Wednesday Journal 082124

of Oak Park and River Forest

Police data shows most pedestrian stops are Black men

The repor t, covering April to June, also shows residents called Oak Park police in most cases

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

From April to June 2024, Oak Park police stopped and questioned or searched 66 people, and the majority of them were Black men, police department data shows.

Only seven of these stops, called field or pedestrian stops, were initiated by police, according to Shatonya Johnson, Oak Park’s police chief. The other 59 were calls from community members who called police to respond to a situation.

The stops from the second quarter of 2024 resulted in only five arrests, Johnson reported. The arrests were for two retail thefts, an “assist to another agency,” an active warrant and a criminal trespass incident.

The report showed that 89% of those stopped in April were Black individuals. That includes 20 Black men and three Black women. The other 11% of individuals

PEDESTRIAN STOPS on pa ge 3

REPORT BY JESSICA MORDACQ AND ERIKA HOBBS, PAGE 21

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PEDESTRIAN STOPS

Police respond to calls

from page 1

stopped were whit e.

According to the data, 10 of the Black men stopped in April were stopped because they were reported as a “suspicious person” or for “suspicious activity.” Other suspected crimes for individuals stopped that month include trespass, “suspicious auto” or are classified as “other.”

In May, 67% of individuals stopped were Black, according to police data. That includes 12 Black men. A Hispanic woman, three white men and two white women were also stopped.

“Suspicious activity” and “suspicious person” were common classifications for stops in May, too, along with trespass and “other” reasons

In June, 15 Black men and one Black woman made up about 73% of pedestrian stops. Three Hispanic men and three white men were also stopped. The rest were reported as an unknown race or ethnicity

“Suspicious person,” “suspicious activity” and “suspicious incident” were common reasons for stops in June, too

Johnson told the village board in July that

the police are trying to move away from categorizing stops as a “suspicious person” or “suspicious activity.”

Details of each stop can be found in the police’s second quarter presentation. The Oak Park Police Department did not respond to a Wednesday Jour nal request for comment.

At the July 30 village board meeting, Johnson said there was a recent increase in newly hired officers training in the field. And warmer weather typically results in increased activity and more calls for service, she pointed out. When calls for service are made, the police respond no matter what, Johnson told the village board.

Many of the calls in the second quarter, she said, were around businesses in Oak Park. Often, business owners or complainants want a warning issued before taking any further action, resulting in a lower number of arrests, Johnson said July 30.

‘Bad trajec tory ’?

Trustee Chibuike Enyia asked how individuals are categorized in the data. Johnson said the categories, such as listing someone as Hispanic, is based on the officer’s observation.

“We’re taking on a lot more stops that seem to be on a bad trajectory for Black and brown individuals in Oak Park,” Enyia said. “I’m trying to figure out what is

contributing to this.”

Enyia asked what officers are taught to look for to initiate one of these stops. Johnson answered that only seven of the stops in this quarter were officer-initiated, while the rest were calls for service from the community

Trustee Cory Wesley asked Johnson about when individuals are stopped for “matching a description” that a caller might have made. He wanted to know if those descriptions are stored and can be compared to the description of the individual stopped. Johnson said that information can be accessed through police databases.

Johnson also said there are some pedestrian stops that could be handled through the alternative calls for service program moving forward. Any pedestrian stopped receives a “stop card” from the police, noting the interaction.

The OPPD had 79 officers as of July 30, Johnson said at the time. The department started 2024 with about 83 officers, she said. The department is budgeted for 118 officers Some officers resigned or retired, but others have since been hired. Johnson also told the village board that some officers who left have since asked to return to Oak Park

“I do believe, from discussion, [they may have realized] the grass isn’t greener on the other side,” she said.

She said she expects an increase in police staffing overall in 2024.

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Digital Manager Stacy Coleman

Digital Media Coordinator Brooke Duncan

Sta Reporters Amaris E. Rodriguez, Luzane Draughon

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Contributing Editor Donna Greene

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

Shrubtown Cartoonist Marc Stopeck

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designers Susan McKelvey, Vanessa Garza

Marketing Representatives

Lourdes Nicholls, Ben Stumpe

Business & Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Circulation Manager Jill Wagner

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs Publisher Dan Haley BOARD

Weinheimer

JAVIER GOVEA

Heritage Chor

Monday, Aug. 26, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church and School

The Heritage Chorale, based in Oak Park, is seeking passionate singers to join their chorus. Auditions are open to adults of all ages, with rehearsals held Monday evenings in the Oak Park/River Forest area. This season, the choir will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a debut piece by EMMY® Award-winning composer Alex Wurman and a performance at Carnegie Hall. No preparation is needed for the audition—just show up and sing a simple piece provided by the director. To sign up or learn more, visit https://tinyurl. com/y72svt6r. 7300 Division St., River Forest

Gourmet Pancake Pop-Up

Sunday, Aug. 25, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Blackout Baking Co

Join us for brunch favorites at Blackout Baking Co. Enjoy a gourmet Pancake Pop -Up with new and exciting avors, featuring our Cookie of the Month. Visit us on Sunday, Aug. 25, for a delicious breakfast experience. 210 S Marion St., Oak Park

BIG WEEK

August 21-28

Back Room Stories Outside

Sunday, Aug. 25, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Front lawn of Christ Episcopal Church

Enjoy an all-star lineup of storytellers, including Margaret Burk, Kelly Campos, Anne Shimojima, Beth Horner, and Megan Wells. Admission is $15 at the door. 515 Franklin, River Forest

Tech Help Drop In

Thursday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Join us for our monthly Tech Help Drop-In sessions. Our digital learning sta will assist with your technologybased questions and concerns about laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Each session is limited to 15 minutes. Bring your questions and your device. No registration is required. To protect everyone’s safety, masks are required. The Creative Studio is located on the third oor of the Main Librar y. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Book Bike Pop-Up at Wise Cup

Monday, Aug. 26, 9:30 - 11 a.m., Wise Cup

Join the Book Bike for a small business pop-up in Downtown Oak Park, weather permitting. Check out materials, learn about library services and events, or sign up for a library card on the spot. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and see what the Book Bike is all about. For more info, visit oppl.org/calendar and oppl.org/bike. 1018 Lake St., Oak Park

The Ladies of Lake Street Walk

Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m., Oak Park River Forest Museum

Meet “The Ladies of La ke Str eet ” during a women’s histor y walk sponsored by the Oak Park River Forest Museum. From politicos to shopkeepers, suffragists, and civil rights ac tivists, yo u’ll be introduced to the women who helped shape our village. Tickets and more information are available at opr fmuseum.org. 129 La ke St., Oak Park

Join us for an authentic Kentucky-style per traditional bluegrass band Bourbon Aristocrac banjo

chairs will be pr bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain, the concert will be held indoors. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest

Uncorked

Friday, Aug. 23, 6 - 8 p.m., Oak Park Conser vatory (Rubinstein Garden)

Enjoy an outdoor evening of music and drinks, presented by the Friends of the Oak Park Conser vator y. Admission includes two drink tickets and an appetizer. This event is for those 21 and over. Tickets are $20. To learn more, visit fopcon.org. 615 Gar eld St., Oak Park

Compiled by Brooke Duncan

Listing your event

Wednesday Jour nal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest groups and businesses are planning. We’ ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper.

■ Email details to calendar@wjinc.com

Abu-Taleb runs for a cease re in Gaza

Former Oak Park mayor star ts a convention running group

By JESSICA MORDACQ Staff Reporter

On their first run Monday, about six people came to join Anan Abu-Taleb and Richard Goldwasser on their run along Chicago’s lakefront planned for every morning of the Democratic National Convention.

A small crowd. But, they hop e, a powe rful one that only grow s.

Abu-Taleb, a for mer Oak Park mayor, was born in Gaza. Goldwasser, a Highland Park attorney, is a Jewish American. Together, they are calling on people to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and to stop funding the IsraelHamas war

Abu-Taleb, who served as mayor from 2013 to 2021 and owns the restaurant Maya del Sol, said the group creates connection during a devastating conflict

Goldwasser agreed

“Until you actually have a meaningful relationship or connection with someone outside your community, your ability to empathize with them, for some people, is very limited,” Goldwasser said.

“I feel like we have more in common than some of the people I grew up with,” Abu-Taleb said. “This world needs more Richards.”

Part of the duo’s efforts include advocating for the United States to stop funding the conflict.

The U.S. gives about $3 billion in military aid annually to Israel and tens of billions of dollars worth of weapons. The U.S. has also funneled nearly $700 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza since the Israel-Hamas war started last October

“This war is supported by the United States’ taxpayer dollars,” Abu-Taleb said. “If a fraction of what’s been spent on this war had been spent on peace building, thousands of lives on both sides would have been spared.”

“At the heart of it, when we stop dehumanizing one another and [start] seeing each other as people who have similar aspirations — when you strip away the politics, labels, religion — we’re all the same. Peace starts with seeing the other as a human. Once you get there, once you invest in those relationships, it’s hard to continue thinking of one another as enemies.”

Calling for a cease re

Abu-Taleb and Goldwasser were introduced to each other by a mutual friend nearly five years ago. They quickly discovered they both love running, and have strong personal feelings about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been damaging their countries for decades.

After learning more about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in high school and college, after law school, Goldwasser clerked for the Supreme Court of Israel. He said he’s supported a two-

state solution since.

“Either you have to allow the people within the territory you control equal rights, that includes voting rights and other rights, or they have to have their own state,” Goldwasser said.

Abu-Taleb said Goldwasser suggested running during the DNC as a way to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“Neither Anan or myself think that President Biden or [U.S Secretary of State] Antony Blinken are going to hear about our run and decide, ‘We’re going to withhold funding,’” Goldwasser said. “You can either sit there and accept it or take whatever small steps you can.”

The two expect their numbers to increase throughout the week as more people hear about the call for a ceasefire. It’s a way for people to express themselves during a dark moment, Goldwasser said.

“This isn’t just kumbaya stuff,” he said. “There’s a real message behind what we’re presenting.”

“The cycle of violence only breeds more violence and more suffering for both people,” Abu-Taleb said. “Deep down, I believe that when the Palestinians and the Israelis live side-byside with the same rights, with dignity and justice, peace will naturally follow.”

Abu Taleb and Goldwasser encourage runners who want a ceasefire in Gaza to join them and run, walk or rollerblade at Buckingham Fountain at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22. For more information, email DNCceasefirerun@gmail.com.

Runners for a cease re in Gaza on Monday, Aug. 19.

Richard Goldwasser and Anan Abu-Taleb

Saturday, August 24, 2024

noon -6pm

Garage Galleries Forest Park is a volunteerdriven neighborhood art walk. Forest Park residents open their garages to local area artists. The event celebrates art and artists in a casual, family-friendly neighborhood setting and encourages residents and visitors to explore Forest Park.

Residents host artists in their garages in a casual “art reception” atmosphere, and host garages are set up in clusters for easy navigation.

Visit garagegalleriesfp.com for map and more info!

The Simple Palette by Priscilla Putman 541 Beloit Ave

“Watercolor & hand-lettered paper goods & gifts for the simple, artful life.” thesimplepalette.com | IG & FB @thesimplepalette

Rob Sall Photography (Forest Park Resident)

Garage: 1120 Beloit Ave

Changing perspectives of our planet… one location, one story, one photograph at a time. facebook.com/robsallphoto • www.robsall.com

Gange 432 Thomas Ave

Abstract paintings and collages employing acrylic mixed media. Instagram: R_camille_art

RoseMary

and

accorded or made

to students of the University. While it does give preference

the Lutheran faith, it does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and loan programs and athletic and other University-administered programs. Visit CUChicago.edu for

It’s the newest breakfast item on the menu

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Johnnie’s Italian beef transformed into a breakfast food through the chef wizardry at Blackout Bakery on Marion Street. On the bakery’s daily menu, this collaboration of soft roll with bits of Italian beef and mild giardiniera is served with a container of Johnnie’s famous gravy to dip in bite by bite.

Blackout Bakery has been an e-commerce cookie delivery business for six years. Owner and River Forest resident Shana Taveras opened a storefront location in Oak Park almost three years ago. The store brings cookies, as well as coffee, tea and a rotating menu of other treats directly to local residents.

“We get a lot of people in our bakery who want breakfast items,” Taveras said. “How can we do a more savory item that would help but not change what we do as a bakery?”

After some brainstorming, she approached one of the area’s most famous beef stands with an idea that would satisfy Blackout’s customer demand for more options

Johnnie’s Beef of Elmwood Park has been family owned and operated since 1961.

They’ve never collaborated with anyone

“We’ve had a bunch of people come to us with different ideas,” John Aretos, co-owner of Johnnie’s, said. “What made this one interesting it’s something that we could put our signature on and not have it be in direct competition.”

Johnnie’s gave Taveras a pound of beef. She mixed up a batch for them to taste her recipe It is made with yeasted dough, the same as is used to make their cinnamon rolls.

