DOUBLE SHOOTING ON CLINTON Cops say victims not likely targeted
CLASS OF 2020 CELEBRATES Page 16
Page 15
W E D N E S D A Y
May 13, 2020 Vol. 40, No. 42 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Principal Ellwanger’s fully connected, socially-distant goodbye
J of 2019, just 17 dog and 18 cat applications were turned in during that month’s span. “At first, we didn’t know how we were going to do this and it was kind of a whirlwind of policy, protocol and adjusting day to day,” said Kira Robson, execu-
onathan Ellwanger was 21 years old, had just graduated from Northwestern, when Susan Gibson, the principal of Beye School on Cuyler Avenue, offered him a job as a music teacher. When this school year comes to its unnatural end, Ellwanger will retire from Beye having served there for 34 years, the final 18 as its principal. He agrees it is an unusual and rare accomplishment to work in one school for an entire career and to advance from teaching music to becoming principal of that school. Might be more unusual because he expected to be at Beye for just a year — “one and done,” he said — before finding a job in a high school as a choral director. High school jobs were hard to come by and he wound
See ADOPTIONS on page 13
See ELLWANGER on page 6
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
GETTING ACQUAINTED: Richard Chambers, a resident of Naperville, meets Pickles at the Animal Care League in Oak Park, where adoptions are on the rise.
PANDEMIC PUPPIES (AND CATS)
Adoptions soar at Animal Care League By JAMES KAY Staff Reporter
After initial worries about how it was
going to be impacted by the global outbreak of COVID-19, Animal Care League in Oak Park has seen a dramatic increase in pet adoption applications since the shelter-in-place protocols were announced in mid-March. This past April, ACL reported 158 dog and 79 cat adoption applications were submitted. To put that in perspective, in April
DAN HALEY
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM ted to donating to the matching fund, and full details on the match will be available in mid-May. The campaign hashtag is #SaveChicagoMedia.
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Park camps? Think small, says park district
Can the pools open? Social distancing challenge By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
As the COVID-19 crisis continues, the Park District of Oak Park is looking toward the state of Illinois and the village government for guidance in how to safely provide summer programming to residents, as well as reopening indoor and outdoor facilities. “Right now, we’re at a little bit of a standstill,” said Jan Arnold, park district executive director. “We had to cancel our spring programs, due to the COVID outbreak, but we are doing a variety of different planning trying to figure out how the summer is going to come together.” The park district plans to offer restructured programming based on requirements and guidance from the state of Illinois, as well as the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Oak Park Department of Public Health. “We do believe that part of our responsibility is to provide childcare for residents,” Arnold said. “We’re looking at how we can do that safely.” According to Arnold, a park district survey indicated that 90 percent of parents who responded said they were still looking for children’s day camp options. Of that 90 per-
cent, 60 percent of responding parents said they would certainly sign up their children; 30 percent said signing up depended on state guidance, as well as the health and safety practices put in place. “We want camp to be safe, first and foremost,” said Arnold. “But we also want it to be fun and memorable.” Due to the highly contagious nature of COVID-19, parents have expressed concern with having their children attend camps with a large group of other kids. Part of the restructured programming includes requiring attendees to wear masks and prohibiting group activities shared between multiple individual campers. Individual camps will also have fewer children in them this summer. Arnold stated in a May 4 newsletter that camps would have no more than 10 children each. On May 5, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced, as part of his phased reopening plan, that the number of people per activity cannot exceed 10. “Now we’re down to eight kids and two staff members,” said Arnold. “If conditions change and improve, then we might be able to add a couple more kids to that.” The park district does not yet know the toll the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the amount of revenue it brings in during the summer months. Arnold expects to have a clearer idea after camp registration happens.
“We don’t know the exact loss yet because it would be a reduction of expenses as well,” Arnold said. Traditionally, the park district’s day camp program serves between 700 and 1,000 children on a weekly basis. “Right now, we’re looking closer to the 350-ish mark,” Arnold said. The park district may be able to serve more children than that, depending on whether Oak Park schools will continue to allow the district to use some of their available space, as in previous summers. Camp registration for Oak Park residents begins May 26, with priority registration beginning May 23. No in-person registration is permitted. At the moment, the park district is only offering camps to those who live in Oak Park; the park district will consider opening certain camps to non-residents later in the summer. Park district staff has started to repaint and power wash public pools for swim season, but whether those pools will open remains unclear. The soonest pools will open, if allowed, would be June, Arnold said. Traditionally, park district pools open the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. If pools open, the camps will not take attendees to swim to limit the number of people in the pool. The logistics of opening the pools presents major social distancing difficulties. The park district is working through vari-
ous scenarios to try to anticipate problems that could happen before they happen. “We haven’t given up on it, but we have to follow the guidance that we’re going to be given,” Arnold said. The parks district has had to cancel concert performances and movie showings in parks for the months of May and June but hopes to resume that programming in July.
40+ Chicago media outlets launch joint fundraiser
Collaboration includes community and ethnic media from across the city
Facing substantial drops in advertising revenue, 43 independent Chicago media outlets have joined forces to raise funds in a monthlong campaign in May and early June. The for-profit and nonprofit organizations represent a wide cross-section of authentic community media in the city and nearby suburbs. Growing Community Media, publisher of Wednesday Journal, Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review and the RiversideBrookfield Landmark, is among the participants. The public can give at savechicagomedia. org through June 5. The website offers the option to donate one amount to be split among all of the outlets, or donors can select one or more outlets to give a specific amount to. Dan Haley, publisher of Growing Community Media, said, “While we actively are
working to grow donations to our own newsroom, we ask our readers to consider making a donation to this effort which is shared across all 43 of these worthy efforts in independent community journalism.” “We who are in independent media find ourselves in a unique and dangerous economic situation,” said Tracy Baim, publisher of the Chicago Reader. “In response to COVID-19, national news outlets are tallying death tolls and assessing the situation globally. While that coverage is important, it leaves the average citizen confused and unsure of how to proceed within their community.” The campaign is being coordinated by the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA), a project launched in 2019 by the Chicago Reader. Sixty media companies and nonprofit newsrooms belong to CIMA, which is coordinating grants, advertising, and editorial projects to assist in strengthening the local media landscape. CIMA’s goal is to lift all boats through partnerships. Donations are not tax deductible, but those wishing to provide money to a pooled matching fund can donate to The
Chicago Independent Media Alliance 2020 Matching Fund at the Crossroads Fund. Several foundations have already committed to donating to the matching fund, and
full details on the match will be available in mid-May. The campaign hashtag is #SaveChicagoMedia.
Growing Community Media receives grant for COVID-19 coverage Growing Community Media was one of 48 Chicago area newsrooms which received a grant last week from a $425,000 COVID-19 Journalism Fund quickly assembled by six Chicago foundations to support reporting on the pandemic in their communities. “We’re hopeful these grants will keep community advice alive in neighborhoods around Chicagoland during these difficult times,” said Andres Torres, Democracy program officer at the McCormick Foundation, the lead foundation in this effort. Growing Community Media is a non-
profit which publishes Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest, the Austin Weekly News, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and the Forest Park Review. “We’re grateful for the $10,000 grant we received,” said Dan Haley, GCM publisher. “More than that we are appreciative that these six foundations saw the immediate need so many worthy independent Chicago newsrooms need in this moment.” In addition to McCormick, funding came from the MacArthur Foundation, the Chicago Community Trust, the Driehaus Foundation, the Polk Bros. Foundation and the Field Foundation.
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
Fun Home May 12 to 24, Stream via Vimeo See the musical staged at Victory Gardens Theater of Chicago during their 2017/18 season and watch the performance of Oak Park teen Leo Gonzalez. Fun Home, which won five Tony’s, is inspired by Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir. Alison sets out to unravel the many mysteries of her childhood through a series of memories and conversations – from her coming out to her moving journey to acceptance. $20. More/to purchase: victorygardens.org/event/fun-home-streaming
Crafting with Maria Tuesday, May 19, 2 to 2:30 p.m., River Forest Library Facebook and Instagram pages All ages are welcome to make a craft project every Tuesday. Watch live or find it a few days later on the River Forest Library’s YouTube Channel. Here you will find previous projects like wax-paper garlands and paper embroidery. You can also learn how to make a no-sew cloth mask.
Mask Making for Local Distribution The Park District of Oak Park is collecting home-made masks to distribute to Oak Parkers, including meal delivery volunteers, first responders and others. Masks are required in all businesses and public areas where social distancing may be difficult. To donate homemade masks, email Maureen.McCarthy@pdop.org. Mask-making instructions/more: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Writers’ Word Feast Sunday, May 17, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Zoom Bring your words and words yet to be written to this writers’ group for all types and genres. Each writer has a chance to read a story, poem or novel chapter and receive feedback from the group. Sponsored by the Oak Park Public Library. Register: oppl.org/news-events/learnconnect/lets-connect-through-zoom-virtual-programs/
BIG WEEK
Try It Thursdays Trivia: Where in the World?
May 13 - 20
Thursday, May 14, 4 to 5 p.m., Zoom Those in grades 4 to 8 – show what you know with a virtual Kahoot trivia championship. Sponsored by the Oak Park Public Library. Register: oppl.org/news-events/ learn-connect/lets-connect-through-zoom-virtualprograms/
Memory Cafe Tuesday, May 19, 2 to 4 p.m., Zoom Join for conversation and enjoyable activities at this welcoming place for individuals living with memory changes along with their families and friends. Sponsored by Senior Services of Oak Park and River Forest Townships, with support from the River Forest Library. More: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/memorycafe-zoom-0
Unity Temple History Quiz Contest Through May 29 Celebrate National Preservation Month by testing your Unity Temple knowledge. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, Unity Temple has been recently restored and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other Wright buildings. Prizes include a wood display model of Unity Temple (UTRF members only), a model kit and guided tours upon reopening. Brought by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation in partnership with the Little Building Co. of Queensland, Australia. Online quiz: littlebuildingco.com/unity-temple-quiz.
Community Talkboard Wright Sites Thursdays, Noon, livestream on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Virtually visit Frank Lloyd Wright-designed public sites closed due to COVID-19. Access via social sites or websites. Previous visits can also be viewed. Free. Brought by Unity Temple Restoration Foundation. More: utrf.org/ wrightvirtualvisits/ May 14 Taliesin West, Arizona May 21 Beth Sholom Synagogue, Pennsylvania May 28 William E. Martin House, Oak Park
Stop by the chalkboard at Compound Yellow, read a prompt and express your ideas, thoughts and feelings on the board. Connect with others who have left their thoughts and share in this collective experience. Initiated by local therapist, Vince Murphy. In the side yard of 244 E. Lake St., Oak Park.
NAMI Virtual Open Mics Fridays, 4 to 6 p.m. Get together to share creativity and fellowship; bring a story, joke, poem, song, etc. Performing is optional. Virtual Open Mics continue weekly while the Oak Park Drop-in Center of the National Alliance on Mental Illinois (NAMI) Metro Suburban is closed. All are welcome. Questions/login info: Torpe@namimetsub.org
FitzGerald’s Keeps the Live Music Coming Song-for-Song: Robbie Fulks & Tim O’Brien Wednesday, May 13, 8 p.m., Facebook Live See the two musicians interact on a split screen live event. Free; tips collected to support musicians and venue via Venmo/Paypal. Tickets/more: fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/events/view/Song-For-Song-RobbieFulks-Tim-O-Brien-2
Live from Where They Live: Charlie Parr Thursday, May 14, 8 p.m., Facebook Live Free; tips collected to support musicians and venue via Venmo/Paypal. Tickets/more: fitzgeraldsnightclub. com/events/view/Live-From-Where-They-Live-Charlie-Parr
Live from Where They Live: Ike Reilly Friday, May 15, 8 p.m., Facebook Live Free; tips collected to support musicians and venue via Venmo/Paypal. Tickets/more: fitzgeraldsnightclub. com/events/view/Live-From-Where-They-Live-Ike-Reilly
Stay-at-Home Concerts Saturdays, 4 p.m. The nightclub continues to take the show on the road through May. Sign up for a visit or watch the livestream on the FitzGerald’s Facebook page. May 16 Prom Theme Dance Party May 23 Toronzo Cannon May 30 Ryan Joseph Anderson While concerts have been in Berwyn and south Oak Park, plans to extend into neighboring communities are a closely guarded secret. For updates, check FitzGerald’s social pages or fitzgeraldsnightclub.com.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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ART BEAT
OPRF’s Spoken Word scores at virtual Louder than a Bomb By MICHELLE DYBAL
S
Arts Editor
pring semester is Louder than a Bomb (LTAB) season. This multi-week event draws more than 500 poets and some 120 teams from schools and community organizations to Chicago. They compete slam-style in what Young Chicago Authors, the organization behind the event, calls the world’s largest youth poetry festival. Oak Park and River Forest High School’s Spoken Word Club members spend weeks preparing. An eight-person Slam Team writes solo and team poems to perform on stages across Chicago. Preliminary bouts began Feb. 26. OPRF’s team, coached by Peter Kahn, English teacher and Spoken Word educator, and Christian Robinson, assistant Spoken Word teacher, made it through quarter finals on March 12. Next up were semifinals on March 15, but with large audiences anticipated — up to 4,000 by the finals — that last competition week, which included the semifinals, team and individual final bouts, was postponed. It was simply not safe to perform in person due to COVID-19. The good news: LTAB went on virtually with the OPRF Slam Team placing second. The bad news: Those last rounds going virtual meant no live performances, no encouraging crowds snapping fingers, no special awards like Best Piece of Writing (often taken home by an OPRF team member) or Spirit of the Slam, and no powerhouse guest performances. Instead, one team video was submitted from an earlier rehearsal and one from a live LTAB quarterfinal bout. Four individual poem performances were recorded from students’ homes and submitted for the semifinals, three of which went on to the finals. The competitions went on as live virtual
Photo provided by Peter Kahn
WELL VERSED: The OPRF Spoken Word Club Slam Team on their way to compete in Louder than a Bomb. Pictured left to right: Eli Gerace, Ruby Davis, Co-captain Micah Daniels, Allen White, Co-captain Kyla Pereles, Jalen Sharp, Juliana Sosa, alumnus Jesus Govea and Peera Serumaga. Back row: Spoken Word coach Christian Robinson. events. Judges still weighed in, commenting and scoring as before, only doing it in a comments section. Coaches and students watched and participated by writing comments as well. “It was a weird switch-up of energy,” Robinson said. “There is so much crowd engagement that goes on live. Only seeing it through comments was very interesting. But it worked.” LTAB wrapped on May 2. According to Robinson, Slam Team members were excited and grateful to participate, but there
were mixed emotions. “The team thoroughly enjoys participating together and being together so it’s good that wasn’t taken off the table, but … it’s sad they couldn’t get the full experience,” he said. The eight Slam Team members had been meeting virtually through Google Meet with Kahn and Robinson for 5-6 weeks. Those meetings included voting for which pieces got submitted for semifinals and finals, no different from their usual drill during LTAB.
Some members of the Spoken Word Club, which can have as many as 70 students at inperson meetings at school, have met a few times too. The group is split by grade for virtual meetings. A recent Google Meet for seniors had approximately 20 students. “They are good overall,” Robinson said of the virtual club meetings. “It takes a little warming up to, once you log in to the chat, and it’s a little awkward at first. You have to figure out who’s talking when. But once we get into it, everyone just settles down and is ready to catch up with each other.” Now the club is preparing for a Senior Showcase. Spoken Word would have had their inperson Spring Showcase on May 6. Three seniors who have been in the most showcases and the Ishma Stewart Scholarship winner would do solo pieces. And 60 to 70 other students would also do new works. Only about half of the club members are taking part in video-call meetings and the virtual Senior Showcase is a scaled-back event. “Normally when we are in school, Christian and I are reminding kids in the hallways, there’s a student bulletin, sometimes we look up students’ schedules if they missed a meeting or we’ll call home — there’s a lot of things that are not at our disposal,” Kahn said. “And it’s not gearing up for a live performance. That’s part of it too.” Seniors expected to perform are Jalen Daniels, Eliana Gerace and Matt Buchta and scholarship winner Micah Daniels. All seniors are invited to make a video sharing their experiences in Spoken Word for the showcase. The Senior Showcase is scheduled for Wednesday, May 13, 7 p.m. It can be watched live at youtube.com/user/OPRFUtube.
D97 approves final phase of security camera installation Last phase to cost $123K, includes replacement of seven cameras at four schools By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Last year, District 97 replaced its video camera management system and 108 individual cameras in the district that “were either non-functioning, never installed, or noncompliant” with the upgraded system, Jim Hackett, the district’s safety and security manager, explained in an April 7 memo. “A big part of this is to refocus everything and make sure that we’re getting what we want and we’re not intruding
into areas where we don’t want [the cameras] to be,” Hackett said at the time. “So far, we have [some] cameras that aren’t providing any footage.” Now, the district is following up the first phase installation, which cost around $148,000, with a final phase of camera system adjustments expected to cost around $123,000. The D97 school board unanimously approved the costs of the final phase work at a regular meeting on April 21. Addison-based Pentegra Systems, the lowest qualified bidder, won the bid for the project. The final phase, which is projected to start in FY 2021 and go on for the next three to five years, includes replacing seven exterior school cameras at Brooks, Julian, Beye and Mann; refreshing seven cameras at the district’s administration building; any year-to-year maintenance costs that may come up; and the 5-year license renewal, Hackett said. Hackett said principals and other building administra-
tors throughout the district have responded positively to the camera upgrades, lauding the crisper images on the new cameras and the fact that the cameras work at all, unlike the old camera system. Hackett said building administrators also wanted additional camera coverage in some parts of the district where surveillance is lacking. The total budget of both phases of the security camera project will have come out to around $271,000 — roughly $21,000 over an original budget of $250,000. Hackett said the original total budget for the camera project was not based on an accurate count of all the cameras in the district. Once the first phase was completed and a “detailed camera audit” was conducted, officials were able to make more accurate budget projections, he said.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
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Black-owned businesses struggle with virus, banks By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
When Glamour Entertainment Spa and Celebrations, 6717 W. North Ave., opened on Feb. 19, Angel Humphrey was anticipating a few months of steady business. Her day spa venue — which hosts princess parties for little girls as young as 2, as well as Quinceañeras and Sweet 16’s, along with full spa services like massages for older adults — had secured 14 prom sendoffs. But the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the country in March and business rapidly evaporated. Her spa, deemed non-essential in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, was forced to temporarily shut its doors. “I had bookings coming in for April and May,” said Humphrey. “May was huge for prom. Then four cancellations turned into seven and seven turned into all of them. This really hit us in the gut.” A story on Humphrey’s new business, scheduled to run in Wednesday Journal the week Oak Park’s stay-at-home order went into effect, was buried in the onslaught of COVID-19 coverage. When she spoke with Wednesday Journal on May 8, Humphrey’s optimism was tinged with a frank assessment of the reality facing her establishment, which she co-founded with her husband, Robert, who owns one of the largest gaming truck enterprises in the Chicago area. “It’s been a struggle to be honest,” she said. “Initially, I thought I was going to fold, but I’ve been able to sustain business. I’ve had generous customers purchasing small gift cards, which makes a small difference. They don’t replace our income, but they show that people care about businesses in
ELLWANGER
Celebrations interrupted from page 1 up at Beye only because an acquaintance noted he “was the only pale face in a student-led gospel choir” at school and thought Oak Park might just be for him. Well Oak Park was for him, Beye School particularly. Ellwanger notes that in its more than 100-year history, Beye School has had only eight principals. That’s amazing, especially since it feels like some District 97 schools have had eight principals in the last decade. Ellwanger believes longevity is in the DNA of the building and the Beye community. “It wasn’t just Susan or me. There is something palpably distinct about Beye. There’s just something,” he said. His present crop of parents and students certainly agree and there is a palpable buzz
the North Avenue district and in Oak Park.” Humphrey said she had hoped to be back open by May 1, but “as the days go by, it gets harder and harder to decide if I’ll have to close my doors permanently.” Nonetheless, she said she’s still hopeful that she’ll recover quickly as soon as the business opens back up. Meanwhile, Humphrey said, she’s been offering Zoom etiquette parties and launched a line of Glam Boxes about two weeks ago. The boxes include “glam essentials” for girls and preteens — things like slippers, nail polish, arts-and-crafts materials and glam pink sponges — that customers can order from her store’s website. Although she missed the first round of the federal government’s Personal Protection Program funding — which provided small businesses with loans, mainly for payroll expenses — she’s currently applying for the second round. If she can secure some meaningful assistance from the government, she may have entrepreneurs like Stacey HawkinsArmstrong to thank, at least in part. Unlike Humphrey, though, Hawkins-Armstrong is less hopeful about the federal government. Last month, Hawkins-Armstrong, who owns and manages Sha-Poppin Gourmet Popcorn in nearby Westchester, applied for first-round PPP funding through JP Morgan Chase, where she’s banked for 20 years. Her attempts proved futile. She kept encountering an error message while going through the application process on Chase’s online portal. During an interview last month, HawkinsArmstrong the error messages “continued for days, several times a day.” Eventually, the business owner said she got a call
from a Chase Midwest vice president who “was apologetic that my application didn’t go through. Her answer was, if I wanted, I could change banks and she’d understand, which was really unacceptable to me. It lets me know that they really don’t care.” She ended up applying for a PPP loan through a much smaller institution — Seaway, a division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union — and successfully secured $6,000, though it is much less than she needs. Meanwhile, Ruth’s Chris, a company with annual revenue of $450 million, 5,700 employees and 150 locations across the country received two $10 million PPP loans. The company eventually returned the loans after public outrage. State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch (7th), whose district spans parts of River Forest and who represents Hawkins-Armstrong, even created a Change.org petition to demand that Chase and other large banks “treat black and brown businesses equitably during the COVID-19 crisis.” “I’m encouraging folks to boycott big banks until they remove their restrictive policies that keep these funds from small businesses — especially small businesses of color,” Welch said last month. In late April, Hawkins-Armstrong filed a federal class action lawsuit against Chase, alleging that it gave preferential treatment to larger clients like Ruth’s Chris, which is also mentioned as a co-defendant in the lawsuit. Last month, Hawkins-Armstrong said she’s hoping more west suburban small business owners who felt like they got stiffed by Chase would reach out to her and join her lawsuit. Humphrey said she’ll take her chances applying for PPP through U.S. Bank, where
about how to honor Ellwanger in the quarantined age of COVID-19. While secrets remain to be divulged about aspects of the recognition, an early June parade has been announced that will have the principal out and about — and socially distanced — on the streets of the Beye neighborhood. Ellwanger says he is a bit of a procrastinator and that he has “never been a counter,” which, he says, explains why he hasn’t been overly focused on the milestones of his final year at Beye. But he says he doesn’t want to leave “all the emotional unloading” till the end and expects “to laugh a little and cry a little” as he wraps up. He also acknowledges “that he has spent the last year getting Beye ready” for a new principal. Jenn Schmidt will arrive from an assistant principal’s role in Naperville. Ellwanger said the two have been working already on hiring and that she has “been very active meeting people.” “My hope for Beye and for District 97 is that someone could come here and stay for 33 years. To be part of a place so wonderful,
so life-giving, so challenging.” He says the annual celebration of departing fifth-graders will be virtual, with the advantage that “we don’t have to sweat it out in the auditorium” but with the promise that every kid will get their moment when a teacher speaks about each child’s Beye connections. There seems to be no way to recreate Olympic Day virtually. But Ellwanger remains a fan of Beye’s tradition of mixing children from every grade onto every team in competition. And he thinks the Bobcat Packs which blend all ages into groups that meet across the school year are a valuable place “to do our social-emotional work.” And, almost, he allows, he will miss the annual goodbye party that gathers up Beye families across the decades for a good community celebration. But in a later email, Ellwanger asks that no regrets be voiced as he wants every person who works on the odd finales to this year to know how much he appreciates each of them. “I’m not sad or downhearted. I’m
SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor
STILL HOPEFUL: Angel Humphrey in her North Avenue day spa in February. The business owner is seeking to apply for a federal loan to help keep her business afloat. she has some history, but added that she nonetheless supports Hawkins-Armstrong’s effort. “I actually have to really applaud Stacey for that,” Humphrey said. “I think a lot of businesses were in the background really cheering her on. When you award larger corporations and give them priority over small business, which are the heartbeat of Illinois and the country, what does that say about America?”
