Wednesday Journal 012021

W E D N E S D A Y

January 20, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 25 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Boutet, again, leaves village president race

Endorses Village Clerk Vicki Scaman

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

A FATHER-DAUGHTER BUSINESS: Whirlwind Coffee is a shared endeavor between David Silverstein (left) and his daughter Maya.

Whirlwind of emotion behind Madison Street roastery

Philanthropic coffee business set to open in February in old Gilchrist Hardware

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

A ComEd meter installation is all that stands between Oak Park resident David Silverstein and the phased opening of his craft coffee roasting company designed to honor the memory of his late

wife with a philanthropic twist. If all goes well, Whirlwind Coffee, 513 Madison St., will be up and running in the old Gilchrist Hardware building by the end of February and donating to local organizations as soon as the business See WHIRLWIND on page 9

Simone Boutet, a sitting Oak Park village trustee, has dropped out of the village presidential race for a second time. In a statement posted on Facebook Jan. 16, Boutet announced her decision to step down again by quoting William Shakespeare’s Hamlet – “to thine own self be true.”

“While this is a deeply personal decision, I am also mindful of the potential outcomes of this race and ways that the vote could split to produce a result that a majority of the community does not support,” Boutet wrote.

With Boutet out of the running, the candidates for village president, sometimes known as mayor, of Oak Park are Trustee Dan Moroney, Village Clerk Vicki Scaman and Cate Readling, a local activist and former part-time park district employee. Scaman and Readling, like Boutet, fall on the progressive end of the political scale. Moroney is seen to be more conservative.

Boutet took the opportunity in her withdrawal announcement to publicly endorse Scaman for village president.

“I am also asking my supporters to support Vicki Scaman, the village president candidate most likely to reduce the polarity that plagues our national and local politics,” she wrote.

In an interview with Wednesday Journal, Scaman said she is “honored” and “grateful” for Boutet’s endorsement.

“Simone’s love for Oak Park is evident in her dedicated and courageous service,” Scaman said. “I wish her all the best and have no doubt that she will continue to contribute in meaningful ways however she See BOUTET on page 12

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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Let’s honor King by reading deeply

M

onday was Martin Luther King Day, which means the nation indulged in its customary forgetting and glossing over of the preacher-activist’s substantial legacy. But just because our crass commercial and consumerist culture reduces King to performative symbol doesn’t mean we have to do so in our individual lives.

Thankfully, there are many thoughtful, well-researched books out there that will acquaint us with the Martin Luther King Jr. who actually lived and thought and fought Commentary — the radical, unpopular King who went against the status quo.

Here are some books I either have read or want to read about the King that we, as a nation, would rather forget than remember. If you can, try purchasing (or, if not in stock, ordering) them from The Book Table, 1045 Lake St. in Oak Park.

■ Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Life, by Marshall Frady This elegiac biography is a great primer on King’s life. At roughly 200 pages, you can easily gulp it down one sitting. Frady’s in o prose is like consumpro ing a rich bone broth, the linguistic version of umami, the Japanese term for savory. ne Published in 2002, the th book is part of Penguin Random P House’s Penguin H Lives series. Frady illuminates this life, bringing you into the past with his prose. It helps that he was literally there — as a young reporter movement for Newsweek covering the move — and he isn’t afraid to humanize King, to describe how he was perceived by people, particularly reporters, when he was alive. “‘I am a troubled soul,’ King admitted more than once.

MICHAEL ROMAIN

Indeed, long before Memphis, he had come to dwell in a private Gethsemane of guilt over not only the cost of his mission on his people, but what he felt were his own personal betrayals of his high public meaning. Always haunted by a reverence for the austere and ascetic, he attempted to maintain a modesty in his own circumstances, confining himself to a meager salary, y, a small rented frame house in a humble le neighborhood, an old car, plain dark suits. Yet those suits were often silk, as were the pajamas.”

■ Nine Days: The Race to Save Marrtin Luther King Jr.’s Life and Win the he 1960 Election, by Stephen Kendrick k and Paul Kendrick.

This book, which I’m just getting into, explores King’s first night in jail — a historic event that would amount to “the ultimate October surprise” before the 1960 presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.

“In 1960, the civil rights movement was growing increasingly inventive and energized while white politicians favored the corrosive tactics of silence nce and stalling,” the book’s jacket cover reads. “But an audacious team in the Kennedy campaign’s Civil Rights Section decided to act. In a contest in which Black voters seemed poised to split their votes between the candidates, the leaders of the CRS […] convinced Kennedy to agitate for King’s release [and] their actions would end up deciding one of the closes elections in American history.”

Ironically, the country’s deep racial quagmire played out in Georgia, where King was jailed, tipping the balance of federal power from one party to another. Sound familiar?

■ The America in the King Years trilogy by Taylor Branch, which includes: Parting the Waters, Pillar of Fire and At Canaan’s Edge.

Taylor Branch’s three books on the Civil

Rights era, which it traces from King’s rise to national prominence from 1954 to his assassination in 1968, is a classic, a masterpiece of historical writing. Branch’s trilogy is a book about King told through the lives of the people who made him, and who made the Civil Rights Movement what it was.

We know how the King era ends, but Branch’s literary brilliance is such that he nonetheless keeps the reader in suspense.

Yes, you may know about King’s “Mountaintop Speech,” delivered the “ night before his assassination, but Branch n grounds that speech in the rich soil of the g Black preaching tradition from which King B emerged. em Branch opens the first book, Parting the Waters, with a chapter on Vernon Johns, W the th genius preacher, orator and scholar who King Kin in 1954 succeeded as the lead minister at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, De Alabama.

Ala Dejected by the fact that liberal theologians D didn’t didn publish any sermons by Negros in their annual book of best sermons, Johns “sat down annu and wrote out a sermon of his own, ‘Transfigured Moments,’ which in 1926 became the first work by Mom a Negro Neg published in Best Sermons. […] “‘It is good to be the possessor of some mountain-top experience,’ wrote Johns, in a long passage on the need to tie the inspiration of leaders to the experience of the common people. ‘It is a heart strangely un-Christian that cannot thrill with joy when the least of men begin to pull in the direction of the stars.’”

123 Oak Parkers positive for COVID-19 in past week River Forest had 17 new cases

By JAMES KAY Staff Writer

Positive COVID-19 cases continue to make their way through Oak Park as another 123 residents tested positive over the past week, according to the Oak Park Department of Public Health. Those who tested positive range in age from “less than 20 into their

90s” based on the village’s COVID-19 bulletin.

River Forest had 17 new cases of COVID-19 compared with the previous week where the village reported 32 positive cases.

Oak Park’s 14-day rolling positivity rate is now 6.43 percent, according to Northwestern University’s COVID-19 database. The village is also averaging 17 new cases of COVID-19 a day.

After a week where it had an 11.4 percent positivity rate, River Forest’s 7-day positiv-

ity rate dropped to 4.63 percent. In an email to River Forest residents on Jan. 14, Village President Catherine Aducci said the previous week’s uptick in cases “could be related to gatherings over the holidays.”

While there were no deaths in long-term

Oak Park still in first phase of covid vaccine rollout PAGE 11

care and assisted living facilities in Oak Park over the past week, staff members and residents did test positive for COVID-19.

Belmont Village of Oak Park had two new staff cases for a total of 33 since the start of the pandemic. Oak Park Arms had three staffers and three residents test positive for COVID-19. The Arms now has had 16 resident and eight staff cases overall. Oasis of Oak Park had two staffers and one resident test positive, totaling 23 residents and 14 staff cases since the start of the pandemic.

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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BIG WEEK January 20-27

There’s Art in Iceland?

Monday, Jan. 25, 1:30 p.m., Zoom through the Nineteenth Century Charitable Organization

Known for its spectacular landscape, Iceland is home to contemporary artists such as Ragnar Kjartansson and Björk. But its artistic history is centuries old, from folk carving and weaving to 19th-century painting, influenced by the Impressionists and Modernism. Join educator/curator Annie Morse for a dip into the island’s bracing cultural climate. $15, suggested donation; free, members. Register: nineteenthcentury.org

Ragnar Kjartansson, The Blooming Trees Performance, Rokeby Farm, 2008

Oak Park Micro Brew Review Virtual Winter Celebration Purchase tickets by Thursday, Jan. 21, noon.

Event: Saturday, Jan. 23, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Virtually hosted by Haymarket Pub and Brewery Enjoy local brews while supporting Seven Generations Ahead. Includes conversation with Pete Crowley (Haymarket) and Greg Hall (Goose Island and Virtue Cider) on Hall’s influence on the craft beer scene as well as a discussion on wild beers, moderated by Jeff Sparrow, author of the Brewers’ Association’s book on the topic. Music by Katie Cole. Tickets include 12 craft brews to share and two festival glasses. 21+. Beer pick up, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 21 and 22, 5 to 7 p.m., Wild Onion Tied House, 1111 South Blvd., Oak Park, or at Haymarket Pub and Brewery, 737 W. Randolph, Chicago. $55, plus taxes and fees.

Register/more: sevengenerationsahead.org/oak-park-micro-brew-review/

“Gabriel’s Message” Listen Anytime Oak Park Concert Chorale has produced their first virtual choir recording.

The carol was written by local composer Carl Schalk in 2020 for Oak Park Concert Chorale and Paul Lindblad, choir director. Soloists are Valerie Poulos, Judy Thompson, Caleb Joseph and Mark Wilson. Listen: soundcloud.com/ paul-lindblad-795894939/gabriels-message-composed-by-carl-schalkfor-oak-park-concert-chorale-2020?fbclid=IwAR1Gq_XddwFaTEZqfksbhGqJG9aymeT9RJr63ho4NokVPpcNUUnI1Ouui1k

Seed Starting Register now. Class: Thursday, Jan. 28, 7 to 8 p.m., Virtually with the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Learn how to start vegetables indoors to transplant in spring - where to purchase seeds, how to set up for optimal growth, how to thin seedlings and ways to promote strong healthy plants. For ages 18+. Free. Register: ppdop.org

Chess Champs Tuesday, Jan 26, 4 to 5 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Library Attend a chess workshop and take part in an open play chess club led by Luis Tubens. Have a chess board ready or place a hold on a Discovery Kit Chess bag, print out a board and pieces or draw your own board and pieces. Recommended for ages 5-13. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Dancing at a Distance: Papillon

Free Stream of “Rastus and Hattie”

View on Facebook, Instagram, Vimeo and MOMENTA’s webpage See the latest release, performed by Mei-Kuang Chen and Robby Williams.

MOMENTA of Oak Park has created digital dance videos as part of a series for these times, which takes dancers to different parts of town. Check back for new releases. View on social pages or here: momentadances.org/dancing-ata-distance

Through Jan. 31, Virtually with 16th Street Theater In this radio play, accompanied by original illustrations, Needra and Marlene enjoy a perfect post-racial friendship until two problematic robots walk into a christening celebration. These automatons, based on Westinghouse’s 1930s brown-skinned robots, and a glitch in the time-space continuum, place them at opposite ends of society in an alternate past. Register: 16thstreettheater.org

Tips for Online Job Applications Thursday, Jan. 21, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Online job applications are run through a tracking system used as a screening tool by employers. Learn what to watch for and how to answer questions, as well as tips and techniques for optimizing resumes for an Applicant Tracking System. Hear from presenter Kathy Watson, Chicago Federation of Labor Workers Workforce & Community Initiative. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Living History Project Wednesdays, Jan. 20 and 27, and Monday, Jan. 25, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Youth in grades 6 through 12 learn about the histories of social movements in the U.S. while developing leadership skills, such as cultivating social and critical thinking skills, developing research skills and gaining public speaking experience. Facilitated by long-time social justice and human rights activist Billy Brooks. Continues through February. Register for each date individually: oppl.org/calendar

The 15-minute Hamlet Saturday, Jan. 30, connect 6:30 p.m., show 7 p.m., Virtually with Oak Park Festival Theatre Join Oak Park Festival Theatre’s Artistic Associates as they tear through Shakespeare’s longest play, cut out most of it and keep all the funny bits.

Afterwards, Artistic Director Barbara Zahora will announce the full 2021 season, including news about our hopeful return to Austin Gardens this summer. $15.

Tickets: oakparkfestival.com.

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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Wire music club goes on the market

Lack of revenue from COVID shutdown necessitates sale

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Owned by River Forest resident Jon Smith and Oak Parker Chris Neville, the Berwynbased bar and music venue Wire is up for sale. Closed since March due to COVID-19, the owners have been “drained” by building expenses and lack of revenue.

“It’s a little bit heartbreaking,” said Neville.

Wire opened in 2013 and, according to Neville, went through its fair share of struggles to establish itself. The needle had just found its groove when the pandemic hit.

“We were really starting to grow and kind of come up,” said Neville. “And then of course we got shutdown.”

The objective behind opening Wire was to foster and develop the community’s music scene. Neville cited close personal friend Bill FitzGerald as one of his inspirations.

FitzGerald and his family founded FitzGerald’s, Berwyn’s famous music venue and nightclub.

“While I love FitzGerald’s, they cater to a certain musical genre and there were a lot of other styles that just weren’t really represented around here,” said Neville.

Wire featured a wide array of different artists and musical styles. It also served to educate others. Its School of Music and Technology offered instruction to students of all experience levels.

