Wednesday Journal 011724 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

January 17, 2024 Vol. 44, No. 29

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JOURNAL @oakpark

of Oak Park and River Forest

Woman in Business Page 19

Have you heard the one about the purloined father and the chimp?

Taking it all in slide

When Jonathan Pitts lived in Oak Park, his father was kidnapped. The rest is a good story

MORE WINTERY PHOTOS, PAGE 44

By JACK HELBIG Contributing Reporter

multiple companies quality coverages multiple companies educated agents Cyrus White and Ayelec Brown ride their sled down the hill in Scoville Park on Saturday, quality coveragesJan. 13.

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Jonathan Pitts, a Chicago-based performer, storyteller and teacher was four-and-a-half when his dad, Dave Pitts, was kidnapped by a hitchhiking serial killer, Larry Ranes, just outside Las Vegas. The odd thing is that Pitts didn’t find out about his father’s kidnapping until 37 years later, when he happened across a 1964 article from the Chicago Sun-Times recounting Dave Pitts’ encounter with Ranes. When he did, he did what any seasoned storyteller would do — he wrote a monologue about it. The former Oak Parker performed it onstage earlier this month in Chicago. See PITTS on page 18

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This Thrive Talk will focus on enhancing Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024 executive function skills for individuals within the age group of 6th- college-age students This Thrive Talk will focus on enhancing and their parents. Participants learn This Thrive Talk about willskills focus on Thiswill Thrive enhancing executive function for on individuals within This Thrive Talk will focus enhancing executive function skills for individuals within their brain to understandexecutive WHY they struggle the age group of 6thcollege-age students executive function skills for individuals within the age of the 6thcollege-age the age students and theirgroup parents. Participants will learn about and will get a clear understanding of the age group of 6thcollege-age students and their parents. Participants and their will learn about their brain to understand WHY they struggle visual tools that can effectively their and theirsupport parents. Participants will learn about their brain understand WHY theystruggle and willto get a clear understanding of the their brain struggle tioning Tips, their brain to understand WHY they brain with planning and organizing. visual tools can understanding effectively support their and get aa clear and will ofthe the andwill will getthat clear understanding of

Executive Functioning Tips, visual brain with planning and organizing. rategies to visual tools supporttheir their visualtools toolsthat that can can effectively effectively support Executive Functioning Tips, Executive Functioning Tips, Executive Functioning Tips, brain with planning and organizing. brain Tools, and Strategies to brain with planning and organizing. FREE EVENT! l andTools, in Life Tools, and Strategies to and Strategies to FREE EVENT! Tools, and Strategies to Excel in School and in Life January 23, 2024 FREE EVENT! FREE EVENT! Excel in School and in Life January 23, 2024 Excel in in School and ininLife Excel School and Life Thrive Talk This session of our Thrive Talk 6:30 8:00 PM January 2024 January 23, 2024 6:30 8:00 PM and healthy

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This session of our Thrive Talk Oak Park Public Library Oak Park Public Library 6:30 PM r the lifespan. 6:30 - 8:00 discussions that serve 834 Lake St, Oak Park,PM IL 60301 e the lifespan. series fosters open and healthy 834 Lake St, Oak Park, IL 60301 series fosters open and healthy series fosters open and healthy Oak Park Public Library

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Thrive Talks are funded by the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township. Presented by Thrive Talks are funded by the Community Mental Cara Carmody Health of Oak Park Township. Mental Thrive Talks Talks areBoard funded by the the Community Presented by Thrive are funded by Community Mental Thrive Talks are funded by the Community Mental Health Board of of Oak Oak Park Park Township. Township. Cara Carmody Presented by Health Board

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Oak Park Resettlement Task Force to help migrants find affordable housing Migrants staying at West Cook YMCA and Carleton Hotel must leave by Feb. 29

The task force does not want the migrants without permanent housing to be sent back to shelters, Puentes said. Despite obstacles, such as a lack of available housing, negotiations with landlords who are wary about renting to the migrants and an ongoing search for funding, Puentes said the task force is up for the challenge. The task force has a standing appointBy LUZANE DRAUGHON ment with Village of Oak Park staff to keep Staff Reporter both organizations updated on the efforts A new task force is working to build rela- to find migrants housing, Knapp said. But tionships with migrants sheltered in Oak the task force is an entity independent of Park, find affordable housing for those the local government since a partnership families and individuals and provide ac- did not come to fruition, Betty Alzamora, board member on the Indiviscess to legal services. ible Chicago Alliance and task The Oak Park Resettlement force member, said. Task Force is supported by Keeping families who have Community of Congregations, children enrolled in local in partnership with Housing schools is one of the task force’s Forward and West Cook YMCA priorities, Knapp said. as well as other volunteers. “The task force’s bottom line Roughly 160 migrants who goal is that we don’t want to came to Oak Park at the end of send folks back to Chicago, to last October are staying in temthe landing zone,” he said. “We porary locations around town. don’t want people to have to Migrants at the YMCA and The REV. COLIN KNAPP start over.” Carleton Hotel of Oak Park President of Community of The task force is fundraising must leave by Feb. 29. Congregations to help with housing costs and Rev. Colin Knapp, president legal services for migrants, of Community of CongregaKnapp said. It is working with tions, said while the village is the state to apply for grants as providing immediate shortwell as asking for donations term housing, the task force within congregations and wants to help migrants with through its website. a long-term plan. Sustainable “The generosity of Oak Park and the surhousing for migrants may or may not be in rounding communities of the western subOak Park, he said. “Oak Park is a very expensive place to urbs has lifted up all our spirits,” Alzamora said. “It has really affirmed that this is live,” he said. Maya Puentes, a realtor in Oak Park, is in fact a welcoming part of the world.” Alzamora said she’s been helping Venworking to find affordable housing for migrants through her professional connections. ezuelan migrants since 2022. When the “What they have going on right now is recent group came to Oak Park in October, not a life that they came here to live,” she she helped acquire tents and blankets for them to endure the extreme weather. said. “They want to be independent.”

“We don’t want people to have to start over.”

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“It’s a combination of a faith-led effort as well as a community-led effort,” she said. “People would’ve died if we had left them out there.” Alzamora, a first-generation United States citizen from Venezuela, said she has an emotional tie to a lot of the migrants. She recognizes the need for community organization to help address situations like the one in Oak Park. The task force is an attempt to show immigrants they are welcome, Alzamora said, by identifying concrete living options for them. After presenting migrants with housing options, the decision is ultimately theirs. “The beauty of being a volunteer is the close relationships that we’ve been able to build,” she said. “Being able to develop those relationships directly with [the migrants] I think is invaluable. That’s a priceless asset, that I wish the village could actually leverage better,” she said. Puentes said assisting the migrant individuals and families in Oak Park is a feasible goal compared to finding solutions for the entire humanitarian crisis facing

Chicago and beyond. “It was really important that I made them feel as comfortable as possible,” she said. “I wanted them to feel seen.” She said she’s looking for housing that will be the most economical for the migrants so they can afford rent after the task force is no longer there to help. The task force is currently planning to help with expenses for about 12 months, she said. “This is going to take a village and then some,” she said. “Literally and figuratively.” The task force is contingency planning for temporary solutions if it is unable to accomplish its goals before the Feb. 29 deadline, Puentes said. Right now, its backup is to organize home shares while continuing to pursue options, she added. Home shares would include task force members welcoming migrants into their homes for a certain amount of time. The task force is also working to provide legal counsel for migrants, Puentes said, so they can learn how to apply for asylum if desired. “Everyone needs support, no matter who you are,” she said.

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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BIG WEEK

Mother/Daughter Art Show Opening Reception

January 17-24

Friday, Jan. 19, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Trailside Museum of Natural History

Folk Music Series Performance

Displayed will be glass mosaics by Judy Steed and Assemblages by Bridget Steed. The show is currently running from Jan.6 to March 28. There will be light snacks and refreshments. Parking is available on Thatcher in front of the museum or in the lot off of Chicago Avenue. 738 Thatcher Ave., River Forest.

Thursday, Jan. 18. 7-8 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Join the library for a fun and lively performance by Gaines & Wagoner. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

MAD 4 MATS Thursday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m-1 p.m., Oak Park Township Head over to Oak Park Township for some Plarn mat weaving (turning a plastic grocery bag into plarn: plastic yarn). This event is available anytime between 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the dining room. 130 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Meditations for an Inspired Life Thursday, Jan. 18, 7-8 p.m., Kadampa Meditation Center Chicago in Oak Park This weekly class explores a sequence of practical and profound meditations called Lamrim (“Stages of the Path”) which are the very essence of Kadampa Buddhism. These meditations act as supreme medicine that heals the stresses, negativities, and confusion within yourself, and finally leads you naturally to a state of ultimate, lasting happiness. 13 Harrison St., Oak Park.

Game Night Thursday, Jan. 18, 7-9 p.m., One Lake Brewing Board games at One Lake Brewing in Oak Park. Bring a game, bring a friend, or just bring yourself, and have fun. 1 Lake St., Oak Park.

Meet Me for Lunch - Kettlestrings Tavern Friday, Jan. 19, 11 a.m., Kettlestrings Tavern Participants will have the opportunity to meet the owner and connect with other local businesses and nonprofit individuals at Kettlestrings Tavern. Enjoy a lunch featuring delicious food and a cozy environment. Attendees can select their preferred entree from the “salads” or “mains” sections of the menu, available at https://kettlestringstavern.com/eat. 800 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Acro Winter Showcase Saturday, Jan. 20, 1:30-3 p.m., Madison Street Theatre The event promises a captivating display of the participants’ achievements in Theater, erama, and private lessons. General admission seating is available for attendees to immerse themselves in a diverse and engaging presentation of artistic accomplishments.1010 Madison St., Oak Park.

Date Night- PJ’s & Clay- Gummy Bears Saturday, Jan. 20, 5:30-8:30 p.m., Kidcreate Studio Parents seeking some adult time can enroll their kids in an exclusive night out where children age 3-9, dressed in pajamas, will play with clay. The highlight is crafting a jumbo-sized clay gummy bear while learning basic clay techniques. Parents are reminded to pack a nut-free snack and a drink for their child. 200 Harrison St., Oak Park.

Barbie: The History of America’s Most Famous Doll Sunday, Jan. 21, 2 – 3:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library In a brief lecture, historian Leslie Goddard will delve into the six-decade history of Barbie dolls. She explores the inspiration behind Mattel’s creation of Barbie in 1959, its role in making Mattel a toy industry giant, and Barbie’s significant influence on American culture. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest.

Supported Sensory Exploration Monday, Jan. 22, 4 p.m., Oak Park Public Library Families are invited to join for an hour of hands-on, independent sensory exploration and activities, tailored especially for children with sensory processing disorders and/or disabilities. The event is ideally suited for kids aged 5-10, and siblings are welcome to participate as well. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Blood Drive Saturday, Feb. 17, 7 a.m. - 3 p. m., Oak Park Area Association of Realtors is hosting a blood drive at the senior living facility, The Sheridan, in River Forest. 800 N. Harlem, River Forest.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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SKETCH BY L.D. CHUKMAN

Mack, in an orange prison jumpsuit, entering her guilty plea.

Prosecutors pursue 28-year sentence for Heather Mack

Mack was convicted for conspiring to kill her mother in Bali By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Federal prosecutors are calling for a 28year prison sentence for former Oak Park resident Heather Mack, who pleaded guilty for conspiring to kill her mother and stuffing the woman into a suitcase, according to the Associated Press. “[The recommend sentence] is warranted and sufficient, but not greater than necessary to serve a just and appropriate punishment for Mack’s heinous crime,” prosecutors said in a filing. Mack was convicted as an accessory to Sheila von Wiese-Mack’s murder along with her former boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer. Mack’s defense lawyers are seeking a minimum sentence of only 15 years in prison. According to the Associated Press, the government is negotiating five years of supervised release for Mack, a $250,000 fine and restitution of $262,708. The murder,

which prosecutors said was planned for months, was intended for Mack and Schaefer to gain access to the proceeds of von Wiese-Mack’s $1.5 million estate, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Prosecutors stated in a filing that the murder was Mack’s idea. Schaefer said Mack offered him $50,000 to find someone to murder her mother, according to the filing. Mack lived with her mother in Oak Park, where police said they were called to their house 86 times in 10 years prior to the murder. She served seven years of a 10-year prison sentence in Indonesia, which her lawyers argue should count toward her new sentence. She would also get credit for more than two years spent in custody in Chicago, according to the Associated Press. The plea agreement, which calls for a sentence of no more than 28 years, would also drop two other charges against Mack, according to the Associated Press. Her daughter, Stella, born in 2015, was placed in custody of a relative after Mack was arrested in the United States in 2021 following deportation. Schaefer, convicted of murder, is still serving his 18-year sentence in Indonesia.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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OPRF’s English-language program finds a growing need D200’s ELL student population has been increasing since before migrant arrivals

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

True to Oak Park’s mission of being a welcoming, diverse, and helping community, Oak Park and River Forest High School is taking steps to welcome migrant students to their already growing ELL programs. Before the winter break, OPRF had nine migrant asylum-seeking students enrolled. However, that number can change at any time as students transition out of Oak Park. Laurie Fiorenza, world language division head at OPRF, said the high school has welcomed the students in various ways to ensure their needs are being met as much as possible. “It’s important because they are students,” Fiorenza said. “This is what education is. It is welcoming students and helping them continue in their learning and growing and their development. Whether the student is from Illinois, whether they transition from another state, whether they transition from out of the country, I personally believe it is really important to always facilitate a welcoming, supporting environment where students can learn, grow and thrive.” The students were connected with a community outreach coordinator who provided information on Oak Park resources, including transportation, clothing, food and other help throughout the community. Instructional coaches also worked with instructional coordinators to find resources for translation services and other ways

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to academically support students. announced the need to modify and make OPRF’s ASPIRA club, a school affiliate changes to the current ELL program. of the national organization that is devotDue to recent enrollment changes, the ed to education and leadership of Latinx district has surpassed the ISBE threshstudents, also stepped up to be part of the old of 20 students with the same first lanwelcoming by taking migrant students guage this year, which created the necesunder their wings and providing tours, as sity of a more supportive ELL program well as introducing them to other students, that included elements such as Spanish Language Arts and a Bibeginning to build a sense lingual Parent Advisory of community and friendCommittee. ship amongst the newly Fiorenza said during arrived. the meeting it was not the “They welcomed and migrant students who rebefriended the migrant quired for those changes students,” said Fiorenza. to be made, but the ELL Claudia Sahagun, divistudents who were alsion head of the World ready in the building. Languages Division at “We were already at OPRF, said the migrant that threshold before we students enrolled in the got those migrant stuEnglish Language Learndents,” she said. “When ing class to start working we got the additional on their English skills. LAURIE FIORENZA nine, it just made it even Students were also enWorld language division head at OPRF more pressing.” rolled in electives, as well

“It is really important to always facilitate a welcoming, supporting environment where students can learn, grow and thrive.”

as placed into their appropriate math classes, said Sahagun. According to Sahagun, while students are in their classrooms, they have a teacher aide who is with them throughout the day to help them with the transition. “Our TAs are usually with students who are new to our school and do not know the English language yet,” Sahagun said. During an ELL programming presentation at the OPRF Board of Education Dec. 21 board meeting, the high school district

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OPRF had 28 Spanishspeaking ELL students, not including other students who spoke a different language. The total was around 45 students. The migrant students brought that number closer to 60 students. The board approved the English Learner Literacy class requested, which would teach literacy skills using other content areas, as well as Spanish Language Arts. The English Learner Literacy class would take “a supportive, transformative approach to provide engaging, equitable learning experiences for ELL students,” read the proposal documents. It would help English learners with appropriate level materials to teach literacy strategies related to the reading Spanish Language Arts is designed to help students to continue to develop their literacy skills while exploring cultures and literatures of the Hispanic world to better gain an understanding of the Spanish language with an emphasis on critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. Modifications to two classes have also been approved. In October 2023, the board also approved the English Language Learning Study Skills

and Support, which is formatted as an intensive study hall, as an accredited class. “We are expediting that support to this semester instead of waiting until August,” said Fiorenza during the board meeting. Additionally, the current ELL class was split to have Level 1 and Level 2 students in one class and Level 3 and Level 4 students in another to help expedite their learning. The hiring of the necessary staff requested would bring a total cost between $31,434 and $44,085, as outlined in the proposal documents presented to the board during the meeting. OPRF has also added a Spanish speaking advisory committee and hopes to add peer tutoring, report cards in the home language, and ELL summer school. With the number of migrant students enrolled in Oak Park Elementary School District 97, the high school is anticipating 28 migrant freshman students next year and is considering additional ELL classes including an ELL Science class. Fiorenza said the high school has 12 teachers who have bilingual and ESL endorsements and have put out a call to them to determine their level of interest in teaching ESL classes. The district has also added a bilingual preference to applications moving forward. “We have made that shift so we pay more attention to ensuring as we do interviews and look at candidates, we are considering that strongly, that we know our population is going to increase,” Fiorenza said. But the focus cannot be solely on the academic side of things. The migrant students arriving at OPRF had been through a traumatic experience, said Fiorenza, which only highlighted and strengthened their need to receive support: socially, emotionally, and academically. Viewing the high school as an extension of the larger community surrounding it, Fiorenza said it was important for OPRF to continue that support. The students, Fiorenza said, were looking for kindness. “These students were experiencing trauma,” she said. “It’s important that we show humanity and the Oak Park community is incredibly well-known for being service oriented and community focused so it was natural to embrace and support these young people and their families.”

