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W E D N E S D A Y

March 3, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 31 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Parents mobilize in support of wellrespected Beye teacher With little information, parents speculate Patrick McAndrew may be facing termination due to relatively minor matter

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

The parents of students who attend Beye Elementary School, 230 N. Cuyler Ave. in Oak Park, are mobilizing support for a widely revered fifth-grade teacher who they believe may be facing termination.

Parents said Patrick McAndrew, a Golden Apple Award winner who has been at the school for roughly two decades, has not taught their children since District 97 returned to classrooms for hybrid learning on Feb. 1. Since then, they said, their children have had three substitute teachers.

The parents said neither district nor building administrators have told them specifically why McAndrew has not returned to the classroom.

“We had been asking if he’s OK, because we were genuinely concerned,” said Wendy Roderweiss, whose son is in McAndrew’s class. “[Beye Principal See McANDREW on page 10

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

DON’T DO IT: By the time this picture is published, it will all be melted! Oh well, Kirk Christiansen, of Oak Park, builds the last snow fort of winter (we hope).

Mother fulfills daughter’s wish

Veteran daughter laid to rest after years-long journey

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

One mother’s extraordinary mission to fulfill the last wishes of her veteran daughter to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery came to an extraor-

dinary end last month. Longtime Oak Parker Julie Rutili called the years long journey to move daughter Pfc. Julieanne Shanahan to her final resting place, among thousands of fellow servicemen, “a series of small miracles.”

During her military career, Shanahan became the first woman to serve in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division, also known as the Old Guard, which conducts military ceremonies at such venerable places as the White House, the Pentagon and other national memorials. She joined the

3rd Infantry only a year after enlisting.

“It was such an incredible celebration because she was the first woman and she was just so thrilled,” said Rutili.

Combining her love of journalism with her love of country, Shanahan worked as the regimental photojournalist and contributed to the military newspaper the Pentagram.

Following a cancer diagnosis and a review from the medical board, ShanaSee RUTILI on page 10

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Conservatory reaches out

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Engaging and Listening To Our Community

The Village Board should act on behalf of a broad range of community voices. I will work to ensure that our community and our Commissions are leveraged fully and effectively. I believe that an effective Community Engagement Process will intentionally seek engagement from community members that have too-often been excluded from decision making. I want to consider and act on input from a broad range of community stakeholders: homeowners, renters, and small businesses.

Develop Smarter, Not Bigger!

I will work to encourage the development of two-flats, three-flats, and accessory dwelling units in Oak Park so that singles, seniors, and smaller families have affordable living options and smaller building owners have the ability to supplement their income. Luxury and larger-scale developments will not solve Oak Park’s affordable housing problem. This has to change, and with your vote, we can become the Village that Oak Park has always prided itself as being: diverse, affordable, and welcoming.

Our Economic Reality

Balancing the property tax burden with the realities of the pandemic will leave us with tough decisions to make at the board table. We can hold down the rate of property tax increases without cutting programs vital to our most vulnerable communities. We must support small businesses by making Oak Park an attractive community to shop and do business in. We will always prioritize people over cost prohibitive capital projects. With your vote, I commit to making equitable and fiscally responsible decisions during these tough times.

Renters have a place!

Oak Park renters represent 41% of its residents. The Village must do more to understand our issues! I believe that the Village should protect renters from unscrupulous landlords who increase rent without adequate warning; fail to provide quality, timely maintenance and repairs; or cheat their tenants out of their security deposits. With your vote, we can prioritize equity and ensure that our ordinances (like “parking”) don’t disproportionately penalize renters or condo owners.

The new virtual format of the Oak Park Conservatory’s highly popular Toddler Exploration Time program debuted Feb. 19 to great success, entertaining kids with the “Winter Fun” theme and coordinated activities.

“It was heartwarming,” said Judy Klem, executive director of Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory.

Normally occurring once each month during the school year, the program went on hiatus due to COVID-19. During the 30-minute session the conservatory’s education docents teach children to engage in the natural world through storytelling, crafts and lessons.

“This program is super popular under normal circumstances. It usually sells out,” said Klem.

To bring the program back, the conservatory pivoted to an at-home model, with kids following along with the lesson through Zoom, which had the added benefit of allowing more kids to participate. Previously, the program was held in person with spots for 15 to 20 kids.

“Right now, we have 50 spots,” said Klem.

The success of the first virtual Toddler Exploration Time is owed in large part to Linda Smith, the conservatory’s education chair, who led the session. A retired elementary school teacher, Smith “lit up the showroom,” according to Klem.

Klem, who worried that kids might not pay attention, was pleased to find that kids were very much absorbed by the program, despite its new virtual format.

“They were enthralled. They were engaged,” said Klem. “They were mesmerized by [Smith’s] storytelling, and her animation.”

Klem, monitoring the session behind the scenes, was also swept away by Smith.

“I was gripped by her energy, enthusiasm,” said Klem. “It’s giving me chills. She

is so talented and was back in her element.”

Laura Flamm told Wednesday Journal that virtual programs are kind of hit or miss for her 3-year-old son Louie, who tuned into the virtual Toddler Exploration Time.

“This one actually was really good,” said Flamm.

Louie is in a developmental stage where he is very interested in imaginative play, according to Flamm.

“That is a lot of what they did,” said Flamm. “It was really great for him. It was ideal.”

All of the February session’s activities fit into the “Winter Fun” theme, including a book Smith read to the children.

The kids sang a song and made a special snowman out of homemade Play-Doh from their activity kits, which were assembled by volunteers and picked up by parents ahead of the lesson.

The wintry theme was perfect for little Louie Flamm, who has been very interested in snow of late, according to his mother.

“We’ve been building snowmen with him.

And so, to have an activity like this, where he’s making a snowman out of playdough when it’s too cold to go outside and do it in the actual snow because it was one of these super freezing days – it was great,” said Flamm.

In addition to craft supplies, the kits also included written directions for snowman assembly and a copy of the lesson plan, which Flamm appreciated.

“They had everything ready for us,” said Flamm.

Sessions already scheduled for March, April and May – each with different naturerelated themes. Participants must pay an $8 fee to attend.

“Everything we’re trying to do is spark an interest in our young ones, so that they can get excited about the planet’s climate and Earth,” said Klem.

Flamm has already signed Louie up for the session in March.

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Flamm.

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Linda Smith, education chair, leads Toddler Exploration Time.

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Pete’s Fresh Market and the ‘Matthew’ principle

a decent summary of Hotelling’s Model on his read the news that a second Pete’s Fresh Mar“The Interesting Fact of the Day” blog (theifod. ket is coming, this time to Madison Street com). in Oak Park, and began humming Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child.”

In short, capital tends to cluster around capi“Them that’s got shall have, them that’s not tal, money begets money, sales beget sales. shall lose” and the “strong gets more” and the “Businesses want to locate themselves near “weak ones fade” while “empty pockets don’t the center of their potential customer populaever make the grade.” tion to attract the greatest amount of customBillie lyrically condensed what the socioloers,” Jennings writes. gists have since coined the “Matthew principle,” And Big Business, in particular, intuitively so named after the book of the Bible where we understands what used to be the mantra of Big find Jesus’ parable of the talents: “For to every Labor (i.e., us little folk) when labor was still an one who has will more be given, and he will have organized force that Big Business had to reckon abundance; but from him who has not, even with — we’re more than the sum of our parts. what he has will be taken away.” (Matthew 25:29) A Trader Joe’s wants to be near a Whole Commentary Last week, I shared the Wednesday Journal Foods. A Pete’s Fresh Market wants to be near a article about the new Pete’s to the Facebook Jewel. When these stores compete within close page of Village Free Press, the newspaper I publish in Mayproximity to each other, the sales volume is bigger for each wood, where I live, and home to precisely zero full-service competitor than if that individual competitor was competgrocery stores most residents here are comfortable shoping in isolation. ping in (I must acknowledge places like One Stop Express We see the same dynamic with people. Talent, too, tends and Maywood Food Center, but Google Earth those places to cluster around talent. If I’m seriously into software, I and ask yourselves if you’d be comfortable relying on them go around other people into software. If I’m a musician, I for your groceries). want to be around other musicians. If I’m a comedian, I’m “Any news when Maywood will get a supermarket? attracted to other comedians.

Asking for a friend,” wrote one person in a comment that There’s nothing inherently wrong with this reality. garnered the most reactions (40 ‘like’ and ‘laugh’ emoji as Indeed, great cities are the results of the tendency of talent of Sunday night). and capital to cluster around each other.

A few days later, I posted a short article I’d published Clustering becomes problematic, however, when it announcing the development of a third Shark’s Fish & becomes the only energy the market acknowledges and Chicken in Maywood (already home to a Popeye’s and a values. You’re either a superstar living among superstars, Church’s Chicken and two other Shark’s Fish & Chickens a winner living among winners or you’re nobody isolated and numerous other independently owned fried chicken with other nobodies. The gap between the haves and establishments). have-nots is widening and that’s apparent when we look at “When are we getting a grocery store?” someone, predictwhere fresh food is and where it isn’t. ably, wrote in the comments under that article’s Facebook In the last five years, for instance, I’ve reported on the posting. closing of not one, not two, but three major grocery retailWhat explains fresh food deserts like Maywood and ers in the Maywood/Melrose Park/Hillside/Bellwood/ Austin, and food oases like Oak Park and River Forest? And Broadview area. During the same time period (in the last why do businesses — from grocery stores to car dealerships two years to be more precise), I’ve reported on the opening to liquor stores to fried chicken joints — seem magnetically of not one, but two Amazon distribution centers in this attracted to their competitors? same geographic area.

There are a range of explanations I came across while Mind you, these are last mile distribution centers, so Googling and I invite you to Google terms like “Hotelling’s Amazon, I’d assume, would prefer the low-paid wage workModel of Spatial Competition” and “Nash Equilibrium.” ers it exploits to live fairly close to these centers (particuJohn Jennings, president and chief strategist of the St. larly if turnover is high).

Louis Trust Company, a wealth management firm, provides But where is the area’s first Amazon Fresh grocery

MICHAEL ROMAIN

store opening? Our sister paper, the Riverside-Brookfield Landmark, reports that it will be in the Berwyn/Riverside/ Brookfield area, home to an ever-expanding and everdiversifying pool of knowledge workers and/or well-paid government employees (i.e., not wage workers at Amazon distribution centers).

What’s the popular go-getter’s mantra? Stay hungry?

This is a sick setup and it comes at the expense of ignoring people and places as they are and not what they aspire to be in order to compete in an economy that’s rigged against them anyway.

What happens to those people who don’t move to New York City or Silicon Valley? Who don’t have college degrees or white-collar jobs? What if I live in Maywood or Austin and don’t have a car to drive into Oak Park or River Forest to shop? What if I’m a bus driver or a grocery store clerk or a painter and can’t afford to live in a food oasis? What if (gasp) I can afford to move somewhere else, but I actually prefer to live in Maywood or Austin or Nowhere, USA? Winner-take-all economies, such as the one we’re living in now, not only tend to ignore those who don’t “win” in the market, but they also tend to frame winning the wrong way.

How many more Jeff Bezoses and Peter Thiels and Mark Zuckerbergs and R-Kellys and Jeffrey Epsteins and Harvey Weinsteins and Donald Trumps and Bill Cosbys do we need to endure to understand that, to a not insignificant degree, to be really successful in our society is to be deeply f— up?

And I’m not saying that the average middle-class or upper-middle-class professional is as f— up as your typical mega-millionaire or billionaire. But I can say with confidence that your average middle-class or upper-middle-class professional administers and facilitates the world that these f— up men make.

What does it say about our society that our proximity to, and ability to purchase, fresh food depends, in large part, on our marketability, our success in navigating our way through a world that is layered with social pathologies atop social pathologies, like an M.C. Escher fantasy?

Much has been made of the Matthew principle. Actually, I learned about the principle from reading Malcolm Gladwell; however, I tend to gravitate toward a different principle, premised on the scripture in Matthew 25:40.

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Unfortunately, if Jesus were alive nowadays, he’d starve.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Oak Park pools will open for summer

Park district implementing time limits and space reservations

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

In a splash of good news, the Park District of Oak Park will reopen swimming pools to the public this summer. Due to safety complications as a result of COVID-19, the pools did not open last summer, to the chagrin of many.

“I remember people really, really missed them,” said Diane Stanke, park district customer service director.

Rehm Pool, 515 Garfield St., will open to swimmers Memorial Day weekend, with the pool at Ridgeland Commons, 415 Lake St., opening a week or two after, according to Stanke.

Pool pass sales begin March 13, with resident passes costing $50 and non-resident passes $63. Rates will go up May 1 to $63 and $75 for residents and non-residents, respectively. Pool activities include lap swimming and public swimming, as well as special sessions reserved for adults and seniors only. The park district will also have special

pass holder events and a limited amount of swimming lessons.

To safely reopen, the park district is following guidelines from the state of Illinois and lifeguards training has been adapted for COVID-19.

“We are confident we can run a safe pool operation this summer,” said Stanke.

Swimmers must reserve visits, which are limited to an hour and a half. The premises will be closed for 30 minutes between sessions for cleaning and to disinfect locker rooms, restrooms, chairs and high touch surfaces. Guests can sign up for sessions by daily admission or using their pool passes.

“We believe we can serve a significant

number of pool visitors,” said Stanke.

In an occasion that guests cannot maintain six feet of distance from each other, the park district will require the wearing of masks. However, masks will not be required when in the pool. No concession services will be offered this pool season.

With mountains of snow left on the ground, swimming might feel a bit like a pipe dream, but the park district is looking forward to once again providing an opportunity for Oak Parkers to take a refreshing dip.

“We’re really excited to have a pool season this year,” said Stanke. “Not having one last year was really strange. There’s going to be a lot of happy people in Oak Park.”

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BIG WEEK March 3-10

Winter Warmth Concerts Wednesdays, March 3 and 10, 4 to 5 p.m. and after, virtually with the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest Each week, a new mini-concert is released, performed by members of the Symphony. March 3 brings solo music for flute and tuba along with a Vivaldi Concerto for Two Cellos. The concluding concert on March 10 is Ireland’s Downland Suite. Individual performances: $9, Oak Park residents; $12, non-residents. Series (includes 6 concerts): $54, Oak Park residents; $67, non-residents. Register by 3 p.m. each Wednesday to see the new concert or sign up for the whole series: pdop.org, 708-725-2000.

Heart of Gold Ball Saturday, March 6, 7 p.m., Virtually with Hephzibah Children’s Association Celebrate with the whole family with a theme of At Home Together with games, laughter, community interaction and a live auction, all to support the nonprofit that has met the needs of families and children more than ever during the pandemic. Free; sponsorships and more accepted. Register/more: hephzibahhome.org/2021heart-of-gold-ball

Illinois Storytelling presents: Traditions and Truth Saturday, March 6, 7 p.m., Virtually with Dominican University Chicago

Join this monthly open mic for “Folktales, Fairy Tales and Personal Stories” featuring Megan Wells in March. Wells is a story and theater artist known for infusing her characters with living souls and delivering her tales with delicious theatrical timing.

Those wishing to tell their own stories (7-10 minutes) contact jdelnegro@dom.edu. Free; donations encouraged. RSVP/more: facebook.com/events/474900397216949

“Press on, regardless” Friday, March 5, 6 p.m., Facebook live with Winifred Haun & Dancers See the premiere of a dance film created at Links Hall that blends solos, duets and several group sequences that explore circular, inverted movement to create a disorienting but calming visual journey.

