Wednesday Journal 040523

Rock Stars!

Taskforce works on alternative police response model

Co-chair previews draft recommendations

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The taskforce behind the Oak Park Community Safety Project has been working for months exploring alternative response for mental healthrelated calls to police. Through education sessions, public eng agement sessions, private working sessions, the taskforce has studied several different response models, the needs of the Oak Park community and the challenges of changing a system

See TASKFORCE on pages 9 and 13

Sponsored Content

Area School Kids Help End Hunger

This April, schools across our community are participating in Beyond Hunger’s CAN DO Community Challenge - a hunger relief campaign designed to heighten awareness about local food and nutrition security. The Challenge encourages schools, organizations, and individuals to become more involved with Beyond Hunger by participating in a fun, community-wide competition. Schools and organizations get points for participating in advocacy activities, collecting food items from Beyond Hungers’ top 10 most needed items, fundraising, and volunteering.

In March, Holmes Elementary School’s “Community Cares” leadership club students started preparing for the challenge. They discussed ways to get their whole school to contribute and even created a bulletin board to help the school keep track of its fundraising goals.  Holmes 4th grader Alayna J. is part of the leadership club and has been happy to be involved, “You’re having fun. You know you are donating. You know you are competing for the

trophy. But at the same time, you are helping a lot of people - I’ve felt really happy and really proud.”

“The school competition is a fun way for our entire community to get involved in a grassroots effort to raise awareness about hunger that isn’t far from home. Last year we served 8,000 individuals from Oak Park and River Forest. Importantly, we want people to know where they can come to get food when they need it - our youth have powerful voices,“ says Teri Miller, Director of Development at Beyond Hunger.

Anyone can double their impact by contributing to a school’s fundraising efforts and helping Beyond Hunger at a time of year when donations are typically at their lowest. For the first time, Beyond Hunger has a $100,000 matching challenge for donations received in the month of April. This matching challenge enormously impacts local families as every dollar donated is doubled.

Visit //gobeyondhunger.org/CanDoCommunity

Fans of Miss Moe renew ght to rename Trailside Museum

Uphill battle to put former curator’s name on Trailside

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Naturalist and local legend Virginia Moe dedicated over 50 years of her life to River Forest’s Trailside Museum of Natural History, where she rehabilitated wildlife and educated the public as its curator. She lived on the premises, inspired countless children to care for the natural world and even authored a book on the museum, called “The Animal Inn.” So de her Trailside, that the pleasure of wo her cannot recall her vacation.

But for all the for time and commitment, ture and a plaque hang seum in honor of Moe 1991 at age 83. Those ber Moe are demanding from the Forest Preserv County, which oversees Supporters will be ful protest April 11 p.m. at the intersection Ave. and Lake Street. have the museum

“Virginia Moe Trailside Museum.

“A lot of us really county is trying to ory,” said Jane Morocco spearheading the forts.

Morocco and others were moved to action last year, after the Chicago Tribune published an article celebrating Trailside’s 90th anniversary. That article failed to mention Moe’s name even once, despite her being the museum’s curator for over half of its existence. The group embarked on a campaign to see the museum, officially known as the Hal Tyrell Trailside Museum of Natural History, renamed after Moe.

A thoroughly filled-out for mal application was submitted. Letters in support of the change were written by several prominent figures, including River Forest Village

President Cathy Adduci, and over 1,000 people signed the online petition started by Morocco.

The application was passed from county committee to county committee before ultimately being rejected last month. In a letter dated March 16, Forest Preserves of Cook County General Superintendent Ar nold Randall said the name would not be changed as the forest preserves did not find any justification for removing the name of for mer Cook County Commissioner Harold “Hal” Tyrell.

“Hal Tyrell was a committed representative of the Forest Preserves and his name

childhood and teenage years. She would often visit the museum and wildlife rehabilitation center with her family and began to volunteer there at age 12. Morocco remembers riding her bicycle from Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, where she lived as a child, to Trailside every day in the summer and on weekends.

“It was just the coolest place in the world,” said Morocco, who also wrote a book on Moe and started a scholarship program in her name.

Morocco and her family moved to River Forest when she was 16, shortening her commute to Trailside She worked there all through high school, with Moe paycket. When Moroccolle ge, she would reTrailside to help out during y and summer breaks. special relationship did so many other area. Moe never had children, but she taking kids under her those kids would considered at-risk by standards, said Morocco the kids, cared for them and put them to work. fall all over each othbird cages and sift them,” Morocco said. Morocco recalled, had a knack for identifying a spark withchildren and kindling it. If a kid the slightest interest would stake out a and the child to plant ga kids interested in wildlife, she got them studying animal biology She taught kids to build and fix animal enclosures

PROVIDED

Shortly before Virginia Moe’s death in 1991, Trailside Museum risked closure due to lack of funding. Several residents showed their support by protesting the closure and, eventually, Cook County was able to procure funds to keep the museum open.

kids marching alongside the grownups Carter remembers kids car rying bandaged stuf fed animals to symbolize the care wild creatures received from Moe at Trailside.

That grassroots movement, inspired by the elderly Moe, kept Trailside open. Beyond that, their ef for ts led the Cook County Board of Commissioners to shell out $500,000 toward museum renovation and the building of an addition. The county board also serves as commissioners of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Tyrell became one of the commissioners appointed to oversee the project. Tyrell died in 1990, one year before Moe.

is not associated with perpetuating inequities,” Randall wrote in the letter Wednesday Jour nal has reached out to the forest preserves for comment. The letter, and the reasoning it provided, cut no ice for Morocco and her contemporaries, who will be out picketing the ruling this Tuesday. All are welcome to attend the protest. Morocco will be bringing extra chairs

Like many other people of a certain age who grew up in the wester n suburbs, Morocco spent much time with Moe during her

Together, Moe and her young crew kept Trailside going.

“We ran the museum,” Morocco said. “The forest preserves in those days never did anything.”

When the forest preserves announced in 1989 its plans to shutter Trailside, which was in need of expensive repairs, those kids, who had since become adults, came out in full force against the c losure. Morocco was there, as was her friend Diane Carter. Carter’s son, now 41, was one of several

The museum was later of ficially renamed in the late commissioner’s honor, as Tyrell was instrumental in securing funding for the renovation and addition. His contribution, many believe, does not compare to that of Moe, who spent 52 years at Trailside, working right up until her death. And they’re not ready to give up the fight to see Moe properly credited, even if their protest doesn’t yield the results they desire

“If the forest preserves administration doesn’t change the name, we hope that the next administration that takes of fice will,” Morocco said. “We also plan on going over their heads right now to each and every Cook County commissioner.”

FILE/COURTESY JANE MOROCCO

Virginia Moe was the personi cation of Trailside Museum, according to Jane Morocco’s book.

BIG WEEK

April 5-12 Egg Hunts!

National Arab American Heritage Appreciation Workshop

Saturday, April 8, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

This special event, led by Dima Ali, celebrates National Arab American Heritage Month. Age appropriate and interac tive, this workshop includes an educational presentation, artifac ts, show and tell, a showcase of dresses from Dima’s personal collection, and stor ytime in Arabic/English. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Musical Performance: Gardener ’s Melody

Tuesday, April 11, 7-8 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

The duo of jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis and guitarist Andy Brown celebrate the arrival of spring with an afternoon of ower and tree-themed tunes from the Great American Songbook. Register now at oppl.org/ calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Judy Steed Ar t Exhibit

Entire month of April, River Forest Public Library

Judy Steed’s stained glass mosaic show will run in the second oor galler y. Half of all proceeds will go to Mercy Corps. 735 Lathrop, River Forest.

Tech Wednesday: Programming With Edison Robots (Grades 2-5)

Wednesday, April 12, 3:30 - 5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

Great Decisions: Politics In Latin America

Egg Hunt

Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. (Sharp!), Keystone Park West Join the River Forest Park Distric t and the Bunny for springtime fun at our annual Egg Hunt. Bring your basket to collec t eggs. Children ages 2-10 will be divided into age groups, and hunt for hundreds of candy and sticker eggs with children of similar age. Children should also be on the lookout for special golden eggs that are redeemable for prizes There is no registration for the Egg Hunt event. 400 Keystone Ave, River Forest

Listing your event

Wednesday Jour nal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest groups and businesses are planning. We’ ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon

Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper

■ Send details to Wednesday Jour nal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, 60302

■ Email calendar@wjinc.com

2023 Egg Dash and Scramble

Saturday April 8, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., Maple Park Children ages 3-10 are encouraged to bring baskets, bonnet and bunny ears to participate in our annual egg hunt. The hunt for eggs will occur rain or shine so arrive appropriately dressed for maximum dash time. Our Bunny will be on hand for pic tures with the whole family, and we will have themed games before and after each dash. This is a free event, however, all children will need a ticket to par ticipate. 1105 S Maple Ave, Oak Park

2023 Doggie Scramble

Saturday, April 8, 10:30 - 11 a.m., Maple Park

Bring your dog to Maple Park for the Doggy Egg Scramble. Dogs and owners will hunt or scramble through the eld to nd the most doggy treat and prize- lled eggs. After the hunt, a special visitor will stop by to take photos with each family This is an on-leash event for friendly dogs and their families; children must be accompanied by an adult. Rain or shine. All Ages 1105 S Maple Ave, Oak Park.

Curious about robots? Meet Edison, a Lego -compatible robot that is fun and easy to program. In this workshop, students will have the oppor tunity to explore Edison, add Legos to design it in their own creative way, and program it to avoid obstacles or follow a line. Kids will use scratch coding to program Edison to dance, make music, or follow a course. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Tr y It! Rainbow Science Experiment

Thursday, April 6, 3:30-5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y For National Find a Rainbow

Wednesday, April 5, 1-2:30 p.m., River Forest Public Library

This is par t of a discussion series sponsored by the Foreign Polic y Association. The discussion will be preceded by a video. 735 Lathrop, River Forest.

Jonita Lattimore & Allan Glassman

ednesday, April 12, 7-8:30 p.m., Nineteenth Centur y Charitable Association

Jonita Lattimore (soprano) and Allan Glassman e veterans of operatic and concert stages, and will be singing duets This return engagement is by popular demand. 178 Forest Ave., Oak Park.

OPRF nancial advisor corrects a debt option

School critic implies error on nancing Project 2 was intentional

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

T he financial advisor to Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo rest High District 200 had to co rrect a misstatement made in a re po rt prep ared for the school’s C ommunity Financ e C ommittee after watchdog and c ritic Monica S heehan pointed out the mistake on a c ommunity Facebook page

In her March 13 re po rt to the CFC financial advisor Elizabeth Hennessy included a char t of debt practices by p eer districts of OPRF used since 2012. S he stated that two districts similar to OPRF in their financia l profile, New T rier High School District 113 and Highland Pa rk Township High School District 113, recently used debt ce rt ificates, a type of bo rrow ing that does not have a se parate levy b ehind it and d oes not need to be approved by voters in a referendum, to fund major capital projects But on closer examination it tur ned out that the two districts used alter nate reve nue b ond s, not debt ce rt ificates, to finance the projects

A lter nate Reve nue Bonds are li ke debt ce rt ificates in that they are t ypically repaid out of operating reve nues because the se parate levy to pay of f the b ond s is t ypically abated. While alter nate revenue b onds do n’ t require a referendum the decision whether to i ssue the b ond s c an be p laced on a referendum b allot if within 30 days of the school b oard vote to authorize i ssuing the b onds 7.5 pe rc ent of the re gistered voters in a distric t sign a p etition asking for a referendum. This pr ocess is c ommonly refe rred to as a back door referendum.

S heehan suggested in a public c omment at the March 23 OPRF school b oard meeting that the mistake was no

a ccident.

“Last week the administration f alsely promoted that Districts 203 and 113 used debt ce rt ificates to f und recent projects,” S heehan said. “I searched the schools’ we bsites and proved otherwise, and I p osted the info rm ation on Faceb ook. Wi thout that action it ’s unli ke ly that the administration would have co rrected i ts f alse nar rative at the CFC on (March 21). “

At the March 21 CFC meeting Hennessy acknowledged the mistake bu t said that it was not deliberate

“There was cer tainly no i ntent to dece ive, ” Hennessy told the CFC.

Hennessy presented the CFC with a new re po rt that included a more c omp lete explanation of alter nate reve nue b ond s.

Many proponents of Project 2, the approximately $102 million plan to demolish the southeast cor ner of OPRF and re p lace it with moder n and up to date physical education facilities, including a new 10 lane sw i mming p ool, a dvo cate paying for the project with j ust debt ce rt ificates and c ash reserves avo idin g the need to g et voter approval for the bo rrow ing in a referendum. S ome suppor ters used the initial mistaken reference to New T rier and Highland Pa rk District 113 using approximately $46 million in 20-year debt ce rt ificates to pay for projects as analo g ous to OPRF i ssuing $45.3 million in 20-year debt ce rt ificates to help pay fo r Project 2.

OPRF hosts safety conversation

Oak Park and River Forest High School will host a community conversation about safety on Wednesday, April 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.

“There is no priority greater than the one we take on to provide a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment for your students in our charge,” wrote OPRF Superintendent Greg Johnson in an email sent to OPRF families last week inviting them to attend the event. “Providing that environment requires a par tnership, and any par tnership needs dialo gue to thrive In order to better understand questions and concer ns, share information, and gather fact-based suggestions, we invite you to join us.”

Facilitators will be present to guide discussions

The conversation comes after a rise in troubling student behavior led the school board to recently authorize the hiring of six additional security guards. Teachers at OPRF have also expressed concer ns about safety at the school.

The invitation also comes not long after a shooter entered a private Christian school in Nashville and killed six people, three students and three staf f members, before being killed by police

The conversation is expected to address safety in all its for ms and the invitation invites attendees to list their top safety concer ns at OPRF.

— Bob Skolnik

“There was cer tainly no intent to deceive.”

ELIZABETH HENNESSY CFC nancial advisor

Fire devastates farmers market Geneva Lakes Produce

Koster family pledges to rebuild from Wisconsin re

By REBEKAH LEVIN Contributing Reporter

Last Wednesday, just as spring plantings were ramping up, an enor mous fire devastated three major buildings Geneva Lakes Produce in Burlington, WI. The farm, owned by the Koster family, has been a mainstay at the Oak Pa Far mers Market for the past three decades.

