reopened, but not as a full-fledged entrance — it will serve as an emergency exit to satisfy ADA requirements. CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

Grace Lach, RN Director of Interventional Cardiology

THIS IS PERSONAL Patients don’t always see Grace Lach, but she plays a critical role in their treatment. Grace spends her time behind the scenes making the unpredictable parts of cardiology care, predictable. As a leader of the Cath Lab Team, she helps calibrate vital equipment, conduct staff training and coordinate resources, so every patient experience can feel personal and positive. Take your free HeartAware Assessment at ThisIsPersonalEEH.org

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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River Forest deer task force approved Applications being accepted till Feb. 18

By ROBERT LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Thanks to Melissa’s passion and experiencing our coffee first-hand by “cupping”, we thank Oak Park Eats for the positive exposure! - Jacques, Counter Coffee, Forest Park

Enjoy a cup at CounterCoffee.com Jacques Shalo, Counter Coffee

Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:

OakParkEats.com

River Forest residents who want to participate in the village’s newly-formed ad hoc committee on deer management have until Tuesday, Feb. 18 to submit applications. The village board voted unanimously Jan. 27 to create the committee and approved the application that is available on the village website. Paper copies of the application also are available at the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave.; the Community Center, 8020 Madison St.; and Village Hall, 400 Park Ave. The committee, which was first discussed in November, will be co-chaired by trustees Tom Cargie and Patty Henek and include 11 residents. Village President Cathy Adduci is expected to recommend committee members at the Monday, Feb. 24 village board meeting and the committee is tentatively scheduled to hold its first meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The committee is expected to submit formal recommendations to the village board in September, although trustees agreed on Jan. 27 that communication between the two groups would not be limited to the final report. Instead, committee members will be encouraged to share recommendations to the village board sooner, should they determine that to be important. Trustees also expressed the hope that the committee would address education opportunities, specifically regarding Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases. The ad hoc committee is expected to have expert advisors available. Carl Vogel, director of communications for the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, told the village board that the Forest Preserve District would participate in the committee. Henek also said Tim Preuss, urban deer project manager for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, who appeared at a village meeting in June, has expressed interest in participating in the committee, as time allows. Henek said one of the committee’s first tasks will be conducting a community survey in March and April. She said Preuss recommended that such a survey be conducted at the end of spring or beginning of summer.

“I think it’s very clear that experts and other communities who have experienced the same thing clearly recognize that this is an emotional issue,” Henek said. “It’s a serious issue and it’s something I personally take very seriously in terms of the safety and health of our residents, absolutely. “But I want to make sure we get this right. I want to make sure we are evaluating things in the best manner we can.” Adduci addressed the “long, winding road” the village board has traveled since the issue of deer management was first discussed in November, then at subsequent village board meetings in December and January. “I am definitely 110 percent behind the deer management task force and always have been,” she said. “This will help us build an educational outreach program so our residents can learn how to coexist with deer in our community. “I don’t think anybody ever said we were going to eradicate deer, that we don’t love deer. We do love deer. We all know where we live … by the river and by the forest. That’s why we’re here.” Adduci stressed the need for elected officials to be concerned about the health and safety of residents. “Certainly one way to address the health and safety of our community is through education and outreach programs,” she said. “I also urge the board to consider other actions along the way to improve the health and safety of our community.” In addition, Adduci addressed discussion of Lyme disease in the village, especially in connection with comments made by residents John Roeger and Gigi Hoke at village board meetings and in a news story in Wednesday Journal. “I believe our neighbors and residents John and Gigi when they talk about their issues with Lyme disease and their families,” she said. “I acknowledge that nobody should hype up Lyme disease for the sole sake of hyping it up and I don’t believe any of us at this table has ever hyped up this issue. “It has been our residents who come to us and have spoken to us. Each and every one of us always listens just like we are listening tonight. I believe them. I believe John when he said there might be 25 families that are undiagnosed.”

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CONNECTS

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

A YEAR-LONG SERIES FOCUSING ON COMMUNICATING OUR PRIORITIES FOR CHILDREN

Tech connects, levels learning differences With a device in every backpack, teachers extol new options BY LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

ech in the classroom has developed rapidly in just a generation. Parents of local students might recall taking typing classes in high school or visiting the computer lab while in college. Today, it’s a given that tech is personalized and in every student’s backpack. Oak Park and River Forest school districts report the use of tablets and technology in the school environment goes hand in hand with increased security measures and increased learning potential. Oak Park and River Forest High School is in its fourth year of using Chromebooks on a one-to-one basis, and Chris Thieme, senior director of educational technology, says there are many benefits to the use of technology in the classroom. About the general use of tech in the school he says, “The educational field is reflecting what society is doing. Collaboration and creativity and being used to working in a digital environment are all key for the work force and for life at a university.” After piloting tablets and Chromebooks, Thieme says Chromebooks were determined to be best suited to the high school environment and the ways the curriculum is presented to high school students. Currently, the school uses a mix of traditional textbooks and books provided on the Chromebook platform, which Thieme says is great for allowing teachers flexibility in the classroom. One benefit of the Chromebook is its accessibility to the cloud. Thieme says this feature is key in making sure materials are always available even if something happens to an individual device. OPRF works to incorporate good

digital citizenship efforts through the Technology Learning Center, and through librarians who work individually with classes to help students learn to recognize and use appropriate sources. Thieme says it is a balancing act to help teens use tech responsibly. He says, “There are platforms that have a dual purpose. For instance, You Tube can be used for entertainment and education.” Basic security measures are employed, and firewall and protective software goes with the devices when they leave campus with students. On campus, teachers can use software to

See DEVICES on page B4

CHROMEBOOKS FOR EVERYONE:: (Above left) Terria O’Neal, a sophomore from Oak Park, uses her Chromebook computer during a lunch period . (Left) Jackson Hassler, a sophomore from Oak Park, works on his provided Chromebook computer in the tutoring center at Oak Park-River Forest High School. ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Separating students from cell phones

Vague policies no more. While OPRF plans, D90 and 97 go ‘Away for the Day’ BY LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

nce an item solely for adults with high-powered jobs or deep pockets, cell phones have become ubiquitous across all of society in the past 20 years. As the average age of acquisition has dropped, schools are grappling with a new world, and local districts have had to develop policies to make sure that cell phones aren’t distracting students from the real purpose of the school day. At District 90, the elementary and middle schools in River Forest, Tina Steketee, assistant principal at Roosevelt Middle School, says the cell phone policy is crystal clear: students can have cell phones at school, but they must be kept in their lockers in the off position. “Cell phones,” she says, “are not used for educational content.” The consequences for using a cell phone during the school day are also concrete. Students receive discipline infractions if caught with their phones. Steketee says the first instance might result in a warning, but after that, a detention is issued and for a further infraction, parents will be contacted. She says parents and students accept the policy. Students who need to contact parents know they can use the phones in the office during the school day, and Steketee says that parents know to call the office if they need to get in touch with a child during the day. As with any issue involving the junior high set, she says occasionally rules are broken, stating “sometimes they try to sneak their phones at lunch,” but adds “they know they are not to power them up until they leave school. Home room at the end of the day is not the time to use your phone.” After receiving a lot of feedback from parents, District 97, Oak Park’s elementary and middle schools, implemented a similar program called Away for the Day at Gwendolyn Brooks and Percy Julian Middle Schools this fall. Stacie Klein, culture and climate assistant principal at Brooks, says the phones are meant to be off and in lockers. “Research has shown that if a phone is on their person or in a backpack or close by, they are distracted by it. You have to remove it from the space.” She says parents, including medical professionals, proposed the district follow the national Away for the Day program. The previous policy left cell phone usage in the classroom up to the discretion of the teacher, which Klein says could result in power struggles when different teachers had different policies. Under the district’s previous policy, cell phones were not to be used in common spaces such as locker rooms or the cafeteria, and Klein says that remains the case. Students know that if they are caught with a cell phone during the school day, it will be taken to the office where they can pick it up at the end

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

CONNECTED AND NOT CONNECTING AT LUNCH: Students are seen checking their phones and using their Chromebook computers during a lunch period in the cafeteria at Oak Park-River Forest High School. of the school day. If caught with a phone three times, students have to turn their phones into the office at the start of the school day or leave it at home for the remainder of the trimester. After four months, compliance is not 100 percent, but Klein says teachers are already seeing improvements. “Teachers are reporting that students are more engaged in the classroom and they are interacting more with each other out of the classroom in the cafeteria.” While the junior high schools have both created policies with clear rules and consequences, Oak Park and River Forest High School is at the early stages of creating new policies and procedures. Dan Wolman, an OPRF history teacher, is part of a recently formed committee made up of teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators who are working to develop procedures to put in place in the fall of 2020. Wolman says the group is “looking to change the day-to-day expectations about phones in school.” He points to widely publicized incidents at the school last year involving pictures or messages air-dropped via cell phones during the school day and says not only was the cell phone the vehicle for those problems, but says those situations were inflamed by student use of cell phones in the aftermath. The committee is considering a wide range of research on teen life and cell phones, which Wolman says focuses a lot on the mental health

effects of cell phone use. The committee also surveyed parents and teachers about their thoughts. Wolman says the corresponding student survey which included questions about how phones are used at school, what the benefits are and when and where students use phones was eye-opening. “What the kids told us they were using their phones for often violated our codes of conduct -- things like sharing homework or taking videos in the locker room. It really showed their thoughts on what is acceptable if they were willing to share this in the survey. They don’t always even know what is acceptable.” The current cell phone policy at the high school leaves cell phone use in the classroom up to the teachers’ discretion. The handbook states that outside of the classroom, cell phones can be used in designated areas only, but Wolman says that part of the policy is currently not enforced. As part of its movement towards creating a policy, this fall, the committee rolled out an education campaign for parents and faculty, distributing information online and in pamphlets handed out at open houses and parent-teacher conferences. Wolman says the next step is to educate students, and make sure they know that the change in policy isn’t punitive or just about taking something away. “We’re really getting into the ‘why’ of why cell phones might not be great to use all day, says

Wolman, “I describe it as giving something back, giving a reduced dependency on screens.” This semester, the group is kicking off two pilot programs aimed at helping students experience time at school without their phones. The first is using a product designed by Yondr, frequently in use at concerts or comedy clubs, in which participants voluntarily put their cell phones in a pouch at the start of the event. The pouch locks and cannot be opened until the event is over. He said this pilot will take place on a limited basis in the Testing Center, where students take make up tests, and in the Tutoring Center. In the second pilot, Wolman and a group of roughly 20 other teachers will be participating in Away for the Day and are working on getting students to participate as well. Students will drop off their phones before first period, and they will be locked away safely until the end of the school day. Wolman says the pilot will run for three weeks and offer rewards to incentivize students to give it a try. Adults will participate, too, Wolman says because, “The truth is, when we write our policy, we need language about how adults are using phones too.” He says teachers are good participants, but students are the key. “A voice that’s missing right now are the students who can speak to what it feels like to have a school day without a phone.”

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Dealing with the dark side of phones OPRF teachers get real about screen addiction and offer ways of dealing with it BY MICHAEL ROMAIN Contributing Reporter

“W

hen we talk about addiction, phones are not what first come to mind,” says Dan Wolman, an Oak Park and River Forest High School history teacher. “We often think of more socially unacceptable behaviors like drugs, alcohol or gambling. We may even give technology a pass. Why? Who knows?” Wolman sits on the high school’s Cell Phone Committee — an entity created last year to come up with some common sense regulations on cell phone usage at the high school. The high school’s newspaper, Trapeze, reported last month that at OPRF, “there is a lenient and rarely enforced cell phone policy,” with expectations about phone usage varying from classroom to classroom. “Some teachers quickly send student’s phones straight to the dean, while others merely give a gentle reminder,” the Trapeze reported. Cell Phone Committee members like Wolman have been working to change that culture, but the first step toward cultural change is acknowledging reality. And the reality, Wolman said during a presentation he gave during a Parent University session in November, is that many OPRF students are suffering from addiction and their drug of choice is the cell phone. Wolman cited a range of researchers like Trevor Haynes, a researcher in the Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. “Platforms like Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram leverage the same neural circuitry used by slot machines and cocaine to keep us using their products as much as possible,” Haynes writes. According to a 2018 study by Pew Research, around 95 percent of teenagers report having a smartphone or access to a smartphone — a percentage that is roughly the same at OPRF, Haynes said, referencing a survey the committee conducted recently that generated roughly 1,100 student responses. Wolman cited other studies showing that 13to 18-year-olds in America spend an average of more than seven hours a day on screens, which doesn’t include time spent doing homework. “Informally, I like to ask my students to tell me what kind of screen time they’re looking at each day and the numbers are astronomical,” he said. “Ten, 12, 13, 15 hours.” But all hope is not lost, said Wolman and his colleague, Meghan Cahill, an OPRF counselor who also sits on the Cell Phone Committee. Here are some tips that the educators provided for parents to help wean their children off of smartphones:

SCREEN TIME: Students check their phones during lunch while students check their cell phones during passing periods in the hallway near the cafeteria at Oak Park-River Forest High School. ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Utilize parental control apps

Introduce them to JOMO

Get a kSafe (or something similar)

Wolman said he and his colleagues asked 3,300 students at OPRF what it would take to get them to go “phone-free for three straight weeks of school.” “We thought maybe we’d get zero hits from 3,300 students, but they do respond to things,” he said. The most popular incentives were: Points to use at local restaurants/retailers (306 responses), free outside lunch (287), job references from OPRF faculty (265), free movie tickets (258) and free prom/homecoming tickets (248).

