Wednesday Journal 090424 by Wednesday Journal

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Civic Engagement

Ways to grow a ordable housing in Oak Park

Trustees debate how to motivate developers to address the shor tage

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Among Oak Park’s top goals is growing af fordable housing opportunities. That’s why in 2019 the village board adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance. And it’s why on Aug. 27 the board reviewed staff recommendations on how to strengthen the ordinance. To do that, the board could expand the geography covered by the ordinance, offer developers additional incentives for including affordable rental units in larger projects and/or increase the fees charged to developers who would rather pay into the village’s affordable housing fund instead of building af fordable units

The staff proposal was brought to the board for discussion and direction. It led to a spirited conversation among trustees about the shared goal of adding more affordable housing options.

Trustee Cory Wesley said he thinks the current inSee HOUSING on page 12

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

OPRF students gather in the Little eater to hear from local leaders dur ing the Civics Service Learning Fair.

REPORT BY AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ, PAGE 14

Say ‘Yes to the Address’: Housing Forward, Oak Park partner in housing initiative

The

program is intended

to connect people experiencing homelessness with landlords who have available units

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Local nonprofit s, including Housing Fo r ward and Beds Plus, are partnerin g with the Vi llage of Oak Pa rk to start a “Yes to the A ddress” progr am c onnecting p eople experiencing homelessness with landlords who have available units.

The idea for the initiative came from suburban Cook County’s participation in Re!nstitute’s 100-day challenge, according to Vanessa Matheny, the village’s community services administrator. In 100 days between February and May, organizations throughout suburban Cook County, including in Oak Park, housed 117 individuals experiencing homelessness and connected another 310 with shelters.

“Yes to the Address” is intended to sustain some of the wo rk d one in that challeng e, Matheny said.

P rior research has shown it takes about 2.2 years on average to house an individual experiencing homelessness, Matheny said. But in the 100-day challeng e, organizations involved proved it ’s p ossible to house individuals in a much shor ter time.

Now they want to continue that.

“We’ re t rying to make this more sustainable, ” she said. “How do we c ontinu e to build that relationship with the landlords? How do we c ontinue to make sure that p eople have a ccess to af fordable housing? … We do n’ t want to go back.”

Building the program

T he progr am is in the building phase, Matheny said, as the village and nonprofits work to ensure close connections with landlords. She said that in Se ptember the village is hosting a virtual meeting with landlords to allow them to voice concerns,

have questions answered and understand what involvement with the prog ram would look like.

“There’s this misconception that because you’ re homeless, you’ re automatically going to be a bad tenant,” Matheny said. “We’ re trying to reduce that stigma and help give a different face to this housing crisis.”

After the informational session, Matheny said the next step is to host “accelerated moves” in which the village will bring landlords to g ether with case managers and clients, from organizations like Housing Forward, who are seeking housing. Matheny said she hopes the village can host two of these moves per year

The housing will extend throughout all of Cook County, Matheny said, similar to the 100-day challenge. It just depends on what landlords have availability and are willing to participate in the program. They’re also hoping landlords will communicate with each other and spread the message about the program, Matheny said.

Housing Forward, along with other area nonprofits, will ensure clients who need assistance from landlords will be part of this match-up progr am, according to Romiesha Tucker, Housing Forward’s director of prevention, outreach and diversion. T hese clients will all have case managers and some fo rm of housing voucher or subsidy

“If the only thing that is preventing them from no longer being homeless is that there just has not been a landlord identified, those clients and case managers [are] who we are inviting out,” Tucker said. “The event is like a job fair.”

“Yes to the Address” will hopefully help the flow of housing and reduce bottlenecks, Matheny and Tucker said. It could reduce the number of individuals on the street by allowing those in shelters to move into interim housing like T he Write Inn and having individuals staying there move into permanent housing.

“My hope is that this will continue to be an ongoing progr am and that we’ ll continue to take lessons learned from previous accelerated moves to make them bigger and better,” Matheny said.

Accounting for concerns

Some landlords have expressed concerns about ensuring their property isn’t damaged and that the new tenants will pay on time, Matheny said. John Harris, the facilitator for the Oak Park Homelessness Coalition, said they’d like to have a mitigation fund in case of issues or damages, so landlords could feel even more confident about the partnerships.

“Are they taking a chance also if they rent to one of our clients?” Tucker said. “Absolutely because they’re still a tenant. But the difference is that the landlord is getting to see all of the support that this person has … It’s a little bit more secure.”

Some traditional renters might look “good on paper,” Tucker pointed out, but individuals experiencing homelessness who are ready to rent have agency connections, rental subsidies and a case manager. Some might think it’s a “red flag” to rent to someone that’s experiencing homelessness, she said, but they have a support system working to keep them housed. That should be alluring to landlords, she said.

There are different types of rental subsidies these clients might have Permanent housing subsidies, which could be for an individual or a family, would guarantee rent for the life of the client. But other subsidies could be for differing time frames such as six months, 12 months or 24 months. A lot of these subsidies are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Tucker said.

It’s also important for the client to be able to take on the full rent after a subsidy expires, Tucker said. The subsidy allows clients to get their footing but it’s important to stay rent-conscious in choosing apar tments, she said.

Tucker said that another advantage is that for landlords wary about renting to individuals who have been experiencing homelessness, the subsidy provides a guaranteed income. And for the program to be successful, landlords must come to the table.

“We have all these resources but if we don’t have anywhere to use them, then we’re no better [off] than if we didn’t have them,” Tucker said. “That is really is why we need the landlords.”

WEDNESDAY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor Erika Hobbs

Digital Manager Stac y 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

Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Steve Edwards Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

Supported Storytime and Family Social Hour

Thursday, Sept. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Designed for children with disabilities ages 3+ with caregiver support. Classes are structured with visual schedules and include fun picture books and songs, with ne and gross motor movement activities. Sensory supports like lap weights and dget toys are available to help children be successful. Siblings welcome. Learn more and register at https://oppl org/calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Oak Park Porchfest Season Finale

Friday, Sept. 6, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Oak Park Host Home

Celebrate the season nale of Oak Park Porchfest with live music on the historic 700 block of Elmwood. North Grove will kick o the evening, followed by Summer Landing as the closing band. This is a free event; bring your own chairs and blankets. Tacos Bernardo and your favorite neighborhood ice cream man will be there, and a tip jar will be passed to support the bands. 701 Elmwood Ave., Oak Park

(Heads up) Thomas Merton: Prophetic Faith in the Face of Fear

Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m., Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church

Fr. Dan Horan, OFM, will explore the theme of fear in the Christian spiritual tradition and how it is addressed by Thomas Merton. For more information, contact Mike Brennan at 773-447-3989 or visit ccitms.blogspot.com. 405 S. Euclid Ave., Oak Park

Book Bike: Neighborhood Nights at Euclid Square Park

Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5-7 p.m., Euclid Square Park

Neighborhood Nights with the Park District of Oak Park. Enjoy free pop-up activities, learn about local community organizations, and check out materials. Discover library services, events, or sign up for a library card on the spot. 705 Fillmore St., Oak Park

Red or Blue Album Release

Saturday, Sept. 14, 6:30 p.m., Rober t’s Westside

Join us for our second wave album release in the Oak Park area at Rober t’s Westside, featuring the full band after a successful rst release at FitzGerald’s. General admission tickets are $15, and reserved seating is available for $20. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/ bdhhz5tt. 7321 Madison St., Forest Park

BIG WEEK

September

4 - 11

Oak Park Film Festival

Saturday, Sept. 14 - 6:30 p.m., Lake Theatre and Sunday, Sept. 16 - All day from 9 a.m., Madison Street Theater

The Oak Park Film Festival showcases local moviemaking talent with lms connected to Oak Park through cast, crew, director, or location. Saturday will feature red carpet entry, a photo line, and a screening of The Abyss (PG-13) starring Oak Park native Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. Sunday will include screenings, networking, panels, Q&A sessions, and an awards ceremony. Tickets are $25 for the opening gala and $50 for an all-session pass on festival day. Individual session tickets are also available. More information and tickets: opil .org. Lake Theatre: 1000 Lake St., Oak Park. Madison Street Theater: 1010 Madison St., Oak Park

Ascension Oktoberfest

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2-10 p.m., Ascension Church

Celebrate the star t of fall and the school year at the f ourth annual Ascension Oktober f est. Enjoy local brews, German food, free kids’ activities all day, and college football on a big screen. Live music will feature Alpine Thunder, Major Climb, and Dig E ngine. 808 East Ave., Oak Park

Kids Chess Class

Saturday, Sept. 7, 11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

Chicago Chess Academy is here for weekly chess fun with kids ages 6-12. Learn and play in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. No experience needed. Sign up for each week you plan to attend. Classes will build skills, but you do not need to be here every time to bene t. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

(Heads up) Rick Michel and His 16-Piece Orchestra at FitzGerald’s

Sunday, Sept. 15, 12 p.m., FitzGerald’s Catch veteran Las Vegas headliner Rick Michel as he performs live at FitzGerald’s with a 16-piece orchestra, including a string section. Michel, known for his uncanny resemblance to Frank Sinatra’s sound, has toured the world, recently returning from Rio de Janeiro, and heading to San Jose, Costa Rica. Do not miss this special afternoon performance. For more about Rick Michel, visit SinatraForever.com. 6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Ber wyn

Dooley Band Concert

Saturday, Sept. 7, 7:30-9 p.m., River Forest Public Library

The annual tradition returns. Join us in the library garden for live music by River Forest locals the Dooley Band, who have been entertaining Chicagoland for over ve decades. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held indoors Sponsored by River Forest Public Library Foundation. This is a free event. 735 Lathrop Ave., River Forest

R Titus Designs

Anniversary Celebration

Friday, Sept. 6, 6 – 9 p.m., R Titus Designs

Join us to celebrate R Titus Designs’ 15th anniversary and our rst year in Oak Park. Enjoy live music by Micah Shane, shopping, bites, and drinks. Your presence will make this occasion truly special. RSVP at https://shorturl.at/bJcQ1. 143 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park

Late Nite Catechism

Sunday, Sept. 8, 3-5 p.m., Madison Street Theater

Enjoy a Chicago original and international hit, Late Nite Catechism, for a one-time matinee performance starring Chicago comedy actress Erin Olson as Sister. Called “hilarious, well-written, and inspired” by The New York Times, this show is must-see. Tickets are $35, available at madisonstreettheater.org/events. 1010 Madison St., Oak Park

Banned Books of the Bible: A New Discussion Series

Sunday, Sept. 8, 10:30 a.m., Grace Episcopal Church

Explore the history of book banning with a new ve-week series led by Father John Rumple. Delve into the 4th-century decisions that shaped the biblical canon. Sessions continue Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 7 p.m., both in person and online. All are welcome to attend. For more details, visit GraceOakPark.org/Banned.html. 924 Lake St.,

Beyond the Books

Monday, Sept. 9, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Library

A Greater Good Foundation—together with the library—is o ering a comprehensive co-ed mentor program to inspire students ages 13-18 to harness their inherent capabilities and resources to realize their fullest potential. The program includes workshops on con ict resolution, post-high school planning, boosting selfesteem, self-awareness, self-con dence, and positive relationship building. 834 Lake St., Oak Park

Compiled by Brooke Duncan

OPRF shows increase in faculty of color

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 released its employee demographic trends from 2019 to 2024, showing an increase of 5% in faculty of color.

The “2019-2024 Employee Demographics and Retention Trends” was presented during the Aug. 22 Board of Education meeting as an information item, with no action needing to be taken.

Due to that increase of faculty of color, the gap between the goal of the district to have 35% of overall faculty narrowed from 13% in 2019-2020 to 6% in 2023-24, according to the presentation, given by Roxana Sanders, assistant superintendent of human resources, and Janel Bishop, director of employee relations and recruitment.

“Progress is slow, but it is steady and so for that I applaud the work,” said board president Tom Cofsky

In the district’s new strategic plan, adopted by the board with a vote of 5-1 during the April 25 board meeting, the district hopes to increase workforce diversity and representation of faculty of color to 35% by August 2028.

According to the comparative demographic student and faculty data provided for the 2019-2020 school year, 57% of students were white, 18% were Black, 13% were Hispanic, 8% were multi-racial and 4% were Asian American or Pacific Islander. In terms of faculty, 76% were white, 11% Black, 8% Hispanic and 5% Asian American or Pacific Islander

During the 2019-20 school year, there was a -7% difference between faculty and student representation for Black students and a -5% difference between faculty and student representation for Hispanic students. White faculty surpassed white students by 19%.

For the 2024-25 school year, the comparative demographics for student and faculty showed 54% of students are white, 16% are Black, 16% are Hispanic, 10% multi-racial and 4% Asian American or Pacific Islander White faculty make up 71%. The remainder were Black, 12%; Hispanic, 11%; multi-racial, 1%; Asian American or Pacific Islander, 5%.

The differences between faculty and student representation for Black students was -4%, a 3% improvement from 2019. For the 2024-25 school year, there is a -5% dif ference in representation for Hispanic students and faculty, -9% for multi-racial students, and 1% for Asian American or Pacific Is-

lander students

“This is very helpful in providing a longter m view of trends and showing how we are moving the needle for some of us who have been around for a long time,” Cofsky said.

According to the 2023 Illinois Report Card, the white student population has continued to decrease, going from 56.4% in 2021 to 52.5% in 2023, while percentages of student population for Blacks and Hispanics continues to grow.

In 2021, 18.1% of students at OPRF were Black compared to 19.8% in 2023 while in 2021, 13.1% of students at OPRF were Hispanic compared to 14.6% in 2023.

Board member Mary Anne Mohanraj inquired about how the district works to recruit from teacher education programs from universities, including University of Illinois-Chicago.

Recruitment services are in effect at various teacher education programs both in state and out of state, Sanders said.

“We don’t have enough positions to say that we will provide financial assistance and you have to sign an agreement that you will come work at the district because we don’t have those vacancies,” Sanders said. “We have a limited number of teaching positions that we fill this year.”

According to the data provided, retention rates for both “faculty” and “faculty of color” have increased from 2020-21 to 2023-24, going from 95% for faculty and 89% for faculty of color to 96% for both.

Retention rates for support staff of color saw an increase from 2020-21 to 2023-24, going from 89% to 95%, a 6% increase.

Part of the adopted strategic plan included improving employee retention with a “specific focus on increasing the retention rate of support staff of color to 90%.”

Overall employee of color retention rates increased from 87% during the 2020-21 school year to 94% for 2023-24.

Sanders said the district has done a lot of work holding focus groups as well as conducting “staying interviews” for first- and secondyear teachers asking for feedback in hopes of identifying problems early.

