W E D N E S D A Y
May 31, 2017 Vol. 35, No. 41 ONE DOLLAR
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of Oak Park and River Forest
OPRF, park districts mull joint community center After failed referendum, agencies look toward collaboration By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor
Talks are heating up between Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200, and the park districts of Oak Park and River Forest about the prospect of jointly funding a community recreational center that would feature an indoor swimming pool, among many other amenities to be shared by residents in both towns. The administrative heads of the three taxing bodies appeared before the District 200 school board on May 25 to flesh out what that collaboration would look like. Although the concept is still preliminary and many details are forthcoming, the three governing bodies indicated they’ve already done some heavy lifting, with the Park District of Oak Park apparently taking the lead. Park District of Oak Park Executive Director Jan Arnold said conversations See COMMUNITY CENTER on page 13
Rendering provided by New World Design Ltd.
WHEN PIGS FLY: Oak Park resident Jeffrey Roberts and his firm New World Design Ltd. continue to raise money for the proposed art installation that would obscure the 20-foot “TRUMP” sign on the side of Trump Tower in downtown Chicago. The giant, golden pigs are based on the one flown over Battersea Park Power Station during a 1976 photoshoot for cover art on the album ‘Animals’ by British rock band Pink Floyd. | Image via New World Design Ltd.
The best way to block Trump? Flying pigs Oak Parker behind plan to obscure Trump Tower sign in downtown Chicago
By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter
A Chicago design firm has made headlines worldwide since late last year with its plan to visually block the “TRUMP” sign on the side of Trump Tower (Chicago) with four inflatable golden pigs. But Jeffrey Roberts, an Oak Park resi-
dent and founder of the firm, New World Design Ltd., which is planning the art installation, said along with numerous accolades for the idea have come death threats from Trump supporters. “We’ve gotten some very harsh blowback,” he said, noting that lampooning the president is “not for the faint of heart.” Shortly after announcing their plans
for the art installation in November, the New World Design team had to remove the firm’s address and phone number from its website because of threatening phone calls. “Put it up and see what happens to you,” one anonymous caller warned. Another hoped that “a meteorite from See TRUMP on page 13
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