A design to honor the renowned scientist is in the works for Chicago Avenue
By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Oak Park is seeking community input for its Percy Julian streetscape design on Chicago Avenue between East Avenue and Austin Boulevard, a gesture intended to honor African-American scientist Percy Julian.
The village is hosting meetings over the next couple of weeks to inform residents about the project, offer more info rmation about Julian and receive feedback on design ideas. Anyone is welcome to attend.
These meetings, all with the same presentation and structure, will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 30 at John Greenleaf Whittier School at 715 N. Harvey Ave., at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at William Beye Elementary School at 230 N. Cuyler
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Where it’s a good thing to ght like a girl
Local boxing program helps girls 10-18 build con dence
By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter
Erica Rodriguez remembers well starting her collegiate career at Nor thwestern University 15 years ago.
It didn’t take long for that experience to become stressful for the Ohio native. She was working hard academically, but felt like was struggling to keep up with her peers.
So, she decided to begin working out at a nearby boxing which turned out to be a great move because she was able lieve stress while at the same time feel better about herself
She’s now bringing the basics of that experience to girls throughout Chicago, including the West Side and Oak Park
“It became pretty transformative for me,” said Rodriguez, studied human development at Northwestern and pursued a career in that area, while becoming a competitive boxer for many year
These days, Rodriguez is program director for Box United, which offers the Fight Like a Girl program for girls ages 10 to 18 at three locations in Chicagoland, including the west side at Salvation Ar my Freedom Center, 825 N. Christiana Ave., Chicag in the West Humboldt Park neighborhood.
The program has 70 participants who visit for two hours twice per week. It’s a structured program: The first half hour is all about homework. Then it shifts to non-contact boxing, i.e., punching into gloves or mitts with a peer. It concludes with an emotional/social learning session.
Rodriguez points to a dire statistic that says girls in Chicago Public Schools score higher in post-traumatic stress disorder than veterans returning from active duty. Often, girls are socialized to inter nalize stressful behaviors, she said, instead of externalizing them.
“When they come to our program, they get to exter nalize those things and work through to form a new relationship to their body and the voice inside their head,” she said. “
The program is funded by the city of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, and is partly focused on girls who are either involved with the juvenile justice system or indirectly impacted by it. The good news, Rodriguez said, is that “across the county, there are pretty few girls who that are on probation. So, understanding that, we’ve opened the program to all girls.
“It’s a healing-centered program,” she said. “We keep in mind a young person might come in with any experiences, trauma or otherwise, and we’re cognizant of creating a healing space.”
That said, the endgame of the program, which is free but requires parent or guardian consent, is developing confidence for solid, astute decision-making.
“The decisions you make in your life reflect how you feel about
Catalayna Odum, who lives on Chicago’s West Side, punches he r way through a session of Box United’s Fight Like a Girl prog ram.
yourself,” Rodriguez said, adding the program is available to “provide a place for girls to heal and have their needs met, and get the support they need to feel strong and self-assured. That leads to girls making good decisions in their lives.”
Fight Like a Girl is the brainchild of Box United founder and executive director Mary Kate Vanecko, and is rooted in her own experience of needing an outlet that challenged her to grow
There are plans afoot for expanding the program, including opening the first girls boxing gym in Chicagoland, possibly by the end of 2025.
Rodriguez has been with Box United since October, and even since then, she’s seen marked changes among the girls with which she interacts.
“For a lot of the girls, I see them walking in the door with more confidence,” she said. “When I ask them why they joined, ‘Oh, my mom made me.’ Now they are a boxer, and that’s where they belong.
“I see them developing a growth mindset, so feeling like when you can’t do something, that’s not the end of the road.”
To learn more about the Fight Like a Girl program, visit https:// boxunited.org/
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Holiday Inn Express is coming to Oak Park
Construction under way at 1140 Lake St.
By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Construction of a Holiday Inn Express Hotel is underway at 1140 Lake St. after the project was originally approved in 2019.
The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench in the construction plans, causing the project to be delayed. In January 2022, Oak Park’s village board approved it again, 6-0, with one trustee absent.
The project originally intended to have 97 hotel rooms and the addition of three more floors to an existing five-story building. In 2022, that was scaled down to 68 rooms and one additional floor, according to previous Wednesday Journal re porting. The hotel will still have 68 rooms.
Those changes were intended to assuage traffic concerns. But Wednesday Journal re ported in 2022 that members of the
neighboring condo association were concerned about illegal parking and traffic blockages in this area of Lake Street, worried it might get worse with the new hotel.
T he Holiday Inn will have an entrance on La ke Street and from the village ’s Holley Court Garag e. Village officials expect the majority of hotel guests to access to hotel through the Holley Court pedway on the second floor of the garage, where guests can park
The pedway goes directly into the hotel lobby, officials pointed out, on the building’s second floor. Village officials also had a curb cut-out incorporated into Lake Street improvements to serve as a quick and safe drop-off point for hotel guests In 2023, the village issued an OK to begin internal demolition.
The site of the new hotel, historically known as the Oak Leaves Building, was
toured recently by Oak Park development services staf f. At 1138 Lake St., on the first floor of the building, Nando’s Peri-Peri restaurant is open.
Hotel guest rooms will be on the second through fifth floors. Rooms will also be in the building’s annex.
The floors expected to have guest rooms are under construction, being “framed out and drywalled,” according to village offi-
cials. Electric wiring, sprinklers and fire alar ms are also being installed
“The Village appreciates the investment of owner Azim Hemani as he works to give new life to this building,” village of ficials wrote
Oak Park development services staf f is meeting with the property owner next month to discuss the timeline and completion date, according to village officials.
Park District to review contrasting plans for ne Field Center
Plans will be reviewed Thursday amid protests from neighbors
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Contributing Reporter
Field Park is getting a new community center building, but where it will be still remains to be seen.
The latest chapter in the redevelopment of the center played out in a virtual meeting last week, where the hour-long discussion drew hundreds of submitted questions and comments from Oak Park residents, as Oak Park Park District leaders Jan Arnold and Chris Lindgren and designer Patrick Brown detailed two potential plans for the new center, with the two plans offering different visions for where the building would sit and how construction would affect the park’s trees, topog raphy and play structures.
T he Park district has allocated $2.8 million for the project in its 2025 capital improvement plan.
The Park District will review the two design plans again during its meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30 at the Park District headquarters at 218 Madison Street.
Field Park is adjacent to Mann Elementary School and the new center will be used
for after school programing ementary students, summer camp activities and children’s preforming arts Arnold said.
S ome neighbors have in their o pposition to the citing c oncerns over how on a new building would impact traffic on and safety Berkshire larly during school pick-up and drop-o time, along with the pa rk i tself. L ast month, more than 200 residents signed a p etition the new field c enter being northwest corner of the pa p otential loss of seve cited as a primary concer
In a re port the Parks District published after the meeting, the pa that the redeveloped building, of which location it’s constructed in, will help with traffic because “more kids will be walking to the Field Center, and parents will typically be picking up their children between 4:30 and 6 p.m.” Arnold also said that the Park District will plant two new trees for each tree cut down during construction.
new building will sit. Plan A has the building in the northwest corner of the park adjacent to Berkshire Street, while Plan B would see the building constructed closer to the site of the current Field Center on the central west side of the park.
The Park District determined that building a new Field Center building was necessary after inspections revealed critical flaws in the current structure’s foundation, Arnold said.
The two plans, called Plan A and Plan B,
Plan A would place the new center 63 feet away from the Berkshire Street curb, while plan A would sit at the center 266 feet away from the curb
Both plans would also have different impacts on the topog raphy and natural features of the park. Plan A would see six
would cut down 12 trees, several of which are memorial trees
Both blueprints for the new Field Center are tethered to plans that would increase the lighting near the baseball field in the park’s southwest corner, allowing for night time youth sports g ames and practices for most of the year.
T he new plan for lighting at the park will still have to earn village approval and require cooperation with School District 209, as some of the lights would be on Mann Elementary proper ty
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Recreation Center.
OPRF teacher put on leave a er report of touching student
Longtime science teacher has been on leave since November
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Contributing Reporter
An Oak Park and River Forest High School
been on administrative leave since November after a student re-
PERC Y JULIAN
Highlighting his/story
from page 1
Ave. and at 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at Whittier School.
The overall cost or funding for streetscape project has not yet been determined. Those decisions will have to come back to the village board after the design team narrows its ideas and community f back into one proposal.
Oak Park’s village board also separatel decided last December to set aside $1 million in its fiscal year 2025 budget for the preser vation of Julian’s home at 515 N. East Av where his daughter, Faith Julian, still live
During the Dec. 3, 2024, village board meeting, trustees hired Planning Resources, Inc. to develop the streetscape design, costing the village up to $150,000. The idea of a streetscape to honor Julian’s le ga was brought up during a meeting in Ma
“[It’s] vitally important to make sure get as much input and as much feedback … as that process moves forward,” said James Prescott, president of the Prescott Group LLC, who Planning Resources is partnering with during the design phase, along with TERRA Engineering, Ltd.
ported that he touched her inappropriately.
Aaron Podolner, a chemistry teacher at OPRF, received notice Nov. 22 that he was being placed on paid administrative leave after a female student re ported to school officials that he’d touched her inappropriately, according to documents obtained by Wednesday Journal through a Freedom of Information Act request. The school district re ported the incident to the Department of Children and Family Services and launched a for mal Title XI investigation,
according to the documents.
A spokesperson from the Oak Park police department said the case is still open and that officers are “working with the family.”
Officials declined to comment about Podolner’s status at OPRF, saying they do not comment on personnel issues. Podolner did not respond to a request for comment by publication.
Podolner is a 1996 graduate of OPRF and began teaching at the school in 2000 when he was 22. In 2004, he received a Golden
Apple Award for teaching excellence. He has self-published several books and essays about his personal experiences as an educator and about how teachers should interact with their students.
Podolner was one of several OPRF teachers featured prominently in the critically acclaimed 2018 Starz documentary miniseries, America to Me
According to the document, Podolner will remain on leave until an investigation is complete.
science who did groundbreaking work, Kelliher pointed out, but also had roots in activism and a strong personal character.
Jennifer Kelliher, senior landscape architect from Planning Resources, said the community meetings are designed to be informational and to collect input.
“We’re going to find out just what the community knows about who Dr. Percy Julian is,” added Darrell Garrison, president of Planning Resources. “We hope this to be a project that educates the community.”
Who is Perc y Julian?
Julian, an accomplished chemist and entrepreneur, was not only a pioneer in
“It is such an impactful life, that the way we that we tell the story, we think, is very inte gral to this project,” she said.
“It’s not just the physical elements of the streetscape, we’re really trying to honor his le gacy.”
Julian was the grandson of slaves in Alabama and received a poor primary education, yet went on to become one of the most impactful scientists of our times, Kelliher said. His work led to the development of hormonal birth control, synthetic cortisone, treatment for glaucoma and even firefighting foam.
He was outspoken against racism, se gregation and antisemitism. Julian also paid forward the opportunities he received by hiring many African-American and women chemists.
And Julian refused to move his family, one of the first African-American families in Oak Park, after his home was attacked.
“He was faced with adversity time and time again and he rose above it,” Kelliher said.
The streetscape
The designers are looking to create the streetscape on Chicago Avenue between Austin Boulevard and East Avenue where the Julian home is located. It’ll be a physical space
to celebrate Julian’s legacy
Despite his boundary-breaking accomplishments, Dr. Percy L. Julian is largely unrecognized,” the project presentation eads. “The Dr. Percy Julian Streetscape project seeks to honor his le gacy, provide a brand and identity for the district, and facilitate economic development to build meaningful capacity around organizations the district.”
he project will take place in three phases: understand, explore and realize, Kelliher explained. Listening to community input, esearching Julian’s life and examining the for the streetscape is all part of the understand phase ext, the design team will collaborate on ideas to create three concepts and narrow them down to one final concept with the community’s and stakeholder’s input. he streetscape could have gateways, bans, placemaking nodes, wayfinding signage, art or other meaningful features.