Suggestions to help improve the district’s mentoring program have also been taken, Sanders said.

According to the agenda item, at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year, the retention rate for support staff of color is 95%, an increase of 13% from the 2023-24 school year

WEDNESDAY | SEPTEMBER 11TH

3:00 - 7:00 PM 700 Block of Bonnie Brae | River Forest

Village takes over search for new chief nancial o cer

The former CFO left in September 2023

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Since Oak Park’s last chief financial officer, Steve Drazner, departed last fall, the village has come up empty in the search for a new one

Donna Gayden has filled in as the interim CFO since then. The village board approved extending her position until Feb. 28, 2025, and extended the cost of their employee leasing ag reement from $150,000 to $225,000. Gayden has said she will not be applying for the permanent position. The interim position was originally supposed to expire in December 2023. It was then extended to April 2024 and again to August 2024. Human Resources Director Kira Tchang told the village board Aug. 27 that the village has been working with a firm, Baker Tilly, to recruit candidates. The village will conduct its own search going forward.

The position was posted in January, Tchang said, as candidates are more likely to be looking for new positions

after the December holidays. The village received 30 applications, she said.

“Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to identify the right fit for the organization,” she said. “We also have full confidence in our interim CFO.”

Important economic factors are on the line as Oak Park enters its next budget season, Tchang pointed out. So it’s important to find the best fit.

“It’s an incredibly challenging market for [hiring a] municipal CFO,” she said.

Trustee Ravi Parakkat said the village board has already completed one budget cycle with their interim CFO. He said he was hoping to have the new permanent CFO in place to “shepherd” them through the process during the upcoming budget cycle.

Village President Vicki Scaman said she’s excited to work through an entire budget season with Gayden and is hopeful for a strong transition when a new CFO is hired.

Village Manager Kevin Jackson reiterated that the vil-

lage must find the right fit for the long term but has confidence in the meantime in Gayden, who is working to develop policies, including for the tax levy, and strengthening the financial planning process. Jackson also said he’s hopeful a new CFO can be hired in the next six months.

“We’re moving as fast as we can,” he said. “This past year, we’ve handled a lot. … We had some significant impact to our operations for a period of about six months,” refer ring to the village’s work to shelter and house migrants who came to Oak Park in late October 2023. By April, all the migrants had been resettled.

But due to the time it has taken to find the right CFO candidate, the village has now decided to do its own recruitment, without Baker Tilly, Tchang told the board.

4 dead in Forest Park shooting on Blue Line train

Forest Park Mayor Ror y Hoskins said he is looking into options to keep the area safe

By ERIKA HOBBS Editor

Authorities are assuring the public that the area is safe after a Labor Day shooting on the Blue Line train in Forest Park that left four people dead.

“Our public safety leaders believe that Forest Park is safe and that residents can and should enjoy the balance of the holiday weekend,” Mayor Rory Hoskins told Forest Park Review. “It was a brutal incident, but police are confident that the shooter is in custody.”

Hoskins said the village is looking into options.

“We may or may not want to explore whether Forest Park, through Westcom [West Central Communication Center], will someday have access to CTA’s surveillance system,” he said.

“I’ve heard from the Lt. Governor today and from the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs,” Hoskins added. “The latter is offering potential support through their Office of Handgun Violence Prevention.”

What that support looks like is not yet clear.

Authorities responded to a call at 5:30 a.m. Monday at 711 Desplaines Ave. and found three people dead at

the scene. A fourth victim was pronounced dead later at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, according to reports.

The victims, whose identities ha released, appeared to ha lieved to be unhoused people. NBC5 ple may have been asleep on different cars.

A suspect is in custod Forest Park police and CTA security found the shooter on the Pink Line by using sur bery may have been a moti

“We extend our condolences to those who lost their loved ones as a result of this senseless act of our thoughts and pra dent Dorval R. Carter Jr

“Although this was an isolated incident, this heinous and eg re gious act of violence should ne occur red, nonetheless on a CTA said in a statement. re ported, CTA immediately de sist the Forest Park P the matter, including camera footage, which proved to be vital in aiding local law enforcement.”

e Labor Day shooting on the

area’s sense of safety Authorities say there is no

Multi-Family Yard Sale:

1000 Block of Highland Ave, Oak Park

Saturday, Sept. 7, 9 am to 12 pm

Audio equipment, mirrors, dehumidifier, plant(s), garden tools, kitchen appliances including an air fryer, winter coats, toys, games, children & adult clothing including plus/tall women’s & mens, baby supplies,

STEVEN LIFK A

Blue Line in Forest Park rattled the

longer a risk

OPRF commits to being more ‘welcoming’ while ‘respecting di erences’

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 welcomed families back for the 2024-25 school year with a written statement of commitment to creating an inclusive environment there after numerous accusations of antisemitism during the past school year.

In an email titled “Our Commitment to an Inclusive Environment,” sent to district families on Aug. 13, two days before classes started, Supt. Greg Johnson reiterated the district commitment to “fostering a saf welcoming, and inclusive ronment.”

“Expressions of hate are not tolerated at OPRF,” Johnson said in the letter. “We respect our students’ First Amendment protections for freedom of expression. At the same time, also have a duty to protect our educational environment.”

The district came under fire from local parents, students, teachers and community members for alle gedly mishandling complaints stemming from balancing messaging, activities and interests of both pro-Palestine and pro-Israel students and teachers.

Letter emailed to families in wake of antisemitism complaints

tisemitic” posts on social media, and sold T-shirts depicting the entire outline of Israel next to the word ‘Palestine,’ symbolizing the elimination of the State of Israel.”

Oak Park parent Nate Mellman, who led the complaint ef fort, told Wednesday Journal in the past that he, along with community members, attended multiple board of education meetings, but said that there was “virtually no remedial action” taken by the district.

Michael Soffer, a veteran history teacher at OPRF who resigned this summer, also claimed in his resignation that he witnessed antisemitism and lack of response from the district.

In the letter, obtained by dnesday Journal, Soffer said that despite numerous conversations with administrators, the district did not address his concerns.

Johnson addressed complaints at the July 11 special D200 board meeting, saying the district remained “steadfast” in for ts to balance the rights of all through advice from community and religious leaders as well as legal counsel.

Civil Rights to inform investigations into hate speech/incidents.

■ Provided faculty with guidelines and resources for teaching about controversial topics.

■ Conducted professional development for administrators to effect ively suppo rt teams.

■ Held dozens of meetings to hear and learn from students, faculty and staf f, along with parents, community members and local religious and community leaders.

E orts still to come

As the new school year kicks of f, Johnson said the district would continue to take steps to improve, which include:

■ Engaging with Convergence, a nonprofit that will hold community conversations to “build trust and bridge divides to solve critical challenges and strengthen our democracy and society.”

■ Continuing to mandate cultural competence and racial bias training for employees.

■ Providing social media training for staf f to ensure professionalism and antibias on the platforms.

■ Establishing guidelines for clubs and activities.

had with Jewish parents, students, staff and community members, including local rabbis, and representatives of Jewish organizations during a 10-month period.

“A variety of perspect ives we re shared in these meeting s, not all of them in ag reement,” S ullivan told We d nesd ay Journal. “Given Co nvergence’s expertise in building trust and bridging divide s around c omplex, c ontentious i ssues, we ’re c onfident that their process will help move us toward our ultimate g oal: Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students, where differences are respected.”

Mellman, whose previous letters have ga r nered c ommunity suppo rt , asked fo r the district to release more info rm atio n re ga rding the adopted guidelines for extracur ricular clubs and activities as w ell as the guidelines provided for teaching c ontroversial topic s. He also asked fo r more info rm ation on the p lan for professional development and wh at t ype of social media training will be provided fo r employees.

“Every single individual, without exception, deserves to feel respected, valued, and supported in our school,” Johnson said in the letter

The complaints and criticism came in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

In late June, more than 100 people filed a complaint against D200 and three teachers with the Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office.

The letters alle ged the three teachers “demonstrated unprofessional conduct as well as promoted and condoned antisemitic statements and/or acts.”

The Middle Eastern and North Africa Club advisors were also listed. The claims said they “endorsed the October 7 terrorist attack on Israel” and promoted a “one-sided viewpoint” in the classroom, posted “an-

In the Aug. 13 letter, Johnson spoke about how the Israel-Hamas war has escalated and brought concerns that Islamophobia, anti-Arab racism and antisemitism were disrupting the school environment.

Johnson acknowledged the complaints and concerns raised in the letter, saying he wanted to be “very clear” as the district community returned for the school year.

“At no point will we tolerate hate or actions that interfere with our ability to [protect the educational environment],” Johnson said. “OPRF will continue to investigate and respond to all complaints in accordance with Board policy and the guidelines from the Office of Civil Rights.”

What has been done

According to Johnson, during this past year, the district has:

■ Adopted guidelines from the Office of

■ Training for staf f on harassment.

Johnson also encourages students to use the district’s re porting tool or speak with a trusted staf f member if they experience any “acts of hate.”

In an Aug. 14 letter addressed to Johnson and the D200 Board of Education, Mellman said the district’s response was “disappointing in many respects.”

Mellman said that despite asking the district to define antisemitism numerous times, the district has not done so, instead choosing to link to the U.S Department of Education Office of Civil Rights fact sheet.

Mellman also said that the district did not seek input from local Jewish organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League, despite their efforts to assist the district.

Karin Sullivan, executive director of communications for D200, said the district came to the decision to work with Convergence following “dozens of meetings” Johnson

According to Mellman, two teachers named in the c omplaints that we re filed with the state wo re ME NA apparel that alle gedly depicted the “elimination of the State of Israel” during the first staf f day of the new school year, then p osted on the club ’s I nsta gr am page re ga rdin g the selling merchandise.

“One of the examples OCR cites of c ontemporary examples of antisemitism is ‘denying the Jewish p eople their right to self-determination,’” Mellman said in the letter a ddressed to district administration. “Wearing clothing that depicts the elimination of the State of Israel is j ust that. T he OCR guidance that you say yo u follow j ust d oesn’t ring true. T hey are j ust empty wo rds. ”

In the letter, Johnson said this is an “opportunity” for the district to de ep en i ts c ommitment to fostering a safe and suppo rt ive climat e.

“This important wo rk is not d one,” Johnson said in the letter. “It may neve r be ‘done.’ We will persist. ”

GREG JOHNSON D200 superintendent

Safety repairs to be done at Avenue Parking Garage

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park’s village board has approved spending up to $665,000 to complete timesensitive safety re pairs to the structure of The Avenue Parking Garage.

T he approval came at the board’s meeting Aug. 27 where experts emphasized that the structure remains safe to use for now but unexpected additional re pairs are needed.

In 2022, Walker Consultants, Inc. had assessed maintenance needed for three village garage s and re pairs were scheduled for each. However, upon working on T he Avenue Parking Garage at 720 North Blvd., workers discovered additional damage to the concealed post-tensioned slab tendons on the underside of the second level.

$600,000, according to village officials, while re pairing the tendons could cost anywhere between $350,000 and $650,000.

Currently, six of the 14 exposed tendons in this garage are not functioning properly Walker Consultants recommended re pairs to begin by Sept. 2 or that weekly inspections occur to assess any further safety concer ns or damage.

These tendons are steel cables within concrete slabs that help support a structure, according to Dan Moser, the vice president at Walker Consultants. It’s not unusual for a structure of this age to have water or other types of damage, he said, because the importance of plastic sheeting to protect these tendons was not emphasized in construction practices when it was built.

“The reason we’re recommending abandoning the old post-tensioning system isn’t that we couldn’t put in new tendons,” Moser said. “It’s just that they’ll have the same weaknesses they had before, and they will cor rode again.”

The village could instead re place these tendons with steel beams that could cost a bit more but will likely last twice as long. Steel beams would cost about $500,000 to

The structure is still safe, Moser emphasized. It’s hard to give an exact timeline of when this re pair becomes an emergency, but he said that the probably has six months. Moser also said while it’s a possibility, he ’t expect this to be a widespread problem in all levels garage of the re pair process will include studying this issue further and making sure it’s not a problem on other floors of this garage or in the village’s other garages, according to Emily Egan, the village’s development services director.

Egan also said the village is exploring ways to recover the additional cost, including through liability or insurance avenues.

The board also approved an additional amendment to the ag reement with Walker Consultants for $60,000. This ag reement will allow the village to work with the consultants to review pricing for materials, monitor the work and design documents outlining re pairs, Egan said.

“If someone does good maintenance, structural re pairs, like you’ve been doing here, all of your garages can go much longer,” Moser said, estimating they could last 20 years past the expected 40 to 50 years. “You are not at end of the life of any of your garages because you’ re maintaining them.”

Knockout Farms grows Knockout Pickles

Opportunity Knocks ful lls cucumbers’ dreams

By RIÉ SANDERS-WEIR Contributing Reporter

Without knowing it, you’ve probably already eaten Knockout Pickles as you munch on a burger or enjoy a sandwich at local restaurants. These cool cucumbers are the creation of “warriors” who work at Opportunity Knocks, an organization dedicated to building independence and broadening life experiences for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

But where do the pickles come from?

For many hamburger slices, it all starts at an urban farm just east of the ReUse Depot, 50 Madison St. in Maywood.

Cultivation started in April 2016 on a 2,500-square-foot plot. The idea was to build both enrichment and job opportunities for Opportunity Knocks participants, whom they call warriors, because they are champions of their own journey. A motto at OK

is “do with, not for warriors.”

Some warriors even work at the farm

“If they have a general interest, we interview them. When they are hired, they’re expected to do everything that any other staf f would do. They arrive on time. They have a set list of things that we do almost every week,” Harlow Righetti, farm coordinator, said. “We make sure that whatever we’re doing a warrior is present because it’s part of the mission.”

Warrior and employee Ron Turner is serious about his job, but he enjoys it too, saying “… harvesting cucumbers, keeping the plants clean. And make sure everything works out well.”

Turner also works selling the abundance of produce with OK at the Riverside Farmer’s Market. Produce is also harvested and eaten by OK program participants who come to the farm as a part of their weekly activities. And some goes to the Oak Park food pantry, Beyond Hunger.

Warrior participant and farm volunteer Nick Gome z likes weeding the best.

“We have field days. We’ll plant things,

RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR

Harlow Righetti and Callah Barnes, cultivating cukes.

crafts things in the field. We spend a lot of time here. It’s great for skill building. Learning how to grow your own ve getables and tasting them,” said Righetti.

Most cucumbers grown on the farm get the Knockout treatment. They are processed, spiced and brined by fellow warriors at a nearby commercial kitchen space.

“We haven’t been able to grow as many cucumbers as we can produce pickles, especially in the winter, so we’ll outsource too,” said Righetti.

