Wednesday Journal 081623

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Growing Community Media hires editor

We have big news to share from Growing Community Media.

We have hired an editor to lead our newsroom, to mentor our newsroom staf f and to guide our ef for ts to grow our re porting and widen our ways of telling stories.

Erika Hobbs is a veteran editor and re porter who has worked in the newsrooms of goodsized re gional dailies (Orlando and Baltimore), at national publications and in digital newsroom startups. She has also been an editor with Patch, a hyperlocal news project, and she has worked toward the launch of her own local digital newsroom called Citizen Grit covering Chicago Heights. Her reporting focus has been in education, equity and social justice. She also has expertise in running investigative projects.

Erika is also active as a member of national journalism organizations including the Poynter Institute, Investigative Re porters and Editors (IRE) and Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS).

We have been planning to add this position for a year and be g an actively searching for the right person to fill this new post this spring. We have talked to many talented journalists. But in interviews with our editorial staf f, with input from members of our board, Erika was our clear choice

She’ll join us this week and we c annot be more excited

With Erika leading our newsroom, my role as publisher at Growing Community Media will refocus on growing the organization particularly on our philanthropic and advertising sides.

This is a big, bold moment for GCM as we continue to build a new model for community news that is sustainable for years to come and which always builds connections in the communities we cover.

Always feel free to reach out to either one of us with a question, concern or suggestion.

I’m at dhaley@wjinc.com. Erika is Erika@ GrowingCommunityMedia.org.

With thanks.

Dan Haley Publisher Growing Community Media

Oak Park librar y sta getting e parking

Librar y to re Avenue Garage permits freeing up space in its own garage

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Re

A new intergovernmental has the inadvertent added benefit of making parking at the under rage of the Oak Park main branch easier The community’s p this relatively simple tween the library and the Park was unexpected tive Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon.

“I keep being pleasantly surprised that people have mentioned it to me,” she told Wednesday even know people we that hard.”

The five-year intergo ag reement only technically applies to where library employees can park their vehicle. For this reason, Bowling Dixon did not expect the public would take notice of it.

“We were thinking we were only doing something internal,” she said Under the ag reement, the village is providing the l ibrary 25 pa rk in g pe rm i ts for a period of five years at a reduced rate for i ts Avenue Pa rk in g Garag e, 720 N. Blvd, for staf f pa rk ing. At the end of the five year s, the l ibrary will have paid the village $11,453.50 fo r the pe rm it s.

The library board approved the ag reement July 25 and the village board, July 31. The item was part of the village board’s consent agenda, so it was not discussed by board members. Village President Vicki Scaman said she is pleased with the ag reement.

“I think these are the types of partnerships we should have,” she said. “We serve the same constituency.”

The ag reement came out of a request brought forward to Bowling Dixon by

of COVID-19 has subsided. The library added more staf f positions in the last three years as well, raising the number of employees in need of a place to park their cars at work.

The minimized health risk of being around other people also resulted in patrons, not just employees, returning to the library, which they were unable to do during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. And not all of those patrons live within walking distance of the library’s three branches.

“That’s like a perfect storm,” said Bowling Dixon of the increased parking needs.

In allowing library staf f to park at the Avenue garage, spaces will be freed up for patrons in the library’s parking garage underneath the Main Library, 834 Lake St. The library garage is usually full, so it’s not uncommon to pull into the small garage and find other cars driven by people on the same mission to find an unoccupied parking spot.

And while it’s more convenient for employees to park directly at their place

constructed during a time when sports utility vehicles and minivans were less prevalent, according to Bowling Dixon. Given its size, a lot of spaces in the library garage are specifically for compact cars.

“Almost no one has a compact car,” said Bowling Dixon.

Library staf f have not started pa rking at the Avenue garage just yet. Some employees come and go, while others stay at their branches all day, so library leadership is still in the process of determining which employees will park where.

Bowling Dixon, however, is not opposed to parking her car at the Avenue garage She’s a “huge supporter” of the Oak ParkRiver Forest Chamber of Commerce and hopes that having some library staffers park downtown will prompt them to pop into some of the shops and businesses on their way to and from work. Plus, walking is good exercise.

“You might as well get a little coffee or stop by the cleaners,” she said. “And we could all walk around more, right?”

ERIKA HOBBS

BIG WEEK

August 16-23

Home Decarbonization 101: Smart Home Energy Improvements & Programs

Thursday, August 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y, Maze Branch

The Citizens Utility Board (CUB) will discuss ways renters and homeowners can access energy e ciency and cost saving programs. During this presentation, you will learn about building decarbonization and the bene ts of building electri cation as well as ways to save energy and money with free programs and new tax credits and rebates available for the purchase of heat pumps and induction stoves. Co-hosted with the Village of Oak Park. Register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Back-to-School Block Party

Friday, Aug. 18, 3-5 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y, Main Library

Thisstreetside celebration simultaneously honors students starting a new school year, plus the end of the OPPL’s summerlong celebration of 50 years of hip hop. There will be food, music, games, and performances, plus school supply giveaways! Part of the Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums and Archives, made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Learn more at oppl.org/hip-hop-50 and register now at oppl.org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Thursday Night Out: Galway Gals/ Rockin’ Eldorados

Thursday, August 17, 5-9 p.m. Free live Irish music from the Galway Gals (5 pm), followed by the Rockin’ Eldorados oldies revue (7 p.m.). Marion St. between Lake St. and North Blvd., Oak Park.

Andrew Barnes Jamieson

Saturday, August 19, 7 p.m., Pilgrim Congregational Church Oak Park native Jamieson will perform an evening of piano improvisation. He will be joined by Dr, Darnell Ishmel and spiritual practitioner Soyinka Rahim. 460 Lake St., Oak Park.

High Hat Second Line

Friday, August 18, 5 pm, FitzGerald’s New Orleans-styled brass band jazz always sounds great live, and even better outdoors. The members of High Hat Second Line will prove it with this outdoor patio performance. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Berwyn.

16th Annual Wright Ride

Sunday, August 20, 6 am - 2:30 p.m., Wheel & Sprockett The Wright Ride is a “leisurely jaunt” (not a race!) through Chicago’s western suburbs, starting and ending in Oak Park. This tour gives the bike riders a choice between four di erent routes, with rest stops for snacks and water. For more information: Oak Park Cycle Club. 1118 Westgate St., Oak Park.

provides a big li for local cinemas

The movie theater is ever ything again. Streaming

is just ... Ken

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

Buzz doesn’t even begin to cover the excitement surrounding “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” The atmosphere of anticipation generated by the movies and their shared July 21 release date could only be described as a roar.

The cinematic spectacle of the two pictures has resurrected the movie theater experience, raking in a combined $235.5 million at the box office over opening weekend But are local theaters feeling that success?

“Absolutely. And then some,” said Chris Johnson, CEO of Classic Cinemas, the Illinois-based, family-run theater chain, which operates the Lake Theatre in Oak Park.

“Barbie,” currently playing at all 16 Classic Cinemas movie theaters, had brought in $1.32 million for the company as of last week. “Oppenheimer,” and its considerable three-hour runtime, has generated $429,038 for Classic Cinemas, playing in 13 of its locations.

Even Classic Cinemas’ smaller theaters are doing big numbers, proving there’s still room for movie theaters in the age of streaming. Lake Theatre in Oak Park has made $113,978 and $45,355 in ticket sales to date for “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” respectively.

“We’ve been sold out since they came out,” said Taylor Griffin, who works the box office at Lake T heatre.

Griffin admitted she’s seen “Barbie” three times, and she’s not the only one enamored with the feature film featuring the tiny-waisted, long-le gged doll played by Margot Robbie.

“Barbie” has been quite popular with audiences at the North Riverside Luxury 6, too, amassing $116,042 in ticket sales to date. “Oppenheimer” is not playing in North Riverside, due to a limited number of screens

Jason Ibarra, the Luxury 6 assistant manager, contributed to Lake T heatre’s “Oppenheimer” sales by catching the film over there.

Ibarra has been too busy to see “Barbie” but plans to as soon as he can. He is not the only man taking an interest in what could easily be written off as a “chick flick.” While Wednesday Journal was interviewing a mother and daughter about to see “Barbie” in North Riverside, both in matching “Barbie” T-shirts, a male moviegoer interjected his thoughts on the movie that reportedly caused a shortage of pink paint.

“It’s a good movie,” Mario Agatti told the mother and daughter.

just for women. It’s women’s empowerment, but it’s still a good show.”

Diaz played with Barbie dolls growing up, then passed them onto her daughter. Now 11-years-old, Diaz’s daughter had been waiting all day for her mom to get off work so they could go see the movie

A resurgence in movie theater ticket sales has been a blessing for movie makers and theaters alike, as both struggled to draw audiences back to cinema’s post-pandemic shutdown.

Now, thanks in no small part to “Barbie” and to a slightly lesser extent, “Oppenheimer,” the fear of the movies being another casualty of COVID-19 feels less acute “Oppenheimer” director Christopher Nolan agrees.

fore the threat of viral infection drove people out of theaters. From Labor Day 2022 to the present, more than 3.8 million people have seen shows at its theaters.

“We’ve been selling more than we have for years and years, and then you lay over that the ‘Barbenheimer’ success, and it’s just been invigorating,” said Johnson.

Their shared release date and the public’s giddiness has positioned “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” movies not as competitors, but as partners, giving rise to the “Barbenheimer” portmanteau and making for one strange double feature, immortalized in internet history through memes and silly social media posts. Those involved in the films have joined in the fun as well, publicly supporting their cinematic counterparts.

“Barbie” has been a family viewing experience for many, including Agatti, who also saw it with his own daughter – and did so wearing a pink shirt, which has become something of an unofficial requirement.

Katrina Diaz, the maternal half of the mother-daughter duo seeing “Barbie,” appreciates that more men than expected are seeing the film, which has been alternatingly praised and criticized for its profeminist theme

“I love that men can come see it and put their pride to the side,” said Diaz. “It’s not

“I think for those of us who care about movies, we’ve been really waiting to have a crowded marketplace again, and now it’s here and that’s terrific,” Nolan told media publication IGN.

Adding to the bomb and “Barbie” blockbuster experience, Classic Cinemas has been investing in its theaters, with the addition of alcoholic beverages at concession stands and replacing traditional seats in the company’s theaters with luxury, heated recliners, which are available at both Lake Theatre and Luxury 6 Theatre.

Johnson said Classic Cinemas is doing better this year than it did in 2019, just be-

“Oppenheimer” star Cillian Murphy said he couldn’t wait to see “Barbie” and was interested in starring as a Ken doll in its unconfirmed-but-hoped-for sequel. Robbie, who easily stepped into her character’s plastic high heels, posed with “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig in front of an “Oppenheimer” poster, showing of f their tickets to the historical drama.

The opposing narratives of the films, one starring a beloved or infamous toy, depending on who you ask, and the other about the creation of the atomic bomb, inexplicably complement each other, not unlike mixing M&M candy into movie theater popcorn. Explosions of pink married to literal explosions – that’s the magic of “Barbenheimer.”

“It’s really resonating with people,” Johnson said. “And we’re just happy to be a part of it.”

TODD A. BANNOR

Moviegoers dressed as Barbie outside the Lake eatre in Oak Park on July 22, before view ing the new lm.

‘Barbenheimer’

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS PICTURE - © 2023 - WARNER BROS

Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in Barbie

ART BEAT

OPRF alum rocks out at Lolla

Chavez takes the stage with Tyler Christian

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Imagine attending your first ever Lollapalooza festival, but instead of sweating it out alongside the estimated 400,000 people that attend each year, you are hitting the stage. For Oak Park native Miguel Chave z, that is exactly how his first time at Lolla went down.

The 22-year-old Oak Park native, who graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 2019, played electric guitar for Tyler Christian, taking the Bacardi stage on last Friday around noon.

“I was so hyped,” Chavez said. “I was very excited…it was really cool to come back and show everyone what I had been up to these past four years and how much I’ve grown as a musician and person.”

Chave z began dabbling in music around the age of 13, picking up the electric guitar after taking piano lessons for a few years. While in middle school, Chavez joined the local School of Rock, 219 Lake Street, Oak Park, and developed a strong passion for not only music but performing.

“It was a lot of fun, I really felt like I had a community there and I stuck with them until I was 18, graduated, and of f to colle ge,” Chavez said.

Chavez went off to study guitar performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, from where he graduated this past May.

During his freshman year at Berklee, Chave z was in a metal band but performances and networking were halted because of the COVID-19 pandemic. During his junior year, Chavez was accepted into the Berklee Beyonce Ensemble, which is a large production under the direction of Tia Fuller, professor and artistic director, that plays homage to Beyonce’s 2019 Homecoming performance.

“I was really proud to be a part of something like that,” Chavez said. “Through that I met a lot of cool people.”

It was through a personal connection that Chavez ended up being a part of Tyler Christian’s band in 2021, receiving an invite through Instagram.

“It’s been great. Everyone in the band,

I love them. They are some of my favorite people to work with, favorite people to play with,” Chave z said.

Chavez has played with Christian’s band in various artist showcases and other perfor mances through Berklee and has done a few stripped down sets with Christian.

The band was scouted through the Berklee Popular Music Institute, which helps students book festival performances, and booked Lollapalooza.

“I was flabberg asted,” Chavez said. “Because outside School of Rock, I had never really played any shows in Oak Park or Chicago.”