“We have our standard bucket of site feature amenities, but it felt like it wasn’t enough to do him justice,” she said.
So, beyond that, Kelliher added, they might incorporate an outdoor exhibit with interactive technology.
That could look like augmented reality features, similar to Pokémon Go, where a visitor holds up their phone and sees something pop up in the physical environment. It could be text, images, animation, or a voiceover. It could even be a game or scavenger hunt activity where visitors can learn even more about Julian.
Brandon Crawford, deputy director of development services, said the design proposal will likely come back to the village board sometime later this summer. Depending on the scale of the project and board approval, he said the village hopes to include this in the capital improvement plan for 2026 or 2027.
COURTESY OF THE DEPAU W UNIVERSIT Y ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
(From le to right) Dr Percy Julian, Percy Julian Jr., Dr Anna Julian, and Faith Julian, inside their Maywood home before they moved to Oak Park in 1950.
teacher has
Oak Park receives grant for EV charging stations
The funding will help install 13 electric vehicle stations
By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Oak Park is one of 34 communities included in an award of more than $14.4 million to the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for charging and fueling infrastructure from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The funding allocated to Oak Park will help the village install 13 more electric vehicle charging stations that will be available to the public. Locations could include Village Hall, parking facilities or areas in proximity to housing, workplaces or recreational facilities
The village owns 13 public electric vehicle charging stations already, so this grant will allow Oak Park to double its villageowned stations. That could help with a growing demand.
The percentage of residents who own an electric vehicle in Oak Park increased from 0.7% in 2019 to 3.5% in 2024, according to Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsey Roland Nieratka.
The total funding amount awarded to the MMC will support 196 electric vehicle charging stations with 389 ports to be built throughout the Chicago re gion.
The MMC will also build one compressed natural g as fueling station with the grant funds. This station will source much of its fuel from renewable natural g as sources.
T he goal of the chosen sites for charging stations is to “fill gaps in equitable access to charging and fueling,” according to the MMC.
“We are thrilled to receive this CFI grant, which will expand equitable access to EV charging, help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region, and improve community resilience,” said Kevin Burns, MMC environment and energy committee chairman.
Out of the 196 charging stations to be built throughout the Chicagoland area, 181 will be level two, meaning it charges faster than a level one station. And the other 15 will be DC Fast Chargers, which can charge in as little as 20 minutes.
Last August, Oak Park started requiring electric vehicle drivers in Oak Park to pay a user fee of 25 cents per kilowatt hour to use village-owned charging stations. The Park District of Oak Park, which also owns four charging stations, charges 25 cents per kWh, too. The village board voted for this change in July 2024.
Presumably, the charging fee will apply to the new stations, too. That means increased revenue for the village. Development Services Director Emily Egan previously said revenue from the existing 13 village-owned stations would offset maintenance costs and electricity fees and help expand the charging infrastructure.
The push for electric vehicles and charging stations in Oak Park is a move to help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a goal outlined in Climate Ready Oak Park. About 25% of local emissions are from gas-powered cars and trucks.
But trustees are now grappling with the reality that they might not meet their first goal in the CROP plan, to reduce emissions
by 60% by 2030. The village only reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 7% from 2019 to 2022.
Transportation-related emissions were reduced by 12% from 2019 to 2022, however, more than the reduction in residential or commercial energy usage.
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River Forest denies Open Meetings Act violation
By LEAH SCHROEDER Contributing Reporter
River Forest resident Deborah Borman recently submitted a request to the Illinois Attorney General to review what she believes to be a violation of the Open Meetings Act by Village President Cathy Adduci
Adduci has denied the charges, but the attorney general’s office asked for further information, at least some of which has already been provided.
The complaint is related to a series of “Casual Conversations” meetings held by Adduci on Aug. 31 and Nov. 23. The meetings invited “all community members” to attend and “get answers to any questions they may have at [the] information and informational event,” Bor man’s complaint states
At the “Casual Conversations,” attendees are said to have discussed topics relating to village policy, such as zoning, development, policing and traffic.
In her complaint, Borman alleged that at the Aug. 31 meeting, Adduci and two Village Trustees were in attendance, qualifying the “Casual Conversations” event as a meeting involving the majority of a quorum.
Under the Illinois OMA, public bodies are required to conduct their business in public, which involves providing advance notice of meetings, the posting of an agenda, allowing public comment at meetings and maintaining written minutes.
Because the “Casual Conversations” meetings involved the majority of a quorum and failed to post agendas and maintain minutes, Borman alleged that they took place in violation of the OMA
In her complaint, Borman also claimed that at the Nov. 23 “Casual Conversations” meeting, three village trustees attended, along with Adduci. Prior to the meeting, Bor man alle ges, Adduci approached at least two of the trustees and requested that they not speak at the meeting for fear of incurring an OMA violation.
Borman’s complaint was submitted Dec 1 and on Dec. 23.
Adduci received a letter from the Office of the Attorney General indicating that the office had deemed Borman’s complaint worthy of further inquiry and asking that Adduci provide a response to Borman’s allegations within seven days
On Jan. 3, Village Administrator Matt Walsh submitted a written response to the Senior Assistant Attorney General of the Pub-
lic Access Bureau Shannon Barnaby. In the response, Walsh clarified the purpose of the events, saying they were held to “provide an infor mal venue for residents to ask questions or express concerns to the Village President regarding Village operations and affairs.
Walsh also asserted that the events were advertised prior to being held, including in various Village publications, on social media, in weekly e-newsletters and on the Village website. In attendance, Walsh said, were Adduci, Village Trustee Kathleen Brennan, Village Trustee Erika Bachner, Village Trustee Bob O’Connell, Director of Public Works & Engineering Jack Bielak, himself and approximately 15 residents. This makeup, he claimed, does not qualify as a majority of a quorum of board members.
Walsh did affirm that Adduci asked that each of the three trustees in attendance avoid speaking during the “Casual Conversations” event so as to “avoid deliberating public business outside of a properly posted meeting.” Adduci made clear to attendees that Trustees Brennan, Bachner and O’Connell were present but unable to speak due to the number of trustees in attendance at the meeting, Walsh claimed
The meeting involved an approximately 90-minute discussion of topics including “traffic control measures, crime reporting, homeless population, special events and recreation opportunities,” Walsh wrote in the response. However, Walsh asserted that there was no deliberation between elected officials and no public business was acted upon during the event.
“There are no allegations that suggest or support that there was a deliberation or even discussion about Village business between Board members and the Village’s evidence of people present state that no deliberations occurred,” Walsh wrote in the claim.
For this reason, Walsh asserted, there is not sufficient evidence to find that the “Casual Conversations” meetings violated the OMA.
In an interview with the Wednesday Journal, Adduci denied any violation of the OMA and said the “Casual Conversations” meetings were created as a way for the “small, but mighty” community of River Forest to engage in order to help the community.
“We created this purely to listen to our residents on issues that were important to them,” Adduci said.
Wed., Feb. 5, 7:0 0 pm
Wednesday, February 5 • 7pm
Oak Park Public Library
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Event details and RSVP: www.mimbyoakpark.org
Oak Park Main Library Attend in person or join by Zoom EVENT DETAILS AND RSVP: www.mimbyoakpark.org
Hosted by MIMBY Oak Park. Founded by members of neighborhood and civic groups throughout the Village, MIMBY stands for “Maybe in My Back Yard”. Our goal is well-reasoned development policy that enhances the diversity, historic character, and vitality of Oak Park.
Hosted by MIMBY Oak Park. Founded by members of neighborhood and civic groups throughout the Village, MIMBY stands for “Maybe in My Back Yard.” Our goal is well-reasoned development policy that enhances the diversity, historic character, and vitality of Oak Park. April 1st election for Village President, Trustees, Clerk
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Oak Park hires care coordinators for alternative police response
Discussion about phase two of the program is expected to come back to village trustees in 2025
By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
Oak Park has hired Maxie Moses and Kimberly Smith as care coordinators for the alternative police response pilot program, the first phase of which was adopted June 11, 2024.
The alternative police response ef for ts have been named the E.C.H.O. Program, or Engaging Communities for Healthy Outcomes, within the neighborhood services department.
The goal of the program, currently in its pilot phase, is to offer a holistic approach to calls for service. That includes community care navigation to provide follow-up services for residents in need and unarmed service response to low-risk non-mental health-related calls.
It’s intended to “enhance community safety and well-being by providing thoughtful, compassionate responses” to calls for service through 911, according to village of ficials
In 2023, a village taskforce presented recommendations on how to respond to certain emergency calls. Trustees allocated $1.1 million for the pilot.
The two-year pilot program was presented to Oak Park’s village board in April 2024, but was sent back for review to evaluate concerns about a divided response between village-employed mental health professionals and Thrive Counseling Center.
Village trustees approved phase one of the pilot last June, implementing a response to non-mental health-related calls and follow-up connection with services. For this phase, village staf f recommended creating a community care navigation team and having community service of-
ficers to respond to low-risk calls for services that were not mental health related.
The community care navigation team would not respond directly to 911 calls, instead connecting residents who were already engaged with emergency responders to additional services or case management. The community service officers, unarmed civilian members of the Oak Park Police Department, would respond to calls such as property damage, minor thefts, car accidents or injuries on public property.
In November 2024, Oak Park trustees continued plans for phase two of the alternative police response, including how to respond to behavioral or mental healthrelated calls. They could build out response with village-hired mental health professionals or outsource much of the work to Thrive Counseling Center.
The early consensus was to expand the role of Thrive, but discussions are expected to come back to the village board in early 2025.
Moses and Smith will work with community members to provide support, connect individuals with necessary resources and “ensure that everyone feels seen, heard and valued,” according to village officials.
Moses has a master’s de gree in social work from Northeastern Illinois University along with professional experience. Smith has a master’s de gree in health administration from the University of Phoenix and professional leadership experience as a healthcare professional.
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Maxie Moses (le ) and Kimberly Smith (right)
A year later, group vows to ke ep walking until Israeli hostages are released
‘It’s not a big ask of us,’ a member of the group leading the memorial walks says
By MICHAEL BANIEWICZ Contributing Reporter
A year ago, an Oak Park group vowed to keep walking until a Middle East ceasefire was in place.
This month, the first phase of a ceasefire ag reement between Israel and the Hamas militant group is underway.
As Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners are being released during the first phase of the ceasefire, the Wednesday Journal followed up with a founder of the local ef fort that involved walking weekly on every Sunday
The walks were part of a local initiative that Oak Park resident Jeffery Bergman started in January 2024 through a grassroots organization called Run for Their Lives. According to their website, the group focuses on hosting “global run/walk events calling for the immediate release of
the hostages held by Hamas.”
By walking in public, the group follows an international ef fort to bring awareness and show support to the Jewish people affected by the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Bergman said.
The local group committed to walking every Sunday until the remaining Israeli hostages were released. Since their ef fort began, they have not missed a Sunday yet, Bergman said.
Bergman said the weekly walks outside are a way to keep the group’s message in the public eye in a peaceful manner. Throughout the walks, the numbers of attendees have varied from 10 to 30 people, Bergman said.
The walks have received positive rece ption from others in the wider community. Bergman added that some people who have attended the walks may not be Jewish but attend to support their neighbors.
“It’s a way for people to express their identity as Jews in the United States and in Oak Park,” Bergman said. “We have had a number of members walk with us that are not Jewish, but they were here to show their support the connection between their friends and neighbors.”