Opportunity Knocks was conceived by Mike Carmody as a response to the needs of his younger brother, John. An Illinois statefunded support program, through the public schools, for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities ends when they tur n 23 years old. Mike saw the possibility to create social, recreational and wellness-based programming for this community

Programming started officially in 2010.

The organization offers a mix of activities covering work, leisure and self-care. Life skills, like shopping and meal preparation, are components of the OK programming. The idea to start making pickles was an outg rowth of those tasks. Then adding the farm was a way to connect what they were already doing with the movement towards more local, sustainable food.

T he farm has thrived for eight years as a part of that mission, but at the end of this growing season, it will have to be relocated. T he ReUse De pot building and land is being re purposed.

“The property has been on the market for a long time, so we always knew this could be coming,” Carmody said. “That’s one of our new big projects, figuring out where we’re going to go next year.”

“We’re looking at this as an opportunity to be better, hoping to maybe find a space that’s a little bit bigger to make it more accessible than it is right now. Here, wheelchairs sometimes get stuck,” said Righetti.

Righetti loves when the warriors try cherry tomatoes and cucumbers straight from the vine. And then seeing them enjoy it. “It’s life changing for them and for myself. It’s exciting to see. It’s farm to table, sincerely.”

You can get Knockout Pickles at One Lake Brewing, Alpine Food Shop, Good Earth Greenhouse, Robert’s Westside, Oak Park Country Club, Riverside Golf Club, The Junction Diner, The Happy Apple Pie Shop, The Daly Bagel, Top Butcher Market, The Sugar Beet, Scratch Kitchen. Or if you want to get more involved, you can sign up to volunteer at the farm

For more information visit online at: opportunityknocksnow.org

Author/Filmmaker Nicholas Meyer ( e Seven-Percent Solution, Star Trek: e Wrath of Khan) joins us for a discussion of his new novel “Sherlock Holmes and the Telegram from Hell”. Mr. Meyer will be signing his book in the lobby during the course of the lm. Ticket price includes admission and one or two books, depending on the selected pricing option.

HOUSING

More a ordable

from page 1

clusionary housing ordinance is “fine” and is “working.” He said he would, however, be supportive of adding a density bonus for developers, that could allow developers to have two units at market rate for every one affordable unit built. He said he wants to incentivize developers to create more units, not make it harder for them.

“We’re breaking something that’s already working,” Wesley said. “Nobody else in the state has property values as high as ours, with a population as large as ours, with as much affordable housing as we do.”

“If we expand the geographical area of the IHO, we will reduce development incentives,” he added. “If the board’s goal is to add density to Oak Park, this will go counter to that.”

Trustee Ravi Parakkat said he’s leaning toward agreeing with Wesley in that it’s important to incentivize developers to build in Oak Park, not do the opposite

But Trustee Susan Buchanan “vociferously” disagreed with Wesley. She said she is supportive of the staff’s recommendation,

As moms, we’re often running on empty, with self-care and self-compassion being the first things to go. But here’s the thing—when we neglect ourselves, our daughters notice and often follow suit.

That’s why the Confidence Brunch is all about hitting the reset button. It’s a day dedicated to reconnecting with our daughters, embracing self-compassion, and nurturing our overall wellness—mentally, physically, and financially.

Imagine a day filled with inspiring speakers, engaging table talks on mindfulness, self-care, athletics, and budgeting, plus a little fun with dancing and comedy from the hilarious Lady Luncha’bell. It’s the perfect mix of learning, laughter, and bonding time.

And the best part? The proceeds

which is to emphasize the fee-in-lieu option for developers.

“This country has a desperate housing crisis,” Buchanan said. “One of the reasons is we’ve left the housing to the market. We are capitalist economy. And the capitalists have failed. And the only way that they will build affordable housing is if we make them.”

Trustee Lucia Robinson said she is supportive of expanding the geographical boundaries of the ordinance but suggested creating some exemptions for the board to reach a compromise

The existing inclusionary housing ordinance outlines requirements for developers who want to build in certain geographic areas of the village, mainly along the CTA lines and on Madison Street. The current ordinance applies to developments with 25 or more units

The requirement in the current ordinance is for 10% of units to be affordable to those making 60% of the area median income. In lieu of that, a developer can pay $100,000 per required unit into the village’s affordable housing fund. Since the ordinance was adopted in 2019, all developers have selected the feein-lieu option, according to village officials.

Recommended changes to the ordinance are intended to better encourage affordable housing development in Oak Park. Options before the board included requiring developers to build affordable units without a fee-in-

“This country has a desperate housing crisis. One of the reasons is we’ve left the housing to the market. We are capitalist economy. And the capitalists have failed. And the only way that they will build a ordable housing is if we make them.”

SUSAN BUCHANAN Village trustee

lieu option, increasing the fee-in-lieu contributions or staying market conservative Trustees discussed three options Aug. 27. The village staff’s recommendation was to emphasize the fee-in-lieu option for developers. According to village of ficials, this option would increase the balance of the housing trust fund, expand the geographical area of the inclusionary housing ordinance to be community-wide and increase bonuses for developers providing affordable units on-site. The disadvantages of this option, accord-

The Confidence Mother Daughter Brunch

from this tax-deductible event will go directly to local organizations that support teen girls of color. So, not only are you investing in your own relationship with your daughter, but you’re also making a meaningful impact in our community.

In essence, the Confidence Mother Daughter Brunch is more than just an event—it’s an opportunity for moms to nurture their daughters’ growth, strengthen their relationship, and be part of a movement that empowers young women for the future.

Compass Education Foundation Presents… The Confidence MOTHER-DAUGHTER BRUNCH

Saturday, September 21, 11am to 2 pm

Newberry Library - Chicago

ing to village officials, is that it does not require affordable units to be built by developers and imposes ordinance restrictions even in the village’s “weakest” market areas

“Staff’s recommendation to raise the fee is in consideration of the market right now and in consideration of the input from the development community,” said Village Manager Kevin Jackson. “We think that it’s a fee that would work.”

Another option was to emphasize on-site development of affordable units. In addition to increasing the availability of affordable units, this option would also expand the geographic boundaries of the inclusionary housing ordinance, increase developer bonuses and somewhat increase the fee-in-lieu option. But requiring on-site affordable units could disincentivize some developers.

The last option was to be “market conservative.” In this option, the ordinance would include ordinance requirements only in “stronger” market areas, like downtown Oak Park. It would minimize changes for developers and slightly increase the fee-in-lieu option in one area. This option does not require units to be created on-site.

The board could also choose to create a combination of these options or stick with the status quo. Based on board input, staff will come back to the village board with an updated proposal in the future.

OPRF approves lease for CITE program in River Forest

Program is for OPRF grads 18-22 years old with learning disabilities

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 will continue to host its Community Inte gration Transition Education programming at the River Forest Community Center following a lease approval during the school’s August board meeting.

The school board unanimously approved a lease agreement with RFCC to continue to host the school’s CITE program in the space. The cost for the one-year lease is $83,150.

CITE is an outcome-based program for OPRF students who are 18 to 22 years of age with developmental learning disabilities. It focuses on facilitating students’ independence skills to provide a transition from high school into adulthood.

Fawn Joyce, special education program chair who oversees TEAM and the CITE program at OPRF, said the program is for district students who need other graduation requirements and transition services, which are determined by the IEP team.

“Some students stay for one year, some stay for four years,” Joyce said. “Transition is basically for anyone who needs that extra help.”

The “outcome-based program,” which falls under OPRF’s Special Education department, prepares students for the workforce, college, or other independent living options

Students go on field trips, take classes at various local colleges and through online courses — such as Life Skills classes

at Triton Colle ge. They might also work at various businesses in the community, including the Oak Park Public Library and Jewel-Osco.

Students also work to learn life skills such as using public transit, cooking and gaining more independence in their lives.

According to Joyce, the program was initially held off-campus in a nearby apart-

ment but it only served seven students. Due to the growth of the program, another space was needed.

Having the program off-campus is “best practice,” Joyce said.

Holding CITE at the community center in River Forest also helps students develop in the program.

“It’s been a great experience because it is natural and offers real-life community connections,” said Joyce, adding some students work in the RFCC daycare or do maintenance work in the building.

Being able to keep the CITE program at RFCC and having a “good space” is very important for the program’s success, Joyce said.

“It’s completely separate from high school,” Joyce said. “It is the rite of passage that these students have finished high school and are moving on.”

There are 55 students enrolled in the proam, along with four teachers, 13 paraprofessionals, one speech-language pathologist, a social worker, a DHS coordinator, and a vocational coordinator who work for the program.

Physical and occupational therapists are also working with students in CITE.

Joyce said there are four classes in the

program, divided by level of need, set up in a way far different than typical classrooms. In CITE classrooms, students can find a living room, a kitchen, a grooming station and sensory stations.

RFCC and OPRF first entered into a space-sharing ag reement in 2008, allowing RFCC to host daycare at the high school with D200 being able to host CITE programming at RFCC.

According to agenda documents, the district was in need of an of f-site location in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act with access for wheelchair bound students.

In return, RFCC stepped in to operate the high school’s child-care program, which increased during the mid-2000s and required more resources from the school than previously anticipated.

According to Joyce, the daycare program has been fully operated by RFCC for the past few years.

This year, RFCC moved its daycare program back to its own building following the completion of renovations, changing the agreement with OPRF from a space sharing agreement to one of a traditional lease which would allow OPRF to keep CITE at RFCC.

PROVIDED BY FAWN JOYC E

OPRF builds base of civic engagement through annual fair

Local political leaders were in attendance

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School hosted its first Civics Service Learning Fair of the 2024-25 school year last week, inviting local leaders along with nonprofit organizations to help students experience a culture of civic leadership.

The event, in its second year, consisted of a fair held in the cafeteria where local nonprofits and civic organizations set up tables to engage with students in hopes of having them involved with their organizations. There was also a panel of local leaders.

Juniors and seniors had the opportunity to speak with organization representatives to learn about different volunteer opportunities in the community.

The event is held at the high school to help students meet their community service requirement, which became a state graduation requirement in 2017.

This year organizations included W Kindness Creators, Wonder Works Chil dren’s Museum, Styles 4 Kidz, Hemingwa Business District, Takeout 25 and mor Latonia Baker, executive director with the Oak Park Education Foundation, it is always looking for high school students to volunteer and help with hands-on programs for younger students.

“I always think it is a great idea for to see someone who is close to peer level in helping, especially if it is science-related or something that kids might not be able to see themselves in,” Baker said.

Rainey Kearney, a junior at OPRF, said she was hoping to find an organization that works with students after school as her community service requirement but has already had great experiences volunteering with others including Beyond Hunger. Kearney said she believes having community service be required is a positive for students.

“It opens the door to all these organizations and opportunities that kids have to go out in the community, get involved and get a feel for what the community is about and who is in the community,” Kearney said.

Sofie Pedersen, volunteer coordinator with Beyond Hunger and a for mer OPRF student, said she was excited to come back and be able to engage students

“It is definitely something that we are always trying to do,” Pedersen said, adding that OPRF students are already huge supporters of their work.

With more than 1,000 active volunteers yearly, Pedersen said volunteers play a key role in the organization especially after needs grew following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our volunteers make up 11 full-time staf f members,” Pedersen said. “It is a huge chunk of the work that we do. We are a small organization. Small but mighty.”

On the p anel for this year ’s fair we re Illinois State Rep. La Shawn Ford, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and Peggy Kell, from League of Women Voters. They spoke with students about what motivated them to participate in

their communities.

Davis, who attended the Democratic National Convention last month in Chicago, encouraged students, especially those who have not been involved in local politics, to g et plugged in at their high school first by either joining political clubs or star ting their own.

“What is most important, I think, is to appoint our young people with concepts of democracy as they are growing up and if they have the concept of democracy, whether they do politics or not, or social advocacy, they will have the understanding…that is what we hope for the most,” Davis said.

Ford told Wednesday Journal that it was a “no brainer” to be part of the panel and have the opportunity to eng age the youth in civics.

The for mer teacher said it is important for young people to know that in order for their issues and what is important to them to be addressed, they need to be eng aged

“It’s important that they have input,” Ford said. “Who is going to really advocate for what the young people are feeling today? To allow for them to be eng aged , we miss no one. That is what we have to do, to make sure we miss no one when we are crafting for a better future.”

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Pegg y Kell, Danny Davis and La Shaw n Ford ser ved as guest panelists for the Civics Service Learning Fair on Aug. 28.

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

A proposed desi gn for the viaduct ar t installation, combining aluminum panels, colored LED lights along archways, cutouts and murals, is show n above.

Oak Park Avenue viaduc art cost goes up

The estimate rises from $200,000 to $235,000

By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter

Oak Park trustees approved a higher estimate on the cost of the art installation under the Oak Park Avenue viaduct, from $200,000 to $235,000, during their meeting Aug. 27.

The village board originally approved a contractor ag reement with Graham Carraway to do the installation under the Green Line L tracks at the southeast corner of South Boulevard and Oak Park Avenue during the June 11 meeting. The increase to create and install the artwork is mostly due to the addition of more aluminum panels, which would wrap around the corners of the viaduct on North and South Boulevard. Village staf f requested these panels be added during ne gotiations of the contract with Carraway. Previously, the artist planned to paint the concrete wall.

The CTA station will be under construction in a few years to accommodate accessibility requirements. But the village is working with Union Pacific to ensure the necessary repairs would still allow for the

panels, said Village Engineer Bill McKenna.

“That’s also one of the benefits of the aluminum system; It would hide the wall,” McKenna said. Paint can be baked into the aluminum panels, he added, providing a long-lasting finish, like the finish on a car.

The Oak Park Area Arts Council and village staf f will approve the final design before it’s installed, according to village officials. Installation is planned for fall 2025.

Trustee Cory Wesley wondered if the aluminum panels could be swapped out to accommodate themes for holidays or events. They could, McKenna said, but the intent is for the panels to remain in place. However, lighting elements could be more easily adjusted for themes.

Carraway’s design is intended to be interactive for viewers. The installation will use colored LED lights along the entryways and cutouts to achieve Carraway’s vision. The design also incorporates an Oak Park-specific mural with a graffiti-proof coating.

The installation is part of the Oak Park Avenue streetscape project. McKenna said the current cost estimate for the entire streetscape is now about $16.5 million, up from the initial $14.7 million estimate. Wesley said he’d like to keep the budget on the lower side of that scale even as incremental increases like this one occur.

