WednesdayJournal_042325

What it costs to campaign in Oak Park

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

So, how much does it cost to get elected in Oak Park? Well, it turns out the answer varies.

All the candidates in Oak Park’s 2025 village board and village president races have submitted their campaign finance re ports to the Illinois State Board of Elections, whose deadline for submitting re ports on campaign fundraising and spending from New Year’s Day to March 31, was the eve of suburban Cook County’s municipal elections.

Re ports for all candidates were due by April 15.

The re ports reveal that incumbent Oak Park Village President Vicki Scaman raised more than twice as much as challenger Ravi Parakkat over the course of her successful reelection bid, while top trustee race vote-getter Chibuike Enyia spent the least out of the field, according to state records.

Printing, signage, mailing and social media advertising re presented a significant portion of each candidate’s expenditures. According to state records, a significant portion of each candidates’ marketing budget also went to print and digital advertising with Wednesday Journal’s parent organization Growing Community Media.

Vicki Scaman

Scaman, who retained her seat at the head of the board table with 62.8% of the vote, re ported raising just over $46,000 between Jan. 1 and Election Day. That total re presents a big jump over her fun-

draising performance during her first village president bid in 2021, in which she raised just under $27,000, according to state records.

Finally o cial, Gertz wins 4th seat on OPRF school board

Write-in Schaafsma falls 900 votes shor t

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

It’s been a rough month of April for Josh Gertz – waiting and wondering. Did he have enough votes to win a seat on the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 board of education? Turns out, he did.

With four seats up for grabs on election day April 1, incumbents Fred Arkin and Audrey Williams-Lee and newcomer Kathleen Odell were guaranteed seats. That left Gertz in fourth place pending the slow counting of ballots cast for write-in candidate David Schaafsma. Nate Mellman, who ran with Gertz, was out of the running.

RAVI PARAKK AT

VICKI SC AMAN

JAVIER GOVEA

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Tariffs trouble local trade

How Trump tari confusion plays for local shopkeepers

By RISE SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

The Trump administration’s tariffs are more than a headache for local merchants

Across the spectrum from food to flowers to plush-stuffed friends, the current chaos is affecting prices and long-term planning

Four businesspeople gave their thoughts about what they are doing, thinking and feeling during these chaotic economic times

“Anxiety is what’s coming from it,” said Adrian Weissell owner of Anfora Wine Merchants. “We haven’t seen actual rising prices yet. What’s been proposed has been postponed, but it’s only been halted for 90 days. It’s gone from 200% to 20%. Now it’s going to be 10%. We’re trying to figure out how to not raise prices very much and how to be as fair to us and to our customers and to our partners that we work with.”

Anfora Wine Merchants is at 128 S. Marion St.

“One thing that COVID taught us is that we have the ability to pivot a little bit quicker, because we are a small business,” said Karen Morava owner of Careful Peach, a European food, wine, gifts and housewares emporium.

“The disadvantage is that we don’t have a lot of information,” said Morava. “What I have been doing is getting on the phone with every vendor and finding out what has landed. In other words, what’s already in the U.S. What is on the water. What has yet to be produced.”

Careful Peach is at 1024 North Blvd.

“Everything I sell is imported,” said Garland Flowers owner Therese McGuire. “My hard goods mostly come from China and the flowers come either from Ecuador, Colombia or up in Canada. I’ve gotten letters from every one of my suppliers that we’ve pre-ordered from saying our price might change depending on the tariffs. It’s just crazy.”

Garland Flowers is at 137 S. Oak Park Ave.

“Books are exempted at the moment,” said Jamie Ericson owner of Dandelion Bookshop. “But the plush animals, I did hear from one company today that tariffs will cause price increases, but they’re not planning to pass them on. They said that this was a time when kids need something cuddly and comforting, so they were going to try and keep them the same as long as they can. But they did recommend we stock up.”

Dandelion Books recently opened at 139 S. Oak Park Ave.

At Anfora, “We’ve just added a 3% tariff charge to all our sales,” said Weissell. “It’s a minimal amount of money, so that ultimately we don’t have to raise prices on the shelves. We are raising our corkage fee. You can still come and get a glass of wine and a snack, and it adds up to a couple cents on a receipt. It gives us a little breathing room.”

“I preordered a little conservatively,” said Garland Flowers’ McGuire. “People are still going to die. People are still going to have

birthdays. People are still going to get married. They’re still going to have moms on Mother’s Day. In the grand scheme, we’ll figure a way somehow. But it’s a huge deal just coming out of the pandemic. Everybody’s resources are not what they might have been.”

“It’s been a bumpy five years,” Weissell said. “This ridiculous policy is based off the fanciful ideas of one person who doesn’t really understand economics or the global economy and how that would threaten the vibrancy of communities around the country.”

“The fluid situation at the White House, I don’t have anything flattering to say about that,” Morava said. “Part of me understands what Trump is trying to do, but you can’t just set up a factory in a month. I do all my orders for the entire year pretty much in January. It’s just been disappointing to take my creative time away from the shop, the thing I love best. It’s just been, it’s been a constant scramble. Still, I will figure something out. I always do.”

“I keep reading advice that says, ‘They win if you let them take joy and hopefulness away from you.’ So, I’m trying to keep those, but it’s a little harder some days,” McGuire said.

WEDNESD

AY JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Interim Executive Director Max Reinsdorf

Digital Manager Stac y Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Sta Repor ter Brendan He ernan

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

Columnists Marc Bleso , Jack Crowe, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Marketing & Adver tising Associate Ben Stumpe

Senior Media Strategist Lourdes Nicholls

Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Operations Associate Susan Babin

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Senior Advisor Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Eric Weinheimer | Treasurer Nile Wendor f Deb Abrahamson, Mary Cahillane, Steve Edwards, Judy Gre n, Horacio Mendez, Charles Meyerson Darnell Shields, Audra Wilson

Dan@oakpark.com

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Anfora Wine Merchants ow ner Adrian Weissell

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Garland Flowers ow ner erese McGuire

From pews to pulpits, locals respond to pope’s death

By GREGG VOSS Contributing Reporter

Like many Chicago area Catholics, lifelong Oak Park resident Don Giannetti awoke to the news Monday that Pope Francis had died.

“This morning when I was in bed, I had my cellphone with me, and I heard the dings and I thought it might be the pope,” Giannetti said. “It wasn’t a surprise, but it was sad. I didn’t expect it today. But I did expect it.”

Shortly afterward, the 89-year-old attended 8:30 a.m. mass at St. Edmund, where the bells tolled in honor of Pope Francis, 88, the pope since 2013.

Rev. Carl Morello, pastor of St. Catherine-St. Lucy and St. Giles in Oak Park, had received a call from another priest Monday morning informing him of the pope’s passing. He said he was shocked it happened Easter Monday, the day after blessing a throng of the faithful in St. Peter’s Square in Rome and meeting with J.D. Vance, vice president of the U.S. and a critic.

‘I didn’t expect it today. But I did expect it.’ “The nest memorial we can o er is to re-form our hearts as Pope Francis asked – to see our brothers and sisters, to listen to them.”

voice, and your sacred calling to shine light in some of the world’s darkest corner Rest well Sir. You fought a good fight and you finished your course. Your holy. Your impact — immeasurable

“I woke up in the morning, I read it and I prayed for him pri prayed for him in our mass this morning,” said Rev. Stan Kuca, pastor of St. Lu River Forest and St. Bernardine in Park. “We have to pray for the pope. The new pope will be chosen and this is basically what the church 2,000 years.

“We all loved Pope Francis, but we are human beings.”

In a statement from the Archdiocese of Chicago, Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich echoed Kuca’s and Morello’s sentiments.

“The finest memorial we can offer is to re-for m our hearts as Pope Francis asked – to see our brothers and sisters, to listen to them and to offer our prayers and actions that all may experience the fullness of God’s promise,” he said.

C ARDINAL BLASÉ J. CUPICH

Morello said the protocol when a pope passes is to line a church with purple and black bunting, which he was planning to coordinate as Monday unfolded. He was also in the process of planning a memorial mass. Typically churches will also set up a small shrine with a candle honoring the deceased pope, he said.

Rev. Ira Acree, pastor of Greater St. John Bible Church in Austin, said, “We pause to honor the life and le gacy of Pope Francis — a global shepherd, a courageous voice for the voiceless, and a relentless advocate for justice. Thank you for using your life, your

“As we mourn his passing, I ask that God comfort us but also strengthen us to remain steadfast in carrying on the work of restoring our Church’s place in the world as a source of hope and an advocate for those in need.”

Statements re garding the loss of Pope Francis were many Monday morning.

“My social values have and always will be tied to my upbringing as a Catholic, and I will remember Pope Francis as a leader deeply committed to faith and justice,” said U.S. Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. “May he rest in peace.”

State Re p. La Shawn Ford, whose district

includes Chicago’s West Side and the near west suburbs, said he vividly remembers traveling to Washington, D.C. to see Pope Francis, “where his presence of fered me, as a Catholic, a profound hope for change.

“He preached authentic leadership, inspiring countless individuals to open their hearts and embrace compassion, which is the essence of his impact on the world.”

Prentice Butler, executive director of the nonprofit The Neighborhood Bridge, which is dedicated to helping residents on Chicago’s West Side, said the “passing of Pope Francis marks the end of a transformative chapter for the Roman Catholic Church. Throughout his tenure, he brought renewed focus to reform and compassion for the most marginalized in our society.”

That includes migrants, immigrants and the homeless, who are aided by Centro San Edmundo, an interfaith ef fort sponsored by the Catholic parishes of Oak Park.

Centro co-leader Celine Wo znica noted that Pope Francis’s f amily fled pre-World War II f ascist Italy for Argentina. For that reason, he was both bilingual and had passion for those marginalized members of society.

“Right now, it ’s this incredible sadness for this man who has taken this i ssue and made it pa rt of his wo rk ,” said another C entro co-leader, Margie Ru dnik. “He had so much p assion for suppo rt ing the mi gr ants.”

In a ddition to wondering who might be the next pope, there we re also thoughts about the wo rl d’s decided lean to the right and authoritarianism and how the selection process might pl ay out through that lens.

“I think there are some of our bishops that are leaning that way and I think the pope tried to hold that inner ground,” Morello said. “He spoke out against (President) Trump’s treatment of immigrants and people that were less advantaged.

“It’s a little surprising, Vance, the vice president, was critical of him, and yet yesterday the pope took the time to visit with him.

“That was the person he was.”

“I think the people were sad and wondering what’s going to come next,” Giannetti added. “(Pope Francis) has named most of the cardinals, so we might get somebody more like him.”

ROBERT VIÑAS PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Pope Francis, accompanied by President Benigno S. Aquino III, hugs children during a visit to the Republic of the Philippines in 2015.

Harmon appeals order to pay back millions in donations

State Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park is ghting claims he violated campaign nance law

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Illinois Senate President Don Harmon of Oak Park has appealed an Illinois State Board of Elections fundraising review that alle ged he’d raised millions more than he was allowed.

In a letter dated March 19, 2025, Harmon’s fundraising committee, Friends of Don Harmon for State Senate, received notice from Illinois State Board of Elections Campaign Disclosure Director Tom Newman alleging that Harmon had exceeded the state’s fundraising limits in 2024 by more than $4 million, according to documents published by The Chicago Tribune.

election in 2024, and the fund raising he’s reported over the last year has all been in suppo of his 2026 reelection bid.

Harmon reportedly filed a notice declaring his intention to ap peal the decision last week. Hi committee has retained high profile political lawyer Michael Kasper to represent him in the matter, according to the Tribune.

The case is expected to go through a months-long court process as the appeal is for malized.

Harmon’s Oak Park legislative office declined a request for comment on the matter made by Wednesday Journal.

Capitol earlier this month. “It’s my own personal commitment that we comply with our campaign finance laws. Our campaign lawyers are reviewing it. They’ll respond to the board, and I’m confident they will be able to satisfactorily resolve it.”

The case looks to partially hinge on the question of did Harmon properly complete the process required to lift state fundraising limits. That process requires candidates to meet a cer tain level of self-funding before their campaigns are considered exempt from the fundraising cap — over $250,000 for state-

according to board of elections records.

The self-funding provision has been criticized by some Illinois campaign finance reform advocates, arguing that it pulls the teeth from the reform ef for ts ushered in 15 years ago that sought to limit the influence of big money in state politics.

Harmon’s largest contributor in 2024 was the Chicago Land Operators Joint Labor Management PAC, a group run by International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 President James M. Sweeny that’s grown into one of the largest contributors to Illinois politicians across party lines. Many of Harmon’s largest donations in 2024 came from org anized labor groups, according to board of elections records.

DON HARMON

ART BEAT

Local symphony will perform Liszt at Symphony Center

Jay Friedman re ects on a lifetime of music as he retires from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra but continues as director of Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter

The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest will take the stage at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago on April 28 for a powerful performance led by Music Director Jay Friedman. The concert will be his final one before retiring from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Joined by City Voices and The Tower Chorale, the orchestra will present the Chicago-area premiere of Franz Liszt’s Missa Solemnis in a choral showcase. Choral conductor William Chin will lead the vocal ensembles, with Patrick Godon accompanying on piano and organ. The program will also feature Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy.

Missa Solemnis translates to “solemn mass” in Latin. Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis is a monumental sacred work completed in 1823, inspiring other composers like Liszt to create their own powerful settings of the solemn mass. According to Friedman, Liszt’s Missa Solemnis had never been performed in Chicago and had only been staged twice outside Hungary in the United States.

“In fact, it had never been performed outside of Hungary, except for two performances in the United States. But this will be the first performance in Chicago of Liszt’s version of the Missa Solemnis. It’s certainly an interesting choice of repertoire for us,” Friedman said.

Friedman explained that he only discovered the piece by accident while researching the Chicago Symphony archives. Despite the Chicago Symphony never performing it, he noted that Theodore Thomas, the orchestra’s founder, conduct-

ed it at the Cincinnati May Festival in the early 1880s

Friedman has served as principal trombone of the Chicag Symphony Orchestra since 1965, holding the Lisa and Wiggin Principal Trombone Chair. A prominent soloist with the CSO, he has performed numerous premieres and featured in several significant works with the orchestra.

In addition to the Symphony Center premiere of Solemnis, the concert will be Friedman’s final performanc at Symphony Center before retiring from the Chicago phony Orchestra.

Friedman has played trombone with the Chicago phony Orchestra since 1962 and is set to retire from the or chestra this year. He also has served as Music Director of the Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest since 1995, earning recognition as Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras in 2002 and will continue his role as director of the local symphony.

“I’m very excited about staying active in my musical activities. Conducting the orchestra is just an extension of my musical career. I’m very interested in music preparation and presentation. I haven’t lost any enthusiasm for performing or making music, even though I’m retiring from the orchestra,” Friedman said.

When asked what he’s most proud of during his time with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Friedman said it’s the longevity of his career.

“As a principal brass player, it’s quite a task to maintain my own playing at a high standard and to last that long in one of the world’s greatest orchestras,” Friedman said. Friedman expressed his gratitude for following in

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Adolph Herseth’s footsteps, having played principal trombone in the orchestra for a similarly long and prestigious career. principal trumpet for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for 53 years.

“There were some other brass players from the Chicago Symphony as well who had very long careers here, which is quite unusual for brass players, as playing at such a high level into their advanced years is very demanding. It’s a physically stressful job playing a brass instrument in a symphony,” Friedman said. “But there’s something about the people who have played in the Chicago Symphony brass section – there was a tradition of longevity, at a very high level.”