“It was pretty successful,” said Neville. “It was a great place. I hope it will be a great place again.”

Taking inspiration from FitzGerald once again, Smith and Neville hope to sell Wire to people who intend to keep running it as a music venue. Shortly after the club’s 40th anniversary, FitzGerald sold his namesake nightclub in early 2020 to Chicago restaurateur Will Duncan, who has kept FitzGerald’s going throughout the pandemic.

“We’re trying to sell not just the building, but the business,” said Neville. “We’d like to see someone take up the reins and I think that’s what Berwyn would like to see happen too.”

The high-ceilinged property has a large performance space, with a balcony in the front and an apartment and classrooms in the back. For now, according to Neville, everything, including lighting and bar equipment, are included in the sale.

Interested parties have already been reaching out, according to Neville, who couldn’t give any specifics for fear of derailing a potential sale.

“We’ve had a couple nibbles from people

who are interested in the music club thing,” said Neville. “Obviously, Jon and I are going to help whoever comes to the forefront and help them get situated and do whatever we can to make it work.”

Neville is a musician, while Smith is a recording engineer. Wire’s closure has allowed Neville more time to focus on his own musical career – a bittersweet twist.

“While I’m sad about the whole situation, I can’t let that hold me from moving forward,” he said.

Still, Neville will miss a lot – from Wire’s excellent staff to the music hall’s loyal patrons and the tightknit bunch of musicians who performed there.

“What I’m really going to miss the most is just the community of it all.”

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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ART BEAT

Can relief bill save local music, theater, museum venues?

From Fitzgerald’s to Open Door to Lake Theatre, owners studying bill

By MICHELLE DYBALL Art Beat Editor

When business is down 90 to 100 percent, help can’t come soon enough. This is how Classic Cinemas CEO Chris Johnson describes the news of federal grant money being allocated to arts venues through the Small Business Administration (SBA) after the latest COVID Relief Bill passed Dec. 27.

Classis Cinema’s Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St., has been shuttered since mid-March. The other 14 theaters in the family-owned portfolio, including North Riverside Luxury 6, have been closed too, except for 13 that opened for two weeks during the summer. “We’ve had some hardships,” Johnson said. Classic Cinemas is losing 100 percent of revenue during the pandemic.

The National Independent Venues Association (NIVA) advocated for legislation in the latest relief bill through a Save Our Stages campaign. Through the Save Our Stages Act, included in the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, $15 billion will be distributed through the Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant to live venue, theatrical, and performing arts organization operators; museums, zoos and aquariums; and movie theaters.

Those “who suffered a 90 percent or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic” get to apply first, however, applications are not open yet, while the SBA focuses on new Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) funds made accessible in the new relief package. “It could take many weeks, even months for the funding to flow” from SVO grants, according to NIVA, on its website.

Madison Street Theater (MST) in Oak Park, a live performance venue, has lost an estimated 90 percent of revenue according to nonprofit Oak Park River Forest Civic Theater board member Tina Reynolds. The nonprofit oversees and runs MST. “We do not have a revenue stream coming into the theater,” she said and foresees this lasting another six months.

The wait to get help has been difficult, Reynolds said.

With a volunteer board doing most of the work, along with hired contractors, relief such as PPP has not been available to MST as it was intended to fund continued employment.

“While it’s incredibly optimistic that there are grants and opportunities now available, it was a long time coming,” she said of the theater at 1010 Madison St. When an aging portion of the HVAC system failed, leaving MST very cold in November, a GoFundMe Campaign was launched to remedy the issue and keep the building open.

Ovation, an award-winning performing arts program for youth, is the resident theater company and uses the space for its classes, rehearsals and performances. Reynolds said with the generosity of donors, the first phase of replacing the outdated HVAC is complete, allowing the building to stay warm in the winter months.

However, there are utilities, maintenance and mortgage bills that need to be paid.

SVO grant money can cover these expenses, as well as payroll, administrative fees, independent contractor payments, taxes and insurance.

As a museum, the Hemingway Birthplace, 339 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, may be eligible, however the organization is weighing what works best for them. There are stipulations that applicants for an SVO grant “must not have received

Photo by Jason Kalish

FUTURE FOCUSED: Madison Street Theater held a virtual fundraiser with performers on site in the fall of 2020. Legacy singers are (l to r) Tracy Byrd, Bettis Rich, Noah Rivera, Justin Reynolds and Nygel Robinson. a PPP loan on or after Dec. 27, 2020.” According to Keith Strom, executive director, they are awaiting “further clarification of the program guidelines by the SBA.” With their main revenue stream, in-person tours, greatly reduced, the Ernest Hemingway Foundation, which runs the museum, turned to a GoFundMe to “keep the doors open.” It has raised $64,600 of a $75,000 goal over three months.

The Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St., Oak Park, is also evaluating PPP versus SVO grant money, according to Frank Lipo, executive director.

“After the state-mandated closures for indoor museums from March through July 8 and again from Nov. 20 through today, and for how much longer we don’t know, we are grateful that this federal funding was approved,” Lipo said. “Obviously, we and our colleagues at large and small museums of all sorts have seen gigantic dips in various revenue streams including ticket revenue, special events, retail, etc.”

He credits the community for stepping up with support for the museum.

Local operations that bring performing arts to the community are also in the exploratory stage, including Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, which puts on regular programing for members and the community, and Open Door Theater, where they produce their own shows and also operate as a venue for others.

16th Street Theater is more certain of pursuing such a grant. The Berwyn theater, at 6420 16th St., credits support from “individuals, foundations, government grants including money from the CARES Act and a Business Interruption Grant” to their survival during this time, according to artistic director and founder Ann Filmer.

“16th Street will apply for all grants and aid for which we are eligible,” she said. “With our stages being shuttered, we brought in only $15,000 in single ticket sales instead of $54,000 last year. Our subscription campaign brings in $60,000 per year, but in 2020 we only sold $24,000 in subscriptions.”

Live music venues may also benefit from SVO grants.

For Fitzgerald’s Nightclub, 6615 Roosevelt Rd., Berwyn, the timing of ownership may pose a question. While the

nightclub itself in its current form has been in operation for nearly 41 years, current owner Will Duncan took the reins in early March 2020. For SVO grants, the revenue used to calculate loss compares 2020 to 2019 numbers. Duncan is hoping that the continuity of the business, and not ownership, will allow him to qualify.

“My hope is that the eligibility is dynamic enough that I can share information provided by prior ownership and prove continuity in order to get over the hurdle regarding this recent change in ownership,” Duncan said. “I’ll likely engage an attorney to help navigate these waters.”

Although Duncan has found creative business solutions that are COVID-19 safe alternatives, such as neighborhood truck concerts, things have not been easy for the business.

“Given the recent change of ownership and rather new business entities I established for the project, access to grants and PPP loans have been difficult for Fitzgerald’s,” he said. “We’ve been fortunate to do some actual business across the summertime which has kept us breaking even and employing people. However, having suspended on-premise operations back in early November due to the COVID numbers, we’re having a tough winter.”

Johnson, who calls the SVO grant a “lifesaver,” said Classic Cinemas is very committed to Oak Park and has hopes to reopen their locations by the spring if a number of things happen, including that it is allowed under state mandate, that safety protocols can be put into place and that there is a steady supply of new films.

“Studios are in L.A. and they are the hardest hit (with COVID-19) right now,” Johnson said.

Reynolds sees MST as a “community gem” and, like Johnson, wants to see the space operating, being an anchor for Madison Street in Oak Park, but also a destination for performing arts programming for the greater Chicago area bringing business and different people to the area, along with providing value to the community.

Johnson also imagined the day, when Lake Theatre is open, with Lake Street construction now complete, the street filled with people again enjoying all that Oak Park has to offer.

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Most D97 families prefer hybrid learning 54% of students could return to classrooms by Feb. 1

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During a regular meeting on Jan. 12, District 97 officials released the results of a learning preference survey, conducted from Dec. 18 through Jan. 6, that was designed to gauge families’ preference for either full remote learning or in-person hybrid learning.

According to the survey, most D97 families indicated they would prefer their students to return to classrooms for a hybrid model that blends in-person learning and remote learning.

Roughly 54 percent of the 5,619 students identified in the survey will return to classrooms for hybrid learning, the survey showed. The other 46 percent of students will continue learning remotely.

Mann was the D97 school most open to hybrid learning, with roughly 64 percent of families at the school indicating they prefer their students to return to classrooms.

Whittier was the school least receptive, with roughly 47 percent of families indicating they prefer their students to return to classrooms.

D97 seeking substitutes District 97 is looking for community members to work as substitute teachers and classroom monitors once students transition to hybrid learning.

Individuals interested in applying or who want more information should visit: op97.org/hr/substitutes.

See what all the buzz is about.

Amanda Siegfried, D97’s communications director, said during the Jan. 12 meeting that the survey was important for the district to effectively plan for the second trimester.

“We sent maybe five or six emails and did some phone calls and text messages over break to [remind families],” Siegfried said.

D97 officials said last week that they still intend students to return to classrooms on Feb. 1 — roughly a year after Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered all schools in the state closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the survey, D97 administrators were thinking they would need to split students into two different cohorts, with each cohort in the building at a different time in order to accommodate various COVID-19 restrictions, such as 6-feet distancing.

With less than 54 percent of families indicating they want their students to return to classrooms, however, there is no need for the cohorts.

In a statement released Jan. 14, Supt.

Carol Kelley explained that elementary students will learn in-person five days each week and middle-school students will learn in-person four days of each week — Monday through Thursday.

Kelley said the district is also reviewing and reconsidering the metrics they’ve used to help determine when students will return to classrooms. In the past, the district has been relying on metrics that track the spread of the virus in Oak Park and the wider Cook County community.

But new guidance by the Harvard Global Health Institute recommends that, in addition to community-spread metrics, “the recommendation is that schools focus on rates of in-school transmission and the quality of infection control.”

Kelley said D97 officials will present more information on the updated guidance and final schedule information at a special board meeting held at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 20.

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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Kid journalist chronicles local adventures

In self-published monthly newspaper

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park is chock full of reporters, current and former.

Beyond Wednesday Journal, the village has scores of journalists who contribute or have contributed to such venerable media outlets as the Chicago Tribune, the Sun-Times, the Wall Street Journal, WBEZ and NBC 5.

Among the ranks is nine-year-old Julia Preston. Perhaps Oak Park’s youngest journalist, Preston is the founder, editor-in-chief and principal reporter of the Woodbine Times, which she also self-publishes.

“I consider it a bit of a job,” said Preston.

A student at Horace Mann School, Preston named her newspaper after Woodbine Avenue, the street where she lives. She was inspired to begin the monthly periodical back in May after her cat Boris got himself stuck in the treehouse in her backyard and had to be rescued by Preston’s dad.

Ever since then, Preston has been chronicling Boris’s adventures in the Woodbine Times, regaling her readers with the cat’s antics.

“That’s become a bit of a department,” said Preston.

Preston also reports on local happenings in her neighborhood. In last month’s issue, Preston wrote about her neighborhood’s participation in the Dec. 19 luminary night. Aptly

headlined, “Lighting the Way,” the story described how the event brought people safely together during the pandemic.

“I thought it was a really cool thing to write about not really just because of the luminaries but because of what a social event they created,” Preston said.

The Woodbine Times contributors include Preston’s cousins, aunts and her grandfather, who penned the recent story, “Papa on Space.” Her mom helps out with editing duties too.

In the new “Ask Julia” section, Preston answers questions submitted from readers.

All back issues of the paper are saved in Preston’s personal archives.

Outside of her work with the Woodbine Times, Preston is an avid reader, who enjoys the mystery genre, especially the Hardy Boys books. Investigating mysteries, Preston believes, isn’t a far cry from journalism.

“You kind of have to do a bit of investigating to be a regular journalist and at least just keep your eye out for interesting things that could turn into news,” Preston said.

Currently, she is working on the January issue of Woodbine Times, which will, of course, feature Boris, as well as a list of tips for sticking to your New Year’s resolutions.

The list of Woodbine Times subscribers consists of Preston’s friends and family, but Preston is considering widening the newspaper’s reach.

“I’m thinking that I might end up continuing the Woodbine Times for a really long time and making it bigger than just my family and friends,” Preston said.

Julia Preston is the founder, editor-in-chief and principal reporter of the Woodbine Times.

In starting her own newspaper, Preston realized that some people don’t recognize the names of the people who report the news or understand the work that goes into reporting.

Both things, Preston feels, are important to know.

“People should know that because then they’ll probably appreciate the news more.”

D200 board approves $400K for saliva screening Will be mandatory for OPRF students once they return to campus

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

During a special meeting on Jan. 15, the District 200 school board voted 5-2 in favor of approving a contract with Safeguard to provide saliva screening to students and staffers once the district determines that it’s safe for them to return to in-person learning.

Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams said the district plans to conduct approximately 2,200 screenings a week for up to 17 weeks, at an approximate cost not to exceed $411,400. The superintendent said the number of screenings could increase if the Illinois High School Association allows sports and other extracurricular activities to resume.

The district selected Safeguard over Shield Saliva, another saliva-screening contractor that D200 officials were considering.