enjoying every moment. Every micro-moment.” Beye parents are touched by Ellwanger’s determined and generous efforts at connection even during the pandemic. He continues to send an audio version of the daily announcements, which include the Pledge of Allegiance, recitation of the Beye Laws, a joke from a student, and his exhortation to stay positive. And then there is the evening “read-along” with Ellwanger reading a book to his sheltered-at-home students. Ellwanger, his wife and their daughter have plans, though COVID-19 has potentially altered the timing. At some point they will be moving to Vermont, his wife’s home state, as their OPRF graduating daughter hopefully heads to college. Asked what he’ll do as a youthful 55-yearold in Vermont, Ellwanger says, “I’m a pretty simple person. I can be happy doing a lot of things. And principal skills apply to a lot of things. I’ll do something to help make the world a better place, little by little.” Just as he has done at Beye School.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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OPRF’s basketball head coach steps down
Cites family, other pursuits for decision to leave By JAMES KAY Sports Editor
After 25 years of coaching at Oak Park and River Forest High School and 12 years as the varsity basketball head coach at the school, Matt Maloney has stepped down, effective immediately, from his position. OPRF sent an email announcing the decision on May 6. Maloney finishes his time at OPRF with a 224-108 record and coached his teams to two West Suburban Silver conference championships in the last three years — his teams won four conference championships overall. To add to his resume, Maloney also has three regional titles under his belt. He helped over 40 high school players move on to the next level to play college basketball. According to the school’s press release, Maloney sent an email to his colleagues saying he wants to focus on his family, pursue a second master’s degree and continue to teach a full load of history at the school. “Since the birth of my daughter three years ago, I have considered stepping down from the head coaching position,” Maloney said in a statement to his colleagues. “However, after spending more time with her during this shelter in place, I have realized how much time I have missed spending with her and my family. This is the right time to focus on priorities at home.” The school did not say who would take over the position or if someone would take over on an interim basis. However, the press release said Maloney will help current juniors and seniors on OPRF’s roster with recruiting as they pursue playing college basketball. OPRF’s athletic director, John Stelzer, said in the release: “Matt Maloney is one of the most dedicated and knowledgeable coaches that I have worked with at OPRFHS. “He has a true vocation and passion for teaching basketball and mentoring young men. Coach Maloney has served our community, our school and our athletic department with integrity for 25 years. He is a wonderful example of a teacher-coach, and his dedication to our student-athletes will be missed.” Maloney’s announcement comes 13 days after Isaiah Barnes, who is a highly touted college prospect, told Wednesday Journal he plans to transfer from OPRF, citing racism in the community as his reason to leave. Barnes did not say that he experienced racism within OPRF’s basketball program. Maloney, in an interview with the Journal on May 9, emphatically denied there was any connection with two events. “First off, I’m very sorry that Isaiah or any student at that school or community would have those experiences,” said Maloney. “Secondly, I was never aware of any of those experiences there. That had nothing
File photo
TIME OUT: After 12 years as varsity basketball coach at OPRF, Matt Maloney will pursue further education and continue teaching history at the high school. to do with my decision. “My decision was made and based on my daughter, my family and time it is, as you read in my statement. I have thought about stepping down since my daughter was born three years ago, in the shelter in place gave me an opportunity to realize just how many milestones I’ve missed and how many I do not want to looking forward.” Former players reflect on time with Maloney Over his 12 years as OPRF’s basketball head coach, Maloney has made an impression on a lot of his former players. Erick Locke, class of 2014, played college basketball for four years at multiple programs (most notably at Central Methodist
University). In his two years on OPRF’s varsity team, Locke became close with Maloney and the two still keep in touch today. He was in disbelief when he heard the news that Maloney was stepping down. “I thought he was going to coach there for another 10 years,” said Locke. “I saw people talking about it on Facebook but I didn’t believe it until I read the article. I understand, with being a father and a coach, you’ve got to live outside of your coaching career.” Locke went to two of OPRF’s games this past season and Maloney brought him in to speak to the team after its loss to Hinsdale Central on Jan. 31. They had a quick turnaround the next day against a tough Evanston team.
“He knows how to pick his spots,” said Locke. “It’s hard as a coach because sometimes in those situations you can’t get [on the team] since they had a game the next day. I was that outside voice to come in and talk with them. Those moments can be hard. I hope that whoever comes in can serve the community and program well like he did.” Ryland Watts, class of 2014, recalls a time in 2014 when the team was preparing for the Comcast Game of the Week against conference rival York. Maloney was trying to fire the team up when the group met before the game in the Monogram Room. “What people don’t know about Maloney is he is a big theatrics guy,” said Watts. “[Before the York game], we were preparing and going over our plays and you could tell that Maloney was fired up. He said, ‘I want you guys to be fired up, to dive after every loose ball and get after it.’ I swear to god, our assistant coach throws a ball in the middle of the room and we were about to grab it when Maloney, in dress shoes and a tie, dove across the room on top of it. He said, ‘I want this badly if you all want it.’” Maloney’s reasoning for this method of coaching is simple. “I always thought that I wasn’t going to ask anything of them that I wouldn’t ask of myself. So, I wanted to show them that everything I’m asking you I’m willing to do,” said Maloney. OPRF ended up winning the game 54-50. Jared Scott, class of 2017, went on to play football at the University of Wyoming before transferring to Prairie View A&M University to play both football and basketball. He credits Maloney for helping him at the next level and developing good habits as a student of the game. “I think the transition [to college] was smoother because of the knowledge I took with me from him in high school,” said Scott. “I learned things such as watching film on myself and opponents in scouting and a lot of the basketball terminology I learned from Maloney. He’s always very prepared.” Maloney, who attended OPRF and played on its basketball team before moving on to play college basketball, took the lessons from his high school coach, Al Allen. “I always felt that I had the pleasure of going through that program, and my head coach, Al Allen, ran it in a very similar fashion,” said Maloney. “And when I was a player, I didn’t quite understand it when I was there. I understood it quickly though, when I started to play college basketball, and I realized just how much was given to me from Alan. And I wanted to make sure that my players realized that we always talked about the fiveyear plan. It wasn’t about where they were at as juniors or seniors but where they were at five years down the road.”
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Investors still interested in Oak Park
Village is receiving applications By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
COVID-19 has not deterred developers from potential investments in the village of Oak Park. Although the plan commission is on hiatus due to the virus, prospective developers have not rescinded any development applications. “I haven’t had anybody tell me, ‘Oh no, we’re pulling out of the project. We’re not going forward,’” said Tammie Grossman, director of Oak Park Development Customer Services. Grossman hopes in-person commission meetings will resume by June. “We’ll wait to see what happens with the COVID-19 crisis and then we’ll make some decisions about how to move forward,” said Grossman. In the meantime, the village continues to work with developers and process new applications; Grossman would not share any information regarding newly submitted applications. According to Grossman, developers have been understanding about the slowdown associated with the statewide stay-at-home order, including those associated with Rush Oak Park Hospital’s plans for a new parking
garage at the corner of Wenonah Avenue and Madison Street. “The hospital obviously has their own issues that they’re dealing with related to COVID-19. They’re fine with us waiting,” Grossman said. “They understand the situation.” The plan commission voted March 5 to recommend the village board approve the construction project; not quite two weeks later, Oak Park issued its shelter-in-place order on March 18. Governor J.B. Pritzker issued a similar statewide order March 20. The Oak Park board of trustees has yet to vote on the project. The village board has also yet to vote on the planned apartment complex at 435 Madison St.; the plan commission voted not to make a positive recommendation on the complex March 5. That project’s developers, Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group, has also expressed understanding for the pause in progress. “They understand that we’re trying to move forward in a way that’s safe for the community and also in a way that respects people’s ability to make public comments and to have a conversation about the development,” said Grossman. REDICO and American House, whose development application received village board approval in February, has started working on final plans for the construction of its senior residential complex on Madison Street.
“They’re moving forward,” said Grossman. “We’re in conversations with them weekly.” Pete’s Fresh Market is still working to score the spot directly across Madison Street from where the new senior apartments will sit. The grocery store chain was in the beginning stages of the planned development process when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Cook County. “They’re waiting to figure out what a new public meeting might look like, but we’re still reviewing everything in the background,” Grossman said. The village only requires developers to hold one public meeting before starting the plan commission hearing process. However, scheduling hiccups prompted the village of Oak Park to instruct Pete’s to hold additional meetings. Pete’s held its first meeting on a Friday afternoon in January at the Oak Park main library. “We felt it didn’t really give people that wanted to be there an opportunity to be there,” said Grossman. “We asked them to schedule a new one, which they did but unfortunately, when they sent the notice out, they missed a few addresses.” Pete’s had planned to hold a third public meeting, which they had to cancel due to COVID-19. “We still think they need to hold a public meeting and that everyone entitled to receive notice, receives notice,” Grossman said.
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Pete’s has yet to submit a formal application to the village. Once submitted, the village will post the application on its website for public perusal. COVID-19 has brought economic distress to many in Oak Park, as well as the greater United States. However, the continued interest developers have in investing in Oak Park indicates a strong economic recovery in the village’s post-pandemic future, Grossman believes. “We are continuing to see construction activity in Oak Park. We are continuing to see new investment,” she said. “We’re processing permit applications just like normal.” New investment activity comes as a contrast to the nation’s last economic crisis that occurred 10 years ago, dubbed the Great Recession. “In 2008, 2009 when the economy started to fall, we started seeing developers walk away from projects,” said Grossman. “We’re not seeing that happen at all. We’re seeing people continue to move forward with their developments.” She called these developments “encouraging signs.” “I think it’s because people know that Oak Park will come out on the other side of this COVID-19 crisis as a strong, healthy community that people will still want to live in and invest in.”
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Commissioner blasts nursing home Brandon Johnson calls for tougher regulation By MICHAEL ROMAIN
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First District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson stood outside of Westchester Health and Rehabilitation, 2901 S. Wolf Rd. in Westchester, on May 6 to call for the state to “reimagine” how it handles forprofit nursing home facilities, where reports of lax regulation and poor working conditions are making already vulnerable senior citizens even more vulnerable to COVID-19. As of May 1, Westchester Health and Rehabilitation reported 47 cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths related to the disease, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. An analysis of IDPH health data by WBEZ shows that the hazards are spread across nursing homes throughout the state. According to WBEZ’s analysis, 44 percent of the COVID-19 deaths in Illinois were tied to nursing homes. On May 1, WBEZ reported, IDPH data showed that “1,082 coronavirus deaths were tied to long-term-care facilities and assisted living establishments — 73% more than the 625 reported a week earlier and nearly four times the 286 reported on April 17.” Loretta Brady, a resident of Chicago’s Austin community and one of Johnson’s constituents, said that her mother, 83-yearold Lottie Smith, is a resident at the Westchester facility. Brady said that her mother was diagnosed with COVID-19 in late March, but that the nursing home didn’t notify her until days later. “My mother had to be rushed to Loyola with a heart rate of 130 … and had to be on a ventilator,” Brady said during Wednesday’s press conference. “Nobody [from the nursing home] said anything. She had to stay in the hospital for 10 days fighting for her life. To date, nobody has told me how she contracted the virus.” Brady said that since contracting COVID-19 in March, her mother has tested positive for the virus again. And the family, she said, is still in the dark. “Nobody is telling us anything,” Brady said. “We’re asking for help!” Glenda Harris said that her mother, Carrie Claybon, 83, was also a resident at the Westchester facility. Harris said that she attempted to take her mother out of the facility even before the COVID-19 crisis hit, but officials at the facility wouldn’t allow it. Claybon died from COVID-19 on March 30. “Now, my mom is deceased and now all I got is a memory — all because these people wouldn’t cooperate with me,” Harris said. “They didn’t have to take care of her. I was willing to take care of her myself.” Harris and Brady both complained about the alleged treatment their parents received at the Westchester facility — from a lack of
Courtesy Michael Romain
CALL FOR CHANGE: First District Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson holds a press conference outside of Westchester Health and Rehabilitation. communication about their parents’ conditions from nursing home staff to outright neglect. “Plenty of times my mom would come back at night time, from being at dialysis four and five hours, sometimes the transportation would be late picking her up,” Harris said. “When she would get [back to the nursing home], the bed wouldn’t be made. We’d have to get someone to make the bed,” she said. “I have pictures of when my mom would be at dialysis, we’d look at her hand and she’d have poop on her hand because they didn’t clean her and she’d scratch herself. I kept complaining about this.” A representative from the Westchester facility could not be reached for comment on May 7, but in a statement sent to the Chicago Tribune, Westchester Health and Rehabilitation Center spokeswoman Annaliese Impink outlined precautions the facility has taken since the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have implemented every guideline, measure, and protocol provided by the health authorities,” Impink explained. “We are working closely with the health authorities to follow their guidance and will continue to be transparent … while maintaining the dignity and privacy of each of our residents.” During the May 6 press conference, Commissioner Johnson, said that the state “has to step up its supervision and oversight,” before calling for the Gov. J.B. Pritzker to order an infectious disease survey at the Westchester facility. Johnson said that he’s also contacted Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office about the matter. Johnson pointed out that there’s already $240 million in state funding allocated for nursing home operators in the form of a Medicaid reimbursement increase that state lawmakers approved in 2019, as part of Gov. Pritzker’s most recent budget. According to a report by Skilled Nursing News, $70 million of that $240 million funding boost is associated with staffing mandates. Nursing home operators that
fail to meet required minimum staffing levels won’t get the increased Medicaid reimbursement. The money, however, still hasn’t been doled out. According to its profile available at Medicare.gov, Westchester Health and Rehabilitation has an overall rating of one star out of a possible five, which indicates that it performs “much below average” in the areas of health inspections, quality measures and staffing. Late last month, Pritzker ordered all nursing homes to test residents and staff. And the governor has said in the past that nursing home safety is a priority for his administration and has called for more support and staffing at the facilities. The governor did not directly address the Medicaid reimbursement funding during his daily press briefing on May 6. Johnson said that the state should use its budgetary and regulatory authority over for-profit nursing home and require them to provide more personal protective equipment to employees, to increase workers’ wages, to require proper certification among employees, and to provide hazard pay for frontline nursing home workers, among other preconditions for those nursing homes securing additional state aid. The commissioner said that the state should also consider fining, or even placing into receivership, those nursing homes that fail to meet basic requirements. Johnson also echoed a demand expressed earlier this week by American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, a grassroots disability rights organization. “The top demand is the call for an executive order from the Governor to immediately rescue residents by moving them from nursing facilities into non-institutional, lowerrisk settings and to reduce facility occupancy to no more than one resident per room,” the organization explained in a statement. “If we can build facilities at a moment’s notice in the case of an enormous outbreak, like McCormick Place, why can’t we reimagine how we handle [nursing home] facilities struck by this virus?” said Johnson.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Nursing home strikes averted after workers reach deal Employees, including at two facilities in Oak Park, win $15 minimum wage, hazard pay, other concessions By MICHAEL ROMAIN Staff Reporter
Roughly 6,000 unionized frontline workers at 64 nursing home facilities in the Chicago area — including Oak Park Oasis, 625 N. Harlem Ave., and Berkeley Nursing & Rehab Center, 6909 W. North Ave. — have reached a deal with the owners of those facilities, averting a strike that was planned for May 8. On May 7, SEIU Healthcare, the union representing the workers, released a statement that it had reached a two-year contract agreement with the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities, the body representing the owners in contract negotiations. The agreement will touch more than 10,000 frontline union employees, including receptionists, cooks and certified nursing assistants, at more than 100 nursing homes, the SEIU stated. In its statement, the SEIU said that the workers “won significant contract gains,” including “higher baseline wages bringing all workers above $15 an hour and establishing greater parity in wages across geographic areas,” hazard pay for all workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, “additional fully paid sick days for COVID-19 testing, illness or quarantine,” and “provisions ensuring that employees are not required to work without adequate” personal protective equipment. On April 27, the workers delivered strike notices to roughly 40 Chicago area facilities, including Oak Park Oasis and Berkeley Nursing & Rehab Care, after they voted overwhelmingly for a strike authorization, said Greg Kelley, he president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, during a videoconference on April 29. In a few days, workers at around 20 more nursing homes had threatened to join the
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demonstration. “All of the major contract gains will help safeguard the health and safety of workers and the residents for which they care -- at a time when both are vulnerable to the risks associated with COVID-19,” SEIU officials said in the statement. “While residents are at increased risk of the virus due to age and compromised health, workers face increased negative impacts from coronavirus due to their history of poverty wages, lack of paid time off and
the underlying health conditions that often accompany poverty. Additionally, a majority of workers are African-American, and a disproportionate number of African-American lives have been claimed by COVID-19.” In its statement, the SEIU also explained that the tentative agreement “was overwhelmingly supported by members of the bargaining committee, but must be ratified by the larger group of members who will be impacted by its terms.” A spokesperson with the SEIU could not
be reached last week to comment on when the ratification will take place.
CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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COVID, construction hinder Lake St. eateries By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Even prior to the onset of COVID-19, restaurants throughout Downtown Oak Park and those nestled on Lake Street were bracing for a challenging time. Construction underway on Lake Street from Austin to Harlem disrupts traffic with a heavy concentration of work at the intersection with Oak Park Avenue. East-west traffic is fully closed from Harlem to Euclid. Construction, under normal circumstances, would make accessing restaurants in the area challenging, but added restrictions related to COVID-19 have some Downtown Oak Park restaurants experiencing compounding accessibility issues. COVID-19 allowed the Better Lake Street project to speed up its construction timeline because of diminished traffic and large numbers of closed businesses in the area. The intersection of Lake Street and Oak Park Avenue closed to undergo sewer and utility upgrades earlier than planned, making it especially difficult to reach restaurants including Delia’s Kitchen, located at 1034 Lake St. “There are so many worries at Delia’s Kitchen right now,” said Veronica Ciobotaru, its owner. “There is no easy way to get to our front door for one thing and all we have right now is carry-out.” Delia’s Kitchen is experiencing a double whammy when it comes to getting their fresh made breakfast fare to hungry customers. Ciobotaru urges her customers to park in a nearby parking lot before coaching them to walk to the restaurant or even down the back alley to collect and pay for their orders. She worries the hassle of the
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
DISRUPTION: Road construction on Lake Street is just one part of the double whammy afflicting restaurants. construction zone makes getting to her establishment too time consuming for some customers. “Some people give up after placing the order and end up leaving the food at the restaurant without paying, but 90 percent make the extra effort to get to us.” said Ciobotaru. Ciobotaru knew the long scheduled Lake Street improvements would adversely impact her business but admits the pandemic intersecting with the project was probably for the best. She is pleased the work can get done faster so the factors limiting her business do not extend a moment longer than necessary. Ciobotaru anticipated business slowing during construction, but the added effect of mandated dining room closures has
Delia’s Kitchen’s business down 80 percent. The once bustling restaurant, open since 2010, currently survives with a staff of three and relies heavily on catering orders designed to feed frontline workers. Ninety percent of Ciobotaru’s employees are original hires and she is doing everything she can to employee as many people as possible, but customer demand has dwindled. The construction will likely come to an end ahead of its Thanksgiving schedule, but the uncertainty of COVID-19 makes the longtime restaurant owner restless. “I have no idea what the rules of re-opening will do to us,” said Ciobotaru. “My workers are single mothers and work paycheckto-paycheck and can’t afford not to work. We
need people to brave the construction and come to Delia’s Kitchen.” Despite widespread uncertainty, Ciobotaru wants people to know the restaurant is open every day. She and her staff are working hard to prepare the full menu of customer favorites from the freshest ingredients available. According to the Better Lake Street website, project managers are exploring opportunities to “expedite and/or modify the scope of work to minimize impacts to the business districts” when the COVID related stay-at-home order ultimately expires. “As much as a hardship as this construction is, the necessary improvements will benefit businesses,” said Judith Lalor owner of The Little Gem Café, 189 N. Marion St., and vice president of Downtown Oak Park. Marion Street is open across Lake Street but may be closed for a short period of time before the project is done. Lalor said it was “hard to tell” if Little Gem’s business has been impacted by the construction because restaurant operations have been radically altered in the face of the pandemic. In addition to adapting her well-appointed dinein restaurant to a carryout model, Lalor, paused a significant expansion project for her restaurant in response to COVID-19. “I am worried about Lake Street businesses,” said Lalor. “But Lake Street needed an update. Things like planting trees, repairing sidewalks and all the infrastructure improvements will ultimately bring more customers to the 125 businesses in the Downtown Oak Park area. Downtown Oak Park, The Hemingway District and the Pleasant District are offering a village government funded rewards program for customers willing to shop in the area during the construction project.
Farmers Market working logistics of May 30 opening Pre-orders and drive-thru pick-ups planned By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor
Laura Lencioni, chair of the farmers market commission, called a virtual meeting of the commission to order on Thursday, May 7. The meeting came on the heels of a contentious discussion surrounding communication issues between village staff and market commissioners at the May 4 village board meeting. Despite the rough lead-up, all participants came prepared to move forward with plans for the 2020 farmers market season. Commissioners spent the better part of the meeting asking clarifying questions about the plans for the market with market manager, Colleen McNichols, village staff liaison Cameron Davis, and Director of Public Health, Mike Charley, offering information freely in response. Discussions
focused on the flow of the market, support staff needs, concerns about disruptions to residents and the new pre-order and pick up program the market plans to offer. Commissioners emphasized the need to tap into appropriate messaging through social media and the press to educate the public about the new market layout. Plans indicate the walking market will operate in a U-shaped design south of Lake Street between Scoville and East Avenues. The number of people allowed into the market will be limited and the same equation used to determine grocery store capacity will be applied to the farmers market. “It’s about training and encouraging people to follow the system Mike [Charley] has put in place.” said Davis. Information about support staff will be clearer in the coming weeks. Despite the commission’s recommendation the market would require “2 to 3 additional staff members” to spread out through the larger market, Davis confirmed no additional market assistants will be hired. “The decision has been made not to hire the assistant that she [McNichols] has had previously,” said Davis. “That is a decision that comes out of the manager’s office.” McNichols suggested there will be an incredible demand
for pre-order and pick up at the market. Pre-order and pick will be done through the third-party app, “What’s Good” and volunteers will aggregate the orders for distribution. Orders will be limited in the first weeks of the season to prevent the program volunteers from being overwhelmed and pick-ups will take place between 9 a.m. and noon in the Pilgrim Church parking lot. “I think the demand will be even more than we can meet so I have been advised to take it slow and keep it manageable,” said McNichols. “We can build from there.” And yes, there will be donuts. “We are definitely going to participate,” said Jim Petertil of Pilgrim Church. “I think that possibly as we speak there are people in the kitchen at the church trying to set up six-feet of distance between mixers and fryers, so all those people are not shoulder to shoulder. We are definitely enthusiastic about this.” The Oak Park Farmers Market is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 30 from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and operate through the last Saturday in October barring any COVID-19 related adjustments.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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ADOPTION
A dramatic rise from page 1 tive director of ACL in Oak Park. “We were still figuring out our processes and then the donations started flooding in from the community without us even asking. That’s what is amazing about Oak Park and this community; they sort of stepped up on their own.” Since social-distancing mandates made it difficult to operate out of the shelter on 1013 Garfield St., ACL and its volunteers had to find foster families for the animals. That paired with the challenge of adding online applications to ACL’s website, which deviated from their normal process of having prospective pet owners come in during adoption hours to meet the animals. However, the change of procedure might have been a blessing in disguise. Instead of having people come to the shelter where the animals are in a stressful environment, ACL is conducting virtual meetings with the animals and those interested in adopting. “I think people are kind of having fun with it,” said Robson. “Granted, people are home and everyone’s turning to Zoom. We were worried that people would not connect well because they can’t physically touch the animal. But there was just such a different dynamic, and it works better.” Nicole Balch, who recently fostered two kittens, went through the virtual meeting
between a staff member at ACL, her family, and the family that was interested in adopting “Keaney” and “Samantha.” “I think it’s kind of nice because, usually, you can go and you can sort of ask, ‘Well, what were they like when they were being fostered?’” said Balch. “Instead of getting that information second-hand, I was actually able to answer questions directly and talk to the people who are interested in taking the cats.” Not only is ACL sending animals to new homes but there has also been a decrease in how many animals are coming into the shelter. In the months of March and April of 2019, there were 174 animals (94 strays) taken in by ACL. In March and April of 2020, the shelter’s intake went down by almost 60 percent with 109 animals (62 strays) coming in. “We saw intake come to an eerie halt,” said Robson. “Because of social distancing, when people would call in, we would try to come up with ways so that there wasn’t too much human-to-human contact. We suggested they put up posters or try to find the owner. So that definitely helped.” The community has also helped keep ACL afloat by making donations after the shelter had to cancel its events, which were focused on fundraising, due to health concerns around COVID-19. “I was nervous at the beginning of all this,” said Robson. “We asked a board member if they would be willing to match [the donations raised online] and we kept it low at $5,000. We raised it in less than a few hours,
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ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
TO THE RESCUE: Animal Care League has seen a rise in adoption applications since the start of the pandemic. Pets like “Pickles” are now finding new homes. so we upped it to $10,000. Then we raised that in less than 24 hours, so we really appreciate the community coming through.” Even with the people coming forward to help the animals in need of a home, Robson said there are still a lot of animals that are in need of extra care.
“Yes, animals are going out a lot faster, but we still have those long-term animals, which we call ‘special snowflakes,’ that are still waiting for somebody to come forward,” said Robson. “I keep saying to my staff, ‘There’s got to be somebody in these hundred applications for Hudson.’
Dear Oak Park Residents and Surrounding Community, This year we are giving back to you with an amazing one time offer (in celebration of our 25th anniversary)! Perfect for children, teens, and adults!
Language and Music Summer Camp! Spanish Immersion no Spanish experience necessary. Our Summer Camp’s waitlist has been eliminated, with all the space we have at the new Mansion!
Special 2020 Offer!
Preschool Group (ages 2-4) Kindergarten through 2nd Grade Group (ages 5-8)
$248 per month
$199 for the first month! Private Lessons in ANY subject we offer!
3rd-5th grade group (ages 9-11)
All Languages, All Instruments, All Subjects for Academic Tutoring! All AGES!
Monday through Friday 9:30am-2:30pm, choose your weeks $250 per week. Before and after care available. Two-week minimum, 8-week recommendation for language acquisition.
Don’t forget to ask about our other programs and offerings: • Before and Afterschool “Homework Cafe” at The International Mansion • Language and Fine Arts Preschool and Elementary School (Homeschool-style in School) • Our Recording Studio • Translations and Interpretations
The Language and Music School At International Mansion
509 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 info@internationalmansion.com • (708) 524-5252 • InternationalMansion.com
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FPSD91 Census ad (FPR) 040120.pdf
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Home invader wounds father and son in shooting Police say incident does not appear to be targeted By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter
A father and son were shot in the early morning, May 11, in what Oak Park police believe was an attempted home invasion. At 1:50 a.m., an intruder smashed the window of a door to the victims’ home in the 200 block of Clinton Avenue, waking the father, 58, and his son, 20. The intruder fired several shots through the door’s broken window upon hearing the father say he was going to call the police. Shots struck the father in his shoulder and the son in his buttocks. Police have no description of the intruder. Commander Shatonya Johnson, interim deputy chief of support services in the Oak Park police department, said the incident does not appear targeted. “It appears random to us but those type of things are still fresh,” Johnson said. “It just happened yesterday so it’s kind of hard to give a bunch of information on something so fresh and also, we
want to maintain the integrity of this investigation to make sure we bring individuals to justice.” According to Johnson, neighbors need not feel overly anxious regarding the incident, but to keep their doors locked. “It’s a pretty quiet block as most blocks are in Oak Park. I don’t think people should be concerned about it,” she said. “Obviously, we do ask the community that they stay vigilant as far as securing their property.” Should any neighbors see or hear anything suspicious, Johnson reminded them to call the police immediately. “Don’t be afraid to notify us. We’re going to respond. Our response time is quick,” she said. “If you have that gut feeling that something doesn’t feel right, then call the police.” Celeste Gonzalez, who lives across the street from the victims, said she and her sister were watching TV when the shooting happened; their TV room looks out onto the front of the victims’ house. “I didn’t hear anything, but my sister said it sounded like quiet firecrackers,” Gonzalez said. Neither Gonzalez nor her sister saw the intruder. When she looked out the window, she saw police cars pulling up
to the home. “I saw the son and father being put on the ambulance,” Gonzalez said. The father and son were transported to Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. 1st Ave., Maywood, for treatment. Neither sustained life-threatening injuries. Oak Park police did not speak with the Gonzalez family about the incident. “I think they might have spoken to the neighbors on the other side,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez and the son are the same age, but she said they aren’t close friends; their families have lived near each other for around 12 years. She spoke with his mother later that morning. “I talked to her briefly this morning and was very shocked and shaken up. It’s kind of scary because we don’t know why it happened.,” Gonzalez said. “It’s all very weird.” Chief LaDon Reynolds said Tuesday that “all Oak Parkers need to be aware that crime is mobile. We live in a suburban community but it is an urban environment. We need to stay aware.”
Police review doorbell video in Fair Oaks murder case Oak Park police continue to develop leads in the April 13 murders of Thomas Johnson and Leslie Jones in their Fair Oaks Avenue home. Police Chief LaDon Reynolds said in a Tuesday interview that some Ring doorbell video has been collected from neighbors and is being reviewed by Oak Park police and their investigative partners at the FBI, Illinois State Police and the West Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. “Some neighbors responded to our call for video,” said Reynolds. He was tight-lipped about possible motives or suspects in the deaths by what the Cook County Medical Examiner described as “multiple sharp force injuries.” “All of us in this investigation are actively guided by data and evidence,” said Reynolds. “Our actions are related to the timeline the evidence provides.” He said he was “hopeful that all of our investigations lead us” to arrests. But what’s “important to us is that we allow the investigation process to continue.” He again thanked the community for its patience as the investigation proceeds.
Dan Haley
Car hijacked on Austin Blvd. COVID-19 cases up to 216
Three men, one with a firearm, approached a car owner and demanded the victim’s car keys and cash, then fled in the parked silver 2013 Chevrolet Impala at 1:35 a.m., May 6 in the 500 block of South Austin Boulevard. Police describe the men as being in their late teens to early 20s and black, wearing dark clothing, gloves and masks, and heading eastbound on Interstate 290. Estimated loss is $10,000. Police recovered the vehicle at 3:08 p.m., May 6 in the 3800 block of Washington Boulevard, Chicago. No arrests were made.
Theft ■ The catalytic converter was cut from a 2004 Honda Utility parked in the 700 block of South Oak Park Avenue between 8:30 p.m., April 30 and 3 p.m., May 2. Estimated loss is $2,000. ■ The catalytic converter was cut from a 2007 Honda CRV parked in the 200 block of South Maple Avenue between 8 a.m., April 27 and midnight, May 1. Estimated loss is $800. ■ Someone removed a candelabra, a Milwaukee drill, a 12-inch Makita chop saw, a wooden storm window and a bucket of miscellaneous hand tools from the victim’s property in the 900 block of Wenonah Ave-
nue between 5 p.m., April 30 and 4 p.m., May 8. Estimated loss is $2,000.
Vehicle theft ■ An unlocked 1999 Lexus RX300 with a spare key inside was stolen between 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., May 5 in the 1200 block of North Austin Boulevard. Estimated loss is $3,000. Chicago police recovered the vehicle at 12:42 p.m., May 9 in the 600 block of North Central Avenue, Chicago. ■ Someone took a black 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, parked in the 400 block of North Cuyler Avenue, between 11 p.m., May 9 and 8 a.m., May 10. The vehicle was recovered by Waukegan police.
These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports, May 2-11, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed physical description of the suspect as they seek the public’s help in making an arrest. Compiled by Stacey Sheridan
Since March 18, Mike Charley, Oak Park’s director of Public Health, has released daily announcements to keep the public up to date on the latest COVID-19 news and its impact on the village. Here is the latest on what has happened this week based on Charley’s reports. Since May 6, 16 Oak Park residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 216. Outside of the latest confirmed cases, Charley also announced that two women in their 50s died, likely making them the 12th and 13th COVID-19 related deaths. Both were announced on May 6. The village also provided information on those testing positive in long-term-care and assisted-living facilities. Belmont Village of Oak Park, Berkley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, and Brookdale Oak Park did not have any changes in staff members or residents testing positive for, or dying from, COVID-19. As of last week, two residents and four staff members tested positive for COVID-19 at Belmont Village of Oak Park. Berkley Nursing & Rehabilitation Center had one resident and one staff member test positive for the virus and one resident
who died. Brookdale Oak Park had five residents and five staff members test positive for COVID-19, and one resident died. The village announced last week that Oak Park Arms had four total residents and three total staff members test positive for COVID-19. Since that announcement, one more resident at Oak Park Arms has tested positive for the virus. Oasis of Oak Park still has the most positive cases of all these facilities and now has 19 residents who have COVID-19 (increase of one case from last week). Two staff members tested positive for the virus but no new cases were reported since last week. Oasis also had one recent COVID-19 related death since last week, bringing the total number of resident deaths to seven. As with every daily announcement on this matter, the village stated that it cannot release further information regarding any of the cases due to privacy laws. Based on information provided by Natalia Derevyanny, director of communications at the Cook County Bureau of Administration, Cook County has had 2,465 COVID-19 infection deaths.
James Kay
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
W H A T ’ S
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
C L O S E D ?
CAST Summer Arts Institute canceled Last week, officials with CAST, the performing arts program at Julian, announced that the program’s CASTSummer Arts Institute has been canceled this year, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “As a result of the clear guidance provided by IDPH and Governor Pritzker’s 5-stage ‘Restore Illinois’ plan, District 97 has created safe conditions for summer programming that will likely start too late and be far too restrictive of the kind of CAST experience to which we have become accustomed,” according to a joint letter written by Bill McGlynn, CAST’s program director; Kathy Simon, program manager; and LeKeya Shearill, the Summer Arts Institute director. They explained that D97’s business office plans to refund all tuition payments by the end of May. Families should contact ksimon@op97.org if they have not heard from CAST officials by then. “The only other time in the last 30 years that CAST did not have a summer camp was related to the construction of a brand-new theater,” CAST officials said. “While we can’t promise that this time, we are certain CAST will be back with a refined sense of purpose. Whether you are on stage or in the audience, we hope to see you there!”
Michael Romain
Fourth of July without a bang The village of Oak Park has canceled the Fourth of July parade and fireworks display
W H A T ’ S
as a preventative and protective measure to limit further spread of COVID-19. The announcement was released in an emailed newsletter from the village of Oak Park sent May 8. “The event is not feasible, public health officials say, given the crowds created by the annual celebration,” the announcement reads. The decades old parade was the work of the village’s Community Relations Commission. The fireworks, held at dusk at Oak Park and River Forest High School, were brought back to Oak Park a generation ago by a citizens group which raised donations under the moniker of the Great American Lightshow Association (GALA). For the past 15 to 20 years the fireworks were coordinated and paid for by the now sold Community Bank Oak Park River Forest. For most of those years the Grand Finale was underwritten by Wednesday Journal. Community Bank was sold last year to Byline Bank. Holding the celebratory events would not be in compliance with Governor J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase plan to safely reopen the state of Illinois. Pritzker’s plan does not allow social gatherings the size of the parade and fireworks display until the fifth and last phase of the state’s Restore Illinois plan.
Stacey Sheridan
Garden Walk won’t bloom in 2020 While the Friends of the Oak Park Conservatory Plant Sale shifted to online sales and drive-thru plant pickups this week at
N O T ?
W H A T ’ S
Rehm Park, the group’s collaboration with the Garden Club of Oak Park-River Forest on the annual Garden Walk did not survive the COVID-19 pandemic. The 27th annual event had been scheduled for June 28. It is now scheduled for 2021. June 27, 2021 to be precise. Mark your calendars. The co-chairs, Sue Boyer and Gina Sennello, wrote, “We are immensely grateful for the support of this year’s garden owners and delighted to hear they plan to participate in next year’s walk.” They called the event, which is also a key fundraiser for both organizations, a “truly communitybuilding event. It brings people together, promotes innovative ideas and inspires future gardeners. And who doesn’t love beautiful flowers?” Well said.
Dan Haley
Wright Plus plus one year: 2021 Well, the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust really tried to mount the annual Wright Plus walk in 2020. But the global pandemic had other ideas. First scheduled for May, the housewalk was reset for June. About a minute later it was reset for Sept. 12. Now it is officially reset for 2021. May 22, 2021 to be precise. Our Spring 2021 calendars are starting to fill up nicely, and optimistically. “We are delighted that all the homeowners have graciously agreed to this change of date, and so the lineup will remain as originally announced,” wrote Celeste Adams, CEO of the Wright Trust.
Dan Haley
C H A N G E D ? Oak Parker gets national show WBEZ announced early May 7 that program host and Oak Park resident Jenn White is leaving Chicago public radio for a national gig, hosting the NPR show “1A” in Washington, D.C. White is replacing Joshua Johnson, who left public radio for an anchor spot with MSNBC. White joined WBEZ in 2016 and hosts its two-hour show “Reset with Jenn White,” which runs weekdays at 11 a.m. During her WBEZ tenure, White also hosted the station’s acclaimed podcasts “Making Oprah” and “Making Obama.” She also hosted “16 Shots,” a podcast about the 2014 fatal shooting of Laquan McDonald made in partnership with the Chicago Tribune and WBEZ. “Like many Oak Parkers, Jenn brings a deep sense of discovery and civic purpose to all that she does, which has made her such an important part of WBEZ and the broader Chicago community,” said Steve Edwards, interim WBEZ CEO and Oak Park resident. White’s Chicago-area fans will still be able to listen to her on WBEZ, which airs the national “1A” at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. weekdays. “While all of us at WBEZ are sad to lose her as a member of our team, we’re truly excited for her – and can’t wait to hear her continue to share her warmth and insight weekday mornings at 10 a.m. as the host of ‘1A,’” Edwards said. White will make her WBEZ departure June 12 and begin hosting “1A” early the following month.