Several positive interactions have occur red because of their ef forts. Drivers who have seen the group walking have pulled over to get out of their car or rolled down their window to express their appreciation for the group’s message and initiative, Bergman said.
Although a ceasefire ag reement has been reached, Bergman says that the group will continue to walk until every hostage is “able to come home.”
T he weekly walks be gin at the entranc e of the Oak Park Temple on North Harlem Avenue. T he group then walks for one kilometer while singing Hebrew songs
along the way for approximately 18 minutes. T he number 18 is a symbolic number that symbolizes life in Jewish practices, Bergman said.
Part of the motivation to continue their ef for ts is to give a voice to the Israeli hostages who do not have a platform to advocate for themselves. The simple nature of walking weekly is something that the group can commit to, but there may be oppor tunities for the imitative to expand into something more, Bergman said.
“It’s not a big ask of us – if anything the impulse is that it can be frustrating that we do this and sometimes that feels like that’s all we are doing,” Bergman said. “We want to do more, and it’s very hard to find other things that you can meaningfully contribute here, but this is the one thing that we’ve been able to do and I think we’ve all found it very valuable.”
OPRF agrees to pay Anthony Clark $25,000 in settlement
The teacher, community activist and former political candidate has resigned
By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Contributing Reporter
Community activist and past political candidate Anthony Clark no longer will be teaching at Oak Park and River Forest High School, according to a resignation agreement obtained by Wednesday Journal.
As part of the ag reement, Clark, a tenured special education teacher at OPRF who has been a source of controversy at the school over many years, will receive a $25,000 payment from the district later this month, on top of the $14,438 Clark received in defer red salary in December, according to the ag reement.
According to the ag reement, the district accepted Clark’s resignation as a condition to not re port him to the Illinois Board of Education for “his employment activities on November 19-20, 2024 or seek any ISBE licensure sanctions against Mr. Clark as
result of his resignation.”
Those activities are not yet known.
OPRF spokesperson Karin Sullivan declined to ment on the circumstances sur rounding Clark’s resignation. Clark did not respond to a request for comment from Wednesday Journal.
The ag reement also stipulated that Clark may not seek employment at OPRF again that he waive his right to bring legal action against the school district.
Last year, Clark came under fire after several of his social media posts caught the attention of a group of OPRF parents. The parents, among them school board candidate Nate Mellman, called for Clark to be fired over posts they argued promoted antisemitism following the outbreak of the
Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The posts the parents highlighted included one in which Clark mistakenly claimed that wish student had shared an image of a swastika during a school assembly in 2018.
The reason for the resignaon, however, is not known.
lark has since deleted his ccount on X, for merly known as Twitter, where the posts re mad e.
oup of parents also called on the school to fire the advisors of the OPRF Middle Eastern and North African club over social media posts made from the club’s Instagram account.
Clark, an OPRF graduate, first joined his alma mater as a teacher in 2012. In addition to his role as a special education teacher, Clark helped run several student clubs.
Clark’s public profile grew when he challenged longtime incumbent U.S. Re p. Danny K. Davis in the 2018 and 2020 Democratic primary elections for Illinois’ 7th congressional district. Clark finished second in the primary in 2018, carrying just over 26% of the vote, and third in 2020, where he earned 13% of primary votes.
Clark also unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Oak Pa rk village board in 2021. Clark has also established himself as a community activist, organizing around a variety of causes and founding the Suburban Unity Alliance in 2016. Clark’s organization r uns community fridges at several locations in the western suburbs and has helped org anize racial justice protests in Oak Park Clark has also helped org anize a variety of multi-cultural events in Oak Park, including the village’s annual Juneteenth celebration.
ANTHONY CLARK
Homes
Oak Park announces 2024 Historic Preservation Awards
By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter
The Village of Oak Park recognized seven Historic Preservation Award winners at a Jan. 23 ceremony that celebrated the homeowners, architects and contractors whose recent work contributed to the historic fabric of the village.
This year’s winners include a Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned home, a home with a second story additio n and several other restorations and renovations
The Wright-designed home at 404 Home Avenue was built in 1898. The George Smith House received a restoration award for what the committee called a “major restoration of a ‘hidden gem’ in the Ridgeland Historic District.
The Shingle-style home with Prairie School influences was in need of serious attention when owners, William and Frederick Grier purchased the house. Working with Robert Jahn Construction, the couple undertook extensive interior and exterior restorations to reveal the home’s original features. The house will be featured on the Wright Plus Housewalk this May.
We covered the project in August, https://ow.ly/ MIna50ULZv7
The house at 604 Woodbine Avenue received an award for restoration and renovation. The circa-1900 home is a two-story stucco house. The rehabilitation work included renovating the interior and façade of the home and adding a dormer to facilitate access to the attic. The architect and contractor gave special consideration to the dormer design given the home’s location in an historic dis trict. The dormer’s gable design is consistent with the existing gabled roof. Homeowners Robert Picchiotti and Elizabeth on the project with architect St contractor Nelson Architect.
A home at 312 N. Euclid Avenue won an award restoration for the major restoration of front porch. The C.H. Hill House was by the architect team of Patton time, the original porch had been altered. with Kimberlee Smith of Smith and contractor Nexave Construction and Reno tion Inc., homeowners Abe Chernin and Sarah Coleman said they took pains to return the to its original configuration.
RESTORATION : George Smith House, 404 Home Ave., Oak Park
PRESERVATION AWARDS
Architectural air
from page 13
An additional award was given to 606 Forest Avenue for a second-floor addition to the circa 1905 home. The home was originally a 1.5 story Queen Anne-style home with Craftsman influences built by F. Meyer for William Meilahu. To add the new second floor, which includes a primary suite, updated hall bath and bedrooms, and a new work-from-home space, the existing dormers were lifted and the roof slope behind the dormers was raised. Owners Luis Pag an and Diane Derige worked with architect Keith Jones of Studio Inte gra Ltd. on the project.
Homeowners Mark Bouman and Mary Jane Keitel, working with contractors Janik Custom Millwork and Thomas Lealiou of Nighthawk Woodworks, won an award for their home, 850 Fair Oaks Avenue. They re placed a deteriorating 8x6 light bowed window in their 1922 Colonial Revival home with an exact re plica.
At 205 South Harvey Avenue, owners received an honorable mention award for renovation and addition. Built in roughly 1900, the home is in the Ver nacular style. Little is known about the home’s original construction, but the nomination noted that over the years, the home was subject to many complaints by neighbors and homeowners, suggesting some changes were made without permits. The home also went through at least two fires, in 1963 and around 1985. Homeowners Josh and Megan Abrego worked with architect MB Design and Build and contractor Martin Buka on an extensive rehabilitation of the home
Another honorable mention award, this time for an addition, was bestowed on 606 North East Avenue, a Queen
Anne-style home built around 1898. Homeowners Jessica and Paul Noel worked with architect Christopher Bremer of Compass Architecture, LLC and contractor Matt Jacknow of Jacknow Construction on the project. They removed the existing porch and built a new, deep front porch with a curved design.
“This year, there were a lot of interesting, very welldone projects,” said Atefa Ghazawi, an urban planner in historic preservation with the village.
Nominations for 2025 awards can be made online, and any resident, building owner, member of a local preservation or historical society, and member of a local board or commission can submit a nomination to the committee for consideration. Awards address historic preservation and sustainability.
going projects that primarily consist of maintenance of an historic proper ty.
To be conside red, projects must have taken place within the last five years and must be within the village boundaries. The properties do not have to be in an historic district. Interior as well as exterior work can be considered.
Residential and commercial projects are considere d in the categories of restoration, rehabilitation, adap -
Nominations typically close in October. On-line nominations can be made here: https://ow.ly/uTiS50ULZBA
ADDITION : 606 North East Ave.
Futsal is gaining momentum, but not in Oak Park – yet
Oak Park resident Miguel Zarate would like to see a cour t built for the soccer-like game
By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter
Oak Park resident Miguel Zarate is passionate about getting the community access to a public futsal court.
Futsal? Futsal – it’s a variation on soccer, futsal is played on a small, hard court with smaller goals and a heavier ball. It’s usually played five-on-five, including the goalkeepers. Originally developed in Uruguay in 1930, FIFA estimates that more than 30 million people now play futsal worldwide –and its popularity continues to grow in the United States.
Zarate, who has lived in Oak Park for 20 years, thinks the large number of young soccer players in the community would greatly benefit from the addition of a futsal court at Longfellow Park
More specifically, he would like to see one of the tennis courts at Longfellow get re purposed into a futsal court.
“It doesn’t take anything special to convert a tennis court into a futsal court,” Zarate said. “You basically just draw the lines and put in the goals.”
The addition of a futsal court, Zarate said, would give kids the opportunity to play pickup in a soccer-specific area, the same way kids play pickup basketball on outdoor basketball courts.
Zarate said futsal courts can also be an outlet for kids who aren’t able to afford club soccer but want to find a way to play competitive games.
“We have many open fields, and we have fields that are multi-purpose, but we don’t have any dedicated soccer fields,” Zarate said. “This would be a very small space dedicated to kids wanting to play pickup.”
While futsal can be enjoyed by people of all ages, Zarate said it’s a particularly great game for young soccer players who are trying to develop their skills.
bounce around.
“It’s easier to control on the ground for kids who are just starting,” he said. “It forces them to manipulate the ball with both feet, and with different parts of the foot.”
“It’s easier to control on the ground for kids who are just starting. It forces them to manipulate the ball with both feet, and with di erent parts of the foot.”
MURR AY FINDL AY Executive director of the Chicago Edge Soccer Club
Murray Findlay, executive director of the Chicago Edge Soccer Club, said the ball used in futsal is heavier, so it doesn’t
As Oak Park and River Forest’s year-round travel soccer club, Chicago Edge is one of the largest youth soccer programs in the Chicagoland area. Findlay has served as the club’s director since 2003.
“I’ve run the soccer program for the last 22 years, so I’ve seen soccer really grow in the community,” he said. “We’re so much bigger than we used to be.”
Chicago Edge now has 683 travel players between the ages of 7 and 18. The club also has a pre-travel program for players ages 4 to 7, as well as a summer camp program with both the park districts of Oak Park and River Forest.
Findlay said the increasing number of young players in the community would benefit from access to a designated futsal court.
“Even though there’s lots of space that kids could theoretically use to go and play pickup soccer with their buddies, those spaces are often scheduled and permitted,” he said. “I think the beauty of a futsal court is that you can just go in and play pickup.”
To bring his dream of a futsal court to fruition, Zarate said he has reached out to the Park District of Oak Park a few times, beginning in 2019. Because he has not been successful, Zarate said he would like to better understand the process of providing input.
“My hope is to bring awareness to it and hopefully get some people behind it,” Zarate said.
According to Ann Marie Buczek, director of marketing and community engagement for the Park District of Oak Park, there are no plans to add a futsal court.
Buczek said they host Master Park Plan community meetings to gather community input for new amenities based upon their capital improvement plan and park master plan review timeline.
For example, in 2023, they hosted Park
master plan meetings with the community to discuss improvements at Longfellow Park. Buczek said they did not have anyone come forward and suggest futsal during these meetings, but there was overwhelming support for dedicated pickleball courts.
“We have received a grant on the conditions of the project we submitted and thus, we cannot modify the elements of this park project,” Buczek said. “Similar community meetings were recently held for Field Park and no one came forward to suggest futsal. ”
Buczek said she encourages community members to keep an eye out for other park master plan community meetings, where ideas like a futsal court can be brought for th. This year, meetings are being hosted for Maple Park, Andersen Park, and Barrie Park. T he meetings are advertised through the village’s newsletter and on the Park District of Oak Park website and social media page s.
“These meetings are the opportunity for community members to have conversations about what is missing and if the proposed amenity makes sense in that location,” Buczek said.