The local fire de par tment responded quickly. But ev with their hook and ladder truck and firefighters on all sides of the buildings, they could not save the structures said Scott Koster, who owns the farm with his wife Jackie and sons Corban and Jordan.

Oak Parkers have delighted in connecting with Scott Koster for the past three decades, as well as his daughter Priscilla, 19, who has managed operations for the past tw years and has been helping at the Oak Park market since she was a little girl. Geneva Lakes Produce has anchored the southeast cor ner of the local market, selling a full ar ray of ve getables and plants throughout the season. Scott Koster’s booming voice and friendly banter has greeted market goers from 7 a.m. when the market opens till his

flames, Corban Koster and Tyler Schallert, a long-ter m employee, climbed onto the roof with hoses to try to save

the buildings and the plants inside, as well as the adjacent structures Corban Koster was injured but is recuperating.

Despite their ef forts, most of their supplies used at farmers markets, including their tents, tables, coolers, forklifts, scales and bins, were bur ned up in the main supply barn. And 30 years of tools and spare par ts amassed to service their many machines were melted in the fire’s intense heat.

Response from their family, friends, church community, farming community, and Community Suppor ted Ag riculture members and customers from across the Midwest has been extremely moving to the Koster family People have brought them everything from food, to wood to heat their greenhouses, to a pair of new boots.

Though this was an overwhelming loss, Koster and his team are deter mined to rebuild. They have plants and equipment that they need to get their crops in the ground and up to harvest and are strategizing to re place the thousands of other items that are now gone that assisted them in this process To get updates about the situation on the farm and oppor tunities to volunteer, a Facebook group, “Rebuild Geneva Lakes Produce Team” has been star ted by the family

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1320177851877024/?r ef=share_g roup_link

PRISCILLA KOSTE R

KOSTER CA L AMIT Y: Fire consumed three buildings at Geneva Lakes Produce in Burlington, Wisconsin last week. e Koster family has been a vendor at the Oak Park Farmers Market for decades

Enrichment programs back at Whittier thanks to fundraising

PTO looks for oppor tunities to help enrich students’ lives

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

As the world opened to in-person connections following the global COVID-19 pandemic, Whittier Elementary School’s PTO is taking every opportunity for fundraising available to bring back in-school activities for students to engage and participate in with others, an important part of school that was missing throughout the months of online lear ning

Dominique Betancourt-Schaap, co-president of the Whittier PTO, said the pandemic has left residual challenges to navigate when trying to plan for student activities. Whittier is at 715 N. Harvey Ave.

“This year marks the first year bringing back programs such as World Language and our after-school program WISE,” BetancourtSchaap said. “It also marks the first-year parents could come inside the school for parent teacher conferences, and in-classroom activities such as Halloween celebrations.”

Following the reopening of schools, the PTO faced challenges when crafting its budgets as they were not certain of what activities inside the school would look like, said Betancourt-Schaap, adding that due to restrictions put in place as a response to COVID, many adults had never been inside the school and were not aware of what the school had to offer.

“We didn’t budget for any school enrichment activities, and enrichment means things that go outside of academics,” Betancourt-Schaap said. “We as PTO’s try to roundoff students by going after the whole child. It’s not just can they write, can they read, can they do math, that is school infrastructure 101. What our mission is, is ‘how do we enrich the lives of students’?”

By bringing programs such as yoga, ceramics, karate, and others, the PTO is breaking down barriers that might exist outside of school that could limit the exposure some students have to diverse programs

“All of these programs are what we brought back this year so now the challenges then became that the school wanted to bring back ad-

ditional programs,” Betancourt-Schaap said.

“The Read-A-Thon was crafted because we did not have any budgeted funds to support the programs they were bringing back.”

Wanting to add a layer of win-win for the community, the PTO partnered with Read for My School, creating a literacy-first focus allowing for organizers to promote a custom digital fundraiser to help not only raise funds but also improve childhood literacy by having students track their reading against created goals for a fun and engaging challenge.

Students were then able to share their achievements, which increased literacy awareness and brought in donations for the PTO.

“If you put something in, you should get something out,” Betancourt-Schaap said.

For their first-ever Read-A-Thon, the PTO set a goal of having students read an cumulative 175,000 minutes

According to Betancourt-Schaap, students read a total of 170,200 minutes, just shy of their goal. They also raised $5,255 for the PTO. Despite being south of their fundraising goal of $7,000, Betancourt-Schaap said the school had many “wins” throughout the fundraiser, including reading 621 books and having a participation of 60 percent of their student population.

Additionally, their top three readers recorded over 3,000 minutes read.

Another “win” for the school was the creation of a “Free Little Library” that was for med with book donations for all students to “shop” for free books to be able to take home to read

The Hubbard Street Dance Company, a contemporary dance company in its 45th season in Chicago, was one of the enrichment programs paid through the PTO funds raised.

“Activities like these have a high impact on children and support their growth outside of basic academics,” Betancourt-Schaap said.

Eboné Harden, director for education and community programs at Hubbard, said the professional dance company takes the live performance experiences and translates them into a classroom setting

“We want youth through adults to under-

stand that they are dancers in their own rights,” Harden said. “However, that body presents itself, whichever neurodiversity or physical diversity, we want folks to understand that movement is also their form of language.”

Serving CPS and neighboring school districts, the dance company would partner with school administration as well as the classroom teacher to work together to plan along with their curriculum. Hubbard will be holding a six-week residency with Whittier, partnering with three classrooms and working with fourth graders, to help students create their own choreographed dance pieces.

“Dance allows them to authentically selfexpress how they are interpreting their school day, their lessons, how they are feeling that day, they are able to express that through these toolboxes of movements,” Harden said. “It allows them to have that self-reflection moment but also seeing how they connect as a community because in small groups if you are trying to get to this end goal of creation choreography, everybody plays a role.”

The total price for the Spring six-week dance residency, which included instruction time, teaching artist, a virtual field trip, and 55 minutes of instruction each day, was $2,700.

Whitter also welcomed Opera for the Young, a performing touring company out of Madison, Wisconsin, which helped students lear n and perfor m a student appropriate ver-

sion of “Barber of Seville” in January.

Saira Frank, managing director for Opera for the Young, said the company takes opera into elementary schools, performing for the children and with the children. Students from Whittier lear ned their roles ahead of time and then joined performers on stage for a school wide 45-minute performance.

The company, which began partnering with Whittier back in 2012, helps prepare students for the performance approximately six weeks before. To prepare, music teachers work with students alongside tutorial videos and written material and student handbooks provided.

Having to go completely virtual during COVID, Frank said they were able to pivot quickly, but are excited to be able to be in-person again with students

“There is no replacement for live opera singing and live performance,” Frank said, calling the arts the “perfect vehicle for lear ning.” “There is nothing that compares to a live operatic voice in person and nothing that can impress that quality of sound in front of students the same way and being able to see live costumes and sets and feel the perfor mance live, it is such an essential part of theater.”

Doing some fundraising of their own, Opera for the Young charges schools a $800 fee and uses raised funds to cover the additional costs, which usually runs close to $2,000 per performance.

LAURIE CONLE Y/WHIT TIER ELEMENTARY LIBR ARIAN Clark Nienow (back), Mac Keels, and Teddy Ericson pick out books from the Free Little Library at Whittier Elementary.

POLICE Recommendations to come

from page 1

so ing rained in the mindset of citizens

This process will culminate in the giving of recommendations to the Oak Park village manager, but for now, those recommendations are still in draft form. Taskforce co-chair Cheryl Potts gave Wednesday Jour nal a preview of what may be in store – with a caveat

“We haven’t gotten full input yet, so we don’t want to put anything out there that is of f the mark,” Potts said. “We want to make sure that any recommendations we make are fully vetted by many dif ferent areas of our community before we make those recommendations to the village manager.”

The taskforce has studied alter native response models employed in other areas of the country. In some instances new personnel are embedded within police depar tments and other models which don’t utilize police at all. In embedded models, the police de par tments hire social workers or outreach individuals Potts did not say what kind of model the taskforce intended to recommend.

“Minimizing the utilization of police was a big priority for us,” she said.

The taskforce studied the experience of two communities, Denver and Eugene, Ore., which use an outreach model and an embedded model respectively, according to the Oak Park Public Library’s taskforce re presentative Rob Simmons

“We’ re lear ning a lot about those models,” Simmons said at the library board’s Feb 28 meeting

The taskforce has since analyzed the benefits and drawbacks of the dif ferent types of response models, including the Oak Park Police De par tment’s par tnership with Thrive Counseling Center Several of the taskforce’s members are Thrive personnel.

It is likely the taskforce will present the final recommendations at the end of this month. As of right now, the draft recommendations can be broken down into four cate gories: peer utilization, community education, continued police crisis intervention training, follow-up and village accountability

Peer utilization, according to Potts, involves eng aging certified recovery support specialists These individuals have lived experience with mental health conditions

and go through a state-certification process where they lear n de-escalation techniques The taskforce is going beyond that to make sure the response to mental health crises employs adequate re presentation, as the field of mental health is very white and female.

“That is not re presentative of who seeks treatment,” said Potts

On top of looking at mental health responses from a racially and gender equitable standpoint, the taskforce is also employing a lens of neurodiversity. Not all mental health crises are the same nor are the people experiencing them, so employ-

ing a one-size-fits-all model is inef fective “A crisis for someone who has dementia is very dif ferent from someone who has suicidal ideation,” said Potts. “Being able to have the appropriate response and that diversity of response is important.”

Equally impor tant is community education re garding mental health crises The suicide and crisis hotline, 988, is available to call during such moments, but not everyone is aware of its existence. Instead, those people just call 911, initiating a police response. Additionally, the community education component will likely include teaching the general public how to identify

when a person is experiencing a crisis of mental health.

There will likely still be instances when it won’t be easily discernible whether someone should call 988 or 911. In those moments, it is impor tant to have a police of ficer be continuously trained in crisis intervention.

“Let’s say it’s a burglary, but it ended up not being a burglary. It’s someone who’s disoriented and is wandering around the building trying to get back into their unit,” Potts said. “But someone c alls the cops

See POLICE on pa ge 13

MY INTERMITTENT FASTING STRUGGLE

Iam an early riser. So, it is no surprise that I love breakfast. In fact, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Most little girls daydream about owning a pony or living in a castle. When I was a little girl, I daydreamed about visiting a farm and enjoying a big breakfast after doing farm chores.

So, when I started to hear about the benefits of intermittent fasting, I became distressed. Intermittent fasting is a type of eating behavior that specifies certain windows of time in which food intake is allowed. Basically, you don’t eat for a period of time each day. Typically, it involves skipping breakfast.

Preliminary studies have shown that intermittent fasting can have powerful positive effects on our body and brain and may even help us live longer. I am obsessed with trying to maximize my health, particularly my brain health. Hence, my dilemma. Do I participate in intermittent fasting and improve my health by skipping breakfast or continue to enjoy my favorite meal of the day and hope for the best?

Like most things in my life, I had a lot of questions. Haven’t studies shown breakfast is the most important meal of the day? How could breakfast go from the

most important meal to being eliminated?

So, I decided to learn more about intermittent fasting to decide if it is worth giving up breakfast.

A 2020 study found that intermittent fasting may lead to improvements in health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders.

Preliminary research has found that fasting causes a type of stress in which the body’s response is to burn fat. Thus, intermittent fasting can improve lean muscle mass.

Intermittent fasting can also boost your metabolism. Fasting causes your metabolism to become more flexible and avoids the crash and burn feeling normally experienced between meal consumption. In addition to potentially improving the health of our body, studies have also discovered that intermittent fasting boosts verbal memory and contributes to healthy aging.

Intermittent fasting can spur several processes that benefit our brain. Research suggests that sustained fasting regimens

maintained over months or years reduce inflammation and promote cell repair. This contributes to the formation of new brain cells and more brain cell connections. Thus, it can improve memory, executive function, and overall cognition.

However, there is some caution in participating in intermittent fasting. New research found that fasting triggers a response in the brain that may be detrimental to fighting off infection. Plus, more studies are needed to determine whether intermittent fasting is safe for people with a healthy weight, or who are younger or older, since most clinical research so far has been conducted on overweight and middle-aged adults.

Still, the preliminary research on intermittent fasting seems to indicate it can be beneficial. However, that research is in direct conflict with all those other recommendations touting the importance of a nutritious breakfast and that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Previous research suggested that eating a good breakfast can boost energy, control cravings and weight, and

improve focus and performance. Even now, with intermittent fasting research surfacing, some nutritionists and researchers still recommend eating a good breakfast for a healthy body. Confusingly, there seems to be benefits to both eating and skipping breakfast. But they do have something in common. Both recommend eating your larger meal earlier in the day and stopping eating by 8 pm. What to do? Skip breakfast or enjoy it?

I say have your breakfast and eat it too! Just eat breakfast later in the morning. I plan to continue to enjoy my favorite meal just a little later than traditionally eaten. I will gradually push the time I eat breakfast to later and later in the morning. That way I still enjoy my favorite meal of the day but also benefit my brain.

Whether you decide to try intermittent fasting or just resolve to eat a nutritious breakfast, doing something rather than nothing will benefit your health. Like estate planning, whatever kind of estate plan you choose, it is better to do something rather than doing nothing.

708-819-1580 www.theresaclancylaw.com theresa.clancy@theresaclancylaw.com

THERESA CLANCY Estate Planning Attorney

Sponsored Content

Brooks eighth-grader named NBC’s Athlete of the Month

Tar yn Draine has a passion for basketball, pursues her dreams on and o the cour t

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Basketball is not just about dribblin g the ball and making free throws for middle schooler Taryn Draine but rather about being a role model for younger girls in a male dominated spor t. Whether on or of f the cour t, Draine,13, aims to be a team player and has embodied the qualities needed to be named NBC’s Spor tsEngine and Truespor t “Athlete of the Month.”

Draine, an eighth grader at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, decided to follow in her older brother’s footste ps and picked up a basketball in the sixth grade, playing for her school’s team. T he Oak Park school is at 325 S. Kenilwor th Ave.