Choreographed and directed by Winifred Haun of Oak Park. Free. More: facebook. com/winifredhaundancers/events/

Conversations on Hemingway Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m., and Tuesday, March 9, 6 p.m., virtually with PBS In conjunction with the upcoming PBS documentary, Hemingway, A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, multiple talks have been scheduled, which include the filmmakers and special guests exploring Hemingway’s art and legacy, and feature clips from the three-part documentary. On March 4, the topic is “Hemingway and Celebrity.” Next up, on March 9, is “Hemingway, the Sea and Cuba.” Free. Register/ more: hemingwaybirthplace.com/programs-events

In-Person Tours Resume at Hemingway Birthplace Home Saturdays, top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn about the home, the author’s family, his early years and more. Printed translations are available for most foreign languages or attend Spanish language tours on select Saturdays at 1:30. $15; $13, seniors/students with valid ID; free, children under 10. 339 N. Oak Park Ave. Or for those in quarantine or living long-distance, Live Virtual Tours of Hemingway’s Birthplace continue Thursdays through Sundays, 1 and 3 p.m., on Google Meet. Join a knowledgeable docent on a live tour at Ernest Hemingway’s Birthplace Home in Oak Park while interacting with visitor questions along the way. Up to 15 may join each live tour. $15; $5 each additional viewer.

Tickets/more: hemingwaybirthplace.com/admissions

International Women’s Day Symposium – Chicago Women in Midcentury Design Sunday, March 7, 2 p.m., Virtually with the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Landmarks Illinois Hear from women design historians Susan Benjamin, Kim Soss, Julia Bachrach, Victoria Matranga (of Oak Park) and Lynn Martin Windsor, who will focus on pioneering Chicago women in the fields of architecture, interiors, landscape, industrial products and graphic design in the mid-20th century. They will highlight the career accomplishments and challenges faced by designing women who made significant contributions to their professions and Chicago’s cultural history. Hosted

by Farnsworth House, Plano, Illinois. $20. Register: farnsworthhouse. org/?page_id=9960&preview=true

Mighty Oak Gala Thursday, March 11, 6 to 7 p.m., Virtually with Oak-Leyden Support essential services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities while enjoying an at-home gala. Try for a Golden Ticket live auction item and more. Free; $1,000, Supporter package includes wine, lite bites and more for two guests (register by March 5). Register/more: e.givesmart.com/events/k3D

Candidate Forums – River Forest Candidates Zoom with the River Forest Public Library The municipal elections are on April 6. This forum starts with opening statements, followed by questions for the candidates and ends with closing statements. Submit questions in advance to lwvoprf1924@ gmail.com or during the forum by chat in Zoom.

Thursday, March 4, 7 p.m. - School District 90 (5 running for 4 seats) Saturday, March 6, 2 p.m. - Village President (2 running for 1 seat) Saturday, March 6, 3:30 p.m. - Village Trustees (4 running for 3 seats) Hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oak Park & River Forest, in partnership with the River Forest Public Library. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/month/2021/03

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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Leading while Black and female

hen this impossible school year finally ends, come June, it will also end the tenures of the superintendents of the two public school districts serving Oak Park.

Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, the leader at Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, will retire and move back to her family in St. Louis. Carol Kelley, superintendent at Oak Park District 97, will take a new job, also closer to home, in Princeton, New Jersey.

Both superintendents have worked hard on equity, the hardest issue in American education. They’ve done it in a tough town that cloaks its reticence for genuine change on race and equity in 40-year-old press releases and hosannas. They’ve done it during COVID. And they’ve done it while being Black and female.

Yes, they both hit, maybe exceeded a bit, the average lifespan of most latter-day superintendents — clocking in at six years each. But the move to the exit was not forced and I didn’t detect some rising tide that would have forced them out in short order.

Kelley’s path out of town has been clear since last year when she sought the top school job in Madison, Wis. It would have been a plum for an educator still climbing higher in her profession. She came close but didn’t get the job. Certainly though, it set a clock ticking on where, not when, her next move would be.

Kelley, interestingly an engineer by training and early profession, was deep into issues of equity. And she moved D97 decidedly forward. Have to say, though, that I’ve never covered an administrator, and all her down-the-line administrators, who was more into the incomprehensible jargon of education than Carol Kelley.

Just spit it out, was often my take when editing copy, reading district reports, or in those few moments when I was in a room with her. Equity is complicated, but it is best understood in plain English with a side of emotion and passion. Sell the vision. Let the data back up the human toll and the human possibility.

Pruitt-Adams I first saw in action during a “listening tour” early in her time here as

superintendent. Likely she was still “the interim” that evening when I watched her in the Beye School cafeteria. She doesn’t dazzle so much as she envelops. She took every question, read the doubts in the room, responded with honest answers about hard issues and acknowledged she didn’t have all the answers.

Pruitt-Adams has done what I thought impossible. She has, largely, imperfectly, “brought the building with her.” The challenge to change at OPRF always came from within. A faculty stuck in time. A school board too timid to grasp how the school was failing a large swath of its Black and Brown students, and even the non-college bound white kids.

But Pruitt-Adams won over a faculty that was finally getting younger not older, that had consciously begun to integrate some new department chair hires from other school settings. And she was hired by a school board finally and fully aligned on equity.

It hasn’t been an easy time for her. There was major back surgery early in her tenure that took out the good part of a semester.

She lost a grandson to gun violence back home in Missouri. And her husband, who had joined her in Oak Park, came out of retirement to re-enter police work in the St. Louis area. She is ready to go home.

Hiring processes are underway. OPRF’s sitting school board is working at breakneck speed to hire Pruitt-Adams’ replacement before some of them leave the board with the April election. I get the impulse.

It also worries me, based on the special talent this post will take. There are internal candidate(s) from the bench Pruitt-Adams built.

D97 got the news of Kelley’s departure later in the recruitment season, though we don’t imagine too many board members are surprised they have an opening. The board’s plan for hiring is To Be Announced.

We might be looking at an interim which is always weak tea for a district with momentum.

The chances our two districts will again be led by two Black women, focused on equity and willing to put up with the stress Oak Park generates? That seems remote.

DAN HALEY

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Come Together 60’s Gala Saturday, March 13, 2021 6:30pm Groove to the Beat While Supporting our Dynamic Cultural Center with Fabulous Programs Open to All Scheduled: ‘HATS OFF TO NANCYS’ Tribute to Nancy DeSombre and Nancy Waichler, 60s Music, Comedy, and More!

Registration for this virtual event is free.

Information on Raffle Tickets, Auction Items Available at 708-386-2729 or: https://nineteenthcentury.ejoinme.org/2021gala

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Readling, Scaman meet Thursday in WJ Zoom forum Business and Civic Council co-sponsors conversation with candidates

By STAFF Vicki Scaman and Cate Readling, the two candidates for Oak Park Village President, will take part in a conversation Thursday evening sponsored by Wednesday Journal and the Business and Civic Council (BCC).

The 90-minute session will begin at 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Here is a link to the Zoom meeting. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87576128825? pwd=Y3hYVm4zK0o4TTJadjM2OXYwNTl3 QT09. Or, go to OakPark.com to find the live link to the Zoom meeting.

Readling and Scaman are the two remaining candidates in what had been a four-candidate field. Current trustees Simone Boutet and Dan Moroney both withdrew their candidacies after initially filing for the ballot.

Scaman is the current Oak Park village clerk. Readling is a longtime activist in Oak Park and a former employee at the Park District of Oak Park.

The candidates will answer questions asked by Dan Haley, the Journal’s editor and publisher; Steven Strahler, executive director of the BCC; and Michael Romain and Stacey Sheridan, staff reporters for the Journal. The format will be informal with

VICKI SCAMAN

G IN N E OP

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We are

THE SHERIDAN AT RIVER FOREST

As we get closer to opening River Forest’s newest assisted living and memory care community, The Sheridan Team invites you to learn more.

CATE READLING

no set times for responses.

Questions from readers are welcomed in advance at support@oakpark.com.

The conversation will also be recorded for later viewing.

On March 17, Cathy Adduci and Patty Henek, candidates for village president in River Forest, will join a conversation sponsored by the Journal on Zoom. Adduci is running for a third term as village president. Henek is completing her first term as a village trustee. Haley and Romain will again ask the questions.

That is the same date the Journal will publish — online and in print — our Voter Empowerment Guide. It will include full coverage of every local candidate, including profiles and questionnaires. The section will also include details on early voting and polling places.

The voter guide project is underwritten by a donation from the Oak Park-based Good Heart Work Smart Foundation.

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Meet-the-Team Saturdays Every Saturday in March — 10:00AM to NOON Join us in our Welcome Center and get to know the newest members of our leadership team.

RSVP at 708-469-4607 today!

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Clark considers legal action against Boutet

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park village trustee candidate Anthony Clark has retained the services of two attorneys as he considers legal action against village trustee Simone Boutet, a former candidate for village president, over a Facebook post Boutet made Feb. 15 on the Oak Park Residents page. Clark’s attorneys considered the content of the post defamatory.

“This is more of the political theatre which surrounds Mr. Clark,” Boutet told Wednesday Journal. “I am confident most people find it exhausting and are sick of it.”

Boutet declined to comment further.

Clark has enlisted the legal services of attorneys Kate Schwartz and Elizabeth Mazur of Hughes, Socol, Piers, Resnick & Dym. “Mr. Clark has a strong defamation claim against Ms. Boutet because she published multiple false statements about Mr. Clark to thousands of Oak Park residents, and the false statements all constitute obvious and very serious attacks on Mr. Clark’s reputation,” Schwartz told Wednesday Journal.

“We are confident a trier of fact would find Ms. Boutet liable for the harm she has caused him, but Mr. Clark wishes to remain focused on the upcoming election and on improving the Oak Park community.”

Schwartz said she and Mazur have demanded Boutet cease and desist “her defamatory remarks.” If Boutet refuses, Schwartz said Clark is prepared to take legal action.

Clark told Wednesday Journal that, despite Boutet’s actions, he remains committed to working with and for the Oak Park community.

“Simone Boutet has decided to resort to the worst sort of politics as usual and pub-

licly made false allegations about me,” said Clark. “Despite Simone’s false allegations, I will continue working collaboratively with the community to support those among us who too often slip through the cracks.”

In the Facebook post, which has since been deleted, Boutet used multiple expletives and made a number of accusations against Clark, including that his organization Suburban Unity Alliance was not a legitimate, 501c3 nonprofit, stating, “There is no board, no annual filings, no tracking donations.”

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) public records report the nonprofit has an IRS employer identification number (EIN) and filed its Form 990, officially SIMONE BOUTET called the “Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax,” for the tax period of September 2020 through August 2021.

In addition, Clark provided Wednesday Journal a list of SUA’s expenditures and PayPal deposit transactions, with the names of recipients redacted. It also included the names of SUA’s three board members: Clark’s mother Blanche Clark, Cheree Moore and Oak Park village clerk candidate Christina Waters.

Clark also provided SUA’s founding board members as well as SUA’s articles of incorporation filed Aug. 11, 2016 through Secretary of State Jesse White’s office.

During January, when Clark was involved in a local electoral board hearing process defending his candidacy against a residency

claim filed by Kevin Peppard, SUA lost its Certificate of Good Standing for the state of Illinois. The electoral board challenge was eventually dismissed.

Clark provided Wednesday Journal the confirmation email sent by the Secretary of State’s office that the reinstatement application had been received.

“This is a small issue that happens often to many small nonprofits,” said Clark. “Once the challenge was over, we paid the fee and issued the necessary paperwork to reinstate our certificate of good standing, which takes 30 days.”

In her Facebook post, Boutet alluded to the issue of Clark’s residency, writing that he had ANTHONY CLARK sworn under oath that his primary residence was in Lombard during his personal bankruptcy filings, which Peppard used as evidence during Clark’s hearing.

“Now you are caught and you are in a [expletive] ton of legal trouble,” Boutet wrote.

Wednesday Journal reported last month that Boutet had filed a police report over a message Clark sent to her Jan. 4 that said, “I know you are behind this & funding [redacted]. So go as far as you would like to go & I will be sure to do so as well. All the truths will be exposed. Good luck with your race.”

Clark told Wednesday Journal the message was not a threat. However, Boutet, who Clark accused of aiding Peppard during the hearing, referenced the Jan. 4 message in her post, stating that Clark was “threaten-

ing to ‘go as far as you want’ to make it dramatic.”

Boutet seemed to indirectly accuse Clark of carrying out an attack on Live Café, Clark’s campaign headquarters, writing, “36 hours later a brick gets thrown at your alleged campaign headquarters right before your hearing.”

The brick, which had a note containing a racial slur, was found outside the coffee shop Jan. 6, the morning of Clark’s campaign challenge hearing. After police spent hours viewing security footage, the investigation revealed no suspects, according to the Oak Park Police Department.

Boutet’s lengthy Facebook post also accused Clark of operating by day as a crusader, righting society’s wrongs, but “[by] night-Anthony threatens women when he gets caught lying.”

She also stated that Clark has a “mob” of “in-group progressives” ready to eject anyone who speaks critically of Clark, comparing the group’s actions to the Salem witch trials.

After stating that Clark was using systemic racism as a cop out to avoid being accountable, Boutet rounded out her Facebook post by insinuating that Clark had caused property damage to SUA board member and village clerk candidate Christina Waters’ vehicle, writing, “So Anthony go out and slash some more of your friend’s tires.”

Waters confirmed that the two front tires to her vehicle were punctured Feb. 9, but she does not believe Clark was the perpetrator and found Boutet’s accusation “very appalling.”

Early voting starting soon Oak Park village hall opens for early voting March 22

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With the April 6 consolidated municipal election nearing, those who want to get a head start on voting only have a matter of weeks left to wait before they can cast their ballots.

Oak Park residents planning to vote early can do so at village hall, 123 Madison St., beginning March 22 and up until April 4. Monday through Friday early voting hours at Oak Park village hall extend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Weekend early voting hours are between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays.

The villages of River Forest and Forest Park do not have designated early voting sites, but residents are able to vote early at any suburban Cook County location, including at the Maywood Courthouse (Whitcomb Building), 1311 May-

brook Square. Early voting begins March 10 at Maywood Courthouse and ends April 4.

Like Oak Park village hall, early voting hours at the Maywood Courthouse extend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with weekend early voting hours between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sundays.

Early voting at Brookfield village hall, 8820 Brookfield Ave., begins March 22 and ends April 4. Brookfield village hall has the same designated early voting hours as both Oak Park village hall and Maywood Courthouse.

A full list of every suburban early voting location, as well as each location’s early voting hours, can be accessed on the Cook County Clerk’s website.

Voters who would like to receive a mail-in ballot can download and print off an application or register for one online.

Both options are available through the Cook County Clerk’s website. The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot is April 1, five days before election day.

To apply for one online, voters need a driver’s license, a state identification number or the last four digits of their

social security numbers.

Those who apply need also to provide the address to which the ballot should be sent, as well as an email address.

Printed applications must be signed and sent to the County Clerk’s office.

When the application has been received and processed, a mail-in ballot will be delivered to the address requested by the voter on the application.

Residents must fill out and return mail-in ballots no later than election day. Filled out mail-in ballots can be deposited in the secure drop boxes located at the five regional Cook County courthouses located in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Maywood, Bridgeview and Markham. They can also be deposited at the Cook County Clerk’s office at 69 W. Washington St. in downtown Chicago.

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Lake Street’s done. How about starting Oak Park Avenue?

Project to extend from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

With the completion of the comprehensive Lake Street improvement project, the village of Oak Park has moved on to the next infrastructure area in need of renovation: Oak Park Avenue. From spring into fall, the street will undergo utility and resurfacing work – a portion of which will be paid for with federal funds.

“The improvements this year are really three separate contracts,” said Bryan Kutz, assistant village engineer.

Beginning March 8, Oak Park Avenue will undergo work to upgrade sewer and water mains that are better than a century old. The sewer work is separated into two contracts, paid for using village funds. The sections have been dubbed the north and south utility projects. The street’s existing water mains are from the early 1900s.

The village of Oak Park has contracted the Cerniglia Company to handle the north section in an amount just over $1.9 million. The north utility project consists of the area of Oak Park Avenue between Augusta Street and Chicago Avenue, as well as the area between Randolph Street and Madison Street.

Swallow Sewer & Water Construction is handling the south utility project, in a contract worth just over $2.4 million. The south utility project consists of water and

sewer upgrades made to the portion of Oak Park Avenue between Jackson Boulevard and Roosevelt Road. Both the north and south sewer work will occur concurrently.

The project’s third contract, worth about $2 million and given to Arrow Road Construction, involves resurfacing Oak Park Avenue from North Avenue to Roosevelt Road, with the exclusion of between Pleasant Street and Ontario Street. That section is tentatively scheduled for resurfacing in 2023.

