Wednesday Journal 101222

of Oak Park and River Forest

Flying f lags

Neighbors demandaction onRoosevelt nuisancesite

Former Associated Tire proper ty has new owner, mystery tenants

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Neighbors near Roosevelt Road are demanding the Oak Park village board take action against the mysterious tenants of the for mer Associated Tire & Battery Co. property for excess vehicular traffic and late-night noise that has been plaguing the area for over a year. Only one tenant has been confirmed to be occupying a part of the property, but neighbors believe there are two others conducting business outside of traditional hours and without proper licensing.

“We’ve heard loud revving of engines, cars racing down the alley between Lombard and Harvey [avenues] toward that building, motorcycles racing down Lombard and illegally driving through the cul-de-sac,” said Mike Smith.

In an open letter to the village board, 28 residents living in the 1150 blocks of South Lombard Avenue and South Harvey Avenue, including Smith, expressed

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Let’s vote for the good life

Recently, I’ve taken to nature as a way to temporarily escape the near-constant reminders of war, floods, famine, drought, nuclear apocalypse, wildfires, methane-belching rivers, Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

This summer, I wandered the expansive, 180-acre Buffalo Creek Reservoir in Long Grove, a quaint little town known for its historic covered bridge about a half-hour drive from the west suburbs, and quietly paced the boardwalk that meanders through the wetlands at Lippold Park in Batavia.

ROMAIN

A few months ago, I randomly drove to Riverside, the small suburb in a garden that was officially recognized as an arboretum in 2015. Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970, the village may be the first planned community in America.

It was designed by the famous landscape architects Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted in 1869, according to Olmsted’s principle that the suburb isn’t to be an escape from the city but “a delicate synthesis of town and wilder ness,” according to historian Kenneth T. Jackson. Olmsted’s Riverside is perhaps the best argument there is against the religion of runaway capitalism and the zany idea that any degree of centralized public planning is somehow tantamount to socialism or a communist coup

“When Emery E. Childs and a group of Easter n investors established the Riverside Improvement Company in 1868, it seemed possible that the undeveloped site on the Des Plaines River might be based on a philanthropy that transcended mere money-making,” Jackson writes in his seminal Crabgrass Frontier: The Suburbanization of the United States.

“Childs gave Olmsted and Vaux virtually complete freedom,” Jackson adds. “They meticulously planned the water supply, drainage, lighting, schools, and recreational facilities and set aside seven hundred acres for public use. Parks were an essential part of the overall design: the most prominent being a 160-acre reserve along a three-mile stretch of the river.”

Today, much of Olmsted’s and Vaux’s vision stands as a monument to what proper urban planning looks like. If you haven’t already, when you get a chance, walk from Riverside on Millbridge Road

over the bridge into Lyons and a few blocks south on Joliet Avenue and stand at the first intersection you see, which happens to be near a strip mall. If you’re relatively sensitive to things like what the Greeks called eudaemonia, or the Good Life, which loosely translated means a state of fulfillment or human flourishing, you’ ll get this queasy feeling that, boy oh boy did we screw this up That dreadful consumerist, caroriented, concrete Joliet Avenue landscape happens to combine both the worst aspects of communistic central planning and our religious devotion to hyper- capitalism.

The people who made our cities and suburbs had a model. They could’ve gone the way of Olmsted. Look at what he left behind: Central Park in New York City, Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side, Prospect Park in Brooklyn

Instead, post-WWII urban planners went wild with designing around the automobile rather than designing for humans and our quality of life. Look at how those Olmsted gems of landscape architecture have held up compared to the cathedrals of car culture.

North Riverside Park Mall, for instance, opened less than 50 years ago and it looks like a high school jock who peaked his senior year, started balding in his 20s, was raised on ESPN and is now into the wisdom of Joe Rogan.

If Riverside is closer in aesthetic value and character to the Chartres Cathedral in France, Lyons (and most municipalities, really, with their boring square grids designed to maximize efficiency over human flourishing), is the municipal equivalent of Blockbuster

Riverside is Teddy Roosevelt. Lyons is Ted Cruz. Riverside is FDR eating steelcut oatmeal on the Hudson. Lyons is Bill Clinton buying gluten-free Domino’s Pizza and a Diet Coke on his way from a $100,000 speaking gig at Goldman Sachs.

Riverside re presents one of the best examples in American suburbia of relatively sound (albeit pretty stronghanded) urban planning with values that transcend our present politicians’ and planners’ single-minded focus on sales and property taxes.

There are criticisms to be made of Olmsted’s and Vaux’s top-down approach

and the biases inherent to it, not least of which was their intention that Riverside would “attract the more intelligent and more fortunate classes,” an opinion that resonates with the fact that the suburb is more than 80 percent white and less than 1 percent Black — some 150 years after its establishment.

FILE

e in the eudaemoniavities that Olmsted designed rside around: contemplativeness, , spontaneity, openness rside and the county’s great Forest system are monuments to what vid Schuyler called, the “nineteenth-century search for an urban .” Jackson said Riverside in icular “helped set the patter n for future natural topography in urban design.”

Forest Preserves present the culmination of publiclyminded central planning that was focused on the whole person instead of Economic Man, that one-dimensional, uninteresting (and always cis-engendered in the economic texts) being whose ultimate desire is to maximize his individual happiness, assuming that happiness is defined strictly in monetary ter ms.

The Forest Preserves, the result of a vision outlined in 1904 by landscape architect Jens Jensen and architect Dwight Perkins, were created after voters approved a referendum in 1914.

And the great city scholar Jane Jacobs might as well have been describing Olmsted and Vaux when she once said of 20thcentury urban planner Ebenezer Howard’s “Garden City” concept, that his “aim was the creation of [self-sufficient] small towns, really very nice towns if you were docile and had no plans of your own and did not mind spending your life with others with no plans of their own. As in all Utopias, the right to have plans of any significance belonged only to the planner in charge.”

But on the whole and especially in comparison to its surrounding counterparts, Riverside re presents a high point in suburban planning that, unfortunately, never became the standard for most other suburbs around the country.

I believe most people know intuitively what makes for great places to live. The rich know better than all of us and the places they inhabit tend to look much closer to Riverside than to Lyons or Melrose Park Just drive through suburbs like Winnetka or Glencoe. Since the pandemic, I’ve been exploring more and more these good and great spaces, which I’ve realized are typically opposite the privatized spaces that now dominate so many suburban landscapes

The Cook County Forest Preserves are the rare spaces that are free and open to the public, where you may have chance encounters with strangers, and where you can just be, without having to be busy. They

The results of that referendum are some 70,000 acres of natural area that people of all cultures, ethnicities, ages, and income levels can enjoy at no immediate cost.

Of course, nothing’s free. The Forest Preserves are maintained largely through property taxes that amount to a few dollars a month from the average county household

On Nov. 8, in another milestone referendum, voters will be asked whether they agree or not with the average county homeowner contributing about a buck more a month so that the Forest Preserve can have access to about $43.5 million more in funding.

The money, Forest Preserve officials have said, is critical to pay for staf fing, pension obligations, acquiring more lands to protect, address deferred maintenance, and remain financially solvent in the future, among other concer ns. I think our collective sanity is worth a few more bucks.

Besides, we’ve had a half-century of this global experiment in growth premised on planned obsolescence and artificial needs.

The road it’s taken us on is akin to my walk from picturesque and pedestrian-friendly Riverside into car-oriented Lyons (which is kind of like daydreaming that I’m at a Wynton Marsalis concert at Ravinia only to be snapped out of it by a notification on my iPhone telling me, in great detail, how Madonna’s been playing out her geriatric adolescence on TikTok). Tragic I’d like to tur n around and go back now.

CONTAC T: michael@oakpark.com

A young girl rides her bike over a br idge in Riverside dur ing the annual Tour de Prov iso biking event on Oct. 1.

BIG WEEK

Oc tober 12-19

Folk Music Series: Paper Birds

Monday, Oc t. 17, 7-8:30 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

The librar y’s Veterans Room will be the scene for a per formance by Paper Birds, a quar tet featuring Katie Dahl, Claudia Russell, Bruce Kaplan, and Rich Higdon. Their music is described as “re ec tive, quirky, and poignant.” Register now at oppl.org/ calendar. 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

Illinois Libraries Present: A Conversation With Jesmyn Ward

Wednesday, Oc t. 12, 7-8 p.m., vir tually through Illinois Libraries Present

Two -time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward will discuss how her literar y vision and personal experiences address urgent questions about racism and social injustice. This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among 200+ public libraries—including Oak Park Public Library— o ering high- quality events for par ticipating member libraries of all sizes and budgets. Register now at bit.ly/ILP_JesmynWard.

Film Screening - ‘Unit y Temple: Frank Lloyd Wright ’s Modern Masterpiece’

Saturday, Oc t. 15, 1-3 p.m., Oak Park Public Librar y

This lm pays homage to America’s most renowned architect, beginning with Wright’s rst public commission in the early 1900s (and the e or ts to restore the building to its original state). The lm is narrated by Brad Pitt. Register now at oppl.org/calendar 834 Lake St., Oak Park.

FitzGerald’s Fright Nights: The Nightmare Before Christmas & The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Friday, Oc t. 14, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s These two seasonal horror favorites will be shown on the club patio. 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

Silent Movie On The Porch: Nosferatu

Tuesday, Oc t. 18, 6 p.m., Pleasant Home Foundation his Halloween-themed lm will feature live musical accompaniment by Jay Warren of the Silent Film Society of Chicago. Seating will be provided on the porch, or you can bring a blanket or chairs to enjoy the movie from the lawn. $5, 217 Home Ave., Oak Park.

Tuesday, Oc t. 18, 7 p.m., FitzGerald’s

This is a community-focused, open mic stor ytelling competition in which anyone can share a veminute story on the night’s theme. Tonight, that theme will be: the highs and lows of “adulting.” If you have a stor y on this theme, come on out! $15, 6615 Roosevelt Road, Ber w yn.