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w D97 navigated last xtreme’ heat wave

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By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ porter

Co-Sponsors

lementary School District 97 was ready to take on the heat last week med f amilies of its lan to ensure the schools are ke pt as cool as possible amid “extreme” heat. he district emailed parents and posted a Aug. 25, communicatlan to ensure students and faculty ool during the heatwave. The district returned to session Aug. 22. According to the National Weather Service, last week brought “dangerously hot conditions” with a heat index up to 110 to 115 de grees Fahrenheit expected D97 chose to remain open and in-person on Monday and Tuesday, the re ported days the heat wave is expected to be at its but after-school sports and re canceled out of an “abunance of caution,” district officials said. med f amilies that while air can be found throughout lassrooms, students in other areas ve air conditioning might need to be temporarily moved into cool ommon areas, such as the library or cafeteria, and or utilize portable air condi-

The district encourages students to bring a full and reusable water bottle to school along with wearing weather appropriate clothing.

in air-conditioned rooms, and check up on relatives or neighbors. Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles and “extra precautions” should be taken in spending time outside.

T he district encourages students to bring a full and reusable water bottle to school along with wearing weather appropriate clothing

Parents are also encouraged to ensure prompt drop-off and pick-ups and allow extra time for tr avel.

Other local school district also put in measures into place to help students stay cool.

ter breaks will also be provided throughout the day, officials said, adding education classes and reesses will be held indoors.

gfried, the district spokesperson, said D97 staf f went out during the ay to purchase extra cases water and make sure the district had able air conditioning units. onducted walk-throughs of our earlier today [Monday] and communication with princials throughout the day to ensure that we ve to any issue that arises,” fried said in an email to Wednesday Jour nal last week.

T he National Weather Service recommends people drink plenty of fluids, stay

Stephanie Rath, director of communications and community relations for River Forest Public School District 90, said recess and PE classes were held indoors, after-school athletics and all outdoor activities where either cancelled or moved indoors and students are required to head home directly after school.

Oak Park and River Forest High School also ke pt PE classes indoors, said Karin Sullivan, executive director of communications. Some athletic teams also chose to hold their practices at 6 a.m. rather than in the afternoon, while others practiced indoors, Sullivan said.

Although the weather is expected to remain mild most of this week, temperatures could reach 87 de grees T hursday, according to the National Weather Service.

Lincoln PTO welcomes families with Back to School Picnic

River Forest School Distric t 90 star ted classes on Aug. 21

By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter

Lincoln Elementary families came out in full support to celebrate the start of the 2024-25 school year with a big Back to School Picnic.

The River Forest School District 90 Lincoln PTO Back to School Picnic was held on Thursday, Aug. 29, in the school’s park off of Lake Street, with families and children making the most of the weather and enjoying the day with their school community.

Casey Godfrey, principal at Lincoln, said he was grateful to the Lincoln PTO and the volunteers who made the event welcoming for all.

way to come together as a school community to celebrate the start of another year.”

Susan Veazie, co-president of the Lincoln PTO, said the event had one goal: To welcome families and celebrate the start of the new year.

“We are honored to celebrate and bring to g ether the parents, teachers, administrators, and students at our annual back to school picnic at Lincoln School,” Veazie said. “Parents have the opportunity to meet or catch up, for mer students volunteer at the various stations, and children build friendships. What a great way to start the year!”

This year, the picnic featured two large inflatables, which had lines of children eagerly waiting their turn, as well as the Dunk Tank, face painting, balloon artists and an ice cream truck.

D90 Lincoln Elementary families celebrated the new school year at the Lincoln PTO’s Back to School Picnic.

of the excitement felt around the first week of class. Classes for D90 students began on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

Children enjoyed playing on the two Lincoln, including the newly inf of Park Avenue and Lake Street. The new picnic tables also provided much needed seating for families.

Matt Nickels, a parent of three children in D90, said the picnic is the culmination

“This is our third year doing this,” Nickels said. “It’s a time to socialize and the kids are entertained, the adults alike.”

Mia Esposito, co-president of the Lincoln PTO, said the Back to School Picnic soon becomes one of the student’s favorite activities when they star t at Lincoln.

“I mean, what is better than dunking your principal, and this year, our new assistant principal in the Dunk Tank?” Esposito said. “We start planning in the summer and it’s so fun to watch it all come to g ether.”

New to the Lincoln family, Casey Luther and her family came out to meet families as their child started in the Pre-K program.

“Miss Mur phy and her team have been excellent,” Luther said of her experience at Lincoln. “It has been a really smooth transition from Willard [Elementary] over to Lincoln, especially with the specialists that hop between both schools to help with the kids.”

Luther said they have only lived in River Forest for three years, and the family is excited to get to know their new school community at Lincoln.

“We know Willard f amilies but now it’s our turn to meet Lincoln f amilies, which is our home school,” she said.

Also new to Lincoln, and to the D90 community, is Jennifer Pasia, the new assistant principal shared between Lincoln and Willard Elementary schools, who also attended the event.

“This is such a fun community event,” Pasia said. “And I am excited to have the opportunity to get to know more Lincoln families at our Back to School Picnic.”

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Casey Godfrey smiles as he awaits his fate in the Dunk Tank.

AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ

Man throws object at BP gas station, shatters glass door

On Aug. 30, a man threw an unknown object at the front door of the BP Amoco at 727 N. Harlem Ave. causing the glass to shatter. The man was last seen walking southbound on Harlem Avenue. The estimated damage is $1,000.

Motor vehicle theft

■ Someone stole a Carol Stream resident’s black 2012 Range Rover that had the key fob in the vehicle between Aug. 26 and 27 on the 1200 block of Woodbine Avenue. The estimated loss is $15,000.

■ Someone broke the window and stole an Indiana resident’s 2020 Nissan Maxima between Aug. 27 and 28 on the 1000 block of South Scoville Avenue. The estimated loss is $20,000.

■ Someone stole a Chicago resident’s maroon 2012 Honda Civic that had the keys inside Aug. 28 on the 900 block of Mapleton Avenue. The estimated loss is $9,000.

Criminal damage to property

On Aug. 28, someone used a brick to break the window of a Sugar Grove resident’s garden garage apar tment located on the 300 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. The estimated damage is $200.

On Aug. 30, a man threw a brick at Oak Park Oasis at 625 N. Harlem Ave. and shattered a window on the front hallway of the building. The man was last seen heading westbound into River Forest. The estimated damage is $1,000.

Arrests

■ A 25-year-old Chicago man was arrested for battery to a Chicago resident Aug. 26 on the 800 block of Lake Street.

■ A 19-year-old Oak Park woman was arrested for domestic battery, battery and theft Aug. 26 on the 800 block of Garfield Street. An 18-year-old Chicago woman was

also arrested for two counts of battery. And an Oak Park girl was ar rested for domestic battery and battery. The victims were also Oak Park residents.

■ A 57-year-old Forest Park woman was arrested for driving under the influence after being in an accident Aug. 26 on the 100 block of South Austin Boulevard.

■ A 37-year-old Chicago man was arrested for criminal trespass to property Aug. 28 on the 700 block of South Boulevard. The incident occur red on the CTA at 567 W. Lake St. in Chicago.

■ An 18-year-old Oak Park man was arrested for domestic battery to an Oak Park resident Aug. 29 on the 1100 block of South Cuyler Avenue.

■ A 48-year-old Evergreen Park man was ar rested for driving under the influence of alcohol Sept. 1 on the 600 block of Adams Street. The man was also arrested for possession of a concealed firearm under the influence and damage to village property.

Our beautiful 6-story building provides quality, a ordable, independent housing for seniors. e Oaks o ers studio and one-bedroom apartments, with kitchens and private bathrooms. Amenities include an award winning interior landscaped atrium, central meeting room, library, laundry facilities, computer learning center, internet access, electronic key entry system, and parking.

On-site management includes 24/7 emergency maintenance service and a senior services coordinator who is available during business hours to assist residents in accessing service

Battery

A man approached an Oak Park resident Aug. 29 on the 600 block of Lake Street and grabbed the resident’s butt before fleeing on foot. The man was later seen driving a bright blue Dodge Charger.

These items were obtained from Oak Park Police Department re ports dated Aug. 26 – Sept. 2 and re present a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these re ports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We re port 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 ar rest

Compiled by Luzane Draughon

agencies and programs designed speci cally for seniors. e Oaks is owned and operated by the Oak Park Residence Corporation and is funded by the US Department of Housing and Ur-ban Development through the 202/ Section 8 Program. Monthly rent is based on the resident’s income, with individuals paying approximately 30% of their monthly income toward rent.

For more information, please visit us at www.oakparkrc.com or contact us at 708-386-5862.

Bob Newhart’s Oak Park roots and Austin upbringing

Local historian Frank Lipo shares details from Newhart’s life

WBy ZOË TAKAKI Contributing Reporter

hether from Austin or Oak Park, the Greater West Side is happy to claim celebrated comedian Bob Newhart as their own. Newhart died in August just shy of his 95th birthday.

Famous for his one-sided phone call bit, Newhart received numerous awards over his 60-year career, including three Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

When asked by Wednesday Journal to research Newhart’s experience growing up on the West Side, Frank Lipo, executive director of the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest, knew he would have the resources.

“The historical society has been around for 50 plus years as an organization. So, before I even started working here 30

years ago, we had a file on Bob Newhart,” said Lipo.

Lipo said Newhart was born on Sept. 5, 1929 at West Suburban Hospital, then as now on the Austin Boulevard border between Austin and Oak Park. According to the census the following year, Newhart and his family lived at 59 N. Menard Ave., in Austin. By the 1940 census, the family had moved two blocks west to 26 N. Mason Ave.

Growing up Newhart spent time in both Austin and Oak Park.

In a 2002 interview with the Chicago Tribune, Newhart said, “We used to say we lived in Oak Park because it sounded more posh and Hemingway lived there. But actually we lived in Austin.”

He also had family spread across the West Side, with his grandparents, aunt and many others living close by.

“His story is about this extended family

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Todd Bannor

Frank Lipo, Executive Director of the Oak Park River Forest Museum, with a photo of Bob Newhart at the museum.

Todd Bannor

Newspaper clipping from 1951 with a photo of Bob Newhart, second from left, in Pygmalion at the Oak Park River Forest Museum.

and how he was really an Austinite, a Chicagoan, and had some Oak Park connections,” said Lipo.

Growing up, Newhart was surrounded by an Irish Catholic community.

“His family was very Catholic,” said Lipo. “One of his sisters became a nun.”

For high school, Newhart attended Saint Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit school on the city’s near west side. His dad also attended Ignatius.

Through his research, Lipo found that Newhart’s father was very active in St. Lucy Parish on Lake Street in Austin. St. Lucy later merged with St. Catherine of Siena parish at Austin and Washington in Oak Park.

Newhart’s experience with theater began in the church, with him attending St Edmund Catholic Parish’s youth theater program called Edmund Players. Newhart also acted with the Oak Park Playhouse, a community theater that performed in the Lowell School, an Oak Park public school at the corner of Lake

and Forest. That site later became one of Oak Park’s first high rise apartment buildings. There, he performed in plays including “Pygmalion,” “The Wizard of Oz,” and “First Lady.”

While he studied business and accounting at Loyola University, Newhart wanted to be a comedian. His breakout performance was at Mister Kelly’s, a landmark Chicago nightclub. Mister Kelly’s attracted all the big names of an era that spanned Ella Fitgerald to Steve Martin. A Newberry Library report quoted Newhart saying that being on the stage at Mister Kelly’s, “Newhart felt he had finally ‘made it in show business.”

“His mother and father couldn’t get into the show because it was such a sell out,” said Lipo.

When performing at the Chicago Theatre, Newhart told the Chicago Tribune “I used to take the streetcar down to the Chicago Theatre to see great bands. For me, to walk out on those boards is like something I never thought would happen.”

Bring Home Bob Newhart’s Retro Hotel Style Decorating

The allure and timelessness of retro hotel style decorating inspired by Bob Newhart’s Stratford Inn is trending now in living rooms across the country. This style of decorating creates a timeless oasis that reﬂects the charm and elegance of yesteryear and embraces an iconic show and television celebrity who “visited” our living rooms 142 times from September 1972 - April 1978.

The Essence of Retro Hotel Style

• Vintage Vibes: Bring in nostalgic elements that deﬁne the retro hotel style, such as mid-century furniture, bold patterns, and vibrant colors.

• Mix of Eras: Blending the decades creates a cohesive and charming retro atmosphere.

Key Elements of Bob Newhart’s Decorating Style

• Furniture Choices: Bob Newhart’s retro style classic mid-century pieces, emphasize their timeless appeal and functionality.

• Color Palette: Rich earth tones, deep blues, and pops of bright colors are signature hues of the “Stratford Inn.”

• Textures and Materials: Luxurious fabrics like velvet and leather pair well with wool and ploy-cotton ﬁbers and topped off with polished wood & chrome accents.

Decor Details that Make a Difference

• Artwork and Wall Decor: Vintage posters, abstract art, and quirky wall hangings further deﬁne the trending retro style.

• Lighting: Light up your space with vintage-inspired lighting ﬁxtures, such as sputnik chandeliers and retro ﬂoor lamps.

• Accessories: Antique clocks, vintage telephones, and retro-themed knickknacks complete the look.

• Tips for Achieving Bob Newhart’s Retro Hotel Style

• Start Small: Start with key pieces or one room before expanding throughout the entire space.

• Personal Touch: Incorporating personal memorabilia and heirlooms to add a unique and personal ﬂair. If they’re YOUR memorabilia, they’re retro and have meaning.

• Balanced Mix: Balance retro elements with modern conveniences for comfort and functionality.

Divine Consign is your source for all of your decorating desires. We are an over 20,000 SF showroom selling brand new and nearly new furniture and home decor spanning from mid-century modern to contemporary, rustic to retro and casual luxe. We’re open Monday - Saturday 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday 11 AM - 5 PM. Visit us at DivineConsign.com

Todd Bannor

The house on South Taylor Avenue Bob Newhart’s father George grew up

LOOKING GLASS

Who remembers Bob Newhart and from what era?

Local residents recall, or don’t, Newhart’s impact on comedy and television

By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing reporter

Bob Newhart, the witty and gentle comic famous for TV, nightclubs and movies, was born in Oak Park and grew up in Austin. We took to the streets in both neighborhoods to find out who remembers the gifted comedian and from what era they first knew him.

Was it the two TV sitcoms, standup at Mister Kelly’s, guest starring on The Big Bang Theory or as Papa Elf in the movie Elf?

“I didn’t know he was born in Oak Park. I only know him from Elf. I knew he was a TV personality and he has a distinctive way of speaking.”

Christopher Fillak

“I had no idea he grew up in the same community as I am in. He made it a long way for him to live up to 95 years old.”