Chicago man with felony arrested for discharging rearm
A 52-year-old Chicago man was arrested just after midnight Jan. 22 on the 100 block of North Humphrey Avenue for aggravated discharge of a firearm. He was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon and held for bond hearings.
Theft
According to re ports from MSN, some people were stealing from Union Pacific freight train shipping containers in Oak Park on Jan. 23. Village officials said the Oak Park Police Department was not involved in the investigation, as the theft was closer to Lake Street and Mayfield Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
The thieves appeared to have pried open a Hapag-Lloyd shipping container, according to MSN, which contained rolls of carpet. Re ports say other shipping containers may have also been broken into.
A train cargo theft took place in Austin last August, too, which led to delays near Oak Park as the result of police activity.
Attempted motor vehicle theft
Someone, by unknown means, damaged the rear passenger window of an Oak Pa resident’s 2017 Kia Soul between noon Jan. 19 and 7:30 a.m. Jan. 20 on the 0–100 block of Fillmore Street. The person ransac the vehicle and damaged the steering column in an attempt to steal the car. T mated damage is unknown.
Burglary
Around 9 p.m. Jan. 22, a man wearing a black sweatshirt and red and black striped pants was seen inside an Oak Park dump truck that was parked, unlocked, on the 100 block of West Lake Street. He stole a black jacket and was last seen heading eastbound of Lake Street. The estimated loss is $50.
Arrests
of protection of an Oak Park resident, that occur red on the 100 block of South Austin Boulevard.
■ A 62-year-old Chicago man was arrested at 4:31 p.m. Jan. 21 on the 400 block of Madison Street for driving under the influence after leaving the scene of an accident.
A 23-year-old Chicago man was involved ccident around 8:21 p.m. Jan. 23 at block of West North Avenue. He was driving without a valid driver’s license nsurance. He also has an active DuPage ounty warrant. He was given a citation and a notice to appear.
An Oak Park boy was arrested at 3:25 a.m. an. 26 on the 400 block of South Ridgeland for criminal damage to property. He was released to his parent.
■ A Chicago boy was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Jan. 20 on the 5900 block of West Filmore Street in Chicago for violation of an order
■ A 37-year-old man was arrested at 4:50 p.m. Jan. 22 on the 300 block of Chicago Avenue for aggravated battery to an Oak Park police officer. He was held for bond hearings.
items were obtained from Oak Park lice Department re ports dated Jan. 20 – 27 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.
Compiled by Luzane Draughon
Winter 2025 living SENIOR
Kelly is your 30+ year experienced Oak Park based Realtor providing services to a variety of buyers and sellers, including older adults and retirees. Kelly is designated with SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) & ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative). She began her career in real estate in 1994 on the administrative side in River Forest, fell in love with the process and became licensed in 2001. She has been helping clients move confidently ever since. Kelly grew up in Oak Park, currently resides there and is very familiar with the surrounding areas of Chicagoland. Kelly is a full service Realtor assisting in all aspects of your move, including connecting you with related services and professionals.
Broker
Would you like to get moving and take advantage of the super-hot real estate market? Retiree’s real estate specialist
Roz Byrne of ROZ Real Estate facilitated the sale of an impressive 24 homes last year, and over half of them were the homes of seniors.
“I’ve held the Seniors Real Estate Specialist �SRES� designation since 2006,” says Roz Byrne, “My favorite group of people to serve are retirees and their families.”
Come to Roz’s upcoming appearances:
Tues April 8th at 10�30a
Ascension Casa Scalabrini in Northlake
Sat April 12th at 10�30a
Oak Park Arms in Oak Park
Weds April 30th at 10�30a
Central Baptist Village in Norridge
Sat May 17th at 2pm
La Grange Pointe in La Grange
Kehrein Center for the Arts | 5628 Washington Boulevard February 14 | 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
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Vote on a new state ag p. 24
Parakkat, Scaman, housing and diversity
As Wednesday Jour nal continues reporting on the candidates for the village board and other local elections on April 1 and publishing their campaign statements, we are pleased that you will follow a standard of requiring readers who submit op-eds and letters on significant and controversial issues to show evidence and that sources be included.
OAK PARKERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
One View
Before the new WJ guidelines, in Luzane Draughon’s interview with village president candidates Ravi Parakkat and Vicki Scaman on Se pt. 17, Trustee Parakkat makes unsubstantiated, even factually inaccurate, statements about housing af fordability. Indeed, he ignores the very studies and data he rightly insists should guide policy.
By omission and commission, he rejects the findings and recommendations of the richly documented Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Report (MMCR), drafted by independent experts on regional housing challenges and presented to trustees on March 19, 2024 (“Strategic Vision for Housing: Village of Oak Park”). This landmark study, conducted with six months of community input, contains data-rich sources that should guide trustees’ and voters’ decision-making. Starting with the fact that, according to the state of Illinois, Oak Park is in the bottom 7% of the state in affordable housing stock (“Affordable Housing and Appeal Act 2023 Report on Statewide Local Gover nment Affordability”).
Unfortunately, in the Sept. 17 interview and the four months since, President Scaman chooses to be silent on the well-established evidence of Oak Park’s affordable housing crisis, offering no policy rebuttal to Trustee Parakkat.
Oak Park’s affordable housing crisis threatens our housing, economic, and racial diversity. At the Aug. 27 village board meeting, contrary to Parakkat’s claim that the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, designed to increase af fordable housing, is working and needs little revision, he of fered no suppo rting evidence. The MMCR found that “of the 1,676 total rental units built in the last 12 years, only 50 were affordable for the average resident.”
Further, Oak Park’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance has yielded zero af fordable units because developers choose to pay the extremely, and unnecessarily, low buy-out fee of $100,000 instead of building af fordable units
VIEWPOINTS
Many readers have driven or walked by the Queen Anne Victorian at 339 N. Oak Park Ave. without realizing it was the birthplace of Ernest Hemingway. There is a sign identifying the property, but going inside for a tour is where Hemingway’s early years came alive for me
Hemingway, a Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner has been called one of the greatest writers of the 20th century. Bor n here in Oak Park in 1899, he was delivered by his father, a physician who had an of fice downstairs, in a second-floor bedroom of the home. I recently took a tour of the home, the first with electricity in Oak Pa rk. It is now the Er nest Hemingway Birthplace Museum, restored authentically to the layout in which Hemingway spent his first six years. The combination of Victorian décor, ar ranged in the way it looked when Er nest lived there, family photo graphs, and the knowledge and enthusiasm of our docent, Erik, transpor ted me back to Hemingway’s childhood. I felt li ke the Hemingway family might appear at any moment. Hemingway left Oak Park after high school, and
didn’t speak or write much about his “dry” hometown. But the tour showed me how his early f amily life and Oak Pa rk influenced this great writer.
I stood in the Victorian parlor next to a piano similar to the one on which his mother Grace, an opera singer and musician, gave music lessons to local students. She earned more money than her doctor husband, was an active suffragette, campaigning for women’s right to vote, and was a member of the Nineteenth Century Club.
I saw the bedroom where Ernest’s heavy-drinking, traveling-salesman Uncle Tyley lived with the family when he wasn’t on the road. His uncle helped Ernest get his first job as a re porter in Kansas City. His training as a re porter, using limited words, influenced his writing style. I also wondered about his uncle’s influence on Hemingway’s alcoholism.
Photos of relatives who were Civil War veterans and heroes to Hemingway made me wonder if they influenced his decision to serve in WWI and fight in the Spanish Civil War. Our docent showed photos and
OUR VIEWS
Taking time to be more Anthony Clark’s contributions
It has been a tense and intense relationship between Anthony Clark and Oak Park and River Forest High School, where Clark has been a special ed teacher for more than a decade. That ended when the school board recently accepted Clark’s resignation.
In the usual cloud of no comment on matters of personnel, it is not exactly clear what finally led to this se paration. Clark has been on the bubble at OPRF for a long time. Possible that his departure is linked to the debates within the school over the Hamas attack on Israeli citizens and Israel’s unconscionable demolition of Gaza in response. Clark and at least two other OPRF teachers were caught in that upset. It is also possible that his resignation is due to other unreported causes.
Our point today is to note that for all the controversy Anthony Clark has been sur rounded in, and not only at OPRF, that our villages have benefitted from his loud and mostly purposeful advocacy. Clark is foundationally an activist. He has worked to function within a political framework as his multiple and unsuccessful attempts to win election have shown. He has chafed within the confines of a large public education institution.
But has he inspired even as he has infuriated? Yes. Has he spoken up for equity and worked to define it? Yes. Has he lifted up local Black history as he has helped cement the legacy of Fred Hampton? Yes. Has he made enduring and ground-level investments across the near west suburbs with his Suburban Unity Alliance? Yes.
Anthony Clark is a complex person. And he has made a complex life. But his contributions to our communities are real. And we are certain they are not over.
Dr. Percy Julian’s legacy
We’re interested to see what input, if much, the community wants to offer in the ef fort to honor Dr. Percy Julian with a streetscape project along Chicago Avenue, from near his longtime home at East Avenue and over to Austin Boulevard
As the village-hired consulting firm working on the project said last week, a major challenge is that so many people in Oak Pa rk just aren’t familiar with Julian and his breakthrough work as an internationally respected chemist, or for the bravery he and his family showed in working to inte grate an Oak Park that had no interest and a good bit of hate at the notion of Black families moving to the village. That would explain the firebombing of the home. We strongly support this ef fort to reco gnize Dr. Julian in his hometown. Oak Park’s other lauded sons, Hemingway and Wright, had natural constituencies in the popular culture that allowed largely private philanthropic dollars to preserve and celebrate their local homes and status. And while to this day so many of us are still touched by the science Dr. Julian invented, we are going to need a more intentional ef fort to build his le gacy in Oak Park.
Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd … Rumi
Abus passed by one day and on its side, an ad showed a man sitting on the floor, laughing and playing with a couple of young kids. The text read, “Take time to be a dad today.” Good reminder.
That would be enough for one day, but every day all of us take time to be so many things. I take time to be:
*Be the mortar that braces bricks — or the gravel in hardened cement, Be the spice in a stew, or the carrot in a cake.
*Be the worn ke y that turns an ancient lock, Be the beam that supports the roof, Be the pine straw that cushions the ground, Be the sap that scents the air, the baking bread, the coffee grounds, the sizzling bacon, the cinnamon, that gi ve the nose a whiff of heaven, Be the aged wine flowing at last from the bottle neck and interacting for the first time with air.
A wanderer, a wonderer, a naturalist, a caregiver, a chronicler, a sous chef, a housekeeper, an observer, a reconciler, a reader, a conscientious objector, an environmentalist, a go-fer, a decider, a dish-washer, an editor, a facilitator, a sympathizer, an appreciator, a mentor, a seed-sower, a teacher, a questioner, a counselor, a consumer, a planner, a greeter, a navigator, a chauffeur, a winner, a loser, a meditator, a community organizer, a partner, a friend.
N ot all these things ever y day, but every day so many thing s. We are all this and more.
But Rumi got me thinking further afield, so I took up his torch:
Today … Be a chalice, Be a star’s far-reaching light, Be the turning pa ge — or a turning leaf in its first (and last) descent, Be the first and last step of a journe y.
*Be a path through the tangled wood — or a long-distance run, Be the rain against the window at midnight, Be the morning chill, Be the gathering light in the eastern sk y, Be an open door — or a secret passa geway.
*Be the unruffled water, Be the sand that welcomes a wave, Be the wave that soothes the sand — or the shells left in its wake, Be the music of water flowing over stones in a riverbed.
*Be the friendly hum of conversation in the dining hall — or a familiar voice in a strange setting, Be a sun-warmed seat, or the slee ve that catches a snee ze, Be a candle flickering, or the curling smoke of the snuffed flame, Be the bree ze that ruffles, Be the thrown stone that ripples.