Reminiscing on the performance, Chave z said his favorite part was the bonding that took place as the bandmates shared this experience.

“Playing the actual show was fantastic,” Chave z said. “The band was super tight, we were all super high energy, locked in with each other but the best part was being able to spend time with all these people…it was nice to bond on a deeper level since we were spending so much time to gether.”

Chave z took the stage to perform for thousands of people in the audience, which included his family and friends, who refused to miss his set, with his cousins coming in from Ohio.

“My family loves seeing me perform,” Chave z said. “They are really supportive which is really nice and something I don’t ever take for granted.”

The band flew back to Boston and Chave z is already looking forward to what is to come as he hopes to get into a studio and do session work. While he doesn’t have any live shows lined up, Chavez hopes to make the move to Los Angeles to continue to pursue music.

“Everyone I work with, everyone I like is moving out there,” Chavez said. “So it seems like a no brainer for me.”

And to other young local Oak Park musicians, Chave z gives this piece of advice:

“Learn to work with others, learn to take criticism without malice,” Chavez said. “Personability is a big part of the music industry.”

Miguel Chavez, Oak Park native, plays electr ic guitar for Tyler Christian’s band at this year’s Lollapalooza festival.

OPRF names contractor for ne w pool

R. I. -based Gilbane Inc. snags the $102 million-project

By Bob Skolnik Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School Board of Education is poised to hire Gilbane Inc. to manage the estimated $102 million Project 2 construction project that will tear down and rebuild the school’s southeast corner and include the construction of a new 10-lane swimming pool.

Construction work on Project 2 is expected to begin next summer. Gilbane is a large, family and privately owned construction company. Like OPRF, it has been around for more than a century.

Gilbane was chosen from a field of five construction management companies that submitted proposals to manage Project 2. Three firms were interviewed and Gilbane won out.

“Gilbane checked all the boxes in terms of successful project completion, management on both large scale projects as well as

experience with pools being involved with the project and also have a really leading edge focus on diversity and equity in the construction process as well so they really checked all the boxes for our community,” said Tony Arbogast, OPRF’s new assistant superintendent for business services. “They came highly recommended from other districts.”

The school board is expected to officially approve a contract with Gilbane at its Aug. 24 meeting, but Gilbane has already been working with OPRF’s architects and school staf f on the project.

“They’ve been excellent to work with have really jumped in,” said Alyson Sternquist, the lead architect and project manager for OPRF’s architectural fir m, FGM.

The Providence, Rhode Island-based Gilbane has worked on many projects in the Chicago area, including building major additions to Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire.

“Gilbane has a very strong record of hitting the project in terms of both time and budget,” Arbogast told the school board at its Aug. 10 meeting.

School officials know that the pressure is on to get Project 2 done without major problems or cost overruns. Project 2 was a divisive issue and was the subject of intense arguments for much of the past year before the school board in May unanimously approved going ahead with Project 2 without a referendum.

“This is a key moment in the history of this school,” Arbogast said.

School board members Fred Arkin and Graham Brisben emphasized how crucial it is to get Project 2 done right.

Arkin said that Project 2 is perhaps the largest project ever attempted in Oak Park and River Forest.

“We had to fight tooth and nail to get this thing approved,” Arkin said.

Brisben said that Project 2 will be a piv-

SHRED IT

AND FORGET IT!

otal moment for OPRF.

“The mandate is for the project to come in safely, on time and on budget,” Brisben said.

Arbogast recommended that OPRF enter into what is called a “construction manager at-risk contract” with Gilbane rather than a strict, guaranteed maximum-price contract. The two types of contracts are similar, but the construction manager at-risk contract provides an ag reed-upon cost of the project and a mark-up for construction manager costs and profit. The construction manager at-risk model gives the construction manager more flexibility than a strict GMP contract, although a guaranteed maximum price is usually part of a construction manager at-risk contract. OPRF officials consulted with the school’s law firm, Franczek, before determining what type of contract to enter into.

Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon

(NOTE: If the trucks fill-up sooner—we finish sooner!)

Forest Park Bank, the locally owned and managed community bank, is pleased to continue the tradition of sponsoring the Annual FREE Sensitive Document Shredding Event in the Municipal Parking Lot located south of the Drive-Up Facility. The Bank has, again, engaged a professional shredding service to shred your documents with an industrial shredder.

Forest Park Bank and Forest Park Police Department personnel will be on site to discuss identity security issues, including ways to protect your identity and what to do if you become a victim of identity theft or financial scams.

You may bring up to two 12” X 12” X 18” boxes of documents to be shred at no charge. Three-ring notebooks and binders with large metal rings cannot be shredded. Staples are allowed. If you have questions about this event, please contact the bank at 708.222.2800.

Now safely moving new residents to our small, wooded campus.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

Oak Park faith communities o er ser vices to Austin-based migrants

to have a place to help fulfill this particular need,” he added.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more important.

Choosing a community you can trust has never been more difficult.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

Our community has an impeccable record of safety during the COVID-19 crisis and we will stop at nothing to make sure it continues.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

We would be honored for your family to be part of ours.

Immediate availability in our Memory Care Assisted Living Small House 99%

Two days a week, South American asylum-seekers arrive at church for showers, case management ser vices

By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter

Early this past Tuesday, Miranda waited in line, again, one of many she’s stood in with her eight-year-old son for the past six weeks. Exhausted from living at the Austin police station, the Venezuelan asylum-seeker was seeking some relief at St. CatherineSt. Lucy Church in Oak Park

It was the church’s “shower day,” a day when folks can get not only showers, but other services as well. On this day, Miranda was seeking benefits for medical services. These “showers days,” she said, help her feel better.

Miranda was one of more than twodozen South American asylum-seekers from the Austin police station on West Madison Street who benefit from the Catholic church’s shower days

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, folks can come to the rectory at St. Catherine-St. Lucy Church where local, multi-faith volunteers have been providing service to asylum seekers in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood during the past few weeks

“These folks showed up in our doorstep literally three blocks away at district 15th police station and there was a need,” said The Reverend Carl Morello, pastor of St. CatherineSt. Lucy

“People in the community stepped up to respond and I’m happy that we were able

One of them is Police Station Response Team volunteer Celine Wo znica, an Oak Park resident.

Standing at the church’s rectory, she wore a t-shirt that read “nagvocate” while she speaks to asylum-seekers in Spanish and helps volunteers organize clothes, serve food or manage other tasks.

Being a “nagvocate,” she said, is the perfect way describes her ef for ts to help asylum-seekers -- a combination of “nagging” and “advocating.”

ers, recreational and laundry facilities at Build Chicago. But as the Austin-based nonprofit reduced the hours it could welcome asylum-seekers, the Oak Park church became a new safe haven for children, families and individuals fleeing their homes

“Everybody finds their little niche,” Woznica said, adding that each day, roughly eight to nine volunteers take on activities like sorting and collecting donations, bringing food, setting up tables, serving breakfast, answering questions or assisting migrants based on their abilities and desires.

A typical day often looks like this one.

“There is always one volunteer who plays with children,” Woznica said, standing next

TODD A. BANNOR

Migrant men select clothing items at Saint Catherine Saint Lucy Church.

to a table where two middle-aged children played with games and a volunteer played with a toddler. In the same room, three to four volunteers from different Oak Park faith communities serve breakfast amid the sounds of chattering Spanish and English. Families and individuals come in and out of the room sporting clean clothes and, in many cases, wet manes. At the end of the room, two doorways lead to rooms with full bathrooms designated for either men or women. Tables display an array of clothes for men, women and children including underwear, socks, t-shirts, pants and shoes, all donated and categorized by some volunteers. Families have their own space next door to shower and change.

Food is donated by volunteers, who have learned Venezuelans are “healthy eaters.” Ellen Gorney, a volunteer, said fresh fruit, toast, butter, milk and juice are popular, and so are ham, cheese and turkey to make sandwiches

To further assist migrants, volunteers have brought on-site case management services. At the rectory a number of asylumseekers line up, waiting to see a case manager from Scalabrini Immigrant and Refugee Services, a Melrose Park-based nonprofit that helps immigrants and refugees.

Enrique Pilarte, a case manager for Scalabrini, handles the documents and benefits asylum-seekers may be entitled to. In most cases, he said, these folks were processed by Customs and Border Protection at the

migration attorney, though he recognizes many local attorneys are beyond capacity because of the influx of asylum-seekers in Chicago. Pilarte, a Nicaraguan migrant himself, said most asylum-seekers he serves are concerned about housing and employment. They also need health services.

“I wish I could hear their stories and lear n their hopes,” Morello said. “Who helps them find housing? What about jobs? They want to work.”

On a single day, he helps about 10 people apply for medical and economic benefits. He also their cases in a shared service pro vider network known as the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights

7040 North Ave Chicago

“The needs are greater than the resources,” Morello said, adding that while it felt “natural” to repurpose the vacant rectory building to help those in need, this effort is not short of challenges.

773-889-7500

OPEN Monday—Thursday 9:00—5:30 Friday— Saturday 9:-00—5:00

southern border of the U.S. and have court dates to attend in the next 12 to 18 months. Some are yet to file for asylum before the federal immigration authority, a process he recommends is assisted by a certified im-

As for Miranda, she said she wishes she could leave the police department. But she stays, she said, because of her son.

“He wants to study,” she said in Spanish. She hoped to enroll him in school.

For now, she’ll return to the station and to the church.

“For us it’s a family,” she added. “I appreciate her, Celine.”

TODD A. BANNOR

Enrique, a social worker, counsels a migrant woman at Saint Catherine Saint Lucy Church on Aug. 8.

Daycare underway at former Mohr truck storage site

No o cial development plans yet for the other half of the Mohr proper ty

By STACEY SHERIDAN Senior Reporter

It’s been just over a year since the large H.J. Mohr & Sons Co. property was sold to Hinsdale-based real estate developer KrohVan, and redevelopment is underway — at least for a portion of it. Construction crews are in the process of turning the smaller part of the two-property parcel, which made up the domain of the Mohr concrete business, into a daycare.

Once built, Kiddie Academy will sit on the Garfield Street property once used to store Mohr concrete trucks. The old truck storage site has since been demolished to make way for the new 13,100 square-foot childcare facility, the foundation of which has already been laid.

Village President Vicki Scaman is happy to welcome Kiddie Academy to the Village of Oak Park, believing it fills an “identified need” for childcare in that particular neighborhood of Oak Park, while being in an opportune spot for commuting parents. The property is just south of the Eisenhower Expressway and near the Oak Park Blue Line CTA station.

“It’s a convenient location for parents who need to use the Eisenhower Expressway for their commute — or hopefully the train,” she said.

While a construction fence is currently encircling the property — bounded by South Maple Avenue, Garfield Street, Wisconsin Avenue and an alley — construction crews are already installing the new building’s above-ground steel infrastructure, according to Oak Park spokesperson Dan Yopchick. Developers secured the final building permit needed for the site earlier this month.

No plans or permit applications have been filed with the Village of Oak Park for the other, much larger half of the for mer concrete manufacturing company, located corner of Harlem Avenue and Garfield Street. The old Mohr concrete plant still sits on the 3.29-acre plot.

The two properties were purchased together by KrohVan for an undisclosed amount in June 2022, with the plan to build a daycare already in motion. At the time of the sale, Mike Kaspar, KrohVan’s then-head of development, told Wednesday Journal the development company was considering a multi-family residential complex for the larger site. A hotel was also in consideration.

Re presentatives from KrohVan did not respond to interview requests. Kaspar is no longer with the company.

Kiddie Academy is expected to open in the summer of 2024.

Nonpro t works to address issues plaguing early childhood education and resources

Organization seeks community and stakeholder participants in action groups

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

A non-profit organization is leading action groups for both community members and stakeholders to aid in the expansion of programs for early childhood education and provide additional resou lies and children under the age of six.

Birth to Five began as a response to a 2021 report by the Illinois commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and ECEC Funding that highlighted in ECEC funding in Illinois, the need to develop additional statewide programs, expand services, and increase enrollment in ECEC programs. It “seeks to amplify the voices of those who ha cally been minoritized, marginalized, not invited to the decision-making according to a report

“This is the first time that the state has taken a community systems this kind of work,” said Tif a re gional council manage r. away, I think, is that your vo your voice is heard, and your voice can make a dif ference.”

Through outreach and education, Draine said they were able to have community members participate, despite some hesitation at first.

According to Draine, they have 15 participants in the action council, five in the family council, and spoke with approximately 100 community members.

Draine said the infor mation received from both councils would influence future policies directly.

“A lot of times, especially when it comes to policy, decisions are made without being infor med what the community needs are,” Draine said.

Birth to Five also created an action council, which consists of stakeholders in the community, including head start staff, child care center staff, early intervention provid-

ers, elected officials, school officials, and faith-based members amongst others.

Staff from the Collaboration for Early Childhood of Oak Park and River Forest also had staff serve on the action council, which Draine said was helpful.

“We used them as a sounding board when we got feedback from the community,” Draine said.

“We had questions and answers with them, we brainstormed possible solutions to barriers to accessing services, and also used them because they are an established organization that has been around for a very long time. They kind of have the guidebook on how to do this.”

