Wednesday Journal 032024

Executive director red by Oak Park’s librar y board

The move comes amid allegations of racism and a small but erce opposition to management of a Palestinian cultural event

By ERIKA HOBBS Editor

The Oak Park Public Library fired its executive director, Joslyn Bowling Dixon, March 16 amid controversy over her management ofa Palestinian cultural event held at the library among other issues.

Her actions, those who called for her removal in a petition said, were racist.

Dixon was hired in 2022. S he c ame from the Newark, New Je r sey system, but be g an her library career in Oak Pa rk

Six ofthe seven library trustees approved the move Trustee Theodore N. Foss, who attended by video conference, proposed placing Dixon on administrative leave pending an investigation. The motion died. He

PROVIDED

Black

STORY

Oak Park’s Emery Lehman is a nalist for the Sullivan Award

Online voting will decide the country’s best amateur athlete

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Oak

Park and River Forest High School

alum Emery Lehman, a three-time U.S. Olympian in speed skating, is a finalist in this year’s voting for the American Amateur Union James Sullivan Award, present-

ed to the country’s best amateur athlete.

Lehman, a 2014 graduate, won a bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China in the team pursuit event, along with teammates Ethan Cepuran, Casey Dawson, and Joey Mantia.

As Lehman prepares to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, he continues to have success. He, along with Cepuran and Dawson, set a new world record in the team pursuit at a World Cup speedskating event in Salt Lake City, UT, clocking in at a time of3:33.36. That was two seconds better than runner-up Norway, which had taken the previous world record from the Americans earlier this year.

Lehman is one ofsix finalists for the Sullivan Award. The others are University ofIowa women’s basketball player Caitlin Clark; U.S. Paralympic swimmer Noah Jaffe; University of Michigan gymnast Frederick Richard; University of Texas women’s volleyball player Madisen Skinner; and U.S. freestyle wrestler David Taylor.

Voting is taking place online at aausullivan.org through March 19. You can vote once every day until 10:59 p.m. Central Daylight Time on the 19th.

The winner will be announced at a blacktie dinner, April 23, at the New York Athletic Club.

EMERY LEHMAN

Black Girl Equestrian aims to diversify horseback riding

Former Oak Parker Makesha Flournoy-Benson hopes to launch BGE soon

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A for mer Oak Parker has seen the need to diversify the sport of horseback riding and is working to answer the call by creating a nonprofit organization aimed to ease the financial burden for families of color

Makesha Flournoy-Benson was inspired by her daughter’s love for riding horses, so she founded Black Girl Equestrian to make the sport accessible to more Black children and other traditionally marginalized groups. She hopes to launch a fully-fledged nonprofit in coming months.

The mission of Black Girl Equestrian would be to help families afford the highly expensive sport, bringing diversity and inclusion to a world that typically has been accessible to white, affluent riders

According to a 2023 New York Times article detailing the struggle for Black riders to find appropriate helmets that would keep them safe without having to compromise their hair — which has a long history and deep meaning for the Black community — their number of riders identifying as Black isn’t clear. The United States Equestrian Federation, one of the major governing bodies for competitive horse sports, reported that only about half of their 447,000 members disclose their race and of that half, 92% are white. Black riders only account for 0.5 percent of that registered population.

“When you are little sometimes you don’ even think that riding a horse is an option, it is not even in your list of wish list items be cause you don’t see girls like you and other like you on horses,” Flour noy-Benson said.

Flournoy-Benson is no stranger to community activism.

She was a co-founder and served as co-president of Oak Park Elementary School District 97’s Diversity Council, where she served for seven years before the family decided to

make the move to the Dominican where they currently reside. The in Oak Park for more than 20 year

During her family’s time in Oak her daughter, Lucy Custard, be ing an interest in horses, prompting the family to participate in various But other than that, Flournoy-Benson said, there weren’t many local opportunities Lucy to continue to dive deeper Equestrian, a style of riding, and available was far and expensive

When the family began living pa in the Dominican Republic, Lu opportunity to interact more with horses the local barn

“It was nice to see a lot more Brown gi riding horses,” Flournoy-Benson said. “There was sort of a level of comfort for Lu but also the cost of taking lessons here was so much less.”

Riding then turned into something Lucy became very passionate about and wanted to keep pursuing.

The issue then became cost. For Lucy to compete and perform at her preferred level, the costs added up

“It is an extremely expensive sport,” Flournoy-Benson said. “After going to many competitions, I saw there were a lot of girls, even here that were underrepresented and when I started thinking about our barn, it really felt like there was an opportunity to open up this idea of really having a dream.”

To help with the growing costs of the sport, Flournoy-Benson set up a GoFundMe for Lucy.

Right now, the GoFundMe is a little over 40% funded, with $5,142 out of the goal of $12,500 raised. Flournoy-Benson said they have also received donations aside from the GoFundMe.

Although the current GoFundMe that is set up to benefit Lucy, Flournoy-Benson said the funds donated after the $12,500 will be used to get the nonprofit up and running as well as begin benefiting other children.

“Those funds that we are raising money for will help with that process,” FlournoyBenson said, adding that she knows of a few kids at Lucy’s barn who could use the financial assistance.

Nykia Blue, who is helping Flournoy-Benson launch BGE, and her family relocated to the Dominican Republic from New Orleans, Louisiana, to escape the “rat race” they were experiencing in the United States

After arriving on the island in 2017, Blue said her daughter, Kylie Blue, now 14, began horseback riding and wanted to pursue the equestrian sport.

Blue said throughout the years she began to see her daughter gain confidence and other important life skills through her work with her horse, Ohlala. But the sport is expensive, she said, and being able to aid fami-

lies could really open that door for many future riders

There is training, owning a horse, stable fees, medical expenses, horses’ shoes, and then fees to enter competitions, along with lessons, which even in the Dominican Republic, can be costly, Blue said.

She added that if her family hadn’t relocated, there would be a very good chance that Kylie wouldn’t have been able to participate in the sport, because the costs in the States were surely higher

By bringing in that financial accessibility to other Black girls and families, Blue said the sport would be able to grow and diversify

As Flournoy-Benson and Blue continue to work out the details for BGE, including whether the benefiting ranch would be in the Dominican Republic or in the U.S., Flournoy-Benson said she hopes to have people rally behind Lucy, who is an “embodiment,” of Oak Park values

“She does really represent what Oak Park is all about,” she said. “She is a kid that represents Oak Park progressiveness and values with aspirations to dream big.”

“There has to be a change in representation within equestrian sports but not only equestrian sports, there are so many other league sports that all of our kids need to have access to so they can find something they truly love,” Flour noy-Benson said.

PROVIDED BY MAKESHA FLOURNOY-BENSON

Lucy Custard, formerly from Oak Park, has been riding horses since her family reloca ted to the Dominican Republic.

PROVIDED BY MAKESHA FLOURNOY-BENSON

Lucy Custard has been training at Seahorse Ranch Equestrian in the Dominican Republic since 2022.

BIG WEEK

Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m., 19th Century Club, rst oor

Novelist Elizabeth Berg will introduce poet and anthologist James Crews for a reading on Sunday, March 24, at the 19th reception with many delicious treats and an oppor more of James’ books. In addition to his own books of poetr focusing on kindness and connection that include poets such as Ted Kooser and Mary Oliver. The event is free and open to the public, but donations are encouraged. 19th Century Charitable Association, 178

Green Cleaning: Sustainabilit y at Home

Thursday, March 21, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Learn how to properly recycle household hazardous waste materials and make your own green cleaning alternatives that are safer for both humans and the environment. After a brief presentation and Q&A with the Cook County Depar tment of Environment and Sustainability’s Community Outreach Coordinator Kate Carney, there will be an opportunity for participants to make their own green cleaning mix to bring home just in time for Spring Cleaning. Register: https://oakpark.librarycalendar.com/event/sustainability-home -green-cleaning-63106. 834 Lake St.,Oak Park.

Oak Park Artisan Market

Saturday, March 23, 12 - 4 p.m., Sugarbeet Co- op

Lots of yummy goodies including The Vulgar Vegan, All Love Fermented Hot Sauces, Insanely Awesome Bakery, Maly ’s Foods, and Linner Bakery

Discover a world of creativity and craftsmanship at our monthly curated fair, where local artists, makers, and producers come together to showcase their creations. From delectable food and beverages to ne ar t, crafts, ceramics, sculpture, photography, jewelr y, cosmetics, wellness products, housewares, decor, and beyond. 812 Madison St., Oak Park.

Armstrong, Django Reinhardt, Toots Thielemans, and Stephane Grappelli, infusing their compositions with a sense of nostalgia, while imparting a distinct and edgy modern air. 187 N Marion St.,Oak Park.

Blithe Spirit

Friday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., Dominican University, Martin Recital Hall

This 1940s comedy by Noël Coward has seen stages around the world and has been made into lms, radio and television programs, musicals and a novel. Purchase tickets: https://dom.universitytickets.com/w/event. aspx?id=1532. 7900 Division St.,River Forest.

Come Thru N Chill

Saturday, March 23, 6 - 9 p.m., Creative Minds - Center of the Arts

A fun night of painting, music, and good vibes. No experience necessary, just bring your positive energy and you will be provided with all the materials you need to create your masterpiece. 803 Van Buren St.,Oak Park.

winners. Jump in any time as we play continuous rounds. Walk-ins always welcome but this event does ll up. Reser ve your spot spot via link https:// linktr.ee/OneLakeBrewing. 1 Lake St., Oak Park.

“Manet/Dega s” New Works by Gary Cannone

Opening Saturday, March 23, 3 – 6 p.m., Compound Yellow

Gary Cannone was diagnosed with a neurological illness in 2013 that a ected his cognitive function. His counter-intuitive response has been to conver t this into a boon to his ar t practice, converting his daily stumbling blocks into a generative force. Cannone employs substitution, parody, props, and slapstick to create an ar t that embraces physical and conceptual de ection. Some of his early work included customer surveys, subliminal messaging, how-to -books, libraries within libraries, conversion charts and phone trees.  244 Lake St.,Oak Park.

Two Dads Defending Democracy marks return of GCM Conversations

Joe Walsh, Fred Guttenberg speak at Dominican University

Growing Community Media is bringing back its Conversations series with two men who hold quite different political views but have come together with the shared message that American democracy is in peril this year and we need to face that reality.

“Two Dads Defending Democracy: Bridging the Gap During Divisive Times” features for mer Illinois Cong ressman Joe Walsh and gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg.

The GCM event will be April 9 at 7 p.m. at Dominican University in River Forest. Tickets will be on sale by mid-week. Visit AustinWeeklyNews.com for details

Through their visits to colleges and universities during this election season, they are modeling how to eng age in respectful dialogue with people with whom they vehemently disag ree. The greatest threat to democracy right now is the tendency to de-

monize and want to destroy the “other.”

The immediate political environment is a part of the presentation, but the moderated conversation is framed more broadly. They ag ree, “Our democracy is preserved if we can eng age, listen to, and understand those with whom we disa this our democra

Growing C profit parent nal of Oak Pa ly News, Ri

and the Forest Park Review, as part of ts “Conversations” series. Previous uests have included Peter Sagal of “Wait, Wait, Don’t ell Me,” Democratstrategist David Axelrod, filmmaker Steve James, and broadcast executive Candi Carter

According to Gut-

Here’s how they describe the Two Dads tour:

“As we look forward to the 2024 election, the story of how gun safety activist Fred Guttenberg and for mer congressman Joe Walsh learned to engage in civil discourse rather than rancor shows a way forward. They went from fighting on TV and social media to talking with each other and listening to one another. Through meaningful dialogue, Guttenberg and Walsh have for med a true friendship and have demonstrated how olitical onun safety and, with ersation, visit:

JOE WALSH

Former Congressman

FRED GUT TENBERG

Susan Yates wins D’Alemberte Raven Award

The award comes from the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Susan Yates, an Oak Park resident, was awarded the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution’s prestigious D’Alemberte Raven Award.

Yates is the executive director of Resolution Systems Institute, a Chicago-based national nonprofit. RSI is known for evaluating alternative dispute resolution court programs and conducting research

Alternative dispute resolution is any method of resolving conflicts without litigation, according to Cornell Law School.

The D’Alemberte Raven Award is given to either an individual or organization that provided significant contributions to the field through meth-

ods including developing new programs, efficiency improvements, research and writing.

Yates implemented RSI’s mission of strengthening access to justice through court alternative dispute resolution systems, according to a news release.

“Susan’s astute, dedicated stewardship has made RSI the nationally respected ADR thought leader it is today,” said Terry Moritz, member of the RSI board of directors, in a news release.