Tickets are available now at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Box Office. For details, visit symphonyoprf.org or contact thesymphonyOPRF@gmail.com.

Jay Friedman

In lame duck session, Oak Park board to view village hall options

On April 30, architect will present options, cost estimates on plans for a renovated village hall and new police station

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

The wait for what’s next in the debate over the future of Oak Park’s Village Hall will soon be over

After a scheduled March 18 meeting to review architect JLK’s proposals for Oak Park’s long-discussed Village Hall renovation and police station construction project was delayed, board members and village staff have agreed on a new date for the meeting. The discussion is set for Wednesday, April 30, with the JLK proposal and other meeting documents expected to be made available to the public the Friday before through the Oak Park village website.

The board will consider multiple proposals for the historic project and hear estimates on its projected cost and tax impact

The original meeting had been delayed because JLK didn’t submit its proposal in time to allow village staff to bring estimates, said Village President Vicki Scaman.

“It was a very tight timeline for them to meet,” she said. “While it’s not ideal that it is after the election, it is most fair that this goes before the seven people who’ve been on the board discussing it.”

Trustees will cast their votes on next steps in the project in what is now a lame duck session, as April 1’s municipal election ended with current trustees Ravi Parakkat and Lucia Robinson losing their seats. Parakkat had unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Scaman for her seat, while newcomer Jenna Leving Jacobson and Jim Taglia, who earned a place back

on the board after losing his reelection bid in 2023, overtook Robinson in the trustee election.

A meeting set for May 6 will honor Parakkat and Robinson’s time on the board and welcome Leving Jacobson and Taglia, with regular board business set to resume at May 13’s meeting. Scaman said she will look to speak with Taglia and Leving Jacobson ahead of April 30 so she can have a sense of their perspectives on the project before the special session discussion.

The proposals will certainly contain design concepts for a new police station, which is set to be constructed on the village-owned greenspace located just south of Village Hall’s parking lot at Lombard and Adams. Village leaders have been in consensus that the new police station is the ‘must have” feature of the project, as the short-staffed Oak Park Police Department operates out of a space in the basement of Village Hall that’s been considered outdated for years.

Other issues long expected to be addressed by the architect’s proposals include how will Village Hall be made more accessible to people with disabilities, how will parking at the facility be impacted and to what extent will the building be renovated as opposed to reconstructed.

T he Village Hall debate had become a central issue in the village presidential election, as Scaman and Parakkat presented dramatically different pictures of what the construction project would cost the village.

Scaman held through the campaign that it’s been her priority and the will of the entire board that the total cost of the project, including both police station and Village Hall renovation, be ke pt as close to $100 million as possible. While Parakkat contended that the project would balloon to at least $140 million if continued under Scaman’s leadership.

Voters ultimately put their trust behind Scaman, but Parakkat will g et a last chance to use his vote to help shape

SPENDING REPORT

e

cost of campaigning from page 1

Her performance at the ballot box also grew, as her margin of victory increased by six percentage points compared to 2021.

Her largest single contribution came from Illinois State Senate President Don Harmon’s electoral committee, which transfer red her campaign $7,800 on March 21, according to state records. The Chicagoland Operators Joint Labor-Management PAC, Harmon’s top benefactor in recent years, also gave Scaman $5,000 on March 14, according to state records.

She re ported spending $31,727 during that time, a larger sum than any other candidate on the ballot. Scaman’s largest single expense was her campaign manager’s $6,500 stipend, but the money she invested into events also stood out from the rest of the field. Her campaign hosted multiple events with four-figure space rental costs and twice hired live bands to perform at those events, according to state records.

Ravi Parakkat

Parakkat’s campaign re ported raising $7,500 from Jan. 1 to March 31 and told the state board of election that it had spent $13,417 during that time, according to state records.

While running for village trustee in 2021, Parakkat raised $13,970 during that period and spent $9,050, according to state records.

In a thank you message to supporters earlier this month, Parakkat said his campaign had raised $22,500 and spent $20,800 since he announced his intention to run for the village’s top job.

Chibuike Enyia

Enyia, who first won election in 2021, stood out on April 1 as the top performer in the village trustee election, earning 7,757 votes in the official tally. His performance made him just the second Black trustee to earn reelection in village history.

He didn’t need a historic fundraising season to achieve that, bringing in fewer donations and re porting lower expenditures than the rest of the field.

According to state records, Enyia re ported raising $8,570 and spending $7,100 between Jan. 1 and March 31.

Jenna Leving Jacobson

Leving Jacobson earned a place on the village board with 6,966 votes, the only firsttime candidate to win office in Oak Park’s municipal election this year.

She re ported raising $9,684 and spending $9,289 between New Year’s Day and Election Day, according to state record s. Close to half of those expenditures went to yard signs and printing costs alone.

James Taglia

Taglia, who’d spent several years as a village trustee before losing a reelection campaign in 2023, was welcomed back to the board with 6,215 votes.

Taglia, an executive at a manufacturing company, self-financed his campaign, according to state records. He made three sizable contributions to his campaign committee between Jan. 1 and March 31 totaling $19,000 on top of a $10,000 donation he paid to his committee the previous quarter.

He reported no contributions from anyone else during this campaign, according to state records.

Taglia reported spending just under $29,000 during that time Taglia spent more on his online advertising than some of his opponents did on their entire campaign during the three months ahead of the election, with his committee investing $9,124 into ad buys with Facebook alone, according to state records.

One of his other largest expenses was fees for consulting and videography work done by a San Jose based company called Amari LLC, who billed his campaign for a total of $6,370.

Lucia Robinson

Incumbent trustee Robinson fell short of her reelection ambitions, finishing about 1,100 votes short of third-place Taglia. She re ported raising $10,056 and spending $9,683 between Jan. 1 and March 31.

She’d re ported a fundraising total of $11,375 and $8,053 during the last three months of her 2021 campaign, according to state records.

Josh Vanderburg

Like Taglia, prospective newcomer Vanderburg re ported to the state that he selffinanced his campaign.

Vanderburg, a successful tech entrepreneur, re ported that he’d financed his campaign via $13,375 in personal contributions, according to state records.

CHORAL

SPECTACULAR

Ten years old but licensed to drink

By RISE SANDERS-WEIR Oak Park Eats Reporter

Oak Par’s Beer Shop is turning 10. On April 26, an anniversary celebration will thank all the folks (and dogs) who’ve helped make the magic happen at 1026 Nor th Blvd. Events will include an art show in the back room, a community potluck and extra treats for all dogs who bring their people to the festivities.

For owners Danielle and Jack Dengel, they didn’t expect it to tur n out this way.

“I was just looking for a bartending job,” Danielle Dengel said. “We hired another bartender, and we started to manage the space to gether for Tony.”

That was Tony Compaglia, the original owner. The other bartender was Jack Dengel. In 2021 when Compaglia decided to move back to the west coast, Danielle and

Jack, now mar ried, bought the place. Not much changed with the changing of hands. The warm, friendly environment with a focus on craft brews has remained the same. Local pours are important.

“Kinslahger, we’ve had them since they opened. And the wine spritzer cocktail Drop Needle. So, we support each other,” Dengel said.

Beyond immediate zip codes, they always keep BuckleDown, Maplewood and Half Acre breweries’ offerings in stock. And a hard cider is consistently on tap. Speaking

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Beer Shop ow ner Danielle Dengel

Susan Krout soprano

Eifert bass-baritone Sarah Ponder mezzo-soprano Ace Gangoso tenor

piano/organ

Beer Shop

of taps, Danielle Dengel is proud of theirs.

“We go above and beyond with the hygiene of our keg cooler and our beer program in general,” she said. “It genuinely tastes, very fresh like you got it from the tap room. We work really hard to make that happen.”

The store has more than the extensive options by the glass. Coolers chill an even wider range of craft beers, craft hard seltzers, THC spiked beverages, mocktails, wine, non- alcoholic options and Diet Coke

Plans for the immediate future are to replace the COVID-era chalet that used to sit in front of the shop with tables and chairs on the sidewalk. The Dengels are waiting for the village to approve that for the summer

They are also investing in the inside. A recent floor renovation and an upcoming acoustic overhaul will allow for more events and bands to play. The owners are optimistic, but also realistic about the economic clouds on the horizon.

“We are small business owners, just preparing for a recession and general high

taxes in Oak Park, but we love it here. I see Beer Shop thriving.” Dengel said. “The community continues to value and support local businesses.”

In the end it’s that community vibe that makes the work worth it, said Dengel.

“These are my friends and family. So often there are two strangers at the bar and then they form a friendship and now they come here together. First dates to marriages to babies, all of those relationships, I’ve seen it all and that’s what makes a good pub.”

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

OPRF ne tunes behavior plan for next school year

Re nements on how data is recorded among the changes

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School continues to fine tune its Behavior Education Plan with a focus for the next school year on improving the accuracy of data re porting that feeds into understanding behavior and discipline issues at the school.

Audrey Williams-Lee, vice president of the District 200 school board, said the proposed changes would provide a better understanding of what kind of behavior is actually taking place at OPRF.

“Part of it is really understanding what is happening so that we can accurately report on any behavioral concerns that we have within the school,” Williams-Lee said. Williams-Lee said the Behavior Education Plan has helped reduce the discipline disparity at OPRF

“Out-of-school suspensions for our African American students are a lot higher and with the implementation of the plan, we saw a really great reduction during the 2023-2024 school year.”

According to Williams-Lee, the goal was to reduce the number from the prior year by 10 percent, but it ended up decreasing by almost 57 percent.

During an April 20 committee of the whole board meeting, recommendations

made for changes to the Behavior Education Plan were presented by OPRF Principal Lynda Parker and OPRF Vice Principal David Narain. The proposed changes were recommended by the Culture, Climate, and Behavior Committee for the 2025-2026 school year.

The eight recommendations include minor adjustments to language, as well as additional incident codes that more accurately capture misconduct. Objectives of these changes would be to improve the school’s ability to use data to determine areas of improvement and to respond to areas of community concern. The improved data would also help staf f and administrators better support students through interventions and/or appropriate disciplinary actions.

our data re porting,” Narain said of the proposed changes.

At its core, the Behavior Education Plan, say educators, is a teaching and learning plan designed to support every student in their social, emotional, and academic development. It is intended to help turn mistakes into authentic learning experiences and to pair appropriate consequences with additional support.

“This year we had eight different suggestions and those typically arise from things that have happened in our building where we need to make sure that our plan is addressing those correctly,” Parker said.

Two of the proposed changes include renaming the “Bullying” section to “Bullying/Harassment” and updating the language within the plan’s appendix re garding student searches.

According to Narain, the school’s deans have re ported that situations have come up during the 2024/2025 school year that do not fit into the existing plan’s Behavior Response Grid, which provides staf f and administrators with guidance in making

decisions about how to respond to student behavior.

Narain said certain behaviors are currently being categorized with more general incident codes within the Behavior Response Grid. In order to measure how often certain occurrences are happening, he said it would be helpful to have more detailed and appropriate codes.

One example of this is more detailed codes re garding students propping open exterior doors, either to come back in after sneaking out, or to allow others to enter. The proposed change is to add two new incident codes: one for propping open an exterior door for any reason, and another for holding open or propping open an exterior door to allow another person to enter and bypass security protocols.

“The goals are mainly about precision in

“We are concerned with making sure that we are doing our best to give every student a positive experience at the school,” Parker said. “We are trying to really focus in on having authentic restorative action so that students feel as though there is a true desire for them to lear n new behaviors versus just the need to punish.”

Williams-Lee credits improvements in behavior to the Behavior Education Plan, as well as other factors like the school’s community outreach coordinator, the trauma and intervention specialist, and mentoring work that is being done.

“Making sure that we can actually get to the root cause of what the behavior is will hopefully help stop it from happening again in the future,” Williams-Lee said. “Using restorative practices doesn’t take away consequences. It just allows us to both address the issue and also issue the appropriate consequence.”

The proposed revisions and additions will be brought to the school board for approval at its April 24 meeting.

Oak Park hopes to collaborate amid federal funding uncertainty

Village President says they’re looking to strengthen relationships with allies

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

As President Donald Trump’s administration continues to push through refor ms drastically reshaping federal programs, Oak Park leaders are looking to lean on lo-

cal solidarity.

Recently reelected Village President Vicki Scaman said village government has been working to strengthen its relationships with like-minded leaders as it works to navigate the unpredictable years ahead with Trump’s governance. That work has

involved outreach at the state, local and national levels, Scaman said.

Oak Park is one of the most liberal communities in the country, with over 90% of voters casting ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris last November. How Oak Park’s elected leaders would respond to the im-

pending loss of federal grant money and other nationwide shakeups was a key topic in the village’s municipal election earlier this month.

Scaman said village leaders have a re-

JAVIER GOVEA

D200 ELECTION

Gertz wins 4th seat from page 1

Schaafsma’s campaign netted 4,603 votes, according to unofficial results finally posted by the Cook County Clerk. While that was by far the most votes of any write- in candidate in suburban Cook County, is left Schaafsma well behind Gertz, who finished with 5,522 votes. The new board is expected to be installed May 1, according to current President Tom Cofsky

“I’ve been confused for like the last two weeks,” Gertz said. “It’s been miserable.”

While he secured the fourth seat on the board, pending Tuesday’s county certification, it left him with a lot of emotions and mixed feelings.

“I’m upset with how the campaign went and the ne gativity,” he said, “but I am happy I secured a seat and (will be) working to g ether for the best interest of the district and the students.”

One question was whether Schaafsma’s large write-in total ultimately swayed the election results. His quad-mates Odell (9.691 votes), Williams-Lee (9,278) and Arkin (8,817) seemed secure. That left Gertz, Mellman and Schaafsma vying for the one remaining seat.

Schaafsma said he thought he had impact on the outcome.

“I think that had I not been in this race, both Mellman and Gertz would have won,” he said. “I got half as many votes as my compadres, but I think I cut into the Gertz/ Mellman vote count.

“Because we created a sense of solidarity, and we were really active and did a lot of work collectively, my joining them had an effect on the overall vote count.”

Gertz disagreed.

“I don’t think so, because the thing is, the people who took the time to write in Dave Schaafsma, they had made up their mind,” he said. “I think they weren’ t the individuals who wouldn’t have voted for Nate or I.”

Cofsky said that Schaafsma, who had never run for public office previously, had

a big disadvantage.

“You had to tell people exactly what to do as opposed to checking a box,” he said of the write-in process. “The fact that there was a write-in, that might have driven more people to go out and vote.”

Arkin wasn’t certain of Schaafsma’s effect on the final tally.

“He did a marvelous job,” Arkin said. “He was out there campaigning and he was able to garner 4,600 votes. Did it sway the race? I don’t know.

“When you have five on the ballot and one write-in for four spots, it might have. He showed he was a strong candidate. He understands the values of the people and the people came out and voted for him.”

Cofsky said.

The other question concerned erall voter turnout, which was 27.76% of re gistered voters. Feelings about whether that was a “good” turnout or not were mixed as well.

“Twenty-s ev en percent of voter turnout isn’t a good thing in my mind,”

“Local elections are important, and when you have 65 percent show up for a presidential election and 27 percent for an election in an of f year, it’s disappointing.”

Arkin said he thought it was a “fabulous” turnout.

“I think it was the second- or third-highest turnout in Cook County,” he said. “A lot of people were eng aged. There were strong races being contested in Oak Park.”

Ditto for Schaafsma.

“Our race was hotly contested and had its moments of intensity,” he said. “In Oak Park, I think the vote count was pretty high.”

Gertz said he thought the turnout was “about average. I wouldn’t have expected more than 25 percent.”