The findings for the region in Cook Coun-

ty that includes Oak Park, Westchester, Forest Park, Maywood, River Forest, Broadview and as far north as R osemont, showed there are about 39,636 children under the age of six. According to the assessment, 18,283 are under the age of three years old, and 21,353 are ages three to five years old. Of that total number, 24,465, or 61.72%, do not have space in an ECEC program.

Additionally, the assessment showcased that the workforce for ECEC programs does not re present the racial and ethnic demog raphics of children in the re gion, along with facing the challenges of being underpaid, understaffed, and feeling without support.

Families in the area are also facing hardships such as the lack of transportation, communication in their native language, and affordable child care.

The assessment highlighted the five top needs for the region as increasing ECEC

workforce recruitment and retention, affordable and quality child care, additional support for children with developmental delays and disabilities, childcare assisted program support, and support for families new to the United States

Their five top recommendations were to expand funding for publicly funded ECEC programs, increase wages for workers, increase services for children with developmental disabilities and delays, improve CCAP approval and payments for families, and provide culturally sensitive support for families new to the States.

Now that the data has been collected, the next step is to create an action plan while continuing to involve the councils.

“Birth to Five isn’t going to be actually ‘quote-un-quote’ solving the problems that we identify,” Draine said. “We will be having conversations in year two with our councils to identify some strategies who can help on a local and state level to address the recommendations.”

Birth to Five is sharing the results of the assessment with the community, said Draine, adding they will also expand on the assessments to include more information as well as support the community by expanding their partnerships and stakeholders.

To give as much of a voice to the community as possible, Draine said both councils, family and action, are seeking members to lend their voices. Draine also said the family council has 15 open seats for community members to be a part of. Participants are selected by a committee and would attend a bi-monthly meeting either in person or via Zoom. Participants will receive a stipend.

“We will be bringing a variety of topics to the table for them to share their expertise, input and experience and help us in our year two phase,” Draine said.

Community stakeholders are also able to apply to volunteer for the action council.

Deadline for the interest for ms is Aug. 20th before midnight.

“This will ultimately lead to investments in early childhood progr ams, which yield short term and long-term returns,” Draine said.

PHOTO CREDIT

Birth to Five sta , Ti any Draine, Victoria Pearson, and Lucero Robles pa rticipate in a community event, hoping to spread the word on Birth to Five and their e orts.

“This will ultimately lead to investments in early childhood programs, which yield short term and long-term returns.”

TIFFANY DRAINE

Regional council manager for Birth to Five

PETE’S Faces nes

from page 1

Pete’s intends to submit a pe tion to install the project’s foundation this month or in early September. Madison Street streetscape improvement projects, near the Pete’s site, are anticipated to begin this fall.

The grocery store has been slow coming. The new Pete’s was part of a wider velopment ag reement brought 2018, under the board leadership of Ma Anan Abu-Taleb, to rejuvenate the economic vitality of that section of Madison Street. Par ts of that same proposal, such as the American House senior living complex across from the new Pete’s, been completed. American House opened in October 2022.

Residents of American House ha perfect view of the fenced of velopment site, which is visible from the building’s seventh-floor terrace and from the first-floor dining room. There’s not been much action to watch unfold Pete’s, according to William “Max” Dieber, who moved into the complex the day after it opened.

“Every once in a while, somebody will pull up, open the gate and go in and then I don’t know what they’re doing, but it’s not like a crew. It’s like one or two people maybe,” Dieber said.

Most of the time the site just looks empty, according to Dieber, but the recent heavy rainfall prompted some attention from workers. He told Wednesday Journal he saw people over at the Pete’s site last week, pumping the land dry.

“Which is probably the most activity I’ve seen over there for a while,” Dieber said.

As an incentive to develop, the village donated a portion of the site to Pete’s and

NEW POOL Controlling costs

from page 7

A rbo g ast told the school b oard that it is difficult for schools to enter i nto a GMP contract.

“This process is extremely difficult due to our public bidding requirements,”

gave the grocery store chain $3 million to purchase and demolish the historic FoleyRice building, breaking the hearts of historic preservationists. The village also provided $1.65 million to Pete’s to cover the costs of environmental remediation.

Despite these accommodations, Pete’s has faced a series of delays beyond those first presented by COVID-19, the original reason for postponing the removal and relocation of utilities. That work would have be gun March 2020 had the pandemi c not struck.

Crews broke ground Dec. 15, 2021, but faced issues coor dinating with ComEd, Ni-

Arbo g ast wrote in a memo to the school board. “We lack the ability to ne gotiate prices in traditional senses of a GMP Upon investigation, we would have to set a GMP for each individual bid, and be forced to rebid when they were exceeded. That is going to make scheduling and sequencing this project almost impossibl e. GMP also leaves many ways that a project can still go over the guaranteed price, while requiring a profit-sharing ag reement for any money under budget. ”

cor and AT&T for the needed utility work

The delays have interrupted the flow of traffic while the chain-link construction fences encircling the Pete’s property has made the north side of Madison Street, west of Wesley Avenue, rather unattractive

Pete’s went before the village board last January Jan. 17 to request an extension on the project. With the exception of Trustee Lucia Robinson, the board voted in favor of granting the extension, changing the store’s opening date to June 30, 2024, from Nov. 30, 2022, a date that had already come and gone anyway.

Should the current board enter into a

On Aug. 9, Arbogast elaborated on this issue.

“This project has too many trades (for a GMP),” A rbo g ast said. “I f one sub bid c omes in over budg et that would d elay the project.”

Arbogast said that OPRF has negotiated an agreement to prevent Gilbane from setting a low cost estimate for the project and then bumping up the price through change orders.

“We’ve negotiated with Gilbane a holiday on change orders,” Arbogast said.

similar development ag reement in the future, Village President Vicki Scaman plans to use lessons learned from the Pete’s project to shape the contract to provide better investment protections.

“This board inherited a planned development contract with Pete,” said Scaman. “Any future planned development contract will have stronger mechanisms to protect taxpayers from lost revenue due to preventable construction delays.”

Pete’s is an “occasional topic of conversation at dinner” among American House residents, Dieber said, particularly the question of whether it will open next summer as promised.

“Many of us think there’s no way they’ll finish in time and others say, well, you know, once they get the foundation laid, it’ll probably just go up overnight,” said Dieber.

Scaman is in the latter camp. The village president is “cautiously optimistic” that once the project begins vertical construction, the process of building the Pete’s structure will be quick. She is, however, aware that the project is taking much longer in general than anticipated

“I would have prefer red to have seen, undoubtedly more progress and actual movement on the property before now,” Scaman said.

If Pete’s doesn’t make its new deadline, the grocery store chain will have to face financial consequences. A second extension request will result in Pete’s being slapped with a $2,000 fee. The fee will increase with every subsequent request. This was stipulated by the village board upon granting the original extension, for which Pete’s did not have to pay a fine.

Scaman’s cautious optimism is shared by Pete’s neighbors over at American House “We’re still hopeful it might be there by the end of June, but I don’t know,” said Dieber. “We have winter coming again, so it might make it hard for them.”

Subcontractor bids that come in at more than 15 percent higher than projected will be required to be rebid.

If Project 2 is completed late Gilbane will have pay liquated damages to OPRF at the rate of $2,000 a day for every day the project is late.

Work on Project 2 is expected to take two years. Work is scheduled to begin next summer and OPRF officials anticipate that the work will be completed prior to the start of the 2026-27 school year

PHOTO BY NIC MCKELVE Y

e site of the new Pete’s Fresh Market construction in Jan. of this year.

CRIME

Oak Park cops catch known burglar

A 57-year-old man from Chicago has been charged with two counts of burglary, as well as attempted burglary and possession of burglary tools, after Oak Park police officers stopped and arrested him at 2:49 a.m., Aug. 1.

A “known burglary offender,” according to Oak Park police, the man was arrested in connection to one burglary and one attempted burglary in the first block of Chicago Avenue that occurred just before his arrest but found to be responsible for another previous burglary as well.

Arresting officers found a knife, a flashlight and lock plyers in the pocket of the man. Further investigation found the Chicago resident to be in possession of work tools that were removed from an Oak Park resident’s garage during the burglary before his ar rest.

The man was also identified as the burglar captured via security camera breaking into another Oak Park resident’s garage in 800 block of North Austin Avenue at 4:57 a.m., June 3. A Costco radio, an Ego weed trimmer, two Ego batteries, garden shears, grass seeds and a battery charger were taken during that burglary.

Armed robbery

Three men, one carrying a silver handgun, robbed a Chicago resident in the 1100 block of South Taylor Avenue at 5:25 p.m., Aug. 9. The men approached the victim after exiting a dark vehicle, being driven by a fourth individual. One offender held the handgun, while the two others searched the victim, taking the victim’s gray Nike backpack, which contained a Bluetooth speaker, personal items and a T-Mobile Revvl 6 smartphone.

Attempted armed robbery

A man and a woman, armed with a black and silver handgun, tried to rob two individuals in the 1000 block of South Lombard Avenue at 5:45 a.m., Aug. 9. The pair exited the backseat of a black Hyundai then approached the victims, demanded their property and searched them but did not take anything. They fled the scene in the Hyundai, which was carrying two other individuals

Motor vehicle theft

■ A Chicago resident is missing a fully loaded Glock 17 pistol and a 2017 Ford Fusion, both of which were stolen between 7:10 and 8:18 p.m., Aug. 12, in the 900 block of North Harvey Avenue. The victim told police the handgun was in the trunk of the vehicle.

■ A 2013 Hyundai Sonata was taken between 8:15 a.m., Aug. 11, and 7:33 p.m., Au 12, in the 400 block of South Euclid Avenue. A Lenovo laptop was inside the vehicle.

■ A gray 2021 Chevy Trailblazer, left running and unoccupied, was removed at 9:32 p.m., Aug. 10, in the first block of Harrison Street. Security cameras captured someone get into the Chevy’s driver’s seat, after exiting a dark Acura SUV that pulled up alongside the victim’s vehicle.

Attempted motor vehicle theft

Someone broke the rear passenger’s side of a 2016 Kia Soul, then entered the vehicle and peeled its steering wheel column, between 6:30 p.m., Aug. 11, and 8:55 a.m., Aug. 12, in the 700 block of Erie Court.

Burglary

■ Someone ransacked the interior of an unlocked Acura RDX, then removed a silver HP laptop, a black laptop bag, a phone charger, a laptop charger, a mouse and a YubiKey authentication device from the vehicle, at about 6:02 p.m., Aug. 12, in the 900 block of South Wesley Avenue.

■ Three semiautomatic handguns were taken from an unlocked 2016 Nissan Pathfinder parked in the 500 block of Lyman Avenue between 4:44 a.m. and 8:01 a.m., Aug. 10. The loss is estimated at $1,850.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports Aug. 7-14, 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

OPRF Campus Safety Team negotiate across-the-board raises through 2027

New contrac ts include hourly increases, longevity bonuses and retroactive pay

By Bob Skolnik Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education last week unanimously approved new four year contracts for the school’s security officers and buildings and grounds employees.

Over 4 years, it will cost the district about $239,000 for the Campus Safety Team and $495,000 for buildings and grounds.

The new contract for members of the school’s Campus Safety Team came one year before the current contract expired. Last year, security officers complained to the school board about their pay, working conditions and what they perceived as a lack of support from high ranking school officials. The security guards and the buildings and grounds staff were both represented by SEIU Local 73.

School board president Tom Cofsky praised the negotiating process “It was very positive communication between us and them on both of them,” Cofsky said. “We have agreements through 2027, so that’s good work.”

The starting salary for a security guard will increase to $21 an hour this year and rise by 50 cents an hour for each of the remaining three years of the contract. Cam-

pus Safety Team workers who work a shift starting after 12 p.m. will receive 50 cents an hour shift dif ferential.

This year’s raises for security guards also will be adjusted for seniority. Next year, security guards will get a raise of $1 an hour. In the 2025-26 school year, they will get a raise of 75 cents an hour and they will get a raise of 65 cents an hour in the final year of the contract in the 2026-27 school year.

Campus Safety Team members who have worked at OPRF for 21 to 25 years will receive a longevity bonus of $2,000, while those who

have worked at OPRF for more than 25 years will receive $3,000.

The buildings and grounds workers includes custodians, painters, engineers, carpenters, painters, electricians, dock attendants and grounds crew members. The starting pay for an OPRF custodian will increase to $21 an hour this year and rise to $23.17 an hour in the 2026-27 school year. The starting pay for members of the set up crew will rise to $23 an hour this year and increase to $25.38 an hour in 2026-27. The starting pay for dock attendants will increase to $24 an

hour this year and rise to $26.48 an hour in 2026-27.

Buildings and ground workers will receive 3.5 percent raises for the first three years of the contract and a three percent raise in the 2026-27 final year of the contract. Those who work the second shift will get an added 40 cents an hour, and those who work the third shift will get an additional $1.25 an hour in differential pay.

Skilled-trades workers will be paid a percentage of the journeyman’s wage schedule for their first four years at OPRF, and then be paid at the full journeyman schedule The full journeyman wage for 2023-24 will be $40.50 an hour for engineers, carpenters and electricians, $36 an hour for a painter and $31.05 an hour for a member of the grounds grew.

Buildings and grounds workers who have worked at OPRF for seven years or less are entitled to 10 days of paid vacation each year, those have worked at OPRF for between eight and 14 years get 15 days of paid vacation each year and those who have worked at OPRF for 15 years or more will get 20 days of vacation each year. All buildings and grounds workers who were hired before July 3, 2010 will get 20 days of paid vacation each year.

