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W E D N E S D A Y

March 11, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 33 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL

Delinquent Tax Notice Page 30

of Oak Park and River Forest

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Schools cancel spring break overseas trips Dominican, Trinity, OPRF among schools restricting travel By MICHAEL ROMAIN and MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporters

The global fear of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, has resulted in major tradeshows and industry events canceled around the world. But the threat has also resonated with area school districts, which have implemented local flu pandemic plans and canceled spring break trips overseas in response to the global health crisis. Leslie Rodriguez, Dominican University’s executive director of external engagement, said “university-sponsored spring break trips have been cancelled in response to [Centers for Disease Control] recommendations and after consult with many of the other higher ed institutions in the city. We are one of many schools that have canceled spring break trips.” On March 9, Karin Sullivan, District 200’s communications director, confirmed that Oak Park and River Forest High School officials have also canceled spring break trips to Italy and France. Currently, she said, district officials are working with travel agencies “to obtain as much of a refund as possible.” In addition, she said, D200 Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams has been meeting with families of students who were supposed to go on the foreign trips. Sullivan said the district also has a pandemic flu plan, which has been reviewed by the district’s threat assessment team. On March 3, D200 officials notified parents and See CORONAVIRUS on page 15

Photo by Andrew Mead/Staff

PASSING THE TORCH: Bill FitzGerald, surrounded by family members, addresses a packed house from the stage of FitzGerald’s on March 4, capping a 40-year run on Roosevelt Road. The night club will continue under the ownership of Will Duncan.

Tears, cheers as FitzGerald’s enters new chapter Thalia Hall partner takes over buys roots music mecca

By MICHELLE DYBAL Contributing Reporter

There were a lot of cheers and even some tears as the FitzGerald family stood on stage and said their goodbyes to a packed room at their nightclub on

March 4. Intermittent shouts of “I love you!” rang out from the faithful audience and some took turns filling in what Bill FitzGerald couldn’t say when he choking up at the microphone. Even Bill’s mom, Margaret FitzGerald, one of the people who helped make this

place possible, completed one of her son’s sentences from her seat on the stage. FitzGerald’s night club, the iconic Berwyn music venue, started 2020 celebrating its 40th anniversary. Now it is celebrating See FITZGERALD’S on page 18

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I N S I D E

Community Foundation names new board members

Alejandro Bodipo-Memba and Douglas Dixon have joined Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation’s board of directors. The founder of Oak Park-based OVP Management Consulting Group, BodipoMemba brings to the board decades of experience in strategic communications, continuous improvement process design work and leadership development training. A former corporate leader and print journalist, he looks forward to contributing to the foundation’s legacy of giving. A principal at Sales Performance So-

lutions in River Forest for over 20 years, Dixon joins the board as an experienced sales coach, advisor and team facilitator. He helps leaders increase revenue by maximizing peoples’ talent, and augmenting organizational processes and technology. Each board member will serve a term of three years. In naming the two new board members, the Community Foundation also expressed their thanks and best wishes to outgoing members Judy Greffin, John Houseal, Uduok Udofia and Stacey Williams.

Stacey Sheridan

R E P O R T

Oak Park trustee endorses Danny K. Davis

Trustee Deno Andrews of Oak Park is the latest local elected official to make an endorsement in 7th District contest for U.S. Congress. On March 8, Andrews publicly endorsed incumbent Rep. Danny K. Davis to represent Illinois’s 7th Congressional District during a Davis campaign event at Robinson’s Ribs, 848 Madison St. Davis has represented the district since being first elected in 1996. “Danny K. Davis has been a proven progressive leader in the House of Representatives, and a beacon of light and hope for so many in the Chicagoland area,” Andrews told Wednesday Journal.

“Danny has led this district with humility, grace, and a high level of distinction. I proudly support Danny K. Davis for re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives.” Andrews calls both Davis and one of Davis’ opponents, Anthony Clark, friends. “My endorsement is in no way against Anthony in any way,” Andrews said. “I think in this political climate that consistency and experience is important in congress.” Two of Andrews’s fellow trustees, Susan Buchanan and Arti Walker-Peddakotla, previously had endorsed Kina Collins, who is also vying for Davis’ seat.

Stacey Sheridan

Oak Park artist featured with a flourish

DOUG DIXON

ALEJANDRO BODIPO-MEMBA

Starting March 13, Flourish Lounge, 193 N. Marion St., will feature art from Chicago Tribune cartoonist and Oak Parker Joe Fournier. Titled “Musicians as Songbirds,” the installation has 18 pieces in a variety of media, from acrylic and ink on canvas and paper to collage to a hanging sculpture. Fournier has had his award-winning work shown at the Cannes Film Festival, the National Gallery of Art and the Library of Congress. He is also an avid saxophone

player. An opening reception will be held on March 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. Flourish Lounge and Fournier invite the public to view the art, meet the artist and enjoy complimentary wine and appetizers. To RSVP, contact Flourish Lounge public relations representative, Jenny Shepherd, at jenny@jennyshepherdpr.com or 312-9194804.

Stacey Sheridan

ALICE in hunger-land

Do you know ALICE? If you’re employed, but still don’t make enough for your basic needs and don’t own many assets, you know ALICE even if you don’t think you do. The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and it’s the center of a new report released last week by United Way. Technically, ALICE households are those “with income above the Federal Poverty Level but below the basic cost of living.” The Federal Poverty Level in Illinois is $24,600 for a family of four and $12,060 for a single adult. The poverty level is far below what the United Way calls the bare-minimum Household Survival Budget, which defines who meets the ALICE threshold. The Household Survival Budget is what individuals and families need to meet basic costs of living. In Illinois in 2016, the survival budget for a single adult is $19,212, or $9.61/hour. For a household of two adults, an infant and a preschooler, the survival budget is $57,144, or $28.57/hour, according to the United Way.

While 12 percent of Illinois residents are in poverty, 24 percent of residents fall within the ALICE threshold. In Oak Park in 2017, 10 percent of the village’s 21,529 households were in poverty while 17 percent fell somewhere within the ALICE threshold. In River Forest, 5 percent of the village’s 3,909 households were in poverty while 14 percent were within the ALICE threshold, according to the United Way report. Keep in mind, the United Way’s survival budget includes the cost of housing, food, transportation, healthcare and child care. It doesn’t include savings. Another interesting nugget included in the study: Millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) “cannot afford to live on their own. Instead, they are more likely than previous generations to live with their parents or with roommates. In Illinois, 36 percent of millennials lived with their parents in 2015, higher than the national average of 33 percent. Nationally, for the first time in more than a century, millennials are also less likely to be living with a romantic partner.”

Michael Romain

Courtesy Joe Fournier

FOURNIER’S FLOURISH: Artist Joe Fournier with his artwork at Flourish Lounge.

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Thought Provoking Art

Also happening

Through March 28, by appointment, Compound Yellow See Danish multimedia artist Mikkel Neimann’s work, Decaying, four different videos examining how political decisions impact urban design and our perception of the space we inhabit around the world, specifically, abandoned villages and factories and a separation wall. Schedule a visit: info@ compoundyellow.com. 244 Lake St., Oak Park. Reception Friday, March 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Oak Park Art League At Entanglements, artists explore and celebrate the abstract nature of artistic inquiry through a variety of mediums. Through April 2. More: oakparkartleague.org/exhibits-events-all/2020/3/4/ entanglements. 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.

Challenges Within an Ever-Changing Global Marketplace Wednesday, March 18, 6:30 p.m., Martin Recital Hall, Dominican University Brennan School of Business presents Ace Hardware Chief Marketing Officer Kim Lefko at its annual Global Speaker Series Lecture. Lefko, of River Forest, has over 25 years of experience growing iconic brands. Networking reception at 5:30 p.m. Register: dom.edu/global-speaker-series. 7900 W. Division St., River Forest.

The Electoral College: Relevant or Obsolete? Thursday, March 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club Join the discussion at this Mind Boggle led by Joyce Williams, founding member of the Electoral College Committee of the League of Women Voters of Illinois. Hear the League’s position that the Electoral College should be abolished, but also arguments in favor of keeping it. Free; cash bar. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

BIG WEEK March 11 – 18

Audra McDonald in Concert

Sunday, March 14, 5 p.m., Lund Auditorium, Dominican University The 40th Annual Trustee Benefit, which supports student scholarships, features the singer and actress who received a record-breaking six Tony Awards, two Grammy Awards and an Emmy. She also received the 2015 National Medal of Arts from President Obama. $48 - $88. Tickets/ more: dom.edu/audra-mcdonald. 7900 W. Division St., River Forest.

Church of Beethoven: Folias Duo Sunday, March 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, International Mansion See flutist Carmen Maret and guitarist Andrew Bergeron perform European classical music with jazz, world music and improvisation. The rhythms, contours and textures of their compositions and performance test the technical and sonic limitations of their instruments. $15; $10, children. Tickets/more: churchofbeethoven-oakpark. com, or at the door. 509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

One Earth Film Fest: The Power of We Through Sunday, March 15, various times and locations There are 26 documentaries at 40+ venues across Chicagoland. Many screenings include facilitated discussions. Reservations encouraged: oneearthfilmfest.org. $0 - $8, suggested donation. More: oneearthfilmfest.org. Highlights nearby this week: • View Child of Nature (10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.) and Monty and Rose (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.). The first film follows five children from different countries and how they are “transforming their lives and their communities.” Q&A with director follows. Monty and Rose are endangered piping plovers that successfully nested at Chicago’s Montrose Beach last summer, the first to do so in 64 years. Discussion with director and panel follows. Thatcher Woods Pavilion, 8030 Chicago Ave., River Forest. • See Beyond Climate, filmed throughout British Columbia, Canada, over many years. The wisdom and perspectives of Indigenous leaders, local communities, scientists and policymakers are featured. Panel discussion follows. Saturday, March 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Main Library, 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Irish Heritage Singers Sunday, March 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m., River Forest Library Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the resident choir of the Irish American Heritage Center. Hear pub favorites, folk songs and more. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.

“The Creation”

Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Advocacy Town Hall Thursday, March 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., Riveredge Hospital Open to all family members and persons with lived experience with an I/DD, topics covered by a panel include funding, facilitating transitions across the lifespan, accessibility to services and advocacy. Q&A follows. Free. Register: riveredgehospital.com/news-events. 8311 W. Roosevelt, Forest Park.

WOW! Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oak Park Arts District Support Women Owned Businesses (WOW!). See female artists at work at Dancing Krow Studios or join in a soap-making workshop (noon- 1:30 p.m.), view a staff jewelry show at Bead in Hand, try a digital scavenger hunt of famous women musicians at Val’s halla Records and more. Store hours vary. Look for yellow decorations for participating businesses. More: facebook.com/events/766482923760953, #shoponharrisonstreet. Harrison between Austin and Ridgeland, Oak Park.

Sunday, March 15, 4 p.m. Pilgrim Congregational Church Pilgrim’s Chancel Choir and Friends, along with a chamber orchestra, will present Joseph Haydn’s magnificent oratorio. Free-will offerings accepted. 460 Lake St., Oak Park.

Free Readers Ensemble: “Barrymore” Sunday, March 15, 3 p.m., Nineteenth Century Club As John Barrymore reckons with ravages of his life of excess, he rents an old theatre to rehearse for a backer’s audition to raise money for a revival of his 1920 Broadway triumph - Richard III. Freewill donations accepted. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

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ART BEAT

FitzGerald’s doesn’t miss a beat By MICHELLE DYBAL

Contributing Reporter

itzGerald’s Nightclub has a new owner, so their 40th anniversary turned into a celebration of the past and the future. Music has deep roots at 6615 Roosevelt Road. In the 1950s and ’60s, previous owners hosted jazz bands like the Original Salty Dogs, a group that began at Purdue, transplanted to Chicago after graduation, and then had a regular gig at The Hunt Club at this address. Later owners Otto and Lou Kubik turned the early 1900s-era building into a bar and pool hall called The Deer Lodge. The original structure on this site is said to have been used as “a hunting lodge and sporting team headquarters” until 1925. On New Year’s Day in 1980, with LPs playing on a turntable, Bill FitzGerald was sitting around over brunch and said to those gathered, “Wouldn’t it be fun to own a bar and have music and book this person and that person?” He was already a regular at the Deer Lodge. On March 20, 1980 the purchase was made with the help of his Uncle Jerry, a lawyer, who made the inquiry. Bill’s parents, Chris

Courtesy FitzGerald family

Bill and Kate FitzGerald, owners of FitzGerald’s, likely 1990 at the bar. and Margaret, made the purchase possible. “My mom and dad took a huge risk,” Bill told the crowd gathered around the stage of the packed nightclub at the “March Forth” farewell party last Wednesday. “They put money up — it was only $60,000, but when you’ve got nine kids, it’s a big

deal. And you’re investing in a bar [with] all the horrible things that could come out of a bar.” It was a FitzGerald family project — Bill and his brother Chris, who later moved to Australia where he is a special education teacher, and their dad began rehabbing the

building. The Deer Lodge was transformed into FitzGerald’s Nightclub, but they kept the deer lodge ambiance. “We just set about doing the job of bringing about this old venue that had history,” Bill recalled. “We knew it had a heyday.” His father, Chris Sr., a magazine editor at the time, “was keen to do something [other than editing]. In his spare time, he rewired and did all the plumbing in the place and had never done it before.” He also designed the lighting and the logo. “My brother Chris and I were already into house painting and house restoration so that all worked here,” Bill said. “We were ordering dumpsters, refinishing bars and tearing down junk — it was great. There was a lot of room for improvement and we felt we brought it back to a really nice renovation.” FitzGerald’s opened nine months later. Now the FitzGerald family has sold the business, so Bill and his wife Kate can retire. The two first got to know each other after Kate applied to FitzGerald’s for a job. They now have four children, with grandchildren on the way. (It turns out Bill painted the Oak Park house Kate grew up in years earlier, so they had met before.) See ARTBEAT on page 19

ENDORSED BY THE

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

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Another draft of affordable housing plan needed

Commission debates TIF funds, data, preservation of existing housing By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

The Affordable Housing Plan still needs work and will be amended again, concluded the River Forest Plan Commission after some back and forth at its March 3 meeting. The new draft will be discussed at the April 7 meeting. Once the plan is finalized, it will be presented to the village board. At the meeting, John Houseal, River Forest’s planning consultant, seemed at odds with the council on the topics of adding wording regarding TIFs into the plan and whether village-specific data should be included. On Jan. 21, Houseal, presented an affordable housing plan that would address the village’s state-mandated need to add 39 affordable housing units to bring its overall percentage up to the state-required 10 percent. River Forest is currently at 9 percent. At the March 3 meeting, Houseal said he’d made a “handful of changes” after the previous meeting to reflect what plan commissioners said they wanted to see. Commissioners, however, felt there were still changes that needed to be made. Two big areas they felt were lacking concerned TIF funds and how they relate to affordable housing and adding River Forest-specific data in addition to state-provided data. Commissioner Roberto Armalas expressed frustration that discussions surrounding the TIF issue’s inclusion in the plan at the January meeting had been ignored and no information had been provided to the commissioners between the last meeting and the March 3 meeting. Houseal said his concern after the last meeting was that “people didn’t understand what a TIF was and how it worked” and that he wanted to make sure the plan was worded

correctly to reflect the intention of the commission as well as the law. “We didn’t want to write something that didn’t reflect what you wanted, and we didn’t want to write something we couldn’t do,” said Houseal, adding, “We can highlight the potential of TIF funds” by pulling what’s already in the state statute and putting it into the plan, thereby reminding developers of using TIF benefits for affordable housing. “I thought that’s what we agreed to last time,” responded Armalas. “I kind of feel overruled.” “The omission wasn’t to subvert; it was to get it right,” said Houseal. Another area of discussion focused on River Forest-specific data, whether it belonged in the plan, and what source would be best to use for it. Commissioner Keary Cragan said although she understood that the data on which the plan was based had to specifically come from the state, she wanted the plan to provide a snapshot in time of where the village is in terms of median income, average house price, and how much people spend on mortgages, for example. She added that she would also like to see a mention of the 30 percent limit on how much people should be spending of their income on mortgage, a number that was provided by public commenter and River Forest resident Daniel Lauber at the last meeting. But Houseal said he wasn’t sure that 30 percent is the magic number. “Is it 30 percent or 35 percent or 40? There’s not one universal number. Some people choose to live in RF knowing it’s going to be a higher percentage because it’s worth it to live in River Forest,” said Houseal. He said he was leery of adding additional data about income or housing costs because he wasn’t sure what data source would be appropriate. Houseal said census data could provide average home price and average income. “But extrapolating average household income and average household price to a meaningful number on affordability can’t be done,” he said. The census doesn’t tie those two fig-

House Hunting?

ures together on a one-to-one level. Cragan was insistent, however, that “at a minimum, we have to have census data,” stating that she wanted to see the commission “add context to the plan.” A third major topic of discussion was how to protect affordable housing that already exists within the village. If the need is to bring the percentage of affordable housing up to 10 percent from the current 9 percent, losing units in potential redevelopment could be a problem. Armalas said he realized dictating what a developer had to do could be problematic, but he expressed his reluctance to not address the issue at all in the plan. “It’s nice to say we want to preserve clean water while we’re dumping stuff into it,” said Armalas. “One-to-one preservation maybe isn’t fair to developers. But if we don’t do that, how do we preserve the affordable housing we have?” According to Houseal, the Development Review Board (DRB) presides over proposed development, and they would be looking at the comprehensive plan and the affordable housing plan to make sure the objectives are being met with any new development in the village. During public comment, several residents spoke up about how they personally had, or do, benefit from affordable housing and

H O W

T O

thanked the commission for the work and time they’re putting into the plan. The most outspoken commenter was Lauber, who had sent a memo to commissioners ahead of time. He apologized for not sending the memo sooner but criticized the commission for not sending this new draft of the plan sooner. “I only got ahold of this plan Thursday, which is hardly adequate time to review it,” said Lauber, who said he found the overall draft of the affordable housing plan lacking in several ways. “This plan acts as if [meeting affordable housing requirements] is a burden and begrudgingly accepts it,” said Lauber. Houseal will make changes to the document and try to send a revised version to the commissioners “by the end of next week.” The Plan Commission will meet again on April 7.

@OakPark R E A C H

U S

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PARK IT: Rush Oak Park Hospital must remove one floor from original proposal.