Krystal Lewi

“I worked in the community he grew up in. He had the Bob Newhart Show that I grew up watching.”

Ken

“I watched him in the movie Elf. My parents grew up watching the Bob Newhart Show.”

Kim Martinez

“I don’t watch TV anymore. It’s really cool how he started off his career here in Austin.”

Daniella Meza

“I was a big fan of both of his shows in the early 70’s. I also saw him appear on the Big Bang Theory.”

Willy Davis

“I didn’t know he was from Illinois and

Oak Park specifically. I love watching him in the movie Elf.”

Anne Rezylan

“I’m not surprised he was from Oak Park as Chicago is a hotspot for comedy and The Second City and especially Saturday Night Live. I loved his skit in An Infinite Number of Monkeys.”

Rachel Hand

“I was watching him in the ‘70s. His comedy was a little dry humor. His one-liners made everyone laugh. I worked with Betty White as an intern at The Second City and I know she was on their show. Both Betty White and Bob Newhart are two of the most famous actors/comedians Oak Park has. Hopefully they have a dedication to him like they did with Betty White.”

Milo

“I was a big fan of both of his shows in the early 70’s. I also saw him appear on the Big Bang Theory.”

Willy Davis

“I did not know who Bob was.”

Imani Watts

“I like his style of humor, and it has reached a variety of generations. I watched Bob Newhart with my parents.”

Trisha Flassing

“I didn’t even know he was from Illinois. I wouldn’t have known that. I love watching Elf.”

Adam Jimenez

“I remember him being funny with a dry sense of humor but endearing and sensitive when appropriate.”

Brittany Ramsey

KIDS STAND UP CLASS SEPTEMBER 14TH

A reimagine historic colonial hits the market

Linden Avenue home once featur in House Beautiful

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

When Charles Warren Stiger built his home in Oak in 1910, he hired noted Chicago School architect Dunning, who designed a stately brick and stucco colonial home with Tudor influences for the Stiger family. Dunning was among the founders of the Ar League of America and served as the group’s His Chicago practice designed numerous residential, commercial and civic buildings across the Mi The home at 547 Linden Ave. was featured in House Beautiful Magazine in 1911. Stiger lived in the home until hi death in 1942, and he and his wife, Louise, raised two dren there. According to public records, Stiger auto parts manufacturing.

See HISTORICAL HOUSE on page 26

PROVIDED

home as it was featured in House Beautiful Magazine in 1911.

HISTORICAL HOUSE

Old

and new

from page 25

The most recent owner, Angie West, says she was drawn to the home by Dunning’s design. “Dunning was more of a commercial architect. The space benefitted from the way he saw things moving,” she said.

As a native of West Texas, West appreciated the way the house flows like a ranch house and says of the home, “It sits outside of Prairie design. It’s not too specific a style. I felt I could bring it into its next chapter.”

The home has stunning original details like art glass windows in the front door and on the stair landing of the main staircase; a marble mantle in the for mal living room and floor to ceiling wood paneling in the dining room. West preserved these details while turning her artist’s eye to the exterior of the home.

West is the co-founder of Refractory, a furniture, lighting and objects brand and design studio based in Chicago, and she approached the home with a contemporary touch.

On the exterior, she re paired brick and stucco and painted the entire house in a dark hue, which makes the home stand out in the rich landscape that surrounds it. Inside, she tackled a large project in removing a superfluous chimney in the rear of the house. She said, “While the chimney created a sort of forced location for a small mudroom and bar, it really truncated the openness of the kitchen and the flow to the back door and terrace. The brick chimney was demoed from above the rooftop down to the basement, so it was a substantial project.”

Getting rid of the chimney allowed her to create a more open kitchen plan. The re-thought room now has a custom shou sugi ban butcher block island at its center as well as a separate pantry and breakfast room and direct access to the terrace which spans the back of the house.

Removing the chimney also impacted the bedrooms above and allowed West to create a better flow on the second floor, which includes five bedrooms, a hall bath and a primary suite with a fireplace.

T he third floor includes two more bedrooms, a full bathroom and a large family room.

During the course of the renovations, West refinished the hardwood floors throughout the first and second floor and also put in air conditioning on the upper two floors of the home and had a tankless water heater installed.

PROVIDED

ALL SEASONS: Historic winter photo and current day images.

The home includes the original three car garage with an attached coach house

With its stone floors, beadboard walls and ladder to a loft, the coach house speaks to the era in which the home was designed. West said the space was meant for use by car riage drivers and that the attached garden shed was originally a space for horses

to go in inclement weather.

Original wood beams and gate latches remain in the room.

Today, the coach house includes a bonus living space, and West commissioned architectural plans for a coach house renovation that she will make available to the next owner.

While she is moving on to her next chapter, West is hopeful that someone will see the beauty in the house as she does. “I love the way it looks in the fall, in the spring and with the snow. It’s a happy place.”

The home is listed for sale with Aldo Bottalla of CRE Advising for $1,798,000.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M.

Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

C

ONSCIOUS A GING

Two pieces of good news

Do you ever feel you’re seen or treated differently because you’re older or because you’re younger? Do people sometimes call you “sweetie” or “honey”? Have you had difficulty getting a job because of your age? Are you considered unproductive or coddled because of the way you look? Do you buy birthday cards for older people that are actually nsulting, not funny?

BLESOFF

Ageism Awareness Day is dnesday, Oct. 9. Ashton Applete will be speaking at the 19th entury Club in Oak Park on Ageism Awareness Day. It’s free to the public pplewhite is an author and anti-ageism activist. The Decade Healthy Aging, a collaboration between the United Nations and World Health Organization, named her one of the Healthy Aging 50 — a group of leaders “transforming the world to be a better place in which to grow older.”

She is the author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism and a leading spokesperson for the emerging movement to raise awareness about, and dismantle, ageism (www.thischairrocks.com). Applewhite is also co-founder of the Old School Anti-Ageism Clearinghouse, which offers free anti-ageism educational resources (www. oldschool.info).

Come out to the 19th Century Club in Oak Park on Wednesday, Oct. 9. Help celebrate Ageism Awareness Day with one of the world’s most respected and energizing speakers about ageism. Take advantage of this free opportunity right here in our Oak Park community!

And here’s some good anti-ageism news in Illinois: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately one-quarter of Illinois’ population will be 60 or older by 2030, raising significant challenges and opportunities in both the public and private sectors.

Two weeks ago, Gover nor JB Pritzker signed Executive Order 2024-02 to begin a cross-sector planning process to create a clear framework, over the next decade, for meeting the needs of older people, people with disabilities, and caregivers

This is a significant and far-reaching development for all

VIEWPOINTS

You’re sitting at home after dinner one evening and your spouse suddenly complains of intense chest pains and a numb left arm. What do you do? The answer is simple: call 911, which has existed since 1968 and is a phone number ubiquitously associated with emergencies.

Now imagine you are sitting at the dinner table and your teenage daughter starts talking openly to you about her feelings of deep depression that are causing her to have thoughts of suicide. What do you do? In the past, that answer has not been so clear. Thankfully, Oak Park and River Forest have two effective resources: 988

National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Thrive Counseling Center’s 24/7 crisis response (708-383-7500, option 1).

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and there are three main facts to remember.

1) Rates of suicide are increasing.

2) Suicide is preventable.

You can be part of the solution just by knowing who to call.

In July of 2022, the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline was replaced by 988. This expanded resource provides 24/7, no-cost, confidential support for individuals in distress, including prevention and crisis resources. Calling or texting this number will connect anyone to a trained professional who is ready to help callers deal with their suicidal ideations (picturing their own suicide),

mental-health crises, substance-use issues, or other emotional distress.

People should also contact 988 if they are worried about a loved one’s mental-health crisis and want to provide support. When someone contacts 988, a trained crisis counselor will answer, listen to the person, provide support, and share resources as needed.

Crisis counselors are trained to help in a variety of crisis situations, and no one is required to disclose any personal information. According to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, nearly 98% of the immediate crises are resolved over the telephone with callers being linked to lifesaving resources instead of dispatching emergency response

Thrive Counseling Center in Oak Park is a comprehensive mental health center located just steps from downtown serving the near west suburbs since 1898. Thrive also has a crisis line (708-383-7500) that can be reached 24/7. The main difference between this phone number and 988? Thrive has the ability to send a mobile crisis team to the distressed person and provide on-site assessment and de-escalation.

Their crisis counselors are all highly-trained, master’slevel clinicians whose goals are to stabilize the immediate situation, provide support, and facilitate connection to

Balancing act at OPRF

As the new school year opens at Oak Park and River Forest High School, the district is working to address the concerns of some in the community that its collective response to the upset last year related to the murderous Hamas attack on Israel was inadequate and antisemitic.

The challenge, the district has said, is balancing those concerns with the right to free expression by students with a wide range of views on a complex subject.

In an email to families ahead of the school’s August opening, Supt. Greg Johnson sent a letter titled “Our Commitment to an Inclusive Environment.” The email detailed a range of steps the district has taken on related fronts, including adopting the federal government’s Office of Civil Rights guidelines for investigating hate crimes, providing teachers with clearer guidelines for teaching controversial issues, and holding what the district said were “d ozens” of meetings re presenting diverse voices from the community, including students, faculty, parents and faith leaders.

The district has also contracted with a nonprofit called Convergence, which will hold community meetings with a goal of bridging different opinions while strengthening an open conversation. It said it will also work to be clearer in setting guidelines for school-sanctioned clubs which in some cases were criticiz ed last year for what some community members alle ged were antisemitic activities.

All of this comes as an active group of residents filed a complaint ag ainst the district with Illinois State Board of Education and the Attorney General’s Office alleging leadership failures by the district.

Nate Mellman, the leading critic of the school on this issue, is, not surprisingly, unsatisfied with the school’s response. He wants many more details on the district’s plans.

Our view is that the situation in Israel and on the West Bank has only grown more dire and complex as we move toward the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ treacherous assault. It is almost certain that students with a wide range of views about the was in Gaza will grow and will be expressed more forcefully in the new school year.

Working toward an elusive balance of free speech and respect is the necessary goal of the school’s leadership. We find the actions taken thus far to be reasonable and sincere. How the many guidelines put forward will work in everyday life will absolutely be imperfect.

The challenge for the school community and the entire community is to listen with open minds and hearts, to be willing to learn, and to accept that areas of disagreement are inevitable if good faith is brought to the effort

Giving joy its due

Seriously, folks, when’s the last time you felt this damn good?

Filmmaker/author Michael Moore following the Democratic National Convention

Like Michael Moore, I felt “damn good” two weeks ago during and after the Convention. Driving back from the Buzz Café one morning after an enjoyable breakfast with a friend, I felt distinctly upbeat — trees awash in sunlight with a deep-blue backdrop, the Harrison Street Arts District looking rejuvenated and alive after several decades of ef fort, my own pleasant memories imbedded along this same stretch and, yes, a funereal election season had just shifted to hopeful. I took note that happiness was d ominant and fear, stress and wo r ry had receded, almost to non-existenc e. I also took note of how seldom that happens To o often I let the ne gative dominate the positive. And for onc e, instead of casti gating myself about that, I realized we all have an inner ca rp enter ’s “level,” wh ich lets us know when we ’re out of balance — if we pay attention to it.

KEN TRAINOR

A friend recently said she asked her granddaughter if she was going to be OK when she arrived for her first day of school. Jordan told her, “My daddy said, ‘Don’t let your sadness get in the way of your happiness.’”

As the two Disney Inside Out films so brilliantly illustrate, our two-sided experience of life is governed by the balance between Joy and Sadness. We need both. There are other emotions, of course, that can tip our inner life like a badly hung wall frame. We can’t be in perfect balance all the time. Life doesn’t allow that. Sometimes events tilt us dramatically into the negative and we suffer — from grief, physical pain, anger over injustice, shame, re gret, anxiety about the present, fear for the future. You can hear this when people are on their cellphones within earshot in a public place.

We don’ t tilt positive nearly as often, but when it happens, we need to take note. The good is always around and within us, like the sun dodging the clouds, bu rning through the overcast. Sadness can’ t entirely eclipse joy. Neither can joy extinguish sadness

But if we er r, it’s in paying more attention to the dark than to the light. Look at the films showing at the Lake Theatre this week — almost all depict the dark side of life. News coverage of the election is

obsessively locked into “ne gative framing.” The national media seems desperately afraid that anything else will make them look naïve — or worse, soft. It’s possible, however, in our day-today, to maintain a certain equilibrium. It takes practice (and I am not always a model practitioner). The pre-requisite is accepting, even embracing, the twosided nature of life. Martin Buber characterized it as “the melancholy of our fate,” but even that is negatively framed. Yes, the “bad news” is that happiness is fleeting. We can’t live permanently in bliss. But the “good news” is that sadness isn’t per manent either. It is not our default setting, not our bottom line (unless we make it so). Joy and Sadness are partners in a perpetual dance, otherwise known as “being fully human.”

We do have some (but not total) control. When sadness dominates, it is still possible to savor joy. And when joy dominates, must not cling so tightly that we squee ze all the happiness out of it. Joy cannot be used as a shield against sadness. All this takes practice. When you veer ne gative and the bubble has slid from the center of your inner level, look around for the positives. Don’t ask yourself, “What’s wrong with me? There are so many good things in my life!” That’s ne gatively framed. Simply let enjoyment distract you momentarily. When you’re in the middle of an imaginary tirade in your car (my particular specialty), railing against some injustice in life (which may be legitimate), and you suddenly notice a beautiful song playing on the radio, take a break from your outrage and listen. When you go back to the tirade, your tone might sound slightly more humane.

We tend to give sadness, fear, anxiety, anger, embarrassment, and condemnation more credence, and we underestimate joy. We think the ne gative side of life is more “real,” whereas the positive seems illusory, transitory. The goal is to give both sides equal weight. What gives us joy is all around us all the time. It isn’t negated by the ne gative, just as life is not ne gated by death.

Death is part of the life cycle, not the other way around. Joy, as in the two Inside Out films, is our baseline. Light is the constant in a dark universe. But it’s enough for now to remember a dad’s sage advice to his daughter on the first day of school: Don’t let your sadness get in the way of your happiness

SHRUB TO WN by Marc Stopeck

What could possibly go wrong?!

Much ado about something simple

Lately there has been much noise about a petition for a referendum on term limits for the of fice of River Forest village president. Referendum is a Latin word that loosely means, Let’s ask the people what they want to do about this issue. A referendum is just a question, to which a voter can answer “Yes” or “No” or just ignore.

It has been used for over 2,000 years by Western democracies, so it cannot be such a bad idea. Therefore, I do not understand all this flurry of legal filings involving lawyers and subpoenas of neighbors, and letters in the local paper, trying to block it.