One thing everyone could ag ree on, however, is that the new board is ready to tackle the complex education-related issues it will now face.

“Absolutely,” Arkin said. “Campaigning with Kathleen and Audrey, I got to see what dynamic people they are. They are both accomplished people.”

Added Gertz: “It’s exciting to get to work and I’ve already had Audrey Williams-Lee reach out today and ask to grab coffee.”

JOSH GERTZ DAVID SCHAAFSMA

Celebrate the upcoming 50th Season of the Oak Park Farmers’ Market!

Place an ad in this special section!

Wednesday Journal is planning a special section featuring stories of the market’s history, vendors, musicians, donuts, volunteers from Pilgrim Church, and local nonprofits. This section will be in the Wednesday Journal on May 14 with extra copies passed out to Farmers’ Market attendees throughout the whole season.

Ad Reservation Deadline: Friday, May 2

Ad Materials Due: Wednesday, May 7

Publication Date: Wednesday, May 14

Contact: Lourdes Nicholls at 708.613.3329 • lourdes@oakpark.com or Ben Stumpe at 708.613.3330 • ben@oakpark.com

River Forest promotes next police chief from the ranks

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Incoming River Forest Police Chief James Greenwood knows about challenges. He’s faced many challenges during his 28 years in the River Forest Police Department and knows the uncertainty that omes with suc ceeding Chief James O’Shea when he retires on May 1.

“The biggest challenge is knowing that you don’t know erything,” he said.

“The biggest challenge is ing and maintaining the public trust,” he said. “If you don’ the public’s trust, you’re not do ing it right.

Later that year, he became patrol commander, managing patrol operations, budgets and department policies

Greenwood grew up in Franklin Park and graduated from East Leyden High School. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, studying political science and landscape architecture before changing directions and attending Triton ge in River Grove where he earned his associate’s degree in riminal justice administration.

“You have to have an apprecia tion of residents’ concerns and be aware that the police are her for the public You have to ackno past so you can succeed in the futur Greenwood takes over as ing as deputy chief since Fe has been with the department for 28 years, joining the force in 1997 as a patrol officer He worked his way up the ranks, serving as detective, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant and patrol commander. As deputy chief, he assisted in department leadership, oversaw investigations and served as a public information officer.

In related promotions, Mike Swierczynski moves up to deputy chief, Marty Grill to patrol commander and Dan Humphreys to sergeant.

With two officers about to graduate from the Cook County Police Academy, the River Forest force will be at full strength.

“We were fortunate to anticipate the turnover,” Greenwood said.

In addition to being named Officer of the Year in 1999, Greenwood earned multiple certifications early in his career, including truck enforcement officer, child passenger safety technician and rapid deployment instructor, before joining the detective unit in 2000. In that role, he managed high-profile investigations and implemented evidence management systems before his promotion to patrol sergeant in 2013.

In 2015, he returned to the detective unit as detective sergeant, overseeing complex cases and earning certifications as a lead homicide investigator, firearms instructor and taser instructor

He earned a bachelor of busiadministration and management degree from Benedictine University in Lisle and ttended the School of Police and Command at Northester n University in Evanston. While at Northwestern, Greenreceived the Kreml Award, oted on by the class of police supervisors from around the state and awarded to one person per class for demonstrating high ethical and professional values and dedication to public service. He is currently working on a master’s in public administration at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

“I am very excited about this opportunity,” he said of his promotion. “This village is a great place to work. We have a great relationship with the community. They know we’re keeping them safe.”

Greenwood said an important thing for him is his relationship with his officers.

“I hope they think I’m a fair leader, more like a mentor,” he said. “I want somebody to feel like they can come to me. I try to keep those relationships with them.”

He said the biggest change since he star ted in 1997 is the technology They’ve gone from paper and pen to laptop computers.

“Now we’ve got body cameras and dashboard cameras,” he said. “Now getting into a squad car is like getting into the cockpit of a fighter jet.”

Greenwood’s current boss and for mer boss expressed confidence in his abilities.

“With 28 years of law enforcement experience, James’ dedication to public service, ethics and leadership reflects his commitment to our community. We look forward to all he will accomplish in this new role,” Village President Cathy Adduci said in the village’s e-newsletter.

“Everything’s in good hands,” O’Shea said.

JAMES GREENWOOD

RF-owned Madison properties now being marketed by rm

Three parcels now listed on JLL website

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

Two months after River Forest officials hired a real estate broker, Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. has begun to market the sale of village-owned property on the 7600 block of West Madison St.

In February, officials approved a real estate broker services contract with JLL, capping a two-week-long roller coaster ride that involved the filing of an ethics complaint and the discovery that the village’s Ethics Commission did not have jurisdiction in the matter as expected.

Village President Cathy Adduci said in the April 17 village e-newsletter that officials were “pleased to announce” that JLL had begun to market the Madison Street properties.

“JLL has been tasked with casting a wide net for creative development proposals that align with the village’s comprehensive plan and address neighborhood concerns,” she said. “The village board expects to receive

FEDERAL FUNDING

Unpredictability

from page 10

sponsibility to protect the local spirit prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion as the federal climate turns hostile toward such initiatives. That will involve relying on strong relationships both within the village limits and beyond, she said.

“It’s a very difficult time,” she said. “You encounter that by sharing resources and collaborating, working together and supporting each other.”

She recently established a re gular meeting with a re presentative of the Governor’s Office to advocate for Oak Park’s interests, as well as keeping close contact with other

proposals from prospective developers within the next three to six months. This is the next step in bringing exciting new economi development to our community.”

In the firm’s marketing presentation, JLL is offering the “outstanding” 0.92-acre development opportunity for sale to qualified investors.

“The village is seeking a high-quality development that complements its residential base and provides for an excellent street level experience for its citizens,” JLL said in the presentation, noting its proximity to the Forest Park Blue Line Station. Also noted is that any future development will require working with the village on a new planned development zoning designation.

The presentation also describes River Forest as the “perfect mix of urban accessibility and comfortable suburban living.”

In addition, the presentation highlights River Forest as an “affluent infill Chicago suburb” and touts the village’s “top ranked school district” and the availability of a tax increment financing district.

Officials were expected to act on the contract in January but the vote was tabled af-

elected Democrats, both in Congress and in the State Legislature.

“It’s to have that re gular contact person that is accessible to me on a re gular basis as we navigate identifying the funding to keep our priorities on track,” she said. “We have kind of a power bloc, and so those relationships are important.”

Another priority is nur turing relationships with Chicago-area communities with similar interests as the village, like Evanston and Oak Park’s partners in the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4), Broadview and Forest Park, Scaman said.

“A lot of us have a shared agenda, and so those relationships are very important,” she said.

These relationships are being built as Oak Park looks to see what will come of this year’s round of Community Development Block Grants, a federal program that has

ter an ethics complaint was filed that was related to the participation in Economic Development Commission (EDC) discussions by Walt Wahlfeldt, who works for JLL and was an EDC member at the time but who later resigned. The village’s Ethics Commission was expected to address the complaint at a hearing but its members determined they did not have jurisdiction over the matter.

The Ethics Commission asked the village board to amend the village’s ethics ordinance to allow them jurisdiction and to keep the proposed contract with JLS on hold pending a resolution of the complaint but the village board approved the contract on a split vote Feb. 10, effectively resolving the complaint.

worked since 1974 to help communities support low- and moderate-income residents Oak Park reported receiving $1.5 million from the program last year, in a village statement published last week, marking “National Community Development Week.”

The village said it used last year’s round of funding to support 17 different local organizations that work on issues like addiction recovery, food insecurity, homelessness, mental health and support for people with disabilities, according to the village

“These resources allow us to invest directly in projects and services that improve the quality of life for our residents, support local organizations, and promote equitable, inclusive growth,” Village Manager Kevin Jackson said in the statement. “I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished to g ether and look forward to continuing our commitment to building a

Under the contract, the village will pay JLL a base fee of $100,000 or 5.5% of the gross purchase price, whichever is greater. The contract allows JLL 270 days to market the properties at 7612-7620 Madison, for mer site of the Lutheran Child and Family Services (LCFS) Building, and for mer private homes at 10 Lathrop Ave. and 11 Ashland Ave. The three buildings sat empty from the time they were purchased by the village — the LCFS building in 2017, 10 Lathrop in 2018 and 11 Ashland in 2019 — until they were demolished in 2023. Prior to hiring JLL, the village had “passively marketed” the village-owned properties on Madison for sale “for several years,” according to Matt Walsh, village administrator.

vibrant Oak Pa rk.”

New grant applications were due by the end of March, and the village’s CDBG committee reviewed new applications at its April 10 meeting, according to a meeting agenda for the group.

The workforce at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the agency that administers the Community Development Block Grants, has seen more than 15% of its staf f cut as employees report bracing for an expected 50% layoff at the agency, according to NPR.

Federal community development investment re presents just one area that may be drastically changed by the new administration, underscoring why Scaman said she has made collaboration with other stakeholders a priority

“We truly need to define ‘collaboration,’” she said.

JONES LANG LASALLE INC

Madison Street properties

100-200 N. Humphrey/N. Taylor

Selling new clothing with tags attached, canvas laundry carts on castors, storage bins, antique collectibles, furniture, clean comforters, office supplies, desks, chairs, new toys with tags & much more. Sale runs from 7am-1pm on April 26th only! NO EARLY BIRDS, RAIN OR SHINE!

e late Det. Allan Reddins to be honored at statewide ceremony

Slain

Oak Park detective and seven others who died in the line of duty will be honored May 1

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park Det. Allan Reddins will be honored at a ceremony in Springfield honoring the memory of nine Illinois law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty over the last year.

Reddins was shot to death while responding to re ports of an armed person in downtown Oak Park last November. A Chicago man, Jerrell Thomas, 37, is facing a life sentence for 56 felony counts, including first-de gree murder, in connection with the fatal shooting.

Reddins was the first Oak Park police officer killed in the line of duty since 1938.

The ceremony was org anized by the Illinois Police Memorial Committee, which works to honor every officer in the state who’s died in the line of duty each year. The group said it has org anized a ceremony every year on the first Thursday of May since 1985.

The first part of the memorial will be held at the Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Springfield at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1. A second ceremony, a little less than a mile from the cathedral at the Illinois State Capitol Building’s Illinois Police Memorial, will follow the interfaith ceremony. Each of the fallen officers’ names are engraved on the memorial, according to the group.

Reddins was sworn in to serve on the Oak Park police force in 2019 and had worked for the department as a detective since 2022. He is survived by his son, Jayden, who is an honor student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, his mother and his siblings

Several Oak Park Police Department leaders will be present for the ceremony, including Police Chief Shatonya Johnson, Deputy Chiefs Dave Jacobson and Roderick Robinson and Sergeant Samantha Deuchler

“As we have said since the tragedy occur red last November, we will never forget

“We w ill never forget Det. Allan Reddins and what he meant not only to our department, but to all of Oak Park.”

SHATONYA JOHNSON

Oak Park

police chief

Det. Allan Reddins and what he meant not only to our department, but to all of Oak Park,” Johnson said. “He made the ultimate sacrifice and gave his life for this community. We look forward to gathering at the ceremony with our peers from around Illinois as we continue to remember and honor Allan and all those we have sadly lost in the line of duty. The memory of those sacrifices is something that we will all car ry forward forever.”

ALLAN REDDINS

Storefront door shot out in robb ery

Damage done after manager locked it to keep man from leaving without paying

By BRENDAN HEFFERNAN Staff Reporter

Oak Park Police are investigating an incident in which a man allegedly shot up an Oak Park storefront in an ef fort to escape with stolen goods, according to a police activity re port

Shortly after 2:40 p.m., April 18, police responded to reports of shots fired in the 7100 block of North Avenue in Oak Park. Police believe a man was trying to leave a store in the area without paying for an item when a clerk remotely locked the business’ front door.

In response, the man re por tedly pulled out a firearm and shot through the glass door four times before fleeing the scene eastbound on North Avenue in a silver Subaru that had extensive damage to its

front bumper, according to the activity re port.

The man is being sought on charges of reckless discharge of a firearm.

Battery arrests

Police arrested two men on battery charges in connection with unrelated violent incidents.

A 33-year-old Oak Park man was arrested on domestic battery charges in connection with an incident that occurred in the 100 block of North Kenilworth Avenue at midnight on April 18. According to police, the man was held at the police station until his bond hearing.

rested a 22-year-old Chicago man on battery charges shortly after 7 pril 18 after investigating an incient in the 100 block of North Long Avhe man was released from OPPD ustody after being given a notice to apt.

Theft arrest

Police arrested a 31-year-old Chicago man after a witness identified him as the suspect accused of using an electrical grinder to steal a bicycle that had been locked to a rack on the campus of Oak Park and River Forest High School. The man was released from police custody after being given a notice to appear in court, according to the activity re port

Attempted car theft

Oak Park police are investigating a report that two men attempted to steal a 2019 KIA Spor tage from the 100 block of Superior Street just before 11 p.m on April 12. The suspects re por tedly broke through one of the car’s windows and damaged the vehicle’s steering column before fleeing from the scene on foot. The total damage to the vehicle is estimated at $2,500, according to the police activity re port.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports dated April 15-21 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 a description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest.

Tales our houses tell: Find out more at Historical Society’s Housewalk

May 4 ticketed event will feature six southwest Oak Park homes including boyhood home of McDonald’s founder

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

Six homes will be featured Sunday, May 4, when the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest hosts its 21st spring housewalk.

The featured homes are south of the Eisenhower Expressway, in the neighborhood bounded by Maple Park

along Home, Wisconsin, Wenonah and in between Lexington and Roosevelt.

Frank Lipo, executive director of the OPRF Museum, which houses the Historical Society, predicted that people attending the walk will enjoy the wide range of architectural styles, including Victorian, Gunderson and classic Chicago bungalow styles. Beyond architecture, he said

See HOUSEWALK on pa ge 19

PHOTO S COURTESY OF HISTORICAL SOCIET Y OF OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST CLASSICS : Discover the housing diversity in Southwest Oak Park.

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HOUSEWALK

Go Southwest

from page 17

that the Historical Society always aims to tell the stories of the residents of the homes on the walk.

“Every one of these houses has had four, five or six owners over the years. We try to bring the different layers together in one story,” he said.

He added, “It’s nice to go to an area where we ha had a big walk before This year we have six very different houses with six very different stories.”

Lipo noted that the locations of the ticketed walk are rotated each year between River Forest and Oak Park and that a “fun point is that last year we were in far southwest River Forest, and this year we’re in far southwest Oak Park.”

ment is often driven by transportation, and the business partners waited until the fivecent street car arrived on Roosevelt Road around 1905 to start their development.

Around the same time, the Rehm f amily was building another subdivision in the area. Arthur Rehm was elected to the first b oard of the Pa rk District in 1912, and tod ay, the “South Park” is renamed in his honor.

One of the notable homes on this year’s walk is the boyhood home of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc.

“His family moved there when ve or six, and he aduated from Lincoln School,” Lipo said.

Some of the featured homes are in Oak Park’s first Gunderson district. Lipo noted that around 1890, Sievert Gunderson and his partner purchased a lot of land in the area. They held the land until 1905, and between 1905 and 1908 built a subdivision of roughly 67 homes. Just like today, develop-

“He later attended OPRF High School but never graduated.” Instead, much like another famous graduate, Ernest Hemingway, Kroc left high school to serve as an ambulance driver in World War I. eople from outside the area might associate Oak Park solely with Frank Lloyd Wright, but Lipo says there’s more to our history than that.