With conditions, Plan Commission OKs Rush Oak Park garage

Project will now go to the village board for final approval By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

After months of discussion, the Oak Park Plan Commission voted March 5 without fanfare to recommend the village board approve Rush Oak Park Hospital’s plans to construct a 713-space parking garage at the corner of Wenonah Avenue and Monroe Street. The move to recommend approval of a special use permit to build the garage came with a number of conditions set by commissioners, most notably requirements to lower the height by 10 feet, 8 inches (essentially an entire floor); hold quarterly meetings with neighbors throughout construction, plus one year after; and update the traffic study to reflect the Madison Street reconfiguration. Perhaps the biggest condition, the height decrease would take the building down an entire floor. The current garage plans call for a height of just below 70 feet. At the Feb. 25 plan commission meeting, Rush Oak Park Hospital VP of Operations Robert Spadoni said removal of a floor was “cost prohibitive.” However, Spadoni agreed to look into reducing the height. He also reminded the commission that the 70 feet requested height

was below the maximum 80 feet height current zoning allowed. “Just so we’re clear, this is zoned H and in H, we can build what we’re due, but we’re trying to be a good neighbor in that regard,” Spadoni said. “That’s why we spent the time and energy and the money and work with the neighbors to get to this.” The plan commission also voted March 5 to recommend the board approve the hospital’s plans to vacate a portion of Monroe Street between Wisconsin and Wenonah avenues. “If the village board approves the vacation, that would allow the village to sell the property at an appraised value to the hospital for its use as private property,” Village Planner Craig Failor explained to the commission. The plan commission discussed and had come to a consensus previously on the project, but failed to secure the required number of votes, due to the absence of three commissioners. Two of the commissioners who missed the previous meeting were in attendance March 5 and voted on both the special use permit and the street vacation, after saying on the record that they had reviewed the plans and listened to the recording of the meeting they missed. With their votes, the plan commission was able to successfully recommend the project to the village board. The village board will decide whether or not to allow construction of the garage at a future village board meeting.

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PASO workers go on indefinite strike

Workers complain about toxic workplace at Melrose Park nonprofit, run by Oak Parker By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

PASO West Suburban Action Project is wellknown for fighting and protesting for the rights of immigrants. But recently, the Melrose Park nonprofit has itself been the subject of scrutiny after some of its employees went on strike on Monday, protesting what they say has been a toxic work environment — a claim that PASO’s board of directors and executive director has disputed. The workers — Mary Albarran, Jessica Arellano, Luceli Hernandez Mena, Mariela Mendoza, Esmeralda Montesinos, Tatiana Munoz and Estela Vara — released a signed statement on March 2 explaining the reasons for the work stoppage. “We, seven out of eight PASO nonmanagement staff members, issue this public statement to announce an indefinite absence of work to address the toxic work conditions we have been facing internally and to demand the immediate removal of

Mony Ruiz-Velasco as PASO’s Executive Director,” the workers stated. The workers claim that under Ruiz-Velasco, an Oak Park attorney, they’ve “encountered various forms of intimidation, abuse of power, deceit, disrespect, and overall inferior treatment that does not mirror the values we hold at PASO.” The workers claim that for the past two months they had tried to “remedy this situation internally” by raising their concerns with PASO’s board, Ruiz-Velasco and the management team, but have been denied a meeting with those entities and have been subject to a series of retaliatory measures. “The internal culture for workers is one of intimidation, demeaning, trying to pit workers against each other,” the statement explains. “We have been screamed at, harassed and intimidated, mocked when we have shared our deep hurt of how we are being treated, and our concerns for our wellbeing have been continuously dismissed.” The workers said on Friday, Jan. 3, when a former coworker “was called in and fired during his last day off, despite being on vacation and having his child with him and no immediate childcare available.” That was last straw. The workers said that four PASO board members have resigned within the last month

as a result of the controversy, including Lily Ibarra, who issued a statement on Feb. 13 explaining her resignation. Ibarra wrote that she was “dissatisfied with how our role as board members has been reduced to fiscal responsibilities and legal parameters that are still vague to me.” When reached for comment, a representative group of the seven workers declined to talk about the situation on the record. In separate statements released last week, PASO’s board and Ruiz-Velasco said that they had recommended the use of an independent mediator to help resolve some of the organization’s challenges, but that the workers refused to engage the process. The board explained that PASO has “grown as an organization over these last few years and as a result have implemented additional structures that we feel are necessary to meet the needs of the community for the sustainability of our organization and staff.” According to the board statement, the workers went on a two-day work stoppage last week, with multiple staffers calling in sick at the same time before announcing earlier this week that they were going on an indefinite strike. “We respect and support our staff ’s right to organize collectively and are committed to working diligently to achieve a mutually

satisfactory resolution,” the board said. In a press conference held March 5, Betty Alzamora, a PASO board member, said that the board has met “many times’ over the last two months to discuss how to help resolve the conflict between the organization’s staff and leadership. “We respect and honor the rights of the workers to organize as a collective. We also know there is crucial work and commitments to be met, for our communities and clients,” she said. “There have been no findings of mistreatment or abusive labor practices by any governmental agency,” said Ruiz-Velasco. “PASO board members and management have made many efforts in good faith to work together to resolve the issues.” The recent conflict within PASO comes as the organization is attempting to mobilize against a range of anti-immigrant measures by President Donald J. Trump, who last month announced that he was deploying the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit, or BORTAC, to sanctuary cities across the nation, including Chicago. During a Feb. 25 press conference at their Melrose Park offices, PASO leaders said that the measure was an attempt to discourage immigrants from completing the upcoming 2020 Census. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Plan commission nixes Madison Street apartments

The comission was unhappy with the building’s site By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The proposed 5-story apartment complex for 435 Madison St. will go to the Oak Park village board for its vote without a positive recommendation from the plan commission. The commission voted in opposition March 5 notably concerned about the size of the proposed project. Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group (MAREG) first presented the proposal Jan. 9; the project’s hearing was extended to address concerns from the public and commission. The building’s redesign did not alter the height or size of the building. Chairman David Mann believed MAREG could have explored more options to address the size than what was presented the second time around. “I think this commission is looking for more,” Mann said. MAREG used optical illusions to make the building look like four stories, instead of five – a change that did little to please neighbors. “You guys have kind of tried to dance us by putting some doodads on it, trying to make it appear to be smaller,” said Jim Po-

laski during public testimony. “I’m a fat guy – that’s like telling me to wear dark clothes and don’t use horizontal stripes.” Polaski implored the developers to make the neighbors happy by blending the design to fit in with the architecture in the neighborhood. “Let’s stop putting lipstick on a pig,” Polaski said. MAREG admitted during the meeting that it had yet to build a five-story structure, which neighbor Justin Brown called “interesting.” “This five-story building, which we’re all pretty surprised to see and we’re shocked at this massing being inserted into this residential neighborhood, is an anomaly,” Brown said. He also stated that the developer had a history of “radically dialing back its plans in response to community input.” According to Brown, MAREG increased the green space at their Monroe Aberdeen Place development from 2,500 square feet to nearly 13,000 – a change made directly because of community input. Brown said the plan commission and community told the developer back in January that the building’s mass was too great and did not fit in the spot. MAREG hadn’t “responded seriously to the community or the concerns of the com-

mission,” Brown said. Neighbor Anna Johnson did not think the building would contribute positively to the goal of revitalizing Madison Street; a section of the goal includes adding exciting architecture to the street. “This design is certainly more creative than the last, but I was disappointed to discover this week that it too was a recycled design,” she stated. “It was stated that it was made especially for Oak Park, but you can find on the architect’s website there is almost the exact same design being proposed right now for West Town.” Johnson also said the plan commission already gave the developer the opportunity to redesign the building and address neighbor concerns but “they chose not to.” The commission agreed that MAREG’s multiple zoning relief requests paled in comparison to the compensation benefits of the project. Such requests include doubling the allotted number of units to 48, an increased height from 50 feet to 63 and substantially reduced setback. The revised plan added solar panels to heat common areas in the building, had the

vehicle entrance moved from Gunderson Avenue to Madison Street for pedestrian safety but did not set the parking further back as a pedestrian safety measure, as the community wanted. MAREG also redid the traffic study to reflect the entrance and exit location changes. Tim Kelly, a contractor who spoke in favor of the project in January, reiterated his support, making him the only public person who backed MAREG’S plans. With its size and proximity to the Gunderson Historic District, the plan commission agreed the building’s mass decidedly made it unfit for the neighborhood, delighting the neighbors who spoke out against it. MAREG President and CEO Tom Meador said the cost of land, price of tenant rent, and management expenses made scaling the height down not viable financially. “There’s really nothing more with respect to the building that we can do,” Meador told the commission. “We would like to move forward with or without your support.” Oak Park’s village board will make the final decision at an as yet undetermined date.

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TACO TIME? Ampler Development wants to build a Taco Bell, like the rendering depicted above, at the corner of Roosevelt and Austin. The proposal requires zoning variations for the building and a special-use permit for a drive thru.

Oak Park zoning board delays Taco Bell ruling until April 1

ZBA won’t consider special use, variances separately By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

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The Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals on March 4 agreed to delay ruling on a special use permit and zoning variations needed for a proposed Taco Bell at 6000-20 Roosevelt Rd., until next month after Ampler Development asked to delay the special use hearing in order to obtain additional traffic data. A special use permit is required because the developer is proposing a drive-thru for the restaurant. But, Ryan Merkel, Ampler’s manager of development, explained that they wanted a complete traffic study, which they had yet to receive. “We heard there were some additional questions as to the data … that we wanted to address prior to moving forward with the special use permit,” said Merkel. While Ampler Development requested delaying the public hearing on the special use for the drive-thru, the firm wanted the Zoning Board of Appeals to move ahead with the hearings on the three variances it requested, which puzzled zoning board members. “It was my understanding that the special use was basically a nonstarter for you guys if you didn’t get it,” said ZBA member David Brumirski. “Why talk about the other stuff if we’re not going to talk about the special use?” Merkel said he believed the traffic study would not affect the requested variances, so Ampler Development wanted to move forward with them.

However, zoning board members believed the variances and the special use went handin-hand and should be addressed at the same meeting. “I think that the variances that they’ve done are the result of the type of building that they’re putting there, which goes back to special use,” said ZBA member Jim Lencioni. “I think that, basically, if the special use is approved, the variances will go with it.” The three requested variances involve an increased setback along Roosevelt Road, a reduction in street frontage and a reduction in the number of windows along Roosevelt Road and Humphrey Avenue. “The importance of knowing the variances, especially for the building location, were they to be approved, are two-fold,” said Mario Valentini, project architect and president of MRV Architects. “If it’s not approved, we go back to the drawing board with the site plan, which we feel would be very difficult.” Valentini also said that the location of the building affects the site’s geometry, which in turn affects the traffic study. When Valentini asked the board for feedback on the requested variances, ZBA Chairman Mike Quinn said the request was “kind of beyond the scope of what we can do.” “Were we to do what you asked us to do, we would basically have to have a hearing on the variances and then come to some conclusion, at the end of which you may come back and say, ‘Can I get a continuance?’” Quinn said. As a result, the ZBA unanimously voted to continue the hearings to April 1, where it will address both the special use permit and the requested variances.

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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Bonnie Brae condo project gets more time Developer making more changes to site plan

By MARIA MAXHAM Staff Reporter

The River Forest Development Review Board’s assessment of a proposed condominium project for the 1000 block of Bonnie Brae will wait for at least another month after board members agreed to postpone their deliberations as the developer works out additional changes. The Development Review Board’s meeting on March 5 lasted just a few minutes, with board chairman Frank Martin explaining he’d spoken with John Schiess, the RiverForest based architect working on the project, who said he wanted more time to amend the site plan. The plan is slated to come before the board again in April. A Feb. 21 memo from Director of Public Words John Anderson to Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner outlined considerations the village felt needed to be addressed, based on a preliminary engineering plan submitted as part of the contractor’s application packet last November. Anderson’s comments in the memo related to staging of construction equipment and materials and how it would relate to public right-of-way; snow removal concerns, specifically where snow will be stockpiled; issues regarding water and sewer infrastructure as they relate to the project; the location of water, sewer, gas, electric and communication utility lines; landscaping considerations; and determining a security amount to protect the recently installed permeable paver alley in the event that it is damaged during construction. Another Feb. 21 memo from John Houseal, River Forest’s village planner, provided his review of the planned development, looking specifically at site planning, development and zoning aspects of the project. Although Houseal’s memo indicated that while the overall plan was sound, there were a few items he thought needed consideration. “The number and severity of the site development allowances indicate that consideration should be given to modifying the key components of the development to make it a better fit for the site, possibly including a reduction of the total number of units, increased setbacks, enhanced landscaping, better screening of the garages and rear facades of the buildings, and possibly amendments to the placement of buildings and guest parking as a result of few units,” said Houseal in his memo. On Nov. 7, 2019 the DBR held a pre-filing meeting regarding the project, during which Schiess presented an updated plan for the development. Schiess is working with Art Gurevich, vice president of Jenny Builders Inc. and owner of Bonnie Brae Construction LLC. Gurevich owns the properties at 1101-11 Bonnie Brae.

The project has been in the works since November 2016 when the village approved Gurevich’s original plan to build 15 condos at 1101-07 Bonnie Brae and to convert a six-unit apartment building at 1111 Bonnie Brae into a three-unit condominium. The high-end con-

dos would have been priced at $850,000 to $1 million. However, last November, Schiess and Gurevich discussed plans to submit a new application for the land, increasing the number of condos to 19 three-story units priced be-

tween $599,000 and $615,000. Mariano Mollo, broker for Forest Parkbased AvenueOne who is working with Schiess and Gurevich, said those listing prices are within the “sweet spot” for townhomes in the area right now.

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REPURPOSING: Live Cafe owner Reesheda Graham Washington says she’s looking to pivot to a new business model premised more on memberships and curated experiences than coffee and food products.

Live Café returns to its roots By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Since opening three years ago, Live Café, 163 S. Oak Park Ave., has garnered a reputation as a gathering space for community members throughout the west suburbs and the West Side, particularly those interested in the intersection of culture and justice. Now, a range of factors, including an influx of coffeehouse competitors, has prompted Live owner Reesheda Graham Washington to aggressively lean into the value that makes her business most unique. In January, Graham Washington convened the first meeting of a support and innovation team, which comprises some of the café’s most strident advocates, to discuss what might best be described as the business’ pivot to its original purpose amid a series of challenges. Last fall, when Fairgrounds Café opened at the corner of Lake and Euclid, it cut into Live’s market share in a local market that had already been saturated with coffee competitors. In addition, Live had lost some of its best gluten-free products after a supplier closed. Graham Washington said she saw the financial tempest as an opening to revisit Live’s transformational mission. The coffee and the products have always just been a way to cultivate relationships that have built the necessary trust to do the work of community building, she added. Earlier this year, buoyed by the ideas of her strong supporters, Graham Washington introduced a different business model — one based less on product sales (although the

coffee and specialty drinks aren’t going anywhere, she said) than on investments by community members in what Live represents. Going into 2020, patrons should look for a simplified menu and a “membership community” that Graham Washington said will invite the community to “invest in itself ” and own Live as a gathering space. There will be a range of individual and organizational memberships that will give members access to product discounts, access to events and other benefits. Live’s event offerings will also become more robust and more reflective of Graham Washington’s vision for Live, part of which is to be a space for other black women to grow as entrepreneurs, she said. Live’s Womenz Werk initiative, for instance, “is a community-based experience for Black Women in business. It is a space created for women, by women. Through networking, support, promotion, and sharing of resources, Womenz Werk is strengthening the economic, spiritual, and mental power of black woman entrepreneurs,” according to Live’s website. Graham Washington said she also intends to leverage her work as an independent equity consultant to create curated experiences, such as a civil rights tour of the American South that would include young and old community members. “Our target niche has always been community transformation, equity and social entrepreneurship,” she said. For more information on Live Café, livexclamation.com/.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Train noise fix on the way in River Forest

Metra paying up to $60,000 for soundproof layer on fence By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

River Forest officials on March 9 moved one step closer to solving the noise problem along the Union Pacific and Metra train lines when the village board approved an intergovernmental agreement with Metra. Under the agreement, which was approved unanimously by the five trustees present, Metra will fund installation of sound mitigation material on the new fence that was installed along the third track of the Union Pacific West Line, which is adjacent to residential properties. Trustee Patty Henek was absent. Officials indicated they expect Metra to approve the agreement, at which time the soundproofing material will be purchased

and installed by River Forest Public Works employees along the fence, which runs approximately 1,000 feet from the Des Plaines River to Edgewood Place. No timetable has been established, but installation is expected this spring. In a memo to the board, Village Administrator Eric Palm said the material, which is made by Acoustiblok, is expected to reduce the noise generated by the wheels of rail cars. Metra will reimburse the village of the purchase of the material in an amount not to exceed $60,000. Florida-based Acoustiblok has submitted an estimate of $56,192 for the project, of which $52,772 is for the cost of the soundproofing material. According to the company website, the Acoustiblok material is a 1/8-inch thick viscoelastic polymer that weighs one pound per square foot. It is made in the United States from recycled plastics and non-toxic materials mixed and pressed into a membrane sheet. Under the agreement, the village will

maintain soundproof barrier going forward. Palm said he anticipates the costs for installation and maintenance to be minimal. Essentially, the material is attached to the fence through industrial grade zip ties, he added. Metra officials are installing the soundproofing material as a pilot program. They will conduct sound studies after installation to evaluate the effectiveness of the material and consider it for future use in other projects. Concerns over noise from Metra’s thirdrail project that had been expressed by residents were addressed following a lengthy and heated negotiation process involving the village, Union Pacific and Metra. Village officials credited the involvement of state Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-4th) in addressing concerns over noise and safety stemming from the project, which was completed last year. In addition to concerns over noise, residents had expressed concerns regarding

safety. Union Pacific had originally agreed to put up a security fence that would have been 8 feet tall in some parts and 4 feet tall in others but agreed to install a fence that is 8 feet tall for the full length of the property behind residents’ homes. The chain-link fence will also include locking gates at the entry point to a planned access road. Union Pacific will submit plans for the access road, which will be permanent, to the village for approval before any construction begins. Palm said those negotiations are continuing. The village of River Forest matched Union Pacific’s contribution of $2,500 to replace the trees and shrubbery destroyed during construction of the third rail, so there is $5,000 available for planting after the project is complete. Finally, the village is looking into the installation of additional security cameras in the area, either through a collaboration with Metra or Union Pacific.

Planning begins for Oak Park Avenue updates Public input process starts March 10 By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With Lake Street improvements underway, the village of Oak Park has turned its attention to its next big street project — the renovation of Oak Park Avenue. The renovation project consists of water and sewer updates and street resurfacing from Roosevelt Road to North Avenue. “Oak Park Avenue from Roosevelt [Road] to North Avenue is in need of resurfacing,” said Assistant Village Engineer Byron Kutz. According to Kutz, the last time the street was resurfaced was in 2004 and 2005. According to the project’s website, www.RenewTheAvenue.com, water and sewer updates will be completed prior to the “comprehensive” resurfacing in 2021. The project also includes streetscaping for the Hemingway District, a stretch of Oak Park Avenue that extends

south from Lake Street to Pleasant Street and north to Ontario Street. “The streetscape was last redone in 1992,” Kutz said. “It’s been a while; some of the materials are starting to get worn out.” The village wants to make Oak Park Avenue more accessible and pedestrian-friendly, Kutz said. Construction on the Hemingway District will tentatively start in 2022, according to the website. The design phase started this year. The village is holding a public meeting, March 11, at the Oak Park Township Senior Center, 130 S. Oak Park Ave., to discuss the streetscaping portion of the project and gain community input. The session will have a presentation with an overview of the project, as well as live polling and small, facilitated discussions. Landscape architects will be there, as well as representatives from consulting firm A5, which will manage community outreach and help garner community feedback. Kutz said the village and engineering team will try to

gauge what the public’s “top-five priorities” are for Oak Park Avenue. “Concepts will be developed from that, and then later this summer we’ll present it to the [village board],” said Kutz. The project team will also present design material options and estimated streetscaping costs. Oak Park received $3 million in federal funding through the Surface Transportation Funding for the resurfacing of Oak Park Avenue. The village will hold another public meeting later this month to discuss the resurfacing portion of the project. Businesses and residents in the Hemingway District will be hit by the Lake Street project and then again by the Oak Park Avenue project. However, Kutz does not anticipate the Oak Park Avenue renovation being as big as the Lake Street work, which is planned to wrap up before the end of this year. “I don’t think it’ll seem as long as a project,” he said. “I think it’ll seem a smaller project, but it really depends on what’s ultimately approved.”