*Be the ev ening light to rching tree tops — or the vast silence of the setting sun, or a swallow gliding through the afterglo w, Be the incense swirling through shafts of sunlight from a church window, Be the first wild fl ower in s pring — or shade on a summer afternoon, Be ass, or a eed in tilled earth, Be lo w place — or th e lighted path cast by a full moon rising ov er , Be the first ootprint in undis-
*Be the lips that meet, es of lovers, Be that beloved song on the radio during a long , Be the memories the song provokes, Be the torn paper beside an unwrapped present, Be the stick that stirs — or the leaven in the loaf.
*Be the butterfly just beyond reach,
*Be the reach that exceeds grasp,
*Be the wine-dark sea,
*Be the night-sea journe y.
*Be the old moon in the new moon’s arms.
That’s a lot for one day, of course, or one lifetime for that matter. But I believe we are capable of being all this — and more.
Take time today to be more than you thought you were.
Vote to redesign the state ag
I urge Illinois residents to vote early and often to advise on the design of the Illinois State Flag. Residents can vote once every 24 hours between now and Feb. 14 for the flag design they favor at this website: https://www.ilsos.gov/special/IFC/home. html or search “Illinois state flag vote.”
The General Assembly will consider this input when they decide whether to retain the current flag, choose a new design, or choose to elevate one of the past anniversary flags to become the state flag. Each flag design on the website where you make your vote selection(s) is accompanied by a statement about its meaning and its designer For a humorous and informative video on the design of the 50 states’ flags, and which ones are meaningful and memorable and which ones (ahem, Illinois and many “seal on a blue field” states) aren’t, I recommend the YouTube channel CGP Grey, with the video titled,
“Does Your Flag Fail? Grey Grades State Flags!” (https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=l4w6808wJcU).
We have the opportunity as a state to have a flag that stands out. New Mexico, Colorado, Alaska, Rhode Island, and the new design for Utah’s flag have simplicity and symbolism. What does Illinois mean to you? Which flag do you think could represent the state now? The current flag, bizarrely, contains the year that the Great Seal of Illinois was redesigned (1868) in addition to the year the state was created (1818).
I think we can do better, although of the 10 chosen by the commission to put up for vote, only a few inspire me with their thoughtfulness and originality. Have fun voting and flexing your new interest in vexillology!
Stephanie Kissam Oak Park
anks for the Vibe and Homes sections
I was delighted to see a story about Na Siam restaurant in your new Vibe section last week. Na Siam, 6851 North Ave., has long been an anchor of the North Avenue District. And under its attentive new owners, the food is better than ever. Thanks for the coverage. I just wish the Vibes section wasn’t tucked behind the classifieds so more people would find the
article. (I would have missed it myself if my husband hadn’ t mentioned it.)
Thanks also to Lacey Sikora for your consistently excellent coverage of local architecture and real estate news. It far outshines the real estate section in the Sunday Trib.
Judith Alexander Oak Park
Supporting Parakkat
I’m supporting Ravi Parakkat for village president because we need leadership that delivers on critical needs — such as the long-overdue police station upgrade.
The need for a new police station has been acknowledged for years. In 2017, Oak Park began exploring this project, and by 2019 the village manager identified it as a top improvement priority for 2020. By February 2020, the village board approved funding for architectural proposals, estimating costs between $42 and $45 million, with completion projected in the early 2020s
What happened next? The pandemic disrupted plans, but when Vicki Scaman became village president in 2021, the existing timeline was derailed by tying the police station to a new village hall. This change not only delayed progress but ballooned the estimated cost to north of $150M.
Fast forward to today: At the recent Municipal Open House, it became clear that we are literally back to the drawing board. The first public proposal meeting
for the new plan is scheduled for June 2025 — more than five years after the board voted to take action. Like many village residents, I am frustrated by the lack of progress on an urgently needed police facility.
Ravi Parakkat of fers a much-needed change. His leadership would bring transparency and decisiveness, ensuring community input is prioritized and taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. He is committed to moving key projects like this forward, not letting them languish in endless discussions.
This issue reflects a larger problem: It’s time for leadership that gets results.
Ravi Parakkat is the leader Oak Park needs to move from talk to action.
Oak Park Firefighters IAFF Local 95 is proud to announce our endorsement for Vicki Scaman’s candidacy for re-election to the office of village president in the village of Oak Park
T he primary goal of our org anization has always been providing the highest le vel of service for the safety of our residents, and visitors to our village. President Scaman has pr oven, during her 20+ years of service to the village of Oak Pa rk that she shares our passion and dedication to public safety. She has shown that she will prioritize the well-being and safety of our community and residents through suppo rt and implementation of public
safety adv ancements . She showed unwavering support as an inte gral proponent in the implementation of a third ambulance for the village, helping to ensure swift responses to anyone in need of emergency medical care throughout the village
We beli eve as village president, she will remain focused on advancing the village of Oak Pa rk as a saf e, equitable, and accessible community for our residents and visitor s. We are proud to continue to support President Vi cki Scaman and are pleased to add our org anization as an endorsement.
Bob Toth President, IAFF Local 95
What time is it?
There is an old joke. Question: “What is a consultant?” Answer: “Someone who bor rows your watch and tells you what time it is.”
Judging by coverage in Wednesday Journal [Oak Park hopes to strengthen
and re vitalize the local economy, News, Jan. 22], that’s what we’ve got in Camoin Associates. Sounds like $125,000 down the drain to me.
Charles Watkins Oak Park
SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck
Fran Sullivan made a di erence
Fran Sullivan was an inspirational, engaging and dedicated community leader who mad a difference in the lives of many individuals Fran’s recent passing is a moment for reflec tion on her leadership and on the many wa individuals contribute to the fabric of lives in Oak Park and River Forest.
Fran of fered her remarkable ideas for the growth and improvement of community services, her creativity in the development of essential nonprofit systems, her financial support of nonprofit organizations, and a strong work ethic. She was willing to roll up her sleeves and do the work of supporting many nonprofit organizations that serve our communities. She had a seat at the table, including board leadership, program development, annual fundraising and capital campaigns.
FRAN SULLIVAN
ensuring the provision of life-saving mental health services to our community star ted wo rk ing at a time the agenc y was on uncertain financial gr ound s, with oncer ns about cash fl ow. Fran, and her husband Moe, we re visionaries and believed in the future of the agency and wh at it ould take to restructur e, build and ensur e a future path. We we re par tner s, collaboracolleagues and became friend s. ve fond memories of meetings around my dining room tables, fundraising efts including, in the day, at the Mar La c Banquet Hall on Marion Street, and wo rk ing to g ether on community eng agement str at eg ie s. She was a powe r house, tireless in her ef fo rt s, and dedicated to strat eg ic outcomes.
WEDNESD AY
of Oak Park and River Forest
Viewpoints Guidelines
e goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have su cient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it o en is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
■ 350-word limit
I had an opportunity to collaborate with Fran sinc e the 1990s, suppo rt ing essential mental health services at Thrive Counseling Center (then Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo r est, Family Service and Community Mental Health Service). We shared a dedication and commitment to
And Fran was a friend, foreve r in my hear t, delightf ul and energeti c, and our community is a better plac e because of her
Jan Pyrce River Forest
■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)
‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY
■ 500-word limit
■ One-sentence footnote about yourself and/or your connection to the topic
■ Signature details as at left
TCreating a living legacy for Percy Julian
he Amens Group Inc. believes that, once established, envisioned programs and activities flowing from the preservation and articulation of the Faith Julian and Percy Julian home could serve the Oak Park community in a similar way as institutions dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright, Er nest Hemingway, and other Oak Park-centric cultural institutions.
AMENS GROUP
One View
We recognize the primacy of the owner(s) of the property in question. We need to clear space in the public square to entertain critical discussion about funding streams. Issues of clarity and legality of process here represent an opportunity to address even larger issues of community values and respect. The context of limited resources should not be the major criterion for shutting down that which is “good for the many.”
To transform a home into a lear ning center, both prior rights and dignity must be respected. Establishing a new life in such an institution would position Oak Park as
a significant destination for research, teaching, and social justice.
How do we relearn the values of greater good? Cannot the process of transforming the historically-charged location of Faith Julian and Percy Julian’s homestead rise above sectional struggles to advance the preservation of a homestead that is devoid of corporate acquisition, of collective and personal wealth?
At this time of divided beliefs and values, we need our community to reflect on the principles that have served as imprimaturs sustaining our fissuring democratic republic We need to preserve this historic location for all Americans We are forced, yet again, to pursue and reckon with issues that continue the erasure of the quilt that is America. The statement below reflects a compressed voicing of our position. Amens Group advocates for communal equity, Village Hall Public Comment, submitted, Jan. 14, 2025:
After participating in extended, infor mal
discussions in support of the Percy Julian Preservation project, The Amens Group Inc. of Oak Park declared its ongoing support of the project and, in addition, stands ready to engage with like-minded Oak Park community leaders in focusing on and shaping ethical, cultural, economic and educational, etc., goals in furtherance of the project. This project will benefit the entire Oak Park community
As a longstanding activist agent in the Oak Park community, The Amens Group Inc. wishes to bring to the table the virtues of clarity, intentionality, and accountability. We view the evolution, development and envisioned articulation of the Percy Julian Preservation project as a critically important undertaking, not only for our community, but for the region, and for the country as well.
Knowing that such an undertaking requires The Amens Group Inc. to “solve problems to solve problems” and taking seriously the work ahead, given the opportunity to serve, the signatories of this letter are honored to participate in such a historical endeavor.
Amens Group Inc. consists of Oak Parkers, George Baile y, John Mayes, Wiley Samuels, and Carl Spight.
It’s ‘Morning in America’ again
On Jan. 20, 2025, our country was blessed with the 60th Presidential Inauguration. President Trump won a resounding victory on Nov. 5, 2024 because voters were disillusioned.
I believe the primary reason was that Americans felt unsafe over liberal Biden-Harris law-and-order policies For instance, America saw fentanyl overdoses kill 73,000 Americans in 2023. Also, the FBI’s revised 2023 report showed a 4.5% rise in violent crime. And high-profile crimes committed by illegal immigrants, such as Jose Ibarra ruthlessly murdering Laken Riley with a rock. I truly believe that Americans wanted a president who could keep them safe.
As President Trump eloquently stated, “The Golden Age of America begins right now.” He intends to keep America safe by designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and deploying troops to the Southern border. He intends to refocus military efforts to war rather than DEI social experiments. These are only some of the promises President Trump made and, more importantly, intends to deliver in order to protect our country.
Less “Where have you been?”
More “I’ll be there.” Less “Where have you been?”
More “I’ll be there.”
As you get older, your risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov
Reducing your climate footprint
It is almost unimaginable that we are in this position. On July 13, 2024, President Trump made a last second head tur n causing a sniper’s bullet to strike his ear rather than his head while on stage. As a Greek Orthodox Christian, I am guided by the role God plays in people’s lives. President Trump also recognizes this.
More “I’ll be there.”
As you get older, your risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov
Less “Where have you been?”
Less “Where have you been?”
As you get older, your risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov More “I’ll be
is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov
As you get older, your risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov
More “I’ll be there.”
Less “Where have you been?”
Some Oak Park neighbors are powering their homes cleaner, safer, cheaper, and greener by installing heat pump HVAC systems and hot water heaters, electric appliances, rooftop solar arrays, and other value-adding upgrades.
As you get older, your risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19, and RSV is higher. Vaccines bring your risks down, so you can keep showing up. vaccines.gov
Interested in reducing your home’s climate footprint? Take advantage of their experience. On March 9 and April 6, Clean Energy Open Houses will let you check out these upgrades, ask the homeowners about costs, contractors, and more, and find out what they’re saving on their home energy bills.