Stacey Sheridan
Honoring grads
OPRF teacher Katie Prendergast dresses up as the Huskie while driving around in a decorated convertible and places signs in the front yards of OPRF seniors.
ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
OPRF teachers decorate their cars with the school colors before delivering seniors’ yard signs.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com
House arrest: Lessons learned
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s we roll into another month of “shelter in” and socialdistancing, I am beginning to feel like the crew and passengers on the S.S. Minnow. I know I’m dating myself by referring to the ’60s TV hit show, Gilligan’s Island. However, I believe the show is still in syndication. Allow me to briefly summarize the premise of the show: A group of five very different people charter a boat from Honolulu for a three-hour junket with two crew members — the Capitan and his not-too-bright sidekick/flunky, Gilligan. Unfortunately, the tour is thrown off-course by a sudden typhoon, resulting in the fivesome being marooned on an uncharted island. In sitcom time, these poor souls were trapped on the island for three seasons. In fact, they were never rescued because the show was cancelled abruptly to make room for the classic Gunsmoke series. Enough on the background. The point I want to make is that being at home with your family, soulmate or friends during this pandemic is like being marooned on an uncharted island. You and they really get to know each other at a much deeper level. Suddenly, the little irritating traits and quirky habits that we have compartmentalized and accepted now become grating. We begin to realize that while we were busy living, the people we live with were busy changing. The epiphany is that we have been living life on autopilot — not only with our family, but also our friends and work associates. This lack of authentic interpersonal interaction is not confined to our homes. We’ve developed a social language that passes as genuine interest in how other humans are doing. It is not uncommon to greet a person with a pleasant “Good morning, how are you?” and walk away before the person can answer. Our language is full of empty catchphrases like “How’s it going?” or “Have a nice day!” We are truly ships passing in the night — aware of the presence of other ships but not aware of who’s on board or its destination. Our social lexicon is designed to avoid authentic interactions. Do we really care about how the other person’s life is going? Heck no. Too many of us know more about realityshow stars than our next-door neighbor. People get a rush out of whatever contrived feud will take center stage this week on Real Wives of … you fill in the blank. Superficiality reigns. Depth and real connection seem to be too risky. Yet during this period of quarantine, I have both learned some lessons or had some learnings reinforced: ■ Family is irreplaceable even when they are not near us or too close to us ■ Laughter is a powerful medicine ■ Friends are keepers of cherished and shared memories ■ Positive thoughts and attitudes boost our immune systems ■ Animals are the guardians of nature ■ Belief in a Higher Power is a stress reducer and an antidote to fear Finally, I realized, as Voltaire the 18th century French writer and philosopher said, “If there were no God, it would be necessary to invent him.”
KWAME SALTER
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Donald Trump: The Opera p. 20
What ever happened to Oak Park’s Miss America?
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“It was an honor to succeed in her footsteps,” she said. “You have to consider the context to understand why it was such a big deal for many people, particularly the African American community. The competition existed since 1921 and for a long time (I believe until 1950) you had to be white to compete. So to have four African-American Miss Americas between 1984 and 1991, two back-to-back, was quite an accomplishment. It broke barriers and spoke volumes in defining who Miss America could be.” Vincent-Tripp was also the only AfricanAmerican woman to compete in September of 1990, so it was a tremendous win. After her career in pageantry ended, Vincent-Tripp earned her law degree while also working as a broadcast journalist for many years. “Looking back,” she said, “it’s not a surprise that I ended up in the legal field because I was always the advocate for my siblings when I didn’t feel they were being treated fairly. Journalism came about as a result of my work as Miss America. I enjoyed my time as a broadcast journalist and it was extremely rewarding, but I missed the study and practice of law.” Vincent-Tripp now resides in Daytona Beach, Florida, working as an assistant attorney general, fulfilling her dreams in law, and she is grateful for all of the support from her son, Cameron, and her husband, Wesley. Discussing the current pandemic, she expressed the importance of maintaining a routine. “Someone once said this to me in the past and it still resonates with me today. Structure is your friend. Even though I’m working from home right now, I approach my day like any other workday. Stick to a schedule. Set goals that you want to accomplish each day. Just because your surroundings are different doesn’t mean that you should treat your weekday any differently.” In other words, never put your dreams on hold. While we regularly celebrate Oak Park celebrities like Hemingway and Wright, we should also remember the important strides of Marjorie VincentTripp. She is a living example of doing what hasn’t been done before. We are lucky to have a legend like her call Oak Park home. Margaret Korinek is FILE PHOTO a graduating senior at THERE SHE IS: Oak Park’s Marjorie Judith Vincent, Miss America 1991, is now Mar- OPRF High School.
arjorie Vincent-Tripp says she will never forget driving through the “tree-lined” streets of Oak Park for the first time when she was just 10 years old. Some of her most prominent memories of OPRF High School involve being part of the drill team, coached by Lana Tencate at the time. Vincent-Tripp found a love for performing live at competitions and several of the school’s sporting events. “We put in a lot of hours practicing, perfecting routines,” she recalled. “Mrs. Tencate was tough, but she instilled discipline and teamwork in us.” Vincent-Tripp’s strong foundation from her high school experiences soon led her to become involved in pageantry. “I was an undergraduate at DePaul University and saw a flyer on a bulletin board for the Miss Chicago Pageant and decided to give it a try. I had watched the Miss America Pageant for many years on television and thought it would be a great opportunity to earn some scholarship money.” What started as a way to get extra scholarship funding soon turned into something so much greater. Vincent-Tripp would later be crowned as the fourth African-American woman to win Miss America in 1991. “As the first woman of Haitian descent to become Miss America,” she notes, “my win was also significant and a source of pride for the Haitian community.” She succeeded Debbie Turner, another prominent woman who worked to diversify pageantry as well.
MARGARET KORINEK One View
jorie Vincent-Tripp. What a trip it’s been.
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Salvaging local businesses
t took longer than it might have to get established, but good that Oak Park has formed a Business Recovery Task Force. The village board-appointed ad hoc group includes small business owners, a major property owner, representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, along with two village trustees and unspecified village staff. We are supportive of the health-first approach that Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb took when COVID-19 first revealed itself. Oak Park was a leader in the state on its stay-at-home order. And Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s phased reopening of Illinois seems nothing but prudent to us. But our local economy will re-open gradually and it will be painful, uneven, and not without permanent casualties. It is critical to assess its current moribund state, identifying the complex challenges and negotiating a rebound that will be more like rusty water spitting from the spigot than the metaphor of just turning on the faucet. A first meeting last week surfaced worries over access to capital, protecting the safety of customers, providing child care, and understanding the still-evolving regs tied to federal PPP loans. The committee promises fast turnaround on immediate goals and priorities. This is a critical mission.
Things we like ■ Animal life: If you are on Twitter you know that dog and cat pictures are in ascendency during this endless COVID-19 pandemic. We have seemingly rediscovered the healing power of our pets while we are locked away with them. Simple love. Unconditional. This week we report on the astounding number of animal adoption applications received over the past month at Oak Park’s Animal Care League. In April of this year there were 158 dog adoption applications and 79 applications for felines. A year ago those numbers were 17 and 18, respectively. ACL has revolutionized its procedures on the fly with virtual introduction sessions via Zoom and online applications. Also heartening is the almost unbidden increase in donations to ACL. ■ Beloved: The Community of Congregations has become one of our most admired local social services. There are many reasons. But here’s one for this deeply challenging moment: On April 30 the CofC came together virtually for a multifaith, multicultural prayer of comfort and memory. At a time when wakes and funerals have been curtailed, there is still abounding grief as we lose people we love to this virus or to other natural but still isolated causes. Some 60 congregation members joined the Zoom gathering, which featured “the solemn naming of 90 people, each beloved by the gathered, who have passed in this period. Simple and profound connection. ■ Thankful: There is a lawn full of thanks on the 500 block of Forest Avenue. There the Planek family has festooned their yard with signs of encouragement and hope in the depths of the pandemic. We’ll take our motivation where we can find it. ■ Here’s a sign to prove it: Seniors at OPRF have not set foot inside the school since mid-March. All the large and small signals of having accomplished graduating from high school have been submerged by this virus. Proper goodbyes to teachers and friends. Last walks down long halls. Quiet moments in the Little Theater or the fieldhouse, even a last look at the soon-to-be leveled cafeteria are stolen. But on Saturday, 100 OPRF teachers and staff traversed Oak Park and River Forest and planted Huskie grad lawn signs in front of the homes and apartments of 800+ of our kids, declaring them graduates of this public high school. It’s not the prom. It’s not walking across the stage in a cap and gown. But it is something sincere and good.
Looking forward to what comes next
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or the most part, I’m a forwardlooking person. Since childhood, I’ve looked ahead. There was always something. It kept me going. But mostly, it helped me escape the boredom of the moment. I grew up in an increasingly busy culture. There was always another sporting event with rooting interest. Another new movie that piqued my curiosity. Another get-together with family and/or friends. Another TV episode to keep current on. With so many diversions, something always hit my sweet spot. A good book to read. Changing seasons. Another holiday to celebrate. With enough interests, you have a built-in buffer against boredom. And boredom was what I feared most. So, being naturally curious and intellectually promiscuous, I cultivated interests. Being forward-looking made me a progressive, politically. Conservatives, on the other hand, are primarily backward-looking. Others, meanwhile, seem quite comfortable living in the present and don’t spend much time looking ahead or behind. But those who only look back, only look forward, or only focus on the here-and-now limit themselves. I’ve been thinking about this lately because the pandemic has interrupted my pattern. There isn’t much to look forward to, other than getting beyond this time of social-distancing, shelteringin-place, and self-quarantine. Like everyone else, I’m looking forward to that time, but I have no idea what to expect. I don’t think anyone else does either. I’m curious to see how the November election turns out, but I’m only looking forward to it if Himself is thrown out on his ample ass. I’m curious to see the new world that emerges post-pandemic, but I’m only looking forward to it if it’s a better world, not if it’s the same and certainly not if it’s worse. I’m no longer looking forward to the Memorial Day Parade in River Forest, Day in Our Village and the July 4th Parade in Oak Park, or outdoor Shakespeare in Austin Gardens. Those annual highlights have been canceled. For the time being, Farmers Market will have to suffice. I am looking forward to hugging my grandsons again and getting together with friends without worrying about infecting one another. But in the near future, there aren’t many events on the social calendar to look forward to. Living in the present has much to commend it. The Earth is getting a welcome break from our relentless assault on it. The sunshine seems brighter. It may just be my imagination, but sunny days seem sunnier now, and sunshine has always made me more eager for the future. These days, however, I hit the wall of diminished expectations, which throws me back into the present. I like having my default settings shaken up, but I’m left with no alternative except to savor the moment. Or dive back into the past. Which I’ve been doing during my homebound hours. I call it my Back Pocket Project. For the past 20 years, I’ve kept a small, spiral-bound notebook in my back pocket. No, not the same one. In my many note-
books (approximately 80), I scribbled thoughts and observations, pithy quotes I came across, and snatches of conversations I overheard in passing. I even found poems, or at least the foundation of poems, which I’m now expanding on. Over two decades, I compiled a record of my mental meanderings and discovered, to my surprise, a few worth saving. More than a few. Thus far it adds up to almost 100 typed pages. Looking back can be useful to the here-and-now — and the future. I wondered at one point, for instance, why we so often phrase our wisdom in the negative. “The unexamined life is not worth living,” Henry David Thoreau famously insisted. Why not, “The examined life is the best of all possible lives”? As it happens, many in our present predicament are, I’ll wager, living a more examined life than any of us thought possible just three months ago. Or this: From childhood on, we’re told not to be afraid. It’s the one thing we all pretend not to be, and probably the one thing we all are. Or quotes: “We must all obey the great law of change. It is the most powerful law of nature. A state without the means of some change is without the means of its conservation,” wrote Edmund Burke, patron saint of conservatives — of thoughtful conservatives anyway. We’re all obeying the law of change these days. “My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance and in inverse proportion to my expectations,” said Michael J. Fox, who has fought a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease, in an interview with AARP magazine. Expectations are all about hope, but hope harbors illusions. Buddhism promotes a different notion — a kind of “enlightened hopelessness.” Liberation, not despair. Doing away with our illusions forces us to acknowledge, and even embrace, the impermanence of existence, which leaves us better off in the long run. Many of us are finding the Great Interruption of 2020 a painful experience. But according to one of my notebooks, Vinny Ferraro, a mindfulness guru with a fascinating past (including prison), says there are two kinds of suffering: one leads to more suffering, the other leads to less suffering. Which suffering are we suffering? The poet David Whyte observed that the Irish have a saying, “The thing about the past is, it’s not the past.” For better, and often for worse, the past remains alive in the present. In fact, we live at the intersection of past, present and future. It’s a complicated crossroads. The seeds of our future lie in the present, which is informed by the past. We juggle all three — ideally learning from the past and setting a course for the future, but too seldom giving ourselves the time and space in the present to take stock of how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Now we have that time. Another term for all of this is “being, leading to becoming.” And what we’re becoming is something to look forward to. I hope.
KEN
TRAINOR
V I E W P O I N T S
Among our many heroes, don’t forget teachers
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recall vividly a high school lesson in which our wizened and esteemed English teacher asked the class to analyze a poem describing barren trees in the depths of winter. I wrote feverishly throughout the class period about the manner in which the trees symbolized death and loss, quoting verses from the poem to justify my claims. With confidence, I submitted my essay just before the period ended. Two days later, the essays were returned to all of us during class. I won’t soon forget the way our teacher commented about our collective work. He informed us that virtually every student, save a few, had written in their essays about how the trees in the poem represented death and decay. I became increasingly confident about my analysis — until he began to chide us for falling victim to such sophomoric conclusions. As he peered over his glasses, he spoke very slowly to the group. “Students, this poem is about trees. Sometimes you really just need to focus on the obvious.” Like so many important lessons learned from memorable teachers over the years, this one has stayed with me. It seems particularly relevant during this difficult time, which also coincides with Teacher Appreciation Week. The face of education has changed abruptly as our society faces down the most substantive threat that many of us have ever experienced during our lifetimes. In the midst of COVID-19, educators across the land have been required to reinvent themselves in the service of learners and their families. This dynamic is occurring on a wholesale basis because teachers are committed to the goal that academic learning will continue to progress — even during the challenges of school closures. Still, we cannot discount the significance of the socialemotional impact that this pandemic is having on the students (and all of us, frankly). Even in the best situations, teachers are striving to provide education for our
children against a backdrop of uncertainty, anxiety, and a shared sense of loss. Never before has the obvious seemed so clear. While teaching and learning represent the work of the profession, the essential needs of our students must remain the foundational consideration. For elementary school districts such as River Forest District 90, prioritizing these needs represents the heart of the matter. This child-centered mindset is one of the many reasons why I am so proud and grateful to work alongside D90 staff members each day. While our faculty and staff have always put children first, the manner in which they are continuing to apply their student-oriented lens during this public health crisis has been inspirational. Conveying and reinforcing academic content obviously remains an essential goal. However, the way D90 teachers pursue this goal acknowledges that children cannot learn effectively without certain, necessary prerequisites for success. These include establishing safe and caring learning environments, being attuned to student needs for support, and communicating clearly that there is always an adult at school who stands “in their corner.” Certainly, our faculty and staff provide many other benefits for students beyond these, but they are arguably the most critical to ensure that students can achieve their best potential. And they are no small things. In the midst of this extraordinary moment in time, please join me in thanking an educator. Teacher Appreciation Week was May 4-8 but every week can be dedicated to teacher appreciation. Among the many other exceptional individuals in our community, they deserve the pedestal they occupy as heroes and unrivaled role models for our children. Ed Condon, PhD, is superintendent River Forest School District 90.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
W E D N E S D A Y
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Staff Reporters Michael Romain, Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor
ED
CONDON One View
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An optimist’s view of optimism
y name is John, and I am an optimist. I can’t help it. I always have been. To be honest I don’t like being around non-optimists, often known as pessimists. This is especially so in these troubling pandemic times. I don’t care to read or talk about the end of the world as we know it. We should at least wait until next year. Optimism is a mental attitude reflecting a belief or hope that an outcome, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable or desirable. It is the belief that future conditions will work out best. I know I’m an optimist because I took an on-line test. It is called the Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT- R). Unlike COVID-19 tests, you don’t need a doctor’s orders to be tested for the condition. The test consists of a series of questions that you answer, on a sliding scale: 5 if you really agree to 1 if you really disagree. One question is: “In uncertain times, I usually expect the best.” Another is: “I’m always optimistic about my future.” I answered both questions “strongly agree.” I scored very high. I don’t think we humans can really help who we are. We think we can, and government policy is based on
the notion that we can. But each of us has an intricately connected web of nature and nurture that makes us who we are. There is some inevitably squishy research that suggests optimism has a genetic component, and no doubt if like me nothing really bad has ever happened to you, optimism would be more likely. Yet there is plenty of research that indicates some lottery winners are not optimists and some seriously and permanently injured are optimists. It is kind of hard to find optimism these days, but I try to carry on. I’m optimistic that I will not get COVID-19 from cardboard, produce or golf balls. I’m hopeful that my grandchildren can go back to school this fall and that Marsha and I can go out to eat in a couple of months. I believe the long lines at food pantries will shrink and people can go to church, albeit without that “kiss of peace” thing, which will be an enhancement to the service. Just like being tall is helpful in basketball, being optimistic is helpful in a pandemic. You can’t help either. You are who you are. I’m glad I’m optimistic. I’m optimistic I will continue to be so.
JOHN
HUBBUCH
Sports/Staff reporter James Kay Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, John Hubbuch, May Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West, Linda Francis Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Designers Mark Moroney, Javier Govea Business Manager Joyce Minich Advertising Design Manager Andrew Mead Advertising Designers Debbie Becker, Mark Moroney Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Advertising Sales Marc Stopeck Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner Front Desk Carolyn Henning, Maria Murzyn Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs
About Viewpoints Our mission is to lead educated conversation about the people, government, schools, businesses and culture of Oak Park and River Forest. As we share the consensus of Wednesday Journal’s editorial board on local matters, we hope our voice will help focus your thinking and, when need be, fire you to action. In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for filing. Please understand our verification process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that verification, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot confirm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay. If you have questions, email Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com.
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Email Ken Trainor at ktrainor@wjinc.com or mail to Wednesday Journal, Viewpoints, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 708 613 3300
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V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
A G I N G
D I S G R A C E F U L L Y
Donald Trump: The Opera
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ct I, Scene 1: Donald Trump and wife Melania descend the escalator at Trump Tower to announce his candidacy. He sings an aria called, “I Love Myself, I Love Money, and Mexicans Are Rapists,” which includes the catchy passage about shooting someone on 5th Avenue. A small chorus of reporters sings in harmony with Melania. The reporters sing about how this won’t last and Jeb will win. Melania, in the poignant “I Didn’t See It Coming,” sings about how, following surgery, she can no longer fully open or close her eyes. Act I, Scene 2: The inauguration. Dignitaries enter to the march, “I Love a Swamp.” Trump sings his inaugural solo about giving the country back to the people, sotto voce, while Nancy Pelosi sings a “rage aria,” a staple of Italian opera. Michelle Obama harmonizes with Pelosi and sings about reunited lovers. Jimmy Carter breaks a hip but remains standing and smiling. Act II, Scene 1: Trump’s office: A wall retracts to reveal floor-to-ceiling TV sets, all set to stations or programs showing Trump. Trump sings the aria “I Love Fox and Friends.” A constant stream of men in suits — and two or three women — file through the room dancing and singing the praises of Trump. They enter through a door marked “Hired” and exit through a door marked “Fired.” A third door says “Go Directly to Jail.” Act II, Scene 2: The wall with the TVs swivels, the lights darken, and cages are revealed with children inside, crying. Vice President Pence approaches and looks on. He asks an aide for his red telephone, a direct line to his wife. He calls his wife (whom he calls “Mother”) and asks for her advice. She appears in a spotlight upstage and they sing a duet about praying together. When he leaves, one of the guards stands by the cages and sings a beautiful lullaby. The children’s chorus joins in as they fall asleep.