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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Model railway club chugs on Community support prevented eviction of Oak Park’s model engineer club By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Support from the community and dedicated recruiting efforts saved the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers (OPSME) from eviction by boosting its Oak Park membership to meet the number stipulated in its leasing agreement with the Park District of Oak Park. “We’re lucky,” said OPSME President Frank Vozak. “The people of Oak Park have been incredibly kind to us since 1964 and we try to be incredibly kind back.” Founded in 1964, OPSME has been operating out of the basement of the Dole Center, 255 Augusta St., since 1977. However, last year, the society was at risk of losing that space. “[Park District of Oak Park Executive Director] Jan Arnold approached us and said, ‘My kid loves trains, but really, it looks like you have about 20 men in a village room that could be used potentially for something else,’” Vozak said. According to Vozak, the room out of which the model railway society operates

is about 30 feet by 40 feet. Although the club pays rent to use it, space is a hot commodity. “She said, ‘I need to be able to justify to the park district board that you guys are an asset,’” Vozak recounted. To keep the space, the park district required the club to have 36 members who lived in Oak Park by Dec. 31. 2020. Vozak said the club began “wildly recruiting.” Vozak even wrote letters published in Wednesday Journal. Historically, the society has offered an array of membership types at various prices to best suit the interests, financial position and level of commitment different people have and keeps its dues very reasonable. Due to the recruitment efforts and flexible membership, the society now has 59 members who live in Oak Park, surpassing the minimum required by the park district. “That is a great accomplishment and shows how partnership and marketing can build awareness and access,” Arnold said. A new leasing agreement will be put together at the end of this year, but Arnold hopes that OPSME will maintain its number of Oak Park members. “We’ve always had tremendous community support. We’re fortunate people like trains and like us,” Vozak said. The club allows people outside of the village to join and has a total membership of

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ON TRACK: Trains have been running in the Dole Center basement for 43 years. 80. “We’re an Oak Park resource, but we’re also a regional resource,” Vozak explained. Unlike other clubs, OPSME doesn’t turn people away based on experience level or vote on new members. “We really want to make sure no one gets left out,” Vozak said. OPSME operates on the belief that anyone who wants to enjoy the art of model railroading can participate. “All you have to do is like trains,” said Vozak. The club seeks to promote and nurture model railroading interest in younger peo-

ple and prioritizes community. “We’re also a club that has a number of special needs members. We have one member who is walker-bound, so we have an elevator for him,” he said. “We have three members who are on the autism spectrum. We’ve always had members with disabilities, which is not real common in model railway clubs.” OPSME has received support from a range of people — from train enthusiasts to people who value community. “I don’t think a club like ours could exist in any other community,” Vozak said. “We really do embody Oak Park’s values.”

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CORONAVIRUS

Causing local disruptions from page 1 students that, based on guidance “provided specifically for schools by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE),” OPRF was altering its 12-day absence policy for illnesses. Starting March 4, “and for the rest of this semester, as long as a parent/ guardian calls the attendance office to report a student is absent due to illness, the absence (1) will be excused and (2) will NOT count toward the 12-absence limit,” district officials said. A planned trip to Italy that Trinity High School students had been planning on taking has also been canceled. “The travel company proactively canceled the trip two weeks ago,” said Patti Williams, Trinity’s marketing and communications director, in a March 10 email. “They were very generous in refunding the trip as the concern for the health and safety of our students was their priority.” Both elementary districts in Oak Park and River Forest have also implemented pandemic flu plans, with officials in River Forest District 90 and Oak Park District 97 indicating that they’ve been following recommendations by the CDC, the state education board and state public health department. Some of the preventative steps outlined by officials in those districts include closely monitoring attendance for possible trends in the number of illnesses reported among

students and staff; sharing information about steps to prevent the spread of the virus with students, staff and families; deep cleaning buildings and grounds; and informing staff and students to stay home if they’re experiencing symptoms of illness. Earlier this month, Dominican University experienced a scare when university officials notified the college community that a student who had been in contact with a patient undergoing treatment for coronavirus did not test positive for the

Coronavirus and helping prevent its spread According to the Centers for Disease Control, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread “from person to person.” The disease was “first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.” It’s important to note, however, that people of Asian descent are not inherently at greater risk of spreading the disease than other Americans. Symptoms include: ■ Fever ■ Cough ■ Shortness of breath Severe complications include: ■ Pneumonia in both lungs ■ Multi-organ failure ■ Death If you’ve traveled to an area that has

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and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available. For more info visit cdc.gov/COVID19

virus. “The test approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health confirms the student did not contract coronavirus (COVID-19). The institution will continue to walk alongside the student and is thankful to the campus community for the collective response and outpouring of care,” university officials explained in a statement. Dominican’s student newspaper, the Dominican Star, reported that on

March 2, Barrington Price, Dominican’s vice-president of student success and engagement, said that the student, who lives off-campus, had come into contact with a coronavirus patient. Price said the student was not showing symptoms and would be quarantined at home for another week. On Monday, Gov. JB Pritzker issued a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak. So far, there have been 11 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois. “I want to emphasize that this is a statewide response with robust preparations and deployment of resources in southern, central and northern Illinois,” Pritzker said during a news event in Chicago, according to a report by Capitol News Illinois. “What we need now is to make sure that we have access to the resources because we can see from the other states, from the other countries, what’s coming — there’s going to be an increase in cases,” Pritzker said. “... It’s my job to protect people — their health and their safety — and so I felt like ... just the general trend of cases across the United States, it seemed incumbent upon me to step forward now and have Illinois do everything we can.” Capitol News Illinois reported that the state’s Public Health Department “updates its coronavirus website on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It also maintains a hotline for citizens who have questions about the virus or want to report suspected cases: 1-800-889-3931. “Illinois additionally has an insurance hotline for those with questions or complaints about their health insurance coverage: 1-877-527-9431.”

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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Julian’s Lucky Llamas win with Lucy 2.0

All-girl 7th grade team takes prize in Battle of the Bots

It took a lot more than luck for the “Lucky Llamas” to take home the top honor at the Battle of the Bots middle school robotics competition last weekend. For this all-girl team of 7th graders from Julian Middle School, winning the VEX Robotics Excellence Award required commitment, ingenuity, teamwork and a willingness to “fail forward” — all skills that will position them for success as they plan ahead for high-tech careers. The five girls — Kate Boveri, Malini Datta-Nemana, Lauren Gullo, Isabel Retterer and Lily Zinthefer — spent five months designing, coding and building their robot this year after joining the Julian VEX Robotics League, an after-school program sponsored by the Oak Park Education Foundation and coached by middle school teachers and high school mentors. Their final robot, playfully named Lucy 2.0, is “100 percent different” from the one they first built and tested — an evolution they painstakingly documented in three different journals. The team successfully competed in a series of “Tower Takeover” games to hone their skills. Along the way they became close friends who collaborated on the team roles of builder, coder and journalers. Three of the girls — Boveri, Retterer and Zinthefer — first joined the robotics program last year as sixth graders. They said they really wanted more girls to join robotics, so they recruited two more friends this year — along with a collection of stuffed llamas they brought to the tournaments as “lucky” mascots. “I’m always building robots and I’ve always been interested in robotics — but I didn’t want to be the only girl on the team,” said Retterer. Zinthefer felt the same way, but she is inspired by her mom, who works as a software architect in the male-dominated world of computer science. “That’s why programs like these are so important,” said her mom, Laura Zinthefer. “Young women need to see these careers as possible and not be discouraged.” During the Battle of the Bots competition, which drew 42 teams from six middle schools in the Chicagoland Robotics League, the Lucky Llamas landed in second place after the qualifying matches but faced their own discouraging moment when they had to publicly seek an “alliance” with another team before the elimination matches. They asked two lower-ranked teams to form an alliance and were surprised when both teams turned them down. They later laughed off the moment, recalling the previous year when nearly every team turned them down. “You really have to put in the work, but it’s like they say, failure helps you more than anything,” Gullo said. Battle of the Bots also recognized other top teams with the following awards: “Bothersome Bards” of Julian Middle and “Mr. Patel’s Enchiladas” of Glenside Middle School in Glendale Heights won the final match for tournament champion trophy; “Honky Donkees” from Brooks Middle and “Hailey’s Turtles” from Glenside Middle won as Tournament Finalists; “Mr. Patel’s Enchiladas” won Robot Skills; the Design Award went to “Khaos from Julian Middle; “Chunk” from Julian won the Judges Award; the Innovate Award went to the Patriot team from Brooks Middle; the Build Award went to “DiNope” from Julian; “Hailey’s Turtles” won the Think Award for programming; and “Guac-A-Taters” from Heritage Middle in Brooks won the Sportsmanship Award.

Photos courtesy of Samantha Sameshima Photography

LUCKY, VICTORIOUS LLAMAS: (Above, L to R) Kate Boveri, Malini Datta-Nemana, Lauren Gullo, Isabel Retterer and Lily Zinthefer, who prevailed in Julian Middle School’s Battle of the Bots (Below).

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Religion Guide

C R I M E

You’re Invited to

Man shot in leg at bus stop While waiting at the Lombard Avenue and North Avenue bus stop, a man was shot in the leg at 9:25 p.m. March 4 in the 6100 block of North Avenue. According to Oak Park police, the man said he saw two people from the Chicago side of North Avenue cross to the Oak Park side, prior to being shot. He also stated that he did not know the two people. While no one witnessed the shooting, residents reported hearing gunshots. Oak Park police believe the incident is related to an earlier incident that occurred in Chicago. The man was transported to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood for the wound to his leg and a graze wound on his hand. Police say that the man will recover.

Armed robbery ■ Two men, one of whom had a black handgun, stole cash from the register and cigarettes from behind the counter of 7-Eleven, 240 Chicago Ave., at 1:40 a.m. March 3. ■ Police describe the men as being 18 to 20 years in age, black and of thin build. One of the men was last seen wearing a blue hooded jacket, while the other, who carried the gun, was last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, yellow surgical mask and gloves. The total loss is unknown.

Theft Someone cut the catalytic converter from a vehicle parked in the 200 block of Washington Boulevard between 2 and 4 a.m. March 3. The estimated loss is $1,900. ■ Two delivered packages, containing a black Wyze camera and clothing, were taken from the vestibule of a residence in the 1100 block of Randolph Street between 11:13 a.m. and 4 p.m. March 6. The estimated loss is $440. ■ A young man was seen removing money from a donation jar at 7-Eleven, 661 South Blvd., March 6 at 6:25 p.m. The estimated loss is $5. ■ Someone stole a black fortified seven speed mountain bicycle with a black basket attached to its rear that was locked to a bike rack in the 1100 block of North Boule■

vard between 7 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 6. The estimated loss is $400. ■ A black Dell laptop bag, containing a black Dell laptop and black headphones, left unattended by the victim’s garage was taken between 6:30 p.m. March 6 and 11:30 a.m. March 7 in the 1100 block of Highland Avenue. The estimated value of the loss is unknown

Burglary

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■ Someone pried open the rear basement door of a home and removed three necklaces in the 500 block of North Marion Street between 5 p.m. Feb. 22 and 5:45 p.m. March 2. The estimated loss is $500. ■ Someone broke into a home by shattering the glass front door; once inside, the person damaged a book and ransacked the residence between 9 a.m. Feb. 26 and 11:08 a.m. March 4 in the 400 block of Forest Avenue. The loss was unknown at the time of report.

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

7300 W. Division, River Forest David R. Lyle, Senior 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

on the corner of Thomas and Fair Oaks Ave.

■ Someone smashed two 18-by-24-inch basement windows belonging to a house in the 1000 block of South Euclid Avenue at 1:56 a.m. March 3. No entry was gained. Estimated damage is $300. ■ A young man broke into a crawl space and damaged several plastic storage containers containing books and movies between 2:15 and 2:25 a.m. March 5 in the 600 block of Wesley Avenue. The total loss is unknown. ■ Two tires belonging to a Volvo XC70 were punctured between 12:30 a.m. and 1:24 p.m. March 7 in the 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue. The estimated damage is $300.

fairoakspres.org 744 Fair Oaks Ave. • 708.386.4920

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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 Roman Catholic

St. Edmund Catholic Church

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

St. Giles Family Mass Community

Criminal damage to property

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports March 2-9 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.

Roman Catholic

worship on Sundays @ 10am nursery care available

OAK PARK MEETING OF FRIENDS (Quakers) ELCA, Lutheran

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

All are welcome. goodshepherdlc.org

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

708-848-4741

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. www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

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 Rev. Colleen Vahey

11:30 AM Service 301 N. Mayfield, Chicago

(2 blocks east of Austin Blvd.)

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 Upcoming Religious Holidays

Mar 2-20

Nineteen Day Fast Baha’i 13 Birthday of L. Ron Hubbard Scientology 17 St. Patrick’s Day Christian 19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian

thirdunitarianchurch.org 773-626-9385 Enriching Spirit. Motivating Action

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

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

FITZGERALD’S ‘It felt right’ from page 1 its sale as owners Bill and Kate FitzGerald hand the reins to Will Duncan, who comes from the Chicago music, bar and restaurant scene. The location from 6611 to 6619 Roosevelt Road includes the night club, SideBar and Capri Restaurant. All parcels are included in the sale. The properties and business were listed at $2.25 million and sold for an undisclosed amount. FitzGerald’s has been up for sale since August 2017 when Bill FitzGerald expressed his desire to retire. Discussions began with Duncan in August 2018. “It turns out this is a tricky thing to sell, all this property and the legacy,” FitzGerald said. “People are intimidated taking on a family business. We had at a least one buyer who was ready to do it and then thought better of it, had all the money in the world, but thought ‘I don’t want to screw up FitzGerald’s’ “When Will came along … the more he came around here, the more he observed, thought about it, talked to people, the more he wanted to do it.” Duncan, the new owner/operator of FitzGerald’s, first came to the night club 15 years ago when a friend brought him to see rockabilly artist Deke Dickerson. The Waco Brothers also played that night. “What attracted me to the project is the legacy,” said Duncan. “What’s not to love? It’s right up my alley … the look and feel of the place, the authenticity. It’s so unique and an extension of the proprietor’s personality. My favorite restaurants and bars are the little offbeat, homespun places.” Duncan is no stranger to the Chicago music, bar and restaurant scene. He is a partner in several ventures, including Thalia Hall, the music venue in Pilsen, as well as Dusek’s, and Punch House. He previously lived in Chicago, but moved to Elmhurst two years ago. “Since I’ve moved to the western ‘burbs, I’ve been hanging out [at FitzGerald’s], soaking up the scene,” Duncan said. “It felt right. It felt like a place I could live in for some time.” The hint of the sale came last week when an event at FitzGerald’s billed as a March Forth Open House was described as “a great fit for a party celebrating everything we’ve enjoyed over the years and a tip of the hat to the future.” Offering a 1,000-photo trip down memory lane, the party featured music from Expo ’76 & the Total Pro Horns followed by Blackfoot Gypsies in the club, and jazz group Bill Overton’s

Photo by Clayton Hauck

SECOND ACT: New FitzGerald’s owner Will Duncan wants to maintain the club’s vibe but will also experiment by booking more indie acts and contemporary jazz and adding family-friendly events and some smaller music festivals.

Kettle Brothers playing in the SideBar. News broke just hours before the party that the sale was complete. Duncan, who celebrated his 40th birthday the day before the closing, plans to “retain and honor the history,” keeping FitzGerald’s much as it is now, including the venue name and retaining its 25 employees. “It’s like sitting in the middle of your dream coming true,” he said. The calendar will feel familiar and the FitzGerald’s style of music will remain the focus, according to Duncan. Music booker Donnie Biggins will continue in his role. Through its four decades the club has attracted a wide range of music genres, but it is best known as a place where Americana -- jazz, blues, zydeco, country and rockabilly – is celebrated. FitzGerald’s is famous for its annual American Music Festival held annually around July 4. The 39th festival was announced last month, continuing the tradition of American roots music on three stages. FitzGerald’s also holds events such as a Door County Fish Boil, Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day nights, and an “It’s Wonderful Life” pop-up during the holiday season, with a movie showing and themed cocktails. There are also classic cocktails by mixologist Isaac Lyons, in the Sidebar. Duncan wants to experiment with indie rock, indie music and more contemporary jazz, but be in tune with audience feedback. Existing events will continue, while new programming may include smaller festivals and family-focused events, perfect given Duncan is the father of two young children. Photo by Clayton Hauck On stage, talking to fans, Bill Bill and Kate FitzGerald, Will Duncan, and Catherine, Terry and Chris FitzGerald FitzGerald highlighted how his

outside the club last week.

family, who were gathered around him on stage, came together to purchase the Deer Lodge in March 1980 and rehab it themselves. This came after former WXRT-FM staffer, Oak Park resident and longtime FitzGerald’s music fan Patty Reilly-Murphy read a proclamation from the 101st General Assembly of the state of Illinois, written by Senate President Don Harmon. It thanked Bill and Kate FitzGerald and their family for their achievements and contributions to the community. Harmon has played in his rock band annually at the club for a fundraiser. Brothers Brian FitzGerald, of Switchback, who got his musical start at FitzGerald’s (and slated to play the club on April 4), and Chris FitzGerald, Bill’s original partner, also both spoke to the crowd. Kate FitzGerald, Bill’s wife, told the audiences to congratulate themselves. She thanked everyone for helping them buy their house, put their kids through school and said they are responsible for the family owning a Subaru. The levity was much appreciated by the crowd. “There’s no vibe without you guys,” she said. “As much as you think you owe to us, we owe to you and want to say thank you.” At some point the FitzGeralds will be packing up that Subaru and hitting the road. Bill said they are planning to sell their Oak Park home. Along the Mississippi in Wisconsin, Bill and Kate have a small refurbished bank building, The Linksville State Bank, in Linksville, where they sleep in the vault. They recently purchased a 10-room frame house in Ferryville from the 1800s, that Bill had his eye on, which he is planning to rehab in his newfound free time. “It needs everything, kind of like the old Deer Lodge when we bought this place,” he said. “It will be a good way to get back into the physical nature and discipline of working on a building. … I don’t think it’s been touched with a paintbrush in over 50 years and yet the bones are good.” Of passing the baton on the place he has worked so hard at, FitzGerald said, “It’s a dream come true – the 40 years here, and the way it’s wrapped up.”

