Wednesday Journal 022322 by Wednesday Journal

W E D N E S D A Y

February 23, 2022 Vol. 42, No. 30 ONE DOLLAR

@wednesdayjournalinc

JOURNAL

@wednesdayjournal

@oakpark

of Oak Park and River Forest

O k Park’s Oak P k’ new village manager Page 9

Oak Park’s Lehman wins Olympic bronze in speedskating Team USA outraces Netherlands to place third in team pursuit By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

It’s been often said that the third time is a charm. For Oak Park native Emery Lehman, that old adage came true. Participating in his third consecutive Winter Olympics, he was part of the United States men’s speedskating team pursuit unit that won a bronze medal Feb. 15 in Beijing, China. It’s the first Olympic medal for Lehman. “We are incredibly happy to have a medal and to have put together three great races to do so,” said Lehman. “Besides the countless hours of training for this event, I think the key to our success was trusting and using each other to push ourselves. We’ve all shown great improvement because of this.” The team pursuit is a three-round event, and Lehman teamed up with Ethan Cepuran and Casey Dawson in the first two rounds. The unit placed second to Norway (the eventual gold medalist) in the opening round, then broke the Olympic record in the second, only to see the Russian Olympic Committee team top it. As a result, Team USA competed against the Netherlands for bronze in the final round, with veteran See LEHMAN on page 14

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WHAT AILS YOU? Samantha Martini, District 90 infection control officer in River Forest, says the COVID pandemic forced changes in the way she and her colleagues provide health care in the schools.

School nurses reflect on working through COVID pandemic It’s not all ‘Band-Aids on boo-boos and ice packs’

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

For Samantha Martini, working under pandemic conditions is all she’s known. Martini began her career as a nurse two

years ago during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, finishing her last semester of college on Zoom before heading into her first job at a local pediatric clinic. It was there, at that clinic, Martini said, where she saw the impact of the corona-

virus on bedside manner. With masking and social distancing requirements firmly in place, she found it difficult to put in that “personal touch” and interact with See NURSES on page 16

! H S S W A FL NE You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box. Sign up for FREE at OakPark.com

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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This Ukraine thing may not be what you think it is

was a senior at Oak Park and River Forest High School when Colin Powell delivered his now infamous address to the United Nations Security Council on Iraq. I watched the address on YouTube in OPRF’s library, overcome with inexplicable skepticism. By nature, I’m rather conservative. I respect tradition, discipline and good organization, even if I don’t always exhibit those qualities. Powell, however, did exhibit all of those qualities and I respected him for that. I wanted to believe him. Something, however, wasn’t right. That same year, 2003, my classmates would confirm what I could not quite bring myself to believe. One day, my entire environmental science class emptied, with kids abruptly walking out of school in what was likely the largest student demonstration of my high school tenure. Firm in my contrarianism, I was the only student in that class who stayed behind, resulting in an awkward moment of silence with my teacher. I realize now that my peers were much more attuned with their instincts than I was at the time. As kids are wont to do, they sniffed that BS a mile away. Last week, this primal truth came rushing to mind while I was covering a student walkout in a neighboring suburban school district, where teachers are threatening to strike amid contract negotiations with an ethically and morally odious school board and administration, whose spending on six-figure-salaried central office administrators and long-distant contractors has outpaced spending on assets closest to the kids in the classrooms. Every student I interviewed said they were on the side of the teachers. When I interviewed the school board president (the superintendent is too imperious to talk to the local press), he told me the kids have been essentially brainwashed. They believe the teachers VLADIMIR PUTIN because they’re with them every day, he told me, as if the arrangement were some kind of conspiracy. “The superintendent and administration don’t care about education,” said one student, a freshman, during Wednesday’s walkout. “It’s obvious they don’t.” My rule of thumb as a reporter and consumer of information is this: When the kids speak in unison, believe them. And when bureaucrats, businesspeople, politicians and media talking heads speak in unison, put your guards up. A study published this month by MintPress shows that 90 percent of recent opinion articles in the New York Times, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal have taken a hawkish stance on the current Russia-Ukraine crisis. “Opinion columns have overwhelmingly expressed support for sending U.S. weapons and troops to the region,” MintPress News reports. “Russia has universally been presented as the aggressor in this dispute, with media glossing over NATO’s role in amping tensions while barely mentioning the U.S. collaboration with Neo-Nazi elements within the Ukrainian ruling coalition.” The study references Wall Street Journal columnist Walter Russell Mead claiming that the country’s already bloated military budget “will have to grow as the U.S. increases its capacity against both Russia and China.” Here’s another rule of thumb. Do not read the Wall Street

Journal opinion pages, which should embarrass even conservatives. They are that bad. Do, however, read the Journal’s reporting, which is about as solid as the reporting about the Ukraine crisis gets in mainstream U.S. journalism. Stephen Fidler’s piece in Tuesday’s paper, “Putin’s Endgame: Undo Post-Cold War Accords,” provides essential historical context that’s necessary for understanding the current crisis, which is as much, if not even more, about America’s identity crisis as it is about Putin’s identity crisis. But you’ll have to leave mainstream media altogether and venture into the realm of alternative media to find the most apt metaphor for this pending war, which involves two aging world powers who want to convince themselves that they are who they were in their prime. You’ll find the metaphor in C.J. Polychroniou’s Feb. 16 interview with Noam Chomsky in Truthout. First, Chomsky focuses on how we should frame the current crisis by referencing National Security Council Paper Number 68, the policy directive signed by President Harry Truman in 1950 that was “the major internal planning document of the early Cold War years.” The document is worth reading, if only for the lessons it provides on how the U.S. elite exercises myth projection and American exceptionalism. The pristinely innocent United States, NSC 68 says, must take the lead in mobilizing the free world against the evil Soviet Union at virtually all costs. As the Wall Street Journal’s reporting demonstrates, the U.S. and the West have been pursuing the aims of NSC 68 long after the Soviet Union dissolved and the Cold War ended. In the 1990s, the U.S. and NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization) JOE BIDEN repeatedly broke promises with Russia that they would restrain their ambitions, the Journal reports. In addition, “the triumphalism over winning the Cold War was excessive,” many “current and former Western officials” now admit. The Journal cites Rodric Braithwaite, the British ambassador to Moscow when the Soviet Union collapsed, who is critical of both Putin’s and the West’s serious overreach. “Although I think that Western diplomacy was arrogant and incompetent in the 1990s, and we’re paying the price now, that is not a reason for Putin to put himself in a posture that makes other people think he’s about to launch a war,” Braithwaite says. You’d have to read John Nichols’ Feb. 15 article in the Nation to get a glimpse of perhaps the most realistic assessment of the Ukraine crisis given by any of our national elected officials. “A simplistic refusal to recognize the complex roots of the tensions in the region undermines the ability of negotiators to reach a peaceful resolution,” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said earlier this month on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Sanders said the U.S. must “unequivocally support the sovereignty of Ukraine and make clear that the international community will impose severe consequences on Putin and his fellow oligarchs if he does not change course.” But

MICHAEL ROMAIN

U.S. officials should also get inside of Putin’s head. “I know it is not very popular in Washington to consider the perspectives of our adversaries, but I think it is important in formulating good policy,” Sanders said. It’s unrealistic to think that what Russia is doing with the Ukraine has not been done by the United States with other countries we’ve considered to be in our orbit of influence. Consider the Monroe Doctrine, which is basically the U.S. placing dibs on the western hemisphere. A key difference, though, is that Russia’s relationship with Ukraine is much more intimate than, say, our relationship with Mexico or Central America. The Journal cites an essay published in July by Putin in which he “seeks to justify Russia’s claim to Ukraine, writing that Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians are one people, all descended from Ancient Rus, the largest state in Europe in the ninth century.” To Putin, the West’s nominal ownership of Ukraine, particularly the country’s flirtation with joining NATO (which Putin, rightly, considers a U.S. tool) is an existential insult. That may partly explain his seemingly irrational flirtation with war. Americans have to realize that just because our culture is premised on forgetting doesn’t mean that other cultures are forgetful, too. Just because we’re emotionally detached from history doesn’t mean that other cultures are, as well. Russians, like the Chinese, have long, long memories and they take their history and culture very seriously. They remember slights and they will plan the payback, even if it takes decades or centuries. But what Putin doesn’t seem to understand, what President Biden doesn’t seem to understand, is that Russia and the West (i.e., the U.S.) are not the kind of powers they were during the Cold War. In this regard, that NCS 68 document is particularly telling. “The capability of the United States either in peace or in the event of war to cope with threats to its security or to gain its objectives would be severely weakened by internal developments, important among which are: “Serious espionage, subversion and sabotage, particularly by concerted and well-directed communist activity; prolonged or exaggerated economic instability; internal political and social disunity; inadequate or excessive armament or foreign aid expenditures; an excessive or wasteful usage of our resources in time of peace; lessening of U.S. prestige and influence [… and the] development of a false sense of security through a deceptive change in Soviet tactics.” We’re two decades into perhaps the weakest and hollowest economic recovery in U.S. history; still barely recovering, six years later, from having elected a Russian asset as president; barely able to pass budgets, let alone national infrastructure legislation; mocked around the world for our disingenuous democratic posturing; and roughly a decade from President Obama’s debate zinger to Mitt Romney’s hackneyed and inadvertently correct insistence on Russia being a national security threat (“the ’80s called, they want their foreign policy back,” said the naïve president). I’d say we’ve checked off just about all of NSC 68’s reasons for why we cannot handle more saber-rattling. As for Russia, I’ll just reference Harvard economist Jason Furman, who told the New York Times that, with respect to its importance to the global economy, Putin’s vast nation is “basically a big gas station.” There’s a meme that Facebook recently served me on my timeline of two geriatric white guys boxing in a nursing home, which reminds me of the metaphor that Chomsky referenced and that might as well apply to the whole RussiaU.S. excitement over Ukraine: It’s like “two bald men fighting over a comb.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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BIG WEEK

School Of Rock: Staff Show Saturday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., FitzGerald’s You’ve seen the kids, now hear the instructors at the School of Rock special staff show. They may have taught the kids everything they know, but there’s still a wealth of knowledge the students haven’t accessed yet. Proceeds will benefit the school’s scholarship fund. $25, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

February 23-March 3

Thrive Talk Let’s Talk About Race Thursday, Feb. 24, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Racism has forever been a hot-button topic, but sometimes the best way to deal with it is simply to deal with it. Community leader and activist Shanya Gray, who hails from the island of Barbados, has a wealth of experience as a professor and counselor, specifically in the areas of mental health, diversity, equity and inclusion. This discussion will deal with such concepts as implicit bias and critical race theory, as well as solutions to any of these problems. Register via oppl. org/calendar.

FitzGerald’s Soul Night

Midday Meditation Tuesday, March 1, 12-12:30 p.m. Noontime is a great period to relax your mind, to get ready for the second half of the day. This session begins with Kundalini breath practices that can help you minimize stress and increase energy. Register now at oppl.org/calendar.

Emancipation To Inauguration Chicago’s Black Experience Sunday, Feb. 27, 2-3 p.m., Forest Park Public Library This virtual performance by musician/actor/historian Clarence Goodman celebrates the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North during the pre-Civil Rights era. Register at fppl.org/ blackhistorymonth

Thursday, Feb. 24, 8-11 p.m., FitzGerald’s Some of the finest contemporary talents pay tribute to the heart and soul of rhythm & blues. Tammi Savoy, Cameron Webb and Elisa Latrice pay R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the songs and the styles of Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and others. They’ll be backed by a band of all stars that has played behind the legendary likes of J.C. Brooks & the Uptown Sound and the late great Syl Johnson. $10, 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

Winifred Haun & Dancers Banks Performance Project

The Not-So-Golden Lives Of Gilded Wives

Saturday, Feb. 26, 5:30 & 8:30 p.m., Unity Temple Restoration Foundation In what is certainly a unique concept, the Winifred Haun dance troupe will perform choreography inspired by, and performed in, various spaces in Unity Temple. Just like a guided tour, guests will move from room to room. An opening set will be performed by the Banks Performance Project. $20-39, 875 Lake St., Oak Park

Wednesday, March 2, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Forest Park Public Library This virtual in-depth discussion addresses the state of American women during the 1870s and 1880s, typically known as the “Gilded Age.” Sedation, mourning, and other topics will be touched on during this hard-hitting, unflinching look at a time now past. Register at fppl.org

Teen Book Club Sunday, Feb. 27, 2-3 p.m. The Leading Edge Teen Advisory Board (LETAB) hosts a discussion of Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. This West African-inspired fantasy conjures a world of magic and danger. All teens are welcome. Register now at oppl.org/ calendar.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Downhill Racers The trudge up the Barrie Park sledding hill is hard work, but the trip down is filled with smiles, even when you land on your tuchus. Families made the most of the Friday snowfall last weekend. Good thing, because it didn’t last long.

PHOTOS BY ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Seleb retires as Oak Park library executive director

Supported library’s anti-racism and equity focus

leb’s approach to providing services to that of famed Apple innovator Steve Jobs in that Seleb was able to anticipate future needs and desires of library patrons. “I think David’s approach to libraries is By STACEY SHERIDAN somewhat similar – we want to make sure we Staff Reporter are finding out what people didn’t know they Just as two top administrative posts among wanted us to do,” said Fruth. With Seleb’s retirement imminent, the liOak Park’s taxing bodies have been filled, anbrary board has begun its search for a new other has come available. David Seleb, 55, is executive director. The library board has enretiring after almost a decade spent as execulisted the executive search services of John tive director of the Oak Park PubKeister & Associates to find a relic Library. His last day on the job placement for Seleb in a contract will be Feb. 25. worth $18,500. The firm specializ“The opportunity to work for es in recruiting leaders for librarthe Oak Park Public Library and ies and non-profit organizations. to finish my 33-year career there Based in Illinois, the firm has has been extraordinary. I thank worked with numerous public limy board of trustees for that opbraries in the Midwest, as well as portunity and for the support and libraries as far east as Connectiencouragement they have given cut and as far south as Florida, to me,” Seleb wrote in an email to according to the firm’s website. Wednesday Journal. DAVID SELEB The library board intends to “cast “The staff at the library, partica wide net” across the country for ularly the members of my Leadercandidates and community input will play a ship Team, are among the most outstanding key role in the process, according to Fruth. people with whom I have ever had the priviThe person who succeeds Seleb will have big lege to work. I will miss them all.” Seleb told Wednesday Journal he does not shoes to fill. Fruth credits the departing execplan to make further public statements about utive director for helping to impart significant his retirement. However, Library Board Presi- change and improvement to the library. Fruth dent Matt Fruth spoke at length about the de- called Seleb “a big advocate” for intentional parting executive director and the legacy he community engagement, bringing services beyond the confines of library walls and prowill be leaving behind. “I don’t think there is anyone on the board actively confronting societal issues through who doesn’t wish David would stay longer,” productive programming and conversation. The library has curated a transgender resaid Fruth. “But eight years is a good run.” source collection to provide information to During his considerable time on the library allies, family , employers and medical providboard, Fruth has worked with three different executive directors. Fruth compared Se- ers. Its multicultural collection is filled with books, artifacts, games, films and music from

around the world to encourage the Oak Park community to explore different cultures and build empathy. Seleb put the Oak Park Public Library on a path toward inclusivity and equity long before other libraries embarked on similar journeys, said Fruth. “A lot of libraries weren’t doing that kind of equity examination, but David had started us with that work before a lot of others were catalyzed into doing so,” said Fruth. Shortly after George Floyd was murdered by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the summer of 2020, Seleb penned an open letter to the Oak Park community denouncing systemic inequities and proclaiming the library’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement. “We are frightened for the Black and Brown members of our staff and our community who daily must endure the racism of our society. We are furious at the inequities that cause so much injustice and poverty and suffering,” Seleb’s letter reads. “We are committed as an organization and as individuals to dismantle the systems of oppression that have created these conditions and that fuel them.” During Seleb’s time as executive director, the library developed an anti-racism strategic plan, curated an anti-racism collection and launched an anti-racist book club. A timeline of the library’s anti-racist journey is available on its website. Last year, Stephen Jackson, a library employee, was became the director of equity and anti-racism, an entirely new position. A number of other staffing changes were made over the years to make the library a more actively inclusive and equitable organization. Former Oak Park Township youth interventionist Robert Simmons joined the library in 2016 as community resources man-

ager to help the library address the needs of at-risk patrons and people experiencing homelessness. Now the director of social services and public safety, Simmons replaced contracted security guards with library employees, who are trained to take a trauma-informed care approach. Juanta Griffin began educating the community as the library’s multicultural coordinator in 2020 and Tatiana Swancy was promoted last year to become the library’s first restorative practices coordinator. Swancy, Griffin, Jackson and Simmons are all members of the library’s anti-racism advisory team. The team also includes diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Reesheda Graham Washington and Oak Park Village Trustee Chibuike Enyia. Fruth praised Seleb’s leadership as he worked to navigate the library through the many and evolving challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, empowering staff to rethink its traditional service model. “During the pandemic, David has been decisive, empathetic, and committed to putting people and safety first. Since coming to Oak Park in 2013, his vision, ability to listen, to be strategic, and to act intentionally have made a lasting difference here,” said Jodi Kolo, OPPL communications director. The virus prompted the library to close all of its branches in March 2020. To keep people engaged, the library’s virtual services grew. While the main branch reopened at a very limited capacity that July, the Maze branch remained closed for just over a year and the Dole branch almost a year and a half. The library has retained all of its staff throughout the pandemic. “He has left us in such a good place,” said Fruth. “I couldn’t be more grateful for what he’s done.”

