Wednesday Journal 122519 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

December 25, 2019 Vol. 39, No. 21 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Special section Pages 20-25

Taco Bell pitched for Roosevelt and Austin After getting turned down on Madison Street, fast-food outfit changes plan By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Taco Bell fans in Oak Park will rejoice in hearing that the Zoning Board of Appeals has received an application to build a freestanding franchise Taco Bell, complete with drive-thru, at 6000-20 Roosevelt Road. U.S. Bank formerly occupied the 32,724-square-foot property. Don’t plan a fiesta quite yet. Zoning law requires a special use permit to build the drive-thru, and the last time Taco Bell came to Oak Park pitching a location on Madison Street, it didn’t go well for the fast-food chain. “The main issue is that they’re installing a drive-thru,” said Oak Park Zoning Administrator Michael Bruce. But that’s not all the developer is asking for. They also seek a pair of zoning variations, which are not inconsiderable. The applicant, Ampler Development, a multibrand franchise restaurant group, is asking for a reduction in street frontage coverage. Zoning law requires 60 percent of street frontage along Roosevelt Road to be occupied by the building. Bruce esSee TACO BELL on page 14

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

FAITH IN ACTION: A volunteer sorts gift donations at United Lutheran Church for the Holiday Gift Basket program.

Community unites to spread holiday cheer Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program aids 2,000 people By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as the song goes, but it’s also the most expensive. For many who have fallen on hard times, financial anxiety can over-

shadow the happiness holidays bring. Since the 1970s, the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program has made the holidays merry and bright for low-income households in Oak Park and River Forest, as well as some in neighboring Chicago areas. “This year, we had 720 households, which is a mix of individuals or families. It’s just under 2,000 total people,” said Patty Henek, who has coordinated the program under the Community of Congregation for the past nine Christmases.

“There’s a whole mix of reasons why a family might qualify for the program,” Henek said. “There are some folks, maybe medical bills have put them in this situation and this is why they’re struggling. Maybe somebody lost a job.” By providing grocery store gift cards for Thanksgiving and wrapped gifts for Christmas, the program helps families and individuals enjoy the holidays less encumbered. See GIFT BASKET on page 16

C LY D O N S A L O N & D AY S PA 708 • 771 • 2418 1048 CHICAGO AVE • OAK PARK , IL 60302 W W W. C L Y D O N H A I R S A L O N . C O M

B& LO W O U T

BAR

& K E R AT I N

T R E AT M E N T S

20% Off

any Hair or Color Service Selected Stylists

Must mention or bring in this ad. New Clients only

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

pe Su

Win e

r Center

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

HOLIDAY WINE SPECIALS!

Korbel

Cook’s

Sparkling Wines

Champagnes

99 750ml

Sutter Home

Sweet Red Zinfandel ......................... $1.99

URS HOLIDAY HO

Christmas Eve rest Park rd 10 am -10pm Fo 9am -10pm Lomba Christmas Day Park 10 a m -4pm Forest 9am -4pm Lombard

7714 W. Madison, Forest Park 708-366-2500 105 E. Roosevelt Rd., Lombard 630-629-3330 Mon. - Thurs. 10-10 Fri. & Sat. 10-11 Sunday 10-7 Mon. - Thurs. 9-10 Fri. & Sat. 9-11 Sunday 10-9 On Sale December 24th thru 31st, 2019 Right reserved to limit quantities and correct errors.

After $10 Instant Savings Must Buy 2 - Mix or Match Bacardi Rum Superior or Gold Sale Price $16.99

99 1.75L

Dewar’s

Carmenere 2017................. Reg. $8.99

3.99

Guigal

Côtes du Rhône Rosé... Reg. $13.99 $4.99

90+ Cellars Lot 2

Marlborough Sauv. Blanc 2018........$6.99

Kendall-Jackson

VR Chardonnay 2017.........................$7.99

Knob Creek

Bourbon or Rye

2199 750ml

After $3 Instant Savings

Gemma di Luna

Tempus Two

Copper Shiraz 2013

Reg. $19.99, 90/100 Wine Enthusiast ........

Pinot Noir 2015 ............ Reg. $19.99 $12.99

Conundrum

White Blend 2016 ............................ $12.99

Sparkman Syrah 2014

Reg. $49.99, 91/100 Wine Enthusiast ....

Pocas Junior Porto 2016

Reg. $59.99, 96/100 Wine Enthusiast ....

Grey Goose Vodka

Sale Price $44.99

99 1.75L

LP Brut NV .............2 Flute Gift Set

Perrier Jouët

Jose Cuervo Especial Tequila

1099

Seagram’s Gin

Pyrat

Courvoisier

1800

Casamigos

New Amsterdam

2999

1.75L

VS Cognac

1999 750ml

After $2 Instant Savings

VS Cognac.................. 750ml 29.99 XO Reserve Rum ....... 750ml 16.99

Genuine Draft or 64

BEER BUYS!

99¢ 399 799 799 1399 1199

After Instant Savings .........

Light or Banquet

or Bud Light PLUS a Bag of Chips for 1¢

99 24 PKC

Michelob

12 PK

PLUS - a 24 pack of water for 1¢

Seagram’s

Escapes.....................

12 PK

PLUS - a bag of chips for 1¢

White Claw

Hard Seltzer ............

12 PK

PLUS - a bag of chips for 1¢

Mike’s

Hard Lemonade.......

PLUS - a bag of chips for 1¢

12 PK

1.75L

750ml

Vodka ........................... 750ml 7.99

750 ml bottle After Instant Savings ......

Blanco Tequila

Ready to Drink Pineapple Margarita .. 1.75 L 8.99

Miller High Life

34.99

Grand Brut NV................................. $35.99

After $5 Instant Savings

Budweiser

1.75L

Voga Prosecco NV .......................... $9.99 Gruet Brut NV .............................. $12.99 Mumm Cuvée Napa NV .............. $14.99 Piper Heidsieck Brut NV ...... $32.99 Laurent Perrier $

750ml

Hennessy

ULTRA ........................

Prosecco NV........................................ $7.99

After $2 Instant Savings

Vodka .......................... 1.75 L 35.99

Miller High Life

29.99

12 Year Old Irish Whiskey ............. 750ml 49.99

Coors

Sale Price $27.99

19.99

Redbreast

1999

Bombay Sapphire Gin

LIQUOR SPECIALS Glenlivet 18 Year Old Scotch ..... 750ml 74.99

Miller Lite,

1.75L

9.99

Cambria “Julia’s”

White Label Scotch Sale Price $24.99

750ml 96/100 - Decanter

750ml

Belvedere

Effen Vodka

Prosecco NV

Assorted Types

Veramonte

Masottina

WHILE SUPPLY LASTS!

Goose Island PLUS a Bag of Chips for 1¢

99 12 PKB 15 PKC

Stella Artois, Heineken, or Amstel

PLUS a Bag of Chips for 1¢

PLUS a small Bag of Ice for 1¢

99 12 PK

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

I N S I D E

R E P O R T

Sock ministry distributes care packages The Women’s Bible Study (WBS) group from First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, which draws women from 45 churches in the area, put together 250 care packages as part of their “sock ministry.” These packages were filled with new socks, snacks, toiletries and other items to deLiver to homeless individuals in the area. The inspiration for them was a story about an emergency room nurse who began collecting socks for homeless people. Last week, the group, which consists of about 50 women, met to assemble

And once upon a time …

According to her Wikipedia page, “Rachel Louise Snyder is an American journalist, writer, and professor. She covers domestic violence and previously worked as a foreign correspondent for the public radio program Marketplace, and also contributed to All Things Considered and This American Life. … Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Washington Post, and Slate. She Lived in London, Cambodia, and Washington, DC and is originally from Chicago.” But before all that … she wrote for Wednesday Journal, co-authoring an “Apartment Life” column in our real estate section (then called Homefront) in the early 1990s. From humble beginnings … she has written three books, Fugitive Denim: A Moving Story of People and Pants in the Borderless World of Global Trade, What

donated socks and other items into packages. The idea, said group administrator Julia Potter, included more than distributing the packages. “We were tasked with not just handing them out but talking to each person receiving a package so we might see them as a person with a story,” said Potter. “A person who is someone’s child. To use this opportunity to become proximate to the need we see around us.” Learn more about the Bible study group at wbs1.wordpress.com.

Maria Maxham

We’ve Lost Is Nothing, and No Visible Bruises – What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us, which was just named one of the New York Times’ Top Ten Books of 2019. According to the Times, “Snyder’s thoroughly reported book covers what the World Health Organization has called ‘a global health problem of epidemic proportions.’ In America alone, more than half of all murdered women are killed by a current or former partner; domestic violence cuts across lines of class, religion and race. Snyder debunks pervasive myths (restraining orders are the answer, abusers never change) and writes movingly about the Lives (and deaths) of people on both sides of the equation. She doesn’t give easy answers but presents a wealth of information that is its own form of hope.” We don’t know if her career started here, but we can say we knew her when. Congrats, Rachel.

Photo provided

Sleeping bags for the homeless

For over 20 years, the ecumenical Sleeping Bag Ministry, which meets weekly at United Lutheran Church, 409 Greenfield St., has sewn hundreds of sleeping bags and distributed them among the homeless population. This year, the group deLivered 30 sleeping bags, 20 hand-knit scarves, and dozens of bags of toiletries to the sisters of Fraternite de Notre Dame, located in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, which are given to people without homes in need of warmth and shelter. “The process is fun and artistic,” said ministry member Pat Henek. “We sew the fabric samples together, use blankets or mattress pads for filler, and flannel sheets for lining. Men’s ties are sewn at the bottom to tie up the rolled sleeping bag. They are beautiful when we get them finished.” Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn and firms from the Merchandise Mart donate the heavyweight fabric samples used to create the sleeping bags. Families and individuals also donate materials.

Stacey Sheridan

Ken Trainor

Val’s halla fame

One of our sharp-eyed readers, Joyce Porter, tipped us off that on Dec. 22, in the Chicago Tribune’s Arts section, Rick Kogan asked the columnists of the Arts VAL CAMILLETTI and Entertainment staff to compile lists of the major cultural losses of the past decade. Greg Kot, the Trib’s music critic, included our own dearly departed Val Camilletti. She would have gotten a big kick out of that.

Ken Trainor

A century of ice cream

Walking past Petersen’s, which boasts Oak Park’s best neon sign, we spotted a

note on the door informing loyal customers that they closed for the winter on Nov. 27, completing their 100th year in business. Petersen’s opened in 1919. Now that’s staying power. We can’t wait till spring.

Ken Trainor

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Last Weekend: “A Dickens Carol”

New Year’s Eve Countdown

Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m., Saturdays, 4 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m., through Dec. 29, Madison Street Theatre: See the story of A Christmas Carol from Charles Dickens’ point of view, based on real-life events. Set in London in 1842, this ghost story could melt the heart of any Scrooge. In collaboration with Ovation Academy. $35; $28, seniors; $15, students/children. Tickets: ovationacademy.org, MSToakpark.com, 708-222-7564. 1010 Madison St., Oak Park.

Tuesday, Dec. 31, Noon to 4 p.m., Wonder Works Children’s Museum: Countdown to 2020 with games, crafts, refreshments and more at this event geared to families with young children. $13; $5, members. Not part of regular museum admission. More: wonder-works.org. 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park.

Holiday Cover Show

December 25 - 31

Sunday, Dec. 29, 6:30 p.m., Wire: See bands performing music of the Foo Fighters, Say Anything, New Found Glory, Joyce Manor and Turnover. $10, advance; $13, at door. Tickets/more: wireismusic.com/event-calendar/. 6815 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.

BIG WEEK

Noon Year’s Eve

Winter Break Drop-ins: Beaded Snowflakes and Bracelets

Monday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library: Be the first to celebrate; countdown to 2020 with activities, dancing and snacks with a festive flair. Children of all ages with caregivers. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.

Weekdays, 2 to 5 p.m., and Weekends, 1 to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through Jan. 4, Bead in Hand: Create a beaded snowflake in a choice of three sizes ($6, $12, $15) or a memory-wire bracelet. ($6). Closed Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Info: beadinhand.com/holiday-extravaganzas.html. 145 Harrison, Oak Park.

Oak Park Winter Warming Centers Get shelter from the cold at the following locations throughout the winter: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, Rush Oak Park Hospital, 500 S. Maple Ave. 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., daily, West Suburban Medical Center, 3 Erie Ct. Find out if the warming center is open after hours: 708-763-6200. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., weekdays, Oak Park Township, 130 S. Oak Park Ave., for ages 60+. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., weekdays, Village Hall, 123 Madison St. For transportation, call the Oak Park Police Department’s non-emergency number: 708-386-3800.

Kwanzaa Celebration Sunday, Dec. 29, 2 to 5 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Join members of the community to celebrate Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture. All ages. Inquire: npriddy@oppl.org. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Medical Lending Closet - Equipment to Borrow Call to arrange a pickup, Oak Park Township: Anyone in need of a walker or cane, the Medical Lending Closet is well stocked. There are also limited supplies of transport wheelchairs, commodes and other medical equipment. Items can be borrowed as long as needed without any restrictions thanks to the community’s generous donations. Request equipment: 708-383-8005. 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

NASA 2020 Thursday, Dec. 26, 7 to 8 p.m., Veterans Room, Main Library: Mark Benson, NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, is presenting on what NASA has planned for next year - new rovers on Mars, final tests on the craft that will replace the Shuttle and more. Info: facebook.com/MarkBensonSSA/. 834 Lake, Oak Park.

Welcome 2020 as Tributosaurus becomes The Eagles Ring in the New Year at FitzGerald’s Tuesday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.: Celebrate with Expo ‘76 & the Total Pro Horns plus Robert Cornelius. Hear ‘70s AM radio ear candy to road house dance tunes, New Wave to jazzy blues, folk and more. $40, includes party hats, favors and champagne toast. Tickets/more: fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/calendar. 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.

Monday, Dec. 30, and Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Wire: See the local band morph into a classic rock legend as you say goodbye to 2019 at this New Year’s Eve celebration. Doors open at 7 p.m. 21+. $35, Dec. 30; $45, Dec. 31. Tickets/more: wireismusic.com/event-calendar/. 6815 W. Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ART BEAT

Toomey auctions benefit Animal Care League By MICHELLE DYBAL

Toomey & Co.’s Interiors auction in October had more than 700 lots and included Contributing Reporter the Galaaen vase. Typically, a buyer’s prehen boxes and bags of donations mium, ranging from 25 to 30 percent, paid come in, no one really knows on top of the gavel price — $325 in the case what treasures lie within un- of the vase — is collected by auction houses til volunteers begin to sort and to cover the cost of doing business. The vase price the items, which are put sold for $422, reaping 2nd Chance $287 after onto the shelves of the 2nd Chance reducing the commission because Thrift Shop as quickly as the same of their nonprofit status. day. After covering overhead for the According to Toomey & Co., a shop and its one part-time employbuyer in Norway acquired the ee, the rest goes to the Animal Galaaen vase. “It’s being repaCare League (ACL), a nonprofit triated,” said John Walcher, animal shelter located south of vp and senior specialist, the Eisenhower. early 20th Century Design Kevin Murphy has been overDepartment, because it is seeing the thrift store for four returning to where the deyears. The current location, signer is from. two storefronts at 808 Harri2nd Chance, besides son St., Oak Park, opened in decorative items, has sea2009, but the business started sonal décor, glassware, 33 years ago. It features an antiques, pet items, office ever-changing array of merand craft supplies, games chandise for customers. and puzzles, framed art, This fall, a blue-and-white, houseware and jewelry. matte-glazed porcelain vase There is usually a cat or two came into the shop. Murphy up for adoption, too. Total profpursued an unsuccessful init from merchandise sold in the ternet search. He priced the shop is approximately 15 to Provided by Toomey & Co. nearly 10-inch-tall, elongated 20 percent, Murphy said. egg-shaped vase with concentric Porcelain vase by “We have a guideline strucblue, organically shaped lines Norwegian ceramicist ture for the pricing and we dancing along it at $3 and put it do research especially if Konrad Galaaen for on the shelf. are vintage or antique Porsgrund Porcelain, they Volunteer Anne Carlson came or trending items such as 1950, which was in the next day and began lookclothing,” said Murphy, an donated to the 2nd ing at new items. Oak Park resident. “But we “She saw the vase and she never price it for what we Chance Shop, Oak said, ‘We need to look at this Park, and auctioned see online. We go half off or more closely,’ because she had by Toomey & Co. to a more.” the feeling it called to her,” MurWhen it comes to jewbuyer in Norway. phy said. elry, Carlson is the resident Carlson, a longtime librarian, expert. She cleans, checks used her researching skills, and marks, tests and researches found a very similar work at the Telemark the donations. Museum in Norway. The 2nd Chance vase, Toomey & Co. was consulted again rewas made in 1950 for Porsgrund Porcelain cently, this time on jewelry, one of Walcher’s by Konrad Galaaen (1923-2004), a Norwegian specialties. ceramicist. At the Jewelry, Silver & Objects of Vertu Determining it must have some value, 2nd auction in November, four lots were sold Chance consulted Toomey & Co. The Oak for the 2nd Chance Shop — a brooch by the Park auction house advises area nonprofits Kalo Shop, diamond stud earrings, a yellow on items they believe may benefit from an gold LeCoultre ladies wristwatch and a lot expert opinion. consisting of four pieces of Mexican silver “We’ve always tried to give back to our lo- jewelry. The items totaled $1,008. ACL will cal community and our art and design com- receive a check on Dec. 31 for an undisclosed munity,” said CEO Lucy Toomey. “Value is a amount. big determining factor, or if something is of The shop itself is a place of discovery for lower value but has a really nice aesthetic shoppers, who are invited to give the items and it fits in with our 20th-century design fo- a second chance, whether they buy a special cus, it may be something we offer in one of item at auction, through their new eBay listour auctions as a courtesy to try to help out ings or stop in the shop — just as the Animal nonprofits.” Care League gives pets a second chance.

Ascension Catholic Church 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park | (708) 848-2703 www.ascensionoakpark.com

Christmas Eve | Tuesday, December 24

Mass at 4:00 pm with Schola Mass at 6:00 pm - A Children’s Focus Mass with Choristers Carols at 10:30 pm and Mass at 11:00 pm with Adult Choir

Christmas Day – Wednesday, December 25

Mass at 9:00 am and 11:00 am with Organ and Instruments

The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph | December 28-29 Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am

New Year’s Day | Wednesday, January 1 Mass at 9:00 am | Taize Prayer at 7:30 pm

The Epiphany of the Lord | January 4-5

Mass Saturday at 5:00 pm and Sunday at 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 am

Honor Refugees and Immigrants January 5. 8:30 am–1:00 pm

Gather in the Pine Room for refreshments and a display of nativity scenes from around the world.