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ARTBEAT

New owner, musical memories from page 5 In front of many faithful fans at the goodbye party, Bill reminisced about how his mom and dad danced together at the club on that opening night, Dec. 18, 1980. They opened with a jazz band, including saxophonist Eric Schneider, and “very quickly we were into jazz, blues, country rock and folk music,” he said. The first national act, in March 1981, was Marcia Ball, who still plays at the club and annually at the American Music Festival in early July. She invited Bill to the Jazz Festival in New Orleans where he connected with other musicians, including “the king of zydeco” Clifton Chenier, whom Bill subsequently booked at FitzGerald’s. “It was his first performance in Chicago since the ’50s,” Bill recalled, “and I had people like Bruce Igluar (founder of the blues label Alligator Records) calling saying, ‘How did you pull that off ?’ “I met [Chenier] at Tipitina’s and told him I was from Chicago,” FitzGerald remembered. “He liked the idea of playing in the town where some of the blues greats played. He thought of himself as a zydeco man, but he was a bluesman too.” Asked name some of the most memorable musicians over the past 40 years, FitzGerald

Courtesy FitzGerald family

FITZGERALD’S VINTAGE: 6615 Roosevelt Road was The Deer Lodge, a poolhall, before it became FitzGerald’s Nightclub in 1980. cited Dave Alvin, Joe Ely, Pat McLaughlin, and Ball, who first appeared at the club during a two-week residency. “We became the home away from home for Texas musicians and Louisiana musicians for bookings of all kinds,” FitzGerald said. “She was like our ambassador for the Gulf Coast. It really got us on the map.”

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As FitzGerald’s Nightclub became known, it became a location for movies — Adventures in Babysitting (1987), A League of Their Own (1992), Blink (1994), The Express (2008). “You’ve got to pinch yourself sometime to think about who’s been here,” Bill said. Tom Cruise and Paul Newman were on location for the taping of The Color of Money (1986).

“They were working late one night and it was Paul Newman’s 60th birthday,” FitzGerald said. “So I hired legendary Chicago pianist Art Hodes. He played Happy Birthday and a couple numbers. … I just called him and said, ‘Art, he’s a big jazz fan. Would you do this?’” The future of FitzGerald’s is in the hands of new owner/operator Will Duncan, who brings experience from an early start as a musician and sound engineer as well as more than a decade of involvement in the Chicago restaurant, bar and music-venue realm, from hands-on to managerial and partnership roles. Duncan is ready to roll up his sleeves. This is his full-time job and he plans to be on site every day. “Some tell me I’m less nervous than I should be,” Duncan said. “I’m trying hard to appreciate how much work it is … but I’ve learned a lot throughout the process.” Upon meeting customers on March 4, Duncan said, “They were congratulatory with me, happy that I’m there — someone with fresh energy and from the next generation.” But others kidded him. “Some also pulled me in close and said, ‘Don’t mess this up.’” Duncan plans to keep FitzGerald’s familiar, from staff to American Roots-focused music, and keeping audiences happy. “Overdelivering on quality is important to me,” he said. After 40 years, the FitzGerald family may have had their last dance at the nightclub, but the music on Roosevelt Road continues.

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Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Look Who’s Coming to Open Door

Photo by David Hammond

The unabashedly unpretentious Sloppy Joe

A lunch counter or diner ehold the Sloppy Joe, seems like the right place to browned beef, glistening look for Sloppy Joes. Surpriswith tangy red sauce that ingly, Sloppy Joes are not sinks into the spongy offered at likely places like Al’s bun, rendering the bread Grill, 1100 Madison St. in Oak much more delicious. It’s a mess Park, nor at Louie’s Grill, 7422 to eat, and the enjoyment of the Madison St. in Forest Park. Sloppy Joe depends a lot upon We’ve had them at Mickey’s the quality of the sauce. Drive-in, 635 Mannheim in BellBut even if you go beyond wood, but really, a Sloppy Joe Manwich for the sauce (and you is something you’re probably really should), the Sloppy Joe is going to prepare, and enjoy, at an unabashedly unpretentious home. sandwich. Recently, we (meaning CaroThe Sloppy Joe is in line Local Dining lyn) made a batch of Sloppy of descent from loose meat & Food Blogger Joes using a homemade sauce sandwiches sold at places like (ketchup, mustard, Worcesthe Iowa-based Maid-Rite chain, tershire sauce, chili powder, and the Sloppy Joe may also garlic, black pepper and brown sugar) and have its origin in Iowa. 85-percent lean ground beef. According to some accounts, “a cook You can use a lean meat with Sloppy named Joe at Floyd Angell’s Café in Sioux Joes and still have a moist and delicious City, Iowa, added tomato sauce to his ‘loose sandwich thanks to the sauce. We used a meat’ sandwiches and the ‘sloppy joe’ sandWhole Foods brioche bun, which proved the wich was born.” There is a competing origin story that the appropriately soft and absorbent delivery system for the deliciously messy meat. Sloppy Joe sandwich is named after one or Like many classic dishes, the Sloppy Joe more bars called Sloppy Joe’s in Havana is open to infinite variation. Uses of differand Tampa. According to this genealogy, ent proteins and sauces is one way to vary the Sloppy Joe sandwich descended from the standard through personal preference. ropa vieja, a traditional Cuban dish of beef As I was researching this article, I came and tomato sauce. across a recipe for a casserole of Sloppy Whatever their origin, Sloppy Joes are Joe meat and sauce topped with Tater Tots. quintessential all-American comfort food, That sounds like a warm and wondersimple, tasty, and almost never found outful dish I’d like to eat while it’s still cold side the home. The Dictionary of American outside. Slang defines the Sloppy Joe not as a food Celebrate National Sloppy Joe Day on but as a “restaurant or lunch counter servMarch 18. ing cheap food quickly.”

DAVID

HAMMOND

Open Door Theater • 902 S. Ridgeland Tickets/info: OpenDoorTheater.net • 708-386-5510

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

Win e

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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person or $20 at the door and get early entry (1:00 to 2:00) to sample 20 wines in the $30 to $100+ range, then partake in the rest of the tasting from 2:00 to 5:00. As a special “Famous” treat you will receive a Riedel tasting glass to keep. PLUS, enjoy wonderful food samples.

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Jameson

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Stout or I.P.A.

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Original or Red

Blanco Tequila .......1.75 L 2 for $50

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or $27.99 for one

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Irish Whiskey .............. 750ml 18.99

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44.99

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Apothic Wines

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Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2016

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Masottina Prosecco NV, 96/100 Decanter

Fume Blanc 2018 375ml ....................... $3.99 Chardonnay 2015.................................... $9.99 Gemma di Luna or Côtes du Rhône Rosé 2017 ................ $4.99 Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ...................... $10.99 $ 90/100 W.E Copper Shiraz 2013................................ 9.99 White 2016 ............................................. $12.99

La Crema

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Julia’s Pinot Noir 2015 ......................

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Voga Prosecco NV ............................. $9.99

Roederer Estate Brut NV .............. Too Low To Show! PARTY SIZED

Barefoot Wines ...................... 1.5L $8.99 Bota Box Wines .................. 3L $15.99 Equal to four 750ml bottles

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Photos by Melissa Elsmo

Chef Robert Nunez cuts pork al pastor from the spit at Gringo and Blondie in Elmwood Park

A WE KNOW EGGSACTLY WHAT YOU WANT All egg dishes are made with free range, USDA organic, non GMO fresh eggs from our local Farmers!

16 Conti Pkwy • Elmwood Park • 708.395.5007

More than tacos at Gringo & Blondie

n assortment of tacos, cemitas, and burritos await at Gringo and Blondie, located 7514 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park. The new Mexican street-food spot is brought to Restaurant Row by Massa Café Italiano owner, Angelo Lollino. Lollino, the North Avenue gelato genius, had always dreamed of opening a Mexican restaurant in Elmwood Park. Seven years ago, he hired Robert Nunez to run front-of-the-house operations at Massa Café Italiano. Lollino supported Nunez’s aspiration to attend culinary school and after graduating from Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago, Nunez took over back-of-thehouse operations at Massa. Before long, he was helping his boss conceptualize the menu for Gringo and Blondie. Nunez has been cooking for as long as he can remember — even as a young child he was handson in restaurant Food Writer kitchens.

MELISSA ELSMO

BURRITO BOWL: A vegetarian burrito bowl is a colorful option for restricted diners at Gringo and Blondie. “We didn’t have a babysitter, so my mother would bring me to work at the diner with her,” says Nunez. “I was 11 years old and cooking hash browns on the flat top.” Exposure to a restaurant kitchen transformed into a lifelong passion. After working his way up through Massa Café, Nunez is now the head chef at Gringo and Blondie. “I am grateful for this opportunity,” he says, “and I know Anthony has put his faith in me.” The duo collaborated to develop a thoughtful, colorful and authentic menu with creative flair. Today Nunez executes the dishes with confidence. Gringo and Blondie is getting great feedback on their menu and attention to detail. Everything is cooked to order at Gringo and Blondie and Nunez is particularly proud

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Photos by Melissa Elsmo

CANE ASADA AND AL PASTOR: Gringo and Blondie two taco dinner, shown here with Carne Asada and Al Pastor tacos, comes with beans and rice. there is no held meat in the restaurant. Cooked on a rotating spit topped with fresh pineapple, al pastor is a daily favorite at the Elmwood Park taqueria. Served in tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, the slowcooked pork is a standout menu item in any form. “It took us a while to get the marinade right, but we finally did,” said Nunez, “it’s not overpowering and has lots of citrus flavor.” Gringo and Blondie receives a daily fish delivery ensuring their popular shrimp and fish tacos are cooked and served at the peak of freshness. The seafood marinades include epazote, an herb similar to basil with its own distinct flavor. Modelo beer-battered cod is fried to golden brown and topped with a vinegar-forward Mexican slaw and jalapeno crema, while the shrimp at Gringo and Blondie is served spiced and grilled. Rather than peddling commonplace tortas, Gringo and Blondie serves up cemitas to folks with a sandwich craving. Cemitas make use of traditional torta fillings but use a specialty bread with a slightly sweet flavor profile, fluffier texture and signature sesame coating. In fact, Gringo and Blondie takes their love for cemitas a step further by having their local baker make rolls and loaves from the cemita dough. While the rolls are used for sandwiches, the loaves are transformed into French Toast a la Mexicana for brunch. Cin-

Gringo & Blondies

7514 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park, IL 60707 708-716-3390 GringoandBlondie.com namon, caramel, candied pecans, whipped cream and seasonal fruits make the dish a standout on the thoughtful Sunday brunch menu. Traditionalists will find Huevos Rancheros, Chilaquiles, and Pozole among the Sunday brunch fare. “I think having a sense of community in a restaurant is important,” says restaurant manager, Jimme Gallegos, “and Gringo and Blondie has accomplished that in a short time.” The experienced manager knows the Elmwood Park community was eagerly awaiting the opening of the North Avenue restaurant. After being open for five months, Gallegos is happy to report customers feel happy and comfortable dining at the colorful taqueria. Guests will be able to savor grab-and-go tacos and margaritas in the sun soon enough. Gringo and Blondie will be bringing an outdoor eating area to the restaurant this spring. “When people make a choice to eat at Gringo and Blondie they are supporting the local community,” says Gallegos.” This is not a chain — this is a family-owned restaurant.”

Noon till 8pm. • Reservations please

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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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:

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DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com

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Kidz Express: a bridge to Austin p. 28

Cluttered homes, cluttered planet

lutter expands to fill the space available. Helping us de-clutter our homes and apartments has become a cottage industry. We now buy books, read articles and even hire experts to help us get rid of or organize our “stuff.” Our homes are stuffed to the brim with clothes, shoes, books, knickknacks and impulsive purchases. We are constantly buying and storing stuff we don’t need — but told we need. Our current situation is analogous to pushing “10 pounds into an 8-pound sack.” The square footage of our living space is irrelevant. The larger the space, the more clutter is accumulated. Our solution is to turn to self-storage bins. According to SSU, a self-storage unit industry investment firm: “From virtual non-existence before 1970, the industry has grown to over 58,000 self-storage facilities in the U.S. today. And it is a strictly American concept, as there are only 12,000 self-storage facilities in the rest of the world combined. With over 2.35 billion square feet of space — a land mass three times the size of Manhattan Island — the self-storage industry is an ever-growing opportunity.” Patrick Sisson wrote an article for Curbed (2018) titled, “Self-storage: How warehouses for personal junk became a 38 billion dollar industry,” Based on my rather cursory research, the growth of self-storage facilities shows no signs of abating or re-trenching. Why do we buy things we don’t need and then move the excess stuff we cannot shoehorn into our homes into an off-site storage facility? Are we Americans suffering from some sort of undiagnosed mental condition? What drives us to consume more than we need or can use? Well, I would submit there is a direct correlation to our out-of-control consumption and the Gross Domestic Product measure. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the measure used to project the size and growth of an economy and growth rate. GDP can be calculated in three ways: expenditures, production, or incomes (Investopedia). All three ways are inextricably linked. When people have what I call “flex resources” (more money/credit) they tend to spend dollars on non-essential items, so the means of production are goosed up to meet the demands of the consumer. Overconsumption tied to the growth of self-storage seems to be predominantly a First World/American and not a Third World/Developing World issue. In America, people are paying hundreds of dollars per month to store stuff they haven’t used for years — and might never use again. Some of these self-storage units are the size of living spaces that people in developing country use to house families of 4-6 people. Regardless of actual income, many people in this country are suffering from a form of seasonal “affluenza,” promoted and juiced by corporate advertising and guilt mongering. Another salient fact and incentive to spend revolves around

KWAME SALTER

See CLUTTER on page 28

The Power of We

na Garcia Doyle is director of the One Earth Film Festival, celebrating its ninth year, March 6-15. Born in Oak Park in 2012, One Earth has since grown to become the Midwest’s premier environmental film festival. It is an important part of Oak Park’s Green Community Connections Inc., the nonprofit green group cofounded by the late Sally Stovall with her partner, Dick Alton.

DAVID MARTIN One View

Six years ago, Stovall was the third “climate hero” recognized by Illinois Senator Don Harmon’s organization through its committee on climate change, which educates consumers and advocates with legislators on sustainable energy goals. Doyle and the rest of the founding team, who had worked closely with Stovall, artSee CLIMATE HERO on page 29

One Earth films showing in Oak Park Beyond Climate Ian Mauro, 2018, 49 min. Environmental & Social Justice, Health & the Environment, Historical Perspectives, Climate Change Saturday, March 14, 3 p.m. Oak Park Public Library Overload: America’s Toxic Love Story Soozie Eastman, 2019, 68 min. Health & the Environment, People

& Culture Wednesday, March 11, 6:30 p.m. Oak Park Public Library

For a complete schedule of festival film showings and to preview trailers, go to www.oneearthfilmfest.org.

Ay Mariposa Krista Schvler, 2019, 57 min. Wildlife, Conservation, Environmental & Social Justice Saturday, March 14, 3-5:30 p.m., Triton College Performing Arts Center, 2000 Fifth Ave., River Grove

About Ana Garcia Doyle: Born in Queens, New York and raised in Chicago, Ana is an accomplished digital marketer, a LEED-certified green homeowner, and a 1991 graduate of Boston College. Watch her TEDx talk at bit.ly/AnaGarciaDoyle TEDxTalk2017.

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

O U R

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

Four years, four principals

hange is hard. When it involves a parent’s child, a teacher’s classroom, when it centers on notably changing a school district’s culture and its own sense of its history, when that change is driven from on top by a leader for whom talking simply and directly is not altogether natural, then the jagged edges are exposed. That’s the situation in Oak Park’s District 97 elementary schools right now. Morale is tough. Teachers feel unsupported and questioned by both the administration and parents. New faces in newly invented administrative positions, new protocols for teaching, discipline and technology are being layered on. The profound dimensions of the changes sought relate to race and equity and are, therefore, fraught. Right now, Lincoln School on south Grove is the epicenter of worry and frustration. Having, for multiple and not necessarily connected reasons, spun through four principals in four years will unnerve a school community, especially one that has been especially tight and high in self-esteem. Good for Supt. Carol Kelley for frankly acknowledging last week that the rolling leadership debacle at Lincoln is “unacceptable.” Good for the district to hire an equity consultant, Reesheda Graham Washington, ready to listen widely and report back hard criticisms of the district from HQ on Madison to a segment of overbearing parents who complete the squeeze felt by many teachers. Teachers too, we believe, have to step up to this hard change. We are in full support of decisive efforts to build equity in this district. We know such change brings doubts and brings pain before it brings the glimmer of transformation. Building the stamina to persevere is going to require the grace of listening well, the healing of acknowledging errors openly, honestly, quickly, and a willingness to celebrate when things go well. It’s a hard road. There is no turning back.

PASO’s path It is painful to watch overflowing tensions between staff, management and the board at PASO West Suburban Action Project. Seven of eight staff members are currently on strike against the nonprofit which does essential work on behalf of immigrants in our immediate area. Workers complain of a toxic work environment. The board has hired a specialized law firm to mediate the dispute, a response workers have thus far rejected. At least three board members have resigned as this dispute has ignited. We don’t know the inside details. We don’t take a side. We hear worker complaints of screaming and mocking. We hear remaining board members talk of growing pains while acknowledging the rights of workers to organize. We know that Oak Park attorney Mony Ruiz-Velasco, the organization’s invaluable executive director, is the embodiment of this organization and brings passion and intensity to this work. Calls for her resignation, we fear, could effectively end this necessary organization’s work. Certainly we are at a moment in our country’s history where the full-on assault against immigrants by Donald Trump is a crisis, and effective opposition is vital. PASO has led that opposition in Chicago with effectiveness stretching from the courts to suburban city halls, from well-played media outreach to compassionate support. We need PASO. And right now PASO needs compassionate leadership that we don’t see coming from an outside law firm. Acknowledgment of pain inflicted, a listening plan that puts all the parties in a room, a determination to make change so forward movement is possible. That is what we want to see.