River Forest resident seeks county board seat

Hosty is running for 9th District GOP nomination By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Former Forest Park Village Council member Mark Hosty is running for the Cook County board. Hosty is seeking the Republican nomination to run for county commissioner in the 9th District where incumbent Republican Pete Silvestri is retiring after serving on the county board for 28 years. Hosty announced his candidacy Feb. 3. Hosty served for 16 years on the Forest Park Village Council, where he was a strong supporter of former mayor Anthony Calderone. Hosty was defeated when he ran for a fifth term in 2015. He finished last in a field of five candidates vying for four seats. A few years ago, Hosty moved to River Forest. The 9th District includes River Forest but does not include Forest Park or Oak Park. It

also includes all or parts of River est Park Tap Room has been the Grove, Elmwood Park, Rosemont, subject of numerous complaints Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, by some Madison Street business Mt. Prospect, Arlington Heights, owners and residents complainRolling Meadows, and the 41st and ing of excessive noise and rowdy 38th Wards of Chicago. and sometimes violent behavior Hosty has been active in Reby some customers. Last year the publican politics for some time. Forest Park Tap Room had its He has twice been elected to be a liquor license revoked by the Vildelegate to Republican National lage of Forest Park but last month Conventions, in 2008 when he supthe Illinois State Liquor CommisMARK HOSTY ported John McCain and in 2020 sion reversed that decision and when he was a delegate for Donald ordered the village to return its Trump. In 2018 Hosty was elected to a seat on liquor license. the Republican state central committee as the Hosty is positioning himself as a law-andRepublican committeeman for the 7th Con- order candidate and as someone who wants to gressional District. cut taxes. He owns a commercial building on Madison “Stopping the out-of-control crime in our Street in Forest Park where he long managed area is my number one priority, followed very Healy’s Westside tavern. Healy’s closed in closely by reducing property taxes,” says 2020 after a long and successful run. The For- Hosty in an article on the campaign web site est Park Tap Room is now located in the space announcing his candidacy. “We need to adopt that Healy’s formerly occupied. Healy has no zero based budgeting for the county with inconnection with the Forest Park Tap Room structions to our department heads to cut other than being the bar’s landlord. The For- whatever is not necessary so we can allocate

resources into crime fighting. Because of the out-of-control property taxes, suburban residents are going to start losing their homes faster than they are being car jacked. I want to lead the charge on crime control and property tax reductions.” The Blue Lives Matter flag is prominently displayed on Hosty’s campaign web site. In the post on his campaign website Hosty also touted his experience in local government. “For more than a dozen years I helped lead my community as an elected municipal official, including eight as the senior member of our board. I learned about the interaction among our county, state and federal governmental entities to achieve the best possible results for the west suburbs. I would like to bring those experiences to Cook County government to help reorder its financial priorities and operational efficiencies,” Hosty said. Hosty served four terms as the president of the Forest Park Chamber of Commerce. Now, according to the web site, he works primarily as a real estate broker.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Twenty-three years ago, Open Door started with a group of energized people in a bar in Forest Park. We came of age in school auditoriums and matured into our own space 12 years ago. Today, we are closing our Door, another casualty of Covid. The Smash Of “One Irresistible f-Broadway Hit Mus ical! An Utter

Charm Bomb!”

- The New Yor

k Times

THANK YOU to our landlord, investors and donors; to the many who served tirelessly on our board; to our actors, directors, stage managers, design and technical artists and our videographers; to our musicians, vocalists, and comedians; and to our many volunteers. Take a moment to look over all the art on this page. This is what you made happen. And to our many thousands of patrons who laughed, cried and applauded, thank you for 23 years. Nothing on this page would have been possible without each of you, all of you. TOGETHER we brought MAGIC to our communities.

The New 50

’s & 60‘s Pop Including The Hit Musical Co se fav medy Dream Lover, orite songs: Lollipop, Lip stic Song of a Pre acher Man, Res k on Your Collar, pect and mo re! Written an Musical Arra ngements by BRIAN WILL IAM BAKER

ELYA BOTTIGE

d Created by

Roger Bean

Vocal Arrangem ents by ROGER BEA N& BRIAN WILL IAM BAKER

Orchestrations by MICHAEL BOR TH

SARAH CON

MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS

Starring RAD

LAUREN KER

Musical Dire ction ILANA M. ATK By INS Direction & Cho reography by ASHTON BYR UM

MOLLY KRA

Fri. & Sat. at 8pm, Sun. at tinees Ma2p m January 16 Februa s & Sundays rd,ay tu22 Sary 2015 29 TICKETS (70 March 78) 342-0810 www.opendo orrep.org s under 12 Kid just $10

24/7 The Musical * A Thurber Carnival A Christmas Carol 2011, 2012 An Enemy of the People A View from the Bridge Art Bee-Luther-Hatchee Best of Enemies Bleacher Bums Clara* Clybourne Park Coastal Disturbances with Habakkuk Theatre Crowns 2007, 2008 Daddy’s Home! * Daughters of Ire with OPRF Festival Theatre Echo Theater Collective Echolove Together Emma’s Child Eye of the Storm*

Fences The Game of Love and Chance Glengarry Glen Ross Good Guys and Dolls Hits in Time* I & You with OPRF Festival Theatre Island of Dr. Moreau with Moebius Theatre It Don’t Just Shake Off* The Laramie Project Leopard Woman* Let ‘Em Eat Cake Life Notes* Lovers The Marvelous Wonderettes The Memory of Water No Witness* Of Thee I Sing Our Town

FAMILY PRODUCTIONS • opendoor 708.342.0810

rep.org

1st Annual Storytelling Festival 2nd Annual Storytelling Festival 3rd Annual Storytelling Festival A Thousand Cranes A Year with Frog and Toad Alice in Wonderland Esperanza Rising Go! Dog! Go!

The Pavilion Rebel Without a Cause with CAST Route 66 The Sisters Rosensweig Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Small* Smokey Joe’s Café 2003, 2011 The Sound of Music with CAST Spinning into Butter Steel Magnolias Superior Donuts Tintypes [Title of Show] To Kill a Mockingbird Train Is Comin’ * The Trip to Bountiful CAST at Open Door * Indicates a World Premiere

IMPROV/SKETCH COMEDY

Honk! Just So Stories The Little Prince The Rememberer Stomp and Shout Stuart Little You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown

AGE – Anti Gravity Experiment The Best Medicine The League of Improv Heroes The Pimprovs The Real Housewives of Oak Park Roxy Bellows

Sex is Painful…and other lessons my mother taught me The Spew The Therapy Players

MUSICAL ARTISTS Abigail Riccards Anne and Mark Burell Audrey Stone Avanti Guitar Trio Beyond The Frame Ben Fernadis & Miguel de la Cerna Bobbie Wilsyn Brandon Acker & Ryan De Ryke Caroline Davis Charles Troy Chris Greene Quartet Christine Steyer Church of Beethoven Cindy Fee & Cin City Claudia Hommel

Claudia Schmidt Chicago Paris Cabaret ConneXion Crossing Borders Collective Dara Cameron Dee Alexander & The Evolution Ensemble Dennis O’Brien & His All-Star Band Doug Lofstrom & the New Quartet Elaine Dame Elizabeth Doyle Hanging Hearts Hanauta Duo Ian Maxim James Wheeler Jeannie Tanner Quartet Jennifer Graham

Jimbo Delta Leandro Lopez Varady Trio Linda Solotaire Lowdown Brass Band Lynne Jordan Margaret Murphy Webb Michael Mahler Midnight Blues Nate Aydelott Nicholas Barron Paulhino Garcia Reginald Robinson & the 5th Dimension The Replays RingShout Robin Watson

Rough Around the Edges Salik Zayid & Sara Marie Young Sharon Carlson Sibling Ribaldry Sinai Mountain Boys Sibling Ribaldry Spider Saloff The Walter Mitty Jazz Band Tom Chapin William Kurk Will Washingtom Ye Vagabonds Zozo

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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‘Cue the Record’ at FitzGerald’s

All-vinyl barbecue dinner party to kick off Val’s 50th anniversary By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Two local music legands are teaming up. Val’s halla Records is kicking off its 50th anniversary year with an event at FitzGerald’s 6615 Roosevelt Road in Berwyn. On Tuesday, March 22 from to 9 p.m. “Cue the Record” ticket holders will enjoy a blend of barbecue and vinyl with an all-you-can-eat buffet and curated tunes from 1972 — the year Val’s halla Records was opened by the inestimable Val Camiletti. “There is so much good music from 1972, I was like, ‘how can this event only be three hours?’” laughed Will Duncan, owner of FitzGerald’s. “I think Val’s milestone and this event will definitely resonate with the community.” Duncan and Trevor Toppen, owner of Val’s halla Records, 239 Harrison St., have a shared vision about the importance of

maintaining their inherited legacies while bringing new energy and a fresh perspective to sustain their respective businesses for future generations. The duo connected shortly after Duncan purchased FitzGerald’s in March 2020 and soon after invited Toppen to create a “mini Val’s” inside the nightclub. The relationship between FitzGerald’s and Val’s goes back decades;” said Duncan, owner of FitzGerald’s. “We are both dedicated to local music lovers, but yet we never get in each other’s way.” Tickets include a buffet of all you can eat Berwyn style barbecue and one Babygold Cold Beer, brewed by Kinslahger Brewing Company in Oak Park, specifically to be enjoyed with barbecue fare. Duncan teased the menu will include a sampling of cold seafood as well as an array of Babygold’s signature menu items including pulled pork, BBQ cauliflower and collard greens. The dinner and listening party is set to take place in the Babygold dining room, but organizers are prepared for the possibility the party may need to move into the adjacent nightclub should interest exceed expectations. Shayne Blakeley, Val’s manager, will join Toppen and his son Jaxson, who also works

advertise • 708-524-8300 • www.OakPark.cOm

House Hunting?

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

Babygold Barbecue in Berwyn at Val’s, to spin records from 1972 during the event. The trio is excited about the “wealth of music” available to them, and suggested attendees might hear both hits and B sides from albums by David Bowie, Roxy Music, Black Sabbath, The Allman Brothers Band, and Big Star among others. “When you think about it, eating barbecue and listening to vinyl are really very similar,” said Toppen. “Barbecue is weekend fare. You sit down to eat it and it can get messy. Listening to records is the same — you sit down, pay attention and savor the songs.” While the marriage of barbecue and vinyl records makes sense to both Toppen and Duncan they are curious to see how people approach the event. They intend to play full sides of an album to give guests the opportunity to listen to the songs in the “order they were meant to be heard,” but also hope to foster a festive atmosphere with plenty of breaks for conversations between guests. Both Duncan and Toppen are open to the possibility of hosting similar events in the future. “I want to keep Val’s legacy front and cen-

ter in the community, and we want this to be the first of many events this year that celebrate the store’s anniversary,” said Toppen. “We want to create space for people to share their great love for great music.” Tickets are $39 each and available via FitzGerald’s website. Link: https://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub. com/event2/11811855/val-s-babygold-present-cue-the-record/

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

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Meet Kevin Jackson Oak Park’s new village manager

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

While the community was able to virtually meet the three original Oak Park village manager finalists, Kevin Jackson’s late arrival prevented him from participating in a public forum. Now that his appointment to the post is expected to be approved by the village board Feb. 22, after Wednesday Journal’s print deadline, Jackson is excited to introduce himself. A father of three daughters and the husband of a public-school teacher, Jackson said he was drawn to Oak Park for its family-oriented nature and its status as a multicultural community. That diversity will soon be reflected in the upper echelons of village administration as Jackson will be the first Black person to take up the mantle of village manager. “It’s really exciting and amazing to be part of a historic milestone for the community,” he said. “Not many of us across the country are at this level, managing cities.” Jackson said the achievement is likewise significant for him, as it is the first time in his long career that he will be in the top leadership post of a municipality. Becoming Oak Park’s highest-ranking administrative official is also momentous to Jackson for more personal reasons “I grew up very poor in a single-parent household. It’s a very unique moment for me, just given my upbringing,” he said. “It’s actually pretty magical.” Before becoming a government official, Jackson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a master’s in public administration both from Arizona State University. His career in government began in 1997 when he served as a project management assistant for the city of Phoenix. In 2002, he left Phoenix for its neighbor, the city of Glendale, where he worked as the neighborhood partnership administrator. Jackson then went on to spend nine years in Central Illinois as the city of Champaign’s neighborhood services director before becoming deputy city manager in Long Beach, California — his most recent post. While in Champaign, a substantial portion of his time as neighborhood partnership administrator was spent bringing affordable housing to the city through public and private partnerships. Jackson expanded city contracting opportunities for small, women-owned and minority-owned companies. He enhanced code enforcement strategies, including developing the nuisance vacant structures ordinance to address derelict and abandoned structures. Jackson also facilitated the inclusive redevelopment of the Bristol Place Neighborhood, a privately and publicly funded venture to revamp an area of Champaign blighted by crime and disinvestment.