Listing your event in the calendar

Wednesday Jour nal welcomes notices about events that Oak Park and River Forest community groups and businesses are planning. We’ ll work to get the word out if you let us know what’s happening by noon

Wednesday a week before your news needs to be in the newspaper ■ Send details

Active Oak Park volunteer Cory Wesley appointed village trustee

Wesley will run for a full trustee term in the 2023 election

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Cory Wesley officially became an Oak Park village trustee Monday night, a unanimous vote to appoint him to the sea vacated by Arti Walker-Peddakotla’s nation. He was sworn in, surrounded ily and his fellow board member village board meeting held in person in the council chambers since March 2019.

Wesley’s nomination was put forward Village President Vicki Scaman.

“As I take my seat at this table, I approach this role with the empathy and integrity that has guided me throughout my life; with the perspective born from both the block and the boardroom; with the willingness to serve that has defined my community involvement; and the dedication to doing the work that local government is built upon,” Wesley said in his swearing-in speech.

“I swear to uphold the Constitution of this country and this state, but I vow to this community to do the best that I can for this village and its people and to never stop dreaming the impossible and doing the hard work to create it.”

Wesley will finish the remainder of Walker-Peddakotla’s term, which ends next April, but he told Wednesday Journal he intends to run for a full term in next year’s election.

“With the election in ‘23 coming up, I was also considering whether or not I should run, and this all kind of lines up together,” he said. “So yeah, this would serve as that announcement that I will be running for a full ter m as well.”

He declined to share his political platform for 2023, preferring to discuss that at a later date. Wesley promised, however, that promoting gover nment transparency and inclusion would feature heavily in his campaign.

“I am super passionate about making sure everyone feels like they’re welcome in every space,” Wesley said.

Oak Park residents may remember Wesley from his 2019 run for village trustee, where he landed fourth out of 10 candidates and just behind the person he was appointed to replace. Walker-Peddakotla received 51 votes more than Wesley

“I feel like everything is coming full circle. Obviously, I was gutted to lose, especially by the small margin,” Wesley said. “And I kind of picked myself up from that and kept moving.”

Walker-Peddakotla, who stepped down for health reasons, did not respond to Wednesday Journal’s request for comment. Wesley said he and Walker-Peddakotla have not been in contact with each other re garding his appointment.

“It’s a daunting task. But I’m not intimidated by it.”

CO RY WESLE Y Village trustee

Oak Park librar y hires new executive director

Joslyn Bowling Dixon arrives from top post in Newark, New Jersey

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

A for mer Oak Park Public Library circulation manager is returning as its executive director. Bringing her two decades’ worth of library experience, Joslyn Bowling Dixon has been chosen to fill the library’s top administrative position. She begins Nov. 7.

“I feel like I’m living a dream,” Dixon told Wednesday Journal. “What a blessing it is to come back to somewhere where you got your start.”

Dixon, who has a master’s in library and information sciences, was approved for the post by unanimous vote at the library board’s Oct. 6 meeting

JOSLYN BOWLING DIXON

“Joslyn, please know that this board is behind you and ready to work hand-in-hand with you to empower our staff and community to make this a library for everyone,” Board President Matt Fruth told her. munities. One of her earliest positions was

A free mammogram could save your life.

as circulation manager and library associate with the Oak Park library and Dixon ear ned her master’s from Dominican University in River Forest.

Dixon is happy to return to Oak Park, even giving credit to her for mer local library colleagues for motivating her to go after that advanced degree.

“I was so encouraged by the librarians there and the staff there to get my library degree,” she said. “I wanted to be like one of the cool kids; they were so innovative.”

It was a tough journey to get that master’s too. At that time in her life, she was a divorced, single mother working two jobs and raising a young daughter. But the experience has translated into her work as a degreed librarian.

“That struggle and hustle to get where you want to be professionally – I bring that lens to my work, having that empathy and wanting to encourage others,” Dixon said.

Dixon studied English at Hampton Univer-

sity in Virginia, where she got her bachelor’s degree. She went on to serve as the deputy director for the Prince William Public Library. She also was a branch manager in the Washington D.C. Public Library, among other positions in public library systems Dixon most recently served as the director of the Newark Public Library in New Jersey

The Oak Park library’s previous executive director, David Seleb, was instrumental in guiding the library’s antiracism programming and initiatives. He retired from the library in February and now works with the Harwood Institute. The library has continued pushing forward with its equity ef forts since Seleb’s retirement.

“I am consistently in awe of our library staff and the way they work to create an atmosphere that fosters belonging and inclusion,” said Fruth.

Dixon is poised to continue the library’s

See DIXON on pa ge 21

To register for your free screening mammogram, call (708) 660-2355.

Do you live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township and need to schedule a mammogram?

During the month of October, women who live in these communities can receive a screening mammogram for no cost at Rush Oak Park Hospital.*

Now, there’s no reason not to have one.

Breast cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in women — and mammography is the most effective screening tool. Experts at Rush recommend that most women have mammograms every year beginning at age 40.

Do you qualify?

• To qualify, you must not have insurance coverage.

• You must live in Oak Park, River Forest or Proviso Township. Proof of residence will be requested at the time of your visit (e.g., voter registration card, utility bill or personal check).

• Your mammogram must be performed by Oct. 31, 2022.

Digital mammography saves lives.

• We offer the latest technology in breast screening, including 3D mammography (also known as breast tomosynthesis), breast MRI, and hand-held and automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) screening for dense breasts.

* Funds are provided by a private grant for residents of Oak Park, River Forest and Proviso Township. Only those who do not have insurance qualify for a free mammogram.

RF board chooses rm to assess equity issues

NOVA Collective approved as the most quali ed

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

The River Forest Village Board took a major ste p toward fulfilling one of the main goals of the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) ad hoc advisory group on Oct. 10, voting unanimously to hire Nova Collective LLC of Chicago to assess village practices, policies and structures.

The village will pay Nova $50,000 for the assessment, which will be conducted in two phases and is expected to take 25 weeks A survey is expected to be the first ste p of the first phase, which also will include a policy and process audit. The second phase will include the development of two deliverables.

Trustee Erika Bachner, one of three co-chairs of the DEI ad hoc group, said she expects Nova re presentatives to attend the group’s Oct. 18 meeting to star t the process. Other co-chairs are Trustee Ken Johnson and Village Administrator Brian Murphy. According to the suggested timeline provided by Nova, the survey would be conducted in the seventh week, which would be late December

According to the fir m’s website, Nova is a women-owned company “devoted to transfor ming org anizational cultures no matter where they are on the DEI jour ney.” The website also described the fir m as being “BIPOC-led” with BIPOC standing for Black, indigenous and people of color.

Murphy explained that Nova is familiar with the area, having done work for the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Bachner noted that having data on the area available will help River Forest.

“We’ re very for tunate,” she added.

In response to a question from Trustee Bob O’Connell, Johnson said Nova “stood out” for its experience working with municipalities and its familiarity with the area.

The DEI group was established in providing the inter nal component of initiative to address equity and inclusion issues that was introduced in 2020. Originally expected to include 15 members, group’s membership grew to 43 by A 2021 and now stands at 46. An exter component of the initiative is a mutuallybeneficial par tnership between the village and Dominican University that will sist the village in becoming a community where there is a commitment to a culture of equity and inclusion. Dominican cated in River Forest.

After discussion at meetings over six months, cials ag reed that the advisory group’s responsibilities w include drafting a request proposals for a consultant conduct an assessment of village as a municipal or nization to provide an equity analysis of its practices, cies, systems and structures identify potential unintended consequences.”

Murphy said the village ceived 16 proposals from sulting fir ms in response the request for proposals published in Proposals were received from fir ms and national, including one from Canada. He said the co-chairs nar rowed the to seven fir ms that were interviewed, they selected Nova as the most qualified.

A presentation by Nova re presentatives of the fir m’s work philosop hy processes to the DEI group last month rece ived “a positive reaction,” Mur phy said. Although no vote could be taken due to a lack of a quorum, consensus favored Nova, he added.

“The c ommittee liked them just as much as we did,” Johnson noted.

Murphy explained that Nova will collect data by survey and interviews and review village documents in the first phase. In the second phase, the fir m will create and provide the village with deliverables including recommendations.

The final ste p will be presentation to the village board on policy analysis and recommendations.

“The [DEI] committee liked them just as much as we did.”

KEN JOHNSON Trustee

NUISANCE SITE

Neighbors lodge complaints

from page 1

their “frustration” at the “lack of village oversight” over the “nuisance activities” taking place at the proper ty, which extends from 6200 to 6216 Roosevelt Rd.

Wednesday Jour nal, which is publishing the letter in today’s edition, attempted to contact the tenants and the building’s owner by visiting the property several times during nor mal business hours

Doors were locked but parked cars and vehicle parts were visible on the property

“This property has several tenants that each in their tur n have contributed to excessive revving of engines at all hours, blocking the alley parallel to Roosevelt between Lombard and Harvey for hours at a time, failing to maintain the property by leaving broken-down cars, car parts, and other trash around the property, blocking access to the north/south alley and preventing residents on Lombard and Harvey [Avenues] from accessing their garages through the alley, and driving at dangerous speeds through the neighborhood streets and alleys to access the building,” the letter reads.

Neighbors lodged 11 complaints with police between May 2021 and September 2022, according to data obtained by the Jour nal through a Freedom of Infor mation Act request. While the majority of the complaints were noise-related, reckless driving and parking violations were also reported.

“It’s hard to notify the police because by the time we call them, or by the time they actually show up, [the people causing the nuisance] are either gone or the noise has stopped,” said Katie Ingrao-Snie gowski, who also signed the letter

The nuisance activities happen inconsistently and at odd hours, making it dif ficult for neighbors to know who is responsible for them. Neighbors are also reluctant to confront the tenants as they have been aggressive, according to IngraoSnie gowski. Many of the signatories declined to comment fur ther for fear of being retaliated against by the property’s tenants.