Yates is the recipient of numerous other

Oak Park may start bagging leaves for collection, ridding streets of piles

If the new program is implemented, costs would remain the same until at least March 2027

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s village board indicated it is supportive of an alternative leaf collection program that would allow residents to place an unlimited number of bags of leaves in their parkway, or the area between the sidewalk and street, for collection on a designated day, rather than collecting big piles of leaves in the street.

“What we have right now is not working,” village President Vicki Scaman said.

At the Nov. 20, 2023, meeting, the board expressed concerns about leaf disposal safety and related environmental concerns

Since November, the publics work department staff had meetings with Lakeshore Recycling Systems, the village’s leaf collection service, reviewed case studies of leaf collection programs, tracked collection costs, worked with a Vision Zero consultant and consulted with other affected departments, according to the village

The leaf collection program has been a six-

to eight-week operation from late October to early December since 1994. The newly proposed program would be for six weeks

In 2023, almost 2,200 tons of leaves were collected over six weeks. Roughly $193,000 was paid to the hauler, LRS, to collect them.

For many years, residents of single-family homes raked their leaves into the street. Village employees would push the leaves to large piles for the hauler to pick up the next day. The leaf pile method raised safety concerns, including vehicle fires, impaired visibility, clogged drains, illegally parked cars and children playing in leaf piles, who could be easily overlooked by drivers

Another issue is that multi-family units, commercial buildings and other institutions did not contribute to the cost, but often still reaped the benefits of having their leaves collected. It was “nearly impossible” to identify violating parties after leaves were pushed together, the village states. Landscaping companies were also reportedly witnessed dumping leaves into village piles

Village officials said they are supportive of the new program, despite some minor concerns

For example, having to purchase landscape bags for leaf collection may place a financial burden on residents, impacting single-family homeowners most, and the act of bagging may be more physically demanding on some Scaman said she is concerned about that

demand on indiviuals with disabilities and older residents to bag their leaves. board members echoed that apprehension.

Trustee Susan Buchanan pointed out tha if residents do not want to bag their lea or can’t, the new program does allow them to let the leaves lay where they are and post. Residents can also run over the lea with a lawnmower instead, she said.

awards and has co-authored two books, as well as studies and articles. She was a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Council for several terms, according to the release.

The award presentation will take place at a spring conference from April 10 to 13 in San Diego, California. The award is named in honor of Talbot D’Alemberte and Robert Raven, both of whom were ABA president and chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution or its predecessor, according to the release.

Yates will re por tedly be stepping away from RSI later this year.

Rob Sproule, the public works director, also said staff can engage with relevant groups, including the aging in communities commission and disability access commission, while working toward implementation of the program.

There would be no increase in program cost to the village or its residents with the new program. LRS will honor the program rate of $2.42 per month per household until the end of the contract in March 2027, according to the village.

Trustee Cory Wesley said he does not like that Oak Park would essentially be doing the work to bag leaves, but LRS will be charging the same amount. Sproule said the volume of leaves may dictate cost in the future, but for now, reached an agreement to maintain the current contract price.

Other benefits include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, decreased labor costs, decreased leaf volume, increased waste reduction, safer streets and fewer blocked drains. Residents would also be encouraged

Landscape bags lled with leaves are show n ready for pickup on a parkway, the area between sidewalk and street, in Franklin, Tenn.

to mulch and compost their leaves, as Buchanan mentioned.

Potential disadvantages include new costs, such as residents purchasing landscape bags, overtime costs for enforcement and education materials during the transition to the new program.

To successfully implement the new program, the village will need outreach, education and enforcement measures, according to the village, in addition to potential code revisions.

Wesley questioned whether enforcement would result in residents receiving tickets for pushing leaves into the street rather than bagging them, calling it potentially “punitive” to do so. Sproule said that would not be the village’s intent, but enforcement measures may be necessary if residents are well infor med about a change and not following new guidelines

SUSAN YATES

VILL AG E OF OAK PARK

West40 Education Job Fair addresseses teacher shortages in West Cook County

There are about 40 open positions in Oak Park and River Forest

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

The West40 Spring 2024 Educator Job Fair was held at the end of last month with local school districts from the West Cook County region present in hopes ofmeeting prospective candidates.

Among the participating districts were River Forest School District 90 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, along with other neighboring districts including Forest Park School District 91.

The idea for an educational job fair was born out ofa request by a local district, said Gina Sierra, educator licensure specialist at West40, a nonprofit intermediate service center serving 38 school districts and three co-ops in West Cook County.

According to Sierra, 29 school districts participated in the job fair and they estimated there were between 50 to 75 job seekers who attended the event.

The teacher shor tage has been prominent for years, said Mark Klaisner, West40 Executive Director

“For nearly a decade, we have been struggling to fill certain positions,” Klaisner said. “The situation has only become more intense and broader. Our districts (and those across the state and nation) are telling us they can’t fill positions.”

According to the latest unfilled positions data collected by the Illinois State Board ofEducation, which was collected for the 2023 school year, there were 3,105 unfilled full-time equivalence educator positions and 73,311 full-time equivalence educator positions filled, a vacancy rate of approximately 4.06% in Cook County.

In West Cook County, Klaisner said last year’s numbers were north of5,000 unfilled positions.

Locally, according to the various public school district websites, there are a total of 40 open positions: seven at D90, 18 at D97, and 15 at the high school district.

D90 Superintendent Ed Condon said the district participated in the job fair in hopes of getting a head start on openings they

know will be coming up due to various reasons, including retirement.

Condon said school districts usually don’t know how many openings they will have for an upcoming school year until closer to the end of March

At River Forest, openings include a middle school social studies teacher, a special education teacher, and a pre-k teacher.

The event, which Condon personally attended, creates positive exposure for districts

“We want to make sure we are out there, being active in soliciting outstanding candidates,” Condon said. “Knowing that the candidates that were more likely to attend this job fair were predominantly from the West Cook area would increase the chances that they are interested in working in a region where they live.”

Overall, Condon said the district has been doing very well in terms of staffing.

“We are aware that there are school districts in the region and across the state where that is not the case,” Condon said. “We count our blessings in River Forest that we are still able to get strong candidates who are eager to work and be committed to our community We are grateful for that.”

However, that is not the case for most public schools

According to Klaisner, the pandemic “exacerbated the shor tage in all areas of education. ”

School districts across the country have struggled with finding bus drivers, parapros, cafeteria employees, crossing guards and even administrators, said Klaisner

According to “The State ofOur Educator Pipeline 2023: Strengths, Opportunities, and the Early Impact ofthe COVID-19 Pandemic,” a report published by Advance Illinois, while there has been an increasing “supply ofnew teachers,” other positions, such as paraprofessionals, special education and bilingual teacher positions have been tougher to fill.

Finding qualified substitute teachers has also been difficult for Illinois schools.

According to a study of Chicago Publi Schools by FutureEd, who produces inde pendent analysis of education issues, from 2017-2018 over 200 schools in predominantl low-income communities only had halfof their substitute requests met, while schools in affluent neighborhoods filled more than 95% of their requests

The study also found that Black students

experience classrooms without a substitute more than three times more than white students.

In October 2023, the A ssociated Press re ported that the Advance I llinois repo rt also found that wh i le there we re “enough” teachers in I llinois with the credentials to become principals, they we re not distributed equally.

“Like many careers, the pendulum could swing around the way in which people perceive the nature of work in any given profession,” Condon said, adding there has been a lot ofpressure placed on educators following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other more lucrative careers also exist, Condon added.

“We are competing for individuals who oftentimes have many different choices they can make,” Condon said.

According to the Associated Press, Illinois Rep. Carol Ammons said the issue could be a “structural problem in the economy,” where

those who would step into the roles ofparaprofessionals and other positions at schools can make the decision to earn more working in other fields, including Walmart.

Investing in teachers, from the early stages of hiring, should be at the forefront, said Condon.

“For probably every school district, certainly including District 90, identifying, onboarding and then supporting high quality teachers should be one ofthe greatest priorities,” he said.

To fully address any teacher shortages in West Cook County, Klaisner calls for a collaborative ef fort

“Long term we need to bring interest back to the profession,” he said. “We need to work with legislature, ISBE and other professional agencies to implement short term strategies…additionally, we realize teachers need to be supported when they are in teaching positions to retain the excellent teachers we have.”

Village hall remodel recommendation heads to Oak Park’s board

The police station would be moved out of the basement, nal costs aren’t yet clear

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

The Facility Review Committee voted to finalize its recommendations for the village hall remodel that would include a small glass addition to the historic building, removing all police functions and moving the council chambers to the lower level.

At the March 13 meeting, Johnson Lasky Kindelin Architects presented cost estimates for options the committee had been debating

The new recommendation combines what the committee believes are the best features of an option to retain as much of the original structure as possible and an option to add a glass addition.

The committee passed on the idea of constructing a large glass addition or a “sunken plaza” option that would bring all visitors and staf f into a lower-level public common area, according to JLK’s presentation. The full re port can be read online.

Me g Kindelin, JLK president, said focusing solely on retaining village hall would cost roughly $31.5 million to $32.5 million.

The “sunken plaza” scheme would cost approximately $35.5 million to $38 million.

“These are very big numbers, there’s no getting around that,” committee co-chair Colette Lueck said. “They are what they are.”

Constructing a glass addition would be more expensive than both of those options, Kindelin said. The large addition plan would cost roughly $54.5 to $57 million. A small addition plan would be about $47.5 to $49.5 million. The committee decided to make the addition as small as possible to combat that potential financial concern.

“Nobody is going to spend this kind of money and move,” Lueck said.

The committee is not recommending where the new police station will go, so no one yet knows the costs a new location

would add to the Village Hall remodel.

“What we’re giving the board is wh they asked us to do,” Lueck said. “It’s not our fault they asked us to do something that doesn’t give them useful financial in formation in the long run. They have to do that next step.”

The recommended plan

If the village board approves the c mittee’s plan, it would include implementing skylights in the basement to allo w fo adequate daylight, refurbishing the existing council chambers as a small meeting space and creating a circle drop-off area.

T hey also decided that the addition, if approved, will include a new entryway that is accessible and inclusive, vertical circulation and at least one restroom.

The recommendation includes improving sustainability, accessibility, lighting and parking, as well as reducing sonic issues throughout the building.

JLK presented options for moving the council chamber functions to Room 101, to the new addition or to the lower level, where police functions are located now.

The committee ag reed the current council chambers weren’ t going to cut it from a safety or accessibility standpoint.

“If you are in a wheelchair and you want to preside as the president of this village, how do you do that with any sense of dignity [in the current chambers]?” Kindelin said.

to the lower level, allowing for roughly 210 seats and space adjacent to a new public commons area once the police functions are moved out. Kindelin said she likes the symbolism of the chambers located in the heart of Village Hall.

“If you are in a wheelchair and you want to preside as the president of this village, how do you do that with any sense of dignity?”

MEG KINDELIN Architect

Moving the chambers to Room 101 would allow for roughly 125 seats, additional access in and out and potential chair storage. Moving it to the new addition would be more expensive, JLK confirmed, but would allow for roughly 225 seats and an adjacent conference room.

The consensus was to move chambers

A wider stairway will be necessary, the committee concluded, as an entrance to the new chambers for both accessibility and safety, as well as promoting the vision of open gover nment.

“You have to have a building that people feel welcomes them,” Lueck said.

The existing council chambers would become a smaller meeting space with minor improvements to make the space safer and more accessible. Committee co-chair Daniel Roush said there’s a lot of traffic on weeknights for meetings in the chambers, so this plan will allow smaller groups to meet there instead

Local architect and committee member Tom Bassett-Dilley said he wants to be a good steward of the building, putting as much of the existing structure to use to save money and resources, a statement that

echoed around the room.

As for office space, Kindelin said the plan accommodates modern needs, which generally don’t require as much space. The presentation calls the concept “smaller but smarter.” People typically no longer need space for huge amounts of paper or filing cabinets in a digital world, she said. Moving some village functions to the addition will allow for more space within the existing building, too, said public works director Rob Sproule

The committee also discussed having the construction done in phases to allow for minimal disruption for the day-to-day functions of village staff. The building may have to be shutdown at some points, Kindelin said, but they could try to keep it mostly open throughout the process

Kindelin said the final recommendations use the existing building while also accommodating for future functions of the Village of Oak Park and are also feasible to complete

T he committee ag reed that while this option may be expensive, it meets the most needs.

T he co-chairs will present the recommendations to the village board, who has final say, on April 9.

“We have to convince them [the public] that what we’re doing is necessary and will improve their lives,” Lueck said.