“You can lose some of the richness if you focus only on one story. T here are many interesting stories and people to lear n about. ”

Each year, Lipo says the housewalk draws people to one walkable neighbor-

hood for a variety of reasons. Some attendees want to see the renovations that their neighbors have done; some are from a different part of Oak Park and River Forest and want to see a new neighborhood; some are relatives of for mer owners of some of the homes or grew up in the neighborhood.

“It’s really fun to see that kind of connection,” Lipo said.” People come because their house groupies, because they have a connection to the homes or because they want to know more about their hometown. I think we all need these community-building moments.”

Before You Go

Proceeds of the housewalk support the Oak Park River Forest Museum: the home of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, a not-forprofit, independent community organization that relies entirely on donations, gifts and fundraisers.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the OPRF Museum, 129 Lake St. in Oak Park, during business hours; over the phone at (708) 848-6755 or online at www.oprfmuseum.org. Tickets cost $35 in advance or $40 the day of the walk. Tickets are $30 for members of the Historical Society.

Pick up will be between 12:30 and 4 on the day of the walk and will inc lude the addresses of the six homes. The walk is open between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. No children under the age of 12 will be admitted.

WMEMORIES

What Pope Francis made possible VIEWPOINTS

ing scene in baseball

hen I was 7 years old, Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first African American to play in the major leagues. He was truly one of the game’s greatest players. He could hit with power, field with skill, steal bases, and play well even when he was subjected to bean balls while at bat, spikings from opponents when playing second base, and oral abuse from a number of white players and spectators.

Jackie Robinson opened the door, and many ers followed him into the big leagues. ry Doby was the first Black player in the Ameriying the outfield for the Cleveland . Don Newcombe was a star pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ernie Banks started as a tstop for the Chicago Cubs and later shifted to first base. Ernie was a great power hitter, who ys wanted to play “one more.” Satchel Paige, the ageless pitcher for the St. Louis Browns and the Indians was a magician on the mound , the Say Hey Kid, was an exceptional thlete who made seemingly impossible catches ying center field for the New York Giants the-shoulder catch he made on a Vic Wertz blast to deep center field at the Polo Grounds during the 1954 World Series against the Indians was the greatest catch I have ever seen. Hank Aaron came up to the Milwaukee Braves in 1954 and became the greatest home run hitter in major league history.

Also in the 1950s: The New York Yankees, managed by Casey Stengel, became the first team to win five successive pennants and World Series (19491953). In 1956, while watching the World Series on our 16-inch, black-andwhite RCA television, I saw Don Larsen of the Yankees pitch the only perfect game ever in a World Series game. Facing the Brooklyn Dodgers, Larsen did not allow a single batter to reach base

During the 1950s, five major league teams relocated:

The Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee in 1953. This team’s pitching star was Warren Spahn, whom I always felt was the greatest left-handed pitcher of his time. He could also swing a mean bat. One year he hit 12 home runs, and I saw one of them fly onto Waveland Avenue

The St. Louis Browns, generally the American League’s last-place team, became the Baltimore Orioles in 1954. One comic said that they should have moved to the Philippines and been named the Manila Folders. The Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City in 1955.

The Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, and the Giants moved to San Francisco in the late ’50s. I had two college classmates from Brooklyn and New York City, respectively, who lamented this for weeks.

The Washington Senators moved to Minneapolis and became the Twins, and within a few years some other teams would move.

Baseball will always remain a tradition passed down from generation to generation, and as the philosopher Jacques Barzun said, “Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball, the rules and realities of the game.”

One evening, just after Francis had been elected Pope in 2013, a group of local religious leaders gathered at my house in Oak Park for dinner. The group included the man I call Oak Park’s chaplain, Rev. Dean Leuking, who is pastor emeritus at Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest, Rev. Marshall Hatch, pastor at New Mount Pilgrim Church in West Garfield, and Fr. John Foley SJ, the founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Pilsen.

JACK CROWE

Also there was Dean Leuking’s college roommate at the University of Chicago many years ago, Professor Martin Marty, the eminent U of C theologian who died at 97 years old this past February.

The talk at the table was about the new Pope and a photo was circulating of Francis, on his first Holy Thursday before Easter, washing the feet of a Muslim woman in Rome.

Prof. Marty, who wrote the book on the recent history of fundamentalism in the U.S. and a keen observer of contemporary religion, said, “That photo is worth two encyclicals.”

Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

crisis arrived at the Austin Police District Headquarters in 2023, and the Migrant Ministry set up shop in the old rectory at St. CatherineSt. Lucy on Austin and Washington boulevards.

Cardinal Cupich became pivotal when the need arose to open a temporary shelter in the for mer St. Edmund elementary school as other shelters shut down in Oak Park. To say that some administrators at the Catholic Archdiocese downtown were cool to the idea of a shelter because of le gal liability concerns would be an understatement.

PROVIDED Pope washes the feet of a Muslim woman on the rst Holy ursday of his papacy

His comment captured Francis who, through words and images, tried to reorient the Catholic Church away from administration and toward accompanying those in need, especially immigrants.

He called for the Church to be a “field hospital after battle.” He said, first “you have to heal wounds. Then we can talk about everything else.”

This helped create a mission-driven permission structure that includes Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich, a “Francis bishop.” It meant that we had a “friend downtown” when the migrant

But they did the right thing, permitting the shelter because the work aligned with Francis’ mission of a poor church serving the poor Francis’ notion of accompanying people in need is also the inspiration for The Neighborhood Bridge, whose mission is to accompany students and families at schools on the West Side so they can thrive. Not doing “for,” but walking “with.” Francis was not perfect. He did not address forcefully enough the sex abuse scandal in the Church. He didn’t move on issues I favor, including women priests

But he was the first to admit his failings. He said, “I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner, but I trust in the infinite mercy and patience of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Jack Crowe, an Oak Park resident, was the executive director of the short-lived Oak Park Family Transitional Shelter at St. Edmund Parish

OUR VIEWS

A full board at OPRF

It was a long and sometimes pain-filled campaign for the school board at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Now, after a two-week wait, described as “miserable,” that finally elected Joshua Gertz, there is a full complement of board members.

The wait was to see just how many votes David Schaafsma could pile up as a write-in candidate. The answer was a surprisingly large number for a write-in. At 4,603 votes, Schaafsma toted up more write-in votes than any other candidate in suburban Cook County. That said, it was still more than 900 votes behind Gertz, making him the demonstrable choice of voters.

He will still be seen as the outlier on an otherwise highly unified school board. He ran, with colleague Nathan Mellman, on a distinct agenda. We’ve seen, over many years, both successful or nearly totally frustrating runs for the outsider chosen to serve

Whether Gertz will provide a respected alternate voice — legitimately heard, that might shift the conversation in important moments — remains to be seen, of course. He will help determine that in his approach, in the way he carves out points of disagreement, how he listens and persuades, when he stays mainly quiet. He won’t want to be, or be perceived as, a full-time contrarian. That’s the path to elected isolation.

But the full board also has a critical role here. This board, which is highly aligned on issues that are complex and would benefit from honest debate, will do well to welcome Gertz’s viewpoints and perspectives. We’ve found him to be a thoughtful candidate and are certain there will be points where all parties agree on a path or can find common ground.

There is an opportunity here for every board member These are good people and we expect they will find that path forward.

Next on village hall

In the days leading up to April 30, we’ ll all see the most recent take by the architects on options for a new Oak Park police station, a renovated village hall, and estimates of the costs associated with those options We also expect to see village staf f assessments of how this project can be paid for and what the property tax impact will be on taxpayers. While all of this would have been more clarifying in advance of the April 1 election, this is when all the pieces ended up coming together. It’s the right move by Village President Vicki Scaman to make sure this defining issue comes before the villa ge board, which has long discussed these plans.

But it will be the newly constituted village board that will make the actual decisions in the months ahead. We are looking for stronger presidential and board leadership in setting the priorities and spending limits for staff and hired contractors in making this essential project move forward.

Our inventory of beauty

It’s the birds, first and foremost, a more audible than visible beauty. Here in the middle of the Midwest, we boast an abundance of songbirds, along with the occasional raucous raven or crow — still not sure about the difference. But how lucky we are to have birdsongs herald spring’s arrival. Cardinals and robins, chickadees and sparrows — and less familiar migrants, temporary guests, singing and winging their way elsewhere.

The Trump administration hasn’t banned these migrants yet, but they will if they can figure out a way to tariff-y them. They already cracked down on Brookfield Zoo for hosting a bio-diversity program — diversity being a dirty word now in the dungeons of power, even in the animal world.

There is beaucoup bio-diversity in Oak Park and River Forest, unless they make a federal case about it

A team of dedicated observers track our finer feathered migrants, including mountain bluebirds this spring. These sharp-eyed and -eared birders call themselves the Oak Park Area Migration Bird Walks group. As they will no doubt tell you, birds as we know them took over when the dinosaurs bit the dust and their smallness suddenly became an evolutionary advantage. They inherited the Earth. According to the PBS show, Nova, they easily outnumber all the mammals on the planet.

And we are the beneficiaries. Their songs sweeten and soothe, serenading us at the start of each new day — a soulful, healing soundtrack to our lives should we choose to tune in.

Other critters bound and abound — squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, raccoons, possums, fox, coyote, deer. Mice and rats, too, though we’d rather not see them. And an astonishing number of dogs and cats keep us company. Animals, it seems, never got the memo that humanity has outgrown the rest of nature. They seem quite comfortable living among us — or flying over. Hawks and turkey vultures are always on the lookout, the bane of smaller mammals. And twice a year like clockwork, the long-necked, elegant sandhill cranes bugle their muted salute as they pass high overhead.

Trees likewise please. We are blessed with a vast — dare I say diverse — array, mostly deciduous, green and lush and leafy. Our tree inventory branched out after Japanese beetles and emerald ash-borers ravaged our Dutch elms and green ashes. Once upon a parkway, long, lanky, graceful-limbed elms dominated. Our lack of bio-diversity did them in, since replaced by a more diversified Tree City U.S.A. portfolio, though you can’t really see the forest for the trees — unless you enjoy a high-rise overlook.

Did you know there are more trees on Earth than stars in our galaxy? That’s what they said on Nova last week.

Many are in bloom right now, with more to come. It’s been a good spring for magnolias, which dodged freezer burn in the nick of temps. Forsythia add sunshine yellow to the color palette. And pear trees peaked on Oak Park Avenue just south of the railroad tracks, possibly their final bloom, as scheduled street renewal might mean their demise. If so, they are going out in one last cloud of white-blossomed glory.

We are not alone, not by a longshot. Much more than a village, we are also an ecosystem. Canada geese love our grassy lawns and deer love our shrubbery. Great blue herons have been known to raid our koi ponds. We are a strand, making our stand in the interconnected web of existence.

Our gardens are well tended and intended — wilderness tamed and domesticated. We plant milkweed to feed the monarch butterflies on their migratory paths. We plant flowers for the bees, whom we now call “pollinators.” We compost and mulch and fertilize our grassy squares and rectangles and broad lawns — or have them manicured by crews with infernal noisemakers. We co-exist with cicadas, ants, wasps, mosquitos, ladybugs, earthwor ms and fireflies

We “steward” our natural “resources,” “cultivate” and live “sustainably,” harvest then replenish our soil, employing the power of decay and mulchified reinvigoration. We are naturalists, “indwelling habitat,” reducing our “carbon footprint,” at least until Trump issues an executive order revoking our woke lifestyles.

Here in our paved prairie overlay, we don’t feature breathtaking landscapes to go with our landmarks, but there is natural beauty here, visible in the nodding daffodils and towering tulips, super-illuminated in the slanted sunlight of morning and evening, and the beaming beatdown of summer after noons. We will never be mistaken for a national park, but four distinct seasons make their way through the calendar’s turnstiles each year. We are blessed with variety that spices lives. We are visited by peekaboo sun and sufficient rain, the clouds performing their year-long celestial ballet in the vault above. We are yet blessed by a temperate climate that leans more toward moderation than extremes, though we don’t know how long our luck will hold Humid to a fault, we enjoy sweet spots, meteorologically speaking — intense greening in the spring, dense abundance overhanging every summer, embraceable hues ripening in the fall, slumber with powdered-sugar dustings of snow in winter.

There are many worse places to live, few better. This Earth Day we have cause for pause and modest celebration. We don’t brag about our beauty, but if you take the time to look for it, you’ll find just enough to go around.

KEN TRAINOR

Mountain bluebird

What Wednesday Journal got wrong

In response to “Ter m limits won” [Our Views, Viewpoints, April 9]: Whether you voted for Term Limits in River Forest or not, below are some basic facts we need to understand. It is fair to respectfully push back on the hyperbole of “notable majority” and “made clear” offered up by our local newspaper

ROSS LISSUZZO

One View

Of the 2,369 ballots cast, 1,219 voted Yes and 1,102 voted No to term limits. A difference of 117 votes. The Yes vote won, and no one is disputing it. However, let’s put this into some perspective:

■ 6,170 registered voters did not vote on this issue, and it won by just 117 votes

■ The vote was 52.5% vs 47.5% in favor of Yes.

■ The Yes vote received 14% of re gistered voters.

■ The No vote received 13% of re gistered voters.

■ It unfortunately appears unclear whether this is legally binding or only advisory. We need election lawyers to please weigh in (Source: https://results425.cookcounty-

clerkil.gov)

WJ stated that a “notable majority” “made clear” and voted “Yes” for ter m limits. Well, if a 1% margin of 14% vs. 13% of the registered voters in RF is “notable” and “clear” then I question the WJ’s motives and understanding of the meaning of “notable” and “made clear” — 117 votes are not “notable” or “clear” in a town of roughly 12,000 residents with a voting population of approximately 8,400. Such hyperbole sounds terribly similar to Trump supporters who claim he currently has a “clear” and “notable” mandate; he does not.

Second, Wednesday Jour nal implies River Forest voters are not intelligent or engaged enough to properly vote an elected official in or out of office through the democratic process called elections. It appears only Oak Park voters have such capacity and wisdom. Therefore, in the eyes of the Wednesday Jour nal, River Forest must implement official term limits to be as wise as Oak Park voters, even though Oak Park doesn’t officially have term limits?

ank u fo

Leah and I want to thank the over 550 folks who attended the recent BUILD-Chi cago Gala where the West Side nonprofit honored both McDonald’s Corporation and us as their Lifetime BUILDers. At first, we were hesitant to receive this honor, but as we became more involved in the rollout of the gala, we become mu more “outward” about it, simply because it gives us an opportunity to spread the word even fur ther about this worthy organization.

We have been involved with BUILD for over 10 years because we saw how their day-to-day employees and volunteers making a difference primarily within the Austin community, directing their energy toward anti-gang and anti-gun activities. Today they’ re not only involved in Austin but also spreading their effor ts to other Chicago neighborhoods, effectively making a difference for up to 6,000 youth. They are just now kicking of f a program addressing the needs of children 5 and under.

Very unfortunately, the citizen-based ballot question was ambiguous on whether it was binding or advisory. I have heard stories that some folks thought it was binding and some thought it was only advisory. This needs clarity ASAP. Hopefully, WJ can use its investigative journalism methods and find an election lawyer instead of telling us what we should think of the results. Elections have consequences. In fact, any candidate that chooses to run in River Forest now needs to be aware there are mixed feelings about this issue if the courts don’t weigh in.

The WJ stated, “We’ve seldom been fans of citizen referendums. Our view has been that elections are the time and the mechanism to make change in local gover nment. That said, we’ve also been troubled when, in River Forest and Forest Park, mayoralties or village presidencies extend to near life terms. Oak Park, without the benefit of any ordinance, has it right with an infor mal tradition that it is two ter ms and then time for your picture in the hallway.” Why the double standard for River Forest?