All this fighting for what, over a question?

I am one of the persons who walked the streets of River Forest asking residents whether they would sign the petition for the referendum. Some of them agreed that term limits are a good idea, others told me that they like the system as it is now, and still others were not interested in this issue.

One afternoon, I approached a resident sitting in his

front porch reading a book, on Bonnie Brae, I believe, a house on a northeast corner of the block. He spoke to me for a few minutes and told me he likes the current system, as other residents do. But then he added that, to respect democracy and all the residents who disagree with him, he was going to sign the petition sheet. He added, smiling, that he was going to vote “No.”

I wish that everyone, like this gentleman, would understand that a referendum is just a question. Nobody will force any voter to check the Yes or the No box, or even to check a box. If the Yes residents want to prevail, they will have to be the majority of voters convinced that term limits are a good idea. And if the No residents like the system as it is now, they will have to be the majority thinking that this is the best of all possible worlds. So why all the fuss? Let the residents decide: they can actually think and decide on their own.

Giuseppina Nucifora River Forest

WEDNESDAY

JOURNAL

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

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■ Signature details as at left

A lifesaving hug

On a Saturday around noon, my pal Char Mack and I, both high school senior to stop in the Restaurant on Oak Pa enue to eat lunch before going to the Lake Theatr

While we were eating, the man sitting next to our table started to chok ing and pointing to his throat. The man he was with began slapping him on his back, but the man continued to gasp and started to turn blue.

Charlie and I realized that unless the obstacle stuck in his throat wasn’t expelled, the man would die within minutes from lack of oxygen. The owner of the restaurant came quickly to the man’s table, pulled him up from his arm pits, and applied a maneuver that Charlie and I had never seen.

The owner stood behind the man told him to lean over, bending at the waist, and letting his upper body, arms, and head hang down. The owner wrapped his own arms around the man just below his rib cage, made a fist with one hand and grasped it with his other hand , and then exerted a sudden strong upward thrust and re peated it twice.

Charlie and I speculated that this upward thrust forced the man’s diaphragm upward and caused the air forced from his lungs to loosen a chunk of food from his windpipe. The piece of food flew out of the man’s mouth like a cannonball, hit the table, and fell to the floor.

Charlie asked the owner to explain the

maneuver, and the owner told us it was called the Heimlich , named for the surgeon who invented it. The owner said he had learned it as part of a Red Cross class he had recently completed; what he had

He said that the choking occurs when food is sucked into the windpipe instead wed. Usually a person can cough out the food before it becomes lodged, but sometimes when the person gags, a large piece of food sticks in the person’s throat. Since this occurs when a person inhales, he said, there is normally a small amount of air in the person’s lungs, so when air is forced out of the lungs, the food is propelled out of the mouth.

When I was in colle ge, students were required to take a Red Cross class as part of the physical education program, and that’s where I lear ned the Heimlich maneuver. I’m glad I learned this because I had to use it when one of my students was choking on a piece of candy and was turning blue.

I remembered what I had been taught, so I lifted him from under his armpits, placed my ar ms below his rib cage, and pushed up on his diaphragm. It took three thrusts, but the piece of candy flew out of his mouth and bounced of f the nearby wall.

I never thought I would ever use the maneuver, but I’m glad I could use it when it counted.

Put ag football on everyone’s radar

Standing up and talking about CTE in football and particularly how bad it is for our children’s brains is a no-touch subject?! Why? The evidence is clear: playing football will break your brain. No one can deny or spin this fact any other way.

So why does everyone look the other

way? Who is going to step up and promote flag football as an alternative and give full contact football a rest? It’s kind of silly to die or suffer for a game. Let’s give flag a fresh start! Put tackle football off the radar and put flag on the front page. Matt Avery Oak Park

When will they ever learn?

On July 29, I caught a moment of news media coverage of Donald Trump, the presidential nominee of the so-called Republican Party, at a campaign rally. I cannot call it GOP because the GOP is now the Trump Party.

The Donald thanked Christians profusely for their support and proclaimed that he too is a Christian. His self-disclosure triggered my gag reflex. He elevated himself to be viewed by his audiences as one of the “Religious, Righteous Right,” not as the blatant racist and misogynist that he truly is.

A few moments later, the newscast moved on to other coverage, and I resumed my household chores. But the vision of Trump reappeared, again, later in the evening

In my solitude and in the dusk of a war m July evening, with my eyes closed, I saw him again. I heard him again, and disgust chur ned my stomach again.

As I struggle to contain my outrage, I felt obligated to voice a protest for all our meek, sincere, obedient-but-misinformed, and exploited fellow citizens. I wonder how much

blind faith it takes to reach a point where the believer becomes a danger to himself and others.

At that rally, Trump asked Christians to tur n out to vote for him. He said that if he’s re-elected, they would not have to vote again in the next presidential election, four years later. What was he telling his audience? Was he telling them that somehow, they will be relieved, or possibly deprived, of their civic obligation of electing their gover nment? Was he revealing a plan to eliminate elections? After all, elections are not necessary to extend the term of a dictatorship. If that is not a threat to our democracy, then only an insurrection would qualify But we already had that on Jan. 6, 2021. In the 2016 election, American Christians failed to heed the warning to “Beware of false prophets” (Mathew 22:15-20). The question is: Will they repeat their error? Or as the Kingston Trio once sang, when will they ever lear n?

Fred Natkevi Oak Park

Why ght this referendum?

Carolyn Kilbride filed a challenge to a signature petition circulated by River Forest voters to place a ter m-limit referendum question on the November election ballot regarding the office of the village of River Forest president. The signature petition was not an official vote on the proposed referendum question.

Under Illinois law, the referendum would not apply in the next election should the current president choose to run for a fourth ter m. Why the forceful and aggressive challenge to invalidate voters’ valid signatures?

Kilbride asserts that certain signatures as “not genuine.” One of those “not genuine” signatures was my daughter who resides with her parents, two licensed attorneys. Other signatures alleged as “not genuine” are the sons of a person who ran against the current president in the last election. Another signature asserted “not genuine” is the mother of a person who openly disagreed with the current president. This River Forest resident has been voting in River Forest for 51 years.

The village had to hire its attorney to preside over hearings. The electoral board, as initially convened, ordered a County review of the allegedly improper signa-

tures. A third member of the electoral board must now be appointed by the Cook County Circuit Court (the village president was not qualified to serve as a member of the electoral board because the office of the president is the issue of the referendum. The resident group moved to disqualify the president before the first hearing and she recused herself during the hearing, but not before).

And now residents are forced to submit to subpoena powers: last week subpoenas were issued to seven of the citizens who went door-to-door across the village to collect signatures to place the question on the ballot.

Residents of River Forest, you are paying for this single individual to prevent democracy and to prevent your right to vote your choice regarding term limits

You may not want term limits, but if this challenge succeeds, you cannot even vote no.

By now you must be wondering: why so much pushback to prevent the voters from choosing Yes or No on ter m limits for the office of village president?

Pierangela Murphy River Forest

HOA boards, beware!

I’m writing this letter as a public service to advise all condo Home Owner Association (HOA) boards of a legal requirement they must fulfill by Dec. 31 and a related fraud they may encounter.

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is a federal law that went into ef fect on Jan. 1, 2024, that requires many business entities to file re ports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The goal of the CTA is to help prevent and combat financial crimes, such as money laundering, ter rorist financing, corruption, and tax fraud, by providing law enforcement with infor mation about business owners and those who control them. FinCEN is an agency under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Treasury. HOAs are required to comply with CTA and there are stiff fines and potential jail time for non-compliance. All HOA board members and any owner in the building who owns at least 25% of the building are required to provide their name, address, phone, bir thdate and a copy of an ID (driver’s license, state ID, or current passpor t)

to FinCEN

I and the other members of my board have been receiving almost daily emails, which ask us to click on a link and provide our personal info rmation for CTA re porting. They appear to be from a legitimate compliance and security company located in Hillside I checked with that company and the emails did not come from them. This is a case where bad actors are taking advantage of a legitimate gover nmental mandate in order to phish for personal data.

There are several ways to satisfy the CTA’s requirements. Your board members may file for themselves on FinCEN’s secure website, they may fill out a paper form, or your management company may handle this requirement for you (for a fee of course). You can also have your HOA’s legal firm handle this for you.

However you decide to do this, please be safe. Never click on an email link that you do not know to be le gitimate. Louise Mezzatesta River Forest

Why prevent a referendum?

Recently a group of River Forest residents circulated and filed a petition asking for a referendum in this November’s election, which, if voted on and passed, would limit the president of the village to a ter m limit of eight years.

If this referendum were to receive enough support and pass, it would affect the next election four years hence. Once the petition was filed, Carolyn Kilbride wrote a letter to the editor saying term limits on the village president would be detrimental to the citizens of the River Forest because it would circumvent the election process. According to Ms. Kilbride, residents have the right to vote individuals in or out and term limits would circumvent the electoral process.

I actually agree with her position and last week I wrote a letter to the editor questioning why Ms. Kilbride was

filing a legal objection against the filing, attempting to stop the referendum from being voted on by residents. I just learned that eight individuals involved in the filing of the petition have been served a subpoena to appear before the Electoral Board. This legal objection has required those involved to engage legal re presentation.

If Ms. Kilbride is so concerned that the electoral process will be circumvented by term limits, wouldn’t it make sense to allow the citizen residents of the village to vote on the referendum and be allowed to make that decision? Is that the best option for the resolution of this question? Why are lawyers being enlisted to argue this issue?! Isn’t that a waste of residents’ resources?

Speak up, Ms. Kilbride. You owe the village residents an explanation.

David Erfort River Forest

MARC BLESOFF

Good news on aging

from page 27

the citizens of Illinois because all of us, from the moment we are born, are aging.

The executive order creates the new strategic position of Chief Planning Officer within the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA). The chief planning officer will lead the development and implementation of a multi-year Multi-Sector Plan for Aging (MPA). The MPA will serve as a 10-year blueprint to support healthy aging in Illinois communities and set clear, measurable objectives for evaluating public and private sector progress toward this goal. The chief planning officer will deliver the MPA to the Gover nor and General Assembly by Dec. 31, 2025, and an additional status report by Dec. 31, 2026.

The chief planning officer will convene an MPA Task Force, consisting of more than a dozen gover nment agencies, to collaborate on the shared goals of enhancing and integrating services available to older adults in Illinois.

The executive order also mandates that the state-led MPA planning process bring together diverse stakeholders as members of the MPA Community Advisory Council, co-chaired by IDoA’s chief planning officer.

Kudos to Gov. Pritzker and all the dedicated organizations and individuals who worked for years to get this executive order created and signed

And let’s all celebrate Ageism Awareness Day with Ashton Applewhite on the evening of Oct. 9 at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park.

CHERYL POT TS

Suicide prevention

from page 27

ongoing help.

Sometimes you need to have a person sitting right next to you to remind you that you matter and that there is hope. Thrive provides that.

It is also important to state that if you are in or around a mental-health crisis that has the potential to end in immediate harm to someone, it is always better to err on the side of safety and call 911.

The Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township (CMHB), Thrive Counseling Center, and the village of Oak Park are helping to raise awareness of 988 through lawn signs and social media campaigns. You can help our efforts by picking up a lawn sign today at village hall, the Community Recreation Center (CRC), or at the Main Library.

As we observe National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we mourn the loss of our community’s loved ones to suicide and devote our efforts to educate, empower, and mobilize our neighbors to help prevent future losses

The most important roles you can play are to listen compassionately, respond supportively, and recognize that you have both 988 and Thrive Counseling Center as partners. Program these numbers into your mobile phones, teach your children about them, and hang up a call list in a prominent place for you to reference. Our goal and hope is that you will never need to use them.

#YouMatterOP

Cheryl Potts is the executive director of the Community Mental Health Board of Oak Park Township (CMHB).

Harris has demonstrated her ability

As a 92-year-old lifetime resident of Oak Park, I commend you for your response to the critique of Kamala Harris [Critic of Harris uses ‘a priori’ fallacy, Viewpoints, Aug. 28]. She has demonstrated a real ability to be our next president. With her history of the law and ability to outshine

a very disturbed opponent, I hope that the public, including his die-hard supporters, will pay attention to who this man is and the danger he re presents to our country. Mar tha Tuohy Oak Park

in the Oak Park community; he was featured in Wednesday Journal back in 2013, as he regularly traversed Oak Park, cheering many folks with his friendliness, and hold ing part-time jobs with local businesses and organizations. He was a resident for many years through Neighborhood Services, participated in Oak-Leyden Developmental Services, and most recently was at the Berkeley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

Those who best knew Harvey knew him to be a good man, loved him for his unique self, his winsome and giving personality, his proud independence, and were inspired by his continual resilience in spite of facing a great many hardships in his life. Numerous professionals who interacted with him became longtime personal friends.

“Words to describe Harvey are not enough,” said Julie Vincent. “He was an experience, and I am grateful that I was able to experience his magic for almost 30 years. In an often unfair world, Harvey was the most authentic and generous spirit I have ever known. His resiliency and kindness transcended his challenges, and the gift of his friendship forever changed my life.”

“Harvey was one of a kind, said Tobias Kaemmerer. “In our countless shared adventures, he taught me much of what I know about generosity, resilience, creating community, and celebrating life. Our friendship had — and will continue to have — a profound impact on my life.”

“A friend of 25 years, Harvey always amazed me by his upbeat attitude and energy,” recalled Nancy Lee. “When he became not able to take his walks in the community, he used the phone to great effect in staying

onnected with folks. Frequent calls from him to his friends opened with his uplifting ow are you!” evoking the receiver’s smile for nurturing the bond of how he valued and loved you. He always closed with ‘Have a ood day!’ even when he himself might be going through a very hard time. I am grateful to Harvey for his brotherly caring for me.”

Harvey is survived by his sister, Abra Finelstein, of Chicago, and Ron Howard, of Bufalo Grove, as well as a niece and a nephew

Irwin

Gross Jr., 89 Information systems product planner

Irwin Christoher Gross Jr., 89, of Kingsport, Tennessee, died on Aug. 11, 2024, at home eacefully after coping with Parkinson’s Disease for the last ve years. Born in Oak Park, he was graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School (1952), M.I.T. (’56), and Wharton School of Business. In 1962, he married Ann Devine in Belmont, Massachusetts and raised three children. He retired in December of 1993 from the McGraw-Hill Infor mation Systems Company, NYC, where he was sales manager for Sweet’s Division Catalog File, published for architects. In 1978, he became vice president of product planning for Sweet’s Division.

After his retirement, they moved to Pensacola, Florida, for 26 years enjoying family visits and world travel. He was an elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Pensacola.