As her passion for basketball grew, Draine found role models in other women who have dedicated themselves to spor ts. Wanting to add to the female re presentation in spor ts, Draine hopes to inspire younger girls to pursue their dreams of being professional athletes

“Seeing the WNBA and seeing other girls playing basketball, I thought I could do it too,” Draine said. “So, I made that my goal, to go to the WNBA and play basketball.”

Her dedication to the spor t and to being a leader amongst her teammates wasn’t unnoticed by the people in her life Always trying to find oppor tunities for her children, Tif fany Draine, Taryn’s mother, said she was scrolling the inter net when she came across NBC’s Spor tsEngine

“Athlete of the Month” and knew she had to nominate her daughter

“I talked about how Taryn is inspirational. She has these goals, but she wants to see other people win too,” Tif fany Draine said. “When it comes to her teammates, she is the person who always keeps the morale up, she has a lot of positive words to share.”

To be selected as “Athlete of the Month,” nominated young athletes should embody the TrueSport’s Core Values, which are spor tsmanship, character building and life skills, and clean and healthy perfor mances.

Spor tsmanship is a value that rings true to Taryn Draine, who said she tries to be a shoulder that her teammates can lean on when they need a little extra support.

“I am a good listener, and I am really good at motivating my team mates, when it is a bad day or someone is not feeling good I always try to uplift them and do the best I can whether it is on the cour t or of f the cour t,” Taryn Draine said.

“Yeah, she is good at her spor t but she is also a good peer, she is also a good friend, and she wants to see everyone win,” Tif fany Draine said.

Tif fany Draine managed to keep the nomination a secret from Taryn Draine and was excited for her daughter to “have a little bit of the spotlight.”

Taryn Draine said she was sur prised and excited when her mom told her she

had been selected as the February “Athlete of the Month.”

“I was like ‘oh my gosh, when is this going to happen,’” Taryn said. “I was so excited.”

Taryn Draine was connected with TrueSport Ambassador and Team USA netball team captain, Amara Mbionwu, who interviewed Taryn Draine on her passion for basketball, how she keeps her teammates motivated, and her experience as a junior jour nalist.

Taryn Draine has been involved with Chi-Side, a spor ts media training program teaching kids how to cover basketball g ames. Through Chi-Side, Taryn Draine lear ned how to conduct interviews and re port g ame statistics

“It is definitely something that I want to do as a side career,” Taryn Draine said.

PROVIDED

“It is really fun, and you get front row access to g ames. You get to meet the players and really know what was going through their head when they did this or when they did that.”

Taryn continues to keep up with the g ame, whether re porting or on the cour t. While her school’s team’s season ended, she is still playing ball through the Impact Basketball Progr am out of Oak Park, which keeps her motivated to pursue her passion.

“It’s about motivating younger girls to play basketball, just like I did when I saw older girls playing,” Taryn Draine said.

“I wanted to inspire other little girls to do that too We don’ t g et paid as much as the boys in the NBA and everybody looks down at women’s basketball, so I think it’s impor tant to uplift it.”

Tary n Draine

“She has these goals, but she wants to see other people win too.”

TIFFANY DRAINE Taryn’s mom

Random murder in Austin began with car the in Oak Park

Family members and chur leaders praise the late Showers as someone who dedicated her life to helping West Siders in need

By TREY ARLINE Block Club Chica

The family of Tracey old mother of three shot to death in late ruary outside her Austin home, said they a bit of relief after someone was the case.

Baseer Muhammad, 23, has with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, possessing a stolen car and reckless discharge of a gun, police said. A judge ordered him held without bail this week.

On Feb. 28, Showers was sitting in her car outside her West Side home with her daughter, Janea Kitchen, in the backseat. Someone

Does

and another man stole a car in nearby Oak Park. Muhammad then went on a “spree” where, at one point, he fired shots at one car — not hitting anyone — and drove to Austin, prosecutors said. He parked behind Showers car as she pulled up to her home and shot once at her car, hitting Showers, prosecutors

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eek.

to identify Muhammad llance videos, and shell ound in the car, police said. The tied to the gun used to kill ound with Muhammad ested in an unrelated incient a few days after the shooting, prosecu-

and faith leaders praised her as someone who had dedicated her life to helping West Siders in need . reward in hopes of finding the person who shot her

“The light that shines so bright in my dimmed,” her husband, Per nell the time. “This community will suffer because Tracey is not in it. She spent many years serving the community and tirelessly working to make sure everyone had something.”

Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St John Bible Church, previously said Showers ke pt church missions going during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by giving away food and clothing and providing

other church services. He wants her to be remembered by the Austin community as a person who provided hope, he said.

“She saved so many lives and made our church more relevant than ever,” Acree said. “She was one of the people pivotal to kee ping these doors open. She risked her life in the middle of a pandemic to help people out.”

This week, Per nell Showers said he and his f amily hope for justice and are doing their best to heal from their loss. They hope someone is held accountable, he said.

Acree said while the arrest will not bring Tracey Showers back, it offers closure to the family

“I am glad the wheels of justice are rolling,” Acree said. “We’re grateful for the hard work of the detectives, and hopefully this gives hope to others in our city who have unsolved homicides for their loved ones.”

Acree’s church has created the Tracey Showers Faithful Servant Award, which will be given annually to a woman in the community who provides outstanding public service to the community, he said.

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Lurie Children’s health hub seeks community input

Center would bring physical and mental health ser vices to Austin youth

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

Lurie Children’s Hospital is planning on building a new community health center on Chicago Avenue as part ofan ongoing collaboration focused on youth health. On April 12, the renowned children’s hospital along with community partner Stone Development Corporation will host a community conversation at Stone Lively Church to present the idea to residents and listen to their needs.

“This is the first time that we’ve really brought everyone to g ether not only to introduce the idea, but to introduce the team of people working on this, both from Austin and Lurie Children’s,” said Aisha Oliver, community eng agement specialist for Lurie Children’s Hospital.

Oliver, a community org anizer, has worked with Lurie Children’s for the last two years, convening with residents to tackle issues affecting Austin children and youth.

T he hospital noticed that since 2016

Community meeting will take place on April 12 at Stone Lively Church

teenagers and younger children mad e up almost 15% of the number of victims affected by violence in Chicago.

From 2016 to 2018, the hospital recorded over 7,000 emergency room visits for violence-related injuries, the majority of them affecting Black and Latinx youth, according to data by the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, Lurie’s center for community health.

Since then, the hospital has strengthened its community par tnerships with Austin and Belmont-Cragin residents to bring neighborhood-based violence prevention and health initiatives, mostly for the benefit of local youth.

Oliver said during the pandemic she noticed an increasing need for mental and behavioral health services, especially for kids and teenagers she works with. The proposed health center could work as a joint clinic and community center, simultaneously offering clinical and mental health services and community services.

For several years Oliver has organized and hosted programs for Austin youth. She has worked for Lurie Children’s to center Austin residents from the start of the project, understanding their needs rather than bringing preconceived projects without

considering residents’ real needs.

“A lot of times we get left out of the process, so it was always my passion and purpose to make sure that Austin residents specifically, and not just org anizations, were the ones making decisions and being made aware of what’s happening,” she said.

In partnership with Stone Lively Church, Lurie Children’s team has visited Austin to lear n more about residents’ needs, org anized health service days bringing doctors to the community, and held several community events.

T he exact location for the proposed center on Chicago Avenue is yet to be deter mined, Oliver said. At the community conversation, residents will hear from the partners in this project and be asked to share their feedback, with the hopes of setting an example of true community partnership.

“In any community, especially a community of color there should be a truly collaborative ef fort at a partnership versus someone coming in and saying, ‘here’s what we wanna do and we want to g et your feedback on something that’s already kind of been put in place,’” Oliver said. “That’s not how we’re doing it.”

TASKFORCE

A new model

from page 9

thinking it ’s a burglar y. We want the cops to be able to respond to that appropriately. ”

A mental health c risis d oes not necessarily end after a response has b een dispatched, as Potts noted, so the taskforce will also be recommending p ostc risis follow-up. T he taskforce is still d etermining wh at those procedures will entail.

T he final draft recommendatio n is village a ccountability in the fo rm of ag gregate data c ollection, wh ich should be presented routinely to the public This will help to d etermine the effect iveness of the alternate response model.

“We want to see the data – wh at are the t ypes of c alls that we ’re g etting , who is responding, how we re they resolve

T he de response model has

two p hases, the first of wh ich is bein g handled by this taskforce, wh ich is also known as the Mental Health Taskforce As the taskforce’s name might sugg est, the focus of p hase one is specific ally related to developing alternative response to mental health c alls. Phase two, wh ich hasn’t be g un, will tackle how to respond to other c alls to p olice that do not require an armed response but are not mental health-related, such as calls re po rt ing a rabid raccoon.

Potts, the executive director of Oak Pa rk Township’s C ommunity Mental Health Board, co-chairs the Mental Health Taskforce with A llison Davenpo rt , the CEO of Rive redg e Hospital in Fo rest Pa rk A long with them, the taskforce c onsists of superintendents of local schools, health professionals and re presentatives from Oak Park taxing bodies and social service organizations. T he chiefs and de p uty chiefs of Oak Pa rk ’s fire and p olice departments also attend task force meeting s, wh ich are not subject to the Open Meeting s Act. Some sessions, however, have been and are available to

Month Certificate of Deposit

and installed fanc y new recliners, which are ready for audience use.

Fancy new seats coming to Lake eatre

Each auditorium will be out tted with new heated recliners

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Classic Cinemas Lake Theatre plans to put butts in seats by making seats more comfortable for butts. The beloved movie theater in downtown Oak Park is in the process of replacing its seating with heated recliners in all of its auditoriums, beginning with its biggest.

“This is like first, first class,” said sic Cinemas CEO Chris Johnson. “These will be amazing seats.”

Come this Wednesday, moviegoers can try out the new recliners in Lake Theatre’s largest auditorium. The reopening of the auditorium coincides with the release of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” the hotly anticipated film adaptation of the classic video game starring Chris Pratt and Jack Black.

That auditorium also just got a new laser projector, so audience

members will be able to co and clearly watch favorite Italian plumber bounce from toadstool to toadstool to thwart the evil Bowser’s attempts at world domination.

’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

he theater’s six other auditoriums will be getting the new seat treatment as well. Crews will get started installing the recliners, as well as new carpeting, in the other auditoriums April 11. All the noisy construction will happen before the theater opens, so no movie magic is lost to the sound of drills

The work will be done on two auditoriums at a time until all the auditoriums have the same high-quality seating, complete with wheelchair-accessible areas. And the recliners are electric, so hands can be occupied with popcorn instead of cranking the chair back.

Plus, the Lake Theatre serves beer and wine, as well as canned cocktails and alcoholic seltzers. The convenient aluminum vessel means people of legal drinking age won’t have to miss any movie previews waiting

S BY MICHAEL SCHINDLER

MICHAEL SCHINDLER

while the barkeep shakes and stirs

“You don’t have to tip your bartender either,” Johnson said.

The recliners will make the movie viewing experience more enjoyable all around, but it does not come without a little sacrific e. The new seating plan will lower the theater’s

overall audience capacity by about half as the recliners take up more space and require larger aisles. The theater’s biggest auditorium had 529 seats before the transition. Now it has exactly 300 fewer, but the lowered quantity makes allows for greater quality

An added bonus of having wider aisles

means a quicker, quieter exit for moviegoers. No more whispered apologies to strangers as you try to make your way to the concession stand for more of your favorite movie snack.

Lake Theatre offers free refills on popcorn, sodas and frozen ICEE drinks

The fancy recliners come with a pretty

Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, a ordable, independent housing for seniors. e Oaks o ers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and private bathrooms. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, and parking. On-site management includes 24/7 emergency maintenance service and a senior services coordinator who is available during business hours to assist residents in accessing service

high price tag, however. Each chair costs $1,000 for a total of roughly $700,000, ccording to Johnson. The investment, howworth it for the sake of the customers.

“I think people will be thrilled,” Johnson lassic Cinemas, which operates the Lake heatre and 15 other movie theaters, hasn’t ounced back from the pandemic shutut it’s getting there. COVID-19 limited elayed theatrical film releases, as there forced to temporarily cease operaue to the highly contagious nature of the virus. When they were allowed to reopen, audience capacities were limited due to social distancing requirements.

hose restrictions have all been lifted, but production companies are playing catch up. were only 71 wide releases in 2022, compared to about 110 wide releases in prepandemic years, according to Johnson.

“Now in 2023, there’s going to be like 107,” he said.

The influx of new blockbusters has brought people back into cinemas. Movie attendance for Classic Cinemas is up 40% this year companywide, Johnson said, and while that’s still less than 2019 attendance levels, it’s a lot closer.

“We’ re doing much better,” he said.

agencies and programs designed speci cally for seniors. e Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development through the 202/ Section 8 Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent. For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkrc.com or contact us at 708-386-5862.

PHOTO S BY MICHAEL SCHINDLER

PUT UP Y OUR FEET: e new recliners, complete with foot rest, recline all the way back and have an internal heating syste m for maximum coziness.

Local kids star in ‘School of Rock’ musical

Appearing now at Paramount Theatre

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

It’s been 20 years since Jack Black taught us about the transformative power of rockand-roll music in the classic film, School of Rock With a cast of talented young actors and musicians, the story uses humor, heart and, of course, an amazing soundtrack to remind us all to let our freak flags fly.

Well, class is back in session. Starting April 21 at Paramount Theatre in Aurora, audiences can revisit these characters in the musical adaptation of School of Rock. For extra credit, nine of the child actors come from the western suburbs. These kids beat out kids all over the country to land one of the 21 youth roles in the musical. Rock on, indeed.

Wednesday Journal had the opportunity to interview the young rock stars ahead of opening night. Six of the kids are from Oak Park, while River Forest and Forest Park each have a rocker of their own in the mix. Many studied at Ovation Academy before being cast in the professional stage production. All nine ag ree that School of Rock is more fun than re gular school.

“It’s just super-fun because you’ re dancing and singing with your friends,” said

Clare Wols, of River Forest. “And it’s really high energ y.”