Oak Park Village Hall

Civics Service Learnin Fair cultivates community engagement at OPRF

Local organizations

par ticipated in the fair

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School hosted their second Civics Service Learning Fair in February to not only help students meet their graduation requirements, but also to cultivate a culture of civic leadership and community service.

Local nonprofits and civic organizations attended the event to personally meet students and pique their interest to be involved with their organization.

This was the second event held to help students meet their community service requirement, which became a state graduation requirement in 2017.

The first Civic Service Learning Fair was held in August.

The idea is that by bringing local organizations into the halls of OPRF to mingle with junior and seniors, they will be able to lear n more about local nonprofits and civic organizations to potentially find one to volunteer with, completing their required five hours of community service.

“The service should be meaningful,” said Steve Schwartz, history teacher at OPRF.

Maia Stern, owner of Stern Glass South Oak Park Avenue, hopes to ha students volunteer with their org

While Stern Glass Works is a ganization, they host four events throughout the year to benefit local nonprofit

“With those events, they are a big pa our studio,” Stern said. “We are still small, but we try to do quite a lot of throughout the year for us that are so it takes a number of months of and preparation. The day off, of moving parts.”

Stern said on average each event raises about $700-$800 for nonprofits while also giving local artists opportunities to make money

T he events take a lot of manp ower, said Ster n.

“It’s wonderful, as a community event, especially because these students are looking for volunteer opportunities, to collaborate and find ways that they are not only helping my studio, but they are also giving back to the benefiting nonprofit.”

One student who approached S ter n’s table was Bailey Mosbacher, a j unior at OPRF Bailey, who still hasn’t completed her service hours, said she appreciated the Civics Fair.

“I think it’s important to widen people’s views on possible opportunities in the community to help others,” she said. “Also, at a

Matt Maloney, instructional coach for climate and culture and history teacher at OPRF, said that even as a long-time resident of River Forest and Oak Park, he wasn’t aware of all the different local opportunities to provide volunteering and civic eng agement.

“We need to find ways to connect our organizations and our students,” Maloney said. “We need to use this to plant seeds to go beyond civics lear ning requirements, to let this tur n into a passion project for them.”

Maloney said he hopes students will see themselves, “their values, their interests,” in these organizations and go beyond the fivehour requirement.

Trying to get students passionate about being engaged citizens, said Maloney, adding that there is great power in numbers.

“It is a way for them to actually do civics, not just sit in the classroom and listen about what it is,” Maloney said.

OPRF solicited feedback from students following the first fair in August and according to Maloney, more than 90% of civic students said it was a meaningful experience.

While this semester has less students enrolled in a civics class, about 250 students, Maloney said he hopes this semester’s class will also benefit from the fair.

Styles4Kidz was another nonprofit organization present at the fair

“It’s important because hair is important,” said Tamekia Swint, founder of Styles4Kidz. “Parents who are of one race taking care of a child of a different race may not understand all the details that goes into taking care of their hair. We are here to help parents navigate that and help kids

workshops or work in a salon.

Part of the Civics Fair also includes a panel discussion with invited guests.

This year OPRF invited speakers for two different panels, one during second period and one during third period.

This semester, panelists included Ravi Parakkat of Takeout 25; Cate Readling, community activist; State Rep. Camille Lilly; and Kina Collins, candidate for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District.

The panelists shared their stories and experiences about how and why they became involved in their communities and why they continue to serve in various capacities

For Readling, she recalled getting involved after the Boy Scouts of America announced that they were going to maintain a policy to ban gay scouts and leaders.

“I wasn’t okay with that, and I didn’t really know what I was going to do about it,” Readling said.

Readling, along with Mary Anderson, brought Scouts for Equality, a national organization for med against the Boy Scouts of America’s policy, to Oak Park through the Oak Park Scouts for Equality

Through their stories, the panelists shared the same goal: to encourage students to be an active part of their community, in whatever way is the most fitting for them.

“You see leaders and people in the community connect with the school and give students a perspective and allow people to engage,” Schwartz said. “OPRF is the center of the community and I think we, as an institution, can leverage that, and just provide more community engagement on behalf of our students.”

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Panelists Ravi Parakkat, Cate Readling, Kina Collins and Camille Lilly.

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Junior Bailey Mosbacher speaks with Maia Stern of Ster n Glass Works during the OPRF High School Civ ics Service Learning Fair.

Café Cubano brings its tropical vibe to Oak Park

Owners Mayra and Javier Fernández plan mojitos, Cuban co ee and sunshine

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Café Cubano, a long-time staple of Restaurant Row in Elmwood Park, is making a move to the Hemingway District in Oak Park.

The planned opening date is May 1 at 113 N. Oak Park Ave., the for mer home of Fritzi’s Delicatessen.

Owners Mayra and Javier Fernández said that after 23 years in Elmwood Park, it is time for them to grow. One main attraction in the new space is the large kitchen.

“You open those windows and you’ re bringing that patio in. It’s just a whole different thing,” Mayra said.

“The kitchen is enormous,” Mayra Fernández said. “It’s like five times what I have now. I can offer more products.”

Javier Fer nández said he is especially excited about the huge ovens left from when the restaurant was Geppetto’s Pizza & Pasta.

“Oh my God, it opens up the doors for a whole lot more capabilities and things that I can actually cook,” he said. “They got a huge pizza oven, but being Cuban, what can we do with that?”

“We’ re going to put a whole pig in there,” Maya Fernández rebounded

The physical space on Oak Park Avenue was attractive to the couple for other reasons, too. While they enjoyed a covered patio space at their current location, the storefront-wide casement windows in Oak Park creates a different feel.

And right in front, they plan a small bar to greet diners ifthey have to wait for a table. “Everybody is happily waiting while those mojitos are flowing.”

David King, president ofOak Park-based David King and Associates, leased the space. He said he believes that it’s a good move for Café Cubano

“They will keep all oftheir existing customers, due to the uniqueness of what they’re doing, but then in addition, you’ve got all of Oak Park now opened up,” he said.

“In Oak Park, they like unique flavors. They like diversity,” he added.

Javier Fernández said he has plans to redecorate, “I’m gonna throw Cuba all over it. That’s how much color I’m planning to bring. Make it fun.”

A tropical edition is a perfect fit for a retail corridor that has been expanding in recent years, King said. “That neighborhood has transformed a bit. Thirteen years ago, there were like two restaurants. Now there’s fifteen. The newer high rises have brought in a whole bunch ofnew people with fairly healthy incomes, which are actually helping drive the restaurant scene.”

In May, Mayra and Javier plan to have Cuban coffee brewing in the morning, windows open for the breeze to come in, and strains ofCuban music drifting out, as they welcome a new chapter for Café Cubano.

Mayra Fernández said she has high hopes for their move to Oak Park.

“I’m sure we’re going to do really well.”

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Cafe Cubano ow ners Mayra & Jav ier Fernández

Dominican University closes in on the digital divide

The university has until January 2025 to spend the grant

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Dominican University, a Hispanic-serving institution in River Forest, qualified for a grant through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program, which — while a mouthful — awarded it $2.5 million in federal funding to improve their broadband capacity.

“We want to level the playing field as much as possible and this grant was so importance for us because unlike large schools like Northwestern or UIC, who can easily write a check and make these changes, we don’t want to pass that cost onto our students so we are trying to find other sources to be able to defray that,”said Todd Kleine, chief information officer at Dominican University.

According to Stanford University, the idea of a digital divide “refers to the grow ing gap between the underprivileged members of society, especially the poor, rural, elderly, and handicapped portion of the population who do not have access to computers or the internet.”

Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All,” which emphasized the importance of high-speed internet access for Americans not as a luxury, but as a necessity, the grant was made possible through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which allocated $285 million to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to create a Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program to provide grants to eligible Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Tribal Colleges or Universities, and minorityserving institutions to expand their broadband internet access.

Kleine said Dominican and Chicago State University are the only educational institutions in Illinois to receive the grant.

“All of these are di erent approaches to try to break down those systemic inequities that some of our students might be coming to campus with.”

TODD KLEINE Chief information o cer at Dominican University

According to the Federal Register, the grant can be used for broadband internet access service, equipment, hiring information technology personnel, and to lend or provide equipment to eligible students or patrons

“It was really meant for minority serving institutions to be able to help try to break down the digital divide,” Kleine said. “We have lots of students who are first-generatio n and minority and just through systemic inequities in society, don’ t have the access to laptop devices and stable internet. It applied to part of our population.”

The university received the grant in January 2023 and must spend the funds by January 2025.

Kleine said the university has begun working on some of their initiatives that would primarily help improve the school’s infrastructure.

In an ef fo rt to ke ep tuition as low as p ossibl e, K leine said the unive rsit y had n’ t up gr aded i ts wire and wireless i nternet network on c ampus, wh ich was becoming “ancient. ”

“A large focus of this grant was on getting a lot of the behind-the-scenes components of the network upgraded,” Kleine said.

Included in those behind-the-scene components was an upgrade to a load balancer, which according to TechTarget, is a device that is used to “distribute network traffic across a pool of servers known as a server farm.” The distribution helps optimize network performance, create reliability and cut down wait time.

Additionally, seven classrooms have been updated to a “HyFlex” classroom, a hybrid-flexible classroom where teachers can address both the in-person and remote lear ners at the same time.

“In theory, you shouldn’t know any difference between the two because the equipment would enable you to feel like you are in the classroom,” Kleine said.

Kleine said they will continue to up-

grade classrooms as long as the funds allow, saying he would like to g et to 10 classrooms upgraded

Kleine added that the university is also concluding a major project where they replaced all of the technical elements of the network: access points, switches, cabling.

“It is a tricky project because we are essentially rebooting or redoing the entire network with people on campus,” Kleine said. “It is a major project and the grant has helped defray a large part of that.”

Par ts of the grant focused on digital literacy, Kleine said, which Dominican is addressing by helping students become proficient in computer software programs such as Microsoft, Adobe and programming language s.

This allowed students the opportunity to not only be able to work the software, but also become certified in them if they choose, Kleine said.

“Somebody could go through a Python coding workshop and then at the end of it sit for a Python certification,” Kleine said. “We wanted to be able to hold the workshops and also let the participants walk away with something tangible.”

The grant funds have also allowed Dominican to hire five full-time employees for the IT department.

K leine said they have also brought onboard nine students to i ntern as “ digital navig ator s. ”

The students have already worked on a cybersecurity project during the fall semester and will be conducting an assessment of the public spaces on campus that have computers to see what the student body would like those spaces to look like. Students will also be diving deep into the onboarding process during the summer to find potential ways to improve the process.

“All of these are different approaches to try to break down those systemic inequities that some of our students might be coming to campus with,” Kleine said.

As Dominican looks to the future, along with the opening of their expansion into the Pilsen neighborhood, Kleine said he hopes to find possibilities for additional grants to keep the university growing.

“We are hoping there are future funding opportunities to be able to do some similar work down there as well,” Kleine said.

COURTESY OF DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY

Dominican University main campus

School of Rock Oak Park is going to Europe

The

Show Team

is per forming at the Rock in Rio festival in June

By TAYLOR HAAG Contributing Reporter

School of Rock Oak Park’s Show Team is heading to Portugal to perform at Rock in Rio this summer

School of Rock is a music school franchise across the United States and 15 countries overseas that teaches aspiring musicians master skills and aims to instill confidence in them by unleashing their creativity through music lessons – such as piano/keyboard, bass, guitar, singing and drums – and playing in their band programs. As the name suggests, they specialize in the rock genre of music.

The Show Team highlights “the best and most talented” 12-to-18-year-old students enrolled in the school, according to music director, Ethan Loafman.

“The Show Team… I’m always constantly so impressed with how great they sound,” Loafman said. “I think School of Rock is kind of amazing for building these like just young, absolute, phenomenal players.”

School of Rock has locations in Portugal and Brazil, and they have a partnership with Rock in Rio. The partnership consists of allowing 48 School of Rock bands from around the world to perform at the festival, which made this opportunity for the Oak Park Show Team possible.

Loafman submitted a song the Show Team performed during a set last fall as an audition for the selection process, and a panel of Rock in Rio representatives chose them to perfor m.

Rock in Rio is a music festival that originated in Brazil and has now branched to locations such as Lisbon, Madrid and Las Vegas.

The Lisbon festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The four-day festival brings in a large crowd on an average year, but this celebration is set to bring in hundreds of thousands from across the world.

“I was looking at some of the headliners there, and I thought like wow this is like really, really big, really crazy,” said Bella Erpelo, a 16-year-old singer for Show Team.

“I didn’t really understand like how big the festival was.”

The headliners for Rock in Rio Lisbon include Scorpions, Ed Sheeran, Jonas Brothers and Doja Cat.

