Wednesday Journal 071421

W E D N E S D A Y

July 14, 2021 Vol. 41, No. 50 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Police audit moves ahead with 2 firms interviewed

INN SPEC I AL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID

How two suburban high school’s addressed COVID’s impact on students

Oak Park board seeks balance on public input

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

AFTER ALL: Graduates on May 29, during the class of 2021 commencement ceremony at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

T

he Wednesday Journal and Evanston RoundTable newsrooms explored various aspects of how two high school districts in similar Chicago suburbs — Oak Park and Evanston — addressed the social/emotional needs of students, particularly students of color, after the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted their lives in March 2020.

Each newsroom explored the various solutions deployed by administrators in those respective high school districts and the community’s responses to those solutions.

The two pieces are part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, The Beacon/KCUR; Bridge Michigan/Side Effects Public Media; Cicero Independiente/South Side Weekly; Detour Detroit/Planet Detroit/Tostada Magazine; Evanston RoundTable/Growing Community Media; Madison 365/Wausau Pilot & Review; and MinnPost/Sahan Journal.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with additional support from INN’s Amplify News Project and the Solutions Journalism Network.

Read each of the school’s feature stories inside Pages 19-25

Oak Park’s village board made a step forward in its plans to eradicate systemic racism in its police department during its July 12 meeting.

Representatives from two consulting firms, BerryDunn and Hillard Heintze, were interviewed by the board to conduct a full audit of the Oak Park Police Department.

“The only reason for this [request for application] is because of the racial reckoning among many whites and white-entities that occurred since murder of George Floyd and other Black people at the hands of police,” Trustee Susan Buchanan told both firms.

The two firms were selected for interview following the issuance of the request for application last September. Both BerryDunn and Hillard Heintze have considerable experience assisting different towns and cities in matters of police reform. Each also employs former law enforcement officials.

The former firm has worked with the village of Oak Park on two previous projects, as well as provided services in all 50 states and in Canada. The latter is the sole provider of law enforcement consulting for U.S Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ Collaborative Reform Initiative See POLICING on page 15

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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SPONSORED CONTENT

A Life-Changing Partial Knee Replacement at Rush At Rush, knee and hip replacements are so common they are a part of everyday life for the trained medical team.

According to Vasili Karas, MD, MS, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon, that’s why there’s no better place in the Chicago area — and Illinois — to have these procedures done.

“The most important thing when it comes to selecting your care provider is to find a practice that does a high volume of these procedures,” Karas explains.

“There’s a lot of research on which hospitals and what kind of training results in better outcomes, and we consistently see that providers who perform more joint replacements have better outcomes.

Rush University Medical Center is the No.1 hospital in Illinois for joint replacements because we do a lot of them, and it makes us very good at it.”

For Paul Morris, 66, this common procedure was life changing. Paul has always been active and athletic, participating in sports like shot put, track and judo in his younger days and playing golf and hitting the gym as an adult.

Then, five years ago, he started to experience a tremendous pain in his left knee that he couldn’t relieve. He went to a Chicago-area hospital to have it checked out.

me; he didn’t tell me what to do,” says Paul. “It was evident I was having problems, and he went through all of my options with me, including not performing surgery at all.”

“I was told that I needed a knee replacement and there was nothing I could do about it,” Paul says. “I didn’t like my experience with them, so I put it off and bought about 20 different knee braces so I could keep golfing with my friends on the weekends.”

After the consultation, Karas, his surgical team and Paul decided that he might benefit from a partial knee replacement instead of a full one. Paul’s team noted that this option offered an easier recovery and higher retention of function and feeling.

Finally, he couldn’t ignore the discomfort anymore.

Between golfing, talking walks with his wife and playing with his family, he was constantly limping.

When he felt that he could no longer keep up with his grandkids, he called Rush on the advice of friends and neighbors who had positive experiences with their own knee and hip replacements.

Paul was up and walking the same day as the surgery, though he stayed in the hospital overnight so his care team could monitor him for some pre-existing health conditions.

A resident of the southwest suburbs of Chicago, Paul was grateful to have the option to have the procedure performed at Rush’s Oak Park or downtown location. He and his family decided that Oak Park was more convenient for him.

Paul’s care team discussed all his options, which was incredibly reassuring. “Dr. Karas listened to

And the result of his procedure? “Now that the weather is nicer, I’ve been walking with my daughters and their kids without any pain at all,” says Paul. “I’m looking forward to golf season this year.”

The only regret Paul has about his knee surgery is not doing it sooner.

“It changed my life,” he says. “Looking back, if I had proceeded with this five years ago, I might have lost more weight and been in less pain.”

Vasili Karas, MD, MS, sees patients in Chicago and Oak Park. Call (312) 432-2598 to schedule an initial consultation or second opinion.

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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The word is N-E-M-E-S-I-S

ast week, 14-year-old how you’ve comported yourself Zaila Avant-garde won the in the world, that will come with Scripps National Spelling their own presumptions about Bee, becoming the first you and inflict those presupposiAfrican American to win tions upon you. [That dynamic] the competition. Jody-Anne comes in the form of a word like Maxwell, a Black Jamaican girl, nemesis. People will use that as won the bee in 1998. some kind of tool to pull the rug To her credit, Avant-garde out from under you.” invoked the spirit of 13-year-old Van Jones said Cox never MacNolia Cox, who might have recovered from the loss, despite won the National Spelling Bee Norris reporting at the time in 1936. that the little Black girl “didn’t I learned of Cox in 2015, cry, nor did her stoic mother.” during an interview with the For all the debate that’s Commentary renowned poet A. Van Jordan currently trending around the at Oak Park and River Forest teaching of history, what this High School. Jordan had come to the school country needs is more poets. at the request of Peter Kahn, himself a “[The poem deals] with the emotional renowned poet educator. resonance behind the story,” Van Jones Jordan’s 2004 book of poems, called “Msaid. “We get the facts of the history, but A-C-N-O-L-I-A,” centers on Cox’s tragic life. now we’re trying to get some interiority of She made it all the way to the final round of this person.” the 1936 National Spelling Bee in WashingImagine yourself as MacNolia Cox, a ton, D.C., only to get stumped by a word little girl with possibly the IQ of a genius, that the southern white judges shouldn’t who during her trip to the nation’s capital have asked her to spell in the first place. is forced to sit in the back of the train, Mabel Norris, a reporter with The cannot eat with her white contestants and Akron Beacon Journal, documented how has to stay at the home of a Black doctor the “judges, all Southern educators, were because she cannot stay in the city’s segrebecoming visibly uncomfortable” as Cox gated hotels. coolly slayed one multisyllabic dragon after But when you read Norris’ account of another. your trip in the Beacon Journal about a “So they’re at the National Spelling Bee large Negro delegation welcoming you, the in D.C., they go through the preliminary “fifth best speller in the United States,” rounds and the people in that round with back to your hometown of Akron, you see her are all there on technicality,” Van Jorno trace of your actual experience in Washdan told me in 2015. ington, D.C. As smart as you are, how can “Either they misspelled a word or they you not notice the dissonance? spelled an alternate spelling of the word, The injustice has been turned into somebut were allowed to stay in. MacNolia, howthing else (you are now a little school girl ever, just spelled straight through with no “who lost out in her fight for the national technicalities. It was clear that she looked spelling championship on her spelling of like the winner.”

‘Nemesis’ Tuesday”). The burden is now But the judges, going against the contest yours alone to bear. rules, had given Cox a proper noun that And according to the record, you had a was not on the list of 100,000 words she had grand old time after your loss.

“With Jean Trowbridge, of Des Moines, memorized.

Iowa, the national spelling champion, as “Believe it or not, the word was ‘nemthe most important figure in the group, esis,’” Van Jordan said. “The word in this the children were taken to the towering situation stands in for injustice. There are Washington monument for the view of people and forces in the world, irrespective Washington, and the blue Potomac river,” of what you have done or prepared for or

MICHAEL ROMAIN

Norris writes.

“Then there was the White House,” the reporter continues. “MacNolia paused before the huge painting of George Washington — remembering her history — she wondered again at Dolly Madison’s being able to save it when Washington was threatened by the British.

And then you were off to Mt. Vernon “for a tour of the famous old home, the expansive gardens, the view of the Potomac.”

In 1937, you and your mother were invited to a luncheon feting past Akron Beacon Journal champions, who brought forth “memories of their own glorious weeks in Washington” so that year’s bee champ, 14-year-old Robert Farrell, would know what was in store for him.

In the grainy photo taken of the luncheon, you and your mother are looking off, as if in your own worlds, flanked by white adults who are smiling or momentarily unbothered.

“The world is wrong. You can’t put the past behind you,” Claudia Rankin writes in “Citizen,” her luminous book of poems.

“It’s buried in you; it’s turned your flesh into its own cupboard. Not everything remembered is useful but it all comes from the world to be stored in you.”

Some clarification is in order. Although Zaila Avant-garde is the first Black American winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, she is not the first Black American to win a national spelling bee.

In fact, the nation’s very first national spelling bee, the National Education Association Spelling Bee, was held in 1908 in New Orleans and predates the first Scripps spelling bee by nearly two decades. And a 13-year-old Black girl named Marie C. Bolden from Cleveland was its winner.

The NEA’s bee was team-based and Bolden was the only Black in the competition on the only racially integrated team that competed. The Cleveland team won because it had the fewest errors and Bolden, the only speller on her team with no errors at all, was named the bee’s individual champion.

“Of 510 students, she was 1 of only 3 who had perfect scores,” writes the Root’s Michael Harriot.

Despite the popularity of the NEA’s spell-

ing bee, the organization, forced to confront the fallout from the Black girl’s victory, never held a National Spelling Bee again, Harriot writes.

In Rankin’s book of poems, the narrator is reflecting on being told by someone white that “his dean is making him hire a person of color when there are so many great writers out there.”

When I look at your face, MacNolia, and the face of your mother, in that luncheon photo, I think of this passage in “Citizen,” wherein Rankin portrays the moments after that micro-aggression, as we’ve come to call systemic injustices that span time and space, seemingly with the cosmic intensity of black holes.

“When you arrive in your driveway and turn off the car, you remain behind the wheel another 10 minutes. You fear the night is being locked in and coded on a cellular level and want time to function as a power wash. Sitting there staring at the closed garage door you are reminded that a friend once told you there exists a medical term — John Henryism — for people exposed to stresses stemming from racism.

“They achieve themselves to death trying to dodge the buildup of erasure. Sherman James, the researcher who came up with the term, claimed the physiological costs were high. You hope by sitting in silence you are bucking the trend.”

So does MacNolia buck the trend, I asked Van Jones in a roundabout way in 2015.

What happened to her?

“She ended up being a domestic in the home of a doctor,” he said. “And so, she marries a guy who’s more streetwise than her. She’s diagnosed with cancer and dies at age 53. So it’s a pretty depressing story.

I start the book on her death bed and move in reverse chronological order to the night before the spelling bee. We close the book at the moment of her greatest potential. Hopefully, the progression, the experience of the read, is one of transcendence.”

If Scripps allows the history of MacNolia Cox to inform its future actions, Zaila Avant-garde’s victory can be transcendent, too.

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

Get the Dirt - Your Garden Questions Answered Tuesday, July 20, 7 to 8 p.m., Zoom with the Oak Park Conservatory Join a live Q & A to get gardening advice and tips from Conservatory plant experts. Also, learn what to be doing in the garden now. Submit questions in advance or bring them to the live panel. Free. Register: pdop.org

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BIG WEEK July 14-21

Sizzling Summer Dance on the Patio - Swing

Teen Environmental Club Sunday, July 18, 1 to 3 p.m., Main Library Entrance Join the Teen Environmental Club for a monthly Adopta-Block cleanup. Meet at 1 p.m. and walk as a group to a nearby designated block. Litter clean-up supplies provided. Led by the Leading Edge Teen Advisory Board (LETAB) where teens gain leadership skills and work together to build community. Register: oppl.org/calendar.

834 Lake St., Oak Park.

TechGirlz Workshop: Internet Safety - How to Stay Safe Online

Friday, July 16, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., Cheney Mansion Step out for hot nights of dance all summer for both instruction and open dancing on the patio. Individually boxed appetizers available; registration includes two drink tickets. Non-alcoholic beverages available. 21+. $30, Oak Park residents; $39, non-residents. Up next Aug. 12, Line Dancing. 220 N. Euclid Ave., Oak Park.

Saturday, July 17, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Zoom with the Oak Park Public Library Students in grades 5 through 8 will complete some simple online exercises to learn how to keep themselves and their families safe. Laptop, Mac, PC or Chromebook with internet access required. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Writers’ Word Feast

Midwest Pro-Future Community Conversations Sunday, July 18, 3 p.m., In person and on Zoom with Compound Yellow (CY)

Side Yard Sounds Friday, July 16, 7 to 9 p.m., Compound Yellow See BCMC | Cooper Crain and Bill MacKay. Crain’s organ and synths and MacKay’s guitar mix as they draw their songs from elegiac themes and spontaneous statements to create provocative epilogues, warm avant-garde noir and fiery over-driven jams. Next up - Friday, July 23, Edith Yokley. $15. Tickets/more (or pay with cash or card at the door): facebook.com/compoundyellow, compoundyellow.com/events. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Concerts in the Park – Sushi Roll Sunday, July 18, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Scoville Park Enjoy family-friendly music and entertainment courtesy of the Park District of Oak Park. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic and listen to a variety of music each Sunday through Aug. 29. This week, Sushi Roll performs pop, driving rock and theatrics. Up next: July 25 – Billy Elton Band, playing Billy Joel and Elton John covers Aug. 1 – The Flat Cats, featuring swing and jazz Free. Drop in event. Lake and Oak Park Ave. More: pdop. org/events/summer-concerts

CY’s eco resident Tony Foley hosts a research and discussion group on Midwestern ecology, history and identity within the context of climate collapse. This generative brainstorming event is meant to explore, collaborate and openly share ideas, concerns and perspectives to help navigate the near future under climate change with awareness and gratitude. Questions/RSVP: midwestprofuture@gmail.com. More: compoundyellow.com/events. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Developmental Screenings for Young Children Friday, July 16, 9 to 11 a.m. or Wednesday, July 21, 3 to 5 p.m., Oak-Leyden Developmental Services A developmental screening takes a closer look at how a child is developing. If you have children under age 5, sign up for a 15-minute screening with an Oak-Leyden therapist to see if your child is meeting their developmental milestones. Screenings are usually a combination of play-based activities and parent questions. If further action is needed, Oak-Leyden will help with referrals or other community resources. 411 Chicago Ave., Oak Park. Register: tinyurl.com/22c3yr9y

Native Predatory Wasps: Their Role as Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Sunday, July 18, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m Zoom with West Cook Wild Ones Wasps need diverse, flower-rich landscapes to hunt for their prey, insects and spiders. Learn the natural history and biology of native wasps including their nesting habitat, prey specificity and the ecosystems services they provide—pest insect population control and pollination. Presented by bee and wasp expert Heather Holm. Free. Register: westcook. wildones.org/2021-year-of-the-butterfly

Sunday, July 18, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Zoom through the Oak Park Library 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. Every first and third Sunday. Up next: Aug. 1. Register: oppl.org/calendar

Mutt Strut Friday, July 16, through Sunday, July 18, Virtually with the Animal Care League Join the 5k to help animals. Simply register online, set up a personal fundraising page, collect donations from friends and family, and then run or walk 3.1 miles this weekend. More: //animalcareleague.org/mutt-strut

“Botanic Garden The Musical” Wednesday through Saturday, July 14 to 17, and Tuesday through Thursday, July 20 to 22, 7 p.m.

Live Outdoors with 16th Street Theater When Kate is desperate to get out of a first date, she turns to the one person who can help: her deceased husband. Traipsing through their shared memories of more than 25 years together, this is a tender story of an imperfect marriage. It is a concert presentation of Todd Logan’s and Lindsay Jones’ new musical adapted from Logan’s play. Bring chairs or blankets and food to sit and enjoy in the park at Maple and 15th, Berwyn. Free parking. $22; $18, low income or Berwyn resident; $5, chairs (limited availability). Tickets/more: //16thstreettheater. org/productions/botanic-garden-the-musical

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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Dorian McGee

OPRF student murdered in North Lawndale shooting Dorian McGee remembered as ‘old soul’

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Those who knew Dorian McGee knew he was caring and generous. McGee, a rising junior at Oak Park and River Forest High School, had a big heart, an “old soul” and a warm, endearing smile.

“Dorian had so many dreams and hope[s] for his life,” wrote Anthony Clark, a teacher at OPRF who launched a fundraiser for McGee July 10 just days after the teen was found shot and killed on a city street.

On July 7, McGee was found unresponsive in the street, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said. Police said they found the 16-year-old around 5:45 a.m. in the 1300 block of South Millard Avenue.

McGee was transported to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he was pronounced dead. No suspects are in custody, as Area Four Detectives are still investigating. Police are encouraging anyone with information to contact police or submit a tip anonymously

at cpdtip.com.

Clark created a Gofundme account for McGee’s family to help raise money for funeral costs. As of July 12, donations from community members have exceeded the $6,000 goal, bringing the total to $6,608.

“I have been teaching for going on 13 years & [sic] Dorian McGee is now the 13th student I have personally known to be taken by gun violence,” wrote Clark in a social media post dedicated to McGee. He went on to say McGee had an impact on students and teachers “who all rooted for him” and that he was working hard to find his place in this world.

District 200 also released a statement, expressing condolences to the family and those who knew him.

“Our OPRF family is heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Dorian McGee,” the district said. “We have reached out to our staff and families to let them know that members of our Student Services team are available to support those who are struggling with this loss. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Dorians’ family, friends and all who loved him.”

To make a donation, visit gofundme.com and under the search tab, type “In Loving Memory of Dorian McGee.”

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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Jewish delicatessen dreams do come true

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Craving kreplach, pastrami, or knish?

Paul Stern, a longtime Oak Park resident with nearly four decades of restaurant experience, is bringing a menu filled with Jewish fare to the former home of Geppetto’s Restaurant, 113 N. Oak Park Ave. “It has always been a dream of mine to open a Jewish deli,” said Stern. “I would always say someday, someday, someday.”

“That’s true,” chimed in his wife, Lisa.

“The very first time I ever spoke to Paul, he told me he wanted to open a deli with the same feeling as Lou Mitchell’s.”

Stern fondly remembers eating at Lou Mitchell’s with his father in the restaurant’s heyday. There were bananas for the children and Milk Duds for the ladies — every meal at the family-owned diner, complete with prune and orange slice, felt like a special occasion. Stern hopes his forthcoming deli will bring back that same sense of personalization and attention to detail while honoring his father’s memory.

“My dad, Fritz, fled Austria when they started rounding up Jews,” said Stern. “He went to Switzerland, then London and eventually emigrated through Ellis Island where he was re-named Fredrick. He never spoke German to anyone but his mother — she always called him Fritzi.”

Stern’s father left New York at 18 and spent years working in the steel mills in Gary, Indiana before furthering his education and becoming a professor of English literature at UIC. Stern, who was one of four children, noted his family was not wealthy

Paul and Lisa Stern when he was a child. He recollects making breakfast for his brother every day and admits the hardworking family rarely enjoyed restaurant meals. When he was just 12 years old, however, Stern’s grandmother paid the family a visit and took them out for a meal at Red Dragon in South Holland.

“It was just a basic Chinese restaurant,” said Stern. “But somewhere in my head that meal kicked off the idea that restaurants are magical places.”

Stern found his first restaurant job washing dishes shortly after his meal at Red Dragon and never looked back. He worked as tortilla chip fryer and bartender before working alongside acclaimed Chicago farmto-table chef, Michael Foley, in the 1980’s.

Eventually he opened his own restaurant,

Lucille’s, in Lincoln Park and now, with nearly 40 years of industry experience, he is poised to make his lifelong dream of owning a delicatessen come true.

“I am not a Jew that hides. There is no reason delicatessens should be dying when steak houses are booming,” said Stern. “So many Jewish cultural connections are made through the food we will serve at Fritzi’s.”

Stern is clear Fritzi’s Delicatessen will be a “Kosher-style deli” meaning they will not serve pork or shellfish and focus on Ashkenazi Jewish fare like corned beef, matzoh ball soup, kishke, brisket, chopped liver and lox. The restaurant, however, will not be a kosher establishment as evidenced by the inclusion of a Reuben sandwich on the menu.

Stern has proudly spent 10 years developing his pastrami recipe. A traditional 8–12-hour dry cure with a blend of spices including black pepper, coriander and cloves precedes soaking, cold smoking, and steaming. The finished pastrami will be hand sliced for sandwiches. Vegetarians will also have a place at Fritzi’s. Stern is planning for both corned tofu and beet and labneh sandwiches to appear on the menu.

To cultivate interaction and communal feelings, customers will place orders “dim sum style” by checking off menu items on a card placed on the table. Menu items will come in a variety of sizes and Stern hopes inexpensive tasting portions will entice hesitant diners to try menu items they may be unfamiliar with.

“I want Fritzi’s to be a place where people put down their phones and actually dine with each other,” said Stern. “I want the place to have a buzz where people talk politics and share a bowl of something. If someone hears the person at the next table say they are an orthopedist, I want that person to ask them why their knee hurts. That is the heart of a deli for me.”

Serving up “good food for the soul,” Fritzi’s Delicatessen, is expected to open as early as mid-September.

La Borra café comes to Oak Park

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

La Borra del Cafe, a chain of coffee shops with roots in Guadalajara and more than 70 locations in Mexico, made its North American debut in 2019 by opening a shop in neighboring Berwyn. A Chicago location soon followed, and now, the burgeoning Mexican-owned business has set up shop in Oak Park.

The well-appointed café, 1000 Lake St. Suite 102, celebrated its grand opening on July 6 and aims to put a fresh spin on the classic café model.

“Her heart beats here,” said Goretti Campbell, La Borra investments strategist and partner of Fernanda Torres, Oak Park shop manager and investor. “Fernanda’s goal is to connect with the Oak Park community and spread inspiration.”

The business, inspired by La Borra del Café, a novel by Mario Benedetti, is just eight years old and has bold plans to open more Illinois locations and more than 200 California cafes in the next decade. Despite these grand plans, La Borra creates cafes designed to reflect the neighborhood they inhabit and function as both social gathering places and public workspaces intentionally placed on corner lots to ensure well-lit spaces.

The coffee drinks, food offerings and decorative elements are unique to each location. The Oak Park cafe features clean line

design, comfortable custom seating in shades of red, grey and black, and a bright red bike hangs from the ceiling. A quaint glassed-in meeting room invites guests to make “small decisions,” “big decisions” or “change the world” depending on the amount of time they choose to utilize the private space. Piles of books litter the shelves as part of a community minded book sharing program sponsored by the café.

“We want to say yes as often as we can,” said Torres. “We want to connect with the community, host events, hang local art and celebrate everything going on here. I love architecture and know the importance of Wright and Hemingway in Oak Park. This location will reflect those interests.”

La Borra is also eager to bring Mexican heritage and culture to Oak Park. Goretti and Torres take pride in being a contemporary Mexican company with a founder who manages up Latina leaders within the company. In fact, the bakery purveyor for all La Borra locations is woman-owned.

The coffees served at La Borra are sourced directly from farmers in Mexico and the finished drinks bring a distinctive Mexican flavor to a market dominated by American-style coffee drinks.

La Borra is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo by Melissa Elsmo

Lucy Tacher, La Borra baker, shows off some of the Mexican inspired pastries she serves in Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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Oak Park superintendents want clarity on COVID reopening from state D97, D200 leaders among 300 Illinois superintendents seeking answers

or allowed to even retrieve that masked in crowded settings, information from them, accordboth indoors and outdoors, espeing to the letter. They also asked cially when youth are present, if schools would have to make according to IDPH’s guidelines.

COVID-19 vaccinations or testing “We need a clear explanation mandatory for students and emand a rationale to justify the reployees who want to participate in quirements of masks in school,

By F. AMANDA TUGADE extracurricular activities. so we can communicate that inStaff Reporter At this point, schools cannot formation,” Wernet said.