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Downtown Shopper’s Rewards keeps it local

RibFest Every Day! Mickey’s is the place! Mickey’s Rib Special

Don’t forget to turn in receipts by March 15 to get your coupons

tive director. “And then, on the back end, you’re rewarded” during the beginning of the year, when businesses often experience a lull in customers. “It’s a win-win all the way around.” The Book Table bookstore at 1045 Lake Street has participated in the Shopper’s ReBy JESSICA MORDACQ ward Program since it started, which WilContributing Reporter liams estimates is over 18 years ago. Dec. 23, 2023 was The Book Table’s busiFor nearly two decades, Downtown Oak est day in its 20-year history. Though the Park has offered the Shopper’s Reward Christmas season is often busy for the Program to encourage people book store, Jason Smith — who to shop local, driving sales to owns The Book Table with his area businesses during Christwife, Rachel Weaver — said the mas and through the start of reward program is about much the new year. more than just improving sales Shoppers who spent $500 for a singular business. from Nov. 1 through Christmas “We would have a holiday — and paid at least $25 at sevseason even if the Shopper’s en or more of 86 participating Reward Program didn’t exist, downtown businesses — can but the program isn’t about redeem their receipts for local one business,” Smith said. “It’s coupons. about getting people to enter a Through March 15, when minimum of seven businesses shoppers turn in their receipts and, hopefully, become regular to the Downtown Oak Park Ofcustomers. It’s about showing fice at 1010 Lake Street, they repeople all the variety that Downceive a booklet of five, $10-couJASON SMITH town Oak Park has to offer.” pons. Each shopper can collect Book Table And the program certainly up to three booklets to redeem helps The Book Table in the at 52 of those 86 businesses slower months at the beginning through March 15 (larger retailers like Target and Trader Joe’s don’t of the year. “You take your busiest quarter of the accept the rebates). year, and the sales from there then trans“You’re really encouraging [people] to come do their Christmas shopping in fer into the first quarter, when it’s slower,”

“It’s about getting people to enter a minimum of seven businesses and, hopefully, become regular customers.”

their small, local shops,” said Shannon Williams, Downtown Oak Park’s execu-

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Way Back Inn, a local nonprofit organization treating individuals seeking recovery from gambling and substance use disorders, is seeking potential bids for a backup generator for our Oak Park recovery home located at 412 Wesley Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302.

Please contact Anita Pindiur, Executive Director 708-345-8422 ext. 125 • anitap@waybackinn.org

This is a Federally funded project, with the money coming from Oak Park Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and thus is subject to all applicable Federal rules, regulations, and guidelines, including Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. Preference is given to qualifying Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE).

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Pedestrian hit in crosswalk near Madison Street Walgreens

Don’t let hip or knee pain keep you from what you love.

The victim has non-lifethreatening injuries

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By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle Jan. 10 near Walgreens while in the crosswalk at Madison Street and South Oak Park Avenue. The driver was traveling westbound on Madison Street in the left turn lane, said Dan Yopchick, Village of Oak Park chief

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SHOPPER’S REWARD Incentive to stay local from page 7 Weaver said. “I think those reward certificates definitely help get people back out.” So far in January, she’s seen a few customers every day turn in their coupons. The Gold Hatpin, an antique and vintage jewelry store at 125 North Marion Street, has also participated in the Shopper’s Reward Program since its inception. Though December is always The Gold Hatpin’s busiest month for sales, “I suspect that the Shoppers Reward, most of the time, is not the motivating factor for people to shop our store,” said Diane Richardson, owner of The Gold Hatpin. “Although, I did have one customer mention she came in specifically to complete her list to qualify for the reward.” Like with most businesses, Richardson’s customers often dwindle at the start of the year. “It’s a typical retail cycle. There’s a big push for the December holidays. Then, once that flurry is over, January comes around,” Richardson said. But the Shopper’s Reward Program helps drive customers to Richardson’s shop. “We regularly have customers come in in January and February to spend their rewards,” she said. The Shopper’s Reward Program is spe-

communications officer. After receiving a green turn arrow, the driver turned southbound on South Oak Park Avenue and hit the pedestrian whom they did not see, Yopchick said. The driver then stopped. Oak Park police and fire responded to the scene, where the victim was transported to Loyola University Medical Center. The victim has non-life-threatening injuries to the head and leg, Yopchick said. The driver received a citation and was released. The victim’s identity has not been released.

cific to Downtown Oak Park – one of 11 districts in Oak Park and, as the village’s central business district, the only one with a staff, employed by The Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance. Commercial property owners within a four-square-block area – bordered by Ontario Street, Forest Avenue, North Boulevard and Harlem Avenue – can pay an annual $50 membership fee to the Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance in exchange for a variety of services and resources, one of which is participation in the Shopper’s Reward Program. Williams estimated that around a third of the Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance’s budget goes toward marketing efforts, like rebates for the Shopper’s Reward Program. Williams said that the organization usually allocates around $80,000 for coupon booklets, but that number has been down since the COVID-19 pandemic. “On average since COVID, we’re probably only giving around $60,000 worth of booklets, which I think is 1,200 books, versus normally around 1,800 books,” Williams said. Those who exchange their receipts for a coupon booklet have until March 15 to spend their rebates. “We start to see more [coupons] as people get a chance to go and turn them in,” Weaver said. “And at the end, there’s usually a mad rush to use them up before they expire.”

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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OPRF safety ratings drop, principal gets strong support 5 Essentials Survey shows low participation, mixed results for OPRF By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

A state-mandated survey shows that teachers at Oak Park and River Forest High School gave Principal Lynda Parker strong ratings last year, yet said that school’s instructional leadership and professional development are weak. “This tells us we have areas to focus on here,” said OPRF District 200 Superintendent Greg Johnson. “And I’ll tell you ambitious instruction and supportive environment are two areas that need attention.” The ratings come as part of the annual 5 Essentials Survey, a part of the annual Illinois School Report Card. It’s an online survey for students, teachers and parents. However, the most recent reLYNDA PARKER sponse rate among OPRF principal OPRF teachers was only 68.1%, which was lower than the state average of 75.6%. The low response rate could skew actual results. When OPRF teachers gathered to fill out the survey there was a technical glitch that prevented them from completing the survey at that time. For students, the response rate was 79.5%, below the state average of 86.1%. And 21.9% of OPRF parents completed the survey, slightly above the state average of 18.6%. It refers to the “five essentials” of effective schools, according developer the University of Chicago, which are effective leaders, collaborative teachers, a supportive environment, ambitious instruction and involved families. “The idea is, if you’re successful in these areas and hit this threshold you’re more likely to produce results for kids, you’re or-

ganized for improvement,” Johnson said. hallways, while 47% said that they feel OPRF received weak scores in the effec- mostly safe, and 32% said they feel sometive leaders and collaborative teachers cat- what safe. About 7% reported that they did egories, neutral scores in the supportive not feel safe in OPRF’s hallways. For teachers, 48% said that physical conenvironment and ambitious instruction categories, and strong scores in the in- flicts among students was a problem to a great extent, while another 41% of teachvolved families category. Johnson and school board president Tom ers said that physical conflict among stuCofsky noted that many other western dents was a problem to some extent. Most suburban high schools also received low teachers said that there was no or very little gang activity at OPRF, with 37% sayscores in effective leadership. ing that there was none and “We historically score low another 40% saying there in effective leadership,” Cofwas a little gang activity at sky said. OPRF, while 20% said that Lyons Township High there was some gang activity School and Hinsdale Central at the school, while only 3% High School also received of teachers said that it was a weak ratings in the effective problem to a great extent. leaders category. The student safety rating OPRF received a very went down 17 points from weak rating in instructional 2022, while the teacher safety leadership. That rating was ranking fell 15 points from a based on responses from year earlier. This is the catOPRF teachers. In specific egory with the farthest drop, categories of instructional Parker told the school board leadership, the survey reGREG JOHNSON at its Dec. 21 meeting. sults were middling. OPRF District 200 Superintendent Parker, however, received Teachers were split down strong ratings from teachers. the middle about whether And OPRF received a strong the school’s instructional rating in teacher-principal leaders provide teachers trust, with about 98% of with useful feedback that alteachers saying that they lows them to improve their teaching, with about 50% of teachers on trust the principal. Approximately 96% of teachers said that they feel respected by each side of the question. Another 54% of OPRF teachers who completed the survey the principal, with 79% of teachers strongeither agreed (42%) or strongly agreed ly agreeing with that statement. At OPRF, Parker tends to focus on school (12%) with the statement that a member of the school leadership team provided management and school climate issues the support needed to improve a teacher’s while Assistant Superintendent for stuteaching, while 31% of respondents dis- dent learning Laurie Fiorenza takes the agreed with that statement and another lead on instructional matters. The score for quality professional devel15% strongly disagreed. About 66% of responding teachers neither strongly opment increased the most, jumping 13 agreed (11%) or agreed (55%) that the points from 2022, but still remained in the school’s instructional leaders make clear very weak category. OPRF scored highest in the categories of the school’s instructional goals. the socialization of new teachers, inquiry based science learning, parental influence On safety in decision making and parental involveOPRF also was ranked as weak in the cat- ment in the school. English instruction egories of student and teacher safety. was rated as strong while math instruction About 13% of responding students an- received a neutral score, as did the quality swered that they felt very safe in OPRF’s of student discussion.

“Ambitious instruction and supportive environment are two areas that need attention.”

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Businesses, organizations offer resources to migrants in Oak Park Hair salon, a nonprofit and churches are providing support By JESSICA MORDACQ Contributing Reporter

Late last year, migrants from Central and South America started coming to Oak Park. In November, the village board passed an emergency declaration that gave its manager, Kevin Jackson, spending authority to help around 200 migrants staying in Oak Park gain access to food and transportation. A month later, the board announced it would send away buses of new arrivals because of its lack of resources. As Oak Park struggles to accommodate the influx of migrants to the area, local businesses and organizations have stepped up to help out the community in crisis. From restaurants to churches, these places have donated food, clothes and even haircuts to people who are new to town and have little to nothing in their possession.

Elevate Creative Elevate Creative, 321 Harrison St., has donated six haircuts to migrants and will soon start offering more. Gail Coughlin, owner of Elevate Creative, said that her friend helps organize resources for migrants in Oak Park. In October, she asked if Coughlin would trim the hair of an Oak Park and River Forest High School student who had just journeyed to the area with her family. With her friend’s assistance, Coughlin has given away four other haircuts and is now scheduling them weekly. Starting this month, her co-workers will also donate weekly trims. “It’s really easy for us, and the people who have been coming in have been so polite and gracious and thankful,” Coughlin said. “It’s just nice, a little treatment and a quiet place.” She adds, “Everybody feels better about themselves when they look better.”

JESSICA MORDACQ

St. Edmund volunteers unloading donations.

ELEVATE CREATIVE

Gail Coughlin

Takeout25 Ravi Parakkat, a trustee on the Oak Park village board, founded Takeout25 in 2020. When indoor dining shut down at the start of the pandemic, this campaign encouraged people to spend a weekly $25 on takeout from restaurants. After indoor dining restrictions were lifted, Parakkat spoke with restaurant owners and community members and concluded that while it seemed like Takeout25’s original pandemic-focused mission was no longer as relevant, this campaign had enough momentum to continue in another form: food insecurity in Oak Park. “It was not sitting right with me, the disconnect between food getting wasted on one side and the food needs being unaddressed,” Parakkat said. In early 2022, he started raising funds to buy food from local restaurants, which subsidized the cost. Takeout25 then delivered the food to two warming shelters that Housing Forward and the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition helped open for

those who are unhoused. In May 2023, Parakkat heard about the migrant population staying at the District 15 Police Station in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. “We didn’t have the wherewithal to handle that on a long-term basis, but we could potentially create a small bridge by providing food,” Parakkat said. Takout25 used funds it had already raised to again buy subsidized food from local restaurants and donate it to the migrants staying at District 15. Later in the year, Parakkat said he used personal funds to buy food from restaurants for more than 80 migrants staying at the Carleton of Oak Park Hotel. Cozy Corner at 138 North Marion Street also donated food to the Carleton. In late 2021, Takeout25 started an annual holiday initiative, selling gift cards for local restaurants to encourage people to visit them in the first months of the year, when business is often slowest. In December 2023, Takeout25 sold $8,000 worth of gift cards. The organization also raised $6,000 in donations – half of which Parakkat and his wife matched with their own funds – used to buy additional restaurant gift cards that were donated to Grace Episcopal Church, Housing Forward and West Cook YMCA, which help support migrant families.

St. Edmund Earlier this month, the building that once housed St. Edmund School opened a closet where migrants can pick out their

own clothes. The closet started in June at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church at 38 N. Austin Blvd. to provide migrants staying at the District 15 Police Station with underwear, clothes and showers, located in the church’s rectory. But, with an influx of donations, clothes started spilling into the church. “We turned the baptistry into Famous Footwear,” said Celine Woznica, a coordinator for the closet at St. Catherine-St. Lucy, and now St. Edmund. “As it got colder, they needed blankets and coats,” she added about the over 300 migrants who typically came to distribution days at St. Catherine-St. Lucy. So when The Children’s School moved out of the old St. Edmund School building at the end of last year, the closet moved into a larger space. On Jan. 4, the first day that migrants could access the new closet at St. Edmund, 200 S. Oak Park Ave., they walked from room to room for breakfast, then to “shop” for free clothes, shoes, outerwear, blankets and toiletries. Distribution will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., though Woznica said some people line up outside as early as 6 a.m. Donations can be dropped off on Mondays between 9 a.m. and noon. St. Edmund updates donation requests on its Amazon wish list, though people can buy similar items and sizes from places other than Amazon. See MIGRANT SUPPORT on page 16

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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When the second time’s a charm: Career-changing teacher wins honors Mike Kennedy teaches kids to love reading

the eight ball.” As the school moved away from standardized testing, Kennedy said they measure a student’s current improvement through a program called I-Ready, which has been mandated by the Archdiocese of Chicago. By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ “The kids take three diagnostics throughout the year,” he Staff Reporter said. “The diagnostics tells the system where they are and A shift in careers not only brought fulfillment into the they are given assignments that they work on throughout life of a St. Catherine- St. Lucy Catholic School teacher, but the year to enhance their reading.” Kennedy’s eighth-grade students showed tremendous imit also got him recognized by the Illinois Reading Council provement on their second diagnostic. for his dedication to promoting literacy. “They are so bright, it is the best class I have ever had,” Mike Kennedy, seventh and eighth grade history and English/language arts teacher, is the recipient of the 2024 Kennedy said. “They are so willing to work. They want to improve. It was a fulfillment of what I thought they could Barack Obama Library Award. The award will be presented March 14 at the 2024 Illinois achieve.” The superb improvements led to his nomination by PrinReading Council Conference held in Springfield. “IRC is excited to recognize the work of our outstanding cipal Sharon Leamy. “Mike Kennedy believes in turning chilIllinois educators receiving awards for their dren into life-long readers,” Leamy said. “He work in promoting and teaching lifelong litersearches out books by African-American auacy with their students, colleagues, and comthors with African-American protagonists. munities,” said Carrie Sheridan, executive Last year, his 7th grade class grew 342% in director of the Illinois Reading Council. their final standardized assessment in April.” Kennedy will be awarded a classroom liAccording to Leamy, 63% of Kennedy’s stubrary, valued at $1,000, which will consist of dents were reading at or above grade level. “carefully selected literature that is culturally St. Catherine-St.Lucy is a small Catholic relevant for African American readers” in the middle school grade range. school consisting of 210 students from preThis award and a career in education came school through eighth grade: 100% of the stuto Kennedy later in life: He began teaching dents are African-American and 85% of them when he was 60 years old. hail from the Austin neighborhood. About MIKE KENNEDY To provide for his family, Kennedy, a father History and English/language arts 70% of the students qualify or receive reduced of six, worked at the Chicago Mercantile Exteacher at St. Catherine-St. Lucy lunch, Leamy said. change for most of his life. Kennedy was a Catholic School “Mike is a humble man, dedicated to the commodity broker dealing in foreign currenmission here at St. Catherine-St. Lucy,” she cies and then also clerked in the Eurodollar said. “He is so proud of his students and what pit for a few companies, working with customthey have accomplished- but it would not have ers directly before leaving around 2011. happened without [his] guidance and commitAfter trying his hand at retirement, he ment.” desperately wanted something to do and decided to put his Students were able to improve their reading scores teaching degree into use. through the practice of reading and encouragement from Catching his second wind, Kennedy pursued a teaching Kennedy, who said the only homework he assigns is to spend career and eventually was student-teaching at St. Cathe- 30 minutes each night reading. rine for a semester before he was hired full time. Students are also required to turn in four book reports ev“There is not a lot of money in what I am doing now, ery trimester- a total of 12 book reports per year. teaching in a Catholic grade school,” Kennedy said. “But Spending time in the classroom reading is also imporI love doing it. I don’t understand people that retire, I tant to Kennedy, who said he starts each class reading couldn’t possibly retire, I would lose my mind. I will be out loud for a few minutes and will pick students to read working here until I drop dead.” out loud as well. A strong advocate for literacy, Kennedy is excited to add Kennedy’s class has already completed seven novels since the collection of books to his classroom library. the beginning of the school year. “Reading is fundamental, and I believe that,” Kennedy “These are kids who haven’t read a book, they haven’t read said. “I believe that reading is the basis for education. a book since ‘The Cat in the Hat,’” Kennedy said. There are millions of people out there that are trying to That love for reading has become contagious. scam you every day and if you can’t read, you are behind “The biggest kick is when other teachers tell me that these

“They catch them in their math class or science class and they have a novel in their lap.”