redevelop Bristol Park. While a representative from the city of Champaign confirmed the extensive amount of work Jackson accomplished during his time as director of APPROVED neighborhood services, Champaign city officials were unable to comment directly about their former colleague. As deputy city manager of Long Beach, Jackson managed the U.S. Census, which coincided with statewide independent redistricting in 2021. As Long Beach prepared to have its city council boundaries redrawn, Jackson was working to engage the community and city staff in census planning and the recruitment efforts to mobilize a charter commission to lead the JOIN OUR redistricting. RESEARCH “We actually became the example for STUDY! the rest of California,” he said. “They’re TO QUALIFY still talking about the kind ofbetween work weold?did  Is your child(ren) 1-16 years  Would you like information from leading clinicians, here.” researchers, and dedicated parents for how to talk your child(ren) about their conceptualof origins? He also oversaw anwith independent study  Are you 21 or older and speak English? the city’s citizen police commis Do youcomplaint live in the United States? sion. The commission had been put into WHAT THE STUDY IS ABOUT  In this 3-month study, to learn place by city charter about 30investigators yearswantago how parents use a confidential, online platform and had never been evaluated that called the TELL Tool up to see until if parents find the information helpful. point, according to Jackson.  Parents will be asked toWednesday view the TELL Tool program once, and complete online surveys 4 times over 3 Journal has reached months. out to the city of Long  A $50 compensation is provided to each parent over Beach for confirmation. the 3 months. The intensive nature of redistricting and Funding evaluating the city’s citizen police oversight model actually prevented Jackson from formally applying for the Oak Park job, although he was interested in it. “I just didn’t have the bandwidth to get into the process,” he said. After the first of the year, he checked back in with GovHR, the village’s recruitment firm for the village manager search, to see whether the position had been filled. He departed from his post as deputy city manager of Long Beach Jan. 3 for reasons he did not disclose. “When I got a call that there was a willingness to look at me [as a candidate], I was pleasantly surprised,” he said. While there were three original finalists at the time Jackson was being considered, his work experience is what ultimately led the village board to offer him the position, according to Village President Vicki Scaman. Interim Village Manager Lisa Shelley, one of the finalists, will be staying on as deputy village manager. Jackson’s expected start date as village manager is March 21, but he will be in Oak Park sooner. His family will join him in June when the school year ends. Jackson’s wife intends to find a teaching job in Oak Park public schools, where their daughters will attend. The family is excited for the move, especially Jackson’s two youngest. “They reminded us, when we were talking about this, that Gianna was born in Illinois,” said Jackson. “And Leila, who was two when we moved to Illinois, was like, ‘This is really just like going home.’” PROTOCOL #: _2020-1086

“I grew up very poor in a single-parent household. It’s a very unique moment for me, just given my upbringing. It’s actually pretty magical.” KEVIN JACKSON

Oak Park village manager

“The whole idea of the redevelopment was economic empowerment,” said Jackson. “People were disadvantaged.” The project included the construction of 64 single-family homes and 26 townhomes. A senior housing development is also in the works. The entire redevelopment area was about 100 acres, according to Jackson. “For each one of the subdivisions in that larger redevelopment area, we had a plan for addressing various issues,” said Jackson. “One was a mobile home park and we wanted to make sure that we get a shelter for severe weather protection for the residents of that area.” That led to the construction of an emergency family shelter. Jackson’s team also worked with the park district and the Boys and Girls Club to build a recreation center there. The multi million-dollar project, which Jackson called “complex” and “controversial,” has spanned roughly 12 years. Jackson left Champaign in 2017, so he was not there when the first round of residents moved into the neighborhood in 2020. He said he still has strong relationships with the team of individuals continuing to

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JOIN OUR RESEARCH STUDY To find out more about the study, contact: Patricia Hershberger, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAAN, Principal Investigator

Contact Us Patricia Hershberger, PhD, APRN, FNP-BC, FAAN Principal Investigator Email: phersh@uic.edu Phone: 312-996-1305 Visit: the study’s website at TELL-Tool.com Or Scan the QR code below with your phone’s camera

phersh@uic.edu • 312-996-1305 www.TELL-Tool.com

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Exploring Soul City Community Market Pop-up market lays foundation for future Austin home of Forty Acres Fresh Market

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Upon entering Soul City Community Market, the intoxicating scent of vanilla roasted almonds smacks visitors in the face as engaging staff members express appreciation for each shopper’s arrival. A glance to the right reveals a colorful bounty of fresh produce from Forty Acres Fresh Market. Just beyond the display of reasonably priced brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes and citrus fruits, patrons can discover an array of warm nuts, handmade scented candles and artisan butchered meats. The space is raw, but the energy is warm and inviting — renderings of a colorful and welcoming grocery store sit off to the side suggesting big changes are afoot for the 12,500 square foot building located 5713 W. Chicago Ave. For just over four years, Liz Abunaw, founder of Forty Acres Fresh Market, has been on a mission to bring fresh produce to underserved communities through pop up events, farmers markets and a produce delivery service. Her mobile produce service has a loyal customer base in both Chicago and Oak Park and now, Abunaw is excited that Soul City Community Market will help pave the way for Forty Acres Fresh Market’s brick and mortar grocery store. While optimistic about the future, Abunaw has realistic concerns about Forty Acres’ forth coming grocery store. She does not

embrace an “if you build it, they will come” mentality, but prefers to surround herself with experts who will make necessary plans to ensure the endeavor’s success. She hopes the Soul City Market will generate enough community interest to build her confidence about her future grocery store set to arrive in the same location in 2023. “Our biggest challenge is going to be getting people to shop inside their own community again.” said Abunaw. “I would love to see 300 to 400 people visiting the Soul City Community Market every weekend. That would make me feel much more comfortable.” Since opening in early February the modest weekend market has been gaining in popularity. The well-spaced market features approximately five vendors but has the capacity to grow to seven or eight. Chicago based, Nuts to Go, is responsible for perfuming the space. Founder, Garcon Morweh and Wesley Junius were on site roasting mixed nuts. Available in vanilla and boozy varieties the offerings come in three sizes and are both dairy and gluten-free. Butcher McCullough Kelly-Willis, founder of the Chicago Meat Collective, was onsite peddling sustainably raised and locally sourced meats. Focused on whole animal butchery, the Chicago Meat Collective, aims to educate home cooks and promotes access to responsibly sourced meats through donations and participation in pop up markets like the Soul City Community Market. Expect the semi-regular vendor to have frozen pre-

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

Joetta Weaver (left) assists Tanisha McCray, founder of Just Unwind Candles and More, at the Soul City Community Market on Feb. 20.

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

Founder of Chicago-based, Nuts to Go, Garcon Morweh and Wesley Junius package mixed nuts at the Soul City Community Market. packaged prepared foods like lamb ragu and Bolognese sauce as well as assorted chops, roasts, sausages and steaks. Jerky made with spicy Korean gochujang and artisan dog treats round out the offerings. As Soul City Market draws attention to the Chicago Avenue property that will ultimately house Forty Acres Fresh Market, Abunaw is hard at work making her grocery store dream into a brick-and-mortar reality. The project was recently awarded up to $2.5 million through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund. The program utilizes revenue from downtown development projects to strengthen commercial corridors in qualifying areas including Chicago’s Soul City Corridor. The grant awarded to the project at 5713 Chicago Ave. matches 50% of construction related expenditures up to $2.5 million. While the restricted funds (geared toward a one-time capital project) represent a big step forward for the future home of Forty Acres, Abunaw is realistic about the project timeline. “Projects funded through the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund were evaluated for readiness and impact,” said Abunaw who applied for the grant in September 2021. “NOF is intended to be last mile funding and we are ready to start construction as soon as we file for construction permits, but it doesn’t mean the project will go quickly.” Abunaw says she and her team, including a store designer, general contractor, and architect, will be ready to submit for construction permits “sometime in April.” Once the City of Chicago grants approval they will be ready to break ground on the

project and anticipate they will be ready to open sometime next year. “My goal is to create the store I would want to shop at, so I am thinking like a consumer,” said Abunaw who has calculated a need for 500 transactions per day to sustain the Austin grocery store. Bringing affordable high-quality food to the community is at the heart of the Forty Acres mission, but Abunaw is clear that experience plays a key role in how people decide where they want to shop. She notes there are not enough grocery stores in Austin, but residents also choose to skip over the local options they do have in favor of shopping in a different community. Abunaw, who holds degrees in both business and social entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago, is clear that decision comes because local discount grocers tend to underestimate the importance of the customer shopping experience. As a result, Abunaw and her team, are focused on building an experiential grocery store with cross community appeal. Forty Acres Fresh Market aims to draw business from the three zip codes within a half mile of the store — 60302 in Oak Park and 60622 and 60651 in Chicago. Fresh fare including produce, meats and prepared foods will be the shining stars at Forty Acres with general merchandise available on a smaller scale. Abunaw admits there is a precarious balance in the grocery business but intends to build a profitable store that creates living wage jobs in the community. While affordability will be at the heart of Forty Acers’

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Oak Park man charged with murdering nursing student Body found in Austin

By STACEY SHERIDAN

dead at the scene. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Oak Park resident Richard strangulation and smothering Chavez, 24, was charged with as the cause of her death. first-degree murder following An investigation by the the strangulation of a 20-yearChicago Police Department old nursing student, whose revealed Ehresman went to body was found in Chicago’s Chavez’s residence, where the Austin neighborhood. homicide took place, on the Law enforcement apprehendRICHARD CHAVEZ same day she was reported ed Chavez on Friday in the missing. The two had report2600 block of South California. It was anedly met online. Chavez then moved her nounced Saturday that Chavez had been body into her car on Jan. 24 then drove identified as the offender who allegedly the vehicle to Austin and abandoned it, caused the murder of Charisma Ehresaccording to the Oak Park Police Departman, of Forest View. ment. The vehicle was discovered four Ehresman was reported missing Jan. days later. 23 and found days later unresponsive in Chavez is currently in custody in the the backseat of her car in the 5900 block Cook County Jail. He is being held withof West Iowa Street. She was pronounced out bail. Staff Reporter

MELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor

A robust offering of healthy and affordable produce from Forty Acres Fresh Market is available every weekend at the Soul City Community Market. brick and mortar, details including curb appeal, lighting, music, layout, signage, food sampling and customer service levels are all factors being considered during the planning process. “My friends think I am a zealot — once I get an idea, I am all about it,” said Abunaw. “This whole project is overwhelming, and I underestimated how hard it would be. I am on a steep learning curve and have come to understand the specific complexi-

ties related to opening a grocery store, but I know Austin deserves more than the bare minimum.” In the meantime, Abunaw would like to see more people from both Oak Park and Chicago visit the future home of her brickand-mortar to support Forty Acres and the other vendors at the Soul City Community Market. The market is held Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5713 W. Chicago Ave.

Every Weekend Starting February 5th, 2022 We invite you to shop locally in Chicagos' Austin neighborhood. Fresh Produce, meat, baked goods and more.

5713 W. Chicago Ave. Saturdays 9AM - 3PM Sundays 10AM - 3PM

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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LEHMAN

Third time’s a charm from page 1 Joey Mantia subbing for Cepuran on the relay. The Americans defeated the Dutch with a time of 3 minutes, 38.81 seconds. Lehman also competed in the 1,500-meter race Feb. 8, placing 11th in 1:45.78, as well as the 5,000 meters Feb. 6, finishing 16th in 6:21.80 as he filled in for Dawson, who couldn’t arrive in Beijing in time due to COVID-19 protocols. With minimal or no attendance due to the pandemic, Lehman felt it was definitely a different atmosphere than his two previous Olympics. But he also didn’t feel any pressure. “To be honest, I feel much more relaxed here than I was in the six months leading up,” he said. “Obviously, this is a different Olympic experience than my other two, but I feel like getting here safe was the hardest part of the battle. In the months leading up I didn’t go anywhere but the rink or my house, wearing two masks at all times. ... [Since arriving in Beijing], we still wear masks, test every day

PHOTO BY JOHN KLEBA/COURTESY OF DAVID LEHMAN

FAST FUN: Competing in his third Winter Olympics, Oak Park native Emery Lehman earned his first medal on Feb. 15 as part of the U.S. speedskating team pursuit unit, which finished third. love and support he has received from the Oak Park and River Forest communities. He says the messages he gets help him to over-

and are still very cautious, but it is a nice feeling to be in the bubble and have some sense of security.” Lehman said he appreciates the

come the isolated sense of living inside a bubble, and he can’t wait to come back to his hometown soon.

“It makes me proud to represent Oak Park and Team USA,” he said. “I very much look forward to coming home, sharing my medal with people, and trying to recruit some future Olympians and medalists for speedskating. I just want to thank everyone for their support.” Lehman is planning on returning to Oak Park in April, but he has some more business to take care of before then. He’ll participate in the World All-Around Championships March 5-6 in Hamar, Norway, as well as the World Cup final on March 11-13 in Heerenveen, Netherlands. The two events, he says, are harder to qualify for than the Olympics. And speaking of the Olympics, Lehman said he will try to make a fourth consecutive Olympic team in 2026. Those games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy -- the first time two cities have served as hosts. “Of course, the next Olympics are on my mind, but between then and now there are a lot of competitions and other achievements I would like to accomplish in the sport,” Lehman said. “My plan will be the same as it’s always been: I’ll continue to skate as long as I’m having fun and getting faster.”

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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Local schools continue to navigate COVID protocols Changes may come as early as this week

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

School districts across Oak Park and River Forest may revamp their COVID-19 strategies after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s appeal to uphold a mask mandate in Illinois schools was dismissed last week by the appellate court. The decision — which came just before midnight Feb. 17 — sent area education leaders into a frenzy, as they notified families of the districts’ next steps before heading into a long weekend. School districts such as Oak Park District 97, River Forest District 90 and Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, was closed for Presidents Day. D90 and D200 were also closed Feb. 22 for staff professional development. The recent decision was made by a threemember panel on the Illinois Fourth District Appellate Court and indicated school districts can choose how to implement their COVID-19 mitigations. Early this month, a judge in downstate Sangamon County granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) prohibiting masking requirements for more than 100 school districts, prompting Pritzker to file an appeal. In addition, the Illinois Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, a group made up of Democratic and Republican lawmakers, met last week and voted to suspend the emergency rules, including masking, set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health. At this point, education leaders in Oak Park and River Forest have made some small changes to their COVID plans, noting more decisions are expected to be made once school board members meet this week. In an email sent to staff and families, Supt. Ed Condon said D90 was lifting its masking requirement for all outdoor activities, including recess or practice, this week. That means, staff and students can choose to wear their masks outdoors, Condon said. Other safety protocols, including masking indoors, were to be discussed at the Feb. 22 school board meeting. “There’s a lot for the board to deliberate and learn more about and then come to a consensus around in the coming weeks as we move through the pandemic,” Condon told Wednesday Journal in a separate interview. While D90 may undergo some changes, Condon told the Journal that there is one thing that will remain the same. “What will not change will be [the district’s commitment] to put the safety of students, families and staff at the forefront of our priorities; continuing to provide high quality learning for all of our students and striving to provide social emotional supports that are needed right now — even [if] individuals disagree on specifics. Our community very strongly agrees that the students are our top priority, which is a really

fortunate place for any community,” he said. District 97 co-interim superintendents Griff Powell and Patricia Wernet sent a similar memo on optional masking for outdoor activities late last week. “Those who feel more comfortable wearing a mask outdoors are encouraged to do so. We would be grateful if families would please assist by stressing the need for ongoing kindness, respect and understanding about others’ choices when discussing this change at home,” they wrote in the Feb. 18 letter. The two also encouraged staff and students to “maintain physical distance to the greatest extent possible” and specified that lunchroom protocols are still under review. They explained further that masks must be worn indoors except when eating or drinking, and Oak Park public health officials have advised staff and students to “focus on eating” and “limit loud talking” while unmasked in the lunchroom to “reduce the risk of aerosol spread” and impede the spread of COVID-19, the Feb. 18 memo reiterated. District 97 also looks to review its COVID-19 practices during a Feb. 22 school board meeting. Meanwhile, at D200, Supt. Greg Johnson said loosening the quarantine restrictions is the “only action” the high school is taking at this time. In an email to staff and families, Johnson said that asymptomatic, unvaccinated students or employees named close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case no longer need to be quarantined. “This change is effective immediately,” Johnson wrote in the Feb. 18 email, clarifying that those identified as close contacts from a Feb. 18 SHIELD testing result can return to school Feb. 23. Like Condon, Powell and Wernet, Johnson also told staff and families District 200 school board members plan to talk about and update the COVID-19 strategies at its Feb. 24 regular meeting. “Until the time when a decision regarding mitigations is reached, we expect all students, employees and visitors to continue to

comply with our existing measures,” Johnson wrote. “As always, our top priority remains the health and safety of our students, staff and community. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to navigate these uncertain times.”