This past weekend, the CenIn six weeks, Oak Park Elementary School legally require staff and students ters for Disease Control and District 97 plans to fully reopen, welcoming to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The GREG JOHNSON Prevention (CDC) provided an staff and students back on campus for in- vaccines are authorized under an D200 Superintendent update on what schools should person learning. District 97, which is home emergency use by the U.S. Food do for the next year. On the to eight elementary schools and two middle and Drug Administration (FDA) schools, will be among hundreds of school but have yet to receive full approval by the list, the CDC stated that staff and students districts across the state required to reopen FDA, said Karin Sullivan, director of com- should continue social distancing, staying under a resolution adopted by the Illinois munications and community relations at at least three feet away from each other.

People who are not fully vaccinated – which Oak Park and River Forest High School.

State Board of Education (ISBE).

Powell, who officially stepped includes individuals as young as 2 years old But the guidance around reinto his role as co-interim su- – should remain masked inside the buildopening has left co-interim superintendent at D97 July 1, said ings. Masks should also be worn properly perintendents Patricia Wernet that IDPH and ISBE released (covering the nose and the mouth). The CDC and Griff Powell, along with more instruction on schools’ also reminded that if staff and students feel hundreds of other superintentransition from virtual to hy- sick, they should stay home. dents, asking more questions. brid learning.

Like Wernet and Powell, Greg Johnson, “We need guidance that meets “The clearer they can be in incoming superintendent at Oak Park and the safety needs of our students terms of their set of guidelines, River Forest High School, expressed similar and our staff and also allows for the easier it is,” said Powell, who concerns. Joylynn Pruitt-Adams, Johnson’s the highest quality (of) educajust finished his post as an in- predecessor, joined Wernet and Powell in tion (for) our students, as they terim superintendent at DeKalb signing the letter before her tenure ended. return to school for in-person Community School District 428. OPRF, which pulls in roughly 3,200 students learning,” Wernet said. “The “That’s what it fully comes to and over 200 staff, is expected to open Aug. sooner, the better that we redo. It’s just that simple.”

16 for the first day of school.

GRIFF POWELL ceive that.”

Requiring staff and students “As we stand right now, exactly how we On June 24, Wernet was one of Interim D97 co-superintendent to wear masks was another is- will get everyone back in the building is un297 superintendents who signed sue raised in the letter. clear until we get this information,” Johna letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the That issue has become even son said in a statement sent to Wednesday Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and ISBE State Superinten- more complicated, as Illinois moved for- Journal. Pruitt-Adams, whose last day with dent Carmen Ayala, asking for clarifica- ward with Phase 5 of its COVID-19 reopen- Oak Park and River Forest was June 30 and tions on social-distancing in the classrooms ing plan last month. Under IDPH, people is now retired, was not available for immediand school buildings or whether there will who are fully vaccinated are not required to ate comment.

Ed Condon, superintendent at River Forbe different quarantine restrictions for un- wear masks indoors and outdoors or be sixfeet apart. Venues, businesses and organiza- est School District 90, shared that he, too, vaccinated and vaccinated individuals. tions, however, can opt to call for masks and waits for any additional details from ISBE Superintendents also wanted to know if and IDPH. District 90, which is made up employees and students would need to share practice social distancing.

So far, state public health officials have of two elementary schools and one middle whether they are vaccinated or not with schools, and if school officials are expected stated that unvaccinated people should be school, will also open Aug. 25 for the first day of school.

While Condon did not sign the letter, District 90 officials presented their own set of guidelines for reopening to the Board of Education in a meeting last month.

“These plans will focus on safe operations, the delivery of high-quality instruction for all students and a focus on strong socialemotional supports for students, staff, and families,” said Condon in a statement sent to the Journal. “D90 students and families can be assured that additional details will be provided once we have received communication from ISBE.” But playing the waiting game is hard, Powell said.

“Not knowing what they (safety protocols) are is the only difficulty,” he said. “If we know what they are, planning is a lot easier.”

“Not knowing what they (safety protocols) are is the only difficulty.

If we know what they are, planning is a lot easier.”

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park Library seeks equity and anti-racism director To steer library toward becoming an ‘anti-racist organization’

seven other directors. The position comes with a starting salary ranging from $82,000 to $96,000. He said the position will be funded through the library’s general fund.

“We wanted someone who would join the library’s leadership team at a director level,” Seleb said. “We knew we needed someBy MICHAEL ROMAIN one at that level of the organization with Equity Editor that level of authority to make sure everyone understands that this is a top The Oak Park Public Library priority for the organization.”

(OPPL) is looking to hire a diAccording to the posting, the rector of equity and racism — a director position will be responmove that is critical to the insible for mentoring, coaching stitution’s goal of becoming an and advising library administra“anti-racist organization,” actors and staff members “in matcording to the job posting. ters related to equity, anti-racDavid Seleb, the library’s exism, and restorative practices” ecutive director, said the posiand building “external partnertion was posted in late June and ships and networks for knowlcomes a few months after the DAVID SELEB edge of and access to the latest library adopted an anti-racism Executive director research, practices, and resourcstrategic plan. es in the equity, anti-racism, and “It was a clear objective within restorative justice community.” that plan that we would work this year to The director will also be responsible for find and hire a director of equity and anti- supporting and creating “accountability racism,” Seleb said. “The board was very around the effective implementation and much aware and supportive of that objec- operations of equity, anti-racism, and retive.” storative practices through oversight of the Seleb added that the equity and anti-rac- anti-racism strategic plan,” among other ism director will be part of the library’s duties. leadership team, working under his direcCandidates will be required to have at tion and in collaboration with the library’s least seven years of paid or unpaid “pro-

gressive experience … in equity and antiracism-related programs or initiatives” and “clear evidence of leadership and management skills.”

They’ll also need experience and “practical application in implementing restorative practices” and experience in “developing and managing equitable budgeting,” among other qualifications.

Seleb said the library has been working with Reesheda Graham Washington’s RGW Consulting firm on various components of its equity and anti-racism work.

In early July, Seleb said the library would be taking applications for the next two to three weeks and aims to hire someone well before the end of the calendar year.

“I think we’ve already accomplished a great deal on our anti-racism journey with the help of our consultants and board of trustees,” Seleb said. “Now it’s time to make sure that not only our organization internally understands how important and essential a priority this is, but that the Oak Park community understand that as well.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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9

Two promotions at Growing Community Media Veterans step up in edit design and development Javier Govea and Mary Ellen Nelligan, two longtime staff members at Growing Community Media, have accepted promotions to new roles at the nonprofit publisher.

Govea is now editorial design manager for the newsroom. In this role he will lead both print and digital editorial design for GCM’s four flags – Austin Weekly News, Forest Park Review, Riverside-Brookfield Landmark and Wednesday Journal of Oak Park and River Forest.

Govea is now in his second run at GCM, having rejoined the newsroom one year ago.

He was an editorial designer with Wednesday Journal Inc. for several years previously. He has also worked as an editorial page designer for Pioneer Press/Chicago Tribune.

Nelligan takes on the newly created post of development manager for the nonprofit. As Growing Community Media NFP enters its second full year, Nelligan will focus on growing membership donations, connecting with potential larger donors and working with foundations on grant opportunities.

Nelligan has worked in sales and sales administration at GCM for several years.

She has been active in development efforts

and this promotion will allow her to focus on that work.

GCM is currently looking to hire for a new position as Development and Sales Coordinator to assume some work previously done by Nelligan.

“Javier is a great editorial designer. Creative, accurate, experienced,” said Bob Uphues, senior editor and editor of the Landmark. “Javi solves problems and is in-

credibly steady on deadlines.”

“Mary Ellen is so clear thinking, so organized, so thoughtful and passionate about the work we are doing,” said Dan Haley, publisher of Growing Community Media.

“This promotion is really recognition of the outstanding work she has done for us through the process of becoming a nonprofit and now growing that aspect of our work.”

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

For Dominican prof, health gap report is personal Health inequities report, released last month, hits home

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Equity Editor

Last month, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot declared racism a public health crisis in the wake of a report released by the city’s health department, which illustrated the large gap in health outcomes between Black and non-Black Chicagoans.

The report’s reverberations, however, were felt beyond the city. Dr. Tamara Bland, an assistant professor in nursing and acting executive director of the nursing program at Dominican University in River Forest, said the health gap is more than a study to her — it’s real life.

As a former health-care nurse on Chicago’s West Side, a nurse in the cardiac care unit at Rush, and an educator, Bland said she’s seen how racial discrimination in health care works and how it gets perpetuated.

She’s also felt the gap in other ways.

“Where it hit home for me was with my baby sister, who was a Type 1 diabetic,”

Bland said. “I remember her being sick and people just blew my parents off. She eventually wound up in the ICU with it when she was first diagnosed.”

She said she witnessed how some professionals in the health-care system wouldn’t listen to her parents and showed very little empathy as they attempted to navigate the health-care system, both for themselves and on behalf of her sister, who eventually died from complications of Type 1 diabetes.

Bland also experienced her father’s deep distrust of medical professionals, which she said originated from his time growing up in the South.

“There’s this community of trust that needs to be built and [the lack of that trust] is a fundamental failure of the health-care system,” she said. “We haven’t built this fundamental trust with communities of color.”

According to the Chicago Health Department report, the average lifespan of Black Chicagoans is roughly 71 years old while the lifespans of white, Latino and Asian residents of the city is around 81 years old.

The disparity is partly due to chronic diseases like diabetes — a disease 70% more likely to end the life of a Black Chicago resident than a city resident who is white.

Health disparities are driven by a variety of factors, experts say, including the fact that Blacks are more likely to live in food deserts, less likely to afford health care and routine doctor visits and less likely to get empathetic treatment once they do go into the hospital.

Mayor Lightfoot made her declaration last month at the Lawndale Christian Development Corporation in North Lawndale, where an exhibit commemorates Martin Luther King Jr.’s campaign for fair housing in Chicago.

King lived in an apartment in North Lawndale in 1966 in order to protest the city’s racist and discriminatory housing policies, such as redlining, or the practice of refusing to lend to people because of their race — a practice that helped create today’s food deserts in the city’s predominantly Black West and South sides.

“The results of these events and practices are the source of the great disparities we still see at this moment in health, wealth and almost every other important indicator of well-being,” Lightfoot said.

Bland echoed the mayor’s analysis of race-based health outcomes.

“As an educator, I want people I talk to and students to understand that the symbiotic

relationship between law and medicine itself creates health disparities,” Bland said.

“In order to achieve health equity, we have to look at everything.”

CONTACT: michael@oakpark.com

Dr. Tamara Bland

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

11

Oak Park interim fire chief keeping things cool Deputy Fire Chief Ron Nobyleski has been interim chief since April

“I’ve had a very enjoyable career,” he said.

“I love working here.”

His time as interim fire chief is about to come to a close as Battalion Chief Kevin Fadden is set to take over temporarily. Fadden is currently acting as deputy in Nobyleski’s place.

By STACEY SHERIDAN “We’re basically going to be switching Staff Reporter roles,” Nobyleski said. “He’s going to take over for a while, so I’ll go Despite not having a permaback to being deputy.” nent chief yet, the fire departRotating interim chiefs is comment has been operating as usumon in police departments, acal, thanks to Deputy Fire Chief cording to Nobyleski, but he is Ron Nobyleski. unsure if it is typical of fire de“I look forward to coming to partments as Oak Park has not work every day,” he said. been in need of a new chief in Following the retirement of quite some time.

Chief Tom Ebsen, Nobyleski “It’s been 10 years since we had was named interim fire chief in a chief change,” he said.

April. Having served as deputy, RON NOBYLESKI Village Manager Cara Pavlicek Nobyleski worked directly with Interim fire chief told Wednesday Journal that she Ebsen, which made him accuswill not appoint a chief of the fire tomed to the responsibilities that come with being chief, interim or otherwise. department before she departs in August to “The deputy is really here to support the serve as manager in Northbrook. The decision will fall on Lisa Shelley, who was recentchief, so I was pretty familiar,” he said.

Since stepping in as interim fire chief, ly appointed as Pavlicek’s interim replaceNobyleski has encountered no big surprises, ment. Nobyleski shared that the village plans just an increased workload as the pandemic to hire a chief from within the department.

When asked if he would like to be considwinds down. He described not having a fully staffed fire department as a bit of a challenge. ered to take over as chief permanently, he Nobyleski has been serving in the Oak responded with a resounding, “Oh yeah.”

Park Fire Department since 1985. Before His time with the Oak Park Fire Departbecoming deputy, he spent 10 years working ment is far from over.

“I’ve been very happy to be here,” he said. as one of the department’s three battalion chiefs, which he described as shift com- “I plan on staying here a while longer and continue serving the people of Oak Park.” manders.

Lisa Shelley named OP interim village manager

Will begin as interim village manager Aug. 20

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Deputy Village Manager Lisa Shelley scored a unanimous vote to become interim village manager from the Oak Park village board during its July 6 meeting. The appointment sailed through, just as Village President Vicki Scaman expected, having shared her belief that it would in an interview with Wednesday Journal prior to the meeting.

While each trustee gave affirmative votes July 6, Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla put

a supportive spin on hers, stating, “Yes, and congrats, Lisa.”

Scaman expressed her pleasure to Shelley for taking the interim position.

“Lisa, we’re all very happy. Thank you very much for stepping forward into this role,” the village president said. “We’re looking forward to working with you.”

Shelley, whose career with the village spans decades, thanked the village board for the appointment.

“I look forward to working with all of you and staff during this transition,” she added.

Aug. 20 will be Shelley’s first day as interim village manager. She will remain deputy village manager until Village Manager Cara Pavlicek’s last day on Aug. 19. Pavlicek is departing Oak Park to serve as the new village manager of the village of Northbrook.

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Metra increases rush hour and off-peak trains The new schedule moves Metra closer to pre-pandemic service

By IGOR STUDENKOV Contributing Reporter

Metra has increased weekday service levels on all of its lines. The change, which started on July 12, brings Metra’s operating schedule in the west suburbs closer to what it was before the pandemic.

In a statement, Metra officials said they plan to offer more pre-pandemic off-peak options while also increasing service as more workers return to offices and vaccination becomes more widespread.

The Union Pacific West line, with serves Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood, as well as Oak Park, River Forest, Maywood, Melrose Park, Bellwood and Berkeley, will get four new trains in each direction, though only half of those trains stop at stations in all of those communities.

The Milwaukee District West line, which serves Chicago’s Austin, Galewood and Montclare neighborhoods, will get three more inbound trains and four more out-

bound trains, though only will benefit most from it are one train in each direction the Oak Park station, which will serve those stations. is located near Harlem AvAnd the BNSF Line, which enue, right next to Harlem/ has one station in Riverside Lake Green Line ‘L’ station, and three stations in Brookand the Berkeley station, field, will see the biggest in5800 W. Park Ave. crease of the three, though The new schedule adds Brookfield’s non-downtown two rush hour inbound stations will see their offtrains that arrive in Downpeak and evening service town Chicago at 7:20 a.m. frequencies reduced. and 8 a.m.

Metra Executive Director The former makes all Jim Derwinski stated that stops, while the latter only JIM DERWINSKI the transit agency expects stops at Berkeley and Oak Metra executive director the ridership to rebound in Park at 7:30 a.m. and 7:38 the coming months. a.m., respectively. The sched“These new schedules are ule also adds two inbound intended to help our customoff-peak trains that will arers’ transition back to a regular work com- rive in Chicago at 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. mute providing them with more choices and While the latter makes all stops, the former flexibility,” he stated. “We expect ridership skips Bellwood station at 105 Fredrick Ave., to continue to increase as the summer pro- Maywood station at 450 W. St. Charles Rd., as gresses and will continue to monitor condi- well as Kedzie station in East Garfield Park, tions and make schedule adjustments that though it does stop at Melrose Park station, are responsive to our customers’ needs.” which sits at Maywood/Melrose Park border at 1801 W. Main St. The new schedule adds two mid-morning trains that leave Downtown Chicago at 9:05 While the schedule changes add four a.m. and 9:40 a.m., making all stops. It also trains in both directions, the stations that adds two afternoon rush hour trains that

“These new schedules are intended to help our customers’ transition back to a regular work commute providing them with more choices and flexibility.”

leave Chicago at 4:05 p.m. and 5:05 p.m. The former only stops at Oak Park and Berkeley at 4:21 p.m. and 5:21 p.m., respectively. The latter stops at all stations except Kedzie.

For more detailed information on the new Metra schedules, visit: metrarail.com/ridingmetra/service-updates/alternate-schedules.

CONTACT: igorst3@hotmail.com

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

Breaking the stained glass ceiling Rev. Adonna Reid first Black pastor at First United Methodist

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Rev. Adonna Reid is many things – a twotime Ivy League scholar, a mother of five, a wife, a former Wall Streeter and, most recently, the new pastor of First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave. Reid shattered the stained-glass ceiling upon stepping into the role July 1, becoming the church’s first African American and fourth woman to serve as pastor. But she doesn’t really consider herself a blazer of trails.

“I won’t say that I’m one that seeks that, but if that’s where my path takes me, then so be it,” Reid said.

What does she consider herself ? A spreader of good news. That good news, Reid told Wednesday Journal, is the teachings of Jesus Christ, which she is ready to share it with anyone who cares to tune in.

“Come one, come all, and see what this good news is,” she said. “It’s better than a

sale at Macy’s. It’s better than “The night I met him at a party, he said, ‘Oh, I’ve aca new flavor at Cold Stone. cepted a position in Chicago,’” It’s better than the McRib.” Reid said. “Here we are, 33 Reid hopes to work in colyears later.” laboration with other places Upon moving to Chicago of worship to benefit the right after getting married, wider community. She wants she worked for CBS on the everyone to know that First business side of the network United welcomes all people. news division. Reid had just “Our doors are absolutely had her first son when the buopen to everyone,” she said. reau was consolidated.

Reid describes her path to “I decided to exit myself for becoming a pastor as “circua while from the workforce itous,” despite having grown and concentrated on being a up in a religious household stay-at-home mom,” she said. in New Jersey and having It was around that time that two uncles who were pastors.

REV. ADONNA REID Reid really started getting She got her undergraduate involved in their church but degree in political science found that not everyone there and economics at Yale, then was putting in the same level spent a couple years workof effort as she was to help othing on Wall Street. Both environments, she ers. The decision to switch churches proved said, had few women or African Americans pivotal. She now recognizes it as the first at that time. step in the “spiritual direction.”

Following her Wall Street stint, she went “The first female pastor I had ever ento Harvard, where she received her master’s countered in my life was at this church that in business. In her last year of graduate I went to,” she said. “We started having conschool, she met her husband, who was in his versations because it never occurred to me last year of Harvard Law School. that I could be a pastor.”

“Come one, come all, and see what this good news is.

It’s better than a sale at Macy’s. It’s better than a new flavor at Cold Stone. It’s better than the McRib.”

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Right after she submitted her application to the seminary, she found out she that she was pregnant with their fifth child. She deferred for two years, starting school when her youngest was about 18 months.

“It was tough,” she said. “But God worked it out.”

While Reid was taking care of their five children, all under 10, and attending classes, her attorney husband was working long hours. As her schedule ramped up, her husband’s schedule got more manageable. By the time she was in the ordination process, he had become a partner at his law firm. She recognizes God for getting them through that particularly busy period in their lives.

“The strength to do this was not me be-

Rev. Adonna Reid cause I would have given out a long time ago,” she said. “So just try him for yourself !”

She’s now been a pastor for about 15 years.

Her five children are now adults, with her eldest in seminary himself. Reid came to First United having previously been the pastor of South Shore United Methodist Church and St. Mark United Methodist Church, both located on Chicago’s South Side.

Reid and her husband are hoping to relocate to Oak Park, which she said they have already found to be a very welcoming community. She believes people are ready to congregate together in church.

For those who are happy in their current place of worship, Reid advises them to get more involved. Those who are looking to try something new or those who are feeling unsatisfied spiritually are as welcome to Reid as any other parishioner. Everyone has a seat at Reid’s table.

“My goal is to help people hopefully learn to love God through Jesus Christ,” Reid said. “That’s what really excites me.”

14

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

River Forest hires recruiting firm for top positions

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

With the announcement of River Forest Fire Chief Kurt Bohlmann’s planned retirement, village officials voted, July 12, to hire a recruiting firm to fill not only that vacancy but also the vacant village administrator position.

Eric Palm resigned in February after 10 years as River Forest village administrator, leaving to accept a similar position in Hoffman Estates.

Bohlmann, who will continue in his position until September, has been in that post since 2017, when he moved up from deputy chief to replace Jim Eggert.

“After 31 years, it’s time to go,” he said.

“It’s a young man’s game.”

Bohlmann, who has spent his entire career in River Forest, noted, “It’s the only test I ever took.”

He was promoted to lieutenant in 2011 and to deputy chief in 2016. The village board eliminated the deputy chief position after Bohlmann became chief. He has seen many changes in firefighting since he started.

“We’re jacks of all trades but they keep adding trades,” he said. Because “it’s impossible to be trained in everything,” he said, firefighters today specialize in certain areas, such as emergencies involving hazardous materials.

Addressing the many issues that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 is just one of Bohlmann’s accomplishments. Others include starting the paramedic program in River Forest in 1998. There were no paramedics when he started; now all 20 firefighters in River Forest are paramedics.

He also helped purchase the department’s first EMS engine in the mid-2000s; received a $100,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to upgrade the department’s radios; replaced the 30-year-old alerting system with a state-of-the-art system; and received an innovation award from Intergovernmental Risk Management Agency, an insurance cooperative, for a collision avoidance app to prevent ladder trucks from colliding with viaducts.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bohlmann helped organize a vaccine distribution effort that led to 1,400 people receiving vaccinations at four sites with the assistance of officials from Jewel.

Although he admitted the effort was stressful, he credited River Forest’s participation in TripCom Medical Reserve Corps with Elmwood Park and Forest Park, which provided a framework for the effort. TripCom, which stands for triple community, is made up of medical and non-medical volunteers whose primary responsibility is to respond to a public health emergency or any other emergency that would put citizens at risk.

Not willing to coast into retirement, Bohlmann said he is involved in upgrading the department’s management system and updating the village’s building codes.

“We’re way behind,” he said, noting that current codes date to 2003.

“I’m going to miss the guys,” he said. “It’s

a great town. I’ve had a good career and I’ve enjoyed it.”

Village President Cathy Adduci said Bohlmann informed village officials in 2020 that he planned to retire in 2021.

“He’s a really great guy,” she said. “He’s well-respected not only in the village but also in the fire community. He has a great reputation and he’s developed a great organization.”

The village board unanimously approved hiring GovHR to conduct the two searches.

Based in Northbrook, GovHR is a public management consulting firm serving local government clients and other public-sector entities across the country. The firm has

been used by River Forest previously, most recently to fill the village finance director position, and is “very reputable,” according to Adduci.

The two searches will cost the village $42,500, $22,500 for the fire chief search and $20,000 for the village administrator search.

According to GovHR, such searches usually take 14 weeks but the administrator search might take less time because the village has already started recruiting through the West Central Municipal Conference, an association of municipalities. Bohlmann’s resignation is likely to occur before his successor is chosen but Lisa Scheiner, acting

village administrator, said an interim chief will be chosen.

Adduci said the village is using a recruiting firm to “cast the widest net,” noting internal candidates will be considered for both positions. She said Palm’s resignation coming so close to the April 6 election was a factor in delaying the process of hiring his successor.

Scheiner, who was assistant village administrator under Palm, has been serving as acting village administrator since February. Adduci said Scheiner will be considered for the position, noting, “Lisa has been doing a phenomenal job.”

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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15

How to spend $39M in feds’ COVID funds?

Refill general fund? Invest in innovation?

Oak Park admins recommend spending $31M to replace ‘lost revenues’

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The village of Oak Park is expecting to receive $38.9 million through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Village staff is suggesting spending the majority of it to cover the projected $31 million in village revenues lost due to COVID-19. At least one trustee is seeking a wider discussion before spending decisions are made. The suggestion from staff was brought before the village board for discussion at its July 6 meeting.