PROVIDED BY MIKE KENNEDY

Mike Kennedy, teacher at St. Catherine-St. Lucy, will receive the Illinois Reading Council award in March. kids who have never really read before, had never been readers, they catch them in their math class or science class and they have a novel in their lap,” Kennedy said, adding that while that might not be the best time to be reading, the fact that they are reading is something to consider. “These are kids that never read before … we have turned them into lifelong readers.” Seeing his students so engrossed in a book that they have walked into walls and doors is a positive change, he said laughing. “I am trying to teach the kids how to love reading,” he said. And it seems like he is succeeding. Along with the money prize, Kennedy will attend the Illinois Reading Council “Pillars of Literacy: Skills, Strategies, Joy, and Magic,” 2024 IRC Conference, which will host sessions to encourage attendees to continue to advocate for literacy learning. “IRC encourages our attendees to grow, learn, and be informed about current literacy topics,” read the conference program. “Allowing us to share our voices in literacy practices, research, application, student needs, and more.” Kennedy said he was excited to attend and hear from bestselling author Nic Stone, whose debut novel “Dear Martin,” reached #1 on the New York Times bestsellers list, as he has used her works in his classes. ‘If you are a fluent reader and you can comprehend what you are reading, then everything else is easier,” Kennedy said. “It is really fulfilling for me.”

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Comedy Plex opens on Lake St. to help fill entertainment gap

Comedy club has been in the works for several years By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Comedy Plex Comedy Club officially opened last Friday with headliner Warren B. Hall. The club and training center in Downtown Oak Park is in the lower level, giving the space an atmospheric speakeasy vibe, co-founder Christopher Bell said. “We have a lot of funny friends,” said cofounder Sherman Edwards. “We want to showcase them. But you’ll be seeing us on stage as well.” Tickets are $25, with a two-drink minimum for either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages. Attendees must be 21 or older, or accompanied by a legal guardian. Parking is available at local garages, including Holley Court Garage nearby. Bell and Edwards, along with co-founders Paul Cary and Marz Timms have been working to open the club for several years. The Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals granted the club a special use permit in April. The project is fully funded by the cofounders who live in Oak Park, and each has backgrounds in comedy. The space can accommodate roughly 200 patrons, Ed-

wards said. The club will double as a training center for anyone interested in learning comedy. Lessons will be taught by comedians, including the co-founders, and priced at $250 for an eight-week course that meets once a week, Edwards said. The classes, Bell hopes, may also inspire the pupils to attend shows. Open mic nights are expected to take place Wednesday nights for about an hour and a half, Edwards said. On Thursdays, the club will have Top Shelf Comedy events to showcase both local and non-local performers. Fridays and Saturdays will feature headliners. On Sundays, the club founders hope to partner with local nonprofits to donate ticket proceeds to their causes, Bell said. “It would’ve been hard for us to even go forward with this if we didn’t feel like we could help create some kind of symbiotic relationship with the area,” Edwards said. They would like to have all-ages shows for a younger Oak Park audience, Edwards said, with age-appropriate comedians. They are also considering having acoustic musicians perform. The co-founders came up with the idea for the club during the early days of the

COURTESY OF COMEDY PLEX

COVID-19 pandemic, Bell said. They wanted to rely on touring less, he said, and the virtual stage wasn’t quite as enticing. The founders were looking for a space in the high-traffic area on Lake Street, and Edwards said they fell in love with the low ceilings and potential of the space they chose. After fixing up the ceilings, plumbing, air conditioning unit and other items, they were ready to open. Despite the realtor’s concern about the space, the men were ecstatic with the possibilities. “In New York are the best comedy clubs,” Bell said. “They’re in basements and they have low ceilings and they’ve got character.” The site is near parking venues, the Chicago Transit Authority Green Line and bus stops, which Bell said was important to them. They have also applied, but not yet been approved, for the option to validate parking for club attendees, Bell said. Edwards said he believes the club will

help revitalize the downtown Oak Park area and nightlife. Snacks and drinks will generally be available at Comedy Plex, but food will not be cooked in-house. “An ideal day for an Oak Park resident, for us, would be they come to downtown, they do some shopping, they go to a restaurant and then they come and spend their evening with us at Comedy Plex,” Edwards said. Oak Parkers have a desire for culture and community, Edwards said, but don’t necessarily want to travel to find it. Chicago is a comedy hub with many talented performers and teachers, he added, saying that he’d like to bring that experience to Oak Park. The founders also plan to partner with local businesses, such as Kribi Coffee for open mic nights. “It felt like there was a bit of an entertainment desert in this area,” he said. “It felt like this area could use this.” Comedy Plex Comedy Club is located at 1128 Lake St.

Former RUSH Oak Park Hospital VP may change plea to guilty Robert Spadoni is charged with stealing $622,500 through a billing scheme By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

ROBERT SPADONI

Robert Spadoni, former RUSH Oak Park Hospital vice president and chief operating officer, may change his plea to guilty for stealing $622,500 through a billing scheme. From about December 2013 until July 2021, Spadoni defrauded the hospital out of the money, according to the United States Attorney’s Office. He entered a plea of not guilty to all counts in March

2023, court records show. A change of plea hearing, however, is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Jan. 22, according to court records. Spadoni was indicted for the incident in February 2023. He was charged with three counts of money laundering and three counts of mail fraud, punishable by up to 10 and 20 years in federal prison, respectively. He arranged for the hospital to enter into an agreement with Medical Education Solutions, a company Spadoni established. Under the agree-

ment, the hospital agreed to pay $6,500 a month for services Spadoni knew MES would not provide, according to officials. Spadoni also provided a direct report at the hospital with a $1,500 monthly cash payment to perform administrative support and compliance services covered by the MES agreement in an attempt to conceal his and a family member’s financial interests, officials said. Spadoni and the family member are alleged to have used the rest of the funds for personal benefit.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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At the intersection of art and math, Roosevelt teacher rewards creativity Margaret Navolio’s math class created graphics using graphs By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

On a mission to show that math doesn’t always have to be intimidating and that “no one is bad at math,” a Roosevelt math teacher found a way to organically bring graphic design into the classroom, giving students a chance to unleash their creativity. Margaret Navolio, eighth grade math teacher at Roosevelt Middle School, was teaching math standards last year to her students, showing them how to create graphs of lines and restricting the range and domain when the idea came to her: Make it a picture. After flushing out the idea and creating parameters to help students, Navolio had her students create an original de-

PROVIDED/D90

Designed by Ben Goldstein, an eighthgrader at Roosevelt Middle School, the graphic design showcases the novel Goldstein was reading when he was working on his art project for math class.

sign using concepts they learned in their accelerated math class, who are taking algebra one. The results of the “Desmos Art Project” were astonishing. “They made it super cool and they really ran with it,” Navolio said. “The designs became more amazing than I really intended. I thought they would all make a house.” While some students did make more conservative designs, others took the opportunity to intersect graphic art and math to create something really great. The designs were formed in various ways, said Navolio, and sometimes that called for trial and error. Ben Goldstein, eighth grader, decided to recreate the cover of the book he has been carrying around for the last six months, “The Source,” by James A. Michener. “My favorite part was definitely making some of the lines,” he said. “I had to use some equations that I had to fiddle around with to figure out. The most challenging part was definitely making the letters precise.” Getting all the letters to be even and up to his standards — the whole project took him about four hours over the course of a few days. “I was contemplating other designs but I felt like this was unique, making a book cover that I’m sure [ not a lot of people] have coming around the school.” But even when trial and error were being used, Navolio said her students successfully manipulated the equations, which served as the learning process and led them to understand the concepts she was teaching. As part of the end of the chapter assessment, Navolio said students were already accumulating the skills they needed to successfully complete the project and score well on the test. Navolio said students completed various designs including an elephant, Christmas trees and race cars. “Some kids thought ‘what is something I can attainably make myself,’ and they thought more from the math side of it and

PROVIDED BY STEPHANIE RATH/D90

Roosevelt Math teacher Margaret Navolio with students Lillian Rowe, Julian Saddleton, and Isa Li.

PROVIDED/D90

Lillian Rowe, inspired by a popular image on Pinterest, was able to bring her creative side to math. other kids were more like ‘I want to make this really cool, awesome picture,’ and they thought visualized that and did their best to execute that,” Navolio said. Inspired by her trip to Paris during her summer break, Isa Li designed the Eiffel Tower. “We got to go up the Eiffel Tower and I just thought it was really cool,” Li said. “It [ the project] was a little bit challenging because it was repetitive and I had to make a lot of lines.” Lillian Rowe, an eighth grader, designed an eye that was inspired by a popular design circulating on Pinterest. Inspired by art that depicts the human body, Rowe, who loves sketching her art, said that while the project was tedious and took a lot of time,

she learned a lot about how to manipulate equations to get her desired outcome. “I had some swoops, which are definitely harder to make, and if you didn’t do the whole equation in one go, you would have to restart it,” Rowe said. “It was a new unique concept that I am not really used to. It was a new way to approach art.” Bringing graphic design into a math classroom, Navolio said she saw students who are often doodling in their notebooks have a chance to be creative. “It was a chance to express that in math, which you don’t always get as much of an opportunity as in the humanities courses,” she said. Navolio called the project “a bringing in” moment for those students. Navolio also upped the stakes by creating a classroom competition, where she sent out the top voted on designs from her class to other teachers for voting and the top three students won a free lunch. “It always gets a couple more people super motivated because they want to have the top project in their class,” she said. Always trying to make math engaging and fun, Navolio said these types of projects allow for math to be viewed as engaging and fun. “It doesn’t always have to be scary and intimidating,” she said. “There can be ways to make it more enjoyable and ways to make it more accessible to everyone because I like when a project like this has an entry point for everyone but also a really far extension that kids can choose to challenge themselves if they like.”

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Styrofoam ban in effect in River Forest

No citations will be issued until May 1 By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

River Forest’s ban on polystyrene took effect Jan. 1, although no citations will be issued for violations that occur in the first four months of the year and the ban will not affect smaller restaurants until 2025. The village board voted in September to prohibit food establishments in the village from selling or distributing disposable food service containers composed of polystyrene foam, commonly known by the brand name Styrofoam. Smaller restaurants with an annual gross income of under $500,000 must comply with the ban by Jan. 1, 2025. The ordinance also mandates the village to perform

education and outreach efforts regarding the prohibition during the first four months of 2024 with no citations to be issued during that time. Any violation of any provision of the Food and Food Establishment code is subject to fines up to $500. Beginning May 1, food establishments found in violation of the ordinance will be given one written warning prior to a citation being issued. The ban does not affect retail stores selling products in polystyrene as long as the product came from the manufacturer that way. Also exempted are not-for-profit organizations; any federal, state or local governmental agency that provides food to economically disadvantaged individuals at no or nominal cost; and supplies and services provided in response to a public health or other emergency that is declared by a governmental agency with jurisdiction in River Forest.

In 2018, the World Health Organization classified styrene, a building block of polystyrene, as a “possible carcinogen.” It’s also harmful for workers in factories that produce it, according to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Hazard Administration. According to the Restaurant Store, a foodservice industry supplier, the environmental repercussions of Styrofoam containers have led to bans similar to River Forest’s in cities and states across the

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Volunteers from Venezuela, who are staying at the Carleton of Oak Park Hotel and the West Cook YMCA, help organize donations at St. Edmund and collect information about what other migrants need. If you are interested in volunteering, contact immigrantministry@gmail.com.

St. Christopher’s Episcopal St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church’s supply closet offers toiletries, clothes, coats, underwear and shoes for migrants. Emily Culbertson, a digital strategist for non-profit organizations, started the closet around Halloween with the church’s junior warden, Mark Schneider, and his wife, Eileen Murphy-Schneider. Last year, they heard about migrants who, during cold weather on Halloween, moved from the District 15 Police Station to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. When St. Christopher’s rector, George Arceneaux IV, asked Good Shepherd how to help, the church requested assistance in collecting donations.

United States. Nine states have laws limiting or banning polystyrene products, according to the advocacy group Environment Illinois. Although Styrofoam products are marked as recyclable, many recycling centers across the United States do not accept and recycle foam products, which means that the majority of used Styrofoam products are placed in landfills, unable to be broken down over time. “People from neighboring counties, and even neighboring states, reached out to bring us supplies,” Culbertson said of the donations that St. Christopher’s received. St. Christopher’s Church, 545 S. East Ave., distributes forms to organizations that host migrants in order to collect individual requests for clothing and shoe sizes. The church regularly updates donation requests on its website, plus the Oak Park Supports and Activate Oak Park Facebook groups. Donations can be dropped off on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. Volunteers pack requested items in a bag to be picked up on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon, or on Wednesday or Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. St. Christopher’s also maintains a closet at the Carleton of Oak Park Hotel, where some asylum seekers are staying. Culbertson estimates the closets have provided for at least 350 people. “We’re really grateful that we can send clean, warm, dry clothing for people who have never experienced winter before,” Culbertson said. Those working with, or hosting, migrants can email St. Christopher’s closet at supplies@stchristophersoakpark.org.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Oak Park Township hires new manager Evan Michel comes from Buffalo Grove By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park Township hired a new manager, Evan Michel, who will begin his role Feb. 5. Michel will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization and will focus on helping people through governmental means. “He takes great pride in his ability to cultivate collaborative relationships with elected officials, staff, and comEVAN MICHEL munity stakeholders, underpinned by his commitment to inclusivity, accountability, and progressive leadership,” officials said in a news release. The Oak Park Township’s mission is to provide locally governed supportive services to the community, according to its website. The organization offers senior and disability services, youth and family services, resident services and more. Michel has a background in local government. He now serves as assistant to the village manager in Buffalo Grove. He has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Illinois Chicago. Michel also has experience with village development. In the past, he conducted resident surveys that led to an award-winning community engagement program. The program encompassed the formation of the Buffalo Grove Community Champions initiative and the Buffalo Grove Resident Academy. Michel also contributed to the creation of Suburban Liability Insurance Pool, which accomplished a 13.7% reduction in insurance costs, according to the statement. He has been involved in the Illinois City/County Management Association and previously held a presidency at the Illinois Association of Municipal Management Assistants.

C R I M E

Armed robbery results in motor vehicle theft A man approached an Oak Park resident who was on foot on Jan. 11 at the 500 block of South Cuyler Avenue. He displayed a firearm and demanded the resident hand over his keys. The man then stole the resident’s black 2014 Toyota Corolla and headed south. The estimated loss is $18,000.

Burglary Someone by unknown means shattered the rear driver’s side window of an Oak Park resident’s 2016 Kia Sorento. The individual then entered the vehicle and damaged the steering column while trying to steal the vehicle. The incident, which occurred between Jan. 11 and Jan. 13 on the 900 block of Ontario Street, resulted in an unknown amount of damage.

Battery An individual struck an Oak Park resident in the back of the head as they were walking Jan. 10 on the 100 block of Madison Street. The individual was last seen walking north on Taylor Avenue from Madison Street.

Warrant arrest A man from Chicago was arrested Jan. 13 on the 200 block of Madison Street after he was identified as participating in two separate burglaries occurring Dec. 17, 2023, and Dec. 22, 2023. He also had an active Cook County warrant for aggravated battery. The man was processed and held for bond hearings.

Domestic battery arrest An Oak Park man was arrested for domestic battery on Jan. 15 at the 100 block of Forest Avenue. He was processed and held for bond hearings.

Contributing to the delinquency of a minor arrest A man from Oak Park was arrested Jan. 15 on the 600 block of Harrison Street for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The minor is a Zion resident. The man was processed, issued a citation and released.