The schools have to ‘dial it down’ In light of recent events, some Oak Park and River Forest residents have voiced concerns over their school districts’ current safety measures, urging local education leaders to roll back the mitigations, starting with mandatory indoor masking. Less than a dozen River Forest parents even gathered outside D90 administration offices last week, pushing for optional masking. “Our kids are starting to notice this double standard that’s existing, and it’s becoming really hard to justify, explain or keep up,” said Meredith Natale, a D90 parent who participated in the rally Feb. 15 outside D90 offices. Natale told the Journal masking requirements in schools have become “confusing,” especially after a judge in downstate Illinois issued the order preventing the enforcement of mandatory masking in several schools and area Catholic schools have moved toward optional masking. The issue also comes as Pritzker aims to remove masking requirements in most indoor places beginning Feb. 28, including local businesses, adding more skepticism from parents like Natale. Natale and other D90 parents launched a petition via Change.org, asking the district’s school board to call a special meeting Feb. 21 and discuss whether to end the mask mandate. D90 school board President Barb Hickey and Vice President Stacey Williams could not be reached for immediate comment. Condon said he was aware of the petition, which as of Feb. 21 has garnered approximately 242 supporters, and added that the “district’s intention right now is to proceed with the regularly scheduled meeting on

Tuesday, Feb. 22.” Natale told the Journal that apart from eliminating the mask mandate, she would like the district to forgo contract tracing and other COVID mitigations. Natale said she believed the contract tracing is “far reaching” and that it’s time for the district to “dial it down.” “The message needs to be about education in schools,” she said. “Our kids know that COVID exists. They don’t need to be reminded of it eight hours a day. They don’t need to feel fear from their teachers because a mask falls below their nose. I really find that the message of fear is really still being played out in this community, and it really troubles me.” As of Feb. 21, the Cook County Department of Public Health reported 15 new positive COVID cases in suburban River Forest. About 75% of River Forest’s eligible population has taken both shots of a two-shot vaccination series. Something less than 90% of eligible River Forest residents have at least one dose of a two-shot vaccination series, according to county data. The county, however, also reported that its community transmission level still remains high, recording a total of 499,097 COVID cases as of Feb. 18. In nearby Oak Park, public health officials reported 117 new cases of COVID-19 last week and that the positive cases have impacted people of all ages, including infants to residents in their 90s. Community transmission rates in Oak Park are high, but positivity rates have also continued to decline alongside the state average, the department noted. Parents from Oak Park District 97 have also created a petition via Change.org, calling for school administrators to soften the COVID-19 protocols. Among a batch of requests, petition signers want to see the district lift masking requirements indoors and allow parents and other family members back inside the school buildings to attend events. The petition also seeks to allow students to interact more during lunch. Josh Vanderberg, a D97 parent who helped write the petition, and Stephanie Harris, an Oak Park resident who supported the petition, said the petition was meant to open up a conversation among board members, school administrators, local public health officials and families and talk about the district’s current strategies. Harris, whose child currently attends private school, said these conversations are also about accountability, “to make sure that the people who are making decisions for us are really being thoughtful about those decisions.” “It’s not demanding that we do everything right now, but it’s asking that we come up with a path toward normalcy and give something more than ‘just know we’re going to keep doing what we’re doing right now in perpetuity,’” Vanderberg said.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

NURSES

positive cases have dropped significantly in recent weeks. “COVID does not take off during the evenings, weekends or holiday breaks,” Martini said, noting it’s “tedious work” to keep from page 1 track of staff and students who test positive or are named close contacts on top of everfamilies, especially young children. changing COVID guidelines. And what some “I remember being a kid [and going to the people may not realize is that this work only doctor’s office]. You get to go in. You get to makes up a fraction of their job. Many school nurses who spoke to Wednesplay with the toys, and you read the books, and you get the stickers, and do all the fun day Journal opened up about how their lives things,” she said. “That’s not what happens changed once the pandemic hit and how anymore. You stay in your car. You get calls many people, including their colleagues, to come into the doctor’s office after going were widely unaware of their duties before the novel coronavirus came through all the screening quesand settled in. tions to make sure you’re not “Everybody thinks it’s COVID positive or you haven’t Band-Aids on boo-boos and ice had any exposure, and then you get in and you get out.” packs, but there’s a lot more to Martini’s experience at the it – a lot more to it,” said Lauclinic – the “limited contact” ren Giorango, a nurse at Percy and all – was the reason why Julian Middle School in Oak she went back on the job hunt, Park. looking for open positions in School nurses are responschools and ultimately landing sible for many things. They ofa spot at River Forest School ten team up with their schools’ District 90. special education teachers and At D90, Martini is part of a help assess and identify the small team of nurses, caring needs of students with disabilfor hundreds of faculty, staff ities. They also educate famiand students across three lies on various health issues HILARY WINKELHAKE schools. As the infection conand trends and conduct reguDistrict 97 nurse trol officer, Martini works lar vision and hearing screenalongside the school nurses to ings, as well as tend to stuinvestigate the outbreak cases, dents’ daily needs. That could visiting each school separately range from caring for students and helping administer or collect dozens of with diabetes, allergies or seizure disorders COVID tests. Last month, D90 reported more or who just need some TLC, said Gina Harthan 100 new cases due to the Omicron vari- dy and Pam Clink, a pair of longtime school ant and at least five outbreaks after staff nurses who work alongside Martini at D90. and students returned from a two-week winGiorango said school nurses are also, at ter break. School districts in nearby Oak times, the first to recognize whether stuPark and across the country experienced dents may be facing some mental health issimilar outbreak cases, but numbers of sues, which have been exacerbated through-

Pandemic adjustments

“I just feel like we’re going to be OK. I don’t always say I feel like that every moment, but that’s like the majority of my thoughts – [we] do the best we can.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Gina Hardy, the school nurse at Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF’s head school nurse, Julee Terretta out the pandemic. Giorango, who has worked at Julian for two years, said that some students with anxiety can experience different physical ailments such as a stomach ache. “So, their first stop is at the nurse’s office, and then we try to figure out like, ‘Are you OK?’ ‘Are you sick?’ ‘Are you really symptomatic or is something else going on?’ Like, ‘Do you have a test coming up or [did] you get into trouble with a teacher and now you don’t feel good?’” she said. “A lot of kids don’t want to be forthcoming with that, so [I] get to do a little digging to get it out of them.” Other school nurses interviewed by the Journal also talked about the district’s efforts to hire more nurses and expand their medical teams, especially in recent months. Throughout the course of the pandemic, school districts in Oak Park and River Forest, much like the rest of the nation, have faced various staffing shortages, including school nurses, substitute teachers and custodial staff. For many nurses, rising stress levels, especially during the COVID pandemic, contribute to job dissatisfaction and high turnover, is just one factor contributing to the overall shortage of nurses, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. In particular, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend schools have only one nurse per 750 students. Julee Terretta, a nurse at Oak Park and River Forest High School, remembered when the school first reopened, allowing staff and students back into the building, and the positive cases began rolling in. She pulled her two-member staff together – an office manager and a certified nursing assistant – and became the “COVID people,” trying to figure

out contact tracing. This was before mass COVID testings and vaccines for eligible staff and students were available. “We were basically self-taught and figured out on our own what exactly we needed to do to figure out who was going to need to quarantine,” she said. Terretta recalled watching a video on how to administer and read the results of a rapid COVID test and teaching her staff what she learned. “I had to train my other staff in the office to do that,” Terretta told the Journal, adding she also had to make sure the district had the right waivers on file to administer those tests. Terretta said she felt the work getting heavier and heavier and told district staff that they needed more hands-on deck. “One thing that I had really stressed to the district was at some point, it’s going to become overwhelming and really encouraged the district to put together the COVID team, which is what we have now [and] who manages the bulk of our cases.” With the pandemic marking its second year, some school nurses seem hopeful as COVID cases have tapered off and vaccines have expanded to younger children while others are recovering from burnout and stress. One District 97 nurse, Hilary Winkelhake, told the Journal she feels optimistic and said that most of her energy comes from seeing her students, and she’s eager for the day when masking requirements are lifted. “I just feel like we’re going to be OK,” she said. “I don’t always say I feel like that every moment, but that’s like the majority of my thoughts – [we] do the best we can.”

C R I M E

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

Drunk driver hits parked car, which hits pedestrian Jamar Thornton of Chicago was charged with two class 4 felonies for aggravated driving under the influence and for aggravated driving with a revoked license for a traffic accident that left one pedestrian with nonlife-threatening injuries. According to police, Thornton was allegedly driving under the influence when he hit a parked vehicle. The force of the collision caused the parked vehicle to move, hitting a person standing nearby. Thornton’s vehicle then burst into flames. The victim was transported to Rush Oak Park Hospital for treatment. In addition to the two felony charges, Thornton was charged with an alcoholrelated DUI, a combined alcohol and drugs DUI, possession of cannabis, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving with a revoked license and driving without insurance.

Aggravated vehicular hijacking An Oak Park resident with his 6-yearold son was carjacked at 4:45 p.m., Feb. 14, in the 200 block of Maple Street. Police reports state that the victim was exiting his black 2010 Toyota Corolla when he was approached by a man armed with a small handgun with a red light at the end of it. The offender pointed the gun at the victim and demanded he turn over his phone,

Recovered stolen vehicle

wallet and vehicle. The man was able to remove his son from the vehicle before the offender drove off. Chicago police recovered the vehicle in the 3500 block of West Chicago Avenue in Chicago at 4:30 p.m., Feb. 18. One occupant of the vehicle was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

The Honda CRV reported stolen on Feb. 6 from the 200 block of North Harvey Avenue was recovered by Chicago police at 11:40 a.m., Feb. 20 in the 5200 block of Harrison Street in Chicago.

Motor vehicle theft

Theft

A red Jeep Cherokee SRT was taken from a parking garage in the 100 block of Forest Avenue between noon, Feb. 14 and 9 a.m., Feb. 15. The estimated loss is $40,000.

■ Packages containing a Japanese anime figurine and a pair of Nike tennis shoes were removed from a secured mail room in the 200 block of South Boulevard around 10 a.m., Feb.

Specialty Boxes Honor Dignity First

14. The estimated loss is $435. ■ Someone took a blue mountain bike that was secured to a bicycle rack in the 200 block of Home Avenue between 6 p.m., Feb. 11 and 6:30 p.m., Feb. 14. The estimated loss is $550. ■ A Stitch Fix package of clothing was removed from a front porch in the 1000 block of South Oak Park Avenue around 4 p.m., Feb. 16. The estimated loss is $350. ■ Someone stole a bird feeder and its iron stand from the backyard of a home in the 200 block of South Oak Park Avenue between 5 p.m., Feb. 15 and 9 a.m., Feb. 16. The estimated loss is $50. ■ A man was captured on video surveillance cameras removing a package from the delivery bin near the front door of a house in the 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue at 4:17 p.m., Feb. 16. The package contained a pair of white HOKA tennis shoes, an estimated loss of $160. These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Feb. 15-21 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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ART BEAT

Love and loss meld in Art Heals, a new Hephzibah program Friends craft project to honor Leslie Jones and Tom Johnson By MICHELLE DYBAL

Arts Contributor

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ealing and Good. That’s what three Oak Park women SHARING A VISION: Margot McMahon, left, and Jeanne Gallo discuss the sculpture in McMahon’s backyard. imagine as they work toward something positive after the loss of their friends, Leslie Ann Jones and Tom through her husband, Dan Burke. Jones, Johnson and Burke Johnson. worked in the same building for two decades and they lunched Jeanne Gallo, an event planner, has lived on the 500 block of Fair Oaks since 1996. Jones and Johnson, both attor- together for 30 years. Their children became friends and the neys, moved across the street 14 months later. Neighbors not by families traveled together to Michigan and Wisconsin. The chance, but by invitation when Jeanne’s husband, John, also a women shared an interest in community art. Both were on the lawyer, gave the real estate tip to Jones -- the two had worked Oak Park Area Art Council board in the mid-1990s, Jones inviting McMahon in. They subsequently started the Public Art Ada case together and Jones shared her visory Commission with the Village of and Johnson’s desire for a home in Oak Park, which paved the way for art Oak Park. The neighbors became very projects including outdoor sculpture good friends and their sons grew up toand murals on the railroad embankgether. When Jeanne needed knitting ments. blocks, they were on her front porch But the unthinkable happened. In the next day, courtesy of Jones. MenApril 2020, Jones and Johnson were tion an interesting read or challenges murdered in their home. The case rewith your child and a book would apmains unsolved though Oak Park popear. lice say the investigation is active and The women found a common bond ongoing. serving as Hephzibah Children’s AsTheir friends grieved. They tried to sociation board members, Gallo from cope during quarantine while the pan2000 to 2007 and Jones from 2000 to demic raged on and there was a lack of 2015 (and on its Trust Board from connection. But worse, for Gallo, when 2003 to 2018). Gallo said Jones was a she did interreact, people would ask quiet leader and “passionate about the about the investigation or talk about kids.” As a baseball coach, Johnson PROVIDED the crime. By fall of 2020, she had regularly included a Hephzibah player enough after an encounter in a parkJOINED FORCES: Oak Parkers (left to right) Margot McMaon his team, something fellow coach ing lot. John Gallo adopted. hon, Kenna MacKinnon and Jeanne Gallo, created Art “Someone I know saw me, came up “Tom and Leslie were not ‘we’ and Heals in memory of their friends Leslie Ann Jones and to my car and started asking all these ‘I’ people; they were ‘us’ and ‘them’ Credit: Margot McMahon questions about Tom and Leslie,” Gal- Tom Johnson to benefit art therapy services and install a people,” Jeanne Gallo said. “[And Leslo said. “Lots of people like to give me public artwork by McMahon, shown behind them, both lie] was always doing things for other TRIO: Forms of Nature, a public sculpture what they thought happened. I got in at Hephzibah Children’s Association. people and for Hephzibah.” by Oak Park artist Margot McMahon, is my car and it was this moment where Hephzibah is a many-faceted agen- expected to be installed at Hephzibah, 946 I was like, ‘I don’t want to do this. I cy focusing on children. A group of Art Heals was born, a two-part project: create a public artwork North Blvd., Oak Park, by late spring. don’t want this to be the way Tom and youngsters from across the state live and a fund for art therapy, both at Hephzibah. Leslie are remembered.’” at Hephzibah Home on North BouMcMahon created the sculpture, Forms of Nature, three Gallo contacted McMahon, who is also her friend, along with levard. These are children who have experienced severe and 10-foot-high by 4-feet-wide, ash-tree sections, carved to reprecomplex trauma in their lives. Hephzibah also offers foster care Kenna MacKinnon, immediate past president of Hephzibah’s sent the Oak Park community – the arboretum, human life and board. By winter, the three met at McMahon’s Oak Park art stuand adoption services. animal life – and the interconnectivity among them. Bronze Artist and author Margot McMahon met Jones and Johnson dio to hash out what could be done to change this conversation. leaves adorn one section, all cast from trees on McMahon’s

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM block. The reliefs are expected to be installed feeling and what you need.” “To help a child express their experience, at the front of Hephzibah, 946 North Blvd., it’s better to do it through sensory material. Oak Park, by late spring. McMahon found healing in sculpting. She Art making is sensory, it’s visual, it’s tactile,” said she knows it is the kind of art “that meant she said. “…And particularly our children a lot to Tom and Leslie.” It doesn’t have sym- who have been affected by complex trauma, bols or words that divide and has a secular they are at different developmental levels and spirituality to it. On the top of the animal-life you can really see that reflected in the art. relief, “there are two birds in flight and for me You can really see what a child needs through that is Tom and Leslie.” their exploration and art making.” As the community views the sculpture, Contracts with Medicaid and DCFS support McMahon said they will bring their own life much of what Hephzibah does, but art theraexperiences. “They are going py is not included. to see something completely That’s where Art Heals different from what I ever comes in. According to Yera, imagined and that’s part of “The Art Heals fund will the communication,” she help sustain the program,” said. which includes funding for You can help support Using artmaking in theratherapists and supplies. Scott Art Heals. Here’s the link: py is also about communicasaid there is always a need he phzibahhome.org/ tion and is crucial to those for supplies such as paint, artheals/ in Hephzibah’s care. Its art glue, paper, slime and sand therapy program serves tray figurines. She dreams of more than 100 children annuitems like digital cameras for ally. Three art therapists and an intern use the mindful photography walks or equipment for modality to reach those at Hephzibah Home pottery. and some in foster care. Both individuals and “For me it’s important that something good small groups benefit. comes out of something bad…” Gallo said of “We serve really young children -- it really Art Heals. “It’s a small thing to do, but it feels is the best way to reach them,” Juliet Yera, di- right.” Her measure of success is that Jones rector of development at Hephzibah, said of and Johnson are remembered for the good art therapy. they’ve done at Hephzibah, that the children Lucy Scott, LCPC, clinical coordinator at there continue to benefit from the couple, and Hephzibah, said, “Most of the work is about that there is lasting, meaningful public art in identifying and communicating how you’re front of Hephzibah.