Cahill said that she utilizes a timed lock box that she puts her family’s smartphones in when they need to deprogram from the devices. Once the container is locked (for however many seconds, minutes, hours or days you set it to lock), it can’t be opened until the timer reaches zero. And there’s no code to open them prematurely. Although there are a variety of brands that play on the same theme, one of the most popular is the kSafe. This brand has a timer on the lids, which come in a bright assortment of colors.

Cahill said that she also utilizes a third-party app that allows her to limit her children’s screen time by logging them out of certain apps or shutting the phone down altogether. For instance, “Snapchat can be off while they’re at school.” “It took a solid two weeks to deal with either the box or the screen time limits set on their phones,” she said. “Like anything else, it’s habit-forming, but you can schedule everything.” Some of the more popular parental control apps include FamilyTime, Qustodio and Web Watcher (all three run on both Android and Apple smartphones).

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

DEVICES continued from page B1 monitor what their students are doing on their school-issued Chromebooks. When it comes to protecting the privacy of student data, Thieme says all apps and websites that collect student data are run through a rating system that alerts the school if there are any concerns before the apps are used. Social media sites are blocked at school, but Thieme says school security measures on Chromebooks only address that issue in part. “About 50 percent of the “More importantly, devices at school are not ours,” he we can differentiate says referring to material based on cell phones. “That’s why it’s very importhe needs of the tant to promote kids, and other kids digital citizenship to kids in general. are not even aware They will and do of it.” use social media at school beRob Breit cause they all have Fifth grade teacher at phones.” Lincoln School in Oak Park In River Forest’s District 90 elementary and middle schools, Kevin Martin, director of technology, says students at Roosevelt Middle School each have an iPad that they are allowed to bring home, while students in grades kindergarten to fourth have one-to-one access to devices while at school. District 90 uses software such as Securely, Gaggle and Education Framework to vet apps, filter information and make sure that privacy is protected, while also monitoring school-issued emailed address for any spam or threatening messages. From calendars, to Power School for grades and to Schoology for communication with teachers, Martin says of the programming, “We use it for soups to nuts.” Knowing that the technology is so heavily relied upon, he says, “We really stress that the iPad we’re giving you is a tool, not a toy. It’s for research and learning executive functioning.” He says the iPads allow teachers to do things they just can’t do with traditional textbooks. “Our special ed department is one of the biggest proponents. Any student with an IEP or 504 qualifies for free books through bookshare.org.” At Oak Park’s District 97 elementary and middle schools, all students wing. It wasn’t equitable in terms of all in grades three through five receive of the kids experiencing it.” As the district considered how to tablets, and all students in the junior best prepare kids in the future, they high schools receive Chromebooks. Michael Arensdorff, senior director of began a pilot program in 2014 with technology, says the one-to-one ratio fifth graders, and eventually gave was driven by equity. “Historically, we all students in grades three through had shared carts by grade level or on a five iPads that can be taken home at

DIFFERENTIATION TOOL: Technology can be a strong tool allowing teachers to create specific lessons for each student. ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

night. Over two years ago, the district launched Internet for All, a program that provides hot spots to families who did not have internet connectivity at home. These changes Arensdorff says, “give all kids that ability because not everyone had that at home.” Arensdorff stresses that security is

built into the plan. Students attend a digital bootcamp to learn how to be safe on the internet, and by law, the school-issued devices have filtering tools and security devices built-in to keep kids from accessing any material that is not safe. Fifth grade teachers Marvin Chil-

dress and Rob Breit say the use of iPads and Chromebooks at Lincoln School in Oak Park has greatly enhanced their ability to teach and reach all students in their classes. Breit says using an iPad instead of textbooks, workbooks and papers, is environmentally friendly. “More importantly, we can differentiate material based on the needs of the kids, and other kids are not even aware of it. We can also have ongoing communication beyond the eight to three hours. Kids can email me questions about their homework while they are doing it.” Childress agrees and says the ability to take the classwork home is helpful, noting that a student who is home sick can participate in classwork as it is going on. He says kids who are struggling readers can use headphones in the classroom to follow along with texts and get the content at their own pace. “From my perspective,” says Childress, “the technology kind of levels the playing field and brings those struggling learners to the ball game.”

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate email: buphues@wjinc.com

Homes

Is Prairie Style dead?

Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer

Homes associated with architects like Wright no longer in demand By LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

Crain’s Chicago Business article in January on last year’s biggest winners and losers in real estate posited that the Midwest’s love of Prairie Style has hit a wall. While acknowledging that homebuyers appear to prefer new and contemporary to traditional and historic homes of any style, the article also cites the decided lack of appeal for the designs of noted architects with Chicago roots, including Oak Park’s beloved Frank Lloyd Wright. Here in Oak Park, Wright properties and their brethren have not been flying of the shelves at

breakneck speeds, and those that do sell are often doing so at a discount. One of Wright’s bootleg houses at 1019 Chicago Ave., the Robert P. Parker House, sold in October 2019 for $685,000. The house was put up for sale over two years earlier in May 2017 for $840,000. Prior to its October 2019 sale, the last sale of the house was in 2014 for $750,000. Another Oak Park home with Wright connections that has failed to find a buyer is the William H. Copeland House at 400 Forest Ave. Designed in 1883 in the Italianate style, the home underwent a Wright-designed remodel under its second owners in roughly 1909. The remodel altered parts of the exterior and completely reimagined the home’s first floor in the Prairie Style. Originally listed for sale in the summer of 2018 for $1,650,000, the home hasn’t found the right buyer. As of press time, the price had dropped several times to $1,167,500. See PRAIRIE on page 28

File Photo

TOUGH SELL: The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Parker House (top, living room inset) was on the market for more than two years before it sold last October – for $65,000 less than it sold for in 2014.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

427 N OAK PARK AVE, OAK PARK

735 AUGUSTA ST, OAK PARK

1220 N GROVE AVE, OAK PARK

234 S KENILWORTH AVE, OAK PARK

7660 WILCOX ST, FOREST PARK

4 br, 4 ba $739,000

4 br, 2.1 ba $729,000

4 br, 2.1 ba $670,000

5 br, 2.1 ba $649,000

4 br, 3 ba $619,800

Alice McMahon 708.848.5550

Victoria Witt 708.848.5550

Kelly Fondow 708.848.5550

April Baker 708.848.5550

OPEN SUN 122

OPEN SUN 111

932 N OAK PARK AVE, OAK PARK

611 N RIDGELAND AVE, OAK PARK

804 N HARVEY AVE, OAK PARK

130 S HARVEY AVE, OAK PARK

1108 S SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK

4 br, 3.1 ba $525,000

4 br, 1.1 ba $524,895

5 br, 3 ba $499,000

5 br, 1.1 ba $499,000

4 br, 2.1 ba $399,000

Cory Kohut 708.848.5550

Jennifer Hosty 708.848.5550

Jonathan Reith 708.848.5550

Alice McMahon 708.848.5550

Susan Abbott 708.848.5550

A new day in Chicago real estate

BHHSChicago.com

1105 LYMAN AVE, OAK PARK

1024 PLEASANT ST 6, OAK PARK

1170 S HUMPHREY AVE, OAK PARK

235 MARENGO AVE 4A, FOREST PARK

7243 MADISON ST 417, FOREST PARK

3 br, 2.1 ba $399,000

3 br, 2 ba $392,000

4 br, 2 ba $385,000

2 br, 2 ba $224,900

1 br, 1 ba $199,900

Alice McMahon 708.848.5550

Victoria Witt 708.848.5550

Robert Hann 708.848.5550

Dorothy Gillian 708.848.5550

911 MARENGO AVE, FOREST PARK

200 HOME AVE 2C, OAK PARK

902 S 3RD AVE ABCD, MAYWOOD

820 WASHINGTON BLVD 3, OAK PARK

21W581 NORTH AVE 4, LOMBARD

2 br, 2 ba $198,000

2 br, 1.1 ba $179,900

2 br, 2.1 ba $169,000

1 br, 1 ba $132,498

1 br, 1 ba $120,000

Tabitha Murphy 708.848.5550

Jeffrey O'Connor 708.848.5550

Susan Maienza 708.848.5550

April Baker 708.848.5550

Jessica Rivera 708.848.5550

BHHSChicago.com

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest DonnaAvenue Barnhisel 7375 West North Dan Bogojevich MANAGING Anne Brennan River Forest, Illinois 60305 BROKER/OWNERS Karen Byrne Calkins 708.771.8040 Kevin Tom Carraher Andy Gagliardo Pat Cesario Joe Cibula

Tom Poulos

1020 BELLEFORTE • OAK PARK

Don Citrano Alisa Coghill Kay Costello Maria Cullerton Julie Downey Kurt Fielder Yvonne Fiszer-Steele Ramona Fox

Laura Gancer Lisa Grimes Dan Halperin Sharon Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Jack Lattner

Jane Maxwell Iris McCormick Vince McFadden Elizabeth Moroney Colleen Navigato John Pappas Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas

Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

745 S TAYLOR • OAK PARK

1506 FOREST • RIVER FOREST

547 MONROE • RIVER FOREST

N EW LI S T I N G!

STUNNING RENOVATION with exquisite modern finishes. Solid brick home features new hardwood floors throughout, recessed lighting, wood burning fireplace, family room, 3 generously sized BRs. Spacious finished LL. Central air, and 3-car garage. Just Move in and Enjoy! ....................................................................... $629,500

A CLASSIC BEAUTY with beautiful updates, gracious room sizes and expansive backyard! Stunning home with 5BRs and 3-1/2BAs features open kitchen, breakfast room, family room, wet bar, French doors and custom carpentry in DR, mud room, and a finished lower level. ............................................................$949,900

ROOM FOR EVERYONE! Move in ready, gracious rooms and highest end updates! Designer kitchen, first floor family room, mudroom, 5 BRs, 3-1/2 baths, finished 3rd floor retreat, finished basement with a 6th bedroom. Completely renovated top to bottom, all you need to do is move in! ...................................$939,000

CLASSIC OAK PARK HOME on a large corner lot in the Harrison Arts district. This four BR, three BA home boasts four levels of living space. Tall ceilings, hardwood floors, vintage leaded glass windows, updated kitchen with breakfast bar. Finished 3rd floor, newly finished basement. .................................................$549,000

638 N KENILWORTH • OAK PARK

1423 LATHROP • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 122

1427 THATCHER • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

142 S SCOVILLE • OAK PARK

UNPRECEDENTED ESTATE in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historical district of Oak Park! This meticulously renovated 5 BR, 5 full / 2 half bath property offers exquisite details and refined finishes that boast timeless materials and over the top custom millwork. This is a showcase home! ...........................................................$1,450,000

HANDSOME TUDOR with classic original archway details beautifully blend w/ tasteful updated bathrooms and kitchen. Spacious formal living room with wood-burning fireplace. Lovely dining room with built-in corner cabinets. OUTSTANDING BACKYARD. Finished basement!............................................................ $735,000

LOVELY SPLITLEVEL HOME offers newly refreshed contemporary style and wonderful space. Home offers three bedrooms, three brand new bathrooms, beautiful front entryway, vaulted ceiling family room, sun room, game room, deck, spectacular backyard, attached two car garage. ................................. $659,000

CENTER OF TOWN VICTORIAN with high ceilings, four spacious levels of living in beautiful Oak Park. This 5 BR, 3-12 BA home offers a formal entry, wood burning FP, sun room, family room, eat-in kitchen. Great flow, tons of natural light & storage throughout this beauty! ...................................................................$519,000

RIVER FOREST HOMES

BEAUTIFUL BRICK & STONE CLASSIC HOUSE with a unique front wrap-around porch sits on a private park-like lot. Features 4 BRs, 2 full/2 half baths, natural wood, art glass windows, open kitchen with breakfast room, family room, mudroom, finished basement. Nothing will disappoint! ............................... $1,150,000

VINTAGE CHARMER on tree lined cobblestone street. Warm, inviting home with lots of potential! Living room is centered with a cozy fireplace, separate dining room, bright kitchen and spacious family room. 2nd floor has 3 BRs and 1 full BA. Large deck overlooking backyard..........................................................$425,000

REHABBERS AND PROJECT LOVERS! Classic Oak Park American Square located in south Oak Park ready for major renovation. Some newer windows, some copper plumbing. Easy to show, easy to finish. Get the new year started with a fairly straight forward fix n flip. “As-is” .................................................... $199,900

OAK PARK HOMES

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

LOVELY TRADITIONAL HOME, found in walkable OP location, offers wonderful space for family and entertaining. Original details blend seamlessly with the updated 3 story addition. Offers 5 bedrooms, 4-1/2 baths, newer kitchen, abundant storage, family room, wine cellar..............................................................$1,065,000 PRICE REDUCED BEAUTIFUL HOME found in OP Historic District. Offers three large bedrooms, all with hardwood floors, two and a half bathrooms, new kitchen with butler pantry, full finished basement, over-sized backyard, brick paver patio, dog run, two car garage and two outdoor parking spaces......$562,000

RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2-1/2 BA. Two heated gar spaces.$479,000 RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA. Updated and move-in ready.$169,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ..........................................................$669,000 OAK PARK Two Flat ..........................................................$530,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 2-1/2 BA. Three levels of space! ...........$489,000 OAK PARK 3BR, 2 full / 2 half BA. East facing balcony. .$429,900 OAK PARK 2BR, 2-1/2BA. Stunning, bright tri-level. .....$330,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 2BA. Great modern kitchen. .................$299,000 OAK PARK 3BR, 2-1/2BA. 3 floors of living! ...................$259,000 OAK PARK 2BR, 1BA. Bright corner unit. ........................$136,000 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Cared for building. ..........................$99,000

BURMA BUILT BUHRKE HOUSE combines Tudor revival & chateau style architecture. Gorgeous décor, impeccable attention to detail found in house and landscaped grounds, extends to in ground pool and patios. Perfect for entertaining. ......... $1,975,000 BEAUTIFUL, CLASSIC HOME offers everything for today’s modern living. Custom-built home has the highest quality finishes. No detail was missed. Brick and stone exterior, wrap around porch, eleven-foot ceilings and oversized windows. LL has 2,000 feet of living area..............................................................$1,525,000 GORGEOUS RESTORATION of stately RF home offers 3BRs, 4 full baths, recently updated kitchen/dining, art glass windows, French doors, hardwood floors, sun room and large family room. Fab finished basement. Private, beautifully landscaped, newly fenced yard with in ground pool.....................................$1,200,000

UNIQUE QUALITY BURMA BUILT HOME with 5 bedrooms and 3 full, 2 half baths. House has many wonderful features; 2 separate office areas, hardwood floors, kitchen with all newer appliances, adjoining eating area-family room. Finished basement. Three car garage.......................................................$795,000 NEWLY UPDATED HOME on large lot in a great location of River Forest. Brand new eat-in kitchen. Four spacious BRs, two and half baths of which upstairs have radiant heated floors. Completely painted, refinished floors, newer windows. New staircase leading to the basement ..................................................................$699,000

Get Ready for the Spring Market!

Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis

For more listings & photos go to GagliardoRealty.com

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

HomesInTheVillage.com

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

Featured Listings for This Week River Forest $485,000 Multi unit Mike x120

Oak Park $359,000 3BR, 2.1BA Harry x116

Forest Park $199,800 3BR, 1BA Kyra x145

Erika Villegas,

Joe Langley

Mike Becker

Jane McClelland

Roz Byrne

Mary Murphy

Laurie Christofano

Sharon O’Mara

453 South Blvd Oak Park $517,000 Multi unit Laurie x186

Oak Park $99,000 1BR, 1BA Jane x118

Kari Chronopoulos

Elissa Palermo

838 Fair Oaks Ave Oak Park $579,900 5BR, 3.2BA Marion x111

Oak Park $175,000 3BR, 1BA Joe x117

Oak Park $109,900 1BR, 1BA Mike x120

Oak Park $115,000 1BR, 1BA Elissa x192

Managing Broker/Owner

Forest Park $224,900 2BR, 2BA Elissa x192

Forest Park $352,000 3BR, 1.1BA Patti x124

Oak Park $209,000 2BR, 2BA Elissa x192

Properties of The Week

Oak Park $410,000 3BR, 2.2BA Jane x118

Oak Park $450,000 5BR, 3BA Joe x117

Marion Digre

Kyra Pych

Morgan Digre

Linda Rooney

Ed Goodwin

Kris Sagan

Leticia Cruz

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Harry Walsh

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

MULTIFAMILY

CONDOS

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

Sunday, February 2, 2020 ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

1821 N. New England Ave., Chicago. . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$359,000 535 Lyman Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$399,000 804 N. Harvey Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $499,000 932 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$525,000 507 Monroe Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$629,000 1427 Thatcher Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$659,000 1423 Lathrop Ave, River Forest. . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$735,000 728 N. Grove Ave., Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . Compass Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7550,000 500 William St., River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$775,000

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

TIME

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat. 11-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12-2

LISTING PRICE

TIME

426 S. Lombard Ave. # 107-207,. . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$259,500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11-1

ADDRESS

REALTY CO.

LISTING PRICE

TIME

202 N. Ridgeland Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$838,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

PRAIRIE

Historic headache from page 23 River Forest is not immune to the lack of interest in Prairie. Crain’s cites the case of the former River Forest Women’s Club at 526 Ashland Ave. as an example of the Prairie Style’s demise. Designed by architect William Drummond, who got his start in Wright’s studio, the house was originally a public institution in the village. Renovated and turned into a single-family home, the house hit the market at $1,575,000 in May 2012, and failed to find a buyer. Most recently listed for $632,000 in October 2019, the home is in foreclosure, with an auction scheduled for early 2020. In River Forest, the property has been the subject of discussion at both Historic Preservation Commission and Economic Development Commission meetings. Jon Pape, assistant to the village administrator, said that Historic Preservation Commission Chairman David Franek has met with potential buyers of the home who were interested in understanding the historical baggage that comes with it before making an offer. The village’s Economic Development Commission also discussed the home at a January meeting, with commission Chairman Lee Neubecker wondering if there was any possibility of a private club taking control of the home. “The Historic Preservation Commission is considering ways to help conserve the house,” Pape said, noting there might be an education angle there. “The Economic Development Commission is concerned with trying to drive economic development and keeping up property values. In the future, one of the commissions could make a recommendation to the village board. Each commission has entertained the option, but neither has decided to take any action on it.” Pape says that everybody has a shared interest in doing what’s best for the property going forward, and notes that there are a lot of moving parts regarding the property. Chief among those are the two easements on the home with Landmarks Illinois. Suzanne Germann, director of grants and easements for Landmarks Illinois, notes that the history of the club is interesting. The building functioned as headquarters for the River Forest Women’s Club for over 90 years. When membership in the club was dwindling around 2004, members reached out to the River Forest Park District about a possible donation of the building for their use. When the park district could not guarantee the building wouldn’t be demolished under its ownership, the club backed away from the transaction. Instead, private buyers Paul and Ellen Coffey, stepped forward and purchased the home. The Coffeys committed roughly $2 million to restoring the house’s main floor, lower level and landscaping. In 2008, they received a Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM preservation award for their efforts. After restoring the home, the Coffeys sought and received two easements on the property. One covers the entire exterior, and a second that covers portions of the interior. The interior easement includes the majority of the first-floor space, ensuring that the main auditorium of the Women’s Club cannot be greatly altered. “Essentially, the easement is trying to preserve the fact that it was a women’s club,” Germann said. “The auditorium and balcony should remain as they are.” She adds that Landmarks Illinois has met with many potential buyers to discuss what would and wouldn’t be possible under the easements. “If it’s reversible, it’s OK,” Germann said. She said that the woodwork cannot be painted, but the walls can. The bedroom, currently in the open balcony, cannot have permanent walls constructed around it, but there are possibilities to create privacy while minimally altering the space. Pape said at the Economic Development Commission meeting earlier this month that one concern raised by potential buyers is the lack of a garage. There is a small shed at the rear of the property, and while plans were drawn up for a multi-car garage, it was unclear where it would be built. Germann said the shed is not protected under the easement and that construction of a detached garage would be permissible under the easements.

Another possible concern raised at recent commission meetings was that original plaster walls could not be altered for plumbing work. Germann said that while the walls are protected, if necessary plumbing or electrical work was called for, “We would not prevent owners from doing that.” She points out that under the easements, owners can fill out a request for alterations form, and the organization’s Easement Commission, which meets monthly, will review the request. Landmarks Illinois also has a Restoration

Resource Directory that includes listings for professionals skilled in the restoration of significant historic buildings. According to Germann, Landmarks Illinois has six exterior easements in River Forest but no other interior easements. While the village’s historic preservation ordinance can only delay demolition, the Landmarks Illinois easements have more teeth. “The easement absolutely does prohibit the demolition of this house,” Germann said.

PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

LIMBO: Frank Lloyd Wright remodeled the William Copeland Home in Oak Park (above) in 1909. It’s been listed for sale since mid2018 and the asking price has tumbled almost $500,000. Top, the former River Forest Women’s Club building, on and off the market since 2012, is now in foreclosure.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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ethesda Rehab & Senior Care, a not-forprofit, has been serving the seniors of the Oak Park/River Forest community since 1911. In the Fall of 2017, Bethesda merged with Norwood Life Society to ensure that together, they would be able to continue providing exceptional care and housing for seniors. 3 Years and 3 Million dollars later, Bethesda has been upgraded and renovated so the very best high quality, person centered care can be provided in the best environment. This fine-tuned and skillfully planned facility can handle most individuals aging needs. From the state-of-the-art rehab facility to their newly enhanced memory support program, Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care is your go to community for comfortable and meaningful aging. Bethesda’s short-term rehab wing provides effective rehabilitation services with goals to heal, strengthen and renew. Specialties include Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy as well as Pain management & Wound Care. The 2,000 square foot therapy area includes a therapy kitchen as well as a private 1 on 1 therapy room. Boutique style amenities are offered including spacious private suites with walk in showers, cable, Wi-Fi & smart TVs in every room. Hair and manicure services are also available. Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care proudly

offers memory support solutions. Located in a sun-filled penthouse, the memory support program is exceptionally person-centric, friendly and secure. Ability-centered programing modifies activities based on abilities and interest of the individual. Programs include music therapy, current events, arts and crafts, reminiscing, gardening and cooking clubs. Resident’s desires and needs are at the core of their individualized service plans with the goal to honor each resident as they are and find ways to maximize their independence. Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care provides older adults with an energetic, vibrant community where they have plenty of choices and are purposefully engaged in meaningful activities. The admissions professionals help guide individuals through the transition to a long-term care community as well as provide support to navigate this emotionally challenging process. Bethesda’s team of experienced, compassionate professionals ensure you and your loved ones feel comfortable and confident that you made the right choice. To find out more about Bethesda Rehab & Senior Care call 773-622-6144 or visit their website at www.bethesdaseniorcare.org. They are located at 2833 N Nordica, Chicago. Walk-in tours are also welcome.

THE CARE MOM RECEIVES AT BELMONT VILLAGE IS IN A CLASS ALL ITS OWN. OA K PA R K

For two decades, Belmont Village has provided best in class hospitality and support for thousands of seniors in Chicago and in great cities across the U.S. Our assisted living and memory care programs set the standard of excellence. University collaborations with UCLA and Vanderbilt have helped us champion unmatched cognitive health and wellness programs with positive, evidence-based results for residents. With exquisite spaces and superb hospitality, at Belmont Village you’ll experience senior living in a class all its own.

To learn more, visit BELMONT VILL AGE.COM/OAKPARK Call 708-848-7200 to schedule a personal tour today. Premier Programs for Hospitality, Health & Wellness Medication management with licensed nurse on-site 24/7 Diabetes Center of Excellence Circle of Friends® award-winning memory care Dedicated Alzheimer's Care Mind Body Awareness (MBA) Wellness program Physical therapy, rehabilitation and fitness Nationally-recognized, highly trained staff ©2020 Belmont Village, L.P. | SC 52076

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2019 2020

1/16/20 11:58 AM

SENIORliving

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

WABI SABI FILM FESTIVAL CONTINUES WITH “LIVES WELL LIVED”

he Wabi Sabi Film Festival had its second screening of the series with the documentary Lives Well Lived by Sky Bergman. There was a full house on Friday morning, January 24th at the Lake Street Theatre. The festival is a quarterly film and discussion series jointly presented by A Tribe Called Aging and Growing Community Media. The series encourages embracing and respecting our aging population and promotes discussion related to themes of aging explored in each film. The title of the festival comes from the name of the Japanese aesthetic wabi sabi. As described by Marc Blesoff of A Tribe Called Aging, “The Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi is an appreciation of the beauty of impermanence—like the wooden banister in an aging house, stroked by thousands of hands over the years, wobbly, chipped, out of alignment, yet oh so beautiful.”

Friday morning’s screening of Lives Well Lived was introduced by Marc Blesoff of a Tribe Called Aging. After the film, author and aging solutions advocate Elizabeth White offered several questions to facilitate small group discussions reflecting on the life experiences shared in the film. Growing Community Media and A Tribe Called Aging are grateful for the support of Signature Sponsors the Village of Oak Park and the Village of River Forest, as well as Nonprofit Patron Sponsors Oak Park Township/River Forest Township, River Forest Public Library, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Senator Don Harmon. The next Wabi Sabi Film Festival event on April 24, 2020 will feature, Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory a film by Michael Rossato-Bennett.

wabi sabi F I L M F E S T I V A L

Elizabeth White, facilitating a conversation on the life stories shared in the documentary.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

SENIORliving

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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formerly The Scottish Home

Oak Park Arms: Maintaining Its Original Charm Independent, Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Rental Retirement Community

n 1922, Oak Park was a young suburb with an elegant hotel/apartment building - the Oak Park Arms, and it was the epitome of style and sophistication. The Arms was always busy with meetings of all kinds, galas and wedding receptions. By the 1970’s, however, hotel chains were springing up everywhere. The Oak Park Arms’ future was in doubt, until it was purchased by two friends who wanted to create active retirement living in a community that was full of life, service and spirit.

Welcome Home! Come to the Oak Park Arms and enjoy the company of our family with full independent, assisted living and short-term care accommodations. Enjoy the warmth of new friends and comfortable home-like surroundings.Let us take care of all your needs. It’s all at the Arms!