Attempted motor vehicle theft Someone broke into an Oak Park resident’s 2023 Kia Forte by removing the rear passenger window. After gaining entry, the individual damaged the steering column while attempting to steal the vehicle. The incident occurred between Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 on the 900 block of Wesley Avenue. The estimated damage is $1,000. These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports dated Jan. 9-15, 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 Luzane Draughon

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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PITTS

Monolgue of a lifetime from page 1 “The year I found out about my father was the first year that I ever told it as a story on stage,” Pitts said. “And I told it at WNEP Theatre’s SKALD, which was a storytelling competition. And back then, it was a 10-minute slot.” Over the years, Pitt has been performing the piece, adding to it at every iteration. “I really identify with the Irish storytelling style which is you never tell a story the same way twice. Every time I tell a story in any storytelling event, I know my first line, I know my last line and then everything else changes based on the flow of the interaction from the audience.” The lines go like this: Pitt’s father was at

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Mom and Spanky

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Dad, Spanky, Ranes the time making a living performing in the Ice Capades with his partner, a charismatic ice-skating chimpanzee named Spanky. His home base was in LA, and he and Spanky would regularly drive from there to whatever city the Ice Capades was currently appearing in. He was only a few hours into a 2000-mile car trip from Los Angeles to Duluth, Minnesota, when he picked up Ranes. Pitts’ father later told Pitts that he never stopped for hitchhikers, but Ranes looked so clean cut – button-down, white shirt; short sleeves; tie; short, carefully combed hair, “like a Mormon” – he thought nothing of pulling over and letting him in. He did not know at the time that Ranes was in the midst of a month-long killing spree. (Ranes later confessed to robbing and killing five men in Nevada, Michigan and Kentucky, and was sentenced to life in prison for one of the murders.) “They were fine for the first day,” Pitts told me, “But on the second day, Ranes pulled the gun on my dad and made my dad get in the cage with Spanky for the night. In the morning when Larry Ranes let my dad out; he said to my dad that he was planning on killing him, but he was worried about what would happen to the monkey.” At the time, Pitts and his mother were estranged from Pitts’s father. He and his mother were living in Oak Park with his mom’s parents. His parents had divorced a few years earlier, but before that, they all lived on the road (dad, mom, baby Jonathan, and Spanky), traveling from gig to gig. But the rigors of a life constantly in motion tore the young family apart. Judy Pitts was only 19 when she married, only 20 when she had Jonathan. His mother got custody of the boy. His father got the chimpanzee. “It’s up to you,” Pitts quipped, “to figure out who got the better deal.”

No jokes Pitts does not joke about Spanky lightly. Spanky looms large in Pitts’ stories about his father and his kidnapping. Spanky gets second billing in the title for Pitts’ solo piece: My Dad, His Chimp, and a Serial Killer. Which is fitting. Spanky and his father were, in their day, a major act in the Ice Capades. “You know,” Pitts told me, “one of the things I found is that Ice Capades made a matchbook cover with Spanky and my dad ice skating on it.” The funny thing is, though, that Pitts has “no direct memories” of Spanky or of their time on the road. “I have the stories my mom told me. She said that up until about the age four or five, when I got excited, I would bounce up and down like a chimp.” She also told Jonathan that Spanky was protective of him. If strangers came into the trailer, he’d stand guard by the crib. “Spanky was a very unique chimp,” Pitts added, “very much a performer who loved performing. My cousin Tracy went skating with Spanky and he was so good, she gave

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up skating.” While Spanky was skating in the spotlight with his father, Pitts spent his childhood being a kid in Oak Park. He attended the same grammar school as his mom (Hawthorne School, later torn down to build Percy Julian Middle School), and the same high school, OPRF. She graduated in 1957; he graduated from the school, exactly 20 years later, in 1977. From kindergarten to graduation, Pitts had almost no contact with his father. Pitts drifted in high school. Even though he was always doing comedy bits in the back of the classroom, he didn’t do theater at all at OPRF. “The OPRF drama kids seemed very cliquey,” Pitt said, adding that among his classmates were three future stars: Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Dan Castellaneta, and Amy Morton. Instead, Pitts was a wrestler for three years, played Lacrosse one year, took photos for the yearbook and wrote some articles for Trapeze, the school newspaper. Pitts drifted after high school, too, first to Triton College, and then, while there, into Chicago’s improv scene, where he drifted first into performing, and then into teaching, directing, and then co-founding the internationally recognized Chicago Improv Festival. Then storytelling. For Pitts, drifting turned into an art — which was why the next turn in Pitts’ twisty life was hardly surprising for a professional drifter. “Every time I’ve told the story of my dad from 2002 on, people in the audience always came up to me after, and said ‘this should be a movie.’” Pitts said. “And I’d be like, great, good idea. I don’t know how to do that.” Then, in 2017, out of the blue, Pitts got a phone call from the two producers, Marc Bernardout and Hugh Broder, who were looking for his father. “We want to make a movie based on your dad’s experience with Larry Ranes,” they explained to Pitts. “It turns out,” Pitts said, “they had bought the rights to a book called Luke Karamazov by Conrad Hilberry, which is a book written about Larry Ranes.” Pitts was hired as a story consultant. He also provided narration for the movie “He Went That Way,” an independent feature released Jan. 5. Now that the movie is out, Pitts has turned his attention to his live show. My Dad, His Chimp, and a Serial Killer performed as part of The 27th Annual Filet of Solo Festival, January 12 and 13, in Chicago. “My pitch to them was this show is Silence of the Lambs meets Spalding Gray’s Swimming to Cambodia.”

January 17, 2024 19

Special Advertising Section

Women in Business STRENGTHEN

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20 January 17, 2024

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II Alison Beauvais Carris Founder, Chief Clinical Ofﬁcer

Danyelle Sawyers-Takemasa Director of Adult Programming

early2020, 2020,aayear year largely largely defined defined by nnearly a global pandemic, Alison aby global pandemic, Alison Beauvais Beauvais (Ali)opportunity took the Carris (Ali)Carris took the to opportunity to redefi ne her lifewas beyond redefine her life beyond what once what was onceand typical and built typical routine builtroutine something something Feeling over-stressed new. Feelingnew. over-stressed and torn and torn between personal and between personal and professional professional obligations, Ali sought obligations, Ali sought something something better for her family and better for her family and her clients. her clients. With 15+ years providing With 15+ years providing mental and mental and behavioral health support behavioral health support to individuals to individuals and families within the and families within the neurodiverse neurodiverse community, Ali crafted community, Ali crafted Behavioral Learning, anBehavioral organization Learning, an organization whose mission whose mission is to transform isadult to transform adulthigh services into high services into quality, quality, compassionate, individualized compassionate, individualized care. care. At Behavioral Learning, “we take a At Behavioral affi Learning, “we take ato neurodiversity rming approach neurodiversity affirming approach to therapy that builds on the strengths therapy builds on theAli. strengths of eachthat individual,” says “This ofis each individual,” says Ali. “This different from more traditional isapproaches; different from more traditional a neuroaffi rming approaches; a neuroaffirming model recognizes the societalmodel barriers that pose challenges forthat recognizes the societal barriers pose challenges for neurodivergent folx

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Neuroaffirming Care: NeuroaffiScience rming Care: +Science Heart + Heart neurodivergent and instead of and instead of folx focusing on reducing focusing on reducing symptoms, the shift issymptoms, to embrace the shift is to embrace neurological neurological differences through selfdifferences self-exploration explorationthrough and advocacy.” Behavioral and advocacy.” Behavioral Learning Learning expanded beyond their expanded beyond their growing growing outpatient program in 2022, outpatient 2022, when they when theyprogram openedin the Adult Learning opened Adult Learning Center, Center,the which caters to neurodivergent which to neurodivergent youth. youth.caters “We aim to provide an inclusive, “We aim to compassionate provide an inclusive, calm, calm, and environment and compassionate environment in which learners can expand onintheir which learners can expand their strengths by learning skillson that get strengths by learning skills that get says them closer to their chosen goals,” them closer to theirSawyers-Takemasa, chosen goals,” says Director Danyelle Director Danyelle Sawyers-Takemasa, who joined the team shortly thereafter. who team shortly “As joined a smallthe organization, wethereafter. can be “As a small organization, we can flexible and focus on things ourbe clients fltruly exible and focus on things our clients value.” truly value.” If you, or someone you love, would If you, or someone you love, would like to learn more, Behavioral Learning like learn more,atBehavioral Learning cantobe reached 866-727-1194 or by can be reached at 866-727-1194 or visiting the website Behavioral-Learning. by visiting the website Behavioralcom. Learning.com.

Women at the Helm of Billy Bricks’ Success Story

family's dedication n the heart of Oak to excellence. Park, Billy Bricks Wood Meanwhile, Ana Fired Pizza stands Careaga, the General tall as a family-owned Manager since 2023, pizzeria chain since brings an unparalleled its inception in 2005. sense of hospitality, Beyond the delicious fostering unity within aroma of wood-fired Left to right Lindsey Hartline, Rebecca Garcia-Gruber, the Oak Park team. pizzas, the backbone Ana Careaga of this thriving business This past holiday is comprised of season, Rebecca and remarkable women who play pivotal roles Ana showcased their creativity by winning in every day operations. the company's Store Decorating Contest, a testament to their love of what they do. Donna Wilson, Co-founder, Owner, Behind the scenes, Lindsey Hartline, the and CFO of Billy Bricks, along with her CMO and Brand Manager since 2021, sister Tammy Sicilliano, takes charge of spearheads the company's marketing the company's back-end operations, and social media efforts, ensuring ensuring seamless functionality. cohesive brand identity. Tammy, also the Accounting head, has contributed her financial expertise for 7 Billy Bricks proudly embraces its slogan years. Together, they form the dynamic as "Wood Fired, Family Inspired®”, and duo that keeps all locations of Billy Bricks these wonderful women stand as living running like a well-oiled machine. proof of the company's commitment to quality and inclusivity. In Oak Park, they Rebecca Garcia-Gruber, Donna's aren’t just making pizzas; they’re crafting niece, has been a valuable asset to Oak a legacy of empowerment and success Park for 3.5 years. Her wholehearted for years to come. commitment to the store highlights the

January 17, 2024 21

Special Advertising Section

Susie Goldschmidt Completes Decades-Long College Journey with Help of Byline Bank

mid a more than 30-year journey filled with personal and professional challenges, Susie Goldschmidt recently achieved an incredible milestone: graduating college. And the Oak Park and River Forest Market President for Byline Bank attributes the accomplishment, at least in part, to the support of her employer. Growing up in a family of hardworking entrepreneurs, Susie had initially foregone college after high school, inspired by her parents’ success without formal education. From a tender age, she gained practical experience by serving customers in her parents’ four restaurants, which instilled in her a strong work ethic and dedication to delivering exceptional customer service. However, Susie’s desire for a college degree never completely waned. In 1992, as a 35-year-old married mother of two and a successful manager at a local bank, Susie embarked on her college journey part-time at DePaul University. Yet, life had other plans for her. Tragedy struck when Susie’s husband

suddenly passed away from cancer, leaving her as a single mother with limited resources. Faced with the challenges of raising her children alone, Susie put her dreams of finishing her degree on hold to prioritize her family’s well-being. “The thought of finishing my degree became a luxury and soon an afterthought,” Susie remembers. “My focus was solely on raising my kids.” With unwavering determination, Susie embraced her role as a supportive parent, guiding her children through high school, college, and advanced degrees. As the years flew by and her children became successful and independent adults, Susie’s focus then shifted to becoming the primary caregiver for her aging mother. Despite her personal and professional obligations, however, Susie never forgot her unfinished journey toward earning her degree. It was a subject that would occasionally come up in conversations with her kids, who would jokingly remark about how old Susie would be if she ever graduated.

Fast-forward to 2019, when Susie found herself at a crossroads. “I had been working at the same bank location for 33 years, and when my bank was bought out by a large national bank, my bank was no longer the community bank I called home,” Susie remembers. Luckily, Susie was approached about a new opportunity with Byline Bank. “Moving to Byline rejuvenated me,” she says. “Their culture allowed me to care for my clients in a manner that I, and they, expected.” Also to her surprise and delight, Susie discovered that Byline had partnered with DePaul University, the institution where Susie had started her college education. This fortuitous collaboration reignited Susie’s dream of completing her degree, and with the support and encouragement of her Byline colleagues, Susie finally graduated from DePaul in 2022, fulfilling a goal over 30 years in the making. Reflecting on her journey, Susie feels particularly grateful to Byline for providing her with the flexibility she needed to balance her personal and professional

life and earn her long-awaited degree. It’s been such a supportive environment, in fact, that Susie hasn’t completely ruled out the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree as well. “Thank you so much, Byline,” Susie says. “You’re an inspiration.” ©2024 Byline Bank. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

PROVIDED

Susie Goldschmidt, Byline Bank’s Oak Park and River Forest Market President, proudly displays the college degree she earned after a journey spanning more than three decades

Going the Extra Mile for Oak Park and River Forest Susie Goldschmidt’s professional journey began at her parents’ restaurants, waiting tables and learning firsthand the importance of customer service and hard work. Today, at Byline Bank, Susie and her team use these same principles to offer a personalized approach to banking that goes above and beyond. Stop by and see for yourself how they can help enhance your financial journey.

To learn more about Susie and Byline Bank’s commitment to Oak Park and River Forest, visit bylinebank.com/oprf

Susie Goldschmidt, Oak Park and River Forest Market President

22 January 17, 2024

Special Advertising Section

BETHANNY ALEXANDER YOUR GUIDE. YOUR JOURNEY.

“Having bought she does not rush you. I highly recommend her. and sold two homes She knows the west suburban area very well.” “Having bought and sold two homes with Bethanny, my with Bethanny, my - Eugenia C. appreciation and respect for her only grows. Each time she appreciation and “Bethanny was fantastic and went above and respect for her only has understood professionally personally beyond assistingand us with the sale of ourwhat currentI was grows. Each time she has homeof andtime the purchase of our new She looking for and took whatever amount necessary tohome. communicate understood professionally and personally made met. a stressful situation very manageable andwhatparticipate in getting my needs Because she has additiona I was looking for and took whatever and even enjoyable as we transitioned into our amount of time necessary to communicate and knowledge and exceptional instincts new as to what a "senior her 70's" home. She was helpful in in many ways. She should participate in getting my needs met. Because was the best beshe considering when purchasing a home, sheRealtor waswe’ve ableever toworked helpwith.” me make a has additional knowledge and exceptional Christy R. & Debi B. choice more thoughtfully and responsibly. But most of all, I explicitly trust instincts as to what a “senior in her 70’s” should be considering when purchasing a home, listened wishes and whims Bethanny and know that what truly “Bethanny drives her is toa our deep appreciation and she was able to help me make a choice more and was fully attentive to all our needs. She genuine concern for trying to give her clients the best place to live.” -Kathy B. thoughtfully and responsibly. But most of all, advised us on all kinds of matters, including I explicitly trust Bethanny and know that what critical considerations we would have “Bethanny was truthful regarding the “Bethanny listened to our wishes truly drives her is a deep appreciation and overlooked as well as design possibilities we sale of a home I had for morewouldand whims andof.was fully attentive to genuine concern for tryinglived to giveinher clients never have thought It took a long time the best to live.” She - Kathy was B. than 55place years. a greatfor usallto our Sheonadvised us on al finally needs. pull the trigger downsizing, but Bethanny never gave up on the search counselor in truthful that she allayed allofmy kinds of matters, including critica “Bethanny was regarding the sale and in the process she became a true partner a home I had lived in for She more than 55 years. all fears about selling. explained considerations have and trusted friend. As a resultwe of herwould stick-toShe was a great counselor in that she allayed all sales info in detail...that is particularlyitiveness, overlooked asrightwell we found just the place toas start design my fears about selling. She explained all sales the next chapter of our lives.” important to a senior citizen. Shetoisa an possibilities we would never have info in detail...that is particularly important & Annette senior citizen. She is an excellent excellent Realtor...and sheRealtor...and does not - Dave thought of.M.It took a long time for us

rush you. I highly recommend her. to finally pull the trigger on She knows the west suburban area downsizing, but Bethanny never very well.” -Eugenia C. up on the search and in the Women gave in Solar she became aat true manager the solar installation at t Windfree, our female staff manager forfor the solar installation Oliver partner our female staff “Bethanny wast Windfree, fantastic and went process Oliver McCracken Middle School is integral to our mission and and trusted friend. As a result of her McCracken Middle School in Skokie.in is integral to our mission and above and beyond assisting us with everyday operations. Solar energy Skokie. everyday operations. Solar energy stick-to-itiveness, found just the Andrea Sanchez handles awe great projects have a lot of moving parts and the sale ofprojects our current and the Andrea Sanchez handles afor great have a lot ofhome moving parts and deal of project administration right place to start theforboth next take a team execute properly. From deal of project administration both chapter take a team toto execute properly. From purchase of our new home. She made commercial and residential PV projects. administration, to utility interconnections, of our lives.” -Dave & Annette M. commercial and residential PV projects. to utility interconnections, Andrea has her hands on every single a stressful administration, situation very manageable field operations, the women that Andrea has her hands on every single toto field operations, the women that wewe big and small, and the show does have Windfree help bring our projects project, and even enjoyable ashelp we transitioned project, big and her. small, and the show have atat Windfree bring our projects not go on without Andrea recently life many different ways. does not gobachelors on without her. Andrea toto life in in many different ways. into our new home. She was helpful in obtained her degree in Political recently obtained her bachelors degree Cynthia Meyers experienced Science from The University of Illinois at Meyers is is anan experienced many ways. Cynthia She was the best Realtor in Political Science from The University commercial solar installer who holds Chicago, joining several other UIC alumniof commercial solar installer who holds we've everNABCEP worked with.”-Christy R. & atIllinois at Chicago, joining several other NABCEP and OSHA certifications. Windfree. and OSHA 1010 certifications. UIC alumni at Windfree. Cynthia currently heads our Debi B. Cynthia currently heads our Ashley Lopez has been at Windfree

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Women in Solar

service department and deals with service department and deals with troubleshooting of all kinds. Service troubleshooting of all kinds. Service is ais a very tricky part our business and very tricky part ofof our business and wewe are very lucky to have Cynthia knocking are very lucky to have Cynthia knocking that out the park that out ofof the park forfor us.us. Brenna Murphy was new the Brenna Murphy was new toto the Windfree team in 2023 and is currently Windfree team in 2023 and is currently a commercial project manager working a commercial project manager working on several projects across Chicagoland. on several projects across Chicagoland. Brenna working large solar projects Brenna is is working onon large solar projects for the Jesse Jackson Senior Living for the Jesse Jackson Senior Living Center, well a large warehouse Center, asas well asas a large warehouse in in Chicago’s west side. In addition, Brenna Chicago’s west side. In addition, Brenna just wrapped the lead project just wrapped upup asas the lead project

has been atour Windfree for 3Ashley years Lopez and handles all of for 3 years and handles all of ourwith coordination and correspondence coordination and correspondence utility companies. This is a major part with is aComEd major part ofutility everycompanies. project, andThis while is of every project, and while ComEd relatively easy to work with, she often is relatively to work she utility often has to deal easy with other outwith, of state has to deal with out of state utility companies that areother not as well equipped that arequickly not asbecome well equipped forcompanies solar. Ashley has a for solar. Ashley has quickly become a “master of interconnection” and is a very “master of interconnection” and is a very important member of our team important member of our team We’re proud and fortunate to have such We’re proud have great female staff,and andfortunate happy totoget an such great female staff, and happy to get an opportunity to highlight their hard work! opportunity to highlight their hard work!