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How do you remodel Wright?

Oak Park Queen Anne given refresh by the famous architect, hits the market By LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

usan and Scott Caudell bought their home on Kenilworth Avenue in Oak Park well aware that they had to tread carefully in remodeling it. Built around 1869 and based on a design by William Coman, the Harrison P. Young House was remodeled in in 1895 by Frank Lloyd Wright. Originally a Queen

Anne style home, Wright’s remodel added some precursors of his Prairie Style. “[Wright] was a young man at the time,” Susan Caudell said. “The house is sort of a mix of where he was -- with Victorian elements -- and where he was going – with Prairie elements.” Wright’s work on the house included moving the house back 16 feet on its lot, adding horizontal banded siding and constructing an addition that includes a wide front porch with overhanging eaves. Inside a fireplace and chimney were built with Wright’s signature Roman brick. Before the Caudells bought the house, See WRIGHT on page 23

©VHT STUDIOS

Frank Lloyd Wright was commissioned to remodel the Queen Anne home at 334 N. Kenilworth Ave. (top) in 1895. His changes combined Victorian conventions and his emerging Prairie Style aesthetic, such the wooden screen in the foyer (above).

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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WRIGHT

Careful renovation from page 21 it was owned by Joan Mercuri, one-time president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, and the Caudells say Mercuri was a phenomenal steward of the home who laid the way for their renovation work with the late John Thorpe, an Oak Park architect whose work to preserve Wright’s Home & Studio became the standard for historic preservation. The Caudells started with the front of the house where they restored the original windows and storm windows. They blew in sheep’s wool insulation from the inside and foam insulation from the outside to make the home more pleasant in all weather extremes. They also tackled a lot of behind-thescenes work, restoring plaster and building a new foundation for the main staircase. In the basement, they replaced tree trunks holding up the house with steel supports. During the course of their work, Thorpe was guided by copies of Wright’s plans for his remodel of the house, which were found at Taliesin. Color changes to the home’s original plans helped Thorpe discern Wright’s changes, including details such as adding a wooden screen in the entry and bay windows in the dining and music rooms. In the early 1900s after Wright’s remodel, part of the front porch was enclosed with glass to create a sun room, living room windows were replaced with doors to the front porch, and a powder room was added to a nook under the front stairs. Scott Caudell points out that the heavy sink bears a date stamp of 1904 and says the house was likely one of Oak Park’s first to have indoor plumbing. At the back of the house, the Caudells transformed an old porch into a family room completely altered the way the family uses the house. It also set the stage for a larger renovation project. “It was a porch when we moved in,” Susan Caudell said. “It was cold in winter and hot in summer. This is how our renovation started. We thought we’d just fix the porch.” The floor-to-ceiling windows could be seen from the street and thus, were protected under historic guidelines, so they turned to Thorpe to help them make the room functional but still fit in with the history of the house. “[Thorpe] really wanted to fix the back of the house,” Scott Caudell said. “He wanted it to be Victorian since the front was more Wright.”

©VHT STUDIOS

Interior spaces like the living room (above) have some signature Wright details, like the Roman brick fireplace and bands of oak trim. The home’s present owners even hewed close to the Wright’s remodel and tried to maintain that look when they remodeled the original galley kitchen into a larger, contemporary space (below).

Originally, the couple had no plans to renovate the galley kitchen, but after attending the Wright Plus housewalk, Susan says they decided they wanted the kitchen to match the rest of the house. Working with Thorpe, they opened up the space, adding heated stone flooring, quarter-sawn oak cabinets and a large

island. Between the eat-in area and the rear staircase, Thorpe added a screen of wooden spindles to match Wright’s screen in the front of the house. During this remodel, the couple also added a mudroom, new back porch, covered stairs for the rear entry, an outdoor grilling station and blue stone patio. New custom

doors match the originals. Parts of the upstairs of the house were remodeled by Thorpe, working for Mercuri when she owned the house. A large bathroom with laundry was renovated in the primary suite. The Caudells added closets to some of the bedrooms and reworked the rear servants’ quarters to create more bedroom space and bring the rear staircase up to code. A former sleeping porch was rebuilt and heated to transform into office space. The third floor of the house has high ceilings beneath the home’s peaked, gabled roof and serves as a great family hang out space. The Caudells added a movie screen with surround sound and turned what was a third porch into an enclosed room that would make a great art studio or office. The Caudells are ready for a new chapter in their lives, and recently listed the house with Anne Ferri and Kim Wojack of Baird and Warner for $1,495,000. But Susan says it will not be easy to say goodbye to the house their family has grown into. “We’ve really lived in this house a lot. We love this house.”

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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SPORTS Unranked heavyweight Liston wrestles to 2nd place finish Fenwick senior falls to undefeated champ, but ends season with a 35-5 record By MELVIN TATE Contributing Report

Fenwick High School senior Jimmy Liston came into the IHSA wrestling Class 2A individual state finals Feb. 17-19 at the State Farm Center on the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign campus hoping to add another championship to his portfolio, already having won an IHSA Class 5A football title last fall as the center on the Friars’ team. In the first round of the tournament’s 285-pound competition, Liston pinned Aurora Christian’s Braden Hunter at 2 minutes, 29 seconds. He then defeated Raymond Begay of Chicago Kennedy 2-1 in the quarterfinals and followed up with a 5-2 decision over Alex Hamrick of Chatham Glenwood in the semifinals. For championship match, Liston faced Dillan Johnson of Joliet Catholic, who came in with a 33-0 record. It figured to be a challenge for Liston, and ultimately one he wasn’t able to overcome as Johnson pinned him at 1:30 to win the state title. “He’s a very good opponent and you run into those people sometimes,” said Liston, who finished with a 35-5 record. “The adversity is only going to make me better in the long run and it’s a good life lesson to have.” Overall, Liston was very pleased with his season, believing he proved a point after spending the season unranked. “When I look back, I feel I have a lot to be proud of,” he said. “I wasn’t ranked the whole year and I wasn’t supposed to make it out of sectionals, but I found a way. Even while downstate I was predicted to go 0-2 on the first day. I’m very proud of how far I’ve come and what I’ve accomplished. The one match at the end doesn’t define the type of season I had.” Having won a football title and coming so close to adding a wrestling championship, Lis-

ton says the last few months have been the best time of his life. “The Fenwick athletic experience, I wouldn’t trade any moment of it,” he said. “I’m so proud of how far I’ve come not only as a person, but as an athlete and a student.” Two other Friars -- brothers Conor and Martin Paris -- also wrestled in Champaign. Conor Paris (29-9) defeated Colin Ashley of Brother Rice 8-4 in the first round at 182 pounds, then won his quarterfinal over Caden Moore of Joliet Catholic 5-2. In the semifinals, Conor Paris lost to Shane Moran of Crystal Lake South via technical fall, placing him in the wrestlebacks. There he lost to Lake Forest’s Charlie Heydorn 4-0 and then lost to Moe Khalil of Lemont 1-0 to finish in sixth place. Martin Paris lost his opening-round match at 160 pounds to Brother Rice’s Nate Chirillo 14-3. But he bounced back in his first wrestleback, defeating Carbondale’s Isaiah Duckworth 4-0. In the next match, Martin lost via pin to Sterling’s Thomas Tate, ending his year with a 20-14 record. Still, Liston was glad the Paris brothers, also part of Fenwick’s championship football team, were there with him. “It was a cool experience having them with me,” he said. “They’re my two closest friends.” Liston will now focus on workouts as he’ll continue his football career at Purdue University in the fall.

OPRF’s Dunson ends season 20-5 Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Jalen Dunson went 1-2 in his 120-pound matches in the IHSA Class 3A state wrestling finals to end his season with a 20-5 record. Dunson lost his opening-round match 13-7 to Joey Maitio of Lincoln-Way Central. In the first wrestleback, he defeated Hersey’s Esteban Delgado via major decision, but then was pinned in the next round by Libertyville’s Caelan Riley to knock him out of the competition.

PROVIDED

Fenwick wrestler Jimmy Liston defied the odds just by making it to the state meet. Unranked all season, he battled to a second-place finish at 285 pounds at the IHSA Class 2A state finals on Feb. 19.

Trinity, Fenwick girls take regional hoops titles Trinity High School and Fenwick High School are the top two seeds in the IHSA Class 3A Fenwick Sectional and both won regional titles last week. The top-seeded Blazers (15-11)

routed Elmwood Park 60-14 on Feb. 18 to win their own regional. Cierra Richardson led Trinity with 18 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Jasmine Arzuaga had 10 points and Lauren Miller and Sophia Rodri-

guez each added eight. The Friars (21-10), who are seeded No. 2, rolled past Ridgewood 57-32 to win the Ridgewood Regional on Feb. 18. Trinity meets Westinghouse and

Fenwick meets Resurrection in IHSA sectional semifinals on Feb. 22 (after press time), with the winners meeting for the sectional title Feb. 24 at Fenwick. In the IHSA Class 4A postseason

tournament, the Oak Park and River Forest High School girls lost to host Mother McAuley 44-27 in a regional semifinal on Feb. 15. The Huskies ended the season with a 10-19 record. — Melvin Tate

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

S P O R T S

@ @OakPark

OPRF swimmers splash to Leyden sectional title Huskies advance 3 relays, 6 individuals to state championships

Fenwick advances four plus a relay

Fenwick coach Steve Thompson thought his team performed well at the sectional, but he also felt the By MELVIN TATE Friars missed some opportunities. Contributing Reporter “We had potential for a lot more,” he said. “We did some good The Oak Park and River Forest High things, but the ones that you miss School swimming and diving team raced on are the ones that linger a little to a comfortable win at the IHSA secbit longer. tional meet Feb. 19 at East Leyden High Fenwick advanced one relay and School, scoring 310 points to outpace four individuals to the state finals. York (274) and crosstown rival Fenwick Sophomore Tomas Adomaitis won (270) in the 10-team contest. two events, the 200 individual medSHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor “I’m super proud of the kids,” said ley (1:56.03) and the 100 backstroke OPRF coach Clyde Lundgren, who was Oak Park and River Forest High School boys swimmers and divers celebrate their IHSA Leyden (53.43). voted the sectional’s Coach of the Year. Sectional title on Feb. 19. The Huskies won the meet with 310 points and advanced three relays and six “Tomas is one of the top age“From top to bottom, it was a great day. individuals to this weekend’s state meet. groupers in the state and he’s startWe got a lot of things done.” ing to move into that senior level of (winning time of 1:25.36) and the 400 free- breaststroke (58.75), which Lundgren called The Huskies were victorious in all swimming,” Thompson said. “His three relays and advanced six individuals to style with Rotatori, Harmon and Rauch “a great surprise.” potential is in front of him.” Other OPRF individuals advancing to state the IHSA state finals, which will take place (3:07.98). Mike Flynn, a senior, placed second in the Moreover, Louis qualified in the 500 free- are sophomore Adan Pedraza (2nd in the 200 200 freestyle with a qualifying time of 1:39.62, Feb. 25-26 at the FMC Natatorium in Westmont. OPRF’s strong effort was spearheaded style in exciting fashion. In perhaps the race individual medley, 1:59.73), Rotatori (2nd in but won the 500 free over OPRF’s Ben Louis. by seniors Ben Louis, Thomas Rotatori and of the day, he led early but was caught at the 50 freestyle, 21.62) and sophomore GarThe Friars’ 400 freestyle relay unit of the end by Fenwick senior Mike Flynn. The rett Lundgren, who qualified in diving with Flynn, junior Sam Kulisek, sophomore Cade Philip Walby. “Of our 12 guys [who will compete at the margin of defeat was close as Flynn’s win- a third-place score of 386.20. Podgorski and Adomaitis qualified for state, The Huskies now look forward to the state finishing second behind OPRF with a time state meet], they’re the only three that have ning time of 4:32.38 was only 0.12 seconds meet, eager to see how they stack up. been here before,” Lundgren said. “We’ve better than Louis (4:32.50). of 3:09.34. “I could’ve won that, but Mike’s amazing,” “I hope we can fight to get those relays been leaning on them for leadership and to “We talked with the kids all year long Louis said of the 500. “I thought I swam re- qualified into scoring positions,” Lundgren about finishing strong, and it’s fitting that show us the way. It’s awesome.” said. “We’d like have those individual quali- we’re in the last relay,” Thompson said. “If Louis was victorious in the 200 freestyle ally well and it was a great race.” The Huskies’ 200 medley relay of Harmon, fiers improve their times and move up.” with a time of 1 minute, 39.22 seconds and we can get some good individual swims and “The sky’s the limit for us,” added Louis. Mike can move to the top of the podium, I swam the anchor leg on two OPRF relays Walby, Rotatori and Rauch won with a time -- the 200 freestyle with junior Emmett Har- of 1:34.86. Harmon was victorious in the “If everyone is performing, I don’t see how think we can still be a formidable team at state.” mon, Rotatori and sophomore Lars Rauch 100 butterfly (50.76) and Walby won the 100 we cannot do well.”

OPRF eyes rematch in regional final with RB Huskies on a roll heading into postseason tournament By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys basketball team heads into the IHSA Class 4A state tournament on a roll, having won six of its’ last seven games -- the sole loss coming at the hands of top-ranked Glenbard West 62-35 on Feb. 11. In their most recent game on Feb. 15, the Huskies (15-10 overall, 8-4 and 3rd in the West Suburban Silver) edged past visiting Downers Grove North 59-57. Senior forward Justin Mullins, a University of Denver signee, continued his solid play with 20 points and nine rebounds. “Justin’s had a tremendous year,” said OPRF coach Phil Gary of Mullins, who was named to the All-West Suburban Conference team, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds per game. “He leads us in every statistical category.” OPRF is the No. 6 seed in the Proviso West

sectional tournament, which begins this week, and Gary feels the Huskies’ hard work down the stretch helped earn it. “For our first full year together, I thought it was up-and-down,” he said. “It was solid considering some guys were out for COVID and injuries. As a coach, I was prepared for it, and I thought we responded well the last month of the season. We’ve been playing our best basketball, and that’s really good going into the playoffs.” The Huskies open postseason play Feb. 23 with a regional semifinal against Jones College Prep at Riverside-Brookfield High School. Should the Huskies prevail, there’s a good chance of a rematch with the host and No. 4 seed Bulldogs, who defeated OPRF 73-66 on Nov. 26 in the Bill VandeMerkt Thanksgiving Tournament, in the regional final Feb. 25. “We need to take care of the basketball,” said Gary of the key in determining OPRF’s postseason fortunes. “When you play smart basketball, you get better possessions on offense. We need our guys to perform at a high level.”