“We really just want village staff and our trustees to pay attention to these issues because it really does affect our lives down here,” said Ingrao-Snie gowski

The village board will soon become acquainted with the property’s one known

tenant, BM Auto, a custom car upholstering business occupying 6212 Roosevelt Rd. The owner of BM Auto, Brian Storey, is seeking a special use per mit from the village to operate his business

At his Sept. 7 Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, Storey said he and his business were not at f ault for the ille gally parked vehicles, alley traffic and extreme noise coming from the property, despite neighbors complaining otherwise. He also claimed to be concer ned about the nuisance activities, for which he said another tenant specializing in automobile work was responsible.

ZBA administrator Mike Bruce shared Sept. 7 that the village is investigating 6210 Roosevelt Rd., the portion of the building believed to be the cause of the noise. No business license records were found in association with that property.

Wednesday Jour nal obtained copies of two identical letters sent Sept. 12 by the Village of Oak Park to the property’s owner, Polar Properties LLC, and to the unnamed mystery tenant, notifying them that they had 30 days to cease storing vehicles on the

property. If they fail to do so, the village war ned a property inspection would be conducted at 2 p.m., Oct. 18.

The letters war ned the addressees that village staff had previously observed vehicles being stored on the ground floor of the property, which is not permitted in the district. The two letters were signed by Bruce, Neighborhood Services Manager Jeff Prior and Neighborhood Services Manager Tina Brown.

“The facility is also causing excessive amounts of traffic in the public alley, vehicle noise, and loud music that is negatively impacting the adjacent residential neighborhood,” the letters read.

Wednesday Jour nal awaits confir mation from the Village of Oak Park re garding if the Oct. 18 inspection is going forward.

Storey was able to score unanimous support from the ZBA, but neighbors are urging the village board to vote against giving him his special use permit, arguing that BM Auto has contributed to the problems facing the neighborhood. The village board has final approval over Storey’s permit

request.

“While the permit [process] plays out, he’s not allowed to operate, and he shouldn’t be blocking the alley,” said Ingrao-Sniegowski. “We’ve seen otherwise.”

Denying Storey’s permit request is only one piece of what neighbors are requesting of the village. Neighbors want the village to uncover the identities of the mystery tenants.

“We’ve had a very difficult time even finding out things like, who is using that space? What are they using it for? What kind of business are they conducting? And why is it happening so much at all hours of the day?” said Smith.

Ultimately, the neighbors wish to see the property owner, as well as the mystery tenants held accountable for lowering the quality of life of the families that live near the property

“It’s a commercial district, we understand that,” said Ing rao-Snie gowski. “But at the same time, this is also our neighborhood and we need to be good neighbors to each other.”

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

Associated Tire and Battery on Roosevelt Road at Lombard Avenue in Oak Park.

City could buy part of old bank building for new Galewood library

By IGOR STUDENKOV Staff Reporter

The city of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library system are looking to buy a portion of the for mer U.S. Bank building at 6700 W. North Ave., where Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th) hopes to move the Galewood branch library.

Since 2010, the current Galewood-Mont Clare branch library has been confined to a single room at Rutherford Sayre Park Fieldhouse, 6871 W. Belden Ave. Many Galewood residents, including Taliaferro, have pushed for a larger space.

When developers announced plans to renovate the old bank building, Taliaferro urged them to set aside some first-floor commercial space for a new Galewood library. While the developer, Five Thirty One Partners, has been receptive to the idea, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) system has said the site is just one of numerous possible locations.

During his Sept 21 ward meeting, Taliaferro said that the city is now looking into buying the space, comparing the arrangement to buying a condominium inside a building. Owner Viktor Jakovljevic would retain the ownership of the rest of the property.

Taliaferro said that, in early September, the city contracted with an appraiser to determine the value of the space and how much it would cost to build out and furnish it. While he didn’t have a concrete timeline, he said in a follow-up interview that he expects the city to decide whether to move ahead with the purchase by “late fall/early winter.”

The current Galewood-Montclare library hasn’t been open since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. When most city libraries reopened on June 8, 2020, it was among the three that stayed closed because its small size made social distancing difficult. The library remained closed even as most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted

The plans for the redevelopment of the U.S. Bank site went through multiple iterations since they were first presented to the community in 2019. The current vision calls for the bank building to have commercial tenants on the first floor and apartments on the first and second floors.

Five Thirty One Partners and Jakovljevic have remained open to setting aside around 11,000 to 12,000 square feet for the Galewood branch library but the lease terms and a funding source for the rental payments have been unresolved issues

Jakovljevic previously indicated that the development would open in early 2023. He de-

clined to comment on the library

The city’s library system doesn’t have its own capital budget, so it must rely on other sources to cover the costs of getting a new branch up and running. In 2019, State Rep. Camille Lilly (78th) and Senate President Don Harmon (39th) included a $600,000 appropriation for a new Galewood library in the Rebuild Illinois capital bill. The two legislators subsequently secured another $7 million. The money isn’t tied to any specific location and

Lilly said that the funding can be used to either build a new library from scratch or build within a larger space, but not to pay rent.

Tom Drebenstedt, a member of the Rutherford Sayre Park Advisory Council who has been co-leading the push for a larger Galewood library for over a decade, said that he suggested something similar in 2019, but “the developer wasn’t interested.”

“[I suggested] that, since the library was interested in ownership rather than renting,

why don’t we explore splitting the building, as you would in the condo?” he said.

CPL spokesperson Patrick Molloy didn’t respond to a request for comment by deadline.

Drebenstedt said he was skeptical that the latest development would move the needle “That building is so far behind schedule,” he said. “When I see it, I’ll believe it. My career was in commercial construction and I told the aldermen, ‘We put up high-rises in half the time of this project.’”

Women in Constellation

A

A feminist choral experience affirming the energy that connects women worldwide

Park Refectory

Sunday, October 23, 2022

Columbus Park Refectory

Sunday, October 23, 2022

3:00 p.m. Concert

2:00 p.m. pre-concert discussion

3:00 p.m. Concert

2:00 p.m. pre-concert discussion

Martha Swisher, founder and artistic director Myron Silberstein, keyboard Master djembeist, Atiba Jahli Musicians from Austin’s award-winning BUILD program

Funded in part by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs andSpecialEvents(DCASE)

Martha Swisher, founder and artistic director Myron Silberstein, keyboard Master djembeist, Atiba Jahli Musicians from Austin’s award-winning BUILD program

Funded in part by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs andSpecialEvents(DCASE)

Details at www.C21womensensemble.org

Details at www.c21womensensemble.com

Ticket Prices

VIP (includes pre-concert talk with Director) at 2 pm - $35.00

General Admission at 3 pm - $25.00

Student at 3 pm - $15.00

Recorded Concert Video - $25.00

Available at 7:00 pm on Monday, October 24th.

This polished video will offer the concert experience for those not able to attend in person.

Make reservations at c21womensensemble.com � Reservations will be held at the door.

Additional information about BUILD: www.buildchicago.org

My daughter

Maureen was the perfect stroller baby. She could easily sit in a stroller sucking her two middle fingers for hours while watching her three active brothers swirling around her. At the time, I thought that was great. One less child I needed to take inventory of. However, that advantage had a downside; no solo activities.

Maureen never wanted to participate in activities. Or at least not by herself. Maureen would only agree to participate in a dance class, a sports team, or an art class if someone she knew was also attending. The start of first grade became a disaster when Maureen realized her best friend would not be in her classroom. Maureen cried every day for the first two weeks of school that year.

However, Maureen’s fear of trying something new dissipated when she found a perfect fit. Since she was a toddler, Maureen

Oak Park ResCorp breaks ground on 7 Van Buren

Shiny shovels dug into dirt at 7 Van Buren St. Oct. 4, as the Oak Park Residence Corporation broke ground on its net-zero apartment complex. Several village board members joined ResCorp for the ceremony to kick off construction of the building. The six-story building will sit across the street from Columbus Park and in close proximity of Interstate 290 and public transportation. Once built, 20% of its 44 units will be let to people living at 50% of the area median income – roughly $52,100 for a family of four and $36,500 for a single individual. The building was designed to be reflective of the ResCorp’s commitment to developing economically diverse and sustainable housing.

— Stacey Sheridan

A GIRL RETRAINS HER BRAIN

could be heard singing around the house. But she only wanted to partake in a musical activity if a friend was participating. Gratefully, that changed when she turned 12 years old. That year Maureen’s fear of trying something new was outmatched by her love of singing. She discovered the program called School of Rock. It was then that Maureen’s fear of trying something new began to melt away. Maureen begged to enroll in the program even though she would be doing so without knowing a single soul. From the very first day, she loved the School of Rock. That program was the springboard for Maureen trying a host of new things; guitar lessons, teaching herself other instruments, and eventually performing in public. Today, Maureen participates in new things on a regular basis; she even plans to move to a new city next year, and become a travel nurse the year after that.

Why was Maureen so resistant to trying something new as a child? What power did music play in overcoming her resistance?

From birth our brain is completely malleable and experiencing new things all

the time. Our brains learn what works and what doesn’t early on.

New activities intensify that change. Meeting new people, new groups, new experiences trigger a lot of that anxiety we have about being the newcomer and the fear of the unknown.

Before starting something new, we weigh the cost and benefits of trying that new thing. Like Maureen, if we are entrenched in our current habit, it is harder to see the benefits of starting something new.

But when we see that something is doable it makes us more receptive to give it a try. Maureen sang all day long, so singing with a band at The School of Rock was enticing and doable.

When we try a new thing, it gives us more confidence to try more new things. New experiences trigger the release of dopamine, motivating us, which in turn leads to neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons and new neural connections.

Our brains can learn and grow through a process called brain plasticity. But it only works if we train our brains on a regular

basis. One Harvard study found to maximize our brain training the new activity needs to be challenging, complex, and require practice. Things like swimming, painting, or learning a language are some of the best activities.

However, even simple things like brushing our teeth with our non-dominant hand, exploring a new city, or learning a new dance will help your brain grow. It is the constant repetition of working to improve, and not the quest for mastery, that can have the greatest impact.