A thin layer of cream cheese holds the chopped Italian beef and mild giardiniera relish in place but melts into the bread as it bakes. Once out of the oven the rolls are topped with butter and an Italian seasoning blend.

After just a few bites, Johnnie’s was in.

The owners ag reed to supply Taveras with beef and gravy — and let Blackout use Johnnie’s name.

“It was something just very unusual, it was unique. We thought, hey, let’s give this shot,” said Aretos.

The Italian Beef Roll made its debut on Blackout Baking’s menu this spring. Customers are buying it like … hot cakes.

“I think it could stay on the menu foreve Taveras said.

Blackout has additional

items, suc

Blackout’s

Visitors from Republic of Georgia open both worlds

Oak Park couple houses foreign delegates and shows them local landmarks

By HOPE BAKER Contributing Reporter

Oak Park residents Gloria and Bruce Cox did not need a visa or have to suffer jet lag to learn firsthand about the culture of the Re public of Georgia.

Instead, they participated in Open World, a professional exchange program dedicated to creating authentic communication and immersive cultural experiences.

As part of the progr am, a dele gation of five civil and le g al activists from Georgia, a for mer Soviet re public, visited Illinois Aug. 9-17. The progr am was aimed at providing activists with tools to advance democracy and freedom in Georgia.

One of the dele gates, Nati Gelovani, stayed with the Coxes in Oak Park. Gelovani is a lawyer who worked for the Human Rights Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for many years, where she focused on hate crimes, bias-motivated crimes and gender-based violence. She now works at the NGO Rule of Law Center, where she continues to specialize in the protection of human rights

several times in the past,” said Bruce Cox. “We’ve hosted people starting back about six years ago.”

Administered by the Cong ressional Office for International Leadership, the Open Wo rld progr am brings emerging leaders from partner countries to the United States for 10 days of intensive exchange with professional counterparts. During the progr am, dele gates stay with host f amilies, giving them an intimate view of American life

“Doing this provides Americans an opportunity to build relationships across cultures and national boundaries without leaving their living room.”

GEORGE PA L AMATTAM Executive director of CIPC

The Oak Park couple also hosted the group’s facilitator, Anna Jobava, who works as the Civil Society Organization’s Advisor at the USAID Rule of Law Progr “We have participated with this pr

Cox said he and his wife were first introduced to Open World by members of their church. Since then, the couple has welcomed into their home dele gates from Germany, Uzbekistan, Russia, Columbia and now Georgia.

“You get to host a wide variety of different people, like social workers, lawyers and scientists, from a variety of different countries,” he said.

Activities for the visiting dele gates in Illinois were coordinated by the Council of International Programs - Chicago (CIPC), a non-profit international exchange program.

George Palamattam, executive director of CIPC, said the dele gates met with an assortment of groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, Arise Chicago, the Better Government Association, the

Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, the Legal Aid Society, the Metropolitan Planning Council, Mikva Challeng e, and the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. T he group also met with U.S. Re p. Danny Davis (D-IL)

“They are invested in learning about best practices here,” Palamattam said. “It’s a comprehensive program and there is no time to waste.”

According to Palamattam, the CIPC coordinates with several groups of visiting gates each year from a range of different counties and professional backgrounds.

While last week’s group from Georgia consisted of civic and legal activists, a group from Estonia who visited Illinois in June was comprised of professionals from the environmental sustainability sector.

“What they all have in c ommon is tha t they are leaders or emerging leader s, ” he said.

When dele gates come to Illinois, the CIPC arranges for them to stay with host families, rather than at hotels

“Doing this provides A mericans an opportunity to build r elationships across ultures and national b oundaries without leaving their living r oom,” P alamattam said.

Gloria Cox agreed with that sentiment.

“We like to travel a lot and this is a cool way to explore another culture without having to get a passport and get on a plane,” she said. “It’s a fun and easy thing to do.”

Cox said their guests from Georgia visited the Hemingway Home & Museum, the Oak Park Far mers’ Market and the Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio.

“They also joined us for a Sunday night dinner at a friend’s house, so they had a chance to just kind of socialize and experience that aspect of life in the Oak ParkRiver Forest area,” she said.

In particular, Cox enjoyed learning about the food and desserts one of the dele gates, who is an avid baker, likes to make.

“We discussed a range of topics and issues, and answered questions they had about life in America,” she said.

Since its inception in 1999, more than 31,000 current and future leaders from partner countries have participated in the Open World program. The program uses congressional leadership and peopleto-people engagement to provide foreign visitors with a multi-level federal, state and local introduction to accountable governance and American life. To learn more, visit www.openworld.gov/

Le to Right: George Cox, Anna Jobava, Glor ia Cox and Nati Gelovani

D90 debuts new playground at Lincoln Elementary

The new equipment was a gift from the PTO

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

River Forest School District 90 opened a new playground at Lincoln Elementary in time for the start of the new school year.

The playground was installed earlier in August of f of Park Avenue and Lake Street.

Wanting to put PTO funds to good use, Becky Williams, who was president of the Lincoln PTO at the time, said the PTO decided to apply leftover funds to the project after hearing from the D90 community about the desire for new equipment through a survey.

“Through talking with the district, we found out that the playground that was on Park Avenue was the oldest in the district,” Williams said.

Stephanie Rath, director of communications and community relations, said the playg round was established in 1998.

Because of the wear and high use of the park, Williams said the PTO chose to address those needs first.

“With the idea that we would love to do more improvements on the Franklin Avenue side as soon as we could financially,” Williams said.

The PTO said they worked closely with the district, along with Lincoln Principal Casey Godfrey and Chief Operations Officer Anthony Cozzi to roll out the project.

Mia Esposito, PTO co-president, said the PTO also took into consideration incorporating elements that would be age appropriate for younger children.

Because of its location and because it is fenced in, the playground off of Park Avenue is primarily used by the younger grades

“With the recent addition of Full Day Kindergarten and the upcoming implementation of preschool at Lincoln, this new and inclusive equipment will undoubtedly be a hit with our youngest learners,” Godfrey said.

According to Rath, the playground was designed by Landscape Structures/NuToys

and installed by Service Management In c. Esposito said the PTO members reviewed and approved a final drawing of the playground during a PTO meeting in early Spring.

The total cost of the project, including demolition of previous park equipment, new equipment, installation, and labor came to $144,670.

The entire amount was covered by the Lincoln PTO. The district did not need to provide additional funds, Rath said.

Part of this was made possible due to the tight budget the PTO ran during the COVID-19 pandemic, Williams said.

“They did a great job of making sure not to spend a whole ton of money during that time and had an idea that they wanted to improve another part of the school,” Williams said.

To be able to pay for the whole project, Williams said the PTO set a goal to raise an additional $35,000.

The PTO held its annual Lincoln Auction, and raised $74,000.

“It was more than we had asked for,

which we were very thrilled by that,” Williams said.

With the additional funds, the PTO said they had a “g reat problem” and were able to begin thinking about upgrading additional equipment on the park located near Franklin Avenue.

The PTO installed six picnic tables to add more outside seating.

“Everybody should have a voice in how we spend money because we raise money from our families,” Williams said.

The cost for the installation of the tables, including the equipment, came out to $26,609.

The PTO hopes to raise additional funds to add shaded canopy to protect the tables and people from the elements. The tables are located on the Northern part of the Franklin Avenue side, between the gym and the baseball field.

“Unstructured outdoor play is so essential for all kids,” Godfrey said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to the Lincoln PTO for this generous gift to our school and to the entire Lincoln community.”

New leader’s vision: ‘lifeline to a better life’

The Neighborhood Bridge helps connect individuals and families with human ser vices

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Prentice Butler, the newly hired executive director of The Neighborhood Bridge, is looking to connect as many individuals and families as possible with needed services, including housing resources, employment aid, financial counseling and health care

The Neighborhood Bridge is a nonprofit established in 2023 with the intention to work with existing providers of services that also include job training, computer competency and violence prevention. The social ministry will then do outreach to connect families in need with those existing resources.

“There’s no sense [in] reinventing the wheel,” Butler said. “There are so many nonprofits doing wonderful work in Austin and other areas of the region. I j make sure I sit down with them and let them know I want to work in partnership.

can provide the resources needed, like Thrive Counseling Center, a mental health crisis and counseling center. So far, Butler said he’s compiled a database of about 25 organizations to connect program participants with.

The Neighborhood Bridge is located at the St. Catherine – St. Lucy rectory in Oak Park, along with Housing Forward’s emergency overnight shelter. The shelter is in the process of an expansion from 20 to 40 beds. The Neighborhood Bridge, Butler said, is an evolution of the previous church ministry.

The nonprofit is focused on helping families of students in Austin, on Chicago’s West Side. The partner schools are St. Catherine –St. Lucy, St. Angela, Chicago Jesuit Academy, Catalyst Circle Rock, and Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School.

“It is our job … to advocate for those that don’t have a voice,” Butler said. “And make sure they’re connected to outcomes that will service their families and the community.”

Butler, who started in July, said his main mission is to make sure families with kids in school have the resources they need to allow the kids to focus on their education. There are so many external factors or traumas that can distract a kid from concentrating on their education, Butler said. And teachers, who are already doing as much as they can with little credit, can’t be responsible for all of those extra factors.

“Having one less distraction, I think, will be helpful, in making sure that [the kids] can focus on their education and we can see the increased outcome of these kids graduating and going on with their lives in a productive fashion,” he said.

In his first few weeks as executive director, Butler said he’s been connecting with community members and stakeholders. That includes local gover nment, public safety and health officials, as well as organizations who

“We’re still serving the public,” he said. “This is what this place and space has always been about.”

A lot of communities are in need of the services that this nonprofit can connect them with, Butler pointed out. Some individuals who have the privilege exposure to these services while growing up, and understand how to seek them out, might take that information for granted, Butler said. But others did not have those same privileges.

“Sometimes it takes somebody to say ‘This is how you fill out the form, this is what this means, don’t worry about it, I will assist you, I will help you,’” he said. “We could be a lifeline to a better life.”

To get the organization up and running, Butler said they need to engage and train volunteers, who will also have required background checks. The volunteers will not only help with intake and identifying issues among families in need but will walk those families through connections with local providers from beginning to end.

“A lot of families are not comfortable navigating the bureaucracy,” he said. “They don’t know how to begin to help themselves. So, you have the volunteers that come in to the process to be a helping hand, a shoulder to rely on.”

Butler said one of his goals is to ensure volunteers are not only trained on services central to the organization’s mission, such as housing and employment resources, but also on resources related to sexual and other types of abuse

“I want to make sure the volunteers also understand discretion, how sensitive the issues can be,” Butler said. “I want to make sure no harm is done to anybody that may

engage our services.”

By the end of the year, Butler said he’d like to have at least 30 volunteers.

Butler said he’s eager to build the program from the ground up. It’ll be challenging, but in a good way, he said. But they also need the finances to operate. Grants and individual donations kick-star ted The Neighborhood Bridge, Butler said, but moving forward they’ll have to seek more funding, and he hopes that could come from the philanthropic community in Chicago.

“A lot of organizations are beginning to look at the issues of equity seriously in our communities,” he said. “And what [we can do] to address and close the equity gaps that are in communities like Austin and other areas in the city that have been neglected and disinvested in for years.”

About the executive director

Butler said he grew up on the South Shore of Chicago, where his school, Hales Franciscan High School, emphasized the importance of service in its curriculum. As a result of his upbringing and prior work experience, Butler said he’s committed to community engagement and keen on service-oriented opportunities.

The new executive director was for merly the deputy director for the Illinois Justice Project, an organization working to make the legal system more equitable. He’s served on the staff of Sophia King, former alderman of Chicago’s 4th Ward. Before that, Butler was a bankruptcy consultant at the Law Offices of Ernesto D. Borges Jr P.C.

“[I] would sit down with a lot of clients that were going through traumatic episodes in life and you would see how different policies facilitated those crises that they faced,” he said.

He also worked for the Chicago Area Boy Scouts of America on the southwest side of Chicago and nearby suburbs. Butler has a bachelor’s de gree in political science from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree from Loyola University Chicago and another master’s de gree from the University of Chicago. He’s also involved with organizations such as the New Leaders Council Chicago and South-Siders Organized for Unity and Liberation.

“I was eager to get back in the field [and] work with communities, work with families,” he said. “This is where I want to be.”

Soil endures significant environmental stresses: periods of heavy rain, punctuated by prolonged dry spells, among other fluctuations that generate plenty of energy within the turf. One of the effects is a rising risk of fungal diseases descending on your lawn. To combat that threat, between now and Labor Day weekend is the perfect time to begin your seeding project. Note: a 21-day growth period from germination to full growth is normal, after which you can mow for the first time. Fall is the preferred time because of fewer pressures on the seed and an optimal growing climate. As soil temperatures decrease, dormant weed seeds in the soil are not able to germinate, minimizing competition for space, nutrients, and moisture for the seed to establish properly and establish healthy root systems. With cooler temperatures, the soil also retains moisture for a longer duration, decreasing your time and water demands. Don’t overwater— which can result in drowning or washing the seed away—but instead go for short, frequent watering to keep the top layers of soil moist. In the end—and going back to the beginning of this process— the success of seeding depends on your commitment to carefully monitoring and caring for your lawn.

