W E D N E S D A Y
March 6, 2019 Vol. 39, No. 30 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
SAY Connects: Foundation for life Page 17
D200 creates new equity director position Officials say new post will give equity policy ‘teeth’ By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
During a regular meeting on Feb. 28, the Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education took a major step in its years-long effort to close the equity gap at the high school by unanimously approving creation of an executive director of equity and student success. The new position — high on the list of priorities for many education advocates in Oak Park — would be implemented during the 2019-20 school year, said Supt. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams. The superintendent said putting the position up for approval now is so it can be staffed in time for the implementation of the racial equity policy that the district is currently drafting. Pruitt-Adams said the position will not come at an additional cost to taxpayers. “In support of our strategic vision of becoming an ever-improving model of equity and excellence that will enable all students to achieve their full potential, we need an administrative position responsible for ensuring that all of the work throughout the district supports our commitment to racial equity,” PruittAdams said in a Feb. 28 memo, adding that See EQUITY DIRECTOR on page 15
Riff Raff
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Jazz Thaw packed patrons into Little Gem Cafe and 10 other venues in Downtown Oak Park, March 2, for the annual jazz crawl event. The New Deal Gypsy Jazz Band plays a set for listeners and diners alike.
Pete’s could re-use auto building remnant Oak Park board directs developer to meet with preservationists
By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter
It might still get razed and shipped off to a landfill like everyday garbage, but the historic Foley-Rice car dealership building, slated for demolition on Madison Street,
got a second chance this week from the Oak Park Board of Trustees. The announcement from the board follows a unanimous vote by Oak Park’s citizen-led Historic Preservation Committee to recommend the board of trustees designate the building at 644 Madison St. a historic
WOW!
Education, Enrichment & Camp Fair
landmark. The building, which has been vacant for more than a decade, was designed by E.E. and Elmer Roberts and built in 1925 as a showroom for Hill Motor Sales Company, See PETE’S on page 16
Tuesday, March 12, 4 - 7 pm Julian Middle School Cafeteria Parents, find the perfect fit for your child at our Enrichment & Camp Fair! A FREE event!