Act III, Scene 1: The scene is a MAGA rally. The crowd sings a favorite chorus of “Lock Her Up.” Trump is approached by an aide and informed that the coronavirus COVID-19 virus has arrived in the United States and is causing thousands of deaths. The aide asks Trump to think about what he wants to say. When the aide leaves, Trump sings, “Why, I’ll lie, of course. What does he think I’ll do?” Trump sings and dances the comic “Thirteen to Twenty-three,” an aria based on the tally by the Washington Post of the number of lies he tells every day. Act III, Scene 2: As the death toll soars, Trump no longer responds. He moves his family to safety at Mar-a-Lago and returns to playing golf and lying about testing, tracking and fatalities. At one of his four-hour press conferences, he announces the cure: intense doses of light and, more importantly, disinfectant. Reporters and doctors sing the sarcastic “Clorox Cure!” He summons his family: Melania, Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and Jared. They sing the reverent “Ode to Daddy.” He asks everyone there to prove their loyalty, and drink the Clorox Cure. Downstage, hidden in a garden, are younger daughter Tiffany, who wasn’t invited, and youngest son Barron, who rarely appears in public. Tiffany and Barron sing a duet about being excluded, reminiscent of “There’s a Place for Us” from West Side Story. Tiffany tells Barron that she’ll take him to California and take care of him. She sings a sweet “What’s in a Name?” telling him they named her after a jewelry store, and they didn’t even spell his name right. Melania hands a cup to Trump and he puts it to his lips … and pauses. Before he drinks, all family members drop to their deaths one by one. (Trump bends over Jared to check because, really, Jared always looks like a corpse). Trump walks to center stage, raises the glass to his lips, but doesn’t drink. Blackout. Curtain.
MARY KAY O’GRADY & FRANK POND One View
Farmers Market + restrictions = Berwyn The new restrictions at the Farmers Market this year will guarantee that it bombs. Customers lining up on the north side of Lake Street to shop on the south side? Won’t happen. Customers cannot touch the produce to determine ripeness or damage? Great idea. Doughnuts, but no band nor coffee? Now we’re no different from Berwyn’s market. Cara Pavlicek once again shows her
incompetence as village manager. Village President (not Mayor) Taleb commends her for working every day since March 19. Why? There’s not that much going on. And she should work every day for her exaggerated salary. It’s about time taxpayers get their money’s worth from her.
Thomas Kru Oak Park
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
D O O P E R ’ S
M E M O R I E S
Finding the baseball connection
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alking baseball was how I connected to the adult male world. When I was a youngster in the early ’50s, I would sit with my grandfather and three of his friends and talk about ball players and teams they liked — and some they didn’t like. We met on our enclosed back porch two Saturdays a month from June through September and talked for about three hours. I wouldn’t comment unless I was asked a question or invited to give my opinion. No one ever became angry or dominated the conversation, even though two of the men had strong opinions. During the summers of 1951-54, I learned a great deal. In those days the Cubs were a hapless team, but they did have Phil Cavaretta, Bob Rush, Roy Smalley, and the soon-to-begreat Ernie Banks. The men believed that Smalley should have been an outfielder because of his strong throwing arm. Bob Rush was a decent pitcher who toiled many years for the Cubs, but he never reached the top. Phil Cavaretta came to the Cubs at 18 years of age after graduating from Lane Tech. He played first base, right field and managed the team from ’51 to ’54 when he left and joined the Sox for one year as a player. The White Sox had the great lefty Billy Pierce and superb position players — Chico Carrasquel, Nelson Fox and Minnie Minoso. These men and a few others pulled the team up from mediocrity. The Giants had Willie Mays and a fine pitching staff, and the Dodgers’ lineup included Duke Snider, Carl Furillo, Pee Wee Reese, Roy Campanella, and the incomparable Jackie Robinson. The Cardinal lineup included Stan Musial, Red Schoendienst, and Marty Marion.
The Reds had the great sidearmer Ewell Blackwell and slugger Gus Bell. The Boston Braves had the pitching duo of Warren Spahn and Johnny Sain, but they didn’t have much more (“Spahn and Sain and pray for rain”). Robin Roberts was the star pitcher on the Phillies, and Ralph Kiner was the king of swat for the Pirates. The Indians probably had the best pitching staff in baseball: Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, Early Wynn and Mike Garcia. My grandfather’s friends believed that the Yankees had the best overall team, and I agreed with them. The Yankees fielded future Hall of Fame members Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto and, in 1953, Mickey Mantle. The Red Sox pitcher Mel Parnell was one of the best, as was their power-hitting first baseman Walt Dropo, second baseman Bobby Doerr, and Ted Williams after he returned from Korea following service during the Korean Conflict. The Philadelphia Athletics’ lefty Bobby Shantz won at least 15 games a season for this also-ran team. Mickey Vernon and his wicked bat kept the Washington Senators out of last place, and Ned Garver won 15-20 games a season for the St. Louis Browns who rarely won more than 45-50 games each season. Garver pitched his entire career of almost 20 years with the Browns. George Kell, Charley Maxwell and Al Kaline kept the Tigers competitive for many years. I feel very fortunate that my grandfather and his friends treated me as an equal during our discussions. Although these men were my grandfather’s friends, they became my friends, too.
JOHN
STANGER
D200’s $20 million question In a sharp pivot at the April 23 District 200 school board meeting, members discussed and appeared to reach a consensus on issuing bonds to partially fund Project 1, scheduled to begin construction in a few weeks, rather than fully paying for the $32.6 million academic and special education facility needs project from the school’s nearly $100 million cash reserve as planned. Meantime, $20 million of the reserve remains earmarked for “urgent needs” in Project 2, namely a massive pool and natatorium. While major capital projects should be fully bonded, approved and paid for by the voters who will benefit from them, D200’s mountainous cash reserve, amassed unethi-
cally via a loophole, continues to skew this funding dynamic. The board’s apparent decision to take on debt, without voter approval, to finance Project 1 while still retaining $20 million of the cash reserve for a 37-meter x 25yard pool and 600-seat natatorium in Project 2 raises questions regarding the board’s transparency and accountability to taxpayers. Here’s the $20 million question: Why is the board planning to issue bonds for academic and special education facility needs in Project 1 when it could use the $20 million it has set aside for a pool and natatorium in Project 2? If you would like to ask D200 this question, email the board at BoE@oprfhs.org.
Monica Sheehan Oak Park
V I E W P O I N T S
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Pro Bono Network aids access to legal services
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ach of us is struggling to adjust to the “new normal” brought about by the coronavirus (COVID-19). Shelteringin-place, social-distancing, and caring for our families, coupled with unprecedented uncertainty, is changing the way we go about our lives. One thing that has not changed is the need for access to legal services for our most vulnerable neighbors and those disproportionately affected by COVID-19, including seniors, domestic-abuse victims, immigrants, and low-income residents. Although courts are closed, justice never rests — even during a pandemic. At Pro Bono Network (PBN), our staff, volunteers, and partner agencies have stepped up and are creating new ways to serve clients in need, remotely and safely, learning new technologies, adapting current projects and starting new ones, all while juggling increased personal responsibilities at home. ■ PBN continues to work with domestic violence victims in helping them file emergency order of protection paperwork, now through a hotline. “On-call” volunteer attorneys talk with the client who is already in the courthouse, drafts the
paperwork, and sends it to the courthouse for filing. ■ PBN’s advanced directive and will clinics allow volunteer attorneys to work with lowincome seniors over the phone to explain and draft critical health-care, financial-planning, and end-of-life documents. ■ PBN continues to provide online clinics for volunteers who are answering legal questions submitted online through the American Bar Association’s Free Legal Answers portal. ■ PBN is meeting with clients over the phone and drafting appropriate expungement petitions, which will be filed as soon as the courts reopen, thereby allowing clients to apply for jobs and housing, without an old record affecting them. ■ PBN was recently trained to help people file for federal and state benefits in light of COVID-19. Volunteer attorneys will be meeting with clients over the phone and filing their applications online. ■ Additionally, PBN is planning to partner with another legal aid agency to become trained in legal issues around unemployment insurance. ■ And PBN continues to adjust our existing services to our new reality,
HEENA MUSABJI One View
including meeting virtually with our clients seeking a divorce, filing new cases with the clerk’s office electronically, then preparing cases while waiting to hear how courts will proceed once they reopen. ■ Drafting U-Visa applications and affidavits for undocumented victims of domestic violence via online meetings and email to ensure applications are filed by federal deadlines. ■ Coordinating with the United States Social Security Administration to continue filing applications and appeals on behalf of clients who are seeking available financial relief. We are proud of the work PBN and our partner agencies are doing to assist clients affected by the pandemic in Cook and DuPage counties. It proves that even if we have to remain socially distant for the near future, we can continue to connect meaningfully with one another and do good. If you are an attorney who would like to get involved, or a community member looking to donate, we encourage you to support our efforts at pro-bono-network.org or donate online at givingdupageday.org/ organizations/pro-bono-network. Stay safe and take care. Heena Musabji is the director of development of the Pro Bono Network, P.O. Box 469 Oak Park, IL 60303, 708-665-3359.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
We need more voting options
Voting is our most basic right as American citizens. That’s why I volunteered to register student voters from November of last year through February of this year. There are many things up in the air right now, but our democracy shouldn’t be. Experts estimate we need at least $4 billion to make sure states can prepare for elections in this time of the coronavirus. If not, millions of voters might be disenfranchised. Congress already appropriated $400 million for this purpose, but voters need more options: expanded vote by mail, more early voting, and online voter registration. Now Congress must authorize additional funding to ensure that, come November, we are prepared for this unprecedented threat. Please contact your congressional representative/senators and ask them to preserve our right to vote. Congress must provide additional funding for elections in the next stimulus package.
#workingtogether oprfchamber.org
Supporting & Advocating for our amazing OPRF small business community
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Bob Chimis
Elmwood Park
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
NAMI Metro Suburban knows about isolation and the effects on someone’s mental health. Isolation due to COVID-19 is engulfing our communities and people are struggling with the uncertainty of our future. If you or someone you know is feeling alone, having depressed feelings, or experiencing an increase in anxiety, NAMI is here to help. NAMI’s services have been converted virtually to support you, your family and your neighbors during this time.
For more information about our daily call ins, support groups and virtual family services, please check our website, namimetsub.org, or email info@namimetsub.org. If you are in need of one-on-one support due to an increase in anxiety or depressive symptoms, please call 708-582-6580 to speak with a Certified Peer Support Specialist. We are available every day from 1:00pm to 9:00pm.
In partnership with:
V I E W P O I N T S
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The angels of in-block sheltering
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he coronavirus pandemic and the inadequacies of America’s health care reached a critical mass and triggered a runaway chain reaction devastating our economy. By mid-April, 22 million American workers lost their livelihood, and there is a likelihood that more jobs will be lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses were shut down with no foreseeable reopening. America became locked down in social-distancing and in-home sheltering. At 86, my immune system is impacted by old age. I have elevated blood pressure and a heart pacemaker implant, and thus I am one of the highly vulnerable. On March 10, I started a self-imposed home confinement. In my sheltered solitude, the staggering numbers of the nationwide body count of casualties erodes my morale and mingles with a multitude of other seemingly unrelated factors. Boredom and loneliness have not plagued me. I grew up as an only child and learned self-sufficiency in my pastimes. Boredom is a product of a lazy mind. My mind is impacted by old-age-related memory lapses, but I have not allowed it to become lazy. Aloneness is not loneliness for me. Aloneness has given me a means to escape from an overload of human contact. I have learned to utilize aloneness to regenerate, to unclutter my mind. The constraint of my confinement generates tension for me, and I begin to understand the tension I witnessed in my parents
in 1941 during the Russian occupation of Lithuania. Their unspoken tension was induced by the ubiquitous threat of deportation to Siberian gulags by the Soviets. For several months we lived with the probability that at dawn a truck of Russian soldiers would arrive to transport us to the railroad to be shipped to the gulag. My current tension is caused by my struggle to survive against the odds in the late season of my life. The overload of morbid statistics in the news of the humanitarian crisis has stressed my morale. The death toll is heartbreaking. But I’m not depressed and have no significant downswings of my moods. A half-hour of Chopin nocturnes brings welcome relief from tension and downward mood swings. It’s like a lullaby at the end of a stressful day. My morose moping is counteracted by a great outpouring of caring and love from my neighbors. They have offered to shop for me, to replenish my supplies. They established a routine check of my wellness, and I had a serving of their dinner delivered to my doorstep. I feel I have been transformed from being an aging oddity on the block to the status of a community treasure. When I express my appreciation and gratitude, they tell me they’re glad to extend themselves. They say, “It takes a village …” I have told several friends who do not reside in my community about my caring neighbors. They say I’m fortunate to live on a unique block. I say, “Thank you, angels of the 700 block of Wenonah.”
FRED NATKEVI One View
Put people over projects On March 11, the WHO declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. On March 18, the mayor of Oak Park ordered Oak Park to shelter in place. On March 19, the Park District of Oak Park approved agenda items for about $1.3 million for architect and engineering services related to their proposed Community Recreation Center. On April 3, the park district furloughed almost 300 people (all of its 262 part-time staff members and seven fulltime staff members). Shouldn’t we be putting people first, especially in a crisis situation? In the middle of a global pandemic, with everyone facing a tremendous amount of economic and medical uncertainty, we expect our governments to rise to the occasion for the people they employ and the people they represent. The Park District, one of our local governments, failed their people. It failed their people not because it couldn’t afford to pay them (which would have been understandable). It failed their people because it prioritized a building over their lives. We are living through an unprecedented
time and mistakes will be made, no one expects perfection. But those mistakes should err on the side of compassion, not callousness. Those mistakes should err on the side of people, not projects. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s not OK to spend over a million dollars on a proposed project while conducting mass furloughs the next week. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s not OK to spend money on a future dream that could be better used to support those in present need. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s not OK to prioritize a building over the well-being of your people. In the middle of a pandemic, it’s not OK to be so blind to the world around you that you think a future rec center is of more pressing importance than the current economic plight of hundreds of your employees. I believe in putting people over projects. If you agree, please email the park district at pdop_all_board@pdop.org and let them know.
Cory Wesley Oak Park
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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An open space in a time of confinement
E
very Thursday at 1 p.m., there’s a gathering. Like most gatherings in the time of COVID-19, they happen virtually and the main topic of discussion is COVID-19 itself. But that’s just about the similarity between Thrive Counseling Center’s weekly town halls and other virtual gatherings. Town-hall participant Rick Smith describes these gatherings as a chance to meet other Oak Parkers who are sheltering-in-place and may be having similar experiences. Participant Tom Haney sees the town halls as a “non-political, non-confrontational sharing of feelings and experiences.” The town-hall gatherings aim to provide a shared space for community members to engage with one another during the pandemic and share coping strategies that work. There is no set agenda and all are welcome. Participants have spoken about their own experiences, ideas about how to help others, and ways to stay “in the moment” when things feel overwhelming. They’ve also shared community resources, their own expertise, and even a few jokes. Thrive moderators begin the meetings with a few ground rules and pose a question to the group to start off, but the conversation varies each week based on the needs of participants. The shelter-in-place order has closed off many avenues for meeting new people, but these virtual gatherings connect participants to people outside of one’s immediate circle. These new connections can foster new ideas and ways of
thinking. In terms of coping with the pandemic, meeting participant Kathy Haney says the town halls “have shown me different things that I haven’t tried, and think I would benefit from trying.” For many of us, these unprecedented times have led to unprecedented emotions, ranging from sadness to relief to even joy. “Being secluded with the shelter-in-place, you don’t get too much interaction with other people to know if your feelings and experiences are the same or different,” says Tom Haney. One function of the town halls has been to normalize people’s experiences. The more isolated one is feeling, the more beneficial this can be. “Talking to others going through something very similar to what you’re going through ... that’s what the value of this is,” Rick Smith says of the town halls. While some participants have become “regulars” at the meetings, new participants continue to join in each week. “If you know that you’re going to have something to do on Thursday at 1 o’clock — it gives you something to look forward to. It gives you something on your calendar where you can truly interact with people,” Kathy Haney states. And, as one moderator noted during the second gathering, “We’ll keep gathering until people stop showing up.” The next Thrive Community Town Hall will take place each Thursday at 1 p.m. Participants can join the meeting using the following link: https://zoom. us/j/259788564. The link is the same each Thursday at 1 p.m.
LAURA NESSLER One View
Cyclists and drive-up windows Perhaps someone can explain why bicyclists are discriminated against at drive-up windows. We biked to the driveup window at the Walgreens at Oak Park and Madison today to pick up anti-rejection drugs for Carolyn, who recently had a kidney transplant. Needless to say, given her compromised immune system, we scrupulously avoid exposure to all microbes, not just COVID-19. After waiting for 15 minutes behind four cars, we arrived at the window only to be told that we would not be served there. We asked why, and the illogical and unsatisfying response was “it is our policy.” Most likely, the ultimate culprit is the litigiousness of our society. Consequently, we had to dismount, skirt past the gauntlet of in-your-face panhandlers
who inhabit the space just outside the Walgreens entrance, and negotiate a pathway among the shoppers inside to pick up the prescription. In earlier, better times, we were once turned away at the Fifth Third Bank drive-up window when we appeared on bicycles. I think the explanation was somehow related to bank robbers on bikes being more threatening than those inside get-away cars. Thankfully, however, the Fifth Third Bank drive-up window is now open for bicyclists, perhaps in light of the COVID-19 crisis. We hope other corporate “thinkers” and “decision-makers” will take advantage of our pandemic to reconsider their rules for drive-up windows.
Tom & Carolyn DeCoursey Oak Park
24
V I E W P O I N T S
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Barbara was always several steps ahead Halt D200 construction plans
B
arbara Mullarkey was a brilliant investigative contributor to Wednesday Journal and elsewhere, who was always several steps ahead of the culture, which frustrated her no end. It’s hard to be a pioneer. And she was on the cutting edge with natural foods for healing, holistic health-care options, the toxicity of pesticides and Round Up on lawns and in foods, the danger and sham of NutraSweet, GMOs, fracking, other environmental issues, electro-pollution and more. Writing about these distressing topics is challenging. Since I also write and teach about holistic health topics, I know it is tricky to confront people with new information in a way that welcomes them into a new thought and paradigm, rather than turning them off, angering them and shutting them down. Gratefully, I inherited her food column in 1990, expanding on its health-related scope. Barbara was the kind of woman Native Americans would call a Rainbow Mother, rather than a traditional nurturing mother type. She loved children and had five of her own — strong, lean, healthy, athletic, high-achieving kids. I remember her holding her first granddaughter and seeing the love just pour forth. Rainbow women are pulled to nurturing the spirit and essence of each child (and in her case, their health) and often find themselves surrounded with, and creatively supporting, large numbers of kids. I hear that every Halloween she’d create a Haunted House experience in her basement for about 100 kids. Rainbow Women’s homes are rarely very neat. Barbara and her husband John allowed their son JP to take a gap year between his sophomore and junior years at OPRF (way ahead of their time) so he could study natural medicine, healing whole foods, and Chinese energy medicine since he was being pulled in that direction. So he and his sister Ellen ended up being seniors at OPRF High School together. JP excelled in basketball and was one of the valedictorians. Ellen was on the state volleyball championship team. Someone
at Wednesday Journal interviewed Barbara with the question, “What did your do as a parent to nurture such stars?’ Her answer was simple, brilliant, immediate, profound: “I let them jump on the bed.” Another memory was walking over to talk with her some afternoon after school when her high-performing kids were at Ascension and OPRF. I walked into their living room/dining room where some of her kids and some friends were all taking a nap on couches and other available surfaces. These high-performing athletic and academic kids were sleeping. After school! This was a regular occurrence. I don’t think I ever took a nap after school in my life. It seemed totally normal to her to have many kids, some not her own, sprawled out in her home. There was some wisdom there. We overschedule and overstress our kids so much. We all need rest to perform well. I appreciated our decades-long friendship. Every time I walk or lie on the grass in any village park, I’m grateful to you, Barbara (and the Park District of Oak Park), for lawns that are free of toxic pesticides, and for the persistence you had to help manifest this feat as well as whole health options for people and the planet. Since it’s hard to have a memorial in these virus times, I and our mutual friend Leslie Primus and family extend our deep sympathies to Barbara’s children, family, neighbors and friends. Rest in peace, courageous soul. And for anyone who wants to honor Barbara, you can plant an organic veggie garden and share this feast. Also, say no to Monsanto’s Round Up and GMOs, let go of your artificial sweeteners, find a way to have a natural green lawn and plant some native plants, choose some integrative health-care options to prevent diseases, learn ways to remediate the electro-pollution from your technologies and engage with any of the amazing local green teams to help environmental sustainability. Lie and play on your clean grass. And bounce on your bed. Gina Orlando is a longtime Oak Park resident.
GINA
ORLANDO One View
Ode to the wheel
Wheels are ubiquitous They are a boon to us.
Women and men pushing the strollers People of all types being bicycle-ers. Then we have the vehicles on four wheels Driving the kids, getting the meals. Going to the library, the play, the picnic Then finally the walker and the wheelchair A boon to the sick. We have wheels on chairs, trucks, and carts Indispensable to the drugstores and various marts. Reducing friction is the name of the game without wheels our lives would not be the same.