January 17, 2024 23

Special Advertising Section Sponsored Content

A Sparkle in the Neighborhood A Sparkle in the Neighborhood training. It is fun for me to think Dani, also a trauma/ER physician Some of the safety techniques are

parkle Aesthetics is a fullparklemedspa Aesthetics is a heart full-service assistant, medspa founded very unhappy that time, she began who have come to observe learna these safer service in the Sparkle inendings. 2017 Atonly available at Sparkle, as Dani Sparkle givesand people reason to in the heart of Oak Park. With a décor with in-home Botox parties and concierge Botox techniques. “I love to have people coming in of Oak Park. With a décor after realizing she wanted more of a also has developed ultrasoundvisit Oak Park,” she says. by The Jetsons + I Dream of peoples’tohomes, but thebased need for a physical from they stay at The Carleton, inspiredinspired by The Jetsons + I Dream “happy” job ininaddition her work injection techniques thatout sheof stateAsand for the staff at Sparkle, they’re Jeannie, Sparkle has a feel of walking into the space for appointments became apparent they go out to dinner in downtown Oak Park, of Jeannie, Sparkle has a feel of in a trauma center on the West Side invented and even patented. Using welcoming and warm. “When we past when enterwhen the colorful building on quickly. After sharing cebackground with a GI doctor, then from they come to Sparkle for their training. It is walking into you the past you enter of Chicago, where oftentimes the an offi her in ultrasound interview people, we look for that the corner of Home & Madison. Owner Dani followed by a local micro-blader, Dani decided fun for me to think Sparkle gives people a reason the colorful building on the corner stories had very unhappy endings. the ER, she began using ultrasound ‘Disney’-esque personality, people PA-C, a longtime Oak Park says,time, she to move Madison streetfor in 2021. October toshe visit Oak Park,” she says. ofSher Home & Madison. Owner Daniresident, At that begantowith in-home addedInpatient safety, as who have a bubbly, warm demeanor. “I wanted create a Oak sensePark of nostalgiaBotox and parties and 2023, Sparkle Aesthetics’ found its that “forever Sher PA-C, atolongtime concierge Botox realized she could findAs arteries for the staff atwant Sparkle, they’re welcoming We even the front desk staff to fun. I didn’t it to feel like a stuffy medspa. I homes, home”but home 1000 street. in the face prior resident, says,want “I wanted to create a in peoples’ the at need forMadison and vessels to and warm. “When we interview people, we look understand that everyone who walks wanted people toand feelfun. comfortable sense of nostalgia I didn’t anda welcome. physical space for appointments injecting, to make Safety is paramount at Sparkle. Some of the sure that forthere that ‘Disney’-esque personality, people who in should feel that they’re going to Also, forfeel a business that offers Botox, llers, want it to like a stuffy medspa. I fibecame apparent quickly. Afterare only was no dreaded complication safety techniques available at Sparkle, haveof a bubbly,be warm demeanor. Wesafe.” want even taken care of and facials,people lasers, chemical peels, I wantedsharing to give an a office wanted to feel comfortable with also a GI has doctor, injecting filler into them. Sparkle as Dani developed ultrasound-based the front desk staff to understand that everyone nod to the idea of wanting to go back in time, orby a injection and welcome. Also, for a business followed local micro-blader, hosts peopleand who travel from techniques that she invented even who walks in should feel that they’re going to be to stop time, as we do when we get these agethat offers Botox, fillers, facials, Dani decided patented. to move toUsing Madison around in the world who have come her background ultrasound taken care of andSparkle safe.” Aesthetics can be found online at defying procedures.” lasers, chemical peels, I wanted to street in 2021.from In October 2023, to observe andfor learn these safer the ER, she began using ultrasound Sparkle Aesthetics can be found online at www.sparkleaesthetics.com giveDani, a nod to athe idea of wanting Sparkle Aesthetics’ its safety, “forever techniques. “I she love to have people also trauma/ER physician assistant, addedfound patient as she realized that www.sparkleaesthetics.comand & on onIG IGatat@ tofounded go back Sparkle in time, in or2017 to stop time, home” home at 1000 Madison coming in from out of and they after realizing she could find arteries and vessels in the face prior tostate sparkleaestheticsoakpark. @sparkleaestheticsoakpark aswanted we do when thesejob agestreet. at The they go out more we of aget “happy” in addition to injecting, to make sure thatstay there was Carleton, no dreaded defying procedures.” in downtown her work in a trauma center on the WestSafety Side is paramount complication of injecting fito llerdinner into them. Sparkle Oak Park, at Sparkle. thenaround they come to Sparkle for their of Chicago, where oftentimes the stories had hosts people who travel from the world

24 January 17, 2024

Therapy for cycle-breakers and legacy makers Agata Kubinska, LCSW

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passionate about building trust and rapp on emotional intelligence and healthy re Special Advertising Section oneself, and supports clients to understa A safe space for understands the unique challenges wom first-generation professionals expectations both relationally and profes gata Kubinska is a licensed identity development and day-to-day and the owner and life. She has helped people who are otherpsychotherapist practitioners professionals this of Dar Counseling, a boutique cycle breakers honor their lineage online therapy practice that specializes while also setting up boundaries more and stay informed, you can visit he in the unique needs of first-generation around their time, money, and peace professionals throughout Illinois. She in order to create a legacy for future is especially passionate about her on generations. blog, or find her Psychology Today, A work with women and first-generation

Working with Agata will push you to think more deeply about your desires and how to actualize them in your current life. She offers a compassionate listening ear and provides a nurturing space to allow your truest self to emerge. By working with her, you will advocate supporting Amy Goldbeck is a Clinical Psychotherapist and the solehave owner aofstaunch We Meet Again Counseling, Agata Polishyou infor getting what you really want out PLLC, whichisisaa first-generation private therapy practice specializing in support adults struggling with anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. American and understands theShe roleoffers clients of unique life. If and youcompassionate are seeking to gain clarity techniques to further Amy is known for her calming yet culture plays in insight, one’s empowerment identity andand healing. around challenging situations and step strong presence which allows clients to feel emotionally safe in the therapeutic process. Amy sense of belonging. She helps her into the best version of yourself, please has an eclectic framework that includes existential, creative and holistic techniques. Amy is clients explore the meaning of living in and visitadvocating darcounseling.com to book a free passionate about building trust and rapport with clients, for progressive thinking cultures and how itrelationships. impacts Amyconsultation onbetween emotional intelligence and healthy emphasizes thecall. relationship with entrepreneurs. It has been an honor for her to witness the transformation of her clients struggling with self-doubt, people-pleasing and getting in their own way to gaining the confidence to live authentically, unapologetically and We Meet Again in alignment with their values.

oneself, and supports clients to understand and align with their truth. She especially understands the unique challenges women face as they manage all of the imposed expectations both relationally and professionally. Amy is looking forward to collaborating with other practitioners and professionals this year to provide new offerings and services. To learn Wewebsite, Meet Again more and stay informed, you can visit her try out her meditations on YouTube, read her Amy Goldbeck is a Clinical Psychotherapist and the sole owner of We Meet Again Counseling, blog, or find her on Psychology Today, Alignable, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

PLLC, which is a private therapy practice specializing in support for adults struggling with anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. She offers clients unique and compassionate techniques to further insight, empowerment and healing. Amy is known for her calming yet strong presence which allows clients to feel emotionally safe in the therapeutic process. Amy has an eclectic framework that includes existential, creative and holistic techniques. Amy is passionate about building trust and rapport with clients, and advocating for progressive thinking on emotional intelligence and healthy relationships. Amy emphasizes the relationship with oneself, and supports clients to understand and align with their truth. She especially understands the unique challenges women face as they manage all of the imposed expectations both relationally and professionally. Amy is looking forward to collaborating with other practitioners and professionals this year to provide new offerings and services. To learn more and stay informed, you can visit her website, try out her meditations on YouTube, read her blog, or find her on Psychology Today, Alignable, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Amy Goldbeck

Amy Goldbeck is a Clinical Psychotherapist and the sole owner of We Meet Again Counseling, PLLC, which is a private therapy practice specializing in support for adults struggling with anxiety, relationships, and life transitions. She offers clients unique and compassionate techniques to further insight, empowerment and healing. Amy is known for her calming yet strong presence which allows clients to feel emotionally safe in the therapeutic process. Amy has an eclectic

Clinical Psychotherpist

framework that includes existential, creative and holistic techniques. Amy is passionate about building trust and rapport with clients, and advocating for progressive thinking on emotional intelligence and healthy relationships. Amy emphasizes the relationship with oneself, and supports clients to understand and align with their truth. She especially understands the unique challenges women face as they manage all of the imposed expectations both relationally and professionally.

Amy Goldbeck, LCPC, CHt • www.amygoldbeck.com • amygoldbecktherapist@gmail.com • 872-256-2320

blog, or find her on Psychology Today, A

January 17, 2024 25

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As The Chair Turns

ames Anthony Salon has been in business since 1991. Since their opening in River Forest to now 10 years in Oak Park the team and business has evolved, grown and adapted to the many changes, some by choice, some by life! But these women featured today have been a constant 10 years plus. These women are the women that help to create the magic that you feel when experiencing James Anthony Salon. Maria (or Mara) the Salon Manager,17 years (plus) has the front of the house running with friendly, welcoming, and efficient service. Her priority is to exceed all guests expectations while

Broker

ensuring all team members run on schedule, have everything they need to fulfill their magic of great hair! And as Tina Salerno always says, “she’s my everything! I can give her ONE look and she’s read my mind and goes into action!” Jenna, our Platinum Stylist has celebrated 17 years with James Anthony Salon. Jenna is loved by all, her guests and team! She is the epitome of a true and kind professional and human being, She brings spunk,energy and so much talent! “You’re in her chair, you’re laughing, having a good time and walking out with your dream hair!” (Tina) Monika ”Raz’’ is what is known as a homegrown in our culture, a graduate of Jim and Tina’s Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School-Chicago, 11 years ago, and has recently celebrated 10 years with the salon. Raz has a zest for life, and she loves sharing that with her guests! She is a mentor and coach on the team to the Rising Stars and the

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legacy stylists. Her passion for anything hair, beauty, travel and life is felt and seen in her work. Kat, our newest addition to the Master Stylist lineup, also a homegrown from Jim and Tina’s Paul Mitchell School-Lombard. Celebrating her 8th year with the salon, has quickly moved up the career path, her strengths are many, her passion is beautiful hair! Blonde, soft, long, short, Kat loves to create looks for her guests that they can enjoy and recreate at home. Kat is also a mentor to the Rising Stars and is hands on to teaching and growing the future stylists of James Anthony Salon. Last but not least, Tina Salerno, Platinum Stylist and Co-Owner of James Anthony Salon, 27 years in the industry and with the salon, feels truly grateful to have the BEST guests that have been loyal and trusting to her career path and evolvement as a stylist, coach, teacher, partner to her husband Jim Salerno, owner, founder of James Anthony Salon. “To have the

opportunity to nurture, teach and grow young stylists and watch their goals come to life is the greatest gift, but my heart beats the greatest spending time with my guests and having their complete trust to create looks that gives them the added confidence to be the best versions of themselves” “these 4 fabulous women are featured in this segment, however we have a team of smart, successful and talented young women who make magic happen everyday. Our team works hard, loves what they do and who they do it for, the community, and our guests.” As the chair turns, the memories live on and great hair continues to be made at James Anthony Salon.

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January 17, 2024 27

Sponsored Content Sponsored Content

DidYou YouKnow? Know? Did

Act and the need to create an open Referrals; Property Management Act and the need to create an open Referrals; Property Management housing community in the late Training; Financial Education; and housing community in the late Training; Financial Education; and 1960’s, as expounded by Dr. Martin much more! 1960’s, as expounded by Dr. Martin much more! Luther King, Jr. during his speech at Since becoming the executive Luther King, Jr. during his speech at Since becoming the executive Chicago’s Soldier Field in 1966. director in 2020, Athena Williams Chicago’s Soldier Field in 1966. director in 2020, Athena Williams The Housing Center has helped has worked with Housing The Housing Center has helped has worked with thethe Housing improveand andincrease increasethe theVillage Village Center team provide COVID-19 improve Center team to to provide COVID-19 of Oak OakPark’s Park’scommunity communityvalue valuebyby support 1,450 renters; assisted of support to to 1,450 renters; assisted introducing more than 100,000 8000 registered applicants introducing more than 100,000 8000 registered applicants findfind diverseindividuals individualsinto intoour our apartments in the surrounding diverse apartments in the surrounding community! Housing Housingisisthe thevery very region; helped more than community! region; helped more than 400400 foundation needed and used to families become homeowners; foundation needed and used to families become homeowners; establishhealthy healthylifestyles lifestylesthat that and assisted more than establish and assisted more than 100100 includemental mentaland andfinancial financial individuals improve their credit include individuals improve their credit stability score. With ourour staff thatthat hashas stabilitythat thatisiscrucial crucialfor forvibrant vibrant score. With staff neighborhoods more than 3030 years combined neighborhoodsasaswell wellasasthe the more than years combined household. housing experience, wewe seek to to household. Oak OakPark ParkRegional Regional housing experience, seek Housing increase homeownership rates HousingCenter Centersees seeson onaverage average increase homeownership rates 5000 individuals per year to receive throughout the region, to create 5000 individuals per year to receive throughout the region, to create services, housing inventory, andand to to services,which whichinclude: include:Fair FairHousing Housing more more housing inventory, Education; Rental Apartment create a more stabilized housing Education; Rental Apartment create a more stabilized housing AthenaWilliams, Williams,Executive ExecutiveDirector, Director,Oak OakPark ParkRegional Regional Housing Athena HousingCenter Center

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experience for renters and owners experience for renters and owners alike. At Oak Park Regional Housing alike. At Oak Park Regional Housing Center, we look to 2024 to be a year Center, we look to 2024 to be a year of more, providing more support to of more, providing more support to renters and homeowners, bring the renters and homeowners, bring the community together more around community together more around racial healing transformations racial healing transformations and and to help people with more money to help people with more money management strategies. management strategies. If you would like more If you would like more information, to donate, information, to donate, or or volunteer, please visit: oprhc.org volunteer, please visit: oprhc.org remember, housing is key! AndAnd remember, housing is key!

January 17, 2024 29

Special Advertising Section

Hannah puts the heart in your home

enowned as a culturally and historically significant village home to Ernest Hemingway and Frank Lloyd Wright, many people know Oak Park for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and world-class architecture. But Hannah Gillespie, an award-winning Baird & Warner broker associate, knows it better than most. A fourth-generation Oak Parker whose family has been in the business of understanding the acclaimed residential architecture for decades, Hannah is not only a local expert but a local enthusiast with immense pride and knowledge of the community and homes that make Oak Park the incomparable place that it is. “I’m from the neighborhood, went to the schools, and know the best dog-friendly restaurants in Oak Park,” Hannah says. But it’s her experiences beyond real estate that make her an agent people can relate to and truly trust. After spending a decade serving youth in the foster care system at Hephzibah Children’s Association — where the message was “Home is where the heart is” — Hannah learned to bring compassion and care to her work.