Moving to Kingsport in 2020 was precipitated by a diagnosis of Parkinson’s and a need for family support Amedisys Home Healthcare provided needed medical services

Irwin is survived by his wife, Ann Gross; his daughters, Jennifer (Bob) Feathers and Carolyn Gross; his son, Robert (Veronica) Gross; two granddaughters, Lauren and Rebecca; two grandsons, Dylan and Colin; his sister, Elizabeth Mull of Oak Park; and his brother, Frederick (Bernadette) Gross.

At Irwin’s request, there will be no for mal service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163, or donate online at www.michaeljfox.org.

Maureen Je ries, 82

Music teacher

Maureen B. Jeffries, 82, died on Aug. 18, 2024. Bor n on Nov. 2, 1941 in Langdon, North Dakota. She taught general music in Oak Park for 34 years.

Maureen was preceded in death by her parents, Marcus and Lenore Mulcah and her sister, Michele Mulcahy. She is sur vived by her children, Jay, Monica (Ken), and Mike; her grandchildren, Alec, Caitlin, Ka trina, Bridget, and Mackenzie; and her sister Mary Jo Mulcahy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be ebrated at 11 a.m. on Nov. 2 at St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church, 171 Elm St., Lino Lakes, with a luncheon and music with friends to follow. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests morial contributions be made to the “School of Music - Financial Need” at Duquesne University (Duquesne University, Offic of Advancement Services, 600 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15282). Please write checks to “Duquesne University” with the designation on the memo line.

and colostomy nurse. She also participated in volunteer services such as transport for cancer patients; police training actor; and tax service scheduler.

Shirley showered joy and love on her children, Sheila (John) and Ted (Vickie); her grandchildren, Val and ViVi, who received no end of stuffed animals.

Barbara Goldstein, 82 Family law attorney

Arrangements were handled by MuellerBies Funeral Home, 651-784-3390, www.muellerbies.com.

Shirley Shubat, 82 Nurse, stay-at-home mom

Shirley Shubat, 82 of Oak Park, died peacefully among family on Aug. 29, 2024. The daughter of Loren and Roxie Fry, she grew up in a farm community with her siblings, Rose (Bob), John (Cindy), Helen (Russ) and Joe. She shared life’s adventures with her husband Jacob for 62 years and enjoyed being a stayat-home mother. Her life adventure also included a career as a registered nurse. Additional study led to becoming a skin care

Barbara Ann (Allison) Goldstein, 82, eacefully after a long illness in nandina Beach, lorida on July 6, 2024. Born in Oak , she was a thright, warmnatured woman ho always fought she knew to be right and for those he earned a PhD in English Litrsity of South Florida English at Louilexandria. Later hanged careers and earned a JD from the University of Florida (1993) and became an attorney in family law with her own practice, Goldstein Law Firm in Sylva, North Carolina, retiring in 2013.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Harriet and David Allison Sr.; her brother, David Allison Jr.; and her husband, Sidney Goldstein. She is survived by her three children, Eric Goff, Laura Steelman, and Ben Taylor; and her four grandchildren, Nick Steelman, Nathan Steelman, Abby Goff and Nori Goff.

An infor mal memorial service is planned in Sarasota, Florida in late September.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to Cats Angels (https://catsangels org) to honor Barbara’s longstanding kindness to strays.

WEDNESDAY

JOURNAL

of Oak Park and River Forest

To run an obituary

Please contact Ken Trainor by e-mail: ktrainor@wjinc.com, or fax: 708/524-0447 before Monday at noon. Please include a photo if possible.

SPORTS

Fenwick football blanks OPRF

Stout defense and timely

big o ensive plays lift Friars over Huskies

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Hosting East Avenue rival Fenwick for the first time since 1989, the Oak Park and River Forest High School football team wanted to make it memorable for its fans. Instead, the visiting Friars made themselves at home in their first appearance at Oak Park Stadium since 2005 — the last season they played their home games there — with a 30-0 shutout of the Huskies, Aug. 31.

“It was great,” said Fenwick junior quarterback Jamen Williams, who started the game and had about an equal number of snaps with senior Frankie Hosty. “It went very well. We competed and got the job done.” Each team had promising drives snuffed out by a turnover in the first quarter. On OPRF’s second drive from the Fenwick 29, Johnny Nelson completed a short pass to Matt Winkelhake. But Winkelhake was stripped of the ball and Fenwick’s Nate

Marshall recovered. The Friars quickly marched deep into Huskies’ territor a Hosty pass was picked of f by OPRF DB Isaiah Gibson.

With 4:26 left in the first half, Fenwick broke the deadlock on a 52-yard down pass from Hosty (9-of-13, 114 to senior WR Treston Smith. T hen in the final minute, the F riars shocked the Huskies with a quick scoring drive that 92 yards on just six plays. Williams started things with a 44-yard completion to Marshall. Sophomore RB Jalen Mor g an capped of f the march with a five touchdown r un that made the score 14Fenwick at halftime

In the third quarter, OPRF seemed poised to get back into the game when junior DB Logan Gathman picked of f Hosty Fenwick 26. But the Huskies didn’t yard and tur ned the ball over on downs.

“We had a few times where our defense made some really big plays, then we take advantage offensively,” said OPRF coach John Hoerster.

Fenwick made OPRF pay dearly when on the first play after re gaining possession, Williams hit senior Andrew Bjorson in stride at midfield. Bjorson broke a tackle and did the rest, sprinting in for a 74-yard dagger.

Fenw ick’s Frankie Hosty (1) attempts a pass against Oak Park and River Forest Saturday, Aug. 31, in Oak Park

“Receivers like Andrew make it way easier on us,” said Williams, who threw for 162 yards and eight completions on 13 passes.

Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia felt both Hosty and Williams played well. Hosty added that the competition between the two is making each other better.

“When Jamen goes out there, I’m learning,” Hosty said. “When I go out there, he’s learning.”

After Bjorson’s score,

the Huskies fumbled the kickoff and the ball was recovered by the Friars at the OPRF 15. Four plays later, Morgan notched his second five-yard TD run to give Fenwick a commanding 28-0 lead at the 4:21 mark of the third quarter.

The Friars’ defense put on the final touches with 4:13 left in the game, causing OPRF sophomore RB Liam Smith (22 carries, 55 yards) to slip and fall in his own end zone, resulting in a safety.

“It feels good [to get a shutout], but there’s a lot to clean up on,” Battaglia said. “We’ve got to clean up our tackling and we can’t leave points on the field.”

The OPRF offense struggled to move the ball consistently against Fenwick’s defense all day. The Huskies managed only 165 yards of total offense, with the longest play from scrimmage a 20-yard reverse by

Winkelhake. But Hoerster thought the effort from Smith, making his varsity debut, was a positive

“I thought he was outstanding,” he said. “He’s a warrior and is going to be a real good football player. He never quit, and the future looks bright for Smitty.”

Both schools face major tests on Sept. 6. Fenwick hosts rival St. Ignatius at Triton Colle ge, while OPRF welcomes Chicago Public League power Morgan Park

“That’s another emotional game. We love it,” Battaglia said. “[St. Ignatius] would love nothing more than to beat us, and we want teams to give us their best shot.”

“We’ll learn a lot after we watch this film,” Hoerster said. “The silver lining I told our kids was that we didn’t get beat up; at the end of the day [Fenwick] made explosive plays and we didn’t.”

STEVE JOHNSTON

Fenw ick’s Treston Smith (2) tries to break away from Oak Park and River Forest’s Jake Karnick (25) a er his catch Saturday, Aug. 31.

OPRF girls volleyball o to a solid start

Huskies place 4th in top early-season invitational

By MELVIN TATE and BILL STONE Contributing Reporters

Despite losing key players such as Keira Kleidon, Grace Nelson, and Kinsey Smith to graduation, Oak Park and River Forest High School girls volleyball coach Kelly Collins feels confident heading into this season.

“We’re not considering this a rebuild by any means,” said Collins, in her ninth season. “We’re reloading. Although we did lose people, we have plenty of people ready to step up and showcase how much skill they have.”

OPRF is off to a 4-3 start this fall and put forth a good showing at one of the Chicago area’s top early-season invitationals, the Mizuno Crimson Classic, hosted by Plainfield North last week.

On Aug. 30, the Huskies won their pool, defeating Plainfield East 25-21, 25-11 and St. Ignatius 21-25, 25-10, 15-7.

On Aug. 31, OPRF knocked off Normal UHigh 25-19, 12-25, 15-11 in the Gold Bracket quarterfinals. In the semifinals, the Huskies

fell to Loyola Academy 8-25, 19-25, and also dropped the third-place match 11-25, 16-25 to Marist, finishing fourth in the bracket and fourth overall in the 32-team tournament.

OPRF junior outside hitter Samantha Shelton and senior outside hitter Tewa Woodson (North Carolina-Charlotte commit) made the All-Tournament team. They’re two of five varsity returners, along with three seniors: setter Hannah Phelan, middle blocker Gaby Towns, and rightside hitter Phoebe Shorney (Claremont McKenna College commit).

Newcomers to keep an eye on are sophomore Devyn Kleidon (Keira’s younger sister), senior defensive specialist Gia Jakovljevic and senior middle blocker Scarlett Simkowski.

“I think it’s been going pretty well,” Woodson said. “We’ve been working hard in the gym.”

Schedule highlights for OPRF are the Effingham Invite, Sept. 13-14, the Skyhawk Invite in Omaha, Nebraska, Oct. 12, and the Glenbard East AutumnFest, Oct. 18-19. The Huskies also have home non-conference matches with Riverside-Brookfield, St. Ignatius, and Whitney Young, along with a match against East Avenue rival Fenwick.

“Building strong on-court chemistry will be essential,” Collins said. “The sooner we can establish this, the better positioned we’ll be to compete at a high level.”

Fenwick

With another relatively young lineup, second-year Fenwick coach Tee Pimsarn already has seen significant progress.

Sophomores Bella Gray and Jordan Rossi and juniors Marcelina Ko zaczka and Lilly Boyle lead nine varsity returnees for the F riars, who were 7-23 overall last season and 2-6 in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. T he F riars lost to St. Ignatius 25-16, 25-17 7-25 in the 3A Fenwick Re gional final.

“Year two is becoming a lot more of an easy transition,” Pimsarn said. “Last year we focused a lot on training because we needed to but now we’re at a point where we need to play.”

The 5-foot-11 Gray was a key outside hitter in 2023 and is progressing on her fullrotation game.

The 5-10 Kozaczka’s importance will grow as a hitter and possibly also as a setter.

How much more the 6-2 Boyle and 6-0 Rossi can contribute offensively as middles after great club seasons will be another key to success.

Senior setter Ava D’Alessandro moves into a starting role after primarily being last season’s JV setter. Other varsity returnees are senior pins Kate Williams and Julia Schumm and senior defensive specialists Mollie Meehan and Callista Wicklander.

Junior Sophia Leonardi is hoped to solidify the libero position. Other newcomers are juniors Kennedy Gonsalves, Emma Kure, Grace Quiro ga, Lily Sampey and sophomore Sofia Grossman, who is unable to play after transferring but contributing to the team.

“Something we’ve been working on with our attackers is attacking with purpose, range and our passers and serve receive, doing the work they need to,” Pimsarn said. “We’re asking them to trust the process and we’ll get there.”

The Friars (3-2) won their season and home opener over Cristo Rey Jesuit 25-10, 25-4, Aug. 28 and finished 2-2 at the Rolling Meadows Invite Saturday, beating Glenbard South and Reavis.

OPRF, Fenwick boys soccer ready for new season

Both optimistic despite retooling after graduation losses

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

With only four returning varsity boys soccer players from a team that finished 21-1-2 last season, which ended in heartbreak with a loss via penalty kicks to host Niles Notre Dame in an IHSA Class 3A regional final, 10thyear head coach Jason Fried knows he has his work cut out for him.

But he’s optimistic that the Huskies can maintain lofty standards established the past few years.

“Our team is very focused and has a lot of g rit,” Fried said. “We don’t have a lot of varsity experience so that’s always a learning curve at the beginning of the year, but it’s a process we will grow through togeth-

er as a team.”

OPRF is 1-1 as it opened with a pair of matches in the Joe Novy Invite last week.

After falling 1-0 at Addison Trail, Aug. 29, the Huskies bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Glenbard North. Senior midfielder and cocaptain Josh Kitterman, one of three returning players with experience, notched the only goal of the match.

Besides Kitterman, OPRF’s top returnees are senior goalkeeper Christian Kellogg, whom Fried calls “a leader on this team,” and senior midfielder and co-captain Noah Cummings.

“Noah is a defensive center for us who’s strong on both sides of the ball,” Fried said. “Josh can play box to box on the field and provide a scoring threat in the final third.”

The Huskies hope to get help from a pair of junior newcomer midfielders: twin brothers Adrian and Peter Bondarsov.

OPRF’s other non-conference schedule highlights are the Streamwood Classic in mid-September; the Great River Classic in

Bettendorf, Iowa, Sept. 27-28; and the annual showdown with East Avenue neighbor Fenwick, Oct. 5 at Triton Colle ge.

Fried sees this year’s West Suburban Silver race as wide-open as there are five schools capable of winning the championship.

“Honestly, as every year goes, our conference is very strong,” Fried said. “It’s such a hard title to take, but it prepares you for the playoffs.

“Our keys will be sticking to high standards consistently at training every day and understanding every season has ups and downs, even the best ones,” he added. “If we can do that, we will just keep improving throughout the season and be a team that can accomplish very high goals.”

Fenwick

Like OPRF, Fenwick needs to do some retooling after graduating 13 players from last year’s team, which went 9-9-2 and lost in a Class 2A sectional semifinal to DePaul

Prep 1-0.

The Friars opened this season with two matches in the Jim Buckner Classic, hosted by Chicago University High. On Aug. 29, senior midfielder and co-captain Sam Allaire’s goal wasn’t enough as visiting Chicago Latin prevailed 2-1 at the Fenwick Priory in River Forest.

On Aug. 31, freshman midfielder Shane Kupiec and junior forward Nathaniel Sabatino notched goals to help Fenwick tie host U-High 2-2.

Besides Allaire (five goals, three assists in 2023) and Sabatino, Fenwick’s other top returnees are junior co-captain Dominick Ballarin, goalkeeper (1.72 goals-against average); junior midfielder and co-captain Matt Simon; and senior midfielder Jack Kupiec.

The Friars’ top newcomers besides Shane Kupiec include sophomore midfielder Beckett Javell; sophomore midfielder/forward Luke Menacho; senior defender/midfielder Santiago Dooley; and senior defender/midfielder Sam Martino

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:

FY 2025 Tree Trimming Program

This project consists of the removal of designated parkway trees throughout the Village in addition to stump removal and area restoration.