Shield Saliva costs $20 per test ($9 more than the $11 per test cost of Safeguard) and, as of December, was still waiting for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Safeguard, unlike Shield Saliva, is a nondiagnostic test, which means that anyone who tests positive on the saliva screening

test is “presumably positive” and must take an official COVID-19 test.

Pruitt-Adams said the testing kit includes a straw to collect the saliva sample, a vial to hold the sample and an envelope to deposit the sample into a drop box.

“We anticipate putting seven drop boxes throughout our community so that our students and families have easy access,” the superintendent said. “We’re looking at putting drop boxes in the far southeast and southwest of our community, the far northeast and northwest, two in River Forest, as well as the [West Cook] YMCA and our own location here.”

The saliva screenings will be mandatory for any student who decides to return to campus for hybrid learning and optional for staffers who will be on-site. Pruitt-Adams said administrators were ready to start a pilot saliva-screening system once the board approved the contract, with 5-10 administrators identified to participate in the pilot.

The district has still not identified a date for when students will return to campus for hybrid learning, but Pruitt-Adams said whenever administrators set that date, families and staffers will be notified a week in advance, and students who choose hybrid learning will be required to undergo the saliva-screening tests, which can be performed at home, no more than 48 hours prior to returning to campus.

Pruitt-Adams said that, in addition to lo-

cal and county-wide COVID-19 data, the saliva screening provides another data metric that will help administrators mitigate the spread of the virus.

As with District 97 officials, D200 officials are taking into consideration updated guidance from public health experts that recommends school officials lean more on internal COVID-19 case data, such as that which can be provided by saliva screening, than on data that tracks positive-case data by suburbs and counties and that’s acquired by local health departments.

Pruitt-Adams said administrators will be responsible for providing, collecting and transporting the screening materials to a lab in Brookfield. The district will also be responsible for generating a barcode for each test, but that “no identifying information for staff or students is shared with the vendor.”

She said Safeguard will provide test results and metrics to administrators within 4-8 hours of receiving the samples. Safeguard’s confirmed accurate is 99 percent, she said. Other districts with Safeguard contracts include New Trier, LaGrange and Glen Ellyn, among others, she said.

Board members Jackie Moore and Gina Harris were the only members to vote against the contract with Safeguard.

During the special meeting, Moore expressed concerns about how effective the saliva screening will be, if it’s optional for

staff.

Pruitt-Adams said her administration made the decision on optional screening for staff after talking to surrounding districts and consulting with D200’s legal counsel.

Greg Johnson, D200 assistant superintendent, told board members that Safeguard establishes a 75 percent participation threshold for ensuring that the screening is effective. He said that, considering the volume of students in the building and the many adults who will take the screenings voluntarily, administrators are confident they’ll achieve that participation rate.

Harris said she didn’t think the screening was as effective a mitigation as simply avoiding in-person learning altogether until the virus is under control, adding that the district should focus more effort on ensuring that the students and families who prefer to continue remote learning, many of whom may be Black and Brown, are getting an equitable level of resources and support.

“I understand the need to have this information, but for me the only true way to ensure we’re not exacerbating a pandemic is to keep people apart until we know that we can make sure that more people aren’t going to get sick,” Harris said. “The testing thing is a good thing. I get it. I hope these measures accomplish what people want them to accomplish, but the truth is, the only thing that definitely will is keeping people apart.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

Restaurant makes big investment in reading

Poke Burrito shows support for The Book Table

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

In the early months of the pandemic Jimmy Chen, owner of Poke Burrito, 1025 Lake St., did not know if his restaurant — known for peddling Hawaiian inspired bowls of marinated raw fish, vegetables and rice in eco-friendly containers — would survive the brutal impact of COVID-19.

Now as his business rebounds, Chen has found a way to help his Lake Street neighbors at The Book Table. The independent bookstore launched an online fundraising campaign last week. Chen and his family decided to spend their recent COVID support checks from the federal government on gift cards from the bookstore.

At the start of the pandemic last spring, Chen addressed his mounting business concerns by reducing his staff and cutting expenses everywhere he could. For weeks, Chen worried about the future of his business, but loyal customers rallied around Poke Burrito. In fact, in recent weeks Chen’s business has surpassed his pre-pandemic success.

Positive word of mouth and online posts generated enough

Book Table over halfway to GoFundMe goal Since the Book Table’s GoFundMe went live on Jan. 11, the campaign has amassed donations quickly and regularly. The campaign was started by Book Table co-owner Rachel Weaver, who wrote the accompanying heartfelt and honest plea for financial aid needed to carry the bookstore through the remainder of the pandemic.

The community has responded to the plea. As of Jan. 18, the campaign has received $169,310 of its $250,000 goal. The deep appreciation for the bookstore felt by those who have donated is widely apparent, with the comment section of the GoFundMe reading more like a love letter to the independent bookstore and its helpful, friendly owners.

Stacey Sheridan

WHIRLWIND Coffee roaster from page 1 turns a profit.

Silverstein, who worked previously as chief operating officer at digital agency, Envisionit, has spent the last eight years primarily focused on stabilizing his family.

Silverstein and his nine-year-old daughter Maya have been constant companions since Elana Ernst Silverstein died tragically in 2012 due to a medical error.

“My wife was an amazing artist. She was an actor, singer, and voiceover talent with a heart of gold. She was always helping everyone she met,” said Silverstein. “After such a

business to allow Chen to rehire his furloughed staff and make additional new hires.

“Our business is better than it was before all of this started,” said Chen. “I try as hard as I can to support other restaurants, but I know other retail businesses are shutting down. We need to support all local businesses. I don’t want to be the only one surviving.”

Buoyed by increasing sales, Chen started spreading the love around the community by purchasing meals from restaurants throughout Oak Park and Forest Park. He regularly shares photographs of his “food adventures” prompting #belikejimmy to gain traction SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor on the Take Out 25 Oak Park BOOKISH: Jimmy Chen with employees and lots of gift cards.

Facebook page. Chen’s passion for small business, however, is Chen opted to buy 180 $10-dollar gift cards he will give away not exclusive to the food scene. to customers.

“The Oak Park community has shown us so much support “I realized I am just one person and I can’t buy all the that I wanted to give back,” said Chen. “When I heard about books,” said Chen. “But I don’t want The Book Table to go the trouble The Book Table was having, I wanted to do any- away. With this purchase I hope I can bring 180 customers to thing to help.” their door.”

Though they had been business neighbors for three years, Chen intends to run a promotion at Poke Burrito to disChen had never visited the bookstore before, but hearing tribute the gift cards to customers who make a qualifying about the independent bookstore’s just launched GoFund- purchase. In the meantime, more than 2,000 contributors Me campaign inspired the restaurant owner to learn more have raised more than $160,000 for The Book Table in under about the issues plaguing the beloved brick and mortar a week. book shop.

“This was a sweet gesture, and we were incredibly Jason Smith and Rachel Weaver, co-owners of The Book touched,” said Smith. “We knew Jimmy’s purchase was speTable, 1045 Lake St., announced last week they were facing cial and a neat example of businesses helping each other. serious financial struggles. Back rent, taxes, and a lack of This has been an amazing week.” foot traffic on Lake Street among other challenges, led them While Chen is pleased his efforts bring positive energy to launch an online effort to raise $250,000 to keep their busi- to the community, he hopes his support for struggling business afloat. nesses in Oak Park will pass along the message that circuChen, his wife, and son each recently received $600 stimu- lating dollars within our community’s economy is one little lus checks from the federal government, but thanks to com- thing that makes a big difference for small businesses. munity support they didn’t need the help as much as many “The Book Table is an example of a brick-and-mortar reothers. With the consent of his family, Chen used the money tail store that will be changed forever because of this comto purchase $1,800 worth of gift cards from The Book Table. munity,” said Chen.

horrible and tragic loss, I wanted my work to reflect her values, celebrate the way she lived her life and surround my daughter with an example of her kindness.”

Whirlwind Coffee, structured like Newman’s Own, is technically a for-profit business. After covering expenses and salaries, however, all net-profits will be donated to local charitable organizations. Silverstein is currently formalizing the process for dispersing future profits, but admits he needs to open the roastery to generate profits to give back to the community.

Silverstein, who is a fan of salvaging and revitalizing, was excited to purchase the former home of Gilchrist Hardware because of its rich history as a community-focused business. The former plumbing and hardware store has been remodeled to include a roastery as well as a café. Though a tasting room was part of the original plan, the

global pandemic forced the business owner to re-evaluate his circumstances. Since he is personally interested in the roasting experience, Silverstein opted to delay the opening of the café in favor of getting the roastery up and running as quickly as possible.

Upon opening in February, Whirlwind will offer single origin beans and three signature blends for local pickup, online sales, and wholesale purchasing. The signature blends, High Kick, Shake a Leg and Killer Diller, aim to capture the spirit, moxie, and energy of the Whirlwind Brand.

High Kick features a custom blend of Guatemalan, Brazilian, Columbian and Ethiopian beans. Silverstein combines the beans before the roasting for efficiency purposes.

The resulting blend boasts dark chocolate, almond, citrus and floral notes and comes in a bag featuring whimsical images of fruits dressed as showgirls created by Elana Ernst

Silverstein.

Trained as a roaster in Minneapolis, Silverstein fell in love with the chemistry of roasting coffee. A refurbished Sanfransican Roaster, designed for artisan coffee roasters, is at the heart of Silverstein’s business.

The environmentally friendly small batch roaster has the capacity to roast 25 pounds of green coffee beans every 15 minutes.

Silverstein says the act of roasting puts him at peace. He is confident Whirlwind Coffee will bring him closer to his daughter and the community all while generating ways to give back in thoughtful ways.

“Coffee is an emotional elixir,” said Silverstein. “A frequent companion throughout the highs and lows of life, it can be a kick in the ass when you need it most.”

To stay up to date on opening day details visit Whirlwind Coffee’s website.

10

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Power shifts from city stronghold to west suburbs With last week’s speaker vote, state’s legislators are local

Hoskins said. legislative leaders in the General Assembly hail from Cook County’s western suburbs.

State Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) also “The western suburbs are particularly dinoted that Welch is from a nearby district. verse,” Harmon said. “The experience that we “It’s strong day for our region, because we are gleaned working in our districts representing going to have a west suburban speaker,” ZalewsBy BOB SKOLNIK diverse interests translates into representing diki said. “I think that he is going to do a really Contributing Reporter verse caucuses.” nice job of bridging the gap between the old and The change in leadership also has been generathe new, and I’m excited to work under his tenIn the past year, the locus of power in the Illinois General ure.”

Assembly has moved from the city of Chicago to the near tional. Harmon is 54 and Welch is 49. Madigan is 78 and Cullerton was 71 when Harmon assumed west suburbs.

Welch, who graduated from Proviso West High KIMBERLY LIGHTFORD School, Northwestern and the John Marshall One year ago state Sen. Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) was the role as Senate president.

“I think that the four legislative leaders and Senate Majority Leader elected Senate president, replacing Chicagoan John CulLaw School, made his name in the rough and the governor are all either members of Generalerton who resigned. Last week, State Rep. Chris Welch (Dtumble world of Proviso politics. tion X or at the oldest the tail end of the Baby Hillside) was selected to be speaker of the Illinois House of He was elected to the Proviso Township High School DisRepresentatives, replacing longtime speaker Mike Madigan, Boom.” Harmon said. “It is a significant change. The lead- trict 209 school board in 2001 and became president of the ers in their 70s have passed the torch to a group of us in our who hails from the Southwest Side of Chicago. school board in 2003. Welch remained as president of the Our area is also home to a couple other powerful Spring- early 50s.” school board until April 2013, a few months after he became Harmon said it was especially important that Welch is field politicians. State Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D- Maya member of the General Assembly. first Black speaker of the Illinois House. wood) is the Senate majority leader and State Rep. Lisa HerDuring his eight years in the General Assembly, Welch “It’s enormously significant for our politics and our legisnandez (D- Cicero) is the co-chair of the joint House-Senate rose to chair the House’s powerful executive committee and lative agenda,” Harmon said. “And I look forward to workLatinx Caucus. the higher education committee. He sponsored legislation to Lightford represents River Forest and Forest Park while ing with Speaker Welch.” require Illinois corporations to disclose the race and gender Forest Park Mayor Rory Hoskins, who nearly derailed Hernandez represents communities southwest of Oak Park. of their board members in attempt to promote Welch’s legislative career before it “It’s an interesting gradual evolution,” said greater diversity on corporate boards. even started -- losing to Welch by Harmon. “The suburbs have had a growing power This past fall he also chaired a special invesjust 34 votes in the 2012 Democratic base within the General Assembly. More and more tigatory committee that was supposed to look primary -- has long since patched up of our members are from the suburbs and have a into former Madigan’s involvement with Comany differences. suburban sensibility. monwealth Edison, which has been the subject “The state obviously has fiscal “I don’t think it should be overstated, but I think of a wide-ranging federal investigation that has challenges, but I am looking forward it’s worth appreciating that for the first time for resulted in the indictment of one of Madigan’s to working with Speaker Welch on as long as I can remember, there’s not a legislative closest confidants. behalf of the village of Forest Park leader from the city of Chicago. All four leaders Republicans accused Welch of shutting down and I’m glad that the new House are, in fact, from the suburbs.” the committee after hearing only one witness, speaker is someone who knows our With House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (RCHRIS WELCH DON HARMON while Welch accused the Republicans of merely village really well and someone who 82nd) living in Western Springs, three of the four House Speaker Senate President playing politics.