Apartment living with congregate services

114 South Humphrey Oak Park, IL 60302

his property with its architecturally award-winning atrium, provides seniors and persons with disabilities with parking, library, laundry room, wellness center and other conveniences. A service coordinator is on staff to assist tenants who may need additional services. The units are studio and one bedroom, each with electric appliances, tile bath, and wall to wall carpeting. Modern fire and safety systems are installed in each apartment and common areas of the building. There are 8 accessible one bedroom units for the mobility impaired. The Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through the 202/section 8 Program. Residents pay approximately 30% of their monthly income for rent. For additional information, please visit our web site at www.oakparkha.org or contact us at 708-386-5812.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Park District of Oak Park adopts full tax levy Commissioners vote 4-1 to capture all TIF revenue By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

t f i G e h T s p e e K t a h t — g n i v i G n o

l, urna o J y a dnesd e W o ons t ew and i t p i ark r i , or Subsc Park Rev eld Landm Park k t fi a s k e O o in For ide/Bro Ave. k s . r r s a e ift kP or Riv reat g S. Oa 340, g 3 1 e 4 3 k 1 1 at ma 8/6 ffices at 70 , m ent our o y b est.co artm r p p o o e F t d r S • ive tion om, R ark.com rcula c i . c k r e Pa dm l th t Oak r RBLan • C al a e n ,o nli ribe o eview.com c s b • Su stParkR Fore

It wasn’t much of a question for the majority of the Park District of Oak Park Board of Commissioners. For the past two months, residents -- most of whom are members of Oak Park Property Tax Watch Facebook group -- asked all taxing bodies not to levy the maximum amount allowed. With the Downtown and Madison Street Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts expiring, the park district and other taxing bodies have the right to raise the levy to capture property tax revenue that had previously been sequestered in the TIF funds. But at a pair of meetings in December, residents argued that the park board had the opportunity to provide some property tax relief. They argued that the tax increases from all taxing bodies have hurt Oak Park households and drive current and potential residents away. But the park district staff and commissioners insisted they needed the money to help absorb the cost of minimum wage increases, which affects them more than most park districts due to the sheer number of part-time and seasonal employees they hire. Commissioners voted 4-1 to approve the full levy, with David Wick casting the only no vote. Like most taxing bodies, the park district is subject to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL), which caps the tax levy at the level of the consumer price index or 5 percent, whichever is less. But, taxing bodies are allowed capture extra revenue that comes from the TIF’s expiration, as well as to account for the value new construction. According to a memo by Kyle Cratty, the park district’s director of finance, “The individual taxpayer will only see their taxes increase by the CPI or 1.9 percent.” Jan Arnold, the park district’s executive

H O W

T O

director, said the tax increase would amount to around $4.63 for a property worth between $300,000 and $400,000. During the Dec. 19 park board meeting, several residents argued that even that adds to the increasing tax burden. Tom MacMillan, who described himself as a “big fan” of the park district, suggested that approving a tax increase now instead of putting it to referendum suggested that the park district didn’t believe voters would support such a referendum and wanted to do a an end run on voters. “I certainly hope that’s not the way you guys feel, but what’s the rush?” he said. “It’s hurting people out there, others have talked about that.” Pete Prokopowicz said he wasn’t moved by the statements that it was a hard decision and that commissioners were taxpayers, too. “I would especially like my friends who’ve moved away last year to know it’s not an easy vote,” he said, sarcastically “I hereby move that we don’t waste our time and listen to everybody about how difficult their vote is.” Arnold said that she would recommend taking advantage of the full increase because the increases in state minimum wage would raise employee expenses by about around $160,000 a year. Arnold argued that, given how many local teens and young adults the park district employs, a lot of that money would go back into the Oak Park economy. “The district will continue to look for costsavings,” Arnold said. “We continue to decrease dependency on taxes and derive more revenue from programs and services.” None of the commissioners commented on the vote, with all but Wick voting in favor. When asked about his vote after the meeting, Wick didn’t elaborate. “I’m just against fully [raising the levy to capture] the TIF, that’s all,” he said. “I’m in favor of 1.9 percent.”

R E A C H

U S

Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PHONE 708-524-8300 ■ FAX 708-467-9066 ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com | www.RiverForest.com CIRCULATION Jill Wagner, 708-613-3340 circulation@oakpark.com DISPLAY ADVERTISING Dawn Ferencak, 708-613-3329 dawn@oakpark.com

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING SALES Mary Ellen Nelligan, 708-613-3342 maryellen@oakpark.com NEWS/FEATURES Dan Haley, 708-613-3301 dhaley@wjinc.com

CALENDAR Michelle Dybal calendar@wjinc.com SPORTS/PARKS James Kay, 708-613-3319 james@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal is published weekly by Wednesday Journal, Inc. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302-2901. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, Illinois (USPS No. 0010-138). In-county subscription rate is $38 per year, $65 for two years, $92 for three years. Annual out-of-county rate is $43. © 2019 Wednesday Journal, Inc.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

OPRF mourns former teacher, administrator

Jason Dennis, who left in 2019, died in a car crash By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School community is mourning the death of a former teacher and administrator. Jason Dennis, who taught history before being promoted to dean, died on Dec. 18, as a result of injuries he sustained in a Dec. 10 car crash along interstate I-80. Karin Sullivan, the district’s communications director, said Dennis left OPRF in 2019. According to the high school’s track and field team website, Dennis coached discus. He attended Illinois Wesleyan University, “where he was a five-time All-American and the 2000 indoor national champion in the shot put,” the website states. “Coach Dennis was fortunate enough to coach former OPRF state discus champion and 10-time Division 1 All-American Brittany Smith among many other very talented student-athletes,” according to the website. District 200 Superintendent Joylynn PruittAdams told faculty and staff about Dennis’

D200 approves 2019 tax levy By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

death on Dec. 18, Sullivan said. “Jason began his career at OPRF as a history teacher before taking on the role of dean,” PruittAdams said in an email statement. “He missed teaching, however, and JASON DENNIS returned to the classFormer OPRF teacher room before eventually becoming assistant principal. He also was a football coach for many years. “Jason had many friends at OPRF, and we know that you may need someone to talk to during this difficult time,” she added. “We will have members of our support services staff available in Room 308 throughout the day tomorrow for anyone who wishes to drop in. We will share details of any arrangements when they become available.” As of Dec. 19, a GoFundMe campaign (bit. ly/2s3dmnf) created by Devontaé Beale on Dec. 16 to help cover Dennis’ medical expenses had raised $2,685 of its $15,000 goal.

During a regular meeting on Dec. 19, the District 200 school board voted to approve a 2019 tax levy of $73.2 million, a nearly 8-percent increase over the 2018 tax extension of around $68 million. The tax levy captures around $800,000 in revenue from the expiring Downtown Oak Park and Madison Street TIF districts, and includes a 1.9 percent increase that reflects the rate of the Consumer Price Index, which Illinois uses to cap tax increases for non-home rule taxing bodies. Cyndi Sidor, the district’s chief school business official, said in a Dec. 19 memo that the district projects the total new taxable property to be $3.3 million, which “would generate an additional tax revenue of approximately $350,000.” The board also voted to abate $1.7 million in state funds connected to the $3.8 million in additional revenue the district received from a Property Tax Relief Grant awarded in February. Some board members said that, while abating the $1.7 million was important to help provide some relief to taxpayers, it also forces the district to exert more budget discipline. “The recommendation on the table here is to reduce our tax by $1.7 million, which over

the next six years will equate to an even $10 million in tax relief,” said board member Tom Cofsky. “This $1.7 million reduction will immediately put the district into a deficit spending mode, which from my perspective is healthy, because it forces them to focus on what really needs to be the focus, which is spending, spending, spending.” “We have been managing revenue to try to keep that flat impact on taxpayers,” said board member Craig Iseli. “This abatement will put us into deficit spending, which kind of puts a clock on the expense side. We either get the expenses in control — and we have improved them markedly — but we either get them into control or we will create large deficits, which will force us into a very difficult referendum situation.” “The goal here is to be good stewards and to maintain our obligation to our district, as well as to our taxpayers,” said board President Jackie Moore. Matt Baron, the only member to vote against the abatement, said that he wanted the district to give back more money to taxpayers. “Tonight’s concerns [about deficit spending] are very real and valid,” he said. “I think what we are doing tonight is addressing those well, but not as well as I’d like. Last month, I was advocating for a deeper relief than we’re already giving.”

H Ha ap pp p yy H Ho o ll ii d da a yy ss !! From the Staff at

Jenny Yang

Janice Moskoff Mark Walden Liz Holt Kosha Carstens

Ronnie Marlin

connecting business to community

oprfchamber.org

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest seeks back-up funding for senior center 911 calls SSA tax would kick in if impact fee isn’t paid By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

The Village of River Forest Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing next month about creating a new special service area at 800-826 N. Harlem Ave., the site of new senior citizen housing development. The proposed SSA would include The Sheridan at River Forest, an approximately 1.5-acre assisted living and memory care senior housing facility, which the village board approved earlier this year. Because such facility is expected to generate more ambulance calls than average, developer Senior Lifestyle will have to pay an impact fee to cover the extra costs. The SSA would kick in if the developer doesn’t pay. The public hearing will be held on Jan. 13, 2020, at 7 p.m. in the board room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Ave., prior the regularly scheduled village board meeting. The village board is expected to vote on whether to approve the SSA during that subsequent business meeting. The Sheridan will house 92 assisted-living and 33 memory care service apartments,

mostly one-bedroom units, with an average assisted-living unit priced at $5,500 per month, and the average memory-care unit running $6,800 per month. Bob Gawronsky, vice president of development at Senior Lifestyle, told the River Forest Development Review Board that they were targeting seniors who may not be able to Live without medical assistance but who wish to remain in the community, as well as seniors who may want to move to River Forest to be closer to the family. Unlike tax increment financing districts, which sequester funds from the existing tax levies, SSAs add a special levy to a property tax bill. What would make this SSA unusual is that it would only kick in if Senior Lifestyles doesn’t pay the impact fee. If the SSA is triggered, it would collect an amount not to exceed $7.29 per $100 of equalized assessed valuation of the property. Since the only property inside the SSA would be The Sheridan, no other property will be affected. According to information provided by the village, Senior Lifestyles indicated that it expects to generate an average of 2.5 ambulance calls a week – or about 130 calls a year. The impact fee will kick in if the number of calls goes above that. The fee will start off at $500 per call and continue to increase if the number of calls per year exceeds 199 calls.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GOING UP: The Sheridan, an assisted living and memory care facility, is rising at the corner of Chicago and Harlem in River Forest. The village board is considering an SSA there to help recoup the cost of ambulance calls, if necessary. Village Administrator Eric Palm emphasized to the board that he didn’t expect the SSA to be triggered, but the village believes that it would be best to have it in place just in case. Palm noted that River Forest put something

S W E N

similar in place for Promenade Townhomes, at 7820 Madison Street, in 2017, just in case the development’s homeowners association failed. “[The new SSA] hopefully will not be activated, but it is there in case it is needed,” Palm said.

! H S A FL

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

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Vote coming on River Forest deer-culling program Task force still on the table, but trustees to decide on county contract

“I have the

power to grant a wish.”

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Less than a month after River Forest Board of Trustees agreed to allow residents to form the task force to discuss the best way to address deer overpopulation, the village is moving forward with a deer culling contract -- though it still intends to form a task force. The village board was originally set to vote on a deer culling contract in November. But when a large group of residents came out to protest -- even as a smaller, but equally passionate group urged the trustees to proceed -- the board agreed to suspend the vote. While they agreed to form the task force, they postponed the discussion of any specifics until a later date. At the time, it was understood that there would be no further vote until the task force had a chance to consider the issue. But after a prolonged discussion, a majority of the board agreed on Dec. 9 to vote on the culling agreement in January 2020, while still working to form the task force. The task force’s mandate would be somewhat different. It would be tasked with coming up with other ways to address the deer issue. The majority of trustees agreed that there was nothing wrong with trying to approach the problem from multiple fronts. In recent years, deer sightings have been on the rise, and the village has been getting an increasing number of complaints about landscaping damage, tick-borne diseases, and deer droppings in resident yards. River Forest and the Cook County Forest Preserve District have been discussing the possibility of expanding the existing deer-culling program to the three forest preserves in River Forest -- Thatcher Woods, G.A.R. Woods and Thomas Jefferson Woods. The Forest Preserve District contracts sharpshooters to go into the woods and kill the deer. The proposed contract called for the village to pay up to $40,000 a year. During the village board’s Nov. 25 meeting, opponents argued that shooting deer was a step too far, arguing that deer should either be left alone or that the village should spend its money on a more humane alternative. Supporters of the agreement, on the other hand, argued that deer posed a health hazard, with deer ticks potentially carrying Lyme disease, which at least two River Forest families reportedly have had to deal with already. Village President Catherine Adduci argued that there was room to pursue both

Most days, I teach high school. But one day, I became the evil archenemy of a superhero named Michael, a 6-year-old with a life-threatening

culling and other ways to address the issue. “Advising residents, deer-resistant food -all those are great ideas and they all should be implemented,” she said. “I don’t see one over the other.” And Adduci urged the board to support the culling. “It’s our job, as elected officials, to ensure the health and safety of our community,” she said. “We weigh opinions back and forth and we govern.” Trustee Thomas Cargie argued against the task force, since he didn’t believe that people who were coming from the issue from different perspectives would be able to compromise. He also wondered whether there was any fair way to ensure that both sides were represented equally. Trustee Katie Brennan, who expressed support for the task force during the Nov. 25 meeting, felt that the fact that residents were willing to put it together in the first place showed that it could work. “I think residents that have different opinions are engaged residents who want to work together,” she said. “And we have ground rules for those who volunteer to be on task force, so we can agree without being disagreeable.” Trustee Robert O’Connell and a few others felt that the Forest Preserve District of Cook County officials didn’t provide enough data to justify the advice that culling was the best solution. Having that information in front of him, O’Connell said, would make him more comfortable voting on the culling contract. While Brennan argued that the board shouldn’t take any votes until the task force had a chance to discuss the issue, as the discussion continued, the rest of the board agreed to pursue both the culling and the formation of the task force.

medical condition. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® organized the whole showdown. I donned a devilish purple outﬁt and prowled around the city. The local news team alerted Michael, aka Beetle Boy. He chased me down and foiled all my evil plans. I’ll never forget the look on Michael’s face as the police led me away.

Stu Snodgrass,

High School Teacher

“I wish to be a superhero.” MICHAEL, AGE 6

We all have the power to grant a wish. Start your journey with Destination JoySM at

Wish.org

SHARE THE POWER OF A WISH®

Come on board and contribute your time, talents and resources to make children’s wishes come true.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Coffee and Colors

Live Café’s Dec. 28 event features the work of artist Gobee Harris By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

When walking into Live Café 163 S. Oak Park Ave., as in any other coffee shop, the aroma of coffee immediately hits the nostrils. Almost as instantly as that first intake of oxygen, the artwork, bold and bright, catches the eye and commands attention. Turning the typically mundane experience of grabbing coffee into a sensory symphony. “I’ve been going to art school my whole life, so I think I have pretty decent taste,” said Live Café manager Sloane Crawford. A familiar face among Live regulars, Crawford curates the ever-changing collection of featured art and organizes the café’s monthly “Coffee and Colors” events, the next of which is Dec. 28 with artist Gobee Harris. Harris’s paintings currently decorate the café’s walls. “We feature minority artists, so when I saw her work, I really felt like it spoke to the culture and the community of black women,” said Crawford. Painted in vivid colors with strong lines,

Harris’s work on display at Live features portraits of African Americans. One piece, titled “Celebration,” features confetti falling on a woman in cat-eye sunglasses. “It’s beautiful!” Crawford gushed. All but one portrait features a woman. Like real women, the women in Harris’s portraits have different hair, different style, different character. “There are so many aspects of women and especially women of color. I think right now, in 2019 going into 2020, it’s finally a moment where people are realizing you can’t just characterize black women,” Crawford said. “We get to speak for ourselves and say who we are, what we are, what we do, and we can be as different as we want to be. We have that right.” The sole male subject is a portrait of the late activist and rapper Nipsey Hussle. As an artist, Harris has a clear point of view and sense of style. “The boldness of her work is unapologetic. It’s not asking for permission to be in this space. It’s owning the space,” said Crawford. “And that’s what the café is.” An artist herself, Crawford is a trained jazz singer. Her link to the art community helps her find new and exciting artists to feature in the café. “I do community work and I also do a lot of art enrichment programs, so I meet a lot

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ARTFUL: Customers network at Live Cafe. of artists,” she said. Crawford also uses social media to find artists. When she finds an interesting artist she’d like to feature in the café, Crawford sends pictures of the artist’s work to Live owner Reesheda Graham Washington for final approval. Then Crawford irons out the details with the artists.

Crawford is particularly excited for the Dec. 28 “Colors and Coffee,” featuring Harris’s work. From 7-9 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to engage with the artist and enjoy Live music. Harris is also bringing new pieces. Tickets are free, but people should RSVP on Eventbrite to give the café an expected headcount.

sponsored content

Infant Welfare Society’s Circle 80 Brighten Holidays for Low-Income Families Annual Holiday Party at Pleasant Home

he holiday season is a time of joy and excitement for most families. For many low-income families, however, the holidays are a time of additional stress in already stressful situations. To brighten the holidays for children in need, Circle 80, the high school chapter of the Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society, recently hosted it’s 10th annual Children’s Holiday Party. Festivities are reserved for families of the IWS Children’s Clinic to celebrate the season with craft projects, pictures with Santa, and receive a gift in a safe and nurturing environment. Each year, over 250 children attend. Hosted at Pleasant Home in Oak Park, which the Park District of Oak Park generously provides without charging rental fees, and supported through a grant by the Oak Park River Forest Community Foundation Future Philanthropists Program, this annual tradition engages area students in an event for those less fortunate. “This is the highlight of the year for Circle

80 members,” said Sally Prescott, the group’s Adult Director. “It’s great to see how everyone enjoys the party and how our members pitch in to get dressed up, pass out toys, take pictures with Santa and just get in the spirit of the season.” Paige Baker, a senior at OPRFHS, added: “The Holiday Party is so important to the children and volunteers. It’s lovely to spend time with the kids and see their faces light up when we help them make a bottlecap snowman or receive a stocking full of goodies.” If you are inspired by Circle 80’s efforts, or share Infant Welfare Society’s belief that sustaining the health and well-being of our community’s at-risk children is a critical investment in our future – make a gift to IWS today. Give online today at OPRFIWS.org/donate or mail checks payable to Infant Welfare Society to 320 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

D200 board questions $750K Huskie Pups rehab

Board members mulling the feasibility of continuing the daycare at OPRF By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The District 200 school board is at a crossroads when it comes to the Huskie Pups daycare at Oak Park and River Forest High School after administrators recently revealed that the program could lose its license to operate in its current space if an estimated $750,000 worth of renovations aren’t completed within a year. The news prompted board members to question whether it’s feasible to even continue operating the program in its current form. During a presentation during the board’s committee of the whole on Dec. 10, Mike Carioscio, D200’s chief operations officer, and Josh Czerniak, of FGM Architects, said that the last Department of Children and Family Services licensing inspection found numerous fire code violations within the daycare space. “We feel very strongly that unless we remediate these issues, we’re pretty confident licensing will not be granted,” Carioscio said, adding that the next licensing period is in September 2020. The Huskie Pups daycare is a full-day early childhood program run by the River Forest Community Center and available to faculty and staff at all three public school districts in the Oak Park and River Forest area, OPRF students and the public. The program takes children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, according to its website. The cost to each child ranges from $250 a week to $305 a week, depending on the child’s age. At the Dec. 10 meeting, Czerniak said the daycare space has two main structural problems that the $750,000 renovation would rectify. First, the daycare has a mezzanine, and the various levels impede movement and make entering and exiting the space difficult. Secondly, the daycare space is bisected by a corridor, which high school students use to access the auto shop. “That corridor was the major violation cited by the fire marshal,” Czerniak said. “And the violation is that there isn’t a second exit out of the Huskie Pups spaces to the south of that corridor. Theoretically, in an emergency, those occupants would be exiting through auto shop. The fire code doesn’t allow exits through another space.” Czerniak said most of the costs involved in the renovation are related to installing another entrance and exit point for the daycare in the form of a ramp and staircase on the north end of OPRF’s main building, and removing the mezzanine so the entire interior daycare space is on one level. Carioscio and Czerniak explained in a memo that, since work would need to

Courtesy FGM Architects

RENOVATIONS COMING?: Above, an architectural rendering of a proposed ramp and staircase at the Huskie Pups entrance. Below, the interior of the daycare, which features multiple levels. A proposed renovation would make the daycare one level.

Courtesy OPRF

be completed before the September 2020 licensing period, the “most practical and cost-effective solution is to include renovation of the Huskie Pup toddler space in this summer’s capital improvement work.” Czerniak added that “the cost would be more significant to move Huskie Pups out of its current area,” because that would mean likely having to renovate another space to accommodate whatever programming would be displaced by the daycare. Most D200 board members, however, expressed concerns with the Huskie Pups program that went beyond the need for capital repairs. “I feel like the fire code violations seem like they’re out of the blue,” said school board member Gina Harris. “It feels like it’s something that would’ve been known, that these violations exist and these changes have to happen next year.” Dick Chappell, the director of the River Forest Community Center, told board members that the daycare’s current physical layout has existed unchanged since the center started operating the daycare in 2007. He added that the most recent DCFS licensing report was the only one in which fire code violations were found. Other board members questioned the

wisdom of spending $750,000 on a daycare that, according to Chappell, only includes the children of adults. Chappell said that staffers at OPRF, District 90 in River Forest and District 97 in Oak Park, along with residents of Oak Park and River Forest “make up 100 percent of our participants.” Chappell said that, while the daycare was originally created to ensure that OPRF students with children stay in school, the number of students with children who are enrolled in Huskie Pups has dwindled to zero in the last few years. He also said that last year, the daycare serviced people who were not residents of Oak Park and River Forest. “My ask would be to understand the business model,” said board member Tom Cofsky. “What is it? As I see it, quite frankly, we have a daycare for our staff, which is a benefit, but call it what it is, and it also looks like a daycare for community residents. We need to understand the business model and then we can have a discussion.” Superintendent Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said the administration has had preliminary talks with Chappell, about possibly sharing the costs of the renovation. Pruitt-Adams said the community center receives all of the revenue generated by Huskie Pups and pays the salaries of the daycare’s employees.

