W E D N E S D A Y
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
September 28, 2016 Vol. 35, No. 6 ONE DOLLAR
@O @OakPark
Historic River Forest home a tough sell
Beautifully restored former club building has been for sale for 4 years By DEBORAH KADIN Contributing Reporter
A song for peace
the teenager. “The greatest tragedy, other than Joe losing his life, is this kid losing his life, also,” said Block, who has spent the last few months putting together the pieces of the assault. Block spoke with Wednesday Journal
First it was the headquarters of a River Forest organization that promoted education and women’s rights. Then it became a home, resplendently restored to its original grandeur. Now the River Forest Women’s Club, at 526 Ashland Ave., near Lake Street, is ready to enter a new phase. Paul and Ellen Coffey, who have owned the home for more than a decade, have been seeking a new steward. And it is possible that new owner could return it to a civic use once more. “We want to see someone who can become a good steward. There are endless creative ways to use the building,” said Paul Coffey, vice provost and dean of community engagement at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. “I’m excited to see what the next creative person can do.” A lot of creative energy flowed through the building over the years. The board-and-batten clubhouse was designed by the Prairie School architect William Drummond, the chief draftsman of Frank Lloyd Wright and husband of a women’s club member. The 5,200-square-foot building, which sits on roughly a third of an acre near the center of River Forest, was constructed in 1914. The building had been a hub of activity before the adoption of the 22nd Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The backyard was turned into a victory garden during the Second World
See ASSAULT on page 18
See HISTORIC HOME on page 11
WILLIAM CAMARGO/Staff Photographer
Alcuin Montessori School students were among more than 150,000 around the world who performed the song “Light a Candle for Peace,” as part of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. For more photos and story, page 23.
Chicago man’s death ruled a homicide River Forest teen charged with assaulting victim outside Oak Park Library
By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER Staff Reporter
A River Forest teenager has been charged with two counts of aggravated battery following an altercation outside the Oak Park Public Library in June that resulted in the death of a 60-year-old Chicago man.
Oak Park police said the juvenile, who was questioned after the assault, said he threw the single punch that killed Joseph Maffris, who died of his injuries on Sept. 21, because the man tried to sit in his underage friend’s lap. Hal Block, the brother-in-law of Joseph Maffris, is now speaking out in Maffris’ defense but also urging compassion for
Live Music Returns! David Blamires | Friday 9/30
144 S Oak Park Ave
708.358.9800
mayadelsol.com