PRENTICE BUTLER

Scott McAdam Jr.

FIRST DA Y, SECONDARY SCHOOL

PHOTO S BY TODD A. BANNOR

Safety & Suppor t O cer Carlos Young directs OPRF students to wear their ID badges

An OPRF teacher welcomes a student with a high- ve.

District 200 Superintendent Gregory Johnson greets students on the rst day of school at Oak Park & River Forest High School, Aug. 15.

Fenw ick High School’s band per forms as students arrive on the rst day of school, Aug. 19.

Principal John Finan greets Fenw ick students.

Students and teachers arrive, loaded for learning.

OAK PARK TOWNSHIP

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

Your kindness can light up a senior’s day!

As the Aging & Disability Resource Center for Oak Park and River Forest, we advocate for older adults, people with disabilities age 18+, family members and caregivers, and help connect them to resources and assistance programs that help them live healthy lives. We rely on our volunteers to help us continue serving our community.

We are currently seeking volunteers to help with these important services.

Meal Delivery Volunteer

Delivering meals to seniors isn’t just about dropping off food – it’s about being a friendly face and spreading joy. Your small act of kindness can make a world of difference in someone’s day. We are seeking volunteers with a car to deliver meals to older adults, two mornings per week for approximately two hours.

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact in your community?

Join Oak Park and River Forest Townships in making a difference in your community! We are seeking compassionate individuals who can dedicate just a little of their time to make a big impact on the lives of our senior community members.

Money Management Volunteer

As a volunteer, you will work one-on-one with senior residents age 60+ to help ensure their financial health. You’ll visit them monthly in their home to help open and sort mail, ensure bills are paid on time, balance checkbooks, set up and manage budgets, and provide credit counseling.

If you are interested in volunteering, please call us at the number below or scan the QR code for details.

We conduct background checks on all volunteers to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone involved.

MECHTECH HVAC

Health care waiver to expand Medicaid coverage gets federal approval

The additional coverage is expected to help address root causes of health disparities

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

The Healthcare Transformation 1115 Demonstration waiver was federally approved July 2, allowing the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to expand Medicaid coverage

That additional coverage is expected to help address root causes of health disparities, according to an Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker press release. That includes housing and food insecurities, struggles facing those transitioning out of incarceration and support for violence prevention.

This waiver is part of a larger strategy, according to Pritzker

“Illinois is leading the way in this work and once again setting the nationwide standard for what equitable, effective and people-centric health care should look like,” he said in the release.

outcomes, too, according to Lynda Schueler, Housing Forward’s chief executive officer.

“Everyone deserves to have access to affordable, quality health care, re gardless of their living situation or income level,” Schueler said in the release. “The revenue stream provided by the expansion of the 1115 waiver will expedite and expand our ability to address the substantial and unmet health, service and housing needs for the unhoused community.”

Chad Williams said he was a for mer Housing Forward client at a press conference discussing the waiver’s approval in July.

In 2017, Williams said he was discharged from West Suburban Medical Center, where he was treated for congestive heart failure. He said he had nowhere to go. But a doctor directed him to Housing Forward, where he then spent two years in the over night shelter

“Everyone deserves to have access to a ordable, quality health care, regardless of their living situation or income level.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved an amendment and an extension for five years for the existing 1115 waiver. It now includes services that are newly eligible for federal Medicaid match, according to the release. These programs help address health-related social needs, including medical respite.

In Oak Park, The Write Inn operated by Housing Forward serves as one such location for medical respite, allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to rest and recover safely. Sojourner House is another such location.

Medical respite helps improve patient

“I received warm meals, a safe place to slee p,” he said. “Eventually, it came to be like home.”

Then, Williams became one of the first residents at Sojourner House. There, he said he was “temporarily able to enjoy the human experience once more.” Without a home, it can be hard to do so, he said.

In 2020, he was able to move into an apar tment in Oak Park.

“Today I’m doing well,” he said. “And have access to quality, af fordable health care. This has made a big difference in reaffirming my trust in people and having consistent health care … [has] meant the difference, for me, between life and death.”

Williams said he hopes the waiver’s extension means more people like him can receive medical and housing support

According to the release, the 1115 waiver also includes coverage for pre-release servic-

Train cargo the causes delays near Oak Park

The incident took place Thursday afternoon

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

A train cargo theft that occurred Thursday afternoon on Chicago’s West Side led to delays near Oak Park due to police activity. The cargo was stolen from a Union Pacific freight train, according to an ABC7 Chicago article, and the incident is now under investigation. The theft took place near Lawler Avenue and Kinzie Street in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago, ac-

BLACKOUT BAKERY

from page 7

as truffle parmesan rolls, on the weekends. And the cases are always full of cookies, scones and other sweet treats. Each month there is a featured cookie; August served up a pancake cookie. The eye-deceiving concoction looks like a miniature silverdollar pancake, and is made from a soft, maple sugar cookie, topped with a square of salted butter marshmallow fondant that is drizzled with maple- butter glaze.

For Aretos, the experiment has been a success. Over the years, the menu at the Elmwood Park Johnnie’s location has remained the same. But at their other location in Arlington Heights, the menu is

HEALTH CARE

from page 14

es for individuals leaving incarceration, services to address firearm violence and other home-, community- and employment-based services. Those seeking assistance for substance use disorders or who need violence prevention or intervention services can also expect coverage, officials said in the release For Medicaid-eligible individuals in a local jail, prison or youth correctional facility, officials state that they can access case management, prescription medication, services for

cording to CBS. Dozens of boxes, potentially containing Insignia Fire TVs, were scattered along the tracks, according to the article.

Union Pacific is cleaning up the site, according to authorities. Chicago police monitored the scene, leading to some Metra UP-W trains having delays near Oak Park

According to a Metra UP-W post on X, one train was not able to operate due to police activity and another had to accommodate passengers.

more expansive, offering items such as Italian tuna sandwiches and beef bowls. Neither place serves breakfast.

For Johnnie’s owners, the goal wasn’t to sell more beef. It was how Taveras approached the project.

“This is really about her. It’s not about us,” Aretos said. “We wanted to support small business in the community. We’re a small business. We’ve benefited from the people in Elmwood Park, the people in the surrounding suburbs and the city. It just all kind of came together.”

For more information

blackoutbakingco.com facebook.com/p/JohnniesBeef-100064877400220

substance use disorders and other treatment.

Authorized waivers, like this one, allow Illinois to test new services and remain eligible for Medicaid matching funds, according to the release

“This Medicaid initiative requested by the Gover nor recognizes the role of community investments to improve health care, including by addressing hunger, housing, and opioid treatment barriers,” Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said in the release.

Illinois Representative Camille Lilly said in the release that the waiver will give vulnerable populations hope. It’s important to support resources like this, she said, to help people have healthy lives.

Electric vehicle drivers will pay charge, starting Aug. 26

The Oak Park user fee is 25 cents per kilowatt hour

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park electric vehicle drivers will have to start paying a user fee of 25 cents per kilowatt hour to use villageowned charging stations Aug. 26.

This is a move to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a village news release, a goal outlined in Climate Ready Oak Park. The fee will help the village af ford to expand the local charging station infrastructure and likewise could encourage more residents to own electric vehicles rather than pollution-emitting gas-powered cars

The village now owns 13 public electric vehicle charging stations. Drivers can see available stations, monitor their charging and pay for charging at village-owned stations through the ChargePoint app. The Park District of Oak Park also four stations, according to its website.

The village’s stations were free, except for parking lot or garage fees. The PDOP also charges 25 cents per kWh, the market rate, according to village officials. The village

board voted 4-2 to implement this fee July 9.

In a ddition to expanding the village ’s charging station network, the f ee will help to of f set maintenance and electricity f ees, a ccording to Development Services Director Emily Egan. T he village expects about in reve nu e.

Trustees Ravi Parakkat and Cory Wesley voted the fee. Wesley said he doesn’t think the fee is enough. The fee can be reviewed and changed at the board’s discretion.

The Climate Ready Oak Park plan, adopted in 2022, calls for a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Cars and trucks, according to village officials, are the second largest contributor to these emissions in Oak Park. They account for about 25% of emissions.

According to village officials, driving an electric vehicle costs “less than half” a gas-powered car. The village outlines safety tips for electric vehicles, how to re gister the car with ComEd and how to obtain a permit to install a personal charging station online.

One of Oak Park’s publicly accessible electric vehicle charging stations, at The Avenue Garage, was featured as a stop on a cross-country trip. Daphne Dixon, executive director of Live Green Network, left from Connecticut on a cross-country trip to raise awareness of electric vehicles, according to village officials.

Oak Park also received a gold designation in 2023 for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus EV Readiness Program.

September is the right time for Oaktoberfest

The annual event will take place in Downtown Oak Park

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Pumpkin lovers and cozy sweater wearers alike can get into the fall spirit at the 32nd annual Oaktoberfest in downtown Oak Park this September.

The event is free to attend and will feature fall craft drinks, local foods and live music, according to a Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance press release. It will take place from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sept. 13 and noon to 10 p.m. on Sept. 14.

Oaktoberfest will be south of Lake Street on Marion Street and North Boulevard

“For more than three decades, Oaktoberfest has launched the fall season here in downtown Oak Park,” said Shanon Williams, executive director of the DOPBA, in the release. “Our event highlights the seasonal favorites and international specialties all from our local restaurants.”

Those seasonal favorites include fall craft beer and ciders from breweries like Kinslahger Oktoberfest

kin Spice Cider, according to the release. won’t be left out, either, with selections Craft beer and wine tickets are cash onl can purchase one drink ticket for tickets plus a souvenir mug for menu is not yet available, according to the Oaktoberfest website.

Zucchini races, root beer floats and balloon twisting will take place at the Kids Root Beer Garden from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 14, according to the release. Music lovers can expect to hear Bette Smith and the band Cracker perform from 8:30 p.m. to 10 and 14, respectively

Smith is an American soul, rock who was raised in Brooklyn, New band co-founded by

ther featured performers include rock band from nacks, a R&B-style band, Reilly artist, Finom, an “experimental ltered Five Blues Band.

Rock Oak Park will also perform from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 14.

Byline Bank and RUSH Oak Park Hospital are ent, according to the release.

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OP-RF Food Pantry board member Stephanie Schrodt pours beer during Oaktober fest in 2018.

Man with gun robs Chicago resident on CTA train

On Aug. 13, a man approached a Chicago resident on a CTA train on the 300 block of South Boulevard and displayed a gun. The man stole a Motorola flip phone and was last seen heading south on Ridgeland Avenue. The estimated loss is $250.

Criminal defacement to proper ty

On Aug. 8, a man used permanent marker to write graffiti on the first and second floors of Porter Apartments at 1105 Pleasant St. He also marked the loading dock. The estimated damage is $500.

Criminal damage to property

On Aug. 12, a man was seen throwing a brick at an Oak Park resident’s 2016 Audi on the 100 block of Harrison Street. The estimated damage is unknown.

Criminal damage to vehicle

Someone, possibly with a rock, broke the

back windshield to an Oak Park resident’s 2015 Mazda CX-5 between Aug. 14 and 15 on the 800 block of South Austin Boulevard. The estimated damage is $500.

Burglary

■ Someone got into an Oak Park resident’s garage Aug. 9 on the 100 block of North Elmwood Avenue through an unlocked door. The person ransacked two cars and the second story of the garage. No loss was re ported.

■ Someone entered an Oak Park resident’s garage between Aug. 11 and 12 on the 800 block of North East Avenue through an unlocked door. The person stole a blue DriEaz carpet extractor and a green Kobalt battery-powered lawn mower. The estimated loss is $1,100.

■ Someone broke into an Oak Park resident’s 2020 Chrysler Pacifica on Aug. 14 on the 100 block of North Taylor Avenue. The person stole a Selkirk pickleball bag containing shoes, sunglasses and a paddle. The person also broke into another Oak

Dear readers,

Park resident’s 2021 Honda CR-V and stole an I-Pass, cassette tape and a De-Icer. The estimated loss is $80.

■ Someone got into an Oak Park apar tment Aug. 10 on the 800 block of Van Buren Street. The person stole jewelry, sunglasses and cords from an electronic device. The estimated loss is $5,000.

■ Someone got into a Yorkville resident’s 2016 Ford work van Aug. 14 on the 400 block of Clinton Avenue. The person stole power tools and batteries. The estimated loss is $850.

Motor vehicle theft

Someone stole a Chicago resident’s gray 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe on Aug. 12 on the 200 block of South Maple Avenue. The estimated loss is $25,950.

Arrests

■ A juvenile was arrested for domestic battery to a Chicago resident and resisting a peace officer Aug. 13 on the 400 block of South Taylor Avenue.