Organized by Oak Park Climate Action Network (OPCAN), Clean Energy Open Houses are free, but re gistration is required and space is limited. For details, visit opcan.org/openhouses.
Wendy Greenhouse OPCAN member
Similarly, President Reagan wrote, “Whatever happens now I owe my life to God and will try to serve him in every way I can.” Presidents Reagan and Trump both barely survived an assassin’s bullet. Just as I believe that God saved President Reagan’s life to bring about the end of the Cold War, I also believe that God saved President Trump’s life to protect our great country. It is Morning in America again!
Sources:
74,000 Fentanyl overdoses in 2023: https://ow.ly/RyXG50UOCI4
Congressman Comer statement on 2023 FBI re vised re port: https://ow.ly/ cpJP50UOCM3
Jose Ibarra convicted of murder of Laken Riley: https://ow.ly/qNL850UOCOw
Transcript of President Trump’s inauguration: https://ow.ly/ghar50UOCPN
Jonathan Panton
OPRF High School, class of 2017
A catalog of comparisons with Hitler
‘America’s Hitler” is Yaleeducated JD Vance’s label for Trump in a 2016 Facebook post. VP Vance now disavows this attention-grabbing comparison. Character distinctions can be subtle and unreliable: is Trump “America’s Hitler” (history’s most reviled figure) or more appropriately likened to George Washington (devoted American patriot)?
Tough for some to differentiate: a likely challenge for Trump enthusiasts like The Proud Boys, the KKK, Trump’s 2022 dinner guest, the fascist Nick Fuentes; or the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” marchers who waved swastika flags (those “fine people”). And for Elon Musk too: at an inaugural rally he lustily thrust his right arm and palm out in the unmistakable rigid and angled fashion of the Hitler salute. “My heart goes out to you,” Musk smugly added as an ineffective escape hatch. Comparisons to Hitler are fraught. For one, they dilute the pure, unnatural evil of Hitler and are to be avoided for that reason alone, which will be honored here. Nevertheless, depravity is rarely fully revealed at the outset and disturbing “parallels,” present years ago, are mounting
■ Cadet Bone Spurs, if consistent, would consider Hitler to have been a “sucker” for having served in WWI in the German ar my and a “loser” for having been a casualty (requiring extended hospitalization).
■ The Mein Kampf reader’s Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, murderously attacking police to thwart Biden’s installation as president, while targeting his own vice president (Pence) for execution by hanging — harkens back to the 1923 Munich Putsch and the 1934 “Night of the Long Knives” (the killing of fellow Nazis Ernst Roehm and his associates).
■ Trump’s executive order to reinterpret the 14th Amendment’s birthright citizenship standard and his attempted legal ban on trans-gender-status recognition reacquaints us with the 1935 Nuremberg Laws on German citizenship.
■ The planned corralling and deporta-
tion of immigrants recalls the heinous 1938 Kristallnacht and its aftermath.
■ Trump’s insistence on personal loyalty over competency (a corrupted DEI for rapists, child molesters, other felons, drunks, and science nut-cases; and the pardoning of violent insur rectionists) is even more perverse than the pre-war personal loyalty pledges extracted by Hitler from the military and, during WWII, the cashiering of generals deemed insufficiently compliant, re placed by more ideologically zealous Nazis.
■ Hostility to democracy and ethnic hyper-nationalism with comprehensive bigotry that repudiates our 1776 Declaration of Equality are fascistic. “Make America [Germany] great again.”
■ The mobilization (“stand back and stand by”) of paramilitary armed thugs (the 1933 Brownshirts and the 2020 Oath Keepers).
■ Claims of inter nal threats calling for a police-state response: the 1933 Reichstag fire, conspiracies (the WWI “stab in the back” and Q-Anon), “sane-washing,” political party coverups, press hostility, and abusive investigatory probes of critics.
■ The employment by both of the “big lie” as a propaganda device.
■ The zealousness aroused at some of Trump’s campaign events evokes the Nuremberg rallies.
■ Trump’s proto-predatory inclination for territorial acquisition (Canada, Panama, and Greenland) recalls the 1938 Austrian Anschluss.
■ Trump’s re ported consideration of withdrawing from NATO and pressuring Ukraine into a settlement reminds us of Britain and France’s facilitation, in the 1938 Munich appeasement, of Hitler’s rape of Czechoslovakia, as well as the 1939 Molotov-Ribbentrop pact, carving up Poland.
Worse, the parallels don’t end with this preliminary inventory. But then, while reco gnizing the threat, we also need to guard ourselves against sinking into despair. Although not a problem for the millions of re gistered voters who couldn’t be bothered last November.
Gregg Mumm is a Wednesday Journal subscriber and Oak Park resident since 1991.
e danger of presidential pardons
Wednesday Jour nal published my letter four years ago on the threat posed by presidential pardons. With Hunter Biden and the Jan. 6 pardons, it is even more true today.
Pardons should be reviewed, e.g. by a 10-year term panel of equal number
JOY AARONSON
from page 22
told us stories of the Hemingway family’s visits to their summer cottage in Michigan where Ernest’s father taught him to hunt and fish, observe nature, and live in the outdoors, activities he pursued throughout his life and found its way into his writings.
While standing in the kitchen, looking around at the coal-burning stove and porcelain sink standing on spindle legs with a washboard under it, I was intrigued hearing about the Hemingway family’s storytelling skills. The Hemingway adults told stories while they sat around the kitchen table. At the age of 4, Ernest told his family a story about a pack of loose horses nearby on Lake Street that were going to trample a family and how he grabbed the reins and saved the family
According to Carla Mayer of the Er nest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, most
OAK PARK HOUSING
from page 22
Data from the MCCR connect declining housing af fordability with racial and economic diversity — a relationship both Scaman and Parakkat ignore in the Se ptember interview and Parakkat’s December essay [ A vision for change in Oak Park , Viewpoints, Dec. 18]. The MMC R documents that Oak Park’s Black population decline is linked to a lack of af fordable housing. Data from school report cards confir m this loss, with districts 200 and 97 losing more than one-third of their Black students since 2010.
As our community reviews candidates’ positions on housing policy and proposed revisions of Oak Park housing
of Democrats and Re publicans (ideally non-partisan) and require a majority to approve the pardon.
https://www.oakpark.com/2021/01/20/ the-real-watergate-lesson/ Robert Parks Oak Park
of the visitors come from the U.S. She said, “There are also visitors from China, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Many of these foreign visitors have shared that Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea was the first book they read in English in their ESL classes. The book is short, with declarative sentences. These visitors come to Oak Park to lear n more about Hemingway, who had an impact on them.” Carla also told me that when Oak Parkers come, it is mostly with their out-of-town company.
I would encourage locals to take a tour, step back into Victorian times and be surrounded by the early life of Ernest Hemingway.
For more information about tours and the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum go to https://www hemingwaybirthplace.com/
Jo y Aaronson is an Oak Pa rk residen t who writes stories for We dnesday Journa l ab out her favorite things in the villa ge. Prev i ously, she contributed to Chica go Pa re nt and wrote the Kids’ Wo rl d column for the fo rm er Logan Squa re Free Press.
progr ams like the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, we will look to WJ to ensure that candidates back their positions with evidence and not simply default to false claims, or fail to acknowledge that Oak Park, like the rest of the country, has a serious problem of housing af fordabilit y. Melissa Alabsy, Mary Bird, Dan Burke, Meaghan Car ter, Charlene Cli , Zach Corn, Marie Alexandre Drake, Mary Dunge, John Du y, Gail and Joseph Durczak, Carol Elazier-Davis, Henry Fulkerson, Dan and Sara Giloth, Paul Goyette, Juanta Gri n, Burcy Hines, Steve Krasinsky, Camile Lindsay-Kumi, Ralph Lee, Michelle Majors, Aaron McMananus, James Nolan, James and Stacie P ueke, Michael Papierniak, Cate Readling, Paul Sakol, James Schwar tz, Tim Thomas, John Tulley MD, Caren Van Slyke, Lisa Vertner-Pintado, Alex Weber and Molly Dula-Weber Oak Park ers for Affordable Housing
OBITUARIES
Ann Marohn, 89
Docent, founding member, Wright Trust
Ann Marohn, 89, died peacefully on Jan. 15 in Lincolnwood. Born in Decatur in 1935, she lived most of her life in Oak Pa As a young girl, she took up tennis the courts across the street from her house and passionately fought all the way to the Junior National Clay Court Championships, where she perfor med admirably in doubles. She continued to play into her 80s and was a member of the Oak Park Tennis Center for decades. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Marquette University and a master’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University. She taught junior high English in the Oak Park School District 97. A devoted resident of Oak Park, she was committed to volunteerism, most notably at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio Foundation (now the Wright Trust), where she was a founding member, giving tours for over 40 years. In fact, she led the first tour at the Home & Studio when it opened to the public. She was also an active member of the League of Women Voters.
According to Celeste Adams, president & CEO of the Wright Trust, “Ann had a lively spirit that eng aged and inspired everyone who knew her.” To read more about her, go to https://www.oakpark. c om/2014/07/15/four-decades-of-interpreting-frank-lloyd-wright/ A memorial service is p lanned for the f utur e.
Ann was a mother, grandmother and passionate educator whose love for family and community never diminished. She is survived by her son, Rick (Renee Sprogis); her daughter, Kate (Brian Bartsch); her grandchildren, Rebecca Degan (Duke), Ryan Marohn, Robert Marohn, Max Bartsch, and Anna Bartsch; her great-grandson, Isaac Degan; her brother, Steve Young (Marianne); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, John Young (Janie), and her daughter, Sue Marohn.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: RUSH Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.
Marilyn Leonhart, 92 Printmaker,
in arts and architecture. T hey later relocated to the Seattle area to be closer to two of their daughters.
art therapist
Above all, he was devoted to making the communities where he lived a better place for all the kids growing up around them.
Marilyn Ann eonhart, 92, a for mer resident Oak Park, died eacefully in her sleep at home in Redmond, Washington, on Jan. 1, 2025. Born and raised in Mayood, she graduated from Proviso Township High School (East) in 1950. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts de gree in 1954 from Illinois Wesleyan University, where she specialized in printmaking. A highlight was spending a colle ge semester studying in Fontainebleau, France. She was a lifelong member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Following colle ge, Marilyn worked at Marshall Field’s flagship store on Stat e Street in Chicago as a display designer and as a personal assistant to Homer G. Shar p, then president of Marshall Field’s design division. One of her fondest memories was helping to decorate the f amed Christmas tree in the Walnut Room at Field’s State Street store.
While working in Chicago, she met her future husband, Glenn Leonhart. T he couple were mar ried in June 1956 at First Cong re gational Church in Maywood. T hey moved to Oak Park where they raised their four daughters in their treasured Tallmadge & Watson-designed historic home on Fair Oaks Avenue. The Leonhart f amily was active for many years at Grace Episcopal Church in Oak Park and later at Christ Episcopal Church in River Forest.
While raising her f amily, Marilyn continued her printmaking and drawing, showing and selling her pieces at local ar t shows. She also attended graduate school at the School of T he Art Institute of Chicago, where she completed a Master of Art T herapy de gree. During her graduate studies, she completed an internship at the University of Chicago Hospitals, where she worked with pediatric patients who were living with cystic fibrosis.
After 40 years in Oak Park, Marilyn and Glenn moved to Columbus, Indiana, to enjoy retirement in a community also rich
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Eleanor and Frank; a sister, Dorothy; a brother, Donald; and her husband , Glenn, who died in 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Anne Grigg (John), Sarah Foley (John), Alice Bartholomew (Brian), and Martha Berg (Eric), as well as 11 grandchildren and seven greatgrandchildren.
Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 31, at Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home, 6901 W. Belmont Ave., in Chicago, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. at the same location.