“The village received about $2.5 million in federal funding in 2016 to resurface Oak Park Avenue,” said Kutz.

Kutz expects the village’s share of the cost to resurface will amount to between $400,000 and $450,000.

The resurfacing portion will include making improvements to Oak Park Avenue to broaden accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Resurfacing work is scheduled to begin in June and last until October.

“The road was last resurfaced in 2004, 2005,” said Kutz.

“And it’s really in need of maintenance at this point.”

During periods of road closures, construction crews maintain local traffic access along the entire stretch of Oak Park Avenue.

“The general scope of the road project is your kind of traditional street resurfacing work,” said Village Engineer Bill McKenna.

As with its Lake Street project, the village of Oak Park has enlisted the services of Prescott Group LLC to facilitate communication with the public regarding the work. The public can find progress updates, as well as maps and timelines for the project on its website: www.opaveanew.com.

Taste the Town savors success Food-focused fundraiser raises $38K and organizers hope to repeat event

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Take Out 25 Oak Park, the online community dedicated to supporting local restaurants and bakeries through the COVID-19 pandemic by placing copious carry out orders, hosted Taste the Town on Feb. 23. The inaugural event raised $38,000 for Housing Forward and nine Oak Park restaurants and bakeries.

“I am so thrilled to share the financial impact of the Taste the Town event,” said Ravi Parakkat, Take Out 25 creator and a current candidate for Oak Park village trustee. “We blew away all our goals.”

Funds raised through ticket sales were dispersed through a predetermined formula.

Housing Forward earned $9,323 by taking a portion of each bag sold as well as additional donations. Billy Bricks, Kettlestrings Tavern, Mora Asian Kitchen, Poke Burrito, Tre Sorelle and Wild Onion Tied House provided a range of food options and each restaurant received $3,917. A dessert bag, featuring an array of sweets from Kalamata Kitchen, The

Happy Apple and Sugar Fixe Patisserie, earned each establishment $1,682.

“Every dollar from the event has gone toward helping our local restaurants survive and feeding people experiencing homelessness,” said Parakkat.

Taste the Town, organized by Allison Cummins and executed by Take Out 25 volunteers, drew a crowd of hundreds to The Nineteenth Century Club on a chilly Tuesday evening. Lines of cars snaked in both directions on Forest Avenue awaiting the socially distant, drive-thru style delivery of their “ultimate take-out bag.”

Jimmy Chen, owner of Poke Burrito, and his wife worked shoulder-to-shoulder with volunteers to get things done in time to meet the segmented pick-up schedule demands. In fact, most participating restaurants including Tre Sorelle and Mora Asian Kitchen left staff behind to help fill take-out bags with petite pulled pork sliders, diminutive apple pies, lasagna Bolognese, curry chicken and pastel-hued macarons.

“Even though we were in cars it felt good to be part of a crowd when we picked up the food,” said Paul Clark, longtime Oak Park resident and Taste the Town participant.

“Oak Park has a long history with these types of social events. This type of event defines a community and the fact it was done well makes people want to do more of the

same thing and encourage others to participate in the future.”

Cummins said she felt nervous leading up to the event but left thrilled by the success of the evening and inspired by the overwhelming positivity exhibited by people picking up their Taste the Town bags.

“I feel like the pandemic has made people feel a little helpless,” said Cummins. “Taste Allison Cummins delivers dinner and dessert bags. the Town was a tangible way people could make taurant owners really took a chance on this a difference at a time they were looking for event, but they seemed happy with how it a way to help.” turned out. I want to thank the restaurant Parrakat and his team acknowledge there owners, everyone at The Nineteenth Cenwere a few hiccups at the first-time event tury Club, and the entire Take Out 25 comand apologize for any errors they made munity. We could not have done this without along the way. While the team is aware there everyone working together in this collaboris room for improvement, they have already ative environment.” identified small switches to enhance the ex“Taste the Town came together really perience and are excited at the prospect of well,” said Parakkat. “The food was top repeating the event soon with Housing Fornotch, and this event reinforces my choice ward or another non-profit organization. to make Oak Park Home.”

“We would love to do this event again in Oak Park’s Taste the Town Event is now April or early May,” said Cummins. “Resbeing replicated in Madison, Wisconsin.

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

9

D97 candidate focuses on communication Erin Connor wants to improve community engagement

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

Last fall, Erin Connor was thinking about the upcoming District 97 school board election, but not as someone who might be running for office.

“I was thinking about trying to get someone to,” she said on Tuesday. “I have friends who are HR executives and doctors.

So I was looking for someone whose resume Oak Park would value.”

But as she listened to parents and other community members, they told her they were looking for someone who could listen to them and engage them more in the district’s decision-making processes.

Connor said her target candidate didn’t materialize; instead, she presented herself.

The 43-year-old mother of three D97 students said if she’s elected to the board, she’ll work to improve the district’s relationship with parents and other community stakeholders.

Connor graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison, where she studied marketing before spending 15 years in Corporate America, adding that she’s held management and key decision-making roles in the automotive and real estate industries.

“Throughout my career, I’ve experienced success in being a generalist,” Connor said.

“At Toyota, I had the ability to leadership working behind the lean into what I didn’t know.” scenes.”

Connor said her role was to ask Connor said D97 “has a ton of questions, try to look at problems talent in our leadership, but I from a different perspective, don’t feel like there’s been a lot garner feedback from a diverse of visibility in terms of what array of perspectives and work parents can see and, based on with a team to generate creative feedback I hear from teachers at solutions for what would lead board meetings, I don’t feel like to “improved outcomes for the things are visible to them either. customer.”

So, D97 can do a better job of ERIN CONNOR Connor said if she’s elected, being more communicative and she’ll set her sights on trying transparent.” to improve how the district communicates If elected, Connor said, she’ll “listen, ask with parents, teachers and other community questions and work to challenge norms” stakeholders.

During the district’s while keeping “parents and teachers at the transition from full remote learning to forefront of discussions.” hybrid learning, she and other parents felt Addressing the qualities of the next like they were somewhat in the dark. superintendent, whom she may well have The district was doing a lot of work to a role in selecting and directing if she’s return students to in-person learning, elected, Connor said she’s looking for she said, but “nothing was visible to the someone who centers equity while working parents.” The lack of communication even to engage the district’s diverse stakeholders.

“When I think about a superintendent extended to the good things happening in for our district, there are certain nonthe district.

“They recently announced they’re negotiables,” she said. “I’m thinking of starting Saturday schools for Tier 3 students someone who is supportive of our equity who need additional support, but many policy; someone who has experience with, parents only heard about that through or creative ideas about, narrowing the opportunity gap; someone who is a bold hearsay,” Connor said. leader and willing to make tough decisions “The district can do a better job of communicating about really big stuff and and stand behind those decisions, backing also about what they’re doing well,” she them up with data; someone who is a strong added. “I think better communication communicator.”

Connor added that the best candidate to will make parents feel better about the

succeed outgoing Supt. Carol Kelley should also be a leader who “is present, visible, engaged and involved. I feel like our leader needs to be someone who really sets the tone with their leadership team to be present, visible and engaged in our communities.”

Those qualities will be important as the district heads into yet another pandemic school year next fall, she said.

“One thing I feel really strongly about and that I know is on a lot of parents’ minds is the question of what are schools going to look like in the fall,” she said.

“I certainly don’t have a crystal ball and I don’t expect D97 leaders to have a crystal ball either, but I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be planning for a full in-person return, with a backup plan. I also support a remote option for students who aren’t ready to return to school, but we need to think big when it comes to students returning in the fall. The dynamics of COVID and the pandemic certainly are going to shift, but we need to be prepared to take steps to provide a more normal education for our children.”

Oak Park’s opioid overdose rates above average Cook County Health shows village among highest in suburban Cook

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

A new report released in February by the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) shows that, from 2016 to 2020, Oak Park had among the highest rates of acute opioid exposure-overdose in suburban Cook County, although the mortality rate from those overdoses is lower than the county average and half that of Chicago.

The report — by Alfreda Holloway-Beth and Nhan Nguyen of the county public health department’s Epidemiology Unit, and Lee Friedman with the University of Illinois Chicago’s School of Public Health — gathered results from the Illinois Poison Center, outpatient and emergency department data from area hospitals, and the Cook County Medical Examiner.

From January 2016 to June 2020, the report found, 1,576 people in the municipalities that fall under the Cook County health department’s jurisdiction died from opioid overdoses, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner. Among those overdose deaths, roughly 83 percent involved heroin

and/or fentanyl.

Oak Park, which has its own public health department, is not included in the Cook County health department’s jurisdiction, but Oak Park was included in the report “to contextualize the data which has adversely impacted our entire county,” the authors wrote.

In Oak Park, the rate of residents experiencing opioid exposure-overdose from 2016 to June 2020 varied by agency, with 31 per 100,000 residents reporting to the Illinois Poison Center; 102.6 per 100,000 residents reporting to hospital outpatient/emergency department facilities; and 74.5 per 100,000 residents reporting to hospital inpatient facilities.

The rate of mortality from opioid exposure-overdose in Oak Park was 10.2 per 100,000.

The report’s other key findings included the “sharp increase in opioid overdose mortality rates” among middleaged Black men, ages 35 to 64, in suburban Cook County.

“This increase mirrors national trends also showing a marked rise beginning in 2016,” the report explained. “Hospital and mortality rates were more than two times lower among Hispanic/Latinx residents compared to Black/African-American and white non-Hispanic residents” in suburban Cook County.

“In addition to the incalculable cost of human lives and the impacts to their families, friends, and communities, there is a high economic burden resulting from opioid use

disorders and conditions induced by opioid use,” the report explained.

“From 2016 to 2019, the cumulative hospital charges to treat suburban Cook County residents for any opioid related issues (including medical conditions induced by opioid use, withdrawal and treatment) was almost $800 million,” the report added. “Of which, treatment of acute opioid intoxication-overdose cases alone exceeded $500 million in hospital charges.”

In a statement released Feb. 18, Holloway-Beth said that fentanyl and heroin “continue to be an incredibly lethal combination in opioid use and no group is immune to these factors in overdose deaths.”

Dr. Kiran Joshi, the senior medical officer and co-lead for CCDPH, said the report “reveals not only surprising trends, but potential blind spots in our systems that can be improved to save lives.”

Joshi added that the department “will use this analysis to inform our activities and customize intervention programs to target the needs of different groups with opioid use disorders. By sharing this data with community leaders and stakeholders, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to address this crisis.”

You can read the entire report at: cookcountypublichealth. org/behavioral-health/opioids.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

10

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

RUTILI

Arlington ceremony arranged from page 1 han, then 19, was retired from active service in 1996. Although her career was cut short, Shanahan was a decorated veteran, having received several military honors, including the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon.

“I believe she would have been a career soldier,” her mother told Wednesday Journal. “She loved the structure, the discipline, the camaraderie, the support.”

After her retirement, Shanahan attended DePaul University, majoring in psychology.

In 2002 at age 24, Shanahan died and was laid to rest. Her visitation was held at Dreschler, Brown and Williams funeral home in Oak Park, where she grew up.

It wasn’t until July 2017, long after Shanahan was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery in River Grove, that Rutili learned her daughter had wished to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The four-year process to fulfill that wish, Rutili referred to as a “pilgrimage.”

The arduous and emotional process began in earnest shortly after, when Rutili reached out to Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office later that month. To move her daughter, the attorney general needed Shanahan’s military records, her certificate of release from service and documentation that her death was service-related, which it was. Madigan’s office approved the request.

Rutili then went to Dreschler Brown, where she was informed that to disinter her

MCANDREW

Lingering questions from page 1 Jennifer Schemidt] reached out to students and said he was in good health, but can’t return to the classroom right now and that’s everything we’ve been told. Everything is confidential. We’ve been completely in the dark.”

In an email response, D97 Director of Communications Amanda Siegfried said “the District’s practice is not to publicly comment on pending personnel issues to preserve the confidentiality of administrative investigations and respect the privacy rights of employees.

An attempt on Monday to contact a union representative at Beye was unsuccessful.

The situation involving McAndrew could come before the D97 school board at its next meeting on March 9.

Multiple parents have said that they learned from other teachers that McAndrew may be on the verge of termination, because of an issue regarding his use of paid sick days while he was traveling to Nepal, where

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM daughter from a Catholic cemetery, a letter of approval was needed from the Archdiocese of Chicago. Rutili learned the Archdiocese seldom approves disinterment requests. Rutili’s was approved.

It then took almost two full years to complete the authorization permit form required by the city of Chicago; the permit was secured in October 2018.

Catholic Church protocol dictated that Shanahan’s disinterment couldn’t be scheduled from Nov. 1, 2018 until after April 29, 2019. Disinterment could also only occur on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

A number of scheduling errors complicated the process even further. In November 2019, the disinterment was postponed until after April 2020. Unbeknownst at the time to Rutili, COVID-19 would further delay Shanahan’s disinterment.

Throughout the journey, Rutili was treated to kindnesses, small and great, from people who had heard of her daughter’s military record and the great efforts Rutili was shouldering to see Shanahan got the burial she wanted. All appreciated, the kindnesses Rutili received ranged from old friends sharing a listening ear to complete strangers making financial donations to assist in the highly expensive mission. Veterans organizations and church groups all contributed to making the journey a little easier.

“These generous donations, I just thought, ‘God, thank you so much. I really don’t know how to thank you,’” said Rutili.

Finally, Shanahan was disinterred Nov. 17, 2020. Rutili then began interviewing funeral directors near Arlington, Va., settling on Cunningham Torch Funeral Home.

Cunningham’s Kyle Nipper proved to be the hand Rutili and her other daughter, Luci,

Photo provided

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Julie Rutili saw her daughter laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on Feb. 4. needed to help guide them through the remainder of the journey.

“Kyle is an excellent example of someone who helps make a devastating situation into one that is filled with the highest level of compassionate care. He truly makes you relaxed, calmer and able to deal with the devastating death of a loved one, especially a child and sister,” Rutili wrote in her review of Cunningham.

With Nipper’s assistance, Rutili and Shanahan’s trip to Virginia came together in beautiful fashion. Rutili, escorting Shanahan’s casket on the flights to Virginia, was treated to honor guard processions, salutes and more.

“I really wanted to help her,” said Nipper of Rutili. “I did somethings for her family too. So that way, she knew her daughter’s

sacrifices that she made for our country are appreciated.”

The appreciation for Shanahan’s sacrifices was felt deeply and displayed in a new way with every interaction since Nipper got involved.

“I was like Jackie Kennedy, First Lady – just unbelievable,” said Rutili.

The morning of Shanahan’s service at Arlington on Feb. 4, Rutili and Luci draped the American flag across Shanahan’s casket – a special final ritual for the family. The service included a motorcade; seven different honor guards gave Shanahan a full military farewell.

After the service, Rutili and Luci, both exhausted, shared a quiet moment of reflection to savor the moment, remember their journey and their deep, unconditional love for each other and Shanahan.

his family lives, earlier this year. is running for the school board “If they fire him for an adminin April, said her twins are istrative infraction, it would be both in McAndrew’s classroom. a grave injustice,” Roderweiss Hadi-Tabassum said McAndrew said. “He is one of the champions would go above and beyond for of education. He means so much his students. to so many people and what he “He wants to come back and is teaching our kids about being teach, he wants to be with the lifelong learners and embracing kids,” she said. “His greatest the diversity of the world is inlove is kids. And he is one of the credible. I just can’t believe this PATRICK MCANDREW smartest human beings I know. I is happening. It’s so surreal. As feel like my children are getting a Beye teacher if the year wasn’t weird enough college-level education with him.” already.”