Call today to schedule a tour -708-386-4040 Oak Park Arms • 408 S. Oak Park Ave. • Oak Park, IL, 60302 www.oakparkarms.com

Today the Oak Park Arms is still owned by those two friends who remain involved and committed to excellence. It is flourishing as an independent living or an assisted living retirement community offering residents as full a life as they wish. The word “choices” applies to everything. There is an abundance of appealing options for dining, learning, fitness, care and camaraderie. Residents enjoy an unbeatable combination of value, flexibility, life enrichment and fully integrated senior services. With more than 300 events a month, residents can create a day as exciting – or as relaxing – as they wish.

Books are delivered from the renowned Oak Park Library. Complementary transportation is available to appointments, the grocery store and the shopping mall. Within the Arms is an elegant dining room, ballroom, meeting rooms, barbershop, hair salon, doctors’ offices and a wonderful place for a massage. The Arms shares space with the Lifelong Learning Center (the local Senior Center), and more than ten other providers of seniorcentered care are within the Arms. There are assisted living services if and when they are needed. Short term or respite stays are popular. The Adult Day Care program invites participants to spend their daytime hours at The Arms and then return home in the evenings. Winner of multiple awards, the Oak Park Arms has maintained its original charm. It is an affable and affordable home for older adults and a great resource to Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park and surrounding suburbs.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Joylynn Pruitt-Adams (third from left ) is joined by supporters John Duffy, Charles Adams, Karin Sullivan, Wyanetta Johnson, Burcy Hines, Melanie McQueen and Joy Benion.

OPRF Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams (above) tells the packed house how challenges faced early in her career shaped her focus on equity and educating every child.

Thanks to Laura Maychruk for opening the Buzz cafe for this event.

Dan Haley, publisher at Growing Community Media, (far right) thanked Jim Jankowski, Marc Blesoff and Nick Sinadinos for preparing a seven-course meal as they resurrected Sunday Night Dinner, a fundraiser for local non-profits, after a 15-year lull.

Sunday Night Dinner at the Buzz returns

n Sunday night, January 12, Growing Community Media NFP, the new non-profit incarnation of the Journal and its three sister pubs, was, happily, the first beneficiary of the return of Sunday Night Dinner at the Buzz. Designed to benefit local not-for-profit organizations, Sunday Night Dinner returns after a 15 year hiatus to provide an intimate venue and exquisite gourmet meal event a non-profit organization can use to thank or develop supporters, raise funds, or otherwise highlight the organization in the community.

Thanks to Paul Goyette for our photos

Maki cube surprise: cubed sushi rice with pineapple center and wasabi oioli

Growing Community Media used the event to honor Wednesday Journal 2019 Villager of the Year Dr. Joylynn PruittAdams for her work in advancing equity.

Thai coconut soup with broccoli and coriander

Kashmiri lamb riblets

The successful fundraiser featured an elegant 7 course meal for an audience of 36, including such palate pleasers as cubed sushi rice with pineapple in center with wasabi aioli; coconut, broccoli and coriander soup; seared curried sea scallops on a bed of herbed lentils; and lamb riblets with apricot chutney glaze and harissa/ouzo sauce; each complete with vegetarian options. Dr. Pruitt-Adams delivered moving remarks on the human costs of systemic inequity. Growing Community Media Publisher Dan Haley closed the evening discussing the critical importance of local community journalism and the role notfor-profit media will play in sustaining it.

Scallops over lentils Food pictures courtesy of Marc Blesoff

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

Fitness

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

www.TENandFiT.com

Racquetball

It Is, Resolution Time!

Beginner Non-Member Tennis Classes Available

301 Lake St., Oak Park (708) 386-2175

266 Lake Street, Oak Park (708) 524-YOGA

Investing in Our Community and Residents for 36 Years New Tennis Classes Starting NOW • Register Online Today or Call! Pickle ball

Tennis

Group Exercise

Yoga

Pilates

Spinning®

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com

VIEWPOINTS

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

Trumpty-Dumpty pages 39 & 40

Teach our children well

Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?

Maurice Freehill

very day, I find myself pondering, how on God’s earth did we as a society end up where we are today? I realize social media has created multiple platforms for us to belittle and demonize each other. Anger reigns. Insults and name-calling have replaced thoughtful discourse. Unfortunately, the current President of the United States regularly engages in bully tweeting and personal attacks. It appears the prevailing mantra is, “I don’t let the facts get in the way of my belief.” A snide putdown has replaced the thoughtful response. We have found refuge in joining ideological tribes that will applaud and instigate our worst tendencies. At the extremes, the radical left and the radical right sound eerily similar. To these ideological extremists, there is no middle ground. Today’s society looks and sounds worse than anything one would see on an elementary school playground. Yet we adults, who are guilty of verbal rock throwing, still insist on giving advice to young people on how to behave. Because of our reckless behavior, this tendency to give advice to our children is blatantly hypocritical. How can we talk to children about not being bullies, about not engaging in name-calling and respecting differences — physical, mental and otherwise? Kids are not dumb or clueless. They hear our words, but our actions overwhelm our pious advice. Essentially, we are saying to our kids, “Do as I say, not as I do.” Are we aware that we are creating a generation of hateful, spiteful and angry young people? It feels like we are robbing them of the ability to engage in constructive dialogue. We are promoting a style of discourse that seeks to set fire to the opposing point of view instead of shedding light on a topic or issue. Talking heads on local and cable news shout over each other, refuse to answer direct questions and traffic in so-called “alternative facts.” Respect for another person’s opinion is now seen as a weakness. Verbal Cruelty is now used as a blunt instrument to beat the opponent into submission. I shudder to think what type of leadership style will dominate when these children take over. For the record, I know that not all of our kids today are going over to the dark side. Because of them, I am hopeful, and I have not given up on our youth. In spite of the dire picture I have painted with my words, I realize that youth is very resilient and independent-minded. As someone once said, “You know great things are coming when everything seems to be going wrong. Old energy is clearing out for new energy to enter. Be patient!”

KWAME SALTER

File photoxx

PRESERVES OR PRESERVE?: The Hill Motor Co., 644 Madison St., in its heyday. Soon to be Pete’s Fresh Market. (Below) An E. E. Roberts grotesque on the side of the building.

Village and Pete’s can do better at Oak Park and Madison

ho wouldn’t want immediate access to a reputable and well-managed grocery store literally one block away from their home? As a direct neighbor to the proposed Pete’s grocery site, I am looking forward to this extreme convenience and addition to the much-needed revitalization of this portion of the Madison Street corridor. I believe that good development is crucial for this community to continue to thrive and sometimes insignificant, poorly designed existing structures must be removed to make way for economic growth. That said, I am shocked by the current plan for the complete demolition of 644 Madison St., also known as the Foley-Rice or Hill Motor Co. building, to make way for this new construction (minus the token gesture of the awkward replacement of a few stone grotesques on an otherwise static, blank wall). The current plan is not only in direct violation of Oak Park’s zoning ordinance design standards, the lackluster design screams of indifference to Oak Park’s longstanding tradition of design excellence. Of important note, the Hill Motor Co. building was also included on the 2019 Most Endangered list by Landmarks Illinois, a revered organization that provides expertise to hundreds of communities across Illinois.

Oak Park is home to countless housewalks, 64 local landmarks, four National Historic Landmarks, and even a UNESCO World Heritage site all because of their outstanding architectural value. Pete’s has a golden opportunity to embrace their commitment to our community’s values by salvaging at least the south and east facades of the Hill Motor Co building, maintaining the history and character of the area. There are several design solutions that would accommodate the preservation of a small portion of this building without sacrificing the new construction’s structural integrity or the store’s necessary space requirements. Oak Park is primarily recognized internationally for two reasons: Ernest Hemingway and great architecture. The impact that architecture has made on Oak Park is undeniable. We have the honor and responsibility of protecting the legacy of the most influential architect in the world, Frank Lloyd Wright, and his contemporaries (including the renowned Hill

HEIDI RUHLE

One View

Motor Co. architect, E.E. Roberts) who have contributed mightily to the cultural and economic success of our village. Imagine an Oak Park without Pleasant Home, which narrowly escaped demolition in the 1960s. Imagine an Oak Park without our adored Conservatory, set for demolition in 1970 until a group of concerned citizens organized to save it. Imagine if the 299-foot high-rise proposal in the Hemingway District came to be, towering over its neighboring buildings and trees while casting intrusive shadows over Unity Temple which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site (there are only 24 in the entire country!) and located a mere six blocks from the proposed Pete’s site. It is disheartening that in 2020, over 40 years after the restoration efforts of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Home & Studio began, the potential for the complete demolition of this 1924 building is even on the table. I challenge the elected officials, staff and developer to embrace the rich history and architecture of this building and provide a revised proposal that successfully integrates the new building within the historic facade, setting a positive precedent for the future. Heidi Ruehle is executive director of Unity Temple Restoration Foundation, 875 Lake St. (708-260-6661, utrf.org). She works in the historic preservation field and has been an Oak Park resident since 1997. Unity Temple is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

O U R

V I E W S

We are also ‘not enthused’

olice chiefs usually speak in code. Protect themselves. Protect their officers. Don’t give much away when answering a direct question from a reporter or a citizen about some aspect of worrisome policing. Oak Park has a case like that at this moment. A young man with developmental disabilities, African American, left his Humphrey Avenue home on Dec. 20 heading to his job at Rush Oak Park Hospital. He was going to take an Uber. Isaiah Sims, known to most as Peanut, thought it was his Uber pulling up in front of his house. He knocked three times on the car door. That is when he alleges the car’s driver, actually a neighbor on the block, a white man, got out of the car and began beating him up. Mr. Sims’ mother, hearing the commotion outside her home, looked out and reports seeing a man getting off another man now on the ground. She realized it was her son who had been battered and called 911. Here’s where the worrisome policing comes in. Sharita Galloway, young Sims’ mom, claims that when police arrived they approached the alleged perpetrator, ignoring her injured son. “I feel like we weren’t treated fairly because when I called the police and when they came down the street, the white guy, the attacker, raised his hand and the police addressed him first before addressing us,” Galloway said. That would be hard to take when your son is visibly bruised and bleeding. Now back to Police Chief LaDon Reynolds. He spoke last week at the village board meeting after a group of residents strongly objected to the treatment Isaiah Sims received. Reynolds, still new in his post though a veteran of the department, said he had spoken previously to Sims and Galloway and “was very disturbed about what happened to him, not only because he was the victim of a crime but,” and here comes the non-coded language we admire, “I was not enthused about how we handled the situation, so I’ve opened up an internal investigation.” “I was not enthused.” That would hang in the air around a police station. No mention of extenuating circumstances or, perhaps there was a mix-up. Instead a clear signal which we interpret as implicit bias, systemic racism, plain old racism of the type that infects us all and is still at work in our police department. And for a police chief to effectively acknowledge that is critical. Now, because acknowledgement is important but not enough, we’ll follow this through the internal investigation and hope for transparency in explaining what happened. This is not necessarily about looking for harsh discipline. It is about facing up to the inevitable reality that racism is at work, that overcoming it starts with admitting it.

Affordable opportunities “Affordable housing is an economic burden shared by all residents.” That’s language included in the draft version of a new River Forest plan to address a state-identified shortage of affordable units in the village. We’ll start by stipulating that affordable housing is complex. Prove it by having people offer their own definition of affordable and you’ll encounter the initial challenge. Add that River Forest is more or less fully built up, is more or less filled with affluent single family or condo units, with the rest of the land taken up by non-property-tax-paying universities and you get the challenge. But our appreciation to Keary Cragan, a member of the Plan Commission, which is addressing affordable housing, for her request that consultant John Houseal flip the rhetoric from negative to positive. More diversity in housing price points, while a challenge, can be a notable benefit for the village, an opportunity even. And kudos to Houseal for acknowledging that possibility as he begins a new draft.

V I E W P O I N T S

A river runs through us

Water moves both powerfully and very subtly through our bodies, through our minds, through our lives, in our poetry, in our understanding of the ways in which we all have to be both strong and supple as we live, if we’re going to thread the needle and continue. That’s probably no less vague than the song itself might’ve hit you, but you know, I do think that water is a really powerful image and helps us understand both the magnitude of life and the absolute essence of it.