Buildings and grounds workers and member of the Campus Safety Team receive the same health and dental insurance as teachers although security guards must work at least 30 hours a week to be eligible for employer provided health and dental insurance. Both contracts are effective retroactive to July 1.

WeConnect essential news. essential voices.

Homes

Oak Park architectural icon hits the market

Nor th East Avenue home o ers 5,500 square feet of living space on four oors

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

One of Oak Park’s finest homes just hit the market, and the architecturally significant residence boasts plenty of square footage and one of the village’s largest lawns. An asking price of $1.8 million gets you more than 5,500 square feet of living space over four floors, a coach house apartment and a lot that measures 175-by-175 feet.

The house at 420 N. East Ave. was built in 1915 for John Meier. The Arts & Crafts style home has Prairie and Tudor influences. Con-

structed by local builders Joseph Guy and John McClintock, the expansive brick home was designed by architects David Postle and John Fischer

Postle lived and worked in Elgin, and he designed many buildings in the Chicago area before moving to Los Angeles in 1921.

Fischer worked as the head draftsman for Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge from 1901-09 before working as the lead designer for Postle and Fischer from 1910-20.

Some his more well-known designs are the University of Chicago Law School, the university’s gymnasium and the William Rain-

ey Harper Memorial Library.

Chris Payne, architect and for mer Oak Park Historic Preservation Commission chairperson, noted on the Preservation Oak Park Facebook page that Postle and Fischer designed two significant homes in Oak Park’s estate section.

“In 1915, John Meier hired the firm to design his home at 420 East, and then in 1916, James Dick hired the firm to design his home at 522 Linden,” Payne wrote. “Both homes have a broad substantial appearance and like the firm’s other works, are Arts & Crafts inspired. The Meier home has Prairie

e home at 420 N. East Ave., built in 1915 for Sears, Roebuck executive John Meier, sits on a 175-by-175-foot lot in Oak Park.

influences, while the Dick home has some classical motifs.”

He also shared a bit of Oak Park architectural trivia

“Postle & Fischer almost had their first Oak Park commission with a new hotel that would have stood at the corner of Marion and Pleasant, at the site of the current Carleton Hotel,” Payne wrote. “It was being developed by Plaza Hotel owner Barbara Schwalbe in 1914 but she never proceeded with the plans.”

See MEIER HOUSE on pa ge 17

Kris Sagan Linda Rooney

Kyra Pych

Erika Villegas, Managing Broker/Owner Mike Becker Laurie Christofano Marion Digre Morgan Digre Leticia Cruz Oak Park $190,000 2 BR, 1 BA Call Jane Oak Park $225,000 3 BR 1.5 BA Call Jane Oak Park $950,000 4 BR, 3.5 BA Call Harry

Berwyn $259,900 3 BR 2 BA Call Maria Forest Park $375,000 4 BR, 2 BA Call Laurie

Oak Park $550,000 Multi-unit Call Laurie River Forest $1,625,000 5 BR, 7 BA Call Marion

Oak Park $120,000 1 BR, 1 BA Call Linda

Oak Park $450,000 3 BR, 2.5 BA Call Jane UNDER CONTRACT UNDER CONTRACT

629 Garfield St, 1N • Open Sat 11am-1pm UNDER CONTRACT

MEIER HOUSE

Includes coach house

from page 15

John Meier was born in Iowa in 1869, and his f amily moved to Chicago when he was 10. His father was a Baptist minister. Meier married Cora Kissinger in 1903, and the two lived at 725 S. Kenilworth Ave. in Oak Park from 1908 until 1915 when they built a new home on East Avenue

John worked for Sears, Roebuck & Co. for 35 years, and was a charter member of the Oak Park Country Club, the Chicago Athletic Club and the Art Institute of Chicago. Cora was active in the Infant Welfare Society and Nineteenth Century Club. Both were early members of First Baptist Church of Oak Park, which displays elaborate stained-glass known as the Meier Memorial Windows.

T he couple never had children. John died on Christmas Eve 1941, and Cora lived in the house until her death in 1957.

When the home was featured on Wright Plus, researchers spent a great deal of time trying to pin down the original architects. T hey also created a construction timeline for the home. It was built in 1915 at a cost of $16,000.

Guy & McClintock built the garage in 1917 for $1,000 and in 1929, they added a sleeping porch for $2,000. In 1930, they expanded the garage and added the living quarters above the garage for the cost of $5,700.

T he East Avenue home last sold in 1989,

and realtor Greer Haseman of @prope rties

– Christie’s International Real Estate is colisting the home with her partner and son Chris Curran.

Haseman notes that the sellers have taken meticulous care of the home, working with a local roofer to maintain the original clay roof, doubling the size of the kitchen in a complete remodel and digging out the basement and adding heated floors to the media

Unity Temple exterior doors restored

Unity Temple Restoration Foundation (UTRF) received a grant from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s George Rogers Clark Chapter to help fund the restoration the exterior wood doors of the Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned Unity Temple, 875 Lake St. In Oak Park.

The DAR Historic Preservation Grants provide financial assistance for projects that preserve historic objects and sites. UTRF was one of 33 grantees for the 2023-24 cycle to receive support

room, billiards room, bathroom and wine room on the lower level.

Haseman points out that beyond the beautiful original woodwork, fireplace and stained-glass windows, the home has much to offer. The second floor includes a multi-room primary suite as well as three additional bedrooms, each with an en suite bathroom.

The finished third floor offers a bonus room and a fifth bedroom. There are two home offices in the main house, which she said is a boon in a work-from-home society.

The coach house atop the three-car garage offers a full bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen. It could be used as a separate office space, or as a guest or au pair suite. Haseman points out that Oak Park has recently legalized the rentals of accessory dwelling units.

“It would probably cost at least $600,000 to recreate the coach house alone,” Haseman said.

She emphasizes that the home is well-constructed and has large, gracious rooms. “Every single room in the entire house has a great view,” she says, pointing to the expansive lawn with mature trees.

Haseman says you don’t need a de gree in architecture to see how special the home is and notes that the lot also speaks for itself.

“This is certainly one of the premier lots not just in the Oak Park and River Forest market but in the western suburbs,” Haseman said. “It really feels like you’re in the country, but it’s just 20 minutes to the city.”

This award comes at a critical time in UTRF’s ef forts to prioritize preventative maintenance of this National Historic Landmark.

“Our work is not over,” said UTRF Executive Director, Heidi Ruehle. “A historic building such as Unity Temple requires tens of thousands of dollars per year just to keep it properly maintained and prevent significant deterioration of materials and systems.”

Unity Temple underwent a comprehensive, $25 million restoration project from 201517. Six years later the building is showing signs of wear and tear from human use and effects of the elements

The exterior doors face both east and west and are exposed to the harsh ef fects of the sun and required a good deal of work to bring them back to life

Oak Park-based Von Dreele-Freerksen Construction Co. restored the doors in adherence to historic preservation principles.

— Lacey Sikora

©VHT STUDIOS

e home has been well-cared for by its ow ners, who boug ht the property in 1989. ey doubled the size of the kitchen (above) in a complete remodel. e coach house, which sits above a three-car garage (below) has a full bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen.

PROPER TY TR ANSFERS

Oak Park home sells for $1,385,000

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Clerk from May 2023. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appea missing, that information was not provided by the clerk.

Ave $625,000 Mays Sara E Perez Ricardo E 205 Le Moyne Pky $622,500 Bell Gordon Tr Smith Travis M

Washington Blvd $572,500 Capps Cheryl L Signature A airs Inc

Hayes Ave $560,000 Fsa Prop Llc Brown Nicholas Edward

Ontario St $550,000 Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr 3653 Cass Richard S

1123 N Ridgeland Ave $535,000 Capritta Matthew M Ma Pershphone

S Highland Ave $485,000 Norberg Grace Schiller Amy Robyn

735 S Harvey Ave $479,000 Sauerwald Steve Faehnrich Alec J

S Kenilworth Ave $460,000 Sullivan Terrence P Verdugo Christopher

N Lombard Ave $452,000 Schaefer Michael Rich Meredith

Jack Kloepfer Chad

Todd A

John Elton Tr

PROPER TY TR ANSFERS

ADDRESS PRICE SELLER BUYER RIVER FOREST

FOREST P ARK

ADDRESS PRICE SELLER BUYER

omas Ave., Forest Park

Oak Park girl leaps to Junior Olympic championship

Alana Lewis-Cur tis bests eld in long jump, earns AllAmerican status

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

When 9-year-old Alana Lewis-Curtis started watching track and field on television, she was especially intrigued with the long jump event.

“I always watched people long jump and I was like ‘Oh, that looks fun,’” she told Wednesday Journal. “I tried it and started really liking it.”

Lewis-Curtis, an Oak Park resident who attends Holmes Elementary School, has been a long jumper for two years, and she won her first major championship Aug. 4 at the American Amateur Union Junior Olympic Games held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.

Her career-best distance of 14 feet, 2.25 inches on her first attempt in the final round was enough to clinch the long jump title in the girls 10-year-old division.

Lewis-Curtis, whose favorite athlete is Jamaican sprinter Sherry-Ann FraserPryce, also gained All-American status by

finishing in the top eight.

“It f eels really g ood,” said Lewis-Curt is of being a champion. “I didn’t expect it I was j ust happy to be an A ll-American. T hen, I said that I c an p ush myself to go higher.”

Lewis-Curtis, who also qualified for the AAU Junior Olympics in the 100- and 200-meter dashes (but did not make the finals in each), knew that she was facing high-quality competition in front of a large crowd. But she was able to stay focused and do her best, and she credits a higher power for her poise.

“Before my jumps, I made sure that I prayed,” Lewis-Curtis said. “I breathed, closed my eyes, and jumped. I knew what I needed to do.”

Even so, she admitted to being surprised when she saw her eventual winning distance posted.

“I didn’t know I’d jumped 14 feet, but my mom told me to look at the board, and when I did, I almost started crying,” Lewis-Curtis said in an interview with MileSplit USA.

“Going in, we knew that she was jumping in the mid-13s,” said LaNequa Lewis, Alana’s mother and one of her coaches.

“We told her that she had the potential to be an All-American. She entered the finals

in fourth place and got her career-best distance on her first jump. Alana took the lead then, and it held up.”

Lewis b eli eves A lana g ets helped by her younger sister, 7-old-Al aya, who’s also a r unner

“They push each other really hard and motivate each other,” Lewis said. “They practice all the time.”

The fact that Lewis-Curtis has had suc-

cess shouldn’t come as a surprise. Her family has an athletic background. She has a cousin who is head coach of a flag football women’s team in Chicago.

Lewis-Curtis, who finished 19th last year in the 9-year-old division, said she’ll be back at the AAU Junior Olympics next year as she moves up an age group.

“I just love being there and living the moment,” she said.

With deep roster, Fenwick girls golf thinking big

Friars look to dethrone Loyola in GCAC, win fourth straight regional

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing

Reporter

With three of the top four scorers returning, there’s plenty of reason for the Fenwick High School girls golf team to feel

optimistic.

“I have never felt more confident in the team that I have,” said Fenwick coach Michael Trankina. “We’re much deeper than we’ve ever been.”

Trankina said he had to expand the ros-

ters for both the varsity and junior varsity teams so deserving players could be retained. In a sport where schools sometimes do not have enough players to field a team, it’s a good issue to deal with.

“My biggest problem is going to be de-

veloping a rotation that keeps everyone happy,” Trankina said.

Fenwick is led by senior captain Kathryn Sweeney, who made the Girls Catholic A thletic C onference all-conference team and was a medalist in last year ’s

SUBMIT TED BY LANEQUA LEWIS

Alana Lewis-Curtis shows o the gold medal she won by placing rst in the long jump at the AAU Junior Olympic Games held at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Aug. 4.

OPRF boys golfers tee up hot start to season

Huskies win pair of invites before toppling Fenwick in dual

By MELVIN TATE

Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River High School boys golf team started the year in impressive fashion with three consecutive invitational victories.

On Aug. 11, the Huskies won the JonesPayton Invitational with a score of 296, eight strokes better than runner-up Evanston Township. Senior Peter Armstrong paced OPRF with a third-place finish, shooting a 72.

Senior Jake Goldberg and sophomore Kenneth McCaffrey each shot 74 to tie for 14th. Sophomore Luke Roberts shot a 76 and junior Charlie Newman a 78 to round out the Huskies’ lineup.

The following day, OPRF was again in the winner’s circle in a quad invitational against Jones-Payton Co-Op, Morton and Riverside-Brookfield.

Goldberg (76), Roberts (73) and sophomore James Kelly (76) each birdied their final shots, and those proved to be the difference as the Huskies’ team score of 299 was three strokes better than Jones-Payton.

Finally on Aug. 14 at the Mount Carmel Invite, OPRF completed the sweep by defeating crosstown rival Fenwick 311 to 314. Armstrong led the way with a round of 76, with Goldberg and Newman each carding a 77.

“We have a young team this year, so winning that tournament F riday was a really big deal,” head coach Bill Young said. “This weekend is definitely a confidencebuilde r, and it’s a testament to the work they’ve put in.”

Goldberg and Roberts qualified for sectionals last year, and Young believes each is in for another good season.