“A home is both a place to dream of and where dreams are made,” she says. “There’s nothing more important than having that place of peace, and I find joy in helping my clients find theirs.” Her background tells the story of someone who communicates openly and honestly, works tirelessly to ensure clients feel heard, and provides genuine support and perspective throughout the home buying or selling process. She won an award for the largest transaction completed as a rookie, earned the Real Estate Negotiation Expert certification from the NAR, and has drawn rave reviews from her clients for fostering meaningful relationships and advocating for their needs. With Oak Park in her bones and the business in her blood — her dad Jim, a broker and appraiser with over 20 years of experience, is a member of her team — it’s no surprise that Hannah’s a natural.

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30 January 17, 2024

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Empowering Voices at Beyond Properties Realty

ince its inception in 2007, Beyond Properties Realty has cultivated a unique identity. Of the foundations that keep the business strong - a client-first approach, a dedication to the environment, a resolve to remain fiercely independent - one foundation has always been a mainstay: being woman-owned and operated.

Owner and designated managing broker Erica Cuneen opened Beyond Properties after five years of experience in real estate. “Something that really struck me at that time was there were many women agents, but not many were represented in leadership roles where the greatest impact can be made,” says Cuneen. “I wanted to lead through example and build a valuebased business where voices are heard.” Since opening, the brokerage has become a small-but-mighty team of 14 employees, with two women-run teams and 11 women who are licensed realtors working in Chicagoland, both full- and part-time.

According to Cuneen, one key element to Beyond Properties’ success has been cultivating a knowledgerich team where communication and experiences can be shared amongst staff. “I learned to hire great people who have strengths that I lack in order to create balance and an efficient work environment. I learned the importance of finding peers and coaches with whom I can talk through challenges as they arise.”

Isaac Jordan, the Marketing Director at Beyond Properties, has been an employee since his Junior year at OPRF. “All of what I’ve learned about business has been from the women I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past seven years,” says Jordan. “Seeing their strength and determination in the work they do has inspired me to rise to that same level and bring everything I have to my role.” With Beyond Properties approaching its 18th anniversary, Erica Cuneen has learned what it takes to excel and thrive as a woman in business,

Owner and designated managing broker Erica Cuneen

and that woman-owned businesses face additional challenges that can be overcome. “Women come to a workplace with a different perspective than men. Our experience in the world is different. Our challenges are different. As a result, we lead differently,” she explains.

Cuneen hopes that, through leading by example, her approach will help inspire other women in the industry, as well as the members of her own staff. “Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable. Know that your business doesn’t have to look like someone else’s business. You will learn the most from your team, so make time to really listen to them.”

January 17, 2024 31

Special Advertising Section

Grachan Agency is your dedicated insurance partner, serving all your insurance needs in the local community

ak Park has been the home where Esther Grachan has continued to build the Grachan Agency since 2012. In 1978, the Grachan family began with only Property & Casualty options, today Grachan Agency has expanded. The agency has added over 65 health and retirement options. Esther is known for her kind heart and unwavering dedication to helping seniors navigate through the complex world of healthcare and retirement. In making the right introductions to the right resources, she has helped seniors navigate through difficult retirement decisions. The Grachan Agency treats each person with respect and empathy, understanding insurance choices could be overwhelming. The Agency goes above and beyond, conducting thorough research and staying up to date with the ever-changing Medicare landscape to ensure she has the most accurate information to-date to share.

What has made the Grachan Agency truly exceptional is their unwavering support even after clients have made their decisions. Regular follow-ups and making sure individuals are satisfied with their choices. Their clients knew they could count on their agent to be there, providing ongoing support and guidance throughout their insurance needs. Many of the Grachan Agency’s clients often recommended their services to their friends and family, and word spread throughout the community about the wonderful agent who genuinely cared. If you are looking for guidance as you work through your insurance needs, please be sure to visit our websites for a video quick-course and other helpful information. You can also join our monthly newsletter for the most up-todate information!

Local News, straight to your inbox! Subscribe to our newsletters today!

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The 22 Coffee Buggy...bringing Italian coffee to Oak Park! My specialty is Lavazza - Oak Park’s favorite coffee! The Buggy is now in its first year. It became a staple at the farmer’s market, Ridgeland L stop, and Lake Street at the Library. The ‘Cafe Bliss’ is the signature drink, made of whipped espresso over ice cold whole milk. I personally have lived in Oak Park for 25 years, with 3 kids, one left at the high school. Love this little town!

-Belinda Carucci, owner

Keep up with 22 Buggy Coffee! @the22coffeebuggy the22coffeebuzz@gmail.com the22coffeebuggy.com

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32 January 17, 2024

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T N I R P a e m o c e B . . . . r e b i r subsc

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TO OAK PARK'S FAVORITE WOMAN IN BUSINESS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

on what would have been your 102nd birthday Born in Oak Park on January 17, 1922

rika Hobbs is the editor at Growing Community Media. A veteran journalist with experience at major regional dailies, local publications and in digital newsrooms, she was hired last summer for what is a new position within GCM. Growing Community Media is the nonprofit newsroom which publishes Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark.

BETTY WHITE!

Erika Hobbs leads nonprofit newsroom at GCM

As part of the reorganization of GCM’s newsroom, Hobbs was hired as the newsroom’s leader to focus on a digital first effort across the nine communities covered by GCM while also keeping the print versions of each publication strong. Under her leadership, GCM has already become

more reader focused through a series of listening sessions in several of our neighborhoods, staff training on reader engagement through the Google News Initiative and an evolving strategy for our email newsletters. In a recent note to readers, Hobbs shared her vision for a newsroom where reporters are embedded in the neighborhoods they cover, digital and social media are more actively used to share reporting with readers and new ways of telling stories are created across platforms. Our evolution is a work in progress. But as Hobbs noted we will stay true to our mission of “connecting citizens through community journalism rooted deep in our neighborhoods, based in facts and reflective of voices not always heard.”

Our Community Needs Community Journalism It’s not just about crime reports and board meetings. We also need inspiring, funny, heartwarming and, at times, heartbreaking stories about our friends, neighbors and children. Perhaps now, more than ever.

Let's build community!

Read and Support: Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review Austin Weekly News Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

Partner with us. Donate at GrowingCommunityMedia.org Growing Community Media NFP is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization

NEED TO REACH US?

email: erika@growingcommunitymedia.com

Homes

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

Local painter has award-winning year PROVIDED

248 Home Ave., Oak Park By LACEY SIKORA

While he’s had projects win in the past, this year Feley racked up six awards for his work painting Oak Park homes, the most he’s ever Last year was a banner year for been awarded. local painter Ron Feley of Ronbo’s “This past year I entered more Fine Painting. homes into the contest than I have in As he does every year, Feley enRON FELEY the past. I believe it was 10 homes in tered some of his local house-paintall,” he said. ing projects in the Chicago’s Finest “They added and changed up Painted Ladies & Her Court paint competition. Now in its 38th year, the contest, some of the categories in regards to the architecwhich is sponsored by the Chicago Paint & Coatings tural style and/or the type of repair work required Association, recognizes properties for their beauti- to complete the restoration of the homes exterior, ful paint jobs, focusing on the craftsmanship of the so I was able to enter more categories.” paint work, as well as how well the paint compleSee PAINTER on page 35 ments the structure of the building. Contributing Reporter

PROVIDED

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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PAINTER

Craftsman’s passion from page 33 This year’s winners include three in the category “Best Use of Color for the Style of the Home.” These houses are 164 N. Elmwood, a stucco, two-story home with brown paint details; 847 N. Euclid, a stucco, four-square home with blue trim; and 911 Fair Oaks, a colonial style home with green, painted shingles. A house at 613 N. Harvey Avenue won for “Best Use of Craftsmanship of Paint Application.” The grey stucco bungalow has craftsman-style yellow and green painted accents. Paul Young’s house at 248 Home Avenue won for “Best Use of Color for a Non-Victorian.” His 1890 Queen Anne Style home was not the easiest paint job, according to Young. “It was one heck of a job. It’s a big house,” he said. He added that he opted to keep the home’s paint colors during the refresh, saying, “It’s a neighborhood classic, and we want to keep it that way.” While the old clapboards have had to be repainted and repaired in the past, Young said of Ronbo’s team: “They did an absolutely excellent job. This was the best we’ve had.” Abigail Hodges’ house at 725 Hayes won for “Best Use of Paint Detail.” Hodges said

PROVIDED

847 Eucllid Ave., Oak Park that her family’s 109-year-old bungalow was in need of a refresh when they hired Ronbo’s based on word-of-mouth reviews from friends. “We had a lot of fun choosing the final red shade,” she said. “We narrowed it down to eight or nine colors and painted swatches and had the neighbors come and vote. It was very fun.” When Feley’s team arrived for the job, they discovered that a lot of the underlying wood needed some work, and that was part of the job. Feley also advised about complementary colors for the front door and stairs. Hodges said his expertise shows. “He was right, and it looks great.”

PROVIDED

164 N. Elmwood, Oak Park Feley noted that one thing where his teams excel is the prep work and carpentry repairs they can make on historic wood homes like Hodges’. “The extensive preparation and the attention to detail that we perform on all our exterior projects including scraping all of the wood and not just the peeling paint, caulking and often wood repair, as well as applying one coat Mad Dog Primer and two coats of paint allow us to get clear crisp cut lines,” he said. As a lifelong Oak Parker of more than 60 years, Feley said he has a great appreciation for historical homes, which allows him to assist homeowners with color choices.

“I have done extensive research in addition to just paying particular attention to what colors look good together and where to place them on homes of many different styles. that make them look appealing,” he said. “I guess you could say I have developed an intuition for where to place what colors on a home to produce the desired effect.” Feley said he takes that same level of care with all of his Oak Park and River Forest projects – 71 in 2023. He estimated that during his 33 years in the business, he has painted thousands of houses in the area. “For me it’s not just a job but a passion,” he said.

BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. SURE, I TAUGHT TO THROW STICK ATBUT FIRST I WAS AHIM LITTLE TAKENAABACK AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. SURE, IS ITHE BEST PART OFTHROW MYTAKEN DAY.A STICK ATTAUGHT FIRST I WAS ATO LITTLE ABACK BUT HIM BY THE PEEING STANDING UP THING. SURE, ANDWHOLE NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM I TAUGHT TO THROW AABACK STICK ATBUT FIRST I WAS AHIM LITTLE TAKEN IS THE BEST PART OF MY DAY. — EINSTEIN AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

BY THE WHOLE PEEING STANDING UP THING. 12-09-10 IS ITHE BESTHIM PARTTOadopted OFTHROW MY DAY. BUT TAUGHT A STICK AND NOW HANGING OUT WITH HIM — EINSTEIN IS THE BEST PART adopted OF MY DAY. — 12-09-10 EINSTEIN

Could your non-profit organization benefit from Community Development Block Grants? Be sure to attend the mandatory workshop for Program Year 2024: 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, February 8 Hosted by the Village of Oak Park, the workshop will cover: Application for funding Required attachments Reporting requirements Grant funding timelines Attendance at the virtual workshop is required to apply for funding in PY2024 Email grants@oak-park.us to receive a registration link or for more information

www.oak-park.us/cdbg

adopted 12-09-10 — EINSTEIN adopted 12-09-10

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

VIEWPOINTS

Three astrophysicists in San Diego 39

Amerikas chef creates a new mezcal

or a while now, chef/owner Armando Gonzalez of Amerikas in neighboring Oak Park has offered mezcal made in conjunction with Prolijo, an awardwinning maker of the spirit; we’ve tried it, and we liked it: herbaceous, lightly smoky and silky. This coming spring, Gonzalez will again be working with Prolijo to launch a new mezcal, Oaxaco, a name derived from his home state of Oaxaca, the Mexican state best known for producing mezcal. Mezcal, though not as wellknown as tequila, is gaining in popularity; in fact, it’s currently one of the fastest growing spirits in the United States. There are reasons for this popularity in the U.S. and elsewhere, but chief among those reasons, at least for me, is that mezcal offers more flavors. Mezcal and tequila are both made from the agave plant, but mezcal expresses flavors not available to tequila. That’s because by federal regulation, mezcal can be made from dozens of Local Dining different agave plants, whereas & Food Blogger tequila can technically be made only from Blue Weber agave, thus limiting tequila’s taste range. Oaxaco, Amerika’s new mezcal, will be a blend of espadín along with two other agave varieties, arroqueño and tepextate, which means that each bottle will deliver a whole lot of flavors you won’t find in tequila. Mezcal is also better suited to reflecting the many tastes of the terroir, the place where it grew. One of the reasons mezcal mirrors the land so well is that it takes a long time for agave plants to grow to maturity; with espadín, it can take up to eight years for the agave plant to mature. During all that time in the ground, the plant is absorbing the flavors of the Mexican countryside. In contrast, consider that scotch and bourbon — one mostly barley, the other mostly corn — leverages the flavors of plants that live and die within one single season. “Artisanal” is a buzzword, sometimes meaningless, but the Amerika’s mezcal is truly artisanal, produced

DAVID

HAMMOND

See DAVID HAMMOND on page 42

FILE

Clockwise from top left: Thursday Night Out, Day in Our Village, Farmers Market, Oaktoberfest

A few of my favorite things

ak Park is magical for me, and I look forward to sharing some of my favorite things about it during 2024. I am an Oak Park transplant who lived in both the city and the suburbs before settling here. On my street in other suburbs, people often casually waved to their neighbors driving down their street on the way to their attached garages. Very few people walked with a destination in mind, as there were few sidewalks and to get to places, you needed to drive. In the city, with ambulance sirens, bus traffic and people talking loudly as they walked outside my window, it was sometimes an assault on my senses. Oak Park’s sidewalks, on the other hand, offer the opportunity to do walking errands and chat with people, which is so much better than living in either the city or the suburbs. And while I do like Oak Park’s two favorite sons, Frank Lloyd Wright and Ernest Hemingway, they are

only part of what I love about my adopted hometown. Here are some of the things that I especially love about Oak Park: Independent businesses; a plethora of restaurants; dedicated volunteers asking residents to sign petitions; residents sharing their thoughts and convictions in Wednesday Journal’s Viewpoints section; and village and township government filled with volunteers. In fact, when I applied to serve on a local government committee, I not only had to fill out an application, but I was also interviewed by several people. It was a more rigorous process than many job interviews for pay. For me, Oak Park is filled with vibrancy and diversity. Many times, I walk down the streets and start to smile, as if I were seeing a wedding or a cute baby. It’s a family-friendly community where you can

JOY AARONSON One View

See JOY AARONSON on page 42

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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OPRF’s honest challenges

t is always disarming, wonderfully disarming, when Greg Johnson, superintendent of Oak Park and River Forest High School, agrees with criticism of his school. This week the Journal reports on results of this year’s 5 Essentials Survey. The statewide project asks students, teachers and parents to assess the public schools in a community. The survey focuses on, yes, five critical areas of performance: effective leaders, collaborative teachers, a supportive environment, ambitious instruction and involved families. Results and participation rise and fall a bit each year. This time around, faculty participation was a bit off from the state average at 68.1%, and just under 80% of students took part, which was 6 points under the state average. And at 22% parent participation, OPRF beat the state average by 3.5%. The survey results concluded that instructional leadership and professional development are areas of concern though there was upward movement on professional development — just not enough to move it out of the very weak category. Johnson admitted that ambitious instruction and supportive environment are “two areas that need attention.” Lynda Parker, the school’s principal, on the other hand, is wildly popular with teachers earning a trust rating of 98%. Not surprisingly, both teachers and students share concerns about safety on the Scoville Avenue campus. Only 13% of students said they feel “very safe” in the school although another 47% said they feel mostly safe at OPRF. For both teachers and students, concerns about safety increased markedly from a year ago. OPRF is a large and complex institution which increasingly in recent years has sought to address its challenges with ambition and acknowledge its shortcomings with candor. We see that approach with both the administration and the school board, and it is refreshing.

Practical care, loving faith The Community of Congregations, an alliance of faith-based organizations in Oak Park and River Forest and on the West Side, is leading a new effort it calls the Oak Park Resettlement Task Force. This is an effort among an array of groups and individuals with the goal of providing essential services and support to the some 160 migrants currently living in the village. While village government is currently funding housing for these new neighbors, that is only a short-term solution. The task force is gathering steam to provide longer term local housing options, access to legal advice, connections to schools and a warm and genuine welcome. The task force’s efforts are aligned, but run parallel to, efforts from village hall. This is an ambitious show of support and concern that needs support from all of Oak Park and neighboring communities. Next week, the Community of Congregations will host its annual meeting at the iconic New Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church on Washington Boulevard in West Garfield Park. The connections between congregations in the near-west suburbs with churches on the West Side are increasingly authentic and productive. With the success of its recently completed Holiday Gift Basket program, this is an organization of practical accomplishment, which grows out of faith and love.