The paradox of vulnerability

he word that keeps coming to mind, as I think about the state of our democracy and the state of public health, is not fear, though there is plenty of fear around and plenty of things to fear. The word that springs to mind, however, is “vulnerability.” Donald Trump and his assorted asskissers and bootlickers have been conducting a three-year master class on the vulnerabilities of our democratic institutions. That includes the latest installment, which could be titled, “Why it’s a bad idea to have a bunch of crazy incompetents in charge of the federal government when a pandemic reaches your shores.” As I wash my hands many more times a day than normal (and I’ve always washed my hands a lot), I think anew about how vulnerable we all are. Which led me to a column I wrote some years back (Feb. 4, 2015), “A shameless display of vulnerability,” about author Brene Brown, who wrote a book titled, Daring Greatly – How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead. That led to a column from April 13, 2016, “April’s cruelty and the vulnerability of living,” which contained the following: “Must we learn how to live without hope altogether? Not according to the poet of solace, David Whyte. ‘Our choice is to inhabit vulnerability as generous citizens of loss, robustly and fully — or conversely, as misers and complainers, reluctant and fearful, always at the gates of existence, but never bravely and completely attempting to enter, never wanting to risk ourselves, never walking fully through the door. … Will you become a full citizen of vulnerability, loss and disappearance, which you have no choice about?’” Which led to numerous other columns reflecting the many issues that make us feel vulnerable: From “The benefit of the doubt,” Aug. 20, 2014, about the Catholic pedophilia crisis: “Our very skepticism is hurtful to those who are telling the truth — who were physically overpowered and experienced terrifying vulnerability.” From “Maximum freedom, minimal responsibility,” Aug. 1, 2012, about gun rights that require little to no corresponding responsibility: “So here we are, a dozen years into the third millennium, and evidently no one is safe — anywhere. We and our loved ones are completely vulnerable to any deranged individual with a grudge and access to all the guns he wants, who takes it into whatever’s left of his mind to make a name for himself by shooting up a herd of docile humanity, collected passively somewhere for his killing pleasure.” From “The liberation of Our Lady,” April 24, 2019, about the aftermath of the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris: “Yet this symbol was inert for many — until, in its openness, fragility and vulnerability, Notre-Dame was resurrected.” From “How much do black lives matter?” Jan. 6, 2016, about the Black Lives Matter movement: “As a result, many never answer the more vulnerable question implied within those three words: ‘Do our lives matter to you?’” Vulnerability has been on my mind for a long time, and likely on yours as well. But that is not necessarily a liability. According to Brene Brown,

in fact, it is our strength. “Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage,” she says. “Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness. … Vulnerability is the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. It is the source of hope, empathy, accountability, and authenticity. If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path. … If you trade your authenticity for safety, you may experience the following: anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, rage, blame, resentment, and inexplicable grief. … Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” It is an apparent paradox — embracing our vulnerability seems to be the antidote to feeling vulnerable. Unsafe is how many of us feel these days, which leads too many to withdraw into a bunker of prevention, building walls to hide behind, hoping to make themselves invulnerable. It’s a waste of time. Vulnerability from inside outward is our strength. Recognizing our imperfections and the fact that we can’t go it alone is how we build relationships, how we build networks, how we build community. Therein lies our strength. But those very interconnections also leave us vulnerable from the outside in. We are susceptible to viruses, misinformation, manipulation, and demagogues like Trump, which we experience as an existential threat. Yet when they afflict us, we need our interconnectedness even more in order to address them. We don’t want to be reckless, but we also don’t want to hold ourselves hostage in some hideout from life. Reasonable precautions like frequent washing of hands, training ourselves not to touch our face, reducing our exposure to large crowds, and not voting for crazy egomaniacs, are worth adopting. But we can’t let it tie us up in knots of fear. We have to summon the courage to live with the paradox of vulnerability — at once our strength and our weakness. We can’t live life without risk. Our goal is to walk a fine line between the extremes. We breathe the same air. We share the same risk. It unites us. Hugs and handshakes have never felt more meaningful. When our democracy is endangered (by the aforementioned crazy incompetents), our only recourse is to become more democratic, not less. No one is riding to our rescue. We must ride to our country’s rescue. Similarly, when pandemics reach our shores, quarantine alone won’t solve the problem. Our interconnected system must be mobilized to respond. That means making ourselves vulnerable to the disease in order to conquer it. Or at least tame it. It’s the same principle as vaccination — expose ourselves to just enough of the danger to build up an immunity. We don’t have a vaccination — to either the corona virus or to Trump. At least not yet. But with any luck, by Nov. 3 we’ll have increased our resistance to both.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S by Marc Stopeck

S H R U B T O W N

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 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 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

Time to retired a loaded term

lmost weekly in the pages of this newspaper there is discussion and debate, often heated, about racism in the village and in the country. So as I self-quarantine in my basement, I decided to do some research. I started by looking up “racism” in the Merriman-Webster dictionary. Racism is “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” Sounds a bit like Nazism. The first known use of the term was 1902. Obviously, the concept precedes the term, but I was surprised by such a relatively recent origin. The Abolitionists could not have accused the Confederacy of racism because the term did not exist. The words “airport,” “audiovisual,” “Rob Roy” (the drink), “three-ring circus,” and my favorite, “zowie,” also bear 1902 as their birthday. You’re welcome. “Slavery,” “lynching” and “plantation” are concrete nouns. “Racism,” like “beauty,” is an abstract noun. I believe that racism, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Each of us brings a complex subjectivity to how we view the world. That subjectivity is an impossibly intertwined and interconnected product of our nature and nurture. We develop strong preferences and biases about the world, including racism, a term that has become

impossibly politicized and polarizing. It has become weaponized as both a weapon and a shield. Calling a person a racist immediately takes the conversation to another level. The person charging racism has the high ground regardless of the merits of the charge, and the charged must suffer in simmering resentment without the support of those who might support them because they fear being tarred with the stigmatic racism charge themselves. Conversely, poor behavior can be excused by using racism as a shield (see Jussie Smollett). This paradigm has become an essential component of the grievance culture we now live in. The point here is a narrow one. Of course discrimination, bias and prejudice exist in the world, and should be addressed, but we need to retire the widespread, indiscriminate use of “racism” from the debate. It is freighted with such controversial, unclear meaning, and is such a blunt instrument that public discussion is almost never progressed by its usage. Its invocation may receive the cheers of acolytes at a public meeting, but people who are called racists and truly, deeply believe they are not, will carry the anger of the falsely accused into the privacy of the ballot box and to the dinner table. And that can’t be a good thing for society. It helps explain why Trump got elected president.

JOHN

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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.

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Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

V I E W P O I N T S

Thanks to the village for being so responsive SEOPCO (South East Oak Park Community Organization) would like to take this opportunity to thank the Humphrey & Lyman neighbors and village staff for attending our talking session about South East Oak Park. SEOPCO was created during the Barrie Park remediation when the voices of neighbors were not being heard. At a recent Zoning Board of Appeals hearing about the Taco Bell proposal, it became clear to us that the neighbors would like to talk about their traffic and safety concerns. The village was very responsive and

asked Tammy Grossman (Development Customer Services director), LaDon Reynolds (Police Chief), Bill McKenna (Village Engineer), John Wielebnicki (Director of Public Works) and Joseph Moran (Deputy Chief of Police) to attend the meeting. They were joined by 25 neighbors and a spirited and productive meeting ensued. It was wonderful to see the heads of different departments join together to hear about traffic, safety and business development concerns.

SEOPCO Board

Teachers need to be on board for D200 change In August 2019, OPRF announced the plan for curriculum restructuring that would eliminate separate honors classes for freshmen beginning in 2021 (de-tracking). On Feb. 27 the administration conveyed a plan to delay implementation until 2022 and cited teacher preparedness as cause. I applaud the OPRF administration for listening to teacher voices and slowing down its plans. Training teachers to effectively provide instruction in classrooms with students of a broad range of achievement records is a daunting task, so it is no surprise that the teachers expressed concerns that it was moving forward too quickly. However, teacher concerns about the curriculum restructuring that took place in River Forest makes me wonder if there is more to the story. Three years ago, District 90 began implementing the K-8 version of the proposed OPRF District 200 curriculum restructuring. It eliminated advanced math in elementary, switched from curricula designed for explicit differentiated instruction to constructivist curricula and adopted the Lucy Calkins curriculum for reading and writing. Calkins, a professor at Columbia University developed the mostly widely used curriculum for reading and writing instruction that experts say is deeply flawed. Early on, the administration reported to the D90 Board of Education that teachers were on board. In these three years student achievement has fallen, two of three River Forest schools have lost exemplary status and, most notably, teachers have protested the new curriculum in one of the very few ways they can. The 5Essentials survey of teachers, administered by the Illinois State Board of Education, has 19 measures of school learning climate. Measures such as Instructional

Leadership, School Commitment, Teacher Influence, and Teacher-Parent Trust reflect teacher opinions of the climate at a school. At Roosevelt Middle School, which recently lost exemplary status, teachers ranked all measures lower in 2019 than they did the last time the survey was administered in 2017. Instructional leadership had the largest decline. After the 2017 survey, Roosevelt ranked in the 42nd percentile statewide in Instructional Leadership. In 2019, it plummeted to the 8th percentile. Resignations were unusually high after the ’18-’19 school year, and I anticipate this will be raised as an important issue in the teachers’ 2020 contract negotiations. The point is, the teachers were not on board. They’re still not. They won’t talk about it publicly for a variety of reasons, but this is the obvious lesson from the 2019 5Essentials survey. I therefore applaud D200’s decision to delay freshmen curriculum restructuring. Further, D200 should anonymously survey its teachers to get their objective input on the wisdom of de-tracking. Researchers and parents agree that the teacher is the most important ingredient in academic excellence. Evanston is still producing abysmal teacher ratings on 5Essentials Survey 10 years after it implemented de-tracking. Any plan that teachers don’t strongly support in an objective survey should be reconsidered. The results of the survey should be shared with the community so we can all understand whether the OPRF teachers are really on board with this effort.

Steve Lefko

River Forest

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Kidz Express connects Oak Park and Austin

In Oak Park’s neighbor community of Austin is an intriguing after school/summer program for kids called Kidz Express (KE). It has strong Oak Park connections, growing out of the vision of two Oak Parkers and from its original roots in two Oak Park churches. Now 22 years old, KE’s two Oak Park founders, Duane Ehresman and Warren King, wanted to offer activities to inner-city children that build self-confidence and expose them to the larger world around them — while bridging the gap between Austin and Oak Park. Kidz Express deliberately blurs traditional categories. It’s an after-school program for kids 5-13 that’s also a peer mentoring program and a job training program for neighborhood youth ages 14 to 28 . If you visit KE at its site, a former elementary school at 5221 W. Congress Pkwy., what you see are kids and young people. The young people are the mentors. The kids are, in the KE language, mentees. Each mentee has one primary mentor. You may also see an older man roaming the building. That would be Doug Low, who is the executive director but who could also and more accurately be termed the “major domo” of KE. If we think of KE as an extended household — which it is in many ways — Doug has a rich and detailed knowledge of all its inhabitants, its routines, its finances, and its daily requirements. Doug has been major domo-ing KE for 20 years. You might also see, depending on the day you visit, adults talking with kids. These are volunteers. They come in various sizes, shapes, genders and color. One example: a pair of Oak Park women is currently inducting a group of the youngest kids (they’re called Shorties) into the natural world. On Columbus Day last fall, they took eight KE kids to the Garfield Park Conservatory for three hours of glorious play and exploration. A second example: Eight alumni of Bradley University meet with the kids every two weeks. They don’t preach, teach or coach; they’re simply models of adult human beings who like to talk with kids. As an extended healthy household, KE

clearly has holding power, a kind of interhuman gravity field that draws kids and young people in. Kids come to KE and keep coming back because it’s a safe place, a play space, a source of homework help, a site for games both fun and instructive, a portal to places and activities beyond the boundaries of Austin (like the Garfield Park Conservatory, which none of the eight kids had ever visited before). The average kid has been involved with KE for over five years. Over 50 kids come about 95% of the time. For its mentors, KE is a portal into aspects of adult life like holding a job, earning a pay check, and meeting responsibilities — 25 of the 28 current mentors participated in KE as kids, which is not surprising given KE’s holding power. The average mentor has been involved for 10 years. Their mentors are positive role models because they have made good choices under the same circumstances the children face every day and help the kids overcome many of the same challenges they were confronted with growing up. There’s a test that measures an individual’s Sense of Belonging — 64% of KE’s kids have a strong sense of belonging, which is some 20 percentage points higher than in other after-school programs. Kidz Express provides critical support and services for the South Austin Community to help its kids make better choices. If you are interested in learning more about Kidz Express or volunteering, give Doug Low a call at 312-730-2670. And you can go to their website at www. kidzexpress.org if you would like to donate online. If you prefer to send a check, send it to: Kidz Express, 5221 W. Congress Pkwy., Chicago, IL 60644.

CLUTTER

contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 42 million working Americans. I am not assuming a holier-than-thou posture. I am simply pointing out that consumerism is not an innate trait of our species. Rather, I would posit that consumerism has become the driving force behind what is needed to keep the GDP rolling onward and upward. Finally, as our landfills, oceans and homes are being polluted and overrun by stuff we buy, we must remember that we can’t throw any of this stuff off the planet. Hence, not only are our homes cluttered, but our planet is also being degraded and cluttered by unchecked consumerism.

An eco-issue from page 25 our annual holidays. It doesn’t matter if you are a generous and caring person throughout the year; be prepared to catch flack if you don’t participate in the exchange of storebought gifts on established holidays. Spending on these corporately promoted holidays clearly helps the GDP grow — even if your pocket, savings and credit suffer. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer,

Brandon Johnson, Anthony Clark, Rev. Kathy Nolte, Duane Ehresman, Paul Goyette, Carolyn Goldbeck, Tim Thomas, Laura Maychruk, Hilda Schlatter, Paul Sakol, Robert Althouse, June Tanoue, Zerlina Smith, Bonni McKewon, Steve Krasinsky, Lisa Pintado-Vertner, Julie Samuels, Ron Baiman, Ralph Lee, John Duffy

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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Focus on the good stuff

t’s been hard to watch the car-wreck of this year’s politics. Until recently I called it the OMSANDA (Old Men with Stents and Non-Disclosure Agreements). Actually, OMSANDA has the ring of a terrorist cartel, doesn’t it? It’s still old men: one with stents who can’t stop scaring people with the word “socialism,” one with folksy rambling rhetoric, and a president who’s hopelessly narcissistic and stubborn. In the meantime, we need to take some time to enjoy the good stuff here in Oak Park. Well, actually Downtown Oak Park, because I don’t have a car and that’s the area I know best. I think the Lake Theatre leads the pack in getting people onto our main drag. Owners Willis and Shirley Johnson have opened umpteen theaters in northern Illinois, but our local branch of Classic Cinemas is one of the first and the best. I can’t believe I still only pay $6 as a senior citizen. While I dread the coming summer and the spaceand-cartoon movies, we’re lucky to have the Film Club once a month with art movies. Even after The Lake had their regular showing of Parasite, they brought it back for a second run! And the popcorn is excellent. The Nineteenth Century Club has really upped its game in the last few years. The remodeling is beautiful, and they keep making improvements. In addition to its regular cultural and entertainment programs, the 19th provides a home for other groups. Two of my faves are the Free Readers Ensemble and the Sounds Good Chorus for seniors. The Nineteenth Century Club is a great building and a true hub of cultural activity. About local restaurants: La Bella on South Boulevard has opened a lounge around the corner on Marion. I love it. It has a small, pretty bar and a few individual seating areas with sofas and easy chairs rather than tables. It’s quite dark so you can feel a shade “louche.” I took my adult kids there for a drink early on New Year’s Eve and it was perfect. Congrats to the Cajun Boil and Bar, also on South Boulevard, for posting a sign that says there is loud music inside, which is great for those of us who are Aging Disgracefully. They let you know what to expect — and avoid — and good for them. I must remember to get some carry-out just to support them. Sugar Fixe is delicious, but pricey; Lea, the French restaurant, is a great space with great food, but I hate using a computer to order.

Jayne and 16 Suitcases are great for clothes. Careful Peach around the corner is great for gifts and to impress your out-of-town guests. A few years ago I collected those Christmas shopping receipts from Downtown Oak Park and had a hassle redeeming them for the gift certificate. This time I went to their new digs, was welcomed warmly, received that certificate, and even had Christmas cookies. Delightful. The space on South and Marion where Two Brothers used to be would make a terrific comedy club. There’s enough room, there’s transportation from the city, and it would be a hot attraction. I’m sure the village would get bogged down in parking issues, but what do people do when they go to Second City? Keep in mind the generation that goes to comedy clubs also uses Uber and Lyft. (For that matter, Winberie’s would also be a good space for a comedy club.) This paper has observed that village retail can’t get by on restaurants alone. Here’s an idea. If Lake Street can’t be “au courant,” let it be practical. I love Target and would love to see it stay where it is and also expand into the empty spaces across the street (with another large Starbucks inside, of course). They seem to do well wherever they are. For every high-rise that’s been built, we were told that it would include or attract all kinds of nifty retail. That didn’t happen; instead we got mattress stores, which didn’t make it. Apparently the people who moved in already had mattresses. At least there’s the popular and delicious Cooper’s Hawk. The third high-rise, on Harlem and South Boulevard, which I call the “facility,” still has a main floor that’s rubble. How come the village always believes developers? Finally, here’s a huge cheer for the CVS inside the Target. I needed to refill a prescription for an injection that needed a certain needle. My regular pharmacy didn’t have it, so I called around without any luck. One of my calls included the CVS in Target. They didn’t have it either. I got a call the next day from a pharmacist who said she had gone on the computer and found one CVS on the north side that had the needle. She said she had driven up there to pick it up. Home town service in a chain store!

MARY KAY O’GRADY

CLIMATE HERO

Q &A with Ana Garcia Doyle from page 25 shepherded the Oak Park-based film festival from birth. Oak Park Area ClimateAction recognizes Ana for her leadership in guiding the One Earth team to annually presenting important environmental film documentaries on climate change, energy, water, agriculture, health and environment, advocacy, wildlife, social justice, and more. How big is the One Earth Film Fest? In 2020, the fest will feature showings in five

Chicago-area counties, and involve about 400 volunteers. Last year we reached 6,900 people at 92 area events between our March festival and our Earth Day Mini-Film Fest in partnership with the city of Chicago. We are still working to plan our Mini-Fest, but this year the March fest will screen 26 documentaries in over 40 locations. This year we worked with 130 volunteer film reviewers to help select the films, logging over 550 hours of viewing time. In other words, we watched 140 films in the process. This April we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. The 2020 Earth Fest

When you vote, remember the children As a member of the Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist congregation, I am saddened about the despair our senior minister, Rev. Alan Taylor, and so many, many others felt when they recently returned from the border. In his Feb. 26 Viewpoint essay in Wednesday Journal [Seeking asylum, and justice, at the border], Rev. Taylor mentions two children: 9-year-old Belen, and 4-year-old Stiven, as well as their father Mario. These children suffer for no fault of their own. It is heartbreaking to see images of children on their refugee journey, trekking in confusion toward an uncertain future. We are a compassionate, not cruel, people. It’s time for policies

and practices permeated with cruelty to stop. That is where you and I come in. We can do something about this situation on March 17 and Nov. 3. We can elect candidates who honor children by bestowing inherent worth, human dignity, justice, equity, and compassion upon them. Voting is not merely political. Our vote represents a moral choice. From my perspective, I believe we have a moral responsibility to care for children — all children — when we show up at the polls. On March 17 and Nov. 3, let us remember the children.