I have a personal relationship with,”

Oak Park still in first phase of COVID vaccine rollout Local, eligible veterans can receive vaccine at Hines VA Hospital

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Public Health Department has not yet progressed into the second phase of the state’s multi-phased COVID-19 vaccination allocation program, due to “limited” and “unpredictable” vaccine supplies and the large number of healthcare workers who live and work in Oak Park, according to a Jan. 14 village news release.

Oak Park’s government is still in phase 1a, which consists of vaccinating essential healthcare workers. Oak Park’s health department personnel are helping to inoculate healthcare workers by hosting drive-thru clinics.

“Yes, the Oak Park Department of Public Health is vaccinating 1a eligible residents who are not affiliated with a hospital or medical employer authorized to vaccinate its employees,” David Powers, village spokesperson, told Wednesday Journal.

“Individuals being vaccinated during these ongoing

Phase 1a clinics include medical physicians, workers at independent local pharmacies, dental practices and local funeral homes and residential congregate care workers who directly support persons with developmental disabilities or

the elderly.”

Once phase 1a is complete, Oak Park will progress into phase 1b, when people over 65 years old can receive the vaccine. Phase 1b also includes grocery store employees and teachers. Planning for the subsequent phase is already underway, according to Powers, and is expected to happen soon. How many vaccinations will be available and how quickly they can be administered remains to be seen.

“As we prepare to expand our efforts to vaccinate the broader community, the timing will depend first on vaccinating those eligible in the initial phase, but ultimately on the availability of vaccine,” said Interim Public Health Director Joseph Terry in the village’s news release.

Oak Park and River Forest veterans aged 65 and over can receive the COVID-19 vaccine sooner through Hines VA Hospital located in Maywood. To qualify to receive the vaccine, veterans must be enrolled in healthcare through Hines or one of its six outpatient centers.

The hospital is open seven days a week for appointments.

In addition to veterans over 65 years old, Hines is administering COVID-19 vaccinations to dialysis and chemotherapy patients, organ transplant veterans and homeless veteran program participants, among others.

12

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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Enyia remains on ballot, Clark hearing continued

Electoral board to reconvene Jan. 25

Peppard said he “condemned” the attack those laws have disproportionMullen argued that although ately impacted Black and Brown that occurred Jan. 6 outside Oak Park’s Live Enyia was charged he was not people.

Café, where a brick carrying a note with a convicted.

“I am sorry that during the pro- racial slur was thrown at one of the café’s “Conviction was never made cess of you seeking to serve the windows. Live Café is serving as the campart of the record. It’s as

By STACEY SHERIDAN village that you have been chal- paign headquarters for Black village board though it doesn’t exist,” said Staff Reporter lenged on that, but I also under- candidates, including Clark and Enyia.

Mullen. stand Mr. Peppard’s motivation,” Enyia’s case resulted in a de“Let’s get on to the business of these hearOak Park trustee candidate Chibuike Enythe mayor said. ings,” said Peppard. ia will officially be on the ballot for the April ferred judgement, according to Abu-Taleb told Peppard that he Mullen, who is also representing Clark, 6 municipal election. However, it remains to Mullen, which is a plea agreeCHIBUIKE ENYIA believed his motivation, like any- cross-examined his client and presented be seen if the ballot will include Anthony ment allowing the defendant one else’s, was that he wanted the several documents, including Clark’s drivan opportunity to complete a Clark, also running for trustee. best for Oak Park. er’s license and his dog’s rabies vaccination Resident Kevin Peppard filed objections period of probation prior to any entry of During the opening statements of Clark’s paperwork. In each of the presented docuagainst both candidates, but the Oak Park conviction.

“He did receive probation and he complet- hearing, Peppard addressed assertions ments, Clark listed the Oak Park address as Municipal Electoral Board unanimously made by the public that his chalhis primary residence. voted to dismiss the objection against Eny- ed that,” said Mullen, who also stated that lenges against the candidates, “the entire charge disappeared after three In addition to Clark’s bankia during his second hearing Jan. 12. That both of whom are Black, were ruptcy filing, Peppard submitsame day, the board moved to continue years.”

The local electoral board – which consists racially motivated. ted as evidence a copy of the Clark’s hearing.

“That is not the case,” said of Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb, senior village property tax bill on the Lombard “I encourage Mr. Enyia to pursue a vigorPeppard. “I bring these cases property. ous campaign and best of luck to him,” said trustee Jim Taglia and Village Clerk Vicki forward based upon law and the Clark told the board that while Peppard following the objection dismissal. Scaman – ruled that there was not enough facts.” he does own that property in “I appreciate the work he has done in men- evidence to support Peppard’s claim and Peppard told the board that he dismissed the challenge.

Lombard, he has never lived toring youth in recent years.” has been attacked in the press “We’re a nation of second chances. I know there permanently or for any exPeppard’s challenge against Enyia alleged and by the public for challenges tended period of time. It was purthat the candidate had a drug-related felony that the laws today, with regard to the subANTHONY CLARK that have been deemed “racist” chased to house what he believed conviction that occurred in Iowa, which stance abuse laws you’ve been accused of, and, in Clark’s case, meant to would make him ineligible to hold public of- have changed,” Abu-Taleb told Enyia. to be his biological son and the criticize the candidate’s financial situation.

Abu-Taleb continued, saying he knew that fice under Illinois law. Enyia’s attorney Ed child’s mother.

The objection lodged against Clark claims After the child and his mother moved out, that he does not meet the residency requireClark tried to sell the residence but was unment for a candidacy. Peppard used Clark’s able to.

He stated he could not lease it to any bankruptcy filing as evidence, as Clark her campaign. tenants due to the rules of the homeowner Boutet had her mind set on running for claimed an address in Lombard as his pri- association. village president early in this cycle. She mary residence in the paperwork and his Blanche Clark, Clark’s mother who was parents’ home in Oak Park as his mailing filed the necessary paperwork with the Illicalled as a witness, testified that her son address. nois Board of Elections in 2019. from page 1 “I had a picketer outside my home call me permanently resides with her and his father A first-term trustee, Boutet a member of the Ku Klux Klan,” said Pep- in their Oak Park home. Throughout the chooses to remain involved.” began working with the village hearing, Clark maintained he lives in Oak pard.

Scaman said Boutet’s move is of Oak Park in 2001 as assistant He called it ironic that the picketer in- Park. demonstrative of “service above village attorney, later serving as “You’re an Oak Park resident just like I voked the KKK because a Klansmen had self ” and courage. acting village attorney. Boutet’s am,” Clark told Peppard. threatened harm to his father’s farmhouse The responses from the other village board term expires in Mullen and Peppard were asked to submit in 1920. two remaining candidates reApril, but she does not intend “And then had his nose broken while closing arguments by 5 p.m., Jan. 14. garding Boutet’s decision to step to step away from public service The Municipal Officers Electoral Board walking to school on a country road,” said down have been similarly posidespite ending her mayoral camPeppard of his father. “His sin was being an voted during Clark’s Jan. 19 hearing to retive. paign. convene at 10:30 a.m., Jan. 25.

Irish Catholic.”

“I’m always inspired by women “I will start by using my 30 SIMONE BOUTET who step into public service and years’ of experience in law and grateful for the efforts Simone local government to help othhas made,” Readling told Wednesday Jour- ers understand how government works nal. and to advise others who serve or interact Moroney wished Boutet “all the best” and with government, law and administrative stated that “it has been a pleasure to work processes,” Boutet wrote in her Jan. 16 anwith her.” nouncement.

“I am sure it was a very difficult decision Throughout her career serving the village for her, and I am confident she came to the of Oak Park, Boutet called her proudest acbest conclusion,” Moroney said. complishment the recruitment of village Boutet’s campaign has experienced some- board trustee candidates Ravi Parakkat, Luthing akin to politically based whiplash, as cia Robinson and Stephen Morales, whom the candidate previously dropped out of the she said were “a diverse team of compasrunning Sept. 9 to start a new bed and break- sionate, dedicated, critical thinkers who are fast venture in Washington state. Boutet re- ready to solve the major problems facing the entered the race Sept. 22. She said then the village without unnecessary drama.”

“Please give them your vote,” Boutet recent death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg had inspired her to resume wrote.

BOUTET

Endorses Scaman

Growing Community.

Growing

Growing Community.

Growing Community.

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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13

Represent Oak Park slate reschedules campaign launch Due to tumultuous events

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The coalition supporting Black village board candidates, Represent Oak Park has rescheduled the virtual campaign launch for trustee contenders Juanta Griffin, Anthony Clark and Chibuike Enyia that was set to happen this Thursday night.

“The Black community and our candidates have been through quite a bit,” Makesha Flournoy, Represent Oak Park member, told Wednesday Journal during a Jan. 14 interview.

“We are taking time as a Black communi-

While the board dismissed the ty this evening to discuss what’s challenge against Enyia on Jan. taking place both locally and na12, no determination has been tionally.” made in Clark’s case. Clark’s As pro-Trump rioters stormed hearing is set to resume at 10:30 the Capitol Jan. 6 in an attempta.m., Jan. 19. ed coup, Oak Park was grappling Live Café held a widely atwith a racially motivated attack tended press conference and a on Live Café which also serves vigil following the attack on Jan. as campaign headquarters of the 7. Griffin, recovering from surcandidates supported by Repregery, was unable to attend, but sent Oak Park. On that already JUANTA GRIFFIN Clark and Enyia both spoke at eventful day, Clark and Enyia the press conference. began hearings in front of the “Due to, I would say, costly and unnecesMunicipal Officers Electoral Board that afternoon for challenges made to their can- sary distractions that we’ve had to endure, didacies. Flournoy called the day’s events we are giving our candidates and the com“traumatic” for candidates and the Black munity the space that we deserve before coming together to kick off their camcommunity.

paigns,” said Flournoy.

The launch will now take place on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those who would like to attend can register for the event on the Represent Oak Park Facebook page. While village clerk candidate Christina Waters will be in attendance, Flournoy said the launch is more focused on the trustee candidates.

The event is meant to be a positive experience. In postponing it, candidates will have time to come to terms with what has recently happened.

“We are looking forward to better days, that’s for sure,” said Flournoy. “But we can’t have better days without making significant change happen in our community, certainly within our state and then nationally.”

Black-owned business makes inclusive skin products Mother-daughter team puts personal touch in every balm

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park mother-daughter duo Stephanie and Olivia Bird have created and launched an all-new line of body and haircare products. Featuring handmade, small-batch products, SRB Botanica uses quality ingredients and essential oils to nourish all skin types.

“The products are really personal,” said Stephanie Bird. “They have a lot of love in them.”

Outside of SRB Botanica, Bird is a painter, an author and an aromatherapist. She’s been making soaps and balms for years, with many of her recipes included in the books she’s written. While people were interested, she believed many of her readers never got around to actually making them.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t I make them and sell them?’ They’re things that are close to my heart,” she said.

Her daughter, Olivia, an actress and stuntwoman, began helping her mother make products as a child, so it felt only natural that the two would go into business together.

Olivia’s stunt work inspired her to create a pain relief product for bumps and bruises.

Her favorite product is SRB’s healing balm, which her mother made every year to give as gifts for Christmas.

“My mom would make a batch for everyone in the family and we would just rub it all over ourselves,” said Olivia. “It would be all gone like a week later.”

SRB Botanica heavily features African aromatherapy, something Stephanie says few people know much about. They source their ingredients directly from Africa or

communities within the African diaspora.

“We try to purposefully buy and highlight those materials because it’s important for herbalism and aromatherapy to incorporate and be inclusive of people of color,” she said.

“We’re very responsible about our sourcing, and we really want to champion things from Africa or the diaspora.”

SRB products contain a variety of natural ingredients, including shea and cocoa butters, eucalyptus, lavender, ylang-ylang and coconut oil. None of their products contain petroleum, artificial preservatives or dyes so as not to irritate sensitive skin or eczema.

Their products can be purchased through their website. SRB Botanica also has an Instagram and Facebook page.

Stephanie and Olivia take safety very seriously when creating and packaging their products, which they do entirely in their own homes.

“We use extreme amounts of protective gear, not just when making soap,” said Olivia. “We wear face masks; we wear gloves, aprons.”

While they both develop and make the products, Olivia focuses more on the marketing and business side of the operation.

Stephanie handles research and design.

Whenever they need an extra pair of hands, they enlist the help of other family members, including Olivia’s brother Liam.

Although mother and daughter have always been close, working together has added a new component to their relationship. Stephanie loves imparting what she has learned and the recipes she has created with her children.

“At my age, I feel ready to transfer a lot of this knowledge that I have,” she said. “I’m so glad my daughter and son would like to be on the receiving end of that so maybe they will pass it on to their children.”

Photos provided

TEAMWORK: Olivia, left, and Stephanie Bird are behind SRB Botanica.

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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C R I M E

Firework damages park property

Someone shot off a firework, damaging a garbage can inside Mills Park in the 200 block of Home Avenue just after 11 p.m., Jan. 15. The trash receptacle belongs to the Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison St., and the estimated damage to it is $50.