Chuck Bassett, 70 Architec t, Plan Commission member
Charles Anthony Bassett, 70, died on Jan. 10, 2025. Born on March 25, 1954, in Chicago, he grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood and graduated from Lane Tech High School and the University of Illinois Chicago.
Architecture was his passion, profession, and expertise. Licensed in Illinois and Wisconsin, he started his career in fine home design. After mastering that, he moved to public school renovations, then prototype school designs for the Chicago Public School system, and finally specialized in architecture for those with disabilities.
An active member of his community, he was appointed plan commissioner for the village of Oak Park where he used his knowledge of architecture and planning to guide village development. After much hard work designing the new athletic fields, he and his wife, Mary Jo, were reco gnized as the 2001 volunteers of the year by the Oak Park and River Forest High School Huskie Booster Club.
Always looking for ways to support his three sons, he moved to Missoula, Montana in 2017 to be close to them. In Missoula, he spent his time volunteering at the Missoula Food Bank, the Missoula Carousel, the Montana Brain Injury Alliance, and was a teaching assistant at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
He enjoyed the arts and spent his time improving his painting, drawing, and musical skills. In his spare time, he would read, practice Tai Chi, take naps, and crack jokes.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo Kuenster; his father, Lyman Wesley Bassett; and his mother, Dolores Barbara Bassett. He is survived by his children, Elliot, Thomas, and Steve Bassett; his brother, Larry Bassett; and his sister, Wendy Bassett.
A memorial will be held for f amily and friends on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Parkwyn Funeral Home, 6901 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.
In lieu of flowers, the f amily asks that donations be made to the Missoula, MT Food Bank.
Gwendolyn Rosario, 96 Homemaker
Gwendolyn Randella Rosario (nee Tiseth), 96, of Berwyn, for merly of Oak Park, died on Jan. 25, 2025. She was the wife of the late Howard Foreit and the late Anthony Albert Rosario Sr.; the mother of Dawn Wloch, Thomas (Darlene) Foreit, John Foreit, Paul (Kathy) Foreit, Roseann (Steven) Janusz, Anthony Rosario Jr., Randi (Gary) Holm-Bertelsen, and the late Wendy Rosario; the stepmother of Edward (Georgiana) Rosario, Mary (Bernie) Stevens Cash, the late Joseph (Barbara) Rosario, Susan Rosario, Sandra Sabo and David (Kim) Rosario; the grandmother of 17 and great-grandmother of 21; sister of Lucy (Jack) Bornstein; sister-in-law of Rose Hennen; aunt of 6; and daughter of the late Oscar Tiseth and the late Arvella Tiseth (nee Bluhm).
Memorial visitation will be held on Jan. 31 from 8:30 a.m. to the time of service, 11 a.m. at Hitzeman Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 9445 31st St., Brookfield, IL 60513. Interment private at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
SPORTS
OPRF hockey wins Hruby Cup
Huskies defeat Fenwick in OT in deciding game
By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys hockey club won the Paul Hruby Cup in exciting fashion at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Jan. 20, defeating Fenwick 4-3 in overtime. The Huskies won the best-of-three series 2-1, rallying to win the final two games after losing the opener.
The victory clinched OPRF’s second Hruby Cup series victory, with the Friars having won the previous two years. OPRF coach Mike Murphy believed establishing identity was the key to winning the series.
“Our club has really struggled with the fact that we can’t all be scorers. We can’t be superstars and we need to fill roles, buy in, and believe in each other,” he said. “Finding this identity and playing toward our strengths are what helped us to win games two and three.”
“We have to give OPRF credit for playing a great game. They came out ready to play and we definitely did not,” said Fenwick coach Nick Fabbrini. “We were missing some important players due to injury and illness, but everyone is dealing with that at this time of the season, and we need guys to step up when that happens because it won’t be the last time.”
OPRF jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes, but Fenwick responded with two goals of its own to even the score. The Huskies went back ahead, only to see
COURTESY OF JASON CLARY
OPRF’s Evan Kreidler celebrates a goal against Fenw ick during Game 3 of the Paul Hruby Cup Series, Jan. 20. Kreidler assisted on Oliver Puntillo’s game-winning overtime goal in the Huskies’ 4-3 Cup-clinching victor y.
the Friars tie things up again and eventually force overtime
On the first shift of overtime, OPRF defenseman Oliver Puntillo scored the game- and series-winning goal, off assists from Evan Kreidler and Gordon Rodriguez. The victory served as a confidence boost for the Huskies, who look to have a strong regular-season finish in the Illinois West conference.
“Most every game this season has been
very competitive and close,” Murphy said.
“Our extremely good goaltending and defensive play have given us a reputation as a team you don’t want to face in the playoffs.”
Moreover, Murphy said his seniors, Luke Barron, Henry Gillman, Joey Kahn, Joseph Leshnock, Jack Panichelli, Ben Schmollinger, Nolan Smith, Dominic Trotta, Luca Trotta, and Griffin Wesley, have “provided excellent leadership.”
Game 1: 10/26/24 at Allstate Arena –Fenwick 3, OPRF 2
Game 2: 11/27/24 at Fifth Third Arena – OPRF 1, Fenwick 0
Game 3: 1/20/25 at The Edge – OPRF 4, Fenwick 3 (OT)
Meanwhile, Fenwick is in a bit of a downturn this season with just 17 victories in 50 games. Fabbrini notes that unfortunate circumstances have hampered the Friars “Honestly, it’s been a tough year,” he said. “We’ve dealt with a lot of injuries and illness to important players and have lost multiple players for the season. We haven’t played a game with our full roster since October.”
Still, he believes the Friars can have a strong finish and be a factor in both the Chicago Catholic League Kennedy Cup Playoffs and the state tournament.
“We have to get healthy first and foremost, and are hoping to get some guys back before the playoffs begin,” he said. “If we can get healthy and play the way we’re capable of, we can be a dangerous team in February and March.”
The Hruby Cup is named after legendary local hockey coach Paul Hruby.
Rundell, Castleberry shine for OPRF wrestling
Both win individual titles at Huskie Invitational
By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
Sophomores Jameel Castleberry and MJ
Rundell continued their very solid seasons
for the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys’ wrestling varsity by each winning an individual title at OPRF’s Huskie Invitational, Jan. 25.
Castleberry scored a 16-8 major decision
victory over Cameron Abordo of Huntley in the 120-pound final. Rundell defeated Aidan Orte ga of Glenbard West via technical fall (19-3) in the 106-pound final.
In the team standings, OPRF took second
place with 344 points, 28 behind champion Huntley. Eric Harris was runner-up at 215, losing the final via pinfall to Luke Driedric
See WRESTLING on pa ge 30
Fenwick baseball alum gives back
Sam Incandela helps cultivate inner-city baseball talent
By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter
When it comes to high school baseball, most colle ge and professional scouts tend to focus primarily on private and suburban schools. While the majority of the top players come from these schools, prospects in the city don’t get much attention.
That’s where organizations like Intentional Sports come in. It is a nonprofit that provides opportunities for Chicago’s youth, not just athletically, but also educationally. Intentional Sports has a 10-acre sports complex in the North Austin neighborhood with 150,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor facilities.
The Jason Heyward Baseball Academy, whose namesake is the for mer Chicago Cubs outfielder who was a member of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship team, is part of Intentional Sports. But its director is Sam Incandela, a 1995 Fenwick High School graduate. Incandela, who was a member of the school’s last all-male graduating class, played baseball as a middle infielder for legendary Friars’ coach Dave Hogan.
“My junior year, we were preseasonranked number two and my senior year we were preseason number one,” Incandela told Wednesday Journal in a phone interview. “The biggest thing was that Hogan and all the coaches made me feel comfort-
WRESTLING
from page 29
able from the very beginning. I feel like coach Hogan helped influence my style and philosophies.”
After graduating from Fenwick, Incandela joined the Indiana University baseball team as a walk-on. During his freshman year, the Hoosiers won the Big Ten championship. In his senior year, Incandela earned a scholarship, was named a captain, and was voted IU’s Most Valuable Player. He made the Big Ten All-Academic Team three consecutive years and upon graduation joined the Hoosiers’ coaching staf f for two seasons.
“I had some opportunities to be an assistant coach at other colle ges,” Incandela said. “But then I met Ron Coomer, who was playing for the Cubs at the time . He had an academy in the south suburbs, and I became a hitting coach there. It was another opportunity for me to learn a lot from Ron and other big leaguers.”
His experience with Coomer encouraged Incandela to create his own baseball and softball academy, based in Glenview and Northbrook. For 15 years, he developed players of all ages and skill levels.
In 2020, he served as assistant baseball coach for Northwestern University. It was there that he developed connections which would lead him to Intentional Sports.
“[Intentional Sports’] CEO [Andy McDermott] and president [Austin Carr] graduated from there, as did the soccer coach and basketball director,” Incandela said.
“They were looking for a baseball director, and my name came up as a good fit. The rest is history.”
Incandela, who has been at Intentional
of Ar rowhead (Wisconsin). The Huskies got third-place finishes from Zev Koransky at 132, Joe Knackstedt at 138, AJ Noyes at 144, Jeremiah Hernandez at 150, and Terrence Gar ner at heavyweight.
Isaiah Gibson was fourth at 132. Fifth-place finishes came from Tristan Kidd (150), Zach Michaud (165), Hugh Vanek (175), and Lucas Albrecht (190), while Liam Niko-
Sports for almost a year, became the director of Heyward’s baseball academy.
“Jason was heavily involved in the creation of Intentional Sports,” Incandela said. “When I came in to interview, I met Jason and [McDermott], and we kind of hit it off.”
On Jan. 20, Heyward and Incandela conducted a free clinic for Chicago middle and high school players. There were 16 participants, which Incandela thought went great. The idea was for the participants to display their skills while the staf f created videos to send to colle ge coaches.
Incandela believes the clinics have excellent growth potential in attracting more student-athletes.
“We’re only getting started,” he said. “The goal is to get players from the Chicago Public School system that might not be able to af ford the high costs associated with travel baseball nowadays and marketing themselves to colle ge coaches. It’s a start. And for them to be able to meet
lakakis (113), Alex Cohen (126), and Ryan Wo zniak (157) also made the podium by finishing sixth.
Fenwick 8th at Chicago Catholic League
The Fenwick wrestling team came in eighth place in the Chicago Catholic League Championships with 83.5 points at Montini Catholic, Jan. 25.
Aiden Burns (38-3) had the best individual showing for the Friars, losing in the 157-pound final to Liam Kelly of Mount Carmel on a major decision (22-10). At 190, Jack Paris (35-8) took third place, defeating Montini’s Jaxon Lane in overtime.
Jason, Curtis Granderson [retired Major League Baseball player who’s from south suburban Lansing], and Roger Steele [Chicago golfer] and talk with them while getting advice and words of wisdom afterward was even more special.”
Incandela says he immensely enjoys helping youth from underserved communities, and he can’t think of a better way to do it than by teaching the sport that opened doors for him. The best pa rt for him is that Intentional Sports’ programs are low-cost and af fordable
“In many sports, it’s becoming expensive to play travel,” Incandela said. “We’re changing the narrative around a little bit, understanding the kids need a place, they need an outlet. There’s a lot of talent, and if we give them that avenue, they will be getting the reco gnition like the private and suburban schools.”
For more information about Intentional Sports, visit intentionalsports.org.
Fenwick received sixth-place finishes from CJ Brown (26-9) at 113 pounds, Solanus Daley (22-22) at 126, Eiam Staples (25-13) at 144, and Dominic Esposito (33-9) at 175.