Anne White Oak Park

Oak Park needs a small business coordinator We are all aware of the many businesses in Oak Park, and elsewhere, that have closed recently. Sometimes it is for personal or corporate reasons that no one locally can control. However, reading the coverage of the Fair Share closing, or not so long ago the closing of Connolly’s, it seems that one of the big difficulties the small businesses we love have is dealing with the village’s bureaucracy. I think the village should have one person whose sole job is to be the small business coordinator. Their job would be to keep in touch with, and ease the way for, small business owners. If a paid, part-time posi-

will include additional films on such timely environmental themes as resiliency, and the global youth climate movement. What is the theme of this year’s festival? “The Power of We” encourages collective action as the surest way to address climate change and urges audiences to become in-

tion, I think it would pay for itself, both in the quality of life that draws residents and visitors to the village and the tax revenue generated from these business. Just think of how much revenue we must be losing with the closing of Fair Share alone. This person could have gotten that liquor license for Fair Share, warned Connolly’s about the street closing and found ways for them to stay in business, helped to publicize Oak Park Market, and I’m sure a hundred other things that would improve our quality of life.

Joyce Porter Oak Park

volved in the global movement to take action for the planet. It unites us all to work together to grow resilient, sustainable and equitable communities. One Earth is committed to empowering its audiences to take what they’ve learned from our screenings and turn that knowledge into actions that are positive for our planet.

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

LEGAL NOTICE

IMPORTANT NOTICE

2018 Annual TO PROPERTY OWNERS Tax Sale Schedule Cook County Annual Tax Sale Notice to

Property Owners, Annual Tax Sale Schedule, and Delinquent Real Estate Tax List

This legal notice includes a list of properties of real estate on which 2018 property taxes (due in 2019) are delinquent and subject to sale as of February 18, 2020. NOTE: This list may include some properties on which the taxes were paid after the list’s preparation on February 18, 2020. It is the property owner’s responsibility to verify the current status of payment. This list does not include all the properties in Cook County that are delinquent and subject to sale. For a complete listing of the properties in your neighborhood that are subject to sale, please visit www.cookcountytreasurer.com. Under Illinois law, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office must offer properties having delinquent real estate taxes and special assessments for sale. IF YOUR PROPERTY IS LISTED IN THIS NOTICE FOR SALE OF DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION SO THAT YOUR TAXES ARE NOT SOLD. The tax sale is scheduled to begin FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2020. The sale of taxes will result in a lien against the property that will add, at a minimum, hundreds of dollars in fees to the amount currently due. Sale of the tax and continued failure by the owner to redeem (pay) may result in the owner’s loss of legal title to the property. Prior to sale, delinquent taxes may be paid online from your bank account or credit card by visiting cookcountytreasurer.com. Personal, company, and business checks will be accepted only through April 17, 2020. After April 17, 2020, all payments must be made by certified check, cashier’s check, money order, cash, or credit card. Please note that under Illinois law, the Treasurer’s Office cannot accept payments of delinquent taxes tendered after the close of the business day immediately preceding the date on which such taxes are to be offered for sale. For questions about submitting a payment or to verify the precise delinquent amount, you may contact the Cook County Treasurer’s Office by phone at (312) 443-5100 or by e-mail through our website at www.cookcountytreasurer.com (click on “CONTACT US BY EMAIL”).

SALE BEGINS FRIDAY MAY 8, 2020, AT 8:30 A.M. THE TAX SALE HOURS OF OPERATION ARE 8:30 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (CHICAGO LOCAL TIME) EACH SCHEDULED DAY. THE DATES OF SALE AND THE DAILY SALE HOURS MAY BE EXTENDED AS NEEDED. TAX BUYER REGISTRATION WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN MARCH 13 AND APRIL 28, 2020. FOR REGISTRATION INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.COOKTAXSALE.COM OR CONTACT THE TREASURER’S OFFICE. SALE DATE

VOLUMES

TOWNSHIP/CITY

May 8, 2020

001 TO 147 Barrington, Berwyn, Bloom, Bremen, Calumet, Cicero, Elk Grove, Evanston, Hanover, Lemont, Leyden, Lyons, Maine, New Trier, Niles, Northfield, Norwood Park, Oak Park, Orland

May 11, 2020 148 TO 270 Palatine, Palos, Proviso, Rich, River Forest, Riverside, Schaumburg, Stickney, Thornton, Wheeling, Worth, Hyde Park May 12, 2020 271 TO 464 Hyde Park, Jefferson, Lake May 13, 2020 465 TO 601 Lake, Lake View, North Chicago, Rogers Park, South Chicago, West Chicago

COOK COUNTY DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAX LIST OFFICE OF THE TREASURER AND EX-OFFICIO COLLECTOR OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. Advertisement and Notice by Collector of Cook County of Application for Judgment and Order of Sale of Delinquent Lands and Lots for General Taxes for the years indicated, for order of sales thereof, as provided by law. COUNTY OF COOK, STATE OF ILLINOIS March 11-12, 2020 NOTICE is hereby given that the said Collector of Cook County, Illinois, will apply to the County Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, for judgment against all lands and lots, hereinafter described as being delinquent, upon which taxes (together with any accrued interest and costs) remain due and unpaid, for an order for sale of said lands and lots for satisfaction thereof, fixing the correct amount due. Final entry of said order will be sought on Friday, May 1, 2020. NOTICE is further given that beginning on the 8th day of May, 2020, A.D., at the hour of 8:30 A.M., all said lands and lots, hereinafter described for sale for which an order shall be made, or has been made and not executed as noted, will be subject to public sale at 118 N. Clark St, Room 112 (Ran-

dolph Street entrance), in Chicago, Illinois, for the amount of taxes, interest and costs due thereon, respectively. The following is a list of the delinquent properties in Cook County upon which the taxes or any part thereof for the 2018 tax year remain due and unpaid; the name(s) of the owners, if known; the property location; the total amount due on 2018 tax warrants (excluding delinquent special assessments separately advertised); and the year or years for which the taxes are due. In lieu of legal description, each parcel of land or lot is designated by a property index number (PIN). Comparison of the 14-digit PIN with the legal description of any parcel may be made by referring to the cross-indices in the various Cook County offices. The Cook County Collector does not guarantee the accuracy of common street addresses or property classification codes at the time of sale. Tax buyers should verify all common street addresses, PINs, classifications, and ownership by personal inspection and investigation of said properties and legal descriptions prior to purchasing general taxes offered at the sale. NO TAX BUYER WILL BE PERMITTED TO OBTAIN A TAX DEED WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROPERTY OWNED BY A TAXING DISTRICT OR OTHER UNIT OF GOVERNMENT. WHEN AN ORDER TO VACATE THE TAX SALE OF ANY SUCH PROPERTY IS ENTERED, THE FINAL RESULT MAY BE A REFUND WITHOUT INTEREST.

DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX LIST as of February 18, 2020 TAX PAYER NAME

PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL 217 LE MOYNE PKY 147 LE MOYNE PKY 1122 N HUMPHREY AVE 1428 N AUSTIN BLVD 1426 N AUSTIN BLVD 1043 MAPLETON AVE 1039 N LOMBARD AVE 1050 N TAYLOR AVE 916 N HARVEY AVE 1218 N AUSTIN BLVD 2 DIVISION ST 839 N HARVEY AVE 827 MAPLETON AVE 603 N CUYLER AVE 51 AUGUSTA ST 830 N AUSTIN BLVD 828 N AUSTIN BLVD 824 N AUSTIN BLVD 824 N AUSTIN BLVD 1228 FOREST AVE 1224 N KENILWORTH AVE 1443 N HARLEM AVE 1413 N HARLEM AVE 1409 N HARLEM AVE 1301 N HARLEM AVE 1341 N HARLEM AVE 1341 N HARLEM AVE 1217 N HARLEM AVE 1209 N HARLEM AVE 1212 N OAK PARK AVE 6539 NORTH AVE 1211 N ELMWOOD AVE 423 GREENFIELD ST 1115 N HARLEM AVE 827 N GROVE AVE 835 N OAK PARK AVE 1017 N HARLEM AVE 1120 PAULINA ST 521 FOREST AVE 625 WOODBINE AVE 527 WOODBINE AVE 851 LINDEN AVE

138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 138 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 139 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140

16-05-109-002-0000 16-05-110-002-0000 16-05-113-011-0000 16-05-113-019-0000 16-05-113-020-0000 16-05-115-013-0000 16-05-116-025-0000 16-05-119-001-0000 16-05-122-012-0000 16-05-127-030-0000 16-05-127-042-0000 16-05-301-019-0000 16-05-302-027-0000 16-05-315-028-0000 16-05-319-004-0000 16-05-326-018-0000 16-05-326-034-1005 16-05-326-035-1008 16-05-326-035-1010 16-06-103-016-0000 16-06-105-016-0000 16-06-107-037-0000 16-06-107-072-0000 16-06-107-073-0000 16-06-113-037-1004 16-06-113-039-1003 16-06-113-039-1012 16-06-120-044-1002 16-06-120-044-1006 16-06-200-018-0000 16-06-204-010-0000 16-06-205-029-0000 16-06-222-035-0000 16-06-300-050-1001 16-06-305-020-0000 16-06-306-017-0000 16-06-307-007-0000 16-06-316-016-0000 16-06-319-047-0000 16-06-320-029-0000 16-06-320-042-0000 16-06-401-014-0000

PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

622 N EAST AVE 515 N EAST AVE 500 CHICAGO AVE 411 FOREST AVE 412 N MARION ST 309 N KENILWORTH AVE 1108 W ERIE ST 1127 ERIE ST 222 N MARION ST 1044 ONTARIO ST 203 N KENILWORTH AVE 801 ERIE ST 212 N GROVE AVE 1103 HOLLEY CT 938 NORTH BLVD 819 LAKE ST 823 LAKE ST 228 N OAK PARK AVE 644 LAKE ST 125 S MAPLE AVE 1107 SOUTH BLVD 200 HOME AVE 949 PLEASANT ST 1144 WASHINGTON BLVD 339 HOME AVE 1008 WASHINGTON BLVD 1037 RANDOLPH ST 1025 RANDOLPH ST 415 S MAPLE AVE 417 WISCONSIN AVE 410 WISCONSIN AVE 420 HOME AVE 417 S KENILWORTH AVE 428 S KENILWORTH AVE 411 SOUTH BLVD 411 SOUTH BLVD 415 SOUTH BLVD 415 SOUTH BLVD 301 S EAST AVE 428 EUCLID AVE 428 EUCLID AVE 420 WESLEY AVE 617 W WASHINGTON BLV 512 MADISON ST

140 140 140 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 141 142 142 142 142 142 142 142 142 142 142

16-06-416-006-0000 16-06-421-011-0000 16-06-421-012-0000 16-07-102-027-0000 16-07-102-035-1009 16-07-103-036-0000 16-07-107-026-1003 16-07-110-013-1008 16-07-111-012-1052 16-07-113-010-1007 16-07-115-052-1016 16-07-117-010-1001 16-07-117-011-1004 16-07-119-025-1032 16-07-128-032-1022 16-07-129-034-1021 16-07-129-034-1035 16-07-212-010-1044 16-07-219-028-1007 16-07-300-008-0000 16-07-301-018-0000 16-07-310-027-1011 16-07-310-028-1011 16-07-314-024-1015 16-07-316-045-1018 16-07-316-049-1011 16-07-316-050-1005 16-07-316-052-1012 16-07-321-020-1004 16-07-322-061-1034 16-07-323-051-1013 16-07-324-033-1011 16-07-325-023-1009 16-07-326-005-0000 16-07-405-007-0000 16-07-405-007-0000 16-07-405-029-0000 16-07-405-029-0000 16-07-415-032-0000 16-07-419-029-1007 16-07-419-029-1012 16-07-420-004-0000 16-07-420-027-1037 16-07-421-019-1021

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

OAK PARK - RESIDENTIAL

TOWNSHIP OF OAK PARK SINILING P AGUSTIN LEON ANDERSON JR LOUIS MONDAY SAMUEL A HARTZOG MAX REED CONSTANCE M RAKITAN EDWARD BUNCH JR PARK PLACE PROPERTY GR LINDA NICKELSON PARADISE SOL INVEST JOY PETTIGREW DELMONTE INVEST CORP CLERAINE S CAMPER IREA WALKER JEANINE L SMITH DANIEL LOISI DOROTHY REID DENISE M GLAB NATASHA PALMER TAXPAYER OF JOHN D TRILIK MARIE LOUISE SETTEM DOUGLAS WORNOM SHARON D DESHAZER ANA MARIA ALMADA ALBERT JARRETT SYRITHA JOHNSON ORTEGA DMC IRREVOCABLE TRUST MARIE ALBANO TONY VILLASENOR BERNARDINO VILLASENOR GLADYS E WICK VIRGILIO A CASTILLO A C CRAWFORD VINCENT P MICUCCI NICHAYETTE VIL MARK CAPPELLI MANZA FIORE SHIREESH REDDY 527 WOODBINE LLC VIRGINIA MADDEN

TAX PAYER NAME

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$14,332.39 $8,711.73 $1,258.92 $13,669.93 $8,304.97 $6,948.76 $403.26 $10,136.24 $3,502.55 $6,219.85 $8,728.86 $4,423.30 $3,495.75 $2,298.30 $8,619.63 $4,489.86 $1,320.66 $3,673.23 $5,349.18 $19,722.92 $17,020.17 $5,083.66 $5,903.90 $5,095.46 $937.91 $576.71 $126.28 $3,858.95 $1,838.96 $4,269.92 $7,716.39 $8,969.70 $17,137.64 $3,241.73 $23,434.85 $8,092.62 $12,352.79 $7,551.21 $13,796.28 $32,086.07 $7,238.34 $4,056.22

NICOLL GARRY GARCIA FAITH R JULIAN FAITH R JULIAN KAREN F BROWNE ANGELA J MOORE LOUIS NEWMAN GISELA PADILLA CATHLEEN KUSHNICK JOHN & LINDA KOK R & T MACDONALD JOHN D HOWLAND LODUCA MARY C URBINA MATTHEW MALLERS JUNAID AHMED CAGRI ARSIN NORMAN AXELROOD PEDRO GUTIERREZ COLETTE VERDUN M TAKIGUCHI DAVID CHUNG JOHN P CLEARY JAMES S LAVAGNINO G & F DEVELOPMENT LLC DONETTE E LOFGREN DIANE LEWIS AGA A HAIDER SALVATORE LISUZZO JONATHAN KATHRYN HALL TAXPAYER OF YVONNE DEMBY JOHN H COWAN JR PAK FUNG WILLIAM R HENNING 411 BOULEVARD LLC 411 BOULEVARD LLC 411 S.BOULEVARD LLC 411 S.BOULEVARD LLC TAXPAYER OF ALEXANDER KAZAROV BILL ANAGNOS 3522 ARTESIAN LLC JOSEPH M SANCHEZ JOHN LONGINOTTI

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2016 2017 2016 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018

$24,837.79 $25,492.77 $7,754.82 $11,884.17 $2,947.04 $16,486.44 $1,863.81 $2,825.30 $2,281.97 $2,026.38 $5,568.52 $5,833.40 $2,139.29 $1,476.40 $2,156.11 $1,579.09 $2,600.25 $3,529.12 $1,155.06 $9,858.42 $13,216.68 $3,514.75 $2,501.47 $857.65 $6,515.10 $218.77 $5,083.15 $2,172.86 $3,464.80 $171.39 $864.33 $2,840.40 $1,450.54 $13,445.89 $10,765.20 $17,542.24 $3,782.47 $6,163.53 $1,715.65 $1,376.06 $794.02 $11,570.94 $190.56 $1,318.66

continued on next page

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

LEGAL NOTICE continued from previous page TAX PAYER NAME

DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX LIST as of February 18, 2020 PROPERTY ADDRESS

VOL

TAX TYPE TAX YEAR

TAX DUE

414 S SCOVILLE AVE 414 S SCOVILLE AVE 409 S ELMWOOD AVE 426 N HARVEY AVE 53 CHICAGO AVE 404 N HUMPHREY AVE 720 N AUSTIN BLVD 714 N AUSTIN BLVD 163 N CUYLER AVE 106 S RIDGELAND AVE 340 N AUSTIN BLVD 222 WASHINGTON BLVD 415 S LOMBARD AVE 207 W WASHINGTON BLV 441 S TAYLOR AVE 430 S TAYLOR AVE 409 S HUMPHREY AVE 600 S HUMPHREY AVE 729 S LOMBARD AVE 817 S CUYLER AVE 805 S HARVEY AVE 801 S LOMBARD AVE 837 S HUMPHREY AVE 504 S AUSTIN BLVD 504 S AUSTIN BLVD 506 S AUSTIN BLVD 506 S AUSTIN BLVD 242 FLOURNOY ST 9 HARRISON ST 1018 S CUYLER AVE 1047 S HARVEY AVE 1021 S LOMBARD AVE 1124 S HARVEY AVE 1134 S HARVEY AVE 1115 S TAYLOR AVE 1177 S HARVEY AVE 1184 S HARVEY AVE 6216 ROOSEVELT RD 6200 ROOSEVELT RD 1179 S TAYLOR AVE 1160 S TAYLOR AVE 1165 S HUMPHREY AVE 7 FILLMORE ST 720 S KENILWORTH AVE 727 S MAPLE AVE 816 S MAPLE AVE 814 S MAPLE AVE 1124 HARRISON ST 833 WENONAH AVE 831 CLINTON AVE 528 S EAST AVE 616 S OAK PARK AVE 629 S RIDGELAND AVE 846 S WESLEY AVE 644 HARRISON ST 902 WENONAH AVE 918 S KENILWORTH AVE 629 GARFIELD TER 639 GARFIELD TER 922 WESLEY AVE 1034 S OAK PARK AVE 1047 CLARENCE AVE 1002 WESLEY AVE 1023 GUNDERSON AVE 1007 S RIDGELAND AVE 1136 S SCOVILLE AVE 1182 S OAK PARK AVE 1159 CLARENCE AVE 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 6436 ROOSEVELT RD 1180 S ELMWOOD AVE

142 16-07-422-029-1008 142 16-07-422-029-1010 142 16-07-422-030-1006 142 16-08-102-020-1011 142 16-08-104-004-0000 142 16-08-105-014-0000 142 16-08-105-021-1007 142 16-08-105-022-1005 142 16-08-118-014-0000 142 16-08-300-030-1081 142 16-08-305-024-1008 142 16-08-314-043-1033 142 16-08-320-027-1001 142 16-08-320-028-1018 142 16-08-321-031-1009 142 16-08-322-015-0000 142 16-08-322-042-1014 143 16-17-115-001-0000 143 16-17-119-027-0000 143 16-17-124-020-0000 143 16-17-126-021-0000 143 16-17-127-019-0000 143 16-17-130-027-0000 143 16-17-131-026-1001 143 16-17-131-026-1002 143 16-17-131-026-1006 143 16-17-131-026-1007 143 16-17-302-018-0000 143 16-17-307-004-0000 143 16-17-309-008-0000 143 16-17-310-038-0000 143 16-17-311-021-0000 143 16-17-319-011-0000 143 16-17-319-015-0000 143 16-17-320-027-0000 143 16-17-326-030-0000 143 16-17-327-017-0000 143 16-17-327-036-0000 143 16-17-327-040-0000 143 16-17-328-028-0000 143 16-17-329-005-0000 143 16-17-330-021-0000 143 16-17-331-037-1006 144 16-18-123-006-0000 144 16-18-126-021-1014 144 16-18-127-026-1005 144 16-18-127-026-1014 144 16-18-127-027-1010 144 16-18-128-028-0000 144 16-18-130-020-0000 144 16-18-204-042-0000 144 16-18-208-005-0000 144 16-18-215-023-0000 144 16-18-226-036-1013 144 16-18-226-036-1024 145 16-18-303-002-0000 145 16-18-306-006-0000 145 16-18-405-014-1004 145 16-18-405-014-1017 145 16-18-405-014-1040 145 16-18-407-011-0000 145 16-18-409-035-0000 145 16-18-409-036-0000 145 16-18-411-050-0000 145 16-18-413-033-0000 145 16-18-419-014-0000 145 16-18-422-011-0000 145 16-18-424-019-0000 145 16-18-428-043-1029 145 16-18-428-043-1036 145 16-18-428-043-1063 145 16-18-428-043-1066 145 16-18-428-043-1115 145 16-18-428-043-1125 145 16-18-429-014-0000