“Jake won an IJGA (Illinois Junior Golf

IHSA C lass 2A St. Ignatius re gional, which the Friars won by five strokes over crosstown rival Oak Park and River Forest. It marked the third consecutive re gional title for the program.

Juniors Emma Maria Bassett and Olivia Tsitovich, who were part of the regional-winning lineup, return as co-captains along with Sweeney. Other returning golfers are juniors Jenin Gabato and Megan Grote

Fenwick’s newcomers include junior

Association) tournament this summer and had several top-five finishes,” he said.

“Luke was a freshman on varsity last year and continues to improve.”

Young is also confident about Armstrong making an impact on the Huskies this fall.

“Peter finished as our number one after tryouts,” he said. “He didn’t play golf his freshman or sophomore year but continues to improve at a rapid pace. Peter was shoot-

Molly Mullen and freshman Mairin Sweeney, Kathryn’s younger sister “Mairin put up an 82 in our first invitational [on Aug. 12 at Homewood-Flossmoor] and finished 15th individually,” Trankina said.

A new tournament the Friars will compete in this year is the OPRF Invitational, which takes place Sept. 7 at The Preserve at Oak Meadows in Addison.

To Trankina, however, the GCAC matches are the most important ones on the schedule

ing in the mid-80s last year; now he’s shooting in the mid-70s.”

OPRF hopes that its improved depth, along with good chemistry, can help navigate a tough schedule in the West Suburban Silver, which Young describes as “an elite golf conference in the state of Illinois.”

“We’re a much better team than last year, though it’s still early,” he said. “I expect our boys to continue to work hard, and our

“We always have fun playing against our rivals and friends at St. Ignatius,” he said.

Fenwick, along with the Wolfpack, hope to dethrone defending GCAC champion Loyola Academy.

“It usually comes down to the three of us, but who am I kidding? Loyola wins every year,” said Trankina. “But maybe this year, someone comes from the pack to win.”

T he F riars would love to g et their lone

younger players to get great experience this year and learn from the older players.”

OPRF girls golf

The OPRF girls golf team took third in the West Suburban Silver in 2022 and advanced to the sectional. With seven of the top eight players returning, the Huskies are brimming with confidence and optimism.

“I am feeling great about our prospects this season,” said OPRF coach Matt McMurray. “This is the de epest team I’ve ever coached, and every player in our top eight is capable of scoring the lowest score in any given match.”

OPRF has an experienced lineup led by seniors Emmy Amstutz, Grace Gallagher, Ella Homrok, Faith Lee, Teigan Macek, Trinity Mosher, and Renner Prouty. Lee is a three-year captain; Amstutz and Mosher made all-conference last fall; and Homrok, another captain, was the fourth-place regional medalist.

Other returning Huskies are juniors Molly Medland, Jane Souders, and Isabel Stickney. A newcomer to watch is freshman Nadia Vattana, whom McMurray feels is “a future star for us.”

McMurray hopes the Huskies will compete with the Dukes and Trojans for second in the conference. He also wants to win the re gional, something the program hasn’t done since 2018.

“I want to finish higher than we did last year at both conference and re gional,” McMurray said. “And I would love for our team, or one or more of our top girls, to make it downstate.”

OPRF’s scheduled season opener versus Lyons Township on Aug. 14 was postponed due to weather. Next up is Willowbrook on Aug. 16.

senior, Kathryn Sweeney, downstate this f all. She missed the cut to the state finals last year by four strokes

More importantly, howeve r, Trankina wants each golfer to do her best and enjoy being part of a great team.

“Sometimes we lose perspective if things don’ t go our way,” he said. “But being a part of this group is a privileg e to me and the coaches, and we want every golfer to feel the same way.”

IAN MCLEOD

OPRF’s James Kelly swings an iron to make his approach shot to the 16th green during a quad inv itational against Jones-Payton Co-Op, Morton and Riverside-Brook eld at the Indian Boundary Golf Course on Aug. 12.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Trending: Poor property management

Wednesday Jour nal recently reported on Oak Park Apartments and a civil rights complaint against that property management company [Fair housing agency files complaint against Oak Park Apartments, News, Aug. 2]. OPA is accused of discriminating against Black women with any eviction record. Shocking? Hardly. I hope the Fair Housing Act gets in OPA’s face and forces mitigation on such a restrictive policy

In this week’s Journal, there’s another re port on complaints from new tenants of 855 Lake St. [Rehabbed apartment building isn’t living up to expectations, News, Aug. 9]. At issue is the property owner billing the rehab on that structure as “A comfortable living experience re plete with amenities.” Evidently that includes broken locks, an unhoused person sleeping in a model unit, leaks and inoperable appliances. Shocking? Nah. Trending? Yes.

You may have heard about how expensive rental rates have become. These two stories may be a small sample size, but they are both about Oak Park properties and mismanagement. Trending.

Trending as in yesterday for the second time in recent months, I was compelled to file a complaint at village hall re garding what was once known as Mills Park Apartments. The relatively new owners (a national real estate operation who changed the building name to a laughably pretentious The Bryant at Oak Park) have left much to be desired.

During the first winter of its “management,” the building had many residents complaining about a lack of sufficient heat. Cold radiators for hours on end on sub-freezing days. Their explanation: an adjustment to the furnace thermostat. Then re-adjust it already! There have also been numerous water shutoffs lasting 10 hours at a time. No working toilets for that long? Yuck. Not an emergency shutof f, mind you, or a village matter. They said it was to clear sewers, though they are seemingly unable to complete the job.

The most recent inco nvenience is a notice stating how “excited” management is that they are going paperless.

Background for any changes to village hall

To make good decisions about any changes to Oak Park Village Hall, it is incumbent to look at the history of how it all came about. You need to know about the temper of the times and the really important work that village leaders did at the time.

Much of this is covered in detail by the very excellent work that local architect Frank Heitzman did in 2014, in the successful application to place the building on the National Re gister of Historic Places. Frank also provides a detailed description of the building and tells of its architectural significance.

Frank’s essay is simply mandatory reading. It is available at: https://npg allery. nps.gov/GetAsset/ d028b62b-9f64-40188f46-851955540cca.

I was working at Harry Weese and Associates at the time that Harry was selected as architect. I was lucky to be assigned the job of project manager, and as such I was responsible for the administration of the work in the office and for all contact with the client. My place was a good spot to observe the charge given to the architect and to observe the decisionmaking process by the architect.

Several questions have come up about that process and how the building came to be. Below are my best recollections:

What direct and implied instr uctions were given to us as architects?

• Create a distinctive building that will be a proud symbol for the village. The fact that the village ac-

quired and cleared an entire block indicated the importance of the project. The fact that the village retained an architect who was known for his skills in producing highquality architecture indicated that that is what the village wanted.

• The building was to emphasize the idea of open gover nment. This was high priority.

• Provide a friendly, pleasant working environment.

• We were aware, as Frank also points out, that of all the interaction that the ordinary citizen has with national, state, county and city gover nment, municipal offices are the point where citizens come closest to their gover nment. The place of this interaction was to be friendly and inviting to the g eneral public

• We were given a clear and comprehensive list of needs to be met in the building. Broadly, that included village of fices, a council chamber and the police department. Parking for staf f and visitors and protected parking for some police vehicles was also clearly described.

How important a role did Harry Weese play in the design?

Harry was involved on a day-to-day basis from the start through the completion of the construction drawings and beyond. He was most definitely the designer and architect of the building. Bill Bauhs was among the best project designers in the office for understanding Har ry’s directions and sometimes even anticipating him. I feel it was no accident that Bill was selected for this project.

See DRING on pa ge 27

PROVIDED

Plan of Säynätsalo Town Hall in Finland, which inspired Oak Park Village Hall.

Talk to us, Pete’s I

f your name is Stephanie Dremonas, CEO of Pete’s Fresh Market, Wednesday Journal would like to talk with you. And while, at the suggestion of your PR guy, we will begin avidly following your Instagram page for even a hint you are really going to someday build a new grocery store at Oak Park and Madison, we’d still like to speak with you.

Gracious that said PR guy told our reporter that you would “reach out if she has any interest in commenting.”

But here’s the thing, Ms. Dremonas, Oak Parkers have been staring for decades at a vacant two block stretch of village-owned property on Madison. And those taxpayers actually paid for the privile ge through multiple phases of assembling that large parcel, which included a contentious demolition of a notable, if obsolete, old auto dealership, and paying CarX more than a million bucks to skedaddle. And then the village donated the entire parcel to your family business.

The plan to bring new life to that part of Madison Street was put forward in 2018. That’s five years ago. Now Pete’s did not become attached to the project until somewhat later, but another aspect of the project, the senior living American House, has already been built and occupied.

The natives are restless, Ms. Dremonas. It seems increasingly preposterous that we are pushing two years and still being told the major cause of delay is the removal and relocation of utilities. And the line that yours is a small family-owned corner store that can only build one massive grocery store at a time is wearing thin.

We did find a village government spokesman who told us that Pete’s re presentatives were actually at villa ge hall last Friday. The village, not impatient enough in our estimation, was told Pete’s was meeting with the utilities this week to seek closure on that boondoggle and that Pete’s plans to submit a permit application later in August or in September to begin laying the store’s foundation.

You could have told us that.

Oak Parkers and West Siders love the Pete’s on Lake Street. You have residual goodwill in these communities. Be smart enough to play of f that positive connection by being direct with your future customers. People will accept that COVID played havoc with all aspects of construction. Everyone already hates utility companies.

But, at this point, telling Oak Parkers to follow you on social media is just insulting.

Do better. Be honest. Admit your own frustrations over this endless process. Tell people your plans to catch up on this project. And provide frequent updates.

You might even do that through the local paper.

All dolled up with some place to go KEN TRAINOR

Ihave history with Barbie. After all, my name is Ken.

I was 11 when Barbie showed up. Not being an idoll worshipper, I didn’t pay much attention at first, but I was appalled when I heard that her male counterpart in dolldom was named Ken. It also surprised me. The only other Ken I knew was my father. I don’t remember any other Kens in my class at school. You’d think that would make me the target of much teasing during my preadolescence, so I braced myself for the worst, but it didn’t happen. Maybe that’s because, in the marketing, Ken was so thoroughly superfluous, secondary and unimportant. Actually, a few jabs from my schoolmates would have been appreciated. At a time in my life when I felt superfluous and secondary, it would have been nice to feel significant enough to be teased.

As it was, I didn’t think much about either Barbie or Ken until I saw the recently released film, which is a delight. Greta Gerwig, the director, is a real talent. She might be the only one who could have pulled this fantasy/ fairy tale of f. But I was even more surprised to see that Ken (Ryan Gosling among numerous other Kens) played such a significant role in this satirical alle gory about matriarchy and patriarchy, with hints of elusive “uniarchy.”

Gerwig and her co-writer (and life partner) Noah Baumbach set the film in the doll facto matriarchy of Barbieland, where the Kens are, as they’ve been since 1963, undefined, subordinate, obligatory, well, playthings. All they really know how to do is surf and “beach.” Later, when someone asks where the Kens slee p at night, Barbie (Margot Robbie among many other Barbies and femme friends) is stumped. “I have no idea,” she admits.

When mysterious thoughts about mortality intrude upon this idollic eternity, Stereotypical Barbie (as she identifies herself) embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery (a blend of Pinocchio and The Truman Show) to find out if she is real. Ken (now inexplicably blonde) stows away in the back of Barbie’s convertible, and they find their way to the real world, where they encounter patriarchy, a world where being a woman is a no-win, extremely complicated, cluster-you-know-what. Barbie is understandably disillusioned but also intrigued after meeting real-world women. Ken, on the other hand, is enthralled and feels liberated (or as Gosling puts it, Kenergized).

Gerwig and Baumbach turn gender on its head.

Ken is the one who rebels, becomes empowered and liberated, and retur ns to Barbieland to introduce the joys of patriarchy (in stereotypically foolish, narcissistic and, of course, dominant fashion, including wearing a T-shirt that reads “I’m Kenough”). Barbie is the one who needs challenging and whose awareness needs raising. When she describes to Ken that for the first time she feels unimportant and superfluous, Ken tells her, in his one serious moment, “Now you know how it feels.”

Of course, now that they’re in charge, the Kens immediately march off the deep end and go to war with each another, giving the Barbies the chance to reestablish matriarchal rule through — what else? — the vote (ballots over toy bullets!), but this time with a hint of gender equity in the aftermath. There may yet be something in Barbieland for everyone — except for Stereotypical Barbie, who decides to doll down and take her chances in the far more complicated, yet real, world. She tells Ken she likes him but doesn’t love him and doesn’t want to be coupled. Ken gets it and they part as friends.

Sorry for the spoilers if you haven’t seen Barbie yet, but it shouldn’t be a problem because the plot line is the least important part of the movie.

This film is a dollop of very pink sugar to help the message medicine go down. You might think it would be hard for even the Righteous Wing to resist such a well-packaged confection but, re portedly, some are still too threatened by gender (and gender fluidity), have accused the film of idollatry, and started burning Barbies (though probably not Kens). Whatever they can’t understand and/or control, they torch.

Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, as a real-world Ken, I wholeheartedly support “uniarchy” and freely relinquish any claim to patriarchal dominance. I want the Barbaras of the world to assert their independence and influence by outvoting the Kens until they pull their heads out of the beach and come to their senses.