The battle of ‘sine qua non’

he challenges we face, at home and abroad, are many and daunting — to the point of overwhelming. So it’s understandable that people feel stressed. Some of us feel helpless, even hopeless. Will we ever make real progress on creating a better world? Both in this country and around the globe, battles are raging between Authoritarianism and Democracy. The 2024 presidential election in this country, in fact, looks to be a repeat battle between an Autocrat and a Democrat. Elsewhere — in Ukraine for instance — we have been providing arms and other forms of support to help that independent country stay democratic. The benefits of doing so are potentially great. If Ukraine defeats the Russian invaders, it will strike a huge blow against authoritarianism, which will ripple worldwide. It will likely cause the overthrow of autocrat Vladimir Putin and help the Russian people take steps toward establishing a genuine Democracy. There is plenty of moral clarity about this battle — except among Republican autocrats, who admire Putin and resent Ukraine for their involvement in the (first) impeachment of their glorious leader. Many others, in the meantime, are rethinking providing arms to an authoritarian government in Israel. Israelis have a right to defend themselves, but the extent of the retaliation and retribution against Hamas and, more directly, the people of Gaza offers much less moral clarity. The suffering inflicted is massive, with no end in sight, and however it ends, it will not resolve what ails that region. There will be no winners in this conflict until both sides win. Our biggest battle, in partnership with all other nations, is saving the planet by making the long overdue transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. But time is running out, and climate disasters are extremely expensive, causing more and more suffering and devastation every year. Linked to both climate change and the scourge of authoritarianism is the refugee crisis, which causes much moral confusion among wealthier nations, where many call for closing borders and are tempted to turn to authoritarian leaders — a bewildering paradox. People flee their countries of origin because authoritarian regimes make their lives intolerable, but upon arrival at the borders of nonauthoritarian nations, officials try to keep them out, using authoritarian means, including busing them to other cities and dumping them — our latest version of human trafficking. Common sense says you can’t use authoritarian measures to solve a problem caused by authoritarianism. And the problem will

only get worse as climate change makes other countries less livable. We have many domestic battles as well. In addition to reproductive rights, gun violence, etc., we are a nation founded on white supremacy, yet we promise universal equality. This contradiction has existed for almost 250 years, and we’re still trying to live up to our declared creed, which states that all people are created equal and must therefore be treated equally under the law in order to form a more perfect union. Yet despite incremental progress, we still struggle to answer a basic question: Do the lives of the underprivileged matter as much as the lives of the privileged? Underpinning this is economic inequality, the seemingly eternal battle between rich and poor. All of these challenges overlap and intersect and seem to be coming to a head at the same time. So it’s not surprising that those who hunger and thirst for progress feel overwhelmed. The good news is that none of these challenges is unsolvable. The bad news is there’s a big fat impediment blocking our path to a better country and a better world. That battle must be fought before all the other challenges can be addressed and resolved: It is our sine qua non, a Latin term meaning “without which, nothing.” Or, as Wikipedia puts it, “an indispensable and essential action, condition, or ingredient.” Without which, nothing else is possible. Our sine qua non is defeating Donald Trump and his authoritarian movement, i.e. choosing concern for the common good over vengeance, punishment, retaliation and scorched earth. Until we do that, we cannot make real progress on all our other challenges. That’s our one job. The good news is if Democracy defeats the authoritarians this November, we can usher in a dramatic new era of progress on many fronts. Defeating the Authoritarian Party and giving the People’s Party a governing majority will save and strengthen Democracy by enabling long overdue reforms that will improve the quality of life for all Americans. So don’t feel so overwhelmed. One thing to stress about is better than a dozen. For the next 10 months, we have just one mission to accomplish: Defeat Trump. Your political affiliation is irrelevant. If you are on the side of Democracy, nothing else matters. And if we’re successful, our sine qua non will turn into quae non obstante, totum: “In spite of everything, anything is possible.” Keep your eyes on that prize.

KEN

TRAINOR

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From Oak Park to the universe

n addition to all the worrying you do putting blood, sweat and tears into it. Their about whether or not your kids will be only relief was a midnight venting the week OK when they leave high school to go off of finals when everyone hurled blood curto college, your kids worry too. The task dling screams out their dorm windows just of moving my daughter to the University to relieve the stress. This is an annual event. of California San Diego (UCSD) seemed In the meantime, my daughter received more than daunting for both of us. Rolling an opportunity to apply for a program thoughts include: What if where UCSD sends physics an emergency happens and students to Los Alamos NaI am 2,000 miles away from tional Laboratory (the lab that her? How will she manJ. Robert Oppenheimer foundage the nonprofit tutoring ed). Out of a few hundred organization (Tutortastic. applicants, of which only 30 org) she established the year were chosen, she was one of before? only three freshman chosen. Establishing medical care All of the students received was important. Fortunetworking and mentorship nately, San Diego is rated the opportunities, an amazing number 1 hospital system thing to a freshman. in the country, but it’s still Peera, Lauren, and Monay hard to establish health care struggled through their first thousands of miles away. quarter of school, but they PROVIDED Then there is finding her formed their own chat group tribe. She is unique. She is and called their group “Hid‘Hidden Figures’ take a selfie an intelligent astrophysics den Figures” because they major who likes producing intend to be women of color music and engages in other forms of art. in STEM. On her flight home for Thanksgiving break, UCSD was a difficult move-in because there is as a man sitting next to Peera said very loudly, “What are much walking on campus as we do in half a year. Withyou doing? I’ve never seen something like that before.” in a short period of time, she met her closest friends: Startled, she replied “calculus” and laughed nervously. Lauren and Monay. They are astrophysics and math At this, others turned to look and snickered. majors. These girls of color in STEM bonded and were Peera explained she was an astrophysics major, brought together from three corners of the country. to which he said, “What do you want to be?” A little They converged and made a pact to get through their dumbfounded by his obliviousness, she replied, “An STEM majors as proud African-American girls. When astrophysicist.” Others around them laughed. We later saw a post about a similar situation on social things got tougher, they knew they could not back down media, so maybe calculus scaring people on planes is a because they were representing women of color. Things thing. Oak Park and River Forest have been the incubawere so challenging, they realized why there were so tor for many interesting people in this world. As our few of them represented in these fields. So they doubled kids leave our nests, I take comfort that the universe down and worked harder in their biggest challenge of will take care of them and help them birth something the quarter: Calculus. that will make an impact on the world in some big or Then came COVID, which put my daughter her small manner. behind in her classes. Nonetheless, they had to figure EL Serumaga is a resident of River Forest. out how to pass. They studied together for long hours,

EL SERUMAGA One View

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024 W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs Digital Manager Stacy Coleman Staff Reporter Amaris Rodriguez, Luzane Draughon Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Special Projects Manager Susan Walker Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, 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 ■ 250-word limit ■ Must include first and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

Make the world a better place

This commentary was written by my kids, Bennett and Rosemary Funk, ages 10 and 8, respectively. They asked if I would submit it for your consideration: Everybody knows the world isn’t perfect. We’re worried about wars that are hurting people, the amount of pollution, and climate change. Here in Oak Park, we can take little steps each day to make it better. These steps add up if we keep taking them. You can recycle, pick up trash outside, plant trees and plants that suck up carbon, and give to charity.

By 2030, we hope that most of you have electric cars and are using renewable energy. That year we’ll be in high school, and climate change will affect our lives in big ways. We want our children to be able to live in a world worth living in. There’s no Planet B. That’s why we’re asking you to take action today to make the world a better place.

Amy Rosenthal Oak Park

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY ■ 500-word limit ■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

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ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00. A one-year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County. Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2024 Growing Community Media, NFP.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

hat was God thinking? The world was as broken 2,024 years ago as it is now. Climate change wasn’t an issue then, of course, but what is now called Israel was an occupied territory ruled by imperial Rome, and society had slid so far into the ethical pit that Romans would leave unwanted babies on the side of the road. According to St. Luke, the way God responded to the brokenness was to leave the serenity of heaven, come to Earth as a vulnerable baby and die on a cross. What good does/did that do? How does that mend anything? Imagine President Biden sending Benjamin Netanyahu a Christmas card with the baby Jesus in a manger on the cover and on the inside writing, “Dear Bibi, the way to resolve the conflict in Gaza is to start loving Hamas and the Palestinian people.” How do you think that would go down with the Israeli premier’s ruling, hard-right coalition? I think Bibi would respond with something like, “Dear Joe, what are you smoking? Can’t you see that Hamas is an evil terrorist organization that wants to remove Israel from the face of the earth? The only way to respond to evil like that is to completely eliminate them!” You see the irony in that response, of

V I E W P O I N T S

Mending a broken world

course. Does a baby in a manger bring any light into the darkness of the world? Were Christians who sang “Silent Night” while holding flickering candles a few weeks ago escaping into a fantasy world? Is It’s a Wonderful Life, so popular at Christmastime, merely a fantasy, a sentimental escape from reality? What is really real, profoundly real, after all? Let me respond to that question by using the metaphor of kidney failure and dialysis. According to the National Kidney Foundation, “Dialysis is a very effective treatment option for clearing waste products and extra fluid from your blood. However, it does not fully replace all the kidney’s functions, so it is not considered a cure for kidney disease or kidney failure.” Dialysis mitigates the effects of kidney failure but only a new kidney cures the problem. The IDF’s military might and Iron Dome have been fairly effective in mitigating the effect of violence perpetrated by Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, but at what cost to civilians? And will the military

TOM HOLMES

Americans’ perversity

Some people continue to believe untruths about the 2020 election. Their life keeps plugging along, but they don’t favor the person responsible for our national equilibrium. Instead they support a deeply troubled sociopath. What’s up with us? Biden’s presidency was stuffed with crises from day one: COVID, a jumpy economy, climate change, Afghanistan, Ukraine, China, Israel. That’s a lot for 3/4 of a presidential term but he keeps juggling. One may not agree with his choices, but he is competent and communicative. He knows the job and does it in good faith. Sure he is older, but the wisdom and patience of those years keep paying dividends for the American people. He’s a steady hand on the tiller. Why then do Biden’s poll numbers hover in the 30s? It is perverse! On the other hand, we have a candidate schooled in business — not government. He’s a famous, wealthy TV star who spews hateful antisemitic phrases without challenge. As of

approach cure the underlying issue? Dialysis mitigates the effects of kidney failure, but only a new kidney cures the problem. The Civil War in this country eliminated one kind of slavery and preserved the union, at least to a degree, but it didn’t mend the brokenness, nor did it cure the underlying disease. We can mitigate the effects of heart disease with medication, diet, lifestyle changes and surgical interventions but only a new heart will cure the underlying problem. Legislation and education have mitigated the effects of racism, antisemitism, gun violence, dependence on fossil fuels, hate, etc., but those remedies have not cured the disease. The Christmas story, as Luke tells it, is that God decided to address evil in the world by leaving the security of the lifestyle enclave we call heaven and taking up residence in the crime-infested, poverty-ridden, hate-filled, victimized neighborhood we call the world. And so we ask, “How does a baby in a manger address the pain, hate, violence and suffering in the world?”

today he is under 91 indictments. He failed to win a second term. He’s a serial cheater. He’s a bull in the china shop of our government. Yet this is our leading Republican candidate? Americans are perverse. Webster says perverse means “obstinately continuing in a fault or error.” Why are so many Americans continuing to believe in assertions without facts? Are they suffering some PTSD, the result of just being alive at this time and place? Are they acting out their rage to feel better about the complexity of modern life? Whatever the cause, this perversity needs to end. We are basically decent people who don’t want good fortune at the cost of somebody else’s misery. We pay taxes to address the needs of the common good. We need to vote with as much loyalty to the common good. This is too serious to be perverse about.

Karen Muriello Oak Park

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Perhaps Dionne Warwick was channeling the Christmas story when she sang, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. That’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.” To cure one disease we need a new kidney. To cure others we need new hearts and minds, a new reality which is more profoundly real and lasting than the one to which we’ve become accustomed. The metaphor implies that until we get a new heart, military force and legislation may be necessary, but we dare not delude ourselves that therein lies the cure. Abraham Lincoln was willing to sacrifice 600,000 lives in order to preserve the union, but what he said in his Second Inaugural Address reveals, at least to me, that he understood a military victory was not a cure. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive … to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations. Maybe God, in the long run, knew what he was doing after all. Tom Holmes is a Forest Park resident who writes a regular column in the Forest Park Review, a Growing Community Media publication.

No longer supporting Kina Collins for Congress

In 2022, I volunteered extensively on Kina Collins’ campaign for Congress. However, I can no longer support her candidacy, as she has repeatedly denied Israel’s right to defend itself following its most devastating terrorist attack in decades. While it is not antisemitic to criticize Israeli policy, it is unacceptable to blame the pain and horrors the Palestinians have endured on Israel and call Israel’s actions “genocide” — both of which Kina did in a statement on X in October. I expressed my opposition in an hourlong conversation I had with Kina after she released her statement. I had hoped she would consider my criticism and issue a clarifying statement. She has not done so, and has in fact doubled down on her opposition to Israel’s acts of self-defense in subsequent posts.

Kina also discusses Israel’s self-defense response to Hamas’ barbarism of Oct. 7 and efforts to evacuate civilians from a war zone, calling these actions genocide — but in fact, self-defense is an inherent right of a nation and evacuating citizens is required under international law. Kina’s calls for an unconditional and immediate ceasefire are unacceptable. Israel cannot bend to the whims of a terrorist organization. I don’t regret the time I spent volunteering on Kina’s campaign in 2022. Unfortunately, Kina’s unrelenting opposition to Israel’s right of self-defense has proven to me that she does not, in fact, represent my values.

Tim Mellman

River Forest

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

Since when is insurrection We need government that isn’t run by lobbyists a ‘technicality’?

here are four fatal flaws in the recent Trib editorial, “Better that voters reject Trumpism than judges. But Trump makes that case hard to argue,” Chicago Tribune, Jan. 10. First, disqualifying a candidate because they attempted to overthrow democracy is hardly a “technicality”! Is it also a technicality that one must be at least 35 years old to run? Do rules have no meaning? Trump and his gang wanted to disqualify Obama from serving as President because they claimed he was not born in the U.S. Another “technicality”? No matter, it was fiction anyway. The second fallacy is the frequently argued “innocent until proven guilty” adage. The United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack conducted 10 public hearings, more than 1,000 witnesses testified, and millions of pages of documents were analyzed. This bipartisan panel voted unanimously to refer former President Donald Trump for criminal prosecution. They concluded there was sufficient evidence to convict Trump of at least four main criminal charges: (1) Obstruction of an official proceeding, (2) Conspiracy to defraud the United States, (3) Conspiracy to knowingly make a false statement, (4) Assisting, aiding or comforting an insurrection. The bipartisan Committee was far more thorough than any criminal trial, and Crime #4 obviously disqualifies Trump from running for any public office. The third error is to argue that because Trump has rabid, violent supporters who might engage in domestic terrorism (as they demonstrated on Jan. 6, 2021) if Trump is not allowed on the ballot, we should give in to fear and try to appease them. I, for one, refuse to give in to threats of terrorists! The final and most devastating flaw in the Tribune editorial is to naively say, “Let the people decide,” when we are dealing with a former president who has already refused to let the people decide. He tried multiple criminal methods to

overturn the 2020 election, and continues to claim he actually won. Why would any sane person imagine that, when he is defeated in 2024, he will accept the verdict of the American people? Trump has made a career of avoiding punishment for his crimes, using intimidation, bribery, and exploiting the legal system, especially with delaying tactics as he is attempting again. The fact is, everyone, including Congress, the Supreme Court, the Republican Party, and the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board, seems to terrified of his retribution, so they pass the buck to someone else. When Trump was impeached for his attack on democracy, Mitch McConnell, who directly blamed Trump for fomenting insurrection [1], said “We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil litigation. And former presidents are not immune from being held accountable by either one.” [2] Now Trump’s lawyers claim that a president can commit murder and be immune from prosecution. In other words, he is above the law. Were he president, he would thus have the power to do absolutely anything. He would be a King or perhaps a God. Democracy would be a memory and the consequences of giving this infantile, vindictive, delusional sociopath absolute power would be a disaster beyond comprehension. The Republican Party is so terrified of Trump that his primary opponents grovel at his feet and fear to criticize him. They will never hold Trump accountable. The Supreme Court has already declined to issue a speedy decision on whether a president can be prosecuted for crimes in office. Perhaps they hope the Appeals Court will decide so they don’t have to. If this openly, brazenly corrupt Supreme Court majority is the final arbiter of whether they support the U.S. Constitution or Trump, I deeply fear for democracy. Tom DeCoursey is a longtime resident of Oak Park.