Burglary ■ Someone

used brute force to break a window and enter Venus Hair Studio, 125 S. Oak Park Ave., then stole property sometime between 1:52 and 5:45 a.m., Jan. 10. Unknown loss.

■ Someone entered an apartment building through an unlocked window then took property sometime between 7 a.m., Jan. 7 and 4 p.m., Jan. 11 in the 1100 block of Washington Boulevard. Unknown loss.

■ Someone entered a residential garage through an unlocked service door, then entered the unlocked vehicle parked inside and ransacked the vehicle’s interior between 8 p.m., Jan. 10 and 5 a.m., Jan. 11 in the 100 block of Chicago Avenue. No loss was reported.

■ Miscellaneous

documents and a wal-

let containing several credit, debit and gift cards were taken from an unlocked vehicle in the 400 block of Home Avenue between 10:30 p.m., Jan. 13 and 8:30 a.m., Jan. 14. The estimated loss is $50.

■ Someone

broke into a vehicle and re-

moved the victim’s work badges that were inside the glove compartment between 9 p.m., Jan. 4 and 9 a.m., Jan. 8 in the 800 block of Lexington St. The estimated loss is $15.

■ Someone

used a key fob to open and

enter a vehicle then ransacked its interior and took a woman’s black North Face parka jacket between noon, Jan. 12 and 4 p.m., Jan. 14 in the 400 block of Home Avenue. The estimated loss is $300.

Attempted burglary Someone broke the doorknob to a resident’s garage in an attempt to get inside, but made no entry between 5 p.m., Jan. 10 and 12:10 p.m., Jan. 11 in the 100 block of Chicago Avenue. Estimated damage is $100.

RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS

Theft

■ Someone removed a man’s unattended belongings while he was sleeping on a CTA train at 10:23 p.m., Jan. 9 in the 700 block of South Austin Boulevard.

■ Someone removed the blue recycling bin located near a residential garage in the back of the home between 4 p.m., Jan. 10 and 11 a.m., Jan. 11 in the 500 block of North Harvey Avenue. The estimated loss is $50.

■ Someone took the Illinois vehicle registration sticker from an Oak Park resident’s vehicle between 7 a.m., Jan. 7 and 7 a.m., Jan. 8 in the 400 block of Scoville Avenue.

The estimated loss is $151.

■ All four rims and tires were removed from an Oak Park resident’s 2019 Honda Civic between 2:30 p.m., Jan. 11 and 8:11 a.m., Jan. 12 in the 1100 block of Washington Boulevard. The estimated loss is $2,000.

■ A delivered UPS package was removed from the 300 block of Chicago Avenue between 11:31 a.m. and 2 p.m., Jan. 14. The estimated loss is $36.

■ Someone removed a package containing

a bed mattress from the outside of a business in the 100 block of Madison Street at 3:04 p.m., Jan. 7. The estimated loss is $270.

Criminal damage to property Someone broke the padlock securing an Oak Park resident’s rear gate and then broke off the doorknob of the side service door to the victim’s garage between 6:30 p.m., Jan. 10 and 6:30 a.m., Jan. 11 in the 100 block of Chicago Avenue. The estimated damage is $180.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Jan. 12-18 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

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17

Homes

Changing with the times Oak Park adaptive reuse readies for a second century

By LACEY SIKORA

W

Contributing Reporter

ellie Partners LLC purchased the building at 420 Marion St. in Oak Park in March for $800,000, and this winter the owner applied for zoning variances to add on to the 19th-century Victorian, which currently houses four apartment units between the main home and coach house.

The new owners have applied to add two more units, bringing the total to six. Michael Bruce, zoning administrator for the village of Oak Park, states that the owners asked for three zoning variances requests at the Jan. 6 meeting of the Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals.

The zoning board recommended granting a request to increase the density -- they want to create six units when the property is zoned for five. A second request for the interior side yard setback to be reduced to zero from 5 feet was denied, while a third request for the rear yard setback to be reduced from 15 feet to 5 feet was granted.

The application shows the owners plan to build an addition which will have parking on the first level and two levels above that, each with a dwelling unit.

Bruce said Wellie Partners will retool their plans based on the ZBA’s recommendations. The revised plan will go to the village board for final approval of the zoning variances.

It isn’t the first time the building’s owners have planned to modernize the building. In fact, the home went through several major changes in its first 20 years.

Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, says he always admired the building.

“It’s one of those buildings that kind of hides in plain sight,” Lipo said. “If it was on Forest or Kenilworth, we’d all know that house. But, it was built in what is now a transitional area.”

The location, just south of Chicago Avenue on Marion Street, includes businesses, apartments and single-family homes.

Lipo goes on to note that even though the original Victorian building is beautiful and sited in the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District, it might be overlooked. In spite of that, he says it’s a great example of adaptive reuse.

“It looks like a big, old, grand home that was turned into multifamily housing,” Lipo said.

A house with history Lipo said that the original owner of the home, George Nordenholt, had his roots in mid-19th century Europe. Nordenholt was born near Bremen, Germany in 1855. His father was a mason, who died when Nordenholt was 3 years old.

At 14, Nordenholt apprenticed to be a baker and later worked for a German ocean liner as a baker, moving to the United States in 1878. All told, he crossed the Atlantic 86

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

FROM MANSION TO RENTALS: When George Nordenholt built this grand home in 1894, it originally faced Chicago Avenue. In 1913, he re-sited the building and divided it into apartments, starting its long history as a rental property. Its new owners want to construct a two-unit addition to the rear of the building. times, according to his obituary.

When Nordenholt settled in Oak Park, Lipo says that the neighborhood around Chicago and Augusta avenues was a place where many German immigrants settled, founding a Lutheran church on Augusta that was the precursor to Grace Lutheran.

Nordenholt opened a bakery on Lake Street, east of Harlem, calling it the Oak Park Bakery. By 1889, business was booming; he purchased equipment allowing him to make 6,000 loaves of bread a day and had a plant in River Forest.

Not content to be solely a baker, he sold the bakery around 1895 and invested in the Cicero and Proviso Ice Company.

In 1891, he bought a large lot at the corner of Marion and Chicago from Walter Kettlestrings for $4,000.

A series of articles in 1894 in the Oak Park Vindicator and Oak Park Reporter detailed Nordenholt’s construction of a

grand manse on the lot, fronting Chicago Avenue.

Nordenholt hired River Forest Civil War veteran and contractor Frank Thompson to design the house. By the time it was completed at the end of 1894, the total cost to construct the home was $10,000.

Lipo says it’s not clear whether that amount includes finishes, but he points out the figure is roughly double what a typical Oak Park house would have cost at the time.

Nordenholt and his wife, Mary, moved into the home in October 1894 and both lived there until their deaths in the 1930s. By the time he passed away, Nordenholt was also a real estate investor, owning properties in River Forest, Forest Park and a second home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, next door to the Maytag family.

See EXPANSION on page 18

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

EXPANSION from page 17

His obituary states that flowers for his funeral at Grace Lutheran Church came from his Lake Geneva gardens.

Adaptive reuse In 1913, an article in the Oak Leaves detailed Nordenholt’s change in plans for his grand manse. With his children grown and out of the house, he decided to move the house so that it fronted Marion Street, at an

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM expense he says was nearly equal to that of building the home.

He and Mary converted the home into two apartments, keeping one to live in themselves. After the Nordenholts died, the building has housed between two and five rental units.

“Think of how many people have lived there since then,” Lipo said.

When the building sold in March of 2020, the listing touted the home’s original inlaid hardwood floors, built-ins, art glass and wraparound porch.

Many of the original finishes remained in place. Today, the 6,500-square-foot main house includes three apartments and a fourth unit in the coach house.

Sunday, January 24 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

803 S. Taylor Ave, Oak Park

Re/Max In The Village

$419,900

12-2

617 Circle Ave, Forest Park

Re/Max In The Village

$435,000

1-3

$1,139,000

1-3

940 Bonnie Brae Pl, River Forest

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

CONDOS ADDRESS 44 N. King Arthur Court. APT 5, Northlake

Photo provided

TIGHT SQUEEZE: Developers want to build a two-story addition, with each floor housing one apartment, covering a ground-level parking area that already exists at the rear of the structure. The planned addition would sit flush with the door pictured above.

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

TIME

$119,900

1-3 Sat. 1-3

44 N. King Arthur Court. APT 5, Northlake

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

$119,900

210 S. Lombard Ave. UNIT B, Oak Park

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

$219,000

1-3

715 Washington Blvd. UNIT 2D, Oak Park

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

$219,000

2-3:30

7531 Brown Ave. UNIT H, Forest Park

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

$295,000

1-2:30

170 N. Marion St. UNIT 8, Oak Park

Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest

$369,900

12-1:30

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

19

Shrubtown p. 21

We need liberation, not peace

M

y daughter is a college student, but for all of her childhood, this time began our season of corrections. Her exposure to Black history — our history — is something she has had access to all year around through us. January began the season when she would hear about it through school.

I remember the first time she came home and explained to me how she had learned that Martin Luther King was a man who fought for peace. It was the first time I had to correct what she had been learning in school. The goal was not peace. I explained to her that MLK was a man who fought for the liberation of his people. The method he often chose was peaceful demonstration, but that is not the only method available.

I understand the need to teach in age-appropriate ways. However, simplicity should not replace accuracy, nor should this description of MLK’s sacrifice be the dominant narrative.

Peace for peace’s sake does not yield change. It maintains the status quo.

The tactics used by the Civil Rights Movement were sophisticated and intentional. Civil rights leaders understood that, at the time, the U.S. valued its reputation in the world. Pictures and video of African Americans, particularly women, being beaten, hosed, and sat upon by dogs, at the hands of the police, damaged the nation’s image as a shining beacon on the hill.

White Americans did not want to see this ugly side of our nation. It was inconsistent with the other stories that make up the standing narrative of American goodness and exceptionalism. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 codified some of the rights that African Americans had fought so hard to gain, but they did not ensure them, and so the fight continues to make the U.S. honor its agreements in practice.

Once again, peaceful demonstrations are a tactic, but peace is still not the goal. The goal is still our liberation. The sight of the abuse of Black bodies has been enough to shake the foundation of some, but too many would still be content to look the other way in search of peace and calm without change.

Some believe that it is the act of bringing up racial transgressions and not the transgressions themselves that cause the nation’s disharmony. It is clear that these folks really don’t care what the recipients of those transgressions think or feel. We’ve always known the country was broken. And now too many political leaders no longer care about the nation’s reputation in the world. So other tactics will definitely be necessary to further progress, and avoidance will not be one of them.

Peace is a balm requested to sooth the conscience and return to “normal.” This peace sought is an illusion. “Normal” is no longer acceptable. The U.S. is finally being pushed to confront old narratives that were never really true. We will

LINDA FRANCIS

See FRANCIS on page 23

‘Fix the FOID’ BIO bill deserves priority

T

he short lame duck session called by the Illinois Legislature came to a close at noon, Jan. 13, marking the close of the 101st General Assembly. And so ended the incredible efforts of thousands of people and hundreds of organizations dedicated to the enactment of additional responsible gun regulation, including scores of Oak Park citizens and organizations, to stanch the exploding epidemic of gun violence that has occurred in 2020 by having reasonable gun legislation enacted which has, as its sole purpose, the prevention of access to firearms by criminals, the dangerously mentally or emotionally ill, and minors.

In spite of the fact that 80% of voters favored such legislation, that the House had overwhelmingly approved such legislation in the spring of 2020, that the Governor had committed to signing such legislation into law when it reached his desk, and the Senate being, apparently within one vote of approval, SB 1966, known as the BIO Bill (Block Illegal Ownership), was never called to the Senate floor for a vote during this final session of the 101st General Assembly.

SB 1966 was specifically targeted at closing existing gaping loopholes in the Illinois gun regulation system that permitted the mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Company in Aurora in February of 2019. Six people, including the shooter, were shot and killed that day. Four police officers were also shot and wounded and two other officers were injured in this mass shooting. The shooter had a 1995 felony conviction in Mississippi for aggravated assault, which prevented him from legally possessing a gun in Illinois. In 2014 he applied for, and was issued, a FOID Card by the Illinois State Police and then, using that FOID Card, purchased the gun with which he is believed to have committed the mass murder. The FOID Card was issued because the Mississippi felony conviction was not disclosed by the State Police background check which did

not include a fingerprint check.

Later in 2014 the shooter applied for a concealed-carry license from the State Police and agreed to a fingerprint check to expedite the background check for the concealed-carry license. As a result, the State Police found the felony conviction in Mississippi, rejected the shooter’s concealed-carry application, cancelled his FOID Card, and sent him a letter demanding that he turn in the gun he had purchased. The shooter did not surrender the weapon and the State Police did not follow up with the confiscation of the weapon.

All of the provisions set forth In SB 1966 were specifically intended to prevent anything resembling the horrible event that took place at Henry Pratt Company from ever happening again. It is worth noting that nothing contained in SB 1966 would have in any way interfered with the Second Amendment Rights of law-abiding citizens to own or possess firearms. SB 1966, among other things, would have required that fingerprint checks be made a part of all background checks for the sale of any firearm, that person- to-person sales be regulated in the same manner as all sales from licensed gun dealers, that the State Police be authorized and directed to confiscate the FOID Cards and weapons of all persons who have had their FOID Cards voided, and that FOID Cards would only be issued for 5-year terms, instead of the present 10-year term.