Trying new things is good for our confidence and our brain health. As Maureen discovered one new thing may lead to another. If estate planning is on your to do list, move forward and get it done. Perhaps, creating an estate plan, may lead to you checking off all the items on your to-do list!

DIGGING IN: (Le to Right) David Pope, Village President Vicki Scaman, Trustee Chibuike Enyia, Ryan von Drehle, Michael Gonzalez, Marjorie Greenwald, OPRC Chairman Wayne Pierce, Rachel Weber, Nancy Leavy, Trustee Ravi Parakkat, shovels ready. (Right) Rendering of the development at 7 Van Buren St. at Austin Boulevard.

THERESA CLANCY Estate Planning Attorney

Discarded chairs take on new meaning at Austin nonpro t

A Better Tomorrow for Today’s Teens partnered with Teena’s Legac y to teach women the art and therapy of reupholstering chairs

By SHANEL ROMAIN Growing Community Media

Abri Bey, 33, said she’s always been into the idea of reupholstering furniture, but was never able to find a way into the practice. That changed when she entered A Better Tomor row for Today’s Teens, a youth empowerment nonprofit at 3441 W. Chicago Ave. in Austin.

Earlier this year, Bey, an Austin native who lives in West Garfield Park, was among a group of about seven women who, over seven weeks, transformed six discarded chairs into works of art.

They were at West Side nonprofit as a result of Jamika Smith, the founder of Teena’s Le gacy, an org anization that seeks to create safe spaces for girls and women to explore their authentic selves through the upholstery trade.

Smith, a trained upholster, said she named the organization after her late grandmother, Alberteen (Teena) Stredrick, a self-taught seamstress

“One day I was walking down the street and there was a chaise lounge in the alley,” Smith recalled. “I walked past it a couple of times, but my grandmother stopped me cold in my tracks. Her spirit told me to get that chaise lounge.

“That was the first time that I ever reupholstered anything and ever touched a tool, yet it just came so natural to me. At that point, I felt like this was tedious work I wouldn’t want to do this as a career, but I can definitely teach it to young women as a tool for healing.”

So she started teaching upholstery to four girls in her dining room before transitioning to the living room. She currently operates in the basement of her home

“I started working with the girls and what I noticed is that when they were doing the work, I felt a sense of calm and peace come over them,” Smith said.

“As they were pulling back the layer of the chair, they didn’t want to leave,” she said. “They were so engaged. I felt like stress was lifted of f of them. It’s kind of like a metaphor for life.”

Bey, who after seven weeks reupholstered her own chair for the first time, said the chair she reupholstered was focused on things that matter to her, such as family.

“I knew I wanted to do something focused on family and the loss of family, but then it ended up being a situation where all of us in a class created a bond with each other so I’m like this is kind of perfect,” she said. “And I remember saying to them, ‘Y’all know we cousins now.’ And so that’s what inspired the name of my chair (the “We Are Cousins Chair”).

Each participant traced an outline of her hand onto fabric to make a family tree that was etched into Bey’s chair.

“The chair signifies how family bonds are not only created by blood,” Bey said. “They’re also created in time, space and energy. It also signifies how Black culture uses family status as a form of endear ment.”

Ana Hernandez, whose chair was entitled the “Community Garden Chair,” said the experience of reupholstering her chair was therapeutic — just like the gardens that her chair is meant to praise.

“Community gardens make a difference,” she said. “When people care about their neighborhood, it makes the neighborhood better.”

CONTAC T: shanel@growingcommunitymedia.org

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta

Abri Bey, 33, (le ) and Ana Hernandez place their real hands over their cut-out hands on Bey’s reupholstered chair, entitled “We are Cousins.”

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta

(From le to right) e Austin Project display their completed chairs: Abri Bey, “We are Cousins;” Monica Smith, “Joy;” Barbara Stewart, “Freedom;” King Kiba, “For the Community;” Frances Simmons-Ellis, “Prosperity;” Lushawn Rainer, “Hope;” and Anna Hernandez, “Community Garden.”

Girls y the ag for football

Bears co-sponsor new football team at OPRF

By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter

Boys aren’t the only students pla football for Oak Park and River High School this fall. Thirty OPRF gi are playing flag football this year in a league with five other West Suburban ference schools as part of the girls football initiative supported by the Chicago Bears and Nike.

The OPRF flag football team finished the re gular season third in the six-team league with a record of 3-2 and are now gearing up the playoffs with a first-round g ame against Morton West set for Saturday at 2 p.m. at OPRF. If the Huskies win, they will play second seeded Proviso East on Oct. 21 in the semifinals at 6. The league championship g ame will be played Oct 21

League champion in a g ame to be played on the Bears practice field at Halas Hall on Oct. 29.

OPRF ended the re gular season by defeating Mor ton West 36-12 Saturday at Oak Park Stadium. Quar terback Cydney MacDonald got the Huskies of f to a fast star t with an 80 yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage. OPRF coach Tank Corner had his eye on MacDonald

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

OPRF senior Cydney MacDonald heads for the endzone on Saturday during a ag football game against Morton at Huskie Stadium in Oak Park.

C YDNE Y MACDONALD

“I was impressed by how she could throw the ball and I was impressed by her footwork and her eyes,” Cor ner said. “She could see the field real good.”

Once he found out OPRF would have a flag football team Cor ner stopped MacDonald in a hallway and told her she had to play.

“I’m not giving you a choice, you’ re my QB,” Cor ner told MacDonald.

But it didn’t take any ar m twisting to persuade MacDonald, who also plays basketball and softball for OPRF, to play football. She has always loved football. She grew up playing football with her older brother Noah MacDonald when she lived in Alleg an, a small town in southwest Michig an.

“When I was younger it was tackle because we were around the same size but as my brother got bigger it kind of tur ned into two hand touch,” MacDonald said.

MacDonald’s ste pbrothers Ben, a sophomore center and Ryan, a senior wide receiver, also play football for OPRF and MacDonald would always toss a football around with one of her brothers when the other one had a game.

MacDonald, who moved to Oak Park for high school, thought that Homecom-

ing Powder Puf f football would be all the football she could play at OPRF, but was thrilled to find out that OPRF would have a flag football team.

“It’s really fun,” MacDonald said. “It’s definitely not like anything I would have expected being able to do.”

MacDonald was always an athletic and active child.

“I have two sisters but they never played like I did,” MacDonald said. “I’ve always kind of been the tomboy of the family I just like being outside and my brothers were really the only ones who would play with me.”

The flag football team typically has practices three days a week. Because of field constraints they can’t start practice until 5:45 p.m.

MacDonald says she takes flag football as seriously as her other sports

“I definitely put in as much effort as I would for any other sport,” MacDonald said.

Other standout players for OPRF are senior Saniya Shotwell, known as “Speed”, senior Teshell O’Neal and junior Shardae Spruille.

Flag football resembles a touch football game that kids would play in the park Each player wears a belt with two flags. A player

is “tackled” when a defensive player grabs a flag, really more of a ribbon, off of the belt. The athletes wear foam helmets without facemasks that look like old fashioned leather helmets football players wore a century ago. Seven players, not 11, are on the field for each team at one time Everyone is eligible to run the ball or catch a pass. A defensive player cannot rush the quarterback until after a count of 3 and the referee yells go. Teams have four plays to go 20 yards, not 10, for a first down. The game is played on an 80-yard field and no runs are allowed within 20 yards of the goal line Blocking is not allowed and there is not supposed to be any physical contact but there is the inevitable physical contact when players go up in the air for a pass.

Cor ner, who works as a security guard at OPRF, was a star running back for OPRF in the late 1980’s who went on the play football with Pro Football Hall of Fame member Kurt War ner at the University of Norther n Iowa. He would like the rules changed next year to allow blocking.

Cor ner says that he has enjoyed coaching girls.

“It’s fun, it’s dif ferent,” Cor ner said. “They get intense They want to lear n.

That’s the good thing about coaching girls because they want to lear n. They get frustrated sometime, but I tell them that’s OK.”

He can be demanding and he wants to win.

“I don’t look at them as girls; I look at them as athletes,” Cor ner said.

Cor ner and his assistant coaches had to teach the basics of football to many of his pl ayers because they had ne ver pl ayed football before

“We’ re trying to teach them football,” Cor ner said. “It’s like Pop War ner because they don’ t know. We’ve got to teach them the basic stuf f before we star t giving them the harder plays, the harder defenses, whatever it may be.”

T he Bears flag football initiative star ted last year with 22 Public League teams This year approximately 50 schools have teams There is hope that girls flag football can eventually become an official Illinois High School Association sport.

“Expanding participation opportunities for high school student-athletes is at the core of the IHSA’s mission,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson in a press release issued by the Bears in May about girls flag football. “Thanks in large part to the efforts of the Chicago Bears, high school girls flag football in Illinois is experiencing unprecedented growth. On this current trajectory, it seems destined to become an official IHSA sport in the future.”

MacDonald and her teammates, many of whom participate in other sports, are enjoying being trailblazers.

“We’ ll definitely set the tone for the rest of the years and if we end up going pretty far in the playoffs or winning state, I think a lot of girls will see how far you can really go and what it can get you in college,” said MacDonald noting that some colleges are starting girls flag football teams and even offering scholarships.

Some students are having a hard time taking girls flag football seriously, especially boys at the school.

“I think the guys think it’s funny,” MacDonald said. “We’re definitely not held to the same standard as the boys football team but a lot of people think it’s really cool and a lot of girls are interested.”

Approximately 35 people attended Saturday’s game and the team hopes for bigger crowds at the playoff games

MacDonald enjoyed playing at Oak Park Stadium.

“It’s definitely very cool,” MacDonald said. “I never really thought I would get the oppor tunity to play on a field like this.”