Joanne Selden Oak Park
CROP Walk is still taking donations
We had a beautiful day on Sunday, May 3 for the Virtual Hunger Walkathon West. About 10 of us from First United Church of Oak Park, walked around our neighborhood while keeping our distance and wearing our masks. It was so great to be together after so many weeks of sheltering in place. We have been supported by many of our family and friends and are so grateful. If you have not yet donated it is not too late! The walk will be accepting donations until the end of May to assist hungry people near and far through the work of 10 local area agencies and CWS-Global. We pray that you and yours are safe and well.
Joanne & Ted Despotes Forest Park
R
acial equity advocates are deeply disappointed by the recent D200 vote to proceed immediately with the $32.6 million Phase I construction — a decision made unanimously and against the recommendation of District 200 administration. We ask that the board halt construction plans and consider the impact of the pandemic on our students, their families, our school, and this community. The district’s financial consultant presented serious projected fiscal shortfalls that could cost the district up to $45 million in lost revenue by year 2025. This projection combined with other factors — including Illinois having the worst fiscal condition and lowest school funding in the nation — make future school revenues from property taxes and state aid most problematic and uncertain. Surely, even the most privileged in our community must recognize that the pandemic has intensified local and national inequities in jobs, housing, food, and education — all of which impact our most vulnerable students and families, and our community. D200 board members commented that new construction supported the district’s equity vision. They asserted that the project will rebuild and modernize the student learning center and cafeteria, add new science classrooms, improve some special education classrooms, and provide additional physical accommodations for students with disabilities. Some of these changes — in the right climate — might be deserving priorities. Notably, this board has previously acted on behalf of our most marginalized students: enhancing restorative practices, hiring more teachers of color, and supporting curriculum equity. Nevertheless, student needs impacted by longstanding race and class inequities and magnified by the pandemic went unmentioned in the recent decision to push on with construction spending. Current articles by educators are replete with analyses of new and aggravated challenges related to the pandemic for students and schools. Our dwindling resources must be directed to student needs: ■ Remediation to address lost learning for all and the widening equity gaps: extended school days and years, expanded summer-school options, tutoring, and compensatory services for students with special needs. ■ Support for teachers adjusting curricula, developing new strategies, amending materials, applying new technology, and implementing authentic, individualized student assessments to guide learning across settings. ■ Services to address health and safety for re-opening: expanded nursing, social work, counseling, and psychological services; updated janitorial procedures and products; and health and public safety strategies. ■ Technology expansion and support for students, families, faculty, and staff during e-learning, reintegration into classrooms, and remediation. ■ Facility and classroom changes for re-opening: health stations; smaller class sizes; split attendance hours; and reconfiguring large meeting spaces. While raising deep concerns regarding board priorities, we recognize and praise the efforts of faculty, staff, administration, and families for their support of students during this crisis. They and our children, however, need more targeted resources and support. The $32.6 million construction project must be halted. We call on the D200 board and administration to make decisions with careful attention to the complete context schools, students, and families face. Responsible fiscal decision-making is paramount for realizing the educational mission of OPRF High School. Advancing a massive construction project ignores the unprecedented social, emotional, academic, and economic situations students and families now face. Importantly, decisions on funding, programs, hiring, curriculum, and new construction must be made with the faithful use of an equity impact evaluation. The D200 Racial Equity Policy mandates the use of that protocol. A racial equity impact assessment lens is a central feature of implementation and accountability procedures that Superintendent Pruitt-Adams will soon propose for approval. Finally, we truly hope all dire predictions are inaccurate and all concerns unwarranted. Our community, however, is responsible for this generation’s education. Now, during a pandemic, is not a time to gamble on behalf of our children. John Duffy is a member of the Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education. Also contributing to this viewpoint are Oak Park Call to Action, Suburban Unity Alliance, Burcy Hines, and Wyanetta Johnson.
JOHN DUFFY, ET AL One View
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
V I E W P O I N T S
Remember Barbara Mullarkey, force of nature
F
orce of nature, activist, columnist, author, mother of five, grandmother of 11, super-fan to all of those she loved and the causes she championed, Barbara Mullarkey passed away at 84 years young. She died peacefully at our family home on our beloved Elmwood Avenue on Wednesday night, April 15, with her children near. Barb left behind a loving family, an impressive advocacy resume and a hell of a lot of stuff ! She was a researcher, antiquer, collector and saver. She left behind a house full of memories, treasures and more files and boxes of paper than fathomable. Her three daughters and two sons have been digging our way through her amazingly colorful life for months. I feel this may be payback for the five of us never cleaning our rooms! As we have been going through her files and boxes, we’ve found causes even we forgot about: Fighting to close down the West Side incinerator that was putting carcinogens into the air; working against what she said was the microwaving of our world with cell towers and 5G; prison food reform; advocating for the rights of displaced American Indians; fighting against harmful pesticides in order to keep lawns and parks safe for families and pets; planting the first HOPP tree in her front yard (Historic Oak Propagation Project). But food and, most importantly, ingredients in the things we put into our bodies held a large part of her focus. As children, we had a bumpy food journey as our mom the nutritionist evolved. Wonder Bread was out, rice cakes were in. The Mullarkey house was no longer our friends’ desired destination for good snacks when Mom the health food nut was born. She practiced what she preached, triggering lots of people along the way by questioning what they were feeding their families.
KAREN
MULLARKEY KERRINS One View
How dairy or too much sugar or too many additives or preservatives or food coloring caused health issues. Some of you reading this are thinking, “Well everyone knows this!” But in the late ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, this was controversial and Mom was light years ahead
of her time. Wednesday Journal held a special place in her heart as she was one of the young upstarts who had a hand in its beginning in 1980. The Journal was home to her column “Nutrition and You” for 15 years and her place to get her message out. Even after she stopped writing her column, she would send letters to Viewpoints. We still have people tell us that they loved her column. It opened people’s eyes to new ideas. It made people question their choices and options. Mom found her calling and voice in nutrition first with the Oak Park News and then the Journal, followed by Conscious Choice and the Vegetarian Times. She loved to write. She loved to educate and spread awareness. She loved to enlighten and wasn’t afraid to challenge people of differing views. If she had a dollar for every apology she has gotten over the years and the phrase, “Sorry, Barbara, you were right,” she would’ve been a rich woman! Her intent was always to help and spread awareness about harmful ingredients in our food supply and also in medicines. She lost a beloved nephew, Tim Carpenter, to Reye Syndrome as doctors didn’t know back then that you shouldn’t give children with this disease aspirin. She always questioned everything after his loss and never blindly accepted. She would constantly tell us that at any time in history the experts were wrong. Mom has tried for decades to get aspartame removed from food products and even wrote a book about it. She talked of the harm from Teflon and chemicals seeping into the food cooked on it. Her
demonstrations for school children and our sports teams about the weakening effects of sugars and about showing us that Coca-Cola can remove rust from nails: “What is that doing to your insides?” she’d say. We have boxes of letters from the leaders of our country whom she contacted trying to improve people’s lives by making food and the world around us better and safer. She had no fear. She poked the giants. She kept close tabs on all things Oak Park and butted heads with many a trustee, village president and village manager. She called our town “Oaky Parky” and she loved it. She always had the best of intentions. She stuck up for the little guy. She watched out for others. She was always trying to help. She tried to right wrongs. How she dedicated all this time to doing so much good is a mystery as she was also a tireless supporter of her five children and 11 grandchildren’s schools and activities: Ascension, St Luke, Lincoln (RF), Roosevelt School and WSSRA. She always had a special affinity for OPRF High School and their sports programs for over 40 years. Her keeping of Huskies stats was legendary. Her pride and joy in those she loved was epic. We will have a celebration of her life as soon as this pandemic allows us. In the meantime, maybe we’ll meet at a distance at the rocket ship or in her Prairie Garden. It’s been a daunting task to sum up the amazing life of Barbara Alexander Mullarkey! Our family lost our matriarch and Oak Park lost a staunch advocate for health and wellness — a woman who was a true trailblazer and someone way ahead of her time. Thanks, Mom, for always fighting the good fight. Your spirit, your drive, your insights, your support and your love are terribly missed. We will continue your legacy and will take great care of your lucky 11. Karen Mullarkey Kerrins is a resident of Oak Park.
25
O B I T U A R I E S
Jon Proctor, 78
Commercial aviation historian Commercial aviation historian Jonathan “Jon” Proctor, 78, died on April 22, 2020, in Sandpoint, Idaho. A celebration of life for the former River Forest resident will be held in the Lee Hangar at Sandpoint Airport on a date TBA. Born on April 18, 1942, to Capt. Willis Heath Proctor and Lucena (Wood) Proctor in Chicago, he lived in River Forest until 1957, when the family moved to La Jolla, Calif. Jon graduated from La Jolla High School in 1960 and attended Palomar College and San Fernando Valley State. JON PROCTOR He worked for Pacific Southwest Airlines at the San Diego Airport in 1963 and joined Trans World Airlines (TWA) in 1964, interrupted only by a stint with Pan Am. After retiring as a TWA line flight attendant in 1991, he worked for FedEx in Connecticut and commenced contributing to Airliners and Airways magazines. In 1993, he moved to Sandpoint, transferring to FedEx in Coeur d’Alene. He later became editor-in-chief of Airliners magazine and the Great Airliners Series of books. He wrote Convair 880 & 990 and Boeing 720 in the series, co-authored From Props to Jets, and co-edited Trans World Airlines - A Book of Memories. He photographed commercial airliners from childhood on. A Bird Aviation Museum docent, EAA Sandpoint 1441 member and Festival at Sandpoint volunteer for many years, he was the first recipient of the World Airline Historical Society’s “Paul Collins Award” for his outstanding contribution to airline history preservation. Preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Dick, Bill and Bob Proctor, Jon is survived by his sister-in-law, Ann Proctor; his nephew, Rick Proctor; his nieces, Penny Beebe, Joanne Proctor Spevack and Susan Proctor; and other relatives. Memorial donations may be made in Jon Proctor’s name to Sandpoint EAA Chapter 1441, P.O. Box 1301, Sandpoint, ID 83864. Look up jonproctor.net to learn more.
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
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PUBLIC NOTICES
PPE
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Village of Oak Park is proposing a Substantial Amendment to the Program Year (PY) 2015-2019 Housing and Community Development Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) by making it a Con Plan priority to use $980,107 in Community Development Block GrantCorona Virus (CDBG-CV) funding from HUD made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19. Planned CDBG-CV projects include short-term rent, mortgage and/or utility assistance for low- and moderate-income (LMI) households; business assistance to create and retain jobs for LMI employees; and Public Service assistance for non-profits to serve primarily LMI persons. (Oak Park recently amended the PY 2019 Action Plan for the same CDBGCV purposes.) The proposed Con Plan substantial amendment is available May 14 to May 18, 2020 for public review and comment, to be submitted in writing by 5 p.m., May 18, 2020 to Mark Dwyer, Grants Supervisor, at grants@oak-park.us. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking persons, as needed.
Bid forms may only be obtained electronically at this time by submitting an e-mail request to Building Maintenance Superintendent, Vic Sabaliauskas at vics@oakpark.us. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue proposal documents and specifications only to those vendors deemed qualified. No proposal documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of proposal opening. For more information call the Public Works Service Center at 708.358.5700. THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK
PUBLIC NOTICES
Published in Wednesday Journal 5/13/2020
LEGAL NOTICE On Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., Oak Park Elementary School District 97 will be conducting a “timely and meaningful consultation” meeting to discuss plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2020-2021 school year. The meeting will be held virtually through Zoom. The details are listed below. If you are a parent/guardian of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability, and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park Elementary School District 97, you are urged to attend. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact District 97’s Department of Special Education at 708-524-3030. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86139115281?pwd=d0JEOXd3TWNQM0hUK3BQVUcxZWJFZz09 Meeting ID: 861 3911 5281 Password: 0ZwbeE One tap mobile +13126266799,,86139115281#,,1#,572874# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,86139115281#,,1#,572874# US (New York) Meeting ID: 861 3911 5281 Password: 572874 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kWgFpTfxu
Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Published in Wednesday Journal 5/13 and 5/20/2020
PUBLIC NOTICE The River Forest Park District has placed its 2020-2021 Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance on file for public inspection. Said Ordinance may be examined on the River Forest Park District website. A public hearing on said Ordinance will be held at 6:00pm on Monday, June 8, 2020, at the Depot, 401 Thatcher Avenue, River Forest, Illinois. Michael J. Sletten, Secretary River Forest Park District Published in Wednesday Journal 5/13/2020
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Call the experts before you place your legal ad! Publish your assumed name legal notice in • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark • Austin Weekly News Call Mary Ellen for details: 708/613-3342
PUBLIC NOTICES
The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed bids at the Public Works Service Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, until 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, June 12th, 2020 for the following: Village of Oak Park Pest Control Services
PUBLIC NOTICES
27
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING The Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, located at 201 N. Scoville will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation Meeting which will take place remotely via video/telephone conference on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private/parochial schools and who are home schooled within the district for the 2020-21 school year. If you are the parent of a home-schooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200, you are urged to attend. If you have would like to join the meeting, please email Dr. Kennedi Dixon at kdixon@oprfhs.org or Marilyn Thivel at mthivel@oprfhs. org to request the Google Meet information.
PUBLIC NOTICES
PUBLIC NOTICES
local employees, happy employees!
Published in Wednesday Journal 5/13/2020
RIVERSIDE BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 208 TIMELY AND MEANINGFUL CONSULTATION FOR PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS OF PRIVATE AND HOME-SCHOOLED CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES In accordance with the requirements of Section 612(a) (10) of the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act of 2004 (“IDEA 2004”), Riverside Brookfield High School will conduct a Timely and Meaningful Consultation on Friday, May 22, 2020, at 10:00 AM at Riverside Brookfield High School, 160 Ridgewood Road, Riverside, Il 60546---Due to the Pandemic this meeting will be held via Zoom. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how students with disabilities, who attend private schools or are home schooled within the district boundaries, will be served by District 208 during the 2020-21 school year. Parents and private school administrators who would like to attend should contact Sheila Jercich, Director of Special Education, at jercichs@rbhs208.net Zoom invitation will be forwarded prior to the meeting. Published in RB Landmark 5/06, 5/13/2020
Published in Wednesday Journal 5/6, 5/13/2020
PUBLIC NOTICES
Are you a “For Sale By Owner?” Call 708-613-3342 to advertise.
Hire Local.
Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board. Go to OakPark.com | RiverForest.com/classified today! Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information. (708) 613-3342 | classifieds@ OakPark.com | RiverForest. com
28
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
Property transfers p. B11
May 13, 2020
Homes
Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors
Space to spread out
Photo by Johnny Burbano
Is the future of housing more room? By LACEY SIKORA
W
Contributing Reporter
e’ve all been in our homes for the past two months, and as stay-at-home practices continue, our homes are serving more functions than ever. Now, houses are expected to function as workplaces, schools and three-meals-a-day restau-
EVEN MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: The home at 223 Bloomingbank Road in Riverside (above) features a detached coach house that’s been completely renovated, with a sleek, spacious kitchen/family room area upstairs, a downstairs sitting room and its own patio. rants. There may be no end in sight for COVID-19 restrictions, and many wonder if there will be long-lasting changes to how we view and use our homes in the future. If the future means fewer workers headed to downtown offices on public transit and fewer children leaving the nest
to live in college dorms, what will the ideal home space look like? In the older housing stock of the western suburbs, one way to gain more square footage without a time-consuming See COACH HOUSES on page B4
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AUTO | HOME | BUSINESS | LIFE | PRIVATE CLIENT
May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B1
WE’RE BY YOUR SIDE 1132 Rossell Ave | Oak Park $949,000 Sandra Dita Lopez
819 Fair Oaks Ave | Oak Park $670,000 Swati Saxena
1201 N Ridgeland | Oak Park $580,000 Sandra Dita Lopez
1115 Rossell Ave | Oak Park $560,000 Saretta Joyner
1111 N Kenilworth Ave Oak Park | $539,000 Anne Ferri & Lynn Scheir
38 Le Moyne Pkwy | Oak Park $469,000 Keller Group Chicago
828 Woodbine | Oak Park $450,000 Liz Eder
1115 Home Ave | Oak Park $449,000 Patricia McGowan
2044 N 77th| Elmwood Park $444,900 Ed Bellock Jr.
1228 Scoville Ave | Berywn $420,000 Eddie Tovar
842 N Euclid Ave | Oak Park $399,900 Ed Bellock Jr.
3720 East Ave | Berwyn $339,000 Steve Green
512 Clarence Ave | Oak Park $339,000 Keller Group Chicago
204 S Maple Ave. Unit 18 Oak Park | $329,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik
622 Grove Ln | Forest Park $320,000 Swati Saxena
7505 Brown Ave. Unit C Forest Park | $309,000 Bobbi Eastman
411 Ashland Ave, Unit 5C River Forest | $299,000 Mary Carlin
843 Highalnd Ave | Oak Park $275,000 Saretta Joyner
215 Marengo Ave. Unit 6D Forest Park | $239,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik
2057 N Newland | Chicago $208,900 Valerie Viola
Baird & Warner Oak Park/River Forest | 1037 Chicago Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302 | 708.697.5900 | oakpark.bairdwarner.com Source: BrokerMetrics® LLC, 1/1/2019 - 12/ 31/2019Detached and Attached only. Chicagoland PMSA
B2 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
People-Focused. Results Driven. “Steve knows the market in this area extremely well, in addition to just being an outstanding real estate agent. Honest, supportive, and willing to go out of his way to make things happen. It’s hard to ask for much more!” - Jeremy, Seller “Joelle’s commitment to our needs, including providing excellent referrals for financing and legal representation, helped us get through the entire process flawlessly.” - Peter, Buyer “Adriana’s expertise in handling individuals, recognizing opportunity, and her vast resources are what set her apart from all the others. Without her insight and calm negotiating skills, we would not have had this sale and the ability to move onto the next phase of our lives!” - Suze, Seller
Steve Nasralla
Joelle Venzera
Adriana Laura Cook
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Broker
708.466.5164
708.297.1879
312.497.2044
The Navigation Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker and abides by federal, state and local Equal Housing Opportunity laws. If your property is currently listed with another broker, this mailer is not solicitation for business. 1643 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL.
UNDER CONTRACT
1311 MONROE, RIVER FOREST $920,000 :: 4 BED :: 4.1 BATH
UNDER CONTRACT
ESTATE SECTION
1/2-ACRE LOT
135 S SCOVILLE, OAK PARK $639,000 :: 4 BED :: 2.5 BATH
1023 PARK, RIVER FOREST $1,650,000 :: 7 BED :: 6.5 BATH
1122 FOREST, RIVER FOREST $1,219,000 :: 6 BED :: 5.5 BATH
Updated & stylish Victorian. Close to train.
Beautiful English Tudor. Exquisite home.
Gorgeous kitchen/family room. Beautiful 1/2-acre lot.
JUST CLOSED†
722 IOWA, OAK PARK $870,000 :: 5 BED :: 3.1 BATH
JUST LISTED
935 BONNIE BRAE, RIVER FOREST $995,000 :: 5 BED :: 3.2 BATH
JUST LISTED
NEW PRICE
NEW PRICE
400 FOREST, OAK PARK $1,167,500 :: 5 BED :: 3.5 BATH
900 FRANKLIN, RIVER FOREST $797,000 :: 4 BED :: 3.5 BATH
1023 WENONAH, OAK PARK $715,000 :: 5 BED :: 4 BATH
Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. Beautiful 1-acre lot.
Brick Colonial home. New kitchen & baths.
Unique Victorian in Lincoln School District. Renovated kitchen & baths.
KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com
823 N ELMWOOD, OAK PARK $500,000 :: 3 BED :: 1.1 BATH
UNDER CONTRACT
1023 ASHLAND, RIVER FOREST $1,299,000 :: 5 BED :: 3.2 BATH
UNDER CONTRACT
SOLD
JUST CLOSED
837 N MARION, OAK PARK $550,000 :: 3 BED :: 2.1 BATH
941 LINDEN, OAK PARK $535,000 :: 5 BED :: 3 BATH
UNDER CONTRACT
931 N MARION, OAK PARK $699,000 :: 4 BED :: 3.1 BATH
ELIZABETH AUGUST • @properties 773.610.8000 • elizabethaugust@atproperties.com
RYAN PARKS, MBA • @properties 773.387.3010 • ryanparks@atproperties.com • ryanparksrealestate.com
MICHAEL MURRAY 773.230.6787 michael.murray@rate.com NmlS iD:223808. State liceNSe NumberS: il - 031.0008094 - mb.0005932. NmlS (NatioNwiDe mortgage liceNSiNg SyStem) iD 2611. il - reSiDeNtial mortgage liceNSee - illiNoiS DepartmeNt of fiNaNcial & profeSSioNal regulatioN, 3940 N raveNSwooD ave, chicago, il 60613 mb.0005932 †Buyers represented by Elizabeth August and/or Ryan Parks.