TOM DECOURSEY One View

We are a week-plus into 2024, a national election year that may end in victory for a party of sociopaths, misogynists, racists, Islamophobes, homophobes, and transphobes, and scores of supportive sycophants, enacting agendas that viciously express these nefarious, dehumanizing, characteristics. Additionally, this party (do I have to name it?) will not seek to serve anyone — of any race, ethnicity or gender — among the working class regarding access to crucially needed health care or a quality education. In fact it will strive to privatize and monetize anything and everything that a representative government is supposed to offer its citizens. Have I missed anything as far as one possible outcome of the 2024 election? The other possible 2024 election outcome would be the party that now controls the White House and Senate. You know, the party with a President and a majority of its congressional members who evidently have monetized their morality regarding the now-threemonth long “war” in the Middle East? By monetize I am alluding to how many “Party of the People” elected officials have clearly been bought and paid for by pro-Israeli donors.

The (Jan. 10) issue of The Guardian breaks down how the average pro-Israel/ Israeli supporter contribution to the People’s Party is $125K while those who are pro-Palestine receive $18K. The U.S. government (granted, as an either-party policy) refuses to enact a permanent ceasefire, which they can accomplish by cutting off funding with our tax dollars going to support Israel’s military. To those who see the bigger picture, as I and others see it, neither election outcome will leave us with a government that won’t be run by lobbyists for Big This and Big That. We could have had single-payer health care and so much more, if only enough elected officials could grow a spine and represent the People and not the billionaire class. Grow a spine and demonstrate that money does not have to dictate the measure of your morality. I have called my representatives to voice my objections. But I will not hold my breath on being listened to, just as Joe Biden won’t listen to the world-wide clamor to end the slaughter in Gaza. Unless We the People demand better, the status will, as usual, remain, quo.

Joseph Harrington

Letters to the editor

E-MAIL: ktrainor@wjinc.com FAX: 708-524-0047 MAIL: Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302

Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

JOY AARONSON

DAVID HAMMOND

from page 37

find a Root Beer Garden near the Beer Garden at OaktoberFest, which takes place in September. There is a vibrant Farmers Market (which I wrote about in depth this past spring, summer and fall) and many other happenings. In Oak Park, I see people of different skin-color hues, old and young, able-bodied and those in wheelchairs and those who carry canes. I smell more acceptance in the air than in other communities I’ve visited or lived in. What I don’t like so much are parking and property taxes. A friend coming to visit recently called from her car with desperation in her voice, frustrated that there were so many parking signs with so much different information that she couldn’t read them without parking her car. I gave her suggestions on where to park and she was able to visit me without getting a ticket. To park overnight, you need to download an app and can get only a limited number of free times each month. All in all, Oak Park — or as it is sometimes called “Oak Park, No Park” — is not too welcoming for drivers. Also, property taxes are high and many people can’t afford to own a home here. It makes me sad that some longtime residents who love Oak Park, raised their families here, and are now on fixed incomes, can’t afford to remain here when they retire. But for me, the wonderful parts outweigh the not-so-wonderful parts of Oak Park. In the next months I will share some of my Favorite Things. In these essays, I invite you to come along with me to visit, and if they pique your interest, perhaps later you can visit them and put them on your Favorite Things list too. Joy Aaronson is an Oak Park resident who wrote stories for the Wednesday Journal in 2023 on the Oak Park Farmers Market. Previously, she contributed to Chicago Parent and written the Kids’ World column for the former Logan Square Free Press.

using the traditional, handcrafted ways. Agave hearts are trimmed with a machete and cooked in huge outdoor pits to develop sugars that will be converted to alcohol during fermentation. In larger commercial operations, the agave hearts may be put through something like a wood-chipper before going into the fermentation tanks. Amerikas’ mezcal, however, uses a traditional technique: agave hearts are crushed using a tahona, a large cement wheel pulled by a horse or burro. In a 2017 Chicago Tribune article, I explained that grinding agave, like grinding herbs, releases flavors in ways that just don’t happen when you chop them up; for the same reason, you “mull” ingredients for a cocktail: smashing them releases flavors that won’t be released if you simply cut them up. “I have mezcal in my blood,” chef Gonzalez told us. On your next trip to Amerikas, try to make sure you have some of their mezcal in your glass.

Favorite Oak Park things

A new spirit

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R Y

Julia Hickey Memorial

A memorial service for Julia Hickey will take place on Saturday, Jan. 27 at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest. Julia died on Dec. 1, 2023 in St. Croix Virgin Islands, where she was living. She attended Oak Park schools when the family moved here from Wales, UK. She is survived by her mother, Susan; her brothers, Paul, Chris and Patrick; her sister, Gaye Kassir; her nephews, Dan Hickey and P.J. Hickey. She was preceded in death by her father, John, and her sister, Camille. Many remember her bubbly personality and compassion. There will be a gathering at 10 a.m., with the service starting at 11. There will be a reception with food at noon. An open mic will be available for anyone who would like to share a memory they have of Julia. In lieu of flowers, please donate to any animal rescue or domestic violence support organizations of your choosing.

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

Prolijo mezcal at Amerikas

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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Ken Trainor’s “Our Town Oak Park – Walk with Me, in Search of True Community”… “… is like finding love letters at the bottom of a sock drawer. They are familiar but new, old yet young. They cover life’s spectrum: the grand, the small, the joyful, the sad. He has put into words the collective thoughts of our better selves. This is a book you will read many times.” (McLouis Robinet) “… takes us into the lives of its residents, to the benches and pathways of its parks, and the

challenges and inspiration of a town working overtime to create COMMUNITY – not community as in a geographically defined set of coordinates, but a sense of place that nurtures and sustains its residents.” (Rebekah Levin) “… invites readers to celebrate a simple, lowtech stroll around his hometown, discovering the fascinating villagers who make this community the eccentric, unique, cantankerous, and inspirational place it is for so many of us.” (Frank Lipo) Join this “pedestrian friendly” journey of discovery (and rediscovery) through a community like no other yet, in essential ways, like all others.

“Our Town Oak Park” is available at the Book Table, the Oak Park River Forest History Museum, the Wright Home & Studio’s Ginkgo Tree Bookshop, the Oak Park Public Library, and online sites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

BENEFITS ARE WITHIN REACH! Get connected!

The Benefits Access Network is working to connect our neighbors across Chicagoland to food and medical benefits like SNAP and Medicaid. Assistance is free. TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: chicagosfoodbank.org/BAN Benefits Access Network This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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SNOW IS A-OK COLD, NOT SO MUCH Alex White (left) pushes a sled with Cyrus White and Ayelec Brown on board as Mitchel and Abbie Brown look on in Scoville Park on Jan. 13. A couple (below) walks their black labs at South Boulevard and Marion Street after the snowstorm ended.

PHOTOS BY TODD A. BANNOR

A worker (above) clears snow from the South Blvd entrance to the CTA Green Line station after the snowstorm. A worker (right) uses a salt spreader on the sidewalk at Pleasant and Marion streets.

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

SPORTS Fenwick downs OPRF, wins Hruby Cup Game two of the series decided in OT By LAUREN RECCHIA Contributing Reporter

Game two of the Hruby Cup series between Fenwick and OPRF’s boys hockey teams did not disappoint fans who braved the cold to attend. The Friars (23-25-0) got past OPRF with a 3-2 victory in overtime Sunday night at West Meadows Ice Arena, as defenseman Joe Krzak launched a shot from the left side with 2:08 left to play in the extra frame. “It was an amazing feeling,” Krzak said. “I owe it all to [forward] Will Pabst, he gave me the puck and set me up for a great opportunity. As soon as he passed it, I knew I was going to go up. I was waiting for someone to go after me, and I took the time and went up in the zone and ended up burying it.” The Huskies (8-21-3) got on the board early, as defenseman Griffin Wesley notched a goal in the first shift of the game. OPRF extended their lead with another goal from Wesley from the right side with 13:43 left to play in the third period. “[Wesley] scoring that goal right away for us was huge,” said Huskies head coach

Mike Murphy. “It was fantastic to get up on that team. This was our Super Bowl, and even though we lost, for our guys to have the class and character that they did was huge.” Fenwick answered with a goal from forward Christian White from the right side with 8:31 left to play in the third period, and with 6:01 left to play the Friars tied it up on a goal by forward Johnny Sena from the left side to knot the score up at 2-2. “I told the boys that it was time to work [in the third period],” Krzak said. “I understand that we didn’t have the best first or second period and that’s OK, but that’s why it’s a three-period game and it gives you the ability to come back. It was nice.” OPRF goalie Cole Jackson notched 34 saves for the Huskies, including 18 in the first period, keeping his team in it until the end. “[Jackson] played amazingly,” Murphy said. “He kept us in it, we played our best hockey in all three periods.” With the victory, the Friars secured their second Hruby Cup win in a row, after winning game one of the series previously. Fenwick head coach Nick Fabbrini and the rest of the Friars team were proud to take the trophy home in what is always a very competitive rivalry series. “It was a great game with a great crowd,”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenwick’s James Papp (6) carries the puck while under pressure from Oak Park and River Forest’s Jack Fransen (3) during the Paul Hruby Cup at West Meadows Ice Arena Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Rolling Meadows. Fabbrini said. “We had a great student section even though we played away from Oak Park. That’s what high school hockey is all about. Coach Hruby has done so much for hockey at both Oak Park and Fenwick, and for the whole Oak Park community. Anytime you get to pay homage to a local legend like that, it’s great for the program.” The Huskies were also proud of their great start to the game and how they’ve been continuing to build this season.

“I’d love to win some more games, but this year was really about making sure we have a good culture,” Murphy said. “We really did a good job of that; the kids have been on their best behavior. For them to be in that emotional situation in this game and still carry themselves the way that they did, it’s a mature and under-control program we have right now.”

OPRF wrestlers take down Fenwick

Huskies prevail over Friars in crosstown showdown By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The weather was frigid outside, but the wrestling inside Fenwick High School’s

Lawless Gym sizzled as Oak Park and River Forest High School made the short trek down East Avenue on Jan. 13. While athletic competition between the two schools often goes down to the wire, on this occasion the Huskies took control early and coasted to a 43-15 victory. “We’ve been wrestling well this year in dual meets,” said OPRF coach Paul Collins. “These guys wrestle really hard for each

other, and I appreciate that. I’ve got a lot of respect for Seth [Gamino, Fenwick coach] getting this [match] back up.” OPRF won seven consecutive matches to start the meet. The Huskies earned a 13-7 victory at 120 pounds by Ruben Acevedo; major decision wins from AJ Noyes at 132 and Joe Knackstedt at 138; and pinfall wins from Ryan Wozniak at 144, David Ogunsanya at 150, Isaac Davies at 157, and Hugh

Vanek at 165. “We’ve got a solid lineup up and down,” Collins said. “We’ll keep pushing as we prepare for the [IHSA] regional. But we also want to compete for the [West Suburban Silver] title. We’re in a good position there with a 4-0 mark; if we win our last two matches, we’ll be champions and check See WRESTLING on page 46

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

S P O R T S

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OPRF, Fenwick, Trinity winners at MLK Showcase Kapsch, Santos, and Spruille get their respective Player of the Game honors

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Last season, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls basketball team lost to Taft in the debut of the MLK Showcase at Trinity High School. On Jan. 15, the Huskies made a return trip and found themselves on the winning side this time, shaking off a sluggish start to pull away for a 45-12 victory over Senn. “It’s pretty cold, and we literally had to warm up,” said OPRF coach Renee Brantley. “We made little mistakes here and there, and they decided to clean them up.” OPRF (4-16) held Senn scoreless in the second quarter and allowed only four baskets the entire game, which pleased Brantley. “We definitely want to challenge our girls to keep the standard, no matter who we’re playing,” she said. “We take pride in our defense and want to keep building off that.” Shardae Spruille, named OPRF’s Player of the Game, had a game-high 12 points and grabbed four rebounds. Gabrielle Chesney added 10 points and six rebounds, Jada Noyes nine points, and Anne Breuer and Taylor Smith five each. “It’s an honor to remember Dr. King and continue to compete in his name, not just in sports, but in life,” Brantley said. “No matter who we play, we believe we can compete as long as we do our jobs.” In the afternoon, Grace Kapsch had a team-high 12 points and added seven assists to lead Fenwick (6-15) to a 43-27 victory over Thornton Fractional North. Kapsch was named Fenwick’s Player of the Game. “Today’s a day we’re honoring Martin Luther King, and to come together and play in these tournaments, I think it’s great

WRESTLING

Huskies and Friars grapple from page 45 a good group of kids who’ve responded to everything we’ve thrown at them.” Following WSC Silver matches with visiting York, Jan. 16 (after deadline), and at Glenbard West, Jan. 17, OPRF will host its

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenwick’s Zoe Dray (25) drives to the basket against Thornton Fractional North during the 2nd Annual MLK Showcase at Trinity High School on Jan. 15, in River Forest. for the girls,” said Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson. “Being represented by a lot of African-American coaches, I always love it, and I hope ]Trinity] continues this.” Zoe Dray had eight points and six rebounds; Darryelle Smith seven points and six rebounds; and Kiera Kapsch and Cam-

mie Molis six points each for the Friars. “They’re definitely finding their confidence, which is good. I’m proud of them,” Grace Kapsch said of her younger teammates. “They’re figuring out how they want to play, and it’s good for them.” With young teams like Fenwick, offense

annual Huskie Invitational, Jan. 20. In this meet, after starting the dual inauspiciously, Fenwick finished strong with victories in the final three matches: Patrick Gilboy at 175, Luke D’Alise at 190, and Gianni Bertacchi at 285, the latter two via pinfall. “OPRF is a powerhouse,” Gamino said. “But we’re coming around, and it was good competition tonight.” D’Alise is Fenwick’s only senior in the lineup and a team captain. He likes how his

younger teammates are developing. “We’ve got a lot of potential ahead of us,” he said. “We’ve got to focus on our technique and give it our all in practice.” D’Alise, a downstate qualifier last year in his first season of wrestling, is eager to make a return trip to Champaign next month. “I want to get down there and make a statement,” he said. “I want to keep working hard, and my results will speak for themselves.”

tends to come and go. But Fergerson wants the Friars to concentrate on defense, knowing that will be the key to success come postseason. “It was like pulling teeth at times [against TF North],” she said, “but I told them I’m just worried about the defense. We have to set the tone defensively, and the offense will come.” In the day’s finale, host Trinity got past Hyde Park, 48-42, to win their Showcase game for the second consecutive year. Lauren Miller led the Blazers (10-11) with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Chloe Santos, named Trinity’s Player of the Game, added 14 points and 10 rebounds. The effort from Santos, a 5-11 sophomore, was impressive considering she was in the post going up against 6-4 Hyde Park center Mia Gaines, a Southern Illinois University signee who had 22 points and 14 rebounds, both game highs. “It was hard, but we fought until the end,” Santos said. “We have to keep fighting and stay composed in games like this, and defense wins games.” “Chloe did her thing tonight. I’m super proud of her,” Trinity coach Kim Coleman said. “This is who Chloe can be. We knew this, but we’re glad everyone got to see it. And Chloe and Lauren working together? That’s a scary sight.” Coleman, who created the MLK Showcase last year, thought the event went well again this year. She’s already looking forward to next year. “I appreciate all the teams that came out and supported it,” Coleman said. “A huge thank-you to our parents; they do a great job of organizing this. Also, thanks to our athletic director (Ken Trendel) for being supportive.” Fenwick competes in the Chicago Catholic League meet Jan. 20 at St. Rita. Gamino said the Friars’ goal is to be as competitive as possible with an eye on next year. “We just want to wrestle well, pick up some hardware, and feel good about ourselves,” he said. “We’re not looking for a place this year, but when everyone’s a junior or senior next year, we’re going to have fun. I’m happy with the progress my team is making.”

Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024 47

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PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Robert Thomas Vishneski Case Number 20234006707. There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Robert Thomas Vishneski to the new name of: Robin Titania Vishneski The court date will be held: On January 30, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom at Zoom Access Code: 914 3462 0283 Password: 988648 To access Zoom by phone call 312626-6799 then enter the Access code and password listed above. Published in Wednesday Journal January 10, 17, 24, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION DOCKET NUMBER: PC 24-01 (Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment - Zoning Ordinance Text and Map Amendments) HEARING DATE: February 1, 2024 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 - Council Chambers, Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 PETITIONER: Village of Oak Park, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 REQUEST: The Petitioner, the Village of Oak Park, seeks a text amendment to the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance as follows: An amendment to Article 14

(“Zoning Approvals”), Section 14.1 (“Zoning Text and Map Amendment”), subsection B (“Initiation”) regarding property owner authorization for a Zoning Ordinance map or text amendment. A copy of the proposed text amendment is on file and 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.

ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO BE HEARD OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Published in Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

Request of Dana Louise McKinzie Case Number 2023 CONC 001444 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Dana Louize McKinzie tto the new name of: Dana Louise Allen.

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The court date will be held: On March 8, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.at in Courtroom # 12, Zoom link: https://circuitcourtofcookcounty. zoom.us/j/95894921843?pwd=S1RCcmlCZjFpRnVIQUpZU25lRzJFUT09 Meeting ID: 958 9492 1843 Passcode: 226532 Published in Wednesday Journal January 17, 24, 31, 2024

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Wednesday Journal, January 17, 2024

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