Joe Henry

The Gospel According to Water

e live on a planet whose surface is mostly water. Land, air and water provide the raw materials for our poetic imaginations and our spirituality. Land is our firmament. Air our spirit. But water is life itself. We, too, are mostly water. Without it, we die. Too much and we are destroyed. Enough and we flourish. No surprise then that water is a central metaphor in our meaning mosaic. You can find it running like a river through literature, theater, poetry and music. Poets are the masters of metaphor. But so are the great religious figures of history. Buddha taught enlightenment using the lotus blossom. Jesus used figurative language in almost all of the teachings attributed to him. You can’t understand the message without understanding how metaphor works. The Bible is called the “Good Book,” but I think of it as the “Dormant Book.” It sleeps until something or someone awakens it for us — an image, a word, a line, a story. The Bible’s freezedried wisdom remains inert until a catalyst brings it to life. Like “living water.” “I will give you living water” echoes in the well of consciousness, a well so deep we forget there is lifegiving water within. Still waters run deep. Waiting. A good book finds us when we need it, coming alive sometimes after sitting for decades on a shelf. Words are seeds that, under the right conditions germinate, then flower. Our wisdom figures speak in metaphor as if it were the only language they knew, or the only language we can understand — and remember. The kingdom of heaven is like … so many things. Like seed scattered on ground of varying receptivity. Some seed bears fruit, depending on the soil. You will know true prophets from false prophets by their fruit. I will give you living water. Not holy water. Not pure water. Not spring water, but water that springs — from deep underground, from the ineffable, the undefinable. The mystery before which we bow, not knowing to what, as poet W.S. Merwin wrote. Poets mine meaning like jewels born of great compression in our depths, gems of comprehension. Poets scatter metaphors like bread crumbs, showing the way. Seed-scatterer Leonard Cohen wrote, “Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water. He spent a long time watching from his lonely wooden tower. And when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him, he said, ‘All men will be sailors then until the sea shall free them.’” The Great Flood, Joseph cast down the well, the

parting of the waters to escape Egypt, Moses hesitant with doubt before striking the rock from which life-sustaining water flowed, Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding feast, John the Baptist in the River Jordan, storms on the Sea of Galilee, fishing on the Sea of Galilee then fishing for men, walking on the water, flowing from the Nazarene’s pierced side on the cross. Jesus sits down at the well Jacob gave to his son, Joseph, centuries before, maybe the well Joseph was thrown down by his jealous brothers. Jesus asks a woman for a drink of water. Startled, she says, “Why are you, a Jew, asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” Jesus says, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you living water. … The water I give will be a spring within that gushes endlessly.” In the north of Israel at the end of the rainy season, water gushes out of the mountainside and forms the Jordan River, a life-giving spine running down the length of the country, through the Sea of Galilee, past Jerusalem, to the Dead Sea, in effect mapping Jesus’ journey and the journey of life itself. The stream of consciousness. A river runs through us. Joseph Campbell, master of mythology, writes (in Thou Art That), “Water always represents the realm below … the place of the new energy, the new dynamism. It refers to the unconscious, going down into that realm and coming back out of it [renewed or reborn].” Baptism. Metaphor, according to Campbell, is “the native tongue of myth.” “The life of a mythology,” he writes, “springs from and depends on the metaphoric vigor of its symbols. … Metaphors perform their function of speaking to these deep levels of human beings,” i.e. “the complex psychosomatic unity we call the human person.” When metaphors and mythology are “misread as facts,” he says, “they lose their vitality and become concretized.” Which is to say, rendered inert. The “Good Book” becomes the “Dormant Book” for many. Metaphors are, if you will, the water that makes stories spring to life. If we don’t recognize and respect metaphors and allow them to work within us — like yeast, a catalyst — the book is meaningless, or at least tasteless. Like unleavened bread. Or as Campbell puts it, “Metaphors only seem to describe the outer world of time and place. Their real universe is the spiritual realm of the inner life. The Kingdom of God is within you.” A lot of people think “living water” means living forever, but I think it means being fully alive, feeling the life force within, here and now.

KEN

TRAINOR

It is about the real value of a real education, which has nothing to do with grades or degrees and everything to do with simple awareness — awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over: This is water. This is water.

David Foster Wallace This is Water

V I E W P O I N T S

Donald Trump is not a good human being

don’t feel one bit guilty about not watching the impeachment trial of Donald Trump. I followed his nomination, election and governing for the last four years and I read all the “insider” books about his scandalous behavior. When he was first elected, I wrote a few columns making fun of him. He’s not funny. He’s a clear and present danger. Trump is simply not a good person. He is not a good human being. If I have to explain why, I guess you haven’t been paying attention. People who voted for him knew this and know it still. They can’t say they didn’t know what he was from the time he walked out in the first Republican debate and called everybody names, some vicious. I won’t attempt to list all of his outrageous behaviors and actions; they’ve been well-documented by the free press, which, by the way, is in danger if he’s re-elected. So while I respect the rules of impeachment, I’m not going to spend days waiting for a few Republican senators to find their spines. Because they’re spineless, they’ve been able to roll themselves into a big woolly ball of self-deception and lies and they’ve allowed the big scary orange cat to bat them around at will. It’s apparent that none of this matters to his support-

ers. They want things from this country that are in many cases diametrically opposed to Constitutional guarantees. They want government support for Christianity, instead of freedom of religion (which, by the way, includes freedom from religion). They want unborn children to be protected but are willing to turn their backs on immigrant kids in cages. I can’t believe I’ve lived all these years and have to keep re-learning the truth about my country: the stubborn, malignant part, redolent of the Old South (will it ever catch up?) simmers with resentment, self-pity and racism, and hates progress unless it’s theirs. I believe in our Constitution and in liberal values. Everything I was taught about this country is true — its freedom, its opportunity, its Constitution and laws. (Well, since I was born and raised white, I guess that’s no big deal.) So I have kept asking myself how we got a president so lacking in good qualities. I think this is the reason: We had eight years of a brilliant, empathic, black president and now we must pay the price.

MARY KAY O’GRADY

If it’s not good for Madison, it’s not good on Roosevelt

hen I attended the meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 8 on the issue of the proposed drive-thru Taco Bell on Roosevelt Road, I heard two people speak in favor of the plan. One man, using a logic that escaped me, suggested that the fast food establishment might increase business development elsewhere in the village, such as on Oak Park Avenue. The other person, who does not live close enough to Roosevelt Road to be directly impacted by the increased traffic, noise, light, fumes, trash, car exhaust, and potential crime, said he likes tacos. The chief of police also spoke, asking that the proposed hours be shortened because he is worried about having to devote increased resources to the area due to escalating crime. Then came a long stream of neighbors delineating their objections to the proposal. As a 23-year resident of the 1150 block of Humphrey, I would stand to be seriously negatively impacted

by having a fast food drive-thru restaurant a few hundred feet away. Just months ago, a similar proposal for Madison Street was unanimously rejected by the board. Why is the board entertaining the proposal for this neighborhood in southeast Oak Park if it was deemed unsuitable elsewhere? Is it because the Zoning Board of Appeals is less concerned about preserving a high quality of life and maintaining property values south of the expressway? This does not seem fair. Besides the diminishment of quality of life for the neighborhood residents, their loss of property value, and their overwhelming opposition to the proposal, there are yet other cogent reasons why this project is not appropriate for our village. The village of Oak Park purports to be a leader in sustainable and environmentally and socially responsible initiatives. Certainly it is possible to think of a business that would be even less in line with Oak Park’s stated objectives than a Taco Bell, but nonetheless the drive-thru

GLYNIS KINNAN One View

fast food restaurant is antithetical to the village’s purported values. Taco Bell, a huge corporate enterprise, pays its workers paltry wages, serves unhealthful food derived from greenhouse gas-producing factory farms, wraps the food in single-use and nonbiodegradable packaging, and serves the food to people who are sitting in their idling cars. Do our leaders really care about supporting healthful living, maintaining vibrant, walkable communities, fostering social justice, and being more responsible stewards of the environment? Or are the words on our literature merely decorative? The Zoning Board of Appeals is to be applauded for upholding the zoning law, respecting the interests of the near neighbors, and supporting the values of the community at large on Madison Street. The zoning laws and the values of the community at large apply at the periphery of the village, as well as in more central locations, and we in the southeast corner of the village deserve the same respect as our neighbors to the north of us. Glynis Kinnan is a longtime Oak Park resident.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Linda Francis Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Mark Moroney, Scot McIntosh Business Manager Joyce Minich IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Bobbie Rollins-Sanchez Revenue & Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Client Engagement Natalie Johnson Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action. In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing. Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay. If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708 613 3300

V I E W P O I N T S

One View

Reaching outside city lines

Oak Park is doing incredible environmental work to reduce plastic waste with a meeting in the works to ban single-use plastics such as styrofoam cups and to-go containers from restaurants. It is time to take this momentum to the state level and create meaningful legislation banning this unnecessary and harmful waste. There is not a second to waste. Our styrofoam trash is at this moment breaking down into microplastics and harming public health throughout the state. As it makes its way through our rivers, it infiltrates our agricultural system, our wild-

life, and significantly impacts rural and minority populations. We can no longer sit on this environmental injustice. While Chicago, Oak Park, and several other municipalities are working to implement changes, this statewide ban on styrofoam cups and containers would be monumental; the first single-use plastic ban of its kind in the Midwest. Illinois should set the example for the rest of the Midwest, and the country, to follow by supporting and implementing this legislation as soon as possible.

Bria Jerome

Forced to walk in the streets

I’m a senior citizen who walks everywhere and I don’t own a car. When it snows, as it did last week, the sidewalks, driveways, and curb cuts are not shoveled and quickly become hard and icy. Along Oak Park Avenue, Lake Street, Madison Street, any empty storefront or home is not shoveled. It becomes difficult to walk with the ice. Is there a way the village could try to keep the main street sidewalks clear? Develop a program to shovel the curbs and the sidewalks of properties not cleared by owners? I ended up walking the bike path on the street this week down Madison. It was clear, unlike parts of the sidewalks.

Kathleen Schulz

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new emergency department will continue to make a significant impact in the health and well-being of residents in Oak Park and the surrounding communities for decades to come. Although there were many more accomplishments, another notable achievement in 2019 I’d like to share is that we are among an elite group of hospitals in the United States, having received a Top Teaching Hospital Award from the Leapfrog Group, an independent hospital watchdog organization focused on health care safety and quality. Only 55 hospitals in the United States received this honor. The Top Teaching Hospital Award and the many others like it are a direct result of the exceptional patient care being delivered to residents of Oak Park and the surrounding communities on a daily basis at Rush Oak Park Hospital. Wishing everyone good health in 2020 and beyond. Gary McCullough, a longtime Oak Park resident, is chairman of the Board of Directors of Rush Oak Park Hospital.

GOV will be hosting an assembly regarding the future of taxation on Saturday, Feb. 1. This event will have three featured speakers — state Senate President Don Harmon, Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi, and Oak Park Assessor Ali El Saffar. The three-member panel will discuss various topics regarding the future of taxes at the state, county and village levels. The assembly will take place at Julian Middle School (416 S. Ridgeland — enter on the west side of the building). The doors will open at 9 a.m. with the event beginning at 9:20. All residents are encouraged to attend this informative assembly as the speakers will look to the future of our village, the county and state, in regard to taxation. If you have any questions, please send David Wick an email and he will respond (david.wick@pdop.org). Dave Wick Oak Park

read with great interest the notable achievements listed in Wednesday Journal’s end-of-the-year article, “New boards, buildings and Wright defined 2019” [News, Jan. 1]. I’d like to take this opportunity to add a few more items to your exceptional list of points of pride for all of Oak Park, beginning with the grand opening of Rush Oak Hospital’s state-ofthe-art emergency department. As chairman of the Board of Directors at Rush Oak Park Hospital and a longtime Oak Park resident, I, of course, find great value in the expansion of emergency care in our area. This $30 million facility has already proven a tremendous asset to the community. Since its opening, the emergency department’s volume is up 20 percent. The average number of ER visits has grown from 125 per day to 140 per day with a new record being set of 182 patients in one day. In December, 81 percent of all ambulance runs from Oak Park ended at the hospital’s emergency department. As Rush University System of Health’s largest investment in the hospital, the

The future of taxation

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Emergency department sets stage for a healthier 2020

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

Cook C

ip Assess

Julian Middle School Commons • 416 S. Ridgeland

Saturday, February 1 • 9-11:15am

Support the war powers resolution

With the assassination of an Iranian military leader in Iraq recently, the U.S. has come close to expanding the war in the Middle East to Iran. Washington needs to hear voices like that of Florida state Representative Anna Eskamani, who is of Iranian descent and has family members in Iran, who notes, “War is no guarantee of a democratic Iran, but it is a guarantee of innocent people being directly impacted.” We thank Senator Dick Durbin for supporting S.R. Resolution 63, Sen. Tim Kaine’s Iran War Powers Resolution, in the U.S. Senate, which states that, under the Constitution, only Congress can approve U.S. participation in armed conflict. Senators are trying to force a debate and vote on this to prevent increased armed conflict in the Middle East. We ask everyone to contact Illinois Sena-

tor Tammy Duckworth to ask her to sign on to the war powers resolution.