Fenwick heads into sectionals as No. 4 seed Fenwick High School went 7-17 (5-9 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue) in head coach Tony Young’s debut regular season. But Young believes his young Friars’ team has gotten better as the year has progressed. “We have a lot of young kids that are learning the game at this level,” he said. “We also are a new coaching staff to the seniors, who’ve had their own adversity. But the reality is that these boys played their butts off. I’m proud of the way they came on, and the seniors did exactly what I wanted them to do: they’ve laid a foundation as we build a culture.” Young has reason to be optimistic about Fenwick’s fortunes in upcoming seasons as there is talent in the program’s lower levels. The freshman A team finished 30-0, the freshman B team 20-3 and the sophomores 25-3. “Our younger levels are playing really well and I’m excited about what the future holds,” said Young. But Young’s focus is now on the IHSA state

tournament. Fenwick is the No. 4 seed in the Class 3A King Sectional. “I feel good about our seed. I think it’s a great opportunity for us,” Young said. “The schedule we’ve played has prepared us to go out and compete in our regional. We need to take one game at a time and continue to get better. This is the time of year when we start to lean on our older guys.” If the Friars’ defense can continue to lock in, Young feels confident about the team’s postseason prospects. “But we also need to put points on the board and find consistency on offense,” Young said. “If our defense can steer our offense, I think we’ll be in good shape. We’ve made some huge strides and been in some close games, and I’m excited to see them play when it’s all on the line. You’ve just got to go for it.” Fenwick opens postseason play with a regional semifinal against Muchin College Prep on Feb. 23 at Prosser High School in Chicago. Should the Friars win, they’ll face either the King or Bulls Prep for the regional title Feb. 25.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

VIEWPOINTS

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

David Hammond: Beef Kathieu from Shef p. 30

Are you living in a NORC?

ak Park is a community that values its older population. Over the years Oak Park has fostered a variety of governmentally supported senior facilities such as Mills Park Tower, Heritage House, and the Oaks, as well as a number of privately developed facilities such as the Oak Park Arms. More recently we have also seen tremendous growth in the number of upscale supportive-housing facilities, such as Brookdale Village, Belmont Village, and the soon-to-be-opened American Place. What is often not mentioned in discussing senior housing is the number of facilities that were not specifically built to serve an older population but have become retirement housing through the natural process of aging. There are a number of these naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) in the village. A good example is the building where I currently live. It is a 68-unit condominium building built in the 1970s with five stories and, most importantly, elevators. When my wife and I began to think about downsizing, we developed a mental checklist of amenities that we were looking for in our retirement home. These included easy access to transportation, walkability to restaurants and other recreation activities, and an active community. We also wanted the security of knowing that the building had an elevator that we could use when it becomes necessary. After a long search, we found our current home and are happy that we made the move. We also learned that we are not unique in seeking this type of housing. More than half of the people living in our building are over the age of 60. Some of these residents are longtime owners who have aged in place, while a sizable number are newcomers like us. Our goal was not specifically to move into senior housing, but we have found that we are living in an informal senior facility, or a NORC. NORCs come in many varieties. Some are formally structured to include organized activities and may have wellness, nutrition, and educational programs. Some may have contracted for medical and social services. Others, like our building, are less organized but still offer a variety of social, cultural, and educational opportunities. Because there is no age restriction in these buildings, they also offer the opportunity for intergenerational living that is not available in agerestricted facilities. As middle-aged people begin to consider their options for retirement housing, I would encourage them not to overlook the informal network of retirement housing known as NORCs. They can be a happy alternative to age-restricted retirement housing. Edward Solan is the retired executive director of the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is a member of Arbor West Neighbors, a grassroots organization that advocates on behalf of older adults.

SOLAN

One View

FILE

NOT JUST ANY NIGHT: Sometimes it’s just great to get out.

Remembering what it means to be human

he other night, my wife and I walked to the Lake Theatre and saw West Side Story. I should have ended this last sentence with an exclamation point. Because it’s been two years since we went to any cultural offerings in Oak Park! Culture — throughout the pandemic — has meant Netflix, Zoom meetings, and whatever came across my iPhone. But at The Lake, we went inside, a “congregate setting,” as Dr. Fauci calls it. The pleasant man who has taken tickets at The Lake for years is still there, now checking vaccination cards. The ticket purchase has been moved to concessions, behind a big plastic screen. There were five of us in a 120-seat theater. One of them was the usher. But then the lights went down and the movie started. The new West Side Story movie traces its lineage from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, to Broadway in the 1950s, with a score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by a very young Stephen Sondheim. As a boy in the mid-’60s, I watched the first West Side Story movie on our black-and-white TV. It was an event for my whole family, like the Beatles on Ed Sullivan or watching the Wizard of Oz, which gave me nightmares. I was awed by the dance scenes in the gym where, through some Hollywood wizardry, the screen split into four different shots of the dance. I didn’t understand then that the cast, except for Rita

Moreno, was all white, even though many were playing Puerto Ricans. But the music … the music was looped in my brain on repeat for decades. Including college, when my Music in the Americas class ended with Bernstein’s score, including the 6/7 time from “I Like To Live In America.” And the bell ringing at the end of the show, telling us to wake up. This all came back to me at The Lake. And something weird happened. Tears welled at the start of each song in the new movie. What was going on? Was it Spielberg’s cut? Was it Bernstein’s score? Was it Shakespeare’s premise, that two naifs could fall in love in the midst of warring families? Was it pandemic fatigue? When he made his first mid-pandemic return to the Chicago Symphony last fall, Maestro Ricardo Muti said art and music can help heal the pandemic wounds. He said music like Beethoven’s is part of our cultural milieu, like air, and we need to breathe it. The halftime show during the Super Bowl, featuring rappers from the ’90s was part of that same balm. And Rita Moreno lived long enough to be written into the new movie script as Valentina, the wise elder. She sings — flawlessly — in her ninth decade. All this to say that we may be coming out of this pandemic. And we’d do well to return to our cultural roots, as modernized and adapted, so that we remember what it means to be fully human.

JACK CROWE

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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OPRF’s $96M albatross

‘T

he reserve,” a gigantic pile of cash illicitly collected from taxpayers by Oak Park and River Forest High School through a loophole in state law after voters generously voted for a tax hike referendum for the school long ago, continues to haunt this district. Once more as the school tries to move ahead on necessary, exciting and overdue investments in its Scoville Avenue campus, the $96 million pot of gold remains an albatross and a reasonable source of distrust for many in the villages. Now the school is trying to decide how to pay for major maintenance projects over the next decade — major as in the roof and HVAC systems — while also working to set funding for Phase 2 of the five-phase Imagine OPRF capital improvement project. This phase was estimated to cost $64 million and focuses on a full-tilt overhaul of the school’s aging indoor athletic facilities. While that means the field house writ large, it also includes overhauls of the school’s decrepit swimming pools. And to mix metaphors, swimming pools have become the third rail of every OPRF funding debate. We are encouraged that members of the school board seem to share reservations on both the scope of the work being proposed and methods of paying for it. While recent boards have made a dent in reducing the absurd hoard of cash, OPRF continues to sit on far more money than any reasonable, prudent allowance for a cash reserve. Determining what the excess multiple of cash is would be a worthy determination by the current board. Making a plan that blends continued focus on holding down the tax levy, containing spending on salaries, and then deciding how much of the reserve should be set aside for both major maintenance and for Phase 2 is incumbent. And there needs to be a direct and public conversation about swimming pools. Is the district ready to affirm that it needs pool capacity to teach every student to swim? What are the needs to house a competitive swimming program? It’s not to build an Olympic-sized pool. But the discussion needs to be had and decisions finalized soon. Though taking on debt to fund these projects seems to have been taken off the table, we would raise the point that paying for a oncein-a-half-century upgrade to facilities by issuing some form of debt makes some sense even if it is an unpopular notion. Using the reserve to directly hold down taxes for the next 10 years to give property taxpayers some room to breathe is worth considering. Expecting future Oak Park and River Foresters who will benefit from a massive capital investment in OPRF to help pay for it through debt is not illogical. All of this upset and distrust is of the school’s own making. Overtaxing year after year to pile up unneeded cash has consequences.

1,367 donors. How about you? Here is our thank-you and our ask: Across two pages in today’s Wednesday Journal, we list the 1,367 people living in our seven neighborhoods who made a donation to Growing Community Media in 2021. GCM is the nonprofit we created in 2019 as we looked to build a new and sustainable model for community journalism for the decades to come. We see our reporting as being the glue that holds our towns close, the fact-based reporting that holds our leaders accountable, and the forum for civil debate that affirms our democratic ways. That’s a lot. And we believe, along with 1,367 of our neighbors, that it is an essential investment for the towns and city neighborhoods we cover every day. Join in. The amount you invest does not matter. Being part of this does matter. It’s simple. Go to OakPark.com/donate.

We the vaccinated

any are the reasons for saying no to getting vaccinated. Most of those reasons, I believe, are overblown and based on fears. Some involve skepticism about science or medicine. Some are grounded in religious beliefs. Some are forged in political ideology. Some reasons may have some legitimacy — during normal times. But these are not normal times. We’re never going to convince all nonvaxxers to change their minds, but we aren’t as far apart as they might think. Many of us also have concerns and criticisms about corporate health care and about our other institutions, which are far from perfect — in many cases they seem to be failing or in transition to something new and, hopefully, better. And everyone, I think, is to some degree skeptical about government. Some skepticism is healthy. Extreme skepticism is not. Healthy skeptics recognize that government does a great deal of good and is capable of doing a great deal more good, if only we could elect people committed to improving how it functions. Friends say we shouldn’t divide our country into “Us vs. Them.” I agree, so instead of “Us” or “Them,” let’s talk about “We.” Specifically, “We the vaccinated.” In a recent On Being interview, Trabian Shorters talked about the need for “asset framing” rather than “deficit framing.” Social media and journalists approach issues almost exclusively through the lens of deficit framing. What’s the problem? What’s wrong? Rather than spending all our energy on the 30% who refuse to get vaccinated (deficit framing), why not also celebrate the 70% of Americans who got the shots (asset framing)? In other words, in addition to asking, “Why did so many say no to vaccines?” we should also be asking, “Why did so many say yes?” Here’s why I said yes: In extraordinary times, my calculus changes. Is there an element of risk in getting vaccinated? Yes, but it’s extremely small weighed against present circumstances. Over 800,000 have died in this country from COVID, the vast majority of them unvaccinated. Vaccination is just one tool in a comprehensive approach to building immunity. It’s not perfect, obviously, but it has a pretty-well-proven track record (to my satisfaction anyway), starting with polio. I’ve never had a negative reaction, from smallpox to TB to measles to flu to pertussis to shingles and pneumonia vaccines. There have been no reports of widespread problems with COVID vaccinations either, and a full year has gone by since many millions of people received them. We are now in the midst of a public health crisis. I may not entirely trust government and modern medicine, but under those conditions, I’m willing to accept some risk. The common good must also be factored in. I would rather take the risk of getting vaccinated than take the risk of being the cause of others dying because I didn’t. In extraordinary times like this, there is risk either way.

In normal times, my civil rights are front and center, first and foremost. During a prolonged pandemic, however, the common good comes first. My rights are still important, but they come in a close second. That, in my opinion, is the moral imperative of good citizenship. During World War II, citizens willingly made sacrifices. They adjusted. My parents were proud of the role they and their families played. It was the least they could do for their country. My father put his life on the line in Europe, which means he also put my life on the line, as well as my son’s and my grandsons’ and their children, if they have any. That’s a lot on the line. That’s why they’re called the “Greatest Generation.” The same imperative, it seems to me, applies during a deadly pandemic. Getting vaccinated and wearing my mask is the least I can do. I’m happy to show my vaccination card when I enter a store, restaurant or other public venue. It feels patriotic. I want people to know I’m doing my part. And I like feeling protected. I had a breakthrough infection over Christmas, but the symptoms were relatively mild and that — I believe and the experts agree — was due to being vaccinated and getting the booster, and wearing my mask and taking precautions. A large majority of Americans have done that, too, but there hasn’t been nearly enough attention paid to we the vaccinated. Over 70% of us cared enough — about ourselves, our loved ones, and everyone else — to get the shots. We paid back our country by being responsible citizens in return for the rights we enjoy. Seventy percent is no small achievement. That should be celebrated. We the vaccinated answered our country’s call. We showed personal courage and concern for our fellow Americans. For the most part, we did it not because we were told to or mandated to. We did it voluntarily. We were glad to do it. We the vaccinated, in order to form a more healthy nation, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, defend against viral threats, promote the common good, and secure the blessings of vitality for ourselves and our posterity, accepted the call of citizenship: We asked what we can do, not just for ourselves, but for our country. Trust is a leap of faith. In a study of 195 nations on pandemic preparedness conducted before the virus struck, the U.S. ranked #1 (See Ezra Klein, “The COVID Policy that Really Mattered Wasn’t a Policy,” New York Times, Feb. 6). But almost two years into the pandemic, our rate of COVID infections was among the worst. A subsequent study determined that the two main factors in how a country handled COVID were 1) trust in government and 2) trust in fellow citizens. The country with the lowest score on both counts was the United States of America. Our country has yet to earn its name. But we the vaccinated, we who took a leap of faith for the common good, represent a good beginning on rebuilding trust. “We” should be celebrated for answering the call.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Even jackasses can earn respect

never especially cared for Jackass. Actually, that’s an understatement. When I first heard about Jackass in 2001 or so, I was an annoying snob with a new diploma and a newer job. A show on MTV featuring morons in their early-20s endangering themselves in the name of entertainment? No thank you. I was in my early 20s right then, and had gone to college and gotten a real job, as one does. I did not have to drink horrifying smoothies or get bitten or stomped or gored. I just had to go to college and then sit in a cubicle at ABC News and I was on my way. I knew what I was doing and I knew I might be good at it, given the chance. Twenty-six-year-old me knew it doesn’t take any talent or skill to get people to wince. Any moron can get a rise out of an audience by putting themselves in danger and/or squicking people out with grossness, right? I felt this way about most stunt TV — looking at you, Fear Factor — and eventually most entries in what I think of as the “DIY home stunt category” in the early years of YouTube. I knew the jackasses had made some movies, and I knew there were some lawsuits and legal issues — go figure — but Jackass stayed mostly off my radar once the initial wave of hype was over. Then I was sitting in a movie theater earlier this year, cheerfully watching trailers for coming attractions, and one of them was for Jackass Forever. I don’t work in news anymore (besides this paper, I guess). And my diploma is gathering dust along with

the critical career wisdom I gathered in earning it, like how to edit reel-to-reel tape with a razor blade and where the cheapest parking in the Loop was if you worked weird hours. I’m in worse shape than I was and working on less exhilarating things. I’m 47. Stuff, especially fun stuff, hurts more than it used to, and I have less time to do the fun things that hurt more besides. You start to see the finish line. It’s way off in the distance, of course, but … imagine the Las Vegas Half Marathon if it started on Fremont Street. You run the whole Strip, downtown to Mandalay Bay, and everything is amazing, and then the last 40% is just straight out into the desert. “Life finds a way” eventually starts to seem like an expression more appropriate for tones of resignation than wonder. But here comes the Jackass crew, all grey hair and scars and stories of rehab, getting stomped by bulls and fired out of cannons and licking Tasers. And what used to look like anything-for-fame idiocy at our age Then starts to look like an act of comedically insane defiance against the dying of the light at our age Now. Imagine giving the Joker a squirting flower and a mallet and sticking him in among the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae. Respect is not something you give. Respect is something you earn. Alan Brouilette writes a monthly column for the Forest Park Review, a Growing Community Media publication.