The bidding documents are available for download starting Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at:

www.vrf.us/bids

Bids must be submitted by Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 10:30 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 September 4, 2024

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Vughaingmeh Edwin Mbuh Case Number 20243005947

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Vughaingmeh Edwin Mbuh] to the new name of: Edwin Mbuh Vughaingmeh

The court date will be held: On October 22, 2024 at 9:00 a.m via Zoom. https://Zoom.US.Download Zoom.Access Code: 967 0125 5353 Password: 680014

Published in Wednesday Journal September 4, 11, 18, 2024

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY

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

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

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

Restrictions or prohibitions of pets do not apply to service animals.

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

GROWING COMMUNITY MEDIA

AND FORGET IT! SHRED IT

Saturday, September 7, 2024 from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon

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

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

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

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

by AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2024 QUARTER 4

September 4, 2024

THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY PUBLISHED ITS FIRST QUALITY-OF-LIFE PLAN CALLED AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) IN 2018.

THIS QUARTERLY PUBLICATION DESCRIBES HOW AUSTIN COMING TOGETHER (ACT) IS SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY TO IMPLEMENT AFT AND OTHER EFFORTS.

AUSTIN’S PLAN

The next phase starts now!

THE PLAN CONTINUES TO MOVE AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. PAGE 3 THE AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. (AFT) HIGHLIGHTED AGENDA: A NEW APPROACH TO OPTIMIZE IMPACT PAGE 4 A COMMUNITY’S JOURNEY TOWARD MENTAL HEALTH EQUITY PAGE 7

Since 2010, Austin Coming Together (ACT) has facilitated collaboration to improve education and economic development outcomes in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life in the Austin community. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve four impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets.

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

CHAIR

Larry Williams

Broker, State Farm Insurance

VICE CHAIRMAN

Bradly Johnson

Chief Community Officer, BUILD Inc.

SECRETARY

Jerrod Williams

Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court

ACT STAFF

Leadership

Darnell Shields

Executive Director

Andrew Born*

Senior Director of Community Impact

*Also part of the ACT Leadership Team

Operations

TREASURER

LaDarius Curtis

Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Darnell Shields

Austin Coming Together

Directors

Sharon Morgan Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

Deirdre Bates* Director of Operations

Dearra Williams

Executive Operations Lead/ Assistant to the CEO

Londen Mance Office Administrator

Strategic Initiatives

Sandra Diaz*

Service Delivery Enhancement Manager, Austin Community Hub

Emone Moore Engagement Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Dollie Sherman Engagement Specialist, Austin Community Hub

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

A House in Austin

Academy of Scholastic Achievement

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Austin Community Family Center

Austin Weekly News

(Growing Community Media)

Be Strong Families

Beat the Streets Chicago

Bethel New Life

Beyond Hunger BUILD Inc.

By The Hand Club For Kids

Cara

Catholic Charities

Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures

Chicago Community Loan Fund

City of Refuge

Defy Ventures Illinois

Erikson Institute

Friends of the Children

Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin

Greater West

Town Community Development Project

Tenisha Jones

Chief Program Officer, UCAN

Reginald Little

Business Development Specialist, Great Lakes Credit Union

Dawn Ferencak

Senior Marketing Strategist, Chicago Parent

Deborah Williams-Thurmond Community Outreach & Engagement Specialist, Habilitative Systems, Inc.

Saenovia Poole

Community Resources Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Clara Bonnlander Social Services Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Ethan Ramsay* Planning and Investment Manager

Grace Cooper Lead Organizer

Housing Forward i.c. stars

IFF

Institute for Nonviolence Chicago

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Kids First Chicago

KRA Westside

American Job Center

Learning Edge Tutoring (fka Cluster Tutoring)

Ruth Kimble

Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers Network

Max Komnenich

Associate Principal, Lamar Johnson Collaborative

In Memoriam

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Macnamara 1937–2020

FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Mildred Wiley 1955–2019

Mia Almond

Project Coordinator

Arewa Karen Winters

Community Organizer

Natalie Goodin

Special Projects Manager

Nicholas Galassini

Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program

Associate

Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF)

Manufacturing

Renaissance

Mary Shyrese Daycare

Maryville Academy

Mercy Housing Lakefront

New Moms

OAI, Inc.

Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Open Books

Marketing & Development

Alicia Plomin* Director of Marketing and Development

Jon Widell Marketing and Development Specialist

Sydni Hatley Marketing and Development Coordinator

PCC Community Wellness Center

Project Exploration

Renaissance Social Services, Inc.

Sarah’s Inn

South Austin

Neighborhood Association

St. Leonard’s Ministries

Stone Community Development Corporation

The Catalyst Schools

The Journey Forward

The North Avenue District, Inc.

Towers of Excellence

UIC Jane Addams

College of Social Work

VOCEL

Westside Health Authority

West Side Forward

Worldvision

Youth Guidance

The plan continues to move Austin Forward. Together.

By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together

Since its inception in 2018, the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) quality-of-life plan has significantly contributed to positive transformation in Austin, laying an in-depth foundation for action and impact.

Over the past five years, AFT has driven immense change because of collaborative efforts and strategic actions led by the community. Although the original plan had a five-year timeframe, its influence will affect generations to come, and the work is not finished.

As the stewards of the AFT plan, ACT conducted an internal assessment of how and why more than 43% of the 84 actions were able to be initiated and what actions saw less success. This assessment helped us engage AFT leaders and partners to discuss how to optimize the plan’s efforts.

Even though AFT has a group of 45 leaders working alongside over 70 unique implementation partner organizations,

one of the priorities going forward will be deepening community ownership and amplifying impact. This involves conducting robust research and evaluation to better understand effective strategies and areas for improvement, while also continuing to assess our progress.

The Austin Forward. Together. quality-of-life plan has been driven by deep commitment and collaborative effort.

Over the past five years we learned a lot, but now we felt it was time to evaluate how that went and from this assessment a new strategy to optimize our efforts developed: the Highlighted Agenda.

Today marks the official public release of the AFT quality-of-life plan Highlighted Agenda! Find it listed on the upcoming pages or at AustinComingTogether.org/QLP. n

This process—this community driven process to create the QLP— has given me and others the opportunity we were looking for to make a BIG difference in our lives and the lives of our neighbors. It’s our chance to be a part of making Austin everything it can and should be.

JERROD WILLIAMS, CO-CHAIR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE

A group of AFT quality-of-life plan leaders after a strategy session in 2019.

The Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) Highlighted Agenda: A New Approach To Optimize Impact

The AFT Highlighted Agenda is a new approach to more effectively implement Austin’s award-winning AFT quality-of-life plan that started in 2019. This approach is meant to amplify the plan’s impact by aligning resources and leveraging expertise from multiple Task Forces into 10 focus areas over the next three years. Our goal is to have a comprehensive neighborhood-wide action plan, created and led by community leaders from across AFT issue areas, for each of these 10 items.

By focusing capital resource investments into each commercial corridor and coordinating among the corridor projects, we aim to expand on the economic prosperity of Central, North and Chicago Avenue, and bring more job and commercial opportunities to the area.

IMPLEMENT THE ASPIRE INITIATIVE

Make a concerted effort to refocus and gain more traction on the entire Initiative after the initial push to advance the Aspire Center for Workforce Innovation. The Center will open in 2025, offering onsite manufacturing job training and other resources at Madison & Central Avenue, and will be the first of the four ASPIRE Initiative projects to be completed. The others are: Aspire Housing (a multi-tiered approach to provide homeownership assistance, plus new or renovated units for sale); The Aspire Education & Wellness Campus (a new state-of-the-art early learning, health, and recreation center); and new programs and support to increase enrollment at the Austin College and Career Academy.

Work with AWC members to create project plans to make connecting more workers to living-wage careers a reality. We want to continue to support job training centers’ important work, and expand support for local entrepreneurs in order to help more Austin workers and business owners make a living right here in Austin.

WEAVE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (RJ) INTO THE FABRIC OF AUSTIN

Ensure Restorative Justice (RJ) becomes part of the fabric of Austin by developing an Action Plan that spans the various AFT goals that address RJ. Having our institutions fluent in the RJ philosophy, and our residents introduced to RJ practices like peace circles, will support healthy relationship building and the ability to prevent and resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.

Develop an Action Plan that spans the various AFT goals addressing youth issues and empowerment. This effort will build on the success of many of our partner groups who’ve been working with Austin’s young people for years. Moving forward, focus will be on giving youth the power to influence recommendations throughout the entire AFT plan.

Grow and invest in the five working groups of Austin Eats, an initiative that’s been underway since 2020: emergency food; grocery and culinary entrepreneurship; gardens and farms; food education; and marketing. By collaborating with partners from across the food ecosystem to strengthen it, we are able to make a greater impact on Austin’s overall wellness and get closer to achieving the initiative’s mission of removing barriers preventing Austin residents from accessing healthy and affordable food.

Organize a campaign to educate community leaders about the systems and support that exists for young children, and how we can change them for the better. Austin residents depend on childcare providers, and this effort will better recognize these unsung and underpaid leaders in the community.

CREATE A LOCAL HOUSING POLICY 9

Rising housing costs and the threat of gentrification are a major concern in Austin. This effort will develop local policies that ensure that Austin residents can afford to live in the neighborhood and get to reap the benefits of the AFT plan.

Mental health is a complex issue with many root causes and effects. This effort will involve developing an Action Plan that addresses mental health for residents in a holistic way by expanding access to mental health services,meeting the needs of young children, youth, and families. This will Include grassroots hyper-local research on the mental health needs in Austin.

Create action plans that focus on the community stories we want to tell with modes of communication that will reach a larger audience, and strategies to amplify authentic narratives. This will make us better equipped to tell community stories through the arts as well as journalism/writing.

With the release of the AFT Highlighted Agenda, ACT is going “on the road!” Our team will be on tour and available to co-host discussions about the new phase of Austin’s AFT quality-of-life plan and its vision and strategy, with block clubs, churches, community organizations, coalitions, etc. Other ways we’ll ensure to update the community on the progress of implementing the Highlighted Agenda are through newspaper sections like this, emails, and social media.

Plan Leaders

Community

Narrative

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Kenneth Varner

Healthy Schools Campaign

Dearra Williams

Austin Coming Together

STRATEGY LEADS

Suzanne McBride Austin Talks

Adrienne Otkins Community Resident

Alicia Plomin Austin Coming Together

Cindy Gray Schneider Spaces-n-Places

Jai Jones

PSPC, The Chicago Community Trust and Community Resident

Economic Development

STRATEGY LEADS

Erica Staley Manufacturing Renaissance

Emily Peters Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Tina Augustus Community Resident

Roxanne Charles West Side Forward

Melissa O’Dell Defy Ventures

Fanya Buford Berry Community Resident

Education

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Charles Anderson

Michele Clark High School

STRATEGY LEADS

Ruth Kimble

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Cata Truss Community Resident

Housing

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Athena Williams Oak Park Regional Housing Center

Allison McGowan Community Resident

STRATEGY LEADS

Shirley Fields Community Resident

Rosie Dawson Westside Health Authority

Baxter Swilley Community Stakeholder

Public Safety

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.

Marilyn Pitchford Heartland Alliance

STRATEGY LEADS

Edwina Hamilton BUILD Inc.

Bertha Purnell Mothers OnA Mission28

Jose Abonce The Policing Project

Ruby Taylor Taproots, Inc.

Youth Empowerment

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

D’elegance Lane

Community Stakeholder

STRATEGY LEADS

Aisha Oliver Root2Fruit

Helen Slade Territory NFP

Dollie Sherman

Austin Coming Together

Chris Thomas YourPassion1st

Civic Engagement

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Deborah Williams-Thurmond

Habilitative Systems Inc.

A Community’s Journey Toward Mental Health Equity

A spotlight of one of the AFT Highlighted Agenda items: The Mental Health Initiative

By Jonathan Widell Marketing & Development Specialist, Austin Coming Together

In Austin, a major health crisis has afflicted its residents for years. The area’s vibrant community is often overshadowed and neglected due to untreated mental health issues and trauma. With the city closing public mental health centers and the challenges from the pandemic, we have seen the issue of mental health become a high priority for community members.

THE CHALLENGE

While there are service providers in Austin doing great work, many residents are still left to navigate these struggles alone. In addition to an increase in services and accessibility, better collaboration and overall awareness are necessary to meet the need for mental health services in the community. Plus, a stigma around utilizing resources or fear of judgment may hold individuals back. A group of Austin youth created their own quality-of-life plan and selected mental health as a priority for the community, reinforcing why one of the focuses of the Austin Forward. Together (AFT) Highlighted Agenda is addressing mental health.

THE VISION

Over the past five years, Austin has made major strides in its overall AFT quality-of-life plan, but the mental health actions in the

plan have yet to be implemented. Recently, through the AFT Highlighted Agenda, we will be able to be more intentional about addressing the mental health action items across the AFT quality-of-life plan, and shift resources from across task forces to focus on this initiative as a priority. This will allow us to make sure mental health services are integrated with other services and efforts in food access, workforce development, education, and housing.

BUILDING CONNECTIONS

In June 2023, ACT convened with over 30 partners from diverse sectors. Groups included mental health providers, churches, youth-serving organizations, and early childhood experts, connecting through a restorative justice circle to establish trusted relationships. Since the initial meeting last year, the focus shifted to discussing barriers we face and ideas of how we can work together to address them. Open discussions led to an agreement that we want to work together on a neighborhoodwide strategic action plan to expand mental health services for young children, youth, and families in Austin.

NEXT STEPS

Realizing that a strategy to address mental health in Austin depends on understanding the local context, earlier this summer we partnered with the Black Researchers Collective to advance racial equity by training and equipping community members with research tools to be more civically engaged and policy-informed. Over the course of three workshops, residents learned the basics of doing grassroots research. Through this partnership, we were able to hire two community researchers to work with us for a six month period to help better grasp the mental health landscape through focus groups with residents to understand the community needs, and surveys with mental health providers to get a holistic picture of the current assets

in the community. Their findings are crucial in shaping our strategic plan surrounding the Mental Health Initiative, with the goal of finalization by early next year.

A FUTURE OF HEALING

The journey towards addressing the mental health crisis in Austin is ongoing, but the progress made so far offers hope. By uniting a diverse group of partners, meaningfully engaging the community, and developing a strategic plan, we are not just addressing immediate needs, but we are laying the framework for lasting change in Austin. While we anticipate challenges, we will continue to collaborate and dedicate ourselves to ensuring the community is on a path to a healthier, more equitable future, and will not leave any residents behind. n