Ralph Strohl, Garnet Fay, David Kelm, Jan Mullen, Martha Zuelke, Mary O’Kiersey and John Cabral Oak Park

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Is no man above the law?

s the impeachment inquiry of President Trump evolved, the President announced he would not cooperate with the proceedings. Invoking executive privilege, he ordered his staffers, his aides and his administrators to ignore the subpoenas issued by Congress. Political pundits, professors of law, and scholars of the Constitution proclaimed that if the President would prevail in such a maneuver, it would be a “death-blow” to our democracy. It would be the start of a move toward a one-party and one-person rule of our nation. Such a prospect is more than just frightening to me. It is too familiar, recalling memories of historic events in my childhood. In 1933, the year of my birth, Germany’s president, Paul Von Hindenburg, appointed Adolf Hitler as Germany’s Chancellor. It was an event that ended Germany’s functioning as a democratic republic. Von Hindenburg died in 1934. Hitler seized the opportunity to elevate himself to “Fuhrer,” the leader of Germany, and suspended all democratic aspects of German government. I cannot view President Trump’s defiant grandstanding as foolhardy comedy. It’s more than just being a scofflaw. The psycho-

dynamic is like Hitler’s. It is a shadow, if not an outright mirror image, of a trajectory already witnessed in recent history. In early November, an outcry rang out in America: “No man is above the law.” On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, the House of Representatives of the United States voted to impeach President Trump. The following night, in protest, the Donald spewed out 140-plus scathing tweets. The atmosphere of the impending impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate is already defined. The Senate Majority Leader announced that the majority of the U.S. Senate stands united in the President’s defense, and the President will not be removed from office. Is the game already rigged? The strategy for the defense is to distort the evidence, slander the witnesses, impugn their credibility and their testimonies, and discredit the impeachment process itself. The derision has already started. Characterizing the impeachment process as a dogfight among political parties and not a legal proceeding, the Majority Leader trivializes the constitutionally-defined procedure, and marginalizes the Constitution itself which he has sworn to uphold,

FRED NATKEVI One View

Photo by Tom DeCoursey

BUT HE SURE DOES INSPIRE CREATIVITY: Scene from the recent march in the Loop. support, and protect. Leader McConnell’s belittlement of the impeachment inquiry rings familiar in my memory. In November of 1945, in Nuremberg, Germany, Nazis denounced the legitimacy of the court. They claimed that a military tribunal conducted by their enemies would not be fair and should not sit in judgment of them. Back then when I was only 12, the Nazi challenge of the court upset my sense of fairness.

Hopefully, justice will prevail in currentday Washington as it did in post-war Nuremberg. I tremble at the prospect that our Constitution may be rendered impotent. I take little solace in blind-faith assurances that our nation’s democracy can survive any tribulation. If the guidelines of the Constitution are circumvented, then what is left to assure that no man is above the law? Fred Natkevi is a longtime resident of Oak Park.

You are a great provider. Food, shelter, education, unconditional love. Just not alcohol.

78% of 8-12th graders report that their family has clear rules about alcohol & drug use (68% 12th graders, & 80%10th graders)

For more information and to discover local resources: www.OakParkTownship.org/PYD This campaign is supported by the Strategic Prevention FrameworkPartnerships for Success Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.243 funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration through a grant administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Supporting youth in Oak Park and River Forest Townships.

@Positive Youth Development

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Community journalism remade

Building community through independent, non-partisan community journalism. Reporting local news and telling compelling local stories in many ways, across many platforms. Convening community members and organizations, especially those not often heard, for honest conversations as we build a pervasive presence in our communities.

Print. Digital. Social. Events. Growing Community Media

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve created a new non-profit with one purpose: to own our four respected and essential community newspapers and, then, to grow independent, sustainable journalism in our seven neighborhoods for the decades to come. That path will surely include printing newspapers and selling all the advertising we can. But weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll add more digital reporting, more specialized beats, video, podcasts and events. And whereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this new stream of non-profit revenue coming from? From readers and donors in our seven neighborhoods who see the essential value in independent community journalism. Partner with us. More details to come.

Find out more at GrowingCommunityMedia.org

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Ravinia Reading Center 136 N. Marion #202, Oak Park (708) 628-3254

Congratulations to Ravinia Reading Center on their opening! raviniareadingcenter.com Among those celebrating at Ravinia Reading Center's ribbon cutting: Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Cameron Davis, Village of Oak Park; Bob Stelletello, Right At Home Oak Park / Chicago/ Hinsdale; Dr. Brian Fuller, Fuller Health Group; Traci Tague, Ravinia Reading Center; Parker Tague, Ravinia; Kim Goldschmidt, Axa Equitable; Sam Yousif, Fuller Health; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Dr. Mary Ann Bender Podiatry; John Lynch, OPEDC; Viktor Schrader, OPEDC; Cliff Osborn, Jack Carpenter For your Reading; own ribbon cutting contact usofon oprfchamber.org Realtors; Ryan Tague, Ravinia Liz Holt, OPRF Chamber Commerce; Mark Walden, OPRF Chamber

S W E N

! H S A FL

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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O B I T U A R I E S

Kathleen Callahan Founding member, Alcuin and Seguin Montessori

Kathleen H. Callahan, 93, of River Forest, died on Jan. 19, 2020. Born on Dec. 15, 1926, she was a very philanthropic person and helped others in as many ways as possible. She was one of the founding members of the Alcuin Montessori KATHLEEN CALLAHAN and Seguin Montessori schools in Oak Park and River Forest. An avid pastoral care volunteer at various hospitals, she was a founding member of Ekklesia, an adult religious education group and gave to various charities, including St. Bonaventure Indian Mission School, Misericordia, and St. Jude’s. She paid tribute to St. Francis of Assisi by taking care of animals whenever she saw the need. She did her best to share God’s love throughout her life. Kathleen Callahan was the wife of the late John B. Callahan; the mother of Dennis Callahan, Kathy Kimont, Maureen (Michael) Clark and the late Patricia Callahan (Winston) Shaw; the grandmother of Amanda, Liz (Ron) Johnson and Jon Callahan, Jimmy (Liz) and Kaitlin Kimont, and Matthew Clark; and the greatgrandmother of Skylar and Cooper Johnson. Visitation and funeral Mass were held on Jan. 23 at St. Luke Church in River Forest, followed by private interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. The family appreciates memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude. org). Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated

Wilma Evans, 92

Member First Presbyterian, PEO

Rosary College professor, writer

Wilma Jane Evans, 92, died on Jan. 24, 2020 at West Suburban Hospital in Oak Park. Born on a farm near Fredericktown, Ohio, she attended a one-room schoolhouse for three years before entering Fredericktown Grade School and High School, from which she graduated in 1945. She attended Manchester College in Indiana, majored in business, and later worked as a private secretary and floral designer. She married Lt. Charles R. Evans, U.S. Navy, in 1951. He was in the home appliance business, and the couple lived in Norfolk, Virginia; Manitowoc, Wisconsin; Troy, Ohio; and Stevensville, Michigan. After his death in 2007, she moved to the Holley Court Retirement Community. A member of First Presbyterian Church of River Forest and the PEO sisterhood, her hobbies were gardening, floral designing, bridge, Scrabble, and reading. She WILMA EVANS was very proud of her family and loved by everyone who knew her. Wilma Evans is survived by Mark (Rebecca), Robert, Giselle, Margaret, Nancy Bell (Gordon), Marjory, Evan, Adam, Dr. John Evans (Karla), Jake, Logan and Aria, her five children and seven grandchildren. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of River Forest or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A celebration of her life was held at First Presbyterian Church of River Forest.

Mary McGoohan Price, 78, a longtime Oak Parker who had retired to Columbus, Indiana before returning to Oak Park in her later years, died on Dec. 17, 2019 at Belmont Village Senior Living. Born on Oct. 26, 1941 in BrownsMARY PRICE ville, Texas as the youngest daughter of Mary (Thornham) and Edward McGoohan, she married John Edward Price in Evanston on June 28, 1968. Shortly thereafter, the couple settled in Oak Park. She studied at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas (B.A.) and at Loyola University of Chicago (M.A. and PhD). Her degrees were in Philosophy and English Literature (specifically 18th Century English Literature). She used her education as a professor at Rosary College in River Forest (now Dominican University), then later in a long career as a writer and editor for various professional journals and for such publications as Who’s Who in America. During her time in Oak Park, she was active in various community organizations, including West Suburban PADS (now known as Housing Forward) and on the flower and music committees at her congregation (Beacon Unitarian Church and then Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation). An avid gardener, her home was also featured on various housewalks and in commercials. The couple’s home on Fair Oaks was earned a “Cavalcade of Pride” award from the village of Oak Park. In June 1999, the couple moved to Columbus, Indiana where they enjoyed a quieter life of biking, hiking, and, of course, tending to their garden. She continued her volunteerism as a tutor for the local school reading program and participated in the Community Hot Meals program for a decade. She was also a member of Columbus Shakespeare Club and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus. Mary Price is survived by her children, James Brendan Price (Susan Mitchell) and Alison Price (Douglas Askham); her brother, Edward McGoohan; her grandchildren, Conor Bernoski Price, Nathan Thompson, Nicholas Thompson, Ian Askham and Anne Askham; and her many nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held at Unity Temple in Oak Park on Jan. 20. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Advertise in the

Wesley Wilkie, 81

Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director 203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

Mary Price, 78

Concordia theology professor

708-524-8300

Rev. Wesley Harold Wilkie, 81, died at home on Jan. 25, 2020 surrounded by family. Born in Saginaw, Michigan on May 3, 1938 to Harold and Irene (Rutkowsky) Wilkie, he summarized

his life and calling with the phrase, “Education in a Christian Context.” A graduate of the original Detroit Lutheran High School in 1955, he studied theology at Valparaiso University and received his Master of Divinity from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Ordained in 1964, he joined the Theology Department of Concordia Teachers College River Forest, now known as Concordia University Chicago. Responding to a request in 1968, he served Concordia College Selma, Alabama as Acting President and Academic Dean. From 1969-1971 he was a full-time student at the University of Chicago pursuing his PhD. He returned to Concordia Teachers College River Forest, 1971-1974, as Dean of Chapel. Thereafter, he taught theology full time. In 1980-81 he was a visiting instructor at Oak Hill Theological College in London, England. In 1990 he was appointed associate professor of Theology at Concordia River Forest. As his teaching responsibilities became focused on church history and world religions, he led various student groups to Jordan, Israel, Hong Kong, China and England. He and his wife, Luann, also enjoyed a four-month sabbatical in Southeast Asia. He retired from full-time teaching in 2003. His scholarly interests included exploring Easter Vigils in the Orthodox traditions and membership in the North American Academy of Ecumenists. He regularly attended the National Workshop on Church Unity. An avid deer hunter, he enjoyed the outdoors, and shared that passion with his son-inlaw and grandson. He completed the first of two marathons while in London in 1981. Wesley Wilkie was married to Luann REV. WESLEY WILKIE Stein in 1962 and the couple were together until her death in 1994. They were blessed with two daughters, Diana and Lauren. In 1996, Wesley married Dorothy (Fischer) and together they enjoyed fishing and traveling in the United States and throughout the world. Dorothy and Wesley shared their faith as active members of Grace Lutheran Church and regularly attended the Bach Cantata Vespers services. Rev. Wesley Wilkie is survived by his wife, Dorothy; his children, Diana (Rick) Buffie, and Lauren (John Elser), Jon Fischer (Cathy Ryan) and Kathy (Jeff) Spies; his grandchildren, Jennifer, Brian (Sara), Karin, Kirsten, Jai and Nina; and his greatgrandchildren, Ethan and Kallie. Wesley was proceeded in death by his parents, his wife Luann, his brother Richard, and his granddaughter Erin. Visitation will be held at Oak Park’s Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. on Friday, Jan. 31 from 3 to 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at River Forest’s Grace Lutheran Church, 7300 Division St., followed by committal at Grace Memorial Garden. The family prefers memorials to Concordia University Chicago, Valparaiso University and/or to the Bach Cantata Vespers series at Grace Lutheran Church.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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Check First.

Religion Guide

First Congregational Church of Maywood

400 N. Fifth Avenue (1 block north of Lake St.) Come join us for Sunday Morning Worship at 11 am Pastor Elliot Wimbush will be preaching the message. Refreshments and fellowship follow the service. 708-344-6150 firstchurchofmaywood.org When you're looking for a place to worship the Lord, Check First.

You’re Invited to A Church for All Nations A Church Without Walls SERVICE LOCATION Forest Park Plaza 7600 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130

William S. Winston Pastor

Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

ELCA, Lutheran

Good Shepherd

188 South Oak Park Ave. Saturday Mass: 5:30 p.m. Sunday Masses: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., 5:00 p.m. Weekday Mass: 8:30 a.m. M–F Holy Day Masses: As Announced Reconciliation: Saturday 4:15 p.m. Parish Office: 708-848-4417 Religious Ed Phone: 708-848-7220 stedmund.org

Worshiping at 820 Ontario, Oak Park IL (First Baptist Church) 9:00a-Worship 10:30a-Education Hour

All are welcome. goodshepherdlc.org 708-848-4741

on the corner of Thomas and Fair Oaks Ave. Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland Avenue) Oak Park Holy Communion with nursery care and children’s chapel each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

worship on Sundays @ 10am nursery care available

fairoakspres.org 744 Fair Oaks Ave. • 708.386.4920

OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) Meeting For Worship Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at Oak Park Art League 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park Please call 708-445-8201 www.oakparkfriends.org

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

(708) 697-5000 Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM

LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior Pastor David W. Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Lauren Dow Wegner, Assoc. Pastor Sunday Worship, 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School/Adult Ed. 9:45 a.m. Childcare Available

Grace Lutheran School

Preschool - 8th Grade Bill Koehne, Principal 366-6900, graceriverforest.org Lutheran-Missouri Synod

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

305 Circle Ave, Forest Park Sunday Worship, 9:30am Christian Education Hour 8:30am Wednesday Worship 7:00pm Wheelchair Access to Sanctuary Leonard Payton, Pastor Roney Riley, Assistant Pastor 708-366-3226 www.stjohnforestpark.org Methodist

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

324 N. Oak Park Avenue 708-383-4983 www.firstUMCoakpark.org Sunday School for all Ages, 9am Sunday Worship, 10am Children’s Chapel during Worship Rev. Katherine Thomas Paisley, Pastor Professionally Staffed Nursery Fellowship Time after Worship

808 S. East Ave. 708/848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com Worship: Saturday Mass 5:00 pm Sunday Masses 7:30, 9:00, 11 am 5:00 pm at St. Edmund Church Sacrament of Reconciliation 4 – 4:45 pm Saturday Taizé Prayer 7:30 pm First Fridays Feb.– Dec. & Jan. 1 Rev. James Hurlbert, Pastor Roman Catholic

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

CELEBRATING OUR 108TH YEAR! Sat. Masses: 8:30am & 5:00pm SUNDAY MASSES: 8:00am & 10:30am 10:30 Mass-Daycare for all ages CCD Sun. 9am-10:15am Reconciliation: Sat. 9am & 4pm Weekday Masses: Monday–Thursday 6:30am Church Office: 708-366-0839 CCD: 708-366-3553 www.stbern.com Pastor: Fr. Stanislaw Kuca

St. Giles Family Mass Community

We welcome all to attend Sunday Mass at 10 a.m. on the St. Giles Parish campus on the second floor of the school gym, the southernmost building in the school complex at 1034 North Linden Avenue. Established in 1970, we are a laybased community within St. Giles Roman Catholic Parish. Our Mass is family-friendly. We encourage liturgically active toddlers. Children from 3 to 13 and young adults play meaningful parts in each Sunday liturgy. Together with the parish, we offer Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based religious education program for children in grades K-8. For more information, go to http://www.stgilesparish.org/ family-mass-community or call Bob Wielgos at 708-288-2196.