ALEX ROGALS/Sta Photographer

D-FENCE: OPRF’s Nikiya Haralson and Chloe Johnson block a pass attempt, dur ing a Saturday’s game

From OPRF to Poland with a focus on Ukraine

Lukasz Lazarczyk studies European politics in moment of maximum tension

By JESSICA MACKINNON Contributing Reporter

Lukasz Lazarczyk, a 2019 Oak Park and River Forest High School graduate, is fulfilling a long-held dream of living in Poland, while pursuing a degree in European politics and economics at the University of Warsaw. For several months he has been photographing rallies for Euromaidan, a Warsaw-based initiative that has been supporting Ukraine’s integration with Europe since 2013.

“I have always felt very Polish and very connected with my Polish family I knew in high school that I wanted to study European politics, and I considered no country other than Poland in which I wanted to study. I applied to a couple other Polish universities and a few American universities—but mainly just to appeal to my parents,” Lazarczyk said.

Lazarczyk’s father is from Poland and came to the U.S. in the 1980s, following the mass protests led by Solidarity, a trade union movement, that overthrew the Communist gover nment. His great aunt had come to the U.S. in the 1950s to escape Communism. Lazarczyk visited Poland several times with his family and stayed with his grandmother in

Poznan for three weeks when he was a teenager. The experience confir med his desire to someday live for a more extended time in the country. He started taking Polish language lessons during his freshman year of high school, as a birthday present to himself According to Lazarczyk, politics in Poland are just as divisive for sociological reasons as they are in the U.S., with rural populations leaning right and the cities leaning left. He advises that while Polish society leans fairly conservative, the 2020 presidential election was very close, with the current president, Andrzej Duda, beating his challenger by only slightly more than 1% of the vote. Lazarcyzk has been studying the growth of global populism and what makes populist politicians so effective.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February has been a great concer n for Lazarcyzk and his friends, most of whom are Ukrainian. He regularly attended protests outside the Russian embassy, in solidarity with his friends and their cause, and took photos and videos of the action. Euromaidan has been sharing his work on Instagram.

“In recent days, with Ukrainian forces advancing, there seems to be greater optimism about the situation in Ukraine — although there is concer n about Putin’s annexation of Ukrainian territory. A friend of mine, who lives in wester n Ukraine, told me that he had a backpack filled with essentials in case Russia launched a nuclear strike on his city. That is their reality,” Lazarcyzk said.

Following graduation, Lazarcyzk would

like to pursue a master’s degree, although he doesn’t have a master plan at this point. He is adamant that he doesn’t want to be a politician but would enjoy being a political analyst or a professor

He hasn’t decided how long he will remain in Poland. He enjoys the lifestyle and the walkability of Warsaw and claims he hasn’t driven a car in more than a year. He admits that one definite benefit of living in Poland is that everyone knows how to pronounce his name

“It’s difficult for English speakers to pronounce my last name — it’s a small thing that you really appreciate when you live somewhere where everyone can pronounce your name without any problems,” he said.

To see a collection of Lazarczyk’s photos, including landscapes and street scenes, check out his website at Lukaszlazarczyk. myportfolio.com.

LU K ASZ LA Z ARCZ YK

PHOTOS BY LUK ASZ LAZARCZYK

Photos taken at protests in Poland

WESLE Y Will run for full term next year

from page 5

“I never expected Trustee Walker-Peddakotla to resign, or anyone else on the board for that matter,” said Wesley. “And I want to extend my best wishes to her on her recovery.”

His 2019 loss made him evaluate further his reasons for running for trustee in the first place. He found he still had a desire to work within the community and on behalf of the community, which led him to the village gover nment’s Civic Information Systems Commission.

Scaman called it “admirable” that he remained involved after losing the 2019 trustee race Wesley will now have to resign from the commission, but his contribution to the commission was appreciated by the village president.

“His input has been invaluable,” Scaman said.

Wesley will also have to resign from the village-funded Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, where he serves as board chair. The founder of a software consulting fir m, Wesley joined the OPEDC board in September 2019.

“I’ve been impressed with Cory’s willingness to listen. I have seen him change his own mind in response to new information, but I have also seen him stick to his guns and change others’ minds with well-reasoned analysis,” said OPEDC Executive Director John Lynch. “Cory is a tremendous asset to Oak Park and will be an outstanding trustee.”

The OPEDC board reserves two spots for village board members. However, Wesley will have to give up his seat as the village president and Trustee Susan Buchanan are already on the OPEDC board. If Wesley were to remain on the OPEDC board, it would be a violation of the Illinois Open Meetings Act

The loss of Wesley for the OPEDC, however, will be a positive gain for the village board, according to Lynch.

“I think President Scaman made an excellent choice for the village board,” Lynch said. “If his efforts with the OPEDC board are any indication, I think Oak Parkers will be well served by his thoughtful and open-minded approach to important issues.”

While Wesley understands his duty to the village board requires him to tender his OPEDC resignation, it will be a bittersweet move for him.

“That is the one sad point in this for me

because I have enjoyed my service there,” Wesley said.

Wesley will not have to resign from all of the other boards on which he serves. He is not required to step down from his place on the board of the non-gover nmental South East Oak Park Community Organization. His presence on the neighborhood organization board does not present any violations to the Open Meetings Act. Should any SEOPCO issues go before the board, Wesley said he would simply recuse himself

Wesley was not among those who for mally applied for the appointment, but as Scaman previously told Wednesday Jour nal, that

was not requisite for consideration. He was one of a group of people to whom Scaman reached out. Her reasoning for the application process was to open the opportunity to the larger public and to widen her scope of consideration.

After choosing Wesley, Scaman reiterated that the application process was beneficial in deciding whom to appoint.

“It also helped me identify what exactly were the skill sets that I was looking for, in order to fulfill such a short timeframe between now and April 2023, which happens to be right at the beginning of what will be a very important budget season,” she said.

The appointee’s time on the village board will be short, which played a factor in Scaman’s decision. She wanted someone familiar with the village board’s racial equity and climate change goals, as well as someone who has been “actively paying attention” to board discussions.

Wesley said he has been watching prior board meetings and reading agenda documents in preparation to get acquainted with board issues and decisions, as well as in preparation for the 2023 fiscal year budget discussions.

“It’s a daunting task,” he said of the budget. “But I’m not intimidated by it.”

Do you have DIABETES?

If you do, you should know how important foot care is. Over time, diabetics risk developing foot complications. When the nerves are damaged from chronic high blood sugar, feet can become numb or painful with burning or tingling. is is called diabetic neuropathy. When diabetes a ects the arteries, circulation to the legs and feet may be compromised. Either of these conditions may lead to serious problems including ulceration, even amputation.

e key to prevention is early diagnosis of diabetes, and regular foot exams from a podiatrist. Diabetics who receive regular foot care, including paring of calluses and debridement of thick fungal toenails, are almost four times less likely

to undergo an amputation than those who do not seek treatment.

Medicare and some private insurances cover 1 pair of diabetic shoes and 3 pair of protective insoles each calendar year. Dr. Lambert has been a supplier of diabetic shoes since 2002. e shoes come in 30 di erent styles each for men and women. ese include boots, lightweight colorful athletic shoes, and dress shoes. Even patients who are not diabetic love the look and comfort of the footwear. Diabetic socks, slippers and compression hosiery are also available.

Protecting your feet with appropriate footgear is an important aspect of preventive care for diabetics.

Dr. Linda Lambert

Kids with disabilities compete using tech inventions at Brooks

Adapted P.E. teacher teams with student tech designers

By JAMIE O’TOOLE Contributing Reporter

As an Adapted Physical Education teacher at Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, Timothy McDonald has raised the bar of independence for his students with disabilities, putting him in nomination for a second year for the LifeChanger of the year award.

McDonald, a P.E. teacher since 2010, has always used recommended Adapted P.E. equipment that is modified for students with disabilities. While those are helpful, he’s made the initiative to supplement those tools, as it seemed there was always something missing for certain students and their individual abilities.

“They just need something a little more,” McDonald said. In collaboration with the design classes at Gwendolyn Brooks, 325 S. Kenilworth Ave., McDonald has shared with them his ideas for add-ons to equipment. Design students have since developed assistive technology devices for McDonald’s students, enabling full participation.

The LifeChanger Award is a national reco gnition program that honors K-12 public school educators and employees who are making a dif ference in the lives of students. The winner will collect a prize of up to $10,000, according to a Sept. 26 news release

McDonald’s attention to areas in which a student needs a little extra push or assistance, with or without a disability, has inspired Karen Reed, the aunt of one of McDonald’s student, to nominate him twice. She says she will nominate him each year until he wins.

Reed is also a for mer agent at National Life Group Insurance Company, the sponsors of the award.

Reed said sports are very important to her and it was just as important to her that her nephew with autism be exposed to an array of sports.

“[McDonald] will not stop until he has introduced every sport, every type of physical activity to his students, specifically with my nephew, and try and engage them,” Reed said.

Thinking about how underappreciated teachers can be for their ef forts, McDonald was the first person Reed thought of for the award.

McDonald’s main goal for his students is for them to be able to participate independently in the sport or fitness lesson at hand, and a day-to-day skill is being able to pass the ball.

One student in particular, McDonald said, couldn’t throw a ball independently. This sparked his suggestion to build an additional button she could push using her knee to use her own force and bo dy in throwing a ball.

“We place it next to her knee, because she independently moved her knee more than most body parts,” McDonald said. “When she pressed the button, it would activate this shooting device that we call the ‘launcher’ – it would launch a ball, maybe like five, eight feet.”

Chris Pros has taught Design Technology at Brooks for nine years, and in planning the launcher, he and his students knew, according to McDonald, there were movements the student could control in her le g and the button would suit that ability.

For this design, Pros worked with students in his Makerspace Club and they be gan brainstor ming ideas involving household parts they had access to. They first took parts from a wiffle ball pitching machine and gathered unused buttons from McDonald and the woman who oversees assistive technology.

Once those buttons were soldered, they installed microcontrollers to control the device from an app that they also

built. That way, Pros said, the teacher could start the motor, and when the student was ready, she could move her le g and it launched the ball.

“She knocked down the bowling pin that someone was guarding the first time it launched. And I said ‘wow, it really works,’” Pros said.

When McDonald approaches Pros with ideas for his students’ equipment, it’s Pros’ students who have full creative freedom in designing the contraptions, and he guides them.