Through the America Rescue Plan Act, municipalities are able to use their share of funding to recoup financially from the pandemic, according to Village Manager Cara Pavlicek.

“The guidance allows for the village to reimburse itself or recover those funds that we lost when we look at where our revenues were in 2019 as compared to what happened in the village in 2020,” she said.

The village’s share is being dispensed from the federal government in two payments of $19 million, the first of which has already been received. The village has to have the money

POLICING Next steps from page 1 and Technical Assistance. Hillard Heintze has worked with police departments in such major cities as Miami, Seattle, Baltimore and Louisville, Ky., following the death of Breonna Taylor.

Each firm advocates for a collaborative approach to police reform, involving the public, elected officials, stakeholders and police personnel. BerryDunn’s presentation placed great emphasis on the firm’s use of data-driven analysis, but each rely on cultivating qualitative and quantitative data to develop recommendations.

BerryDunn is based in Maine but promised to work with the village to schedule on-site meetings. Conversely, Hillard Heintze is headquartered in Chicago. Its office is downtown on South Wacker Drive.

“I’m from the area, so I know Oak Park,” said Hillard Heintze’s Sydney Roberts.

If the village board chooses Hillard Heintze as its consulting firm, Roberts would serve as on-site project manager. She shared with the board her understanding of the unique position Oak Park is in bordering

allocated for spending by the end of 2024 and those most impacted by COVID-19, to deterspent by 2026. Spending will spur long-term mine how to spend the American Rescue Plan recovery based on economic mobility and Act funds.

“I would love to see if we could use some of COVID-19 health equity. Economic mobility pertains to small businesses and individuals these dollars for participatory budgeting,” she said. impacted financially by the pandemic.

In a One View submitted to Wednesday Village CFO Steve Drazner said the $31 million in lost revenue he projected is variable Journal (see sidebar) Walker Peddakotla argues this is a “once in a generaand could change over time, tion opportunity” to rethink and “I’m trying to give you my best to fund new priorities in the vilestimate that I can with the inlage. She is proposing community formation I’ve been given,” said meetings to gather input from Drazner. citizens, especially those most diThe CFO also said he understood the steepness of using the rectly impacted by COVID. expected $38.9 million, which he Village President Vicki Scaman rounded up to $39 million, to reasked that the village’s communicoup lost revenues. ty partners, such as the Oak Park “I do realize that $31 million and River Forest Chamber of does seem awfully high – $31 [milCommerce, be included in spendARTI WALKERlion] out of the $39 million toing conversations.

PEDDAKOTLA wards revenues, but those are the Staff will present the board at numbers that I’m coming up with its July 19 meeting with a budget right now,” he said. amendment that will address revenue recovDrazner included certain revenues that do ery for fiscal year 2020, which would take care not qualify for the American Rescue Plan Act of some of the village’s immediate needs.

“On July 19, we’re only asking to address funds and those that no longer exist, including the defunct school resource officer program, the 2020 revenue loss in 2021 for roughly the within his lost revenue projection in compli- first six months,” said Pavlicek. “We’re not ance with guidelines from the U.S. Depart- asking you to lock in the full $31 million projected revenue loss.” ment of the Treasury.

During the fiscal year 2022 budgeting proTrustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla wants to have input from the community, particularly cess, the board will have an opportunity to

build a process for longer-term issues related to health equity, infrastructure and economic mobility, according to the soon-to-be-departing village manager.

“We do feel that we can’t go into the [fiscal year 2022] budget development process without understanding where we have recovered revenues for 2020,” said Pavlicek. “It will make a difference in what staff can bring forward based upon the board goals.”

As the pandemic evolves, department directors are beginning to understand areas where the village needs additional resources to address such issues within the community as vaccinations, health education and other COVID-19 related concerns.

“Health education is going to be incredibly important moving forward,” said Pavlicek.

“We also have some of the infrastructure issues related to, say, water or broadband and those other items we need to bring forward.”

American Rescue Plan Act includes spending restrictions, to which Oak Park must adhere. The village cannot use the money to pay off village bond debt nor can it be used to fund the unfunded police and fire pension liabilities, according to Drazner. Pavlicek added that certain areas of lost revenue, such as water and sewer revenues, also do not qualify for use of American Rescue Act funding.

“There are a lot of moving parts here,” said Trustee Jim Taglia during the discussion.

“It’s a lot to take in.”

Chicago, Maywood and River Forest.

Bob Boehmer, vice president of Hillard Heintze, told the board he grew up a block away from Oak Park and three of the fivemember team that would assist Oak Park live locally.

The plan to audit the police department was inherited from the previous village board, which committed to hiring an independent third-party consultant in June 2020.

Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla was the sole vote against hiring a consultant.

Now in the middle of her term, WalkerPeddakotla’s views on the matter were largely unchanged, which she made clear to the Hillard Heintze representatives.

“I’ll be very clear that I was against, and I think I still am against the hiring a consultant for this,” she said.

Walker-Peddakotla shared her concern that a consultant would not address her desire to have certain calls for service handled outside of the police force. She asked representatives of both firms whether, in any of their previous projects with other municipalities, they recommended having the police stop responding to such calls and instead having those calls handled “entirely” by mental health or public health responders.

Representatives from neither firm gave a simple response to the Walker-Peddakotla’s yes-no question.

about how Hillard Heintze planned to integrate the experiences and wishes of the public into its processes and recommendations.

Boehmer told her that Hillard Heintze deals with that situation often and particularly when working recently in Louisville.

When forming recommendations, he said, information gleaned from interviews is included, so the public sees actionability.

“We’re going to reflect those voices in a final report and make sure those voices also turn into those recommendations,” said Boehmer.

While Village President Vicki Scaman agreed that it was time more members of the Oak Park community felt heard, she said several of the people working for the village, as well as the members of the village board, care deeply about eliminating systemic racism in law enforcement and have “for a long time.”

“It speaks to exactly why we want to lead a conversation in our community that is responsive to the needs of everybody who lives here,” Scaman said.

Village Manager Cara Pavlicek told the board that staff will return with a date to continue the conversation regarding BerryDunn and Hillard Heintze. Pavlicek, who will be leaving her position next month, called both firms “very qualified” with “unique approaches.”

“We definitely believe that there are any number of calls that are being handled by police departments across this country because they’ve historically handled them that are better handled by other agencies,” said Rob Davis, senior vice president of Hillard Heintze and the supervisor the firm’s law enforcement consulting practice.

Davis added that many times, non-police agencies feel safer having a police officer accompany their employees when responding to calls.

BerryDunn’s Michele Wienzetl, who would serve as project manager, told Walker-Peddakotla that the firm would merely present the information to the board and allow them to make the determination.

“We would only ask the questions and let you evaluate what you want to move if anything,” said Wienzetl.

During the Hillard Heintze interview, Walker-Peddakotla said community members have already made several comments regarding police reform during previous village board meetings and at the two police listening sessions the village held last August.

“None of those comments were ever taken seriously nor were they followed up on,” she said. “The community hasn’t been listened to for two years and well before that.”

Walker-Peddakotla wanted to know more

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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ART BEAT

Two comic roots exhibits draw fans Chris Ware is both curator and contributor

By MICHELLE DYBAL

F

Arts Editor

or anyone drawn to comics — whether it’s kicking back with the Sunday newspaper section, going to the latest superhero movie, picking up an entertaining or thought-provoking graphic novel, or chuckling at the latest political cartoon — the medium’s history is on display in two Chicago exhibits. The first, “Chicago: Where Comics Came to Life (1880-1960),” is in the Chicago Cultural Center, and “Chicago Comics: 1960 to Now” can be seen at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

Involved in both is 20-year Oak Park resident Chris Ware, known for books such as Rusty Brown, Part 1, a New York Times 100 Notable Book of the Year in 2019; Building Stories, a New York Times Book Review Top 10 Book of the Year, set largely in Oak Park; and for creating 25 covers for the New Yorker magazine. Ware curated the Chicago Cultural Center exhibition, along with support from friend Tim Samuelson, and not only has work on display in the MCA exhibition, but played a part in getting it off the ground.

The local links do not end there. “Where Comics Came to Life” features three cartoonists with hyperlocal connections — two from Oak Park and one from Riverside. Ware is connected to both towns, too, splitting his time between his Oak Park home and another house in Riverside.

But first, how the exhibits came to be.

Ware had previously been approached by the Chicago Cultural Center to create an exhibit on Frank King, “Gasoline Alley” cartoonist, though the timing never seemed right, he said.

Chris Ware self-portrait “But when Michael Darling, the now-former chief curator at the MCA contacted me to come in and discuss the possibility of a show devoted to the history of Chicago’s role in the development of comics,” Ware said, “it seemed the ideal circumstance to consider it again. His original idea was to cover everything from the very beginnings, but after I gave him a list of artists going back as far as I could trace, it became clear that the MCA could appropriately cover the ‘contemporary’ end of things and a companion show could be mounted at the Cultural Center about everything that came before.”

Photo credit: Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago

Chris Ware’s art at “Chicago Comics: 1960s to Now” at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, through Oct. 3.

Darling said Ware and Ivan Brunetti, Chicago cartoonist and comics scholar, helped find guest curator and comics historian Dan Nadel, who steered the MCA show. Ware said he was supported in curating the Cultural Center show by researchers and collectors in addition to Samuelson “since doing an exhibit is as much about finding things out as it is about showing them.”

“Where Comics Came to Life” covers a lot of ground.

There is the start of the genre in papers such as the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Defender, whose art was created by Black cartoonists. The first woman cartoonists and editors are revealed, along with what is believed to be the first samesex relationship in comics, published in 1905. And the art and comics of Frank King are featured — as the “Gasoline Alley” characters aged and their stories played out over time, it became a kind of graphic novel before it became a genre. The first PROVIDED superhero, Hugo Hercules, which ran in 1903, is also featured.

The artifacts on display come from Ware’s own collection as well as Samuelson’s and other collectors, such as Peter Maresca, publisher of Sunday Press Books. Items like Buck Rogers toys, original art, books, and Raggedy Ann and Andy can also be seen.

Now back to those local connections: M.T. “Penny” Ross lived in Oak Park during his cartooning days in the early 20th century. He created “Mamma’s Angel Child” in 1908 and had a hand in the creation, with friend Richard Outcault, of Buster Brown. Ware said Ross was here creating “groundbreaking stuff in the 1910s.”

PROVIDED

A “Mamma’s Angel Child” comic and book, originally created by Oak Parker M.T. “Penny” Ross in 1908, from the exhibit “Chicago: Where Comics Came to Life” at the Chicago Cultural Center.

“His fine work was among the greatest of revelations for me, certainly as far as composition and color goes,” Ware said. “There’s a strange, almost nightmarishness to his work that’s not in any other early comics.”

“Mamma’s Angel Child” ran for 15 years and was syndicated in 25 major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune. He moved to California in 1926 where he worked at RKO. He also worked with Walt Disney.

Another Oak Parker, Russell Stamm, created the first

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM female superhero strip, “Invisible Scarlet O’Neill,” which tic “Mr. & Mrs.,” which continued for 33 years after Brigg’s debuted in 1940. Scarlett used her superpowers to help chil- death, running from 1919 to 1963.

These are just a few of the many cartoonists included. dren and the less fortunate.

At the Museum of Contemporary Art, the exhibit is orStamm was previously an assistant to Chester Gould, creator of the popular Dick Tracy series. Ware said that is ganized by decades and presents some “pre-history” beevident in Stamm’s drawing and he thinks Gould influenced fore launching into “1960 to Now.” Dale Messick’s “Brenda Starr” and Black female “a generation of cartoonists cartoonist Jackie Ormes are in the mien of newsprint seen at both exhibits. crimefighting. Bob Kane, Ware has a room-plus dedithe creator of Batman, was cated to his art. He, along clearly ripping off Gould.” with some of the other carIn 1955, Stamm discontoonists, made his exhibit tinued his comic, which area his own. evolved into “Stainless “I adapted the space that Steel,” named after one of [exhibit designer] Norman the characters, and started Kelly passed along to me,” Russ Stamm Productions in Chicago. He created some of Ware said. “They patiently the first animated television and tolerantly indulged my commercials with the Jolly preference for using all of Green Giant and Charlie the space rather than the the Tuna. Stamm is buried standard, eye-level, widein Concordia Cemetery in white-wall placement that River Forest. contemporary art museums Herrick Street in Riverusually deploy. … Comics side was the home of Clare use the whole space of the PROVIDED Briggs by the 1910s. Briggs page, so I wanted to use the is credited with the first Example of a Clare Briggs comic from 1906. Briggs, of whole space of the walls daily comic strip, “A. Piker Riverside, created the first daily comic. so that visitors, hopefully, Clerk.” The horse-racewouldn’t feel ripped off.” themed comic ran in the One section in Ware’s sports pages of Chicago’s American starting late in 1903 to space is an immersive Rusty Brown environment. There’s 1904. While it was short lived, a similar and more success- also a work-in-progress “God” sculpture at the center of the ful strip followed by another cartoonist, Bud Fisher — Mutt space, along with 3D versions of his characters, New Yorker and Jeff — in 1907. Briggs went on to create several success- cover art, and rarely seen creations. ful comics, his most popular and longest lasting, the domes“When folks see this exhibition, they’ll recognize on one

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Photo credit : Nathan Keay, © MCA Chicago

Chris Ware’s exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art. hand how much incredible skill [and] craft goes into these works,” Darling said. “They’ll recognize the whole grasp of history that these artists have — they know what’s been done prior to their work and how they’re pushing those traditions forward. And it’s incredibly sophisticated in terms of visual representation and not a stepchild or second cousin to other visual art forms. … This is work that just needs to be appreciated and seen and recognized for what it is and that these artists are incredibly serious and incredibly dedicated. So I hope that a show like this makes people think about comics in a more serious way.”

Experience Chris Ware creating his art on Friday, July 16, 10 a.m., in the Commons at the MCA. The MCA is located at 220 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago. $15; $8, seniors; free, 18 and under, military/veterans, members. More: mcachicago.org.

The Chicago Cultural Center is located at 78 E. Washington St., Chicago. Free. More: chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/ supp_info/comics.html. Both exhibits run through Oct. 3.

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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C R I M E

Library artwork destroyed A piece of professional glass art belonging to the Oak Park Public Library (OPPL) was destroyed outside in the 900 block of Lake Street. Police reported that the piece was removed from the Main Library, 834 Lake St., at 4 p.m., July 2 by a man in his 20s wearing a Chicago White Sox hat, black shirt and blue jeans.

The artwork was entitled “Fish Gotta Swim, Birds Gotta Fly” and was created by an artist affiliated with the Higgins Glass Studio of Riverside, according to OPPL Executive Director David Seleb, who did not know the artist’s name. The piece had an estimated value of $2,500.

“The work was hanging on a wall in the library before it was removed by an unauthorized individual, carried outside the library building and intentionally destroyed,” Seleb told Wednesday Journal.

Police are investigating the incident.

Burglary ■ Someone broke into a garage by removing a window pane, then removed a lawn mower and men’s bicycle from inside, between 9 p.m., July 2 and 7:05 a.m., July 3 in the 800 block of Mapleton Avenue. The estimated loss is $1,100.

■ A bicycle, weed whacker, and air compressor were stolen from a garage with a broken lock on its door in the 800 block of Hayes Avenue between 2 p.m., July 4 and

with a partially open overhead door and removing two socket sets, a power drill with charger, a 12-volt battery and a box of diapers between 3:45 a.m., July 6 and 6 p.m., July 8 in the 400 block of South Humphrey Avenue. The estimated loss is $390.

Motor vehicle theft

10:09 a.m., July 5. The estimated loss is $1,105.

■ Someone gained entry to a home, possibly by using a broken glass pane on the front door, then attempted to remove the door’s deadbolt and stole a knife between 7:30 p.m. and 11:14 p.m., July 5 in the 200 block of Harlem Avenue.

■ Numerous gold and diamond pieces of jewelry were taken from a residence with an unlocked back door in the 100 block of North Ridgeland Avenue between 5:50 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., July 6. The estimated loss is $11,200.

■ A person with a beard and wearing a hooded sweatshirt was observed via video surveillance entering a residential garage

■ Someone removed a vehicle parked in the 1100 block of Linden Avenue between 8 p.m., July 1 and 7 a.m., July 2. The estimated loss is $3,000.

■ A vehicle was taken from the 600 block of North Taylor Avenue between 10 p.m., July 4 and 7 p.m., July 6. The estimated loss is $5,640.

■ A person was recorded on video surveillance entering and driving off in an unattended and unlocked vehicle that was left running outside of the Shell gas station, 1 Harrison St., at 7:17 p.m., July 7. The estimated loss is $16,500.

Theft Someone took three Amazon packages, containing a pair of children’s sandals, protein powder, and a gray bathroom rug, from the front porch of a residence in the 300 block of South Taylor Street between 4:38 a.m. and 5 p.m., July 11. The estimated loss is $107

Criminal property damage ■ Someone threw a brick at a black 2020 Nissan Rogue, shattering its front windshield around 11:30 p.m., July 8 in the first block of Iowa Street. The estimated damage is $300.

■ A rock was used to break the glass on the main door of a building then spray-painted a white line across most of the building around 1:09 a.m., July 9 in the first block of Garfield Street. The estimated damage is $2,000.

■ Someone used a glass beer bottle to shatter the rear window of a white Toyota Camry between 5 p.m., July 10 and 7:13 a.m., July 11 in the 900 block of South Humphrey Avenue. The estimated damage is $500.

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports July 3-12 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

Teen recovering from stray July 4th bullet to the head Police believe firearm was shot into the sky

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

A teenager is expected to make a full recovery after being hit in the head by a stray bullet July 4 in River Forest. The wound is thought to be the result of an unknown person shooting a firearm into the sky.

Vincent Solari, 16, was outside at a party near the corner of Gale Avenue and Washington Boulevard around 10:15 p.m. on Independence Day when the projectile struck him on the left side of his forehead at the top of his hairline.

“He asked his friends if they knew what happened. And they said, ‘You’re bleeding!’” relayed the teen’s mother Suze Solari.

River Forest police arrived on the scene about five minutes after. The teenager was transported via ambulance to Loyola Medical Center, where he was met by his parents

and twin brother Rowan. None of his family were at the party; his parents were at home in Oak Park, while his twin was at a different celebration.

“It was lucky we didn’t know that it was a bullet at the time,” said Solari. “Otherwise, we would have been a lot more freaked out.”

Several CT scans indicated a foreign object was lodged in the teen’s head. Fortunately, it was found the object had not caused any cracks to his cranium. He was also lucky in the positioning of his body at the time of his injury.

“If he had looked up, if he had bent forward – it could have hit him in the neck, it could have hit him in the eye,” said his mother.

Following extraction surgery, the foreign object was handed over to River Forest police evidence technicians who determined it to be a 9mm projectile fired from a handgun.

“This event should have never happened, and our hearts go out to the victim and the family. Illegal guns, gun violence and reckless gun-related incidents are plaguing our country, especially in Cook County at alarm-

ing levels,” River Forest Police Chief Jim O’Shea said in a press release issued July 6.

It is believed the firearm was discharged outside of River Forest, possibly from a neighboring jurisdiction or the forest preserves, according to the press release, which also stated that detectives are working with bordering jurisdictions to develop leads.

The projectile is being sent to the Illinois State Police Forensic Lab, as well the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for analyzation.

Vincent Solari was discharged from the hospital July 6 and is now recovering at home. Despite a bout of discomfort from antibiotics administered to prevent infection from the headwound, he is in good spirits but exhausted from the ordeal, according to his mother.

The entire family is grateful for the outpouring of support from the community and relieved that the teen will not have any lasting damage from the injury.

“When something happens like this, it makes you contemplate of the preciousness of life,” said his mom.

Vincent Solari

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

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I NN SP ECIAL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID

OPRF confronts Catch-22 — stress, F’s and more stress As the pandemic raised student stress levels, the percent of Black and Brown students getting F’s increased and may have added more stress, prompting an emotional debate about the right solutions to the problem

By F. AMANDA TUGADE

F

Staff Reporter

or Jocelyn Meraz, her last years of high school were anything but easy. In the weeks and months after the pandemic forced schools statewide to close indefinitely in March 2020, Meraz, who was then finishing her junior year at Oak Park and River Forest High School (OPRF) in Oak Park, noticed her depression worsening.

As Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order pushed people into isolation, Meraz said the pandemic robbed her of the opportunity to go out and surround herself with friends, a crucial lifeline that helped mitigate her symptoms. She felt alone. She started sleeping more and losing interest in the things she normally liked, and her grades were slowly slipping.

“I kind of gave up at one point,” said Meraz, 18. “With every class, I just gave up on doing homework. I don’t know … I feel like focusing on school made me sad. I feel like it was just really bringing me down.”

By the time her senior year rolled around, Meraz continued to struggle. Attending school online for months and then transitioning into hybrid classes became all too much, and the further she fell behind in class, the harder it was to catch up.

Throughout high school, Meraz said she got mostly A’s and B’s and up until the pandemic, “I never failed all my classes before.” By the time her senior year ended, however, Meraz had failed three of her five classes.

Meraz is the embodiment of what appears to be a catch-22 that many students at OPRF experienced during the pandemic. As the social-emotional challenges of coronavirus compound, students’ grades take a hit, which may prompt even more social-emotional challenges and more bad grades.

While there’s no hard evidence establishing a causal relationship between poor grades and social-emotional stress, there’s nonetheless evidence that demonstrates at least a correlation between pandemic stressors and academic performance.

For instance, Advance Illinois, the education advocacy group, polled in December 2020 over 100 parents, caregivers and students across the state to learn how the pandemic affected them and their communities.

According to the survey, parents and caregivers “described a ‘low-level depression’”

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

From left, sisters Marlene and Jocelyn Meraz work together in the dining room with their mother, Cynthia Brito Millan on July 2, 2021, in Oak Park. in students who showed “apparent” disinterest in going to school or hanging out with friends. They also saw a shift in students’ sleeping and eating habits.

Eighth through 12th graders who also took part in the survey said they noticed their friends and classmates were “depressed” or “stressed out” by the “isolation, limitations to activities or other pandemic-related challenges.”

“Teachers often saw this in students who didn’t want to turn their cameras on, or they didn’t participate in virtual lessons, or they didn’t show up to virtual lessons,” said Staci Garvin, an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at Concordia University in River Forest who oversees the university’s trauma and resilience program.

A sharp, inequitable rise in F’s Data provided by the high school shows that 10% of OPRF students had at least one F during the first semester of the 2020-21 pandemic academic year — going from 6% and 8% during each of the first semesters of the previous two academic years.

But when disaggregated by race, the increase is much more pronounced. The percentage of Black students receiving at least

one F during the first semester of 2020-21 was 25% — up from 15% and 17% in the first semesters of the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years, respectively.

The percentage of Hispanic OPRF students receiving at least one F during the first semester of 2020-21 was 14% — up from 9% in each of the first semesters of the previous two school years.

After the pandemic closed schools, OPRF District 200 officials increased the range and robustness of social-emotional supports they offered students, and implement-

ed measures designed to lighten the academic burden and make the grading system less punitive.

For instance, school administrators provided online and in-person tutoring, and teachers held office hours after school for at least four times a week. During the second semester, administrators dropped finals for Bridge Week, so students could catch up on missing assignments and work closely with their teachers.

See OPRF on page 20

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I NN SP ECIAL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID

OPRF

Grappling with solutions from page 19 It isn’t clear what impact these actions had on the number of students who were failing in the second semester of 2020-21, since the school has not yet released its report on second semester grades. A spokesperson for OPRF said that the report will be presented to the school board in August.

Lynda Parker, OPRF’s director of student services, said that “some students” utilized the additional online and in-person academic support services and “some did not,” but did not provide a detailed breakdown of participants.

Parker and Janel Bishop, OPRF’s dean of students, said it was tough enough simply trying to track class attendance during the 2020-21 school year, as OPRF transitioned from full-time remote learning to hybrid learning. Bishop said some teachers noticed students logged into class with their cameras on before disappearing.