Pruitt-Adams cautioned that other dominoes could fall if the board decided to discontinue housing the daycare at OPRF. “If we decided not to do it here, we have another year on our agreement,” she said. “It was historically three years and several years ago we made it four, with the option that if [either the community center or OPRF] got out of it, we had to give a year’s notice.” The superintendent added that, if the school board opts to discontinue the daycare and the community center decides to continue operating the program elsewhere, such as at its main facility in River Forest, “there could be a potential impact on [OPRF],” because the community center houses the high school’s program for 18- to 22-year-old students with disabilities who are transitioning into adulthood. “We realize where we are in terms of performance and finances,” said PruittAdams. “However, we also know as a board we vowed commitment to early childhood education … We’d be remiss if we did not bring [the proposal for renovations] to the board.” District 200 board President Jackie Moore urged administrators to provide more information about the daycare, including how they would pay for the $750,000 renovation and a “post-mortem of this to understand how it took this long for [the fire code violations and other issues related to the daycare] to come before the board.” Administrators indicated that they may have the information the board requested by no later than February. CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

NO NEED TO WAIT OUR JANUARY SALE

STARTS NOW!

JOIN TODAY NO

JOINERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FEE PLUS

$100

CREDIT (to be applied anyway you would like)

YOUR NEW MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES A COMPLIMENTARY FITNESS CONSULTATION Exclusions apply, please inquire within Expiration: 2/3/20 Codes: 20JoinWJ & 20CreditWJ

ACHIEVE YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS GOALS

NATIONWIDE MEMBERSHIP GIVES ACCESS TO THOUSANDS OF YS Complimentary Group Fitness Classes State-of-the-Art Facilities Chronic Disease Management Personal Trainers

Reduced member price for Yoga, Swimming Lessons, Day Camp, Before and After School Programs and much more! Financial Assistance Available

WEST COOK YMCA 255 S. Marion St. Oak Park, IL 60302 708.383.5200 www.westcookymca.org

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Pastrami at Onion Roll, make mine hot and fatty

#19 in Los Angeles, there’s so much on top of hey call it hot pastrami for a reason: It should, unlike revenge, be a dish best it — Swiss cheese, cole slaw, Russian dressing served hot. Alas, it’s not unusual to be — that the taste of the pastrami gets lost in the served pastrami at room temperature, crowd of flavors. but there’s one cardinal reason why Recently, at the Onion Roll, Carolyn and I pastrami should be served hot: warm fat is shared a “spaceman”-sized sandwich (basically delicious, silky, and flavorful; cold fat is yucky. three half-sandwiches). Though we had musCold meat can be enjoyable, particularly tard and horseradish at the table, I couldn’t cold ham or cold turkey. But with pastrami, I bear to cover over the flavor of the pastrami. really can’t see eating it unless it’s served hot. In fact, I deconstructed my portion and ate my The old, now closed, Carnegie Deli in New pastrami on open faced bread slices, the better York City, which I’d been visiting since 1971, to let the pastrami taste come through with served a bulging, monstrously big pastrami minimal interference. sandwich, a mountain of meat that was deliThe Onion Roll pastrami sandwich was cious, but had it been a little warmer, it would Local Dining pretty good, not overloaded and about as warm have been much more delicious. Warmth & Food Blogger brings out the subtle flavors of the pastrami as you’d want it to be. It was also not as fatty and makes the scrumptious fat simply deas I would have preferred, though I understand lightful. that for a health-conscious Oak Park clientele, Pastrami is usually cut from around the navel; corned big seams of fat are not going to be well-accepted. For beef is usually cut from the brisket. Pastrami is fatter than many, leaner pastrami is preferred, and there’s no denycorned beef. Also, pastrami is smoked and corned beef is ing that’s the healthier choice. boiled, and the boiling melts and removes some of the fat; When I order pastrami at a place like Manny’s (1141 S. smoking renders out some fat, too, but as smoking is a low Jefferson) in Chicago, I make a point of telling the guy at temperature cooking process, not as much fat is going to be the hot table (usually Gino) that “I’m not afraid of a little lost. And that’s a good thing. fat in there.” For the occasional indulgence, I don’t think Thick stripes of fat in the best hot pastrami slices are any of us should be afraid of a little fat. smooth and fragile, almost melting, resting at the cusp Next time at Onion Roll, I’m going to ask for my hot between liquid and solid, providing rich blasts of smoky, pastrami to be a little fattier. Hey, it’s winter, I’ll burn it salty flavor that can be lost as the meat cools. off fast, and it just tastes better with fat. Too much bread or condiments can smother the taste of pastrami, and although I’ve enjoyed Langer’s famous National Hot Pastrami Day is Jan. 14.

DAVID

HAMMOND

Photo by David Hammond

Pastrami at Onion Roll

con·nec·tion

noun 1. a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else. “the connections between social attitudes and productivity”

Community journalism remade Growing Community Media Partner with us.

Find out more at GrowingCommunityMedia.org

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

C R I M E

Two armed robberies in one day

Two armed robberies took place Dec. 19, just about two hours apart from each other. At 7:27 p.m., a Palatine resident was meeting a man to sell a four-carat diamond wedding ring, when the man he was meeting pulled a black handgun and demanded the ring and money from his wallet, an estimated loss of $7,900. The incident occurred in the 200 block of Madison Street. Police describe the attacker as being a black male wearing a black or navy puffy jacket with a gray furtrimmed hood, dark jeans and dark shoes. Shortly after that, two masked men pulled out a silver handgun and stole a Galaxy Note 9 cell phone and keys belonging to an Oak Park resident at 9:45 p.m. in the 900 block of South Cuyler Avenue.

Theft ■A

16-year-old male stole the tip jar off

the counter at Poke Burrito, 1025 S. Lake St., at 10:36 a.m. Dec. 18. ■ The generator was stolen from a truck owned by a Brookfield business in the 600 block of Madison Street Dec. 18 between 10:40 and 10:45 a.m. The total loss is $2,500. ■ An Amazon package containing face cream was stolen out of an unlocked apartment building vestibule in the 300 block of South East Avenue between 2:02 p.m. Dec. 15 and 5:23 p.m. Dec. 18. Total loss is $6. ■ An Amazon package containing various grocery items, worth about $15, was taken from the front porch of a residence in the 400 block of Wisconsin Avenue between 2:15 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 16. ■ A USPS package, containing miscellaneous clothing items, and an ■ Amazon package, containing sporting

TACO BELL Second try from page 1 timated the property’s Roosevelt Road frontage to be about 261 linear feet, or 11 percent. “That’s a lot of frontage to require. It’s a very big lot,” Bruce said. “Most of our lots are not going to be that wide.” Ampler Development’s second request is a reduction in required building transparency, meaning the number of windows, along the Humphrey Avenue frontage. The zoning ordinance dictates 20 percent building transparency, but the application asks for 2 percent. “Roosevelt Road is all about being MICHAEL BRUCE pedestrian-friendly Oak Park Zoning Administrator and big windows are very pedestrian-friendly,” said Bruce. “I’m going to push back on that and see if they can make that a little more transparent through there, but these are very early. They may modify the site plans.” According to the application’s statement of intent, if built, the Taco Bell would operate seven days a week, opening as early as 7 a.m. and closing the dining room at 11 p.m. The drive-thru would open at 7 a.m. and close at 3 a.m. on weekdays, and at 4 a.m. on weekends. In 2017, Taco Bell withdrew an applica-

“Roosevelt Road is all about being pedestrianfriendly and big windows are very pedestrianfriendly.”

Rendering provided

The site plan for the proposed Taco Bell on Roosevelt Road at Austin Boulevard. tion to build a location at the intersection of Madison Street and Lyman Avenue, following a unanimous rejection from the zoning board. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on the application for the special use permit and variations for the Roosevelt Road Taco Bell at 7 p.m., on Jan. 8, at the Oak Park Village Hall. 123 Madison St.

goods, were taken from the front porch of a residence also in the 400 block of Wisconsin Avenue between 2:18 p.m. and 6 p.m. Dec. 17. The estimated loss is $295.

Recovered stolen auto ■A

vehicle reported stolen out of Oak Park on March 1 was recovered by Chicago police in the 6800 block of South Halsted Street, Chicago, 8:31 p.m. Dec 16.

Criminal damage to property ■ A person broke the lock to the side service door of an Oak Park resident’s garage between 7 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. Dec. 17 in the 1000 block of North Humphrey Avenue. ■ Someone used a wrench to damage the

doorknobs of the rear gate and the garage service door belonging to an Oak Park resident between 1:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Dec. 17 in the 1300 block of North Austin Boulevard. The estimated damage is $80. ■ These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Dec. 17-20 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest. Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Beye students hold craft fair for Yes We Can

Fifth-graders raise over $1,300 to help mobile schools at U.S.-Mexico border By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

On Dec. 19, fifth-graders at Beye Elementary, 230 N. Culyer Ave., conducted a crafts fair for a cause. The students peddled everything from Nepalese scarves donated by area residents as well as used books and bookmarks to homemade bath bombs and ornaments to raise funds for an organization called the Yes We Can World Foundation, which converts buses into classrooms for children living in two shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, near the U.S.-Mexico border. Organizers of the Oak Park initiative to raise funds for Yes We Can said that each bus comes equipped with three certified teachers and, starting January, one psychologist. So far, 70 students are being educated on the buses. Founded by Estefania Rebellon in July 2019, the organization claims on its website to be the “first bilingual education program for migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico Border.” Karen Fogg, a fifth-grade teacher who helped organize the Beye service project,

said she and her students had a goal to raise $300 that day. They ended up raising more than $1,300 —- just $500 shy of the roughly $1,800 a year it takes to fund the education of one child on the mobile buses. The money pays for a uniform, a backpack and school supplies, such as pens, pencils, notebooks and crayons. “I think this is a good cause that we’re helping, because with this money there are kids who are getting their schooling,” said fifth-grader Delilah Carey, 10, who on Thursday sold bracelets that she wove herself. “I loved doing crafts, so I was really excited for this,” said fifth-grader Sonia Gupta. “When I got home, I started making stuff and had been looking forward for this moment to arrive. Now we’re finally helping out with it and it’s really fun.” CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor

SPREADING CHEER: Top left, Delilah Carey, 10, far right, sells some of her woven bracelets. Top right, teacher Karen Fogg with students during the craft fair, which featured wares like homemade pom-pom keychains.

Ascension School

Ascension School Early Childhood Enrollment Night

Thursday, January 23rd - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Early Childhood Enrollment Night

Thursday, January 23rd - 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Join us during The Christmas Season! Weekly Confession:

Saturday, December 21, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. MASS SCHEDULE

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: Saturday, December 21 – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 22 7:45, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

CHRISTMAS EVE: Tuesday, December 24

3:00 p.m. Children’s Christmas Mass in Church 3:15 p.m. Parish Christmas Mass in Gym 5:00 p.m. Youth/Teen Mass (with Teen Choir) in Church 7:30 p.m. Family Mass Community Mass in Gym (Carols at 7:00 p.m.) 10:30 p.m. Christmas Vigil Mass in Church (Carols at 10:00 p.m.)

CHRISTMAS DAY: Wednesday, December 25

Committed to meeting the needs of our families, we Committed to meeting the needs of our families, we offer full and half-day preschool programs, before and offer full and half-day preschool programs, before and after school care, and an environment that promotes school care, and an that promotes theafter development and growth ofenvironment our youngest students. theout development and growth of our youngest Find more about our one-of-a-kind preschool and students. Find out more aboutinformation our one-of-a-kind preschool and kindergarten! For more or to schedule a private tour email us at:more information or to schedule a kindergarten! For advancement@ascensionoakpark.com private tour email us at:

advancement@ascensionoakpark.com Love Kindness Respect

Love

Kindness

Respect

601 Van Buren Street Oak Park, IL 708.386.7282 www.school.ascensionoakpark.com

9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH

Saturday, December 28 – 4:30 p.m. Sunday, December 29 – 7:45, 9:30, 11:15 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD - NEW YEAR’S DAY Tuesday, December 31 – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 1 – 9:00 a.m.

St. Giles Catholic Church

Columbian Avenue and Greenfield Street • Oak Park 708-383-3430 • www.stgilesparish.org

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

GIFT BASKET

Community sharing from page 1 “The recipients get referred to the program through a social worker or a case worker, either through the local schools in the two townships or one of the social service agencies,” said Henek. The social service agencies include, Hephzibah Children’s Association, Thrive Counseling Center, Thresholds, Sarah’s Inn, Housing Forward and others. “In all I think there are about 30 different organizations,” she said. Churches also refer families. Many individual program recipients Live in the Oaks Senior and Disabled Apartments, Mills Park Tower, Ryan Farrelly Apartments and Heritage House. Donations are solicited throughout the year to cover the cost of the Thanksgiving gift cards. The program distributes about $30,000 worth of gift cards each year. Henek also enlists sponsors for the Christmas gift drive. Sponsors sign up to purchase presents for the referred households. “They can either choose one person because we have a lot of adult singles and seniors who might be on their own, or they can take a family,” she said. Families have two or members. Some families in the program have up to 15 members. Each individual or family fills out a wish list, usually a mix of wants and needs. “Some, especially some of the seniors, will ask for basic paper towels, cleaning supplies, stamps, things like that,” Henek said. The program suggests sponsors spend around $50 per person. The number of sponsors participating in the program is hard to determine. Henek has about 300 names entered in the database, but schools and churches that sign up to sponsors families are entered under the liaison’s name. Sponsors dropped off black trash bags full of new and wrapped gifts at United Lutheran Church the week of Dec. 9. Henek and other volunteers spent a total of 15 hours collecting and sorting the donations, which filled every pew in the sanctuary. One couple spent their 30th wedding anniversary organizing donations at United Lutheran. Coordinated by the school’s Service Club, Percy Julian Middle School sponsored 50 households. The donation bounty from Julian took two school bus trips to deLiver. One student even brought in a bicycle. Service Club students came to United Lutheran to help organize the bags. “I didn’t even sleep last night because I was just so excited,” said seventh-grader Fhaysia Matthews. This is Matthews’ second year in Service Club. “This is a passion for me because I actually have kind of been in this position where things have gotten hard and parents have lost jobs,” she said. “It just makes my heart feel way better when I’m helping somebody

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GIFTED: Garbage bags full of gift donations fill the pews at United Lutheran Church in preparation for delivery by Gift Basket volunteers. else. I have a passion for helping the homeless and less fortunate.” Last winter, in her spare time, Matthews assembled about 100 packages of food and toiletries that she and her parents distributed to homeless people around the expressway. “Everybody has been in a bad space at one point. If you’re in a bad space, you should talk to somebody,” she said. “There will always be one person, or more, there to help you out.” Matthews hopes to one day be the CEO of her own company, which she envisions as a place where everyone feels welcome. Eighth-grader Taurus Hayes has been in Service Club his whole time in middle school. “I see the less fortunate around, mostly at the McDonald’s near Julian, and when you come out, they ask you for your change. That’s what made me go to Service Club,” Hayes said. Without taking any breaks, Hayes quietly unloaded bags and bags of donations from the bus and brought them into the church. He then carefully deposited the bags, based on their alphanumeric label, among the pews. “I feel pretty happy,” Hayes said, seeing all the gifts at the church. “Because now I know that more people are actually getting presents.” A school-wide effort, Oak Park and River Forest High School also sponsored 50 households. “We actually had more people who wanted to adopt than there were families available

this year, so that was awesome,” said OPRF Outreach Coordinator Latonia Jackson. “Some of them teamed up with others who adopted and made toiletry bags and things like that. They wanted to give, and they found a way.” OPRF students started asking about the program as soon the school year started. “Before I could even announce it, they were asking me, ‘Are we adopting families this year? We want in,’” Jackson said. She has been volunteering with the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program for 20 years, getting families connected to classes and bringing in the donated gifts. Five years ago, Jackson also started coordinating referrals. “I’ve been working with the same ladies from the Holiday Food and Gift Basket program the entire time. They volunteer their time almost all year because it’s not over after we deLiver the gifts,” she said. “I think about their time, their generosity and how generous this community is as a whole. It makes my heart feel good.” Jackson hopes OPRF will sponsor even more households next year. Sponsoring families and organizing donations aren’t the only ways to get involved — the gifts also have to be deLivered. One woman started deLivering gifts when she was 16 to Mills Park Tower. She and her father did it every year together. After her father’s death, she continued the tradition and now deLivers them with her son. “I have another family that takes all the

gifts to the Oaks and Farrelly and they spend the whole morning there with the seniors,” Henek said. “They bring baked goods and drinks and they just make a whole event out of it. They’ve been doing that for years.” A troupe of Cub Scouts deLivered all the gifts going to Heritage House this year. The program welcomes any person in the community who wants to help in whatever way they can. “I’ve had recipients who have come to volunteer as their way of giving back. It’s such a win-win and such a feel-good-all-around with this program,” Henek said. “Even for people who maybe can’t afford to sponsor, they come to deLiver gifts. I love the community involvement.” The program is bittersweet for Henek. “We have an interesting community in that there are a lot of needs, but yet we’re in a situation that there are a lot of people who are in a position to help,” she said. “Mostly what I find is that you just need to let people know the need is there and how they can help, and they’re more than happy to do it,” she said. “I’m always amazed at the generosity of our community.” The recipients are very appreciative for the help they’ve received through the program, writing and sending very heartfelt thankyou notes to the sponsors and volunteers. The program is a well-oiled machine operated entirely by volunteers, who go out of their way. As Jackson said, “Santa has nothing on the Holiday Food and Gift Basket Program.”

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Meet for Lunch. Save the World.

Welcome to Rotary. The Rotary Club of Oak Park and River Forest at lunch.

ere at the Rotary Club of Oak Park and River Forest, we know that saving the world begins at home. That’s why we volunteer and raise funds for local causes and agencies like Kidz Express in Austin, Sarah’s Inn, YEMBA and the Pro Bono Network. Yet, we also know that we cannot turn away from the struggles and challenges beyond our borders, that our compassion must reach outward. To that end we work with The Rotary Foundation and partner with individual clubs around the world on a host of life-changing projects, like providing clean water, eradicating polio and bringing shelter to refugees. One club—our club—can do a lot right here, but 35,000 clubs spanning the globe with 1.2 million members working together can truly help save the world. Join us. We meet for lunch on Wednesdays at Cucina Paradiso in Oak Park. To find out more about membership, contact Amanda Young at 312.307.2201.

Local Action, Global Impact

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

To all of our tenants, neighbors and friends,

Wishing you a Happy, Peaceful and Fulfilling New Year! For over 34 years, Oak Park Apartments has been restoring and modernizing many of the area’s most beautiful and classic apartment buildings. We are committed to making a home in Oak Park and the near western suburbs for our tenants. Currently, Oak Park Apartments manages over 1,700 units in 68 buildings. In 2019, we welcomed over 800 new residents to the community.

F I N D

Y O U R

N E W

H O M E

T O D AY !

35 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 • (708) 386-7368 • OakParkApartments.com

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

New Year New Me at the RRC Start 2020 off with a Roos Rec Center Membership! Fitness Room Membership Fees Membership

Monthly *

Monthly*

Yearly**

Residency

Resident

Non-Resident

Resident

Non-Resident

Individual

$18

$27

$144

$216

Couple

$30

$45

$264

$396

Student

$15

$25

$125

$188

Senior

$10

$15

$100

$125

Daily Drop In

Resident

Non-Resident

Fitness Room

Walking Track

FREE

•

Each member will be required to show proof of residency in order to receive the resident rate. Memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable.

•

All memberships include an ActivTrax account (computerized personal training).

•

*Monthly memberships will be billed on the 1st of each month.