Hadi-Tabassum said, in addition to callRoderweiss said she and other parents ing and writing letters to board members would like the administration to “give us and various media outlets, parents may also some clarity on what is happening” and for considering even more measures. a “timeline of what to expect” in the next “I think there should be a march,” she few weeks. In the meantime, Roderweiss said, when asked about other measures she said, she laments the quality teaching her and others were considering. son is missing out on while McAndrew reDan Burke, who served as a D97 school mains on leave. board member from 2003 to 2007, said McAn“Even when he was in Nepal, which has drew taught one of his children. McAndrew a 12-hour time difference, he was teaching also helped facilitate the elementary theater remotely, in the middle of the night,” Roder- program at Beye. weiss said. “He was doing virtual field trips “He created a love of theater in kids that with students, showing them different parts carried on with them when they went to of the city. They were getting to see the Julian,” said Burke, who wrote a letter to world through their teachers’ camera.”

Wednesday Journal in support of McAnSamina Hadi-Tabassum, a D97 parent who drew. “I also knew him as a board member.

He was just a notable teacher for how strongly he was revered by parents and students.”

Burke echoed other parents who believe that, if the alleged infraction involves paid sick days, as many people familiar with the situation suspect, then McAndrew’s 20 years at Beye and his 35 years as a teacher of such high regard have earned him the right to remain in the classroom.

“I wonder how this is affecting the other teachers in the school and how morale is around this,” said Jessica Daley, whose oldest child is taught by McAndrew. “Beye is known for great teachers and I have a fear that, if this is a wrongdoing to a senior level teacher, we will lose other good teachers.”

Deborah Levine, the former PTO president at Beye who also has a child in McAndrew’s class, said the beloved teacher’s absence has created “unnecessarily instability in the short-term.

“We did our parent teacher conference with a substitute who had been in the classroom for three days,” Levine said. “It was unkind to the substitute to do that. I can’t help but think that this might impact the morale of other excellent teachers. This is really confounding and unfair to Mr. McAndrew. He has had a long history as an excellent teacher.”

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest to review appointment process Board, committee and commission assignments get a closer look

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

River Forest officials will undertake a review of the process by which board, committee and commission appointments are made.

Officials reached consensus on the matter following discussion at the virtual Feb. 22 village board meeting. Resident John Grant raised the issue at the Jan. 25 village board meeting and he and other residents provided additional comments at the Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 meetings.

In addition to comments made at the Feb. 22 meeting, comments from 20 additional residents on the issue were submitted.

Village President Cathy Adduci responded to his Jan. 25 comments with a letter, Feb. 1, in which she described how the village board, following her election in 2013, established a process of filling vacancies on commissions and committees where one did not exist before. She explained the “easy, open and transparent” way that was created for village residents to serve on a village commission or committee.

Grant provided specific recommendations, Feb. 8, identifying power sharing/ checks and balances and transparency/ accountability as guiding principles.

He also recommended that the application process have a mechanism for determining possible conflicts of interest and verification that a candidate has interests that line up with the work of the advisory body. Other recommendations addressed the schedule for filling vacancies, defining the mission and makeup of advisory bodies, and outreach. On Feb. 22, he said he wants “to start the conversation” regarding the village’s appointment process and suggested that officials “think outside the box.”

“We’re all interested in improving the

process,” Adduci said in suggesting that a resident committee be formed.

Trustee Patty Henek, who is challenging Adduci for village president in the April 6 election, said she disagreed with Adduci’s comments about transparency in her letter to Grant, citing complaints she’s received from residents. She referred to the process as “broken” and cited how members of the Deer Management Committee were chosen last year.

“I’m pleased we’re starting the conversation,” she said. “I strongly recommend reviewing the process.”

Discussion became heated briefly when Trustee Tom Cargie, chair of the deer committee, challenged her comments about how members were chosen.

Adduci defended her actions, citing the municipal code as giving the village president authority to suggest commission or committee members and noting that trustees have the opportunity to vote on her recommendations.

“Nothing’s purposely broken,” she said. “I think we have to work as a board.

I want to hear all voices. If we can improve the process, we will.”

Trustees Bob O’Connell and Respicio Vazquez thanked Grant for bringing the matter to their attention but suggested he identify sources he cited in his previous comments.

Vazquez and Trustee Katie Brennan supported reviewing the process but Vazquez said he was disturbed by references to “cronyism” and “patronage” that he has heard.

“Let’s look at this objectively,” he added.

Adduci recommended that Lisa Scheiner, acting village administrator, lead the review.

Scheiner said she planned to schedule at least two virtual meetings with residents and encouraged residents to share their opinions on the matter with her.

“We’re always open to suggestions,” she said.

Scheiner estimated she will provide a report to the board within 90 days.

“We’ll do whatever we can,” Adduci said.

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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Housing Center gets portion of promised village funds

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The Oak Park Village Board voted unanimously, March 1, not to monetarily penalize the Oak Park Regional Housing Center (OPRHC) for not providing the village with its financial audit for the year of 2020 on time.

“We want you to sustain yourself,” Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb told OPRHC Executive Director Athena Williams.

The funding agreement between OPRHC and the village dictated that in order for the housing center to receive the $300,000 amount in full, the OPRHC had to provide the audit on time.

“In the event that the 2020 financial audit is provided to the Village between July 2, 2021 and August 1, 2021, funding under this Agreement shall be reduced by 50 percent, which equals $150,000,” the agreement stated. Staff recommended the village board hold to the financial penalties.

In light of the financial struggles during the pandemic as well as the management issues Williams inherited upon assuming the role of executive director in 2019, the village board voted to remove the financial penalties of the agreement.

“Given the state that Athena inherited as executive director of the housing center and the fact is, we had a pandemic last year

— everyone’s struggling,” said Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla. “I want to work with the housing center because I do support what the housing center continues to do for our village.”

OPRHC’s inconsistent track record of turning in audits to the village predates the tenure of Williams, who has committed to rectifying previously mismanaged areas.

The center has been under transition since 2018, according to Williams.

She explained to the board that the current delay in turning in the 2020 audit stems from the OPRHC playing catch up on completing overdue audits from previous years.

The 2020 audit, she anticipates, will be completed April 1. The audit itself cost the housing center $15,000, according to Williams.

Trustee Simone Boutet had concerns that the consistent trimming of OPRHC’s village funding contributed to its current situation.

“We’ve cut the housing center budget year after year; I’m concerned we’ve cut them to the point that they can’t function,” said Boutet, who worried that the housing center could not afford the staff to carry out the duties required in the financial agreement to receive village funding.

Trustee Dan Moroney said OPRHC received funding from the village in the amount of roughly $700,000, calling it “not an insignificant amount.”

Moroney pointed to 2020 budget discussions, where OPRHC had committed to hiring a development coordinator, updating their strategic plan, establishing an online registration system, as well as developing an app and holding quarterly fair-housing events.

“Certainly, there has been a pandemic, but none of these things have really come to fruition,” said Moroney. “If this is a value, I think it’s important to ensure that we’re getting the bang for the buck.”

Moroney said he supported staff ’s recommendations, but later voted to remove the financial penalties.

Williams asked Moroney where he got the $700,000 amount, which Moroney stated came from the village’s general fund and Community Development Block Grant funding.

“No, actually for 2020, that amount would have been $463,000,” Williams corrected.

Williams set the record straight regarding Moroney’s account of the housing center’s deliverables laid out during 2020 budget discussions and the progress made to achieve them.

“If I recall, it was you in particular who said we should have 375 affirmative moves,” Williams told Moroney. “During COVID, we actually had 241 affirmative moves.”

She noted that the housing center was supposed to have 500 moves within the village.

“During COVID, we had 513 moves within the village,” Williams said.

Williams added that she wasn’t thrilled with the 2019 strategic plan, and told the board she has had trouble trying to recruit talent with the housing center’s limited funds.

“Most funders don’t want to fund the Oak Park Regional Housing Center because we’re seeing over 200,000 clients for a community that has an average household income of $95,000 or greater,” she said.

Potential funders are more concerned with funding organizations catering to lower-income areas.

“We all need to work together,” said AbuTaleb. “We’re not trying to penalize you; we just need the paperwork, and we need to move on.”

Walker-Peddakotla praised Williams for the progress made, noting that the housing center, despite difficulties, had hired two key positions: a grant writer and a development coordinator.

The board agreed to give the housing center $75,000 of the $300,000 stipulated in the current funding grant agreement to help OPRHC make payroll and pay bills.

The housing center will receive the rest of the funding after it turns in the 2020 audit report, which the village must receive

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ART BEAT

May there always be Jim Gill

Oak Park children’s musician/author teams with Chicago Symphony

By MICHELLE DYBAL

W

Arts Editor

hile Symphony Center, home to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), is closed to audiences due to the pandemic, the CSO has not remained quiet. They launched CSOTV to get their music out and have included outreach to children with CSO Kids. This venture features “fun and engaging videos (that) bring music to life through the exploration of contemporary children’s literature,” according to their website.

The most recent offering by CSO Kids is a performance by Oak Park children’s musician and author Jim Gill, performing from his book, May There Always be Sunshine. While he begins with his banjo, the music portion is soon taken on by five CSO members playing their trumpets, a French horn, a trombone and tuba. Chicago Symphony Chorus soprano Melinda Alberty joins in singing with Gill.

After the singers share what the children wish for, accompanied by illustrations, the musicians share what they wish for, too. Then young listeners are invited to send in drawings of their wishes, followed by a brief treat of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition by the brass musicians.

This is the 20th anniversary of Gill publishing May There Always Be Sunshine.

“I always viewed the book as a perpetual ‘starting point’ rather than a finished product,” Gill said. “The introduction

WISH FULFILLMENT: Oak Park musician and author Jim Gill performs on stage at Symphony Center, Chicago, for a video with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra based on his book, “May There Always be Sunshine”, for their CSOTV CSO Kids programming.

Photo by Todd Rosenberg Photography

to the book mentions that I hope folks will carry out bookmaking projects with children based on the song, perhaps inspired by my book. And over the years, lots of teachers and librarians and family members have used my book, and of course the song, as the starting point for creating their own May There Always Be books.

Gill received copies of drawings and books over the years.

But when the pandemic hit and in-person, hands-on activities halted, things changed.

“Last spring, my wife Sue, after a month of lockdown, had the idea that we could ask children from across the country to send us digital images of the pages that they create and that we could make video books,” Gill said.

They received pages from Delaware to California and even one from Canada and had enough to create nine video books in May 2020 (viewable at: youtube.com/user/jimgillmusicplay/videos). Sue Reif Gill does the video editing.

Those videos were noticed by Jon Weber, director of school and family programs, The Negaunee Music Institute at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, who then invited Gill to take part in CSO Kids. Besides connecting music with literature, CSO Kids has a component related to children’s social and emotional development and well-being, Gill said.

Gill believes the CSO accomplished their mission with this project as libraries, schools and families across the country are viewing the video with children.

“I have received emails and Facebook messages letting me know that not only has it inspired folks to start book-making projects with the children that they are working with and caring for, it has also simply made folks smile,” he said.

He said the song and video are flexible across ages, backgrounds and ability levels.

While in the video, it appears he may be on stage with others, he strummed his banjo and sang alone for his first appearance on Symphony Center’s stage, and it was through editing that it looked like he interacted with Alberty. The efforts were to keep everyone as safe as possible. Having May There Always Be Sunshine adapted for CSO musicians was a

new experience too.

“The fact that the CSO created a special arrangement of the song for a brass quintet adds a level of sophistication to the song that isn’t there when I strum it on my banjo,” Gill said. “But I am honored that the director insisted I strum and sing the song in my own simple way as part of the video.

So in addition to being relevant across the ages, the song is also relevant across musical styles as well.”

Gill is continuing to work with the CSO. Last week he led a Zoom workshop with them, their partners and volunteers, so they can “start the process of book-making projects” that connect Chicago Public School children and seniors in their communities.

To view CSO Kids’ “May There Always Be Sunshine” video, go to: cso.org/costs/cso-for-kids/may-there-always-besunshine. More on Jim Gill: jimgill.com.

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

ART BEAT

One Earth Film Festival turns 10

New group oversees fest, other sustainability efforts

By MICHELLE DYBAL Arts Editor

One Earth Film Festival is celebrating 10 years of bringing movies related to sustainability and the environment to viewers.

While some things are the same as that first year, much is different a decade later.

The film fest kicks off on Friday, March 5, with a theme of 10 Years of Inspiring Change. All films are being shown virtually and include discussions with filmmakers, subjects in films and experts on film topics.

Back and forth with the audience will occur through online chat.

This general format has been in place since 2012, when One Earth Film Festival first took place with 20 films shown around Oak Park and River Forest. That grew to 35 films scheduled to be shown at 50 screenings at locations across Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana in 2020. But, partway through, COVID-19 entered the scene and crowds could not gather. The festival organizers quickly shifted to show a few remaining films virtually to close out the event. The scheduled speakers and a virtual chat were

provided, a preview for what was to come.

When One Earth Film Festival was first conceived, it was an effort backed by a new group at the time, Green Community Connections (GCC), which had been created two years prior, in 2010. GCC, along with One Earth Film Festival is now under an umbrella organization, One Earth Collective.

According to Jim Babcock, One Earth Collective board member and a founding member of GCC, community discussions were taking place regarding a sustainability plan for the area, which resulted in Plan It Green, approved by in 2011.

“A group from the meetings congregated and talked about having an organization that would be an educational organization around sustainability issues to help bring people toward situations where they could become active and constructive in the community,” Babcock said. That became GCC, which focused on forums and workshops.

Another project was the film fest. Ana Garcia-Doyle took the lead for One Earth Film Festival and still runs it today as festival director. She is also on the One Earth Collective board. In that first year, each viewing was set up to include panelists who were experts in the field related to each film, discussion time, and tables to get more information to learn how to take action, as well as a way to stay in touch with GCC. The films covered different issues in the sustainability realm, and organizers learned how to get licenses to show them, Babcock said.

He remembers going to local businesses and getting flyers put into windows to get word out.

Once the films started rolling, the community showed up – approximately 500 people -- and the festival’s model for engagement was set in place with one evolution -- filmmakers are included in the panels of some showings.

The original idea for using films to create change related to sustainability came from wanting to appeal to people’s emotions.

“The question was, ‘How can we motivate more people in the community to become

Photo by TcPhotography

GROWING: One Earth Film Festival Director Ana Garcia-Doyle (center) speaks with attendees at the 2018 festival launch party. The 2021 launch takes place virtually, Friday, March 5. (Below) One Earth Film Festival screening in 2019 at Dominican University. more active in sustainability issues and climate change?” Babcock said. “What was brainstormed was to show films, thinking that films would have an emotional impact on people if they’re good films with good subjects, and that films would motivate people to take action. The educational forums we had helped people understand things more, but an emotional connection, getting to your heart, is more powerful.”

Films are chosen by volunteers ranging from those interested in the environment to filmmakers and now include 100 screeners across the U.S. Score sheets are used to rank each film and standardize the process. Some 100-150 films are screened for each film festival. Those that rank the highest are further whittled down by a small team. This year, 20 films made the cut. They cover a variety of sustainability subject matter, such as global warming in the films The Great Green Wall and Kiss the Ground. The topics have evolved over the years including more focus on environmental and social justice.

“The amount of content that has to do with environmental justice and racial and economic justice has increased year by year, and this year there are quite a few films that have those subjects as part of their themes,” Babcock said. Gather shows Native Americans reclaiming “their spiritual, political and cultural identities through food sovereignty.” District 15 shows the fight to stop Los Angeles industrial oil drilling activity occurring in communities of color and lowincome communities.

The umbrella organization, One Earth Collective, now contains the film fest, GCC and youth programs – called Youth Voices.

Youth Voices includes the One Earth Young

Filmmakers Contest and programs in the Austin and Pilsen neighborhoods of Chicago focused on sustainability around healthy food and gardening. Green Community Connections focuses “on local sustainability programs in Oak Park and River Forest,” according to its website. In the rebranding, Babcock said, “We’re hoping it shows our wider scope of activity.”

The collective has a website (oneearthcollective.org) and a new logo to symbolize all it does. This group also has grown its board of directors from 4 members to 7 to allow each to focus more on long-term strategic matters versus day-to-day operations. It also increases the board’s geographic and racial diversity.

The film fest remains One Earth’s Collective’s biggest and most ambitious project and this year it has global reach. While there are 18 events (some include a feature and a short) over 10 days, up to 500 people can join each viewing, unless there is a limit imposed by film licensing. In-person screenings would draw upward of 100-200 per event, according to Babcock.