“You would see the box and you’d see their name, but you’d call them out and they would never respond,” Bishop added. In addition, when OPRF reopened in February for hybrid learning, some students would at times log into classes virtually instead of showing up for in-person classes, as was expected.

High school administrators also implemented changes to their grading policy. At the start of school closures in March 2020, the Il-

linois State Board of Education (ISBE) issued guidelines for school districts to follow, which included lifting some graduation requirements for the Class of 2020.

In addition to those state guidelines, OPRF administrators decided to not give any F’s as the 2019-20 school year ended. Students who were failing could receive a “no credit” mark, which would give them the chance to retake the course over the summer without affecting their grade point average. Students could also make up their third-quarter grades, Parker said.

“If you went out in the pandemic with a ‘C,’ you were not going to get lower than a ‘C.’ You could get higher if you were doing more to accelerate, but you weren’t going to go lower than that,” said Parker, who will serve as OPRF’s principal and assistant superintendent next year.

“There was a lot of leniency,” she continued.

“When we left, nobody expected to be out for as long as we were. There had to be things put in place so that students didn’t adversely suffer.”

Addressing the racially disparate distribution of F’s, Parker added that the district was “very intentional in targeting students for support.”

Two months before the 2020-21 school year started, ISBE officials allowed school districts in the state to return to traditional grades, but only if “students have all the necessary tools, technology and teacher supports at school and at home to complete all assignments, take assessments and complete projects in a timely manner.”

For some students and parents, the marked increase in students, particularly Black and

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Lynda Parker, Director of Student Services, at Oak Park and River Forest High School.

PAUL GOYETTE /Contributor

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior Chloe Leach spoke at a press conference May 19 about how Black and Brown students cannot focus on their schoolwork because they have watched their communities suffer from racial and police violence on top of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leticia Villarreal Sosa, a clinical social Brown students, with failing grades during the first semester of 2020-21 suggested that worker and professor of social work at DoOPRF was lacking those “necessary tools” minican University in River Forest, said the and supports to confront the burden of that infamous video of Floyd’s murder by former apparent catch-22 — pandemic stress, which Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin on leads to faltering grades, which leads to more May 25, 2020, was itself a source of trauma, especially for students of color who watched stress.

During the 2020-21 school year, nearly a it and had to live through its implications — dozen Black and Brown OPRF students chal- including the protests and rioting that came lenged the school district to show even more in the video’s wake.

“In the George Floyd situation, the people grading leniency, particularly as students of color grappled with the diswho directly witnessed that or proportionate impact of COwere directly impacted by that, VID-19 and the racial tumult it doesn’t just impact those related to the death of George folks. It impacts the entire African-American community,” Floyd. she said. “It not only triggers In late May, almost a week the identity trauma of underbefore the 2020-21 school year standing that that happened ended, Marlene Meraz, Jocebecause of the disregard for lyn’s younger sister, and their Black lives, but also this has mother, Cynthia Brito Millan, been something that the comrallied outside the high school munity has been dealing with and demanded school adminhistorically, and that historical istrators adopt grading poliLYNDA PARKER trauma gets passed down gencies that went much further Director of Student Services erations.” than the ones the district had Millan, who is currently a already implemented.

Ph.D. student at the UniversiAmong their demands, stuty of Illinois at Chicago, said dents with the Revolutionshe understands why havary Oak Park Youth Action League (ROYAL), the student-activist group ing good grades are important, but argued that organized the May rally, called for the schools needed to exercise even more empadistrict to reinstitute a “no-fail” policy and to thy and flexibility, especially amid a historic suspend the A through F grading system alto- pandemic.

Mary Anne Mohanraj, the parent of an gether for the rest of the school year.

The expectation to get good grades amid a OPRF student and a newly elected school pandemic, the students said, only exacerbated board member, also recommended that the their already stressful lives. During the rally, district go even further in making its grading some students of color, virtually all of them policy more lenient for students.

Mohanraj, a professor at the University of young women, talked about playing the roles of surrogate parents and teachers while help- Illinois at Chicago, said that her university ing their younger siblings with remote learn- modified its grading policy after the pandeming. Others shared stories of coping with ic to ensure that D grades appeared on students’ transcript as “Credit (CR)” and F’s as grief after losing loved ones to COVID-19.

“I know from the beginning that help is available. The next step is to help students be comfortable reaching out to access it.”

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I N N SP ECIAL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID “No Credit (NC).” In addition, D and F grades did not impact students’ GPA calculation.

Mohanraj recommended OPRF take similar action.

“I understand different institutions have different guidelines and rules and possibilities,” said District 200 Supt. Greg Johnson in May 2021 (he was assistant superintendent at the time). “For our school district to make that change would be incredibly significant.”

In May, Johnson said that OPRF’s grading system did not have the capability to implement the modifications that UIC implemented and that, while “anything is possible,” given how late in the school year it was, making the change would be pretty difficult from a logistical standpoint.

After taking ROYAL’s demands into consideration, the District 200 school board voted in May to lift all local graduation requirements for the Class of 2021 and to waive all fees for students enrolled in summer school. The board, however, did not vote for Mohanraj’s recommendation to convert all F grades to “No Credit.”

Board member Ralph Martire spoke for many administrators and other board members when he lauded the range of support services and resources that administrators and faculty members put in place after the pandemic, which he said were working for the vast majority of students at the high school.

“No matter how well you design a system, not everyone is going to thrive in that system,” Martire said.

School officials had reported before the board’s May decision that 29 students, or about 5% of the senior class, were not on track to graduate. The board’s decision to waive graduation requirements brought the number down to 26, according to school data.

Looking ahead District administrators indicated that they’re focusing on a range of holistic measures designed to address the social-emotion-

From left, sisters Marlene and Jocelyn Meraz sit on the steps of their home with their mother, Cynthia Brito Millan, in Oak Park.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

al challenges faced by students, particularly those of color. Many of those measures go beyond the district’s grading policy.

For instance, when Parker and Bishop noticed that students were “disappearing” from virtual classes, they began checking attendance almost weekly and kept a closer eye on students whose attendance dropped below 90%. The Wednesday Journal had requested information to see the attendance data over the last five years, but was denied access.

From phone calls to home visits, school

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

The halls of Oak Park and River Forest High School.

staff, counselors and social workers would often reach out to students and their families to try and understand the barriers they faced either at school or at home, Parker and Bishop said.

“It was our responsibility […] to be in contact with all of our kids and encouraging them to get back on board, to be in their classes, to get work from their teachers, to be a conduit between them and their teachers to find out what we had to do to make that relationship work,” Parker said.

Evan Millan conceded that an aggressive, holistic focus on social-emotional health should supersede a more narrow focus on grading policy.

“Having seen my daughter [Jocelyn] excel at this institution and then seeing her the complete opposite was really concerning,” Millan said. “I was more concerned about her well-being than these stupid grades, to be honest. I was more concerned about her depression and how it made her feel about life. I just wanted her to get through it.”

Next year, the school plans to roll out another set of resources, one of which may give teens the chance to swap out study halls for one-on-one lessons with teachers.

OPRF also looks to partner with a community center to help students with homework on the weekends.

“I know from the beginning that help is available,” Parker said. “The next step is to help students be comfortable reaching out to access it. We’re trying to give a whole bunch of opportunities and options for students, so they can feel comfortable stepping

out to access those opportunities.”

This past year, OPRF hired a traumainformed school interventionist expected to educate and train staff on “what trauma looks like” and create everyday practices to address students’ behavioral and emotional needs, Bishop said.

The school also announced that six of its employees, including an English teacher and a school psychologist, were chosen to participate in the Trauma Responsive Education Practices Project, a 16-month training fellowship program at the University of Chicago. OPRF also recently added a parttime care coordinator, a position funded by a grant from the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation with a partnership with DePaul University.

“We are looking to wrap every arm of support around that child while in the building and also connect them with outside resources that can help them get through the trauma that they may be dealing with,” Bishop said.

This piece is part of a collaboration that includes the Institute for Nonprofit News, The Beacon/KCUR; Bridge Michigan/ Side Effects Public Media; Cicero Independiente/South Side Weekly; Detour Detroit/ Planet Detroit/Tostada Magazine; Evanston RoundTable/Growing Community Media; Madison 365/Wausau Pilot & Review; and MinnPost/Sahan Journal.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation with additional support from INN’s Amplify News Project and the Solutions Journalism

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PHOTO BY HEIDI RANDHAVA

It was a tough road to graduation for ETHS students, administrators, faculty, and staff. (Photo by Heidi Randhava)

How Evanston educators responded to COVID-19 times deadly virus and from the debilitating effects of isolation. District officials and local pediatricians are in agreement that reopening the schools had an overall positive effect on children’s mental health.

After the pandemic started, Evanston Township High School implemented a range of measures to keep students’ social and emotional wellbeing intact

By WENDI KROMASH and HEIDI RANDHAVA

W

Evanston RoundTable

hen Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in March 2020 closed all public schools in the State, administrators and teaching staff in Evanston focused initially on academics, implementing remote learning within days of the mandated shutdown. A spring of remote learning and the following summer gave administrators time to understand that reopening school buildings necessitated balancing physical safety, academic progress and social/emotional wellbeing.

Plans to reopen school buildings changed with the waves of COVID-19, and administrators enlisted teachers, staff, community members, and medical experts in the balancing process. Isolation from peers and

extended family, economic hardship from the lockdown, and the relative distance necessitated by remote learning took a toll on everyone.

With no vaccine on the horizon in the fall, the school districts implemented programs to address students’ academic and social/ emotional needs – ad-hoc measures until the buildings could be safely reopened.

As the pandemic continued, administrators reassessed the metrics they would use to reopen the school buildings, saying they were protecting students and staff from COVID-19 and doing their best to meet students’ academic and social/emotional needs.

In Evanston, the K-8 School District, Evanston/Skokie School District 65, re-

peatedly postponed its re-opening date but clearly stated its reasoning for each delay.

Evanston Township High School District 202 announced only a few re-opening dates.

Although both districts made these announcements, the debates and decisionmaking were not held in public. ETHS reopened on April 12.

Illinois public schools will all open for in-person learning next month. There will be some exceptions made for students who qualify for remote learning.

Data is still being collected on local, district, national, and worldwide levels. However, interviews with administrators, pediatricians and high-school students offer a snapshot of the effects of the schools’ efforts to safeguard students and staff from a some-

At Evanston Township High School, A Year Imbued With COVID Trauma ETHS is the size of a small town in physical size and population. The 2020-21 academic year embraced 3,729 students, 316 faculty members, and 312 administrative and support staff members.

The school’s population, including students and faculty/support staff, is racially, ethnically, and economically diverse. The student population is 45.6% white, 25.1% Black/African American, 19.5% Hispanic/ Latino, 5.6% Asian, 3.8% multi-racial (2 or more), and less than 1% each for Native Hawaiian and Native American. Enrolled students come from 69 countries, with 38 different languages spoken at home. Thirtyfive percent of all students qualify as lowincome, including 115 who do not have a

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I N N SP ECIAL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID steady address or location to call home.

ETHS closed for in-person learning in March 2020, and did not open for in person learning in the fall. At nearly every School Board meeting held during the lockdown, Superintendent Eric Witherspoon said the physical safety of staff and students was foremost in deciding when to reopen for in-person learning. He always said, “We will follow the science.” Neither the Board nor the administration discussed publicly what metrics were used and whether those changed over the course of the pandemic.

ETHS reopened on April 12, welcoming the first cohort of students on April 13 to learn under a hybrid model. The option of hybrid learning was open to all families; the decision to attend the hybrid classes was made individually by students or their families.

Physical Safety and Social/Emotional Well-Being, With Science Added In ETHS administrators said they maintained contact with students throughout the lockdown. Supporting Dr. Witherspoon’s emphasis on the need for physical safety from a sometimes deadly virus, Assistant Superintendent/Principal Marcus Campbell, and Associate Principal for Student Services Taya Kinzie discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the social/emotional well-being of ETHS students.

They said they understood students were affected not only by the isolation TAYA KINZIE of the lockdown but Assistant Superintendent of also by the nationStudent Services at ETHS wide racial trauma over the killing of George Floyd and the deaths – some of them violent – of some of their peers and former teachers.

Dr. Witherspoon, Dr. Campbell and Ms. Kinzie called the conflation “COVID-And.” They said further that families of color bore the brunt of racialized trauma.

The three administrators said they felt ETHS was well prepared to respond quickly and roll out online learning because its online educational plans had already been approved by the State.

ERIC WITHERSPOON ETHS made menD202 Superintendent tal health services available to students, staff, and families, and worked to destigmatize mental health care. The school also implemented an outreach program to provide emergency assistance to families

PROVIDED

Evanston Township High School in need, efforts that went beyond technical support and school supplies, and one that included food, clothing, transportation, advocacy to prevent eviction, and more.

During the pandemic, Dr. Witherspoon said, he met daily with his 11-member cabinet to review updates and new information.

Death and Trauma Beyond COVID-19 The specter of death was everywhere during the past 15 months as one catastrophe after another seeped through the school’s locked doors.

Dr. Campbell said, “I don’t know that we can really compartmentalize our question in the conversation to just be talking about COVID-19 without talking about the other losses that we experienced: the staff losses; the student losses; the racial component of George Floyd and Jacob Blake [an ETHS alum and member of a venerable Evanston family shot by police in Kenosha, Wis.]. All of it was together for us. It was together for our staff, for our staff of color, for our kids of color, for our families of color, and for many white families. It was all together. It was COVID-And … We made a lot of decisions about so many things related to COVID, but there were so many things that we were experiencing and it was all together, and they were layered on top of

“We made a lot of decisions about so many things related to COVID, but there were so many things that we were experiencing and it was all together, and they were layered on top of one another.”

MARCUS CAMPBELL

Assistant Superintendent/Principal of ETHS

one another.”

The deaths of several students and recent graduates reverberated throughout the ETHS community. Several died as a result

of gun violence, adding a layer of criminality on top of the tragic demise of a young person.

Current and former employees also died.

Nearly all of these deaths of students, staff, and family members, were people of color.

Trauma outside the ETHS community affected the students, teachers, and families: the public murder of George Floyd and the shooting two months later in Kenosha, Wis., of Evanston native Jacob Blake. He was shot seven times in front of three of his children and left partly paralyzed.

Crisis Response and Racial Trauma Recognizing the impact of COVID on stress levels, the administration made mental health resources and mindfulness training available to families as well as students and teachers.

Administrators maintained that educational rigor did not suffer. Information gathered from student interviews and anecdotally, however, suggests that students had concerns about not learning as much during hybrid or remote learning as they would have during a typical year – noting that their teachers were doing a good job, given the circumstances.

See ETHS on page 24

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ETHS

Coping with the return to in-person from page 23

Calls to Open the School for In-Person Learning As early as December 2020, a group of medical doctors and concerned parents, some in both roles, began to urge administrators to reopen the school for in-person learning.

They said reopening the building as quickly and safely as possible was essential for reasons of mental health and racial equity.

Valerie Kimball, a pediatrician at Chicago Area Pediatrics, and the mother of three current and prospective ETHS students, sent a letter to be read at the Dec. 14 District 202 School Board meeting.

Dr. Kimball said that over the past nine months, she had become “extremely concerned” about the mental health of ETHS teenagers.

“Our well-teen visits, which in the past were often exciting discussions about

“We are on the brink of losing many of our children to the downward spiral of mental illness – anxiety, depression, drug use and overdose, and suicide as a result of delayed in-person schooling – not to mention those we have lost because they have given up on education.”

VALERIE KIMBALL

Pediatrician at Chicago Area Pediatrics

school, friends, and activities, are now primarily discussions about managing school from home, difficulties in staying motivated and engaged, the need for continued social interactions, and feelings of isolation, sadness, and anxiousness.

“Many teens indicate they have gone from ‘A’ students to just barely getting by. Some

wonder if they have developed ADD [Attention Deficit Disorder], as they no longer are able to focus and engage on a screen, others indicate they have simply become apathetic.

“The mental health crisis is exacerbated,” she wrote, “by the fact that mental health resources are overtaxed and the social workers, teachers, and coaches who helped students through tough spots are no longer as accessible.”

While she recognized the physical concerns about the virus, she wrote, “We are on the brink of losing many of our children to the downward spiral of mental illness – anxiety, depression, drug use and overdose, and suicide as a result of delayed in-person schooling – not to mention those we have lost because they have given up on education.”

Within a few weeks, a group called Reopen Schools, composed of several parents, medical professionals, and other concerned residents, was putting public pressure on ETHS administrators to convene a medical advisory team to expedite bringing students back into the building.

ETHS Delays Re-Opening ETHS administrators hewed to the physical threat of COVID-19 as a reason to keep the school closed to in-person learning and gave examples of racial disparities in the effect and impact of the virus.

Dr. Witherspoon said, “This is documented nationally even to this moment, and it is documented anecdotally here. People of color saw this threat of COVID and death very different than some white people. … So there was a perspective that was racialized.

People saw the situation through their own perspective, through their own racial lens.”

Referring to some of the vocal groups that were promoting alternative points of view, Dr. Witherspoon said, “They had zero impact on what we were doing at ETHS and the decisions we were making.”

Administrators decided to wait until the staff had an opportunity to be vaccinated.

ETHS opened the school for in-person learning on April 12, using a hybrid model.

ETHS Opens for In-Person Learning Although ETHS re-opened on April 12, it was not until the next day that students lined up to have their temperature checked and be admitted back into their beloved high school.

Under this hybrid model, a teacher would teach all students – those at home and those in the classroom – at the same time.

In-person students attended classes on campus every other week. These students had been split into four cohorts: A, B, C, and D. In-person classes took place Tuesday through Friday; a break between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. allowed time for travel or

lunch or both.

For each course, in-person students attended one session every two weeks – about 12 in-person sessions until the end of the term. With this model, the school maintained about a 25% capacity.

Pete Bavis, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction at ETHS, told the RoundTable that this model of hybrid learning put extra work on teachers.

Evaluating the Impact of the Re-Opening ETHS administrators did not expressly rely on the reopening as a way to address student’s mental health and social/emotional well-being. They said those issues were addressed in the remote supports offered during the year.

“If there was one takeaway,” Dr. Bavis said, “it was that the challenges were complex, they were layered, and they were vastly different kid to kid, family to family,” said Dr. Bavis.

During the lockdown, ETHS implemented two changes intended to address the conjunction of academic stress and social/ emotional well-being: eliminating final exams and establishing a predictable structure.

“We stopped administering semester exams during the pandemic. We felt that would de-stress the environment for kids.

“The other thing we did was have a very stable schedule for kids, whether it was e-learning or in-person. … We had our Wildkit Mondays, where the kids did asynchronous work and had time to decompress.

Tuesday through Friday, we used a block schedule. …

We also built in a break in the middle PETER BAVIS of the day for stu- Assistant Superintendent of dents, which is very Curriculum and Instruction important.”

Dr. Bavis said, “Social- emotional learning has to be centered in everything we do. Because everybody is so different, even acclimating to social settings in the classroom, we have to be super mindful of how we re-integrate kids and adults back

“If there was one take-away.

It was that the challenges were complex, they were layered, and they were vastly different kid to kid, family to family.”

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I NN SP ECIAL REP ORT: LIFE AFT ER COV ID

Photo Credit

Olu Logan (left), with Gilo Kwesi Logan into this, because we honestly don’t know what they’re carrying. We don’t have insight into everybody.

“We have to be responsive to the needs of our kids when they come into the building next year.”

And the Students Say …

Interviews of a small but diverse group of high school students reveal two take-aways: Each student’s experience was different, but all said it was important to connect with their teachers, whether via Zoom or in-person.

Avamarie Via chose to complete her year the way it began: with remote learning.

“I stayed remote when we had the opportunity to go to hybrid. I didn’t want to go partially. I just wanted to go all-in.

Hybrid learning did TAMARA GUY not appeal to me beRecent ETHS graduate cause of that,” Avamarie said.

Remote learning “wasn’t ideal, but it was a hard time for everybody, and we got through it.”

Avamarie said she experienced “more stress than depression, because I felt I wasn’t learning as much as I normally would. It was like, ‘Oh, I should be in my classroom, but I’m not.’ I felt like I would be

learning more during a regular year in my classroom.

“Going back to in-person learning in the fall will be kind of like a light at the end of the tunnel for me.”

Tamara Guy, who graduated in May, said, “Originally, I planned on being in hybrid learning because I thought it would somewhat reflect regular schooling, but as the date to go hybrid approached and teachers began explaining it, I decided that it was not for me and opted out because I think it lacked the real school feeling.”

Bijou Carmichael, a rising junior, said, “I stayed remote all year. … It worked for me, personally, but it wasn’t for everyone, obviously.”

Olu Logan became a fourth generation ETHS graduate in 2021. His father, Gilo Kwesi Logan, said Olu chose to stay remote when the opportunity arose to BIJOU CARMICHAEL select hybrid learning.

Student at ETHS “There are pros and cons to in-person and online learning. By the time ETHS opened up, Olu didn’t even want to return,” said Dr. Logan.

Sofia Williams opted for hybrid learning when the opportunity for hybrid became available starting in April, 2021.

“I felt sure that that was what I wanted to do when I went to hybrid learning. I just

wanted to be able to meet my teachers and possibly see some other students in my class, and have some glimpse of that normal social school scene, I guess.

“The most significant change was just in the mindset. It sort of felt like I was going back to normal, and that going back full time was a possibility for the future – which was really nice.”

“I chose to do hybrid learning because I wanted to have my last chance in the building as a senior,” said MikaéMIKAELA PARISIEN la Parisien.

Student at ETHS Rising senior Peter Kezdy said, “I went to hybrid learning. I like to see my teachers, and I want to build relationships with them. Especially junior year when they can give you letters of recommendation, it’s good to build relationships with them. I definitely had to get up earlier just to get to school, but it wasn’t too much, because you only had to go every other week.” He said he was glad he went to the hybrid model and felt the teachers “did a good job.”

Louise Bond said she felt safe in her deci-

sion to opt for hybrid learning “I also really enjoyed all of my classes this year and loved all my teachers, so I wanted the experience of attending classes in-person, even if it was just a few times.

“This year was also my senior year and I wanted closure in the building for example going to Central Library, the Evanstonian [school newspaper] room, and even just walking the halls for the last time before graduating.”

What Worked In assessing the brief re-opening of ETHS, one can look at physical safety, academic progress and social/emotional outcomes.

■ fter the re-opening, there was not a major outbreak of COVID-19 or quarantining at the school.

■ ETHS will continue its policy of no longer having semester exams Dr. BaLOUISE BOND vis told the RoundStudent at ETHS Table via email. He added, “However, given the additional minutes built into each period, students can expect to take more robust unit tests, etc. … If students do not have the stress of semester exams in their classes, they may be able to better focus on the courses taught by ETHS teachers already skilled at preparing students for college and careers.”

■ The social/emotional impact of the year of COVID-19 has yet to be measured.

CONTACT: info@evanstonroundtable.com

PROVIDED

Peter Kedzy (left) senior at ETHS

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SPORTS

Ebsen takes the reins as OPEF’s athletic director

Former Morton AD hopes to bring excitement about high school sports to community

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

When John Stelzer announced his retirement as athletic director at Oak Park and River Forest High School earlier this year, Nicole Ebsen -- then-athletic director for nearby Morton High School District 201 -- paid close attention.

“I’ve always been attracted to this particular school because of the resources they’ve dedicated to their extracurricular activities,” said Ebsen, who officially took over from Stelzer July 1. “I’ve always had my eye on [the AD job], and when it became available, I started looking at it a little bit more.”

Ebsen, who was Morton’s athletic director for nine years, has already made an impact on OPRF athletics. Her first coaching hire was new Huskies’ girls basketball coach Carlton Rosemond, who came over from Evanston Township High School.

“Carlton came in with a very good background and knowledge of the sport,” she said. “He also had experience with changing a culture at Evanston, and I thought it would be a very good fit for him to come here and rebuild and rebrand the program. His energy is contagious.”