•

**Yearly memberships must be paid in full at the time of registration.

•

Resident veterans or those currently enlisted (both with ID card) receive free membership (does not include family members).

Roos Rec Center • 7329 W. Harrison St. Forest Park, IL 60130 • 708-866-7667 For more information, visit www.pdofp.org.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Everything you need for a better world:

The Joyful Giving Catalog

• More Art

• More Food

• More Compassion

• More Health

• More Education

• More Housing

• More Equity

• More Peace

Running now through December 25

Browse, read, share with your children. Give Locally – Give Joyfully! Animal Care League Animal Care League offers a safe haven for pets in need. Rooted in the community since 1973, Animal Care League takes a proactive approach to animal care and adoption as well as preventative measures to help reduce the number of homeless animals in our communities. With over 1000 pets coming to our doors each year, Animal Care League counts on supporters to ensure that we can provide what is needed from routine vaccinations to life-saving surgery. Make a difference in the life of a homeless animal by visiting www.animalcareleague. org where you can sign up to volunteer, make a donation, view our adoptable pets, and learn about upcoming events.

Beyond Hunger (formerly Oak Park River Forest Food Pantry) $1 = 3 meals, is an equation only you can make possible. With your help, Beyond Hunger has been reducing local hunger for over 40 years. Your gifts support over 13,000 local families struggling with hunger. That support provides groceries for a week plus access to vital programs and services to help people stretch limited food budgets in healthy ways. Even a little goes a long way: every $1 donated can feed a neighbor for an entire day. Join us in making sure everyone in our community can move beyond hunger. To make a donation, visit GoBeyondHunger. org or send checks payable to Beyond Hunger, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL 60301

BUILD Since 1969, BUILD has helped Chicago’s most vulnerable youth escape gangs and violence to become positive leaders in their communities. These young people face enormous obstacles and trauma, and so we surround them with the

counseling, mentoring, training, and opportunities they need to build a future and succeed. We engage youth at every stage, with specialized teams dedicated to street violence interventions, gang detachments, creative after-school programming, academic school and college support, mental health care, community violence crisis response, and enrichment activities ranging from art and music to sports, podcasting, engineering and gardening. Potential doesn’t discriminate, neither should opportunity.

• To raise public awareness of issues affecting seniors. To generate funds to support at-risk and vulnerable elders. To volunteer to support our Celebrating Seniors Week (May 14 – May 21, 2020) or to contribute financially to our community mission, visit us at celebratingseniors.net.

Children’s Research Triangle (CRT)

Join us in BUILDing a better future. Visit and donate at buildchicago.org/

Cantata Adult Life Services Cantata Adult Life Services has a strong history that goes back 100 years. Our commitment to the changing needs of older adults on our campus and in the community continues to grow and evolve. We support over 1,000 seniors annually in their journey to “best life.” Your contributions will carry on our mission of helping individuals, families, and the community age successfully. In tune with the season of giving, Cantata is hosting a Soup Supper on 11/14 – all proceeds benefitting seniors and the Best Life Foundation. For m/ore information on how you can make a positive difference, please visit cantatacares.org.

Celebrating Seniors Coalition

Since its launch almost ten years ago, Celebrating Seniors Week has become a vibrant annual tradition in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. The Celebrating Seniors Coalition is dedicated to honoring, recognizing and serving local seniors. The organization concentrates on four main objectives: • To facilitate cooperation between the business community, government agencies and non-profit organizations for the benefit of the senior population. • To promote senior groups and organizations that serve persons 60 and older.

The Collaboration for Early Childhood

Children’s Research Triangle (CRT) is the only organization in Illinois specializing in addressing mental health and the medical impact of prenatal substance exposure and treatment of childhood trauma. Our clinical and research staff are experts in designing and implementing interventions for youth struggling with severe mental health and behavioral challenges associated with trauma and complex neurodevelopmental issues. CRT programs increase accessibility of mental health services for high-risk children in under-resourced communities, specifically those who have experienced physical, sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, community and domestic violence, and prenatal substance exposure.

For over 15 years, the Collaboration for Early Childhood has been here to support children under 5 years of age. Last year, we provided over 1,900 hearing and vision screenings for children in Oak Park and River Forest; We delivered robust outreach, and training to over 700 parents; and we hosted over 350 professionals at our Annual Early Childhood Symposium. This year, donations will support mental health programming, supports for children with disabilities, and programming for grandparents and pregnant moms. Please support young children this giving season. For more information, or to make a donation, please visit us at www.collab4kids. org or follow us on Facebook.

Concordia University Chicago

Check us out and support CRT at: childrensresearchtriangle.org/donate/

Cluster Tutoring

Cluster Tutoring is a nonprofit, community-based organization that provides free one-to-one tutoring to more than 100 students in grades K through 12 from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Tutor-student pairs work together during the school year on reading, math, and other homework to prepare the student for a successful academic career. When Cluster started nearly 30 years ago, fewer than half of Chicago Public Schools graduated from high school. Now, all of Cluster’s seniors not only graduate but are accepted at colleges and other post-graduation programs. Donations go toward materials that help students learn. To learn more or to donate, visit clustertutoring.org.

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts university based in the Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1864, the university is located on 40 acres in River Forest, Illinois. Historically a college for teachers, it now offers more than 100 areas of study through traditional, blended or online classes. Students can earn bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees through one of four colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Education and the College of Graduate Studies. Professors are passionate about teaching, learning and preparing students for success in their chosen vocations. Beyond academics, Concordia offers NCAA Division III athletic teams, intramural sports, touring music groups and numerous student clubs and organization focused on service, recreation, spiritual life and more. Currently, more than 6,100 students are enrolled. To learn more, please visit CUChicago.edu or CUChicago.edu/GiveNow to support our students.

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Creating a Legacy and Tradition of Family Giving

hroughout his dynamic career in non-profit leadership, Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation President & CEO Tony Martinez has repeatedly witnessed the powerful and positive impact that family giving traditions can have on individual lives and within local communities. “Philanthropic traditions begin for many reasons and assume many forms. All it takes is one individual to get the conversation started among family members,” says Martinez, noting that part of OPRFCF’s work during the past 60 years has been to help a number of families design and establish legacies of giving. Those legacies continue to grow in impressive ways. Today more than 100 families, couples and individuals work with the Foundation to sustain their family funding efforts in the fields of education, the arts, health and employment, among others. In 2019 alone, family giving towards education, scholarships, environment, mental wellness, job training programs, and arts initiatives amounted to more than $2 million. Legacy giving often involves multiple family members, such as siblings and cousins, or several generations, from grandparents down to grandchildren.

Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park The Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) literary arts and educational foundation dedicated to thoughtful reading and writing. The foundation offers a wide variety of programming, all open to the public, to nurture and encourage creative expression for students and for people of all ages. Through tours and exhibits at Ernest Hemingway’s birthplace museum, the foundation fosters an under-

By Genevieve Waller

For the past 15 years, as both a granddaughter and as a mother, Marian Garrigan has upheld a tradition of family giving. In 2004 at the request of her cousin, Dr. Stephen Gawne, Garrigan began helping to advise the Catherine Devereux Brandstrader Scholarship Fund, named in honor of their grandmother. The fund grants scholarships to female high school

her memory – “Kathy was a leader,” says Marian – by creating the Kathleen Marian Garrigan Leadership Fund. The fund provides ﬁnancial support to 18to 25-year-olds who have completed a domestic community service project over an extended period of time, and who are transitioning to school or work on limited budgets.

seniors from large families that may struggle with simultaneously paying college costs for multiple children. “My grandmother came from a family of eight children. The boys got to go to college but the girls didn’t have the opportunity,” Garrigan says. “There are still some big families out there and they could use the assistance.” In 2007, Garrigan’s 24-yearold daughter Kathleen died in a canoe accident while serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer in Alaska. Marian and her husband decided to honor

Marian, who has been joined now by a sister and another daughter in advising the fund named for Kathleen, says she chose to work with the Foundation because of her previous positive experience with them. “The Foundation helps get the word out about the fund. Everyone is always welcoming and open, and they are good communicators,” she says, noting that she values the staﬀ ’s assistance with screening applications and their skill at professionally managing and administering the fund.

standing of his life and work, his Oak Park origins and his impact on world literature. Your gift supports creative outlets for people of all ages through professional teacher development, local author and performing artist programs, inter-generational engagement, a writer-in-residence program, as well as student writing workshops, mentorships, and scholarships.

The Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory offers programs focused on enriching the visitor experience at the Conservatory. Toddlers through adults can participate in year-round educational and recreational programs, volunteer opportunities and special events. To learn more or to join, visit fopcon.org.

For more information about us or to donate online go to www.hemingwaybirthplace. com or mail us at: Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, P.O. Box 2222, Oak Park, IL 60303-2222.

Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory The Oak Park Conservatory began as a community effort to house exotic plants residents collected during their travels abroad. Completed in 1929, it is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Free to the public with 50,000 visitors annually, the Conservatory offers a rich atmosphere throughout three indoor showrooms featuring more than 3,000 plants.

Green Community Connections At this time of increasing climate urgency, One Earth Film Festival continues to grow and harness the Power of We, of our families, friends and communities, to make real change for our planet and our future. Save the date for the 9th annual Festival, March 6-15, 2020, in the Oak Park / River Forest area and beyond. Join us for quality films, engaging discussion, activities and community-building that inspire climate action, resilience and environmental justice. Protect our cities and our planet by joining One Earth and becoming part of the Power of We. Memberships start at $25 ($15 for students / seniors). Visit oneearthfilmfest.org/

Rhea Yap, OPRFCF’s senior philanthropic advisor, says the Foundation appreciates the opportunity to help families who are interested in creating a legacy take their first steps, adding that its advisors “remain committed to each family throughout the length of their giving tradition.” As he leads the organization into the next decade, Martinez says he believes family giving benefits everyone involved, and hopes the number of those who participate in family giving continues to grow. “Family giving supports organizations and individuals who are facing obstacles as they work to overcome them. These are investments that ‘pay forward’ into the overall, longterm health of our communities,” he says. “I’ve also seen how family giving builds bridges across generations, and I believe that’s another way our communities gain strength. We see the positive effects all around us today, and it’s inspiring to know that so many people continue to care about our shared tomorrow.” To learn how to establish a tradition of Family Giving with the Oak Park-River Forest Foundation, contact Rhea Yap at ryap@oprfcf.org or 708-848-1560. We look forward to working with you.

members today. All donations now through #GivingTuesday will be matched 1:1, doubling the impact of your donation.

Growing Community Media Growing Community Media is dedicated to building community through independent, non-partisan local journalism. We believe that high quality community journalism preserves and strengthens the fabric of our democracy. Independent community journalism holds local governments to account. It connects neighbors. It is the credible source when social media goes haywire, and it allows a community to debate and celebrate. Through Austin Weekly News, Wednesday Journal, Forest Park Review and Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, Growing Community Media reports local news and tells compelling local stories across many platforms. Our mission calls us to build fact-based accountability and connection, conversation and civility, diversity and a sense of belonging. Join our mission by donating at GrowingCommunityMedia.org or contacting dhaley@wjinc.com

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Historical Society Forest Park The Historical Society Forest Park was founded in 1975 for the purposes of “collecting and preserving the rich heritage of Forest Park.” The historical society offers tours of Haymarket Martyr’s Monument in Forest Home Cemetery every Saturday in the summer, collect oral histories of Forest Park Veterans of Military service, hosts several historical events a year and celebrates Forest Park. For more information about the Society, its events and programs, or to donate visit forestparkhistory.org or mail us: Historical Society of Forest Park, PO Box 311, Forest Park IL 60130

Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest We are the community’s story tellers and our new facility in an 1898 Oak Park Landmark at Lake and Lombard is Oak Park River Forest Museum, selected by Illinois Association of Museums as Small Museum of the Year. We invested $1 million in private funds to create a welcoming space in a former firehouse. Featured exhibits include “Open House: The Legacy of Fair Housing” and “Proud Oak Parkers: OPALGA at 30.” We are not supported by tax dollars and a gift of any amount funds our 2020 schedule of programs, our research center, and our knowledgeable staff. Learn more and donate at oprfmuseum.org or 708-848-6755

Hephzibah Children’s Association

Housing Forward Housing Forward’s mission is to end homelessness by transitioning people from housing crisis to housing stability. The agency, now in its 27th year, offers a full range of services designed to reduce the length of time and impact of trauma associated with homelessness and housing instability. Our current programs include the PADS Emergency Shelter, Outreach & Engagement, Supportive Housing, Employment Readiness, and Emergency Assistance and Stabilization in two area walk-In centers (Oak Park and Maywood). In 2019, we launched Sojourner House to offer medical respite for medically vulnerable individuals and interim housing for families transitioning from homelessness. Housing Forward impacts the lives of over 2000 adults and families with minor children annually. To learn more about us, to volunteer or to donate, visit housingforward.org, email giving@housingforward.org or call 708.338.1724 ext. 283.

Infant Welfare Society (IWS) Join us in our mission to advance the health and well-being of children in need. When you support the Infant Welfare Society, you help vulnerable children in our community and surrounding areas access critical healthcare, including pediatric, dental and behavioral health services. Our Children’s Clinic and health outreach programs serve 3,500 children each year, and your generosity is key. A gift of $50 pays for two essential vaccines. A gift of $150 provides specialized dental services. Give Health today: www.oprfiws.org/donate or 708-406-8661. You’re also invited to join us for our 21st annual Holiday Housewalk & Market, December 5 - 7!

Hephzibah Children’s Association was founded in 1897. We serve more than 1,000 children and families each year through innovative, community-based programs. Hephzibah provides a Group Home for children who have been taken from their families due to profound abuse or neglect. Our skilled staff recruits and trains foster parents and offers ongoing support to help all family members navigate challenges. Our after-school Day Care operates on a sliding scale to serve working parents in Oak Park, with programs based at each elementary school. To make a real difference in the lives of children and families, please donate today at hephzibahhome.org.

Intersection Christian Ministries Intersection Christian Ministries, a ministry of Judson Baptist Church, seeks to demonstrate the love of Christ by addressing the economic injustice and inequity that afflicts West Side of Chicago. As the Chicago neighborhoods plagued with the highest crime rates are the same ones beset by the worst unemployment and poverty rates in the city, employment and job readiness training present the greatest opportunities to have an immediate and

significant positive impact on our community. We offer free classes in Windows/Internet/ Email, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and classes in essential job search, resume writing and interviewing skills. To volunteer or donate, call 708-613-5177, email at info@intersectioncm.com or donate at intersectioncm.com/donate/

L’Arche Chicago L’Arche Chicago is a community where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together in homes, as family. We are committed to merge individualized, high-quality care with genuine friendships in our group homes. Our vision is to create environments that celebrate difference - revealing the unique gifts of people with intellectual disabilities. Help L’Arche Chicago spread joy and gratitude in this season: www.larchechicago. org/gratitude

New Moms

New Moms believes in the strength, skills, and potential of all families and communities to achieve audacious possibilities. Guided by our mission, to share the love of God by surrounding young moms and their children with everything they need to transform their lives, New Moms takes a 2-Generation approach to engagement that puts families in control of their goals and unleashes their potential. Together with families, we construct the foundations of wellbeing by strengthening brain architecture, incorporating early childhood development supports, building pathways to and preparation for education and employment, and expanding positive social networks and access to community resources. Learn more and donate at newmoms.org.

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association

Maywood Youth Mentoring Program Organized in 1993 as a 501c3, the Maywood Youth Mentoring Program has served hundreds of middle to high-school youth providing a variety of programs, workshops, field trips, and experiences designed to increase academic potential and instill cultural pride. Since 2008, the program has hosted free monthly youth breakfasts with topics ranging from anger management/and conflict resolution, etiquette, police/community interactions, sexual health, drug and alcohol avoidance, and academic excellence. Youths practice critical thinking skills to encourage positive life choices. Volunteer mentors interact with youth providing positive role models for college and career choices. To volunteer, or to donate, visit us at www. maywoodyouthmentoring.org, or contact Barbara Cole, founder/CEO at 708-344-3577

MOMENTA Momenta is the resident Dance Company of the Academy of Movement & Music, located in Oak Park. MOMENTA dance concerts are the only place audiences can see classical ballet, historic American modern dance, contemporary works, and integrated dance (includes dancers with disabilities) all in one performance. Learn more & donate at MomentaDances.org

The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association strengthens our community through learning, giving, and sharing our landmark building through space grants to local non-profits. 80% of its usage is non-profit. We provide community outreach, scholarships, and public programming in five areas: music, art, literature, science, and social sciences. The NCCA is the owner of 178 Forest Avenue, commonly referred to as the Nineteenth Century Club. Our charitable and cultural activities are supported by our members, volunteers, donors, and by the events held at the Club. Programs are open to all and we welcome all ages to join. If you would like information about volunteering, joining or donating, please call us at 708-386-2729 email to info@ nineteenthcentury.org. You can also make donation at ncca.memberclicks.net/givingtuesday.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Andrew’s Story

uring his 72 years, Andrew’s life included a successful career, the loss of his partner, depression, financial decline, and the loss of his home. He had been homeless for almost 3 years, and was nearly qualified for permanent supportive housing, when he underwent two major heart procedures. His case manager knew discharging him back into the shelter was not an option. Fortunately, Sojourner House in Oak Park was about to open. Dr. Charles Bareis, chief medical officer at MacNeal Hospital, agreed that Andrew would be the perfect candidate for the first medical respite program of its kind in suburban Cook County. Andrew was picked up from the hospital and moved him into his interim apartment the next day. “This is the first time in a long time I’ve felt like a real person,” he shared. Nearly 2 months after moving

Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC) For more than four decades, the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC) has been an advocate for fair housing. Our mission is to achieve vibrant communities and promote intentional and stable residential integration throughout Oak Park. The OPRHC is the only non-profit in Oak Park and the Greater Westside Region that encourages pro-integrative housing options. Our work is at the heart of why Oak Park is such a wonderful, diverse, and vibrant community, welcoming to everyone. Support our work with a donation at oprhc. org/donate/. To learn more about the OPRHC call 708-848-7150, inforequest@ liveinoakpark.com, 1041 South Blvd, Oak Park, IL 60302.

in, Andrew’s health had improved greatly and he signed a lease on his own apartment. This is what ending homelessness looks like. To learn more visit HousingForward. org/SojournerHouse.

education, appreciation, exhibitions and the spirit of artistic inquiry to the surrounding community. OPAL is committed to meaningful community outreach to the population that makes up our greater community through partnerships and on-site art and programming with local social service agencies through our “Art for Social Change” initiatives. For more information about membership, volunteering or to make a donation, please contact Executive Director, Jill Kramer Goldstein at 708-386-9853 or oakparkartleague@gmail.com. The Oak Park Art League is located at 720 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park.

Oak Park Public Library

Opportunity Knocks Opportunity Knocks is dedicated to enriching life and community. We exist to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) as they live, work, learn, grow and connect within their community. We use a dynamic, person-centered and community-based approach to programming that serves to engage the voice of our participants, foster interdependent connections, encourage exploration, promote holistic wellness and healthy relationships. We are 95% privately funded and rely on the generous support of the community. Your gift does matter in moving our mission forward. To volunteer or donate, visit us at www.opportunityknocksnow.org

PING!

Andrew moving in.

Oak-Leyden Developmental Services The mission of Oak-Leyden Developmental Services is to help children and adults with developmental disabilities meet life’s challenges and reach their highest potential. The organization offers life-changing support in three areas: Children’s Services, Residential Services, and Lifelong Learning. Empower people with developmental disabilities today at oak-leyden.org/getinvolved/donate.

Oak Park Art League As one of the longest, continually running non-profit arts organizations in Illinois, the Oak Park Art League (OPAL) is a vibrant cultural center where the invitation and challenge to use art as a medium for personal and community growth is made available to people of all ages. Since 1921, OPAL has brought arts

Empower every voice in our community! When you choose to give to your local library, you invest in foundational resources, services, and spaces that support a unique quality of life in Oak Park. You support work dedicated to literacy, education, diversity, inclusion, equity, health, safety, and affordability. You also choose to help connect people and community, to educate global citizens, and to sustain, share, and respect our community’s resources. To learn more about how you can make Oak Park’s center of information, civic engagement, and local history stronger, contact Executive Director David J. Seleb (DavidS@oppl.org, 708-697-6911). Make an online donation now at oppl.org/give.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is based on a powerful promise: to create an enduring institution where people can come together and pool their resources to meet our community’s most pressing needs — not just now, but forever. For sixty years, generations of thoughtful and caring donors and residents have empowered the Foundation’s work to safeguard and advance the community in which we live, raise our families and work. From helping donors with legacy gift planning, to managing donor advised funds, to strengthening local non-profits, we connect. Visit oprfcf.org or call Rhea Yap at 708-8481560 to start a fund, discuss your charitable estate plans, or make a donation today.