Ross Lissuzzo is an Oak Park native and current River Forest resident.

ting

BUILD

building allows residents a chance to set up offices and focus on jobs and purposes even more the growth in their

Speaking of purpose, which we all need, BUILD has given Leah and me just that — enabling us to support the ef for ts of Adam (the “lead” leader), Monique, Bradley, Kirsten (key developer), Daniel, Boonie (street connector to many), Stefanie, and the other 215 employees to enable them to change lives and make a major difference within our greater community. If you want to know more, link into BUILD

Thus far, BUILD Gala 2025 has raised well over $800,000 and, as you might expect, I invite you to look further into Build, and build your own sense of purpose by contributing to them. Believe me, it will bring you much joy when you see what they’re doing.

e Orwellian SAVE Act

The so-called “SAVE” Act is a bill that purports to protect our elections from ballots being cast by illegal immigrants. The bill requires that people prove that they are U.S. citizens when re gistering to vote. It is already ille g al for noncitizens to vote, and there are harsh penalties for those who try. Attempts to re gister by noncitizens is exceedingly rare. In Georgia, for example in 2024, an audit found that of 8.2 million re gistered voters, 20 who were not citizens, attempted to re gister — that’s .0004%. (1)

To prove citizenship, folks would have to produce a current passport, something that less than half of Americans possess (2), or a birth certificate that matches their current legal name. That is a problem for the 69 million married women who took their husband’s name when they got married (3), because their birth certificate has their family-of-origin name listed.

These documents would have to be presented in person when re gistering to vote or when changing an address. Many voters would find this to be problematic or impossible. Older or disabled folks, colle ge students, military personnel, those who have had documents destroyed in a natural disaster or people who have moved and need to re-register at their new address may not be able to produce these documents.

The real goal of the “SAVE Act” is to suppress voting and reduce the number of people who are able to vote. Please contact your Senators and urge them to vote against this destructive measure. Citizens need to vote and maintain a stake in our democracy for it to continue.

Sources:

1. Georgia Recorder, 10/24/24. https://georgiarecorder.com

If you get a chance, drive by their new location at 5100 W. Harrison in Austin

where youth and their families can get involved in up to 21 different activities that focus their energy on a more meaningful purpose. In addition to the youth, this

BUILD’s purpose is long-term as we hope your involvement will be also.

Leah & Paul Beckwith Lifetime BUILDer Award winners Oak Park

2. Travel.State.Gov. U.S. Dept. of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs

3. Pew Research, 9/7/23, https://pewrst.ch/45DFCKE

Tina Birnbaum Oak Park

TODD BANNOR

Lifetime BUILDer Award w inners Leah & Paul Beckwith at BUILD Chicago’s 2025 Gala at e Geraghty on April 11.

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

Encounter with Burch outside church

I often take exception to Scott Stantis’ editorial cartoon, published in the Chicago Tribune. However, his latest in the April 17 edition, commenting on civil political discourse versus accusations of heresy among Democrats, hit the nail on the head. And it was timely after my personal encounter on Holy Wednesday with Trump’s nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican/Holy See, Brian Burch, outside his west suburban home.

There’s an adage about the U.S. Marines that has been applied to lapsed Catholics: that you never really get the Church out of the “man.” I certainly am a lapsed Catholic, yet I am opposed to the appointment of Mr. Burch as ambassador to the Vatican. I fail to understand how his support of Trump’s policies eliminating USAID and leaving children across the world without food or medicine, among other things that are anathema to the dogma of the Catholic Church, jibe with what I lear ned from 12 years of Catholic education, and sound contrary my experiences working with members of the clergy and from my late aunt, a Dominican nun.

So following the tenants of “civic theolo gy,” I took my concerns directly to Mr. Burch. For nearly three hours

I paced in front of his home with sandwich board signs emblazoned with the question, “What Would Jesus Do” (WWJD)? Neighborhood people stopped and commented, some ag reeing with me, some Trump suppor ters. Mr. Burch eventually came out of his house to attend noon Mass at the church across the street.

We had a very civil conversation for about 10 minutes, discussing our differences as well as shared concerns on Trump’s abrupt cut-of f of foreign assistance to children. We agreed to disagree, all recorded by a documentary film company. I politely declined his invitation to join him at Mass but welcomed his commitment to consider my entreaties about Trump’s policies while he prayed, and as ambassador to the Vatican re presenting the interests of all the USA.

I’d like to think that my impact on Mr. Burch was as sincere as his impact on me. I retain my opposition to Mr. Burch’s appointment as the U.S. ambassador to the Vatican. But I am grateful to him for having had a civil conversation with me, Catholic to semi-Catholic.

Chris Donovan Oak Park

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

e goal of the Viewpoints section is to foster and facilitate a community conversation and respectful dialogue. Responsible community voices are vital to community journalism and we welcome them. Space is at a premium and readers’ attention is also limited, so we ask that Viewpoints submissions be brief. Our limit for letters to the editor is 350 words. For One View essays, the limit is 500 words. Shorter is better. If and when we have su cient space, we print longer submissions, but when space is limited — as it o en is — we may ask you to submit a shorter version or hold the piece until space allows us to print it.

We reser ve the right to edit submissions. We do not have time to allow the writer to review changes before publication. We also do not have time to do more than super cial fact-checking, and because of our national epidemic of misinformation and conspiracy theories, when writers include statistical evidence to support their opinions, we require them to include the source of that information, such as credible websites, print publications, titles of articles and dates published, etc. Be as speci c as possible so that we and our readers have some way of assessing the credibility of your claims. Links may also be included for the online version. We follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ code of ethics: seek the truth and report it and minimize harm. As a result, we will do our best not to publish pieces that espouse doubtful or debunked theories, demonstrate harmful bias, or cross the line into incivility. While we will do our best not to engage in censorship, we also do not intend to be used as a platform for misinformation. Your sources for fact-checking are a critical step in keeping the discourse honest, decent and respectful.

All submissions must include your rst and last name and the municipality in which you live, plus a phone number (for veri cation only). We do not publish anonymous letters. One View essays should include a sentence at the end about who you are.

If we receive your submission by 5 p.m. on Sunday, you can expect your opinion to be included in that week’s paper (and online), space permitting.

Pieces can be submitted through our online form at oakpark.com or directly to Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor, ktrainor@wjinc.com. For the latter, we prefer attached Word les or plain tex t included in the email.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

■ Must include rst and last names, municipality in which you live, phone number (for veri cation only)

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself and/or your connection to the topic

■ Signature details as at left

A deeper look

I wholehear tedly agree with Wednesday Journal’s recent editorial criticizing Metra for how it handled the removal of 20 or more unhoused occupants of Metra’s Harlem Avenue passenger station. Failure to engage Housing Forward and similar agencies was, at a bare minimum, an oppor tunity missed by Metra to bring compassion to a problem sorely needing it. But the situation raises more troubling questions. Why didn’t the village eng age Housing Forward during the village’s paid oversight of the facility? If the village is “rightfully proud of its ef for ts to collaborate in solving problems,” as the editorial states, why did it let the situation linger? Could it be that, rather than looking at occupation of the station as a problem, the village enjoyed being paid by Metra and having a free shelter?

Further, if Housing Forward was aware of this situation, as is implied in its “unusually terse response,” what had it done to bring relocation services to the situation before Metra’s sweep?

Finally, what did Wednesday Journal do to ask either the village or Housing Forward about their resettlement effor ts during the village’s paid oversight of the station?

Source: “Metra’s heavy hand,” Our Views, Vi ewpoints, April 16, p. 29. Tom Healey Oak Park

ACelebrate Community Development Week

s we celebrate National Community Development Week, April 21-25, we take this opportunity to highlight the significant contributions of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. This year marks the 51st anniversary of this essential program, which has been a cornerstone of local development efforts across the nation, including right here in Oak Park.

COMMUNIT Y DEVELOPMENT CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION

Stronger neighborhoods start with CDBG Federally funded and locally administered, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding allows local gover nments to address community-specific needs with longter m benefits. CDBG infrastructure funding is essential for building and maintaining the foundation of thriving communities. Upgraded infrastructure supports local businesses, improves mobility, and ensures that neighborhoods remain strong and resilient for generations to come With CDBG funding, communities can grow sustainably while meeting the needs of their most vulnerable populations.

Since its inception in 1974, the CDBG program has provided critical funding to communities, enabling local governments to address pressing needs, revitalize neighborhoods, and improve economic opportunities for residents. In Oak Park,

A classmate spat those words at me. It was when my family lived in Victor, a goldmining town near Cripple Creek, high in the Colorado mountains. It was on the playg round at school during recess. He clearly meant it as an insult, a put-down. It baf fled me then, and for a long time afterward. I didn’t see a problem. I was brought up to live by the Golden Rule: Do to others as you would want them to do to you. Believe the best about others because you want and believe you can expect them to believe the best about you.

It’s set up to be a mutually respectful, win-win arrangement, making for living and working in harmony. In other words, it is judging others by yourself, in a posi-

CDBG funding has played an indispensable role in supporting affordable housing initiatives, social services, infrastructure improvements, and programs that enhance the quality of life for our most vulnerable residents

Over the past five years, the village of Oak Park has successfully allocated nearly $10 million in federal CDBG funds received from HUD. These funds have been instrumental in supporting a multitude of services through local nonprofit organizations, ranging from public education and mental health services to addiction counseling, fair housing access, food insecurity relief, job training, assistance for the unhoused, and services for victims of domestic violence and parenting education.

Beyond aiding the most vulnerable members of our community, the CDBG program has also contributed to local public infrastructure projects in low-to-moderate income areas. This includes the enhancement of sidewalks, streets, alleys, and the replacement of lead water service lines. The impact extends to single- and multi-family rental rehabilitation and lead abatement programs, addressing serious safety code violations and improving living conditions for low-to-moderate income households within Oak Park

Allocating these critical federal funds is

Don’t judge others by yourself

tive, healthy way. It’s how true community grows and is sustained.

Psychology calls this “projection,” and it can have good outcomes. But if you look for ways to condemn and attack others, individually or as a group, odds are good that it’s ne gative projection at work: “I assume you’ re up to no good because everyone knows it’s a do g-eat-dog world; everyone and anyone is out for themselves, every time. So you can’t fool me! I’ll do everything and anything to end up the winner, every time.” That’s ne gative, or neurotic, projection. It’s a win-lose way to think and, sadly, to act.

So look at our present situation in this country. With his blizzard of executive

no small feat. Annually, volunteers on the Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission collaborate with village staff to meticulously review numerous funding applications submitted by diverse Oak Park organizations. Though funds are limited and competition is intense, the outcomes make the collective effort rewarding and worthwhile.

National Community Development Week serves as an important platform to educate Congressional members about the impact of the CDBG program. These programs provide vital resources for municipalities to respond effectively to local challenges. Without this funding, many of these essential services would be at risk.

We encourage residents, local businesses, and community partners to join us in celebrating National Community Development Week by voicing their support for continued and expanded investment in CDBG. These federal programs are not just about funding — they are about people, communities, and the ability to create lasting positive change at the grassroots level.

As we celebrate the 51st anniversary of the CDBG program, let us reflect on the positive impacts that federal CDBG funds have had right here in Oak Park, reinforcing the strength and resilience of our community. Andrew Celis (chair), Sheena Rayford, Bryan Wong, Anne France, Karen Schneller, Urmi Sengupta, Nicholas Mann, and Joe Ruesewald are members of the Community Development Citizens Advisory Commission.

orders, Trump exercises illegal, illegitimate, one-man power, all while he and his lackeys accuse federal judges, who are using their leg al authority responsibly, of being one-person, ille gitimate, and even unconstitutional flunkies — cor rupt and left-leaning.

That’s where “don’t judge others by yourself” really fits, and bites. The MAGA crowd, from the very top down, are projecting their motives and actions on honorable and faithful guardians of our democracy as a tactic to deflect attention and legitimate blame away from their ugly actions.

It has led to the nakedly transactional, destructive world Trump, Musk, and their

fear-ridden minions are visiting on us, the American citizens, in so many ways, day after wretched day, and seeking to extend it anywhere in the world where our economic and/or military might can prevail. So what if it’s a win-lose “deal”?

All of us who want to live in a country and a world where mutuality, respect, and cooperation are the norm need to name the disease and use every means at our disposal to reclaim the vision of our founders.

Time is shor t. Action is required. Ours. To gether. For the life and health of our world.

Fred Reklau Oak Park

Assessment appeal period open

The Cook County Assessor’s Office has announced that it will be accepting appeals of the assessed valuations of Oak Park properties between April 8 and May 20. During the appeal period, the Oak Park Township Assessor’s Office will be available to help taxpayers who wish to appeal their 2025 assessed values.

Taxpayers should note that Oak Park’s 2025 assessed values do not reflect a reassessment. All Oak Park properties were reassessed in 2023, and most of the values set that year will remain in ef fect until Oak Park’s next

reassessment in 2026. Some taxpayers assume that valuation appeals can only be filed in reassessment years, but in fact, appeals can be filed every year. Successful appeals filed in 2025 will impact tax bills in the summer or fall of 2026.

Individuals who would like help filing appeals should contact the Township Assessor’s Of fice at 708-383-8005 to set up appointments during the appeal period.

Ali ElSa ar Township assessor aelsaffar@oakparktownship. org

How was/is Trump not held to account?

I saw that 90% of Oak Park voters voted blue in the 2024 election. That is comforting to know as an Oak Parker myself. I’m not a big fan of either major political party but blue, in theory, beats red as far as having little other viable choice when it comes to local or national elections

Our recent ballot box choices have been processed, and I do believe Vickie Scaman can be trusted not to want to go rogue with radical public policy matters. We Oak Parkers clearly believe in fairness, empathy and sensible solutions to whatever needs solving. As far as what can be controlled here in Oak Park, that is Nationally something very disconcerting is going on. I’m sure that the 90% blue part of our village is concer ned. Maybe even that other 10% who just might have thought they made the right choice in 2024

are having buyer’s remorse. The national political landscape is quite a chaotic and troubling scene. A lot of its public policy is downright toxic. Fair? Sensible? Empathic? Not so much. As a military vet and an educator, I am especially appalled at what has been emanating from 1600 Mar-a-Lago. How in the wide, wide world of electoral politics did this come to pass?

We laughed at the reality TV honcho. Then came Nov. 8, 2016. But he demonstrated he was so clearly unfit for office that he was shown the door by the voters in 2020. But he didn’t want to leave. So he tried rigging the electoral count. Fake electors. “Stop the steal!” he (and his) babbled When that strategy failed, he stood by as his fanatical acolytes violently stor med the Capitol Building. It was live on television. On our smart

Time for the Spring Music Festival

For years I have been attending (and performing in) the Unity Temple Spring Music Festival (SMF) held at Unity Temple, the UNESCO-designated World Heritage site in Oak Park.

Featuring the best amateur and professional talent from the congregation, it strikes me as a best-kept secret that in recent years has grown in popularity beyond the walls of this faith community. In one concert, this fundraiser offers multiple genres of music from an annually changing lineup of performers.

One memorable act from several years ago was the congregation’s “house band,” the Unity Temple Players, performing the Side Two medley from the Beatle’s Abbey Road. The Players are the event’s anchor act; they also back up some of the other

performers.

Two years ago, the evening’s highlight for me was a very talented youth perfor mer’s impassioned rendition of a Sara Bareilles song. This year’s concert will highlight pop, classic rock, flamenco, folk, classical, country and theatrical music on the same program!