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018

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2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018 2018

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OAK PARK - COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL SC REAL ESTATE LLC ROBERT & MARCELLA GRAY FABRICAS SELECTAS PROP TBL HOLDING LLC TBL HOLDING LLC JOE INVESTMENT LLC JOE INVESTMENT LLC JOE INVESTMENT LLC WEST CERMAK REALTY 222 LAKE STREET LLC

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OAK PARK - VACANT LAND MARC KATZ TAXPAYER OF

Published by order of

MARIA PAPPAS County Collector of Cook County, Illinois

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

V I E W P O I N T S

The imbalance of powers

merica’s constitution was circumvented and marginalized by Trump loyalists in the Senate as they delivered their deathblow to fairness and acquitted the President of the two articles of impeachment. But that surprised no one. Mitch McConnell gave advanced warning that the game was rigged. Now there is nothing left to assure that no man is above the law. Lady Justice was rendered ineffectual. The hood of Trumpism stifles her. The judicial process staged by the Trumpdominated political party altered the delicate balance of power among the three branches of our government. It expanded presidential powers. The predetermined outcome of the impeachment trial emboldens Trump to continue his capricious self-serving with impunity, expecting no accountability. Moments after the close of the farcical Senate session, Sen. Mitt Romney stated his expectations of impending peril to him and his family for voting to convict Trump. On Feb. 7, Lt. Colonel Alexander Vindman and his twin brother were fired from the National Security Council and escorted from the White House, in reprisal for testimony in the impeachment hearings. Trump has embarked on a campaign of vendettas against all who displeased him or broke ranks from his dictates. It is also certain that Trump will carry out many character assassinations. His retributions will be far reaching and intended as deterrents to future patriotic impulsiveness. On Feb. 11, four prosecutors resigned from the Justice Department in protest of Trump’s interference in Roger Stone’s sentencing. Emulating Stalin, the President is attempting to make the Department of Justice his personal instrument. Stalin had total control of Soviet justice

and law enforcement. Stalinism threatened my life before my seventh birthday when my family was placed on the list for deportation to the gulag. A year later, I witnessed Nazi mass execution of humans because their belief in being God’s chosen people stood in contrast to German self-exaltation to super-race status. Having become a naturalized U.S. citizen, I cannot accept the idea that democracy and freedom are a mirage. The trampling of the lofty ideals outlined by the founders of this nation troubles me deeply, when Trump loyalists serve to nurture a despot’s avarice for power. Our marginalized constitution has become ineffective to contain an evolving totalitarianism, especially one that has positioned itself to misuse the Justice Department. It is frightening to anticipate how laws may be used to enforce oppression and despotism. Any hope that American voters will make the right choice in the next election gives me no comfort. The voters are easily placated by having a chicken in every pot and all the pot they can smoke. They are not likely to purge the legislative houses of Trumpism, even if Trump is ousted. Removing the horse from the stable still leaves much shoveling, before the stable is clean again. Sen. Romney is to be commended for his courage to stand alone in the face of adversity, and to announce that he must follow the dictates of his conscience and his oath. But what solace can be offered to Col. Vindman and his brother? Who’s to shield them from a rogue President’s vengeance? Fred Natkevi is a longtime Oak Park resident.

FRED NATKEVI One View

Vote for McCarthy for Cook County judge If you’re looking to make an informed choice and elect a highly-qualified, compassionate, experienced person for judge, then look no further. Kelly Marie McCarthy in Berwyn, our neighbor to the south, is a career public servant with extensive trial and appellate experience as a Cook County public defender. She has been rated qualified by 12 local bar associations. Beyond those ratings, I have worked alongside her and

can personally vouch for her ability and integrity and her commitment to justice. Kelly is running countywide for the Matthew Coghlan vacancy, which means that all of your friends throughout Cook County can vote for her, too. For more information, check out her campaign web page at https://kellymariemccarthyforjudge.org.

Ruth McBeth Oak Park

Learning about end-of-life options Who wants their loved one to suffer? Nobody. When my father was in the intensive care unit at the end of his life, he very lucidly repeated: “When am I going to die?” and “Why can’t I die today?” His health had been declining for a number of years due to congestive heart failure, and in the end-stage of the disease, he was admitted to the hospital. He had no dementia and when he was conscious, he could think and talk clearly. Yet even though his organs were failing, the doctors were planning to continue dialysis, to move him to another wing of the hospital until he could be then moved to rehab, and they were even talking about amputating his leg in the future. He said again, “I’d like to die today,” at which point I asked the doctors if it was too early to talk about hospice. Their demeanor changed immediately. The doctors were relieved when I asked about hospice. “No,” they

said. It was not too early to talk about hospice and they were bound to follow the direction of the patient. Thank goodness, because I did not want to see my father suffer. We need to start the conversation about changing our end-of-life scenarios, taking into account the concerns of patients, doctors, families, religious institutions and marginalized communities like African Americans, LGBTQ, and those living with disabilities. That’s why I volunteer with the Compassion & Choices Oak Park Action Team, which is a part of the Illinois End of Life Options Coalition. I invite you to join us at the Main Oak Park Library on Thursday, March 26, at 4 p.m. to learn more about end-of-life options.

Roz Byrne

Oak Park

Restore U.S. assistance to Gaza

We would like to thank Congressman Danny Davis for joining with 32 of his colleagues — including Illinois Representatives Garcia, Rush, and Schakowsky — in supporting U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan and Debbie Dingall’s letter to Secretary of State Pompeo. This letter urged the administration to immediately restore all U.S. funding for humanitarian aid in Gaza, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) funding. The letter also urges an end to the blockade on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza. “Palestinians in Gaza are facing a humanitarian crisis and unless the United States acts now, we will be complacent in the starvation and poverty of millions of people,” said Rep.

Pocan. “Eighty percent of the population in Gaza depends on international assistance to survive, and without our support that means an overwhelming amount of families are living in poverty and a majority of Palestinians in Gaza have undrinkable water, food shortages, and inadequate health care. Restoring U.S. assistance to Gaza, as well as urging the Israeli government to end the blockade, is a necessary step to secure a peaceful and stable future for the region.” This approach, in contrast to the administration’s commitment to the continued dispossession of the Palestinian people, would be one important step toward a just and lasting peace.

Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine Oak Park

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Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated Read Step 1. le . Recyc Step 2

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Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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OPRF boys hoops loses in regionals 35

SPORTS

OP-RF youth soccer split

Fenwick boys hoops dominates regionals Friars head into sectionals outscoring two opponents 168-74 combined By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

The narrative surrounding Fenwick’s boys basketball team this season has been that it is too young to compete for a state title. The Friars have other ideas. After outscoring its opponents 168-74 in the first two games of regionals, Fenwick (25-7) is riding high heading into the sectional semifinal game versus Westinghouse on March 10 after Wednesday Journal’s press time. “Everybody on this team can play,” said sophomore Trey Pettigrew. “We are a young group that still can improve but we are ready now. It’s the best of both worlds.” Fenwick beat Speer Academy 90-27 earlier in the week, and hosted Walter Payton (7-20) on March 6 for the regional title. After the first quarter, the Friars held an 18-11 advantage behind 16 combined points from Bryce Hopkins and Pettigrew. It wasn’t until two minutes into the second quarter when the Friar offense started clicking on all cylinders. After Walter Payton narrowed the gap to 23-19, one of the Grizzlies’ players started to mouthing off to Hopkins which is something he has dealt with all season. “When they start talking, that just adds fuel to my fire,” said Hopkins. “I don’t worry about it. I just play my game and I end up proving them wrong. My shot was working, and I just kept going back to that the rest of the game.” Hopkins scored 19 points from that point on in the second quarter and led the Friars to a 27-2 run that essentially put the game away. The play of the night came when Hopkins stole the ball at midcourt and pulled off a one-handed poster dunk over a Walter Payton defender that had everyone in the gym in disbelief. Hopkins was fouled on the play and the officials let 40 seconds lapse be-

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

DEFENSE: Fenwick’s Max Reese (10) grabs a rebound on March 6 during a playoff game against Payton at Fenwick High School. tween the foul and free throw attempt so the crowd could calm down. “I haven’t had one of those since last year,” said Hopkins. “It was fun to be able to feel that again and for everyone to be hyped up after it. It was good time.” Later in the quarter, Pettigrew tried to pull off a similar dunk after seeing his teammate throw down a one-handed slam. “Oh yeah, I definitely tried to match him,” said Pettigrew with a grin. “I tried to punch

it on [the defender]. I’ll get him next time for sure.” Hopkins was pulled with 5:15 left in the third quarter and ended the game with 32 points. Pettigrew finished with 13 points and six assists. Sophomore David Gieser buried three three-pointers and has proved over the season he can be one of the difference makers for this team beyond the arc as the Friars try to vie for a run at the state championship. “Besides Bryce [Hopkins] and Trey [Petti-

grew], David Gieser had a great game,” said Fenwick head coach Staunton Peck after the game. “We have a really good rotation going right now and Max [Reese] and Gabe [Madej] are stepping us for us as well. We are in a good place right now but we are about to face another level of competition. I am not sure who we will play but both Westinghouse and North Lawndale are good teams so we have to stay focused and prepare for what comes next.”

S P O R T S

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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S P O R T S

OPRF boys hoops falls to Lane Tech at regional

Early exit means Huskies finish season 17-11 By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Things never quite clicked for the Huskies this season. Plagued by injuries and on-court inconsistency, the 2019-20 campaign for the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball team ended in the first round of the IHSA Class 3A regionals with a 48-40 loss at Lane Tech (15-15) on March 4. “It was overall an up-and-down season,” said senior Justin Cross. “We came together in the second half of the season and ended on a good note, but we came up short.” Heading into the game, the team was without Isaiah Barnes and the 18 points per game that he was averaging this season. Barnes hurt his knee versus Morton on Feb. 25. Out of the gate, the Indians honed in on OPRF’s other leading scorer, Josh Smith, helping stunt the Huskies’ offense throughout the night. However, despite their offensive struggles, the Huskies shut down Lane Tech in the first half and only trailed 2321 heading into halftime. Cross and senior Kyren Gardner eliminated the Indians’ chances inside to keep their team in striking distance. “[Justin] is so instinctive on the defensive side of the ball,” said OPRF coach Matt Maloney. “He covers up for a lot of errors, gets his hands on so many balls and is a tremendous shot blocker. He does so many things that the average fan doesn’t notice.” Both teams came out slow in the second half until 4:30 seconds left in the third, when Lane Tech went on a 10-1 run. The Huskies struggled with Lane Tech’s physicality and shot 30 percent from the field in the third quarter. Lane Tech’s Louis Perona buried a three from the wing as time expired to give his team a 39-28 lead. The Huskies couldn’t overcome the momentum Lane Tech had after that shot despite a late fourth-quarter push, ending the team’s season. Demetrius Dortch and Gardner both had 14 points, while Smith finished with eight. Throughout the week in practice, Maloney blasted music to try to ready his team for the playoff atmosphere. Still, OPRF had one of its worst shooting nights of the season and shot under 30 percent from the free throw line versus the Indians. According to Maloney, their season average from the free throw line hovered around 65 percent. “You’re playing on the road in a hostile environment and they are going to have their student section there,” said Maloney. “This is a physical team on their home floor and you have to expect to not hear a whistle. There were times where there was contact and there was no whistle, but we have to realize that that’s how the game is going to be called early.” OPRF has reason for optimism going into next season.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

INSIDE OUT: (Above) OPRF’s Justin Cross (No. 22) passes back out to the perimeter during the Huskies’ game versus Lane Tech (right) Rashad Trice drives to the rim versus York High School on Jan. 16. He received a shout out on Steph Curry’s Instagram. Smith and Barnes (both averaged 18 point per game this season) will be seniors next fall, and the team has key contributors returning in Dortch, Rashad Trice, Anthony Coleman and Eric Locke.

Steph Curry shouts out Trice On Feb. 20-21, Trice competed against 75 high school prospects at an Underrated Tour event in Chicago and was one of eight players selected to participate in the Underrated championship in the Bay Area. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry launched the tour that made stops in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington D.C. and Dallas. Curry put up a video on his Twitter and Instagram accounts shouting out the players from the Chicago tour who will go to Oakland from April 3-5 to play against the other high school prospects. Along with the other players from the Chicago event, A picture of Trice laying the ball in was shown in the video. “I was on the bus asleep and somebody woke me up,” said Trice. “[The video] was on Steph Curry’s Instagram. I kind of freaked out and I don’t have the words to describe the emotions I had going through my head. It was crazy.”

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

We are launching a sports podcast!

The On Deck Pod now out on PodBean By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Growing Community Media is excited to announce that Wednesday Journal and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark’s local sports coverage will expand to audio reporting and storytelling. “The On Deck Pod” will be hosted by sports editor James Kay and will contain interviews with players, coaches, alumni and other members of the local sports community. Right now, we have two episodes out on PodBean. The show will be added to Apple Podcast in the near future (hopefully other platforms as well). If you have ideas for episodes or stories that you think translate well to this medium, email our mailbag at ondeckpodmailbag@gmail.com. Here are recaps of the first two editions of the podcast.

Episode One: Sports and Resistance It took OPRF’s boys basketball head coach Matt Maloney over a decade to create a class

S P O R T S

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that analyzes American history through the lens of sport. However, it wasn’t approved and added as an elective in the history curriculum until 2013. Initially, it was called “Women, Class, and Gender in Sport,” but the name has been changed to what it was originally proposed as: Sports and Resistance. “I was really happy for the student athletes who were taking the course,” said Maloney during the interview. “There were a lot of students who I thought that got excited about the subject matter and said things like, ‘this is the first time I have been excited about history or the first time I have seen myself in the curriculum.’ And then to share with them that this is going to benefit [the students who took the course] as a part of your core GPA; I had kids telling me that they read more, written more, thought more deeply because they were actually engaged in the subject matter.” Throughout the episode, Maloney details how the class has evolved, how he dealt with the discussion around Colin Kaepernick in real time, how professional athletes being more open about their political beliefs has helped the course thrive, and much more.

Episode Two: One on one w/Tricia Liston Tricia Liston left Fenwick in 2010 as one of the best basketball players the program had ever seen. In this episode, Liston discusses her time adjusting to playing at Duke, how difficult the process was going from college to the WNBA, and how she dealt with life after basketball. Like most WNBA players, Liston had to split time between the WNBA and Europe to make enough money as a professional athlete. She details the process of what it is like to play a sport in a foreign country and how she worked with former athletes with the transition she had to make after retiring from the WNBA in 2016.

MULTIMEDIA: We are diving into audio storytelling with the release of “The On Deck Pod” “You kind of take a step back and for me, and I am sure most girls feel this way, you don’t really know what’s next,” said Liston during the interview. “It’s not because you haven’t found it, but for 20-something years

it was basketball. Having to kind of take that step back of, ‘Okay what does my life professionally look like?’ It’s hard. It’s really hard to find what’s going to keep you ticking the way basketball did.”

Oak Park and River Forest at odds over youth soccer River Forest merges with Elmwood Park By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

After years of conflict, Oak Park and River Forest’s youth soccer leagues have decided they will no longer compete against one another. According to River Forest Youth Soccer league assistant commissioner, Gregor Martin, there has been a growing tension between the two leagues and its participants due to the competitive imbalance that Oak Park and River Forest have seen in the last few years. “[Having the leagues play each other] was a good, healthy thing, and if I could have kept it going, I absolutely would have,” said Martin. “They are a neighboring town and a

lot of the kids know each other and formed a friendly rivalry. However, this got to the point where the leagues have gotten too different and a change was needed.” After concerns about not fielding enough players due to losing Oak Park’s pool of players, River Forest has paired with Elmwood Park and Elmhurst for this upcoming fall season for the 12U and 14U boys and girls leagues. In recent years, River Forest has seen an increase in players that play on travel and club teams (leagues that are considered more competitive than AYSO—a recreational soccer organization). According to Martin, around 15 of the 60 12U River Forest boys soccer players that played last year were a part of a travel or club team which is why Oak Park wanted to limit the amount of travel players per team to lessen the competitive imbalance that has existed. River Forest pushed back on that idea due

to the players wanting to play on teams that consisted of their classmates and friends. “For example, for my kids that are 12 to sign up in the OP-AYSO, and maybe won’t be on a team with any River Forest kids, they wouldn’t sign up,” said Martin. “Some might [sign up], but I am sure we wouldn’t get the same numbers.” It doesn’t appear that the leagues will go back to the arrangement they have had for years any time soon. When asked if he sees the leagues resolving their differences in the future, Martin said, “No, it’s over.” However, Martin maintains that soccer players from Oak Park are allowed to compete in the River Forest league and that they are welcoming those kids to participate. “We are opening this up to anyone who wants to play competitive soccer,” said Martin. “From our standpoint, the league isn’t going to change at all other than Elmhurst will be playing instead of Oak Park.”

Oak Park AYSO Regional Commissioner Mattie Langenburg did not return Wednesday Journal’s multiple attempts to reach out for an interview on this matter. However, he did send this response via email after Wednesday Journal’s first attempt at contacting him. “This was a decision to centralize management and team roster creation within Oak Park AYSO for teams that participate in our Fall league. We expect we’ll continue to have participants from RF and EP along with Galewood, Austin, Berwyn, Riverside, etc. as we have in years past. “Players who have previously participated in the Fall season with teams from River Forest Youth Soccer or Elmwood Park AYSO are welcome to register with us, but we’ve made the decision that managing the league through a single entity and software platform is the best for us to ensure a consistent experience for all of our participants.”