■ An Oak Park boy was arrested for possession of a stolen car Aug. 14 on the 5900 block of West Lake Street in Chicago. The car was re ported stolen Aug. 12 from the 200 block of South Maple Avenue. He was also charged with possession of cannabis.

■ A 32-year-old Chicago woman was arrested for retail theft and battery Aug. 15 at Pete’s Fresh Market at 259 Lake St.

■ A 34-year-old Indiana man was arrested for two counts of aggravated assault to a Burbank resident Aug. 15 on the 700 block of Lake Street.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department reports dated Aug. 12 – 16 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 Luzane Draughon

My name is Erika Hobbs and I’m editor in chief at Growing Community Media, which owns Wednesday Journal. I’m always working to strengthen our journalism and our newsroom. A crucial part of that is understanding who our readers are.

Please help us by taking a few minutes to fill out a survey. You can use this link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/2YSF2LN or use the QR code.

Your answers will give us a critical insight into what you expect (and want) from the Wednesday Journal. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Thank you for being a Wednesday Journal reader!

Sincerely,

Erika Hobbs, Editor in chief Growing Community Media

Lake Lathrop sues River Forest over building permit

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

The would-be developer of a stalled project on the southwest corner of Lake Street and Lathrop Avenue is again suing the village of River Forest.

It is the latest twist in the ongoing chess match between officials of Lake Lathrop LLC and the village. Lake Lathrop claims the village acted illegally in its denial of a new building permit. The lawsuit against the village is the second legal action Lake Lathrop officials have taken this year to protect their interest in the project.

The four-story, mixed-use development was to contain 22 condominium units with 14,000 square feet of retail space. The project had been on the drawing board since before the Village Board approved Lake Lathrop’s proposal in 2016.

River Forest pulled the plug on the Lake and Lathrop development almost a year ago, apparently ending years of frustration for village officials and village residents, especially those who live near the development. But Lake Lathrop officials in May countered by applying for a new building permit for the development. This too was denied by the village.

“The village is very confident in its position and is prepared to defend itself against the claims made by Lake and Lathrop Partners,” Matt Walsh, village administrator, said. Daniel W. Bourgault of Klein, Thorpe and Jenkins, an attorney representing the village, explained in a letter to Lake Lathrop officials that the village does not have the authority to review or approve the application and said that Lake Lathrop officials no longer have the necessary authority to proceed with the project.

“The redevelopment project was a project for which the village sought proposals from the public and which the village partially funded using public funds and as such any proposal by any contractor for the project must be approved by the Village Board of Trustees before they are eligible for a construction permit for the work,” he said in the letter.

The letter further stated: “While Lake Lathrop Partners LLC and its affiliates previously received that approval through the redevelopment agreement, Lake Lathrop Partners LLC has defaulted and breached said redevelopment agreement and as such the redevelopment agreement has been terminated

“As a result of the termination of the redevelopment agreement, Lake Lathrop Partners LLC and its affiliates no longer have the

necessary approval from the Village Board of Trustees to continue the redevelopment project and as such are not eligible for a construction permit for said redevelopment project. Before a new construction permit can be considered for the redevelopment project, approval must be granted by the Village Board of Trustees and a new redevelopment agreement must be entered into.”

Since neither have been obtained at this point, the construction permit application cannot be considered by the village, he added

In September, officials re pealed the building permit for Sedgwick Properties, an authorized agent acting on behalf of Lake Lathrop Par tners LLC, and issued a stop work order. They said those steps were taken because Sedgwick failed to meet the requirements and conditions of the village’s 18-month building permit, which was originally issued in February 2022.

“As of Sept. 15, 2023, at 4:30 p.m., the Village has repealed the building permit for the Lake and Lathrop development at Lake Street and Lathrop Avenue and issued a stop work order to Sedgwick Properties, the developer,” village officials said in a press release issued at that time

The long-delayed project had been on life support since April 2023, when Beverly Bank and Trust, a Wintrust-affiliated bank that was financing the development, filed suit against Sedgwick Properties in Cook County court, looking to claw back $4.2 million from the $20 million line of credit it issued in 2022. In the lawsuit, the lender has reportedly cited several provisions in its loan agreement with Sedgwick affiliates that were violated, including that the contract required the borrower to stay in compliance with local regulations and to stick to a tighter construction timeline

The foreclosure case was recently reassigned to a new judge, Circuit Court Judge Chloe Pedersen. A hearing for that case is scheduled for this month. The Wintrust foreclosure case will take precedence and, once the foreclosure case is resolved, Wintrust may be able to sell the property to another developer, according to village officials.

In March, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Catherine A. Schneider issued an order revoking the authority of Ascend Real Estate Group, the court-appointed receiver, to market or sell the property

That action supported a motion to reconsider presented by Lake Lathrop Partners LLC and Sedgwick Properties in January. In the motion to reconsider, Lake Lathrop Partners disputed that the appointed receiver should be allowed to advertise and market

the subject property for sale. Lake Lathrop Partners argued that such power is not granted to a receiver under the Illinois Mortgage Foreclosure Act. Ascend had engaged Jones Lang LaSalle, a Chicago real estate company, in the fall to conduct an “aggressive marketing campaign” that resulted in five written offers, the highest of which was submitted by Michig an Avenue RE. Michigan Avenue RE re por tedly had submitted a bid of $3.75 million for the property and was ne gotiat-

ing on a contract with Ascend.

“The priority for this property continues to focus on attracting an appropriate and viable development to the site,” village President Cathy Adduci said in a special e-news message posted on the village website Aug. 15. “Wintrust Bank continues to pay all costs associated with the upkeep of the property, including property tax bills. The village will continue to be responsible for the zoning and development rights of the property.”

Microbrew Review celebrates 17th annual beer festival

It’s a par ty with a purpose

By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Microbrew Review celebrated its 17th annual craft beer festival, appropriately, on Aug. 17 in downtown Oak Pa rk.

All afternoon, the street festival brought to g ether more than 40 breweries to sample their wares, while eight restaurants fed the marathon of sipping and sampling on Marion Street.

T he event is the principal fundraiser for local non-profit Seven Generations Ahead. T he funds support its goals of environmental sustainability and healthy communities.

“A lot of our wo rk is serious and it ’s nice to have an event that has the elements of f un and that supports sustainabilit y, ” said Gary C uneen, founder of the org anization.

T he fest is a demonstration of zero waste practices in full effect. Each year the goal is to divert 80% to 90% of the waste g enerated away from landfills. To that end, a ticket came with a small sampling-sized, reuseable glass that eliminated the need for plastic cups

Beer lovers near and far gathered on Marion Street, which was was closed into a pedestrian mall for the event. At the fest, one group of friends were ready with the appropriate jewelry.

“You can like munch on them in between beers like they’re a palate cleanser,” Karina Baird said. “We’ve seen them at the fest for years and I was like, we are going to make them for all our friend s.”

Three g enerations from a Brookfield and Western Springs-based f amily took in all the scene had to offer. When asked why they’ve been coming for six years, the answer was simple: “Beer,” Nancy Meing ast said. “Also, it’s so f amily-friendly. People here with their dogs. Our grandchild is playing in the fountain.”

“I’m from Iowa. But my friend from back from high school actually lives in town, so it’s a good reason for us to get to g ether and enjoy the craft beer in the area,” said Andy Erickson.

When asked about their favorites Andy’s friend Zac Callen said, “The Funky-

town is good. Big fans of Funkytown.”

Funkytown Brewery’s beers are served throughout the re gion. T he business is the brainchild of three native Oak Parkers, Rich Bloomfield, Greg Williams, and Zack Day.

“Our whole g oal is to make sure that we g et more black folks, brown folks and women involved in the craft b eer,” Day said. “S o, the way that we do that is to create p alatable styles, low bitterness, lowe r astringency. We figured that if we c an i ntroduce and have an authentic story then that’s how we c an i ntroduce kind of a new wave of craft b eer drin ke rs i nto the g ame.”

Another vendor, Hailstorm Brewing, came to town from Tinley Park Brewer Wil Turner pointed out the benefits of having small sample sizes.

“This is the best way to try things, get out of your comfort zone a little bit, try something fun and different. This is the place to take a chance and try something. And you take a sip if you don’ t like it, you dump it out,” said Tur ner

Hailstorm’s chili mango hazy IPA won over many attendees willing to give it a try. T he fest gives awards to the best in show. This year, Casa Humilde was the big winner for their Mexican lage r. Haymarket Brewery came in second for their raspber ry sour.

“We were really interested in creating a fundraising event that would draw just sort of re gular mainstream folks, in this case, folks who happened to love craft beer,” Cuneen said. “It is a vehicle for us to reach people outside of ‘the choir’ and to expose them to a zero-waste event and other sustainability components.”

Local delega democracy

What Oak P nvention

By JESSICA MORDACQ Contributing ERIKA HOBBS Editor in chief

Dele gates and Democrats from around the area celebrated this week after President Joe Biden officially passed the torch to Kamala Har ris, the party’s presidential nominee.

“The United Center was a sight to behold,” said Hoskins, an Illinois dele gate and mayor of looked like America. Every age, shape, religious tradition, race and gender was re presented.”

Although Hoskins attended the 2020 DNC virtuall his first time attending in person. He said he ing elected officials and community leaders from around the country and catching up with those he’d met before Hoskins added that he also he was unexpectedly to the Clinton Reunion, where he saw Fo Bill Clinton speak on his birthday Aug. 19. He said he met several people there who have served the Clintons and also have ties to Forest Park, River Forest or Oak Park.

“This reminded me of how special our tri-village community is,” Hoskins said.

Re p. La Shawn Ford of Illinois’ 8th District told Growing Community Media that “Biden’s speech resonated with his deep love for our country.”

“His words reflected a lifetime of dedication to public service,” he said, “emphasizing the importance of upholding democracy and protecting our freedoms from threats like Donald Trump With unwavering faith in Vice President Harris, Biden conveyed a strong belief in her ability to lead the charge against Trump and safeguard our nation’s future.”

“This election,” he added, “marks a significant shift from traditional party lines, as it is no longer Democrats versus Republicans, but a collective effort, with the support of some Republicans, to stand against Donald Trump and preserve our democracy.”

River Forest Village Trustee Erika Bachner planned to attend Tuesday’s Celebramos: Nuestra Voz y Nuestro Voto rece ption hosted by the Ilinois Latino Agenda and Hispanic Federation.

And Anan Abu-Taleb, a for mer Oak Park mayor who was born in Gaza, organized a ceasefire demonstration with Richard Goldwasser, a Highland Park attorney and a Jewish American. Together, they held morning runs along Chicago’s lakefront and invited supporters to join them before DNC events began.

Victor and Iris Yipp of Oak Park are assisting visitors in getting from Chicago Midway International Airport to their hotels. They said their experience has been filled with both excitement and disappointment.

Last week, the Yipps were trained at Midway Airport to help get attendees with disabilities from the airport to their hotels.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Yipps were supposed to be at Midway from 3 to 8 p.m. But their day quickly became discouraging.

Attendees ock to the United Center for the convention.

“Saturday was a bit frustrating, but perhaps understandable for such a large and complex undertaking such as the DNC,” Victor Yipp said. “Due to overbooking of volunteers and some miscommunication, when we arrived at Midway, we were told there was no work for us.”

So, the couple were sent to O’Hare International Airport instead, where they received a quick training and were assigned to take an attendee to their Chicago hotel. But after roaming through baggage claim with a name sign, the couple couldn’t find the attendee.

“Turns out the airline employee who took them from the plane to the baggage claim was told by the guest to take them to the taxi stand,” Yipp said. “So, we missed them altogether.”

Lisa Cherivtch of Oak Park also is volunteering at the DNC as a food rescue coordinator on Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m. and an eco-educator on Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., both at McCormick Place. She will be volunteering for hotel hospitality on F riday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“I’m excited to be part of history,” Cherivtch said in an email. “I’m a re gistered Re publican who switched parties because I’m disappointed with my party’s choice of candidate, and I’m committed to getting Kamala elected.”

DNC organizers Tuesday acknowledged the delay in the first night’s programming at the United Center that knocked singer James Taylor of f the agenda and caused President Joe Biden to wrap up just before 11:30 p.m., nearly an hour-and-a-half past when programming was meant to end.

“Because of the raucous applause inter rupting speaker after speaker, we ultimately skipped elements of our program to ensure we could get to President Biden as quickly as possible so that he could speak directly to the American people,” convention officials said. “We are proud of the

nvention hall and proud that wcasing the broad and diverse coalition behind the Harris-Walz ticket throughout the week on

amming was expected to start a half-hour earlier

Despite the long night Monday, and a problem with security equipment that caused members of the press to wait in long entrance lines, the convention by most accounts

Protestors who breached a perimeter quickly detained and there were few

fic, with additional rolling streets closures and acfor motorcades, were a headache for travelrecommended that drivers use its

brings what all participants are ce President Kamala Harris will give her nominee acceptance speech as the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate. Congressman Davis is holding a watch party at the same time

To close out the DNC, there will be a Democratic National Committee meeting on Friday, Aug. 23 at McCormick Place.