Third Unitarian Church 10AM Sunday Forum 11AM Service Rev. Colleen Vahey thirdunitarianchurch.org (773) 626-9385 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago Committed to justice, not to a creed Upcoming Religious Holidays

Feb 2 CandlemasPresentation of Christ in the Temple Christian Imbolc Lughassad Wicca/Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres Saint Brighid of Kildare Celtic Christian Four Chaplains Sunday Interfaith 3 St. Blaze Day Christian

To place a listing in the Religion Guide, call Mary Ellen: 708/613-3342

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

@ @OakPark

SPORTS

Rounding out last week in sports 47

Meet Trinity star Makiyah Williams 48

OPRF boys could swim away with conference crown

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

HEAD FIRST: OPRF junior Benjamin Guerrero swims the butterfly portion of the 200-yard individual medley on Jan. 24, during a swim meet against Hinsdale Central. OPRF finished the season undefeated in conference dual meets.

Huskies overwhelm Hinsdale Central in Jan. 24 meet By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

In its last dual meet of the season, OPRF soundly defeated Hinsdale Central High School 123-63 on Jan. 23 to put itself in position to take the conference. If they win the West Suburban Silver, it will be the first time since 1998 that the Huskies would take home the conference title. “Hinsdale Central is a perennial favorite to win the West Suburban Conference and

usually a top-ten team in the state, so we have been preparing for them since our senior night,” said OPRF’s head coach Clyde Lundgren. “It was an exciting night and the boys swam well across the board. We put together a really strong lineup, and they executed very well.” After beating Hinsdale Central, the Huskies move forward this season having won all of their in-conference dual meets.

Results In the 200-yard medley relay, senior Will Raidt and juniors Diego Pareja, Benjamin Guerrero, and Frank Tirone placed first with a time 1:37.49 (Hinsdale finished 1:39.60). OPRF juniors Finn McMullen and

James Shorney joined Raidt and Pareja in the 200-yard free relay and beat out the rest of the pack with a 1:29.88 time. In the 200-yard freestyle, Raidt finished ahead of the Red Devils’ Michael Benington (his time was 1:45.72). Raidt also won the 500-yard free (4.50.46). Guerrero also participated in the 200-yard IM and finished with a time of 1:58.94 (OPRF’s Braydon Graves was second with a time of 2:05.28). Tirone also placed first in the 50-yard free (21.50) and the 100-yard free (48.19). Pareja finished on top in the 100-yard backstroke (55.35) and the 100-yard fly (53.58). “We wanted to go in and cover all our bases and put our guys in position to win,” said Lundgren. “Going in, we wanted to see our

second and third guys come through, and they certainly did that.”

Moving forward With sectionals coming in less than a month, the Huskies have two more events to prepare for the postseason. They have an invitational on Feb. 1 at Lyons South before they head to York High School for the West Suburban Silver championships on Feb. 7. Sectionals take place on Feb. 22. “The format of the invitational has changed and doesn’t carry the same significance as it did in prior years, but it is going to be a great tune-up for us,” said Lundgren. “We are going up against some great programs, and we feel we are in a good spot.”

S P O R T S

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

The round up: this past week in local sports

Fenwick football to start season in Dublin By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

With the winter sports season winding down, Fenwick and OPRF’s sports teams are gearing up for the end of the regular season. Here is a breakdown of what went down over the last week:

OPRF BBB back on track OPRF boys basketball has bounced back nicely after a tough loss to York on Jan. 16. Since its bout against the Dukes, the Huskies (11-6) upset Lincoln-Way East High School 73-69 on Jan. 20 and blew out Downers Grove North High School 67-48 on Jan. 24. Against Lincoln-Way East, OPRF’s Isaiah Barnes put up a career-high 31 points and his teammate Josh Smith backed him up with 24 points. The Huskies outscored the Griffins 41-17 in the second half to notch their 10th win of the season. Smith helped spark a 30-10 run in the second half against the Trojans and led the team with 28 points in the win. In his last four games, sophomore Demetrius Dortch has averaged over five steals a game. The Huskies are now tied with York at the top of the conference. The team also received good news on the injury front with Kyren Gardner returning to action while Justin Cross has shed the sling that supported his fractured left elbow and wrist. Gardner is still getting back into game shape but has recovered from the lower body injury he suffered after the Pontiac Holiday Tournament last month. Cross’ injury is no longer considered season-ending despite that being the case a few weeks ago. OPRF’s head coach Matt Maloney contributed the team’s recent success to everyone buying into their roles. “We are starting to pay attention to more detail in practice and the guys have been more locked in and intense at practice,” said Maloney. “We are making a lot of winning plays without the basketball which is something we have been talking about throughout the course of the season. We are seeing that with our recent results.” The Huskies will face Hinsdale Central at home on Jan. 31

M U S T

S E E

G A M E S

OPRF boys basketball

Jan. 31 vs. Hinsdale Central at home (7:30 p.m.) Feb. 1 vs. Evanston on the road (6 p.m.)

Fenwick Girls basketball

Jan. 31 vs. Carmel at home (7 p.m.) Feb. 4 vs. Evanston at home (7 p.m.)

Fenwick boys basketball

Feb. 1 vs. Riverside-Brookfield at RBHS (5 p.m.)

OPRF boys wrestling

Feb. 2 IHSA Regionals at Lyons Township (TBD)

Fenwick wrestling

Feb. 8 Regionals at Fenwick (9 a.m.)

OPRF swimming

Feb. 1 Invitational at Lyons Township south campus (10 a.m.) Feb. 7 West Suburban Silver conference championship at York (5:30 p.m.)

before taking on a tough road test against Evanston on the road the next day.

Fenwick BBB continues dominance The Friars (18-4) seem unstoppable right now after recent wins against Simeon, De La Salle, Rolling Meadows and Marmion. On Jan. 22, the AP poll had Fenwick outside of the top-10 (it received five total votes) which should change in the coming weeks as they continue to rack up wins against top-tier teams. In the marquee matchup with Simeon on Jan. 20, Fenwick junior Bryce Hopkins put up 41 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists and averaged 32.5 points, 17.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game during the four-game win streak. Sophomore guard Trey Pettigrew has also been hot the last couple weeks and has averaged 19.8 points per game in the fourgame stretch. The scoring tandem of Pettigrew and Hopkins has put teams on notice. Fenwick’s supporting cast stretches the floor, which complements Hopkins’ drive and kick-out instincts as a facilitator. If the Friars keep this up, they could enjoy a deep postseason run.

Quick Hits ■ After starting off 19-4, Fenwick girls basketball has endured a five-game losing streak and suffered two tough road losses to Mother McAuley and Marist (this story does not include the final result of Glenbard West vs. Fenwick on Jan. 28 because of the press deadline). ■ OPRF girls basketball has struggled all season but garnered its second win of the season versus Taft on Jan. 23. The Huskies are now 2-20.

Fenwick football announces Ireland trip Fenwick has announced that its varsity football program will open next season in Dublin, Ireland. The game will take place on Aug. 28 against Notre Dame Prep which is a high school from Scottsdale, Arizona. In a press release, head coach Matt Battaglia said: “The Fenwick family and I are thrilled to have this opportunity to participate in the upcoming game in Ireland

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

AT THE RIM: (top) Trey Pettigrew (No. 1) drives to the lane versus Leo High School (bottom) Josh Smith converts layup versus York on Jan. 16. against Arizona’s Notre Dame Prep. I could not think of a better opportunity for our team to kick off the ‘Fenwick FAST’ era than by competing overseas in a first-class trip versus a first-class opponent.” In a phone call with Wednesday Journal on Jan. 22, Battaglia said the event has been in the works for the last few months. He will start off his tenure at Fenwick overseas.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Meet Blazers’ basketball star Makiyah Williams On pace for 2,000 points By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

“I don’t want to join UConn—I want to be the team that takes down a team like UConn.” Statements like this are one of the many reasons why college coaches are hounding Trinity basketball star Makiyah Williams to join their programs. Nicknamed “Makillah,” Williams has decimated opponents in her two and a half years at Trinity. The multi-faceted junior can play 1-5, making her perfect fit for today’s modern brand of basketball. “I think everyone knew she was going to be good,” said Blazers’ head coach Kim Coleman. “She just had a natural feel for the game and does things that only great players do.” Before Williams was a D-1 prospect, Coleman coached Williams at Chicago Hoops Express (an AAU program) since the junior was in sixth grade. The talent was all there, but Williams was a shy kid. During games, she would point out things to Coleman that were happening on the court, and Coleman would yell, “Don’t tell it to me! Tell your teammates!” “She used to be very quiet and didn’t really talk until her sophomore year when she started opening that mouth of hers,” said Coleman. “She was a little shy, but I think she realized how good she could be and started to talk a bit more. Her basketball IQ was too high for her to not share it with her teammates.” Since her first year, Williams has transitioned into a vocal leader on the court and stays in the gym with the junior varsity team after the varsity team is done practicing. She will even put on a blocking pad and work with the younger post players on their craft down low. “My coaches have always told me that great players make their teammates better,” said Williams. “I’ve felt like I’ve always done it but now that I’ve developed more as a player, I feel like I can really make a difference anywhere I go.” Williams has also made a difference on the court in the way she has taken over games this season. In the season opener, she outscored St. Charles East 44-43 by herself (the Blazers won 72-43). However, her most memorable moment during her time at Trinity came earlier this month. On Jan. 4, at the Growing the Game tournament, Williams grabbed an offensive rebound that bounced to her at the top of the key. Her defender sagged off and left space for a wide-open three. Big mistake. Williams took one dribble, stepped into her shot, and

C O L L E G E

O F F E R S

DePaul University Niagara University Eastern Michigan University Southern Illinois University Bradley University Lewis University Marquette University Loyola University Illinois State University Indiana State University St. Louis University University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Kansas State

swished home her 1,002 career points as a member of Trinity’s basketball team. After she reached that milestone, the team gifted Williams a customized basketball that has her name and the number “1,000” across the ball. “Man, I got chills when she made that honestly,” said Blazers head coach Kim Coleman on Jan. 6. ““I’ve watched her become a woman who represents her school and family and to see her become a vocal leader for this team this season has been great.” Williams credits the expansion of her game to watching YouTube videos of various professional players. However, James Harden, who is also a left-handed shooter, is the player she likes to emulate the most since she developed a similar step back jumper to Harden. “I like taking moves I see online and giving them my own twist,” said Williams. As of Jan. 28, Williams has received college offers from 13 schools (most notably Marquette, Kanas State and DePaul). One of her goals is to go in on day one and start for a team. “Anywhere I go, I want to be challenged,” said Williams. “I want to go D-I and want to be pushed to be the best player I can be. I feel like I can step in right away and contribute.”

Outside the Lines Since she was in sixth grade, Williams took an interest in art and customizes her own shoes with the logos she has created. She has one pair of red Nikes that looks like blood is dripping off of them. “There are a lot of NBA players, like Jayson Tatum, who talk about having ice in their veins,” said Williams. “I tried to do ice at first, but I messed up and it started looking like blood drops! But I thought that it was cool, and I have been doing that more.” Williams hasn’t decided what she wants to major in when she attends college, but she is focused on pursuing art in some form.

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY KIM COLEMAN

LEADER: Trinity star Makiyah Williams (top) has made a habit of helping out the junior varsity team after the varsity team practices. (Below) Williams received this customized ball from the Blazers after scoring her 1,000th career point.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM New local ads this week

YOUR WEEKLY AD

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST, FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Please Check Your Ad: The publisher will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Wednesday Journal Classified must be notified before the second insertion. The newspaper reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement.