Along with their immense musical talent, the Oak Park School of Rock Show Team fosters a community where everyone has a place to feel like they belong

“They’ve [the band members] kind of got the same soul, like they all are there for that same reason, they all enjoy it, they’re all playing off each other,” said Jessica Richmond, the mother of Cameron Richmond, a 15-yearold guitarist for Show Team.

School of Rock has become a home base for the students who take lessons and participate in their bands. Aside from rehearsals and lessons, rooms at School of Rock are open for students to do their homework, have a jam session and hang out with the friends they have made there.

The opportunity to travel to Europe for a gig this size is an amazing accomplishment for this group of teens. Even more so, it is a way for them to connect more inside and outside the Show Team.

“Some of the people [in Show Team] don’t actually live in Oak Park because ours is the biggest in the area, so a lot of people come from, you know, in the city or other suburbs, so it’s like I don’t get to see them all that often or like spend time with them like that,” said bassist Jamie Regenstein, 17.

“I’m just excited that we’re going to go to, you know, have five days like as a team just to get closer.”

The 15 band members traveling to Europe this summer are living out one of their dreams of performing at a music festival. However, the cost of sending them there is significant.

The parents of the Show Team band members are setting up fundraisers to help with the cost and to ensure that every member can participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

They have set up a GoFundMe campaign, and have a partnership with Kribi Coffee where $5 donations will go to the band for each purchase of coffee beans.

They also will hold a fundraising concert at Distro Music Hall, 6815 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn, on April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the public to show their support and experience their talent firsthand

Individual steals $9K from Oak Park residence

Someone stole an estimated $9,000 worth of belongings from an Oak Park residence on the 100 block of North Humphrey Avenue on March 13. The person may have reached inside a window to unlock the rear door of the residence, police said. The individual then ransacked the bedroom and stole money, an engagement ring, a safe with documents and a box of miscellaneous jewelry.

Criminal damage to property

Someone by unknown means damaged the front door and basement window of an Oak Park residence March 13 on the 500 block of Wenonah Avenue. The estimated loss is $2,600.

Arrests

■ A 23-year-old Chicago man fled from police after an incident on Chicago Transit Authority property on March 10 on the 500 block of Harrison Street. He was caught and found to have a firearm. He was arrest-

ed for aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and reckless conduct.

■ A 29-year-old Chicago man was arrested for battery against a Chicago resident March 11 on the 6000 block of North Avenue.

■ A 28-year-old man from Broadview was arrested for domestic battery and battery against an Oak Park resident and a Lombard resident on March 11 on the 300 block of South East Avenue.

■ A 37-year-old Oak Park man was arrested for domestic battery and interference of re porting domestic violence March 13 on the 100 block of North Humphrey Avenue.

■ A 66-year-old Forest Park man was arrested for domestic battery, interference of re porting domestic violence and aggravated battery against two Oak Park residents March 13. The incident took place at the 400 block of South Lombard Avenue.

■ A 19-year- old Chicago woman was arrested for c riminal d amage to the Chicago Transit Authority property at 567 W. La ke St., Chicago. T he ar rest o ccu rred

March 17 on the 700 block of S outh Austin Boulevard .

■ A 66-year-old Chicago man was arrested for driving under the influence and driving while his license was suspended on March 17 on the 800 block of Chicago Avenue

■ A 25-year-old man from Hazel Crest was arrested for possession of cannabis, obstruction, a Cook County warrant for a stealing a car and a Will County warrant for driving while his license was revoked. The arrest occurred on March 17 on the 1000 block of Lake Street.

Burglary to motor vehicle

Someone broke into an Oak Park resident’s unsecured 2017 Subaru Crosstrek and stole a debit card, credit card and an Illinois driver’s license. The incident, which occur red between March 12 and March 13 on the 400 block of South Boulevard, resulted in an unknown estimated loss. Someone got into a Crystal Lake resident’s unlocked 2014 Mercedes-Benz

Sprinter Van on March 13 on the 800 block of Home Avenue. The person stole tools and money, resulting in an estimated loss of $3,150.

Motor vehicle theft

Someone stole a Downers Grove resident’s red 2019 Hyundai Elantra on March 16 on the 200 block of North Ridgeland Avenue. The estimated loss is $12,100.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports dated March 1118, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Luzane Draughon

LIBRARY FIRING

Dixon out as director

from page 1

voted agai nst her firing. Foss also t rie d withdrawing the vote to dismiss her, bu t c ould not, a ccording to the b oard’s gover ning rules.

Do ze ns of people both online and in person attended the highly unusual Saturday meeting, one in which an angry, frustrated and sometimes raucous audience often inter rupted board President Matthew Fruth as he read aloud public comments submitted ahead of the meeting and then delivered board’s statement.

“You’ll have an angry mob outside,” one woman called from the audience when the board declined to take a new vote. “You won’t have any peace.”

sion. Others also objected to was an internal shift aw mitment to antiracism and multicultural work the board and staf and were actively working on. Dixon, they said, was trying to position the library as a place for books only and the community hub Oak strives to be. For example, she dismantled a multicultural progr traveled to schools to teach the many ways stories lected, such as through oral storytelling. Suppo als were giv books redistributed shelves, employees said.

A tearful Dixon spoke in her defense at the meeting.

“It took 120 years like me to hold the position and less than 30 days to ha en away,” she said. “It is ironic that a black woman who has a track record being terminated.”

In that statement, Fruth said library trustees had collected input from staf f and community members — both positive and ne gative — yet what they observed over many months was a “persistent lack of alignment between the priorities of the board and the executive director,” one that didn’t support a collaborati working relationship, something that is critical to implementing the library’s strateg vision and plans.

He continued: “There’s often confusion and miscommuni cation and distress both inter nally and externally, and it has critically impacted our ability to move forward together and that prompted today’s action.”

Further, “It is reckless ing” that misinformation that also was inco rrectly attributed to her — she d enied saying — was disseminated to the community.

Fruth said the board will hire a firm to begin a national search for a new executive director. In the short term, he said, Deputy Director Suzy Wolf and Leigh Tarullo, collections director, will provide day-to-day leadership at the library. The board hopes to hire an interim director, a person from outside the current staf f, by April 23.

It was the board’s fourth special meeting re garding the issue in the past two weeks.

It comes after weeks of upheaval among some community members who objected to the way leaders, including Dixon, handled a planned Palestinian cultural event, eliminated two staf f positions, at least one of which related to diversity, equity and inclu-

Still, she said, “thank so much for and the joy and the f un and the hard wo rk we p ut i nto our time to g ether.”

Dixon had earlier issued a public apolo gy that for mer staf f and community members said wasn’t enough.

“I am sorry,” she wrote in an emailed statement. “There has been a lot of public conversation, hurt, and confusion about our library over the last week. I am accountable for this library and to this library. And I am deeply sorry I contributed to the hurt experienced by community members surrounding the Celebration of Palestinian Culture event.”

During the Saturday meeting, Fruth said, “We continue to have great respect for Ms. Bowling Dixon’s professional credentials and expertise as a library professional and wish her well in future endeavors.”

He added that the board is “committed to minimizing the adverse impact of this transition for our staf f and community,” and will take “immediate and deliberate” steps toward rebuilding trust. Those steps include surveying all staff to “identify opportunities to strengthen and improve our workplace culture.”

“This town, this library, we are not per fect. I have been here for many periods of very low morale … ring Joslyn will not bring back a per fec t library because that has never ever existed.”

SHELLE Y HARRIS

A library employee

Fruth assured that the board “will move forward in a manner that maintains the standards of excellence, openness and equity” that Oak Park values and loves.

Those who supported Dixon were visibly angry, saying she is not “racist” and is a competent leader. Many called for “cooler heads” and asked the board to wait until the planned anonymous staff survey regarding Dixon was complete. Several called on the

members of the board to resign, while several more called on the board to reconsider the firing.

Shelley Harris, a library employee, said she “genuinely believed” Dixon is the “best director the library ever had.”

“This town, this library, we are not perfect,” she said. “I have been here for many periods of very low morale … firing Joslyn will not bring back a perfect library because that has never ever existed. For the last year, Joslyn has demonstrated the kind of leader that she is creative, hardworking, engaged, present.”

It’s time, she said, to take meaningful steps toward repair.

Tatiana Swancy, whose DEI-related job Dixon eliminated, protested against comments made by those who opposed Dixon’s firing.

“It is pure entitlement to say that you know what’s best, that it’s up to library leadership management to decide … if you have to try to resolve it or not,” she said in tears. That type of entitlement, she said “is not what this library is about. ”

MAT THEW FRUTH

JOSLYN BOWLING DIXON

JAVIER GOVEA

United Lutheran Church

Invites you and your loved ones to join us this Easter season

Mar 28 - Maundy Thursday contemplative 7:00pm

Mar 29 - Good Friday contemplative music 7:00pm

Mar 30 - Vigil of Easter with skits, songs & all ages participation 7:00pm

Mar 31 - Easter with festive music

Holy Communion on 28th, 30th, and 31st

409 Greenfield St Oak Park unitedlutheranchurch.org

EASTER BRINGS HOPE

9:30am

Sunday, March 31

10:30 am Easter Day Service

12:00 pm Easter Egg Hunt

924 Lake Street

Oak Park, il 60301

In person and online

GraceOakPark.org

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park 324 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ⬧ www.firstumcoakpark.org

Sat., March 23, 2024 – Children’s “Eggstravaganza”: 11 am – 1 pm Refreshments, crafts, and the story of Easter with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow on the playground. Please register on our website. Space is limited to provide an intimate and low -stress experience.

Sun., March 24, 2024 – Palm Sunday: 10 am Worship Service.

Fri., March 29, 2024 – Good Friday: 7 pm Worship Service. This remembrance features our historic Skinner organ as we reflect on Jesus’ journey to the cross.

Sun., March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

7 am The first service of Easter, outside in the Memorial Garden. Recount God’s saving grace in the quiet of the morning. In the event of rain, we will be in the Chapel (ring Tower doorbell for entry).

8 am – 9:30 am Potluck Breakfast.

10 am A festive Easter Celebration of Resurrection with our diverse music ministry and special activities for children.

Service times at stchristophersoakpark.org

EASTER CHURCH GUIDE

Saturday • March 23rd

Vigil Mass 5:30pm

Palm Sunday • March 24th

7:30am, 9:00am, 11:00am with Solemn

Procession, and 5:30pm

March 28th • Holy ursday

7:00pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper - Adoration until 11:00pm, Kyte Hall

March 29th • Good Friday

8:00am Morning Prayer with the Friars 3:00pm Commemoration of the Lord’s Passion

March 30th • Holy Saturday 8:00am Morning Prayer with the Friars 12:00pm Blessing of Easter Baskets in Church 8:00pm Easter Vigil Mass

March 31st • Easter Sunday 7:30am, 9:00am, and 11:00am Masses

ere will be a modi ed schedule the week of April 1st through April 6th with 7:00am Mass Only. Confessions will resume on Divine Mercy Sunday, April 7th at 3:00pm.

1530 Jackson Ave, River Forest, IL 60305 • (708) 366 -7090

www.svfparish.org

Come and See: the Catholic Community of Oak Park invites you to celebrate Holy Week with us!

The Parish of Ascension and St. Edmund www.ascensionoakpark.com · 708 -848-2703 or 708-848-4417

Ascension Church

808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

St. Edmund Church 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park

The Parish of St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy and St. Giles www.stgilesparish.org · 708-383-3430

St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church

38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park

Passion (Palm) Sunday, March 23/24

Saturday, 5:00 pm at St. Edmund Church with the St. Edmund Choir

Sunday, *8:00 am (with the Ascension Schola) and 10:30 am (with the Ascension Choir) at Ascension Church

9:15 am at St. Edmund Church

12:30 pm Bi�Lingual Spanish/English Mass at St. Edmund Church

5:00 pm Oak Park Catholic Community Mass at St. Edmund Church

St. Giles Church 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park

Saturday, 4:30 pm at St. Giles Church

Sunday, 8:00 am and *10:30 am (with the Adult Choir) at St. Giles Church

9:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena�St. Lucy Church with the Praise Choir

10:00 am Family Mass Community in the St. Giles School Gym

TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday, March 28

Mass of the Lord's Supper -*7:30 pm at Ascension Church with the Ascension and St. Edmund Choirs

Adoration until Midnight Night Prayer � 11:45 pm

Morning Prayer �9:00 am at St. Edmund Church

Morning Prayer �8:30 am at St. Giles Church

Mass of the Lord's Supper -*7:00 pm at St. Giles Church with the Adult Choir and the Handbell Choir

Adoration until Midnight Night Prayer � 11:45 pm

Good Friday, March 29

Taizé Prayer Around the Cross *3:00 pm at Ascension Church

Good Friday Solemn Celebration –*7:30 pm at Ascension Church with the St. Edmund Choir and the Ascension Schola

Morning Prayer �8:30 am at St. Giles Church

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion *3:00 pm at St. Giles Church with the Adult Choir

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 7:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena�St. Lucy Church with the Praise Choir

Living Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church with the Teen Choir

Family Mass Community Good Friday Prayer Service with Silent Passion – 7:30 pm in the St. Giles School Gym

Holy Saturday, March 30

Morning Prayer �9:00 am at St. Edmund Church

Blessing of Easter Food �11:00 am at St. Edmund Church

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter - 8:00 pm at St. Edmund Church with the Ascension and St. Edmund Choirs

Initiation of New Members

(No5:00 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church )

Morning Prayer �8:30 am at St. Giles Church

Blessing of Easter Food �11:00 am at St. Giles Church and at 1:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena�St. Lucy Church

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter - 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Initiation of New Members

(No 4:30 pm Mass at St. Giles Church)

*Marked service times will be livestreamed. Please see our websites, ascensionoakpark.com or stgilesparish.org, for further information, and to find links to livestream events.

e rami cations of being placed on the National Register of Historic Places

Congressman Danny K. Davis proposes that the Perc y Julian home should be on the list. Is that the right move?