Wols, who attends Roosevelt Middle School, plays back-up singer Marcy, a role she shares with Maya Keane, a student at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School in Oak Park. Marcy may not be familiar to movie superfans, as some of the names of the characters were changed for the musical.

“It’s such a lighthearted show,” Keane said.

The musical retains the film’s spirit — sweet but not cloying, silly but grounded. All of the kid cast members told Wednesday Journal the musical is just as good as the movie, which they’ve all seen.

“I just think it’s so cool that I get to perform the musical version of one of my favorite movies,” said Oak Park’s Meena Sood.

The musical, like the film, follows loafer and wannabe rock star Dewey Finn, who gets kicked out of his band for obnoxious and selfish behavior, such as 20-minute guitar solos. Down on his luck and in need of rent money, Finn takes a substitute teaching gig and does so, despite being completely unqualified, posing as his good-natured pushover roommate Ned Schneebly. In the film, Schneebly is played by Mike White, who wrote the screenplay.

Finn is, at first, totally uninterested in teaching his upper-crust prep school students but is inspired to put a band together after seeing them perform during music

class. Spoiler alert: the kids are naturals and with a little prodding from Finn, they become confident enough to advocate for themselves, even standing up to their pushy, helicopter parents. The stage musical goes further on this than the film does, according to Wols. The kids help Finn in equal measure. As they become more confident in expressing themselves, Finn becomes less egocentric and more responsible as their substitute teacher.

“He thought he would be a horrible teacher,” said Oak Park fourth-grader and cast member Eli Vander Griend. “The kids didn’t trust him and at first they didn’t like him, but then they realized he was a good person and he taught in a different way.”

Forest Park’s Lily Martens, a student at St. Luke in River Forest, confirmed this take, adding that Finn gets a much-needed boost of confidence through teaching the kids.

“I think he finally learns he is worth so

ELI VANDER GRIEND

MAYA KEANE

CLARE WOLS

LILY MARTENS

GENEVIEVE JANE

MEENA SOOD

JAXON MIT CHELL RO XY SALZMAN

SAVANNAH LUMAR

much more than people have told him he was worth,” said Martens, who understudies for the band’s keyboardist character Lawrence and plays a band security guard.

Finn’s charm works its magic on the tightly wound school principal, Ms. Mullens, who learns to let loose a little. Mullens is a favorite character of Oak Parker Savannah Lumar, who plays one of the students on band security detail.

“Mullens just has so much emotion inside,” said Lumar. “And she has a lot of funny moments.”

Some of the film’s most memorable moments are transformed into songs in the musical, with music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics from Glenn Slater. Julian Fellowes, of Downton Abbey fame, wrote the book.

This doesn’t mean the audience won’t hear some favorite lines. Oak Park’s Jaxon Mitchell, who plays band stylist Billy, gets to lob his movie counterpart’s famous insult at Finn: “You’re tacky and I hate you.”

That’s Mitchell’s favorite line, but he says in real life he’s more like the shy lead guitarist Zach than the character he plays. The best part for Mitchell of being in School of Rock is sharing the stage with his friends.

“It’s really cool being in one show togeth-

er,” the Brooks Middle School student said.

The adult actors and the director also keep things fun for the kids by having special themed rehearsal days and treats, such as wearing pajamas and getting ice cream. These rewards are earned when the kids get the qualifying number of gold stars on the gold-star chart. They earned every possible award, including pieing director Trent Stork in the face

“He put whipped cream on a plate and then we got to smoosh it against his face,” said Brookfield’s Genevieve Jane, who plays one of the band’s backup singers.

Each kid got their own whipped cream pie, meaning Stork took 21 pies to the face.

“And some extra,” Jane clarified.

The show itself is just as much fun as the backstage shenanigans, testifies Roxy Salzman, another Oak Park kid. School of Rock is Salzman’s professional musical debut, and she couldn’t be happier to be in this particular production.

“It’s just a genuinely good show,” she said. “It’ll make you laugh; it’ll make you cry. There’s just so many layers to it.”

Come stick it to the man and rock out with these young stars at Paramount Theatre. “School of Rock” opens April 21 and runs through the end of May.

Park Place gives you everything you need for an active, enriching and secure retirement — and it’s more affordable than you think. Come meet our fun, welcoming residents and caring staff, and see all the things that make us Elmhurst’s premier Life Plan Community.

Woman bites police o cer

A 23-year-old woman from Chicago reportedly bit an Oak Park police officer on the ar m at 11:35 p.m., March 30, following a traffic incident.

The woman had been involved in an accident in the 500 block of Madison Street and police found her to have been driving recklessly and without a valid driver’s license, as well as under the influence of alcohol. On top of those charges, the woman was also charged with aggravated battery to a police officer for the bite.

Reckless discharge of a firearm

The sound of gunshots was heard at around 4:10 a.m., April 1, in the 600 block of North Fair Oaks Avenue and three unknown individuals were seen running in a nearby alley, where six shell casings were later found. No damage was reported.

Burglary

■ Someone pried open the rear door of an apartment and then rummaged through some bags in the apartment’s kitchen and living room, leaving items scattered around, between 7:47 p.m., March 15, and 7:47 p.m., March 29, in the 400 block of North Lombard Avenue. No loss was reported.

■ Chase Bank personal checks, one to three Chase credit cards and a gold necklace with a medallion of a runner were taken in a home burglary in the 1100 block of South Taylor Avenue between 4:45 p.m. and 5:46 p.m., March 28. The home’s basement door was forced open and the basement was ransacked, as was a living room and a bedroom on the first floor. The estimated loss is $320.

Motor vehicle recovery

■ The 2015 Buick Verano re ported stolen March 30 from the 300 block of South Elmwood Avenue was recovered by Chicago police in the 2500 block of East Farragut Avenue in Chicago at 10:28 p.m., March 31.

■ T he 2020 Kia For te re ported stolen March 16 from the 200 block of North Kenilworth Avenue was recovered by Chicago police in the 700 block of North Sacramento Avenue in Chicago at 10:06 a.m., March 30.

Attempted motor vehicle theft

■ A male offender broke the rear passenger’s side window of an Oak Park resident’s 2020 Kia Optima, but fled in a brown or gray Kia SUV after the victim shouted at him at 4:31 p.m., April 2, in the 100 block of Le Moyne Parkway.

■ Someone shattered the rear passenger’s side of a 2015 Kia Optima, then damaged the vehicle’s steering column, between 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., April 2, in the 500 block of North Lombard Avenue.

Attempted theft

A surveillance camera recorded an unknown woman opening an Amazon package of mason jars on the victim’s front porch, but did not take the contents of the package, at 12:55 a.m., April 1, in the 1100 block of North Austin Boulevard.

Criminal proper ty damage

Someone broke two front windowpanes on the front entrance door to a building in the 900 block of Washington Boulevard between 9:45 p.m., March 25, and 6:45 p.m., March 29. The estimated damage is $370. These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports, March 28-April 3, and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

SPRING 2023

Join us for Holy Week and

Easter Worship

Maundy Thursday Holy Communion

April 6, 7:00 p.m.

Good Friday Liturgy

April 7, 7:00 p.m.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Vigil Holy Communion

April 8, 7:00 p.m.

The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day Holy Communion

April 9, 9:30 a.m.

Children, all ages, welcome to Easter Sunday!

United Lutheran Church

409 Greenfield Street (at Ridgeland) Oak Park, Illinois www.unitedlutheranchurch.org

HOLY WEEK AT PILGRIM

Worship, 7:00-Chapel

Easter Sunday, April 9

Good Friday, April 7 Egg Hunt, 9:30-Lawn

Continental Brunch, 9:00 Worship, 10:30-Sanctuary and Online www.PilgrimOakPark.org

Pilgrim Congregational Church, UCC, 460 Lake St

Come journey through Holy Week with the Catholic Parishes of Oak Park and Chicago

ASCENSION AND ST. EDMUND PARISH

St. Edmund Church • 188 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Ascension Church • 808 S. East Avenue, Oak Park

TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday, April 6

Mass of the Lord's Supper – 7:30 pm at Ascension Church

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament 9:30 pm to midnight, with Night Prayer at 11:45 pm

Good Friday, April 7

Family Stations of the Cross ** – 12:00 pm at St. Edmund Church

** Please note that the noon service on Good Friday will be geared towards families with children K-12. It is not intended for infants and toddlers.

Taizé Prayer around the Cross – 3:00 pm at Ascension Church

The Passion of the Lord – 7:30 pm at Ascension Church

Holy Saturday, April 8

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter – 8:00 pm at St. Edmund Church

Easter Sunday, April 9: The Resurrection of the Lord

8:00 and 10:30 am at Ascension Church

9:00 and 11:00 am at St. Edmund Church (No 5:00 pm Mass at St. Edmund Church)

ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA-ST. LUCY AND ST. GILES PARISH

St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church • 38 N. Austin Boulevard, Oak Park St. Giles Church • 1045 Columbian Avenue, Oak Park

TRIDUUM

Holy Thursday, April 6 Mass of the Lord's Supper – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight, with Night Prayer at 11:45 pm

Good Friday, April 7

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 3:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Celebration of the Lord’s Passion – 7:00 pm at St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church Living Stations of the Cross – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Family Mass Community Good Friday Prayer Service with Silent Passion – 7:30 pm in the St. Giles School Gym

Holy Saturday, April 8

Easter Vigil and First Mass of Easter – 7:00 pm at St. Giles Church

Easter Sunday, April 9: The Resurrection of the Lord

Sunrise - 6:00 am in the St. Giles Church Courtyard (Weather Permitting)

8:00 and 10:30 am at St. Giles Church

9:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena -St. Lucy Church with the combined Celebration and St. Giles Choirs

10:00 am Family Mass Community in the St. Giles School Gym

*Please see the website, ascensionoakpark.com, for further information.

Please see the website, stgilesparish.org, for further information.

Homes

Creating an urban oasis in Oak Park

Couple conver ts Arts District building, once a tractor supply store, into modern home

By LACEY SIKORA

Contributing Reporter

During the early days of their relationship, Mimi and Rick Comerford commuted; she had a house in New Jersey and he lived in Oak Park. When they were able to combine their households in 2016, they sold their two houses and began a search in Oak Park.

Their home-buying journey took them to places they never expected and led to the creation of a home that is unlike any other in the suburb.

The pair enlisted realtor and friend Laura Maychruk to help them find a house.

“We started out thinking we’d get a house in Oak Park. We saw a lot of hous-

es,” said Rick Comerford. “It was li were buying someone else’s house. wanted something that was just us.”

Maychruk, whose Buzz Café is located in the Oak Park Arts District, clued them in to an unusual listing. A building was home to a hair salon and once housed Magical Minds arts studio was hitting the market. Built in 1926, the two storefronts on Harrison Street had apar tments on the second floor sometime in the 1950s.

The couple decided to take on a scale restoration and renovation, turning the for mer arts studio into first-floor living space and connecting the second floor apar tments to create bedrooms, bathrooms and a shared entertaining spac

See OASIS on pa ge 25

Rick and Mimi Comerford (le ) ve transformed ixed-use building (inset) on Harrison et into a sleek idence w ith an urban vibe.

JAVIER GOVEA

e second oor of the building once housed two apartments. e Comerfords converted the units into bedrooms joined by a central entertainment space (above). On the rst oor there’s open plan living spaces (top right and below). A sunny cour tyard sits between the main residence and a new two-story building at the rear (at right) housing a garage, studio spaces and an apar tment.

OASIS

Won Green Award

from page 23

Rick once worked as an architectural draftsman, so he did much of the design himself. He also brought in local architect Frank Heitzman to come up with the plan. When Mimi was having trouble visualizing what the building would look like with the two second floor apar tments connected, Rick built her a Lego model of the building, which still holds place of pride on a bookshelf six years after the project ended and they moved in.

The couple first designed a rear building, now home to their art studios, garage and a studio apar tment so that they could live in that space while the rest of the construction took place. The three-car garage blocks the courtyard from traffic sounds of I-290 and also features a car lift and charging for electric cars.

The courtyard between the rear building and the Harrison Street building is a New Orleans-style oasis with a fountain and outdoor sitting area. During the renovation, they uncovered two old signs for the tractor supply store that once used the space and left them in the courtyard area.

On the first floor of the main living space, they discovered a wall of brick behind plaster and it for ms the focal point of the open kitchen and living room. New support columns were clad in similar reclaimed Chicago-style brick. The original tin ceiling was also restored over this space and matched in the open dining room and bar area. A secret room is tucked away behind a bookshelf and serves as a butler’s pantry.

“We wanted to keep stuff out of the landfill,” Comerford said. “We used over 70% of the existing walls and structures and repurposed wherever we could.”

The garage building has a metal roof with solar panels applied to the roofing. For their efforts, the Comerfords were awarded a Green Award from the from the village of Oak Park

PHOTO S BY JAVIER GOVEA

SPORTS

OPRF girls basketball coach resigns a er 2 seasons

Rosemond says job leading Huskie’s program

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Pa est High School girls team will ha year as varsity

ton Rosemond has announced his resignation sons

“It’s a decision I had to mak for myself said in a phone Wednesday J nothing but the Rosemond 12-49 record.

the Huskies had a difficult 2022-23 season, winning just two teams that finished among the top 20 in the state

In an email sent to girls March 15 that was shared with Wednesday

Journal, OPRF Athletic Director Nicole Ebsen confirmed there would be “a change in leadership” for next season.

“We will begin the candidate

just wasn’t a good fit.”

Rosemond said he also felt that some multisport players could’ve been more focused on basketball during the season.

“If you’re going to commit to playing basketball, be a basketball player during basketball season,” he said. “If that’s not the forefront of the program, it’s hard to try to build something with part-time players. But I hold no animosity towards OPRF; that’s not the way to go about it.”

Rosemond said he learned some valuable lessons that will serve him well in the future.

“You have to really do your homework and know where you’re going and what you’re getting yourself into, so that you can understand how to do the things you want to do,” he said. “I think me not understanding OPRF in its totality and how they want things to go, I thought I would get more [help] with that.

of relationship-building that you have to do on a multitude of levels -- not just with players but with parents, stakeholders and administrators, which is something I didn’t know I needed to do. If I choose to coach again anywhere, I know I’ll take this experience and do those things better.”