In Ebsen’s tenure at Morton, which serves 8,000 students from Berwyn, Cicero, Lyons, Stickney and Forest View, the boys’ soccer team enjoyed sustained success. In 2019, the school sent over 60 fan buses to North Central College in Naperville as the Mustangs competed in the IHSA Class 3A title game, setting an Illinois High School Association record.

Ebsen, who is the second woman to lead OPRF athletics -longtime Athletic Director Sandy Abbinanti retired in 2004 -- wants bring a similar experience to OPRF, and that could generate plenty of excitement in the Dog Pound, OPRF’s student fan section.

“When I was at Morton, we did several things like state sendoffs and fan buses,” she said. “We had extravagant events with our athletic program that brought in the entire community. That was fun and, hopefully, we’ll get to do some of those things here.”

As for how Ebsen sees the Huskies’ program evolving, she wants it to be a memorable experience for all students, one

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

WELCOME ABOARD: New Oak Park and River Forest High School Athletic Director Nicole Ebsen comes from Morton High School District 201, where she served in that role for nine years. that’s welcoming with a lot of spirit and which ties into a quality high school environment. She also wants the community to come out to events and be active and passionate.

“It’s a powerful thing to be involved with high school athletics,” said Ebsen. “It’s a staple of what a Friday night should be in the community. We hope to harness the energy of this new normal and carry it forward throughout our seasons next year.”

Last season was challenging for high school athletic programs across Illinois as schools struggled to conduct competitions during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the virus

Do you want to keep your public officials accountable?

is still present, things have improved to where there are no more capacity restrictions, and Ebsen is optimistic Oak Park Stadium will be filled when OPRF football opens the season Aug. 27.

“That’s the hope, to get things back to as normal as we can possibly get so that our kids and community can have the overall experience back,” she said. “Everyone is craving whatever the new normal is going to look like, as long as they’re all doing it together. Friday night football is something special, and we hope to matriculate the energy from it into our other sports.”

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VIEWPOINTS

27

The second American Revolution p. 28

Citizens should have a say

he village of Oak Park is slated to receive $38.9 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds from the federal government. ARP specifies that the funds have four authorized uses: 1) Responding to public health needs and economic damage from the pandemic, 2) Providing premium/hazard pay for essential workers, 3) Replacing lost revenue, 4) Investing in necessary water and broadband infrastructure.

At the July 6 board meeting, the village trustees had our first discussion of how to distribute the $38.9 million in ARP funds.

Village staff presented a plan where $31 million would go to the village to recover “lost revenue,” and $8 million would go to community partners (such as Housing Forward and Beyond Hunger) and toward the creation of a Business and Not-for-Profit COVID Recovery program.

As a board member, this was my first time hearing of the distribution strategy for the ARP funds. And as I reviewed the documents and listened to the conversation, it became clear that the community had not been consulted on the use of these funds. Additionally, I am not in agreement with the village pocketing over 75% of the ARP funds in the name of “lost revenue.”

As discussed during the June 14 board meeting, the downfall in revenue anticipated by the village in 2020 was not as severe as anticipated, resulting in a surplus in our General Fund (See the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, MD&A page 10, from Agenda Item A, June 14, 2021 Board Meeting). So even though the village lost revenue, it wasn’t as great of a loss as anticipated and certainly not a $31 million revenue loss.

The village has yet to host an open forum inviting community members to share their ideas for how the village’s ARP funds should be invested. These are taxpayer dollars after all, so shouldn’t community members have a majority voice in this discussion? In my conversations with community members, it’s clear that the pandemic has exacerbated already existing issues in our community. From mental and physical health issues, to housing and job insecurity, and lack of access to basic necessities, people in our community are struggling.

Everyone should be concerned that our village’s budget is being centered on these discussions over the basic needs of our residents.

The ARP funds offer the village a once-in-a-generation chance to reimagine our community so that everyone has what they need to thrive.

We can use the pandemic as a portal to imagine and create a new world. What can we create with ARP funds that doesn’t currently exist? What mental health services could we build so that mental health professionals, not the police, respond to calls for crisis? What public health outreach programs can we create that would proactively address health issues for our residents? This opportunity is not the time to prioritize fiscal conservatism over the needs of our community.

It’s time for you, community member, to demand more from your village government, and ensure that ARP funds are utilized in ways that most benefit our community. Email the board of trustees at board@ oak-park.us, or submit your public comment for the next board meeting at publiccomment@oak-park.us, and let us know what community initiatives you want to support with the $38.9 million in ARP funds.

Arti Walker-Peddakotla is an Oak Park village trustee.

ARTI WALKER PEDDAKOTLA

O

Annoyingly, I persevere

n the day my mother died at age 91, she was lucid as ever in that hospital bed. She said she was reviewing her life, and concluded that she lived in the most exciting era in history. She shared her thoughts with me, never referring to the car accident that placed her in her present situation. She talked about the “marvelous” inventions and scientific discoveries and research that had occurred — the computer, microwaves, color TV and movies, commercial airplanes, and the automobile.

Smiling, she continued.

“Did you know, I must have told you before, that I had the thrill of riding in my high school boyfriend’s automobile? His family was the first on our block in Chicago to own this speedy [15 miles/hour] automobile.”

Using her observations to distract me from the seriousness of her injuries, my mom continued talking about this exciting era in history. She noted the incredible success of medical research in the 1900s, discovering cures for several deadly and life-crippling diseases, like pneumonia and polio.

My mom was a remarkable woman, and I will always remember her, and this bittersweet conversation we had that day. I’m thinking about her, especially now, as the 4th of July approaches.

It was her second favorite holiday. Her favorite celebration was Thanksgiving, a day for and about family and gratitude.

Occasionally I think about my life and times.

I know I do not appreciate enough all the benefits and opportunities I have.

Nor do I acknowledge all that’s been accomplished, especially in recent years. In fact, I have medical research to thank for my life. I would have died in February 2013, if not for the development of the “pacemaker,” an amazing battery-operated device that keeps my heart beating. And now, how fortunate we are that medical researchers have developed a vaccine to combat the scourge of COVID-19 that has swept the globe. There were so many deaths, so much suffering. The vaccine will save countless lives.

As you readers know, I have been laser-focused in my concern for social justice and our nation’s future, especially in response to the power-mad, greedy, racist, and uncaring behavior exhibited during the Trump administration.

Therefore, if you have been irritated by my continuous political writing, please blame the attentive, caring, knowledgeable doctors, and my loving and supportive family and friends.

As to my future years, I will try to appreciate (like my mom did) the “marvelous” accomplishments our science and technology achieves. I will also “annoyingly” persevere, speaking out against lying, lawlessness, bias, and hate. I’ll speak up for the vision that our nation be vested in truth, compassion, and equality.

May we have a strong and true democracy!

Harriet Hausman, a longtime resident of River Forest, is 97 years young.

HARRIET HAUSMAN One View

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

O U R

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V I E W S

Betwixt and between

O

n a number of important and complex issues, Oak Park’s village government is currently stuck. Or, more delicately, it is “in transition.”

New president. Old mayor. New board. Old board.

Old manager. Interim manager. Likely old police chief.

Likely internally promoted new chief. But who chooses the new chief ? Hmmm?

Drop into this mix the $39 million in manna from heaven (American Rescue Plan funds for COVID relief from D.C.) and it is an interesting time for a major shift in the firmament.

Last week the village board listened to Cara Pavlicek, the current manager (departing mid-August for Northbrook) and her CFO suggest that 30 of those millions ought to be used to replenish village funds lost during the pandemic. The federal regulations and the accounting requirements, they acknowledge, are complicated and keep shifting. And Steve Drazner, the CFO, said he understood that the percentage being suggested for refilling the village’s kitty was pretty high.

It was a preliminary discussion. But there will need to be decisions made fairly soon as the village moves toward budget season in the fall. And notably there are limits to how the money can be spent under federal regs. So, for instance, police and fire pensions and bonded debt, two expensive aspects of village governance, cannot be paid with these federal dollars.

Before those budget decisions are made, though, Trustee Arti Walker Peddakotla said the discussion needs to widen out beyond top staff and beyond the village board to hear from Oak Park residents about how they would like to see this money spent.

As Walker-Peddakotla notes in a One View in today’s paper [see Viewpoints], this is a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to have some level of resources to bring to big issues. She points to replacing lead water pipes as one and funding new community safety measures such as expanded mental health integration with policing as another.

Village President Vicki Scaman also wants the direct needs of the small business community to potentially be addressed with this funding. Certainly there are other initiatives which will need to be considered.

We believe trustees are elected to make decisions like these, but seeking input from residents in a thoroughgoing way makes sense to us.

Also, we hate to say this, but COVID is not over and both spending on it and possible additional revenue declines from it are not impossible.

Welcome, Howie We’re certain that Officer Howie, the rescue dog now sworn in, sort of, with the Oak Park Police Department, will do great work in community relations for the department.

Who could resist that mixed mutt mug strolling through a block party or down Harrison Street? We’re more interested though, and more impressed, by the department’s acknowledgement that the new recruit is also on board to provide officers some of the calming balm of unconditional love that a dog can offer.

There are many serious and legitimate issues around policing these days. We need to talk about those. That said, no one would doubt that it is a job filled with stress and danger. These are hard days to be a cop.

So having Howie on duty working the dingy hallways of the police station is good therapy for all involved.

E

The second American Revolution

vanston recently opened the door to reparations. Other municipalities, notably Oak Park, may soon follow.

What might reparations look like?

According to Ta-Nehisi Coates’ 2014 essay, “The Case for Reparations” in Atlantic Magazine, “Reparations — by which I mean the full acceptance of our collective biography and its consequences — is the price we must pay to see ourselves squarely … that American prosperity was ill-gotten and selective in its distribution. … What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and the banishment of white guilt. … What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal. …

Reparations would mean a revolution of the American consciousness.”

Not everyone is eager to see this happen. Many ask why white Americans should be held accountable for slavery, which ended over 150 years ago A lot of white Americans don’t recognize that they benefitted economically from 250 years of free labor.

That the North benefitted too. And when their turn came, white northerners treated the descendants of slaves almost as badly as southern whites treated slaves.

Reparation, as a general principle, can take many forms, which is why the word usually appears in its plural form, but it is not just about slavery. It’s also about Jim Crow, and the New Jim Crow — mass incarceration and restrictive housing policies. It’s about the destruction of “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a repressed memory for 100 years. And so much more.

Many white Americans think reparation consists of cutting Black Americans a check, as if that could settle everything. Or Japanese Americans. Or Latin Americans. Or Native Americans. What about Irish Americans? What about Italian Americans? Where does it all end, they ask?

I’m not thinking about where reparation ends.

I’m thinking about where it begins.

It begins with each of us.

Reparation means thinking about the things I have actually done or not done, and still continue to do or not do. It’s about changing attitudes. Looking at that without flinching, without changing the subject when it comes up in conversation. Instead of saying, “But look how much progress has been made,” letting our history make us uncomfortable. Letting it humble us.

Reparation is not just changing my view of the raid that assassinated Black Panther Fred Hampton (of neighboring Maywood) in 1969, after seeing the film Judas and the Black Messiah, but thinking long and hard about how, for years afterward, I passively accepted the media interpretation of that incident. And by extension, the many other attitudes I absorbed about African Americans, still firmly imbedded in my consciousness, that require honest examining and determined exorcising, and facing up to how challenging but necessary that process is.

Reparation is not about grimly “accepting our medicine.” It’s about actually wanting to be part of the movement that will at last atone for our national original sin.

Reparation means a change of heart, which too many white Americans resist. It means accepting that racism is built into our society — or rather, that

society is built on top of a foundation of racism — and as such, still impacts all of us today. That is our biggest and most difficult step forward.

It’s not about feeling guilty. It’s about willingly accepting responsibility for a social structure that benefits some, based on deeply ingrained inequity. Facing that truth will set all of us free. White Americans especially.

That’s where reparation begins.

Where it ends is “repair,” which is implied in the word “reparation.” I don’t know what that will look like, but a good first step would be reading Coates’ remarkable essay, laying out the economic underpinning of racism, which is ultimately about wealth — white America creating it at the expense of Black America. He presents that history in detail. The first step toward reparation, Coates and other scholars say, is learning our history — our whole history, not just the parts we like.

“Black history does not flatter American democracy; it chastens it,” Coates writes. “White supremacy is … a force so fundamental to America that it is difficult to imagine the country without it. And so we must imagine a new country.”

Imagine a new country.

According to Jason Reynolds, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with the Library of Congress and co-author, with Ibram X. Kendi, of Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, which was written specifically for young people, history (and changing it) is all about imagination.

Racism, Reynolds says, is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on human beings: the notion that white people are superior to people of color. The Big Lie of inequity has plagued the world since Gomes Eanes de Zurara, of Portugal, created it in the 1400s to justify enslaving Africans. It was really about civilizing the uncivilized, he wrote, a noble undertaking. His act of imagination endured. Slavery eventually ended, but the lie did not.

“It is in the writing down of the thing,” Reynolds said recently in an On Being interview, “that it crystallized and then proliferated around the world. He twisted it and manipulated it into something it was not — and was able to create justified abuse.”

Strangely, Reynolds finds hope in this.

“History is birthed out of the imagination,” he said. “It literally was conjured up. Imagination is so powerful that it could set forth 400-500 years of something wrong, which means that [imagination] very well could set forth 400-500 years of something right.”

We need a new narrative of equity to replace the old narrative of inequity. That’s reparation — when white Americans take steps to make equity a reality.

What steps? It’s up to us to figure that out.

Reynolds says, “Anti-racism is simply the muscle that says that humans are human. That’s it. That’s all. I love you, because you remind me more of myself than not.”

Ta-Nehisi Coates says we need “a revolution of the American consciousness.”

A second American Revolution. Imagine that.

Or finishing the first.

A revolution of consciousness. How good that sounds.

We could become America.

For the first time.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Increase international relief funding

I, along with other Illinois members of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), am urging Sen. Durbin and Sen. Duckworth to agree to increase international funding in the upcoming fiscal year 2022.

International assistance barely makes up 0.5% percent of the federal budget, and we urge Congress to fund international poverty-reducing development and humanitarian programs to alleviate suffering and invest in peace.

This assistance will help support maternal and child health, and overall add to efforts to reduce poverty, hunger, and prevent the further spread of COVID. While these issues may seem far from home, we have a moral obligation as global citizens to push for equity both in our local communities and our greater, shared home.

As a daughter of immigrants, whose extended family has been impacted by lack of sufficient resources, infrastructure, and security, it has become easier to recognize the importance of using one’s power and privilege intentionally and responsibly. Working at Dominican University Ministry has also offered me opportunities to meet and hear from people from all walks of life, including some folks who have been displaced by the very issues we hope

to address with our senators. While truly dismantling these issues requires policy change and the reform of systems seemingly beyond our control, increased funding will be a small but necessary step to improve living conditions for those who need them. Providing relief is not the end-all, be-all of inequality, but it is a starting point.

Particularly after the year we have all experienced, it has become increasingly evident that vulnerable communities throughout the world have been most impacted by the repercussions of COVID-19. As we all work toward healing together, supporting the health and stability of folks in developing countries by providing proper nutrition, vaccines, and preventing diseases is of critical importance.

Members of CRS across the country are currently planning virtual visits with their local representatives, senators, and other government leaders to push this initiative and advocate for international relief. Robust funding for international assistance will demonstrate dedication to justice, equity, care for creation, and re-establish the U.S. as an influential global leader.

Natalia Prato River Forest

Self-destructive, willful ignorance The vaccination rate is currently 12% lower in U.S. counties that voted for the previous president (35% vs. 46.7%) [i]. It is no secret that the former president trivialized and politicized the COVID-19 pandemic and made no effort to save American lives.

His disciples refuse to wear masks or be vaccinated.

This level of intellectual perversity is astounding.

The vaccines have been shown to be safe and highly effective. Among those who die of COVID-19 today, 99% are not vaccinated [ii].

One theory that might explain this self-destructive willful ignorance is evolutionary. Our planet is overpopulated, and when rats [iii] or humans are too crowded, they become aggressive and kill each other.

This phenomenon was revealed by John Calhoun’s famous experiments in the 1960s on the effects of overcrowding in rodents, which also produced psychotic behavior and cannibalism.

If the Trumpites are determined to kill themselves via COVID, it might lower the density of dense people in our country. Unfortunately, by their actions, they endanger many other innocent Americans by providing fertile ground for COVID mutants to thrive and mutate to become ever more infectious and dangerous. [i] https://www.kff.org/policy-watch/the-red-bluedivide-in-covid-19-vaccination-rates-is-growing/?utm_ source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=newsletter_axiosam&stream=top [ii] https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-health-941fcf43d9731c76c16e7354f5d5e187 [iii] https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/how-mouse-utopias-1960s-led-grim-predictionshumans-180954423

Tom DeCoursey Oak Park

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, Maria Maxham, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Mark Moroney Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Sales & Development Mary Ellen Nelligan Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Growing Community Media BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

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■ Must include first and last names,

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■ Signature details as at left

your connection to the topic

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

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ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

Let freedom ring … within reason

Y

esterday afternoon, Pastor Walter Mitty and Fr. Bob Sullivan got together for coffee at Bernie Rolvaag’s History/Herstory Book Store.

After telling his ecumenical friend about his overnight trip to see Susan and his two nephews, Mitty asked, “Bob, why is it that Evangelicals seem to have a corner on the patriotism market?”

“Why do you say that?”

“Well, did you happen to see Johnny Christian’s Let Freedom Ring Fourth of July Special Sunday evening? I’ve never seen so many American flags in my whole life.

They were waving on the two big screens flanking the podium. There must have been 50 standing side by side on the podium, and each of the 2,000 people in the audience had their own little to flag to wave back and forth in unison as they belted out “Oh beautiful, for spacious skies.”

“Oh, now I know what you mean. Members of St. Mary’s who vote Democratic will put up Hate Has No Home Here signs on their front lawns, but they’d never put God Bless America stickers on their bumpers.”

“Even though, if they thought about it,” Mitty added as he got up to put a little more cream in his coffee, “they might say those very words in the prayers at Mass.”

When Mitty returned to their table, Fr. Bob noticed that his friend’s coffee was noticeably whiter and began to say, “And you said that the theme of the TV special was Let Freedom …”

Pastor Mitty was unable to hear the end of Fr. Bob’s sentence, because a pack of five 2147 cc V-Twin Harleys roared by outside on Main Street making it impossible to hear.

After they had passed, Fr. Sullivan looked around to make sure no one was within earshot and muttered, “Damn bikers. Someone needs to make a law to put mufflers on those machines.”

“So, what were you saying?”

“I was saying,” Fr. Bob repeated, “that Evangelicals seem to be in love with the word freedom and I was going to say something about their opinions regarding cancel culture and critical race theory and political correctness.”

This time Fr. Bob was interrupted by the bookstore’s owner. “OK if I join you? It’s a slow day in the bookstore and the coffee shop, so I can add my two cents to the discussion. What problem are you guys solving today?”

“We just started talking about freedom,” said Mitty.

The bookstore owner laughed. “Independence Day weekend, what could be a more appropriate topic?”

Fr. Bob was going to get started on the topic of freedom when he was drowned out, this time by the thump-thump blaring from oversize speakers competing for attention with the roar coming out of what were euphemistically referred to as mufflers in a Dodge Charger high rise quan-car with mag wheels passing by on Main St. “There oughta be a law,” the priest muttered when the noise got far enough down Poplar Park’s main drag that he could be heard again.

“So you think that guy shouldn’t have the freedom to express himself?” asked Bernie with a wink.

Getting Bernie’s point, the Franciscan paused to organize his thoughts.

The bookstore owner took advantage of the pause to add what he called his “two cents.”

“Seems to me that whenever we talk about freedom we have to add the words, ‘from what.’ Progressive women want to be free from the government telling them they can’t have an abortion and conservatives want to have the freedom to not wear face masks. What’s more, Mark Zuckerberg irritates the hell out of them when he tells them what they can and cannot say on Facebook.”

“Your point, Bernie,” Fr. Bob began, “made me think about how my dad talked about the ’60s, how what we would call liberals these days rebelled against everything authorities told them to do. They grew beards and long hair. Girls stopped wearing bras and wore what they called unisex clothing. Conformity, for them, was a four letter word.”

“My dad had an eight-track tape by the Five Man Electrical Band,” Bernie added. “He knew all the words: Sign, sign Everywhere a sign Blockin’ out the scenery Breakin’ my mind Do this, don’t do that Can’t you read the sign?”

Fr. Bob remembered the song, shook his head and said, “So what you’re implying is that those nonconformist hippies have grown older, acquired political power, and now they’re telling everyone what to do — regarding the environment, face masks, the economy, racism.”

The three friends sat in silence for several minutes, sipping coffee and pondering.

Finally, Bernie said, “I have two books on my shelf. You all remember Erich Fromm’s Escape from Freedom?”

“That’s the one, if I’m not mistaken,” said Mitty, “in which Fromm argues that we humans have an ambivalent relationship with freedom. That freedom brings with it a scary accountability resulting in loneliness and a feeling of insignificance, and that’s why people are willing to relinquish their freedom to demagogues like Hitler.”

“And the other,” said Bernie, “is Bowling Alone.”

“I see where you’re going,” said Fr. Bob. “Putnam argues that in pursuing the freedom of extreme individualism we are being disconnected from social structures which we need as social beings. That we, so to speak, have thrown the baby out with the bathwater of conformity.”

“That makes me think,” said Mitty, “if Fromm is right that human authorities are not able to resolve our problematic ambivalence regarding freedom and Putnam is correct that we as individuals are not doing a very good job of finding our way through life either, maybe we need the best and wisest among us to draft something new, a Declaration of Interdependence.”

Tom Holmes writes a column for our sister publication, the Forest Park Review.

TOM HOLMES

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A lack of transparency

When a local government receives taxpayer-funded monetary assistance, it should not be spent without the input of the public. The Oak Park government owes it to the people to share our voices and actually be heard. The lack

Best of the net

of transparency in this current government is alarming. You either are working for the people or working to exploit the people.

Kayla Winer Oak Park

Who decides?

“If Black children are ‘old enough’ to experience racism, then white children are ‘old enough’ to learn about it.”

Submitted by Kwame Salter, who has been mining the web for tidbits of gold.

Oak Park is set to receive millions in recovery act dollars. What is the plan for those dollars? Where is the community input? What are the priorities? Who decides how to spend this money? When are the town halls?

Elizabeth Ritzman Oak Park

Knowing better and doing better

T

here’s an old saying: “If they knew better, they’d do better!”

Perhaps at one time there was truth to that saying. But after watching all the snapbacks that have come down when people try to point out the “know better” so that folks can “do better,” well, it’s easy to understand why I am no longer a believer.

Recently comedian Monique lovingly chastised black women for going out, and even traveling, wearing those “popping fresh” nasty looking bonnets on their head, bedroom slippers on their feet and pajama bottoms covering their butts. She didn’t ask the women to get all glammed up to get on a plane, but at the same time she reminded them that when they were out in public, they were representing us as a people. In a nutshell, if black women want to be seen as queens, they can’t be out traipsing about looking like the chambermaids or worse.

Well the pushback was immediate and strong. Because truthfully, there is a segment of the black community that has gotten lazy. So instead of taking the time to do their hair, or even hiding it under a nice hat or head wrap, they keep on the bonnet. I don’t care what color it is, the majority of the folks running around wearing those bonnets look atrocious.

Why spend all the money on the glamorous hairdos if you’re not going to show it off all the time? The majority of time the weave that the women are wearing is not going to last forever. So instead of protecting it, show it off at all times!

And it’s not just women. The Turkey

Leg Hut restaurant in Texas, recently announced that they were going to enforce a dress code. They are a family establishment and not a club. So they had some simple requests that should make everybody happy when they’re sitting down to consume their meal. Some of the rules are: ■ No excessively revealing clothes. I mean really, do you want to see somebody’s butt hanging out while you’re trying to eat?

■ No obscene language or baggy clothes. Cuz we know there are some folks who can use the word MF’er as a noun, pronoun, adjective, prepositional phrase, etc!

There’s also something about seeing a male with those pants hanging under his butt that is just not appetizing when you’re trying to sit down and eat at the Hut, whose dress rules also include no house attire, bonnets, slippers and pajama bottoms. No exposed undergarments or swimsuits.