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

In Fe bruar y, C ong ressman Danny K. Davis held press c onference at the Pe rcy Julian home on E ast Av enue in Oak Pa rk to announce his ef for ts to have the home listed on the National Re gister of Historic Places

At the press conference in front of the house at 515 East Ave., community members and Julian supporters discussed the contributions that Percy Julian made to science, the racism his family faced when they moved to Oak Park and his daughter Faith’s ef for ts to remain in the house despite rising property tax obligations and maintenance issues.

All in attendance ag reed that Julian’s le gacy is worth honoring. Village officials touted their assistance in helping Faith Julian maintain the home, and their support of having the home placed on the National Re gister, but it is not clear that placing the home on the Re gister will ha immediate, tangible benefits.

Maintained by the U.S. Department of the Interior, the National Re gister of Historic Places is a listing that includes “buildings, districts, sites, structures, and objects that are significant to local, state, or national history because of the integrity of their location, design, setting, materials, feeling, and association.”

According to the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office, which processes properties in Illinois that are nominated to the National Re gister, a property must meet at least one the following conditions to be considered:

1. be associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history;

2. be associated with the lives of significant persons in our past;

3. be distinctive for its type, period, or method of construction; or represent the work of a master, or possess artistic value; or, in the case of a district, be representative of a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction;

4. yield important information about the area’s history or prehistory.

Preservation architect and historic consultant Douglas Gilbert said that while it’s likely the Julian House meets several of these criteria, it is unlikely that being placed on the re gister will have much bearing on the current financial status of the home or that it will add any protections to the home that it doesn’t already have

He noted that the home is already included on the National Re gister as a contributing structure in the Frank Lloyd Wright-Prairie School of Architecture Historical District. Built in 1908 and designed by architect T hornton Her r, the home benefits from all of the protections of other homes in the district that are contributing structures. Namely, it cannot be demolished and its exteriors cannot

JULIAN HOME

National signi cance

from page 20

be significantly altered. As a part of a local historic district, any of these changes would also have to go through the village ’s Historic Preservation Commission.

In addition, while the inclusion on the National Re gister “makes a property eligible for certain financial benefits,” those benefits are available to all contributing structures in historic districts listed on the National Register.

In Illinois, privately-owned, owner-occupied properties such as these can be eligible for a temporary property tax assessment freeze for rehabilitations in which “eligible expenses must equal or exceed 25% of the assessor’s pre-rehab, fair-cash value of the property and must be incurred within a 24-month period, unless an extension is requested and granted.”

“The National Historic Re gister really offers no protections, it’s just an honorary designation,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert has researched applications for properties seeking to be added to the re gister but has no relationship to the process for the Julian house.

“The Home & Studio is a great success, but a lot went into that,” he said. “I’m not saying it can’t happen here, but what’s the appetite for that?”

DOUGLAS GILBERT Preser vation architect and historic consultant

Although placing the home on the National Re gister might not change its immediate financial or preservation outlook, Gilbert said there are still good reasons to do so.

He pointed out that Percy Julian’s story is arguably of national significance and that placing it on the National Historic Re gister could highlight the home’s significance

and the significance of Julian’s contributions to society.

In addition, Gilbert noted that an application for the National Historic Re gister is a deeply researched project that would be publicly available and thus would help educate future generations about Julian.

“The documentation is a public record. It goes on the National Park Service website and is a great resource for school children or someone invested in historic properties. It’s essentially peer-reviewed. In this case, it would focus on the home he lived in but also on who he was, and his life and work in context in the home he lived in, and of course the civil rights struggles they went through in that house.”

Gilbert pointed out that there are more financial incentives for commercial properties listed on the re gister, namely income tax credits.

Turning the Julian home into a commercial enterprise could happen, but the track record in the village for such properties is daunting.

“Think about the [Frank Lloyd Wright] Home & Studio in the 1970’s,” Gilbert said. “It was run down and needed a lot of work. The community stepped in and made it a showcase. I’m not saying that would happen here. A public private partnership just very visibly fell apar t with the Pleasant Home after 30 years.”

In addition, the Unity Temple Restoration Foundation is now defunct and the Ernest Hemingway Foundation has had its own challenges.

“The Home & Studio is a great success, but a lot went into that,” he said. “I’m not saying it can’t happen here, but what’s the appetite for that?”

e home of Percy Julian at 515 N. East Ave. in Oak Park.

COURTESY OF FAITH JULIAN AND TAKEN BY PERCY JULIAN, JR

Percy Julian (second from le ) is pictured in the Oak Park home with (standing from le ) Percy Julian Jr., Faith Julian and cousin Leon ‘Rhoddy’ Ellis. Dr. Anna Julian is seated alongside the family dog, Buddy.

Percy Julian in his lab.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

Te CRC: A long way from zero

he Park District of Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center was billed from day one as a gamechanger and an environmental feat as well. The planned “Net-Zero” building would have solar panels, and superior insulation and appliance efficiency and other features that would offset the energy consumed in operating the facility. It won a “Planet Positive Award.” I wondered whether this building would be able to live up to the far-in-advance green label given that its design, with its expansive curtain glass walls, looked somewhat energy demanding to me. Now with more than a half year of energy-perfor mance data to look at, we have some inkling of where it is heading. The large-screen display in the lobby near the Madison Street entrance shows daily and monthly readings of energy use and production, and Chris Lindgren, superintendent of parks and planning, confirmed via email that the numbers displayed were an updated reading from their system software. A reassuring piece is that the solar panels seem to be working well and the read-out shows that even the January sun apparently contributed a lot of watts. But that is not the whole story.

One View

During the nine-month period from June 2023 through February 2024, the net energy consumed was apparently some 180,000 kWh, about 20,000 kWh a month. By virtue of comparison, the average per capita consumption of electricity worldwide for all sectors, including residences, stores, schools, offices and gover nment is 267 kWh a month (source: Energy Information Agency, 2023). In other words, the CRC electricity use is similar to that of 75 humans, and this is after the inputs from solar power are accounted for.

If this had been an unusually cold winter, one might sur mise that future, milder winters would bring us closer to the original “Net-Zero” goal. Unfortunately, cold weather does not explain the results. On the contrary, this winter has been 6.8 degrees F above normal and is the fifth war mest on record (NOAA data for O’Hare Airport station through March 2, 2024).

The CRC is not yet a year old and there were some understandable kinks in operations to work out, but the challenge seems to be mainly on the consumption side. Predictably, the HVAC (heating, ventilation and AC) has been an important component of energy use. On the other hand, the electric vehicle plug-in station is not using much, nor is the energy-efficient lighting

Favorite places: The Conser vator y

Many Oak Parkers want a diverse community but sometimes without understanding what it requires. When our public library limited its role in a recent Palestinian gathering because it was a “community” event and not a “library” event, the Wednesday Journal remarked that this was “a distinction without a difference.” Really?!

The point of contention is whether public librarians should avoid putting their own “ideological thumbs on the scale of social discourse,” particularly when it comes to use of library spaces (R. Anderson, The Scholarly Kitchen). Fortunately, it is our library’s judgment that its imprimatur must be used judiciously. Patrons borrowing a book, taking home a video, reading a national newspaper and, most importantly, attending an event in a library meeting room, want to feel confident that the library honors their different persuasions. All are welcome, whether a progressive pro-Palestinian, traditional Democrat supporting Israel, evangelical Christian or libertarian.

Of course, making this work in practice is not easy. The dividing line between “library” and “community” events will be difficult to discern sometimes. A Palestinian event

in 2024 is not one of those times. The war and terror in Gaza have divided people everywhere, and unsurprisingly also in Oak Park. Presidents of Ivy League universities have resigned in the face of the turmoil. So if the distinction between “library” and “community” for a Middle Easter n event today is not intuitive to the local newspaper editors or the protesters at library board meetings, all need to rethink their own diversity principles

We can start by listening to the library’s (now former) Executive Director Joslyn Bowing Dixon. She has explained that there are “library” events for which the library does the planning and advertising. And there are “community” events hosted, planned, and advertised by outside groups — not the library. The library’s Meeting Space Policy affir ms that it “protects the right of the individual to speak freely, even when the content may be controversial or unacceptable to others. The library does not promote or endorse all the ideas, discussions, and activities taking place in its spaces.”

For my own purposes, I participate in a group that

Pain at the library

Oak Park’s public library system has been, by intention, the most progressive local taxing body in considering complex issues, with diversity, equity and inclusion top of mind.

Or has it?

In a decisive step last weekend, the library board fired its short-time executive director, Joslyn Bowling Dixon. She is a Black woman hired at least in part because of her perceived focus on DEI.

Much of the conversation these past difficult weeks has revolved around the library’s handling of plans for a Palestinian cultural event and the role Dixon and others had in that. But by the time library board President Matthew Fruth announced the 6-1 board decision to fire her, he described a months-long “persistent lack of alignment between the priorities of the board and the executive director.” He described a deteriorating relationship that did not include the collaboration necessary to implement the library’s strategic vision and plans

In other words, a wider chasm than any single event.

The board announced plans for a new national search process, which only reminds us that the search resulting in Dixon’s hiring was pitted with missteps and restarts, which reflects poorly on the elected board.

While a deter mined group of Dixon opponents — both within the library and in the community — worked effectively to remove her, we should also remember that she had supporters and advocates who need to be heard.

The library also plans an anonymous survey of staff to gauge the current mood inter nally. It may also conduct a for mal investigation of certain matters, including the Palestinian cultural event, the elimination of two positions – one of them DEI-focused – and the blending of certain DEI work among staff members.

The work of healing this institution is going to be complex and lengthy. Goodwill and trust will be hard-earned but necessary, and can only happen over time. Which makes us wonder: Who will be willing to take this job when it is offered?

Tear down that water tower

It is an eyesore for the ages, but the rusted-out water tower polluting the views of Forest Parkers and River Foresters for decades in the CTA yard at Harlem and the Green Line terminus is finally coming down.

The tower dates back to construction of the end-of-line railyard in the mid-1960s. But it hasn’t been in use for a long, long time as other water sources were brought online to wash L cars and supply sprinklers.

The CTA has long cried poor about the shabby condition of its highly visible water tower. Finally, though, funding has been secured for the estimated $175,000 cost of removal.

Cranky locals and their re gular complaints hopefully had some impact.

Now those same people can focus full-time on the freight trains parked in the same locale and polluting the same neighborhoods with endless noise.

Last week, I traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles to see Chica go (the musical). That wasn’t all we did, and it wasn’t my reason for being there. I visit L.A. every year to reconvene with friends because, once in a while, you need more than phone calls and email. We touch base and reach a level of sharing that only happens face to face with plenty of time spent leisuring in interesting spaces. It’s fun and fulfilling. We’ve been doing it for a dozen years.

Journey from sameness to di erence KEN TRAINOR

I call it my annual getaway. What am I getting away from? Sameness. Routine. Removed from email and the bar rage of ne gatively-framed news re ports for five blessed days. A break from the doldrums of late winter. Most of all a departure from the ordinary. An escape from my comfor t zone. All travel is “adventure travel,” no matter how tame it might seem.

But not just a break from. So what was I going to?

Difference. Los Angeles is different from Oak Park. Not better, just different. And difference is good for the soul. Different trees, flowers, birds and bird songs. Different topography — hills, ravines, mountains, and an ocean with sandy beaches. I don’t go there to compare and critique my home environs. I just need to savor something dif ferent at least once a year.