What ’s left?

Plenty.

According to DNC officials, each day was assigned a theme. On Wednesday, it’s “A Fight for Our Freedoms,” and Thursday is “For Our Future.”

Caucus meetings, or meetings of specific groups such as the Black or Hispanic caucuses, run most of the day Wednesday. Other meetings are held Thursday. Main programming starts at 6 p.m.

You can livestream most of those meetings: https:// d emconv ention.com/schedule/?e v ent_d ay =3& ev ent_ type=main-programming

Laughs

The Daily Show is taping live in Chicago this week. Key Democratic politicians are slated to be interviewed on the show, but so is Chance the Rapper. Expect to see him Wednesday night.

Can’t get enough?

Here’s how you can follow the DNC online.

■ Watch caucuses on the DNC’s YouTube page

■ Watch speeches at DemConvention.com

Stay with Wednesday Journal online as we blog live from the event. And don’t forg et to message jessica@austinweeklynews.com for any news tips you might have or to share your personal experience with the DNC.

JESSICA MORDACQ

Prairie School kindergarten-turnedhome hits the market in Brook eld Homes

3601 Forest Avenue, Brook eld

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

In the early 1900’s the near-west suburbs of Chicago were a hotbed of architectural innovation. Young Frank Lloyd Wright was designing homes in and around his Home and Studio in Oak Park and his studio nurtured the talents of many prominent architects and designers.

One of Wright’s grandest designs, the Avery Coonley House in Riverside, sparked more Prairie Style buildings in the suburbs. Built between 1908 and 1912, the estate is just one of three multi-building complexes built by Wright.

Avery Coonley’s wife Queene Ferry Coon-

ley was a proponent of early childhood education, and she had Wright design a playhouse for her young daughter on the grounds of their estate. That playhouse later became a functioning school. After bringing early childhood education to Riverside, Coonley set her sights on other locales

In 1911, she hired Prairie School architect, William Drummond to design another schoolhouse at 3601 Forest Avenue in Brookfield. Drummond, who grew up on Central Avenue in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, worked for Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright. He later had his own architecture practice and built his family home in River Forest.

See BROOKFIELD HOME on pa ge 24

e owners replicated the original millwork and even shipped in the wood to recreate the look of the original trim.

BROOKFIELD HOME

Rare sale

from page 23

In Brookfield, the T-shaped school building Drummond designed included a large, central playroom, a small balcony on the west side of the main room and a brick fireplace on the east wall flanked by doors leading to a terrace overlooking a yard and Salt Creek.

The private kindergarten operated of f and on until 1929 when Coonley donated the building to District 95.

The building served as a recreation center until the 1940s but was condemned. Residents joined forces to maintain the building. In 1949, it was sold at auction to a Mr. and Mrs. O.J. Nichol from Oak Park, who paid $6,900 for the building and turned it into a private residence.

The house recently hit the market for $675,000 and realtor Jim Ongena of @properties Christies International said that his clients put in a lot of elbow grease to maintain the historic property and bring back much of its historical essence while also making it into a family home.

Ongena’s clients bought the house out of foreclosure, and their love of architecture led them to undertake a meticulous resto-

VILL AG E OF BROOKFIELD

e T-shaped school building featured a large central playroom, shown in this photo

ration of the home. Over time, it had been converted to a four-bedroom home with a small galley kitchen and bedrooms carved out of the central room.

Armed with Drummond’s floor plans, the couple restored the grand central room, and relocated the kitchen, creating an open kitchen at the base of the balcony.

Ongena said that they paid attention to every detail, re plicating the original millwork and having the wood shipped in to recreate the look of the original wood trim. The design of the concrete floor with gold inlay was pulled from historic photos of the space.

Every window that they could save, they

did, including the original windows on the front of the home.

“What they could save, they did, and what they had to match, they did,” Ong ena said.

Throughout the restoration, they relied on historically appropriate materials from soapstone counters to light fixtures to paint colors, as well as the oak, pine and walnut woods used throughout the home.

“This was their passion,” Ongena pointed out. “They didn’t gut rehab this because they wanted to save as much as possible, but they did so much to this house.”

For their ef forts, the couple was rewarded with the Kristin Visser Historical Preservation Award that is given every other year to honor the renovation of a Frank Lloyd Wright or Prairie School Building.

Previous owners had added a basement garage, which the current owners use as storage. The house sits on a double lot and has access to a kayak pull-in on Salt Creek.

After all of their work, Ongena said his clients’ f amily has outg rown the home, but they are ready to pass it on to the next caretaker

While the home has many of the benefits of a traditional ranch house, including an open floor plan and first-floor bedrooms and bathrooms, Ongena said that the home’s history makes it unique in the best way.

“It’s super cool to show and super cool to be here.”

COURTESY OF @PROPERTIES

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Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Who is the real Kamala Harris?

Vice President Harris is seeking the nation’s highest office but has failed to hold a single interview or press conference since starting her campaign (1). Harris has avoided the press like the plague, held rallies with the same stump speech, and is now attempting to rebrand herself.

On Ju ly 20 (the day before President Biden droppe d out of the race), Harris had a 38.6% approval rating (2). Did she become a better candidate? Hardly. CNN re po rt s, “In a de par ture from her presidential run in 2020, the Harris campaign has confir med that she’s move d aw ay from many of her more progressive stances, such as her i nterest in a single-paye r health insurance system and a ban on fracking” (3). Remember that in Kamala’s failed presidential campaign, she raised her hand during the June 27, 2019 debate to af fir m her o pposition to private health care (4). So it appears that Harris’ rise in popularity is due to appearin g more moderate.

JONATHAN PANTON

One View

Sure enough, Har ris showe d her true pr ogr essive nature by picking Tim Walz, a left-winger, wh o d escribes his progr essive values as “One person’s socialism is another person’s neighbo rl i ness” (5).

F irst, he signed the “Trans Re fuge Law, ” wh ich means that a Minnesota judge can we igh a parent’s refusal to “af fir m” their child as a ne gative factor in c ustody decisions ( 6) .

Second, Walz watched Minneapolis ignite for three days and cause $500 million in proper ty damage before calling in the National Guard during the 2020 George Fl oyd riots (7). Moreove r, a joint Minnesota S enate re po rt found that Walz waited 18 hours after the Minneapolis mayo r’s request for guard assistanc e before authorizing them, wh ich allowe d for a police precinct to bu rn (8).

Third, Walz misrep resented his military servic e record. In the wo rds of his fellow Minnesota Guardsman Thomas Behrend s, “On May 16th, 2005, [Walz] quit, betraying his countr y, leaving the 1-125th Field Ar tillery Battalion and its soldiers hanging without i ts senior Non-Commissioned Of ficer, as the battali on prep ared for war” (9). Waltz also falsely presented himself as a combat veteran by claiming, “We c an make sure those we apons of war, that I carried in

VIEWPOINTS

Shrubtown: Politics’s

Oak Park Film Festival

This September, Oak Parkers will be able to enjoy a new cultural tradition: The Oak Park Illinois Film Festival. Over the past couple of years, I have been for tunate enough to travel to numerous film festivals in several states, and even France, to re present a film I was in. As I went to these festivals, I found that some were much more enjoyable and well planned than others. I thought about how creative Oak Parkers are and that it would be the ideal place to have the ideal festival.

I knew this was not something I could do by myself. I put a couple notices on social media and called a meeting and waited to see if anyone would show up. Indeed they did. Nine people came. When we introduced ourselves, one person said, “I could create the website;” another said, “I can do editing,” etc. So I had a talented

group of people to work with who had the technical skills I lack. Now I knew that the festival was a possibility

The event grew as we went along. One board member, Mike Awe, suggested that we open with a Hollywood film in order to generate publicity and excitement. I thought that was a good idea as long as the film had an Oak Park connection. I created a list of Hollywood movies with Oak Park connections and was amazed at how long it was.

We wound up selecting The Abyss: Special Edition, which stars Oak Parker Mary Elizabeth Mastrantoni o. One of the many challenges we faced was finding and renting the right locations. We were able to rent the historic Lake Theatre. Classic Cinemas has been very helpful

e Abyss starring Oak Parker Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio

e art of writing a column

Paris

is fuming

Sedgwick Properties, the failed developer of the prime Lake and Lathrop site in River Forest, is playing the victim card. This fir m, with its tight ties to local power, is again suing the village of River Forest with a preposterous claim that it has been ill-treated.

Nonsense and pathetic.

River Forest’s village gover nment has been ridiculously generous with the many extensions it offered Marty Paris’ development fir m. Bad economy. COVID. Supply chain woes. We heard it all from Paris as he made one excuse after another to explain why he never managed to do more than pile a few cinder blocks together on a prime corner meant to be home to a four-story, 22-unit luxury condo and fancy restaurant project.

Paris blames everyone but himself for the now almost-decadelong debacle at Lake and Lathrop

Currently, Paris claims the village owes him a new building permit. Seems to us that when your bank files a foreclosure suit for contract violations and demands its $4.2 million back, when the court appoints a receiver to maintain and then sell the property, that we are officially past the point when the village can say, “Sure, Marty, let’s start fresh.”

Paris, in an earlier suit, already derailed plans by the receiver who had solicited bids for the site and turned up a livewire in Michigan Avenue Real Estate, the Jerry Reinsdorf firm. Reinsdorf, who runs a lousy baseball team but actually builds successful apartment projects, bid $3.75 million for the property.

It’s past time for Paris to take his lumps on this failed project and let River Forest get on with a worthy project at this too-longvacant cor ner.

Stopping Black pedestrians

Good for Oak Park village trustees Cory Wesley and Chibuike Enyia in raising questions about the latest batch of racially disproportionate pedestrian stops made by Oak Park police this past spring.

In that time frame, local officers stopped 66 pedestrians. The vast majority of those stops were of Black people and mostly Black men. Five arrests resulted from those 66 stops. Two were for shoplifting, one an active warrant, one an “assist to another agency,” and one for criminal trespass

“We’re taking on a lot more stops that seem to be on a bad trajectory for Black and brown individuals in Oak Park. I’m trying to figure out what is contributing to this,” Enyia challenged Police Chief Shatonya Johnson. She noted that 59 of the 66 stops resulted from a citizen making a call to police. Her officers, she said, respond to every call received. That leaves just 7 pedestrian stops initiated by officers.

A worthy question about why so many citizen calls specifically reference Black men: What bias and fear lead a citizen to re port a “suspicious person” who is almost always Black? We need some collective self-assessment to answer that question.

‘All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.” That was Ernest Hemingway’s advice for beginning a story. It works for column writing, too.

Last week, my colleague here at the Jour nal, Stacy Coleman, led a workshop on column writing for readers interested in contributing to our Viewpoints section, part of an ef fort to eventually expand the lineup of columnists for our newspapers here at Growing Community Media. To support that effort, I decided to write a column about … writing columns

KEN TRAINOR

Here’s some of what I’ve lear ned over the past 40 years of doing just that: First and foremost, don’t take gratuitous swipes at people (took me way too long to learn this). You can be critical without being unkind.

Don’t write angry. Don’t preach. Don’t scold. Don’t be self-indulgent. Readers will turn you off. Don’t spin your wheels getting started. Dive in First drafts suck. Don’t worry about it. Just write. You may not find your one true sentence until the first or second — or 10th — draft

When you get to the end of the first draft, go back and compose a headline. What is this column about? Distill it.

All real writing is rewriting, crafting. Take out what isn’ t necessary and add what is essential.

A sk yourself, “Why should the reader care about this? ”

Ask, “Why do I care about this?”

Ask, “Does it sound like I care about this?”

Use fewer words. This isn’t a word salad. It’s a garden. Weed your writing until it flowers, until it flows. Don’t try to be funny. Don’t try to make the reader feel something. Don’t try to be profound. Don’t try to be wise. Don’t try too hard. Let it come naturally. Ask yourself, “Is this just an ego trip or does it have wings?”

Reduce your presence. This isn’t just about you. Serve the story you’re telling

In choosing a topic, ask what’s most on readers’ minds that’s also most on your mind

What are you most motivated to write about? What’s not on readers’ radar that needs to be there? What injustice or insanity needs to be called out? What might make readers feel better in the midst of stressful times?

Is this topic a universal experience? It doesn’t have to be, but those topics tend to connect most with readers.

Never underestimate the power of pure whimsy. I won an award for a column on bird poop. Getting pooped on is close to a universal experience. Who

can’t find a metaphor in getting shat upon from above?

Don’t just react to “current events” and don’t just be a “culture critic.” Have something constructive to contribute Don’t sound like everyone else. There are already too many conventional thinkers in the media. Be distinctive Do some homework to inform your opinion. But not too much! We want to hear your slant on all this. If you have a point, get to it. Be personal, vulnerable, but not excessively confessional. This isn’t therapy (though it might be therapeutic)

Take a firm stand, but never assume you have all the answers — or any of the answers for that matter. Arrogance always leads to humbling. Believe me, I know.