The importance and urgency of this legislation is self-evident from a review of the loopholes in the law that allowed the Henry Pratt mass shooting to take place, and the proposed provisions of SB 1966 that would have closed each and every one of those loopholes.

During the Illinois Gun Violence Prevention Coalition’s (ILGVP) Digital Day of Action earlier this year, over a half million Illinoisans heard Senate leadership promise

RAY HEISE One View

See HEISE on page 23

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

O U R

T

V I E W S

Defunding a fake question

he call to “defund the police” in Oak Park was a polarizing concept when Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla made it months back after the murder of George Floyd by police officers in Minneapolis.

And it was a still more polarizing concept when Trustee Dan Moroney last week surfaced the idea of placing a referendum on the issue on the April election ballot — a ballot on which Moroney will appear as a candidate for village president.

“Shall the village of Oak Park defund its police department?” is the referendum wording Moroney proposed in a Jan. 6 email to his board colleagues. That topic will be debated on Jan. 19, after our press deadline, when it is part of the village board agenda.

We won’t predict the outcome of board action — which must be taken promptly to meet the deadline for ballot measures — but we are comfortable in assuming that it will be an intense and disingenuous conversation which only further diminishes the level of discourse the current board specializes in.

Moroney’s board critics were right when they told the Journal that his proposal was a “political charade.” Its only goal is to rile up and divide Oak Park voters over an inauthentic and provocative stunt. This is the sort of divisive gimmick we’ve seen over four lost years from Washington.

To see it land here in the week of the Inauguration of a more hopeful and adult leader in D.C. suggests we are still several months away from a hoped for fever break around here.

Actual community leaders — on either the conservative or more progressive ends of the spectrum — would frame a worthy, open-ended discussion asking Oak Parkers how they want to rethink policing in this village.

We need to inspire our neighbors to acknowledge that, while Oak Park has a pretty good police force, systemic racism exists in local policing and must be rooted out. We need to talk about collaborations and partnerships that would fully connect police to resources best able to meet needs of residents. The current partnership with Thrive Counseling Center works on issues of mental health. The village government wrongly backed off support of the township’s Youth Interventionist program.

This is the discussion we need to have, that we are overdue to have, that our divided politics have prevented us from having, that a productive political campaign ought to allow us to debate.

Save us from cheap takes and disinformation.

Nexus of power Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Austin and Maywood are turning into the power vortex of Illinois government. The selection last week of state Rep. Chris Welch to be Speaker of the Illinois House, replacing, at long last, Mike Madigan, fuels the local influence. Hillside’s Welch represents portions of River Forest and Forest Park in the 7th District.

Oak Park’s Don Harmon was elected State Senate President last year.

It was the culmination of a steady and determined climb through senate leadership. And it mirrors the rise of Harmon’s mentor the great Phil Rock, the Austin/Oak Park native, who long held that role. Harmon’s 39th District included portions of Oak Park and Austin.

State Senator Kimberly Lightford is from Maywood and represents the 4th District, including parts of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park. She was the longtime leader of the Black Caucus in the Senate and has focused to great effect on education reform. After competing unsuccessfully with Harmon for the senate’s top job, she became Senate Majority Leader.

In his earlier political career as the longtime elected head of the District 209 Proviso Township High Schools we were intensely and correctly critical of Welch. He ran failed schools and often with self-interest. He is, though, an able politician and has been a better state rep than we anticipated. A reformer? Doubtful.

Nonetheless, with the needs of local governments so drastic due to COVID-19, it can only be of help that we have the ear of so many, so powerful leaders of state government.

Extending a hand to Trump supporters

J

Join us, oin us.

In banishing the hatreds and Instead of desecrating the grudges that have torn this nation halls of our Capitol, apart for too long.

Let us, on this Inauguration Forgive us, as we forgive you, for Day, consecrate our democracy, injuries, real and imagined.

Rededicate ourselves to the propoLet us begin anew, right now, to sition that all are created equal start afresh, a clean slate, and be And that government of the peoa better people, represented by a ple, by the people and for the people better government, one that tells shall not perish from the Earth. the truth and makes life better for Join us, everyone.

In letting go of the lies, and discovJoin us, ering what lies ahead for us, together.

In being so much stronger toLet us be friends, not enemies, with gether than we can ever be apart. malice toward none and charity for Let us show the world that all, as Lincoln said. democracy is resilient, that we can Let America be America again, the land that never has been yet, and yet must be, as come together, that we can repair the breach.

That we can repair the bridges, physical and Hughes said. spiritual, that have collapsed. Bridges that Then not that we do more, or stop pity, but must be built, and rebuilt, from both sides. that we be wider in living, that all our cities fly Let us set an example that our dream of a clean flag, as Patchen said. democracy is tested That we not seek to satand tough, that the isfy our thirst for freedom soul of this nation may by drinking from the cup be contested, but never of bitterness and hatred violently, only through but forever conduct our respectful dialogue. struggle on the high plane Join us, of dignity and discipline, In admitting our misthat we not allow our cretakes and atoning for ative protest to degenerate them. Let us become a into physical violence. better nation by becomThat we rise, again and ing better people. again, to the majestic Let us show one heights of meeting physianother only the better cal force with soul force. angels of our nature.

That we come to realize We have seen our lesser that your destiny is tied angels dominate for too up with our destiny, and long. We are capable of that your freedom is more. We can do better. inextricably bound to our Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0 Join us, freedom. That we cannot United States Capitol In re-joining the U.S., walk alone. And that making these states this nation can still rise united again — maybe up and live out the true for the first time. meaning of its creed, as King said.

In finding our common ground and defendJoin us, ing the common good, recognizing that we are In letting go of our racism and divisions. fellow citizens, not antagonists, and certainly Let us be brothers and sisters, one family, one not combatants. community, one nation.

Join us, Let us make America greater than it has ever In creating the “beloved community” that been.

King dreamed of and that Lewis and so many Join us, others marched for.

In welcoming a new president who will be a Free from want, free from fear, as FDR said. president for everyone, not just for those who We have been at each other’s throats too long. voted for him. In making the government meet Join us, your needs as well as ours.

In recognizing each other’s humanity, in not Let us vanquish this pandemic once and for assuming the worst about those with whom we all and revive this economy, making it work for disagree. all. Healing the gulf of economic inequality Join us, that causes so much needless suffering.

In following the example of a president, inauJoin us, gurated today, who models decency, honesty, and In believing in government again, that it can commitment to our best interests. be a force for good and help make life better for Let us give his administration a chance to all of us, not just for some. improve our lives.

Join us, Let’s come together.

In letting go of our grievances and meeting Let’s come back, as God says in a poem by one another face to face, extending an open Rilke, to the country they call life. hand, lending an eager hand in reconstituting You will know it by its seriousness. this Constitution, to make our union more and more — and ever more — perfect.

Give me your hand.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S S H R U B T O W N

by Marc Stopeck

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crow, Doug Deuchler, Linda Francis, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea, Debbie Becker Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

Zoning first, then plans For more than a century Rush Oak Park Hospital has strived to meet and exceed the needs of our community and provide exceptional, compassionate and convenient care. We take great pride in being a strong community partner. It’s important to us that we continue on this path as we evolve and expand along with the health-care industry.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the steady growth in outpatient care have prompted us to reassess our strategic needs. While plans have been put on hold as we battle the pandemic, we have determined now is the time to begin precursory preparation for any potential projects that may arise in the future.

Rush Oak Park Hospital owns properties on South Maple Avenue and Monroe Street, directly southwest of the main hospital building. The dwellings on these properties are unoccupied with no electrical or water supply.

In mid-December of 2020, hospital executive leadership, along with hospital board members, met virtually with key neighbors and members of the Central West Oak Park Neighborhood Association to discuss re-zon-

ing the property from residential to hospital.

The hospital then submitted the application for rezoning to the village of Oak Park’s Zoning Board to change the current zoning designation of these properties from residential to hospital. The application was approved by the zoning board on Jan. 7.

Due to the toll of the pandemic and the financial constraints it has caused, Rush is in the process of coming up with a new strategic masterplan for its hospital-owned properties. By receiving re-zoning approval now, we are looking to maximize our flexibility in the future as the hospital continues to grow as a healthcare leader. We will continue to solicit and gauge community input to determine the best approach for both parties.

The mission of Rush is to provide the best health care for the individuals and diverse communities we serve through the integration of outstanding patient care, education, research, and community partnerships.

Bruce Elegant

President and CEO, Rush Oak Park Hospital

About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action.

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing.

Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@ wjinc.com.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

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■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

■ Signature details as at left

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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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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

D200 board shouldn’t rush new supt. hiring

T

he election for the District 200 board is less than three months away. Yet the current board is moving to hire a new superintendent before the next board’s term begins.

I strongly disagree with this decision. The D200 school board will make few single decisions over the next few years that are more critical for the entire school than the selection of a new superintendent. Oak Park and River Forest residents, through each of their elected representatives, should have their voices heard on this matter.

The current D200 board is wrong to rush the choice of a superintendent for the same reasons that the U.S. Senate was wrong in rushing Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

Moreover, the board’s planned decision includes a distressing feature the Senate decision did not. The judiciary is independent of Congress and the executive branch as a matter of law, and no Supreme Court justice reports to the president or the Senate.

That is not the case with the OPRF superintendent and the D200 school board. The OPRF superintendent will continue to owe duties and obligations to the school board long after new board members start their service. The superintendent will report to the new board. She or he will need to receive and understand that board’s positions and policies. She or he will need to implement board directives. No board can reasonably expect to choose an exceptional executive who will not work a day for that board but will work for years with a new board composed of different members.

New board members may contribute thoughts and ideas that influence how existing board members currently see

issues. This is true even with respect to matters the existing board considers to be a priority. Our understanding of justice, for example, is framed by what rights we have as individuals and often more clearly by injustices we have seen or experienced.

It is reasonable for Oak Park and River Forest voters to expect that new board members will have insights and experiences that existing board members will find helpful.

New D200 board members may also persuade existing board members to consider additional issues in the hiring of a superintendent that the prior board had not. At the very least, new board members should have this opportunity. I offer that my own campaign is in large part in service of an idea, which, among other things, I think the board should consider in hiring the new superintendent. The idea is this: OPRF should have mindful use of, critically study, develop policy for, and implement best practices around new media as an essential part of each student’s education. I believe D200 can add substantial value to the school — and can do this at minimal cost — by providing our students with a new manner of thinking about and engaging with this new media, which is at the center of their lives, typically now with little or no awareness.

Our community is right to value open-mindedness and learning. The existing board’s plan to choose a new superintendent before the new board starts infers that the existing board is not open to input from new board members, and by extension, the voters of Oak Park and River Forest. I believe we all lose if the existing board remains on this path.

Dave Schrodt is an attorney, CPA, and candidate for the D200 school board in the April 6 election.

DAVE

SCHRODT One View

Meaningless numbers on Pete’s

While I have little reason to doubt that the new Pete’s will, as reported, generate something like $1.1 million in real estate and sales taxes, that is not a meaningful number. The meaningful number is the amount of net new taxes, which in the case of sales taxes will be significantly lower because Pete’s will cannibalize sales from other Oak Park retailers, not to mention from its Lake Street store.

I am not raising this out of opposition to the project. I just find it appalling that nobody asks the right questions when developers present numbers that are true but meaningless.

Bob Stigger

Oak Park

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What the Capitol attack and Live Café have in common

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any of us are still reeling over the violent mob that descended on our Capitol building, as well as the racist act against Live Café in Oak Park. Though there is a lot still to be uncovered, discovered, and revealed from both the siege on our nation’s capital as well as Live café, which targeted two local black candidates from the Represent Oak Park ticket, what we do know is that they are both steeped in hate.

It’s crucial to see these two acts as intimately connected, as racists now feel emboldened and licensed to speak out and act out, feeling as though they are entitled to their racist views, as they are favored and privileged in most systems and institutions.

My focus here is on Oak Park, as that was a blatant, unfounded, racist attempt at keeping two worthy, qualified, valid candidates on the local ballot, but it’s much more than that. It is the flagrant use of agency, and demonstra-

tion of the ease with which many white people move through systems and institutions that have granted and maintained their/ our systemic, institutional power.

Certainly the knowledge of how to not only drag a candidate through the mud, publicly attempt to humiliate them by airing falsehoods regarding their financial records among other things, and extinguish precious campaign resources with frivolous legal, governmental, or institutional proceedings appears to be the goal with the attack on Anthony Clark and Chibuike Enyia, both running for village of Oak Park trustee in April.

I will not stoop to the level of the “objector” as he is referred to during the proceedings and in the paperwork, other than to say: take your hate, and seek your fame elsewhere, sir.

There is work to be done here. The village desperately needs to be steered in a new

direction, one of action, equity, and progressive movement. You are the festering sore that will never heal until the elixir is administered. That medicine is true compassion, support, and love that will emanate from the Represent Oak Park ticket.