I’m not aware of anywhere else in the Chicago area that presents this variety of programming in one event. The 2025 SMF is this Saturday, April 26, at 7 p.m., which gives patrons the rare opportunity to see the interior of the historic Frank Lloyd Wright building at night. It is a beautiful, musically intimate space and the sound is always well balanced

The SMF has a home-grown vibe, yet with a smoothly running, professional

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persona. The show generates what I experience as an electricity that creates a palpable sense of community among the attendees. And can’t we all benefit from that right now! It has been very gratifying for me to be involved in presenting this evening of entertainment for the community. I recommend that you check out this very affordable antidote to Chicago’s blustery weather. Tickets ($20 advance/$25 door/$5 13 & under) are available online until 10 p.m. Friday at https://onrealm. org/unitytemple/PublicRegistrations/Ev ent?linkString=MTliMzMzOTAtYzk4OC0 0YjQ2LWI5ODMtYjI4ZjAxNzNlNWVj and at the door

Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Jim Parks Co-organizer

phone. Our laptops. Social media Beyond belief !

I, for one, figured he would certainly be held to account. After all, the incoming winner, Mr. Biden, and his Attorney General, would certainly hold him to account. They, like the loser, swore an oath to uphold the Constitution. Against enemies foreign and domestic. It was a no brainer, right?

Well, here we are. Rule of law?

Honoring the oath that office holders, police and military all swear to?

Please someone, anyone, explain how staging an insurrection (irrefutably factual) was not enough for the previous administration to hold him accountable.

Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?

Joe Harrington Oak Park

What if ?

Admittedly, Oak Park is a tiny microcosm of the country as a whole, but I have been thinking about the application of both constitutional protections and the implications of current events It occurs to me that there is at least the possibility that one’s opposition to local public policy might be construed as traitorous. The requirements for leaf disposal might be an example. What if such opinions, publicly expressed, perhaps in the pages of Wednesday Journal, were construed to be contrary to effective law enforcement in the village and therefore criminal for the writer? Could he/she be eligible for deportation? Would a person, such as Marco Rubio, in an equivalent local gover nment position have the one and only controlling opinion as to interpretation of whether a Viewpoints letter is inflammatory?

Our state legislators are home for the next week or two but we have this action at the federal level from our Gun Violence Prevention Team:

Everytown for Gun Safety (everytown. org) is encouraging people to support a new bill introduced in Congress last year that would ban assault weapons: the

Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic Firearms Exclusion (GOSAFE) Act

Since then, Everytown’s efforts have won over 62 new co-sponsors for the bill during the last Congress: 18 in the Senate and 44 in the House. Senator Heinrich and Representative McBath just re-introduced the GOSAFE Act in this Congress

We know that the gun lobby will fight against this bill. Send a message urging your lawmakers to support the GOSAFE Act.

Jen Packheiser

Democracy in Action Team Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Although historically it has never occurred, to my knowledge, that a Viewpoints letter has caused an insurrection, that is not sufficient evidence that it never will. Does such an immediate threat to law and order justify suspension of constitutional protections such as due process or free speech?

There is also the question of the liability of the person who makes the decision to print the submission.

As they say: Just asking

Sandra

Shimon Oak Park

Dorothy Patinka, 84

Dorothy Davidson Patinka left this world far too soon on Dec. 1, 2024, after 84 years of kindness, courag e, love, and laughter Bor n in 1940 in Chicago where she met her true love, Nor man, the two moved to Oak Park in 1969, raised two sons, and developed friendships that lasted. T hey moved west in search of new adventures and breathtaking sunsets and found both in Santa Fe

She was a friend to all who knew her, a daughter, sister, spouse, aunt, mother, and grandmother of three Among other things, she was known as a second mom, a generous neighbor, an enthusiastic par tner, and a compassionate guide. In her home, all were welcome, and, wherever she was, she was far more than a best friend.

She cared for and cared about many things. She made the best of this life, and somewhere over the rainbow, she has returned home

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband and their son James. She lives on in the memories of all she touched.

Tom Carraher, 61

Realtor, coached youth sp orts

T homas Michael Carraher, 61, of Oak Park, died on April 10, 2025, sur rounded by love and holding his daughters’ hands. Bor n to William and Mary Carraher on Aug. 26, 1963, he was raised in Oak Park, attended St. Edmund Catholic School, Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he was class president, Triton Colle ge, and DePaul University.

om absolutely lo d living in Oak Park, frequently proclaiming he had “won the location lotter y.” His adoration for his community was evident in coaching youth spor ts, devotion to Ascension Parish, and 30+ year career as a realtor, predominantly serving the village of Oak Park.

He had a larger-than-life personality that never wavered. He quietly and courageously battled cancer while fervently continuing his passions of singing on stage, traveling, golfing, watching the Minnesota Vikings and Kentucky Wildcats, and spending time with his daughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary; his brother, Bill (survived by Donna), and his brother/best friend Bob (survived by Joanne).

Tom is remembered by his daughters, Alison and

Me g an, and their mother, Eileen; his siblings Maryelizabeth (husband Jim); John (life-partner Shari); Jim (wife Susan); nieces and ne phews, Samantha (husband Christopher, children Addison and Brady) and Timothy (husband Patryk); Taylor (husband Pedro, children Camille and Jett) and McKenzie (husband Jeff, children James and Wesley); Colleen, Danny, and Kevin (mother Sheila); Katie (husband John, children Grace, Caroline, and Evan), and Brian (wife Amanda); and his par tner, Vicki.

T here will be a wake at Zimmer man-Har nett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, on April 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Catholic funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 25 at 10 a.m. at Ascension Catholic Church, 808 S. East Ave., Oak Park

Bill Do ol ey, 78

Member of the Dooley Brothers band

William (Bill) Patrick Dooley Sr., 78, died after a brave battle with esophageal cancer on Nov. 4, 2024. Bor n in Oak Pa rk on Jan. 12, 1946, he grew up in River Forest, in the St. Luke Parish community, attended St. Luke Parish School, Fenwick High School, and Loyola University Chicago. Bill had his mother’s ar tistic talents and loved to draw as a child, creating countless cartoon characters and books that he would later share with his family, especially his grandchildren. His f amily was also musically talented. Singing was part of the fabric of his household, especially once they got hold of oldest brother Tom’s ukulele. Bill and his brothers’ love of harmony and playing music to g ether truly blossomed. To g ether they sang barbershop, songs of the ’50s, folk music, and songs from Ireland. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and the spirit and joy that it provided.

During his colle ge years, his songwriting took of f as he became masterful on the 6-string and 12-string guitars, always by ear and feel. His intense focus and incredible memory allowed him to develop his unique style of finger picking and the ability to play anything after hearing it only once.

T he music of the Kingston Trio, Bob Gibson, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot and many others inspired his songwriting. Bill and his brothers, Joe, Jim and Mike, for med an official band to g ether and became a constant in the Chicago folk and Irish music scenes. The Dooley Brothers continued to sing, record, and write music for over 40 years. Bill’s favorites included “Little Willo,” “Black Sunshine,” and “Michig an Wind.” Bill also perfor med his own live shows, most notably at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn, where he was able to capture an audience with song and storytelling

In 1969 he mar ried Judy, his one and only. They

shared many adventures, their biggest le gacy being their five children and six grandchildren. They loved sitting by a good fire with Bill playing the guitar, a serious game of gin, or watching beautiful sunsets from their favorite spot in Pentwater, Michig an.

He loved being a father and created magic for his children with his clever storytelling, harmless mischief, im aginative play, inventions, creativity, Michig an hikes, explorations on the Chippewa Flowag e, and of course, playing his guitar. He made every holiday extra special with his creative talents and his desire to create joy for his family. His patient, loving, and caring nature always made him a safe space to be and he ke pt that space boundlessly open to his family. Caring for his f amily was his number one priorit y. He loved nature and the stars, executed well-thought-out practical joke, appropriately timed movie quotes, and e pic scary campfire story.

No visit to his grandchildren was complete without singing a few songs, including the ever-entertaining works of Shel Silverstein that always made them giggle. He shared stories and folktales, played g ames, made epic s’mores, taught them the art of the dribble sand castle, taught them magic tricks, and special happy birthday serenades

He savored beauty and peace on a still lake with his fishing pole or riding his bike along Lake Michig an.

In 1972 he was among the first market makers of the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, where for over 40 years he crafted unique trading strategies and provided for his f amily. He had an excellent mind for creatively solving problems and fixing things, making him the neighborhood and family hand yman. He loved inventing gadgets and things that would make life easier and more fun. He was a friend of Bill W. and many who knew him for over 47 years. His entire adult life, he car ried in his shirt pocket a small notebook, in which he wrote songs, poems, ideas for projects, life’s lessons, and his ever-evolving prayer list.

Bill was the husband, best friend, and sweethear t of Judith Ann Dooley (Lynch) for over 55 years. He was known as Dad, Pops, Da, and P-Bear to his five children, William P. Dooley Jr., Emily (Jesse) Gallagher, Seamus (Erikah Lushaj) Dooley, Jose ph (Liat Nosrati) Dooley, and Maria (Sean Duff) Dooley. He was Bapa and Grandpa Bill to his grandchildren, Ava, Tommy, Brighe, Hadley, Declan, and Kaia

He was the son of Thomas Francis Dooley and Avis Grace (McMullin); the brother of Tom (Nancy) Dooley, Dennis (Kirste Carlson) Dooley, Joe (Katie Joyc e) Dooley, Jim (Anna) Dooley, and Mike (Trish) Dooley; brother-in-law of Ed (Chris) Lynch and Tom (Judy) Lynch; uncle and great-uncle of Ben (Pam Turlow) Dooley, Tommy (Pam) Dooley, Danny (Trish) Dooley, John (Nancy) Dooley, Mo (Chris) Lanty, Pe gg y Lynch, Kevin (Paige) Lynch, Micky (Rober t ) Hubanks, Ed (Maria) Lynch, Danny (Katie) Lynch, Mike Lynch, and Mick, Bridget, Jimmy, Maryrose, Maggie, Claire, Annie, Sean, and Grace Dooley.

Visitation will be held on May 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. at St. Luke Church, 7600 Lake St., River Forest, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11.

SPORTS

Fenwick football alum Marques Sullivan gets the call

Former lineman will be inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

Marques Sullivan, a 1996 Fenwick School graduate, enjoyed successful f playing careers collegiately and professionally, but recently he received an honor fe high school student-athletes ever attain.

Last month, Sullivan got word from the Chicago Catholic League Coaches ciation the he has been inducted i Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame. He becomes Fenwick’s 65th athlete, coach, or ad ministrator to gain entry into the Hall, and the 16th associated with Friars’ football, join ing the likes of Marty Finan, Tony Lawless and 1953 Heisman Trophy winner J Lattner, whose #34 jersey sits retired school fieldhouse rafters.

“I have tremendous respect for the Chicago Catholic League and the athletes have represented it throughout the Sullivan told Wednesday Journal. “To be named as one of those athletes that ha made so many contributions to sports, their communities, and to society, it’s a great honor to say the least.”

Sullivan fondly recalled an encounter he had with late Illinois high school basketball coaching legend Gene Pingatore that influenced his life

“I was on an eighth-grade visit to [nowclosed] St. Joseph,” he said. “I got to speak to Coach Ping about playing basketball for him. He told me, “See those football pads over there? That’s your future.” I didn’t look back.”

Sullivan, who is 6-5 and pl ayed around 300 pounds, was a two-way lineman for Fenwick In 1995, he was one of the top offensive linemen in his class and helped lead the Friars to a 12-1 record. The season ended in heartbreaking fashion as Fenwick lost in the IHSA Class 5A semifinals to Maine South 2421 in overtime at Oak Park Stadium.

“I try not to think about that game,” Sullivan said. “I believe we were fully prepared going into the game but unfortunately it wasn’t the outcome we wanted. I knew my football career was just beginning, but cer-

Fenw ick graduate Marques Sullivan in ac tion with the National Football League’s Bu alo Bills.

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tainly I was not happy losing to a team we felt we could beat.”

Overall, however, Sullivan said he enjoyed his time at Fenwick and credited his success to the staff, led by head coach Paul Connor

“I was coachable,” he said. “I listened to my coaches. I tried to play the best I could and stayed out of trouble. I tried to do the right things on and off the field.”

Sullivan was named All-State by the Chicago Sun-Times and Champaign-Urbana

Fenw ick lineman Marques Sullivan (#59) in ac tion. Sullivan, a 1996 graduate, will be inducted into the Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame on May 1.

News-Gazette and All-American by Parade Magazine. He accepted a scholarship from the University of Illinois and was named All-Big Ten Conference Second Team in 1999 and 2000. Moreover, as a senior with the Illini in 2000, he was named to Playboy Magazine’s All-American First Team and the Football Writers Association of America’s All-American Third Team, and got Honorable Mention from the Football News AllAmerican Team.

In the fifth round of the 2001 National Football League draft, Sullivan was selected by the Buffalo Bills. He spent three years with the Bills, playing in 37 games with 25 starts at offensive tackle. In 2004 and 2005, Sullivan had stints with the New England Patriots and New York Giants. He wrapped up his career playing for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League in 2007.

Sullivan, a Chicago native, has always given back to the community through football. He was director of the Chicago NFL Alumni Football Camp, conducted for high school

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University of Illinois o ensive tackle Marques Sullivan (#59) protects quar terback Kurt Kittner (#15) during a Big Ten Conference football game.

players. He also coached at the Chicago Bears Youth Football Camp for players age 6-13. Additionally, he has been NFL Alumni executive vice president for the Chicago chapter and served as a vice president of the NFL Former Players Association.

Sullivan advises student-athletes who want to have extended careers to develop sport-specific skills, utilize weight training, and improve conditioning. He also says they should have the right attitude when facing adversity.

“They must have mental toughness, selfdiscipline, and resilience when things don’t go their way at times,” Sullivan said. “I’d also say kids should get used to balancing academics, training, time management, and proper rest for recovery. They should also attend camps so they can get exposure to scouts.”

This year’s CCL Hall of Fame ceremony will take place at the Crystal Sky Ballroom in McCook, May 1 at 5:30 p.m. For more information and a list of all the inductees, visit chicagocatholicleague.com.

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Trinity volleyball coach Ken Uhlir dies

Spent 11 seasons as Blazers’ head coach

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Trinity High School volleyball varsity head coach Ken Uhlir has died, the school announced on its Facebook page, April 15. He was 60.

“Coach Uhlir was a cherished member of the Trinity community for the past 11 seasons and made a lasting impact on countless student-athletes with his passion, dedication, and unwavering support,” the school said in a statement. “He was also a proud parent of Carly Uhlir, Class of 2017.”

Uhlir spent 11 seasons with the Blazers and won four IHSA regional championships (2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021).

Trinity athletic director Ken Trendel said that news of Uhlir’s death came as a shock to the school.

“It’s been a rough couple of days,” he said. “Ken instilled a passion for volleyball in every girl he encountered, including my daughters [Liv and Maddie].”

He added that Uhlir was a valuable resource when Trendel arrived at Trinity.

“He was like a big brother to me,” Trendel said. “He was somebody I went to when I didn’t know what to do or where to turn. I needed some guidance and advice, and he helped me through a lot of situations. It’s a big loss for me, my daughters, and our program.”

Uhlir founded the River Forestbased Triple Ace Volleyball Club along with his wife Chris in 2009. Trendel believes there are currently 140 girls participating in the junior program.

“He touched a lot of kids in Oak Park and River Forest,” Trendel said. “[His death] is definitely a loss for our entire community.”