OPRF boys bowling
At the Naperville Central boys bowling state sectional, Jan. 25, OPRF junior Ethan Gettinger had a six-game total of 1,208 pins and finished 15 th among individuals However, he missed qualifying for the state finals by 23 pins as Lyons Township’s Nolan Deines claimed the fifth and final advancing spot for individuals from non-qualifying schools
PROVIDED BY SAM INCANDELA
Fenw ick alum Sam Incandela (Class of 1995) conducts a clinic at the Jason Heyward Baseball Academy on the campus of Intentional Spor ts in North Austin, Jan. 20.
NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS
Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:
2025 Street Improvement Program
This project includes the replacement of curb and gutter, sidewalk and driveway aprons, hot-mix asphalt surface removal, frame/lid adjustment, resurfacing, and other associated work.
The bidding documents are available for download starting Thursday, January 23, 2025 at: www.vrf.us/bids
Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at:
Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305
The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.
No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.
Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving
The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.
Published in Wednesday Journal January 29, & February 5, 2025
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.
The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.
This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.
To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777
GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA
LEGAL NOTICE
THE LAW OFFICE OF LINDA EPSTEIN
Attorney for Petitioner 722 W. Diversey Parkway Ste. 101B Chicago, IL 60614
STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss
Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.
In re the Marriage of: Vivian Monroe Moore, Petitioner and Harold Lewis Moore, Respondent, Case No. 2024D008815
The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Harold Lewis Moore, Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Vivian Monroe Moore, for Dissolution of Marriage 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 12, 2025, 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.
MARIYANA T. SPYROPOULOS, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County, Illinois
Published in Wednesday Journal January 15, 22, and 29, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7�30 a.m. to 4�00 p.m. local time until 2�00 p.m. on Friday, February 25, 2025 for the following:
Village of Oak Park
Waste Characterization Study Proposal Number: 25�113
Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oakpark.us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at �708� 358�5700 during the above hours.
Published in Wednesday Journal January 29, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park -Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302�� will receive electronic proposals until 10�00 a.m. on Thursday, February 27, 2025 for Project: 24�14, Bridge Rehabilitation Program. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the work includes deck slab repairs (full depth and partial depth), protective shielding installation, approach hot-mix asphalt removal and replacement, expansion joint replacement, concrete sidewalk and curb repairs, fence and railing repairs; and all appurtenant work thereto.
Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, February 6, at 4�00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www.oakpark.us/your-government/ budget-purchasing/requestsproposals or at www.questcdn. com under login using QuestCDN number 9510247 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4�00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.
The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.
THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer
Published in Wednesday Journal January 29, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed Proposals from qualified consultants at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7�30 a.m. to 4�00 p.m. local time until 2�00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 for the following:
Village of Oak Park Landscape Consulting and Inspection Services Proposal Number: 25�111
Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at �708� 358� 5700 during the above hours.
Published in Wednesday Journal January 29, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
The Village of Oak Park will receive qualifications submittals via email to the Public Works Department, at eduffy@oak-park.us until 3�00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, for the following: Project 25�106 � Water & Sewer Rate Study
The Village of Oak Park is issuing a Request for Qualifications �RFQ� to solicit qualification submittals from interested consulting firms to develop a five-year, comprehensive Water and Sewer Rate Study. The Request for Qualifications may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/bid starting on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. For questions, please call or email Erin Duffy, Deputy Public Works Director, at 708�358� 5700 or eduffy@oak-park.us
Published in Wednesday Journal January 29, 2025
continued from page 32
session to session and they have come to us in a variety of ways. Some of them have been in the audience at a previous show and have approached us and said: “I want to do that.” Some of them have come through our own personal and professional networks, or they have been in another storytelling event or process that we met along the way.
Q. How crucial is it to have a safe place for women of color, and women in general to express themselves and explore these topics?
I think it’s absolutely critical for our self-protection, for our healing, for our surviving and our thriving. And especially considering the political moment that we see ourselves walking into in the future, I think they’ll still even be more critical.
Q. What is this event bringing to the community?
I think it’s bringing joy, it is bringing celebration, and it’s bringing people together in a way that has been very isolating because of this moments of uncertainty. Isolating because we are still actively recovering from all of the trauma and loss that we’ve experienced during the pandemic and post-pandemic. It is giving us an opportunity to feel unified and to celebrate each other in a way that we probably don’t get enough times to celebrate each other
Q. Are there any events coming to the west side in the future?
It just depends, you know, our relationships. One of my roles as the co-founder is to build partnerships and we continue to seek out partnerships that make sense for us, so who knows what the future brings? We do two shows a year as a collective and then, all of us individual storytellers do other things, so it just depends on where the opportunity is
More info:
SOL Collective website: chisolcollective.com/ Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/p/ SOL-Collective-Storytelling-by-Women-of-Color-100075819836151/
Oak Park’s North Avenue, bite by bite
A journey along North Avenue reveals a mix of culinary staples and fresh avors that bring Oak Park’s northern boundary to life
By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter
Oak Park’s stretch of North Avenue is not as restaurant-filled as River Forest/ Elmwood Park’s Section, but it’s a dining destination that sometimes gets overlooked by those of us “south of the border.” Here’s a roundup of what’s new and tasty at our norther n boundary.
Heading from east to west the first restaurants on the south side of North Avenue are in a strip mall. J&J Fish has long anchored the mall with wings, catfish, gizzards aplenty.
The restaurant hosted an event for his family and friends and they have a poster of him up in the restaurant. His parents say that North Ave Falafel’s chicken shawarma wrap and Alpine Food Shop subs were his go-to treats
“It’s hilarious – at his memorial, one of his friends called him a ‘sandwich connoisseur.’ I have never been prouder,” said his father, Brian Souders.
Just past Narragansett, at the next strip mall over, China Chop Suey has stood the test of time. A new location of the locally-based chain Taco Pros is under construction in the old Surf ’s Up space.
Continuing west, at the intersection with Oak Park Avenue, Michael’s Beef House upgraded their restaurant and refreshed the menu a few years ago.
While you can still get a Chicago dog, Italian beef and many burgers, they also feature chicken and fish sandwiches and five different salads.
Across the street in Galewood, — making one exception to the tour of the south side of the street — is another strip mall. Linda Michoacana serves ice cream and savory treats. On weekend, they add homemade tamales. Flavors are chicken and green salsa, chicken and red salsa, rajas con queso, and sweet versions. Pre-ordering is the best way to make sure you get the ones you want.
In the same mall is North Avenue Falafel. Owner Youssef Salama forged a special bond through food with Oak Park teen Hank Souders, who died recently at the age of 19.
it is still delivering Jewish deli and NY diner style treats, like hand sliced lox. Bagels are made in-house, and the ones that don’t sell are sliced, toasted, then given to customers along with butter and jelly when they settle in at a table.
Passion Eats Express a Buona Beefa Rainbow Cone
The Onion Roll a
Woodbine Nor th Av e
Na Siam a
“We brought the chocolate egg cream to Oak Park. I do not know of another diner that serves egg creams in the area, but they are a must try and very different from the Chicago Chocolate Phosphate,” said co-owner, Ryan Rosenthal.
Edging closer to Harlem, Buona Beef has been at the corner of Belleforte since 1989. It was the second location for the Buonavolanto family’s growing business. Since 2018 their ventures include Rainbow Cone ice cream.
NS W E
Michael’s Beef House a a Nor th Ave Falafel a Linda Michocana
Oak Park Ave.
East
Taco Pros a China Chop Suey a J&J Fish a Ridgeland Narragensett
The iconic Rainbow Cone with its “slices” of chocolate, Palmer House (vanilla, cherry, walnuts), followed by pistachio and orange sherbet — has been a Chicago tradition for almost a century.
A block further on is Na Siam. New owners Knock and Honey Wareewanich came from Thailand to take over this Thai staple eight months ago. The menu includes all the Thai food basics, but they are starting to branch out into more flavors and tastes rooted in their memories of home.
c
Now it’s expanding. Rainbow Cone is now in six states. One of those location is at Buona on North Ave.
“We always kind of had that side dining room. Over the last several years as our business shifted a lot to online delivery, it kind of left some vacant space,” said Joe Buonavolanto III. “Rainbow Cone express version as we call it.”
“We love this area. We could see the potential of this restaurant. At first, we try not to change anything much. But we adapt the food as we get to know customers,” said Knock Wareewanich
Just past Woodbine, The Onion Roll also got a renovation refresh recently, but
Last, but not least, is the strip mall that marks the other end of our journey. Several national chains have outlets there, including a new Wing Snob location in the works. But eating local means eating with your soul and that’s what you get at Passion Eats Express. Owner and chef Shawanda Simmons says it’s “pick up and go.” You can call ahead, ordering fresh chicken wings, catfish, spaghetti. The goal for Oak Park was to reestablish that Souther n customer service. Every person that walks through the door, whether you are doing a catering order or you are just doing lunch, we want you to feel that you are part of the family.” Said Simmons. That sentiment is found all along North Avenue. These restauranteurs show a dedication to customers and fresh flavors. They don’t just have an address in Oak Park, they are a part of the community.
Harlem
Black History Month: A guide to events
By DALAL ORFALI Vibe Assistant Editor.
As February approaches, we’re celebrating Black History Month, dedicated to showcasing African American heritage, highlighting struggles and triumphs, and honoring the generations that paved the way toward liberation. Here’s a selection of events to help you celebrate:
AUSTIN
Struggle & Resilience
■ Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m.
■ The Kehrein Center for the Arts, 5628 West Washington Blvd.
Enjoy a ballet performance honoring women’s empowerment and resilience. The Caged Bird Sings, in collaboration with Overshadowed and Tobin James, will resonate with the history and culture of Black and Latina women.
Black history month bingo
■ Monday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m.
■ Austin Branch 5615 W. Race Ave.
Join the Austin Branch for a fun Black History Bingo game, testing teenagers’ knowledge of Black history, with prizes to be won! This event is free and open to those aged 13 and up.
FOREST PARK
Edmonia Lewis and The Death of Cleopatra: Uncovering the Forest Park Connection
■ Wednesday, Feb 19 at 7p.m.
■ Forest Park Public Library, 7555 Jackson Blvd.
The library hosts a talk by Amy BinnsCalvey on Edmonia Lewis, a groundbreaking African American and Native American sculptor, and her work The Death of Cleopatra. Discover its connection to Forest Park and celebrate Lewis’s life, and le gacy. Sign up on the library’s website at www.fppl.org
More Than a Month: Liberated Arts Movement gallery opening night
■ Saturday, Feb 1 at 6 p.m.
■ Forest Park Public Library – art gallery 7555 Jackson Blvd. Forest Park
Enjoy Forest Park art gallery’s opening night in partnership with the Liberated Arts Movement. The event include perfor mances, artist talks, refreshments, and more. Re gister at www.fppl.org.
HYDE PARK
Legacy: A Black Physic ian Reckons with Rac ism in Medicine – book signing event
■ Tuesday, January 28, at 7 p.m.
■ Call & Response Books 1390 East Hyde Park Blvd.
Dr. Uché Blackstock, a physician and leader on bias in healthcare, talks about her memoir, highlighting her advocacy against healthcare inequities. Event tickets are available on Eventbrite.
OA K PARK
Black history month celebration
■ Saturday, February 08, at 11 a.m.
■ The Nineteenth Century Charitable Association 178 Forest Ave #1
The Village of Oak Park celebrates Black History Month with speakers, performers, activities, music, and refreshments. Registration available online at oak-park.us.
Living legacies & the Black history of Oak Park
■ Saturday, Feb 24, at 1 p.m.
■ Oak Park Main Library (Veterans Room) 834 Lake St.
Join an inspiring conversation is set to feature three of Oak Park’s remarkable Black elders and educators: George Bailey, Howard D. Simmons, and Betty Smitherman. Dive into the history of the community through their perspectives and their vision on the path forward. These gathering will to offer invaluable insights and reflections on Oak Park’s past, present, and future.