We went for walks in the early mor ning before breakfast, but our L.A. hosts scarcely notice the palm trees, some short and squat, some tall and towering, swaying in the Santa Ana winds. Roses and irises in bloom, which we have here, but not in March. Most flowers I can’t even name. Magnolias in full display adorn trees I don’t recognize. Plenty of bamboo and desert succulents and cactus and massive, privacy-preserving shrubbery. Even the grass is different — and rarer now since water is in such short supply, despite the occasional atmospheric river. There are many Western versions of Midwestern trees, but the bark is different and so are the leaves.

The sun is the same, of course, but warmer and less cloud-covered. I am greedy for it and keep reminding myself not to take it for granted.

Even my early-mor ning glide across twothirds of a continent to get her e, from farmland to mountains to the dessicated desolation of deser t, emphasized dif ference — the angled

mor ning sun lowlighting the red, green and yellow sedimentar y laye rs of canyons, proving that solid rock is no match for water and wind and time. It ’s a wonder there is flow enough to sculpt these carve-outs in an otherwise untamable, tortured ter rain .

Driving in L.A. is even more annoying than in Oak Park, which is saying something, but there are a million ways to get where you’ re going, and our host did most of the driving, which was a grand kindness, considering the aggravations. As we walked to the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see the L.A. version of Chica go, we discovered a new twist in crosswalks, known colloquially as the “Scramble.” When the light tur ns red, traf fic stops in all four directions and pedestrians have the choice to cross diagonally. Another California cultural innovation, the greatest thing since right turn on red. Different.

A classmate of mine from Ascension School, Paul Broucek, is president of music for feature films at Warner Bros. Studio. After we took the studio tour, we joined him in the dining room and spent the next three hours reminiscing and hearing about his odyssey from Oak Park to Hollywood. He chose a path that made all the difference. An OPRF grad, he would make a fine addition to the high school’s Tradition of Excellence honor roll.

It’s easy to become addicted to sameness. When that happens, change feels like a threat, and God knows a lot of Americans feel that way. Look how long it took the Academy of Arts and Sciences to start the annual Oscars show an hour earlier. Now people might actually stay up to watch!

We crave the security of sameness, but we need the revitalization of difference.

By the time I came home to Oak Park, the daf fodils had burst into abundant bloom. I don’ t recall seeing their nodding counterparts in L.A. So after five days away, our yellow clusters looked … different.

I returned to a place where one season morphs into another, as opposed to the relative sameness of L.A.’s climate. Seasonal change is an underappreciated delight.

I awoke the next morning to the familiar, which didn’t seem old.

It felt … refreshed.

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

Clari cation and an apology

What happened at the Oak Park Village Board Finance Committee meeting on Feb. 22 has been a source of much speculation and discussion over the past week. I would like to share what happened on that day.

Just before the meeting, Donna Gayden (our interim CFO) told us a story about a police officer shooting the mayor in Long Beach, New York, where she served previously. I leaned over to Trustee Lucia Robinson, who was sitting between me and President Vicki Scaman, and said “I wonder if our chief knows.” The Finance Committee meeting started shortly thereafter. Ten minutes into the meeting President Scaman called for a recess refer ring to my remark. She then decided to

adjour n the meeting and told me that she expected an apology. Surprised and taken aback, I followed her out of the council chambers asking, “Vicki, can we talk?” She waved me off with a “No” and walked away.

That is what happened on Feb. 22.

I have again reached out to President Scaman to clarify the misunderstanding and to offer my apology for the mental and emotional distress that my remark caused her. I look forward to hearing back and working with her to figure out the best way forward.

Ravi Parakk at Oak Park villa ge trustee

Teacup temp est

Recently a joke was reportedly made about a so-called comment made prior to a board meeting that was taken far too seriously. According to the Journal’s own article, there was no actual threat or intimidation made or implied. No malice was presented.

No apology is needed by Trustee Parakkat except perhaps for not realizing that the village president apparently has no sense of humor. It was a joke, not a great

joke, just a silly little throw-away line

Do we want to create an environment where no one can speak out of fear of offending others, or do we want to create a setting where people feel free to speak without unreasonable fear of offending.

Truly a tempest in a teacup.

WEDNESD

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Sta Repor ter Amaris Rodriguez, Luzane Draughon

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government,

and culture of

Wednesday

Forest. As we share the

editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, re 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 ling.

Please understand our veri cation 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 veri cation, 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 con rm 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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Scott Logan Oak Park

Oak Park often manages to make many things dif ficult for homeowners, but one of the things that has worked pretty well is the existing village leaf collection process. Raking leaves into the street for direct weekly collection by your contractor, without bags, makes sense in this village of many trees. It is difficult enough to do that, and get them all into the street by the first week of December. With global warming, the leaves are often not all down until the last pickup, and the oaks, for which this town is named, often haven’t lost all of their leaves yet.

It is unreasonable to expect us to put them all in paper bags. I have four very large trees at my house, three maples and an elm, and several smaller trees and shrubs. Two of those trees are on the parkway and two are on my property. It now takes me about four hours to rake the leaves in my yard each time (I don’ t use a noisy leaf blower), and I have to do it at least three se parate times each fall in order to get most of the leaves out to the street. I have to rake them onto tarps and then haul the tarps from the back

Bag those leaf-bagging plans

and out to the street. The pile runs the 50-foot width of my proper ty and is at least 3 feet high and about 6 feet wide each time. I do not have the time, nor am I inclined to try to get all of those leaves into multiple bags. There is enough exercise involved, lifting and bending, as it is. I might consider it for the trees that are directly on my proper ty, but since the parkway trees are on village property, it seems only right and proper, that the village will take care of the leaves that fall from those trees.

CHRISTOPHER GOODE

One View

That would be a mucky mess all winter. And you still have to remove the mulch in the spring, and there is no village mechanism for removal of that mulch in the spring. And I am sure that the village won’t be providing one. Don’t get me started on how rainy weather affects our ability to get the leaves up easily

unfortunate. But you warn us in the quarterly newsletter not to do that, and most of us find a way to avoid them. I believe that is no reason to make something currently pretty simple and efficient and environmentally friendly into something expensive and overly complicated.

My plant-loving friend from the far wester n suburbs vetoed my suggestion of going to the Oak Park Conservatory during an upcoming visit to Oak Park. “I really don’t want to go into Chicago to the Garfield Conservatory,” she said. After I clarified that I meant the Oak Park Conservatory in Oak Park, she was confused. “There is a conservatory in Oak Park? I never heard of that.” I explained it was located at 615 Garfield, just south of the Eisenhower Expressway. It turns out she drove past it each time she went to Chicago.

Many local residents also don’t know about the Oak Park Conservatory. The Edwardian-style glass structure was built in 1929 for plants that villagers collected on their travels abroad. It fell into neglect for a number of years until local residents preserved it in 1970.

For me, entering the Oak Park Conserva-

I know that some of you say we can leave our leaves as mulch. I already do that where I need mulch, but by my calculations, I have a minimum of 1,350 cubic feet of leaves each year, and my property is 50 feet wide x 137 feet dee p. That makes for about 3 inches of leaves covering the whole lot. But since there is a house and a g arage and parking pad, walks, patios, open porch and steps, etc., which cover at least 50 percent of my lot, that means the leaves would actually be about 6 inches deep over the grass and planting areas.

Leaf bags are not measured in cubic feet, but are 30 gallons each. Converting gallons to cubic feet (1 g allon is about 0.134 CuFt) means that each bag holds about 4 cubic feet. I would need around 338 bags to hold all of the leaves that I typically rake. That is also a lot of needless paper to waste. I can get a carton of sixty 30-gallon paper leaf bags from Uline for $55. I will need to order 6 of those, at a total cost of $330. I will have about 20 leaf bags left, but it will cost me over $300 just for leaf bags. That is a lot of money! Will you be providing all of us homeowners with free leaf bags? I didn’t think so.

I realize there was a fire last fall when a car parked on top of a leaf pile. That is

FAV ORITE THINGS

A respite in busy Oak Park

tory feels like traveling to far-off places — without leaving Oak Park. I especially like strolling the walking paths in the midst of winter and entering tropical environments. The three showrooms — Mediterranean, Tropical, and Desert — support the different climate requirements of the individual plants

How many plants can you find there? If you guessed 300, you’re way too low. The number is close to 3,000 plants

The conservatory also grows around 20,000 bedding

plants every year, used for planting in parks and other sites in Oak Park. In addition to the three indoor showrooms, there is an outdoor discovery garden.

During our recent visit to the conservatory, my friend was delighted to hear parrots, Sarah and Skipper, chatting away. George, the ancient, beloved, talkative, double yellowheaded amazon parrot, passed away in August 2023.

When I asked Patti Staley, the conservatory’s director of horticulture, about her favorite things, she

Most of us rake our leaves on the weekend because that is when we have the time. Leaf collection, however, takes four weekdays to be accomplished throughout the village in sections each week, and so the leaves are often in the street a long time. Perhaps you could instead find a way to collect them all on Monday throughout the village. This would reduce the lingering piles of leaves in the streets and the associated risks. I realize this may be difficult to accomplish with your staf f, or with your contractor, but it is worth considering.

You might want to consider making things less dif ficult for village citizens, even though it is more difficult for village government.

Christopher Goode is a resident of Oak Park

answered, “We are a respite in a busy world. This is a passive place that you can visit, connect with plants, and just relax and enjoy being surrounded by plants from different regions of the world. We have special events and plant sales throughout the year. We offer free gardening lectures and tours for all ages.”

She also told me she enjoys hearing stories from adult visitors about their memories of visiting the conservatory as children.

The Oak Park Conservatory is free, with a box for donations. More information, including hours, special programs, and rentals, can be found on their website at www.oakparkconservatory.org or by calling 708-725-2400.

Joy Aaronson is an Oak Park resident who wrote stories for Wednesday Journal in 2023 on the Oak Park Farmers Market. Previously, she contributed to Chicago Parent and wrote the Kids’ World column for the former Logan Square Free Press.

Stand together against idling trains

Last week I read your coverage of River Forest residents bothered by freight trains idling near their homes [WJ News, March 6]

My family lives in Forest Park along the Union Pacific tracks near Central Avenue and Lathrop. So we definitely empathize with what our neighbors in River Forest are saying — idling freight trains near homes is inhumane. To stop this, we need solidarity in River Forest, Forest Park and also Oak Park, since idling has been an issue there in the past. So far, Union Pacific has been dismissive of our calls to move the idling. But I believe if we work together we can compel them to move the idling to a non-residential stretch of tracks.

In 2015, Union Pacific designated the tracks about 300 feet from our home, and dozens of others, as its staging area for crew changes. That means locomotives idle there for hours each day while one crew gets off the train and another arrives to board it

Since fall 2022, the idling has intensified. In 2023, about 450 trains idled here. So far in 2024 we’ve endured more than 240 hours of idling trains (88 trains total). The noise is disruptive, but we also worry about the health impacts of breathing diesel fumes, which we sometimes smell inside of our house

I am calling on our elected leaders to work together across municipal boundaries to solve this problem. If the villages of River Forest and Forest Park don’t coordinate on this issue, we’ll end up playing “hot potato” with idling trains, passing them back and forth based on whoever is complaining most loudly at the moment.

But we can’t give one neighborhood peace at the expense of another down the tracks. Our leaders need to stand up to Union Pacific as a united front so everyone along the tracks can live in peace.

Caitlin Hillyard Forest Park

DALE SORENSON

Hurt and confusion

from page 23

meets at the library to promote the legalization of Medical Aid in Dying and lear n from people who have helped ter minal patients minimize suffering. The library provides space for these meetings but does not sponsor them.

I regret that ex-Executive Director Dixon and the library board have apologized profusely for causing unspecified “hurt and confusion.” The apolo gies should have come from those who did not support the library’s diversity principles. Although there may have been some initial miscommunication about the “library vs. community” distinction, the library held its ground and the meeting was conducted as scheduled. Some 400 people reportedly attended

The library’s for mer executive director can stand proud for how she protected the library and its diverse patrons We should applaud and learn from her.

Dale Sorenson is a longstanding Oak Park resident who frequents the Oak Park Public Library for books and meetings.

Take advantage of your tax exemptions

Last week, my office opened exemption applications for the 2023 tax year to homeowners across Cook County Exemptions create savings for homeowners by reducing the taxable value of their property. There are different kinds of exemptions available. The Homeowner Exemption, which is the most common, saves property owners an average of $950 each year

The Homeowner Exemption is available to anyone who owns and occupies their property as a principal place of residence. But many eligible homeowners are still missing this exemption. That means they’re losing out on significant savings.