Rosemond thinks highly of Fenwick coach Lenae Fergerson and Trinity coach Kim Coleman and will miss competing against them.

“I hope nothing but the best for them,” he said. “It looks like they have good support systems where they are, and that’s critical.”

Rosemond said he wants any future opportunity to be the right fit

ciate the opportunity OPRF gave me, but it

“Being a head coach is a lot more responsibility than just coaching and developing players -- which is my passion. There’s a lot

“Support -- and how you get it -- is huge,” he said. “Right now, I’m really focused on helping my daughters; they’re basketball players and I’m looking forward to seeing them develop and grow. (But) if the opportunity presents itself, I’ll definitely go through all the necessary checkpoints before making a decision.”

Fenwick’s Young named basketball Coach of the Year

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Despite having a sophomore-laden roster, the Fenwick High School boys basketball team had a very good season, finishing 21-13 and dropping a hard-fought IHSA Class 3A De La Salle Sectional title game to St. Ignatius.

The Friars improved their win total by 12 games over 2021-22 and the program reaped a big award March 28 as the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association named Tony Young as the Coach of the Year for District Seven.

“It always feels good to be reco gnized

after the season,” said Young, who just completed his second season at the helm of the Friars. “But the reward goes to my boys; if they don’t win games and take care of business, nobody’s thinking about me right now.”

Young felt that the way his players responded to his coaching was an important part of this year’s success.

“It’s not easy to play for me, because I demand a lot out of them,” he said. “The stuf f I teach is not something most high school kids don’t learn. Our kids are young, and the fact that they took heed

and stepped up, there are no complaints.”

Young also gave credit to his varsity assistant coaches, Brian Daly, DeAndre Evans, and Kris Harris, as well as sophomore coaches Dionte Gray and Cory Moses

“The staf f is so important. I couldn’ t do it without those guys,” he said. “It’s a group effort.”

With all but one player returning next season, expectations are sure to rise for Fenwick. But Young said the F riars aren’t concerned about what outsiders think. Instead, they’re trying to

live up to standards they have internally set.

“We can’ t think about anybody else’s expectations. We’ve got to stay focused on what we’re trying to do,” he said. “When you start thinking about what everyone thinks of you, that’s when you start messing up.”

Fenwick begins the of fseason with the goal of continued improvement. Young hopes the F riars can take the next steps forward as a progr am, and how they approach the summer will be key.

“It’s about to g et serious starting next season,” he said. “Colle ge coaches come out in June, so in our of fseason routine, we’ve got to get ready for that.”

‘wasn’t a good t’

C ARLTO N ROSEMOND

TONY Y OUNG

In second year at helm, he led Friars to sec tional nals

OPRF track’s Garland eyes state title bids in two events

Senior ’s 13.05-meter shot put last month was best indoor toss in Class 3A

By BILL STONE

Contributing Reporter

Already a 2022 Class 3A allstater in discus, Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Reese Garland should also be making a statement in shot put this season.

Garland completed the indoor track and field season March 25 placing second in the Class 3A girls shot at the Illinois Top Times Indoor Championships at Illinois Wesleyan University with a lifetime-best 13.05 meters/42 feet, 9.75 inches – the best distance by any 3A thrower this indoor season.

“I threw a [best] by over three feet, so I’m super excited. I like the high-pressure situations, definitely, just like last year at state,”

Garland said.

The Huskies return 10 athletes from last year’s 13 state entries, which included all four relays, after winning the Proviso East Sectional and tying for second at the West Suburban Conference Silver Meet. OPRF was fifth at the indoor WSC Silver Meet March 17 (41 points).

In her state debut, Garland was an allstate fifth in discus behind two seniors with a lifetimebest 39.18 m/128-6. She swept both events at the outdoor WSC Silver Meet but was third in shot at sectionals and did not advance.

Garland won shot at this season’s indoor WSC Silver Meet (11.97m/39-3.25). Next season, she’s throwing at the University of Souther n California

“I want to win state, for both disc and shot,” Garland said. “I’ve been training every day, been putting in the work. I’ve been really excited, really locked in.”

Other returning 2022 state qualifiers are junior Katie Stabb in the 3,200-meter run (18th, lifetime-best 10:57.61), senior Natalie Quinn in the 1,600 (19th, 5:39.23), seniors Rhea Richards and Saniya Shotwell and junior Chloe Johnson from the 800 relay (17th, 1:46.47) and 4x100 relay (18th, 50.02), juniors Samantha Welin and Lenny Sterritt and Quinn from the 3,200 relay (19th, 10:00.91) and sophomore Bella Brauc, junior Willa Aumann and Shotwell from the 1,600 relay (26th, 4:26.61).

All four relays ran season-best times at sectionals. Junior Hannah Franke’s 9-3 in pole vault lost out on the second-place state be rth on a tiebreaker to graduated teammate Lena Tang. Sterritt qualified for the state cross country meet in November (111th place).

The Huskies graduated two standouts –2021 3,200 state champion Josephine Welin (University of Washington) and sprinter Dar nesha Fraley (Purdue Northwest).

In 2021, Richards also was part of the statequalifying 800 relay (21st, 1:47.84).

“I think we’re doing to do good this season. We’ve got some great new girls, some incredible people are coming back. I think it’s looking promising,” Richards said. “I’m hoping to go back [to state] for the same races. I came in third in the 200 at sectionals so it would be lovely to compete in the 200 at state.”

Other returnees from the sectional lineup are seniors Alicia Gaylord and Teshell O’Neal and juniors Fiona Cunningham, Brianne Davis, Elsie Kren, Anne Lynch and Taylor Smith, who was second at the indoor WSC Silver Meet in triple jump (10.33m/3310.75).

Seniors Justice Clark, Abby Lofgren, Avery Minnis, juniors Charlotte Andersson, Katherine Johnston and Tate Scanlan, sophomores Julia Brown and Nora Butterly and freshman Julia Max also competed for the varsity at the indoor WSC Silver Meet.

Frosh-soph indoor champions included freshmen Maisie Hoerster in long jump (4.72m/15-6) and triple jump (10.42m/34-2.25) and Alexis Henderson (1.47m/4-10 in high jump) and the 800 relay with sophomore Blaire Brown, freshman Mia King, Henderson and Hoerster (1:53.70).

2023/24

RHEA RICHARDS

REESE GARLAND

Short-handed Friars falter at Murphy Tourney

After opening win, Fenwick girls water polo drops three straight

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Fenwick High School girls water polo team went 1-3 at its Mike Murphy Tour nament March 31-April 1.

But coach Elizabeth Timmons felt the Friars fared well despite the record, given that they were shorthanded due to injuries.

“We did fine,” she said. “We’ re down some people right now, so with the group we had, we showed vast improvement as we made our way through the weekend.”

Fenwick opened the tournament March 31, rolling past Ann Arbor-Pioneer 133. Ava Galan, Pam Medina and Hannah Schubke gel each scored three goals while Annie McCarthy added two.

The next day was challenging as the Friars dropped all three matches. In the opener, McCarthy scored two goals, but they weren’ t enough in a 9-3 loss to Mother McAuley. Against St. Ignatius, Medina found the back ofthe net twice, but the

Wolfpack prevailed 8-6. In the nightcap, the Friars fell 10-2 to Lyons Township despite two more goals from McCarthy

As her team gradually returns to full health, Timmons hopes Fenwick uses this weekend as a valuable experience.

“We’ve got some work to do in the second halfofthe season,” she said. “But I think we learned a lot about what we need to do to play together, and we’re in a good place. We just need to make sure we know what we’re doing in order to get to where we want to go.”

The Friars return to the pool for three home matches this week against St. Charles North, York and New Trier.

OPRF softball impresses in Tennessee tourney

The Oak Park and River Forest High School softball team did extremely well during its spring break trip to Tennessee,

going 5-1 in the Pigeon Forge Invitational.

“We played really well,” said OPRF coach J.P. Coughlin. “We got contributions from different kids every g ame. T here’s no one that stands out; we just have kids who’ve stepped up and done well when presented with their oppor tunities.”

In their opener on March 27, the Huskies (6-2) blanked Elgin (Ohio) 4-0. Anna Topel went the distance in the circle, allowing just two hits and posting six strikeouts. Elyssa Hasapis had three hits and scored three r uns, Gloria Hronek had an RBI triple and Macy Callahan had an RBI double.

Later that day, Maura Carmody homered and drove in five r uns while Jordan Alioto homered twice and had three RBI in OPRF’s 13-6 victory over Westerville (Ohio) South.

“We just put Jordan in the lineup and she was just incredible,” Coughlin said. “That’s what we’ve been doing all year; each g ame, somebody different steps up.”

On March 28, the Huskies posted two more victories: 6-2 over Westerville (Ohio) North and 10-0 over Brunswick (Ohio). Hasapis had a combined six hits on the day.

On March 29, OPRF edged past Tallmadge (Ohio) 5-4 in the opener. Julia Mattiace had a walk-of f RBI single to seal the victory for the Huskies

OPRF went to extra innings in its final g ame against Stow-Munroe (Ohio). The Huskies went ahead 3-2 in the top ofthe eighth on a fielder’s choice by Anne Stine, but a two-out fielding er ror with the bases loaded in the bottom half resulted in a 4-3 loss.

“We had that last g ame,” Coughlin said. “But I don’ t feel any different about the team based on losing it. We’ve proved we can play with some really good teams, but we’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

OPRF competes in the Fremd Tournament this week, with g ames against Wheaton North, Fremd and Lockport

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

ONSCIOUS A GING oughts on an aging-in-communities approach

Since 1900, we have added more longevity to our species than all of previous civilization. Meanwhile, birthrates in our country are decreasing. This demographic shift is bringing about significant challenges for the workplace, for our healthcare system and for society as a whole. If we just do more of what we have been doing for the past 50 years, we will not be able to effectively address these challenges.

Our communities are not usually organized to support all of us at the dif ferent stages of our lives. Someone with a walker might want to go to the park, but there ’t a safely accessible space there for them to walk, or bathrooms they can use should they need to. Younger people often need places to cong re gate safely and to be heard. An older person might want to participate in a local arts program, but it ’t set up for someone with diminished vision or hearing.

BLESOFF

VIEWPOINTS

We need more Harriette Robinets

Repeating history?

Indeed, our older people have been invisible in our communities because of the unconscious bias of ageism. Our older neighbors have been “othered.”

The term “aging-in-communities” refers, in part, to a conscious, coordinated, community-wide ef fort to respectfully address the evolving needs and interests of all of us. Aging-in-communities is inclusive of the term aging-in-place, which focuses on dwelling space. It uses a broader, community-wide lens to identify not just a set of plans, programs, procedures, and services but also an inclusive awareness and approach that facilitates livability for everyone. Agingin-communities is a key component of ef for ts to address the needs and interests of residents of all ages throughout our lifespans and health spans.

Our approach to aging has been classically “deficit-oriented,” i.e. focused on what olders could no long er do, rather than working side-by-side with us to create programs that capitalize on what we can of fer. An aging-in-communities approach involves older people as key actors in equitably addressing the unfolding realities of our changing population. This can help all of us to be heard, an important element for older people, and younger people to feel valued and included in the life of our communities. Aging-in-communities planning is woven into the social fabric

The Silicon Valley Bank closed a few weeks back, making headlines and sending shockwaves. Although Janet Yellen, U.S. Treasury secretary said, “Our banking is still sound,” we have learned that other banks have suffered this same fate. Deregulation has been blamed for risk-taking in which banks have been involved. Fortunately, the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Company) exists, providing an insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, on each account ownership category. Sadly, no such reassurance was available for the thousands of bank accounts that closed during the Depression era.

Although I was a youngster at that time, I still remember, quite vividly, the tragedy of our local Melrose Park Bank closing. Most of all, I remember the fortitude of my remarkable mother. She was able to keep both the family and our family business afloat. My parents owned a small work clothing and sports equipment store in Melrose Park. Our home was the two-room living quarters at the back of the store. My mother ran the store

and managed to cook, clean, and be a ving mom. How she accomplished ys with a positive attitude,

ening routine of lacing the store’s daily earnings in ository of our local bank. ometimes I’d join her on her evening trek. Frank, the friendly bank security guard, would often be outside the ank, puffing on his pipe, and ready to erse with anyone who walked by I was usually treated to one of the lollipops he carried with him. It is almost impossible to imagine a bank guard today feeling secure enough to behave as casually as Frank did.

I shudder, recalling the day the bank abruptly closed. No account holder could retrieve any of his/her money. I still feel my mom squee zing my hand as we stood with others clamoring at the bank door. We could see Frank inside acknowledging us with a look of helplessness. Mom pounded on the door pleading for our funds. “Everything we have

Bank run scene in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

HAUSMAN

OUR VIEWS

Re-considering Matthew Shepard Alternate police responses

To its considerable credit, Oak Park’s village government has convened an expansive but focused group of local experts to make a plan for alternate ways to respond to some calls coming into police dispatch.

Recommendations may arrive on the desk of Village Manager Kevin Jackson as soon as this month. The initial focus of the Oak Park Community Safety Project has been on mental health related calls. As we have noted multiple times, Oak Park’s police department has been well ahead of the curve in addressing instances when mental health intersects with policing. That effort goes back a couple of decades. But in her report today, our Stacey Sheridan talks to a co-chair of the task force who explains how de-escalation varies substantially between a person with dementia and a person with suicidal ideation.

There is a sensitivity and sophistication needed that will come, says Cheryl Potts, the task force co-chair and head of the township’s Community Mental Health Board, with more nuanced police training but also with greater public education.

A task force representative from Oak Park’s public library had earlier reported to that elected board that among the ideas being discussed is embedding a social worker within the police department. We do not want to prejudge the recommendations though we have previously noted the upside of having a police chief (Shatonya Johnson) with early career training as a social worker.

Growing police culture is a process for certain. But more voices inside the department with an alternate view on response has certain benefits.

There will be a phase two of this task force process once its mental health recommendations are made. That focus will be on responses to other calls to 911 that do not require an armed police response. We look forward to seeing that defined. It will, we hope, reflect the legitimate concerns of people of color and youth when they have encounters with officers.