ALAN

BROUILETTE

D200 practices demolition by neglect

he OPRF High School District 200 administration practices demolition by neglect in failing to make any pool repairs for at least seven years, repairs needed to continue using the pools until replacement, according to the Aug.10, 2021 Larson Report. The goal of D200’s neglect is to allow the structure of the pools to deteriorate, thereby forcing their demolition, placing students’ safety at risk in the process. The neglect of the pools and the urgent repair cited by Larson for the west pool were highlighted in a public comment at the Jan. 13 board meeting, underscoring that D200 had no plans to address it until summer. Note, D200 recently pivoted, closing the west pool on Feb. 12. The Larson Report was brought to light by a Freedom of Information Act request and has not been presented in public meetings. It is the third report on the pools by the firm, issued in 2013, 2016 and 2021. The same engineer issued all three reports. The last two reports were sent to D200 Buildings & Grounds Director Fred Preuss. Last August’s report states that “all sides of both pools should be reinforced, although repair to the walls of the west pool should be a priority.” Specifically, the report underscores the immediate need for temporary bracing of the walls of the west pool to be implemented within three months. According to a

Jan. 12 email from the engineer, the pool walls will most likely become unable to retain water and the support of the floor deck could be compromised. She stated that the repair is urgent and should not be delayed. In an email just a week earlier, Superintendent Greg Johnson wrote, “These repairs will require the pools to be drained, rendering them unusable for instruction, and therefore will have to be made over the summer months.” Yet the pools have been closed for repairs during the school year in the past. The financial cost of D200’s demolition by neglect is great. The school’s maintenance plan includes the line item “Pool and locker rooms” with a $46 million price tag. In a November email, Johnson wrote that the pool was included in the plan “because the Board should be aware of the potential financial impact of replacing the pools if IDPH forces us to close them due to major repair issues and/or code violations.” The administration’s agenda is made clear by its recent board presentations of funding options aimed at bypassing taxpayers to build Project 2 and its 17-lane pool and 600-seat natatorium. Best practice, however, dictates that major capital projects go to referendum for voters’ funding approval. Monica Sheehan is a resident of Oak Park.

MONICA SHEEHAN One View

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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

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Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Shef delivers an edible adventure to your door

ast week we had a Cambodian soup — chefs to sell their wares beef kathieu — delivered to our Oak Park through outlets like Shef, home by Shef, a network of local home and all Shef cooks must cooks who prepare meals from a number pass an accredited food of different culinary traditions, including safety certification exam, the very familiar Italian and Chinese but also undergo a food quality asother, less high-visibility cuisines like Nepalsessment, and be subject ese, Caribbean and Pakistani. to regular food quality Home businesses are a good way for people checks. to get started in the food industry; more than “Shef ’s business model 85% of cooks on Shef are people of color, and is perfect for someone 81% are women; both groups are underreprelike me who wants to sented in restaurant kitchens. venture out into the food Our beef kathieu, a Cambodian version of industry but doesn’t want the more familiar Vietnamese pho, was a perall the risks that come Local Dining fect lunch for a freezing day. These meals are with having a restau& Food Blogger delivered with all ingredients portioned out; rant,” Kim told us. “I love most dishes can be prepared in a few minutes. the flexibility and the Our lunch came with a good amount of broth, partnership. I love that PROVIDED lots of fresh vegetables, thin strips of beef, and noodles. I can choose to cook as often or as Tola Kim – a Shef chef, Beef Kathieu Tola Kim, the local chef who sent this meal to us, little as I want, and I love that all I explained the difference between her Cambodian kathhave to do is cook and package the homemade spice mix, one of many veg-forward offerings eiu and Vietnamese pho. She explained her katheiu “has food while Shef handles everything from taking orders to from Shef. deeper and bolder flavors than Vietnamese pho. We add delivering to providing customer service.” With Shef, you can have a cross-cultural culinary experimore fresh herbs and garnish each bowl with toasted There are many intriguing meals available through Shef ence, an edible adventure, and learn a lot about the foods garlic, shallots, and preserved salted cabbage. My version that we intend to order soon. For instance, African food, of the world without leaving the home. of the beef kathieu is a combination of my grandmother’s an underrepresented culinary tradition in the Chicago Our beef kathieu was designed to feed three, and it was already delicious recipe mixed with my own twist.” area, is represented in several dishes, including egusi soup priced at $28, though for many of the Shef dishes there are As recently reported in the Washington Post, the previ(a spicy, nutty broth of ground pumpkin seeds, hot pepsides and solo servings that are in single digits. Delivery is ous bans on the sale of foods prepared at home have been per, leafy greens, and goat) and from North India there’s free if your order is over $25. lifted due to recent deregulation. It’s now legal for home We are fans. chole amritsari, an aromatic chickpea curry made with a

DAVID

HAMMOND

Community Health & Wellness Fair Presented by:

Save the Date!

Sunday | May 15| 11am - 2pm FFC Oak Park, 1114 Lake Street

Reconnect with your health & wellbeing.

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What if Amazon copied the Post Office?

While I share the frustrations of many Oak Parkers with the Post Office, having received my Jan. 26 Wednesday Journal on Tuesday, Feb. 1, we ought to cut service businesses some slack in these days of pandemic staffing shortages. The USPS employs many best-in-class operating practices. In fact, I can imagine the following memo from another world-class organization sent to their drivers: Dear Valued Amazon Prime Delivery Associate, As part of our continuous review and optimization of our operations, we are immediately implementing certain best practices utilized by the United States Postal Service: 1. We will achieve a documented 100% ontime delivery record. Should a delivery not be completed on time, do not document it. 2. If you failed to complete your route yes-

terday, don’t start today where you left off yesterday. Start at the beginning of the route. People at the end of the route who dislike sporadic delivery are free to relocate. 3. Upon arrival at a block, spend at least 5 minutes scrounging around your vehicle to find the items to be delivered on that block. 4. Should the sender fail to designate “North” or “South” Whatever Avenue, flip a coin. There’s no reason in principle that a single-family home can’t have an Apartment 421. 5. We are a Customer Centered Organization. Own the Problem. If a Customer raises a concern, pass them off to somebody else who will then Own the Problem. Failing that, encourage the Customer to shove it. Sincerely …

Bob Stigger

Oak Park

A threat to our Medicare system

I am a retired RN, as well as a state-certified volunteer SHIP (Medicare) counselor. I am tremendously distressed by a littlepublicized experiment underway with our Medicare program — an experiment with the potential to effectively privatize all of Medicare. Worse still, beneficiaries can be enrolled in this experiment without asking their consent. I refer to the creation of Direct Contracting Entities (DCE’s) as an intermediary between beneficiaries and Medicare itself. Fifty-three such entities already exist; more than half are large insurance companies or venture capital organizations, rather than health care organizations. The DCE’s receive funds from Medicare; they contract with provider groups. The provider groups “assume risk” — that is, they receive funds to care for their clients. If they spend less, they retain profits — creating a perverse incentive to provide less care. If your physician is in a group with such a contract, you are part of a DCE. You are

not asked if you want to have your care under the supervision of a for-profit venture capital organization. If you do not like being part of a DCE, your option is to change doctors. On the other hand, the director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (the initiator of this experiment) at the time this started said it was her goal to have all of Medicare become part of such “value-based” management by 2030. In a few years, switching doctors may not be an option! By law, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, has the authority to expand any experimental model it deems successful to all of Medicare without the need for additional Congressional authorization. DCE’s stand to privatize and destroy our current tremendously beneficial Medicare program. We need to let our representatives in Washington know we wish them to halt this dangerous experiment immediately.

Charles Gutfeld Oak Park

Is the postal system failing us? I am anxiously waiting to see if the mail delivery for Wednesday will come this afternoon. My Wednesday Journal is now the Friday Journal. As a nearly 70-year-old person who has lived in the United States my entire life, I know the saying, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” I understand that Louis DeJoy has little respect for that pledge of service, but I still question why there are so many days when no mail is delivered. I check my mail in in-

formed delivery and am well aware of what day each piece is scheduled to be delivered and when it is delivered. I am not complaining, but definitely questioning, how DeJoy’s tenure as Postmaster General will change what we expect of the Postal Service. I also wonder why I suddenly will receive six magazines on a day when I have not received a magazine in weeks. At what point is the system failing us?

Peggy Vicars Oak Park

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

From here to Casablanca

o celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the film classic Casablanca, we take you live to Rick’s Café Americain on Circle Avenue. Richard Blaine is wearing a white tuxedo and brooding over a glass of cognac. Captain Renault approaches him, “Rick, you used to brood much better when you were chainsmoking Camels.” “You’re right, Louis, but when they banned indoor smoking, I took up knitting to have something to do with my hands.” “What in heaven’s name brought you to Forest Park?” “My health, I came to Forest Park for the waters.” “Health? All we have is the Des Plaines River.” “I was misinformed,” Rick growls, as Ugarte bursts into the bar. “Reek, I have something even you have never seen. It’s a vaccination card signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker himself. It cannot be rescinded. It’s my letter of transit to every bar and restaurant in Cook County.” “You’re right, Ugarte, I am a little more impressed with you.” “Reek, I need you to hide my card. My wife and kids are all anti-vaxxers and they’ll disown me.” “I stick my neck out for no one. Plus, I don’t have a piano to hide it in.” “Sam can keep it behind the bar.” Ugarte pleaded. “No, I better put it in my safe,” Rick said, sliding the card into his jacket pocket and walking toward his office. Ilsa Lund enters the bar and approaches. “Sam, it’s so good to see you again. I know you can stream any song I request. Play it, Sam. Play “Muskrat Love.” The familiar sounds of the Captain & Tennille fill the bar. “Muskrat, muskrat, candlelight, doin’ the town and doin’ it right.” Rick marches up to the bar, furious, “Sam, I thought I told you to never play that song.” Rick then sees Ilsa and lapses into a flashback. It’s years earlier and he’s at

JOHN RICE

the Houby Day Parade in Berwyn. The crowd is celebrating their Czech/Slovak heritage by honoring the mushroom. Ilsa is the Houby Queen waving to the crowd. She spots Rick because he’s the only one wearing a white tuxedo. There follows a montage of Rick and Ilsa dining at the Czech Plaza Restaurant, shopping at Harlem Cermak Plaza and bowling at Striker Lanes. Rick toasts Ilsa with his pet phrase, “Here’s lookin’ at shrooms,

kid.” Ilsa agrees to meet Rick at the Forest Park Blue Line Station and take the el to the County Building to be married. Rick is wearing his finest trench coat for the occasion. It’s soaking wet from the driving rain. Suddenly, he gets a text from Ms. Ilsa Laszlo, “Rick, I can never see you again.” Rick snaps out of the flashback and snarls, “Of all the gin joints on Circle Avenue, including the Beacon Tap, Goldyburgers and the Circle Inn, she walks into mine.” Rick greets Laszlo, a hero of the pandemic resistance from the Czech Republic. “Your video of getting vaccinated went viral,” Rick observed, “And that photo of you wearing a mask while driving alone impressed half the world.” Ilsa interjects, “Rick, I was married to Victor when I met you. But he was stuck in the Czech Republic and my emails kept bouncing back.” “I understand, Ilsa, you were Muskrat Suzie and I was Muskrat Sam for a few weeks. We’ll always have Berwyn. Here’s looking at shrooms, kid.” Captain Renault walks up, “I’m shocked, shocked to find that video gaming is going on here.” “Your winnings, sir,” a server says, handing him cash. Rick looks at the money, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.” John Rice, a former Oak Park resident, writes a weekly column for the Forest Park Review, a Growing Community Media publication.

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

For students (left) at The Children’s School, their Friday classroom is in the woods. The author’s sketch (below) of an open-air classroom for Brooks Middle School.

We love outdoor classrooms

We at The Children’s School (200 S. Oak Park Ave.) agree with Richard Katz in his letter: “Open-air classrooms for all schools” [Viewpoints, Feb. 16]. Nature is our biggest classroom. More time outside and learning in nature benefits students in so many ways. After COVID, each of our K-8 classrooms chose a designated place outside to conduct classes whenev-

er possible. In addition, the whole school spends every Friday in the woods. Our students, teachers and families love our outdoor spaces and Fridays in the woods so much, that we are making many of these changes permanent even as COVID mitigations lift.

Tracy Litsey Oak Park

PROVIDED

RibFest Every Day! Mickey’s is the place!

Mickey’s Rib Special 1/2 Slab Dinner Full Slab Dinner B.B.Q. RIBS & CHICKEN BURGERS & HOT DOGS

$13.49

$19.79

Italian Beef Sandwich w/ Fries $ .99

Wednesday

Gyros Plate Dinner 1 lb meat, 2 pita breads, fries & 3 cups sauce $11.99

Gyros with fries $8.99

03.05.22

KRISTIN CHENOWETH for the girls

Every day Special!

—New York Times

includes fries or baked potato, coleslaw and garlic bread

525 N Harlem Ave, Oak Park (708) 848-3333 11am - 9pm Daily

3 Vienna Hot Dogs w/ Fries $ .49

“She’s like a singing ray of sunshine.”

1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger

Big Mickey! $ .49

Catch the incomparable Kristin Chenoweth live in concert in the intimate Lund Auditorium at Dominican University.

SATURDAY,, March 5, 2022 | 7:00 p.m. SATURDAY Proceeds Support Student Scholarships BOX OFFICE (708) 488-5000 • FREE PARKING 7900 West Division Street • River Forest, IL 60305

Masks and proof of vaccination or negative Covid-19 test will be required at entry.

events.dom.edu

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

THE MASKS ARE COMING OFF FEBRUARY 28!

Our St. Patrick’s Day Special Section is Coming OUT March 2! Is your business doing something special for St. Patrick’s Day this year? Are you participating in the Forest Park St. Patrick’s Day Parade?

Promote your business and celebrate the great unmasking with a Discounted ad in this Special Section running in Wednesday Journal and Forest Park Review.

Publication Date: March 2 Ad Deadline: February 25

Contact Lourdes Nicholls, (lourdes@oakpark.com), or Marc Stopeck, (marc@oakpark.com) for more information.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Marilyn Ver Halen, 86

Loved life in the outdoors

Start delivery of

today! Enclosed is my payment of ¨$43 for 12 months Name ___________________________________________ Address _________________________________________

Marilyn Ver Halen, 86, a resident of Jupiter, Florida and formerly of River Forest, died on Feb. 6, 2022 after a full and wonderful life. Born in Illinois, the oldest of three daughters, she was a graduate of Trinity High School. When she wasn’t caring for her children, she could be found playing tennis, hosting bridge games, or volunteering at the children’s hospital. Later in life she traveled the world on bicycling, hiking, and sailing trips. The family spent summers on Washington Island, Wisconsin, where they enjoyed sailing and other outdoor activities. The couple retired to Jupiter, Florida where they were active residents in the community. She was a devoted member of her tennis and bocce teams until the age of 85. She will be remembered for her honesty, warmth, and adventurous spirit and will be missed by all whose hearts she touched. Marilyn is survived by her sister, JoAnn; her eight children, Mark, Jon, Kirk, Erik, Ben, Lisa, Christian, and Todd; their spouses, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Richard Ver Halen. A memorial visitation was held on Feb. 17 at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home in Forest Park, followed on Feb. 18 by Mass at St. Luke Catholic Church, 528 Lathrop Ave., River Forest, IL 60305.

Lyn LeFevre

Lyn LeFevre (nee Chester), died on Feb. 9, 2022 after battling Alzheimer’s Disease. She is survived by her best friend and husband,

James; her son, Michael (Nicole) and daughter Kristi (KB). She was an adoring Gooma to her granddaughters, Melanie and Brittany and also leaves behind her sisters, Cathy and Patti (Tony), as well as her brother Tom (Kelly), and many nieces and nephews, in addition to her many friends. Visitation will be held on March 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at Peterson-Bassi Funeral Home, 6938 W. North Ave., Chicago. Mass will follow at 11 a.m. on March 11 at St. Giles Church in Oak Park.

Irma Meier, 86

Member of Calvary Memorial Church Irma Betty Meier, 86, of Oak Park, died on Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 at Rush Oak Park Hospital. Born on Feb. 14, 1935 in Germany to Johann Ewald and Erna Betty (Kaupat) Dau, she married Joseph Meier on Aug. 5, 1967. She retired at the age of 74 as a comptroller from Judge and Dolph. She attended Calvary Memorial in Oak Park, and previously at Circle Church, also in Oak Park. She enjoyed making plates and dolls, reading Christian books and spending time with her family. Irma will be deeply missed by her husband; her daughter, Lisa Meier; her sister, Helga Schroeder; her nieces, Kathy Fadel and Rose Mock; and her nephew, Peter Schroeder. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her sister, Gisela Dau. Visitation was held on Feb. 18 at Roberts Funeral Home-Sherwood Chapel in Wooster, Ohio, followed by a Celebration of life service at the funeral home, with burial at Sherwood Memorial Gardens. Online tributes at www.RobertsFuneralHome. com. Memorial contributions may be made to Moody Radio, https://www.moodybible. org.