Mayor Abu-Taleb said on Jan. 12, in the hearing that shamelessly invoked irrelevant issues connected to Mr. Clark’s financial status: “I’m calling on us to not encourage hate and divisiveness.” If you are truly interested in what is best for the “system” or for your village, questioning a person about what they have done for their family, or what kind of home repairs their family has done has zero relevance here. For your information, some of us actually support family members through our care, our actions, and yes, even property. I myself care for two uncles out of state and co-own a property in which they

ZERRIN BULUT One View

live. Would that be any business of yours should I run for office? Absolutely not. What people will go through to keep others down is simply despicable. If you have endless time on your hands, during which you’ve chosen to drag intelligent, capable, good people through this trashy misuse of public resources, I might suggest volunteering your time at one of the many worthy Oak Park volunteer groups that exist. I am happy to supply you with more information on them, should you like to use your time and energy for good, instead of for evil.

I, for one, will do whatever I can in my power to stand up against discrimination and racism in both overt and covert ways. Let’s call it what it is: fear-based ignorance. I stand with Anthony Clark, Chibuike Enyia and the Represent Oak Park ballot, and look forward to voting on Tuesday April 6. Power to the People.

Zerrin Bulut is an Oak Park resident.

Moroney plays politics with public safety “Let’s talk about actual policies rather than sloganeering words like ‘defund.’”

That’s what Oak Park Trustee Dan Moroney said on the Sept. 24, 2020, episode of his podcast. A little more than three months later, Moroney would have you believe he has no political motive for suggesting a resolution at the board table asking Oak Park voters whether they support “defunding” the police.

On that same episode, Moroney argued that the phrase was meaningless, saying: “‘Defunding,’ whatever that might mean.”

Moroney is right about one thing: public safety is an important role of village government. So let’s talk about actual policies. Let’s

talk about what we’d like public safety to look like in the 21st century. Putting forward a referendum that even Trustee Moroney admits is meaningless will not move our community forward.

On Aug. 25, 2020, the village board considered, and voted down, a draft resolution committing to, among other things: Reducing the number of sworn officers in Fiscal Year 2021; Funding a non-police response team for mental health crises and homelessness; Rescinding laws that may be used to unfairly target BIPOC youth; Removing the construction of a new police

FRANCIS

move their children’s advantages, knowing full well that proof doesn’t exist. Our efforts to find an equitable and fair way to be a diverse community, like our national efforts, do not follow an existing roadmap.

We have yet to perfect this experiment that is America. We must be willing to do what is right without the expectation of perfection, but with a desire to continuously learn and improve. I was born in 1964 and I am still waiting for those promises to be realized 57 years later.

This time of growth and learning has the potential to bring even greater advantages for all if folks are open to it. A closed fist cannot receive gifts. I hope that we can seize these opportunities rather than be caught up in a wave that is sure to come.

We can’t and we won’t go back to the perverse “normal.” It was destroyed at the Capitol on Jan. 6. We have no choice but to set a new course in search of a more perfect union that embraces the liberation of white people from the fairy tales of the past and delivers on the promise that could be America.

It’s liberation we’re after from page 19 have to develop a new persona based in reality, inclusive of all of our stories.

Black History Month should bring with it the recognition that it is part of U.S. history — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

We will have to develop accurate ways of teaching this history to our children that inspire them to do better rather than settle for fairy tales.

I look forward to a time when parents of children of color will not have to help our children unlearn these fairy tales. I’m beginning to see glimpses of it — more inclusive curriculum and opportunities for deeper critical thinking.

Unfortunately, I’m also seeing pushback from some white parents who would prefer to leave things as they are. They want proof that removing racist practices will not re-

station from the 2021 Capital Improvement Plan; Amending the village code to strengthen the Citizen Police Oversight Commission; and Acknowledging the harm done by policing.

We can, and should, debate these proposals and any substantive proposals put forward by Moroney, another trustee, or Oak Park residents. Of course, Moroney dismissed the twopage resolution as vague at the time. But now he has demonstrated that this was just another political ploy. Moroney is perfectly fine with vague sloganeering if he believes it serves his personal aims.

Oak Park should recognize Moroney’s poli-

HEISE

SB 1966 needs higher priority from page 19 to prioritize SB 1966 to address Illinois’ gun violence crisis. I think everyone accepted the fact that passage of a state budget and funding for pandemic relief took precedence in the spring. There is also no question that the legislature also accomplished a major priority during the lame duck session by enacting much of the Illinois Black Caucus legislative agenda, including all important criminal justice reforms. We nevertheless remain disappointed that Senate leadership did not prioritize this important piece of public safety legislation.

The ILGVP consists of over 200 organizations Statewide, with several of these organizations or chapters located in the village, including the Gun Responsibility Advocates (GRA) of which I am a proud member. We are all incredibly disappointed that, during

tics of division for what it is and turn the page.

If we elect trustees and a village president who represent our shared values and our shared story, we can begin to have honest conversations about issues that matter to Oak Park, including public safety.

As Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb said on Jan. 12, 2021: “We all have a responsibility to lower the temperature. I’m calling on people not to incite divisiveness and hate among us.”

Let’s stop the grandstanding. Let’s stop playing petty politics. Let’s start governing.

Brian Straw Oak Park

the time that the Senate failed to act on the Bill after the House had passed it, 7,752 Illinoisans have been shot, over 100 children have been shot and killed, and at least 36,000 illegal guns remain in the hands of people who are prohibited from owning them.

The Illinois Gun Violence Prevention coalition and the tens of thousands of constituents who have tirelessly advocated for the passage of this legislation, look forward to again working with chief senate sponsor Sen. Julie Morrison and chief house sponsor, Leader Kathleen Willis, to, as she has stated, reintroduce the bill quickly in the next session and work with legislators on both sides of the aisle “to quickly pass this legislation at the start of the new session.”

Join us in this effort by contacting your state senator and state representative and urging them to make the passage of this important piece of public safety legislation an early priority in 2021.

Ray Heise, a member of Gun Responsibility Advocates, is the former Oak Park village attorney.

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

About defunding the police and Kevin Peppard Dan Moroney proposes to have a referendum: “Shall the village of Oak Park defund this police department?” He is using the wrong word.

If you look in Webster’s dictionary, you won’t find it. If you ask your smart phone what “defund” means it says, “prevent from continuing to receive funds.”

The word you want is “change” the funding. Many cities around the country have added to the police force with psychologists or a social worker to be sent to homes where the problem is a family situation. The change that is made is that a percentage of the funds goes to the psychologist or social worker. Since the police do not have to answer those calls, a smaller amount goes to the police.

Therefore, it is not “defunding” it is merely a change.

And now to Kevin Peppard: He seems to delight in going after African Americans who are running for

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The real Watergate lesson

trustee, usually without all the facts.

He has already been denied with one of the present candidates running. I was involved with the Glen Brewer and Peter Barber campaign. Peppard first went to the village claiming they did not have enough signatures. The village turned him down.

He then went to the low court and claimed the same thing. They turned him down. He went to the highest court and that judge asked why he was wasting all this time, and they turned him down.

All this took over two months, causing the two candidates to waste time and money because they had to hire lawyers. Up until the two weeks until the election. They had no time to campaign and used most of the money they had on lawyers.

Kevin Peppard should not be listened to.

Douglas Wyman Oak Park

On Sept. 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned ex-President Richard Nixon. Widely acclaimed as a wise move that would “allow the nation to heal,” it simultaneously created an open invitation for abuse of power by an authoritarian president without any consequences. Sound familiar?

We rely on protections against presidential misconduct that include (1) impeachment while in office, and (2) criminal prosecution upon leaving office. In Trump’s case, and arguably in others, the first has miserably failed, and the second has been severely impaired.

I read the entire Mueller Report and it makes crystal clear that, at a minimum, Trump’s actions in attempting to suppress the Russia investigation would have led to multiple counts of obstruction of justice against any ordinary citizen. Unfortunately, the Justice Department guidelines against in-office indictments twisted the Mueller Report authors in knots to report accurately but avoid “unfairly” suggesting that the

president deserved prosecution.

This led directly, over vehement objection by the Mueller investigators, to the report whitewash

by AG Barr. And that in turn led to forcing a dramatic paring down of future impeachment #1 counts and providing cover for sycophant legislator impeachment trial jurists to later quash witness appearances, claim lack of evidence, and “exonerate” Trump.

If the jury is dependent on the defendant for primary endorsements, is a fair trial possible?

The bottom line: If the party of the president firmly holds either House or Senate, there is a high probability that the president is free to abuse power with impunity while in office. The verdict overwhelmingly depends on practical politics. Criminal acts, evidence, and truth have little to do with it.

Then what about the second protection, criminal prosecution upon leaving office? According to “commonly accepted presidential norms of behavior” it has been assumed that presidential

pardons would be based on merit and free of self-serving motives.

But all it takes is an authoritarian in the Oval Office to wantonly exploit that power by pardoning potentially damaging witnesses like Paul Manafort, removing any motivation for them to cooperate with prosecutors. And it is truly astounding to see the same individuals, who claim nobody is above the law, immediately contradict themselves with the absurd argument that a president can pardon himself !

Deterring misconduct by overhauling a firmly embedded impeachment process is near-impossible. A more workable solution is to legally prevent presidential pardons to individuals in cases where the president, family, friends, or underlings are involved. Better, prohibition of all presidential pardons should be formally enacted into law. As has been vividly demonstrated over the last four years, we rely on “presidential norms of behavior” at our peril.

Robert Parks

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Livio Parolin, 70 Podiatrist

Livio Joseph Parolin, 70, of River Forest, lost his heroic fight against cancer on Jan. 1, 2021. Born on May 14, 1950 in Cittadella, Italy, to the late Olga and Angelo Parolin, at the age of 3, his parents decided they would build a life for him and his brother, John in America. They settled on the West Side of Chicago and sent their sons to Our Lady of the Angels. On Dec. 1, 1958, Livio survived the historic fire that took place at the school, and it was a blessing to anyone who met him over the years that he did. He went on to Gordon Tech High School, where his academic and athletic success on the football field led him to the University of Notre Dame. He went on to become a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, and practiced for the past 40 years, where he touched the lives, not just the feet, of so many patients. But it was clear his biggest accomplishment was finding his wife, Mary Ann, and raising his family in River Forest. As his family grew, so did Livio’s heart and spirit. His family was the compass that drove him, from swim meets to water polo games and, most recently, dance recitals and the next generation of swimming and diving meets.

Livio was the husband of Mary Ann (nee Nash); the father of Elizabeth (Brad) West, Kathryn (Michael) Dahl, Christopher (Maggie) and Tommy (Jacqueline); the grandfather of Olivia, Madeline, and Thomas West and Mary, Emmett, Margaret, and James Livio Dahl and Eleanor Parolin, as well as those to come; the brother of the late John (Nancy); the cousin of Georgina (Carl) Przyborowski; the brother-inlaw of Barbara (Richard) Pozzi, Dr. Rita (the late Kevin) McGuire, Margaret (John) Lenahan, Thomas (Mary) Nash and William (Sue) Nash; and many nieces and nephews.

Due to COVID regulations, the family celebrated a private Mass of Christian Burial at St. Vincent Ferrer Church, followed by entombment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery on Jan. 6.

Please visit Peterson-Bassi Chapels website to send your condolences.

Curt Eisenstaedt, 60 Proud union member

Curt Eisenstaedt, 60, of Forest Park, died on Dec. 24, 2020.

A proud member of I.B.E.W. Local Union #134, he had an adventurous spirit with a love of animals and kids and inspired a loyalty in his friends that was always fiercely returned.

From his interest in photography, martial arts, and finance to his passion for food, travel and new adventures, he

always believed in sharing anything good he discovered in life. He touched our lives and this world, and he made us the better for it.

Curt was the partner of Lisa Harvey; the father of fur babies Merlin and Joe; the son of Nanna Schmidt and Dieter Eisenstaedt; and the stepson of Lilo Eisenstaedt. He is survived by his brothers, Edwin, Eric and Kevin, along with close-friend brothers, Eugene and Phil and Dawn White, the White family and the Roudebush family, and many others.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to animalcareleague.org.

Judy Eisenmann, 81 Librarian and genealogist

Judith A. Eisenmann, 81, died quietly in her sleep on Dec. 28, 2020. She had been suffering from dementia for the last several years. Born in 1939 to Helen and Robert Shylin, she grew up in Oak Park. A life-long learner and avid reader. She worked in libraries most of her life, starting at the Maze Branch of the Oak Park Public Library when she was just a teenager. When the family lived in Westfield, New Jersey (1969-1984), Judy worked as a librarian at the Westfield Public Library. She was the librarian at McLean School in Potomac, Maryland until 1991 and retired as the librarian for Trinity High School in River Forest in 2005.

She became an accomplished genealogist and enjoyed spending time poring over census and other records to track the origins of her family. She seemed most happy sharing the latest discoveries of the family roots with her children.

An active member of the Catholic Church her entire life, she was a Eucharistic minister and helped form a Christian Family Movement (CFM) group at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield. She volunteered in the RCIA programs at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Potomac and Ascension Church when she returned to Oak Park in 1991. She was also a lector at Ascension for many years.