To check whether you have the Homeowner Exemption, or other exemptions you may be eligible for, visit the Assessor’s Office online at www.cookcountyas-

sessor.com/address-search. Search for your property and review the Exemption History & Status section.

If you are missing an exemption, you can apply online. This creates a digital record of your application, allowing staff with my office to easily locate your information and let you know if further information or documents are needed

During my time in office, I’ve been committed to making the exemption process easier for homeowners to navigate. When your application for the Homeowner Exemption is received, it automatically renews in future years. The same is true for the Senior Exemption and Persons with Disabilities Exemption.

Other exemptions, like the “Senior Freeze” for elderly residents making under $65,000 each year, must be renewed

every year.

For anyone with questions about how exemptions work, staff from my office are hosting a virtual workshop on Wednesday, March 13, in English and Thursday, March 14, in Spanish. You can access them through our Facebook and YouTube channels. We also have a running list of outreach events at www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list.

As Cook County Assessor, one of my central goals is to help restore equity to the property tax system. To that end, I hope that all homeowners can receive the exemptions they qualify for, ensuring that the system is fair for all residents of Cook County

Fritz Kaegi Cook County Assessor

CRC No Net Zero?

from page 23

A closer look at the energy-use data, however, shows that there is another category, basically none of the above. I would venture that an important part of this category is an area that in the late afternoon is jam-packed, populated with the after-school crowd that Paul Turner amusingly describes in his Feb. 28 piece in the WJ Viewpoints section. In his essay, Tur ner describes how a surplus of young energy took the elevator “out of commission for a few weeks after the kids repeatedly jumped up and down while riding it.”

But it is a room on the ground-floor that really packs the late-afternoon visitors. It is the Esports Lounge, which offers “Playstations, Nintendo, Xbox,” and the like, and the games go on after the official student hours are over and the sun’s rays are disappearing over the rooftop panels. I didn’t see the room that offers the homework help, and it may have been similarly populated, but doubtless the activities there consume a lower amount of electricity.

With the help of a staff member, I did find the treadmills that generate electricity. Manufactured by Sports Art they are offered with the description, “benefiting the planet and providing a new layer of meaningfulness to breaking a sweat.” Both treadmills were not in use when I saw them, but my guide assured me they are easy to use and fun.

Looking at them, a small light bulb went off. What if we challenged the Esports Lounge crowd to balance their input with their output, e.g. some minutes on the treadmill generating muscle-powered electricity could be the ticket for some minutes in the Esports lounge? The human watts would probably be a drop in the bucket but at least the users would lear n something about energy production and give their brain cells a boost.

Of course, there is also the broader question of what are we lear ning as a community about building construction and environmental labeling? The resources of $2.2 million from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation and from the Oak Park sustainability fund were to “ensure” a net-zero result, but the current energy read-out reminds us that while the energy use is lower than most buildings, the net-zero guarantee did not pan out and probably never will. New buildings are expensive to construct and to run, and practically speaking the environmental cost in this region is still well above zero Susan Subak is a resident of Oak Park and the author of “The Five-Ton Life: Carbon, America and the Culture that May Save Us.”

Mandatory leaf bagging? Surely you jest

Mandatory leaf bagging would require an astronomical number of bags. A rough estimate of what would be needed can be calculated by using data provided in a presentation at a village board meeting, held on March 12, by Rob Sproule and Erica Helms. Re por tedly in 2023, the weight of leaves removed from Oak Park was 2,196.17 tons, or 4,392,340 pounds.

ADRIAN MARQUEZ

One View

From my own experience, I estimate that the weight of a yard waste ba g filled with leaves can vary from 10 to 25 pounds depending upon how densely the leaves are packed and whether they are wet or dry. Dividing the leaf weight removed by LRS by 15 pounds will answer the question of how many bags would have been needed last year to hold all the leaves: 4,392,340/15 = 292,823 bags, or 48,803 bags per week, during the six week leaf-pickup season. This is not a precise amount, only a rough estimate.

T he retail cost for 300,000 bags would be around $200,000 or more. According to the aforementioned presentation, Oak Park paid LRS $193,200 in 2023, so the cost of leaf removal for Oak Park homeowners would have doubled from approximately $200,000 to $400,000. These numbers provide insight into the number of bags that would be needed and the additional cost to Oak Park homeowners if the proposed leaf-bagging mandate were to be enacted.

The local store I purchase yard waste bags from only carries 100 at a time. All of the stores in and near Oak Park that sell yard waste bags could only meet a small fraction of demand were Oak Park residents required to purchase bags. I can easily foresee many people in Oak Park driving around the day or two prior to the weekly leaf pickup day from store to store only to find that every store they went to was sold out. Then what?

In the event that a resident is short of bags prior to leaf pickup, they should be permitted to rake their leaves into the street as an alter native since they are already paying for leaf removal service in their property taxes. Mandatory bagging would have potential ne gative consequences. If residents were required to procure their own bags, everyone would be making trips to stores, which would generate substantial additional auto exhaust. Additionally the several hundred thousand or so bags that would be used would themselves add substantial weight and volume to the gross amount of refuse produced by Oak Park. How much do several hundred thousand yard waste bags weigh? How much fuel is needed and auto emissions produced in order to distribute them to the thousands of homeowners in Oak Park? And how much volume do they add to the aggregate amount of yard/ leaf waste removed from Oak Park? These topics deserve consideration.

A great irony would be that in mandating leaf bagging, Oak Pa rk’s gover nment would be forcing a poli cy that contradicts Oak Park’s selfprofessed goal of reducing the use of disposable bags Recall that several years ago Oak Park instituted a tax of $.10 per paper or plastic bag used for purchased goods at retail stores in Oak Park. What is the point of even having such a tax if Oak Park were to violate its stated goal by requiring that its residents use paper bags! How could Oak Park reconcile a stated goal of getting residents to reduce or eliminate their use of disposable paper bags in one context (retail) and mandate their use in another (leaf removal).

This policy incoherence would be absurd.

Adrian Marquez is an Oak Park resident.

OBITUARIES

Mary Haley, 75 Social studies teacher

Mary Haley, for decades a middleschool social studies teacher, and a lifelong Parker, died on March 7, 2024, as a esult of metastatic breast cancer. She died in her south Oak home surroundher family and friends. She was 75.

After beginning her teaching career in the Catholic school system in Chicago, Mary began teaching at Butler School in Oak Brook in 1984 and taught there for 24 years, retiring in 2008. Upon her death, dozens of her Butler students responded to a social media post and remembered their favorite and most impactful teacher.

“She was an incredible woman and mentor. She challenged us both academically and in our growth as humans. Blessed to have known her,” wrote one student.

“Rest in peace to one of the most encouraging, challenging and thoughtful teachers I’ve ever been lucky enough to learn from. We all grew to love studying history a little more because of her. And her positive energy was contagious,” wrote another

She was honored as a “Distinguished Teacher” in 1996 during the United States Presidential Scholars National Recognition Week held in Washington, D.C. She was nominated for the award by one of her students.

Mary Haley was born on Sept. 29, 1948, the second of the six children of Mary and Frank Haley. She was a graduate of Ascension School, Siena High School on the West Side, and St. Teresa’s College in Winona, Minnesota.

In her retirement, Mary was active in the Oak Park League of Women Voters, rocked babies in the NICU at Rush Medical Center, was an active gardener and inveterate reader (and fan of the Maze Branch Library). She deeply explored and documented the Haley family history. And she was a big fan of Bruce Springsteen. Yes, she sometimes traveled to his concerts

She also served as co-guardian, with her brother John, for Jeanne Haley, the youngest of the six Haley children, who is severely developmentally disabled.

She had many dear friends, including neighbors on her Highland Avenue block, and was a wonderful and engaged aunt to her six nieces and nephews and great-aunt to her much loved Levon Philippe.

Mary Haley was preceded in death by Mary and Frank Haley and her older brother Bill. She is survived by her siblings, Sr. Jeanne Haley of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, John Haley, Dan Haley and Jeanne Haley; her devoted sisters-in-law, Peggy Haley, Julia Haley and Mary Colleen Haley; her nieces and nephews, Katie (Jeff) Philippe, Tom Haley (Cathy), Claire Haley, Rose Haley, Ben Haley and Mariah Haley

A celebration of her life will be held in April

Judith Nordstrom, 89

Witty and spirited

Judith Ann (O’Brien) Nordstrom, 89, left us on March 11, 2024. Born to Helen (Mills) and Martin O’Brien on April 18, 1934 in River Forest, she attended Trinity High School (’52) and went on to Barat College of the Sacred Heart (’56). She married Harrison B. Nordstrom Jr. in 1961 and was with him until his death in 1996.

She had a keen eye for design and unquenchable sense of adventure and wanderlust. She was witty and spirited to the end, and never gave in to the idea of a settled “old age,” preferring instead to travel and explore. She loved fine arts, design arts, books and drawing. She loved her animals at least as much as her children. She had a strong Catholic faith that carried her through many challenges in her life. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Corinne (James) and Carol (Connerty). Her remaining sister, Susan (Cunningham), is the last of the O’Brien girls. Judy will be remembered by her three children, Anne, Cecily and Chip Nordstrom, and by her five grandchildren Alexander, Patrick, Teddy, Matthew and Harry

She will be honored in a Memorial Mass of Remembrance at 5:30 p.m. on May 7 at Trinity High School and interred next to her parents at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines.

OPRF boys volleyball hopes to advance

Young but talented Huskies are hungr y for the state title

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Since boys volleyball became an IHSAsanctioned sport in 1992, Oak Park and River Forest High School has been a re gular participant in the state finals, amassing seven trophies, including a third-place finish last spring.

Now the Huskies (23-7 in 2023) are eager to take the final step and win their first state championship in head coach Justin Cousin’s fourth season.

“If we go in with the mindset that we can win, that will be a big help, especially with all the underclassmen we have coming in,” said OPRF senior setter Quinn Bozarth, who had a team-high 594 assists last year.

Bozarth is one of eight returning OPRF players, along with seniors Lincoln Beecroft, Roan Doody (team-high 42 blocks), Mateo Garcia, Garrett Lundgren, and Daniel McNeilly. Sophomores Gus Leman and Matthew Proskey were called up to the varsity for the postseason.

The Huskies’ newcomers are seniors Jack Heflin and Cameron Reynolds; juniors Stuart Lippincott, Gavin Martin, and Kan Sugimi; sophomores Alex Lema and Wesley Kochendorfer; and freshman Jimmie Chrusfield III.

“Most of [the newcomers] have played

club in the past,” said McNeilly, an outside hitter. “The main thing is they don’t have much experience with a varsity program, and we have to g et them to focus. But I think after a few g ames, we should be good moving forward with them. ”

Bozarth added that communication with less-experienced players, will be impor tant to OPRF’s success this spring.

“It’s a huge skill that everybody needs to learn,” he said. “The quicker they do that, the more success they’ll see. Working as one solid unit relies on communication, so we need to g et them up to speed, and who knows how far we can go.”

T he Huskies’ non-conference schedule is highlighted by the Oswe go C ommunity Invit e, March 23, and the Richard G riesheim Invite at Downer s Grove S outh, April 19-20. T here are also matches at Niles N otre Dame and Rivers ide-Brookfield.

T he West Suburban Silver figures to be highly competitive again, with defending state champion Glenbard West and state r unner-up Lyons Township vying with OPRF for the title

“Glenbard West is always up there; we lost to them in the state semifinals,” McNeilly said. “The conference is so competitive; we treat every g ame as a must-win. We can’t take any games of f.”

Oak Park and River Forest senior Garrett Lundgren

C AROL DUNNING

the ball over two teammates dur ing a boys volleyball scrimmage on March 16. Lundgren is one of eight returning players from last year’s team, which went 23-7 and nished third in the IHSA tournament.

Fenwick reloads

With just four returning players, it’d be easy to say that Fenwick (10-15 in 2023) is in a rebuilding phase this spring. However, head coach Kate Whitman believes there’s reason to be optimistic due to the work ethic the Friars have displayed in preseason.

“The motivation to improve has been clearly evident during the first few practices,” said Whitman, in her 18th season. “I am also impressed with this team’s camaraderie; they’ve been great to each other so far as they learn the system and adjust to the speed and intensity of the game at the varsity level.”

Fenwick’s returnees include junior middle-hitter Will Griswold, who made the Chicago Catholic League all-conference team last year, averaging three kills and two blocks

per match; junior setter Brian Riggs; junior libero Aidan Soule; and senior outside hitter Sean White, who averaged five kills per match.