May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B3
COACH HOUSES
Lifestyles are changing from page B1 addition is to seek out a house with flexible living space already built-in. Coach houses, often built a century ago for a chauffeur or live-in servant, offer much-needed bonus space. Some local realtors with listings with coach houses see the extra space as adding real value in uncertain times. Laura Maychruk of River Forest’s Gullo & Associates is listing 1511 Franklin Ave. in River Forest for $739,999. The 1927 brick home comes with a coach house in back. While the village does not allow coach houses to be fulltime living spaces at this time, Maychruk says that House Bill 4869, introduced in the Illinois General Assembly in February, would make livable coach houses legal throughout the state. Since River Forest is a non-home rule community, passage of the bill would permit livable coach house space in River Forest. Maychruk says the coach house at 1511 Franklin Ave. has a permitted half bath that could easily be converted to a full bath if the laws are changed, and the space is also separately metered for gas and electric, which would make it easier to rent out in the future.
Photos by Johnny Burbano
ROOM TO GROW: The coach house (right) of the residence at 1511 Franklin Ave.(above) in River Forest has already been renovated to include a home office and a half bath. Depending on the fate of legislation now making its way through the Illinois General Assembly, there may be an opportunity to convert the structure into a separate dwelling in the future.
B4 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
Her clients on Franklin Avenue converted their coach house to be a work-from-home office for one of the owners, who worked as an attorney. She points out that there are some tax advantages to working from home, because owners can write off some expenses related to the upkeep of the space. Regardless of how long pandemic restrictions stay in place, Maychruk says of working from home, “I think this is a trend that is going to stick around after this is over. We will see a lot more people working from home.” During the pandemic, Maychruk has received several calls from people looking to rent a home to quarantine in. While this house is not a candidate, she says that having your own coach house could be a great solution for families who have a family member who is sick or needing to quarantine. When Frank Altmayer and his wife, Sue, bought 223 Bloomingbank Road in Riverside a few years ago, they did not foresee the current pandemic, but the spacious coach house was a huge selling point, because they planned to have three generations of family living on one piece of property. The 1910 Romanesque main house came with a sizeable space above the garage that was built for the original owner’s chauffeur. The Altmayers bought the property with the intention that their daughter, her husband and their children could live in the main house, while Frank and Sue would live in the coach house. Frank Altmayer says they needed to renovate what had been a rental unit before they moved in. They created a
large, modern kitchen with an island and higher ceilings, and also removed a staircase to enlarge one of the two bedrooms to create a master-sized bedroom. A second, smaller bedroom would make a good child’s room or office. The downstairs level has a sitting room with a fireplace and access to a separate patio. Altmayer says he and his wife loved having their grandchildren be able to run across the yard for snacks or a playdate. “I would recommend this to anyone,” he said of their arrangement. “It was a real pleasure. It was almost a daily occurrence to see the grandkids. We ate together, played games together. “If someone is staying in your home, it always feels like an inconvenience after a few days. But to have your own kitchen and bathroom and a separate space makes it so much more pleasant. I can’t think of a more ideal space.” Altmayer’s son-in-law got transferred, so the couple have listed the house for sale with Rory Dominick of Keller Williams for $1.2 million. Dominick says the main house with its distinctive stone exterior is a local historic landmark that is nicely updated for family living with four full floors of living space, including a third-floor pool room with a fireplace. She thinks the spacious coach house across the yard is not only a selling point for people like the Altmayers, who want to live with extended family. She thinks that this bonus space could be very appealing for any family spending more time at home together due to the new normal of the pandemic. She also would not be surprised to see the pandemic changing the way people approach home buying in general. “People living in the city now who were thinking about moving in a year or two? This crisis may make that happen sooner rather than later,” Dominick said, remarking that people will be looking for green space and clean air. With the city closing the lakefront and parks, suburbs like Riverside which have outdoor space and are pedestrianfriendly look more appealing. She notes too, that a singlefamily home automatically provides more room and a buffer from neighbors. Right now, people might not want to be in a high-rise with crowded elevators. Changing work habits might push more people to look for a truly separate work-from-home space. “People who work for large corporations may be looking at rolling re-entry,” Dominick said. “The work-from-home lifestyle might continue for a long time. The first floor of the coach house makes a great office.” It’s also possible that people will be changing what they value about houses. Dominick thinks there may be a turn away from open concept living plans with the needs for adults to work and kids to learn in homes. More time together could mean placing a higher value on separate spaces for living and working together.
142 S. Cuyler Ave, Unit 3, Oak Park Sun-drenched third floor unit in fabulous Oak Park location, chock full of designer upgrades and vintage touches. In-unit W/D plus individual HVAC. See it today! ........ ................................................... $179,000 Monica Klinke | 708-612-3031 Monica.Klinke@cbechange.com
714 Ashland Ave, River Forest Ideally located and picture-perfect, this home features updated spaces and charming details throughout its 4 levels of living space 5BR/2.1BA............. $789,000 Virtual Tour available. Shea Kiessling 708-710-5952 shea@cbexchange.com
Just Sold! 846 William Street, River Forest Central River Forest location, 4BR, 2.5BA with updated kitchen and baths. Walking distance to trains and schools. . $705,000
Patty Melgar Hooks | 708-261-2796 patty.melgarhooks@cbexchange.com
911 N. Marion St, Oak Park $837,000 Wow! A generous price reduction in time for summer! Beauty is only skin deep as you will witness in 4 floors of well maintained space! Rare 1st floor “ensuite” for nanny, visitors or grandparents. Convert to den or open to living room. 6BR/6BA
1206 Forest Ave, Oak Park Move in ready! Beautifully designed, meticulously maintained 4BR/3.5 BA has addition with family room and master suite. BONUS room above new garage.$865,000 Take a Virtual Tour: sue.canepa@cbexchange.com
1442 William Street, River Forest Breathtaking! Spacious contemporary home with 3 levels of beautifully finished living space and a backyard oasis. 3+1 BR/4.5BA, 2 kitchens. Lower level could be separate in-law/nanny apt. BRAND new roof, gutters, HVAC. ............... $1,250,000
823 Jackson Ave, River Forest Summer is just around the corner. It’s time for something special. Stunning 5+BR, 5.1 BA, brick home offers just under 5,000 sq. ft on 4 floors of living space. 1100x188 lot for loads of outdoor activities. ..... $1,279,000 Learn more at www.kgloor.com
Sue Canepa | 312-203-0848
Sue Canepa | 312-203-0848 sue.canepa@cbexchange.com
Kirstin Gloor | 708-351-8977 Kirstin.Gloor@cbexchange.com
Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 Sandi@cbexchange.com
Just Sold! 1848 Home Avenue, Berwyn Sold in 2 days at 98% of list price! -$253,500. 3BR/2BA .................. $259,000
Lisa Andreoli and Meredith Conn 708-557-9546 | 708-743-6973 | Teamgo2girls@gmail.com
Interested in a real estate career?
605 N. Kenilworth Ave, Oak Park Spacious home with park-like yard. Unbelievable 2-flat in the center of the FLW Historic District. Unit 1: 3BR/2.5BA, Unit 2: 4BR/2.5BA Quality kitchen appliances with granite countertops in each unit. Both units have room to spare. .................. $899,000 VIRTUAL TOUR available. Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 Sara.faust@cbexchange.com
516 S. Elmwood Ave, Oak Park Light filled, centrally located Gunderson with a classic double parlor and a beamed ceiling in the dining room. Room to spread out with 4 levels of living space and a fenced backyard. 5BR/2.1BA.... $509,000 Virtual tour online. Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779 Stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com
Just Sold! 537 S. Elmwood Ave, Oak Park This awesome Gunderson in the Ridgeland Historic District has been well maintained while retaining its original warmth and charm. Oak woodwork, stained glass windows and bay windows-too much to list! 4BR/2.1BA ................................ $586,000
Contact Lewis Jones 708-851-2223
lewis.jones@cbexchange.com
Nancy Leavy | 708-209-0070 Nancy.leavy@cbexchange.com
COLDWELLBANKERHOMES.COM Oak Park 114 N. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park | 708.524.1100 The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker Realty. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Realty fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Realty LLC.
May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B5
1023 ASHLAND AVENUE, RIVER FOREST
1023ASHLANDAVENUE.INFO
542 THATCHER AVENUE, RIVER FOREST
542THATCHER.INFO
Fantastic 5-bed home with center entrance in River Forest. Recently up-
Exquisitely gorgeous home with stunning curb appeal, this stately historic
dated with today’s modern amenities.
home has 4-levels of living with 5 bedrooms and 4.1 Baths.
ELIZABETH AUGUST
•
773.432.0200
$1,299,000 •
elizabethaugust@atproperties.com
CLAUDINE CANTU
•
708.848.0200
•
$1,250,000
claudine@atproperties.com
1011 SOUTH BOULEVARD
522 FAIR OAKS AVENUE, OAK PARK
522FAIROAKS.INFO
1114 N EAST AVENUE, OAK PARK
1114NEAST.INFO
This one-of-a-kind and much admired Victorian-era, Gothic Revival style,
A gracious foyer with curved staircase welcomes you into this painstak-
“Gable-T“ is tucked into the heart of the FLW Historic District.
ingly preserved and improved Oak Park beauty!
MICHAEL RITCHIE
•
773.551.7793
•
$767,250
mritchie@atproperties.com
SEARS/RISCH
•
312.298.9099
•
$685,000
csears@atproperties.com
Stop looking, start finding® atproperties.com
B6 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
LIVE Online Open House Tours
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(suk’sess) noun. A favorable result, the gaining of wealth or fame, a successful thing.
Tom Carraher redefines the essence of real estate service.
See houses and ask questions in real time
The achievement of success has most often been neglected by those who would compromise and settle for second-best.
Sunday, May 17, 2020 ADDRESS
LISTING PRICE
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1215 Park Dr, Melrose Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PRICE CHANGE/TBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BHHS Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facebook .com/Donna-Serpico-at-Berkshire-Hathaway-HomeServices-Chicago-604383346648069/ . . . . . . . . . . . .12 pm 1219 Forest Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $725,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BHHS Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facebook .com/zak .knebel/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 pm 7660 Wilcox, Forest Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $589,980 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BHHS Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Facebook .com/thegbteam/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 pm
Call Tom Carraher at 708-822-0540 to achieve all of your real estate goals.
1116 Hayes Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $439,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BHHS Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Facebook .com/teamkohut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:30 pm 516 S . Elmwood, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $509,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Coldwell Banker Residential . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Facebook .com/CBStephanie/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1:30 pm 1132 Rossell Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $949,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BW Oak Park River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Facebook .com/OakParkBroker Sat May 16th • 12-12:30pm 1029 Linden Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $649,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BW Oak Park River Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facebook .com/Anne-Ferri-Kim-Jensen-Wojack-Real-Estate-Team-1069763449718549/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12:30-1pm
Tom Carraher
This Directory brought to you by
Realistic Expectation–Proven Results
mrgloans.com
Providing financing for homes in Oak Park and surrounding communities since 1989. Conventional, FHA, and Jumbo mortgages Free Pre-approvals
7544 W. North Avenue Elmwood Park, IL 708.452.5151
Mortgage Resource Group is an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee. NMLS # 207793 License # 1031
7375W. West NorthAve. Avenue 7375 North River Forest, Illinois River Forest 60305 708.771.8040 708.771.8040
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May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B7
FOREST PARK
2 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$312,000 Michael O’Neill & Bridget O’Neill 708-267-8995 or 312-337-0200
FOREST PARK
OAK PARK
3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$359,800
1 BR, 1 BA .....................................$179,000
Kyra Pych • 708-648-0451
Joe Cibula • 312-305-4189
7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040
OAK PARK OAK PARK
OAK PARK
OAK PARK
2 BR, 2 BA .....................................$185,000
2 BR, 1.5 BA ..................................$235,000
3 BR, 2.1 BA ..................................$299,000
Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
Cynthia Howe Gajewski • 312-933-8440
Joe Cibula • 312-305-4189
Beautiful unit in one of Oak Park’s most popular condominium buildings. Go to 151Kenilworth.com
2 BR, 2 BA ..................................................................................................................... $180,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043
7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040
OAK PARK
OAK PARK
4 BR, 2 BA .....................................$320,000
2 BR, 3.1 BA ..................................$395,000
Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
Tabitha Murphy • 708-674-7081
OAK PARK
3 BR, 2 BA .....................................$465,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
OAK PARK OAK PARK OAK PARK
Newly updated brick 4-Square with remodeled kitchen and pristine bamboo, oak and maple floors!
4 BR, 2 BA ..................................................................................................................... $459,000
3 BR, 2.2 BA ..................................$330,000
Casually elegant estate home fully renovated by architect/owner with massive kitchen/great room. 6 BR, 2.5 BA.................................... $1,250,000 Kevin Wood • 773-382-4310
Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043
Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties? Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com B8 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
OAK PARK
4 BR, 3 BA .....................................$480,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
OAK PARK
OAK PARK
This amazing newer construction townhome is in the heart of beautiful Central Oak Park! Go to 318Pennsylvania.com
Stunning brick octagonal bungalow features amazing original details & modern updates + NEW kitchen, well maintained!
4 BR, 3.1 BA .................................................................................................................. $599,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043
OAK PARK
5 BR, 3.5 BA ..................................$659,900
4 BR, 2.1 BA .................................................................................................................. $669,000 Laurie Shapiro • 708-203-3614
Cynthia Howe Gajewski • 312-933-8440 7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040
OAK PARK
5 BR, 3 BA .....................................$999,000 Erica Cuneen • 708-220-2025
RIVER FOREST Stunning French Provincial with incredible kitchen! Go to 1202William.com
4 BR, 4.2 BA .................................................................................................................. $895,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043
RIVER FOREST PLAINFIELD
4 BR, 3.1 BA ..................................$355,000 Michael O’Neill & Bridget O’Neill 708-267-8995 or 312-337-0200
Gale Avenue Gem Exudes Comfortable Elegance!
4 BR, 2.2 BA .................................................................................................................. $990,000 Patty Reilly-Murphy • 312-316-2564
Want to see your listings in Distinctive Properties? Contact Marc Stopeck at 708.613.3330 or marc@oakpark.com May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B9
P R O P E R T Y
Oak Park home sells for $868,000
T R A N S F E R S
The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds for February 2020. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appears missing, that information was not provided by the recorder of deeds.
OAK PARK ADDRESS
PRICE
SELLER
BUYER
1114 S Scoville Ave 633 S Oak Park Ave 1002 Clinton Ave 163 N Cuyler Ave 616 N Oak Park Ave 1161 S Humphrey Ave 1110 N Grove Ave 536 N Humphrey Ave 737 N Kenilworth Ave 738 Forest Ave 917 S Lombard Ave 130 S Harvey Ave 235 S Marion St 609 Wesley Ave 712 S Highland Ave 1111 Hayes Ave 329 S Harvey Ave 629 S Humphrey Ave 131 S Humphrey Ave 307 Division St 828 S Lombard Ave 742 S Ridgeland Ave 307 Division St 1007 Hayes Ave 928 N Lombard Ave 1037 S Harvey Ave 1048 N Elmwood Ave 1164 Clarence Ave 514 N Humphrey Ave 1234 N Marion St 231 Clinton Ave 2313 815 N East Ave 1005 Washington Blvd 2B 622 S Harvey Ave 136 Francisco Ter 607 N Cuyler Ave 225 S Maple Ave 1029 S Elmwood Ave 339 Home Ave 3A 1439 N Harlem Ave 1002 N Humphrey Ave 1040 Erie St MANY 1175 S Harvey Ave 6443 North Ave 1136 Ontario St 2C 905 N Lombard Ave 1331 N Harlem Ave 13312
$868,000 $840,000 $790,000 $780,000 $660,000 $630,000 $580,000 $515,000 $502,500 $500,000 $490,000 $470,000 $460,000 $457,000 $453,000 $444,000 $440,000 $430,000 $410,000 $410,000 $395,000 $390,000 $390,000 $380,000 $375,000 $370,000 $350,000 $345,000 $310,000 $308,000 $288,000 $255,000 $250,000 $250,000 $245,000 $233,000 $225,000 $219,000 $202,500 $198,000 $194,000 $192,500 $190,000 $159,000 $147,000 $137,500 $93,500
1114 Scoville Llc Red Inv Llc 1002 S Clinton Llc Beckwit Caroline Lucia Obrien Wicklow Dev Grp Llc Dreamit Llc Wittrock William T Azizi Ayubu K Keenan Matthew Murphy Sharon M Is Reo Income 1 Lcl Pearce Larry N Tr Janis Denis L Smith Justin Dickson Steven Franken Elizabeth L Tr National Transfer Serv Llc Baric Miran Hodges Eric D Rennie James Hall Alison B Beck Bradley William Cartus Fin Corp Nehrbass Andra L Limberg Jeffrey J Tr Estrada Stephanie K Black Reef Trust Frank Jordan Ace Prop Grp Llc Nguyen Helen Friedman Mary Lou Tr Chondrite Reo Llc Cortinovis Luca C Pimentel Guadalupe Cook Donald S Iii Morgan Raymond C Extr Chicago Title Land Trust Co Ih2 Property Il Lp Feldmann Christine M Tr Avila Lydia G Ficca Lynda Tr Dunaway Suzanne Tr Pietrowski Leon Ndp Building Mgmt Llc Jurkowski Don Jones Sara H Tr Harrison Tilisha
Marx Gregory A Fontana Brian L Ariano Alec P Lehner Robert Ball Gregory Shah Megan Davidson Andreeff Alexandria Alvarez Jorge Alberto Almario Jalayerian Jesslyn Klein Anja Dolan Margaret W Maginot Peter Grocholski Pawel Schaeffer Peter A Martinez Alexis Ryan Anne Katherine Goodwater Douglas M Roe Simona Gould Patrick Cartus Fin Corp White Jordan Walsh Thomas Cruz Getulio Anthony Edouard Henry Joseph Massey-Anastasion Dawn M Peterson Erik W El Dorado Consult Llc Campbell Jonathan L Sibbald Keely M Murphy Sharon Marie Nelson Torre H 815 N E Ave Llc Przybbyla Adriana Windham Brandie Bogard James Cousin Johanna Burin Joyce Theile Carolyn J Murphy Dennis Lira Jose A Montiel Team Homes Llc Gallagher Edward Charles Schiff Timothy Reyes Joaquin Johnson Nalini Jeanne-Marie Jones Sara H Morris Dominic
B10 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate â&#x2013; May 13, 2020
1114 S Scoville Ave., Oak Park
OAK PARK ADDRESS
PRICE
SELLER
BUYER
426 S Lombard Ave 307 104 N Oak Park Ave 1B 439 S Taylor Ave GARDENA 424 S Austin Blvd GS 428 S Harvey Ave 420 S Kenilworth Ave 5 208 Le Moyne Pky
$63,000 $62,500 $62,500 $40,000 $6,000 Unknown Unknown
Bank Amer Ammra Ammar Abu Ammra Amina Guaman Fausto A Swader Thomas Judicial Sales Corp Judicial Sales Corp
Grunza Anisoara Mia Tr Wu Hui Bin Wu Hui Qing Cropstar Llc Escobedo Miguel Deutsche Bk Natl Trust Co Tr Cole Linda F
RIVER FOREST 1401 William St 1447 Keystone Ave 906 Park Ave 1519 Franklin Ave 1414 N Harlem Ave 7214 Oak Ave 72142SE
$647,000 $555,000 $425,000 $385,000 $195,000 $65,000
153 Hall Ave Penn Llc George Nona S Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Zeeger Prop Llc Series 15 Bc Prop Llc-Alpha Drakontaidis Antonios
Gesualdo Andrea Yokana Ramzi 906 Pk Llc Kadriu Luan Decicco Daniel J Jr Cole Emmanuel
FOREST PARK 315 Burkhardt Ct
$550,000
Modimby Llc
7242 Roosevelt Rd
$245,000
Signorella John Joseph
Taylor Prentiss
7242 Roosevelt Llc
211 Elgin Ave 5A 1510 Circle Ave 7240 Dixon St 7240B 7246 Dixon St 7246B 1043 Elgin Ave 235 Marengo Ave 6EN 1031 Marengo Ave 1537 Elgin Ave 1543 Harlem Ave 15433E 315 Marengo Ave 4F 315 Des Plaines Ave 406 811 Beloit Ave 7652 Wilcox St 811 Beloit Ave
$185,000 $180,000 $155,000 $150,000 $145,000 $126,000 $125,000 $121,000 $107,000 $87,500 $59,000 Unknown Unknown Unknown
Landato Diane M Tr Gosburne Bryan J Arvis Alexis Ward Stephanie Mtglq Nvestors Lp Boksa Malgorzata Federal Home Loan Mtg Corp Bank Ny Mellon Imam Syed Burdett Shannon T Johnson Nancy Bayview Loan Serv Llc Judicial Sales Corp Intercounty Judicial Sales Corp
Keating Kevin J Krause Barbara D Bauchwitz James Spengler Ronald Vsc Group Llc Bonner Darryl Erazo Iris Madden Thomas More Cuevas Roberto Jr Douglas Bria K Munoz Reyes Suarez Federal Natl Mtg Assn S&j Kolar Llc Bayview Loan Serv Llc
House Hunting? Find a Realtor. Find a home. Get a list of Open Houses.