Their rules didn’t seem to be unreasonable. But the folks who appear to not “know better,” did not appreciate the rules that would make them “do better.”

Many of them snapped back online, including making derogatory comments about where the restaurant is located.

Truthfully, just because a restaurant is in the ’hood does not mean we have to display the worst elements of the ’hood.

But then again, as I said before, some folks just don’t want to do better!

Arlene Jones writes a weekly column for our sister publication, the Austin Weekly News.

ARLENE JONES

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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O B I T U A R I E S

Fred Costello Jr., 61 President, Grainger International

Frederick James Costello, 61, a longtime resident of Oak Park before retiring to Bonita Springs, Florida, died suddenly on July 2, 2021. Born on May 17, 1960 in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey to Nancy Peters and Fred Costello Sr., he was raised with his five younger siblings in several states.

These frequent childhood moves may have contributed to Fred’s love of travel, ideally to places where he could find white sand beaches, fine food, and ample supplies of Chardonnay. The best of these adventures happened with his wife and traveling companion, Ann, by his side.

As a teenager, he displayed a rare combination of leadership and humility. He was voted senior class president and Homecoming King at Moorestown High School in Moorestown, New Jersey and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in New York City, where he majored in history and political science and pursued the fine art of Greek life at his fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta.

After graduating, he began a successful career in the food business as a fish buyer for several restaurants, haggling over prices at New York City’s famed Fulton Fish Market or working late nights man-

aging restaurants in Manhattan.

He was the gracious and patient host of days-long gatherings of family who would overtake the Florida home he shared with Ann. And as a new retiree, he shepherded his parents through their final years.

As a parent himself, he made fatherhood fun, planning family trips months in advance, to Europe and Asia, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bulls with his children.

He was an empathic listener and wise

counselor. At work, he was also a respected business leader and gifted public speaker, qualities that eventually propelled him to the roles of senior vice president and president at Grainger International, where he led the company’s billion-dollar international businesses outside of the U.S. and Canada, until his retirement two years ago. He also volunteered on the board of directors at the American Red Cross of Illinois.

He led life by quiet example, from the depths of sorrow and loss to the warm embrace of true love with Ann. And all those who were fortunate enough to love Fred received it back from him unconditionally and tenfold.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Nobis Costello; his children, Margaret (“Maggie”) Costello and Frederick James Costello III (“Trey”); his stepchildren, Kathleen Haines and Keegan Haines; his five siblings and their spouses, Catherine and Ronnie Bennett; Dan Costello and Kerry Bernard; Sue Costello and Jeff Keffer; James Costello and Candy Chan, and Amy Costello and Gregory Watt; as well as friends, nieces and nephews too numerous to count.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fred’s memory may be made to the “James V. Costello Scholarship” which supports low-income students at the alma mater of

Fred’s father, Worcester Polytechnic Institute c/o University Advancement, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, MA 01609.

You may also consider a donation to the Red Cross of Illinois. If you would like to make a donation by check, please fill out a donation form online and send to: The American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37839, Boone, IA 50037-0839.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to: Ann Nobis Costello 27290 Hidden River Court, Bonita Springs, FL 34134.

A private graveside ceremony will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Lee, Massachusetts.

If you would like to leave a message of condolence or share pictures with the family, please visit our web site at www.kellyfuneralhome.net.

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

Sparkle Aesthetics 1053 Madison Oak Park (708) 300-3075

Congratulations to Sparkle Aesthetics on their new location! sparkleaesthetics.com * A concierge injection salon Among the Celebrants: Dani Sher, Sparkle Aesthetics; Vicki Scaman & Cam Davis, Village of Oak Park; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Weil Foot & Ankle Clinic; Eric Mazelis, OPEDC; Carla Taylor, Baird & Warner; Cliff Osborn, Jack Carpenter Realtors. Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Lisa Munro, Elle Belle Box; Liz Holt & Mark Walden, OPRF Chamber of Commerce; George, Jane, Judy & Elroy, The Jetsons..

Photos: Todd Bannor, Bannor & Bannor

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

Richard Zabransky, 70

Taught English at OPRF High School Richard R. Zabransky, a resident of Oak Park for over 30 years, died on July 1, 2021. Born in Chicago on Dec. 3, 1950 to Marion and the late Milton Zabransky, he graduated from Northeastern Illinois University, where he received his undergraduate degree in English then attended San Francisco State University, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree.

He began his successful teaching career at Evanston High School. After several years, he found his academic home at Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he prospered as a teacher of English until his retirement in 2010. Soon after, he became an instructor at Benedictine University, where he taught writing and composition for several more years.

Throughout his long and fruitful professional life, Richard challenged, supported, and inspired his students with his wisdom and creativity. His kindness, humor and razor wit endeared him to generations of students.

An accomplished writer and poet, talented musician, avid runner, cyclist and tennis player, with a black belt in martial arts, he was well-traveled, especially in central Europe. He spoke French fluently and was a serious student of film. He was a Renaissance man.

Above all, he was a devoted, caring son and a loyal, loving friend. He was man of integrity, imagination, and quiet character — authentic, open-faced, kindhearted. Until betrayed by his inner struggle, he embraced life, gave deeply of himself, loved, and was dearly loved by those blessed to know him and keep him in their hearts.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity on behalf of Richard.

Funeral services and interment at Bohemian National Cemetery were private.

Arrangements were handled by Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home.

Joe Filipow, 92 Interpreter, restaurateur

Wladimir Filipow, aka Joe, aka Volodya, 92, died in Los Angeles on June 30, 2021 of natural causes.

Born in Kishinev, Romania on July 28, 1928, he began working for the U.S. forces in Salzburg, Austria, as an interpreter and officer driver among other duties. He spoke English, German, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, and Ukrainian. He also worked at the In-

O B I T U A R I E S ternational Refugee Organization where he met and married Galina Kolchevska on Dec. 1, 1949. They were married 65 years. In the U.S., he ultimately became a restaurant owner and opened restaurants in Chicago, Oak Park, and St. Petersburg, Florida.

His passions were above all, his family, his business buddies (Billy Loutos), and his devotion and charity to his Russian Orthodox Church. He was instrumental in the development of the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines.

The funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, New York.

Burial will follow the funeral at the monastery grounds.

Arrangements handled by Guerra Gutierrez Mortuaries, Los Angeles, CA and Mohawk Valley, Albany, NY. Wladimir Filipow is survived by his daughter, Lilly Filipow; his granddaughter, Sofia Pan; his grandson, Mark Genrizi, his daughter-in-law, Pat Genrizi; his greatgrandchildren, Luca and Mateo Lopez; his nieces Natasha Kolchevska and Maya Marzullo; and his nephew, Alex Stigailo.

He is preceded in death by his son, Alex Genrizi; his sister, Raisa Stigailo; and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Genrizi.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Holy Trinity Monastery, c/o Victor Lochmatow at lochmatow@yahoo. com.

Janet Bruton Varn, 71 Educational travel specialist

Janet Bruton Varn, 71, of Oak Park, died peacefully at home on Saturday, July 3, 2021, surrounded by her family, after dealing with breast cancer for five years. Born in Chicago on April 11, 1950, in Visitation Parish on the South Side, she lived in the Washington D.C., area for much of her adult life, developing educational travel for the Smithsonian Institution and Academic Travel Abroad. She visited much of the world, but especially connected with the American Southwest in southeastern Utah. She moved to Oak Park first in 1998 for nine years, then returned in 2013.

Family was always the most important focus of her life. She was devoted to encouraging and supporting her children in their educations and various personal pursuits.

She took great pleasure in exposing her family to the many cultures around the world, especially deepening the connection with her relatives in Ireland. She had a gift for developing many deep and lasting friendships.

In the last several years, she volunteered with the Friends of Cedar Mesa in Bluff, Utah, educating people on respectful visit-

ing of Native American heritage sites. She also volunteered at the Bluff Elementary School, helping third-graders with reading.

Having been singled out as the only non-Native American to receive a gift of vegetables at a Hopi ceremony, she felt a particular kinship with the Hopi and contributed to their emergency fund during the pandemic. Anyone wishing to remember Janet is invited to make a contribution to the Hopi Emergency Relief Fund at https://www.hopifoundation.org/hopi-emergency-relief.

She will be achingly missed, but leaves behind a much brighter world and many open minds with the spark of curiosity and the compassion to look out for others. A celebration of Janet’s life is being planned, but no date has been set.

Janet was the great joy in the lives of Doug, her husband of almost 47 years; their children, Gaelan (Kurt Sampson), James (Kelsey Mitchell), Colin, and Daniel (Ioanna Aguilar); two grandchildren, Isla and William Sampson; and many treasured nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her brothers, Bob Bruton, Dan Bruton, and Reilly Tierney. Her sister, Colleen Bruton, preceded her in death, as did her brother, Kevin Bruton, and her parents, John Bruton and Mary Jane (Faloon) Bruton.

Marti MorrowVojacek, 85 Loved music and travel

Martha Morrow-Vojacek, a longtime resident of the Chicago area, died peacefully at home on June 20, 2021, her 85th birthday, surrounded by her family. She lived with her family in several locations in New England, settling in Richmond, Indiana, where she completed high school and attended Earlham College. She met her first husband, Robert Morrow there and in 1957 the couple moved to Hyde Park, Chicago. In Hyde Park, she later met her second husband, Joe Vojacek, a U. of C. alumnus and Chicago City Colleges professor of English and the Humanities, whom she married in 1983.

A piano student since childhood, Marti’s love of music later included singing in the Disciples of Christ church choir and with the U. of C. Gilbert & Sullivan Operetta Company. She also sewed costumes for the G&S operetta company and enjoyed sewing clothes for herself and her daughters. An excellent cook and baker, she loved trying new recipes. She was a patient and generous teacher of these skills to her daughters.

Eventually, she completed her B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature at Chicago’s Roosevelt University and worked for 20 years as an administrative assistant at the University of Chicago Divinity School and International House, retiring in 1998.

She supported her husband’s passion for collecting antique Americana and the two of them spent countless hours on the road, looking for treasures and the “perfect piece.” She enjoyed this travel immensely and frequently struck out on her own to vis-

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM it her daughters where they were variously studying, working, and living around the U.S. and in Europe, including a three-week trip to Vienna, Austria, to stay with daughter Rebecca in 1989.

In 2004, they moved to Oak Park to be nearer to daughter Lisa and Lisa’s family.

They were frequent patrons of several popular Oak Park restaurants and loved attending their grandsons’ middle and high school theater productions. Always an avid reader, she had ample time in retirement to enjoy her favorite genre, mysteries; attend movies and other theater productions; apply her love of words to crossword puzzles; and participate in quilting retreats with daughter Debbie. She and her husband made frequent trips to West Michigan and Champaign to visit daughters Debbie and Rebecca.

She loved people — meeting them, talking to them, learning from them, and sharing her own experiences. She will be dearly missed by all.

Marti is survived by Joe Vojacek, her husband of almost 38 years; her three daughters, Deborah (the late Philip Kaldon), Rebecca, and Lisa (Benjamin Weinberg); and her two grandsons, Elias and Leo Morrow Weinberg.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a memorial donation to the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC, afsc. org - Donate) or the BRAVO! Performing Arts program at Brooks Middle School in Oak Park (www.bravoperformingarts.org Support).

A memorial gathering in the Chicago area is being planned for the autumn.

W E D N E S D A Y

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, before Monday at noon.

Please include a photo if possible.

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | RiverForest.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 | BY E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS COUNTY OF COOK VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007299 on July 1, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of JOYFUL NOISE MUSIC STUDIO with the business located at: 256 WASHINGTON BLVD #2, OAK PARK, IL 60302, 411 PARK AVE #3, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: OLIVIA MULLINS 256 WASHINGTON BLVD #2, OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.

I, VANESSA MORITZ, CLERK OF THE VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK, DO HEREBY STATE, that on Monday, July 26, 2021, at 6:45 PM at the Forest Park Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois, a public hearing will be held to consider the proposed adoption of the Appropriation Ordinance for fiscal year 2021-2022 for the Village of Forest Park. At the public hearing, all interested persons may provide comments concerning the appropriation of the sums of money the Village of Forest Park deems necessary to defray all its necessary expenses and liabilities. The appropriation document will be available for public inspection no later than July 16, 2021, in the Village Clerk’s Office at the Village of Forest Park, 517 DesPlaines Ave., Forest Park, Illinois.

Dated this 14th day of July, 2021 Vanessa Moritz Clerk, Village of Forest Park Published in Forest Park Review July 14, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing to install two new light pole telecommunications facilities within River Forest, Cook County, IL 60305 near the following addresses: (1) approx. 36ft light pole near 1022 Harlem Ave (6121004576) and (1) approx. 32ft light pole near 435 Williams St (6121004577).

Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Project 6121004576and 6121004577- MW c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, mwiginton@ebiconsulting.com, or via telephone at (678) 481-6555.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 14, 2021

Published in Wednesday Journal July 7, 14, and 21, 2021

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

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

 Let the sun shine in..

Public Notice:

Your right to know In print • Online

Available to you 24 / 7 / 365

OAKPARK.com PublicNoticeIllinois.com

       

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE FOR HIS ASSET SECURITIZATION CORPORATION TRUST 2007OPT1, MORTGAGE PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-OPT1; Plaintiff, vs.

CHARLES T. GRANT; JUANITA J. GRANT AKA JUANITA LACOURT; PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION; UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON RECORD CLAIMANTS; Defendants, 19 CH 14415 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate: P.I.N. 16-18-428-043-1019 & 16-18428-043-1064.

Commonly known as 6436 Roosevelt Road, Unit 311, Oak Park, IL 60304.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Law Clerk at Plaintiff’s Attorney, The Wirbicki Law Group, 33 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603. (312) 3609455. W18-0641 INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com I3171912

GET IT. community news. calendar. high school sports. weekend events. restaurant reviews. real estate resources. local schools. shopping. police reports. opinions.

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

CLASSIFIED

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM

HELP WANTED River Forest Public Schools District 90

District 90 is seeking qualified and experienced applicants for the following positions:

• English Language Learners Teacher (Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Parttime FTE 0.50 at Lincoln Elementary School) • Social Worker (Roosevelt Middle School) • Speech and Language Pathologist (Roosevelt Middle School) • Physical Education Teachers, ( Full-time at Roosevelt Middle School and Part-time FTE 0.77 at Willard Elementary School) • STEM Teacher, Grades 6-8 (Roosevelt Middle School) • Instructional Specialist (Roosevelt Middle School) • Kindergarten Teacher Part-time FTE 0.50 (Willard Elementary School)

For detailed qualifications requirements and job duties, please visit our website at https://www.district90.org/about/ employment for our complete list of employment opportunities.

General Qualifications: Valid Illinois Professional Education License with endorsement in field of study, a Master’s Degree is preferred and successful teaching experience with students in a classroom setting is preferred.

General Duties: Provide excellence in education by developing and implementing activities that encourage students to be life-long learners. Possesses knowledge of District policies and regulations relating to areas of responsibilities. Create an environment that is conducive to learning and appropriate to the developmental maturity and interests of each student.

Application: Apply online at www.district90.org. Application Procedure: Interested candidates should complete the online application available at district90.org. Please do not send hard copies of supporting documentation, i.e. cover letters, resumes, licensure, etc. to River Forest Schools District 90; instead, upload these materials onto the online job application system for proper processing.

BAND SAW WELDER TECH, GENL LABORER OPENINGS Local sharpening service has two openings: Band Saw Welder Technician and General Laborer position. Apply at 1233 Circle Ave. Forest Park, IL 708-209-1636 GRANTS SUPERVISOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Supervisor in the Development Customer Services Department.

This position will perform a variety of responsible for developing. Administering and coordinating activities related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and other grant-funded programs for the Village. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than July 16, 2021.

POLICE RECORDS CLERK The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Police Records Clerk in the Police Department. This position will perform a wide variety of specialized clerical duties in support of the Police Department including processing and maintaining documents, correspondence and coding reports; and to provide information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than July 16, 2021.

OFFICE COORDINATOR The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Office Coordinator in Information Technology. This position will perform a variety of responsible and complex administrative duties for the IT Department; provide information and assistance to Village staff regarding requests for service; and provide administrative support to the IT Director and the IT staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than July 16, 2021.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER Must have own transportation.

For more information CALL 708-738-3848

CAREGIVER SERVICES WANTED HOME HEALTH ASSISTANCE River Forest family seeking overnight in-home healthcare assistance.

Nursing students, Respiratory Therapists, CNAs, LPNs, RNs, etc. welcome. For more information, contact kpatterson10@gmail.com.

MARKETPLACE WANTED TO BUY WANTED MILITARY ITEMS: Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic – other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400 Lost & Found, Items for Sale, and To Be Given Away ads run free in Wednesday Classified. To place your ad, call 708-613-334

Hire Local.

Place an ad on Wednesday Classified’s Local Online Job Board.

Go to OakPark.com/classified today!

Contact Mary Ellen Nelligan for more information.

(708) 613-3342 • maryellen@oakpark.com

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

CLASSIFIED

35

(708) 613-3333 • FAX: (708) 467-9066 • E-MAIL: CLASSIFIEDS@OAKPARK.COM | CLASSIFIEDS@RIVERFOREST.COM R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E

SUBURBAN RENTALS Apartment listings updated daily at:

SUBURBAN RENTALS

ROOMS FOR RENT

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 1BR

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave. Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

Small 1BR apartment in DTOP. Renovated and freshly painted. Harwood floors. Walking distance to El. No pets. $850/mo, utilities included.

708-657-4226

SUBURBAN REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Find your new apartment this Saturday from 10 am – 4pm at 35 Chicago Avenue.

Or call us toll free at 1-833-440-0665 for an appointment.

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

RIVERSIDE 3 FLAT FSBO Three above grade 2BR apts. Unfinished basement w/ laundry & 1/2 BA. 4 car brick garage. Zoned for residential and office, if desired. Well maintained. $529,000

BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 708-446-1324

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

COMMERCIAL/RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT RETAIL SPACE FOR RENT A RETAIL SPACE FOR LEASE IN SHOPPING CENTER! 315-325 S. Harlem Ave. Forest Park, IL. 1,000 sq ft. Good cond. *Recently Updated. Heavy Business/Traffic Area. (Min. Monthly Rent in the area: $17.50 sq ft.)

OUR PRICE-NEGOTIABLE! TEXT, EMAIL or CALL Mr. B.(708)828-6491 If leave a message: Include Your Name, #, and Type of Business.

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION FOREST PARK HIGHLY VISIBLE OFFICE/STORE AVAILABLE FOR LEASE 1350 SF w/ AC & HIGHLY VISIBLE MADISON STREET EXPOSURE. 7607 Madison Street. Village parking lot next door. Bright, clean office. Great Madison Street exposure! Call Francis 708-3838574.

OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT THERAPY OFFICE OAK PARK Free wifi; flexible leasing, and offices nicely furnished right down to the Kleenex. Secure building & friendly colleagues, often giving referrals to other office mates. Shared Waiting room, Conference room & option to join Peer Supervision Group. Ideal for new practice or 2nd location.

708-383-0729

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

The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental or advertising of real estate based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law.

This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal-opportunity basis.

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

S S W W E E !

N FL N S H H S S A EW FLA Town Center Realty Group LLC

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Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING JOIN TODAY! At the Y, we remain committed to the health and safety of our community and supporting your health journey.

The following benefits are included with your Y membership: • 50% off your first three personal training sessions to revitalize your current workout routine • Up to 35% savings in aquatic and summer day camp programming • Chronic Disease Programming such as Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Diabetes Prevention, and Weight Loss • New, complimentary group fitness classes released in July • Join now to enjoy new cardio equipment and pool liner in the fall

SUMMER

OFFER *Expires: 7/31/21

50% OFF FIRST MONTH AND NO JOINERS FEE

Join today by calling 708-383-5200 or visiting westcookymca.org/2021

Property transfers p. B10

July 14, 2021

Homes

Powered by the Oak Park Area Association of Realtors

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

KEEP ON GROWING: Judy Klem started out small but eventually converted her entire front yard and parkway along Division Street into a garden filled with native plants.

Not your mother’s garden West Cook Wild Ones showcase native gardens in July 24 tour

By LACEY SIKORA

T

Contributing Reporter

he West Cook chapter of Wild Ones, is holding its annual garden walk on Saturday, July 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. The walk, which celebrates, birds, bees and butterflies, will include eight gardens in Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park

and Berwyn.

During the walk, host gardeners will be on hand to give guided overviews of their gardens and answer questions about native gardening, sustainable landscaping, edible gardening, DIY versus professional designers and urban homesteading.

This year, West Cook Wild Ones is celebrating the year of the butterfly, and the walk aims to give participants practical information they can use in their own yards to attract and nurture butterflies, create yearround beauty, grow their own food and fight climate change.

One of the gardeners, Candace Blank, says

her garden is living proof that anyone can grow a native garden. When she moved into her home in Berwyn in 1990, she says that all she did was mow her lawn. Around 2006, she said, “I finally decided to do something.

I always liked plants, so I hired a landscaper who recommended an English garden and a butterfly garden because they looked pretty.

I didn’t know anything then about natives.”

She joined the national chapter of Wild Ones, a nonprofit formed “to promote environmentally sound landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity through the preservation, restoration and establishment of native plant communities,” and learned about

the importance of planting native pollinators one garden at a time.

Shortly thereafter, the West Cook chapter of Wild Ones opened.

“I learned more from their programs, added more natives to my garden and became a convert,” Blank said.

Since then, she’s served on the board of West Cook Wild Ones and has transformed her yard. What started out as a plan to make her yard pretty turned into something with more meaning. Climate change and the collapse of habitats for insects and birds mean See WILD ONES on page B5

July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B1

Generations of Excellence since 1958

708.771.8040 • 7375 W. North Ave., River Forest Alisa Coghill DonnaAvenue Barnhisel 7375 West North Kay Costello Anne Brennan MANAGING River Forest, Illinois 60305 Maria Cullerton Kevin Calkins BROKER/OWNERS Julie Downey Tom Carraher 708.771.8040 Kurt Fielder Pat Cesario Andy Gagliardo

Tom Poulos

7980 CHICAGO • RIVER FOREST

Joe Cibula Don Citrano

Ramona Fox Laura Gancer

Dan Halperin Greg Jaroszewski Vee Jaroszewski Noa Klima Jack Lattner Iris McCormick Vince McFadden

Colleen Navigato John Pappas Rosa Pitassi Sue Ponzio-Pappas Jenny Ruland Laurel Saltzman Laurie Shapiro

Tom Sullivan Debbie Watts George Wohlford Nancy Wohlford

Randy Ernst • 773-290-0307

911 LATHROP • RIVER FOREST

601 KEYSTONE • RIVER FOREST

1010 N KENILWORTH • OAK PARK

UN D ER CO N T RAC T!

U N D ER CO N T R AC T!

WILLIAMSBURG BRICK COLONIAL sits prestigiously on an extra-large corner lot. The impressive large exterior carries inside to the impressive large-sized rooms. Special features include a sunroom, mudroom, family room, generous front-entry foyer, and an updated expansive kitchen. .......................................$1,400,000

MAGNIFICENT TUDOR with expansive room sizes including classic foyer, office with French doors, custom bar area, designer open kitchen with walk-in pantry, window-lined family room, two mudrooms, 5 BRs, and 4-1/2 BAs. A thoughtfully designed beauty in the most prime location! ............................... $1,275,000

STUNNINGLY, WELL APPOINTED HOME features a desirable circular floor plan with a center staircase. Large eat-in kitchen, a shared fireplace that connects the family room to the sunroom, attached garage and parking pad, professional landscaping, a patio, electric gates. Refinished basement. ....................$1,150,000

CUSTOM BUILT HOME by Buurma Builders is ready for you to make your dreams come true. The beautiful living space features 5 bedrooms, 3 full & 2.5 baths, coved 9ft. ceilings, leaded glass windows, sunroom with art glass windows, & a tile roof. Kitchen offers an open pantry and a closet. ...................................$898,000

222 LATHROP • FOREST PARK

527 LATHROP • RIVER FOREST OPEN SUNDAY 13

738 S ELMWOOD • OAK PARK

1634 N 76TH AVE • ELMWOOD PARK

U N DE R CO NTRAC T!