Sophomore middle-hitter Connor Hanley is a player to watch for the Friars, who likely will feature three sophomores in the lineup.

“They’re competitive and really want to win,” Whitman said. “What’s better is they’re all willing to put in the necessary hard work to get there.”

Having a young roster means Fenwick will have some early growing pains. But Whitman is confident the Friars will gradually improve.

“Our goal is to get better every day and create learning experiences from our early mistakes,” she said. “If we just focus, we’ll grow to be able to compete at a high level.”

OPRF boys track breezes to indoor championship

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Junior Caleb Schulz accounted for 30 team points to help lead the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys track and field varsity to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division Indoor championship

at York, March 15.

The Huskies’ 149 points were 28 better than the host and runner-up Dukes. Downers Grove North came in third with 81 points.

Schulz won the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.53 seconds, and the 200-meter dash in 22.42, a personal best. He also ran the third leg of OPRF’s victorious 4 x 200

relay (1:31.76); Kevin McGovern, Kingston Petersen, and Kwabena Osei-Yeboah were the other runners.

The Huskies won the 4 x 800 relay as well, with Mariano Escobedo, Michael Michelotti, Andrew Harmon, and Daniel Johnson prevailing in 8:04.86. And senior Kaden Garland won the shot put with a distance

of 57 feet, 3 inches.

McGovern gave OPRF a 1-2 finish in the 200 with a time of 22.71. Lucas Brauc finished second in the pole vault (15-0); OseiYeboah came in second in the long jump (23-2.25); and the 4 x 400 relay of Quinn Testore, Brauc, Connor Schupp, and Santiago Valle took second in 3:33.45.

(center) spikes

OPRF, Fenwick girls water polo teams in reload mode

Both Huskies and Friars lost several key players to graduation

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

T he Oak Park and River Forest High School varsity girls water polo team is of f to a 3-3 start this season. T he Huskies started the year nicely with victories in the first two matches: 13-10 in overtime over St. Charles North, then 17-7 over St. Charles East.

Since then, OPRF went 1-3 at the Naperville Central Invitational, March 16, with the only victory occurring in the team’s final match: 6-5 in overtime over HomewoodFlossmoor.

While head coach Elizabeth Pere z realizes the Huskies are a work in progress, she’s pleased with the early success.

“We’ re playing well so far,” she said. “What’s stood out the most to me is our

speed. We have been transitioning well of f of the other team’s turnovers.”

OPRF (10-20 last year) returns 10 players: seniors Mary Andolina, Ines Feliciano, Meah Flodin, Ella Homrok (goalie), Phyllis Kreiter, Trinity Mosher, and Elliana Ping; and juniors Fiona Gibbs, Jada Noyes, and Zoie Segbawu (goalie).

Newcomers include freshman Claire McFarlin and juniors Avaa Ruffer and Lucy Vander Griend.

Pere z says Lyons Township and York are the teams to beat in the West Suburban Silver, but she hopes the Huskies can challenge them this spring.

“Our goal is always about improvement and staying positive,” she said. “I expect the players to learn, have fun, and become more well-rounded individuals in and out of the pool.”

Fenwick

Fenwick is of f to an uncharacteristically slow start at 2-5. After dropping the first three matches, the F riars went 2-2 at the Ann Arbor Pioneer (Michig an) Early Bird Invite, March 16, with victories over the host school and Huron (also from Michig an).

As Fenwick incorporates seven freshmen into the lineup, early bumps are likely to happen. And that’s fine with head coach Elizabeth Timmons.

“There have been vast improvements over the three games we have played so far and I am looking forward to competing with teams over the rest of the season,” she said. “As the girls continue to utilize their strengths, we will improve.”

Fenwick has six returnees from last year’s sectional finalist team, which fin-

ished 15-16: seniors Audrey Mason (23 goals, 27 steals in 2023) and Xiomara Trejo (34 goals, 58 steals); and juniors Ava Gelau (14 goals, 50 steals), Camilla Ruelas, Shaira Stoner, and Violet Szczeblowski.

The Friars’ freshmen newcomers are Annamaria Car ro zza, Lauren Cheronis, Noelanie Gutier re z, Julia Koda, Lily Mullins, Sammie Reiss, and Maeve Ryan.

Fenwick has non-conference games with Naperville Central, Naperville North, and OPRF on this year’s schedule. Timmons believes Mother McAuley and St. Ignatius should be the favorites in the Metro Catholic Aquatic Conference.

Despite the youthful roster, the Friars’ goals remain unchanged: have fun, work together, win the conference, win the sectional and advance downstate.

“We’ re looking forward to playing our best water polo in May,” Timmons said.

OPRF girls soccer o to good start under Zallis

New head coach likes the look of her Huskies

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest girls soccer team is off to a 2-1 start this spring.

The Huskies opened with a pair of shutouts: 8-0 at Shepard, March 12 and 6-0 at Romeoville, March 14, before losing 1-0 to Lincoln-Way East in a Windy City RAM Classic quarterfinal, March 16.

“I’m excited about the potential of this team because of our adaptability,” said firstyear OPRF coach Lauren Zallis. “We have a lot of athletes who can play multiple positions for us. When I say adaptability, I am also referring to the soccer IQ of this team. They have a natural talent for learning the game and are not afraid to step into challenging scenarios for the betterment of the team.”

OPRF returns eight players from last year’s team that finished 8-9-1: senior goalkeeper Jackie Bollinger; senior defender Kiera Kleidon; senior midfielder Gwen Lopez; junior forwards Mallie Cassel and Genevieve Simkowski; and junior mid-

fielders Addison Bliss, Abby Cockerill, and Evie Derhammer.

The Huskies’ top newcomers are sophomore midfielders Maisee Champaneri, Tea Dassinger, Ana Mrotzek, and Lola Zarate.

Cassel leads OPRF with five goals, with Mrotzek netting three and Dassinger and Simkowski two apiece. Cockerill leads in assists with three, and Mrotzek has two.

The Huskies face Fenwick and St. Ignatius in non-conference play. In the West Suburban Silver, Zallis sees Lyons Township and York as the top teams. However, she also feels it’s not who you’re playing but how you’re playing.

“Soccer is an interesting game because of its unpredictability,” Zallis said. “I think whoever is playing their best soccer at the time of the playoffs will have the greatest advantage.

She wants OPRF to be a program based on quickness and aggressiveness, and she emphasizes possession. To do so, a culture that stresses work ethic needs to get created

“We want to play a style of soccer where we’re the protagonists of our story,” Zallis said. “We want a competitive environment that is growth-oriented, but also based on family. The consistency of that culture will be paramount to achieving those goals.”

Fenwick ’s experience

Fenwick has had an excellent two-year run, finishing fourth in the IHSA Class 2A state tournament in 2022 and advancing to the supersectional last spring.

This year, the Friars move up to Class 3A. But with seven players returning, plus having re gained the services of an important 2022 player, fourth-year head coach Craig Blazer is excited.

“The team has added a lot of quality soccer players to improve our overall depth,” he said. “The girls have great chemistry within the four classes.”

Senior co-captain and forward Grace Kapsch leads Fenwick (8-10-5 last season). She earned All-State honors with 17 goals and six assists.

The Friars’ other captains are senior midfielders Caroline Henige and Fiona Roche. Henige, a Marquette University commit, who spent last year playing club.

Other returnees are senior defender Gabi Kapusta; senior midfielder Susie Shank; junior midfielder Keira Kapsch; sophomore midfielder Mary Brunick; and sophomore defender Lola Martinez. Newcomers include freshman midfielder Coco

Braithwaite; freshman goalkeeper Mimi Carvalho; and freshman forward Bella Gray

“Right now, we’re just interested in training and preparing from half to half,” Blazer said. “We should know a lot more after the next two weeks.”

Henige made her Fenwick return in grand style, scoring three goals in a 5-1 victory over visiting Wheaton St. Francis, March 12. Kapsch added two goals.

At Deerfield, March 16, the Friars (1-0-1) battled the host Warriors to a 0-0 draw. Carvalho made five saves to get the clean sheet.

Fenwick perennially contends for the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference title along with several other schools, and this season should be no different.

“There’s more parity this year. The top teams are De La Salle, Loyola Academy, Mother McAuley, and St. Ignatius,” Blazer said. As the Friars continue to incorporate their younger players into their system, he hopes communication keeps improving.

“Our objective is to have a good connection with one another,” he said. “Trying to be prepared and make the most of the moment. Being around this group and seeing their improvement is very rewarding.”

RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP

NOTICE OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING CONDUCTED IN PERSON AND ELECTRONICALLY TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY

GIVEN to the legal voters, residents of the Village of River Forest in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of the RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2023, being the second Tuesday of said month, at 6:00 P.M. at the River Forest Community Center at 8020 Madison Street, Room 202, River Forest, Illinois. See www.RiverForestTownship.org for virtual Zoom meeting sign-in, to be posted in advance of the APRIL 11, 2023 meeting.

The Electors present at the Annual Town Meeting, are meeting for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said township; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting; and especially to consider and decide the following agenda:

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Clerk to Note Public Notice and Availability of Financial Statements and Posting Thereof

4. Execution of Affidavits of Standing as Electors

5. Selection of Moderator and Administration of Moderator Oath by Township Clerk

6. Approval of the Minutes of last Annual Town Meeting on April 11, 2023

7. Reports of Township Year In Review

a. General Assistance Administrator

b. Township Youth and Family Services

c. Township Senior Services

d. River Forest Senior Outreach Coordinator

e. River Forest Mental Health Administrator

f. Township Supervisor

g. Township Assessor

h. River Forest Civic Center Authority Building Manager

i. River Forest Community Center Executive Director

8. Resolutions to come before the Electors - None Submitted

9. Public Comments

10. Proposed Date, Hour, and Place of 2025 Annual Town Meeting:

a. April 8, 2025, being the second Tuesday, at 6:00 P.M.

b. River Forest Community Center 2nd Floor - 8020 Madison Street, River Forest 11. Adjournment

All interested citizens, groups and organizations representing the interests of senior citizens, youth & family services, mental health, and intellectual/developmental disabilities are encouraged to attend. River Forest Township does not discriminate on the basis of handicapped status; those needing special accommodations are asked to provide 48 hours notice to Clerk@RiverForestTownship.org.

Given under my hand in the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, this 19th day of March, 2024.

JOHN BECVAR, River Forest Township Clerk

Published in Wednesday Journal, March 20, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE

The OPRF Infant Welfare Society is soliciting bids for a HVAC CONTRACTOR to install three rooftop units at our clinic and headquarters located in the Village of Oak Park, Illinois.

Complete Bid Packet can be obtained by contacting Peggy LaFleur at: plafleur@oprfiws.org.

IL 60614, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 6, 13, 20, 2024

Pre-bid site inspection is mandatory, and is scheduled to occur by appointment only. Please contact Peggy LaFleur at (708) 406-8652 to schedule an appointment.

Bid Deadline is 10 am on 4/4/2024

This is a Federally-Funded (Community Development Block Grant) Project and is subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations and guidelines, including but not limited to payment of Prevailing Wage.

MBE and WBE contractors are encouraged to bid on this project

Published in Wednesday Journal March 20, 2024

cause on January 17, 2023,

agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED

REAL ESTATE: UNIT 4-N TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN 300 CHICAGO CONDOMINIUM AS DELINEATED AND DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 25110568, IN THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 300 CHICAGO AVE., 4N, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-321-0341007

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Con-

dominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

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

794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-03237

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 04036

TJSC#: 44-527

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 # 2022 CH 04036

I3239636

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK

COUNTY, ILLINOIS

COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MATRIX FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

Plaintiff, -v.-

RONALD CAILLOUET, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF SUSAN L.

Defendants

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

agent for The Judicial Sales Corpo-

will at 10:30 AM on April 10, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 31 LE MOYNE PKWY, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-112-0070000

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7

day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527

630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09308

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 22 CH 04542

TJSC#: 44-491

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 # 22 CH 04542 I3239998

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.-

ANTONIO A. BRAVO, THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Defendants

2023 CH 00031

227 W. CHICAGO #3 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 17, 2024, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

UNIT 227-3 TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IN THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM, AS DELINEATED AND DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 0021260423, IN THE EAST 1/2 OF SECTION 7 AND THE NORTHWEST 1/4 AND THE WEST 1/2 OF THE WEST 1/2 OF THE SOUTHWEST 1/4 OF SECTION 8, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Commonly known as 227 W. CHICAGO #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-08-102-0211009

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is

further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g) (1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

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

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 7949876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORA-

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

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100

BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09619

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 00031

TJSC#: 44-611

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2023 CH 00031

I3240571

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