I also want every girl — and for mer girl — who sees this film to feel that their time playing with Barbie was well spent, creating an (imaginary) foundation for a genuine gender equity re volution.

And maybe Mattel will create Therapist Barbie to help Stereotypical Barbie come to terms with her body image issues, so she can get of f her toes and stand, at last, on her own two feet.

AY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Senior Repor ter Stacey Sheridan

Sta Reporters Francia Garcia Hernandez, Amaris Rodriguez

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

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

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe, Tram Huynh

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

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

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

Publisher Dan Haley

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards

Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

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

In a healthy conversation about community concerns, your voice is also vital. We welcome your views, on any topic of community interest, as essays and as letters to the editor. Noted here are our stipulations for ling.

Please understand our veri cation process and circumstances that would lead us not to print a letter or essay. We will call to check that what we received with your signature is something you sent. If we can’t make that veri cation, we will not print what was sent. When, in addition to opinion, a letter or essay includes information presented as fact, we will check the reference. If we cannot con rm a detail, we may not print the letter or essay.

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 250-word limit

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

Lifesavers: a close call

Following a scary episode last week, our 99-year-old columnist insisted on filing this re port:

Those of us who have been helped by a paramedic, fireman, policeman, or other emergency worker, probably felt the gratefulness I’m feeling at this time. Three days ago, I had a near-death experience in which I suddenly could not breathe. It is almost impossible to describe the frightening trauma I encountered. Even in my semi-conscious state, however, I was able to discern the skill and kindness of the lifesavers as they evaluated my condition.

HAUSMAN

One young man held my hand assuredly and calmly. Another worker administered oxygen through a heavy emergency mask that enveloped me in complete darkness, foreboding a forever darkness before me. When the blackened oxyg en mask was exchanged for a less invasive

en deli ry system, I could hear my dear daughter conversing with the emergency helpers. How er express the reassuring and uplifting feeling I had upon hearing oices as I became a reawak-

I am sure these lifesavers receive ateful comments and words of . I truly hope they realize how benefited the lives of those d and their families.

Over the years I have had several occasions to call our local fire and police de par tments for assistanc e. Our village service people have always been exceptionally caring and efficient. We here in River Forest and Oak Park are for tunate to have these unusually empathic lifesavers.

Note to my readers: Do not fret! I plan to continue living and writing and possibly annoying you!

Helping migrants seeking asylum

As you know, Chicago is receiving busloads of people seeking asylum, sent here by the governments of border states. Due to a lack of adequate shelter space, many men, women, and children are being housed by the city of Chicago at police stations

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

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

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Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $2.00.

A one-year subscription costs $48 within Cook County and $60 outside of Cook County Adver tising rates may be obtained by calling our o ce. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302. © 2023 Growing Community Media, NFP.

More than 11,500 people have arrived in Chicago since August of 2022. At any given point, there are over 900 people sleeping on floors and being fed at police stations. This is projected to continue into the fall and winter.

Immediate needs of the asylum seekers at District 15 in Austin, such as food and basic supplies, are currently being met by a local selforganized volunteer network called the District 15 Police Station Response Team. Since March 2023, we have provided breakfast, lunch, water, and snacks to these stations (a local nonprofit, Chi-Care, has recently started contributing dinner). All of this is ad hoc — volunteers are required to meet these daily needs.

Without us, the more than 40 women, men, and children living at the Austin Police Station would not have food to eat in the mornings and afternoon.

New people are arriving at the police station weekly, even as others are placed elsewhere. We urgently need additional community support, as soon as possible:

1. Congre gations, organizations, or businesses: Please commit to make or purchase and deliver at least one prepared breakfast or lunch per week — approximately 40 servings, starting as soon as possible and lasting until Sept. 15.

The meal can either be prepared at home or secured through a local restaurant, and delivered to the Austin Police Station. Our volunteers have been doing this for months, and we can give you specific guidance and support on what, when, how, and other details.

If you can help: Please contact Betty Alzamora at betty@indivisiblechicago.com, to confirm details — day of the week, breakfast or lunch, group, and contact person.

2. Individuals: we welcome financial donations to our Go Fund Me at https://gofundme. com/f/WeGotThisChicago.

Thanking you in advance for your support

District 15 Police Station Response Network

What about landlords’ legitimate concerns?

I’m struck by the irony when folks lament the shortage of affordable housing, then impose additional burdens — and costs — on those who attempt to provide it. I’m referring to the lawsuit filed by HOPE Fair Housing Center against Oak Park Apartments [News, Aug. 2]. They claim the fir m’s no-evictions policy has a disparate impact on Black women.

How long would Kate Walz and her colleagues continue to work for an employer who didn’t pay them on payday? How long could they continue to pay their living expenses without a paycheck? Yet this is what they expect landlords to do, including the nearly half of us who are small property owners. How is that fair?

Organizations like hers made it much more difficult to evict tenants, particularly in Chicago, but also in Cook County To be fair, the blame for this is shared by the court system and the Sheriff’s Department. I have been through over 100 evictions and have friends who have been through even more. The minimum statutory time frames for each step in the process is 43 days, not counting the time it takes for the sheriff to carry out the eviction order. In reality, it always takes much longer

I assisted a friend with an eviction last year. It took four months, 11 days, from the filing of the complaint to the eviction. Add in the time it took to serve the five-day notice and wait out the five days, you’re close to five months. That’s five months’ rent lost, yet during that time property taxes, insurance, mortgage and utilities had to be paid. From what?

In my friend’s case, there were no complications, which is rare. He owns one 3-flat and was 74 years old at the time. So the system enabled a tenant to victimize an elderly man whose only other income is Social Security. No-eviction policies are an attempt to reduce the risk inherent in property ownership. Perhaps there is a happy medium, but fairness dictates that landlords’ legitimate concer ns be taken into consideration.

Paul Eichwedel Austin-area resident

HARRINGTON Digital headaches

from page 22

In other words, for those who prefer to still send in a check for monthly rent, they must now set up an online auto-pay account on the company website. This dictates providing personal data linked to a bank account. Maybe not a big deal

for the digitally excited, but many people (myself included) try to avoid online transactions as much as possible. Can you say “data breach?” Like all websites, the property site can be hacked, the way my checking account was this February. What a headache!

Is there now a law that requires tenants to own a laptop, tablet or smart phone to conduct their finances? How did we ever do it before the digital age? Being denied the choice not to go paperless discriminates against such a reason-

able preference. What about very elderly tenants who have very little digital ability? Meanwhile at The Bryant at Oak Park, perks such as yearly window washing and fitness equipment in the laundry rooms are eliminated while rent rates head north.

Such arro gance and indifference — to paraphrase a great Haiku poem — is mounted ag ainst the windows like snow. Its drifts have packed me in.

Dirty windows at that.

Joe Harrington is an Oak Park resident.

Oak Park needs an outdoor lighting ordinance

I was out of town and unable to attend the Aug. 1 meeting of the village of Oak Park Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) meeting. The agenda was not yet available when I left, but through the wonders of modern technology, upon retur ning I was able to read last week’s meeting agenda and watch the presentation on light pollution. It was timely and helpful, and I’m certainly glad I saw it.

It’s unfortunate that during last week’s meeting, none of the members of the EEC Commission discussed any means for curtailing the minimal light pollution in residential areas you referenced in your presentation. Since 2015 and as recently as last November, some Oak Park residents

Oak Park’s

In his “One View” in last week’s Viewpoints, John Duffy states “On Aug. 6, Tribune re porter Lizzie Kane in her article, ‘New challenges,’ presented a lengthy narrative of how key Oak Park community and village of ficials … are confronting disturbing threats to Oak Park’s historic mission to be a racially and culturally diverse, inclusive, and equitable place to live and go to school” and that he wanted to offer additional perspective and data.

He concludes by saying, “When our village, township, park district, libraries and schools are in sync on how to achieve diversity, equity, and inclusion, we will have a greater chance to live up to the village vision so many have worked to realize since the 1960s.” I would like to offer additional perspective and data to Mr. Duffy. The following are Oak Park population percentage statistics from the U.S. Census:

and I have been advocating for the adoption of a residential exterior lighting ordinance, similar to that of the village’s commercial ordinance. Two of those other residents have had personal experiences with light pollution from neighboring property owners.

In presentations to the village board and various citizen commissions, we have cited the International Dark Sky Association’s recommendations for “Responsible Home Outdoor Lighting” and provided the commissioners copies of local residential exterior lighting ordinances adopted by other nearby communities, including Elmhurst, Barrington Hills, Homer Glen, Highland Park and Deerfield.

Regrettably, despite receiving positive

feedback on the proposal, we were refe rred from one commission to another, beginning with the Environment and Energy Commission (EEC) through the Building Code Commission, to the Plan Commission, but all declined to include the proposed ordinance in their annual work plans. Therefore, consideration for adoption of a residential exterior lighting ordinance as part of the village code has never been presented for a vote by the village board.

Following your presentation to the E&E commissioners last week, subsequent agenda items included “Work Plan Troubleshooting” and “New Business.” The latter agenda item specified an oppor tunity for letting “EEC members introduce new

diversity and inclusion success

topics proposed for future discussion and decision making.”

In advance of any future discussion and decision making, we are seeking assistance to secure the inclusion of a residential exterior lighting ordinance in the 2024 Work Plan of the EEC and other village commissions. Is it possible that either the Adler Planetarium or the International Dark Sky Association could endorse adoption of such an ordinance by the village?

Any endorsement by either institution to the effort to reduce residential light pollution at the ground level could be extremely helpful to our advocacy effor ts in Oak Park Christopher Donovan

Oak Park

4.1%

5.0%

5.5%

Hispanic:

3.0% 2000: 4.5%

2010: 4.5%

2020: 9.9%

Two or More Races:

N/A 2000: 2.8% 2010: 2.8%

8.4%

So what conclusions can we draw from this data? First, there has been a dramatic drop in Oak Park’s white population. Second, there has been a small but maybe significant drop in our Black population. Third, there is a steady increase in our Asian population. Fourth, there has been a significant increase in our Hispanic population, more than doubling in the last 10 years. Finally, there has been a dramatic increase in the multiracial (two or more) population of Oak Park

What all this means is that, as of the 2020 Census, our village, township, park district, libraries and schools have now achieved more diversity and inclusion than at any time in their past and are well on their way to realizing the vision they established for themselves since the 1960s.

While I do not dismiss the issues with Oak Park’s Black population raised in Mr. Duffy’s

“One View” article, I challenge him to accept the success of Oak Park’s diversity and inclusion (Asian, Hispanic, and Multiracial) success stories. And those Census Racial categories do not even touch upon the fact that “Oak Park, Illinois is considered to be one of the most gay friendly suburbs of Chicago. The village has a long history of being inclusive and welcoming to the LGBTQ community.” (SDLGBTN.com, Dec. 21, 2022).

If Mr. Duffy wants to write about Blacks in Oak Park, he should write about Blacks in Oak Park. He should not write about lack of diversity or inclusion in Oak Park

The website for the Census data for 1990 and 2020 is Census gov. For 2000 and 2010 it is Infoplease.com.

Alan E. Krause Oak Park

Why rent to those with bad credit?

Has Oak Park Apartments received any government assistance or tax benefits? If no, why should it rent to people with bad credit, increasing the potential for non-payment of rent, deteriorating cash flow and possibly loan foreclosure?

The housing agencies and others groups just move on to the next property. If they are so supportive of higher-risk tenants, then have them guarantee rent payments for some period of time. Let’s see how supportive they are then.

Tim Meyer River Forest

Why won’t D97 help promote safe gun storage?

I was at the Tuesday (Aug. 8) District 97 school board meeting and learned that our local Moms Demand Action group has been asking the board to share information about safe firear m storage with D97 parents and families for two entire school years. Read that again: Oak Park’s school board has been unwilling to let parents know how to securely store a gun in their home.

This is critical since the U.S. Secret Service’s 2019 “Protecting America’s

DRING

Village hall’s origins

from page 22

Why is the building located as it is?

What’s a ‘Bin

Editor’s note: Last week we printed an incomplete version of the following letter. This week we’ re printing it (hopefully) in full.

Ambassador?’

Schools” study found that in incidents of school violence, 75-80% of school shooters acquired their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative

Oak Park is better than this. This school board needs to find a way to send home a simple safety message that could prevent a horrible tragedy, period.

Eric Bryning Sixth-grade teacher and Oak Park parent

During Plastic Free July, members of “Go Plastic Free,” a local nonprofit working to minimize the impact of plastic on our lives, were invited to serve as “Bin Ambassadors” at Far mers Market. By standing near the trash collection bins and talking with residents trying to decide whether to put their trash in recycling, or compost, or landfill, we lear ned a lot.

Here is some of what we lear ned: The most inspiring data: About 99% of the people we talked to were trying to make the right decision. Packaging materials for food products is a complex and rapidly changing technology. Even if you’re a chemical engineer, it can be really tricky to understand what makes an item compostable, or recyclable. The donut team at Pilg rim Church has

worked very hard to find compostable containers for donuts and co ffee: Unfortunately, there are still a few items that are not compostable.

Bringing compostable items to the market: It was exciting to learn that some residents who don’t have composting available at their residence wrap up their food waste in newspaper and bring it to the compost bins at Far mers Market.