U N DE R CON TR AC T

GREAT CURB APPEAL with a cute front porch & traditional charm! Includes large common spaces, combo LR/DR, eat-in kitchen, and flexible space for home office/nursery, a huge backyard with privacy fences, and a two-car brick garage. Rehabbed and move-in ready! ............................................................ $369,000

CENTER ENTRANCE BRICK COLONIAL spared no expense with a 2004 rebuild! This 4BR, 2BA home features numerous office areas, inlaid oak floors, open kitchen, family room, custom deck, and 3 car garage. Additional space in the finished basement. This house will not disappoint! ............................................... $1,030,000

GORGEOUS HOME sits on a 50-foot lot and measures over 3100 square feet. This home has it all; an open floor plan on the first level, foyer/music room, crown molding, recessed lighting, beam ceilings, leaded glass windows, a fully finished basement, and enclosed front porch. ..........................................................$655,000

SIZE AND LOCATION! This large 4 BR, 3+ BA meticulously maintained home has everything you want. Extra-large kitchen, grand DR & LR with hardwood floors & fireplace, large finished LL with family room, full bath, OFFICE, & ample closets for storage! 2 car garage with loft storage above....................................$499,900

212 LATHROP • RIVER FOREST

1210 WILLIAM • RIVER FOREST

1518 WILLIAM • RIVER FOREST

1937 N 73RD AVE • ELMWOOD PARK

P R IC E RED UCED

UN D ER CO N T RAC T

U N D ER CO N T R AC T

N E W L ISTIN G

AFFORDABLE BRICK BUNGALOW with a floor plan that is very flexible with many options to rework and expand up and/or out.

The current layout is a 3 BR, 2 BA home with an enclosed back porch, and a walk-out basement with additional rooms and plenty of storage space. Fenced yard ........................................... $379,000

GLAMEROUS MEDITERRANEAN COLONIAL in prime Priory Park location! First floor features open foyer, distinctive fireplace, French doors, family room, updated eat-in kitchen with island, expansive sunroom, finished basement, attached 2 car garage & beautiful outdoor spaces! .................................................$1,174,900

SEEING IS BELIEVING in this amazing house! Everything has been redone, rebuilt, or is brand new! This 4BR, 5 full and 1 half bath home has many amazing features including the gourmet kitchen, expansive family room, and a second full kitchen and wet bar in the basement.........................................................$1,099,000

PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP!! Same owner for over fifty years!

Meticulously maintained brick home with a driveway. Three bedrooms, one full and one half bath, plus a first-floor family room. . .............................................................................................................. ..............................................................................................$309,000

CONDOS/TOWNHOMES/2 FLATS

UNDER CONTRACT OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. ....................$164,000 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Updated kitchen & bath................ $162,000 OAK PARK 1BR, 1BA. Top floor unit. .................................. $99,000

Find that New Home!

Contact a Gagliardo Realty Associates Agent for a free market analysis

RIVER FOREST 3BR, 2 full/1 half BA. ..............................$435,000 UNDER CONTRACT RIVER FOREST 1BR, 1BA................ $79,900 OAK PARK 3BR, 3 full/1 half BA. Rare front unit. ............$464,900 PRICE REDUCED OAK PARK 2BR, 1BA. .........................$290,000

B2 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

Shop for homes online at GagliardoRealty.com

Just Listed in the PLN and Under Contract!

224 S. Lombard Ave., Chicago 3 BR, 2 BA , Bungalow with all the charm intact: woodwork, stained glass, built-ins.

Updated kitchen, amazing yard, and 3 car garage. Center of town location! .............. ................................................... $459,000

Just Sold!

220 Franklin Ave, River Forest 5 BR, 3.1 BA .............................. $835,000 The Market is still hot! Contact me today if you’re looking to buy or sell!

Sandi Graves | 708-752-6540 sgraves@cbexchange.com

Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779 Stephanie.Eiger@cbexchange.com

Priced to Sell!

1201 N Harvey, Oak Park 4 BR, 2.1 BA. Well-maintained. Corner lot with fenced garden/yard. Master en-suite with California closets. Updated kitchen, baths and mechanicals. ............ $525,000 Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

1123 N Ridgeland, Oak Park Great opportunity to make it your own!

Gleaming wood floors in the LR and DR, 3 large 1st flr BRs and full BA. Additional BR and BA in the basement. Backyard has perennial garden. ...................... $425,000 Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

747 Park Avenue, River Forest 6 BR, 5.1 BA. This gracious home offers an unparalleled living and entertaining experience. Custom designed in 2006.

Rich details can be found throughout the 5,400 sf. .................................. $1,650,000 Kirstin Gloor | 708-351-8977 Kirstin.Gloor@cbexchange.com

Just Listed!

807 N. Lombard Ave., Oak Park 3 BR, 2 BA. Turn this home into something spectacular! Come see the 2-car garage + 2-space carport, first flr BR, central air, newer windows & roof!

Just Sold!

1212 Forest, Oak Park 5 BR, 2 BA Spacious home.

Sold before listed!

I can help you sell quickly too!

Sue Canepa I 312-203-0848 suecanepahomes@gmail.com

Michelle Miller | 708-334-5833 michelle.miller@cbexchange.com

Coming Soon!

815 Lake St, #3N, Oak Park 1 BR + den, 1 BA. Gracious modern condo with cheerful efficient kitchen adjacent to deck. This unit overlooks a lovely, landscaped courtyard.

Just Sold!

1212 Forest, Oak Park Represented the Buyer! 5 BR, 2 BA. ....... ................................................... $655,000 Patty Melgar Hooks | 708-261-2796 patty.melgarhooks@cbexchange.com

Lisa Andreoli and Meredith Conn 708-557-9546 or 708-743-6973 teamgo2girls@gmail.com

Consistently been a top-producing agent in the western suburbs

Over 25 years experience. A multimillion dollar producer.

Optimal results.

Seamless experience.

John Haagensen

Bonnie Routen

Shea Kiessling

773-230-6995

708-544-8440 Andrea.bonnie@cbexchange.com

708-710-5952 shea@cbexchange.com

john.haagenson@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.

July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B3

SUMMER ON THE PORCH!

139 S GROVE, OAK PARK :: $1,235,000 :: 6 BED :: 4.5 BATH Majestic Victorian in central Oak Park Historic District.

KATHY & TONY IWERSEN 708.772.8040 708.772.8041 tonyiwersen@atproperties.com

B4 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

WILD ONES

Organized chaos from page B1 her garden has more purpose while looking good, too.

As she looks out into her yard to see a nesting Cooper’s Hawk with a baby, she says seeing the birds and insects enjoy her garden makes her happy and fulfills West Cook Wild Ones’ mission of healing the earth one

yard at a time.

In Forest Park, Gretchen Jankowski has a garden that was inspired by her aunt and uncle’s field of wildflowers in rural Illinois.

She grew up loving visits to their farm.

When her parents purchased a home on a lot and a half that received full sun, she knew that she wanted to create her own wildflower prairie in a more urban setting.

An art teacher a Governors State University, Jankowski says that gardening and art have a lot of similarities.

“I like organized chaos, and I like native plants because they do their own thing but

also benefit from a bit of structure,” she said.

She’s populated her garden with seeds and plants from her aunt and uncle’s property, with plants from her grandmother’s home and with shared plants from those in the gardening community.

After a few years of nurturing the landscape, she is learning that like art, nothing ever works out exactly as planned with a garden, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While the end result might not be the same was the vision in your head, it might end up being even better.

Oak Park gardener Judy Klem helped organize this year’s walk for West Cook Wild Ones, and while she has been a native gardener for years working with the Oak Park Temple on their gardens, this is the first time she’s opening up her personal garden.

Klem got her start with native gardening when she was raising four children and looking for a way to avoid chemicals in her landscaping. Visits to Lurie Gardens, with its masses of native plants and pollinators, inspired her.

“It was close enough to Oak Park to visit,” Klem said. “I pulled up their plant list, got a book and then I was this crazy lady asking for native plants at the garden store.”

At that point, it was challenging to find native plants at big-box retailers, but she got involved with West Cook Wild Ones and learned from other members and began attending seed swaps and plants sales.

She started small, and eventually converted her yard and the entire parkway along

Division Street. What started with one plant has evolved into an escape for the entire neighborhood.

“Once you step out on the parkway, you can just get lost,” she said, adding that neighborhood children can walk through and look for caterpillars or enjoy the section devoted to berries.

At the end of the day, Klem says that native gardening is something that’s attainable for other home gardeners and has brought her joy.

“It’s been really rewarding,” Klem said.

“When you make a commitment to plant with a purpose, you start to look at gardening through a whole different lens. It’s not just about how it looks but about what it does. This is not your mother’s garden.”

Before you go The garden walk cost $10 for West Cook Wild Ones members and $15 for non-members. Children can attend for free. Tickets can be purchased at westcook.wildones.org/birds-bees-butterflies-a-native-garden-tour.

Tour participants will receive a map of the gardens two days before the event. To encourage social distancing, each garden will have a separate entrance and exit.

As garden locations are spread among four communities, participants are encouraged to bike or drive between gardens.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

BUZZING WITH WILDLIFE: Gretchen Jankowski (lower left) said her Forest Park garden was inspired by her aunt and uncle’s field of wildflowers in rural Illinois. She planted seeds from her aunt and uncle’s property and plants from her grandmother’s home, creating a garden full of native species that attract birds and insects.

July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B5

BairdWarner.com

Homeroom.

935 N Grove Ave Oak Park | $969,000 Hughes Home Team

509 Fair Oaks Ave Oak Park | $789,000 Kim Wojack & Anne Ferri

944 N Euclid Ave Oak Park | $760,000 Lois Bonaccorsi

1126 Hayes Ave Oak Park | $649,000 Ann Keeney

147 N Euclid Ave, #406 Oak Park | $649,000 Hughes Home Team

192 N Marion St Oak Park | $645,000 Patricia McGowan

1142 Home Ave Oak Park | $599,000 Ray Martinez

713 N Marion St Oak Park | $529,999 Patricia McGowan

834 N Marion St Oak Park | $499,900 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

1020 Madison St Oak Park | $495,000 Patricia McGowan

116 S Grove Ave, Unit D Oak Park | $450,000 Saretta Joyner

1029 Baldwin Ln Oak Park | $434,900 Swati Saxena

255 South Blvd, #1 Oak Park | $395,000 Hughes Home Team

130 Frank Lloyd Wright Ln, Unit 130 | Oak Park $355,000 |Bobbi Eastman

1539 Franklin Ave, #1 River Forest | $260,000 Mary Carlin

426 S Lombard Ave, #306 Oak Park | $219,000 Cathy Yanda

204 N Kenilworth Ave, #1N Oak Park | $190,000 Catherine Simon-Vobornik

7346 Lake St, Unit GW River Forest | $139,000 Steve Green

828 N Austin Blvd, #3SW Oak Park | $110,000 Swati Saxena

7214 Oak Ave, #2NE River Forest | $80,000 Steve Green

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

B6 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

SINGLE FAMILY HOMES

CONDOS

Saturday, July 17 • Sunday, July 18

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

320 S Maple Ave., D, Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$429,900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 1-3

ADDRESS

OFFICE

LISTING PRICE

TIME

1126 Hayes Ave., Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $649,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sun 2-4 1037 Belleforte Ave., Oak Park. . . . . . . . . . . Beyond Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$775,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sat 1-3 527 Lathrop Ave., River Forest . . . . . . . . . . Gagliardo Realty Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,030,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Open Sun 1-3

This Directory brought to you by mrgloans.com

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July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B7

RIVER FOREST

4 BR, 4.2 BA ...............................$1,400,000 Andy Gagliardo • 708-771-8040

7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040

CHICAGO One of Galewood’s true gems - and taxes are only around $6k!

3 BR, 1.2 BA .................................................................................................................. $439,000 Laurie Christofano • 630-248-1976

OAK PARK OPEN SUNDAY 1 - 3 P.M. 527 LATHROP AVE

RIVER FOREST

5 BR, 4 BA ..................................$1,030,000

Spectacular estate home in central Oak Park designed by the famous firm of Tallmage & Watson.

6 BR, 5.2 BA .................................................................................................................. $950,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

Andy Gagliardo • 708-771-8040

7375 West North Avenue River Forest, Illinois 60305 708.771.8040

OAK PARK

6 BR, 4.1 BA ...............................$1,235,000 Kathy & Tony Iwersen 708-772-8040

RIVER FOREST Magnificent and sprawling brick Tudor is located in the heart of central River Forest.

5 BR, 3 BA .................................................................................................................. $1,025,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

Lots of Homes to LOVE every week in Wednesday Journal

OAK PARK The 2-year renovation of this spectacular home features 4 levels of living, custom craftsmanship, and the best systems and appliances.

6 BR, 5.1 BA ............................................................................................................... $1,100,000 Steve Scheuring • 708-369-8043

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 ■ July 14, 2021

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Or visit www.oakpark.com/subscribe/ July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B9

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

Oak Park home sells for $1.032 million

The following property transfers were reported by the Cook County Recorder of Deeds from February and March 2021. 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

1184 Clarence Ave 522 Fair Oaks Ave 1115 N Harlem Ave 1120 W Thomas St 222 N Marion St 718 Clarence Ave 415 Linden Ave 931 S Humphrey Ave 240 Flournoy St 232 N Oak Park Ave 1201 N Ridgeland Ave 938 North Blvd 607 S Taylor Ave 108 Home Ave 1143 S Grove Ave 1108 N Ridgeland Ave 300 S Euclid Ave 427 N Oak Park Ave 221 N Marion St 1155 S Scoville Ave 617 Madison St 817 N Humphrey Ave 200 N Kenilworth Ave 1041 S Lyman Ave 1112 Wisconsin Ave 938 North Blvd 1125 Clarence Ave 718 S Oak Park Ave 224 N Kenilworth Ave 538 S Harvey Ave 1178 S Taylor Ave 1226 Belleforte Ave 204 S Maple Ave 110 S Scoville Ave 1137 Rossell Ave 143 N Cuyler Ave 927 N Elmwood Ave 169 N Grove Ave 112 Wesley Ave 229 N Cuyler Ave 610 Woodbine Ave 1180 S Lyman Ave 926 Wisconsin Ave 438 Lenox St 414 Wisconsin Ave 210 S Euclid Ave 1026 Gunderson Ave 1040 Washington Blvd 840 Home Ave 414 Thomas St

$351,000.00 $607,500.00 $132,500.00 $172,500.00 $330,000.00 $357,500.00 $1,025,000.00 $205,000.00 $205,000.00 $129,000.00 $545,000.00 $101,000.00 $380,000.00 $478,500.00 $585,000.00 $615,000.00 $565,000.00 $660,000.00 $177,500.00 $242,500.00 $502,000.00 $250,000.00 $147,500.00 $406,000.00 $433,000.00 $130,000.00 $380,000.00 $390,000.00 $251,500.00 $468,000.00 $290,000.00 $542,000.00 $250,000.00 $127,000.00 $551,000.00 $413,000.00 $1,032,000.00 $252,500.00 $669,000.00 $639,000.00 $600,000.00 $196,000.00 $385,000.00 $365,000.00 $417,000.00 $999,000.00 $250,000.00 $110,000.00 $500,000.00 $360,000.00

Kurtzer George F Murawski Dennis C Balciunas Zuzana E Davis Erma J Gray Gascue-Carol Lucia Ziegler Robyn A Goodsmith Kenneth S Steele Sharon R Kelleher Dierdre L Koutsoures Robin R Dove Henry W Ahmed Junaid A Pahl Steven Andress Cathy Wagner Kenneth Ireland Alice J Serritella William J Jr Juravic Jerolim Bmw Props Llc 2017-2 Ih Borrower Lp Birch Delaine Frangos Fannie Mae Jkm Prop Inv And Mgmt Llc Silva Abigail Tr Frost Angus Dortenzio John Nostvick Kathlean Collantes Gustavo Oscar Register Donald B Bagri Shelley Zarate Ventures Llc Donahue Susan S Tr Scheftel David Lionel Zias Jenniphre Crawford Ryan J Kumler Donald L Tr Sluys Caroline D Kim-Ware Jane H Thompson Philip T Allen Christopher B Contreras Edna A Romo Chopra Vikram Holstein Mark Tr Gurdian Eric G El-Ali Kareem Rai Karishama Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Goetz David Joseph Tr Bremer Lindsay T Tr Delehanty Thomas

Levrant Jeffrey Barrett Christopher Perez Jonathan B Gray Calvin O Kordesh Richard Davis Daniel J The Chicago Trust Co Tr 4923 Crystal Canyon Llc Becker Mary Gallagher Dana M Towns William Ruda Mark A Zekis James C Layton Jennifer B Lopez Carlos Goodsmith Jennifer Bumagin Flanagan Ian Patrick Muscarello Philip A Spillane Daniel M Sersen Margaret A Arroyo David A Leap Prop Inc Ford Beth Lee Letang Suzanne Grannan Alexander Gomez Adolfo Barefield David Gustafson Timothy Eric Kash Jeffrey Alan Tr Burns Colin J Black Joel Ewert Mark Alexander Noel Marc Overbeck Renee Sanchez Victor M Davenport Hannah R Andrews Jasmine Vasques Synara C Pendley Chad J Parkinson Willian A Nelson Nicole Tr Rodriguez Louis Luttinen Carla C Ortiz Emiyuki Clark Elizabeth Sweitzer Charles F Warrior Const Inc Morge Matthew Feteau Dominique Yannias Nicholas C

B10 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

927 N Elmwood Ave., Oak Park

OAK PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

1224 Columbian Ave 915 S Grove Ave 6140 Roosevelt Rd 100 Wright Ln 6400 Roosevelt Rd 1043 Fair Oaks Ave 1001 Clinton Ave 531 Fair Oaks Ave 1019 S Scoville Ave 1168 S Lyman Ave 425 S Oak Park Ave 1133 S East Ave 319 S Maple Ave 135 S Kenilworth Ave 1023 Washington Blvd 701 Gunderson Ave 807 Home Ave 710 S Lyman Ave 1215 N East Ave 921 Ontario St 1339 N Harlem Ave 1209 N Oak Park Ave 1117 S Scoville Ave 534 S Harvey Ave 437 Home Ave 338 N Austin Blvd 401 S Grove Ave 805 Clinton Ave 1125 Wisconsin Ave 211 Clinton Ave 916 S Taylor Ave 1210 N Grove Ave

$560,000.00 $513,500.00 $220,000.00 $333,500.00 $3,228,500.00 $900,000.00 $397,500.00 $800,000.00 $630,000.00 $394,000.00 $320,000.00 $690,000.00 $570,000.00 $83,000.00 $190,000.00 $610,000.00 $425,000.00 $545,000.00 $580,000.00 $272,500.00 $99,500.00 $640,000.00 $397,500.00 $175,000.00 $165,000.00 $129,000.00 $130,500.00 $657,500.00 $815,000.00 $775,000.00 $305,000.00 $650,000.00

Carey Sarah E Gibellina Jeffrey 6140 W Roosevelt Rd Llc Teasdale Margaret Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Lederman Norman G Buchanan Gregory D Johnson Charles Adams Kristen W Tr Boyd Donald B Jr Falbo Anthony P Brown David T Florito Daniel P Licht Arthur Lewis Geritano Jill Marie King David J Tr Nelson William Drew Bramson Matthew Wendel Stephen Alexis Hush Paul A Johnson Christopher John Jobin K Janetic Jason Paul Hudson William H Mcvicker Mary F Harta Brian Blanchard Christine Tr Shorr Michael S 1125 Wisconsin Llc Campagna Janine Fazio Tr Cosman Neil Iqbal Andleeb

Radtke Breanna Smith Andre M Rasmussen Tim Gray Justin Black Water Meadows Llc Flemming Jason Robert Tr Howland Tami Buchanan Gregory Silva Abigail Tr Quam Natalie Pope Adrienne M Lacke Nicholas R Oneal Michael Zhang Zhaohui Lavery Terrence P Valadez Jaime Shorr Catherine W Stephen Michael A Gackowski Steve R Hunt Ryan Joseph Camarena Isabel Giordano David W Dugan Shelia E 534 Harvey St Llc Quigley Mary Jean Hunt Elizabeth M Mairs Matthew Wood Justin T Brown David T Madore Benjamin Blanks Felicia Kramer Joel M

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

OAK PARK

OAK PARK

ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

208 N Oak Park Ave 729 N Humphrey Ave 24 Iowa St 1219 Forest Ave 1225 N Euclid Ave 847 S Kenilworth Ave 1217 Columbian Ave 735 S Harvey Ave 732 Hayes Ave 1157 S Oak Park Ave 838 N Taylor Ave 1224 N Kenilworth Ave 1044 S Ridgeland Ave 6 Division St 629 Woodbine Ave 825 Lake St 742 N Humphrey Ave 1212 N Ridgeland Ave 1103 Holley Ct 816 S Highland Ave 844 Washington Blvd 726 N Ridgeland Ave 512 Fair Oaks Ave 1017 S Oak Park Ave 219 S Cuyler Ave 901 Columbian Ave 1182 S Taylor Ave 908 N Humphrey Ave 1109 N Lombard Ave 841 Carpenter Ave 418 N Harvey Ave 732 S Taylor Ave 1110 Harrison St 527 S Ridgeland Ave 415 N Marion St 150 Le Moyne Pky 1174 Clarence Ave 736 S Lombard Ave 1227 N Marion St 1046 Home Ave 800 N Grove Ave 947 Pleasant St 1110 S Taylor Ave 835 N Cuyler Ave 615 Belleforte Ave 949 Linden Ave 1007 Mapleton Ave 1109 Holley Ct 316 N Ridgeland Ave 923 Clarence Ave 1048 N Elmwood Ave 317 N Marion St 1000 S Grove Ave 1021 N Harlem Ave 636 S Harvey Ave 1230 N Marion St 917 N Taylor Ave 325 N Maple Ave 532 N Cuyler Ave 800 Forest Ave

$170,000.00 $275,000.00 $443,000.00 $675,000.00 $495,000.00 $429,000.00 $630,000.00 $437,500.00 $347,500.00 $477,000.00 $458,500.00 $450,000.00 $125,000.00 $219,000.00 $555,000.00 $146,000.00 $345,000.00 $580,000.00 $75,500.00 $210,000.00 $95,000.00 $535,000.00 $326,000.00 $300,000.00 $349,000.00 $600,000.00 $189,000.00 $391,000.00 $700,000.00 $163,000.00 $559,000.00 $630,000.00 $155,000.00 $476,000.00 $380,000.00 $410,000.00 $250,000.00 $423,500.00 $361,500.00 $760,000.00 $685,000.00 $310,000.00 $215,000.00 $395,000.00 $630,000.00 $535,000.00 $390,000.00 $102,000.00 $350,000.00 $148,000.00 $615,000.00 $480,000.00 $622,500.00 $245,500.00 $410,000.00 $555,000.00 $410,000.00 $540,000.00 $635,000.00 $515,000.00

Gager Valerie L Carey David A Lesiowski Thomas V Rasley Richard L Tr Arquette Andrew Schultz Kevin Michael Tr Calvillo Candy Stephen Jennifer C Bisberg Linda Abrams Rumoro John P Zwierski Ilona W Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Hanlin Laurel J Howland Tami Beumer Bradley R Rehm Selma M Tr Baber Rachel Kamphuis Andrew A Strazzabosco Donald G Tr Powell Jeffrey Comeau Elizabeth T Clark Elizabeth Younger Pamela Marie Tr Jaimes Catalina Salazar Maria Rosa Delpurgatorio Daniel Grandview Cap Llc Rothbaum Andrew Achurra Fraricisco M Tr Mcmahon Jeffrey M Freerksen Douglas F Leon Rolando Jaime Zayas Tr Bonifera Llc Christian Eicher Trust Kayser Gerald F Bowen Samuel P Tr Andoh Clement Fojas Stephanie P Forest Pk Bapt Ch Inc Compton Glenn M Tr Degand Frantz Klink Michael S Tr Watson Richard Q Schoedel Peter M Tr Robertson Alan R Underwood Mark A Blossfield Adam K Chicago Title Land Trust Nsquared Holdings Llc Binkowski Angela El Dorado Consult Llc Gonzalez Roy Top 10 Dev Llc Radtke Steven R Tr Malley Jason O Miller John Mark Ryadi Mounir Campbell Colleen Paes Norma P Altier Robert R Jr