“It’s been a rough couple of days. Ken instilled a passion for volleyball in every girl he encountered.”

KEN TRENDEL

Trinity athletic direc tor

“Ken was a wonderful man and a true asset to the volleyball community,” retired Fenwick coach Kathleen O’Laughlin told Wednesday Journal via text. “He was truly passionate about the game and his players. We had some great matches and memories over the years. The Fenwick community is deeply saddened by this news and will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers.”

Trendel said that while it hasn’t been discussed yet because of the sudden nature of Uhlir’s passing, a search for his re placement will begin soon.

“We just hope we can find someone who’s passionate about both Trinity and volleyball, as Ken was,” Trendel said. “My heart goes out to his daughter and two sons, his relatives, and all the girls he encountered at Trinity and T riple Ace over the years.”

Stadium renovation a challenge for OPRF spring sports

Girls soccer and lacrosse juggle practice times and sites

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Two years ago, the Oak Park and River Forest High School athletic department dealt with logistical issues posed by the construction of a new track and field facility with a multipurpose turf on the site of the school’s baseball and softball fields. Home games and practices were moved off-campus and times were staggered for each program’s levels.

This spring, OPRF is again facing logistical challenges with some of its spring sports programs due to construction. Oak Park Stadium, where boys and girls lacrosse, along with girls soccer, usually conduct games and practices, is unavailable as a result of the school’s Imagine Project Phase Two, which includes the construction of a new physical education facility that will have a pool with spectator seating, a multipurpose gymnasium, a new weight room, and new locker rooms among other amenities.

The stadium’s turf has been removed to install a green energy system comprising 270 geothermal wells below the surface. The system will supply all cooling, heating, and ventilation for the new facility. For now, many lacrosse and soccer matches take place inside the track and field facility.

While holding practices and competitions on sites away from OPRF isn’t ideal, it ’s an experience athletic director Nicole Ebsen is used to. Under the given circumstances, and thanks to a collaborative

ef fort, so far, so good.

“Our athletic coordinators, Kevin Campbell and Derrick Purvis, have been amazing in supporting the crazy scheduling and working with our partners at the [Park District of Oak Park], Triton College, and Concordia and Dominican universities,” Ebsen said.

“Our athletic secretary, Julie Elmiger, who handles transportation, has also been amazing in coordinating all the off-campus events and practices.”

Ebsen also credits her coaches – James Borja for girls’ lacrosse, Dan Ganschow for boys’ lacrosse, and Lauren Zallis for girls’ soccer – for their cooperation and mutual assistance.

“Our coaches have done an outstanding job of working together to assure that all levels of their programs have what is needed for training and competitions,” she said. “If we didn’t have coaches who work with and respect each other, none of this would be possible.”

The coaches told Wednesday Journal that they made sure everyone was on the same page, and no one is using the current situation as an excuse.

“It’s something that is out of the realm of our control, and while I’m sure that there are 13 seniors on my team who are sad they didn’t get to spend their last year playing on that field, we know that ‘home’ can be wherever we are together,” Zallis said.

“The stadium construction has forced us to be

Continued on next pa ge

Oak Park and River Forest High School stadium

KEN UHLIR

Huskies’ sprinter Brown makes quick work of 400, 200

2024 state quali er Slezak continues to challenge personal bests in discus

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest senior Julia Brown began this girls track and field season with fast improvement. At the Cabin Fever Invitational, March 6, in Chicago, the Illinois State University recruit ran the 400-meter dash in 56.75 seconds — a lifetime best by more than two seconds. She joined senior high jumper Bella Brauc in qualifying for the New Balance Nationals Indoor, March 13-16, in Boston.

Brown ran an even faster 56.63 at what is probably the biggest highlight of her running career so far.

“I would say [yes], just watching all of the competition and seeing where I want to be,” she said. “There were so many fast runners. It was amazing.”

Brown was among the Huskies’ five secondplace finishes at Hinsdale Central’s Devilette Invitational Thursday The Huskies were third (80 points).

Senior Alana Gerona had the Huskies’ lone title, taking the 3,200 in 11:49.09.

Brown, who was second in the 200 (26.25), has yet to run the 400 this outdoor season. The New Balance time ranked No. 4 in Class 3A and among all Illinois high school performances this indoor season. At 2024 state, Brown was 20th in the 400 with a then-best 58.83.

“My goal is to go to [the 3A state] finals and hopefully place in the top three,” Brown said. “Honestly, at the beginning [the times surprised me], but now I’ve known I had it in me. It’s now just translating to numbers, so

flexible,” Borja said. “I don’ t think the construction has impacted our team’s performance because they knew it was coming, so they were expecting the unexpected.”

“The athletes have adapted to the schedule and haven’t skipped a beat,” Ganschow said. “Of course, without the great coordination between the lacrosse and soccer teams, and guidance from our athletic director’s office, I don’t know that it would be running as seamless as it has.”

Despite the unpredictability, each team has fared reasonably well this season. Girls soccer sports a 9-3-1 mark and is ranked 20th in Chicagoland Soccer’s Top 25 poll. Girls lacrosse is 6-2, and boys lacrosse is 3-4.

“I am looking forward to the second half of the season, knowing that we’ll have several conference show-

that’s nice.”

Lucy Stein (2:25.72) and Violet Schnizlein (2:27.47) finished 2-3 in the 800.

Also second were Oliwia Slezak (34.71 meters/113-10 in discus), Sheila Johnson (9.86m/32-4¼ in shot put) and the 4 x 200 relay with Bella Brown, Amelia Hammersley, Chloe Kozicki and Soraya Lewis-Arellano (1:48.74). The 4 x 800 (Julia Chang, Natalie Schiff, Grace Layton, Caroline Vietzen in 10:47.22) was third

Julia Brown credited weight training with OPRF assistant coach Howard Birmingham for improving her speed.

Slezak, a junior, is seeing benefits from her offseason work with the Zephrys track club. She was a 2024 state qualifier in discus (19th, 109-7) after throwing a season-best 114-6 at sectionals

“I feel like there’s much more improvement. I definitely feel stronger at practice,” she said. In her outdoor opener April 8, Slezak threw a lifetime-best 118-5, inches past her previous best as a freshman. The automatic state-qualifying standard at sectionals is 115-6.

“I didn’t throw a [personal record Thursday]. I was close to it and I’m looking forward to beating it next meet definitely,” Slezak said. “I was hoping to break 120 and I was pretty close but this year I’m hoping to reach that 130. I think that would put me in a good spot [state-wise] as a junior.”

Luciana Ramire z (2.74m/9-0 in pole vault) and the 4 x 100 (Julia Brown, Bella Brown, Lewis-Arellano, Hammersley in 50.67) were fourth. Brauc shared fourth in high jump (1.42m/4-8).

downs awaiting us,” Zallis said.

“I expect big things for this team because we are still not playing to our potential,” Borja said.

“We’ve had some injuries impact our play,” Ganschow said, “but once everyone is healthy we will play at a higher level.”

Ebsen is confident that Oak Park Stadium will be ready for fall sports. She adds that once Project Two is completed next year, all of OPRF’s teams will be able to host competitions on-campus.

“I’m looking forward to having all our outdoor spaces back up and running, and I can’t wait until we have our new indoor spaces as well,” Ebsen said. “It will totally change athletic opportunities here at OPRF, and I am very excited for our athletes and coaches to have this top-notch experience.”

Spring signing period for local student-athletes

Fenwick and Trinity seniors eye college playing careers ahead

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

During the past two weeks, 16 senior student-athletes from Fenwick High School and eight from Trinity High School have signed National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their playing careers at the collegiate level. Here they are as follows:

Fenwick

■ Sam Allaire, Illinois Wesleyan University, men’s soccer

■ Katy Berni, Car thage Colle ge, women’s lacrosse

■ Lily Brecknock, Washington University of St. Louis, women’s tennis

■ Aiden Burns, John Carroll University, wrestling

■ Connor Davis, Dominican University, baseball

■ Dominick Ducree, Middlebury Colle ge, men’s basketball

■ Luke Hickey, Benedictine University, baseball

■ Kamren Hog an, Rockford University, men’s basketball

■ Leah Lowery, Triton Colle ge, softball

■ Teresa Nevare z, St. Mary’s University of Notre Dame, softball

■ Matthew Purla, Benedictine University, baseball

■ Gabriella Simon, Grinnell Colle ge, softball

■ Shaira Stoner, Milwaukee School of Engineering, women’s swimming and diving

■ Diego Tafolla, Carthage Colle ge, baseball

■ Megan Trifilio, Carroll University, women’s tennis

■ Brian Tunison, University of Wisconsin-Stout, baseball

Trinity

■ Sofia Flynn, Illinois Wesleyan University, women’s basketball

■ Lesly Guerra, Roosevelt University, women’s soccer

■ Jaylani Hernandez, Dominican University, women’s basketball

■ Flynn Puttin, St. Norbert Colle ge, women’s volleyball

■ Lilli Puttin, Lakeland Colle ge, women’s volleyball

■ Ariana Rodriguez, Lake Forest College, women’s basketball

■ Charlotte Stec, Augustana (IL) College, women’s lacrosse

■ Lorelei Witkowsky, Car thage Colle ge, dance

JULIA BROWN

OLIWIA SLEZAK

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff, -v.-

JOSE G. ROMERO, GEMA A. ROMERO, BYLINE BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO COMMUNITY BANK OF OAK PARK RIVER FOREST, CROWN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC, LVNV FUNDING, LLC Defendants 2023 CH 02946

812 HUGH MUIR LN MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 10, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on May 13, 2025, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at public in-person sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 812 HUGH MUIR LN, MAYWOOD, IL 60153 Property Index No. 15-02-322016-0000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $183,864.65.

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, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours.

The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition.

The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale.

The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)(1) and (g) (4). If this property is a condominium unit which is part of a common interest community, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/18.5(g-1).

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSES-

SION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 151701(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 CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810, CHICAGO, IL, 60601 (561) 241-6901. Please refer to file number 22-087686. THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

One South Wacker Drive, 24th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606-4650 (312) 236-SALE

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc. com for a 7 day status report of pending sales.

CHAD LEWIS ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

205 N. MICHIGAN SUITE 810 CHICAGO IL, 60601 561-241-6901

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 22-087686

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439

Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2023 CH 02946

TJSC#: 45-910

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 # 2023 CH 02946 I3264296

NOVENAS

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever. Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us. St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail. Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus. Thank You St. Jude. R.R.

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Attention: Parents of Homeschooled Students

On Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 9:00am, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting at the Administration Office, 424 DesPlaines 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 2025-2026 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) 366- 5700 ext 3306.

Published in Forest Park Review April 16, 23, 2025

Notice of Public Meeting

Proviso Township High School

(PTHS) District 209, located at 8601 N. Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park, IL, will hold a “timely and meaningful consultation” virtual public meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private or parochial schools or are homeschooled within the district for the 2025-2026 school year.

Parents of homeschooled students residing within the boundaries of PTHS District 209 who have been or may be identified with a disability are encouraged to attend.

This meeting is being conducted in compliance with Illinois State Board of Education regulations.

To receive a Microsoft TEAMS invitation to participate in the meeting, please email rfleming@ pths209.org.

For questions or additional information, please contact: Ms. Ramonda Fleming, Ed.S District Coordinator (708) 497-4650

Published in Forest Park Review April 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7, 2025

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

Attention JP MORGAN CHASE BANK NA & MISAEL MARTINEZSALGADO, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on 5/30/25, a sale will be held at 1510 Hannah Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130 to sell the following articles to enforce a lien existing under the laws of the State of Illinois against such articles for labor, services, skill or material expended upon a storage furnished for such articles at the request of the following designated persons, unless such articles are redeemed within thirty days of the publication of this notice. Our records show, your 2016, CHEVROLET, SILVERADO 1500 with the following VIN 1GCVKREH9GZ142999 was towed to our facility per police ordinance. Our records show that the current amount due and owing is $2000.00. If payment is not received within 30 days Nobs Towing Inc. will enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3.

Published in Forest Park Review April 23, 2025

NOTICE ON PUBLIC HEARING ON RIVER FOREST TOWNSHIP BUDGET

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a tentative Budget and Appropriations Ordinance for the Township of River Forest, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, for the fiscal year beginning April 1, 2025 and ending March 31, 2026 will be on file and conveniently available to public inspection at the River Forest Civic Center Authority Building, 8020 Madison St., River Forest, and at the River Forest Public Library, 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest from Friday, May 9, 2024 as well on the Township website at www. RiverForestTownship.org.

NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN HEREBY that a public hearing on said Budget and Appropriations Ordinance will be held at 6:00 PM, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the River Forest Township regular meeting at 8020 Madison St., River Forest and final hearing and action on the ordinance will be taken at the regular meeting held on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 6:00PM.

Dated the 8th of April, 2025, Margaret Detmer, Township Clerk

Published in Wdnesday Journal April 23, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON 2024-2025 AMENDED BUDGET

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Oak Park Elementary School District Number 97, Cook County, State of Illinois, that it will hold a public hearing on its proposed amended budget for 2024-2025 school year on the 27th day of May, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. The hearing will be held at the District Office, 260 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302.

Such proposed amended budget shall be on file conveniently available for public inspection from and after April 25, 2025 in the Business Office of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, between the hours of 8:00 am and 4:30 pm.

The Board of Education intends to adopt the proposed amended 2024-2025 budget following the public hearing.

Gavin Kearney President Board of Education

Oak Park Elementary School District 97

Published in Wdnesday Journal April 23, 2025

Submit events and see full calendar at oakpark.com/events

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Women’s wellness center Ad-B.pdf 1 4/17/25 10:14 AM

Women’s wellness center Ad-B.pdf 1 4/17/25 10:14 AM

Sunday,April27,2025

Wellnessfair

11:00am-2:00pm

A word from the OPRF Chamber Executive Director, Darien-Marion-Burton

begins with a healthy one.

That’s why we’re proud to present the 2025 Community Health & Wellness Fair—our annual celebration of care, connection, and community. Whether you’re looking to explore new wellness services, speak directly with local health experts, or simply enjoy a familyfriendly day full of energy and education, this event is for you.

This year’s fair is our

most dynamic yet—with over 70 vendors, free health screenings provided by RUSH Oak Park Hospital, a relaxing Self-Care Lounge sponsored by the OPRF Community Foundation, and the return of Walk with a Doc, an interactive experience that brings health advice off the charts and onto the track.

It’s a chance to learn, engage, and invest in your well-being—all in one place, and all for free. We hope you’ll join us in building a healthier future—together.

We believe there is a benefit to you by our collaborating with health care partners to make the therapy experience for adults, children, couples, and families happen in innovative ways. We see integrative therapy and counseling as a way to explore, develop, and enrich the self for you and your family.

Darien-Marion-Burton

First Light Home Care - Supporting Parkinsons Care

April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time to spotlight one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s. While Parkinson’s does not yet have a cure, the millions of Americans diagnosed with Parkinson’s can live fulfilling lives with the right care and support.

Parkinson’s affects everybody differently, and this makes early diagnosis tricky. People typically think first of the motor-related symptoms of Parkinson’s; tremors, slow movements, difficulty with balance, etc. Parkinson’s also manifests in other forms, however, such as depression, sleep disorders, and cognitive issues, which doctors

may initially diagnose as something else.

Parkinson’s is undoubtedly a challenge for those affected by it, but proper care and lifestyle changes can help to manage the disease and to slow its progression. Regular exercise, of 2.5 hours a week or more, has been shown to slow disease progression and improve overall well-being. Therapy (physical, occupational, and speech) is also crucial in maintaining both independence and quality of life.