Bin Ambassadors are still needed for August, September, and October. If you are interested in volunteering, you can email directly to the village at: far mersmarket@oak-park.us. Go Plastic Free was thrilled to have this opportunity to contribute to our community, and we want to encourage everyone to continue to make careful decisions each time you put something into a trash bin.

The Bin Ambassadors from Go Plastic Free

The first and immediate idea was that the building would not be set back from Madison Street with a parking lot in front. That would make the building look like any strip shopping center and diminish the importance of what was to be the major civic structure of the village. But the side of the building along Madison Street would not be a blank wall. Rather, there would be an inviting approach to the building. A nice entrance would be provided even if the door was seldom used. The form of the Council Chamber was given a distinctive shape and placed prominently on Madison Street so that people going by would know that something special was on this site. There was never any consideration for another arrangement on the site, never any decision to flip the plan.

Why the form of the building?

I recall Har ry proposing and project designer Bill Bauhs sketching several basic

for ms for the building. Nothing seemed to fit right until Har ry suggested looking at the plan of the Town Hall at Säynätsalo, Finland, by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. The building was constructed in 1952. Harry knew Aalto and may have discussed the Town Hall with him. By chance, I had visited the tiny village in 1967 and spent time studying the building. The form of the building was a square, open ring around a courtyard. It was a delightful building, light and airy. The Town Hall provided village of fices, a council chamber and the village library. There was also a small commercial space that could be taken over for future needs.

What is the purpose of the courtyard?

Like the cour tyard of the Town Hall in Säynätsalo, an interior cour tyard gives a building a more open feeling and provides sunlight to the interior spaces. At the Town Hall, the views in all directions are pretty nice. In busy, urban Oak Park, the courtyard provides a tranquil outlook in contrast to the traffic and noise on the sur rounding streets.

• It did not occur to me at the time, but the cour tyard makes another impor tant contribution. The actual footprint of the village hall is relatively small, re presenting only about 15% of site coverage. Having the open cour tyard makes the build-

ing appear larger, and gives it greater bulk and prestige.

Why was a heavy timber structural system chosen?

This was an esthetic decision and a very good one. By the nature of an open building (open gover nment), a visitor would see lots of columns and beams. It was so much better to choose these to be warm wood, rather than some cold material like steel.

Why was the Police De partment placed in the basement?

Shortly after we be g an work, I received a phone call from the Oak Park Police Chief asking me to take an important trip with him. Bill Bauhs and I w ent with the chie f in his squad car to Highland Pa rk (or perhaps another northern suburb) to visit the police department there. T he building was above ground with lots of glass windows and appeared to give a friendly impression. Back in the car, the chie f said he felt the building was totally wrong. He wanted a “fortress” with absolutely no windows. I checked with Manager Lee Ellis and he said to give the chie f whatever he wanted. Perhaps I should have argued at the time that a visitor-friendly building and a nicer working environment should be considered, but, alas, I did not.

What was the intended purpose of the green area at the south end of the block?

It was clear early on the entire block would not be required to fill the present project needs. It was decided to landscape with only a lawn and to hold the space for future village needs. This decision was memorialized on the project site plan. As can be seen on page 35 of the nomination form for the National Register, a possible building is dotted in with the notation; “Future building - 4,000 square foot” (that is, 4,000 sq. ft. per floor).

One thing that struck me on my visit to Säynätsalo was the care that was taken with the Town Hall. The condition of the building inside and out, including the landscaping, was impeccable. This was true of most municipal buildings in Europe.

Why can’t we Americans take better care of our important buildings? It seems that unless it is a government monument in Washington, or a beloved historic building like Monticello or the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, there never is enough interest and enough money.

I have heard many complaints about problems in village hall today. But I have heard from almost as many people talking about what a joy it was and is to work in this marvelous building.

Bill Dring, a longtime resident of Oak Park, now lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

To preserve diversity, keep the 3% tax cap

On Aug. 6, the front page of the Chicago Tribune’s real estate section featured a story by Lizzie Kane about the loss of racial diversity in Oak Park [1]. Both Black and white populations have declined in the last decade. John Duffy’s One View last week [Some perspecti ve the Trib article missed, Viewpoints, Aug. 9] provides more details about this trend in terms of our African American population [2]: D97’s Black student population fell 35% from 2007 to 2017.

The proportion of Black students at OPRF High School dropped from 28% to 18% from 2010 to the present.

The Black percentage of Oak Park’s population declined from a high of 23.5% slightly more than 10 years ago to 18.2%

in 2019.

Ms. Kane’s article discusses multiple causes for our loss of diversity, but she summarizes the chief ones as: lack of affordable housing, sk y-high property taxes, and lingering racial tensions. Housing shortages and af fordability are national problems, as are racial tensions. Our village government and other taxing bodies can try to address them. But only one factor driving our loss of diversity is under their partial control — property taxes.

From a diversity perspective, it is a big mistake for our trustees to abandon the goal of limiting property tax growth to 3% or less. I do not understand assertions by President Scaman and Trustee Robinson that this goal should be re placed by more

James Weiss, 59 bor attorney, D90 school board member

Jim Weiss of River Forest, died Aug. 10, 2023, after a long battle with antiphospholipid syndrome

Born on July 8, 1964, he worked as an attorney at Sidley Austin more than 25 years, and took eat satisfaction in his work in the field of labor and employment as well as from serving on the ver Forest District 90 School Board for eight years, including as president from 2011-2013. A proud graduate of Kenyon (1986), where he was a member of the a cappella osinger s, he also earned de grees Minnesota Law School and Princhere he obtained a master’s de gree in politics. A lifelong Minnesota Twins f an, and consumthe political news cycle, his rich sense of entle demeanor, and deep sense all.

Jim was the father of Ethan and Daniel Weiss; the spouse of Elizabeth Davies; the brother of John Weiss and Susan (Jamie) Spencer; and an uncle, cousin and ne phew of many.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to the Antiphospholipid Foundation of America at apsfa.org.

transparent policy-setting. What can be more transparent than a quantitative goal of limiting property tax increases? If anything, this limitation can foster more transparency about weighing and prioritizing various competing expenditures.

Property taxes play an important role in pricing the less affluent out of home ownership. Due to the intersection of lower income and race, this means that Black people are disproportionately less able to buy homes or two- and three-flats in Oak Park

But middle-income people of all races are affected. We also lose diversity when school teachers, social workers and police can’t afford to buy here. And as Wednesday Journal pointed out in its Aug. 1

OBITUARIES

Laurence Peter Lukasik, 57 Oak Park resident

Laurence Peter Lukasik, age 57 of Oak Park, IL, passed away on July 19, 2023. Loving partner of Cathleen Hannan. Beloved son of the late Robert and Frances Lukasik Sr. Dear brother of Theresa (the late Gregory) Mosby, the late Sandra Lukasik, and the late Robert Lukasik Jr. Proud uncle of Ashley Mosby, Thomas Mosby, Robert Lukasik III, and Gina Lukasik.

Lar ry was raised in Oak Park and was the youngest of four siblings and attended Oak Park River Forest High School. His two lifelong passions were music and motorcycles. As a young adult, he for med the metal rock band, Maniacal, and took the name Tannon. In the band, he played the drums and guitar, and drove the neighbors crazy with his loud music! His interest in motorcycles allowed him to travel the open road and experience freedom away from everyday life. Larry moved to Florida for work where he lived for over 20 years and developed lifelong friendships. Eventually, his journey brought him back to Oak Park to reconnect with family and friends where he lived out the remainder of his life.

At his core, Larry was a kind soul who loved and deeply cared for his family, friends, and pets. He touched many people because of his varied interests and hobbies and will be missed by many.

Please join the family to celebrate Lar ry’s life and bring

editorial, homeowners are increasingly moving out of town after all their children graduate high school to escape escalating property taxes. The likely result is more gentrification.

Abandoning the 3% limit on levy growth sets a terrible example. Perhaps the most important thing all our taxing bodies can do to at least maintain our diversity is to minimize property tax increases. Each taxing body — especially the schools which account for the lion’s share of our property tax bills — should adopt the same 3% goal as the village of Oak Park

Judith Alexander Oak Park

photos and stories to share.

When: Sunday, August 20, 2023. Honoring Larry 12:30 p.m. Lunch 1 to 3 p.m.

Where: Salerno’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant, 7128 W. Roosevelt Road, Oak Park, IL 60304.

Please RSVP to: pleaseconfirm2023@gmail.com so we can plan accordingly.

Sharon Sassone, 78 Oak Park resident

Sharon A. Sassone, née Moeller, 78, of Oak Park, died on Aug. 7, 2023. Born on March 2, 1945, she was the wife of the late Paul F. Sassone, the daughter of the late John and Evelyn Moeller; the sister of John (Jean), James, and Kathryn Porter; and the aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 W. Madison St., Forest Park. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Interment is private

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Animal Care League of Oak Park or the charity of your choice are appreciated. Arrangements were handled by Zimmerman Harnett Funeral Home.

PART-TIME

Experience or not.

Call for more information.

708-738-3848

OAK PARK POLICE DEPARTMENTACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Application Deadline is Friday, September 1, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

How to Apply:

• Complete your application at https:// iosolutions.com by the application deadline.

• Submit all supporting documenta tion by the application deadline.

Police Officer ments:

• At least 21 years of age and have not passed their 35th birthday by closing date for application.

• U.S. Citizen who speaks and under stands English.

• Possess at least 60 hours of college credit at a fully accredited college or university, and also possess a mini mum grade average of “C” by appli cation deadline.

• Possess a valid driver

• Possess a Firearm Owners Identifi cation (FOID) card at the time of hire

Written Exam Information:

A mandatory written exam will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023. Testing will take place at Oak Park Village Hall (room# 101) locat ed at 123 Madison St. Oak Park, IL 60302. Sign-in will held from 8:30a.m. – 9:00 a.m. tails will be provided to eligible candi dates approximately one week prior to the exam.

About the Village of Oak Park and Police Department:

• Starting Salary: $78,650.74 after 4 years of service $110,953.23

Please contact IOS Recruitment at (800)-343-HIRE or iosolutions.com

garding the application, required documents or testing.

RESEARCH ASSISTANT

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Research Assistant in the Village Manager’s Office. This position will perform a variety of duties including assisting in coordinating aspects of equity and inclusion projects/initiatives, some data collection, data entry and analysis, synthesizing information, report writing, and presentation of results to stakeholders. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website https://www.oak-park.us/ your-government/human-resources-departments.

CARS

CLASSICS

CLASSICS WANTED

Restored

CLASSICS WANTED

GARAGE/YARD

Restored or

FOREST PARK

GARAGE SALE

FLOORS

KLIS

Domestic

815 CIRCLE AVENUE

SAT AUG 19

SUN AUG 20

9AM to 5PM

Toys, Games, Radio Flyer Wagon with cover, Childs guitar, Buzz wheeler bike, Casio Keyboard, Ninja food chopper, Bullet Express Meal Maker, Keurig Coffee Maker, Outdoor Wall Lanterns, Pet carrier, Immersion Blender, Electric Kettle, Fax/Copier, Vicks Humidifier, 10 Ft Round Pool with filter and accessories. These are just the tip of the goodies, we have something for so if you like to hunt for trea-

RIVERSIDE

GARAGE SALE

448 LOUDON ROAD

FRI 8/18 AND SAT 8/19

9 AM TO 4 PM IBM Selectric typewriter, 3-in-1 convertible crib, combo stroller and car seat, much household misc. for all ages and seasons.

ROOFING

JOE ROOFING Roofing

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: Y23010865 on August 1, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of IMAGINATION STATION LEARNING CENTER with the business located at: 615 SOUTH BLVD C, OAK PARK, IL 60302. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: CASHMERE WIGGINS 615 SOUTH BLVD C OAK PARK, IL 60302, USA.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 9, 16, 23, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of BARBARA RUTH GIBBS 20234004150

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from:

BARBARA RUTH GIBBS to the new name of: RUTH T. WITTBRODT

The court date will be held:

On 9/19/23 at 11:00 AM at 1500 Maybrook Drive, Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # 0111

Published in Wednesday Journal August 2, 9, 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y23010902 on August 11, 2023

Under the Assumed Business Name of ACCURATE ASSISTANTS with the business located at: 2425 S 16TH AVE, BROADVIEW, IL 60155.

The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/ partner(s) is: SHANELLE MACK, 2425 S 16TH AVE BROADVIEW, IL 60155, USA

Published in Forest Park Review August 16, 23, 30, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield, Illinois that bid proposals will be received for the following project:

VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS PUBLIC WORKS BUILDING ROOF TRUSS REPAIRS

This project includes improvements to the Village of Brookfield Public Works Building located at 4545 Eberly Avenue consisting of structural repairs to the existing building roof truss system.

Sealed bids will be received up to the hour of 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, the 30th day of August, 2023, in the office of the Village Manager in the Village Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. All sealed bids received will be publicly opened and read at 11:00 A.M. on the same day, Wednesday, the 30th day of August, 2023, at the Village Hall.

Electronic copies of bidding documents, consisting of the bid proposal, project specifications, and project plans are available from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Co., 9933 Roosevelt Road, Westchester, Illinois 60154. Bidding documents can be requested by emailing info@ ehancock.com and a non-refundable fee of Fifteen dollars ($15.00) will be required to obtain bidding documents. Proposals must be submitted on the forms provided and will only be accepted from bidders that have obtained bidding documents from the Edwin Hancock Engineering Company. No bidding documents will be issued after 4:30 P.M. on Wednesday, the 23rd day of August, 2023. A mandatory site inspection will be required between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. on Friday the 25th day of August, Monday the 28th day of August, or Tuesday the 29th day of August, 2023 for all potential bidders interested in submitting a proposal for the work.