Every week, every day in
May 13, 2020 â&#x2013; Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B11
O C A T sday e u 2 12
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
$
65
T A C O S A L L D AY (SEAFOOD TACOS $2.50)
e in only. While supplies last and cannot be combined with any other offer. www.gringoandblondie.com
#gringoandblondie 7514 W North Ave. - Elmwood Park, IL 60707 - 708.716.3390
Thanks to Melissa’s passion and experiencing our coffee first-hand by “cupping”, we thank Oak Park Eats for the positive exposure! - Jacques, Counter Coffee, Forest Park
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
S P O N S O R E D
C O N T E N T
Keep calm and carry out from New Star Elmwood Park mainstay adopts safety measures in response to COVID-19 New Star has been serving up Cantonese cuisine since 1954 and Jinny Zhao’s five-year ownership has brought fresh life to the North Avenue mainstay. Zhao is proud to carry on the New Star traditions started by the Moy family, but had to adapt in an in entirely new way when COVID-19 struck. “New Star is 64 years old and has a lot of loyal customers who are like my friends,” said Zhao. “All small businesses like mine are facing a tough time, but I watch to see that everything is okay here.” Food Writer After a two-week closure helped comfort worried
MELISSA ELSMO
BAG: Insulated bags keep carryout orders warm at New Star. employees, New Star reopened to serve the same food their customers love in a safe new way. The pandemic shifted New Star’s menu of Chinese, Thai and Japanese dishes to a carryout-only model, but Zhao’s adaptability makes New Star a first-rate example of proper health and safety adjustments in the time of a pandemic. Patrons who opt to order and pick up a meal from New Star will be pleased with the social distancing practices in place at Elmwood Park restaurant located at 7444 W North Ave. The full carryout menu is available for download on New Star’s website, ordering by phone is quick and efficient and parking around the restaurant is a
Enjoy a cup at CounterCoffee.com Jacques Shalo, Counter Coffee
Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:
OakParkEats.com
B12 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
Photos by Melissa Elsmo
HUNAN CHICKEN: Spicy and tangy Hunan Chicken from New Star plated up at home.
Wednesday Journal, May 13, 2020
OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM
S P O N S O R E D
13
C O N T E N T
Photos by Melissa Elsmo
SUSHI/SUSHI PACK: Nigiri sushi and maki rolls are a fresh addition to any New Star carryout order.
Photos by Melissa Elsmo
FULL FEAST: Potstickers and eggrolls meet General Tzo’s and Hunan Chicken in a takeout feast from New Star. breeze. Patrons entering for pick up are required to wear a mask and will be pleased to find masked and gloved staff members behind a protective plexiglass shield. Hot food comes organized in a sturdy, insulted and reusable bag, while cold items are kept separate in a second disposable bag. Payment and food delivery at New Star are as close to touch free as possible. “Our carryout bag is like a winter coat for your food,” said Zhao. Customers should feel confident ordering from New Star and, despite reducing their staff from 60 to 20 employees, customers should expect New Star’s time-honored attention to detail to influence the food as well. A carryout, mainstay, Zhao is particularly proud of New Star’s updated egg rolls. The perfectly fried eggrolls, come two to a portion and feature a bounty of BBQ pork, shrimp, and vegetables in a pleasing peanut sauce. “They are the best around because we use best quality meat, vegetables and peanut butter,” says Zhao confidently.
No carry out feast is complete without a traditional Chinese offering like Hunan or General Tso’s Chicken. Boasting a bevy of dried red chilies to bring a little peppery heat to the plate without being overwhelming, the Hunan Chicken brims with fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots and mushrooms. Traditional elements like baby corn and water chestnuts give the mix authenticity. New Star’s version of General Tso’s Chicken is a perfect pandemic comfort food. Lightly battered chicken is fried until golden brown and tossed with broccoli in a sweet and spicy sauce In addition to serving up Cantonese delights, New Star has a robust offering of Japanese dishes like sushi, sashimi and teriyaki creations. The Japanese “pick two” maki lunch special comes with both a warming bowl of miso soup and a green salad. Today New Star celebrates its long history in Elmwood Park and now the expansive restaurant has been redesigned with safety in mind in the face of a pandemic. Keep calm and carryout from New Star.
We ARE LIVE ONLINE! Your Table is READY For sponsorships or advertising call lourdes at 708-381-1123 lourdes@oakpark.com Served fresh by
May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
B13
paid advertisement
These local restaurants are all OPEN during the current shelter-in-place order Check out their menus online, call them for delivery, carry-out, or curbside pick-up.
Now is the time to support local business! Barclay’s American Grille
1120 Pleasant St., Oak Park Classic American cuisine: burgers, BBQ ribs, fresh seafood, steaks and chops Our Menu: barclaysamericangrille.com/wp-content/ uploads/Barclays-Pick-up-Delivery-Menu.pd Call 708-848-4250 for Curbside Pick-up Delivery is available through Grubhub and UberEats 4pm - 8pm, Tuesday through Sunday
Blackout Baking Co.
(office) 842 N Harlem Ave, River Forest Bite-size gourmet cookies Our Menu: Blackoutbakingco.com Order from our website for FREE local delivery or nationwide shipping. Always accepting orders. Delivery and ship day every Tuesday. Call 872-222-9519 Local PERK! 20% OFF our new DIY Cookie Box with code ‘FOOD2GO’
Burger Moovment
7512 W North Ave, Elmwood Park 708-452-7288 Our menu: Burgermoovment.com/ delivery:Grubhub.com
Buzz Café 905 S. Lombard Ave, Oak Park Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner + Sweets, Snacks & Desserts served ALL DAY! Our Menu: Thebuzzcafe.com For Carry Out, Curbside Pick-up or FREE Delivery call 708-524-2899 Deliver also available with Uber Eats 7am - 7pm, 7 days a week
Counter Coffee Air Roasters
7324 Madison Street, Forest Park countercoffee.com FRESH Coffee, Eco-Friendly, Air Roasted each day in store, hand crafted beverages, and pastries (gluten free & vegan options available). Whole bean coffee and single use pods roasted for you when you order! Mobile order online at Countercoffee.com, call ahead, and walk-in available. We can ship coffee to all 50 states. 708-689-8896 Open daily from 7am - 4pm
Cucina Paradiso 814 North Blvd, Oak Park Italian Menus: Cucinaoakpark.com For Pickup, call 708-848-3434, curbside pickup is available For Delivery go to DoorDash or Grubhub Every night 4pm – 9pm
Eastgate Café 102 Harrison, Oak Park American Comfort Our Menu: Eastgatecafe.net For Curbside Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-660-9091 Delivery is also available on Grubhub 12pm - 8pm; closed Monday
George’s Restaurant
145 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Our Menu: Georgesoakpark.com/menu Serving breakfast and lunch for pick-up. One soup per day. All items won’t be available. Call ahead for availability. For Pick-up call 708-848-4949; Delivery available through Door Dash and Postmates 8am - 3pm Monday - Sunday
Grape Leaves Restaurant 129 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park Mediterranean, Moroccan and Lebanese cuisine Our Menu : Grapeleaves.us For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-848-5555 We also partner with Grubhub, UberEats, Postmate. Sunday - Thursday 12-8pm Friday and Saturday 12-9pm
Happy Apple Pie Shop
226 Harrison, Oak Park happyapplepie.com Sweet and savory pies, special orders Our menu is posted on our Facebook page and Instagram, or call us. Call 708-606-0037 to arrange for No touch take-out, Curbside Pick-up, and Free Delivery Wednesday-Friday 11:30am to 6pm, Saturday Noon5pm.
Jerusalem Café
1030 Lake St., Oak Park Our Menu: Jerusalemcafeoakpark.com/menu Middle Eastern cuisine For Pick-up and Deliver call 708-848-7734 Delivery is also available through Uber Eats and DoorDash. 11am – 9pm Daily
Kettlestrings Tavern
800 S. Oak Park Ave Contemporary American Our Menu: Kettlestringstavern.com/eat For Curbside Pick-up, call 708-613-5044 Delivery is available through GrubHub Mon 3pm - 8pm; Tues - Thurs 3pm-8pm; Fri - Sat 11am–8pm; Sunday 10am-8pm
La Notte Ristorante Italiano 118 N Marion St, Oak Park Fine Authentic Italian Our Menu: LaNotte-op.com
For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-948-7576, or text 773-817-2858 or order online Delivery also available on UberEats and Doordash 2pm - 9pm daily Limited time offer -$100 Gift Certificates for just $80
Mexican Republic Kitchen
7404 Madison St., Forest Park Mexican Cuisine Our Menu: Mexicanrepublickitchen.com/s/order For Curbside Pick-up order online at our website or call 708-689-0850 Delivery available via Uber Eats, Grubhub or Doordash. Tuesday- Sunday 3:00pm-8:00pm Daily Specials Everyday
Old World Pizza 7230 W North Ave, Elmwood Park Pizza, Burgers, Pasta Our Menu: Originaloldworldpizza.com For Pick-up, Curbside Pick-up, Delivery and Contact-less Delivery call 708-456-3000, or fax 708-456-4580 Mon 3:30pm – 9pm; Tues – Thurs 11am –9pm; Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm; Sun 11am – 9pm
One Lake Brewing
1 Lake St, Oak Park Contemporary Locally Sourced Food - Craft beer brewed on-site, plus wine & cocktail kits Our Menu: nelakebrewing.com/eat Curbside pick-up & complementary contact-free delivery. To place an order please call 708-434-5232 (we only have one phone line so please call us back if busy). Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 4 pm - 8 pm
O’Sullivan’s Public House 7244 W. Madison Street, Forest Park Modern American/Pub Food Our Menu: Osullivanspublichouse.net Call 708-366-6667 to order Carry-Out and Local Delivery (No Delivery Fee) Daily Specials posted on Facebook @osullivanspublichouseFP Delivery also available on GrubHub O’Sullivan’s is open for Carry-Out and Delivery Friday-Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday-Thursday 3-9pm
Puree’s Pizza & Pasta 1023 Lake St, Oak Park Pizza, pasta, sandwiches, panini, wraps Our Menu: Pureespizzaandpasta.com/ For Curbside Pick-up, take-out and Delivery, call 708-386-4949 Available Daily 11am – 9pm
Q-BBQ 124 N. Marion St, Oak Park BBQ Our menu: Q-bbq.com For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-628-3421 or order online. Open every day 11am - 8pm Delivery available with ChowNow and DoorDash NOW OFFERING FAMILY PACK SPECIALS! Go online or call for more info
Robinson’s #1 Ribs 848 Madison St, Oak Park Barbecue (vegetarian options available) Our Menu: Rib1.com For Carry-out and Delivery call 708-383-8452 Delivery is available through UberEats, DoorDash , Grubhub Tues – Sun 12pm – 8pm
Scratch Restaurants Scratch Kitchen & Lounge 733 Lake Street • 708-434-5643 District Kitchen & Tap 220 Harrison • 708-434-5289 American/burger/sandwich/salad/mac n cheese Our Menu: Scratchfp.com For Pick up/curbside (rear entrance), call 708-434-5643 Sun - Thurs 11am - 12am; Fri - Sat 11am - 1am
The Little Gem Café 189 N Marion St. Oak Park American Bistro Our Menu: Thelittlegemcafe.com/menu For Pick-up and Delivery, call 708-613-5491 Tues - Sun 3pm - 9pm (closed Mon) Delivery is also available from Doordash
Tre Sorelle Ristorante 1111 Lake St., Oak Park Homemade Pizza, Italian cuisine Our Menu: Tresorelleoakpark.com For Curbside Pick-up and Delivery call 708-445-9700 Delivery also available with Grubhub, Uber Eats Mon - Thu 11am - 9pm; Fri 11am - 10pm; Sat 3pm - 10pm; Sun 3pm - 9pm
Starship Restaurant 7618 Madison St., Forest Park Gourmet sub sandwiches, homemade soups, catering and individually wrapped items for safe distribution Our Menu: Starshiprestaurant.com For pick-up and delivery, call 708-771-3016 or order online Mon thru Sat. 8am - 9pm, Sunday 11am - 6pm
Each of these restaurants paid a very nominal fee to participate in this ad. Thank you for supporting these local businesses!
B14 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020
! o G ! o p T U s d k o c i o P G bside
paid advertisement
These local retailers are all OPEN during the current shelter-in-place order Check out their offerings online, call them for curbside pick-up.
r u C
16 Suitcases
Books, journals, and puzzles
108 N. Marion St, Oak Park 708-628-3677
Order online or over the phone. Curbside pick-up Hours: Mon-Sat 9-9, and Sun 11-6
16suitcases.com
CarefulPeach Boutique
Specializing in contemporary women fashion, accessories and gifts.
1024 North Blvd, Oak Park 708-383-3066
You can order online or call 708-628-3677. We offer Curbside Pick-up, Free Local Same Day Take 20% off your entire purchase use code SPRING20
Accents by Fred 7519 Madison St., Forest Park 708-366-9850 Facebook.com/accentsbyFred/
Handcrafted one-of-a-kind jewelry, gift items, custom greeting cards, custom face masks. Jewelry repair, watch batteries replaced Call or email us at accentsbyfred38@g-mail.com. Curbside pick-up Hours: Tues - Sat 1-6
Al-Mart Furniture & Bedding 7045 W. North Ave. Oak Park 708-383-5909 Almartfurniture.com
Bedroom Furniture, Sofas, Sectionals, Desks, Book Cases, Dinettes, Recliners, Mattresses and all other home furnishings and accessories.
Order on our website or call to schedule a showroom appointment. Curbside pick-up Hours: 11 to 5 pm Extra 20% off everything we carry!
Art Studio 928 911 South Lombard, Oak Park 630-240-9092 studio928.net
We offers Virtual Paint Parties for birthdays and other special occasions.
Call us or email events@studio928.net or visit our website http://studio928.net to select an image to paint. We will call or text you when your order is ready for pick-up. Curbside Pick-up Hours: Tues - Sun 11- 4 ART! Now paint kits with bonus traceable bird image, $20. Limited Supply. Available until we run out!
Bead In Hand 145 Harrison Street, Oak Park 708-848-1761 Beadinhand.com
We have DIY bead kits for sale on our website, including kits for Mother’s Day gifts. Kits are available now!
Orders can be placed on our website Curbside Pick-up is available 1-3pm daily except Tuesdays and Sundays, and at additional times as needed. Customers can knock on our door or call from their car and we’ll bring their items out.
The Book Table 1045 Lake St, Oak Park 708-386-9800 Booktable.net
CarefulPeach.myshopify.com
Wine, bath and body, jewelry, home goods, kitchen and hostess gifts, puzzles and childrens items, all with a French Flair! Call our shop, direct message us on Facebook or Instagram, or order thru our Shopify website Curbside Pick-up Hours: Mon-Sat 10:30-6, Sun 12-5 Buy a case of wine, even mixed, 15% off! Check out our 25% OFF Daily Peachy Items on our website or social media.
Divine Consign 1800 S. Harlem Ave, North Riverside 708-386-3366
Now is the time to support local business! Garland Flowers
A whimsical well curated children’s boutique specializing in fashion, accessories, books, specialty toys and gifts.
137 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park 708-848-2777 GarlandFlowers.net
Flowers, loose and arranged, green plants, blooming plants, garden plants
Order by phone or online Call when you arrive and we will bring your order out to you. We also deliver! Hours: Mon – Sat 9-3 Beautiful selection of Mother’s Day arrangements and plants
Lively Athletics 109 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park 708-358-0605 Livelyathletics.com
Athletic apparel and shoes for women, athletic shoes for kids
New and Nearly New Furniture and Decor Purchase online or call (708)386-3366 for appointment.
Curbside pick-up is available. Just pull up and call us. Hours: Tues - Sun 1-5
To order: Call us, email us, Facebook message us... anything! We’re so excited to take your order! For curbside pick-up, pull up outside our store and give us a call. We’ll run your purchase to your car, or leave it right outside our door. Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 $5 off any curbside shoe purchase (adult or kid) with code WednesdayJournal
Edible Arrangements
Oak Park Jewelers
107 N Marion St, Oak Park 708-848-4840
101 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park
Fruit baskets, chocolate strawberries, fruit smoothies, balloons, cookies and cheesecakes
Call 708-383-9695 or email info@oakparkjewelers. com to set up a virtual appointment and/or arrange curbside pick-up. Local Delivery is also available. Hours: Tues – Fri 11-4
Divineconsign.com
Edible.com
Order on our website or call us. Pay for your order online or by phone, then call when you arrive and we will bring it out to you. We also offer next day free delivery (except holidays) Hours: 9-6 Mon thru Fri. 9-5 Sat and 10-3 Sunday
Elevate Hair and Beauty Boutique 321b Harrison Street, Oak Park 708-227-3788 elevatehairboutique.com
Beauty and bath products, home decor, hair care and accessories for all ages. We have great gift sets, or we can help create for you!
Order online at our web store Call Gail to arrange curbside pick-up or delivery. E-gift cards available online. Free shipping nationwide! We can also include a free card in your order to your gift recipient.
Fitzgerald’s Fine Stationery 111 North Marion Street, Oak Park 708-445-8077 Fitzgeraldsstationery.com
Greeting Cards, Stationery and Gifts
Call or shop our online store. Complimentary local delivery (Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Forest Park) or Curbside pick-up.
Jewelry store
Sear’s Pharmacy 1003 Madison St, Oak Park 708-386-6304
7442 W. Madison, Forest Park 708-771-5590
Teamblonde.com Clothing, gifts, jewelry, handbags, bath & body products, hair care products To order, go to our website, email us at blondes@ teamblonde.com, or call. We offer curbside pick-up and delivery. For curbside pick-up, pull up to our front or back door and call to let us know you arrived. Hours almost anytime, by appointment. Mention this ad for 15% off your first curbside purchase
Ten Thousand Villages 121 N Marion St, Oak Park 708-848-4572 land-line 708-737-3156 mobile
We are a cultural gift shop selling an assortment of fair trade items from jewelry, home decor, musical instruments, planters, garden accessories, cards, coffee, tea, chocolate, wall decor, clothing. Look online, then call the store to place an order. You can also DM us if you see something you like through our Facebook or Instagram pages. Curbside pick-up is at our side door on Westgate. Call us when you arrive. Hours: Tues, Fri and Sat 10-4pm
Trends Consignment Boutique
Searsrx.com
Prescription Medications, Over-the-counter medications, Vitamins
Call ahead with order and payment info. Call when curbside, and we will bring your order out to you. We also offer Delivery Hours: Mon-Fri 9-7; Sat 9-2; Sun Closed
Paulson’s Paint 7400 Madison St, Forest Park 708-366-4288 Paulsonspaint.com
Paint, Tools and Sundries (including Emulsifying Agents and Denatured Alcohol to clean and sanitize)
Hours: Mon - Wed 7:30-5:30; Thurs 7:30-8:00; Fri 7:30-5:30; Sat 8:00-5:00; Sun 10:00-3:00 Multiple sales and specials are ongoing. Benjamin Moore Aura and Regal Select gallons are on sale and the purchase of one gallon gets lower sale pricing on the New Corona Pro-Pack brush/roller combos.
110 N. Marion St, Oak Park 708-524-5336
Team Blonde Boutique, Eco Spa, and Salon
Tenthousandvilllages.com/oakpark
Oakparkjewelers.com
Sugarcup Trading
Offering: Online Shopping, Concierge Service, Virtual Shopping Parties You can order online or call 708-524-5336. We offer Curbside Pick-up, Free Local Same Day Delivery and shipping throughout the US. Hours: Mon-Sat 11-5
810 North Blvd, Oak Park 708-434-0801 Trendsoakpark.net
Women’s clothing & accessories
Shop on our website and through our social media posts. If you have a special request, virtual shopping appointments are also available. Join us for our LIVE shopping parties on Facebook. Tues-Thurs at 8pm. When you have placed an order, you can request curbside pick-up by emailing Amanda@trendsoakpark.com. Curbside pick-up is available Monday-Friday starting at noon
Tulipia Floral Design 1044 Chicago Ave, Oak Park 708-524-1323 Tulipiafloraldesign.com
Floral arrangements and gifts
Order on our website or call us at 708-524-1323 . For curbside pick-up, call upon arrival and we will bring out your order. We also deliver. Hours: 10-5
Sugarcuptrading.com
Each of these businesses paid a very nominal fee to participate in this ad. Thank you for supporting these local businesses! May 13, 2020 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review
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B16 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ May 13, 2020