Writing a column is a practice. It takes discipline and endurance. Even a monthly column swings around sooner than you think.

Ideally, readers will look forward to reading you, even when they disagree with you. Sometimes disagreeing with you is the reason they read it. If someone tells you what your writing means to them, treasure it. But that’s not why you do this. Do it because you have to. Why you have to is, frankly, kind of a mystery. One famous writer said, “I write because I’m good at it.” I write because I want to keep getting better at it. You won’t keep writing if you aren’t driven to improve.

You need at least one reader who tells you the truth and gives helpful feedback, even if it stings.

Go beyond your default vocabulary. Wait. A better word will usually surface (“surface,” fo r instance, is better than “come to you”). How you say something is just as important as what you say. No message is superior to inferior messaging . You can always say it better.

Pay attention to the world around you. Observe, describe, find metaphors hiding in the everyday A good column is a delivery system for delight. Be playful. That’s what words are for — that and, of course, communicating Don’t take it too seriously. This is a newspaper column, not the preamble to the Constitution. Take it just seriously enough.

Find poetry in the prosaic and the extraordinary in the ordinary. Put that in your one true sentence — even if you place it at the end instead of the beginning.

The goal isn’t to make your readers see things your way. On your best days, though, you might help readers think about something in a new way.

And when your column’s journey is over and your message is delivered, never leave your readers in any doubt that they have reached

The end

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

Let’s not drag our feet on reparations

Dear President Scaman and Village Trustees,

I strongly encourage you to move ahead immediately to implement the recommendations made by the Oak Park Reparations Task Force. The task force has already done the detailed work required for the village to craft a thoughtful and detailed apology (despite Trustee Robinson’s request for more research, which is unnecessary and is perceived as a delaying tactic). I believe that further delays will inflict additional emotional harm on the Black members of our community Let’s start being the change we want to see today If authorization is needed, please authorize Kevin Jackson to move forward on those parts of the recommendation that can be implemented immediately. While some items may take time to put in place, an apology should be issued in 2024 and other recommendations can get underway.

I’ve learned that the task force did not contact Faith Julian and therefore does not know her wishes re garding her home. I also now know that the village is in ongoing discussions with her. I’m grateful for this. I’m embarrassed that we put Percy Julian’s name on one of our middle schools while his daughter continues to struggle to save his home from a tax sale.

Please do continue to work with her and her niece to find a solution that allows her to continue to live in her home, free of this stress, and create a plan for the future to honor the accomplishments of both of her parents. We can do this in 2024, as well, if Ms. Julian is in agreement. Please understand that stalling and moving slowly can cause further harm. Let’s not drag our feet.

Kris Hansen, Oak Park

Beet carrot what you wish for

I am happy to report, from the front lines, that work has resumed on the site of the long awaited Pete’s Fresh Market. I am less enthused about the jack-hammering outside mine and my neighbors’ windows. Here’s to rutabagas and rude awakenings! Alexander Papadakis, Oak Park

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Viewpoints Guidelines

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

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

■ 350-word limit

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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 500-word limit

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

■ Signature details as at left

Aunderstorms and breakups

thunderstor m is a foreshadow of the unknown and the uncompromisable. When the skies get dark, and the sun hides behind the clouds, the world prepares for the inevitable. A storm is brewing.

It is spine-chilling, even terrifying, and it reminds me of my first break-up: The gloomy demeanor, the nonstop waterworks, even the roaring thunder heard throughout the land. Break-ups are dreadful and one of the hardest things to do.

However, like the thunderstorm, it is essential to our survival and growth. A thunderstorm keeps our ecosystem alive and thriving. It is what brings nur ture and balance to our world. A break-up, meanwhile, is a milestone everyone must complete to truly know what they are capable of: heartbreak and self-nurture.

ose mighty, bitey mites

Oak Park’s “Summer of Cicadas” had it all: a story of fortitude, transformation, and sex, capped of f with a tragic and inevitable ending. The story came with a soundtrack that ebbed and flowed from block to block.

Many natural phenomena pass us by in a city full of artificial light and miles of paving, but not this one. You just had to walk out of your house. In Maple Park, while kids played softball and parents cheered in lawn chairs, cicadas went about their evolutionary business, digging out of the soil, crawling up tree trunks, shedding their old bodies, emerging as red-eyed, orangewinged superheroes ready for a mate.

During June, a simple walk revealed cicada mysteries: myriad small holes at the base of mature shade trees, discarded exoskeletons latched on to tree bark, swarms of males singing to females high in the tree canopy. Great outdoor theater playing at a parkway near you.

When, at the end of July, the 17year periodical cicadas of Brood XIII stopped singing and their bodies piled up at the base of trees, I mourned their passing

However, we were not quite done with them.

During the night of Aug. 12, I felt intense itching on my arms and shoulders and woke to find numerous red blotches. These were not mosquito or other familiar insect bites. Two uncomfortable days later, my dermatologist asked where I lived. Oak Park. “Hmmm,” she said. “Dermatolog y message boards in the re gion have been lighting up. You’ re not alone.”

T he c ulprit? A tiny, biting mite that f eeds on eg gs de p osited by Brood X III cicada f emales on branches. After f eeding, the mites drop down and land on whoeve r or wh atever lies beneath them. This dropping down exp lains why bites o ccur on arms, neck, and shoulder s.

The good news is that cicada eggs hatch after six to 10 weeks, so biting mites should vanish once the new crop of cicada nymphs (Brood XIV!) hatches, falls from the trees, and burrows back into the soil to patiently and valiantly wait until 2041 to begin this revelry anew.

In the meantime, I apply 2.5% cortisone cream to my arms and wait for the next outdoor drama.

Karen Heller

CYLA Design Associates, Inc.

Landscape Architecture & Planning

T hunderstor ms can be calm and soothing, listening to the gentle raindrops cascading through the trees. Yet in an instant, a lightning bolt can flash through the sky so drastically, it seems to shake the Ea rt h to its ve ry core.

I think about lighting strik es as the memory flashes following a break-up. One moment you’re feeling OK and going along with your day when abruptly, a happy memory from your past relationship flashes through your mind, triggered by who knows what, but too late to matter anyway, the pain has already struck. Your heart feels heavy and shaken, down to your very core.

I wish I could re po rt that a break-up is

View

simple and straightforward, that healing is an ef for tless process, but I would be lying through my ke yboard. Movies emphasize the b eauty of love, just as they use a thunderstor m to foreshadow a dramatic twist in the story line. T hey say love is wh at makes the wo rl d go round but often forget to highlight the rough patches as well.

A breakup is confusing, terrifying, and an unsettling experience that most people avoid. Some days you start to feel OK, and it feels easier to move on. Other days, the weight of the world is on your shoulders, like a cartoon where a little thunderstorm cloud floats just above your head, ensuring you feel every drop of emotion.

At the end of the day, the best advice I can offer to anyone putting their hear ts back to g ether is to accept the rain. Acce pt the anger, and the sadness, and the mixe d emotions, and simply push through it. Yo u know the saying “Just ride out the stor m. ” T he same can be applied to the healing j ourney. Ta ke it day by day, ste p by ste p and you will see the skies lighten up. Th e roar of the water will calm to a gentle patter, the da rk clouds will slowly dissipate, and the lightning strikes will not be so surprising.

It may not feel li ke you will get ther e, but trust me — you will. You will find joys in the little things of life and rediscover your independence. Embark on new adventures and make new memories.

Don’t forget, after the storm comes the rainbow.

Why not let voters decide on term limits?

Recently a group of River Forest residents circulated a petition in support of term limits for local elections. The petition garnered enough signatures to get on the ballot this November so residents can decide.

I read with interest a recent letter to the editor by Carolyn Kilbride, which stated that imposing term limits on the elected position of president penalizes residents. She went on to state the democratic process allows residents to vote in or out candidates and imposing term limits circumvents that process.

I tend to ag ree. That is why I am completely confused to learn that the same Carolyn Kilbride has filed a challenge to the petition in order to keep it of f the November ballot. I would think she would be in favor of allowing the democratic process to play out.

Shouldn’t we be allowed to see what the residents want, term limits or no term limits? Why mount a legal challenge to circumvent the process?!

PROVIDED

Cicadas don’t bite, but mites do

David Er fort River Forest

Block clubs build communi ty

My block held its annual block club party this past Saturday.

I’ve lived on my block for 35 years now. Over those years, the block has held up ag ainst the test of decline. I feel one of the biggest problems within the Austin community is that the individual homes do not maintain the level of street appeal that attracted people here to begin with.

JONES

As a group, block clubs can help establish/maintain the kind of environment that is conducive to a positive block.

I can still recall attending my firs t block club meeting. One of the items on the agenda was getting light poles installed in the front yards for every house. Having just spent all the money I had buying the house, that was not something I wanted to hear. We never did it as a block. But I ended up doing it years later.

I eventually got to know about my new neighbors — they were school teachers, of fice workers, factory workers and retired folks. Our com-

monality: we are people who had purchased our homes looking for a better, per manent life.

Fast forward to the present, and over 30% of my block has lived here for 30plus years. That shows a lot of commitment to the home, the block and the neighborhood. And it hasn’t always been easy We’ve had to battle people who moved in with the goal of making the block the same kind of hot mess that they left.

Block clubs are important for a community. As the current president of my block club said, it’s not about being a nosy neighbor; it is about being neighborly. It’s about keeping an eye out so that negative things are ke pt away from our block. It’s about living together because that is what we do

If you don’t have a block club, get one started. If you do have a block club, get involved in it.

Arlene Jones is a resident of the Austin neighborhood of Chica go and a columnist for our sister publication, the Austin Weekly News.

JOYCE PORTER

from page 27

in many ways, including navig atin g the difficult challenge of getting the rights to show the film. That evening , T hursd ay, Sept. 12, will feature a red-ca rp et atmosphere, with photos in front of a backdrop and speaker s before the film.

T he following Saturday, at Madison Street Theater, we will present the inde p endent film festiv al, showing some of the films that we re submitted for judging. There will also be a p anel, Q&As, breakfast for all, and a g uest speaker who is flying in from C alifo rn ia

We did not know, of course, how many films would be submitted. When asked for a guesstimate, I gave the hopeful number of 25. After all, no one knew about us at that point, and we limited it to films with an Oak Park c onnection of some kind. It turned out we had 61 entries! Many more than we

JONATHAN PANTON

from page 27

war, are only carried in war” (10).

Don’t be fooled. Harris is the same person who attacked Robert Hur’s re port as “gratuitous, inaccurate and inappropriate” over Hur’s findings that President Biden had a poor memory (11).

So who is the real Kamala Harris?

Jonathan Panton is a Ri v er Fo rest resident.

S ources:

1) Harris and the press, https://www foxnews.com/media/19-days-kamalaharris-has-not-held-press-conferencesince-emerging-presumptive -democrati c-nominee

2) Harris approval rating, https:// projects.f ivethi rt ye ight.com/polls/approval/kamala-harris

3) Harris poli cy positions, https:// www.cnn.com/interactive / 2024/08/ p olitics/kamala-harris-key-issues-dg

4) Har ris Medicare for All, https:// www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020election/kamala-har ris-walks-backher- hand-moment-health-insurance-

c ould show.

Planning the f estival has b een a much bigger challenge than I ever imagined. It has almost b een a f ulltime jo b. W hen we started, we had no f unding and b oard members j ust pu t expenses, such as printing, on thei r charge card s.

Fo r tunately, the village c ould see the value of the f estival and gave us seed money. We also rece ived sponsorshi p from Hoyne Bank and seve r al smaller d onor s. Madison Street T heater ag reed to be our fiscal sponsor so we c ould attain nonprofit status. Board member s p ut in tremendous wo rk . The Chamber of Commerce helped T here is a cliché that “It takes a village,” wh ich is appropriate in this c ase in more ways than one Fo r info rm ation or tickets go to our we bsite o pil ff.org. While there, you ca n sign up for the email newsletter. It ’s exciting, and I hope to see a lot of Oak Pa rkers there.