She was an enthusiastic and unabashed Chicago White Sox fan. She knitted afghans, as well as baby blankets for her grandchildren, grand-nieces and -nephews and friends’ grandchildren.

A graduate of Ascension Elementary School in Oak Park and Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago, she earned her bachelor de-

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

gree in English from Loyola University Chicago and her Master in Library Service from Rutgers University.

Judy is survived by her sister, Elaine (Herb) Thompson; her children, Jim (Lynn Jennings) Eisenmann, Tom (Yuliya) Eisenmann, Dan (Erin) Eisenmann, and Kate Eisenmann-Cabral (Robert Cabral); her grandchildren, Griffin, Amelia, Vassily, Yevdokia, Kristofer, Kelly, Mateo and Nina; and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral Mass was celebrated at Ascension Catholic Church on Jan. 9. Her remains will be buried at Rosehill Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Ascension Church (https://www.ascensionoakpark. com/apps/pages/giving), Ascension Elementary School (https://p2p.onecause.com/acensionschool/donate) and/or the Oak Park Public Library (https://www.oppl.org/about/give).

Sam Frigo, 28

Teacher who loved the outdoors Oak Park native Samuel Andrew Oliver Frigo, 28, known simply as Sam to his friends and family, died suddenly and unexpectedly on Jan. 6, 2021, in his home in Washington, D.C. Like many children of Oak Park, he was deeply connected to the community, from lining up behind Longfellow School on the first day of class in 1998, to lining up on the OPRF High School football field to graduate in 2011.

He went on to study at the University of Dayton in Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in Special Education & Teaching and began his career as a teacher and intervention specialist, working for five years at Dayton Early College Academy, a public charter school in Dayton.

Last summer he moved to Washington, D.C., to continue his work at KIPP DC College Prep.

In addition to his family, Sam is survived by his girlfriend Rachel “Rae” Mowat, whom he loved deeply. A shared passion for education and a love of the outdoors drew them together. He is also survived by their two cats, Pepe and Taz. He was an inspiration to always do better; an

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exemplar of unconditional love, of community engagement, of kindness and compassion.

Sam is survived by his parents, Melanie Frigo and Phil Frigo (Mary Jeans); his two brothers, Dominic Frigo (Bri Lugo) and Joseph Frigo; his sister, Helen Behl (Travis Behl); his birth father, Tino Olivares; his half-brothers and -sisters, Marco, Lizete, and Eric; and countless aunts, uncles, and cousins. The youngest in his immediate family, he dedicated himself to others, making sure everybody around him felt the same love he was shown as a child.

A scholarship fund is being set up in Sam’s name. For anyone interested in donating, please visit the Dayton Foundation’s website (https://www.daytonfoundation.org/ccgift. html) and give to Friends of the Dayton Early College Academy – fund #3637. In the special instructions please indicate “Sam Frigo Scholarship.”

Chuck Mishoulam, 63

Member of Oak Park Temple Charles “Chuck” Mishoulam, 63, has died. He was the husband of Linda (nee Jaffe); the father of Zachary and Aaron; the brother of Rena (Dr. Dennis) Citrin and the late Rhoda Mishoulam; the sonin-law of Elaine Jaffe and the late Sanford Jaffe; the brother-in-law of Leslie Jaffe (the late Howard Davis) and Lori (Michael) Zwell; and the uncle of Levi (Alana), Nechama (Josh), Chaya (Jacob), Sholom, Adam, Emma, Daniel and Rachel (Dimitri).

To keep everyone safe and healthy, the service will be private. To attend the funeral, livestream Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., CST (visit our website). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Oak Park Temple, www.oakparktemple.org, American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org or A House in Austin, www.ahouseinaustin.org.

Arrangements were handled by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847-229-8822, www.cjfinfo.com.

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Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021 New local ads this week

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PUBLIC NOTICES

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

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

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

524-1030

PUBLIC NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Bicycle Racks Project Sealed bids will be received by the Village of Riverside for the installation of in ground and surface mounted bicycle racks in various locations throughout the central business district (“Bicycle Racks Project”). Sealed bids will be received on or before, but not after, 10:00 a.m. on February 3, 2021 at the Offices of the Village of Riverside, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546. Bids received after that time will not be considered.

All Bids shall be addressed and delivered to the address above on or before the time set forth above.

Sealed envelopes or packages containing the Bid Forms shall be transmitted to the attention of the “Village of Riverside” and shall be marked or endorsed with the title of the Bid (“Sealed Bid For Bicycle Racks Project”) and the Bidder’s full legal name.

The bids will be publicly opened and read aloud at the Offices of the Village of Riverside, 2nd Floor Auditorium, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois 60546 at 10:00 a.m. on February 3, 2021. Bids shall be submitted in the form and manner contained in the Bidding Requirements.

The Bid Specifications and Project Manual for Bicycle Racks Project will be available for viewing on QuestCDN.com beginning January 7, 2021. Contractors may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from CHRISTOPHER B BURKE ENGINEERING LTD, 9575 W HIGGINS RD, SUITE 600, ROSEMONT, IL 60018.

Each bid must be accompanied by a bid bond or a cashier’s check in the amount of 10% of the total bid, made payable to The Village of Riverside, as a guarantee that the successful bidder will promptly execute a satisfactory contract. Upon failure to do so, the bidder shall forfeit the amount deposited as liquidated damages and no mistakes or errors on the part of the bidder shall excuse the bidder or entitle the bidder to a return of the aforementioned amount.

No bid will be considered unless the bidder shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the Village that the bidder has the necessary facilities, abilities, experience, equipment, financial and physical resources available to fulfill the conditions of the Contract and execute the work, should the Contract be awarded such bidder.

Bidders will examine the plans and specifications and also the location in which said work is to be done and judge for themselves all the circumstances and surrounding conditions affecting the cost and nature of the work, and all bids will be presumed to be based on such examination, familiarity and judgment.

The successful bidder shall enter into a formal contract based on the conditions and requirements in the Bidding Requirements and the Bidding Requirements will be incorporated into the Contract.

The successful bidder will be required to comply with the provisions of all State of Illinois and federal laws concerning public works projects as well as the State of Illinois Human Rights Act and the regulations of the Illinois Human Rights Commission.

The Village reserves the right to reject any and all bids, and to waive any technicalities and irregularities in the bidding and to hold the bid proposals for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of opening set forth above.

Questions about the bid documents must be submitted, in writing, to Rebekah Carney 224.315.0186 or rcarney@cbbel.com.

By order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside, Cook County, Illinois.

Dated this 20th day of January, 2021.

Sonya Abt, Community Development Director

Published in RB Landmark 1/20/2021

Wednesday Classified 3 Great Papers, 6 Communities To Place Your Ad, Call: 708/613-3333

P

PB

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

CLASSIFIED

27

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

Let the sun shine in...

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK PLAN COMMISSION

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

DOCKET NUMBER: PC 21-01 HEARING DATE: February 4, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits LOCATION OF HEARING: The Plan Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT Uverse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7 (e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an inperson public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Written testimony or comments regarding the application may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to planning@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and a reasonable part of their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. If email is not an option, written testimony or comment can be dropped off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the south entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 4, 2021. All written testimony and comments will be distributed to the Plan Commission and made a part of the official hearing record. Those wishing to provide public testimony at the hearing shall contact the Village Planner at planning@oak-park.us for instructions on attending the live Zoom meeting by 5:00 PM the day of the hearing. Interested persons

may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by emailing the cross-examination form to clerk@ oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom webconference means or by phone.

Questions regarding written testimony or comment can be directed to 708-358.5420 or email to planning@oak-park.us.

SUBJECT PROPERTY ADDRESSES: 203 S. Marion Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 ZONING DISTRICT: DT Downtown Zoning District; DT-3 Pleasant Sub-District LEGAL DESCRIPTION: LOTS 1, 4, 5 AND 8 IN BLOCK 4 IN SCOVILLE AND NILES ADDITION TO OAK PARK, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST 40 ACRES OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SECTION 7, TOWNSHIP 39 NORTH, RANGE 13, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS P.I.N.: 16-07-308-008-0000, 1607-308-009-0000, 16-07-308-0100000, 16-07-308-011-0000 PROPERTY OWNER: Charles and Lynne Williams on behalf of 203 S. Marion Street Corporation, 203 S. Marion Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 PETITIONER: Focus Acquisition Company, LLC, 100 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60606 REQUEST: The Petitioner is requesting a planned development for a seven (7) story, mixed use residential development consisting of approximately 1,200 square feet of retail, 153 rental apartments, 6 maisonette residential units and 123 covered parking spaces with the following Zoning Ordinance allowances: 1) Article 8: Uses, Subsection 8.3 Use Restrictions: Table 8-1 Use Matrix allows dwelling units

above the first floor only, where six (6) residential maisonette units are proposed on the first floor, 2.) Article 10: Off-Street Parking and Loading, Subsection 10.4: Required Off Street Vehicle and Bicycle Parking Spaces: Table 10-2 requires one parking space per dwelling unit for a total of 159 spaces, where 0.77 parking spaces per dwelling unit will be provided for a total of 123 parking spaces, 3.) Article 5: Commercial Districts, Sub-section 5.3 Dimensional Standards: Figure 5-2 allows a maximum building height of 60 ft, where a 84 foot 10 inch building measured to the top of the roof is proposed, 4.) Article 5: Commercial Districts, Subsection 5.3 Dimensional Standards: Table 5-1 requires a building setback along streets to be built to a zero (0) foot lot line where a request for a ten (10) foot setback be allowed for 64 linear feet along Marion Street, 5.) Article 10: Off-Street Parking and Loading, subsection 10.3: Off Street Parking Design Standards, B. Access: requires a nine (9) foot turnaround at the end of parking stalls, where a request is to not provide them in order to provide additional parking spaces on site.

A copy of the application and each of the applicable documents are on the Village Website at www. oak-park.us and also on file and available for inspection at the Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, during current business hours, Monday through Thursday, between 9:00 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 20, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is00given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21005627 on January 14, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of CHAD KEAST HAIR with the business located at: 31 G HARRISON ST, OAK PARK, IL 60304.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: CHAD KEAST 1028 RANDOLPH ST 1NW OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y20005512 on December 29, 2020 Under the Assumed Business Name of PANDA STUDIOS with the business located at: 1913 S. MANNHEIM RD, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: PATRICIA ANN REIS 10518 CANTERBURY ST, WESTCHESTER, IL 60154, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021

Published in RB Landmark 1/13, 1/20, 1/27/2021

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PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLIONIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of JULIAN RICHARD ANDREOTTI Case Number 2020CONC000961 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Julian Richard Andreotti to the new name of: Julian Richard Topete-Andreotti The court date will be held: On February 17, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing.

Notice to Prospective Village of Oak Park Federal Grants Applicants The Program Year (PY) 2021 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application process (and potentially the Emergency Solutions Grant [ESG] application process) begins February 8, 2021. For PY 2021, which runs from October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022, there will be an estimated $225,000 available in Village Public Service CDBG funds and $40,000 in Public Facilities Improvements CDBG funds. Other PY 2021 grant funds will be set aside for Village-run activities. The Village does not know if we will receive ESG funds for PY 2021 but we are proceeding as if we will, with an estimated $140,000 in funds available.

The federal CDBG program is a source of funding that addresses local housing and community development needs. These funds are available to non-profit organizations that serve primarily low and moderate income (LMI) persons residing in Oak Park. Each proposed activity must meet the CDBG Program National Objective of primarily serving LMI persons and be eligible. ESG funds are available to non-profit organizations that serve persons who are experiencing, or are at-risk of, homelessness. Grant funds are for non-profit agencies, not individuals.

Applications for PY 2021 CDBG and ESG funds must be completed online and will be available February 8, 2021 on the Village’s website at www.oak-park.us/ PY2021Grants The Application process runs from February 8 to March 5, 2021, with the option of an early, feedback-eligible “safer” due date of February 26, 2021.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for non-English speaking persons and for people with disabilities. For more information, write to grants@oak-park.us Published in Wednesday Journal January 13, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLIONIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Dylan Stephen Weinand Case Number 2020CONC000687 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Dylan Stephen Weinand to the new name of: Dylan Stephen Weinand-Flannery

ZOOM MEETING ID:970 3250 0245 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 895226 CALL IN: 3126266799

The court date will be held: On March 17th, 2020 at 9:30 at Daley Center, 50 W Washington Street, Chicago, IL, 60602 in Courtroom # 1706.

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/13, 1/20, 1/27/2020

Lost & Found and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified.

To place your ad, call 708-613-3342

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE SERRANO LEGAL SOLUTIONS, LLC Attorney for Petitioner P. O. Box 3581 Oak Park, IL 60303 Attorney for Petitioner STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of LAURA VALDEZ, Petitioner and LINO CHIMALPOPOCA-ABARCA, Respondent, Case No. 2021D430022 The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before February 19, 2020 default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal 1/20, 1/27, 2/3/2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3 Plaintiff, -v.CHARLES T. GRANT, JUANITA J. GRANT, THE PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2019CH14912

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413 OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 5, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on February 9, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-428-0431030, Property Index No. 16-18428-043-1054 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at

the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required

by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4).

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

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

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-11626 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH14912 TJSC#: 40-2378 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 2019CH14912 I3162077

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28

Wednesday Journal, January 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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