One Earth Film Festival kicks off with a launch party on March 5 with proceeds going toward supporting this year’s festival.

As part of this event, directors of three films at the festival will speak with Jenn White, a former Oak Parker and host of NPR’s nationally syndicated show, 1A. Films begin showing on Saturday, March 6. Tickets are free with a suggested $8 donation. This is to make sure no one is kept from watching the films due to their financial situation, Babcock said. For the schedule and to register, go to oneearthfilmfest. org/films-by-date

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

15

Oak Park teacher finalist for Golden Apple Award Petra Choi, a teacher at Beye, among 32 pre-K through 3rd grade finalists

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter

A Beye Elementary School teacher has been named a finalist for the coveted 2021 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Petra Choi, who teaches third-grade at the Oak Park District 97 school. She was among 32 pre-K through third-grade finalists, just 4.5 percent of 708 nominations received from 67 counties in Illinois, Golden Apple officials announced on Feb. 23.

In a statement describing Choi’s teaching, Golden Apple officials said Choi “viewed the pandemic as an opportunity to ‘up her game’ as an educator, finding new ways to maintain an environment that provides each student with what they need to thrive educationally while maintaining a connection with one another and the community, despite the circumstances.”

Choi developed a full virtual curriculum for her students and spent nights and weekends with parents who volunteered to test equipment to make sure “it would work intuitively for students.”

Choi also produced a list of more than 500 virtual activities and websites for students that she shared with other educators in D97. In addition, each student in Choi’s classroom published a book and completed an art project about an animal that they had researched.

And through a partnership with the Oak Park Township last year, Choi’s class created more than 400 cards that were

delivered to area senior citizens on Thanksgiving. “”The vital role of teachers in the lives of students, their families, and their communities has been elevated even more over the past year,” said Alan Mather, the president of Golden Apple, in a statement.

“The resilience teachers have demonstrated while navigating teaching during the global pandemic and through a time of racial awakening, while providing the high-quality education and social-emotional support students need, has been tremendously impactful,” he said. “We are honored to recognize the extraordinary work of these finalists.”

Alicia Winckler, Golden Apple’s CEO, stated that the annual distinctions “elevate the critical roles that teachers have in our society,” adding that while “continue to face a growing teacher shortage, we know that exceptional teachers, like the 2021 finalists, are crucial to the success of students and play a significant role in the future success of Illinois and our nation.”

Golden Apple officials said that they’ll surprise the 2021 award recipients in the spring.

“Northwestern University generously provides a spring sabbatical to award recipients at no cost,” they explained.

“Each recipient receives a $5,000 cash award. Award recipients become Fellows of the Golden Apple Academy of Educators, a community of educators who play an important role in preparing the next generation of teachers in the Golden Apple Scholars and Accelerators programs – which are dedicated to addressing the teacher shortage in Illinois.”

Visit goldenapple.org for more information.

Bring Home a Taste of Some of your Favorite Moments

Photo provided

Petra Choi of Beye School is a Golden Apple finalist.

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Burglar crawls through unlocked window Someone entered a residence in the 700 block of Cuyler Avenue through an unlocked window, then ransacked the kitchen and removed a wallet, Apple iPad and vehicle keys; the offender then entered the victim’s garage and removed a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, between 10 p.m., Feb. 24 and 6:30 a.m., Feb. 25. The Jeep was later recovered in Chicago. The estimated loss is $2,650.

Theft

■ Someone cut the catalytic converter from a 2000 Honda Accord between noon, Feb. 19 and 10 a.m., Feb. 21 in the 200 block of South Maple Avenue. The estimated loss is $2,200.

■ Someone removed a package, containing a pair of eyeglasses, delivered by the

U.S Postal Service from a mailbox in the 500 block of North Humphrey Avenue between 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., Feb. 22. The estimated loss is $95.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Feb. 22 – March 1 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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Homes

River Forest rarity sells in a flash Grand estate, off market for more than 50 years, gone before it’s listed

By LACEY SIKORA

B

Contributing Reporter

link and you will miss it. That’s how fast real estate listings are going in River Forest right now. In the case of 819 Thatcher Ave., there wasn’t even enough time to blink. The house, a grand estate complete with garden house and coach house located on one of the largest residential lots in the village, wasn’t officially listed before it was under contract.

Some people know the house by the name Marygate -- it’s carved in the stone on the front gate, and there is a statue of the Virgin Mary in the front yard. Dennis Callahan, who with his siblings grew up in the house and is selling it on behalf of his mother’s estate, notes that his mother named the house when the family moved into the home in 1968.

“In the front hall, there is a little 3-by-3 room, not really quite a closet,” Callahan said. “I don’t know what prior owners did with it, but we had a statue of Mary in there on top of a fake waterfall. There was an iron gate at the front, and you closed it and had Marygate.”

His mother was a devout Catholic according to Callahan.

When he moved back to the house to take care of her in her later years, he says that he made sure she got to Mass every week at St. Luke’s.

Growing up in the house with his three sisters was “way cool,” according to Callahan. Although a breakfast room and family room were likely later additions to the house, he notes that much of the home remains as it was when it was first built.

Oak Park River Forest Historical Society Executive Director Frank Lipo says that the house was built around 1918 for Walter Gerts. Although Gerts and his family moved to Thatcher Avenue from another River Forest home on Quick Avenue, he was originally from Oak Park.

According to Lipo, Walter Gerts was a son of George Gerts and grew up in the family home on Lake Street in Oak Park, located roughly where the Grace Church rectory stands today.

The elder Gerts moved to Oak Park in 1869 and had his own brush manufacturing firm. When he died, Oak Park scions Austin and Lombard served as his pallbearers.

Walter took over the family business when his father died in 1914. He hired the Chicago architectural team of Woltersdorf & Bernhard to construct his house on Thatcher Avenue.

Lipo notes that Woltersdorf designed Chicago’s Tree Studios and many other commercial and industrial buildings.

According to Lipo, the large stone home with the tiled roof was well-received and an article about it appeared in the periodical Western Architect in 1922.

Today, Lipo says the house remains “one of the grandest houses and estates left in River Forest.”

For the Callahan family, it was just home -- albeit one with some unusual features. The home had a built-in music system featuring organ-like pipes in the living room which connectSee THATCHER on page 19

Photo by VHT Studios

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

GRANDEUR: Designed by Woltersdorf & Bernhard, the home at 819 Thatcher Ave. remains “one of the grandest houses and estates left in River Forest,” with much of its interior spaces, like the wood-paneled library (above) reflecting the way it looked when it was built.

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

19

THATCHER

Historic home from page 17

ed to a sound-proof room in the basement.

A setup similar to a player piano allowed paper rolls in the basement to play music in the living room.

While there were plans for a pool that never materialized, the yard features a separate structure that the Callahans called the garden house. Connected to the main house by an underground tunnel, the garden house has a domed ceiling and shuffle board courts inlaid in tile on the floor. Callahan recalls a pool table, ping pong and many family parties in the space.

The family also utilized the coach house living space above the garage, with all of the Callahan children living there at different times before they launched into their independent lives.

Inside the home, much of the original grandeur has been maintained. A stunning front door and sidelights are decorated top to bottom with bright circles of stained glass. The entry foyer features a coved ceiling with decorative painting. The living room’s ceiling is also painted with a mural, and iron gates lead into the dining room.

Elizabeth August, realtor with @properties who helped broker the sale for the Callahans, says the home is in great condition.

Callahan said that he tried for years to get his mother to update the original kitchen, which has only about six feet of space between cabinets and room for a five-foot tall refrigerator. According to August, the new owners are planning some updates to the home, including making over the kitchen to accommodate their family.

While it might need a bit of modernity, the grand dame’s original style has a lot of appeal according to August.

“Think about when this was in its prime,” she said. “The entertaining that must have gone on here.”

The history of the home is part of its charm. Growing up in River Forest, August says everyone knew of the home.

“I’ve been doing this for 20 years, and you just don’t see homes like this,” August said.

She points to the woodwork lining the stairwell and the powder room with gold ceilings and says, “Things like this just aren’t done anymore.”

August is not surprised that the house sold before she officially listed it. One reason? The realtor says River Forest real estate is moving fast these days.

“River Forest is a good deal compared to Hinsdale or even Elmhurst,” August said.

Also, she says, “This house hasn’t been on the market in a long time. There was lots of local interest and interest from the city. Because of the pandemic, we’re seeing lots of people wanting to change and looking for a different lifestyle and more land.”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

ORIGINAL FLAIR: Many details remain in the home from its birth around 1920 including the stunning front door and sidelights (above left), decorated from top to bottom in colorful stained glass. The home also still features a unique pipe-based system (above right) that pumped music into the living room (top) via a soundproof room in the basement, where music rolls could be fed into a machine.

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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VIEWPOINTS

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

C O N S C I O U S

A G I N G

Celebrating that we even get to age There are six myths about old age: 1. That it’s a disease, a disaster 2.

That we are mindless 3. That we are sexless 4. That we are useless 5. That we are powerless 6. That we are all alike.

Maggie Kuhn

I

suspect that most of us don’t think about our older-selves-to-be in very much detail, if at all.

A few years ago, I wrote in this column: “The other day I caught a glimpse of myself as I passed the hallway mirror. I stopped and backed up a few steps for a longer gaze. What grabbed my attention was a flap of skin. I know I had seen it before, just under my chin and above my throat.

But I’d also seen it on other older people.”

My cousin lives in a skilled nursing facility. I haven’t seen him since before the pandemic. Over the years, I’ve watched him go from working and mobile and energetic with an incisive mind to a disorganized incisive mind. But the main thing I remember about him these days is the hair growing out of his ears, and how I noticed it more the older he got. This helps me to think about my future self in more detail.

It took an effort for me to even think about my potential physical changes, let alone graphically picture them. I can notice my present changes, like the flap of skin under my chin, but it’s different for me to imagine the future possibilities in detail, not just as generalities. And an even further step will be for me to actually accept them as they manifest.

Even as I write this, I am keenly aware of you-the-reader’s possible reaction. Are you put off by being encouraged to picture the future hair growing out of your ears? And if so, why? If you do get to that point, it means you have lived longer. Isn’t that a good thing?

One way to look at it is that we’ve survived adulthood. And that is cause for celebration. And if we do get there, inevitably we will have changed.

That’s just life. Life is change.

This brings us back to wabi sabi, which means “appreciating the beauty of impermanence.” Which leads to appreciating the fact we’ll still be alive — changed, imperfect, and alive.

I just came across this poem written by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle: Don’t deplore your aging body; It is your natural inheritance.

Don’t judge your falls of flesh; Rather thank your body for how it has supported you.

Don’t take your eyes from the old woman who sits opposite you; Her world is your world; You only reside in an earlier time.

Don’t deplore her slower movements, her repetitive gestures; She’s confirming the reliability of an increasingly uncertain world.

Don’t trumpet your superiority in relation to her; She is here to show you where you are going.

Her presence alone can teach you the acceptance of age.

Don’t feel sorry for her because she’s old; Her world is as precious to her as yours is to you.

Don’t dismiss her because she just sits there apparently doing nothing; She’s showing you how to be in this moment.

Don’t let the pain of separation deceive you; You are not separate; it’s only your mind that creates separation.

Don’t throw her out of your heart because she is old; She is your mother, your sister.

She is you.

MARC BLESOFF

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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Searching for common ground p. 25

Middle class needs affordable housing too

A

ing in or moving to River Forest. The median sales price of River Forest homes in 2019 was $675,000 with 28 percent valued at $750,000 or more and 60 percent at $500,000 or more.

Fewer than a third of River Foresters have annual household incomes topping $200,000 — able to afford a $600,000 home. The median River Forest household income was about $122,000 — able to afford a $366,000 home.

New developments here exclude the middle class.

You’d need an annual household income of at least $296,666 to buy one of the Lake/Lathrop units, which average $890,000 despite a multimillion-dollar village subsidy. You would have needed an income of at least $150,000 to buy any of the townhomes had 1001-1011 Bonnie Brae been approved.

River Forest needs the “missing middle housing” for the middle class — which is what trustees Patty Henek, Katie Brennan, Erika Bachner and I wanted the affordable housing plan to address. We sought in vain for a village commitment that developments in the TIF districts don’t displace middle-class residents with high-cost construction most River Foresters cannot afford.

The village’s Affordable Housing Plan that our village president championed never addressed the missing middle housing. The plan is actually so hostile to affordable housing, that one highly-regarded planner who recently read it reported, “It’s the most anti-affordable housing ‘affordable housing plan’ I’ve ever seen.”

Village president aspirant Patty Henek and trustee contender Johann Buis are the only candidates who understand that River Forest’s middle class needs affordable housing too. See all the candidates’ answers on affordable housing at the Activists Toolkit (https://www.activisttoolkit.org/2021-river-forestvoter-guide). By hanging their hats on the “most anti-affordable housing ‘affordable housing plan’ I’ve ever seen,” the other candidates reveal they’ve just jumped on the affordable housing bandwagon without any commitment to enabling middleclass River Foresters to remain in the village that they’ve made so great.

Dan Lauber, a 34-year River Forest resident, is a planning consultant and fair housing attorney focused on the preservation and creation of affordable housing since the 1970s. He maintains the webSEDGWICK PROPERTIES site http://www.

PRICED OUT? Rendering for the proposed luxury condo development at Lake and riverforestmatters. com.

Lathrop in River Forest.

ffordable housing extends far beyond the narrow scope of the tepid, unoriginal plan adopted June 8 when the River Forest village president cast the tie-breaking vote over the objections of the more than 90 percent of River Foresters who voiced an opinion on the plan.

The village president and three candidates for trustee appear to think that “affordable housing” is only for households with incomes well below the Chicago metropolitan area’s median household income.

If they adhere to that misconception, River Forest sits near the bottom of the barrel. The latest Illinois Housing Development Authority data reveal that 96 percent of Illinois’ 1,298 municipalities have a higher proportion of affordable housing than River Forest does.

(Don’t get all high and mighty, Oak Parkers; 93 percent of Illinois towns have a higher proportion of affordable housing than Oak Park.)

But economists, planners, and HUD have long used a much broader measure of housing affordability — the measure others and I tried in vain last year to get River Forest officials to use in the plan.

“Affordable housing” includes housing being affordable to the middle class, too. Affordability is measured in terms of the percentage of cost-burdened households: households spending 30 percent or more of their monthly income on housing, and severely cost-burdened households spending 50 percent or more. More than a quarter of River Forest homeowners and more than four in 10 renters are cost burdened. Nearly a quarter of our tenants are severely cost-burdened.

Significant proportions of River Forest’s middle class residents — seniors, nurses, teachers, first responders, librarians, social workers, and even our adult children — are having a tough time remain-

DAN

LAUBER One View

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

O U R

V I E W S

Reparations and discernment

A

conversation in Oak Park has begun about reparations.

That makes this a good time to listen.

Chris Thomas spoke for the Walk the Walk social justice group last week when the issue made the agenda at the Oak Park Village Board table. He asked that all of us take part in this early discussion with an “open heart.”

Worthy advice as the mere mention of reparations can create palpitations in the hearts of many white people who react viscerally and defensively to a topic that really needs definition and discernment.

The concept of a wide and sincere apology from our Oak Park governing bodies for past transgressions toward Black residents (or potential residents) gets stuck in the craw of too many. The harm done is real. And the injustices are not all limited to the last century. Though the systems supporting the injury were thoroughly baked into the dominant white culture, that doesn’t excuse us. And it shouldn’t discourage the current powers that be, which still tilt hard toward whiteness, from soul-searching and profound apologies.

The steps that must follow will need a wide and affirming discussion. How does a small town, albeit a small town with pretenses of leadership on race and equity, offer a genuine response to what is the nation’s original sin.

We don’t know the answer. That’s all right. There isn’t a simple or a single answer. We need a process, it needs to be led by people of color, and it needs to have practical outcomes that reflect aspirational goals. Like all these conversations, it needs to make white people uncomfortable.