City _______________ Zip ______ Phone ______________ Email ___________________________________________ Visa/MC/Discover # _________________ Exp Date _______ Signature ________________________________________ Mail to: Circulation Dept., 141 S. Oak Park, IL 60302 Offer valid for new subscribers in Cook County only. Expires 11/30/16

Or visit www.oakpark.com/subscribe/

advertise • 708-524-8300 • www.OakPark.cOm

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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GUIDE GUIDE GUIDE

2021

WELCOMING VISITORS TO FOREST PARK AND PROVIDING ANSWERS TO RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. WELCOME TO FOREST PARK.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

WELCOMING VISITORS TO FOREST PARK AND PROVIDING ANSWERS TO RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. WELCOME TO FOREST PARK.

The Annual Forest Park

COMMUNITY FOREST PARK COMMUNITY GUIDE GUIDE

communityguide The Annual Forest Park

2021 2021

2022 Edition

WELCOMING VISITORS TO FOREST PARK AND PROVIDING ANSWERS TO RESIDENTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES. WELCOME TO FOREST PARK.

Over 4,000 guides distributed to the homes and businesses of Forest Park.

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ark al Forest P

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Publication Date: April 27, 2022

TY I N U M M O C GUIDE

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Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 • marc@oakpark.com or Lourdes Nicholls at 708.466.0441 • lourdes@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

Growing Community Media

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

HELP WANTED PART-TIME SEASONAL OPPORTUNITY

HELP WANTED • NETWORK SPECIALIST Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director. EXAMPLE OF DUTIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential duties and responsibilities 1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture. 2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays. 3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers. 4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management. 5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software. 6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system. 7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review. 8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning. 9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs. 10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

POLICE RECORDS CLERK

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiﬁed candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.

software and other forms of systems and data. 11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training. 12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling. 13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions. Other important responsibilities and duties 1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures. 2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports. 3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies. 4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems. 5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations. 6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner. 7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. 8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. QUALIFICATIONS Knowledge of: Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis. Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android. Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down. Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant. Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

SANITARIAN

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiﬁed candidates for the position of Sanitarian in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oakpark.us/jobs.

VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages. Ability to: Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following: - Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time - Operating assigned equipment - Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance - Working in and around computer equipped vehicles Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for: - Making observations - Communicating with others - Reading and writing - Operating assigned equipment and vehicles Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require. Experience and Training Guidelines Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking. Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred. WORKING CONDITIONS Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

LITIGATION ASSISTANT

Established boutique law ﬁrm moving from Chicago Loop to Oak Park, and seeking experienced litigation assistant to work with senior partner. Competitive salary and beneﬁts. Send resume to mkarson@ laroseboscolaw.com

JANITORIAL

Part-time. 5 days per week. Evening hours 5-9. $14-16/hr to start. Job located in Morton Grove, IL. Must have own transportation. Call Larry for more information. 773-636-2505

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic, responsible, and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part-time, seasonal position lasting from approximately May through September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, maintaining athletic fields, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading water meters, installing water meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned. Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www.riverside. il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546. Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $15/hr. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

PART-TIME FORESTRY INTERN

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic, responsible, and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a part-time, Forestry intern position lasting from approximately May through September. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff. Primary tasks will include monitoring of Village Trees for disease and insect issues, updating tree inventory records, maintaining woody and perennial plantings in parks and parkways, record keeping and administrational duties related to forestry operations, and assisting the Forester with various forestry related activities and ecological restoration. Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Course work and/or experience pertaining to urban forestry or a related ﬁeld are desirable for the position. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www.riverside. il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546. Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are ﬁlled. Pay rate is $15/hr. The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ACCOUNTANT CLERK

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualiﬁed candidates for the position of Account Clerk II. This position which performs a variety of accounting clerical duties involving ﬁnancial record keeping and/or transactions including accounts payable and receivable and to provide a variety of accounting support to the Development Customer Services Department. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/.

National Accounts Rep Get a job super close to home!

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally Manufacturing owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals. We are seeking a college educated trainee to become an office professional. Work is in person at our beautiful, safe, spread out, elegant executive offices in Galewood. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, salary, benefits, friendly caring management, Oak Park owner. Please send resume to careers@fastchangeframes.com. Visit www.fastchangeframes.com/careers for more details. 6460 W. Cortland Street, Chicago, IL 60707

SEASONAL FARMERS’ MARKET MANAGER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmers’ Market Manager in the Health Department. This position manages the Oak Park Farmer’s Market including the vendors that sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This is a part-time seasonal position with work from January-mid November and work required on Saturday’s from May through October. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Service Officer in the Police Department. This position will perform a variety of public service, customer service and law enforcement related duties and responsibilities that do not require the services of a sworn police officer; and to perform a variety of administrative duties. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Public Health Nurse in the Health Department. This position will provide professional public health nursing services including health education and promotion which includes disseminating information, making referrals, and counseling as well as managing caseloads, and performing a variety of tasks relative to assigned area of responsibility. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled with first review of apps 2/2/22.

TAX PREPARATION SERVICES

Information Technology Project Manager (Chicago, IL) Plan, initiate, & manage WMS (Warehouse Management Software) info tech projects. Implmt s/ware solutions to warehouse operations in order to optimize picking &amp; packing processes & improve warehouse processes. Confer w/ project personnel. Assess current or future customer needs & priorities. Bach Deg in Info Tech, IT Project Mgmt or Industrial Engg reqd. 40 hrs/wk. Send Resume w/ cvr letter to Erhan Musaoglu, CEO, Logiwa Technology Inc., at erhanm@logiwa.com

IT SUPPORT ANALYST II & HUMAN RESOURCES ANALYST

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago will be accepting applications for the following classiﬁcation(s): IT Support Analyst II (Original) Human Resources Analyst (Original) Additional information regarding salary, job description, requirements, etc. can be found on the District’s website at www.districtjobs.org or call 312-751-5100. An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D Software Engineer sought by Site Technologies in Chicago, IL to lead prd dvlpmt effrts by dlvrng feats, fxng bugs, & wrtng funct & int tests. Reqs BS in Comp Sci/Eng or rltd; 2 yrs exp as sftw eng or rltd; exp w Agile Dvlpmt, Python, wrtng cross browsr complnt html & css. Mst hv perm auth to wrk in US. Snd rsm & cvr lttr to Dan Duffy, 625 W Adams, 19th Fl, Chicago, IL 60661

MARKETPLACE

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

Find Additional Marketplace listings on the next page!

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

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

MARKETPLACE CARS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS WANTED Restored or Unrestored

or Unrestored Cars &Restored Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Cars & Vintage Motorcycles Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette,Cars: Ferrari’s, Domestic / Import Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, $$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

Ferrari’s, James Jaguars,• 630-201-8122 Muscle Cars, Collector Mustang & Mopars

$$ Top $$ allWANTED makes, Etc. CLASSICS RENTALS & REAL ESTATE Collector James

Restored or Unrestored SUBURBAN RENTALS 630-201-8122 Cars & Vintage Motorcycles OAK PARK & STUDIOS, 1, 2 /&Import 3 BR Cars: Domestic FOREST PARK Best Selection & Service

Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, 708-386-7355 MustangMMpropMgmt.com & Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

OFFICE /RETAIL Collector James FOR RENT

630-201-8122

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft. OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

Starting a New Business?

PUBLIC NOTICES

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year • OakPark.com • RBLandmark.com • ForestParkReview.com • AustinWeeklyNews.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

• Riverside/Brookfield Landmark Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad!

Call Stacy for details: 773/626-6332

Bids mailed or delivered shall be marked to the attention of:

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008592 on February 2, 2022. Under the Assumed Business Name of KNOTTIE GYAL WIGS with the business located at: 805 LAKE STREET PMB #119, OAK PARK, IL 60301. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: RHENESHA J EAGINS 801 VAN BUREN APT 202 OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA Published in Wednesday Journal February 16, 23, March 2, 2022

ELECTRICAL

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

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

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

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

HANDYMAN

• Forest Park Review

Published in Wednesday Journal February 9, 16, 23, 2022

Let an American Veteran do your work

708-296-2060

• Wednesday Journal

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008574 on January 26, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of ADVENTURES WITH ABUELA with the business located at: 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60304. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: VIRGINIA MARTINEZ 1001 SOUTH GROVE AVENUE OAK PARK, IL 60304, USA

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois, hereinafter known as Owner, is seeking bids for Boiler Replacement work at Longfellow Elementary School located in Oak Park, Illinois.

A&A ELECTRIC

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

• Austin Weekly News

PUBLIC NOTICES

HOME SERVICES

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in

PUBLIC NOTICES

Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HAULING BASEMENT CLEANING

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

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/ Plaster Repair Low Cost • 708.749.0011

WOODWORK Terry's

Woodwork Restoration On-site refinishing of wood

and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

Lump Sum Bids will be publicly opened and read at the District Ofﬁce of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, 260 W. Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, March 10, 2022. Bids received after designated time and date of bid opening will not be considered. Bidders must comply with all of the requirements set forth in the Project Manual.

Ms. Jeanne Keane Oak Park School District 97 260 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “Longfellow Elementary School Boiler replacement”. Bid security, in the form of a bid bond or certiﬁed check, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid shall be submitted with the bid. Performance and Labor and Material Payment Bonds and Certiﬁcate of Insurance, as required by the Owner, will be required from the successful bidder. The Board of Education, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 reserves the right to reject any and all bids or parts thereof, to waive any irregularities or informalities in bidding procedures and to award the contract in a manner best serving the interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97. All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing rate of wage to all laborers, workmen and mechanics working on public funded projects. If during the time period of work, these rate changes, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. The proposed contract is subject to the requirements of the Equal Employment Practices Commission and the Illinois Human Rights Act (HRA) Illinois Revised Statues, Ch. 68, Par. 1-101, et. seg.”(Including the requirement that every party to a public contract shall have adopted written sexual harassment policies, P.A. 87-1257). Bidding Documents will be available on February 22, 2022. To view and obtain bidding documents please visit Best Imaging Solutions’ planroom at http://www.bestimagingplanroom.com/jobs/public. Bidders are strongly encouraged to attend a pre-bid conference on March 1, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. as detailed in the Project Manual. Board of Education Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Published in Wednesday Journal February 23, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certiﬁcation was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y22008651 on February 15, 2022 Under the Assumed Business Name of RHJ STRATEGY & MARKETING CONSULTING with the business located at: 609 GROVE LANE, FOREST PARK, IL 60130. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: RHONDA HUMPHREY-FINKLEA 609 GROVE LANE FOREST PARK, IL 60130, USA Published in Wednesday Journal February 23, March 2, 9, 2022

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Plaintiff, -v.MARY WOLFE, CITY OF CHICAGO Defendants 2019CH11236 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 14, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 8, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 030R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1028 S AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-17-331-015 The real estate is improved with a single family residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-08871 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH11236 TJSC#: 42-331 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019CH11236 I3186705 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST N.A., AS TRUSTEE OF THE SCIG SERIES III TRUST; Plaintiff, vs. GAD IKEANUMBA AKA GAD C. IKEANUMBA; 1030-32 NORTH AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AKA 1030 -32 N. AUSTIN CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION AND HENRY SILVERMAN LIVING TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 26, 1996; Defendants, 11 CH 33740 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, March 14, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: Commonly known as 1032 N. Austin Blvd., Unit 1N, Oak Park, IL 60302. P.I.N. 16-05-314-031-1001. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection For information call Ms. Mary E. Spitz at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Sottile & Barile, LLC, 7530 Lucerne Drive, Middleburg Heights, OH 44130. (440) 572-1512. ILF1810025 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3186451 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC DBA CHAMPION MORTGAGE COMPANY; Plaintiff, vs. THOMAS QUINN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR MARGERY L. NEFF; ARTHUR NEFF; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MARGERY L NEFF; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 12930 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, March 21, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-130-020. Commonly known as 831 Clinton Ave., Oak Park, IL 60304. The mortgaged real estate is improved with a single family residence. If the subject mortgaged real estate is a unit of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by subsection (g-1) of Section 18.5 of the Condominium Property Act. Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

For information call Ms. Kathryn Bodanza at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Marinosci Law Group, PC, 134 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602. (312) 940-8580. 19-08226 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3186993

Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-091229. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 19-091229 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 9209 TJSC#: 42-495 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 19 CH 9209 I3187122

Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 20-094050. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 20-094050 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 20 CH 5941 TJSC#: 41-3442 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 20 CH 5941 I3187184

acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-08274 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH12263 TJSC#: 42-209 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019CH12263 I3187191

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST Plaintiff, -v.ROLAND HERRERA, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF GEORGE HERRERA, LUKAS’S CONTINENTAL CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, CARY ROSENTHAL, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR GEORGE HERRERA (DECEASED) Defendants 2021CH04435 403 N MARION ST APT 3 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on January 11, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 24, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 403 N MARION ST APT 3, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-101-017-1009 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. Where a sale of real estate is made to satisfy a lien prior to that of the United States, the United States shall have one year from the date of sale within which to redeem, except that with respect to a lien arising under the internal revenue laws the period shall be 120 days or the period allowable for redemption under State law, whichever is longer, and in any case in which, under the provisions of section 505 of the Housing Act of 1950, as amended (12 U.S.C. 1701k), and subsection (d) of section 3720 of title 38 of the United States Code, the right to redeem does not arise, there shall be no right of redemption. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C)

OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-20-06459 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2021CH04435 TJSC#: 42-403 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2021CH04435 I3187429

representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876 THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-02481 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH09264 TJSC#: 42-421 NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2019CH09264 I3187480

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.TAKYRICA Q. STYLES A/K/A TAKYRICA STYLES, TAYLOR LAKE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC. A/K/A TAYLOR-LAKE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 19 CH 9209 118 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE UNIT 1 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 22, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 17, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 118 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE UNIT 1, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-122-038-1005 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $153,280.44. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1). IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301,

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIZENS BANK, N.A., FORMERLY KNOWN AS RBS CITIZENS, N.A. SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO CHARTER ONE BANK, N.A. Plaintiff, -v.JOEL A. VERHOFF, RAELIN M VERHOFF, RANDOLPH CROSSING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS Defendants 20 CH 5941 612 RANDOLPH STREET, UNIT 2 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 17, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 18, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 612 RANDOLPH STREET, UNIT 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-408-026-1012 The real estate is improved with a condominium. The judgment amount was $62,179.24. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information. If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g)(4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST Plaintiff, -v.MICHAEL J. HAYES, UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF MARILYN F. HAYES, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, ROBERT J. HAYES JR., PATRICK J. HAYES, MARY TERESE BUDGE A/K/A MARYTHERESE BUDGE A/K/A TERRY BUDGE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, GERALD NORDGREN, AS SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR MARILYN F. HAYES (DECEASED), IMPERIAL MANOR OF OAK PARK CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, ELLEN YOPCHICK, JULIE HAYES, SUE BARRETT A/K/A SUSAN BARRETT Defendants 2019CH12263 425 HOME AVENUE UNIT 2B OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 16, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 18, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 425 HOME AVENUE UNIT 2B, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-323-043-1012 The real estate is improved with a condo/ townhouse. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff, -v.AMIN SAHTOUT, SCOVILLE COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2019CH09264 500 WASHINGTON BLVD, UNIT 107 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 7, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 17, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 500 WASHINGTON BLVD, UNIT 107, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-415-0271007 The real estate is improved with a residence. Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no

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. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-6699777. Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

Wednesday Journal, February 23, 2022

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