Disrespecting a hall monitor

Over the years we have re ported on a number of controversial firings of principals within the District 97 elementary schools. The district, under multiple superintendents, has a checkered history of hiring and firing principals.

But until last week we’ve never re ported on the job loss of a hall monitor. The school board recently turned down a request for 30 days of unpaid leave from a veteran hall monitor at Brooks Middle School. Lawrence Calloway filled that role admirably and importantly for four years. But the musician recently had the opportunity to go on tour with notable Chicago blues singer Joanna Connor.

We agree with the co-president of the Oak Park Teachers Association that turning down Calloway’s request was shor tsighted and disrespectful. We look for Black male role models in our schools to inspire all students to follow their passions and talents. Accommodating an employee who is widely re garded for the connections he has built at the school with students seems like a simple, kind, and positive message to send A missed opportunity.

Johan Sebastian Bach’s oratorio St. Matthew Passion is usually perfor med in or around Holy Week. In many Christian churches, the passion from St. Matthew’s gospel was read on Palm Sunday, last Sunday, the first day of Holy Week.

That same day, selections from Matthew Shepard’s passion were perfor med at Unity Temple. Considering Matthew Shepard, by Craig Hella Johnson, is a powerful choral work in its own right, but it’s also about the “murder of the century” (last century) and echoes the passion of St. Matthew.

In early October, 1998, Matt Shepard, a gay, first-year student at the University of Wyoming was left tied to a fence on a remote road outside Laramie after being savagely beaten. The two young men who committed the atrocity were soon arrested and each received two consecutive life sentences News of the murder spread quickly. It would not be a stretch to assume that everyone reading this is familiar with the heinous hate-filled crime that occurred 25 years ago this October. BBC News, in a report on the 20th anniversary in 2018, described it as “the murder that changed America.”

If so, partial credit goes to Hella Johnson’s first concert-length work. According to the executive director of the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Jason Marsden, the oratorio is “by far the most intricate, beautiful and unyielding artistic response to this notorious anti-gay hate crime.”

But it didn’t change America enough. Although the federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act, also known as the Matthew Shepard Act, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on Oct. 28, 2009, and similar state laws followed, the country has slipped backward since you-know-who made it OK for some Americans to hate again.

As Unity Temple’s music director, Martha Swisher, pointed out before the perfor mance, “The ACLU is currently tracking 426 anti-LGBTQ+ bills. This is by far the highest number of such legislation in the history of the U.S. Practices have been put in place criminalizing and banning health care for transgender youth, banning gender-affir ming care and refusing care for the queer community, not to mention censorship of education and awareness in many schools and communities. On March 31st, we honor Inter national Transgender Day of Visibility, acknowledging the 1.6 million trans youth and adults across the United States.”

I was a little wary of this musical work, having heard too many well-intentioned but over-the-top treatments of tragic events, which try too hard to make audiences feel something. Hella Johnson and his artistic collaborators, however, focused on the real goal: bringing Matthew Shepard vividly to life, pulling off as Swisher noted, “a kind of resurrection through art.” The result is deeply moving in its simplicity, as we hear from Mat-

thew’s own jour nal, which serve as lyrics in the song, “Ordinary Boy”:

I am funny, sometimes forgetful and messy and lazy. I am not a lazy person, though. I am giving and understanding and formal and polite.

I am sensitive. I am honest. I am sincere. And I am not a pest.

I am my own person. I am warm I want my life to be happy and I want to be clearer about things. I want to feel good I love Wyoming. I love Wyoming very much.

I love theatre, I love good friends, I love succeeding, I love pasta, I love jogging, I love walking,

And being myself

The oratorio doesn’t need to inflate the emotional wallop. The story on its own is more than enough. And the songs tell that story in a variety of styles but with an admirable minimum of embellishment.

The first officer to arrive on the scene after Matthew’s barely breathing body was discovered, re portedly found a large deer, a doe, lying close by, as if shepherding Shepard, a silent companion to the young man’s long, dark night of body and soul — an act of tender ness, in sharpest contrast with the two inhuman humans who left him to die.

All night I lay there beside you, I cradled your pain in my care.

We move through creation together, And we know there’s a welcoming there.

“Deer Song”

It is tempting to call Matthew’s killers “animals,” but that would be unfair to animals. The empathy this creature embodied reminds us to resist getting mired in the darkness of our moral outrage and instead reclaim our true animal nature — the “ancient heart” as the lyrics describe it, of our innocence, the very essence of our humanity.

When I think of all the times the world was ours for dreaming,

When I think of all the times the earth seemed like our home

Every heart alive with its own longing, every future we could ever hope to hold

Was there already sadness in the sunlight, some stormy story waiting to be told?

“The Innocence”

What we owe Matthew Shepard is never forgetting that he died for the “crime” of being himself. His murder was an act of hatred that unleashed the full fury of love worldwide.

Like an atom, split.

Won’ t you meet me here where the old fence ends and the horizon begins?

We’v e been walking through the darkness on this long, hard climb

Carried ancestral sorrow for too long a time

“Meet Me Here”

Having lived in four Chicago apartment buildings, I be g an craving a community with diverse people who shared a common purpose. To the conster nation of my extended family, in 1971 I moved to the quixotic village of Oak Park.

My first volunteer project was Oak Park Hotline, a teen crisis line, where I answered phones in the dark, third-floor of Dole Library at night and then trained others to do the same

As my sons passed the ba by stage, I was introduced to First Tuesday, a civic-minded group of mothers who originated a concept called Equity Assurance (later adopted by the village).

I embraced pesticide-free gardening and became a member of the Oak Park Conservatory. When Alcuin Montessori encouraged me to run for president of the school board, I acceded and won.

Heeding the vision of one persistent neighbor who wanted a single place for newcomers to lear n about the villa ge, we set up tables at Scoville Pa rk, and “A Day in our Village” was bo rn. These same neighboring families shared biking weekends away, played volleyball at Taylor Pa rk and enjoyed holiday potluck dinners in my back yard

During a snowstor m in 1979, I welcomed seven Chinese-speaking Vietnam refugees into my threebedroom home. Having no outside help, it ke pt me busy. The Huas lived with us for a year until their father ar rived. (In 2019 we celebrated our 40th reunion at my house.)

I was hired at Irving School as a lear ning disability teacher and building assistant, as I was eight years later at Mann School, where I joined APPLE [African American Parents for Pur poseful Leader-

ship].

PAT HEALE Y One View

As I see our village … I hope you will volunteer

In December of 2022, I was honored to be appointed a volunteer commissioner on the village of Oak Park’s Citizen Involvement Commission. Ever since then, however, I have been humbled by my work with my fellow commissioners and, moreover, by the many Oak Park residents I have had the privilege to interview for volunteer positions on the many VOP commissions

Reading their applications, perusing their resumes and, then, listening to their passion to help guide the village’s policies, procedures and even codes and ordinances that shape our daily lives here in the village has been eye-opening and inspiring.

But there is work yet to be done by me, my fellow commissioners and yes, you, our neighbors. The village has 18 citizen commissions. You can find a list of them at https://www.oak-park.us/your-govern-

I helped form the Oak Park Cycle Club and became their first vice president. Already teaching a master’s prog ram for NLU in 1989, they hired me to teach those 11 courses in Heidelberg, Ger many. My son, Craig, and I visited over 25 countries during that two-year sabbatical while I lear ned a third language

Retur ning to Mann, I was ecstatic at being allowed to collaborate with my fellow sixth-grade teachers, Donna and Mark, introducing our curriculum The Holocaust, Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam.

I continued diversity training (SEED) for Oak Park teachers. At a Longfellow PTO meeting, students confronted their parents about the lack of diversity in their own homes. As a result, Project Unity was created. I promptly joined and for the next 15 years we shared dinners and conversation.

After 35 years of teaching, I retired and still live in the same house, bought 52 years ago, which has become an extension of me. I have been amply rewarded by being able to raise my children in the village I envisioned in 1971 where now I happily share flowers, memories, and advice.

T hese are only snippets of stories you’ ll find on every block in Oak Park

I have just been notified that three doors away from me, they want to erect a five-story apar tment complex with 36 units and balconies on a singlef amily footprint.

And I can’ t help but ponder: What now se parates Oak Park from any other suburban, bedroom community?

Pat Healey is a longtime Oak Park resident.

ment/citizen-boards-commissions-committees As of March, 32 of the statutory 151 seats on these commissions was vacant.

I want you to volunteer. I want to read your bio and meet you in person to hear how you can help govern our village. It goes without saying that we’re looking for people of all genders, ages, races/ethnic backgrounds, income levels, housing arrangements and any other qualifier you can think of to join with your neighbors in shaping our collective future. It is by no means hard to serve and it is so easy to apply at https://www oak-park us/your-gover nment/citizen-commissions/volunteerboard-commission-or-committee.

I look forward to meeting and working with you soon!

Ronald Elling Oak Park

WEDNESD AY JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Senior Repor ter Stacey Sher idan

Staff Repor ters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Harriet Hausman, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

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

Please understand our veri cation 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 veri cation, 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 con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

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

LET TER TO THE EDITOR

■ 250-word limit

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‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself, your connec tion to the topic

■ Signature details as at lef t

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

HOW TO REA CH

ADDRESS 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-524-8300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

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How to keep crooks o the police scanner

In early December an aler t citizen called 911 because she saw two men stealing a catalytic conver ter from a neighbor’s minivan across the street. Of ficers were quickly dispatched, but by the time they ar rived, the of fenders fled. The owner later confir med to me that the exhaust pipe was partially cut and the thieves left behind their Sawzall and jack. We don’ t know what spooked the thieves and caused them to flee, but it is cer tainly possible they were listening to a police scanner and heard the cops were on the way. These days, listening to a police scanner is as easy as downloading a free app to your smar tphone

T he Oak Pa rk police and fire de partments, along with their par tners at the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch Center (WSCDC), are upgrading their radios to a digital system called STARCOM21. As part of this transition, the decision will be made to either encrypt police and fire dispatches, or to allow the public to continue to listen in T he ability of the public to monitor

police transmissions is one way to build trust, transparency and accountability of our first responders. The public has the right to know how the police and fire de par tments are serving our community on a day-by-day basis. By listening to a scanner you can lear n a lot about response times, of ficer attitude, mental-health crisis response, how racially biased calls are handled and how of ficers are using new technologies (i.e., F lock cameras). The ability of the public to monitor the police radio works in tandem with the oversight already provided by the Citizens Police Oversight Committee, the Board of Fire and Police Commissioners, and our village board. But this right-to-know can also give certain criminal of fenders the upper-hand by listening.

T he solution? The village of Oak Pa rk should require WSCDC to proceed with encryption, but also provide a delayed feed of the police and fire dispatch chan-

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

nels to the public. A 10-minute delay allows citizens to know what police and fire activity is happening in their neighborhood. Impor tantly, a 10-minute delay preserves the element of sur prise for responding of ficers to a crime in progress

To be clear, we’re talking about dispatch communications only. Detectives, narcotics investigations, special units and other communications would always be encrypted

Many agencies in our area ha alread and most ha transmissions proposed ab

of Chicago has taken as they’ve moved to STARCOM21, though their 30-minute delay has been widely criticized as too long. Other agencies, such as the Illinois State Police, have made their transmissions available without encryption and without delay following their digital upgrade.

With crime on the rise, ef fective and accountable policing is as important as ever. This proposed solution preserves public trust and suppor ts our first responders.

If you’ d prefer a more di ct connectio

Friday morning!

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

SHE SNORES MORE THAN I DO, BUT I STILL LOVE MY HUMAN.

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

— BANDIT adopted 11-26-09

Clean up the Oak Park Metra station

A while back, I took the Metra train to the opera. While I enjoyed the train ride, I was appalled by the conditions in the Oak Park Metra Station. It is a civic disg race. Not only is it used by residents, but I’m sure it must be many tourists’ first impression of our village It has been abandoned by Metra since they closed the ticket office there. It hasn’t been painted or kept up in any way. The upstairs waiting room was locked, so I could not get out of the cold. That was probably to keep the homeless from sleeping there, but they simply camped out in the downstairs lobby instead. It made me feel uncomfortable, as a woman alone at night, passing through there in a fairly small space.

The lobby, ramps and everywhere I could see, were filled with garbage strewn around and urine and even some feces on the ground and walls

The problem was not really the fault of the people camped out there. There were no garbage cans visible, and no bathrooms

available, so what else could they do?

The village of Oak Park really needs to have public bathrooms This wouldn’t just help homeless people, it would help anyone who wants to spend any time in Downtown Oak Park, shopping or whatever, as well as those using public transportation. Once upon a time people could use the bathrooms in the Shaker building, but that is now closed to the public. Years ago, there were bathrooms in Marshall Field’s. Now nearly all the restaurants and stores have signs on the door proclaiming “No public restrooms.” I can understand why they do that. It isn’t really their responsibility. There are new technologies available for self-cleaning bathrooms that some cities use. I hope that the new board will take on the project of public bathrooms, send social workers to help those in the station, and push Metra to improve the Oak Park station.

We need more Harriette Robinets

Kudos to Har riette Robinet! Her lifetime achievement award [from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame] is no sur prise. She is one of the most amazing women I have ever known. T he world needs more people of her caliber.

Kay D utton Warrenville, formerly Oak Park

If only. I don’t spend much time if only-ing. But every now and again I get to thinking, at this late stage of my life, what I would do if I could do it over again.

If only

I would teach. Passionately. Without quarter. Especially now.

Let me posit a scenario.

People need people like me. I just don’t care if you’re offended, shocked, or angry that I challenge you. If you were in my class, that’s what you’d get. All the time You wouldn’t get to hide behind anything.

Oh, I wouldn’t “trigger” your traumas Instead, I would argue your every assertion and not care what the subject is. I would make you defend everything you say. “I’m entitled to my opinion!” you say? No. You are not. Opinions aren’t worth the air you expel speaking them. If you haven’t backed up what you say with reason and evidence, you’re just bleating into the wind.

Now: reason and evidence. See, that’s why I’d be the teacher. I know how to reason and how to find and evaluate evidence. I know, too, how to write about what I lear n and to speak about it. It’s a skill that you don’t have To get it, you have to abandon your comfort, your “opinions,” your old way of thinking and doing things.