The presentation last week by Walk the Walk rightly looked at various moments in Oak Park’s history. Notable failures included the choice a century back to build Oak Park’s downtown on the only portion of the village with Black residents, with the Mount Carmel Baptist Church being lost in that development.

In the weeks to come, Wednesday Journal will go into our archives to offer readers the stories we’ve done over decades that focused on Black history in Oak Park. Much of that coverage was done by Doug Deuchler and Ken Trainor and it is well worth reading.

With April’s election, it seems certain that the village board and the post of village president will become more progressive on issues that include equity. It will be the important job of the next board — and of other elected bodies in Oak Park — to be intentional in leading on the issue of reparations.

We welcome that discussion and the actions to follow.

Glimpses of normal Three months out, the Park District of Oak Park plans to open Rehm Park Pool. On Memorial Day weekend. Same as always. Except for last year.

Yes, there will be COVID limits on the number of people in the pool. So it will not be fully business as usual. But it will be close enough to real to get splashed. To put in some laps. To laugh and forget for a moment the pandemic.

We see the start of schools reopening cautiously to in-person learning. We are expecting by fall to see substantial reopenings. Outdoor dining will be back by April, weather permitting. Vaccinations will ramp up in a hurry.

So go ahead and be giddy for a moment. Then put your mask back on.

V I E W P O I N T S

What it takes to be a great teacher ing need a stronger lesson, but instead of shaming them, you call their bluff.

Organize your own retreat, you say. They rise to the occasion, and the occasion Joni Mitchell quickly evolves from impersonal to interpersonal, small groups discussing deeper hat does it take to be a great feelings, many for the first time. It is a teacher?* particular revelation to “the rock.”

You come into class on the Great teachers know their students and first day in the fall of 1966 — a raise expectations accordingly. time of great change, both in The following spring, because they ask the Catholic Church following the Second for more, you invite six of those students Vatican Council and in America with “The to the Fox River boat house/cabin, owned Sixties” beginning to heat up — and you by members of your family, for a weekend sit on top of the desk instead of standing behind it. Your group of clueless freshman retreat just four days after the killings seminarians have never seen anything like at Kent State have thrown the future for this before. these soon-to-be college students into Great teachers change the way you look at teachers. disarray. You probably think about ways this could go You are friendly and accessible, comfortable in your wrong, and by today’s standards, some might deem skin. You don’t really teach a subject. You simply this inappropriate, but nothing goes wrong. It is teach. You aren’t there to tell your students how much entirely appropriate. You aren’t trying to be anyone’s you know. You want to know what they think and guru. You aren’t trying to be everyone’s “buddy.” You how they feel. So you listen stay in your role as teacher, and to them as if they mattered that makes all the difference.

— because they do. Your stuThe seven of you explore the dents feel that you like them power of deep interpersonal — because you do. sharing. While listening to Mr. Rogers won’t be on Joni Mitchell records, playthe scene for another three ing softball, taking walks and years, but when he appears making meals, but especially on Public TV, you recognize a during long sessions of soulkindred spirit. sharing, you learn a lesson in Officially, you teach reliplatonic intimacy — you catch gion, but unofficially you a glimpse of love as a spiritual teach psychology, and your force, that love is more than classroom expands into the mere feeling and that our rehallways. A good word here. spective islands are connected An insight there. A pointed by the same ocean. comment. A well-aimed Great teachers are also great question. “Have you ever learners. wondered what it would be On Saturday night, the Mass like …?” you celebrate ends with the When you see one who is sunset’s glow filling the room, self-contained, who likes the and “communion” suddenly Simon & Garfunkel song, “I means more than sharing am a rock, I am an island … bread and wine. It means a and a rock feels no pain and state of “communal union.” A an island never cries,” you comfortable, connected silence drop him a note: “No man is lingers. an island.”

Great teachers have the courYour students change a lot age to trust and take risks that over the span of four years, Al Rakowski, from the 1970 Quigley North pay big dividends. but so do you. You attend Your students move on in yearbook. encounter groups at Esalen life and so do you. It includes Institute in California one marriage and teaching at the summer and fall in love with university level, counseling the woman who will become your life partner, the and gardening, and living near the shore of Lake main reason you will soon leave the priesthood, so Michigan in Indiana for 50 years with your wonderful you have a particular sensitivity to your students’ life-affirming partner, Jude. awkward progress toward maturity. You know Some of your students stay in touch, including that, after all is said and done, education is really a the rock, who sends his columns along via email. process of self-discovery. The Latin roots are educare But like all great teachers, you don’t know you are a and educere, the first meaning “to mold,” the second great teacher, though your students do. They under“to draw out.” You do both. stand the gift they were given.

Great teachers change the way you look at teaching.

And they thank you from their deep heart’s core — In 1969, the fall senior retreat is a near-disaster. for showing them the way to their deep heart’s core.

The older priest leading it is not a good fit and the And for teaching one final lesson: students, now steeped in The Sixties, rebel. Someone What it takes to be a great teacher. rolls a smoke bomb under his door and he leaves in * Dedicated to Al Rakowski, who died recently at the a huff. Clearly, the students you have been teachage of 90.

Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone?

W

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

I

The search for common ground

n our polarized society — a society that shows signs of devolving into political violence — it is incumbent upon people of good will to work toward establishing common ground. How might we keep our society together? What might keep us from unraveling? Is there a social ethic that can inoculate people from the vices rampant in 21st century America?

Some are arguing that the principles of Catholic social teaching might be helpful for Americans to engage critically and seriously. Recently, the Wall Street Journal published a two-page feature on the topic (Feb. 6).

First, we should distinguish Catholic teaching from fundamentalism. The Bible and faith are not the sole sources for Catholic reflection on the social order. Reason plays a prominent and necessary role. (One commentator speaks of Catholic morality in general as “reason informed by faith.”) Catholic teaching on social ethics supports humanism. It is also important to note that the documents of Catholic social teaching are not only addressed to Catholics, but to “all people of good will.” (And we ought to recognize that, by definition, those committed to reasonableness are indeed “people of good will.”) Even though it is rooted in faith, it is thoroughly informed by reason and critical thinking. There is nothing in Catholic social teaching that is inaccessible to people of different religions or of no religious convictions at all.

The guiding principle of Catholic social teaching is the inviolable dignity of the human person. Every human being is a unique and beloved creation of God. As such, every human person deserves respect, care, love. (In the 18th century, Immanuel Kant would eventually recast

this into the moral imperative to treat others as an end in themselves, not as a means to an end.) There is but one human family — a family that is wonderfully diverse, yet united by common hopes and dreams, rights, duties and obligations. The social order exists to help people achieve fulfillment; the customs, practices and laws of a particular society ought to be judged on how they help their citizens to do just that.

From these first principles flow the other fundamental principles of Catholic social teaching: the common good, subsidiarity and solidarity, the universal destination of goods, and participation.

Pope Francis has just contributed to the documents of Catholic social teaching with his encyclical Fratelli tutti (2020). In the introductory paragraphs, he reminds us that he and the Grand Imam Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, the Egyptian Islamic scholar, issued the following joint statement in 2019: “God has created all human beings equal in rights, duties, and dignity and has called them to live together as brothers and sisters.” Pope Francis and many leaders of the world’s religions would have us begin our search for common ground by a profound reflection on the human person and the one human family.

They recognize that partisanship and sectarianism, nationalist ideologies, racism and xenophobia are enemies of the common good and the creation of a more just and equitable world.

In the search for common ground, people of good will might do well by engaging the principles of Catholic social teaching.

Rev. Richard Peddicord, O.P., is in his ninth year as president of Fenwick High School.

REV. RICHARD PEDDICORD, O.P. One View

D97 board should overrule McAndrew termination I write to implore the District 97 school board to reject the administration’s recommendation to terminate the employment of Beye School fifth-grade teacher Patrick McAndrew at its March 9 meeting. The recommendation to terminate is on the basis of “fraudulent use of sick days” related to an emergency visit to his child in Nepal.

Termination is the district’s ultimate remedy and it is only warranted in the most egregious of circumstances.

This standard is especially the case when the employee has a 35-year track record as an outstanding teacher and has been recognized as a Golden Apple Finalist and a Damen Award winner during his 23-year tenure at Beye School.

Mr. McAndrew had a tremendously positive impact on my children’s educational and personal development.

He is one of those few teachers that both students and parents remember years later because his passion for teaching was infectious and fostered a love of learning.

His commitment ranged beyond the classroom with his outstanding work leading theater at the school, inspiring

large numbers of students to join CAST in middle school.

When my son was asked in eighth grade by his school to identify the teacher who had the most impact upon his education he said, without hesitation, “Mr. McAndrew.”

I had the opportunity to serve on the D97 board from 2003-2007. I understand that, as a general matter, the board should grant a level of deference to the administration’s personnel recommendations. However, when the facts and circumstances warrant, it is a board member’s obligation to represent the values of the community by rejecting an ill-conceived recommendation.

The board plays this check-and-balance role to assure that the administration’s actions are well-grounded and will not damage the fabric of our educational community.

Patrick McAndrew has served this community with distinction for over 23 years. He has much more to give our children.

He should not be denied that opportunity.

Dan Burke Oak Park

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

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

■ Signature details as at left

your connection to the topic

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

H O W

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R E A C H

U S

ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

Beware imbalance in nature

Deer culling: Has it occurred to anyone that by interfering and killing deer, the natural balance between deer and coyotes will be affected to our own detriment?

Coyotes naturally avoid people, but if hungry enough,

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

can be aggressive. Human interference causes imbalance in nature.

Jayne Gould

River Forest

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V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

Leadership matters for D97 board

Equity and excellence do not happen because of a written commitment. Words must match deeds and deeds must track to goals. It takes strategic, focused, and goaloriented leaders who desire to see historical education gaps close on their watch, not some elusive day.

This is why I hope you will join me in supporting Venus Hurd Johnson for District 97 school board. The election is April 6.

From the board table to the superintendent to teachers, leadership matters. An exceptional, diverse team must be assembled.

This group of leaders must work together with their primary focus being the students — and their outcomes academically, socially and emotionally.

Venus and I moved to Oak Park around the same time 16 years ago and have children, including Black sons who are the same age.

Venus has always had an intuitive not theoretical understanding of why equity and excellence are paramount in D97.

Oak Park is a unique community. It is one of the few in the country where there are large numbers of Black children who live in homes, apartments, and condos right next door to children of other racial back-

grounds, and yet — when income is held constant — achievement and discipline gaps persist. Venus, like me, has always found this troubling at best.

And this is why we need Venus on the D97 school board. She has personally experienced and seen that equity and excellence, including Black excellence, can be the norm not the exception. In her time as co-PTO president at Mann, she brought a focus on academic achievement in math by piloting a rigorous summer program.

Around the same time, she also co-led the creation of the district-wide Diversity Committee, which has representation from every school. Now she leads the PTO Council, made up of all of the PTO presidents.

In every leadership role, her efforts have led to major progress when it comes to equity and excellence.

Neither race nor income should be the predictors of success. Venus believes this at her core. So do I and if you do as well, Venus will become a D97 school board member.

Aimée Eubanks Davis

D97 parent, former co-PTO President at Mann Current auxiliary member of the PTOC

Schrodt for D200 Board

We are thrilled that David Schrodt has decided to run for the District 200 school board.

We have known David for 20 years: He is brilliant, thoughtful, professional and caring — exactly the characteristics that we look for in elected officials.

David isn’t a politician trying to grab headlines; he is looking to be a true public servant.

A lawyer and CPA, he has a unique ability to grasp complex issues and find solutions.

He challenges others to be their best while always listening and serving as a bridge builder.

He recognizes the heavy burden that taxes place on all Oak Park and River Forest resi-

dents as well as the challenges that creates in maintaining the diverse community and OPRF student body that so many of us cherish.

He wants to actively advance racial equity and social justice issues at the high school.

His ideas include a clear plan to ensure that OPRF becomes a leader in preparing all of its students in new media as one way to prepare our students for the future.

The high school board needs David’s perspective, temperament and progressive ideas.

We hope you will join us is casting a vote for Schrodt.

Bob & Vicki Tucker Oak Park

Clark shows up for the community With the elections fast approaching, I write in support of Anthony Clark and anything pertaining to, but not exclusive to, Suburban Unity Alliance activities.

Anthony has demonstrated and exemplified what it means to be there for your community, even at the risk of his own job and well-being at times. He’s shown up even when others questioned the reasoning, or the circumstances. He’s shown up when there was no support at all, and he’s provided resources to individuals when our own government couldn’t get those to them.

I believe in him, and I believe that, with further support from our community, he will continue to show up in an even more impactful way for not only our community, but for all of the young black males looking for positive

male role models to look up to during these challenging times.

Anthony has been a friend for 24 years, so on a personal level, I can attest to his alwaysbeing-there-when-you-need-him mentality.

He’s also already accomplished so much for our community and with the proper support, I’m confident he will continue to show up in innovative and creative ways, to make an even greater impact on our already amazing community.

On behalf of YourPassion1st, we are honored to support Anthony Clark for the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Chris Thomas

Founder, YourPassion1st

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Drechsler site high-rise deserves an honorable burial

M

y propensity to miss every turn in the real estate market was confirmed on the final day of last September. That morning, my wife and I closed on the purchase of a condo in an attractive corner of Oak Park. In the afternoon, the local paper arrived with an unpleasant local news story. A development company had plans to erect a 9-story apartment building on the site of the Drechsler Funeral Home — immediately across the alley from our new residence!

Some might question my credentials for taking a position against this proposed project. My ownership of a residence within shouting distance of the potential “skyscraper” means that I have a vested interest that might cloud my judgment.

And I have lived in Oak Park so long (40 of my 72-year life) that I am often guilty of believing that life in our village was better yesterday than today.

But I know from personal experience what draws people to Oak Park and what ties them down once they get here. I also feel a responsibility not to erode the quality of life that I inherited from my Oak Park predecessors.

My primary reason for opposing a large apartment building at the corner of Pleasant and Marion is that it will put one more chink in the Oak Park culture. Locals prize the human-sized buildings, multiple neighborhood business districts, tree-lined

sidewalks, numerous widely scattered parks and independent retail establishments. As Julie Andrews would sing, “These are a few of my favorite things.” They make Oak Park lovable.

One more high-rise will probably not be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, but none of us know for sure how long the camel will survive if the trend is not curbed.

My interest in this subject is also truly personal. My wife, despite suffering an incurable debilitating disorder, is an avid walker who named our new puppy “Austin” in honor of her favorite park destination in the village. It was a deep disappointment when Austin Gardens was put in the shadows of recently erected high-rise apartment buildings. Now we have moved across from Mills Park, where the sunsets may be obscured by another building reaching to the heavens.

I am sure that a data-informed discussion about the effect of the proposed project upon economic development and tax revenues is being fully aired by the local Plan Commission. As it should. I also encourage the trustees to remain alert to the poetry, spirit and history of a distinctive village that they have an opportunity to promote and preserve. Not to do so would be a tragedy and a misuse of the trust that we place in them After 40 years in Oak Park, Dale Sorenson recently moved onto the block where a tall apartment building is proposed.

Readling has the right vision for Oak Park

compromise when possible.

Cate is a true progressive. She has a record of leading on the progressive issues most dear to us: racial equity; access to housing; economic development focused on small, independent businesses; intergovernmental cooperation to keep Oak Park affordable; and environmental policies that promote a greener, more sustainable, Oak Park.

She is also well positioned to lead the kind of community we can feel proud raising our kids in. She is kind, relatable, and an experienced Oak Park parent. We need policies that are mindful of our children’s safety, education, and desire to live in a community that will listen and foster active participation in government — a community that helps grow future leaders. Cate is a mom of four, with kids in District 97 and District 200 — which is, in our minds, invaluable experience for a village president.

We want a leader who represents our Oak Park family’s values and is willing to fight for our community, passionately. While our next village president doesn’t need to be a superhero, we appreciate Cate’s super-strong commitment to doing the right thing for all Oak Parkers. We look forward to voting for her this spring and hope you will do the same.