Submission of a bid shall be conclusive assurance and warranty that the bidder has examined the plans, the site of the work, and the local conditions affecting the contract and understands all the requirements for the performance of the work. The bidder will be responsible for all errors in its proposal resulting from failure or neglect to conduct an in-depth examination. The bidder shall not take advantage of any error or omission in the plans or proposal. Sealed envelopes or packages containing bids shall be addressed to the Village Manager and plainly marked “Village of Brookfield – Public Works Building Roof Truss Repairs Project” on the outside of the envelope.

All bid proposals offered must be accompanied by a bid bond, cashier’s check or certified check in an amount not less than Five Percent (5%) of the total amount of the bid, as a guarantee that if the bid proposal is accepted, a contract will be entered into, and the performance of the contract properly secured. Checks shall be made payable to the Order of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Brookfield. No bid proposal shall be considered unless accompanied by such bid bond or check.

Any bidder in doubt as to the true meaning of any part of the bidding documents may request an interpretation thereof from the Village. The

bidder requesting the interpretation shall be responsible for its prompt delivery. At the request of the bidder, or in the event that the Village deems the interpretation to be substantive, the interpretation will be made by written addendum issued by the Village.

In the event that a written addendum is issued, either as a result of a request for interpretation or the result of a change in the bidding documents issued by the Village, a copy of such addendum will be emailed to all prospective bidders. The Village will not assume responsibility for receipt of such addendum. In all cases it will be the bidders’ responsibility to obtain all addenda issued.

The Contractor and Subcontractor shall comply with all regulations issued pursuant to Prevailing Wage Act (820 ILCS 130), and other applicable Federal Laws and regulations pertaining to labor standards.

The Village of Brookfield reserves the right to determine the lowest, responsive, responsible bidder, to waive irregularities, and to reject any or all bid proposals.

BY ORDER

THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS

Published in RB Landmark August 16, 2023 PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice is hereby given by the Board of Education of Oak Park and River Forest High School, District 200 of Cook County, Illinois that a tentative budget for said School District for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023 will be available for viewing on the school’s homepage at www.oprfhs. org or by appointment only during school hours at the School District located at 201 North Scoville Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, from and after 8:00 a.m. on August 18, 2023. For an appointment, email Marian Gerena at: mgerena@oprfhs.org

The Board of Education intends to hold a public hearing on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. in accordance with Public Act 101-640 to receive public comments on the budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. To submit a written comment to be included in the Board minutes, go to: https://forms.gle/ZdgdmsQKugkCYTbk8.

To make oral public comments via Zoom go to: https://forms.gle/uoMfeFNFy6Lo9aEM6.

All written and oral comments via Zoom should be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on September 21. Public comments can also be made in person at the public hearing. To join the webinar Board Meeting on September 21, 2023, go to: ht tps://oprfhs-org.zoom.us/ j/89398873748?pwd=VWJRYnRmK2ZORlhmN1FBWFBYOWF1UT09

Passcode: 890767

Published in Wednesday Journal August 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

ADVERTISEMENT FOR NOTIFICATION OF BID FOR

PROVISO SCHOOL DISTRICT 209

Gilbane Building Company, Construction Manager, for and acting on behalf of The Board of Education of Proviso Township High School District 209, is receiving lump sum proposals from interested contractors for the Proviso School District Capital Improvements Project. This release includes the following:

Security Camera Improvements work at Proviso East, Proviso West, and Proviso Math and Science Academy. Salt Shed Work at Proviso Math and Science Academy and Underground Well Repair Work at Proviso West. Bid Release 16 includes the following bid packages:

04C Masonry Restoration Work (Proviso East)

12D Salt Shed Work (Proviso Math and Science Academy)

28D Security Cameras Work (Proviso East, Proviso West, and Proviso Math and Science Academy)

33C Underground Well Repair Work (Proviso West)

1. The bid documents will be distributed to bidders on or about Monday, August 14, 2023

2. An in-person Pre-Bid will be held Thursday, September 7, 2023 at 10:00AM

3. The last day for bidders’ questions is Thursday, September 21, 2023, 5:00PM

4. The proposals will be due on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 10:00AM. via www.ibidpro.com.

To bid this project, bidders should prequalify with Gilbane Building Company via Compass at https:// compass-app.com/auth/register. The bid proposals are to be completed online at www.ibidpro.com.

Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid is required from all bidders. Guarantee Bonds in the form of a Performance Bond and Labor and Material Payment Bond in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the bid will be required from the awarded Bidder.

The work will be done in accordance with the Contract Documents. “FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS INVITATION TO BID MAY RESULT IN THE DISQUALIFICATION OF THE BIDDER”.

This contract calls for the construction of a “public work,” within the meaning of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/.01 et seq. (“the Act”). The Act requires contractors and subcontractors to pay laborers, workers and mechanics performing services on public works projects no less than the “prevailing rate of wages” (hourly cash wages plus fringe benefits) in the county where the work is performed. For information regarding current prevailing wage rates, please refer to the Illinois Department of Labor’s website at: https://www2.illinois.gov/idol/LawsRules/CONMED/Pages/Rates.aspx. All contractors and subcontractors rendering services under this contract must comply with all requirements of the Act, including but not limited to, all wage, notice and record keeping duties.

The Proviso Township High School District 209 and Gilbane Building Company reserve the right to reject any or all bids. All information submitted as part of this process shall be considered public information under the State Freedom of Information Act unless specifically disclosed on the applicable information by the Bidder. Challenges to such exemptions shall be defended solely by the Bidder

Published in Forest Park Review August 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICES

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP NOTICE OF OPEN MEETING

On June 10th, 2022, Governor JB Pritzker signed the Decennial Committee on Local Government Efficiency Act (50 ILCS 70). This new law requires Illinois Townships, Road Districts and Multi-Assessment Districts, and all taxing bodies (except counties and municipalities) to convene a committee to study and report on local government efficiency

Oak Park Township Decennial Committee will hold its meetings on the following dates:

August 22, 2023 at 5:30 pm

September 26, 2023 at 6:00 pm

October 24, 2023 at 6:00 pm

Oak Park Township will make residents aware of any changes to the meeting dates and/or time.

The meeting will take place at: 130 S Oak Park Ave. Oak Park, IL 60302

Published in Wednesday Journal August 16, 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE

WEST CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS (WC3)

SEALED PROPOSAL FOR 9-1-1 Fire Radio System TO BE IN THE HANDS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WEST CENTRAL CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS, BY 1:30 P.M., THURSDAY, AUGUST 31st, 2023.

BACKGROUND INFO

West Central Consolidated Communications (WC3) is a Joint Emergency Telephone System located in North Riverside, Illinois. WC3 provides emergency and non-emergency communications services to both the police and fire departments from the villages of Riverside, North Riverside, Brookfield, and McCook. A WC# Agency Jurisdictions map has been attached to this Request for Proposal for reference.

WC3 services a jurisdictional area that has roughly 35,000 full time residents, and sees a much higher daily population with multiple large commercial establishments in its area, as well as the Brookfield Zoo. WC3 currently operates on a local VHF fire band that is shared with four other fire departments not serviced by WC3. WC3 and its partner agencies now seek to build out their own repeated VHF radio band for fire operations and have the frequencies to do so.

Additionally, WC3 owns a dark fiber network that may be utilized for connection points and to carry traffic between sites. There is an at-

tached map of this network included as an attachment to this Request for Proposal.

INSTRUCTIONS

All parties intending to submit a proposal must submit a Notice of Intent via email to the Executive Director at bhicks@wccc911.org no later than August 18th, 2023 at 4:00 PM. All parties submitting a notice of intent will be copied on all responses to all questions from all bidders in regards to this Request for Proposal.

All proposals submitted must be made substantially as shown under this specification including total prices and unit prices, as required. All proposals must be signed by an authorized official. Proposals that contain omissions, erasures, alterations, or additions not called for, conditional or alternate proposals unless called for, or that contain irregularities of any kind may be rejected as informal.

Statement of Competency

All proposals submitted shall be accompanied by an experience record showing a statement of competency to perform the work contemplated. This record shall indicate the names, cost of similar projects which the vendor has handled, their addresses and contact person in addition to date of completion. In particular, the proposal shall state if any work has been done with any other governmental agencies.

Delivery of Proposals

Proposals may be delivered by mail or in person. Each proposal shall be submitted in a sealed envelope or package plainly marked to indicate its contents. If forwarded by mail, the proposal shall be placed in an envelope addressed to Bud Hicks, Executive Director (WC3), 2359 Des Plaines Ave., North Riverside, Illinois 60546. If forwarded otherwise than by mail, it must be sealed and delivered to the above. Proposals received after the deadline above will be returned to the vendor unopened.

WC3 reserves the right to reject any and all proposals and waive any technicalities.

For responses and to acquire a copy of the RFP contact Bud Hicks at bhicks@wccc911.org.

Entire RFP available at: https://www.northriverside-il.org/582/ Advertisements-and-Solicitations-ofBids

Bud Hicks West Central Consolidated Communications

Published in RB Landmark August 16, 2023

CALENDAR NUMBER: 14-23-Z

HEARING DATE: September 6, 2023

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

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

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicants, Michael and Molly Monaco, seeking variances from Section 9.3 (N)(2)(c) and Section 9.3 (N)(2)(b) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance which require that a detached garage must be constructed so that access is from the public alley to permit construction of a garage with access from an existing curbcut on Adams Street located within the eight (8’) foot corner side yard setback, sitting approximately three (3’) feet from the corner side lot line at the premises commonly known as 600 Clarence Avenue, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-18-211-001-0000.

1. Section 9.3 (N) (2) (b) of the Zoning Ordinance, which section requires that detached accessory garages are only permitted in the front and interior side yard, to allow the construction of a garage within the corner side yard,

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.-

three (3’) feet from the corner side lot line along Adam Street at the Subject Property located at 600 Clarence Avenue; and

2. Section 9.3 (N) (2) (c) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance which require that a detached garage must be constructed so that access is from the public alley to permit construction of a garage that features access from an existing curb-cut on Adams Street at the premises.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, August 16, 2023

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING VILLAGE OF OAK PARK ZONING BOARD

CALENDAR NUMBER: 13-23-Z

HEARING DATE: September 6, 2023

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

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

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“ZBA”) will conduct a public hearing on an application filed by the Applicant, Jesse Hathaway, seeking a variance from Section 4.3 (Table 4-1: Residential Districts Dimensional Standards) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance requiring a five (5’) foot interior setback, where the existing structure sits 3.41’ from the lot line. The variance would permit a dormer addition on the north side of the home with a proposed .32’ setback, in line with an existing bay window on the residence that sits .32’ from the lot line, at the premises commonly known as 412 Clinton Avenue, Oak Park,

ANTONIO A. BRAVO, THE TREMONT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION

Defendants

2023 CH 00031

227 W CHICAGO #3 OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 6, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 8, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 227 W CHICAGO #3, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-102-0211009

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

You can also visit The Judicial Sales Corporation at www.tjsc.com for a 7 day status report of pending sales. CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09619

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 00031

TJSC#: 43-2462

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

Case # 2023 CH 00031 I3226051

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION SANTANDER BANK, N.A.

Plaintiff, -v.KRIS M. KERTGEN, WISCONSIN WINDINGS CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS

Defendants

2023 CH 00062 423 S. WISCONSIN AVENUE #1E OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 15, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 18, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 423 S. WISCONSIN AVENUE #1E, OAK PARK, IL 60302

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales.

For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

SALE

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-09640

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002

Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2023 CH 00062

TJSC#: 43-2722

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

Case # 2023 CH 00062

I3226570

The judgment amount was $584,316.19.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

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

OF APPEALS

Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-325-003-0000 (“Subject Property”), in the R-5 Two-Family Zoning District.

A copy of the application and applicable documents are on file and are available for inspection at Village Hall, Development Customer Services Department, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60302, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses by submitting a cross-examination form or by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing.

The public hearing may be adjourned by the Board to another date without further notice by public announcement at the hearing setting forth the time and place thereof.

Published in Wednesday Journal, August 16, 2023

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW.

You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE

Property Index No. 16-07-322-0611017; 16-07-322-061-1043

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condomini-

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS OF THE FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-FF14 MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-FF14

Plaintiff, -v.JUANITA J. LACOURT, CHARLES T. GRANT, WELLS FARGO BANK N.A. Defendants 2020 CH 07380 817 S. SCOVILLE AVE OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on March 16, 2023, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 19, 2023, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 817 S. SCOVILLE AVE, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-228-019000

The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, contact JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650, Chicago, IL, 60602 (312) 541-9710. Please refer to file number 20 8287.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

SALE

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

JOHNSON, BLUMBERG & ASSOCIATES, LLC 30 N. LASALLE STREET, SUITE 3650 Chicago IL, 60602

312-541-9710

E-Mail: ilpleadings@johnsonblumberg.com

Attorney File No. 20 8287

Attorney Code. 40342

Case Number: 2020 CH 07380

TJSC#: 43-3260

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

Case # 2020 CH 07380

I3227286