I don’t care where you lear ned what you lear ned: school, church, your family. They’re not here and they’re not going to help you. Some of what you hold as truth might actually be truth, but not until we shine a bright light on it, dissect it, examine its parts and deter mine if any of what was in there lives or dies.

These days we see far too many threats to thinking, to reasoning, to truth. Certain political factions pretend to have truth in hand and are determined to impose it on the rest of us. Certain interest groups put borders around what can be discussed, by whom, where, and when.

proven otherwise

If you came to my class to prove what you already think or just to argue your side, find another class. I am capable of decimating your thinking and your “side” and won’t hesitate to do it. I would not do that just for the joy of it, though that would be salutary. I would do it to strip your argument down to its base and to rebuild it if it deserves rebuilding.

And let’s be clear on another thing. I would insist on your expanding your language skills so that you become more fully capable of expressing what you lear n, once you’ve done the requisite work of getting to where you can express what you lear n. I will insist on vocabulary that most serves your argument and on writing that is well for med and persuasive.

If you don’t have the necessary vocabulary, I’ll help you with that, as will a dictionary, an actual book dictionary that I will prescribe for reasons I will explain when we start. If your writing is not up to the task, it will be my job to help you make your writing much better.

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta

Harriette Gillem Robinet proudly holds her Fuller Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 14 at Dominican University.

In my class, those factions and interest groups would be dismissed out of hand Nothing would be a given. Everything would be up for discussion and argument, no matter how controversial. Inside the confines of my classroom, the barriers are down except for two: civility and freedom of thought and expression. Civility would always be a hard rule. Freedom of thought and expression, though, comes with a responsibility: being certain that, at the end of the discussion, we have either validated the concept or have agreed as adults that more than one legitimate side is valid until

In my ideal world, this class would go on not for a quarter or a semester. It would require a year or two at the least. We’d sign a contract and we would stick to it. My promise would be to make that year or two constantly interesting and each class session something to look forward to. I would grade you only if you ask me to, but the way we’d deter mine progress would be my personal evaluation of your progress. Each person lear ns differently from another, and at a different pace, absorbing new knowledge and ways of thinking and doing things at different speeds. It’s also likely that shucking the constraints of given belief and acquired ideas will take longer for some than it does for others. That will contribute to one’s overall pace of lear ning. It’s my job to keep you on task and to encourage you to continue no matter how angry or discouraged you get.

Yes. That’s what I’d do were I to start all over again. I’d be the biggest pain in the ass you can imagine. What would I hope would be the result? A group of thinkers who would go out into the world and teach others with the same passion and the same insistence on articulate rigor in thinking and argument. It could, over time, have exponential effect. My 10 or 15 each teach 10 or 15 and into the future. It boggles the mind

Ed McDevitt is a resident of River Forest

Joyce Porter Oak Park

When I was 4, on one of my first days in my new Berwyn neighborhood, a kid a couple of years older than me walked up while I was exploring an empty lot and punched me in the face. It didn’t tur n into much of a fight, what with my Aunt Sue pulling up in her car, seeing what had occurred, and urging me to hit him back. And I did. And that was that. But the encounter slammed me early with the reality that life can hit you hard, even when you think something positive like a move with your family to a new house on a new block had just made things better What is it that keeps us thinking that life is going to keep getting better?

We encounter adversity and even evil in many fo rms. There’s the violence that can erupt in our neighborhoods. There’s war. There’s racism. There’s corruption in hallowed institutions. There’s the pandemic. With all this darkness, where does the hope that things will get better come from? Back then, I could fall back on Dad, Mom, my siblings, uncles, aunts, grandparents, the Church and good people in the neighborhood. With their stable, caring

BLESOFF

from page 29

presence bucking me up, and the resolutely hopeful, Christian story of calling, suf fering and resur rection I had quietly inter nalized from the community, I car ried a confident sense that even when things got rough, God had my back.

e belief that life gets better RICH

Little hur ts from fights or injuries, or larger blows — physical or psycholo gical — from exposure to crime, riots or the Vietnam War, landed on me over the years as I grew up in this imperfect but humbly hopeful place. I believed that through all the mess, God hung with us, healing, protecting and guiding us to grow personally and collectively into the people we were meant to be

My belief in progress ebbed and flowed over the years. It hit a dark point in a stretch in high school when I couldn’t see where I was headed, or why I was underperfor ming.

There were hits I took in my career. In the late ’80s, although they recovered, our twin boys were born in crisis. They entered the world suf fering. We suf fered too. In recent years, a couple of people

of the municipality as well as the physical design

All people desire to participate in social life, to actively contribute to society and to continue lear ning throughout our lives.

An essential aspect of aging-in-communities is highlighting, explaining and diminishing the unconscious bias of ageism — both systemic ageism and inter nalized ageism. Prejudice ag ainst people based on their age, whether older or younger, is costly for all of us

An aging-in-communities approach highlights the Platinum Rule, and in doing so promotes empathy in this time of equity. Most everyone knows the Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The Platinum Rule states, “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” This gives power to those who have been othered. With the Platinum Rule, the standards of conduct are now in the hands of those others. This of fers us the possibility of walking in their shoes, which of fers the possibility of empathy. An aging-in-communities approach can assist our continuing ef for ts to co-create a livable community for everyone.

we cared about took their own lives.

Today, there’s Russia pummeling Ukraine, unleashing missile attacks on civilians, killing and maiming children. There’s the hateful energy driving political polarization. The Church, which provided a foundation for that community of support when I was a kid, strives to renew itself as many pews sit empty. Psycholo gists tell us that anxiety disorders are increasing

T here’s this growing, dif fuse sense among many that more bad things are coming. So what is my foundation tod ay for continuing to believ e that life will get better?

It’s built on the old one, even though those parents, aunts and uncles are gone, and the Church is not what it was. That base still lives inside of me as a community of memory. Built upon that older, inner foundation are new layers of family, some of the same friends and siblings, now aging, and the strugglin g Church, all enriched by Oak Pa rk’s many strengths and cultural assets.

HAUSMAN Recalling the Depression

from page 29

is in this bank. How can we live without it?” It was a traumatic, unforgettable experience for our family and for countless others.

Business at our store dwindled from very few customers to none. Many days no one even entered the store. It was at this time that my folks decided to just give much of the merchandise away, especially to those few who were able to work and needed work clothes. Dad wanted to close the store; Mom convinced him that we truly had no other place to go, nor another way to eke out a living. At least we were able to continue living in the back of the store. People who had accepted clothing from the store were very generous in return, giving us home-cooked meals, occasionally a dollar or two, and our saloon-keeper neighbor provided scraps for our dog, Flash. To pick up my dad’s spirits, I remember

My inner church works with the outer Church, guided by writers like Teilhard de Chardin and William Johnston, to refresh the Christian story that still steers my jour ney. I’m at a later stage of the jour ney. I’m getting old, but that basic, timeless story is not: it will eventually find renewal as the Church engages younger generations w ho are spiritually hung ry, of fer it new perspectives, and needed hope.

In the Kingdom of which Jesus spoke, it was often the weak who were tr uly the strong. When Aunt Sue drove up to help her 4-year-old ne phew 65 years ago, she stayed in her car in part because she was crippled. She had been stricken by polio as a child, and never recovered the ability to walk nor mally. She even sat kind of crooked. She could drive, but it took a special ef fort to get in and out of the car. Yet she was there for us as our “Aunti” for many years. On that day in 1958 by the empty lot on Clarence Avenue, and on many occasions after that, she had our backs. And God had hers.

Rich Kordesh grew up in Berwyn and is a longtime resident of Oak Park.

Mom teasing him, saying, “No customers, no nuisance retur ns. Isn’t that great?” Mom didn’t allow any of us to linger in self-pity.

One of our grateful neighbors who had received clothing from the store gifted my dad a pearl-handled gun. He told my dad it had great value, and selling it would make us some money With much reluctance, my dad accepted it. He had never owned a gun nor felt a need to do so. A week later, two gun-toting robbers stor med into the store, demanding money and the pearl handled gun (we wondered how they knew about the gun).

They were disgusted that the cash register had only $20 in it, the basic amount to begin the day’s business. As my terrified dad fumbled to open the kitchen safe to get them the gun, the robbers’ anger and impatience grew. They were equally annoyed by Flash’s furious barking and growling. Flash was tied, nearby, to the leg of the kitchen stove, as he was most days. One of the hoodlums ordered the other to “shut that goddamn dog up.” The other answered, “Hell, no! I’m not going near that animal.” As my dad continued to fumble, my mom who was shielding

me, offered to lend a hand with the safe. With no provocation, one of the robbers viciously slammed the butt of his gun on my dad’s head. Spouting blood, Dad slumped to the floor, and Mom rushed to open the safe, retrieving the sought after pearl-handled pistol.

Dad survived the attack, but our lives were never quite the same. We endured the robbery and the De pression. Bank closures and instability impacted everyone in our country, in one way or another. In addition to financial horror, people’s ideas and interpersonal relationships changed. “Money for money’s sake” became the goal for many. Distrust, racism, greed, and jealousy became more commonplace. As a society, we became more selfish, with less kindness, care, and concer n for one another.

In today’s world, I fear history is repeating itself With financial insecurity and banks failing, will the pursuit of “money for money’s sake” become the nor m? We have all witnessed the related growth of mean-spirited selfishness

Let’s not allow history to repeat itself.

How can we, as individuals and a society, make sure this doesn’t happen?

Who pulled the post o ce drop boxes?

For years, there has b een a pair of drive - thr u USPS drop b oxes on Garfield Street b etween Harlem and Oak Pa rk avenues. While ve ry co nvenient, the boxes we re environmentally friendly by savin g many Oak Pa rk and Fo rest Pa rk residents from longer drives to other mailboxes w here they would have to stop, exit, and then restar t their cars after de p ositing their mail. Yet the drop b oxes we re remove d approximately two weeks ag o.

Why? Was this d one d ue to an unwise decision by local post of fice management? Or was it done as pa rt of a p lan by Postmaster General L ouis DeJoy, who with his wife re por tedly has millions invested in c ompetitors to the U. S. Post Of fice? [ https://www. usatod ay.com/story/news/factcheck/2020/08/13/ fact-check-postmaster-general-louis-de joy-investedcompetitors/5550480002/]

Walt Latocha, Forest Park

Let’s have a political party

Your campaigns now are done Election’s over, your side won. Governing will be so much fun. Now wouldn’t it be great

If those elected to legislate Would then decide to cooperate?

Let’s throw a political party –We’ll have some snacks and cake, While we have a healthy debate About the affairs of state

Everybody gets a tur n

To articulate and learn Each other’s deep concer n.

Let’s join a political party –Speak your mind and be direct. Treat each other with respect. Find where values intersect. Then we’ll build some great big tents And talk to our constituents

Share some punch and common sense.

Let’s build a political party –Obey the rules. Always play fair

Remember that these musical chairs

Are not permanent affairs

And when it’s time to find your socks, Clean up puzzles, toys, and blocks, Get some rest, ’cause history knocks.

Karen Muriello, Oak Park

In our culture, we venerate power. Perhaps many cultures do, but ours seems particularly fascinated with it. When we see a problem, we tend to approach it through domination. We place inter national struggles in the frame of military conflict. We immediately handle social problems like crime through increases in policing. Parenting is viewed through the lens of who is in charge. Educators’ consistent obsession is classroom management and parents want a “good school” for their kids, which means one where adults have control of young people

Changing from ‘power over’ to ‘power with’ JIM SCHWARTZ One View

When viewing society-wide dilemmas, we bring these same relationships to fear and power. Thus when we see conflict between nations, we ramp up the military response. When we see crime, we ramp up policing. Politicians are consistently judged by how forcefully they respond to challenges. We look for them to express power in their campaigns. We look at how forcefully they speak about addressing America’s conflicts, both internal and exter nal.

I believe that this obsession with power comes from our underlying sense of fear. Scholar Tema Okun writes, “We fear not being good enough, not being enough, not deserving love or happiness. When we are afraid … we are easily manipulated by any promise of safety. The promised safety is false because it is always based on the abuse and misuse of power.”

Of course, all people in every culture experience fear. But in American culture, particularly white American culture, our emphasis on rugged individualism denies us the opportunity to process our fear in community with other people We are encouraged to handle our problems, our emotions, and specifically our fears, on our own.

When we can’t tell others about our fears — when we must sublimate them or risk looking weak — our only choice is to respond to those fears publicly by emphasizing our own power. This is all the more true for men, as our culture tells us that men must be particularly strong and powerful. When we perceive physical challenge, we respond by displaying our own physical strength. When we perceive intellectual challenge, we respond with intellectual strength.

What would happen if we shifted our view from power over others to power with others? What if we could admit our fears and process them in community? What if we could respond to our challenges through liberation rather than domination?

We would no longer need to spend more on defense than the next nine countries combined. We could fund job guarantees and social safety nets that would allow people to thrive and reduce crime as a consequence. We parents could be authoritative partners to our children rather than authoritarians. We could educate our students in schools that view them as brilliant, valuable contributors rather than empty vessels to be poured into and controlled

This is no simple shift. It would require us each to do a lot of inter nal work on our own views of power. It would require us to give up our preconceived notions of what solutions to our societal challenges should look like. But this is the work we must do to transform ourselves, our families, our communities, and our society.

Jim Schwartz is an Oak Park resident, an educator, and a blogger at Entwining.org.

OBITUARIES

Carol Davidson, 79 Nurse

Carol Jean Halsall Davidson, 79, of Oak Park, died on Dec. 9, 2022. Bor n on July 6, 1943 to Lillian and Wilmot Halsall of Chicago at Illinois Masonic Hospital, where she also received her nurse’s training. She met her husband, Daniel, of Oak Park, on a blind date. There were mar ried on July 17, 1965 and have two sons, Scott Michael and Edward Allan, both born at Illinois Masonic. She was very active, caring and involved in both her family life and nursing career

Carol has four grandchildren, Ryan, Jocelyn, Alexander and Dylan; two great-grandchildren, Aria and Mason; two sisters, Nancy and Patricia; and a brother, Gene

There is a planned celebration for her from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 at Peterson-Bassi Chapels, 6938 W. Nor th Ave., Chicago 60607.