DALE

SORENSON One View

Recently, our family has been intensely into Marvel movies. They are not only actionpacked and full of powerful, diverse characters, but they also present philosophical questions about leadership and governance that provide endless opportunities for passionate debate at our dinner table (yes, even the baby participates!). In Captain America: Civil War, Sharon Carter posits, “Compromise where you can, but where you can’t, don’t.” What a wise — but too often overlooked — philosophy. Not everything needs to be a battle. But when it does, fight.

This is one of the reasons we are supporting Cate Readling in this year’s race for Village President. She has a vision for Oak Park, and she is willing to fight for it.

Equally important is how Cate will fight.

She will fight with civility, dignity, and an understanding that while effective governance requires the willingness to stand up and fight when necessary, it also requires openness to

Andrea Button & Adam Salzman Oak Park

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Pete’s II so far, not so good

Henry for D200 board

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

Oak Park’s racial history

I would like to comment on your recent editorial titled, “Pete’s II a great win” [Our Views, Viewpoints, Feb. 24].

As president of the Majestic board, which oversees the 100-year-old property at 436 S. Euclid, which stands next to the construction site, the demolition process has been the opposite of a great win. It has been a nightmare. The owners were never notified prior to the start of demolition, the use of the alley behind our building was violated, and it was used as a throughway for heavy construction vehicles.

Vibrations from this and the deconstruction has caused interior and exterior damage to common areas as well as most units on the south side of the building. We are now burdened with the task and the expense of following up on the damages and the possible expense of all the repairs.

Progress without prudent and wellplanned execution to the effects it may have on the immediate community is reckless.

While we hope that Pete’s and the village will be good neighbors in the future with this scheduled construction project, we are very disappointed in the adverse results this project has had thus far on our vintage building.

This letter is simply to highlight a terrific individual in our community who happens to be running for the District 200 school board, Kebreab Henry.

Not only is he a close friend of mine, I’ve seen firsthand his commitment to the community around him and the youth of our next generation.

With three kids of his own, Kebreab is a caring husband and devoted father.

His passion and knowledge for equity goes far beyond his household by pouring into education, health-care disparities, and equal opportunity.

With a child of his own having gone through OPRF, enrolled in honor and advanced classes, he has a firsthand look at the opportunities within our high school.

A project manager by background, he believes in taking a holistic approach to every situation, establishing milestones and measures for accountability and successful outcomes.

I’d like to encourage my fellow Oak Parkers to vote for Kebreab Henry for the District 200 Board of Education.

Dr. Julian [Oak Park talks reparations, News, Feb. 24] was not the first black resident in Oak Park. Many came before, such as the Pope family.

They had the livery stable on Westgate. There were many horse-drawn carriages and wagons years ago; check out the doorways with rounded cement entry for wheels. They were respected. The fires were from lanterns; we did not have electric until 1910 in Oak Park — 1929 building code, only 1-story commercial because of fires.

Many years ago, most cities were segregated; you cannot change history. Oak Park was first to move forward. We made it to Newsweek for the whole country to see. I was in Springfield helping others to integrate. It worked.

So why are you going backward?

Of course Black people were treated unfairly. So was I as an Italian in Beye School, my parents buying a house in 1948. Teacher said I was not acceptable. Is my father a gangster? What do you people eat? Can I see your house?

Oak Park

Oak Park

Oak Park

Jerremy Howell

Catherine Chojnacki

oprfchamber.org

TOP 10 CONCERNS

3

Business Finances

Access to capital to survive or expand Access to trusted financial advice Ability to pay the bills

FACING BUSINESSES IN 2021

1

Corona Virus Pandemic Public Health & Protocols

Access to & efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine Rising cost & accessibility to PPE Trust in information Impact of future shutdowns

2

Photo Credit: Todd Bannor at Cross Function Ribbon Cutting

4

Constant pivot to adjust to change Business in the digital world Resources needed to learn new skills

5

Village shouldn’t be idle about idling trains!

When is the village going to do something about the idling trains at North/South boulevards between Marion and Forest? It is going on four disrupted nights/five days that these trains have been sitting here. We have contacted the company’s emergency number as previously published in your paper in August 2018. No response or change. Something must be done by the village to advocate for the residents who live in this residential area.

There are industrial areas along the west corridor where these trains could idle for days on end. What is the village doing on behalf of its residents about this?

Kelly Simmons

Oak Park

Don’t leave your dog’s ‘leavings’ I had always been impressed with the sense of community displayed by my fellow Oak Park dog owners in taking responsibility of their dogs’ “leavings,” but not any longer. On my most recent walks, I have been stunned by the mounds left in the snow and on sidewalks. I can only surmise that this may be related to the increase in dog ownership spurred by the social confinement of the pandemic, but I think the duty to pick up after your pet should be self-evident as an act of social courtesy and public hygiene. I hope that Oak Park takes appropriate steps in the forms of both information and enforcement. Postings at entrances to Austin Gardens (for example) would be a good first step.

6

Minority Owned Businesses & Civil Unrest

7

Family Life & Personal Impact

Safety & security of minority owned businesses Attracting & supporting minority businesses Ensuring minority business voices are heard

John Van Aalst

Oak Park

9

Consumer Confidence

Attracting business Shop local messaging Post COVID planning - medium & long term recovery

Mental health & wellbeing Access to childcare & return to school Food insecurity & homelessness

Employees & Staffing

Staff retention Finding new or replacement staff HR & management issues

Doing Business in New COVID World

Joan Riess

Village Affairs

High property taxes Development & changing trends in zoning Collaboration between local agencies

Photo Credit: Todd Bannor at Takeout Stakeout at Mulata Photo Credit: Todd Bannor at Takeout Stakeout at Mulata Source: Bender-Coates Family

8

27

Government

Federal unrest & divisive politics State & county government regulations Working with local government

10

Safety, Security & Enforcement

Defund the police movement Role of law enforcement

This list represents the collective voice of the OPRF Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors regarding the Top 10 concerns facing businesses in 2021.

Choose

ommunity

oprfchamber.org

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Crosswalks need Promote living with God’s creatures to be cleared

Trying to walk these past few weeks in our so-called “walking community “has been a nightmare! Crosswalks, at least 75% or more, have been left untouched by a shovel or a plow, while the streets barely have a snowflake on them.

Patronizing businesses became nearly impossible because of the mounds of snow and ice all along intersections on Lake Street. Walking to the Post Office? Nearly impossible! Sadly, it became easier to drive elsewhere with my business than navigate crosswalks here in Oak Park. Not acceptable, in my opinion.

We need smaller pieces of equipment to plow the intersections right after the streets are plowed. It’s a “no brainer.” We also need owners of corner buildings to assist in clearing those crosswalks.

Keeping Oak Park a prosperous, safe and walkable community should be a priority.

Joyce Callahan

Oak Park

Take the pledge to include

Spread the Word is an annual campaign spearheaded by Best Buddies and Special Olympics to inspire respect and acceptance by advocating for inclusive words and actions so we can end discrimination of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

What started as an effort to end the use of the word “retarded” has blossomed into a movement that promotes respect and inclusion for everyone. The official day worldwide is March 3, but in the past we have made the day meaningful, inclusive and engaging for the entire school community through an entire week of activities, featuring the Special Olympics basketball assembly and the Best Buddies pledge to include.

COVID-19 has shown the effects that isolation and exclusion can have on all of us individually, as a community, as a country, and as a global community. This year, Spread the Word recognizes the need to build connections and ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. We believe that it is more important than ever to build connection through inclusion. Though the tools we use to connect may have changed, our shared need for connection does not.

Join OPRF Best Buddies and Special Olympics in our celebration of friendship and acceptance the week of March 1-5.

Please follow @oprfbestbuddies and @oprfspecialolympics on Instagram for more information and to get involved. Will you take the pledge to include?

Lauren Arends Oak Park

Regarding the article about the village of River Forest questionnaire to cull the deer population in the Cook County Forest Preserve, Cook County owns and runs the Forest Preserve. Does River Forest have jurisdiction over Cook County? I believe the County Forest Preserve mandate is to preserve the natural habitat — trees, plants and animals — to preserve parts of the planet as it has existed.

Our village is fortunate to have access to these woods, river and wildlife. It is an education for all, to spend time in the woods.

Walk through the woods. Rarely are “too many” deer seen. So I question the quan-

tity of deer that RF residents are worried about. Certainly deer do stray into the neighborhood for vegetation. Can our gardens (deer salad bars) be a lesson to children that other living creatures need, and are entitled, to be fed and not shot?

Can we rise up from our primitive instincts, and promote learning what plants deer won’t eat — or what are effective deer repellent vegetation that we can plant in our gardens? Perhaps our villagers can promote and model living with God’s creatures in a harmonious way.

Lynn Zurowski River Forest

Titan of the 4 T’s of public service

We are voting for Valerie Lester for Oak Park Township Trustee because she has a lifetime of public service where she repeatedly shares her time, talent, treasure, and temperament for the betterment of the Oak Park community.

She has donated hundreds of labor hours to social service programs for our community members who have experienced food insecurity. Meal programs such as regional PADS dinners for Housing Forward, Oak Park Meals on Wheels for the township, and soup delivery for her neighbors isolated by the pandemic are just a few of the programs where she has invested her time over the last 15 years as an Oak Park compassionate resident.

Her talents with fiscal management have been on display during volunteer executive board member terms as treasurer at

Community of Congregations and the Oak Park Friends Meeting. She donates generously to the Women Leaders in Philanthropy program at the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Her philanthropy has helped the foundation’s community endowment grow for the betterment of hundreds of our fellow citizens.

Years of professional experience in corporate settings have revealed a steady temperament that can bring together diverse groups and viewpoints to maintain positive momentum for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Please join us in supporting our talented neighbor as she seeks to expand her public service in an elected position and add two more “T’s” in the role of Township Trustee.

Matthew Girson & Sarah Shirk

Oak Park

Griffin for diversity and inclusivity

For the first time in a long time, I feel hopeful about Oak Park living into its reputation and promise as an equitable, community-oriented village. What is getting me through the times we are in is an image of a transformed Village of Oak Park board table. Front and center in that image is Juanta Griffin, who embodies the welcoming energy and values of the best of Oak Park.

My wife and I moved here for the reputation of Oak Park as diverse and inclusive.

What I’ve learned is that while our community may have better diversity than much of Chicagoland, it is not measuring up in terms of equity. When I started going to VOP board meetings in recent years, I realized that not only were we not progressing, but we were backsliding. Juanta offers an opportunity to turn that around.

She is the warm, engaging, dedicated leader I’ve seen again and again, bringing community-building events to life. As a volunteer or participant in these events, I have nothing but positive experiences with her. With a Master in Education, she carefully crafts events to build education,

broaden understanding, and strengthen ties among community members. She collaborates effectively, thinks outside the box and adapts to changing conditions seamlessly. She keeps both the big picture and the important details in view while forming decisions. Juanta approaches everything with a solutions mindset. This is the type of leader I would like to see at the VOP board table.

Our village manager form of governance with a full-time hired village manager, guided by a part-time elected Village Board of Trustees, requires the skills that Juanta Griffin is already generously sharing with Oak Park. This model also relies on the perspectives brought to the board table by trustees. As a Black woman who grew up in Oak Park, is a renter, is disabled and raising four children here, she brings much needed representation to our board.

Please join me in working to elect Juanta Griffin so Oak Park can correct course and become a leading example.

Susanne Fairfax Oak Park

In support of the new Drechsler site building

As an Oak Park resident who lives across from the proposed development at 203 S. Marion and who has watched Plan Commission hearings regarding the project and provided public comment, it troubles me to hear all the negative reaction about a welcome addition to my neighborhood.

Opponents act as if 158 more residents in our neighborhood will make it resemble Times Square on New Year’s Eve. That’s ridiculous! I strongly favor development near downtown Oak Park because more residents who live in the neighborhood will support local businesses that need every customer they can get.

As for the opponents who complain about height and the handful worried about their views, most of them may never be satisfied. To them, any building would be too tall if it rises above their window, as if they have a guaranteed right to a permanent view.

Some of the comments I heard at the Plan Commission meetings surprised me because they didn’t seem to be describing the 200 block of South Marion.

A “charming streetscape”? Yes, the photography studio property is pleasant, but half of the west side of that block is parking lots and the YMCA. That’s charming?

I heard a lot of complaints about design, too. If Focus built something that resembled the architecture of the block, its proposal would resemble the Y and boxy, brick apartment buildings across from it. The fact is the six blocks from Harlem to Home and Pleasant to Washington have no single architectural style, material, or design and have structures built from the late 1800s to 2013.

Critics of the project might not like it, but constructing a high-quality apartment building on this block is an improvement to what’s there now and is what my neighborhood needs.

Marlene Scott

Oak Park

WE RAN OUT OF SPACE! More election letters can be found online at oakpark.com/opinion

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

V I E W P O I N T S

Johannesson for Village Clerk

I’m thrilled to share my personal experience about my friend and colleague Lou Anne Johannesson, running for Oak Park Village Clerk on April 6. I have worked with Lou Anne over seven years as member of CLAIM (District 97 Committee for Legislation Action, Intervention and Monitoring), which I currently chair. We have worked on ideas and legislation developing equity and restorative justice policies, met with legislators in support or opposition to legislation affecting our district, and hosted the annual Legislators Forum providing a meaningful event between our state legislators, community partners working on behalf of kids and families, public and private schools in Oak Park and surrounding communities, and the public who could speak directly to legislators in a town hall style format.

Lou Anne has made a difference in our community through her ability to organize information and ensure that groups communicate and achieve shared goals. She introduced the issue of data-sharing to the CLAIM committee several years ago and made sure subsequent committees knew and understood this issue. There are significant impediments non-unified districts have when students transition to high school.

Unified K-12 districts in the state do not have this problem. This spring, legislation recommended by CLAIM will be introduced by Senate President Harmon which will allow for access to critical resources to meet the needs of students.

Lou Anne understands complex municipal governance and has put that knowledge to work for Oak Park for many years.

Her passion, work ethic, sharp mind and attention to detail ensures nothing is overlooked. In addition to growing up, as well as raising her family in Oak Park, her 18 years with D97, extensive experience with citizen committees and elected boards is a deep reserve of experience to manage the Office of Village Clerk. She is running as an independent candidate not aligned with any other candidate, which I believe is an important criteria for this office.

Please see her interview with Wednesday Journal and her Facebook page, Lou Anne Johannesson for Village Clerk of Oak Park, for more information. Vote for her on April 6.

Theresa Jurgus Oak Park

O B I T U A R I E S

Fred Peterson, 76, Media relations, Vietnam vet

Fred Louis Peterson, 76, of Chicago and Oak Park, died on Dec. 22, 2020 at Rush Oak Park Hospital, following a valiant battle with COVID-19.

The family wishes to express their profound gratitude for the physicians, nurses, chaplains and entire team at Rush Oak Park Hospital for their dedicated and compassionate care.

Born Aug. 11, 1944 to Freddie and Callie Peterson, he graduated from Farragut High School and attended City Colleges of Chicago, then served in the U.S. Army as a military journalist during the Vietnam War. After the war, he attended Syracuse University through scholarships and the G.I. Bill, earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Public Relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. In four decades, he worked at International Harvester, Bethany Hospital and the American Dental Association, until retiring in 2011.

A boxing aficionado and avid Chicago and Syracuse sports fan, he enjoyed photography, reading, crossword puzzles, cooking, tennis and traveling. He also was a longtime supporter and volunteer for Housing Forward.

Fred is survived by Carol O’Brien, his partner of 18 years; his former wife, Cynthia Peterson; his son, Patric; his daughter, Vical Peterson Brunious (Courtney); his extended Oak Park family, Katherine O’Brien Cancila (Nathan Semler) and grandchildren Charlie, Eleanor and Johanna; Megan O’Brien Cancila (Colin R. Stroud) and grandchildren Eve and Soren; his brothers, Wendell (Judy), Gerald (Willa), Lafell, Stanley, Dwayne, and McArthur (deceased), and a host of family and friends.

Charitable donations may be made online at Fred L. Peterson Scholarship, or by check to Syracuse University, indicating “Fred L. Peterson Scholarship” in the memo line. Address to: Syracuse University, Advancement Services, Jodie Ralston, 640 Skytop Road, Room 240, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160.