Providing equitable access to instrumental music for students in grades 4 through 12 in Oak Park and River Forest public schools has been the mission of PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) for more than 20 years. In addition to loaning band and orchestra instruments to students whose families cannot afford them, PING! also provides music enrichment through workshops; mentoring; and scholarships for summer music camps, school music trips, and private instruction. Enrichment programs like these provide positive peer groups and growth opportunities for students in need. PING! relies on community support for donated instruments and financial contributions to maintain its instrument inventory and program funding. For more information or to make a donation, go to pingoprf.org. If you have an instrument to donate, send us an email at pingoprf@ gmail.com.

Pro Bono Network We believe access to justice should not depend upon your ability to afford an attorney. There are simply not enough legal aid lawyers to help people in dire need of civil legal aid. These include issues of safety from an abuser, adequate housing, critical care documents, and more. Pro Bono Network has enabled 400+ attorneys to give more than 20,500 hours of free legal assistance to over 3,700 clients whose lives were meaningfully changed. To get involved or donate, visit pro-bononetwork.org. Your support will make an impact the lives of many!

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest Public Library Foundation

themselves. As we prepare for our next hundred years, we’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to love and serve all those who choose to be part of our community. Learn more about St. Angela School at saintangela.org.

RFPL Foundation works to enhance River Forest Public Library today and for the future through fundraising and advocacy. In 2019, the Foundation fully funded major updates in the Children’s Room to make the space more welcoming and functional. We provided support for the Summer Reading Program and contributed to the Lobby/Circulation area renovation. Since 2015, gifts have supported special programming for all ages, staff development and the Anne Smedinghoff Memorial Garden. Help ensure a bright future for River Forest Public Library with your gift. We gratefully accept cash, credit/debit, securities and bequests. Visit RFPLFoundation.org/donate.

Sarah’s Inn

For nearly 40 years, Sarah’s Inn has worked to improve the lives of those affected by domestic violence and break the cycle of violence for future generations. Sarah’s Inn Services and Programs include: • Free, confidential and bilingual services for victims of domestic violence • 24-hour crisis line (708)386-4225 • Advocacy, referrals, and safety planning • Counseling for adults, teens and children • Legal Advocacy • Partner Abuse Intervention • Community and professional training • School-based violence prevention • Volunteer and internship opportunities To donate, visit www.sarahsinn.org/donate. To learn more about our services, programs, upcoming trainings, events and more, visit www.sarahsinn.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @SarahsinnOakPark.

St. Angela School St. Angela School has walked with the families of Chicago’s west side for one hundred years— walked with a deep commitment to enriching the lives, and the futures, of their children. We have a rich and varied history – and a future of great promise. We provide our children with a safe and loving environment and challenging academics; we help them explore paths that lead to meaningful and rewarding careers; and we teach them, above all, to believe in

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

Named “Community Orchestra of the Year” in 2018, The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest, under the leadership of award-winning conductor, Jay Friedman, continues to bring extraordinary and accessible concerts to our community. Ticket sales provide less than half the funds needed for the Symphony’s performances. Your gift keeps the orchestra going strong and allows us to maintain affordable ticket prices, including free admission for all students through college. Please help us continue and strengthen our 88-year tradition of bringing beautiful and inspiring music to Oak Park and River Forest. Make your end-of-year taxdeductible donation at symphonyoprf.org, or: P.O. Box 3564, Oak Park, IL 60303-3564.

Thrive Counseling Center

PING! Brings music into the lives of Oak Park children

ot every local family is able to aﬀord instrumental music for their children, and the musical enrichment opportunities their peers take part in. Creating equitable access in band and orchestra programs, and beyond, for students in grades 4 through 12 in Oak Park and River Forest public schools is what PING! (Providing Instruments for the Next Generation) has been doing for 21 years. For two Oak Park sisters, Japera and Jentille Dallas, who both started playing instruments in fourth grade, PING! not only provides instruments, but oﬀers opportunities for them to grow as students. In middle school, Japera, received violin lessons from a PING! mentor, an OPRF high school student musician. Now an OPRF student herself, Japera attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp this past summer in Michigan with PING!’s

Thrive Counseling Center (formerly Family Services of Oak Park) has provided mental health services to our community for over 120 years. Located in the heart of Oak Park, our mission is to build healthy minds, families, and communities by empowering people to attain mental and emotional well-being. Hope, resilience and recovery form the heart of our programs and services. Last year we provided critical services to more than 1,400 friends, neighbors and family members including: • Counseling for youth and adults • Psychiatric care and medication management • In-home counseling for older adults • Increased access to care for impoverished youth • 24/7 crisis intervention • Suicide Safer Community Programs including: safeTALK and QPR • FREE, public Thrive Talks: our Speaker Series at the Oak Park Main Library Adult and youth group therapy including: art therapy, stress management, coping with anxiety, grief support and Sibshops We are open Monday through Friday during regular business hours and evenings, and on Saturdays from 9am-2pm (all services). To learn more or donate, please visit thrivecc. org or call 708-383-7500, ext. 111. Follow us on Facebook!

Jentille and Japera Dallas

help. After experiencing improvement in her play at camp, Japera said she was ready for more advanced lessons. Now, with a scholarship from PING!, she takes private violin lessons for the first time from a professional teacher. Jentille, a Percy Julian Middle School eighth grader, plays the flute. This summer she also attended Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and currently works with a PING! mentor. “They told me (at Blue Lake) I am ready for a more intermediate-level flute,” she said. PING! put that step-up instrument into Jentille’s hands this school year. “Being in music has opened my eyes to new things and to try new things,” she said. Learn more/donate/volunteer: • pingoprf.org • pingoprf@gmail.com • facebook.com/pingoprfmusic

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A Decade of Celebrating Seniors

n 2020, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition marks its 10th year of recognizing the contributions of older adults in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. Mark your calendars from Thursday, May 14th to Thursday, May 21st, with dozens of free events that are sure to educate and entertain. At the same time, we have raised money to support older adults in need. Here is a sampling: • Paid utility bills so people have heat and running water; • Purchased mattresses and provided moving services to those in need; • Funded refrigerators, washers, hot water heaters, furnaces and air conditioners; • Changed locks as a rapid response to keep people safe. Consisting of individuals, businesses, congregations, government agencies and other individuals and organizations that serve the senior population, the Celebrating Seniors Coalition also facilitates cooperation between the

business community, government agencies and non-profit organizations for the benefit of the senior population; promotes senior groups and organizations that serve persons 60 and older; and raises public awareness of issues affecting seniors. Become a part of the coalition’s effort to create a better world for the older adults around us. • Donate: Checks can be made payable to “Celebrating Seniors Coalition,” and sent to 410 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. • Volunteer: a variety of roles are available, throughout the year and during Celebrating Seniors Week • Advertise in our Resource Guide • Be an Event Sponsor • Nominate someone who deserves to be in the 2020 Class of “60 Over 60”? Submit your nomination today! More information, including how to nominate for 60 Over 60, visit CelebratingSeniors.net.

UCP SEGUIN OF GREATER CHICAGO UCP Seguin believes that all people, regardless of ability, deserve to achieve their potential, advance their independence and act as full members of the community. So we stop at nothing to provide life skills training, assistive technology, meaningful employment and a place to call home for people with disabilities, as well as specialized foster care for children. Our goal: life without limits for people with disabilities. Make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. Donate online at ucpseguin. org or send gifts to UCP Seguin, 332 Harrison Street, Oak Park IL 60304

West Suburban Special Recreation Association (WSSRA) provides recreational programming for individuals with disabilities who reside in Oak Park, River Forest and nine other surrounding communities. Donations to WSSRA, help provide financial assistance to those participating in our yearround programs and summer day camp. To make a donation, please visit wssra.net.

Youth Outreach Services

VOCEL

At VOCEL, our ultimate purpose is to help ensure every child has the foundation to learn, grow and lead. Our core program, the Child Parent Academy, is a dynamic, two-generational early learning accelerator for both children and their parents. VOCEL uses innovative early learning approaches designed for children age 0 to 3 while remaining grounded in science-based best practices in child development, attachment, and neuroscience. Through VOCEL’s programs, families are equipped with the insights, tools, and support they need to catalyze their child’s brain development in preparation for preschool and beyond. Find out more about VOCEL and donate at vocel.org.

The BlazeATrail 5K Run/ Walk held annually as part of Celebrating Seniors Week

West Suburban Special Recreation Association

Youth Outreach Services supports youth ages 12 to 21 and their families, by providing free programs that offer skill development, therapeutic interventions, and mentorship to improve their safety and well-being. Through the past 60 years, YOS has offered outpatient, community-based behavioral health and substance abuse treatment, after school mentoring and outreach, family therapy, crisis intervention services, case management, foster care, transitional living and housing services, in-school prevention curricula, and juvenile justice programs. Help youth flourish by donating at yos.org/ donate or text @GROWYOS to 52014. Or help empower youth to reach their goals, by calling 773-777-7112 to refer them for services.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

Homes

Lighting up the night

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

CLASSIC LOOK: After taking on decorating her Victorian home (above) for years, Oak Parker Dianne Risch decided to leave the house decorating chores to a professional. The company not only puts up and takes down the decorations, they drive by periodically to make sure everything is just so.

Whether doing it themselves or hiring out, residents deck their houses for the holidays By LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

he winter solstice might be the longest – read darkest -- day of the year, but December holidays have one thing going for them in Oak Park and River Forest. Homeowners tend to celebrate the holidays and fight the darkness by decking the exterior of their homes with lights.

Throughout the villages, certain houses and certain blocks make for prime holiday light viewing experiences in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Some homeowners love the creative satisfaction of planning and executing their lighting schemes themselves, and others prefer to leave the lighting to the professionals, but either way, everyone in the neighborhood gets to enjoy the results. Oak Park homeowner Dianne Risch says it’s her family tradition to have hot chocolate and drive around Oak Park and River Forest to look at Christmas lights every holiday season. After years of decorating her house in the 400 block of Kenilworth Avenue herself, she

says she was inspired by some of the lights on homes in River Forest, and thought how nice it would be not to have to do all the work herself. “Our house is so tall, even if we stand on our porch roof, we can’t reach everything ourselves,” she said. She searched online for companies who would install lights and holiday décor, which led her to , and talked to owner Kelly Fitzsimmons who was ready to help her come up with decorating ideas. “She asked me to email her a picture of the house as I decorated it last year, and she sent me a mock-up of how she would decorate it,” Risch said. Fitzsimmons, a former interior decorator

and trained photographer, has an eye for design and quickly came up with a plan that would complement the Risch family’s historic Oak Park home. Lighted garlands wrap the front porch and wreaths and garland pop against the red exterior of the home. The company also provides seasonal service to the decorations they install, doing regular drive-bys of their clients’ homes to ensure that lights aren’t burnt out or that bows haven’t fallen off wreaths. When the holidays are over, the business removes the lights and the faux greenery and returns everything to storage, leaving the house just as they found it. The entire set up took a crew of three or See DECORATIONS on page 29

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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

HomesInTheVillage.com

Featured Listings for This Week Oak Park $599,000 5BR, 3.2BA Marion x111

Erika Villegas,

Managing Broker/Owner

Joe Langley

River Forest $517,500 2BR, 2BA Patti x124

Oak Park $517,000 Multi unit Laurie x186

River Forest $498,900 Multi unit Mike x120

River Forest $488,000 3BR, 2.1BA Roz x112

Oak Park $359,000 3BR, 2.1BA Harry X116

Oak Park $290,000 3BR, 2.1BA Marion x111

Oak Park $275,000 3BR, 2.1BA Elissa x192

Berwyn $219,900 4BR, 1BA Kris x101

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

Forest Park $204,800 3BR, 1BA Kyra x145

Oak Park $175,000 2BR, 1BA Jane x118

Joe Castillo, Co-Owner

Jane McClelland

Mike Becker

Mary Murphy

Roz Byrne

Sharon Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Mara

Tom Byrne

Elissa Palermo

Laurie Christofano

Kyra Pych

Kari Chronopoulos

Linda Rooney

Marion Digre

Kris Sagan

Happy

Holidays

Morgan Digre

Patti Sprafka-Wagner

Ed Goodwin

Harry Walsh

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

DECORATIONS Going all out from page 27 four workers over a day to install. “This is my first year hiring someone to do this, and I’ll never do it myself again,” Risch said. A block away from Risch on Forest Avenue, Alison Meyer also likes to deck the porch of her Oak Park Victorian, but the trained artist loves to do the decorating herself. In the past, she has stocked up on enough fresh garland for the entire width of her wraparound porch, but she notes that the fresh garland was expensive, and at the end of the holidays, it would fill an entire trash can. Growing up in California, Meyer says her family experimented with creating iciclelike lights from standard strands of lighting, before such custom lighting solutions existed, and this year, she put her creativity to the test and invested in large snowflakes to hang from her porch and accented them with dripping light strands. Her hope was to save time and effort in decorating, but she says the first year was a bit of wash. She spent hours installing hooks to hang the snowflakes from and invested in purchasing the snowflakes, light strands and white extension cords. “It took about five hours to set it up, mostly because it was the first time I’ve done this,” Meyer said. “Next year, it will be faster.” Meyer also notes that after the initial investment, the snowflakes will be cheaper in the long run and cut down on trash and storage needs. “I’ve always wondered where people store this stuff,” she said. “If I used artificial garland, it would take up so much room. The snowflakes fold up and will all go in one storage bin.” Over her years in Oak Park, Meyer has enjoyed attending the Infant Welfare Society Holiday Housewalk, and says she draws inspiration from seeing other’s home decorating ideas. She says that she tends to let her

creativity take over when coming up with her holiday décor schemes. “I have an idea before I start doing something, but it kind of evolves as I do it,” Meyer said. “I like to decorate for Christmas, and every time I do something, if it looks good, it inspires me to do more. It’s addictive.” For her family of five, driving around to look at Christmas lights is a family tradition, and she notes that it creates a great feeling to see so many houses all lit up. “Every year, we drive by this house on Franklin in River Forest.” Meyer said. “We don’t know these people, but it’s become a part of our Christmas tradition. The decorating they do makes other people happy. It’s so dark in the winter, and it seems to get dark around four, but the lights make everything so happy. It’s something I hope people will continue to do.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

DAZZLING DISPLAYS: Alison Meyer, of Oak Park, grew up in California and has experimented with decorative lighting for years. This year, she invested in large lighted snowflakes (left) to accentuate the strands of lights that adorn her Victorian on Forest Avenue. She says she’s inspired to decorate by visiting a home on Franklin Avenue in River Forest (top), which is a riot of light, color and sound. Above, the owners of a home at East and Thomas in Oak Park use oversize candy canes, reindeer and more to decorate.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS JUST LISTED

UNDER CONTRACT

400 FOREST AVE, OAK PARK $1,167,500 :: 5 BED :: 2.5 BATH

1447 KEYSTONE, RIVER FOREST $595,000 :: 3 BED :: 2.5 BATH

Frank Lloyd Wright historic district - beautiful 1 acre lot.

Brick & stone English cottage, on a beautiful cul-de-sac street.

This year, come Home for the Holidays at the Scottish Home and experience the true meaning of home and family. Our Holiday respite program includes: • a fully furnished and seasonally decorated sheltered care apartment* • delicious meals • the opportunity to participate in holiday programs such as carol singing and a trip to the Zoo Lights

NEW PRICE

JUST LISTED

906 COLUMBIAN, OAK PARK $839,000 :: 4 BED :: 2.5 BATH

620 LATHROP, RIVER FOREST $549,000 :: 3 BED :: 2.5 BATH

1023 WENONAH, OAK PARK $799,000 :: 5 BED :: 4 BATH

Beautiful totally new renovation top to bottom. Great location.

Charming totally updated home with new kitchen & baths. Great location.

Unique Victorian in Lincoln School district. Renovated kitchen & baths.

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

Try us for two months this winter and if you decide to move in we’ll apply those two months towards future monthly fees. Offer valid now until March 31st, 2020.

Call 708.447.5092

2800 Des Plaines Ave., North Riverside 60546

or stop by for a cup of tea and tour!

CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

Assisted Living • Sheltered Care • Memory Care • Skilled Nursing * Sheltered care is assisted living with the option for a little more care and access to 24 hour nursing.

Your

Forest Preserves of Cook County

NATURAL FUN

With free events all year round and exhibits to explore, our six Nature Centers are where kids learn to love nature. LEARN MORE: fpdcc.com/events

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

no place like home for the holidays.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Dear Oak Park Residents and Surrounding Community, This year we are giving back to you with an amazing one time offer (in celebration of our 25th anniversary)! Perfect for Christmas Gifts, a New Year’s Resolution, or just because! Great for children, teens, and adults! Special Holiday Offer! $248 per month

$199 for the first month! Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!

All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring! All AGES! Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings:

• Before and Afterschool “Homework Cafe” at The International Mansion • Language and Fine Arts Preschool and Elementary School (Homeschool-style in School) • Our Recording Studio • Translations and Interpretations

LANGUAGES CURRENTLY OFFERED:

INSTRUMENTS CURRENTLY OFFERED:

ATHLETIC TRAINING CURRENTLY OFFERED:

SPECIALTIES CURRENTLY OFFERED:

Spanish, Polish, Chinese, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Russian, Arabic, Spanish, E.S.L. (English as a Second Language), Indonesian, Korean, Hebrew, Swedish, and much more!

Piano, Voice, Harp, Banjo, Violin, Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Drum Set, African Drums, Saxophone, Clarinet, Viola, Cello, Oboe, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Electric Guitar, Bagpipes, Accordian, Harmonica, Recorder, Ukulele, Music Composition, Ear Training, Musical Theater, Music Therapy, Music Production, Recording Studio, All Band & Orchestra Instruments

Karate, Fencing, Soccer, Dance, and Personal Strength Training

Cinematography, Coding

ACADEMICS CURRENTLY OFFERED: Math, Science, Reading, Writing, SAT, ACT, IEP/ Dyselxic/Alternative Learners, Architecture, and Chess

Co-Founders, Maria Emilia and Brando

The Language and Music School At International Mansion

509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com

VIEWPOINTS

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

Quiet night cure for Christmas fatigue

his year I will experience my 70th Christmas, 53 of which I will have celebrated with Marsha. I have shared Christmas with three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. So I have a lot of Christmas experience. Overall, I am a big fan of Christmas, but I must admit to just a bit of Christmas fatigue. All the years of putting up and taking down decorations, consuming cookies, sending cards, buying, wrapping, giving and receiving presents, drinking eggnog, watching Christmas TV shows, ad nauseum is excessive, redundant and boring. (To be fair, Marsha does most of the heavy lifting) All these Christmases run together. Time, place and celebrants get all jumbled up, and memories of Christmas pasts are veiled in a fog of uncertainty. A few stand out. Oldest son Chris was the manager of a basketball team that played in a tournament in Hawaii, and the whole family swam in the Pacific Ocean on Christmas morning. That was weird. As a drunken law student, I “negotiated” the purchase of our first Christmas tree at a Hyde Park lot by paying above the asking price. Another time Marsha got so mad at me over white or multicolored lights that she jumped out of the car just like in the movies. And I chopped a hole in our hardwood floor trying to make a fresh cut on our tree. Hey, I was a lawyer, not a logger. The best part of Christmas was experiencing it as a kid. It was awesome. Enjoying Christmas with children certainly enhances the specialness of the season. These days for me the best time of the whole season is late Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning outside, alone in the cold stillness. In the Christian world, it is the quietest time of the entire year. The peace and quiet always remind me of the wonderful story of Mary and Joseph making their humble way to Bethlehem where their son Jesus is born in a manger in a stable. Even an apostate like me is moved by a story I have heard for as long as I’ve had memory. That story and its message is never excessive, redundant or boring. I am reminded of how very blessed and/or lucky I am. There is a sense that the future will be good. Hope is not foolish. There can be joy. Peace has a chance. I can be better. I wish everyone the very best of the season with the hope that we all will experience many more.