“We know what we’re trying to solve – brainstor ming solutions, generating concepts, developing prototypes, testing, or making changes,” Pros said.

Pros said projects always tur n out better when applicable to real world challenges, such as McDonald’s class

Students use a coding software called VEX Robotics to outline their idea. The process is followed by building the mechanisms and devices with VEX parts, which they will then code, test, correct and change sensors for until it is complete.

McDonald says as an Adapted P.E. teacher, he has help from teacher assistants, social workers, physical therapists and classroom teachers, who all help ensure students in his class receive the resources and help they need for their physical education. And so this nomination represents him, but them as well, he says

“When [students] have access to this equipment that allows them to be right in the middle of the game, not on the side of the game … it’s just so unbelievable that their interest levels with the sports increase,” McDonald said.

SHANEL ROMAIN/Sta

Tim McDonald teaches Adapted Physical Education at Brooks Middle School

Ex-Oak Parker brings glam to NY Fashion Week

Makeup line graces models at several high-pro le shows

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

For mer drugstore cosmetics buyer and makeup artist Nevena Tomic left her mark on New York Fashion Week with her La Beaute Fatale brand. Makeup artists used the for mer Oak Parker’s line, which was chosen as a sponsor for such high-profile spring 2023 fashion shows as Badgley Mischka, Bach Mai and Cynthia Rowley

“We were in hot demand this season,” Tomic told Wednesday Journal.

La Beaute Fatale has a special relationship with the world of high fashion. In years past, Tomic would look to the runways for trending colors to incorporate into her line of eyeshadows, lipsticks, blushes and foundations

This past September, it made its Fashion Week debut, as makeup artists used Tomic’s brand at the three shows to create looks complementary of the clothing being showcased. For the Cynthia Rowley show, which featured

natural-looking skin for 30 models, makeup artist Marcello Costa used La Beaute Fatale’s Velvette Mousse foundation — a personal favorite of Tomic’s.

“It feels just like this creamy, airy mousse and it’s really great for a woman who wants to put something on her skin that has a good amount of coverage but that’s not too thick,” Tomic explained

Three different looks were created for Badgley Mischka and executed across 40 models, while nine looks were created for the 20 models walking in the Bach Mai spring 2023 ready-to-wear show. An exclusive lipstick was developed for Bach Mai, which will be available for purchase on the La Beaute Fatale website in November

“It’s a matte white lipstick that I love; I want to wear it all the time,” said Tomic, who is both the founder and CEO of La Beaute Fatale.

She was backstage at the three shows, making sure everything went according to plan. Tomic also brought along a photographer and videog rapher to capture the excitement. Being sur rounded by models was a blast from the past for Tomic, who used to work as a modeling scout and runway coach in Chicago.

three this year and grow those partnerships.

“We had five more designers who reached out to us and wanted us to sponsor their shows,” she said.

Tomic said she is in talks already with fashion houses interested in working with La Beaute Fatale. She hopes to double, if not triple, the brand’s sponsorships for future New York Fashion Week shows and potentially move into sponsoring some designers showing at Paris Fashion Week.

Only available for purchase online through the brand’s website, La Beaute Fatale products retail at prices consistent with the cosmetics sold at department stores. La Beaute Fatale also partners with the monthly subscription service Ipsy, which features La Beaute Fatale cosmetics in its beauty boxes.

All products are cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, and free of parabens and fragrances. That is important to Tomic. She learned firsthand the number

tives — alcohol, glue, plastic, for maldehyde, which is used during the embalming process when someone passes away to preserve the body,” she said. “They were putting that in cosmetics so the lipstick can sit on a shelf for five years.”

Tomic stepped away from buying cosmetics to start her own company, one that uses beeswax, antioxidants, vanilla, coconut oil and other natural ingredients in place of chemicals. She tries to educate people on the importance of paying attention to what they put on their faces and bodies.

The name La Beaute Fatale was born out of the concept of “loving someone to death.” When you love someone, that person’s beauty has the ability to take your breath away, according to Tomic.

“If cosmetics can enhance your natural beauty and help you keep that everlasting youthfulness, then we want to make sure your ‘fatal beauty’ to whoever loves you stays intact.”

e

PHOTO BY AMIK A VERMA

PHOTO BY AMIK A VERMA

PHOTO BY AMIK A VERMA

Model from New York Fashion Week, above and below le .

NEVENA TOMIC

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

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

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

A safe & smart choice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

99% OF OUR CALEDONIA STAFF IS VACCINATED

Immediate availability in our Memory Care Assisted Living Small House

Lake Lathrop developer dinged for code violations

Village administrator has given until Oct. 14 to receive revised work plan

2800 Des Plaines Avenue, North Riverside, IL 60546 (708) 447-5092 | CaledoniaSeniorLiving.org

By ROBERT J. LIFKA Contributing Reporter

The optimism from a groundbreaking ceremony in April is starting to fade for officials of Lake Lathrop Partners LLC, who are building a four-story, mixed-use development at Lake Street and Lathrop Avenue in River Forest.

For several months, neighbors of the proposed development, which will contain 22 condominium units and 14,000 square feet of retail space, have complained at village board meetings about high weeds, broken sidewalks and a lack of activity.

the walkway railing behind the active businesses on Lake Street. The walkway railing was loose and did not meet building code standards

Necessary sidewalk restoration along Lake Street was completed last week by a contractor hired by the village. Village Administrator Brian Murphy said costs associated with this work will be passed on to the developer

In response to a question from Trustee Katie Brennan at the Oct. 10 village board meeting, Murphy said the developer has until Oct. 14 to provide a revised schedule of work, which had been requested previously. The original schedule called for the superstructure phase to begin in May and be completed by January 2023, but that work has not begun.

SCHOOLS

This month, village officials added their voices to the complaints, issuing nine property maintenance violations

Variations of the project have been on the drawing board since before the village board approved the proposal in 2016. The village board granted extensions to the developer in October 2018 and October 2021.

to the developer

The village’s adjudication judge found the developer liable for five of the violations, issuing fines of $690. Of the four violations dismissed, three had been remedied and the fourth was for another location.

Violations the developer was found liable for at the village’s Oct. 3 adjudication hearing included weeds over 8-feet tall, failure to properly guard trees during building repairs and failure to properly maintain stairways, decks and porches The latter violation is to

Per mutations of the same project had lurched and lingered for a decade previously. The original project included another story and eight more units but was scaled back.

Keystone Ventures was an original partner in Lake Lathrop Partners before being bought out by Sedgwick Properties, another partner, in 2020.

The project has experienced a series of delays over the years, including environmental cleanup from a dry cleaner for merly on the site and a lawsuit involving a tenant who did not want to move.

e development site at Lake Street and Lathrop Avenue in River Forest.

ASSISTED LIVING • SHELTERED

Robber pulls gun on victim

A gun was pulled on an Oak Park resident in an attempted ar med robbery at 11:29 p.m., Oct. 5, in the 300 block of South Ridgeland Avenue.

The victim had been out walking when he noticed a dark four-door sedan following him. A man then ran up from behind the victim and pulled out a silver handgun, demanding the victim tur n over everything he had. A struggle ensued, the gun went of f and the of fender fled nor thbound on foot. No injuries or loss was repor ted.

Robber y

Three men grabbed a woman by her hair and pushed her to the ground during a robbery at 4:30 a.m., Oct. 3 in the 200 block of South Maple Avenue. The men took the woman’s red Givenchy handbag, which contained her iPhone 13 and driver’s license, then fled the scene westbound on Pleasant Street. The estimated loss is $3,800.

Burglar y

■ Someone broke into an apar tment, ransacked its interior and removed an Apple MacBook Pro laptop, two iPads, a small computer tablet, a money order and a Sony boombox stereo between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m., Oct. 3 in the first block of Washington Boulevard.

■ Someone entered a home through an unlocked window and ransacked its inte-

A return to Oak Park

from page 6

efforts with her extensive history of involvement in equity-related positions and organizations. She began the first Librarians of Color Forum for the Virginia Library Association and serves as a member of American Libraries Association EDI Speakers Bureau. She is also among the ALA’s at-large councilors and is an active member of the Urban Libraries Council.

“David Seleb left a really great template for equity and diversity and inclusion,” Dixon said of her predecessor. “I know that’s a lens

rior, taking an HP laptop, a black bookbag with red trim, a work ID, miscellaneous jewelry and a pair of Timberland boots between noon and 7:43 p.m., Oct. 9 in the 200 block of Har rison Street. The estimated loss is $2,000.

Motor vehicle theft

■ Someone removed an unlocked 2015 Maz da CX5, with the keys left inside the vehicle, parked in the 200 block of Har rison Street between 12:40 p.m. and 1:35 p.m., Oct.

3. The estimated loss is $10,000.

■ A 2017 Hyundai Tucson was taken from the 1000 block of South Highland Avenue between 4:45 p.m. and 8:25 p.m., Oct. 4. The estimated loss is $15,000.

■ A 2017 Hyundai Tucson was taken from the 400 block of Garfield Street between 1:30 p.m., Oct. 3 and 7:26 a.m., Oct. 5.

■ A 2022 Kia Sportage parked in a rear lot in the first block of Nor th Austin Boulevard was taken between 10 p.m., Oct. 7 and 8 a.m., Oct. 8. The vehicle was recovered by Chicago police at 7:16 p.m., Oct. 8.

■ A 2021 Kia Sportage was r emoved from the 500 block of Har rison Street between 11 p.m., Oct. 7 and 4:08 a.m., Oct. 9.

■ A 2021 Kia Sorrento was removed from the 300 block of Nor th Oak Park Avenue between 6:30 p.m., Oct. 8 and 9:46 a.m., Oct. 9.

■ A 2020 Hyundai Elantra was removed from the 300 block of South Maple Avenue between 11:40 p.m., Oct. 8 and 9:41 a.m., Oct. 9.

that the board was looking at in candidates And I definitely have grounded my library work in that.”