Porter Marion Hohenzy Victoria M Smith Michael R Brito Tara Mulder Kelli Mccarthy Timothy Bender Mary Ann Sauerwald Steve Builes Dayro Buha Micheal Cullen Gary Watkins Stephen R Coulter Norris J Parks Shatierra Wiley Tarek Shah Sohin Priyenkumar Piasecki Benjamin B Mishkin Jacob Riley Lyne Amanda Javor Kenneth Kmet Nicole Mehta Chimanlal Krcmar Zdenek Milkovic Martin Kawuki Ashley Rodgers Darryl W Carrera Mizael Jaeger Edward Gruenewald David Jkaf Dev Llc Mancuso James Jr Perkowitz Grace Minna Prop Llc Thompson Drew J Prabhu Satish S Olander Michael Ayekumi Paakwesi Giovagnoli Graham Ecp Lp Sykes Cynthia C Djavaiierian Amir Mcbride Nancy W Tr Brewington Luisina Perez Misael Mendoza Richards Michael Jacobs Michael Moore Adekoyejo J Grammer Izola Rios Paola Javier Conrad Gegenheimer Eric Escobedo Matthew F Pritchard Michael J Country Holdings 5 Llc Callen Zachary A Meadow Jon Blom Wade L Naughton Shane Dawson Kay Grant Erica N

818 Gunderson Ave 339 Home Ave 830 S Euclid Ave 1234 N Grove Ave 850 Clinton Ave 1169 S East Ave 1109 Erie St 851 Columbian Ave 737 S Cuyler Ave 439 Home Ave 1051 N Taylor Ave 1044 S Harvey Ave 837 Wesley Ave 1216 N Euclid Ave 518 S Lyman Ave 111 Bishop Quarter Ln 729 Hayes Ave 516 Washington Blvd 106 S Scoville Ave 825 Wisconsin Ave 1227 N Lombard Ave 816 S Humphrey Ave 1201 Fair Oaks Ave 109 S Scoville Ave 1019 S Lyman Ave 434 N Scoville Ave 722 S Harvey Ave 1031 N Harlem Ave 1150 S Humphrey Ave 1215 Linden Ave 324 Wisconsin Ave 334 S Euclid Ave 334 S Euclid Ave 334 S Euclid Ave 1144 S Scoville Ave 300 N Cuyler Ave 528 S East Ave 327 Wisconsin Ave 832 S Scoville Ave 1043 N Kenilworth Ave 1168 Clarence Ave 1230 Linden Ave 204 S Maple Ave 222 N Marion St 1038 Home Ave 1126 S Humphrey Ave 1144 N Austin Blvd 325 N Humphrey Ave 949 Lake St 1226 N Lombard Ave 1134 Rossell Ave 1045 Mapleton Ave 641 S Humphrey Ave 1116 S Euclid Ave 516 N Lombard Ave 1142 Washington Blvd 1037 S Lombard Ave 415 S Lombard Ave 728 S Elmwood Ave 248 S Marion St

$775,000.00 $201,000.00 $412,500.00 $390,000.00 $350,000.00 $423,000.00 $195,000.00 $750,000.00 $312,000.00 $230,000.00 $330,000.00 $315,000.00 $336,000.00 $560,000.00 $379,000.00 $395,000.00 $305,000.00 $361,000.00 $159,000.00 $450,000.00 $470,000.00 $476,000.00 $750,000.00 $705,000.00 $485,000.00 $492,000.00 $420,000.00 $795,000.00 $312,000.00 $450,000.00 $350,000.00 $284,000.00 $370,000.00 $206,500.00 $305,000.00 $535,000.00 $580,000.00 $116,000.00 $578,000.00 $740,000.00 $390,000.00 $450,000.00 $255,000.00 $208,500.00 $398,000.00 $350,000.00 $359,000.00 $553,000.00 $83,000.00 $421,000.00 $646,000.00 $525,000.00 $361,500.00 $420,000.00 $415,000.00 $180,000.00 $397,000.00 $117,000.00 $539,000.00 $153,000.00

Hemphill Donna Ros Simon May Katherine W Duff Sarah A Studney Thomas M Extr Raspateelo Daniel B Olivet John J New Age Ventures Odell Kathleen E Scieszka Gregg L Lewis David P Sugimoto Michael Hunt Kathryn Ann Lamb Joshua Trost Brian Capozzi Lisa Marie Ellwanger Jonathan M Live Well Everbank Hernandez Florencio Sparkes Timothy C West Side Remdl Llc Murphy Angelique R Sweeney Philip Tr Jr Accomando Thomas Ferraro Carolyn R Lowe Laura M Reiff Timothy Jorgen 1031 N Harlem Inc Madan Daya N Young William D Wilmington Trust Tenuta John C Tenuta Thomas C Tenuta Barbara J Ciampaglia Steven Verzo Edilberto V Licuanan Lloyd Tr Dawn Inv Llc Series Adams Cain Brandon S Walter Jason Esposito Valerie A Van Loan Laura Casper Williams Reisha Tr Rias Leola Korenda Kenneth A Shkiler Alexander B Rrp Mgmt Inc Arminio Matthew Wunschel Gloria C Berggren Steven A Beukers Nicole Komparda Mary J Tr 1112 Prop Illinois Lp Regan Matthew J Burgoyne Nancy Rekucki Magdalena Kaleko Carolyn Zielke Elizabeth Rheinheimer Michael Mcgoey Eric T

Gibellina Emily Martens Mariana C Pyle Brittany N Odonnell Joseph Cozzi-Hudson Barbara Elizabeth Stroh Matthew Alan Mccormick Homes Llc Febles Angeline M Castillo Ellis Gregory Koutsoures Robin Delewsky Richard Jay Gregg Brian Robbert Adam Conrad Richard C Hamilton Abigail Maylissa Montgomery M Susan Nitzoy Sorin Merchen Emilia Trinidad Kleidon Kelsey Tsintsarski Slaven Petkov Poppas Jonathan J Darnaby Joseph Stevaux Craig Burton Melisa Bridges Faon M Kelley Elizabeth P Tr Counts Grace Elizabeth Ford Intl Investments Llc K D Grp Enterprises Llc Mohiuddin Imran Mcgoey Jaclyn A 332-334 S Euclid Llc 332-334 S Euclid Llc 332-334 S Euclid Llc Emperado Olivia Zdenek Krcmar Mcknight Christopher E Austin Kemberleigh P Porter Cory T Corchin Jessica B Foteva Savelina Walter Ashley Susanne Sedlacek Rachel C Childs Margaret Lankenau Daniel Barone Nickolas Minaey Daniel Algozine Michael Wyn-Win Comm Inc Njoku Benedette Esu Maddox Steven Eggleston Alice Budiman Bongi Joseph Ii Moyer Stephen Cantillon Kathleen Larayos Kreshna Mapes Robert Harknes April Dulberger Max C Garcia Miguel Coronel

July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B11

P R O P E R T Y

T R A N S F E R S

RIVER FOREST ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

326 Ashland Ave 1434 Jackson Ave 7204 Oak Ave 542 Thatcher Ave 1527 Clinton Pl 415 Franklin Ave 7208 Oak Ave 1138 Park Ave 830 Forest Ave 1115 Thatcher Ave 601 Clinton Pl 1101 Jackson Ave 900 Franklin Ave 830 Clinton Pl 810 Forest Ave 26 Gale Ave 612 Keystone Ave 38 Keystone Ave 230 Park Ave 1031 Thatcher Ave 1142 Franklin Ave 415 Franklin Ave 627 Jackson Ave 410 Ashland Ave 7200 Oak Ave 1511 Franklin Ave 1311 Ashland Ave 1005 Bonnie Brae Pl 531 Thatcher Ave 1009 Bonnie Brae Pl 1523 Monroe Ave 1010 N Harlem Ave 1422 William St 500 William St 801 Park Ave 1108 N Harlem Ave 914 Lathrop Ave 557 Franklin Ave 435 Williams St 1042 Lathrop Ave 1411 Keystone Ave 510 Bonnie Brae Pl 1032 Lathrop Ave 415 Franklin Ave 753 Park Ave 7210 Le Moyne St 7214 Oak Ave 210 Ashland Ave 7352 Lake St 1430 N Harlem Ave 1135 Keystone Ave 424 Park Ave 1131 Franklin Ave 918 Monroe Ave 7200 Oak Ave 922 N Harlem Ave 1520 Bonnie Brae Pl 414 Clinton Pl 1436 Le Moyne St 1520 Franklin Ave 1010 N Harlem Ave 414 Clinton Pl 713 Forest Ave

$659,000.00 $875,000.00 $99,000.00 $1,075,000.00 $660,000.00 $320,000.00 $71,000.00 $1,075,000.00 $1,060,500.00 $848,000.00 $675,000.00 $850,500.00 $720,000.00 $597,000.00 $637,500.00 $372,000.00 $1,295,000.00 $470,000.00 $452,500.00 $455,000.00 $1,185,000.00 $245,000.00 $858,500.00 $299,000.00 $72,000.00 $690,000.00 $725,000.00 $402,500.00 $300,000.00 $439,500.00 $499,000.00 $150,000.00 $1,000,000.00 $668,000.00 $1,550,000.00 $110,000.00 $1,350,000.00 $660,000.00 $350,000.00 $483,000.00 $626,000.00 $120,000.00 $575,000.00 $222,000.00 $837,000.00 $205,000.00 $72,500.00 $500,000.00 $220,000.00 $205,000.00 $559,000.00 $152,000.00 $1,050,000.00 $910,000.00 $65,000.00 $405,000.00 $85,000.00 $389,250.00 $130,000.00 $889,000.00 $200,500.00 $160,000.00 $615,000.00

Brice Dan Addy Koko Adesa Dwetri Fannie Mae Skelding David L Norrington Trevor Hill Virginia P Tr Kocho Renata Alvarez Anita M Tr Dee Thomas R Burns James B Ciserella Michael Tr Donlin Michael W Tr Chou Teresa Froelich James S Hoover Steven P Harfoot Matthew Rauh Mary C Trust Thomas Sarah Dow Tr Ruggiero Benjamin P Richards Marianne H First Amer Bk Tr 87035195 Lancaster Eric S Hummel Christopher J Oconnor Marianne Tr Piekny Thaddeus Sleuwen Markus Keith Scott Lappe William F Tr Lawinger Dorothy V Pozen Jeffrey Tr Matarazzo Carl Wolfe Judith A Mccormack Edward F Varughese George Brown Danielle Koch John R Wishing Gate Llc Cune Ron Oconnor Mary Frances Gleason Reitz Roger Stafford & Lockwood Inc Koch Jacob N Reitz Roger L Madonia Loretta J Jr Hanley Joseph Feteau Dominique R Chicago Hope Academy Milligan Sean Radtke Thomas L Ryder Deborah Schabowskl Shari Eggertsen Arly W Tr Schutz Jeannine M Tr Farkas Joseph G Zhang Miin Miller Janet E Larvick Jennifer A Zeisel Nicholas J Dwyer Thomas J Tr Luskin Kenneth A Lecrone Juanita Weyburn Susan Kirk Carter

Embree Gregory Norrington Treyor Jackson Beverly Watson Anderson Ross Hurley Joht P Makowski Joseph Tr Duncan Maxwell A Glawe David J Von Ende Christopher Lindberg Albright Heather Ruggiero Benjamin P Crawford Ryan J Agarwal Anchal Keefe Joseph W Carman Laura Wang Yao John Jobin Bagri Shelley Larson Jared Allan Bernardi Caroline Hummel Christopher Tragos John J Stevens Jarrett T Neyenesch Suzanne B Oshea Daniel Ryadi Mounir Paglio Vincent Tef Investments Llc 140 Euclid 507 Cozza Frank Giles Robert W Tr Keberlein Douglas Graham Cecilia Adams Ricky L Tr Brown Daniellen Ricchetti Bryan Anatolitis Christine R Whealy Martha Tr Mcginn Matthew Cox Barbara Sankary Howard N Tr Dolehide Robert C Hickey Thomas J Tr Houlne Jacob Rubey Charles T Tr Coyne Daryl F Albornoz Jhonnathan L Brizzolara Mark Moreno Claudia Tate Nathaniel Arthur Morowczynski Brian J Bedell Susan Z Kelty Caroline R Schafer Nicholas P Goldrick Thomas Shaikhutdinova Elvira Walter Jason Franco Edgar Ramirez Maguigad Noel Zousoui Naoufel Sloan Portfolio Llc Pena-Davis Janet Mesch Edmund D Jr Whalen Susan L

B12 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

FOREST PARK ADDRESS

PRICE

SELLER

BUYER

843 Lathrop Ave 1109 Elgin Ave 244 Marengo Ave 1430 Marengo Ave 818 Thomas Ave 827 Circle Ave 633 Elgin Ave 140 Marengo Ave 1126 Thomas Ave 229 Harlem Ave 850 Des Plaines Ave 931 Hannah Ave 7532 Harrison St 1110 Ferdinand Ave 7660 Wilcox St 1043 Elgin Ave 315 Des Plaines Ave 842 Thomas Ave 7425 Washington St 1032 Beloit Ave 1009 Thomas Ave 315 Des Plaines Ave 7222 Washington St 7251 Randolph St 7651 Adams St 812 Thomas Ave 7431 Warren St 916 Marengo Ave 832 Elgin Ave 320 Circle Ave 820 Lathrop Ave 848 Dunlop Ave 7531 Brown Ave 1507 Elgin Ave 121 Des Plaines Ave 545 Thomas Ave 7420 Warren St 908 Hannah Ave 821 Lathrop Ave 844 Circle Ave 519 Jackson Blvd 1024 Dunlop Ave 438 Beloit Ave 1107 Marengo Ave 138 Rockford Ave 423 Beloit Ave 905 Circle Ave 604 Marengo Ave 235 Marengo Ave 940 Troost Ave 7443 Washington St 300 Circle Ave 7443 Washington St 315 Marengo Ave 813 Thomas Ave 314 Lathrop Ave 251 Marengo Ave 1440 Circle Ave 611 Thomas Ave 7320 Dixon St 924 Beloit Ave 7428 Warren St 1304 Elgin Ave 320 Circle Ave 300 Circle Ave 140 Marengo Ave 1045 Lathrop Ave

$130,000.00 $226,000.00 $435,000.00 $275,000.00 $257,000.00 $163,000.00 $325,000.00 $221,000.00 $275,000.00 $3,571,500.00 $76,500.00 $276,000.00 $415,000.00 $532,000.00 $575,000.00 $340,000.00 $125,500.00 $389,000.00 $383,000.00 $600,000.00 $252,000.00 $150,000.00 $286,000.00 $175,000.00 $595,000.00 $139,000.00 $392,500.00 $265,000.00 $310,000.00 $52,000.00 $465,000.00 $405,000.00 $275,000.00 $238,000.00 $605,000.00 $465,000.00 $260,000.00 $25,000.00 $336,000.00 $312,500.00 $865,000.00 $225,000.00 $309,000.00 $268,000.00 $376,000.00 $587,500.00 $350,000.00 $450,000.00 $130,000.00 $465,000.00 $145,000.00 $112,000.00 $102,000.00 $99,000.00 $335,000.00 $125,000.00 $159,000.00 $390,000.00 $480,000.00 $182,000.00 $347,500.00 $220,000.00 $280,000.00 $120,000.00 $110,000.00 $229,000.00 $50,000.00

Pierce Suzanne Binion Terrell Corrado Matthew Duwell David Zbucka Alicja Venetucci Jim M Tr Lalagos Antonia Hudson Melissa Xin Tian Fpil001 Llc Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr Gregory Gwen Johnson Ofelia V Pincott Edward M Baker Homes Inc Vsc Grp Llc Concannon Paul King David J Tr Guncheon Jeanine Radoncic Rafet Koch Katharine Melson Jeffrey Bizon Jeremy R Lenhart Trevor M Corrigan Patrick J Cantrell Nya D Apex Natl Real Estate Llc Berger Kelly Horejs Ryan Janonpoulos Lisa V Warrior Const Inc Pych Kyra L Zdilla Mark R Richard Eric Massey Katherine Calderone Anthony T Bruhn Matthew Tr 2 Cormack Michael W Patel Bhaumik Cornely Kieran Peilip Hs Tarara Llc 519 Jackson Kelle Angela Chicago Title Land Trust Co Sauerwald Steve Kirk Jonathon J Cima Lawrence Tr Locke Patrick Us Bk Trust Natl Assn Tr Kravets Sara Tr Fullmer Denise G Skacel Miroslav Winfert-Quan Beatrice Stiger Bryan T Glascott Erin Pascual Francis Johannes C Brown Tarra Cornea Ramona M Sapir Claudia Hartmann Steven Kennelly Kathryn C Williams Jeffery Fini Anthony Albrecht George J Tr Velazquez Zuleyka Mccarthy Justin D Ebsen Elizabeth J Tr Stankevicius Marion C

Vondrasek Thomas Hopkins Ashley Ciordia Emma E Iglesias Picchiotti Jack Phillip Moss John Javorkenneth Mccormick Brianna Humowiecki Stephen R Briones Timothy Aaron Oak St Inv Grade Net Lease Fund Pasquini John P Wesley Michael E Oleary Michael A Rickette Charmaine V Kline Christopher Ln Saxe Peter Desilva Paul Lee Gniady Susan Obrien Paul Lbs Mgmt Llc-Series 1032 Fp Rowe Justin Dobruse Daniel Joseph Braginsky Daniel Bell Carol Caldwell Katherine Elaine White Jennifer A Dennis Joshua Ash Tr Frech David Michael Allain Jason Paul Aleksieieva Alina Yentes Tyler J Dixon Joseph D Applegate Brittany Danielle Johnson Karen Delaney Andrew T Luitjohan Cory West Side Remdl Llc Cormack Therese Walsh Martin Natalie Kee Summer Tr Chirayil Shiji L Tr Simpson Robert T Reisner Nell C Oliver Theodore Mai Peter David Makiewicz Kurt Adami-Hasegawa Kimberly Wallace William Jensen Kathlleen M Maltby Lee A Scibek Mackenzie Camacho Marisol Hernandez Rivera Jessica Weitendorf Daniel Grimshaw Benjamin Hurt Ruth Gregor Victoria Marguerite Reed Aram Mccracken Alison Wright Stephen M Ii Pacalso Paul Jane M Madden Andrew J Kumar Kartik Lopez Micaela Casson Carolyn Pesavento Nicholas R Kuester Klaus H

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12

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

Café Cubano editing for excellence

Facing post pandemic challenges Elmwood Park mainstay trims menu to feature favorites Café Cubano’s owners Mayra and Javier Fernandez Jr. have spent 20 years building their restaurant at 7426 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park.

They relied on their years of combined restaurant experience to confront the challenges of the recent pandemic. PPP loans and grants helped the resilient Cuban eatery fight through the unprecedented challenges.

Food Writer But challenges continue for the restaurant known for serving nostalgic, home-style Cuban fare.

Despite their commitment to safety precautions the staff at Café Cubano was directly impacted by COVID-19. They almost lost their longtime cook to the virus and count his survival among their many blessings during this unprecedented time.

After a year and half Fernandez sees things coming back little by little, but they are still running an unsustainable ratio of 60% takeout orders to just 40% indoor dining.

“Our profit margins depend on indoor dining,” said Fernandez. “Unfortunately, right now, there are not enough people coming back. The biggest thing customers can do to help us now is to come in and have a

MELISSA ELSMO

meal here.”

Like most establishments on restaurant row, Café Cubano is struggling to staff their restaurant. Rising food costs and lost profits during the pandemic have made it difficult to meet income expectations for potential employees. While they are grateful their most faithful employees are still with them, the waitstaff shortage have made finding a proper balance inside the restaurant difficult.

“Teenagers are saving our restaurant right now,” said Fernandez. “They are happy and hardworking. I have no idea what will happen when they go back to school, but for now we wouldn’t be here without them.”

In response to the upheaval in the restaurant industry, Café Cubano has enhanced their outdoor patio with decorative flourishes including windchimes and fresh flowers to help attract customers looking to enjoy a meal outside.

Additionally, they debuted a thoughtfully edited menu to help control costs. The streamlined offerings showcase all the most popular dishes the restaurant has to offer.

“We’ve cleaned up the menu and are sticking to our best loved dishes,” said Fernandez. “I want my customers to know what they are going to order before they even

CAFÉ CUBANO: The patio is waiting at Café Cubano in Elmwood Park.

CAMERONES FLAMENCO: Shrimp cooked with peppers and garlic in tomato sauce from Café Cubano

THE JIBARITO: Steak, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and mayonnaise between pressed green plantain.

VEGGIE PLATE: Filling vegetarian fare includes sweet plantains, white rice and black beans.

All photos Melissa Elsmo

B14 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

Wednesday Journal, July 14, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

13

OPEN FOR DINE IN, TAKE OUT, & DELIVERY

CUBANO APPETIZER: The Tapa Combo at Café Cubano features two papa rellenas, two empanadas, three ham and cheese croquetas, tostones rellenos and yuca frita. leave their house.”

Popular menu items include thin cut steak sandwiches and jibaritos, rich oxtail stew and indulgent lechon. Vegetarians will appreciate Café Cubano’s vegetarian plate featuring black beans, sweet plantains and rice. The perennially popular tapa combo remains on the menu featuring papa rellenas, empanadas, ham and cheese croquetas, tostones rellenos and yuca frita, while the camerones flamenco appetizer, featuring shrimp in tomato sauce with toast, is large enough to be enjoyed in lieu of an entrée.

To further lure dine in customers Café Cubano has a guitarist on site every Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. While he mills around

entertaining restaurant goers, Fernandez hopes to see customers enjoying a thoughtfully prepared cocktail like their well-loved mojitos. As summer continues Café Cubano will offer seasonal variations to their drink menu including watermelon mojitos and fresh peach sangria.

“We kept the doors open even though it wasn’t profitable and are hoping we can continue to stay open with this different set of challenges,” said Fernandez. “It is so hard right now, and we are doing everything we can to survive. Failing really isn’t an option for Café Cubano.”

18 W. Conti Parkway, Elmwood Park (708) 716-5164 • www.CircleTavernEP.com M /CircleTavernEP P @CircleTavernEP

Oak Park Eats positively encourages readers to think about the food and beverages they consume and seek our unique and memorable beer drinking experience while celebrating Kinslagher’s local partnerships with Carnivore, Opportunity Knocks, Daly Bagels, and Darr-B-Q. - Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher

Sip more at Kinslahger.com/ Keith Huizinga, Kinslagher

PAN CON BISTEC ENCEBOLLADO is a popular sandwich at Café Cubano featuring steak, grilled onion, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise.

Discover more culinary delights at OakPark.com

Keep up with Melissa Elsmo and what she’s cooking up at:

OakParkEats.com July 14, 2021 ■ Wednesday Journal/Forest Park Review

B15

RECLAIM YOUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING JOIN TODAY! At the Y, we remain committed to the health and safety of our community and supporting your health journey.

The following benefits are included with your Y membership: • 50% off your first three personal training sessions to revitalize your current workout routine • Up to 35% savings in aquatic and summer day camp programming • Chronic Disease Programming such as Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Diabetes Prevention, and Weight Loss • New, complimentary group fitness classes released in July • Join now to enjoy new cardio equipment and pool liner in the fall

SUMMER

OFFER *Expires: 7/31/21

50% OFF FIRST MONTH AND NO JOINERS FEE

B16 View more at OakPark.com/Real-Estate ■ July 14, 2021

Join today by calling 708-383-5200 or visiting westcookymca.org/2021