JOHN

HUBBUCH

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

Champagne Stan’s top 10 bubblies p. 38

Highlights of Christmas lit and film

ere are a few holiday treasures I’ve collected over the years from my reading and viewing. Consider them my gift to you this holiday season:

From “It’s a Wonderful Life” Clarence Oddbody (on being assigned to assist George Bailey): Is he sick? Supervisor: No, worse. He’s discouraged. George: What is it you want, Mary? You want the moon? Just say the word and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Yeah. I’ll give you the moon, Mary. … Then the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and toes and the ends of your hair. Am I talking too much? Neighbor on a nearby porch: Yes, why don’t you kiss her instead of talking her to death? George to Clarence (after fishing each other out of the river): You look about like the kind of angel I’d get.

Clarence to George: You’ve been given a great gift, George, a chance to see what the world would be like without you. … Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he? … You see, George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to throw it all away? Mr. Potter to George: Peter Bailey was not a businessman. That’s what killed him. I don’t mean any disrespect. He was a man of high ideals — so called. But ideals without common sense can ruin this town. … What does that get us? A discontented, lazy rabble instead of a thrifty working class and all because a few starry-eyed dreamers like Peter Bailey stir ’em up and fill their heads with a lot of impossible ideas. George: But he did help a few people get out of your slums, Mr. Potter, and what’s wrong with that? Doesn’t that make them better citizens, better customers? … Just remember, Mr. Potter, that this rabble you’re talking about, they do most of the working and paying, the living and dying in this community. Well, is it too much to have them work and pay and live and die in a couple of rooms and a bath? Anyway, my father didn’t think so. People were human beings to him, but to you, a warped, frustrated old man, they’re cattle. Well, in my book, he died a much richer man than you’ll ever be.

It’s a Wonderful Life Sermon at the end of the film, “The Bishop’s Wife”: Tonight I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking. Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child’s cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven’t forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts, especially with gifts. You give me a book. I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer. Uncle Henry could do with a new pipe. Oh, we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled. All, that is, except one. We’ve even forgotten to hang it up — the stocking for the child born in a manger. It’s his birthday we’re celebrating. Don’t ever let us forget that. Let us ask ourselves what he would wish for most and then, let each put in his share: Loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance — all the shining gifts that make peace on earth.

KEN

TRAINOR

The end of “Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry: The magi, as you know, were wise men — wonderfully wise men — who brought gifts to the babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones, possibly bearing the privilege of exchange in case of duplication. And here I have lamely related to you the uneventful chronicle of two foolish children in a flat who most unwisely sacrificed for each other the greatest treasures of their house. But in a last word to the wise of these days, let it be said that of all … who give and receive gifts, such as they are wisest. Everywhere they are wisest. They are the magi.

From the New York Sun, Sept. 27, 1897, by Francis Pharcellus Church, editorial writer: Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. … Not believe in Santa Claus? You might as well not believe in friends! … Nobody sees Santa Claus but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor adults can see. … Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world. … There is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, not even the united strength of all the strongest men who ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view the supernatural beauty and See TRAINOR on page 34

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

O U R

V I E W S

Advocating for Roosevelt Road

t is not a corner that says “welcome.” Not a welcome to Chicago, to Cicero or to Oak Park, the three towns that, unhappily, come together at Austin Boulevard and Roosevelt Road. There’s a bodega, a currency exchange, a storefront gambling emporium and, Oak Park’s contribution to the gateway grimness, a now-abandoned branch bank parking lot. But Taco Bell, which has seemingly hung a star on its desire to open an almost-24-hour-a-day fast-food joint in Oak Park, comes before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Jan. 8 with its plans. Every application that includes a drive-thru is, by ordinance, a special use, requiring the zoning board to sign off. Beyond the drive-thru, though, are requested variances that would, like every fast-fooder, allow the building to be set back from the street to allow for parking and a drive-thru. Current code calls for 60 percent of street frontage to be occupied by a building not a parking lot. Since this is a block-long rectangle, that is going to prove to be a difficult code to meet. We’ve got nothing particular against Taco Bell — besides their food, of course. But this would be a moment for neighbors, maybe through the SEOPCO community group, to start advocating for their troubled commercial street. This could be a moment for the village board to say, “Roosevelt Road is part of Oak Park, too.” There are reports that village staff already successfully discouraged a gas station/car wash/mini-mart from locating on this old US Bank property. There are rumblings that maybe village government is considering strategic land acquisitions east on Roosevelt to control future development. There are multiple sites between Austin and Harvey that would be prime for such a strategy. Yes, we understand that Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb and the village board are rightly proud to have only recently sold off the last of the properties the village had acquired somewhat haphazardly over recent decades. But targeted, short-term buys in support of one of Oak Park’s most vibrant and diverse residential communities — the Irving School neighborhood — makes sense. In addition to the old bank site, there is the recently shuttered and nearly block-long Associated Tire business that needs reclaiming. Roosevelt Road needs advocates using a model exactly like the North Avenue District on the village’s opposite border. That group has built alliances in Chicago’s Galewood neighborhood, has coaxed Oak Park’s leaders and Chicago Alderman Chris Taliaferro into cooperation, has used both a carrot and a stick approach to celebrate the real achievements underway on North Avenue while also turning screws when necessary. Roosevelt Road offers the same challenges and the same opportunities. The moment for declaring it a priority comes now at the intersection of Roosevelt and Austin.

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

V I E W P O I N T S

TRAINOR from page 33 glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. (Published each year until the paper’s demise, 52 years later) From a sermon by James Allan Francis: He was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village and worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was 30. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher. He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never traveled 200 miles from the place he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. … Twenty long centuries have come and gone, but all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever sailed, all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, have not affected the life of humanity as powerfully as has that one solitary life. (Adapted by the late Rev. Harry Parker of First Baptist Church of Oak Park) “The Wicked Fairy at the Manger,” by U.A. Fanthorpe My gift for the child: No wife, kids, home; No money sense. Unemployable. Friends, yes, but the wrong sort The workshy, women, wimps, Petty infringers of the law, persons With notable diseases, Poll tax collectors, tarts; The bottom rung. His end? I think we’ll make it Public, prolonged, painful. “Right,” said the baby. “That was roughly what we had in mind.” From “A Christmas Carol,” by Charles Dickens: Scrooge (trying to placate the ghost of his former partner, Jacob Marley): But you were always a

good man of business, Jacob Marley: Business! Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business! Scrooge: Poor boy! I wish … but it’s too late now. Ghost of Christmas Past: What is the matter? Scrooge: Nothing. Nothing. There was a boy singing a Christmas carol at my door last night. I should like to have given him something — that’s all.

“They looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears.” JEAN SHEPHERD

“A Christmas Story”

three days after my mom died) From “A Christmas Story,” written and narrated by the great Jean Shepherd: They looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears. (Ralphie at the dinner table after asking for the Red Ryder B-B gun) Why … there could be anything in there! (Ralphie’s dad just before opening the crate holding his major award)

Ghost of Christmas Past (smiling thoughtfully, then waving his hand): Let us see another Christmas! From “No Apologies for Loving Christmas” by Garrison Keillor: The basic idea of Christmas is a cheerful one: that we are all connected to all of creation — the fish, the forests and mountains, the stars, the solar systems, and infinity itself — by the love of the Creator who came to Earth in the form of an infant and was first recognized as divine by poor uneducated shepherds and by travelers from afar, a story that endures despite all the tinsel and glitter. You can take the story literally or partially or as a metaphor, and it will warm you. … Last week in New York, I stood in a crowd of strangers, some believers, others not, and someone started singing about the calmness and brightness, the radiant beams, and everyone sang along, quietly, a cappella, and we were united in a common mystery. There it is. Unto you a child is born in the city of David. Make of it what you will. God bless you all, each one. (Published December of 2015,

He worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium; a master. … In the heat of battle my father wove a tapestry of obscenity that, as far as we know, is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan. (Ralphie describing his father during his battles with the furnace) My favorite Christmas carol couplet (from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”): Disperse the gloomy clouds of night And death’s dark shadow put to flight. From the beginning of “A Christmas Memory” by Truman Capote: Imagine a morning in late November. A coming of winter morning, more than 20 years ago. … Just today the fireplace commenced its seasonal roar. A woman with shorn white hair is standing at the kitchen window. … “Oh my,” she exclaims, her breath smoking the windowpane, “it’s fruitcake weather.” Whether you prefer fruitcake or figgy pudding or pumpkin pie, “A Christmas Story” or “A Christmas Carol,” to quote another carol: I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

V I E W P O I N T S

The impact of OPRF freshman detracking

here are significant curriculum changes being proposed at OPRF, potentially impacting 90 percent of our freshman students. These changes will be voted on in the spring and fall of 2020 for the 2021-2022 freshman class. No matter what side of the detracking debate you fall on, it will prove beneficial for our entire community to learn as much as we can and understand the data as well as the potential benefits and risks. The proposal suggests combining two current levels of coursework, Honors and College Prep, into one with the promise of delivering a more rigorous course load that better serves all of our students and raises performance. Traditionally at OPRF, 45 percent of freshman students enroll in College Prep courses and 45 percent enroll in Honors courses while the remaining 10 percent enroll in support-level curriculum. To learn more, below are two links from OPRF messaging on the proposed freshman curriculum changes and the current strategic plan: www.oprfhs.org/academics/access-for-all www.oprfhs.org/board-of-education/strategic-plan As a parent of three different types of learners, my gut feeling tells me that such a change will not impact, nor benefit, all of our students equally. In the past few months, I have come to understand that many in our community have different ideas of what the change actually entails, what comparable schools have tried this specific change, what the outcome has been at such schools, what earned honors credit means, what votes are necessary to enact such a change at OPRF, and how our administration is messaging and tackling this complicated topic. Detracking results are hardly consistent and all of our children are individuals with wonderful unique strengths and weaknesses, and learn at different speeds and in different ways. We all wish that a magic wand existed to wave over the entire U.S. educational system and raise the academic performance of all children. I don’t believe offering a single-level coursework, for one year at the freshman level is that magic wand. A detracked curriculum philosophy at Evanston High School, which is highlighted on the OPRF website as a success, has been in motion for many years. According to the Illinois Report Card website, Evanston’s composite ACT scores were 23 in 2012 and they were also 23 in 2017. If there were gains and losses, they were offset within the student body. The IRC website stopped publishing ACT scores in 2017, but began posting SAT scores. Evanston SAT scores for ELA (English, Language Arts) fell from 2017 to 2019: 561, 553, 540. Of significance, from 2017 to 2019 the percentage of 11th grade students who earned SAT scores in ELA of “Exceeds” fell 6 percent (31 to 25 percent). Students who scored “Meets” increased 1 percent (27 to 28 percent). The lowest two categories combined (“Partially Meets” and “Approaching”) showed increases of 5 percent (42 to 47 percent). In summary, fewer students are now “Exceeding” while a higher percentage of students are performing in the lower two categories over the past three years. While test scores alone should not be the only factor in determining the overall health of any school, they still play a major part in college admissions whether we agree they should or not. Test scores, data and assessments helped OPRF de-

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Associate Publisher Dawn Ferencak Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Linda Francis John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Editorial Design Manager Claire Innes Editorial Designers Scot McIntosh Business Manager Joyce Minich

termine where there are opportunities for growth. Hopefully such data will continue to be used to add insight into future decision making. OPRF is currently not limiting any student from taking any course level they want in freshman year. In fact, choice is what OPRF is providing now to all families. Ironically, this choice and flexibility to allow students to stretch and grow in different subject areas was highlighted as a benefit at the incoming freshman meeting held the week of Dec. 9. Did you know that when freshman families meet this winter with their OPRF counselors, no matter what course is recommended, families can select any course level they want — Honors or College Prep? If a student is recommended for a College Prep course, a family can choose Honors if they wish to nudge their child in a specific course subject. Alternatively, if a student is recommended for Honors, a family can choose College Prep to allow more time for sports, clubs or other interests. Tell everyone you know that this flexibility is built into curriculum planning now and allows all families and students to choose the subject level they wish. I struggle to see how removing course options for families and only offering a single level of classes, at the freshman grade level, for one year, across multiple subjects somehow better meets the social and academic needs of all of our learners and families during their short, but vitally important time at OPRF. Ross Lissuzzo is a resident of River Forest.

ROSS LISSUZZO

IT Manager/Web Developer Mike Risher Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Bobbi Rollins-Sanchez Advertising Director Dawn Ferencak Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck Inside Sales Representative Mary Ellen Nelligan Client Engagement Natalie Johnson Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Distribution Coordinator Wakeelah Cocroft-Aldridge Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

One View

Sources: Source SAT ELA @ Evanston: www.illinoisreportcard.com/ School.aspx?source=trends&source2=sat.average&School id=050162020170001 .

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

Source ACT scores @ Evanston:

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?source=retiredtests &source2=averageact&Schoolid=050162020170001

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

your connection to the topic ■ Signature details as at left

Source shifts in SAT @ Evanston: www.illinoisreportcard.com/School.aspx?source=trends&sour ce2=sat&Schoolid=050162020170001

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

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Special-use permits for cannabis stores

As business owners and residents of Oak Park for 25+ years, we are passionate about Oak Park and the well-being of our community. Our Martial Artist’s Creed teaches us to “Be Courageous, Uphold Justice” and to “Preserve Life, Don’t Destroy.” As these tenets guide our curriculum and our daily work, we were so grateful to read Wednesday Journal’s support of specialuse permitting for recreational cannabis. As property and business owners on North Avenue, we have made a valiant effort to continuously upgrade and improve our surroundings. We try to model good citizenship to our students and our neighbors. To that end, we and our 200+ current families that we serve, not to mention countless alumni, continue to urge the Oak Park Village Board to enforce a special-use permit for all proposed cannabis stores. Having been through the process ourselves on a previous daycare venture, while exhausting, it enforces community involvement and requirements that preserve the overall health and safety of owners and customers. Thank you for the opportunity to add our heartfelt endorsement of Wednesday Journal’s view in this matter.

A third option in taxing debate

SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor

The gift that keeps giving

The picture on the front page of the Nov. 11 Wednesday Journal was a delight to the eye. The story about her invention of a board game was equally wonderful [Student invents a gift that keeps giving].

Joanne Selden

Oak Park

Elizabeth Wilson Yu

Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts

We can’t thank you enough

To all the wonderful people of Oak Park and River Forest, especially to all the children who gave so generously to our seniors (your artwork was totally amazing) we can’t thank you enough. We also thank Patty Henek and her crew for their hard work and long hours. Ladies, it paid off. All our seniors were overjoyed and humbled. The old adage is true: The best gifts in life are free. To the Payoli family and their circle of friends a huge thank you. What an incredible inspiration you are, selfless and respectful. As my dear departed Mother once said, “When your time comes, you will be sitting next to our Holy Mother.” All kidding aside, The Oaks, Mills, and Ryan Farrelly apartments applaud you and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a warm New Year.

Rosemary Kevil Serio

Oak Park Housing Authority

Our community is in the midst of a polarizing debate between those who want to maintain/increase taxes for local governments to provide services to the community and those who want to reduce taxes to let people keep more of their money. I’ll suggest a third option: People who want to use to use their money to help others can donate to charity. Those who aren’t sure which charities are most effective can look to the recommendations from charity evaluators that research this question. For example, GiveWell and The Life You Can Save offer short lists of their most heavilyresearched, high-impact opportunities. Impact Matters and the Center for High Impact Philanthropy provide longer lists for donors who want more choice. Charity Navigator provides analysis of charity financials and some other areas, though it doesn’t evaluate the quality of the programs themselves.

Eric Friedman

Oak Park Author of “Reinventing Philanthropy: A Framework for More Effective Giving”

Ranked choice voting could be dream come true Imagine being able to vote for your true preferred candidate, instead of just the “lesser of two evils.” Imagine casting your ballot for a third party without worrying that you’re “throwing your vote away.” A bill has been introduced to the Illinois General Assembly that has the potential to make these fantasy scenarios reality. SB 2267 introduces ranked choice voting for state offices, and has the potential to upend the dysfunctional state political process we’ve become accustomed to. Instead of picking a single candidate, you can rank all candidates on the ballot in your preferred order. If your top choice is eliminated in the first round of counting, your vote automatically transfers to your next highest preference. Watch this video for an easy-to-follow example of how an election under RCV plays out: /www.youtube.com/watch?v=P10PFuBFVL8 This is a system that has already been implemented in countless institutions, from local boards and universities to municipal governments. It’s even used for national elections in some countries. For a full list, see here: www.rankedchoicevoting.org/where_used Ranked-choice voting would give Illinois

citizens a greater ability to express their preferences at the ballot box, and has the potential to break the major party strangleholds that have ruled for decades. To generate an email to our representatives, urging

them to support this legislation, simply visit: www.p2a.co/CyC6SGG

Jeff Evans

Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

www.TENandFiT.com It Is, Resolution Time!

Beginner Non-Member Tennis Classes Available

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

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

Investing in Our Community and Residents for 36 Years New Tennis Classes Start Jan. 5th-12th • Register Online Today or Call! Pickleball

Racquetball

Group Exercise

Spinning®

Yoga

Pilates

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

‘Champagne Stan’s’ Top 10 holiday bubblies

very celebration season folks who call me “Champagne Stan” ask what are my Top 10 selections? I’ve been sipping bubblies since my parents’ holiday parties when as a kid I stealthily drank nextday Tattingers while crunching cereal and watching cartoons as Mom & Dad slept. Now as I make my grown-ass man holiday tour tasting bubbles in Cook, DuPage and Will counties (that includes exquisite sparklers from Spain, Italy, Armenia, South Africa, Australia, Corsica, England, Brazil, Argentina, the U.S. and my consistent favorite, France), this list is what floats my boat. I traveled from Oak Park where I live to Bolingbrook about 50 minutes away. My favorite locations so far have been: Binny’s South Loop Champagne Gala (which had the best and most selections); Binny’s Oakbrook Champagne Gala (which has the most unusual offerings); Malloy’s Wine tasting in Lisle (which had the most servers of color & is owned by an Asian); Binny’s Elmwood Park and Binny’s North Riverside sips in my neighborhood where I chatted in Italian & French; Binny’s Bolingbrook Dec. 4 Champagne tasting; (where I’m expecting surprises); Famous Forest Park’s November Holiday Gala (which had the fewest selections but the most familiar faces, though their Dec. 7 event offered 40 sparkling wines); and Mainstreet’s Wine & Food Gala in Countryside (which hit all the right notes) and probably so will their upcoming Dec. 21 “Everything is Better with Bubbly.” Ain’t that the truth! Experts like author Neil Mathieson’s Champagne (Chartwell Books, 1999) explains: “What is known as Methode Champenenoise, or the traditional method,

was probably first instigated by [Dom Perignon] and developed by experiments conducted by winemakers around the world.” Mostly vintage high-end “big house” champagnes and middlebrow less expensive “grower champagnes” make my list. But there are lower-end delights like: NV Proseccos, sparkling Malbecs, and West Coast bubblies. I’m this/close to listing Franciacortas & Cavas, too. I don’t provide prices since for this reporter that might smack of advertisement, which would be unethical. I do show photos of my favorite places, people, purveyors & best values. Here are pics & picks: ■ Andre Clouet Brut Grand Reserve (affordable grower that’s toasty dry and fun) ■ Philipponnat Royal Reserve Brut (pricey grower with a fine brioche and tiny bubbles) ■ Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle (costly big house that’s so yummy it made me hum) ■ * Roederer Estate L’Ermitage 2012 Brut (overpriced Cali sparkler — perhaps the best U.S. bubbly) ■ Arnaud de Brignac Brut Gold (superb crisp citrus notes, very very pricey & a personal favorite) ■ Arnaud de Brignac Rose (even more pricey, fruity and the most expensive on this lovely list) ■ Etienne Calsac L’Eschappe Belle Extra Brut (tasty affordable grower and best allaround value) ■ NV Tapiz Sparkling Malbec Rose, Extra Brut (sensible plummy Argentinian barbecue bubbly) ■ Furlan Castelcosas Prosecco (inexpensive good go-to Sunday brunch bubbly) ■ Graham Beck Brut (South African bubbly served at Mandela & Obama inaugurals)

STAN WEST One View

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Before culling deer, what River Forest should learn

he Forest Preserve has prepared the paperwork to kill as many as 50 Thatcher Woods deer this winter. Before we start shooting, River Forest’s village board would do well to explain to the community why culling is the best alternative. Maybe culling is the right solution. Maybe not. Right now, it’s a solution in search of a clearlyarticulated problem. At the board’s Dec. 9 meeting, each trustee seemed to define the problem differently. Is there a deer-related public safety problem? Some trustees say yes. But the fiveyear history of deer-related car accidents leads to the opposite conclusion. We’ve experienced half as many deer accidents this year (four) as we did last year (eight), and the lowest number in the past three years. Is there a deer-related public health problem? Similarly, some trustees would answer yes, linking the Thatcher Woods deer to Lyme disease. But no expert testimony or scientific literature has been presented that supports this link or establishes causation. Is there a deer-related “enjoyment of private property” problem? Some trustees are persuaded that the most important factor is the right to enjoy one’s private property, free of unwanted wildlife — perhaps believing that property owners will stop complaining if culling occurs. But so long as any wildlife remains in Thatcher Woods, we are likely to see it in our gardens and

yards. Not only is there no consensus on the problem. There’s also a lot of information we don’t know, but should. How many deer are in Thatcher Woods? No count has been performed, so how can we be sure there are more than 50? If we eliminate the herd, would we reduce the spread of Lyme disease? Would deer migrate from the north and south to fill the void? Is culling the best alternative? What has been the experience of surrounding communities who cull their herds, and have any implemented better solutions? The trustees could answer these questions via a proposed resident task force. Some trustees seem skeptical that a task force could be useful, but our community has recent experience with using a resident task force to successfully address a contentious issue: next June, OPRF breaks ground on its first major facilities upgrade in 50 years, following the work of the Imagine OPRF volunteers. Given specific marching orders and an aggressive timeline, such a task force could gather facts and evidence, aggregate research, and bring recommendations back to the board by spring. Articulate the problem. Enlist residents to gather the missing information needed to support a rational decision. Both of these steps will lead to a better decision, and a better chance of persuading residents. Tim Brandhorst is a River Forest resident.