Jo y ce Po rter is the founder and pre sident of the board of the Oak Pa rk Illinois Film Festival

d emocratic-n1024756

5) Tim Waltz socialism comment, https://www.realclear p olitics.com/ video/2024/08/06/gov _tim_walz_on_ wh i te_dudes_for_kamala_harris_call_ one_persons_socialism_is_another persons_neighbo rl i ness html

6) Trans Re fuge Law, https://patch c om/minnesota/saintpaul/gov-timwalz-mn-trans-refugee-law- wh at-know

7) George Fl oyd riots, https://www. foxnews.com/politics/minnesota-riotsc ontinued-after- walz-took-responsibility-ensure-wouldnt-chaos

8) Jo i nt Re po rt , https://g azette.com/ news/wex/tim-walz-s-complicatedrecord-on-crime-comes-back-to-haunthim/article_7592ea3c-ace3-5504-891a0a64d58518f c. html

9) Tim Walz stolen valor, https:// nypost.com/2024/08/06/us-news/ve eppick-tim-walz-is-a-traitor- to-nationalg uard-source

10) Tim Walz we apons of war https://nypost.com/2024/08/08/usnews/all-of-tim-walzs-military-serviceembellishments-from-claiming-he-carried- we apons-in-war- to-making-peoplethink-he-de ployed-to-afghanistan

11) Ro be rt Hur re po rt , https://www p olitico.com/news/2024/02/09/bidenhur-special-counsel-harris-00140744

OBITUARIES

David Crumbaugh, 72

Attorney, history bu

David Gordon Crumbaugh, 72, of Boca Grande, Florida, died on Aug. 15, 2024 in Coloma, Michigan surrounded by family. He was a brother, husband, father, grandfather, attorney, and mentor. Born in Le Roy, Illinois on Oct. 1, 1951 to Wendell and Joreece Crumbaugh, he graduated from Le Roy High School in 1969, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science in 1973 from Illinois State University and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois in 1976. He began his law career at Winston & Strawn before joining Latham & Watkins, from which he retired in 2017. He was acknowledged by his peers as an outstanding attorney in creditor, banking, and finance law.

served as chair for two of his seven years on the River Forest Community Center board of governors. He was honored with the Heart of Gold Award by Hephzibah Children’s Association in 2015. He was a member of the Commercial Finance Association, including work on the executive committee, for 25 years. He served as chair of the Career Transitions Center of Chicago, for which he was awarded the Annual Legacy Award in 2017.

David is survived by his three children, whom he shared with his for mer wife, Kathleen Redpath of River Forest: Brian Crumbaugh (Annalise), Lindsey Crumbaugh (Elliot Hayes), and Kathryn Crumbaugh (Mark Viera). He is also survived by his wife, Mary Jo Bollero and two ste pchildren, Jason Carr (Jane) and Rachel Carr; his seven grandchildren, Ramiel Dunn, Pirie Crumbaugh, Wesley Hayes, Grace Hayes, T heodore Viera, Henry Crumbaugh, and Elouise Carr; and his siblings, Steven Crumbaugh (Bonnie) and Carol Vance.

A celebration of life to honor his memory will be held on Oct. 26 at the Oak Park Country Club from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lois Sanders, 89

Memorial Mass for Si ster Teresita Weind

All are welcome, 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 24 at St. Catherine of Siena-St. Lucy Church, a memorial Mass will be celebrated, followed by a rece ption celebrating the life and ministry of Sister Tere sita Weind.

Father David Jones will preside at the Mass. Many parishioners who serve the parish when Sr. Tere sita served on the St. Catherine of Siena staf f will participate as lector cantors, service ministers and ushers/

greeters. Music will be provided by choir members from the Oak Park Catholic parishes and Rev. Elliot Wimbush who did retreats with Sr. Teresita. Many priests who served the parish when they spent their deacon year at the parish before their ordination have been invited to attend as well. Parking is available in the parish lots on the Chicago and Oak Austin and on adjacent streets. All are welcome.

After retiring, he continued to pursue his fascination with Abraham Lincoln and Civil War history. He loved Lake Michigan, and said his best days were having a morning cup of coffee in Chicago and an evening glass of wine in Michigan. He was inducted into the College of Arts and Science Hall of Fame at Illinois State University in 2017, where he established the Thomas Eimermann Professorship and the Thomas Eimermann Pre-Law Advisement Center in honor of his college mentor. He

Building inspec tor, reunion coordinator

Lois Popken Sanders, 89, of Jacksonville, for merly of Glendale Heights and Oak Park, died on Aug. 13, 2024, at Cedarhurst of Jacksonville. Born on March 24, 1935 in Oak Park, she was the daughter of Roland and Ethel (Arries) Popken. She graduated from Oak Park and River Forest High School, then attended Northwestern for one year She be gan her working career at Marshall

Field’s in Oak Park. her children were young, she volunteered at their school; as a candy-striper West Suburban Hospital, and in many capacities with First United Methodist Church. She then returned to the force, selling real estate; as a building inspector for lage of Oak Park; and rehabbing houses. For many years she helped coordinate her high school class reunions, tracking down and keeping in close contact with many

She was a founding member of Wild Women (let your imagination go there) and coordinated many Woodbine Avenue block parties.

Lois is survived by one daughter, Alison (Chris) Yording, and their children, Colin

(Ashley) Yording, Erica (Mike) lson, and Quinn (Hayley) rding; her son, David Feddeler and his daughter Tessa ddeler; and four great grandchildren, Emerson Yording, Harper Yording, Jack Wilson and Rustin Wilson. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bud Popken (surviving wife, Gayle); and uth Dietel; and previous husFeddeler and Robert Sanders. Cremation rites have been accorded and the family will hold a celebration of life in Oak Park at a later date.

Memorial gifts are suggested to First United Methodist Church of Oak Park Williamson Funeral Home in Jacksonville handled arrangements. Condolences may be sent at www.airsman-hires.com.

SPORTS

OPRF boys golf tees o strong

Huskies win their own invitational and place second at Payton-Jones

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys’ golf team couldn’t have asked for a better start to its 2024 season.

Following a second-place finish in the season-opening Payton-Jones Invitational, Aug. 16, the Huskies won their own quad invitational, held Aug. 17 at Indian Boundary Golf Course, with a team score of 295 strokes. OPRF coach Bill Young says it’s the school’s lowest score since he has been leading the program.

“We played pretty well,” he said. “It’s still early, but we had good days.”

At Payton-Jones, the Huskies finished second with a score of 303, just one stroke behind champion Evanston Township. Individually, junior Luke Roberts and senior Reese Brotman (two of OPRF’s three returnees from last year) tied for fifth with rounds of 74, while junior James Kelly tied for seventh with a round of 76.

The following day at Indian Boundary, Roberts won medalist honors with a round of 71. Kelly and classmate Griffin Lane carded rounds of 74 to finish in a three-way tie for second with Payton’s Henry O’Toole. Junior Adam Dominowski tied for sixth with a 76, and senior Charles Newman (the Huskies’ other returnee) took eighth with a 77.

“That’s Luke’s first time breaking par at OPRF,” Young said. “It’s his third year on varsity so he’s more experienced than anyone else. He’s off to a good start.”

In addition to Dominowski, Kelly, and Lane, OPRF’s other varsity newcomers are junior Hugh Dwyer and sophomores Karsten Davis, Jackson Dodd, and Will Timchak.

“Jackson finished All-Conference last year in the West Suburban Silver junior-varsity tournament,” Young said. “Will shot 81 on Friday and 80 on Saturday. Karsten shot in the low 80s this weekend. All of them have been working hard and they’ve steadily improved. They’re letting the

other guys know they need to improve as well. This “inhouse” competition makes us a better team because they have to push one another.”

OPRF will need all hands on deck to take on a rigorous schedule this fall. The Huskies have a quad with Evanston, Lake Forest, and New Trier, something Young calls “a big test for us,” followed by the Champaign Invitational and the Lake Park Invitational.

Then there’s the always-tough WSC Silver to deal with. Young said Downers Grove North, Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Lyons Township, and York all return plenty of strong players.

“We’re going to have to play our best just to have a chance against those teams,” he added. “[But] I’m really excited about this team. We have 10 young men who are really committed to improving.”

Fenwick returns experienced squad

With 15 returnees from last season’s IHSA Class 2A De La Salle regional championship team, head coach Jerry Kribs likes how Fenwick is looking this fall.

“The team has four new players in the top six,” he said. “We have a lot of potential.”

Junior Luke Sherlock placed fourth at re gional with a round of 74, while sophomore Grant Hickman tied for eighth with 76. Kribs will rely on their experience to help guide the Friars.

Two newcomers to watch are seniors Michael Carmignani and Luke Nowicki, both of whom Kribs feels have a chance to be solid contributors.

Fenwick’s other golfers are seniors Erich Kosch, Charlie Shishman, and Timmy Woods; juniors Ryan Brennan, Johnny Cox, Aidan Haefner, Mack Hamilton, Conor Hanley, and Michael McMahon; sophomores Clayton Dine, Alex Kulisek, Alec Lozano, Danny O’Donoghue, Jay Raber,

Rogala takes the reins from longtime coach

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

C AROL DUNNING

Junior Adam Dominowski tees o at the OPRF Boys Golf Quad Invite, held at Indian Boundary, Aug. 17. Dominowski tied for sixth individually with a 76 to help the Huskies win the team title

As usual, the Friars have a tough schedule

“The Providence Catholic Invitational on Sept. 7 is always a good measuring stick against other top programs,” Kribs said.

The Chicago Catholic League meet is Sept. 23 at Co g Hill in Lemont. Kribs says Loyola Academy is the team to beat, and he also views Marmion Academy, Providence, St. Francis, and St. Ignatius as top contenders.

“We want to have continuing improvement throughout the season with the goal of peaking during the state series,” Kribs said.

New era begins for Fenwick girls tennis

For the first time since the program was established in 1992, the Fenwick High School girls’ tennis team has someone new leading the way. Ron Rogala takes over this year for Gerard Sullivan, who retired from coaching after 32 seasons guiding the Friars.

“It’s an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to continue coach Sullivan’s

le gacy,” Rogala said. “I look forward to building on the foundation he laid.”

There’s a good chance that Rogala will experience success in his debut season, given that Fenwick returns 10 players. Seniors Rachel Abraham, Lily Brecknock, and Megan Trifilio were key contributors on the Friars’ 2022 Class 1A state champi-

onship team (Brecknock was also the singles champion) and provide experienced leadership.

Other varsity members are seniors Caroline Gruber, Elle Karls, Mia Menendez, and Lily Claire Nottestad; juniors Madeline

See TENNIS on pa ge 34

Fenwick girls golf primed for solid seasons

Huskies, Friars return plenty of experience

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

L ast year at the IHSA C lass 2A St. Ignatius re gional, the Oak Pa rk and Rive r Fo rest High School girls g olf team edged out r unner-up Fenwick by three strokes to win the team title.

This year, both the Huskies and Friars return several play ers and look poised to enjoy successful campaigns again.

OPRF

The Huskies are of f to a solid start to this season. On Aug. 17, OPRF finished seventh at the Midlothian Challenge, hosted by Providence Catholic, with a score of 186. The event was shortened to nine holes due to excessive rainfall.

Sophomore Nadia Vattana (round of 40) and senior Isabel Stickney (43) gained medalist honors. They are two of five returnees from last season. Another returnee, senior Jane Sounders, made the West Suburban Silver all-conference team.

Oak Park-River Forest’s Nadia Vattana chips to the green during a match at Flag g Creek Golf Course against Lyons Township Monday, Aug. 19, 2024 in Countr yside.

Newcomers to watch for the Huskies are junior Courtney Moore and senior Jenny Keane. Others on OPRF’s varsity are seniors Abby Dwyer, Ava Fischer, and Molly Medland; and sophomores Chaya Shah-Hempel and Lu Wojtowicz. On Aug. 19, OPRF lost a highly competitive match against Lyons Township by three strokes, 166 to 169.

“I think we will be pretty competitive in the conference again this year and have a great shot to advance to sectionals as a team,” said OPRF coach Matt McMurray. “I’ve been impressed with the girls’ preparation and motivation, despite losing seven seniors from last year’s roster.”

Other OPRF schedule highlights are the Decatur Eisenhower Invitational September 24, held at Hickory Point Golf Course, the site of this year’s IHSA state champion-

TENNIS

from page 33

Cheronis, Katie McCarthy, Olivia Pere zZuleta, and Sydney Woitel; and sophomore Emma Louderback.

“I’m just getting to know the girls,” Rogala said. “So far, I admire their willingness to listen to a new voice, their competitive spirit, and their sense of humor. As I get to know the team, I expect each player will contribute to our overall success. We’re focused on this season and not dwelling on past success.”

ship, and the annual crosstown showdown with Fenwick, Se pt. 24, at Oak Park Country Club.

The WSC Silver meet is Sept. 25. McMurray says perennial state power Hinsdale Central is the favorite, with Downers Grove North, Lyons Township, and York also fielding strong teams.

“Our goal is to finish top three in the conference and defend our re gional title,” he added.

McMurray also would like to see at least one individual qualify for the state meet. He believes Vattana has a good chance after missing last year’s cut by two strokes.

“I’m proud of these players, most of whom are in their first year on varsity, for improving in the offseason,” McMurray said. “I’m excited to see what this new generation can accomplish this season.”

Some of Fenwick’s top invitationals are at Hinsdale Central, Sept. 14; York, Sept. 21; and at OPRF, Oct. 5.

“We approach each match, whether invitational or d ual, as a top match,” Rog ala said.

The Friars have won the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference championship three consecutive seasons, and Rogala believes they’ll be in the title chase again, along with Loyola Academy and St. Ignatius.