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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MAINTENANCE PERSON Oak Park Residence Corporation is looking for an experienced maintenance person to join its property management maintenance team. This person will perform tasks of maintenance, repair, and/or alteration of multi-family buildings and mechanical facilities. Must have H.S. degree and basic experience in a variety of building trades and/ or repair & maintenance which supplies the required knowledge, ability and skills. Must work well in team environment and interact with clients and residents in a professional and courteous manner. Must have reliable work vehicle, valid Illinois driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license and car insurance. Must also have and his/her own basic maintenance tools. This is a full-time position with beneďŹ ts, including major medical, dental, vision, pension, paid holidays, paid vacation, and paid sick time. For a complete job description go to: https://www.oakparkrc.com/ work-oprc

Associate, Fund Services sought by Enfusion Ltd LLC in Chicago, IL to perform daily/weekly bottoms-up reconciliations and monthly trial balance reconciliations against Prime Broker and Admin. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref#65586. Director, Industry Strategy sought by Uptake Technologies, Inc. in Chicago, IL to manage partnerships and customer relationships and develop new project opportunities within the Mining sector. Apply at jobpostingtoday.com Ref# 67905. FULL-TIME BUS DRIVER The Village of Forest Park has immediate opening for a responsible full-time PACE Bus Driver to transport senior citizens, disabled residents and school children. Must have a valid Illinois C Class CDL license and attend PACE training. In addition, must be physically ďŹ t and submit to criminal background check, annual physical exam and drug and alcohol testing. Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737. YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST â&#x20AC;&#x201C; SUMMER (TEMPORARY FULL TIME) The Summer Day Care Program is accepting applications for nurturing individuals to provide care and supervision of 5-11-year-old children. Positions are Monday through Friday, 8-hour shifts between the hours of 7:30 am and 6:00 pm. The summer program runs from June 8th through August 14th on site at an Oak Park elementary school. Responsibilities include supervising play shops, arts and crafts, activities, sports, group games, and indoor and outdoor play. Staff accompany and supervise children at the swimming pool and on weekly ďŹ eld trips. Requirements include: â&#x20AC;˘ Minimum of 6 semester hours in education, recreation, social work, or related college courses â&#x20AC;˘ Experience working with children Contact MJ Joyce, Human Resources at mjjoyce@hephzibahhome.org

Send resume and cover letter to: bswaggerty@oakparkrc.com Village of Riverside Seasonal Employment Opportunity The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part time, seasonal position lasting from approximately April-September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, ďŹ&#x201A;ushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned. Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening. Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546. Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall. Applications will be accepted until all positions are ďŹ lled. Pay rate is $15/hr. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SUBURBAN RENTALS

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL RETAIL SPACE

OAK PARK 2BR 1BA Oak Park 2BR 1BA in owner occupied brick 3 ďŹ&#x201A;at. Large dine-in kitchen, large closets, extra storage. Newly reďŹ nished hdwd ďŹ&#x201A;oors throughout. Walking distance to Blue and Green lines. Utilities incl., tenant pays electricity. $1395/mo. 312-446-5857

FOREST PARK OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean ofďŹ ce. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-383-8574.

A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN STRIP MALL: 1600-1635 Sq Ft. * 315 S. Harlem Ave. & Madison St. area â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Forest Park, IL. * Very Good Condition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Recently Updated. * Formerly a Cleaners. * Heavy foot/road trafďŹ c area. * End space. 45-Space Parking Lot! * Available FOR RENT after: February 20, 2020. * For more details: Serious Inquiries ONLY: *EMAIL: poppygator@yahoo.com *CALL/TEXT, at: P.B. (708) 250-7997 Or: D.B. (708) 828-6491

CITY RENTALS PERFECT FOR SENIORS Augusta & Kildare: A gorgeous studio apt. large living room & kitchen, walk-in closet, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, in a beautifully landscaped & well maintained building, quite, safe & secure rent 625.00 incl. heat, appliances, and laundry room. Augusta & Harding Beautiful 2-bedroom condo-like apt, in a sunny, safe, secure 8 unit bldg. Large newly tiled kitchen & bath, hardwood ďŹ&#x201A;oors, central air, appliances included, tenant pays utilities, rent 830.00. For more information call 773-838-8471 UNFURNISHED APT 4BR 2BA 4 BR, 2 BA w/ front room, living room, den and encl. porch. Storage closet. Close to transportation. Tenant pays util. 1 mo. security required. Call 773-297-0109 and leave message.

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A MUST-SEE!!! 929-933 N. LEAMINGTON ST. BEAUTIFUL newly renovated Studios ($725 - $750) & 2-bdrm Apts. ($875 - $900) in quiet bldg. Appls incld; tenant pays utilities. Credit/bkgrnd check reqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d. Sect. 8 Welcome! For private viewing, call 708-307-8178.

SHARED OFFICE AVAILABLE Forest Park ofďŹ ce 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 DOWNTOWN OAK PARK SUBLEASE We are looking to sublease our beautiful, spa-like ofďŹ ce. Our ofďŹ ce is already set up and is available for sublease in downtown Oak Park. This ofďŹ ce is perfect for a physician, anesthetist, masseuse, and/or acupuncturist. Space is available immediately. Please contact us for pricing and to schedule a tour of the ofďŹ ce. Ask for NikI. 708-613-4417 Nikimoreno33@gmail.com THERAPY OFFICES FOR RENT Therapy ofďŹ ces for rent in north Oak Park. Rehabbed building. Nicely furnished. Flexible leasing. Free parking. Free wiďŹ ; 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

Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M property management, inc.

708-386-7355 â&#x20AC;˘ 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:

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

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue. Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

ITEMS FOR SALE CHINA CABINET & CHINA China cabinet with 12 5-piece place settings of Bavarian china. $259.00 708-488-8755 DINING ROOM TABLE Very large, genuine antique. Empire style from Marshall Fieldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Orig. $9000. Priced at $1900. VICTORIAN DINING CHAIRS 6 beautiful Victorian chairs, reproductions. $500. 708-488-8755 FULL LENGTH SHEARLING COAT Brown full length shearling coat w/ attached hood. Beautiful condition. $69.00 708-488-8755

WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, ďŹ&#x201A;ags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiersâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;lead, plasticâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;other misc. toys. Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

TAX PREPARATION SERVICES TAX PREPARATION SERVICES Integrity Bookkeeping Services LLC Authorized IRS e-ďŹ le Provider

Federal/State of Illinois returns prepared and ďŹ led starting at $100. Free consultation and estimate.

Looking forward to serving you! Call (708) 642-5491 or ibsllc1040@gmail.com

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TAX ASSESSMENTS TAX ASSESSMENTS BUSINESS & APARTMENT BUILDING OWNERS Your current reassessment can affect your bottom line. Find out future tax liability. Contact us for a free review at www.ashtaxsolutions.com or call 773-941-4949

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708.442.7720 '5,9(:$<6 Â&#x2021; )281'$7,216 Â&#x2021; 3$7,26 67(36 Â&#x2021; &85% *877(56 Â&#x2021; 6,'(:$/.6 612: 3/2:,1* Â&#x2021; 67$03(' &2/25(' $**5(*$7( &21&5(7( FREE ESTIMATES LICENSED, BONDED & INSURED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

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We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors â&#x20AC;˘ Home Re-wiring â&#x20AC;˘ New Plugs & Switches Added â&#x20AC;˘ New circuit breaker boxes â&#x20AC;˘ Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp â&#x20AC;˘ Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential â&#x20AC;˘ Commercial â&#x20AC;˘ Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. â&#x20AC;˘ Bonded â&#x20AC;˘ Ins. â&#x20AC;˘ Low Rates â&#x20AC;˘ Free Est.

708-409-0988 â&#x20AC;˘ 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts â&#x20AC;˘ 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park â&#x20AC;˘ All surrounding suburbs â&#x20AC;˘ Chicago area

ELECTRICAL Red Star Electric

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GARAGE DOORS Our 73rd Year

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Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

CLASSIFIED FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE 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

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

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

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HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

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

708.749.0011

Attention Home-Improvement Pros! Reach the people making decisions. Place an ad in Wednesday Classifieds! Call 708/613-3342

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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

PLASTERING

PUBLIC NOTICES

McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE TO BIDDERS

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

2020 Curb and Sidewalk Replacement Program (Various Locations)

2020 Pavement Crack Sealing Project The Work consists of the application of approximately 37,500 pounds of Fiber-Modiﬁed Crack Sealing to various asphalt public roadways.

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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: Y20003235 on February 20. 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of TERRY MITCHELL & ASSOCIATES FOR ENGAGING FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES with the business located at: 4825 W 31ST ST UNIT 1W, CICERO, IL 60804. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: TERRY A. MITCHELL, 4825 W 31ST ST UNIT 1W, CICERO, IL 60804. Published in Wednesday Journal 2/26, 3/4, 3/11/2020

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: Y20003280 on February 26, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of CONTEMPO H I with the business located at: 7300 W 25TH STREET SUITE 1501, NORTH RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ANGELIQUE GONDEK 3707 ROOSEVELT 1R FOREST PARK, IL 60130. Published in RB Landmark 3/04, 3/11, 3/18/2020

LEGAL NOTICE SCOTT J. LEVY (32596) Attorney for Petitioner 1525 East 53rd Street, Suite 504 Chicago, Illinois 60615 STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division. In re the marriage of JUAN RODRIGUEZ, Petitioner and LILIA CASTANEDA BRITO, Respondent, Case No. 2019D-000973. The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending. Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before March 27, 2020, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition. DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/4, 3/11, 3/18/2020

The Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed Middle School Camera Refresh bids at the Administrative Office located at 260 West Madison Street – Oak Park, IL, 60302, until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2020. At this time sealed bids will be publicly opened and read. Copies of specifications may be secured at the Oak Park Elementary School District #97 District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 or by emailing District’s Safety & Security Manager, Jim Hackett, at jhackett@op97.org Cut-off date for obtaining the scope of services is 4:00 pm, March 20, 2020. A mandatory pre-bid walkthrough will be conducted on March 17, 2020, at 1:00 P.M. CST. Please meet at the front entrance of Percy Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. Bids mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of: Oak Park School District 97 Attn. Jim Hackett 260 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The submittal label (Form D) in the packet should be affixed to the front of the envelope. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Jim Hackett at (708) 524-3013 or jhackett@op97.org. Bid Due Date: Monday, March 30, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. Only those bids complying with the provision and specification of the bid will be considered. The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualification or irregularities and/or reject any or all bids, when in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97. Sheryl Marinier Board Secretary Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2020 Pavement Preservation Project The Work consists of the application of High Density Mineral Bond (HA5) to approximately 12,500 square yards of public roadways within the Village of River Forest. The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 9, 2020 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

This project consists of the installation of approximately 4,750 square feet of PCC sidewalk, 350 linear feet of PCC curb/gutter, 150 square yards of driveway apron and other work incidental thereto. The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 9, 2020 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Monday, March 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. Bidders shall be prequaliﬁed by IDOT for: Concrete Construction The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids..

The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 9, 2020 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2020 Street Patching Program This project consists of the patching of approximately 4,500 square yards of existing, defective asphalt pavement at various locations throughout the Village, as designated by the Department of Public Works. The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 9, 2020 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Monday, March 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. Bidders shall be prequaliﬁed by IDOT for: HMA Paving

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Blvd., Oak Park, IL 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park 2020 Lead Water Service Replacement Program Bid Number: 20-124 Bid forms may be obtained from the Village of Oak Park website, http://www.oak-park.us/bid. Bid documents may be viewed at the Public Works Customer Service Center at 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Information is also available from the contact person, Water and Sewer Superintendent, James Eggen, jeggen@oak-park.us . The deadline for questions is 8:00 A.M. on Monday, March 30, 2020. Any addenda for this bid will be issued by 1:00 P.M. on Monday, March 30, 2020. The successful bidder will be required to post performance security and to provide a certificate of insurance as set forth in the bid package. This contract shall be subject to the provisions of the Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS130/1 et seq.) to the extent required by law. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Oak Park on Wednesday evening, April 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois on the following matter:

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Oak Park on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park, Illinois on the following matter:

Cal. No. 06-20-Z: 1120 Lake Street, Property Index Number: 16-07-119-029-0000

Cal. No. 05-20-Z: 903 N. Humphrey Avenue, Property Index Number 16-05-126-035-0000

The Applicant, 1120 Retail, LLC, seeks a variance from Section 8.3 (Table 8-1: Use Matrix) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, which section prohibits office uses from being located within the first 50 feet of the street lot line at grade level or on the ground floor of any building within the DT-1 and DT-2 Sub-Districts of Downtown, to allow a co-working office use on the ground floor within 50 feet of a street line at the premises commonly known as 1120 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois.

The Applicant, Marian Ivey, seeks a variation from Section 4.3 (Table 4-1: Residential District Dimensional Standards) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, which section provides that a property located within an R-4 Single-Family District shall not exceed a maximum impervious surface area of 60% of the lot, to permit construction of a new garage and a 10’ x 26’ parking pad resulting in a maximum impervious surface area of approximately 65% of the lot at the premises commonly known as 903 N. Humphrey Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois.

Those property owners within 300 feet of the Subject Property and those persons with a special interest beyond that of the general public (“Interested Parties”) wishing to cross-examine witnesses must complete and file an appearance with original signatures with the Village Clerk no later than 5:00 PM on the business day preceding the public hearing.

Those property owners within 300 feet of the Subject Property and those interested parties wishing to cross-examine witnesses must complete and file an appearance with original signatures with the Village Clerk no later than 5:00 PM on the business day preceding the public hearing.

All papers in connection with the above matter are on file at the Village of Oak Park and available for examination by interested parties by contacting the Zoning Administrator at 708.358.5449. The Zoning Board of Appeals may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

DATED AT OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, this 11th Day of March, 2020

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

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: Y20003328 on March 4, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of FOSTER & GLIDDEN CONSULTANTS with the business located at: 1304 RIDGELAND AVE, BERWYN, IL 60402. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ARLENE WARDA 1304 RIDGELAND AVE BERWYN, IL 60402

PUBLIC NOTICE A third neighborhood meeting will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the ballrooms 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 Market project located at 640 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11, 3/18, 3/25/2020

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: Y20003301 on February 26, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of PNYX CONSULTANTS with the business located at: 340 E. NORTH WATER ST. 2302 CHICAGO, IL 60611. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: F. SCOTT WINSLOW 340 E NORTH WATER ST #2303 CHICAGO, IL 60611, SHANDO VALDEZ 3334 N OKETO AV CHICAGO, IL 60634. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/4, 3/11, 3/18/2020

Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11, 3/18, 3/25/2020

Starting a new business? Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call for details: 708/613-3342

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for: 2020 Sewer Lining Improvements (Various Locations) This project consists of the installation of approximately 3,175 lineal feet of Cured-in-Place Piping (CIPP) as a sewer lining as well as other miscellaneous work required to install the aforementioned CIPP, including some point/manhole bench repairs. The bidding documents are available for download starting Monday, March 9, 2020 at: www.vrf.us/bids Bids must be submitted by Tuesday, March 24, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at: Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305 The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work. No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening. The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids. Published in Wednesday Journal 3/11/2020

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NEW RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE, LLC Plaintiff, -v.SARA DANKER, CORNERSTONE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, THE CORNERSTONE CONDOMINIUM, CITY OF OAK PARK Defendants 18 CH 08348 846 WESLEY AVE APT 2 OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 27, 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 846 WESLEY AVE APT 2, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-226-0361012 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $125,856.02. 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

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REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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, HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 111 East Main Street, DECATUR, IL, 62523 (217) 4221719. Please refer to file number 402910. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. HEAVNER, BEYERS & MIHLAR, LLC 111 East Main Street DECATUR IL, 62523 217-422-1719 Fax #: 217-422-1754 E-Mail: CookPleadings@hsbattys. com Attorney File No. 402910 Attorney Code. 40387 Case Number: 18 CH 08348 TJSC#: 40-983 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 18 CH 08348 I3146256

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.PATRICK K. KIRCHER, ISABELLA HART, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT Defendants 2019 CH 10436 836 WISCONSIN AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 4, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 13, 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 836 WISCONSIN AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-128-0110000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium

unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-07968 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 10436 TJSC#: 39-7845 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 10436 I3146723

spection. For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. WA17-0355 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3146363

and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-03763 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 05114 TJSC#: 40-558 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 05114 I3147509

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, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-05532 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 07654 TJSC#: 40-344 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 07654 I3147359

WEDNESDAY CLASSIFIED

Communities

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR ARGENT SECURITIES INC., ASSET BACKED PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2006-M2; Plaintiff, vs. DARNELL M. FLETCHER; LISA D. FLETCHER; ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; ILLINOIS HEALTHCARE AND FAMILY SERVICES; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF DARNELL M. FLETCHER, IF ANY; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF LISA D. FLETCHER, IF ANY UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 17 CH 11812 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, April 8, 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. 15-08-222-025-0000. Commonly known as 212 46th Avenue, Bellwood, IL 60104. 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 in-

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P. Plaintiff, -v.MARIA C. RIVERA Defendants 2019 CH 05114 1024 S RIDGELAND AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 17, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 20, 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 1024 S RIDGELAND AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-308-0110000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, 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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.JEFFERY EATON, VICKY EATON, 1223-25 ELGIN MANOR CONDOMINIUM, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019 CH 07654 1223 ELGIN AVE UNIT G1 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 10, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 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 1223 ELGIN AVE UNIT G1, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-24-203-0351005; 15-24-203-035-1007 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse. 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

Selling your condo by owner? Advertise here! Call for details: 708-613-3342

Wednesday Journal, March 11, 2020

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HOME EQUITY LINE OF CREDIT

3.49

* % APR

P RO M O T I O NA L FIXED RATE F O R T H E F I R S T 12 MONTHS...

HOME IMPROVEMENTS, REMODELING, COLLEGE EDUCATION & MUCH MORE PLEASE CALL OR SEE A LENDER TODAY.

P R I M E R AT E VA R I A B L E T H E R E A F T E R ( 4.2 5 % A P R ) A S O F 3 / 5 / 2 0 2 0

No Closing Costs

7 3 4 8 W E S T M A D I S O N S T R E E T, F O R E S T PA R K , I L 6 0 13 0 NMLS# 417555

F O R E S T PA R K B A N K . C O M | 7 0 8 . 2 2 2 . 2 8 0 0

*The 3.49% APR is a promotional fixed rate for the first 12 months of the loan. After the promotional period, the APR will adjust monthly based upon changes in the Index (the highest Prime Rate as published by the Wall Street Journal). The APR will never be lower than 3.49% or higher than 18.00%. After the 12 month promotional period, subject to the minimum 3.49% APR limitation, qualifying accounts may receive a 0.25% â&#x20AC;&#x153;auto-payâ&#x20AC;? discount to the APR. To qualify, automatic payments must be established at the time the HELOC account is opened, and must be drawn from an eligible Forest Park Bank deposit account. The loan has a 30 year term, with a 10 year draw period and a 20 year repayment period. During the draw period, monthly interest only payments are required. After the draw period, the outstanding balance will be amortized over 20 years and monthly payments of principal and interest will be required. Payments are subject to change based upon changes in the APR. An annual fee of $50 (waived the first year) will be assessed. Closing costs paid by Forest Park Bank are limited to appraisal, flood determination, title insurance, tax monitoring, credit report and recording fees. If the line is closed within the first 3 years, a $450, cost recovery fee will apply. Consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of interest. Combined loan-to-value of the pledged property can be no more than 80%. Collateral must be an owner-occupied principal residence. Vacation homes, second homes and investment properties are not eligible. Property insurance is required; flood insurance may be required. A real estate tax escrow may be required. Additional terms and conditions apply. Terms and conditions are subject to change at any time. All applications are subject to credit approval and underwriting standards.