TIM BRANDHORST One View

This is one museum you will enjoy

I took the opportunity to go with my family to the Oak Park River Forest Museum over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, drawn by the exhibit about OPALGA+ (Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association+), so well described in Stacey Sheridan’s excellent story, OPALGA+’s BIG GAY DECADES (WJ, Dec. 18). While the precipitating motivation was to see the outstanding exhibit, we spent almost two hours at the museum, looking through all of the exhibits on both floors. The presentation of the early history of this area and, in particular, the sordid and inspiring saga of open housing and racism in our towns was extraordinary. I have lived in Oak Park for over 50 years and thought that I knew a good piece of our past. However, so much of what I read and saw was new to me, and it was presented, both in images and artifacts, as well as with printed explanatory descriptions, in compelling ways. I highly encourage folks to take some time over the next few weeks, especially if you have people coming home to visit, to take a trip to the corner of Lombard and Lake streets and spend a couple of hours enjoying learning more about our towns.

Rebekah Levin Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

STEEP CANYON RANGERS 1.11.20

This Grammy Award-winning sextet has spent nearly two decades blending bluegrass with elements of pop, country, and folk rock to create a remarkable catalog of original music that links them to the past and brings string-based music into contemporary relevance.

“Modern bluegrass music’s hard-charging innovators” —Rolling Stone

SATURDAY, January 11, 2020 | 7:30 p.m. BOX OFFICE (708) 488-5000 • FREE PARKING 7900 West Division Street • River Forest, IL 60305

events.dom.edu

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Judith Kaspar, 62

Laura Corry, 91

Headed village’s memorial tree program

Born and raised in Oak Park

Judith Maxson Kaspar, 62, formerly of Oak Park, died on Nov. 27, 2019 in M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas with her family at her bedside. After a last gift, giving eyesight to a stranger, she was cremated and returned home to Florida. Born and raised in Oak Park, the daughter of the late Dr. Noel T. and Nancy (Bishop) Maxson, she grew up to become a wife and mother, compassionate nurse, volunteer, active member of P.E.O. and Delta Zeta, world traveler and so much more. JUDITH M. KASPAR Judy is survived by Algirdas, her husband of 33 years; her three children, Kathryn, Andrew and James; and her brothers, Robert and William Maxson with their families. Funeral Mass was celebrated on Dec. 21 in Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, followed by interment in the Church’s Memorial Garden for interment. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in her memory to The Haven, 4405 DeSoto Road, Sarasota, FL 34235.

Park’s popular and successful MemoLoretta “Laura” Corry (nee McDonrial Tree Program. In fitting tribute, ald), 91, died on Dec. 13, 2019. Born their two beautiful memorial pear on March 2, 1928 to the late Roy and trees at Barrie Park, where Laura and the late Loretta “Dolly” McDonald, Bud first met, blossom glorishe was a proud graduously each spring. ate of Ascension School Laura Corry was the wife (’42) and Trinity High and best friend of the late School (’46). Following Francis E. “Bud” Corry; the high school, she worked mother of Frank (Nancy), for several years at the Mary Ellen (Mike) Collins, Chicago Tribune. In adKathleen Corry, Michael dition to raising her own (Laura), Bill (Liz), and the active family, she influlate Dennis (Lisa) Corry; enced the lives of many the grandmother of 20; the youngsters as a teacher in LAURA CORRY great-grandmother of 17; the the Oak Park Recreation sister of Eleanor Buchan; Department’s preschool the aunt and great-aunt of many; program. She later managed the Viland a friend to all. She was preceded lage of Oak Park Employees Credit in death by her brothers Roy, Chris, Union, and worked several years in John, Joe, Jim, and Dan, and her sisthe accounting department of the ters Mary, Cecelia Young, and JeanShaker Advertising Agency. An avid nette Conniff. softball and volleyball player, in her Visitation will be held at 9:45 a.m., later years, she became a talented and followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 dedicated recreational bowler. a.m., on Saturday, Jan. 4, at Ascension In retirement, she and her husband Church, 815 S. East Ave., Oak Park, Bud oversaw the Park District of Oak

House Hunting?

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/5240447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

Find a Realtor. Find a home. Get a list of Open Houses. Every week, every day in

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director

Read Step 1. le . Recyc Step 2

with private interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Ascension School, or Trinity High School (River Forest) would be appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home

Since 1880

I am there for you in your time of need. All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Family Owned & Operated

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667

Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director

I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Check First.

Religion Guide

First Congregational Church of Maywood

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

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

William S. Winston Pastor

Roman Catholic

Good Shepherd

Sunday Service 7AM, 9AM & 11:15AM Believer’s Walk of Faith Broadcast Schedule (Times in Central Standard Time) Television DAYSTAR (M-F)

3:30-4:00pm

Nationwide

WJYS-TV (M-F)

6:30-7:00am

Chicago, IL.

WCIU-TV (Sun.)

10:30-11:00am

Chicago, IL.

Word Network

10:30-11:00am

Nationwide

(M-F)

www.livingwd.org www.billwinston.org

West Suburban Temple Har Zion

1040 N. Harlem Avenue River Forest Meet our Rabbi, Adir Glick Pray, learn, and celebrate with our caring, progressive, egalitarian community. Interfaith families are welcome. Accredited Early Childhood Program Religious School for K thru 12 Daily Morning Minyan Weekly Shabbat Services Friday 6:30pm & Saturday 10:00am Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism 708.366.9000 www.wsthz.org

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

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

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

St. Giles Family Mass Community

Lutheran—ELCA

United Lutheran Church

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

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

Roman Catholic

Ascension Catholic Church

www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

708/386-1576

(708) 697-5000 LIVE Webcast - 11:15AM Service

St. Edmund Catholic Church

ELCA, Lutheran

Lutheran-Independent

Grace Lutheran Church

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

Grace Lutheran School

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

St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church

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

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park

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

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

St. Bernardine Catholic Church Harrison & Elgin, Forest Park

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

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

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

Dec 23-30 Hanukkah 25 Christmas

Feast of the Nativity

Jewish

Christian

Orthodox Christian

26 Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) Zoroastrian St Stephen’s Day

Christian

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

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

@ @OakPark

SPORTS

Rounding out top moments of 2019 14

Top non-game event moments 15

Top 5 moments of 2019 in high school sports

Photo photo by Scotchindian

Fenwick girls hockey takes top spot

ICE BREAKER: Senior forward Kelly Millins breaks free from the New Trier defense during the state championship against the Trevians on March 22.

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

The past year was a memorable one for local high school sports. There’s no easy way to create a top-five list of best moments from this year, but after a few days of going through team websites, IHSA’s database, and Wednesday Journal’s archives, I’ve cobbled together this list. Also featured inside this year in review edition are the top five sports moments that go outside the lines of the court and field.

1. Fenwick girls hockey wins state What happened: On March 22, the Friars girls hockey team won its first state championship in a 3-2 bout against New Trier High School at the United Center. The Friars were down 2-0 just 10 minutes into the first period against the Trevians and came back behind two goals from junior Ellie Kaiser. Reason for ranking: While there were a lot of close calls from numbers 2-5, this was the easiest decision at the number one spot for this list. Fenwick versus New Trier had everything you wanted in a sporting event. There was the in-season rivalry that

featured New Trier’s team (the reigning champs) wearing shirts saying “2-Peat” before they had a chance to win the state title; the underdog (Fenwick) rose to the occasion after being down early; and the event had a “Miracle on Ice” atmosphere that was amplified by it being played in the United Center. This was not your typical high school sports affair and Fenwick-New Trier gave us the best matchup in local sports this year. The icing on the cake: Fenwick’s students were given a day off of school on April 17 to celebrate.

2. Girls make history at cross-country state finals What happened: OPRF and Fenwick’s girls cross-country teams cemented themselves in their programs’ history when they went down to Peoria on Nov. 9. Fenwick placed in the top-five as a team, while OPRF had two runners place 15th and 16th respectively. See IN REVIEW on page 43

Just outside the five

Other notable sports moments of the year Fenwick, Boys Water Polo - The Friars placed third in state versus Lincoln Way East on May 18. OPRF, Boys Basketball - The Huskies nabbed their third straight conference championship (36-3 in conference the last three seasons). OPRF, Boys Soccer - OPRF gave St. Patrick its only loss in the regular season on Oct. 16. OPRF/Fenwick, Swimming - At the state finals, Fenwick’s Katie Drumm placed fifth in the 50 freestyle and OPRF diver Yasmin Ruff placed eighth in her fourth time at state. OPRF, Badminton - The Huskies placed 10th at state when OPRF traveled to Illinois University last May.

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

IN REVIEW

Last but not least from page 42 In one of the most competitive years of cross-country across the state, the East Avenue rivals came out of Peoria with their heads held high. Fenwick hadn’t placed in the top-five as a team in state since the 2011 season. Junior Maggie O’Malley finished 34th out of 209 runners who participated in the race and had the seventh-best time in school history. The Huskies had two runners qualify for all-state honors in the same year which was a first for OPRF’s program. According to IHSA’s website, there have only been six OPRF runners who have garnered all-state status before junior Nora Wollen and sophomore Josephine Welin. Wollen’s 17:07:86 three-mile time was less than a second off of the record by OPRF alumna Mary Blankemeier (17:07 threemile time in 2013). However, the IHSA’s records in 2013 do not include milliseconds.

3. Friars’ Hutchinson wins 500 free at state What happened: Fenwick senior Liam Hutchinson dominated at the state swimming finals at New Trier on Feb. 22. He participated in three events. Reason for ranking: Now swimming at Notre Dame, Hutchinson put on a show in his last showing for high school aquatics. His time of 4 minutes, 24.47 seconds broke the school record for the 500 freestyle event (4:26.12) set by the Friars’ Robert Ramoska in 1978, and he just missed getting his second state title in the 200 freestyle by less than a second. Hutchinson had competed in state in all four years at Fenwick but hadn’t finished inside the top-5 during individual events until his senior season. He left Friar nation as a state champion and just edges out OPRF wrestler Eddie Bolivar for the third spot.

4. Huskie wrestler wins state title What happened: OPRF senior Eddie Bolivar bounced back from a second-place finish in 2018 to win state in a 7-5 decision over Libertyville’s Danny Pucino on Feb. 13. Reason for ranking: Bolivar’s performance at state takes the four spot after he took down a three-time state qualifier in Pucino. He beat Pucino at state last year, but ended up placing second overall. He credited the 2018 loss for sharpening his mentality heading into the 2019 season. “Throughout the whole year, it’s been my focus and thinking about what I needed to do to take the championship,” Bolivar said in an interview with Chicago Tribune back in February. “I went extra hard in practice and stayed longer and listened to my coaches and perfecting all my stuff. Last year, when I took second, I knew I could do this.” Now wrestling at Indiana University, Bo-

livar became the 18th individual state champion for OPRF boys wrestling in the last decade.

5. Fenwick football upsets Walter Payton in playoffs What happened: On Nov. 2, Fenwick took down Walter Payton High School in the first round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs in a 2117 thriller. The Friars gave Payton its first loss of the season. Reason for ranking: For all IHSA sports across the board, the week leading up to this game was chaotic due to the Chicago Public School teacher strikes. The Friars didn’t know if they were going to play Payton until two days before the game. To make matters worse, head coach Gene Nudo stepped down the day before the playoffs after a 2016 incident surfaced and came to the school’s attention. They could have lost this game 100 different ways, but the Friars ended up pulling out the win. Quarterback Kaden Cobb scored from the 1-yard line with less than six minutes left to give his team the lead. On the play before the touchdown, Cobb tried to leap over the line and ended up fumbling the ball three feet into the air. It somehow ended back up in his hands as he was getting tackled and the rest is history.

File Photos

PLAYOFF PUSH: Fenwick’s Liam Hutchinson (top) won state in the 500 freestyle on Feb. 22. He participated in three events. OPRF’s Eddie Bolivar (insert) won the state title for 132 lb. weight class on Feb. 13. He defeated Libertyville’s Danny Pucino 7-5. (Above) Runners battle the elements during the state finals in Peoria on Nov. 9.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

S P O R T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Outside the lines: top non game-event moments of 2019 Community fundraisers highlight 2019 reel

Boockmeier raises awareness around arthritis

By JAMES KAY Sports Editor

Outside of box scores, win totals, and school records, sports provide a place for community, tradition and opportunities for those who might not get a chance to shine anywhere else. While the end results of on-court battles are documented in the record books, the journeys that sports takes us on shouldn’t go unrecognized. Here are the top moments in local sports from 2019 that roam outside the lines of game events.

Girls wrestling on the rise For decades, girls who were interested in wrestling were subjected to going against male counterparts when they walked onto the mat. However, earlier this year, the IHSA classified girls wrestling as an “emerging sport,” which means female wrestlers will get the chance to wrestle other female wrestlers on a more consistent basis. OPRF’s Fred Arkin, who is the Huskies’ girls wrestling coach, helped facilitate getting the bylaw passed to establish girls wrestling as an “emerging sport.” According to Arkin, 641 girls were certified last year by the IHSA to participate in wrestling (meaning high school girls signed up for the sport and had their body fat tested). Once there are enough participants in girls wrestling throughout the state, the IHSA can remove the “emerging sport” title and give girls wrestling its own state tour-

Courtesy Scully-Granzeier Family

SURVIVING AND THRIVING: Lily Scully-Granzeier gives a speech in front of 300 people at Skate Fest 2019. She was diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this year. nament. The Huskies have multiple tournaments lined up that are exclusively for female wrestlers.

Skating community rallies around cancer survivor When Trinity sophomore Lily ScullyGranzeier was diagnosed with metastasized thyroid cancer, the entire skating community was devastated. Scully-Granzeier had been skating at Ridgeland Common for a decade and decided to turn her unfortunate circumstance into an event to help other children dealing with thyroid cancer.

The community quickly rallied around Scully-Granzeier and created “Skate Fest 2019” which raised over $15,000 on Sept. 21. During the event, Scully-Granzeier gave an inspirational speech in front of a crowd of 300 people and her friends performed some of her routines from previous years. “One of the things that Dr. Ortega said to us after the diagnosis is that we have an opportunity to make a difference and spread awareness about this issue,” said Margaret Scully, Lily’s mother on Sept. 17. “We are doing everything we can to make the best out of this situation, and I am so proud of Lily in the way she has handled this.”

Bridget Boockmeier graduated from Trinity this past spring, but her impact outside of the tennis court and lacrosse field is stilling being felt. She was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis when she was 3 years old but still found a way to overcome the pain to participate in high school sports (she runs three to four miles a day). “I have to work harder to be equal to everybody else,” she said in an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times last April. “It’s ended up being a benefit that’s carried over to athletics, schoolwork, and being a good person to others.” According to the Sun-Times article, Boockmeier said that her family raised approximately $35,000 over the last 10 years in the Arthritis Foundation’s “Jingle Bell Run” which is an annual 5K event.

Generations of OPRF water polo alumni congregate In the eighth annual Paul Eckenroad Alumni Game, the OPRF water polo community continued its tradition of meeting in the west pool for a friendly affair in the water. Since 2014, the event has raised $5,655 for the boys water polo team. It occurs the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and it features water polo players from OPRF’s 1977 team to those who graduated from the school in 2015.

Trinity tennis built from the ground up On the first day of tryouts this year, the Blazers’ tennis coach, Mary Smith, was greeted by 12 players who had never played competitive tennis before. Through online tutorials, Wii tennis, and finding organizations willing to donate equipment to the team, Smith has built a culture at Trinity after the tennis program was in no man’s land before she took over. “This is a game that you can play late into your life,” said Smith this past September. “We are building tennis players, but more importantly, we are building strong, young women.”

Sports Trivia Night scores big for charity The St. Giles Men’s Society Sports Trivia event on March 2 raised over $40,000 for Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School’s Corporate Work-Study program. The event has generated about $120,000 for the program over the last three years. This was the 11th year that it was held.

Amateur basketball league raises money for fallen friend

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

NO EXPERIENCE, NO PROBLEM: Trinity’s tennis head coach Mary Smith had 12 athletes come to tryouts without any on-court experience.

The Oak Park Street Basketball League lost one of its beloved members in 2018 when Jimmy Dooley passed away at the age of 22 due an acute onset of hydrocephalus. In the 10th annual OPSBL tournament, the league raised $2,100 for the Dooley family selling T-shirts online.

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

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

YOUR WEEKLY AD

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

WEDNESDAY

CLASSIFIED Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

NEW!

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

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

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

HELP WANTED

CHILDCARE WORKER The Village of Forest Park has immediate openings for before and after school program. Part-time hours are M-F 2-6 p.m. Must be at least 18 years old, have a driver’s license and pass drug screening and background check. Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737.

FINANCIAL ANALYST The Village of North Riverside is seeking qualified candidates for the full-time position of Financial Analyst. This position will administer accounts receivables for the Village including billing accounts, analyzing data, and providing administrative and data entry support. The ideal candidate would possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, portray strong analytical reasoning and have extensive customer service experience in conﬂict resolution and management. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of North Riverside’s employment opportunities page at www. northriverside-il.org. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of North Riverside application. This position is open until filled. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2019. Please submit applications and resume to: administration@northriverside-il.org

CUSTOMER RELATIONS ASSISTANT The Village of North Riverside is seeking qualified, bilingual candidates for the part-time position of Customer Relations Specialist. This cashier position will serve as Village liaison with residents, businesses, and the general public to greet visitors, provide general information on village services and programs, and process payments. The ideal candidate must possess strong verbal communication skills and demonstrate excellent customer service characteristics. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of North Riverside’s employment opportunities page at www.northriverside-il. org. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of North Riverside application. This position is open until filled. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2019. Please submit applications and resume to: administration@northriverside-il.org CUSTOMER RELATIONS SPECIALIST The Village of North Riverside is seeking qualified, bilingual candidates for the full-time position of Customer Relations Specialist. This position will serve as Village liaison with residents, businesses, and the general public to greet visitors, answer inquiries and provide general information over the phone. The ideal candidate needs to be extremely organized, possess strong written and verbal communication skills, and demonstrate excellent customer service traits. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of North Riverside’s employment opportunities page at www.northriverside-il.org. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of North Riverside application. This position is open until filled. Applications will be accepted until December 31, 2019. Please submit applications and resume to: administration@northriverside-il.org

You have jobs. We have readers!

Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708613-3342.

NETWORK SPECIALIST The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Network Specialist in the Information Technology Department. The ideal candidate will need to be knowledgeable and capable to apply the principles and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.Hardware and software configuration of computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing enviornments of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, IOS/ Android. Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Interested and qualified applicants can visit our website at http://www. oak-park.us/ for more details. Therapists: (1) OTs (Chicago, IL) to asses & treat OT dsrdrs. IL License or NBCOT or AOTA rqd. Trvl reqd thru IL. MS or BS or frgn equiv &/ or 0-5 yrs exp in rltd ﬂd. (2) School Psychologists to compile & intrprt. studnts’ tst. reslts, adminstr & score psych.tsts. Natl Sch Psych Cert rqd. Apply to Cumberland Therapy Services LLC, 123 N. Upper Wacker Dr, Ste #1150, Chicago, IL 60606 ATTN: CTS-OT-SCHPfy20 TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDE MINI ME BUNCH seeks teacher and teacher aide to enhance and expand daycare serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. Teacher must have at least AAS in Early Childhood Education. Minimum 1 year experience preferred in each position. Must love children and be outgoing, patient, ﬂexible. Contact 773-521-9499.

Season’s Greetings from Wednesday Classified!

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

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

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

SUBURBAN RENTALS 3BR 1 BA APARTMENT Recently updated, hardwood ﬂoors throughout, ceiling fans in every room. Kitchen w/ granite countertops. Garage parking 1 space, 2 spaces outside parking. Storage in basement. Washer & dryer on property free to tenants. Award-winning schools. Close to public trans, parks & shopping. $1500/mo. Elec. Included. Tenant pays heating & cooking gas only. 1 month req’d for security. Jim 708-955-1684

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

CITY RENTALS APARTMENT FOR RENT 5400 W BLK GLADYS 2 bedroom apt w 1/bath 2nd ﬂoor of 2 ﬂat building in Austin area. $1200/ mo. + 1 mo. security. Avail Feb. 1. Call 773-576-5122 fredb60615@gmail.com

LOOK q

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

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

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

SUBURBAN RENTALS

M&M

property management, inc.

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

Apartment listings updated daily at:

COMMERCIAL RETAIL SPACE RETAIL SPACE–FOR LEASE A 1600 Sq Ft. Retail Space for Lease in Strip Mall: 321 S. Harlem Ave., Forest Park, IL. 60130. Vacated. Available Now. Upgraded. Formerly a Cleaners. End space. Heavy foot/road traffic area. 45-Space Parking Lot! For more details: Serious Inquiries ONLY: EMAIL: poppygator@yahoo.com CALL/TEXT: PB at: (708)250-7997

ITEMS FOR SALE 1999 ELIZABETH TAYLOR CLEOPATRA DOLL $70.00 Call 708-513-0087 1998-1999 HARLEY-DAVIDSON KEN & BARBIE DOLLS $80.00 for both Call 708-513-0087 CHEST OF DRAWERS & DRESSER WITH MIRROR $65.00 each. Dust proof drawers. Blonde finish. 708-848-8755 HENREDON DINING SET Henredon Aston Court carved wood oriental dining table and chairs. 4 side and 2 arm chairs. Must see! Claw foot, pedestal table. Negotiable. 773-640-3582 LENOX CHINA AUTUMN PATTERN Lenox dishes, Presidential Collection, Autumn pattern, gold trimmed w/ hand-painted beads, service for 8, $125 per 5 piece place setting. Made in USA. 773-640-3582 SCANDINAVIAN TEAK WOOD BOOKCASE Adjustable shelves. 6 ft 7 in high, 4 ft wide. Must see! $175.00 negotiable. 773-640-3582 SHEARLING COAT Brown shearling coat w/ attached hood. $149.00 708-848-8755

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

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

FLOORS

HAULING

KLIS FLOORING INC.

BASEMENT CLEANING

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

GARAGE/ GARAGE DOOR Our 73rd Year

Selling your home by owner?

Advertise in Wednesday Classified! Call: 708-613-3342

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

HEATING / AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT

Free Estimates

Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers

www.forestdoor.com

Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

Garage Doors &

Smart Door Openers

Sales & Service

(708) 652-9415 HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

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

708-296-2060

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

ELECTRICAL

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

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

708.749.0011

Attention! Homeimprovement pros!

Reach the people making decisions–your target market. Advertise in Wednesday Classified. Call 708/613-3342

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

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

WINDOWS

Work Guaranteed

PUBLIC NOTICES

Easy press fit from the inside

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

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

773-202-8887 STORMSNAPS.COM ®

free local delivery

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE IN THE IOWA JUVENILE COURT FOR DES MOINES COUNTY IN THE INTEREST OF E.S., CHILDREN No. JVJV005651 ORIGINAL NOTICE

) ) )

TO: ALL PUTATIVE FATHERS OF THE ABOVE-NAMED CHILD, BORN ON MAY 21, 2010 IN OAK PARK, ILLINOIS You are notified that there is now on file in the office of the clerk of court for Des Moines County, a petition in case number JVJV005651 which prays for a termination of your par-

ent-child relationship. For further details, contact the clerk’s office at 319-753-8272. The State of Iowa’s attorney is Erin E. Stensvaag, Assistant County Attorney, 100 Valley Street, Burlington, Iowa 52601, (319)753-8209. You are notified that there will be a hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights before the Iowa District Court for Des Moines County, at the Courthouse in Burlington, Iowa, on January 30th, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

Note: The attorney who is expected to represent the child’s parent(s) should be promptly advised by the parent(s) of the service of this notice. IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN COURT DUE TO A DISABILITY, CALL THE DISABILITY COORDINATOR AT 641684-6502. PERSONS WHO ARE HEARING OR SPEECH IMPAIRED MAY CALL RELAY IOWA TTY (1800-735-2942). DISABILITY COORDINATORS CANNOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE.

Published in Wednesday Journal 12/11, 12/18, 12/25/2019

NOIS. PARCEL 2: THE WEST 51 ½ FEET OF LOT 25 IN BLOCK 8 IN S. T. GUNDERSON AND SON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST ½ OF LOT 4 IN THE SUB-DIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. P.I.N.s 16-18-206-001-0000 and 16-18-206-002-0000 REQUESTS: The Applicant seeks approval of a Planned Development to allow for the construction of a 48 unit apartment building with 48 first floor parking spaces within the MS-Madison Street zoning district at 5-stories tall. The Applicant is requesting zoning relief for the following; 1.) Increase in density from 24 allowed dwelling units to a notto-exceed unit count of 48 dwelling units, 2.) Increase in height from an allowed 50 feet to a not-to-exceed height of 63 feet, 3.) A reduction in the rear yard setback from a required 25 feet to a not-to-exceed distance of 8 feet, 4.) A reduction in side yard

OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

PUBLIC NOTICES

landscape area width from 7 feet to a width of 3 feet, and 5.) A reduction in the required number of on-site load areas to zero (0). Copies of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Persons with disabilities planning to attend and needing special accommodations should contact the Village Clerk’s Office at 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, or call (708) 358-5670. ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THESE PROCEEDINGS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD. David Mann, Chairperson OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION, Sitting as a Zoning Commission Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal 12/25/2019

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS

DOCKET NUMBER: PC -20-01 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment)

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois, to consider amendment(s) to the Village’s Zoning Ordinance which include, but may not be limited to, the following:

Public Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) of the Village of River Forest, County of Cook, State of Illinois, on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at 7:30 p.m. in the First Floor Community Room of the River Forest Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue, River Forest, Illinois on the following matter:

HEARING DATE: January 16, 2020

1. A Text Amendment to Section 10-3 (Definitions) of the Zoning Ordinance to define beauty shops, “permanent cosmetics, microblading, micropigmentation, and similar care services”; and 2. A Text Amendment to Section 10-21 (Land Use Chart) of the Zoning Ordinance to designate permanent cosmetics, mircoblading, micropigmentation, and similar personal care services as a permitted use to beauty shops in the land use chart, in the same districts where beauty shops are permitted uses (C1, C2, C3 and ORIC Zoning Districts). The petitioner for the Text Amendments is the Village President and Board of Trustees. This public hearing is being held pursuant to direction given by the Village Board of Trustees for the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider these amendments. For additional information visit www.vrf.us.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 19-08 Planned Development HEARING DATE: January 9, 2020 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits. LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICANT(S): GLPE, LLC, 1259 W. Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60607 OWNER(S) OF RECORD: Margaret and Stephen Mudjer, 15W700 81st Street, Burr Ridge, IL 60527 SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 435-451 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 LEGAL DESCRIPTION: PARCEL 1: LOT 25 (EXCEPT THE WEST 51 ½ FEET) IN BLOCK 8 IN S. T. GUNDERSON AND SON’S ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE EAST ½ OF LOT 4 IN THE SUB-DIVISION OF SECTION 18, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLI-

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24 / 7 /365

Our acrylic storm window inserts will make your rooms warmer, and reduce outside noise

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

Published in Forest Park Review 12/18, 12/25/2019, 1/1/2020

Let the sun shine in...

WINDOWS

Cold rooms, we have the solution!

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19002756 on December 9, 2019 Under the Assumed Business Name of SAFE SAVINGS FOR YOU with the business located at:4003 CONGRESS STREET, BELLWOOD, IL 60104. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: MELISSA FENTRESS 4003 CONGRESS STREET BELLWOOD, IL 60104.

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

All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. For further information or for a copy of the proposed text amendments, please contact Assistant Village Administrator Lisa Scheiner at (708) 714-3554 or at lscheiner@vrf.us or visit www.vrf.us. Sincerely, Lisa Scheiner Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal 12/25/19

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y19002724 on December3, 2019 Under the Assumed Business Name of KISAKIDCARE HOME DAYCARE with the business located at:1040 N AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: KISA ERINN MICHELLE MARX 1040 N AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60302. Published in Wednesday Journal 12/18, 12/25/2019, 1/1/2020

The ZBA will consider an application for a major zoning variation submitted by Chris and Dionna Plywacz, owners of the property at 243 Park Avenue, who are proposing to construct a second story addition to an existing one-story residence on a corner lot and rebuild a first story roof to match an existing non-conforming front and secondary front yard setback. Section 4-8-5 of the Village Code provides the Zoning Board jurisdiction to hold public hearings and offer recommendations to the Village Board concerning variations to Zoning Ordinance. The applicant is requesting a variation to Section 10-8-5 that would allow the property to have a Lot Coverage equal to 33.8% of the Lot Area. The Zoning Ordinance allows a maximum Lot Coverage equal to 30% of the Lot Area. The applicant is also requesting a variation to Section 10-8-7 that would allow a front yard setback of 31 feet 3 ½ inches and a secondary front yard setback of 3 feet 1¼ inches. The Zoning Ordinance requires a minimum front yard setback of 31 feet 5¼ inches and a secondary front yard setback of 13 feet. The legal description of the property at 243 Park Avenue is as follows: LOT 1 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 2 FEET) OF BLOCK 4 IN CONWAY’S RESUBDIVISION OF RANSON’S SUBDIVISION OF SECTION 12, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS A copy of the application will be available to the public at Village Hall and on the Village’s website at www.vrf.us/zoningvariation no less than 15 days prior to the public hearing. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting packet will also be available at www. vrf.us/meetings no less than 48 hours prior to the public hearing. All interested persons will be given the opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. For public comments to be considered by the Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board of Trustees in their decision, they must be included as part of the public hearing record. Interested persons can learn more about how to participation in the hearing by visiting www.vrf.us/zoningvariation. Sincerely, Lisa Scheiner Secretary, Zoning Board of Appeals Published in Wednesday Journal 12/25/19

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits. LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302 APPLICANT(S): Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 REQUEST: The Applicant is proposing an amendment to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance, as follows: Article 8 (“Uses”), Section 8.3 (“Use Restrictions”), Table 8-1 (“Use Matrix”), amend “Recreational Cannabis Establishment” from a permitted use to a special use (“S”) in the “Use” column for the DT- Downtown, HS – Harrison Street, GC-General Commercial, MS-Madison Street, NA-North Avenue, NC-Neighborhood Commercial, and RR-Roosevelt Road Zoning Districts while retaining the reference to the State Statues for additional use standards, and adding additional use standards, such as, but not limited to, prohibiting the consumption of cannabis on the premises of any recreational cannabis establishment or medical marijuana dispensary, and creating distance limitations between recreational cannabis establishments, medical cannabis dispensaries and certain sensitive uses. The poten-

tial additions and amendments to the Village of Oak Park Zoning Ordinance include, but are not be limited to, those described above, along with, establishing additional reasonable time, place and manner restrictions, distance limitations, or other limitations on the operations of recreational cannabis establishments as allowed under State law, and such other regulations regarding recreational cannabis establishments as the Plan Commission and/or Village President and Board of Trustees may determine are appropriate. Copies of the application and each of the applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Plan Commission may continue the hearing to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof. Persons with disabilities planning to attend and needing special accommodations should contact the ADA Coordinator at (708) 358-5430 or e-mail building@ oak-park.us at least 48 hours before the scheduled hearing. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD. David Mann, Chairperson OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION, Sitting as a Zoning Commission Oak Park, Illinois 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal 12/25/2019

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR FURNITURE BIDS Sealed bids for furniture for the new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library will be received by the Brookfield Public Library located at 3909 Grand Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513 until 10:00 a.m. prevailing time on February 3, 2020. Bid proposals will be received for this project at the scheduled time of receipt of bids and will be publicly opened and read aloud in the above state time and place. Each bid must be accompanied by a Bid Guarantee in the form of a Bid Bond, Certified Check or Bank Draft in an amount equal to and not less than ten percent (10%) of the bid and made payable to the Board of Trustees, Brookfield Public Library. No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after bid opening date without the consent of the Owner. Checks or drafts of unsuccessful Bidders will be returned as soon as practical, after opening and checking the bids.

Brookfield, IL 60513 The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities in bidding, that are in the opinion of the Owner, to be in the best interest of the Brookfield Public Library. Bid documents are available on January 6, 2020. For an electronic copy of the Bid documents contact Rachael Francischina at rFrancischina@product-architects.com (312) 202-0701. Projected delivery for all furniture is anticipated to be in April 2021.

Bids shall be submitted in on an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked as SEALED BID and addressed to:

The Brookfield Public Library makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the bidding and/or selection process. In order for the library to make such accommodations, applicants must make known any needed accommodation to the individual project managers or agency contacts listed in the contract documents.

Kimberly Coughran, Library Director Brookfield Public Library 3609 Grand Blvd.

Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois

Published in RB Landmark 12/25/2019

 email us: classifieds@OakPark.com | classifieds@RiverForest.com 

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CLASSIFIED PUBLIC NOTICES

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids for the new Linda Sokol Francis Brookfield Library will be received by the Brookfield Public Library located at 3909 Grand Ave. Brookfield, IL 60513 until 10:00 a.m. prevailing time on February 3, 2020. Lump sum bid proposals will be received for this project at the scheduled time of receipt of bids and will be publicly opened and read aloud in the above state time and place.

Documents. The required Qualifications Documents must be delivered along with the Bidder’s sealed bid at the same place and time required for the bid. Contents of each Bidder’s Qualification Documents will be available for public review. The Qualification Documents will be reviewed by the Owner and Architect to determine the lowest responsible Bidder.

Each bid must be accompanied by a Bid Guarantee in the form of a Bid Bond, Certified Check or Bank Draft in an amount equal to and not less than ten percent (10%) of the bid and made payable to the Board of Trustees, Brookfield Public Library. No bid shall be withdrawn for a period of sixty (60) days after bid opening date without the consent of the Owner. Checks or drafts of unsuccessful Bidders will be returned as soon as practical, after opening and checking the bids. Successful Bidder must provide a Performance Bond and a Labor and Material Payment Bond in the full amount of the Contract, acceptable to the Owner.

Bid documents (drawing set and project manual) are on file and available on January 6, 2020, for viewing at the office of Product Architecture & Design, 811 W. Evergreen, Suite 405, Chicago, IL. For a link to an electronic copy of the Bid documents contact Jim Lonergan at jlonergan@product-architects.com (312) 202-0701.

Bids shall be submitted in on an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked as SEALED BID and addressed to: Kimberly Coughran, Library Director Brookfield Public Library 3609 Grand Blvd. Brookfield, IL 60513 The Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities in bidding, that are in the opinion of the Owner, to be in the best interest of the Brookfield Public Library. This Contract is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130/1 et seq.). QUALIFICATION: Each Bidder must satisfactorily complete the qualifications process described in Section 004395 – General Requirements of the Project Manual, by providing the required Qualifications

A non-mandatory Pre-bid Meeting will be held at 8:00 a.m. prevailing time, on Monday January 20, 2020 at Brookfield Public Library, 3609 Grand Blvd., Brookfield, IL 60513. Prospective bidders are strongly encouraged to attend. Bidders should thoroughly review the bid documents before the pre-bid meeting. Immediately after the pre-bid meeting, attendees are invited to visit the site to gather information and ask further questions. Bidder agrees to commence work immediately upon receipt of the Notice to Proceed and to substantially complete the project by the dates set forth in the Bid documents. The Brookfield Public Library makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the bidding and/or selection process. In order for the library to make such accommodations, applicants must make known any needed accommodation to the individual project managers or agency contacts listed in the contract documents. Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees Brookfield, Cook County, Illinois

Published in RB Landmark 12/25/2019

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST Plaintiff, -v.AMALEK VICTOR SMITH, FELICIA C. SMITH Defendants 2017 CH 06039 439 HARLEM AVENUE FOREST PARK, IL 60130 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 16, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 21, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 439 HARLEM AVENUE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130 Property Index No. 15-13-207-0190000 Vol. 163 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $177,615.33. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale

fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 17-4977. 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. JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 230 W. Monroe Street, Suite #1125 Chicago IL, 60606 312-541-9710 E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com Attorney File No. 17-4977 Attorney Code. 40342 Case Number: 2017 CH 06039 TJSC#: 39-6965 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 # 2017 CH 06039 I3139454

$1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, 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. 14-18-06406 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2018 CH 08189 TJSC#: 39-7776 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 # 2018 CH 08189 I3140280

BANK FOR SAVINGS Plaintiff, -v.CARL T. GROESBECK, LEIGHTON HOLDINGS, LTD., UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 16 CH 009347 331 N. TAYLOR AVENUE 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 March 19, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 31, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 331 N. TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-109-0110000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF

POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-16-08522 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 16 CH 009347 TJSC#: 39-7886 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 # 16 CH 009347 I3140426

gagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-01584 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019 CH 04850 TJSC#: 39-7931 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019 CH 04850 I3140848

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC D/B/A MR. COOPER Plaintiff, -v.ERNEST BROWN, MELENA ASHER, DANIELLE BRIDGES, ERNEST BROWN, III, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF VERA BROWN, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, JULIE FOX, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR VERA BROWN (DECEASED) Defendants 2018 CH 08189 1114 NORTH AUSTIN BLVD 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 March 14, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 13, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1114 NORTH AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-307-0300000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION CITIZENS BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION F/K/A RBS CITIZENS, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CHARTER ONE BANK, F.S.B SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO HINSDALE FEDERAL

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST Plaintiff, -v.CHRISTINA LOCELSO, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF THERESA LOCELSO, DAMON RITENHOUSE, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR THERESA LOCELSO (DECEASED) Defendants 2019 CH 04850 1130 S. HARVEY AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 10, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on January 22, 2020, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1130 S. HARVEY AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-319-0130000 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/ or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mort-

Wednesday Journal, December 25, 2019

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

I’m proud to work for a Community Bank that gives back to organizations like Oak-Leyden.” ERIN O’NEILL, SVP DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, BYLINE BANK

A Community Bank for Oak Park and River Forest. Born and raised in Oak Park and River Forest, Erin O’Neill returned to the area, nearly a decade ago, to raise her own family here—and quickly became involved with Oak-Leyden Developmental Services. “I’m constantly inspired by our participants and amazed by the work Oak-Leyden does, helping children and adults with developmental disabilities to enjoy fuller, richer lives,” she says. “That’s one of the reasons I joined Byline—a true community bank with more than 100 years of history supporting neighborhoods and organizations like Oak-Leyden, all around the Chicagoland area.”

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