Dixon is also a certified racial healing practitioner and was an equity, diversity and inclusion consultant for her alma mater’s Harvey Library initiative: Leading the Charge: Advancing the Recruitment, Retention and Inclusion of People of Color within the Library and Information Science Field Her immediate focus as executive director will be supporting Oak Park library staff and reaching out to the library’s community partners. She is excited to work closely with the library board.

“They know all the peaks and valleys that I will come to lear n, and their support is essential,” Dixon said.

She told Wednesday Jour nal she is looking

Attempted motor vehicle theft

■ Someone broke the rear passenger’s side window of a 2013 Hyundai Elantra and peeled its steering column between 10 p.m., Oct. 2 and 6 p.m., Oct. 3 in the 300 block of South Humphrey Avenue

■ The driver’s side front and rear windows of a 2016 Hyundai Elantra were broken, the vehicle’s interior ransacked, and its steering wheel column damaged between 10 p.m., Oct. 2 and 8 a.m., Oct. 3 in the 1000 block of Clinton Avenue.

■ Someone broke the rear driver’s side window of a 2010 Kia Soul then removed the vehicle’s steering column cover between 9 p.m., Oct. 3 and 6 a.m., Oct. 4.

Theft

■ The catalytic conver ter of a 2009 Toyota Prius was removed between 3 p.m., Se pt. 18 and 6:30 a.m., Se pt. 19 in the 1000 block

forward to continuing moving the library’s anti-racism and equity work forward, as well as identifying opportunities for capital improvement projects and filling library vacancies.

“In the staffing area, continuing to work through the equity, diversity and inclusion lens,” Dixon said of her plans. “And also looking at the infrastructure and capital projects and seeing, like, what do we need to pick up that maybe got stalled a bit during the pandemic.”

In the selection process, Dixon came out ahead of Shaunta McGee of the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County Inc. and Barry University Director of Library Services Jan Figa for the executive director position. The three final candidates were put for th for consideration

of Lyman Avenue.

■ A 5-foot gray Celtic cross tombstone, seven 6-foot cream-colored faux skeletons, 12 3-inch concrete tombstones and three black spotlights were stolen from a front yard in the 900 block of Wenonah Avenue between 10:30 p.m., Oct. 4 and 7 a.m., Oct. 5. The estimated loss is $1,030.

These items, o btained from the Oak Pa rk Po lice De partment, came from re port s through Oct. 10 and re present a portio n of the incidents to wh ich police re sponded. Anyone named in these re ports ha s only b een charged with a crime and cases ha ve not yet b een adjudicated. We re port the ra ce of a suspect only wh en a serious crime has b een c ommitted, the suspect is still at la rge, and police ha ve provided us with a detailed physical description of th e suspect as th ey seek the public’s h elp in making an arrest .

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan

by Reesheda Graham Washington, whose fir m served as the library’s second recruitment fir m for the search after the first fir m backed out and returned its compensation.

Graham Washington’s fir m. Graham Washington declined Wednesday Jour nal’s request for comment.

At the Oct. 6 meeting, Fruth thanked library staff, the library board and the recruitment team for their dedication to finding a qualified replacement for Seleb

“I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who helped us complete this journey, firstly to Reesheda Graham Washington and her team at the Blackberry Collective,” Fruth said. “They have helped us look at this search a different way that asked tough questions that this board will continue to reflect upon beyond tonight.”

Fenwick girls volleyball coach bids adieu a er 19 seasons

Kathleen O’Laughlin spent past 11 years as head coach

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

After serving two stints totaling 19 seasons with Fenwick High School as girls volleyball coach – from 2001-07 as an assistant and from 2011-22 as head coach -- Kathleen O’Laughlin announced on Sept. 28 she will retire at the end of the season.

“I think it’s the right time because my daughter [Shannon] is exiting the program,” said O’Laughlin after the Friars (1016) defeated visiting Providence Catholic 25-19, 25-21 Oct. 5.

“We’ve got some great younger coaches and I think it’s time for them to take over,” she added. “ It’s been a great run, and now it’s time to hang it up and enjoy the fall for once.”

Fenwick has won 13 IHSA regional titles and two sectional titles, in 2003 and 2015, in O’Laughlin’s career. She was an assistant in 2003 under her older sister, Eileen, and led the Friars to a 2015 sectional championship.

O’Laughlin comes from the Shannon family, which has a rich athletic background. Her three brothers played sports at Fenwick -- Pat (Class of 1986, basketball), Dan (‘88, football) and Mike (‘98, basketball).

O’Laughlin and her two sisters were stellar athletes at Immaculate Conception (now IC College Prep) in Elmhurst. Older sister Eileen, who’s been one of Kathleen’s assistants and is also retiring, was the Illinois High School Player of the Year in 1988 and is in IC Prep’s Hall of Fame She went

on to play basketball at the University of Nebraska. Her ounger sister, Maureen, played volleyball at DePaul University.

Kathleen spent two seasons (1991-92) playing volleyball at the University of llinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she met J.J. O’Laughlin, a quarterback on the football team. When J.J. transferred to Cal StateNorthridge, Kathleen followed him there.

The couple have three children, all of whom have graduated or will graduate soon from Fenwick -- Casey (Class of 2017, played baseball at Northwester n University), Michael (Class of 2018, currently playing football at West Virginia University) and Shannon, who will graduate this coming spring.

Shannon O’Laughlin said playing for her mother is one of

the best experiences she’s had and will always remember “I really wanted to play my hardest for her tonight,” she said. “She’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever had and she’s an ever better mom.”

In the victory over the Celtics, Erin East had nine kills, Shannon O’Laughlin five kills and two aces and Lola Tortorello seven assists and an ace for Fenwick

Even with a home loss Oct. 6 against Whitney Young (17-25, 23-25) on Senior Night, the Friars have won five of their last seven matches after eight consecutive losses. Both Kathleen and Shannon O’Laughlin feel things are on the right track with the IHSA state tournament starting soon.

“We just got healthy in the last couple of weeks,” Kathleen said. “We’re reworking our rotations and lineup and trying to get our timing down. I hope we’ll be sharp by the end of October.”

“We’ve been saying all season that we’re going to be that October team that comes out and surprises everyone at the end,” Shannon said. “Our record doesn’t show we have a team that’s capable and hopefully we’ll get to prove that come the playoffs.”

Fenwick is the second seed in the upcoming IHSA Class 3A Little Village Sectional and a regional host. The Friars wrap up the regular season Oct. 17 at St. Ignatius and at Lake Park on Oct. 22.

C AROL DUNNING/Contributor

Fenwick girls volleyball coach Kathleen O’Laughlin (far le ) joined her daughter, senior Shannon O’Laughlin, and her husband, J.J. O’Laughlin, during a ceremony marking her upcoming retirement a er 19 seasons before a match against Providence Catholic on Oct. 5.

C AROL DUNNING/Contributor Fenw ick girls volleyball coach Kathleen O’Laughlin (center) gives instructions to her team during the Friars’ 25-29, 25-21 w in over Prov idence Catholic on Oct. 5.

OPRF has tough run to playo s, Fenwick just about there

We are already through seven weeks of the high school football season, with the IHSA playof fs right around the corner With that in mind, here are my thoughts on how Oak Pa rk and River Forest and Fenwick high schools have fared so far, along with what I’d like to see from them the last two weeks. Both are still eligible for the playof fs OPRF stands at 4-3 after quar terback Jack Gooch (18-of-27, 256 yards) threw for six touchdown passes and ran fo r another score Oct. 7 as the Huskies rolled past visiting Proviso West 56-20.

Lemer Bur nett had another nice of fensive g ame for OPRF with 162 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns (one rece iving, one rushing). Defensively, Mekhai Tate had a team-high seven tackles (three tackles for loss, including a sack). Matthew Poe and Jeremiah Williams each had sacks and Faris Dispensa an interception.

I’ve seen the Huskies in person three times and for the most part I like what they’ve shown. The line play on both sides of the ball has been solid, and there have been several two-way players faring well, like Bur nett, Evans, Gray, Martin, Cole Robertson, Kole Sneed, and Tim Spillane

My biggest concer n is OPRF’ difficulty in finishing games

The 22-19 last-second loss at Hinsdale Central on Sept. 23 was especially tough. Had the Huskies won, they’d be at 5and already eligible for the IHSA playoffs.

Playing all four quarters is an area OPRF coach John Hoerster wants to see improvement in down the stretch.

“I love this group,” he said. “If they can focus on the her and now every day, good thing will happen. At this point, can’t make any excuses; got to play four quarters of Even if they do, the Huskies ha challenging task ahead in picking up one more win for playoff eligibility. Their final two games are at Downers Grove North on Oct. 14 and home against York on Oct. 21. Downers North is tough enough at 5-2 and already playoff eligible, but York is another story. The Dukes are a powerhouse and boast a 7-0 record

But I still like OPRF’s chances. The Huskies usually play both DGN and York tough and have won a majority of the games in

recent seasons. If they play four ters and make minimal es, I think they’ ll get It

enwick, after a rough start to the season getting trounced by , sits at 5-3, making them eligible. On Oct. 7, quarterback E.J. Hosty threw for three touchdowns as the Friars defeated host St. Patrick 36-27 at riton Colle ge enwick’s other two touchwns came out of the wildcat ation from sophomore ve end Nate Marshall, lining up at quarterback.

“Nate is a phenomenal athlete, probably the best in the state,” said Fenwick h Matt Battaglia. “He gets the ball in his hands, he’s not easy to take down.”

The victory over St. Patrick is huge as it gives the Friars playof f eligibility, and Fenwick will receive a forfeit victory for Week 8 since no opponent could be found.

“It’s unfortunate that this week we don’t get to go out and compete in a g ame,” Battaglia said. “But they all understand the situation, and I know they’re excited about the oppor tunity that’s going to be

coming up.”

I’ve seen the Friars in person twice They’ve certainly improved since the 35-7 loss to OPRF in Week 1. This is a young team that was going to take a few lumps early on, but I also figured they’d get better as the season progressed, and that’s what happened.