Maureen Naprstek, 93 Former Oak Park resident

Maureen Cunningham Naprstek, of Eagle, Idaho, died on March 14, 2023, sur rounded by her family. Born on March 18, 1929, she was raised in Oak Park and later resided in St. Charles and Geneva.

Maureen is survived by her children, Nancy Nichols, Caroline Evans, Ginny Cunningham, and Neil James; 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandbabies; and her beloved sister, Patricia Seaman.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, April 20, at Bowman Funeral Parlor, 10254 W. Carlton Bay Dr. in Garden City, Idaho with visitation be ginning at 10 a.m. A private family committal will take place at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery

To attend the service virtually, please visit: https:// www.bowmanfuneral.com/livestream. Password: bowmanlive

PART-TIME

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call for more info.

708-738-3848

LICENSED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Licensed Environmental Health Practitioner in the Health Department. This position will perform a variety of duties including education and enforcement activities for the promotion and protection of the public health environment. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https:// www.oakpark.us/your-government/ human-resources-departments

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

SEASONAL FARMER’S MARKET ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Seasonal Farmer’s Market Assistant in the Health Department. This position will provide administrative support to the Farmer’s Market Manager to allow growers and producers of food to sell directly to the public within established guidelines. This position requires work in inclement weather conditions; some heavy lifting of up to 50 pounds; walking or standing for sustained periods of time. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

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

CARS WANTED

and AWESOME!

Pay starts at $20/hr.

Must be available for weekends also.

Ready to work? Contact us by email at info@awesomecjs.com.

HUMAN RESOURCE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Human Resource Coordinator in the Human Resources Department. The ideal candidate will have a high level of customer service skills, Will provide routine to complex office, clerical, and administrative tasks. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. This position is open until filled, first review of applications will be on April 14, 2023.

POLICE RECORDS SUPERVISOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Supervisor in the Police Department. This position will manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Police Records Division Support Services Bureau, within the Police Department including records maintenance and management services; and coordinate assigned activities with other divisions, outside agencies and the general public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. First review of applications will be April 21, 2023.

LOST & FOUND

Lost Earring

Found: single gold earring for pierced ears. Small, 1/2 inch, possibly a child’s. Found at northeast corner of Harlem and Lake, at curb. Call Barb at 708-771-2575. Must identify with matching earring.

CLASSICS WANTED

CLASSICS WANTED

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

Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles

Domestic / Import Cars: Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, Mustang & Mopars

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc.

CLASSICS

Restored

Collector James 630-201-8122

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT

Office space (2-3 office rooms,1 bathroom, 700-900 sq ft,$1650/monthly) Please call 708-485-9224 ask for Linda Sokol-Francis

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: Y23010313 on March 14, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of AADEL ISTAMBULE with the business located at: 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: AADEL ABDALMONEAM ISTAMBULE 1500 ROBIN CIRCLE #212, HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL 60169

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

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: Y23010328 on March 16, 2023 Under the Assumed Business Name of MADAM STYLES with the business located at 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: TOTIANNA POLK 2545 W. CATALPA AVE. APT 4C, CHICAGO, IL 60625

Published in Wednesday Journal March 22, 29, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield

Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Khalid Habbab for a Special Use Permit to conduct Low-Impact Manufacturing of ice cream associated with a Warehouse and Distribution use at 4620 Forest Avenue (PIN 1803428060).

Legal Description: Lot 27 (EXCEPT THE SOUTH 20 FEET OF THE EAST 100 FEET THEREOF), AND LOTS 28 THROUGH 31 IN AUSPITZ AND OAKES “BROOKFIELD PARK”, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF THE WEST HALF OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER, ALSO THE EAST 6.8368 ACRES (EXCEPT ROAD) OF THE SOUTH WEST QUARTER OF THE SOUTH EAST QUARTER IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-06. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark

April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Michael Fries for a Special Use Permit related to a Transportation Terminal use for Moving Services at 9118 W 47th Street (PIN 1803424021).

Legal Description: THE WEST 275 FEET OF LOTS 15 AND 16 TOGETHER WITH THE NORTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING SOUTH OF AND ADJACENT TO THE SAID WEST 275 FEET OF LOT 16 AND ALSO LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 TOGETHER WITH THE SOUTH HALF OF THE VACATED ALLEY LYING NORTH OF AND ADJACENT TO SAID LOTS 17, 18, 19 AND 20 IN BLOCK 12 IN OLIVER SALINGER AND COMPANY’S BUNGALOW PARK, A SUBDIVISION IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED OCTOBER 18, 1921 AS DOCUMENT 7299660, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Please reference PZC Case 23-07. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Plan-

ning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday,

April 27, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from The 1937 Group, Ltd. for a Special Use Permit for a Cannabis Dispensary use at 8863 W Ogden Avenue (PINs 1803221001, 180322102 and 1803221003).

Legal Description: LOTS 8,9 AND 10 BLOCK 86 IN S.E. GROSS’ THIRD ADDITION TO GROSSDALE, BEING THAT PART OF THE WEST HALF OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER AND THE EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING NORTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), EXCEPTING THE RIGHT OF WAY OF THE C.B.&Q R.R., ALSO EAST HALF OF THE NORTHWEST QUARTER LYING SOURTH OF THE ROAD (NOW OGDEN AVENUE), ALL IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 38 NORTH, RANGE 12, EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours.

Please reference PZC Case 23-08.

Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodation in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK

VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at

6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for a variance to Title 17 Village of North Riverside Zoning Ordinance Section 5.08.D(3) Accessory Buildings, Structures and Uses.

Applicant: David and Dina Witken 2417 S. 9th Avenue North Riverside, Illinois 60546

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF NORTH RIVERSIDE

Notice Of A Public Hearing

By The Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals Of The Village Of North Riverside

Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of North Riverside on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 6:00 P.M., in the Council Chambers located in the Village Commons, 2401 S. Desplaines Avenue, North Riverside, Illinois.

At such time and place, the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals will consider a request for a variance to Title 14 North Riverside Sign Ordinance.

Applicant: American Real Estate Management and Development Co., LLC 8400 W. 26th Street North Riverside, Illinois 60546

All persons desiring to appear and be heard for or against said petitions may attend the Public Hearing.

Village of North Riverside

Pat Ferriter, Chairman of the Joint Plan Commission/Zoning Board of Appeals

Published in RB Landmark April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Attention: Parents of Homeschooled Students

On Tuesday April 25, 2023 at 1:00pm, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting at the Administration Office, 424 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities and/or students that are eligible to receive Title 1 services who attend private schools and/or home schools within the district boundaries for the 2023-2024 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and/or is eligible to receive Title 1 services and you reside within the boundaries of Forest Park Schools District 91, you are

urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact David Mekhiel, Director of Student Services, at (708) 3665700 ext 3306.

Published

Time and Place of Opening of Bids:

Sealed proposals for the improvement described below will be received at the office of the Village Clerk, Village Hall, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois 60130, until 10:00 o’clock A.M., April 13, 2023. Bids will be accepted ONLY through QuestCDN.com via their electronic VirtuBid online bid service. A virtual bid opening will be held at the day and time of the bid closing. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/ j/82553807824?pwd=K2huZ1U2V3A1UWhoTUgvL0pXRWlCZz09

Meeting ID: 825 5380 7824

Passcode: 597244

Description of Work:

Name: Community Center Playground Improvements Project Location: 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park, IL

Proposed Improvement: Installation of Playground Equipment, perforated underdrain, poured in place safety surface, concrete ribbon and restoration.

Bidders Instructions:

The Bidding Documents can be downloaded from QuestCDN via the Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. (CBBEL) website http://cbbel. com/bidding-info/ or at www.questcdn.com under Login using QuestCDN #8443100 for a non-refundable charge of $50.00. A QuestCDN login will be required. Contact QuestCDN. com at 952-233-1632 or info@questcdn.com for assistance in membership registration and downloading this digital project information. Contractors must purchase bid documents and be shown on the Bidder’s Planholder List in order to bid. Bids received from contractors who are not in the Bidder’s Planholder List will be rejected.

By Order of: Village of Forest Park, Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, (Awarding Authority)

Published in the Forest Park Review April 5, 2023

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

2023 Public Works Garage Parking Lot ReconstructionBase Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt Alternate Bid #1 – Reinforced Concrete Pavement

45 Forest Avenue, River Forest, IL

This project consists of approximately 10,000 square feet of parking lot reconstruction (Base Bid – Hot Mix Asphalt, Alternate Bid #1 –Reinforced Concrete Pavement) and other work incidental thereto.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Friday, March 31, 2023 at: www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

Bidders shall be prequalified by IDOT for: HMA Paving, Concrete Construction

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES LEGAL NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of JORGE PENA, Petitioner and BEYERLY MOORE PENA, Respondent, Case No. 2023D002416.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, Beverly Moore Pena the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, Jorge Pena for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your Appearance and Response electronically to said Petition with the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, on or before May 3, 2023, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a Judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS Y. MARTINEZ, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 12, 19, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING

New Meeting Date

Date: Thursday, April 20, 2023

Time: 7 pm to 8:30 pm

Location: Dole Branch/Dole Center, Oak Park Library, 255 Augusta St., Oak Park, IL 60302

Subject Property Address(es): 505 N. Ridgeland, Oak Park, IL

Proposed Development: 5-story apartment building with parking

Purpose of Meeting: Pre-Planned Development Submittal Discussion

Contacts:

Ambrosia Homes, Tim Pomaville, 312-437-8292, tim.pomaville@gmail. com

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

Invitation to Bid

PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER

Oak Park Elementary School District #97 will receive sealed bids for “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER” at the District’s Administration Offices - 260 West Madison Street - Oak Park, Illinois 60302 until 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday April 19th, 2023. At that time the bids will be publically opened.

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

Ms. Anne Calvin Oak Park School District 97 260 Madison Street Oak Park, IL 60302

The front of the envelope should be clearly marked “PRINTING, XEROGRAPHIC AND CARBONLESS PAPER”. The bid specifications may be obtained from Anne Calvin, Print Shop Specialist – Administration Building – 260 West Madison Street –Oak Park, IL 60302, (708) 524-7630, commencing on April 12th, 2023.

The Board of Education reserves the right to waive any informalities, qualifications or irregularities, and/or reject any and all Requests for Proposal (RFP), when, in its opinion, such action will serve the best interest of the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District 97.

Lonya Boose Board Secretary

Published in Wednesday Journal April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

VILLAGE OF OAK PARK COMMUNITY DESIGN COMMISSION

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

CALENDAR NUMBER:

01-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates

ADDRESS: 836 S Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60304

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Khosrow Zarei, on behalf of Illinois Pain and Therapy Associates, seeking variances from the following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information displayed in a window area, to allow the existing permanent window signage to remain at the premises commonly known as 836 S. Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-18-224-0270000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code,

FIRST

requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. The window area north of the entrance door is 100% covered.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. The window north of the entrance contains 14 Items of information.

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 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, April 5, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

NATIONAL BANK OF BROOKFIELD

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to call of its directors, a special meeting of stockholders of First National Bank of Brookfield (the “Bank”) will be held at the Bank’s main office located at 9136 Washington Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois, on April 19, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. to consider and vote whether an agreement and plan of reorganization, whereby a holding company, to be named Brookfield Bancshares, Inc., located in Brookfield, Illinois (the “Company”) would be created, making the Bank its wholly-owned subsidiary under the provisions of the laws of the United States, shall be ratified and confirmed, and to vote upon any other matters as may properly come before the meeting. A copy of the agreement and plan of reorganization, approved by a majority of the directors of the Bank and the proposed holding company, is on file at the institution and may be inspected during business hours.

First National Bank of Brookfield

Phillip Richard President and Chief Executive Officer

Published in RB Landmark March 15, 22, 29, April 5, 2023

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

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.

HEARING DATE: April 26, 2023

TIME: 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as the Agenda permits

LOCATION OF HEARING: Room 201 (Council Chambers), Oak Park Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60302

CALENDAR NUMBER:

02-23-DRC

APPLICANT: Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative

ADDRESS: 812 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302

REQUEST: The Community Design Commission will hold a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Sugar Beet Food Store Cooperative, seeking variances from following sections of the Oak Park Sign Code relative to increasing permanent window sign coverage and increasing items of information that can be displayed in a window area at the premises commonly known as 812 Madison Street, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-327-041-0000 (“Subject Property”).

1. Section 7-7-15 (C) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code, requiring that permanent window signs affixed to or painted on the inside of a

Published

window shall occupy no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the surface of each window area. Window area is counted as a continuous surface until divided by an architectural or structural element. There is a total of ten (10) window areas on the building; five (5) of the ten (10) window areas contain more than twenty-five percent (25%) window coverage.

2. Section 7-7-9 (H) (1) of the Village of Oak Park Sign Code requires all signs to limit the number of items of information to no more than six (6) items of information. There is a total of seven (7) window areas along the south elevation of the building; three (3) of the seven (7) window areas contain eight (8) items of information.

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 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.

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

All real estate advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or intention to make any such preferences, limitations or discrimination.

e Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. is newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800-669-9777.

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

NOTICE

IL 60302

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on October 4, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on April 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 626 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-05-319-0080000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence. The judgment amount was $417,344.71.

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

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, contact The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm.. Please refer to file number 19-092500.

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. LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717

E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com

Attorney File No. 19-092500

Attorney Code. 42168

Case Number: 19 CH 14891

TJSC#: 43-1045

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Case # 19 CH 14891 I3216043

Just hitting your stride.

Susan Bardolph, MD

Access to Duly Health and Care Oak Park for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Medicare members

Now more than ever, it’s important to get the most out of your health care benefits and manage your health. That’s why Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Duly Health and Care are working together to provide benefits and services centered around patients on Medicare. At Duly Health and Care Oak Park, adults on Medicare will experience personalized relationships with Duly providers who deliver care tailored especially to their health needs, like maintaining healthy blood pressure, managing diabetes, and keeping physically strong.

Oak Park 1121 South Blvd.

Begin your journey to a healthier, happier you, call 708-745-5744 or visit: dulyhealthandcare.com/OakPark