In the early stages of Parkinson’s, the emotional effects can be as difficult to navigate as the physical effects. In this stage especially, having a strong emotional support system, which can mitigate the effects of depression and other related symptoms, is every bit as important as any physical and therapeutic support.

Over time, Parkinson’s makes routine activities such as dressing, eating, and bathing more difficult. By implementing a small number of practical changes, a patient with Parkinson’s can maintain independence for an extended period. For example, exchanging clothing with buttons for similar clothing with elastic waistbands and Velcro can allow someone with Parkinson’s to continue dressing themselves; similarly, using an electric toothbrush and an electric razor can allow them to continue to groom themselves. For safety and increased mobility in the home, rearranging the furniture, careful

attention to removing obstacles, and the addition of grab bars have proven beneficial.

With the right approach—combining medication, exercise, and thoughtful adaptations—those with Parkinson’s can continue to live active, meaningful lives. Let’s use this month to spread awareness of Parkinson’s and to support those affected by this disease.

Join our research study

A race-based stress reduction and resilience program for African American women

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago and Columbia University in New York City are conducting a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded research study examining the effectiveness of a race-based stress reduction program on well-being, inflammation, and DNA methylation in African American women at risk for heart or metabolic disease. The purpose of this study is to learn whether the stress reduction program, called “Resilience, Stress, and Ethnicity” (RiSE) improves the body’s response to stress in African American women who have risk factors for heart or metabolic disease.

development and empowerment.

Approximately 300 women will participate in this research from the Chicagoland and New York City areas.

This study is being conducted by Karen Saban, PhD, RN from Loyola University Chicago and Jacquelyn Taylor, PhD, RN from Columbia University, New York City.

No drugs are involved in this study and it will not change your regular medical care.

asked to participate in following the intervention. These “booster” sessions will also be provided online.

RiSE is a group-based, 8-week intervention that integrates cognitive behavioral strategies focused on the impact that social stress, such as racism has on the body, racial identity

If you decide to participate in this research study, you will be randomly assigned to participate in either the 8week stress reduction program (RiSE) or an 8-week general health education program. Both programs will meet online (i.e. Zoom) for approximately 2 hours each week for 8 consecutive weeks and will be led by experts in the field. In addition, there will be two “booster” sessions that you will be

Participants will be scheduled for 4 clinic visits during the study period to complete surveys describing their health, emotions, stressors, and health behaviors and to provide a saliva sample to measure markers of inflammation. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for each clinic visit and $30 gift card for each RiSE or Health Education Program session for a total of up to $500.

If you have any questions or would like further information about this study, please feel free to call or email us. We appreciate your consideration.

Chicagoland area: Email: RiSEstudy@luc.edu Phone: 773-508-3990

Belmont Village Oak Park offers residents weekly Parkinson’s Exercise Classes, as a way to help improve activities of daily living. The class helps improve strength, endurance and coordination.

5 reasons your family should attend the Health & Wellness Fair!

1

Access Local Experts – For Free Where else can you meet dozens of health and wellness professionals from across the western suburbs in one place—and get your questions answered on the spot?

2 Free Screenings = Peace of Mind

Thanks to RUSH Oak Park Hospital, attendees can receive complimentary health screenings that might otherwise cost you time and money. Know your numbers, check in on your health, and take action early.

3

Walk with a Doc

4

Discover New Resources

Get your steps in and pick a healthcare professional’s brain during our Walk with a Doc program. No appointment, no waiting room—just real conversation while you move.

5

From physical therapy to nutrition to mental health support, the fair is packed with services you might not even know are available right here in your community.

It’s Fun for the Whole Family

With hands-on activities, giveaways, and healthy snacks, this event is designed for all ages. Health isn’t just personal—it’s a family affair.

The West Cook YMCA offers in-person, on-demand, and livestreaming programs that fit your needs and your schedule. All complimentary for members to help you reach your fitness goals, reduce your risk for chronic diseases, provide a safe and welcoming space for youth, and so much more. Stop in for a tour and we will show you all that the Y has to offer to meet your needs. Tour guides are available by reservation online at westcookymca.org/tour.

Cantata/The British Home Celebrates its 100th Anniversary!

Cantata/The British Home Celebrates its 100th Anniversary! Cantata/The British Home Celebrates its 100th Anniversary!

Cantata/The British Home Celebrates its 100th Anniversary!

This year marks the 100th year of Cantata Adult Life Services (formerly, The British Home) providing campus

and at home

This year marks the 100th year of Cantata Adult Life Services (formerly, The British Home) providing campus living and at home services for local seniors and their families in Brookfield and the surrounding area. Cantata’s founders were the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), a group of women dedicated to honoring their British heritage and traditions in the United States.

This year marks the 100th year of Cantata Adult Life Services (formerly, The British Home) providing campus living and at home services for local seniors and their families in Brookfield and the surrounding area. Cantata’s founders were the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), a group of women dedicated to honoring their British heritage and traditions in the United States.

This year marks the 100th year of Cantata Adult Life Services (formerly, The British Home) providing campus living and at home services for local seniors and their families in Brookfield and the surrounding area. Cantata’s founders were the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), a group of women dedicated to honoring their British heritage and traditions in the United States.

for local seniors and their families in Brookfield and the surrounding area. Cantata’s founders were the Daughters of the British Empire (DBE), a group of women dedicated to honoring their British heritage and traditions in the United States.

In the early 1920’s, DBE members established a not-for-profit nursing home on Cantata’s current campus in Brookfield, after receiving a donation of land from Samuel Insull, the CEO of Commonwealth Edison at the time. They welcomed their first residents in 1925, and named their endeavor “The British Old People’s Home”. This name was subsequently changed to “The British Home for Retired Men and Women” in the 1950’s, and then to the more contemporary “Cantata Adult Life Services” in 2012. In the early 1970’s, The British Home broadened its mission to serve people of all nationalities and ethnicities.

In the early 1920’s, DBE members established a not-for-profit nursing home on Cantata’s current campus in Brookfield, after receiving a donation of land from Samuel Insull, the CEO of Commonwealth Edison at the time. They welcomed their first residents in 1925, and named their endeavor “The British Old People’s Home”. This name was subsequently changed to “The British Home for Retired Men and Women” in the 1950’s, and then to the more contemporary “Cantata Adult Life Services” in 2012. In the early 1970’s, The British Home broadened its mission to serve people of all nationalities and ethnicities.

In the early 1920’s, DBE members established a not-for-profit nursing home on Cantata’s current campus in Brookfield, after receiving a donation of land from Samuel Insull, the CEO of Commonwealth Edison at the time. They welcomed their first residents in 1925, and named their endeavor “The British Old People’s Home”. This name was subsequently changed to “The British Home for Retired Men and Women” in the 1950’s, and then to the more contemporary “Cantata Adult Life Services” in 2012. In the early 1970’s, The British Home broadened its mission to serve people of all nationalities and ethnicities.

In the early 1920’s, DBE members established a not-for-profit nursing home on Cantata’s current campus in Brookfield, after receiving a donation of land from Samuel Insull, the CEO of Commonwealth Edison at the time. They welcomed their first residents in 1925, and named their endeavor “The British Old People’s Home”. This name was subsequently changed to “The British Home for Retired Men and Women” in the 1950’s, and then to the more contemporary “Cantata Adult Life Services” in 2012. In the early 1970’s, The British Home broadened its mission to serve people of all nationalities and ethnicities.

Since its establishment 100 years ago, Cantata/The British Home has served tens of thousands of seniors and their families in the Chicago area, largely in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2025, Cantata/The British Home will host and sponsor many activities and events throughout the year to commemorate and celebrate its century of exceptional service to seniors, their families, and our local community.

Since its establishment 100 years ago, Cantata/The British Home has served tens of thousands of seniors and their families in the Chicago area, largely in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2025, Cantata/The British Home will host and sponsor many activities and events throughout the year to commemorate and celebrate its century of exceptional service to seniors, their families, and our local community.

Since its establishment 100 years ago, Cantata/The British Home has served tens of thousands of seniors and their families in the Chicago area, largely in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2025, Cantata/The British Home will host and sponsor many activities and events throughout the year to commemorate and celebrate its century of exceptional service to seniors, their families, and our local community.

Since its establishment 100 years ago, Cantata/The British Home has served tens of thousands of seniors and their families in the Chicago area, largely in the western suburbs of Chicago. In 2025, Cantata/The British Home will host and sponsor many activities and events throughout the year to commemorate and celebrate its century of exceptional service to seniors, their families, and our local community.

In a world filled with vibrant sounds –the laughter of loved ones, the melody of music, the gentle rustle of leaves – experiencing hearing loss can feel isolating and disheartening. However, it doesn't have to be that way. At our clinic, we understand the profound impact that hearing loss can have on your life, which is why we are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective treatment to help you rediscover the joy of sound.

Here are just a few reasons why you should choose us for your hearing loss treatment journey:

▪ Expertise and Experience: Our team consists of highly trained audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals who have years of experience in diagnosing and treating various types of hearing loss. Whether your hearing loss is due to aging, noise exposure, or other factors, rest assured that you are in capable hands.

▪ Comprehensive Evaluation: We believe in taking a personalized

approach to hearing healthcare. When you visit our clinic, we will conduct a thorough evaluation of your hearing abilities, taking into account your lifestyle, communication needs, and any specific concerns you may have. This allows us to tailor our treatment recommendations to suit your unique circumstances.

▪ State-of-the-Art Technology: We are committed to staying at the forefront of advancements in hearing healthcare technology. From cutting-edge diagnostic equipment to the latest hearing aid technologies, we offer a range of solutions designed to improve your hearing clarity and quality of life.

▪ Individualized Treatment Plans: We understand that hearing loss is not a one-size-fits-all condition. That's why we take the time to listen to your concerns and preferences before developing a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. Whether you require hearing aids, assistive listening devices, or auditory

Your Hearing Journey Starts with Us

rehabilitation therapy, we will work closely with you to find the best solution.

▪ Ongoing Support and Care: Our commitment to your hearing health doesn't end after your initial treatment. We believe in building long-term relationships with our patients and providing ongoing support and care to ensure that you continue to enjoy optimal hearing health for years to come. From regular follow-up appointments to adjustments and maintenance services, we are here for you every step of the way.

▪ Improved Quality of Life: The ability to hear and communicate effectively is essential for maintaining social connections, staying engaged in activities you love, and preserving your overall well-being. By seeking treatment for your hearing loss, you can experience a significant improvement in your quality of life, allowing you to fully participate in conversations, enjoy your favorite hobbies, and reconnect with the world around you.

Don't let hearing loss hold you back from living life to the fullest. Take the first step towards better hearing health today by scheduling a consultation with us. Together, we can help you rediscover the joy of sound and embrace a brighter, more vibrant future.

Dr. Cynthia Chow

Thanks to our Health Fair Vendors

Presenting Sponsor

Rush Oak Park Hospital

Venue Sponsor

Park District of Oak Park

Gold Sponsor

Meridian Psychiatric Partners

Gold Sponsor

Sanofi

AllerVie Health^

Analog Yoga*

Athletico Physical Therapy*

B-Health*

Birth Roots Community Midwifery*

ButcherBox^

CAYR Connections*

Celebrating Seniors Coalition*

Chiro One Wellness Centers

Coach Angie Ltd.*

Collaboration for Early Childhood*

Community Support Services*

Consulting Audiology Associates, LLC; The Hearing Place*

Envision Unlimited^

First United Methodist Church of Oak Park*

FirstLight Home Care of Oak Park*

Fitness Formula Clubs*

Flourish Research^

Frick Kids Art*

Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network^

Glamour Health and Wellness

Medical Spa*

Gold Sponsor

Riveredge Hospital

Self-Care Lounge Sponsor

Oak Park - River Forest Community Foundation

Silver Sponsor

Centre Physical Therapy, LLC

Silver Sponsor

Mosaic Counseling and Wellness

Goodhope Healthcare and HHS, Inc.*

Grace Therapy and Wellness Center*

Illinois Dermatology Institute^

Intuitive resource^

Joland Home Care LLC^

Kadampa Meditation Center

Chicago*

Lake Street Family Physicians*

Main Line Benefits*

Midwestern University - Chicago

College of Optometry^

Mindful Motion Physical Therapy*

MOMENTUM OP*

North West Housing Partnership

NAMI Metro Suburban*

Nehemiah Community Project

Niche Physical Therapy, LLC*

North West Housing Partnership*

Oak Park Public Library*

Pure Health Chiropractic*

Renewal by Andersen*

Royal Health Care*

Sage Lifestyle Concierge LLC*

Sage Therapy^

Serenity Holistic Health, Inc*

Silver Sponsor

Oak Park Township

Silver Sponsor

Village of Oak Park

Silver Sponsor

American House Oak Park

Silver Sponsor

Little Steps Pediatric House Calls

Smart Love Family Services*

Sparkle Aesthetics^

Super Teeth Pediatric Dentistry*

Synergy HomeCare*

Synergy Integrative Health & Wellness*

Teeth and Things*

The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration^

The Chicago Urban League*

The Pearl of Montclare*

Thrive Counseling Center*

Thrive Wellness & Aesthetics*

United Vein & Vascular Centers

Urban Unwind Wellness*

Way Back Inn/Grateful Houser*

Worthy Bodywork & Healing

Your Passion First^

Nutriquity, PLLC*

Styles 4 Kidz, NFP*

Andy Kaczkowski - WestPoint Financial Group*

HEAL Wellness + Longevity

Matt Donnelly’s Iron Garage*

Genesis Lab Services*

Caravan Sales, Inc.*

Oak Park River Forest

Infant Welfare Society*

Sinus and Snoring

MD - ENT Family Clinic^

TASC^

* OPRF Chamber member ^ non-member

Don’t miss our upcoming

2025 Rebuilders Celebration on Friday, September 19, 2025.

6 PM Social Hour and Silent Auction

7 PM Dinner

8

Presentation

Rebuilder Celebratio

HereatWayBackInn,webelievethateveryindividualhasthepotentialtochange andtherighttoafulfillinglife.Wehavededicatedourselvestohelpingthosein need-pullingthembackfromaddictionandguidingthemforward toanewbeginning.

Wearecommittedtorebuildinglives,andthecommunity, onepersonatatime.

Fromresidentialandoutpatientcaretorecoveryhomesand supportforlovedones,ourholisticapproachhelpseach personrebuildtheirlifewhilestrengtheningtheirrecovery fromsubstance/gamblinguseandco-occurringdisorders.

RESIDENTIALCARE

Adultindividualsliveon-siteinasupportive,structured environmentwhilereceivingclinicalservicesand bolsteringtheirdailylifeskills.

OUTPATIENTCARE

Gamblingtreatment,availableatourresidentiallevel,is alsoofferedonanoutpatientbasisinpersonorvia telehealth,tailoredtotheindividual’sschedule.

YOUTH&FAMILYCARE

Individualsaged13-17aretreatedonanoutpatient basis.Wealsosupportandcounsellovedones, workingtogethertofindsolutionsforthewholefamily.

ABOUT US

ADDITIONALINFORMATION

Programfeesareonaslidingscale.Thankstocommunity partnerships,someservicesareavailableatlittleornocost. Visitwww.waybackinn.orgorcall708-345-8422fordetails.

HereatWayBackInn,webelievethateveryindividualhasthepotentialtochange andtherighttoafulfillinglife.Wehavededicatedourselvestohelpingthosein need-pullingthembackfromaddictionandguidingthemforward toanewbeginning.

Wearecommittedtorebuildinglives,andthecommunity, onepersonatatime.

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