“The program’s goal is to improve every day. If we meet that goal, the results will take care of themselves,” Rogala said. “I am excited to get started, and I’m looking forward to watching a lot of good tennis.”

Fenwick

enwick returns 15 golfers from last year’s squad, which rowly missed going downstate via a tiebreaker. Hower, the Friars need to re place Kathryn Sweeney, a fourear varsity golfer who was last year’s re gional medalist.

“We feel we have one of our strongest teams under my tenure,” said Fenwick coach Michael Trankina. “We’re much deeper than last year, and many of our mid-level golfers have stepped up and are able to add quality scores to our varsity matches.”

enwick’s top four golfers are sophomore Mairin Sweeney, Kathryn’s younger sister who was a downstate qualifier (tie for 70th, 175 at the state meet), and seniors Emma Maria Bassett, Megan Grote, and Olivia Tsitovich. Newcomers to keep an eye on are freshmen Lila Gaddipati and Madeline Roginski; sophomore Noel Gallery; juniors Kate and Maddy Cox; and senior Molly Mullen.

The Friars’ challenging schedule is highlighted by matches against OPRF and St. Ignatius. But Trankina is really looking forward to the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference meet, Sept. 23, at Winnetka Golf Club.

“I am really aiming for a strong showing at the conference championship,” he said. “I don’t feel like we’ve played to our potential the last few years and we’re really working toward a better outcome.”

Loyola Academy figures to be the GC AC favorite, with Fenwick, Mother McAuley, and St. Ignatius the main challengers. Fenwick wants to qualify for the state tournament as a team and is hopeful Mairin Sweeney can finish higher than last year, potentially making the All-State team. The Friars would also like to win the GCAC junior-varsity championship.

“Is that aiming too high? I don’t think so,” Trankina said. “I have confidence in this team. We have some tougher competition on our schedule to get us prepped; we’re playing on quality golf courses. But mostly, I want our seniors to finish out their high school careers with no regrets, giving their all at every round.”

OPRF

T he Huskies return 10 players from last season, which ended with a tie for second place in the West Suburban Silver with York

Sophomore Lucy Stein advanced downstate in singles, winning her first two matches, then winning two more matches after losing in the third round before finally ending her r un in the consolation quarterfinals.

OPRF’s other returnees are seniors Alice Cadwell, Marin Chambers, Anika Gupta, Sophia Lynn, Maeve Marzec, Baylee Piasecki, and Sophie Welch; junior Maria

Clara Lau; and sophomore Ava Lebovitz. Newcomers for the Huskies are seniors Josie Badrinath and Penelope Kong; juniors Teresa Cronin, Adalyn Dunphey, Mia Kircher, and Zoe Panton; and freshman Ella Rangsithienchai.

OPRF hosts its invitational, Oct. 5, with Fenwick among the teams participating. The Huskies also have top invitationals at Deerfield, Se pt. 7, and at Prospect, Se pt. 28.

Perennial state power Hinsdale Central figures to be once again the team to beat in the WSC Silver, with OPRF competing with Downers Grove North, Glenbard West, Lyons Township, and York for a topthree finish.

STEVE JOHNSTON

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION

NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT

MORTGAGE SERVICING

Plaintiff, -v.-

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

Defendants

2023 CH 02946

812 HUGH MUIR LN MAYWOOD, IL 60153

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 10, 2024, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on September 11, 2024, 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 812 HUGH MUIR LN, MAYWOOD, IL 60153

Property Index No. 15-02-322-0160000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $183,864.65.

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

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

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN 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 CHAD LEWIS, ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS,

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

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

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

ROBERTSON ANSCHUTZ

SCHNEID CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC

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

E-Mail: ILMAIL@RASLG.COM

Attorney File No. 22-087686

Attorney ARDC No. 6306439

Attorney Code. 65582

Case Number: 2023 CH 02946

TJSC#: 44-1885

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2023 CH 02946 I3249923

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS

Notice is hereby given by the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest, Cook County, Illinois, that sealed bids will be accepted for:

PUBLIC WORKS INTERIOR REMODEL

The Village of River Forest is seeking qualified and responsive contractors to complete restoration work at the Public Works Facility office area. The work includes but is not limited to floor replacement, wall removal and replacement along with other items necessary to complete the work.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Friday, September 20, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at:

Public Works Department, 2nd Floor Village of River Forest 400 Park Avenue River Forest, IL 60305

The bid proposals will be publicly opened and read at that time. Proposals will be considered not only on the basis of cost, but also on past performance, experience and ability to perform the work.

No bid shall be withdrawn after the opening of the Proposals without the consent of the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of River Forest for a period of thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of the bid opening.

The Village of River Forest reserves the right in receiving these bids to waive technicalities and reject any or all bids.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 21, 2024

to Solicit Bids

Advertisement

Notice is hereby given by the Executive Director of Housing Forward, 1851 South 9th Avenue, Maywood, Illinois, that bids will be received for the following improvements at The Write Inn located at 211 North Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302: Roof membrane replacement, Roof insulation and Masonry Tuckpointing

Bids will be received until 5:00PM, Central Standard Time on August 30, 2024, and emailed to RFP@iff. org. Please direct all bid proposals to Ann Panopio.

The bidding forms and documents will be available to request here (https://iff.org/rfps/). The owner, and owner’s representative have been authorized to refuse to issue plans, specifications and proposals to any person, form or corporation that they consider to be unqualified. Proposal must be submitted on the forms provided.

The bidder is specifically advised that Housing Forward is a Subrecipient of the Village of Oak Park of a grant pursuant to the Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, pursuant to an agreement entered between the Village of Oak Park and Housing Forward. Further, the work must adhere to federal labor compliance requirements (Davis Bacon). Housing Forward and Village of Oak Park have a preference to qualifying Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. Contractors are expected to make their best effort in maximizing participation.

NOTE: No contracts will be awarded unless the contractor is actively registered with the “System for Award Management (SAM)” and permitted to work, certified by the Village of Oak Park.

Project Team: Owner: Housing Forward Owner’s Representative: IFF Architect: LBBA

Summary of Work – The project includes all work described in the Bid Documents including but not limited to all required site prep, scaffolding, temporary shoring, demolition, removal and appropriate disposal of waste materials, replacement, or repair of existing materials to remain, cleaning, and confirmation of water-tight enclosure for all areas of work. This work should be coordinated with Owner to minimize impact to Owner’s operations.

Published in Wednesday Journal July 31, August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR TERMINATION OF PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP

SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN MARICOPA COUNTY Juvenile Department

PARENT/GUARDIAN NAME(S):

Jennifer Elaine Ciszek-Gill – Mother

Joshua William Clark - Father

Case Number JS22090

Petitioner

Jennifer Elaine Ciszek-Gill

In the Matter of Minor(s):

Levi William Clark 05/02/2007

This is an important notice from the court. Read it carefully.

A petition about termination of parent-child relationship has been filed with the court, and a hearing has been scheduled related to your child(ren). Your rights may be affected by the proceedings. You have a right to appear as a party in the proceeding.

If you fail to participate in the court proceedings, the court may deem that you have waived your legal rights and admitted to the allegations made in the petition. Hearings may go forward in your absence and may result in the termination of your parental rights.

Judicial Officer:

Honorable Thomas Marquoit

Hearing Date/Time: September 3, 2024 @ 9:30am (AZ time)

Hearing Type:

Publication Hearing

Location:

Court Connect Remote Appearance ***video appearance preferred

Court Connect Hearing: Yes Video: https://tinyurl.com/jbazmc-juj07 Phone (917)781-4590, Participant Code 764 718 766 #

How can I prepare for the hearing? Any supporting documentation must be filed with the Clerk of Court at least seventy-two hours in advance of the set hearing date.

If I have questions or concerns who can I contact?

For questions concerning filing, please contact the Clerk of Court at (602) 372-5375. For questions about the hearing, contact the Juvenile Department at (602) 506-4533, Option 2 to reach the assigned Judicial Officer’s staff. If you have legal questions, seek legal counsel.

Docket Code: NOTJS Rev 09/27/23

Published in Wednesday Journal August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024

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: G24000358on July 29, 2024 Under the Assumed Business Name of DAYBREAK REIKI with the business located at: 367 BLYTHE RD, RIVERSIDE, IL 60546. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JILL GEHRING 367 BLYTHE RD RIVERSIDE, IL 60546, USA

Published in RB Landmark August 7, 14, 21, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids for 3 Dell PowerEdge R760XD2 Servers. The full bid document can be obtained from the Village website www.oak-park.us.

Bids will be accepted until August 30, 2024 5PM Central.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 21, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park will receive bids for 1 Dell PowerEdge R660 Server. The full bid document can be obtained from the Village website www.oak-park.us.

Bids will be accepted until August 30, 2024 5PM Central.

Published in Wednesday Journal August 21, 2024

LEGAL NOTICE

The Village of Oak Park --Office of the Village Engineer, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302-- will receive electronic proposals until 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, Septmebr 5, 2024 for Project: 24-15, Bike Boulevard Pavement Marking and Signage Improvements. Bids will be received and accepted, and bid results posted via the online electronic bid service listed below. In general, the improvements consist of: the installation of pavement markings including polyurea, Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), and thermoplastic; the fabrication and installation of signs and telescoping steel sign supports; concrete sidewalks and curbs; installation of RRFB systems; and all appurtenant work thereto.

Plans and proposal forms may be obtained via the electronic service starting on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. Plans and proposal forms can be found at https://www. oak-park.us/your-government/ budget-purchasing/requestsproposals or at www.questcdn. com under login using QuestCDN number 9281955 for a non-refundable charge of $64.00. The Village of Oak Park reserves the right to issue plans and specifications only to those contractors deemed qualified. No bid documents will be issued after 4:00 p.m. on the working day preceding the date of bid opening.

The work to be performed pursuant to this Proposal is subject to the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, 820 ILCS 130/0.01 et seq.

THE VILLAGE OF OAK PARK Bill McKenna Village Engineer

Published in Wednesday Journal August 21, 2024

Dear Illinoisans,

You may have seen news stories or social media posts announcing changes to how real estate commissions work. Some of what you’ve read and heard is fact, some is fiction.

Illinois REALTORS® represents the 50,000 licensed, professional REALTORS® throughout the state, and we want to take this opportunity to set the record straight and fully explain the changes.

Historically, the way a real estate agent has been paid has always been negotiable. In some cases, agents are paid directly by their buyer or seller client. However, in other cases, an agent may be paid indirectly, with the broker for the seller “sharing” a portion of their compensation with the buyer’s broker.

Until now, brokers have communicated the amount of shared compensation on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). This is the platform where your broker will list your property and that feeds information to all the various real estate sites you’re used to seeing.

This competitive and highly efficient process has helped many buyers to obtain professional representation and to realize their dream of homeownership. State governments across the nation have long recognized this lawful process as good for consumers and that it promotes fair housing and housing access for more people.

Recently, class action attorneys targeted this practice of sharing compensation in lawsuits against the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), as well as a number of real estate firms and individual REALTORS® throughout the country. Illinois REALTORS® members are members of NAR. The class action attorneys argued that buyers should pay their broker out of their own pockets exclusively.

Earlier this year, NAR reached a settlement with these class action attorneys, negotiating to retain consumer protections and options. The settlement also provides two industry practice changes, including:

(1) Beginning on August 17, 2024, brokers will stop including shared compensation information on the MLS. Shared compensation will still be allowed, it just cannot be communicated on the MLS platform. Instead, brokers will communicate this information, in writing, privately or on their own websites. The amount of compensation will remain negotiable, as it’s always been.

(2) Also, beginning August 17th, all buyers who are working with a REALTOR® will be required to have a written agreement detailing the work the broker will do for them, the rate of compensation and how it will be paid. Illinois REALTORS® has long provided and encouraged the use of these written agreements to protect everyone in the transaction.

www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Consumers

Buying a home is often the largest, most significant financial transaction of your life. That is why it’s so important to have a trusted professional help you. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics and are market experts trained to help guide you in everything from setting up the appointments, to negotiating the offer, to organizing inspections, and coordinating the closing on your home.

Over the coming weeks, you’re certain to read or hear more about these industry changes. You may even receive a postcard in the mail from attorneys claiming to be involved in the lawsuits. For REALTORS® in Illinois, our highest priorities will always be fairness and transparency in every transaction and access to homeownership for EVERYONE. Today, we are emboldened to continue to be the strongest advocate for the buyers and sellers we serve every day.

Through every economic high or low and with every technological change, REALTORS® have been there to support their customers and communities, our state and nation.

For more than 100 years, Illinois REALTORS® has been there to help you achieve the American Dream of homeownership. Through every economic high or low and with every technological change, REALTORS® have been there to support their customers and communities, our state and nation. This period will be no different and you will continue to be able to rely upon your REALTOR® to be your trusted advisor in your next home sale or purchase.

For more information, visit www.IllinoisRealtors.org/Consumers or contact your local REALTOR®.

Sincerely,

Jeff Baker

Matt Silver CEO President