A memorial service will be held at a future date.

Shantz) Laslavic, she attended Carnegie Mellon University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. A school teacher, she taught history for many years before becoming an educational sales representative.

Dianne was preceded in death by her son, Andrew Ghertner. She is survived by her partner Thomas Drabant, her son Paul Ghertner, her former husband Gary Ghertner, her sister Lynn Connolly (Terry), her nephew Brian Connelly, her niece Meghan Fazenbaker (David), her great-niece Emma Fazenbaker, and his great-nephew William Fazenbaker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation at P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 or online at https://www.michaeljfox.org.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Paul Grimes, 62 Worked at Echo Logistics

A. Paul Grimes, 62, of Elmwood Park, formerly of Oak Park, died on Feb. 21, 2021. Born on May 18, 1958, he was a third generation Oak Parker who began grammar school at Lincoln, and finished at Beye when the Grimes family moved from south Oak Park to north Oak Park. He graduated Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1976 and received an associate degree from Triton College in Computer Technologies. His 40-year-plus career began at Chicago Bridge and Iron and ended at Echo Logistics. His love and devotion to family and friends were more important to him than anything else.

He had an easy laugh — the sillier the joke, the better. Losing him will be profoundly felt when our families gathers to share stories or play cards.

Paul was the husband of Polly; the father of Meghan (fiancé Steve Butt) and Benjamin (Katie Myers) Grimes; the son of Tollie and

29

the late Art Grimes, and son-in-law of Carol and the late Joseph Paulus; the brother of Mary (Ken) Gehrling, Michael, Kathy (Patrick) Culkeen, and Bill (Colleen) Grimes and the brother-in-law of Tracy, Wendy (Jim) Fredrickson, and Ike (Judy) Paulus; and the godfather, uncle, cousin and friend of many.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (stjude.org) are appreciated.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Thomas Riley, 94 Former River Forest fire chief

Thomas B. Riley, 94, formerly of Oak Park, died on Feb. 22, 2021 at Greenfields of Geneva. The former fire chief of River Forest and resident of Oak Park for many years, he was involved with several county Fire Protection organizations and also worked for Able and Air One Fire Equipment after retiring.

Thomas Riley was the husband of Lorraine, the father of the late Kathy Wiedow (Bill), Karen (Stu) Gipson, Tom (Sue), Patricia (Jeff) Bowman, Margaret (Rob) McArdle, and Suzen; grandfather of Patrick, Kyle, Scott, Kevin, Jessica, Riley, Charlie, Tom, Cora, Regan and Ben; and great-grandfather to several.

A memorial service will be held at Ascension Church in Oak Park on May 15 at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Tom would like you to connect with a friend you haven’t seen for a while and have a martini with a couple of olives.

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

Drechsler, Brown & Williams

Dianne Ghertner, 73 Teacher, education sales rep

Dianne Ruth Ghertner (nee Laslavic), 73, of Elk Grove Village, formerly of Oak Park, died peacefully on Feb. 18, 2021. Born on May 15, 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the late Louis and Helen (nee

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

Funeral Home

Since 1880 Family Owned & Operated You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Sign up for FREE at OakPark.com

Charles Williams, Owner/Funeral Director 203 S. Marion St. Oak Park 60302 708/383-3191

30

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Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. Open until filled.

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DELUXE 3BR APT 5955 W HURON First Floor. Large kitchen, all electric appliances. Near West Suburban Hospital. Near all public trans. $1150/mo.

Call 773-637-8677 for appt.

OFFICE & RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT 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

ITEMS FOR SALE BRASS & GLASS SOFA TABLE Brass beveled glass sofa table. High quality, bought at Marshall Field’s.

27”h x 56”w x 15”d $249.00.

708-488-8755 KENMORE WASHER & DRYER Sold as set. $100.00.

Call Terry Baggett 773-988-6468

Call Us For Advertising Rates!

708/613-3333

MUSIC Music: piano scores, concertos, piano trios, flute music violin music.

Variety of composers. $3.00 each.

708-488-8755

SUBURBAN RENTALS

SUBURBAN RENTALS

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

Apartment listings updated daily at:

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

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

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

WANTED TO BUY

HANDYMAN

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

CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE

AUTO FOR SALE 2003 LEXUS RX300 Silver w/ beige interior, 160,950 mi., great condition. New brakes, passed recent emissions test. $3275.00.

Call Terry Baggett 773-988-6468

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

cat calls

Oak Park’s Original Pet Care Service – Since 1986

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

524-1030

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

ELECTRICAL

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

708-296-2060

Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

HAULING

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

BASEMENT CLEANING

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

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: Y21006089 on February 25, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of WILSON FINANCIAL with the business located at: 1126 N. 6TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: ALEATHA WILSON 1126 N. 6TH AVENUE, MAYWOOD, IL 60153, USA

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

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

708.749.0011

PLASTERING McNulty Plastering & Stucco Co.

Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco & Re-Coating Services

708/386-2951 • ANYTIME Work Guaranteed

708-488-9411

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

HANDYMAN

REFINISHING

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

773-637-0692 Ask for John

HEATING/ AIR CONDITIONING HEATING AND APPLIANCE EXPERT Furnaces, Boilers and Space Heaters Refrigerators Ranges • Ovens Washer • Dryers Rodding Sewers Lic/Bonded 25 yrs experience

FREE SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR AND SENIOR/VETERAN DISCOUNT.

708-785-2619 or 773-585-5000

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of KEVIN KHANG DINH Case Number 20214000570 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: KEVIN KHANG DINH to the new name of: KEVIN KHANG LEODINH The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing.

ZOOM MEETING ID: 914 3462 0283 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 988648 CALL IN: 3126266799 Published in RBLandmark 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEONE Case Number 20214000561 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEONE to the new name of: WILLIAM DEWAYNE LEODINH The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom Video-conference. Please use the information below to access the hearing.

ZOOM MEETING ID: 936 6870 5913 ZOOM PASSSWORD: 862976 CALL IN: 3126266799 Published in RBLandmark 2/24, 3/3 3/10/2021

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids from qualified contractors at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park Annual Preventative Maintenance to Standby Diesel Generators Bid Number: 21-117 Bid documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/bid.

For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 3, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Asha Andriana Berry Case Number 20214000560 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Asha Andriana Berry to the new name of: Asha Andriana The court date will be held: On April 13, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County, IL in Courtroom # 0112.

Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

Published in Forest Park Review 3/3, 3/10, 3/17/2021

PUBLIC NOTICE CLAIMS NOTICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, COUNTY DEPARTMENT, PROBATE DIVISION. ESTATE OF JASON EDWARD BOBZIN, DECEASED. NO. 2020 P 006222.

Notice is given to creditors of the death of the above named decedent. Letters of office were issued to COURTNEY MARIE BOBZINMOHAMMED, 1002 SPRUCE ST., APT 1A, GELNDALE HTS., Il 60139, as Independent Administrator, whose attorney of record is DANSBY G. CHEEKS, 108 MADISON ST., OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (Ill. Compiled Stat. 1992, Ch. 755, par.

5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk.

Claims against the estate may be filed in the office of the clerk in Room 1202, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL, or with the representative, or both, on or before AUGUST 24, 2021, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. E filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile.illinoiscourts.gov/ service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, Visit http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/FAQ/ gethelp.asp.

ATTY. DANSBY G. CHEEKS, Published in Wednesday Journal 2/24, 3/3, 3/10/2021

You have jobs. We have readers! Find the best employees with Wednesday Classified! Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.

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Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available 24/7/365 OakPark.com | RiverForest.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE Invitation to bid Whittier Boiler Replacement 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 Whittier Elementary School located in Oak Park, Illinois.

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 18, 2021.

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.

Bids mailed or delievered shall be marked to the attention of: Ms. Jeanne Keane Oak Park School District 97 260 Madison Street Oak Park, Illinois 60302 The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “WHITTIER BOILER REPLACEMENT”.

Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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 March 3, 2021. 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 8, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. and a site inspection on March 11, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. as detailed in the Project Manual.

Sheryl Marinier Board of Education Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Published in Wednesday Journal 3/03/2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO BIDDERS AND INVITATION FOR BIDS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD 2021 ESDA BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT RECEIPT OF BIDS The Village of Brookfield will receive sealed proposals for the 2021 ESDA Building Improvements Project until 11:00 A.M. Central Time, Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at the Office of the Village Manager. Bids will be opened and read in the Edward Barcall Hall in the Municipal Building, located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at 11:00 A.M., Central Time. The Project includes the improvements to the Village of Brookfield ESDA Building (approximately 1,900 square feet in size) located at 4523 Eberly Avenue and consists of the removal of the existing roof, installation of tapered poly-iso insulation and a TPO roof membrane, grinding and repointing of existing brick and CMU exterior walls, replacement of sections of deteriorated CMU and brick has necessary, installation of new gutter and downspouts, removal and replacement of existing batt insulation and drywall in the southwest corner of the building, removal and replacement of existing batt insulation on the main ceiling of the structure, removal of existing fixtures and drywall and insulation in the existing bathroom, and replacement with the same with new.

CONTRACT DOCUMENTS Specifications and bid forms may be obtained from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company at 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154, upon payment of a non-refundable charge of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) per set of bidding documents. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Thursday March 23, 2021. A mandatory pre-bid meeting will be held on site on Friday, March 24, 2021 at 11;00 A.M. for all potential bidders interested in submitting a proposal for the work.

Bid proposals must be submitted on the forms provided. Submission of a bid shall be conclusive assurance and warranty that the bidder has examined the plans, the site of the work and the local conditions affecting the contract and understands all the requirements for performance of the work. The bidder will be responsible for all errors in its proposal resulting from failure or neglect to conduct an in-depth examination. The Village of Brookfield will, in no case be responsible for any costs, expenses, losses or changes in anticipated profits resulting from such failure or neglect of the bidder. The bidder shall not take advantage of any error or omission in the plans or proposal. Sealed envelopes or packages containing bids shall be addressed to the Village Manager and plainly marked “Village of Brookfield – 2021 ESDA Building Improvements Project” on the outside of the envelope.

QUESTIONS, CHANGES, CLARIFICATION Any questions that arise must be made in writing and shall be directed by electronic mail to Carl Muell, Director of Public Works, Village of Brookfield at cmuell@brookfieldil. gov. The written questions, along with the Village’s response, shall be circulated to all known potential bidders without identifying the party submitting the questions.

The cut-off for receipt of additional

questions shall be 12:00 Noon, Central Time on Friday, March 26, 2021, in order to facilitate preparation of any addenda. No inquiry received after that time will be given consideration. Replies and/ or addenda will be mailed and faxed to all known potential contractors by 4:00 P.M., Central Time on March 29, 2021. Receipt of any addenda must be acknowledged in writing as part of the Bidder’s Proposal. Bidders shall be responsible for ensuring that they have received any and all addenda. The Village of Brookfield shall not assume responsibility for the receipt by the Bidder of any addenda.

BID SECURITY Each proposal shall be accompanied by a proposal guaranty in the form of a bid bond, executed by a corporate surety company, a bank cashier’s check, or a certified check payable to the “Village of Brookfield” for not less than five percent (5%) of the amount of the proposal. The proposal guaranty checks of all, except the two responsive, responsible proposers which the Village determines in its sole discretion to be the proposers with whom the Village desires to commence negotiations for a contract, will be returned after the proposals have been checked and tabulated. The proposal guaranty checks of the two responsive, responsible proposers will be returned after the contract and the contract bond of the successful proposer have been properly executed and approved. Bid bonds will not be returned.

RIGHT TO REJECT BIDS The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to waive technicalities and to reject any and all proposals for any reason deemed in the best interest of the Village of Brookfield.

AWARD OF CONTRACT Unless all bids are rejected, the contract award will be made to the lowest responsive responsible bidder that the Village of Brookfield in its sole discretion determines to be in the best interest of the Village.

In determining who the lowest responsive, responsible bidder is, the Village of Brookfield will consider all factors that it, in its discretion, deems relevant in determining who the lowest responsive responsible bidder is.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS The general prevailing rate of wages in Cook County, Illinois, for each craft or type of worker or mechanic needed to execute the contract or perform the work, also the general prevailing rate for legal holiday and overtime work, as ascertained by the Illinois Department of Labor, shall be paid for each craft or type of worker needed to execute the contract or to perform the work.

Work performed under this contract shall be in accordance with Illinois Prevailing Wage Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 820, Act 130, Sections 1-12), Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 30, Act 570, Sections 1-7), Drug Free Workplace Act (Illinois Compiled Statutes, Ch. 30, Act 580, Sections 1-11).

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION HEARING DATE: March 24, 2021 TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits CALENDAR NUMBER: 01-21-DRC APPLICANT: Chicagoland Sign Corp., on behalf of Oak Park Place Apartments ADDRESS: 479 N. Harlem Avenue, Oak Park, IL REQUEST: The Applicant is seeking variances from the following sections of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, to permit the installation of one (1) approximately twenty-six square foot wall sign on the southwest corner elevation of the building where there is no street frontage.

1.

2.

Section 7-7-15 (D) (1) (b), which requires that wall signs for buildings located on corner lots shall only be placed along the front or corner lot line. The proposal features an “Oak Park Place Apartments” sign located on the south elevation of the building visible from Harlem Avenue where there is no street frontage; alternatively Section 7-7-12 (S), which requires that a directional sign shall not exceed four (4) square feet. The proposal features an “Oak Park Place Apartments” sign that is approximately 26 square feet.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

The Commission will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video.

The meeting will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/commissiontv as well as cablecast

on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 24, 2021.

An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also participate in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning @oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing to sign up. Individuals who sign up to participate in this manner will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the meeting online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Commission to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 3, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given of a proposed substantial amendment to the Program Year 2020 Action Plan for a revised scope of work for the Community Development Block Grant Emergency Shelter project carried out by Housing Forward, funded at $30,000 to cover a rotating congregate shelter program. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Housing Forward’s congregation partners suspended shelter until it is safe for group activities. Housing Forward was able to lease the Write Inn, a hotel in Oak Park, and proposes a new Interim Housing project that will provide individual accommodations and meals for up to 90 days to persons experiencing homelessness. The project’s case management and other supports would continue with the revised project, and CDBG funds would support the same employee, just with a title change from Shelter Manager to Facilities Manager.

The proposed substantial amendment is available for public review and comment during business hours Monday-Friday, effective March 4 to 5 p.m. April 2, 2021.

Any comments can be submitted in writing to grants@oak-park.us.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.

Published in Wednesday Journal March 3, 2021

Village of Brookfield, Illinois Timothy C. Wiberg, Village Manager

Published in Landmark March 3, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICES

www.RiverForest.com

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: Y21006103 on February 25, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of ADG HANDYMAN SERVICES with the business located at: 2417 N. 75TH AVE UNIT F, ELMWOOD PARK, IL 60707. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: ALBERT JOSEPH DEGENOVA 2417 N. 75TH AVE UIT F, ELMWOOD PARK, IL 60707, USA Published in Wednesday Journal 3/3, 3/10, 3/17/2021

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT CHANCERY DIVISION QUICKEN LOANS INC. Plaintiff, -v.DRIKO DUCASSE, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS Defendants 2019CH08452 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 17, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on March 25, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

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Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342 REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Commonly known as 1226 N AUSTIN BLVD, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-05-127-0270000 The real estate is improved with a multi-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) 236SALE You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300 E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com Attorney File No. 14-19-06429 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH08452 TJSC#: 41-167 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 # 2019CH08452 I3164170

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Wednesday Journal, March 3, 2021

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E VE RYW H E R E E L S E I T ’ S H E A LT H C A R E

HERE, IT’S PERSONAL MARIA HUERTA, RN - ONCOLOGY Maria Huerta, RN, likes to say she didn’t pick oncology, but rather, it picked her. It’s here in the Cancer Center, where she gets to use her talent and passion for creating bonds with patients and their families that last for months, and sometimes years, going beyond their treatment. She’s mastered the art of treating everyone who walks in the door like family.

Because that’s what it takes to make someone feel truly cared for. For all of us at Edward-Elmhurst Health, THIS IS PERSONAL. ThisIsPersonalEEH.org