Place your ad online anytime at: www.OakPark.com/Classiﬁed/

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

EXPERIENCED SERVERS BARTENDERS & BUSBOYS WANTED APPLY IN PERSON. ELMWOOD PARK. CALL FOR APPOINTMENT 708-456-3644 Part Time Positions Available for After-School Recreation / Day Care Worker Youth Development Specialist on site at Oak Park public schools The Day Care Program of Hephzibah Children’s Association is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children in the After School Day Care program on site at Oak Park public schools. The days and hours are Mon – Fri from 2:30-6:00 PM and 2:00-6:00 PM on Wednesdays. Plan and supervise arts and crafts, indoor & outdoor play, games, sports, homework help and more. Requirements include: - previous experience working with children - 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work or related college courses Immediate openings available for the current school year. Contact MJ Joyce at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org Equal Opportunity Employer

CICERO Lg 3 RMS, 1BR. $795/mo. No pets. Sec. dep. Incl. heat, water, appl., etc. Blvd Manor area. BROKER 312-780-9257 River Forest D90 has an IMMEDIATE opening for an Evening Custodian, 2pm - 10pm at Lincoln Elementary School. Responsible for cleaning of buildings and grounds, as assigned. A strong work ethic, interpersonal skills and custodial experience is required. Salary commensurate with experience. For consideration, please send resume to Pam Jenkins, HR Specialist at jenkinsp@district90.org. Senior Scrum Master (Chicago, IL) sought by Solstice Consulting, LLC. Resp: Dvlp or updte prjct plns fr infrmtn tchnlgy prjcts incldng infrmtn sch as prjct objctvs, tchnlgs, systms, infrmtn spcfcations, schdles, fundng, & staffng. Req: BS in Infrmtn Tchnlgy and Mgmt; 5 yrs of wrk exp coachng clients in utlzng agile sftwre dvlpmnt prctces; 1 yr of exp enactig agile trnsfrmtn; 1 yr of exp in IT prjct leadrshp; 1 yr of exp with Frontend sftwre dvlpmnt; 1 yr of exp facilttng Change Management; trvl is req’d ntionlly & in the Grtr Chcgo area 80% of time to vrious client sites as neeeded. Email resumes to interview@solstice.com. Senior Software Engineer I sought by Enova Financial Holdings, LLC in Chicago, IL to perform proof of concept projects with new tools or technologies. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 10641.

River Forest D90 has an immediate opening for a Part-time (0.3) English Language Learner Teacher. Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an English as a Second Language Endorsement. Master’s Degree is preferred. Successful teaching experience is preferred. Job Duties: The English Language Learners Teacher will meet the needs of limited English proficient students. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at www.district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE NEW CONCEPT FOR MAYWOOD In this quiet residential neighborhood

902 S. 3RD AVENUE (2 blks W of 1st Ave & 1 blk N of Madison)

Reserve your own affordable 2 or 3 BR condo unit of 1000+ sq ft of living space being built on this historic site. You’ll benefit from a unique 12-year tax freeze and lower monthly living expenses from energy saving systems/appliances, and you can help design your own individual unit. Plans also include building 5 new townhomes onsite. For details Call 708-383-9223.

FOREST PARK 2 BR GARDEN APT Newly remodeled, new appliances, etc. Pay own heat and utilities. Close to transportation. Security. 1 year. No pets. 1 car garage. Avail. immediately. $1000. 630-279-8111 FOREST PARK 2BR 2BR 2nd ﬂoor. 1 pkg space avail. Tenant paid central air & heat. On Madison in downtown Forest Park. Spacious apt. w/ hardwd ﬂoors. Very private. $1150/mo. 708-436-3644

CITY RENTALS AUGUSTA & HARDING Beautiful 2-bedroom condo-like apt, in a sunny, safe, secure 8 unit bldg. Large newly tiled kitchen & bath, hardwood ﬂoors, central air, appliances included, tenant pays utilities, rent $830.00, for more information call 773-838-8471.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT SHARED OFFICE AVAILABLE Forest Park ofﬁce available to share, days, evenings and weekends,free standing building, warm, comfortably furnished, ideal for psychotherapy, massage therapy or acupuncture, located close to public transportation, free parking. Call Connie 630-640-9693

ROOMS FOR RENT

THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofﬁces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiﬁ; Secure building; Friendly colleagues providing referrals. Shared waiting room; optional Conference. Call or email with questions. Shown on Sundays. Lee 708.383.0729 drlmadden@ameritech.net

AUSTIN CLEAN ROOM With fridge, micro. Nr Oak Park, Super Walmart, Food 4 Less, bus, & Metra. $116/wk and up. 773-637-5957

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK SUBLEASE We are looking to sublease our beautiful, spa-like office. Our office is already set up for a physician, anesthetist, masseuse, and/or acupuncturist. Space is available immediately. Please contact us for pricing and to schedule a tour of the office. Ask for Niki. 708-613-4417 Nikimoreno33@gmail.com

RIVERSIDE 5RMS 2 BR incl. heat, water, parking, appl., etc. $995/mo. Sec. dep. Lease. Parking area, close to train, bus & shopping. BROKER 312-780-9257

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M

property management, inc.

708-386-7355 • www.mmpropmgt.com 649 Madison Street, Oak Park Contact us for a complete list of available rentals throughout Oak Park and Forest Park.

Apartment listings updated daily at:

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

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COMMERCIAL SPACE BERWYN FOR RENT/LEASE STORE OR OFFICE App. 750 sq ft. Great loc. 2 or 3 mo. sec. dep. Imm. poss. $2750/mo CENTURY 21 HALLMARK, LTD CHRIS T. 708-788-2800 CICERO FOR RENT/LEASE Vic. 35th St & Austin Blvd App. 900 sq ft. 2 exits. Add’ storage/ warehse avail in rear. Seller open to all ideas and remodeling. $1100/mo. 2 or 3 mo. sec. dep. Imm. poss. CENTURY 21 HALLMARK, LTD CHRIS T. 708-788-2800

ITEMS FOR SALE FULL LENGTH SHEARLING COAT Brown full length shearling coat w/ attached hood. Beautiful condition. $99.00 708-488-8755 TREK BIKE TWO YEARS OLD Trek Bike, two years old, was $550 new, comes with lock and pump, $200 OBO. Email henriettaatkin@me.com or call 312-848-3801.

AUTO FOR SALE 2001 BUICK LESABRE $1300 CALL 708-616-7604

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ﬂags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers–lead, plastic–other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

Find more homeimprovement pros on the next page!

☛

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

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

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

524-1030

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

ELECTRICAL Red Star Electric

Your Neighborhood Electricians *Licensed *Bonded *Insured

-Residential/ Commercial Electrical Upgrades -Electrical Service/ Panel Upgrades -Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations -Standby Generators 708 722 1388 www.RedStarElectric.net

ELECTRICAL

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

FLOORS

HANDYMAN

KLIS FLOORING INC.

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

New hardwood ﬂooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-ﬁnishing, staining. Low prices, insured. Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

GARAGE DOORS Our 73rd Year

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Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060 tuvtuvtuv OakPark.com | RiverForest.com

Attention: Home-improvement pros!

Reach the people making decisions– your target demographic. Advertise here. Call 708/613-3342.

Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

WINDOWS

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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

In print • Online • Available to you 24/7/365

OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIlli-

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

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates. Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

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

WINDOWS

Our acrylic storm window inserts will make your rooms warmer, and reduce outside noise We can make for exterior or interior or both, any size to fit your window. No need for expensive window replacement, low cost local install or DIY. Direct from manufacturer, we’re right up the street in Galewood, see our factory video. Owner is an Oak Park resident since 2008. Call for a simple, free estimate, fully guaranteed or your money back BBB A+ rating.

sales@stormsnaps.com Alpina Manufacturing, 6460 W. Cortland St. Chicago Visit our website for easy online ordering or call us for info:

773-202-8887 STORMSNAPS.COM ®

Public Notice: Your right to know

BASEMENT CLEANING

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery. 708-848-9404

Cold rooms, we have the solution!

Easy press fit from the inside

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HAULING

free local delivery

Illinois Classified Advertising Network WANTED TO BUY Paying Cash For Comics! Top national comic buyer will be in your area, paying cash for vintage comics (1970 & earlier). Call Will: 866-461-0640

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y2002921 on January 8, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of POWERS & SONS CARPENTRY with the business located at: 711 FOREST AVE, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TERRENCE POWERS 711 FOREST AVE RIVER FOREST, IL 60305.

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE Notice Of A Public Hearing By the Joint Plan Commission/ Zoning Board of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22, 1/29/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20002922 on January 8, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of GPTETREV POTTERY with the business located at:159 SOUTH OAK PARK AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: GABRIEL PAUL TETREV 127 SOUTH TAYLOR AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60302. Published in Wednesday Journal 1/15, 1/22, 1/29/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20002975 on January 15, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of B-SAFE PPE with the business located at:2245 KEYSTONE AVE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: PAUL CONRAD, III 2245 KEYSTON AVE NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. Published in RB Landmark 1/22, 1/29, 2/5/2020

PUBLIC NOTICE A second neighborhood meeting will be held Wednesday, February 5 at 7:00pm in the ballroom of the Oak Park Arms, located at 408 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. The meeting will be to discuss the proposed Pete’s Fresh Market project located at 640 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. Published in Wednesday Journal 1/22, 1/29/2020

Starting a New Business in 2020? Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 6:00 P.M., in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois. At such time and place, the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider additions and amendments to Title 17 of the North Riverside Zoning Ordinance to include, but are not limited to, deﬁning cannabis business establishments, establishing time, place and distance limitations, or other limitations on the operations of cannabis business establishments as allowed under the Illinois Cannabis Regulations and Tax Act, and other regulations the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals and/ or Village President and Board of Trustees deem appropriate. Applicant: Village of North Riverside 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue North Riverside, IL 60546 All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing. Village of North Riverside Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Published on RB Landmark 1/29/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, IN TRUST FOR REGISTERED HOLDERS OF LONG BEACH MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-7, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-7 Plaintiff, -v.JEANNE L. EDWARDS, SCOVILLE COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO LONG BEACH MORTGAGE COMPANY, MIDLAND FUNDING LLC Defendants 2019 CH 07779 500 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. APT. 403 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 24, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 14, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 500 W. WASHINGTON BLVD. APT. 403, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-415-0271024

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $91,575.96. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. 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, JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 18-6534. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC

230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago IL, 60606 312-541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 18-6534 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2019 CH 07779 TJSC#: 39-7382 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 # 2019 CH 07779 I3141842

real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, Chris A. Pellegrini, CHUHAK & TECSON, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 S. WACKER DRIVE, STE. 2600, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 444-9300. Please refer to file number CAP.21168.71290. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. Chris A. Pellegrini CHUHAK & TECSON, P.C. 30 S. WACKER DRIVE, STE. 2600 Chicago IL, 60606 312-444-9300 E-Mail: cpellegrini@chuhak.com Attorney File No. CAP.21168.71290 Attorney Code. 70693 Case Number: 2019 CH 9407 TJSC#: 40-230 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 # 2019 CH 9407 I3143329

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION FOREST PARK NATIONAL BANK & TRUST CO. Plaintiff, -v.JOHN JOSEPH SIGNORELLA, AN INDIVIDUAL, SPOUSE OF JOHN JOSEPH SIGNORELLA, AN INDIVIDUAL, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 9407 7242 W. ROOSEVELT RD. FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 18, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 7242 W. ROOSEVELT RD., FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-24-203-0030000 The real estate is improved with a commercial property. The judgment amount was $146,876.71. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR LEHMAN XS TRUST MORTGAGE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-17H; Plaintiff, vs. ANGELO JOSEPH MESSINA AKA ANGELO J. MESSINA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; RANDOLPH CROSSING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; Defendants, 19 CH 3643 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-07-408-026-1010. Commonly known as 610 Randolph Street 2, Oak Park, IL 60302. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g) (1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Manley Deas Kochalski, LLC, One East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (614) 220-5611. 19-009642 F2 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3143369

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK; Plaintiff, vs. LONTIER C. HOUGH AKA LONTIER HOUGH AKA LONTIER HICKS-HOUGH AKA LONTIER C. HICKS- HOUGH; ANTHONY HOUGH AKA A. HOUGH AKA ANTHONY DAVID HOUGH AKA ANTHONY D. HOUGH; DOVENMUEHLE MORTGAGE COMPANY, LP; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 6127 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-17-302-034-0000. Commonly known as 915 South Lombard Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection. For information call The Sales Department at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Anselmo Lindberg & Associates, LLC, 1771 West Diehl Road, Naperville, Illinois 60563-1890. (630) 453-6960. F19040247 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION Selling Officer, (312) 444-1122 I3143389

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Wednesday Journal, January 29, 2020

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I believe my most important mission is to be there for those in my community.” SUSIE GOLDSCHMIDT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, MARKET PRESIDENT, OAK PARK RIVER FOREST

A Community Bank for Oak Park and River Forest. Susie has lived in the Oak Park area for the past 33 years, where she is active on a number of boards of local community organizations. She is currently a member of the board of directors of Beyond Hunger and the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, as well as a member of Circle 2 of the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society. In the past Susie has been a board member of The Rotary Club of Oak Park-River Forest, has served as President, Secretary and Treasurer for the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce, and the President and Secretary of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. In addition to her 43 years of banking experience in the Oak Park and River Forest area, she and her husband Kim have four children and three grandkids, and Susie is a longtime member of the River Forest Tennis Club, and actively participates in pickle ball, paddle ball and skiing—in fact, it’s hard to find someone in the community who hasn’t become a friend (or adversary on the court) of Susie’s.

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