As for the oppor tunity Battaglia was refer ring to? It’s a home game against St. Ignatius in Week 9 on Oct. 21. The Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division championship will be on the line

I think Fenwick, which defeated the host Wolfpack last year 28-21 in Week 9 to win the conference, has a good shot at defending the title. While the Friars are young, they have several players who played in last year’s game, like Mirko Jaksic, Aaron Johnson, and Conor Stetz. Their experience and leadership is vital going forward.

Given the strength of the CCL/ESCC, I feel the Friars should make the playof fs regardless of the outcome with St. Ignatius. But let’s not forget, they’ve defeated the Wolfpack and their tough triple-option offense two years in a row. If Fenwick plays a full four quarters, I like its chances of making it three consecutive seasons

OPRF’s Newhart cruises to win cross country invite Senior leads Huskies to 2nd overall behind personal best e ort

By BILL STONE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School senior boys cross country runner Liam Newhar t tur ned a tight race into a comfortable and exciting victory on Oct. 5.

Newhar t won Naperville Nor th’s Twilight Invitational in a personal-best 14 minutes, 35.1 seconds for 3.0 miles over Plainfield Nor th senior Oliver Bur ns by 11.4 seconds.

“This is definitely the best [race for me],” Newhart said. “Winning’s always fun, to run a personal best. I really couldn’ t ask for anything more.”

T he Huskies (86 points), ranked No 4 by ILXCTF.com, also excelled in finishing second to No 3 Downers Grove Nor th (75).

Four th-place junior Michael Michelotti (14:50.0) was just 0.7 seconds from third place, and senior Nick Parrell (10th, 14:58.4) was also a top-20 individ-

ual medal winner, followed by senior Ow Au tine (23rd, 15:25.0), junior Lewis O’Connor 15:54.6) and seniors Roan Eg an (70th, 16:06.0) Paul Delignon (86th, 16:16.8). Downers Nor five finished 8-9-14-24-25.

Newhar t bested his previous best of a 14:42.5 on Se pt. 17 in Peoria with a strong At two miles, Newhar t was second, 0.5 behind Bur ns, with the top five r unners between 9:49.9 and 9:51.9.

“With like half a mile to go, it was neck with [Bur ns],” Newhar t said. “I kind a move and I don’ t even know what but I looked back maybe a quar ter mile couldn’ t see anybody I thought it was was missing something, so I did a double it was awesome.”

T he Huskies compete at the West Suburban ference’s Silve r Division meet on Oct. 15 at Hinsdale’s Katherine Le gge Memorial Park.

Liam Newhart

Life insurance can be life-changing

Fenwick girls tennis team defends GCAC title

Friars take No. 1 and 2 singles and doubles matches

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The Fenwick High School girls tennis team defended its Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Red Division championshi winning the title Oct. 8 at Loyola Academy in Wilmette The Friars’ 24 points we four better than the host and runner-up Ramblers

Sophomore Lily Brecknock was perfect in the No. 1 singles final against Loyola’s Eve Swaim, winning 6-0, 6-0. She was named GCAC Player of the Year and did not lose a singles match in conference this season.

Classmate Me g an Trifilio is also unbeaten in the GCAC this fall. She won at No 2 singles (6-0, 6-0) over Loyola’s Ellie Houston.

Fenwick’s top two doubles teams completed perfect GCAC seasons as well. Junior Trinity Hardin and senior Kate Trifilio defeated a St. Ignatius team in the No 1 doubles final 6-0, 6-4, while sophomore Rachel Abraham and senior Maeve Paris won No. 2 doubles 7-5, 6-4 over Loyola.

The Friars’ No 3 doubles team of sophomore Mae Mae McDonnell and junior Caroline Gruber finished second, losing to Loyola in the final 4-6, 0-6.

Fenwick competes in the IHSA Class 1A Elmhurst Timothy Christian Sectional on Oct. 14-15.

OPRF girls tennis

The Oak Park and River Forest High School girls tennis team placed third at the West Suburban Conference Silver Division championships Oct. 6-8 at Glenbard West with 30 points.

Although they didn’t have any singles or doubles champions, the Huskies had several strong perfor mances, especially in doubles Kitty DeHaan and Margot Sloan finished second at No. 3 doubles, while Jessica Locke and Kathryn Meister placed second in No. 4 doubles.

Clara Ottati and Maya Schwartz were

third at No. 2 doubles, and Mar tha Brennan and Maeve Marzec came in fourth in No. 1 doubles

At No 1 singles, Anika Gupta placed fifth. Maria Clara Lau was third in No 2 singles, and Alice Cadwell finished third at No. 3 singles

OPRF will host an IHSA Class 2A sectional Oct. 14-15.

Fenwick cross country

The Fenwick boys and girls cross country teams competed in the Sterling Invitational Oct. 8.

The boys placed third with 110 points The Friars had three runners inside the top 20 in Nathan McKillop (5th, 15:28.30), Grayden Rill (12th, 15:56.90) and Dean O’Bryan (18th, 16:14.70).

Chris Badja (36th, 16:48.20), Benicio Carideo (41st, 16:55.60) and Finn Munley (48th, 17:19.40) rounded out Fenwick’s lineup

The Fenwick girls were seventh with 176 points Senior Bella Daley tur ned in another strong showing for the Friars, finishing sixth in a time of 18:30.

Ava Mar tine z (35th, 20:37.50), Romy Bergetz (49th, 21:41.30), Amalia Anderson (52nd, 21:50.10), Molly Weber (53rd, 21:51.10), Francesca Reale (59th, 22:36.90) and Kyra Miller (60th, 22:37.30) also competed.

The boys’ next competition is the Chicago Catholic League Championship, while the girls take part in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference Championship. Both meets are Oct. 15 at Lewis University in Romeoville

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Call Viewpoints editor

Ken Trainor at 613-3310

ktrainor@wjinc.com

Open letter to Dan Haley

Ilove this newspaper

I have loved this newspaper since the first time I read it, when I moved to Oak Park in 2006 (making me a newcomer to the area compared to most of your readers, I’m sure). I love the way it dives into local issues that aren’t responsibly addressed anywhere else. I love the way it questions those in power. I love the way it presents an approachable format on all sor ts of issues unique to the near west suburbs.

Oak Park and River Forest High School just had a 30th (+2 years because of the COVID pandemic) reunion. It’s hard to believe 30 years have passed. Back in the late ’80s early ’90s, life was not necessarily simpler but it was more conforming. That made the polarization simpler to manage. Now we have discovered a new level of diversity. We have evolved.

My dear friend, Kawana Moore, class of 1990, went to the reunion and enjoyed seeing everyone but, in her usual jovialness, wished everyone had music to dance together to. This is so important. We have been through some stuff. We are all exhausted and our generation is so hard-core tough, we made it through. We earned our graceful wrinkles We experienced the polarization of recent years.

HEALE Y One View

Since I first became a reader, I have supported the mission of this newspaper, first by subscription, and now by yard sign and monthly donation (and, to those of you reading these words, in print or online, you very much should join me in both of those ef forts, if you haven’t already).

But most of all, I love the eng agement of you, our editor and publisher.

When I started reading this newspaper, you, above anyone else, infor med me of what I was g etting into in Oak Park. Your lifetime experience in this community, coupled with your straightforward journalistic style, gives you a unique ability to speak to the quirks and foibles and oddities and substance of what makes Oak Park what it is.

Your wry wit and impeccable ability to tweak noses needing tweaking to just the right de gree makes you a weekly must read. One time, when I approached you during one of your annual marches in the River Forest Memorial Day Parade, I told you that I’d pay for the newspaper if all it contained was your editorial. Your insight was, and remains, that valuable to me.

But somewhere along the way, this newspaper sadly lost its way. As I called out in a letter to the editor in these pages over a year ago, the paper stopped trying to present any semblance of balance in its viewpoints. Whether or not coupled to the change to nonprofit business model, outside of the occasional letter to the editor, the paper stopped presenting any viewpoint other than that of the left.

The problem with such a one-sided publication is that it imposes a disservice on everyone. People who view the world from a conservative viewpoint find no voice. People with liberal viewpoints learn nothing other than that they like having their views affirmed, and never challenged.

With evolution comes a level of sophistication that tells us all people need to be considered. It’s not OK to call a woman a “chick.” Thicker eyebrows are better than thin ones but it’s too late to grow your eyebrows back. Plus now, no eyebrows or “disappeared” eyebrows are in anyway When our children are old, gray and silver, eyebrows might be on trend.

Thirty years ago, “on trend” was called “in”. The new kids have stolen our 30-yearold “pound” and made it “hashtag” (#). Today’s generations have sampled our music and our words from 30 years ago. But this is called evolution. So we accept it as progress.

Yet it is so great to look back at the’80s/’90s era. They were so great! Girls wore clothes that made them look like 16-year-old versions of their 40-year-old mothers. And, wearing your clothes way too big for you was in. Hair was double the size it is now and three times as stif f. And that was a cross-racial trend. Everything was either the shape of a box or a triangle — from clothing patterns, to Trapper Keepers (kids, keep up and google this). Love started with a mix tape.

But what do you do when it’s time to go back to OPRF High School 30 years later to see people whose daily progression you haven’t been able to see unless you have Facebook (META).

OPRF is a diverse school. Everyone needs to dance together and drink together in a show of love and support for each other. Thirty years later, we won’t accept polarization within the high school class. This is progress, right? This is evolution.

At the next reunion, there will not be a division of Black versus white students and how each celebrate. At the next reunion, everyone will drink and dance together in frenzied, uninhibited celebration of the fact they have made it this long past the high school years. Next high school reunion, classmates should be throwing their fists in the air saying, “We made ’80s generation!” “We are young. Heartache to heartache we stand!” (Pat Benatar). We don’t sample other generations. Other generations sample us. One of the greatest entertainers, Beyonce, samples our music. Not the other way around. We don’t accept polarization no matter what world we currently live in. We were the kids wh o played on the block with friends of all kinds no matter what they looked like: rainbow mohawk, tall boxshaped afro with edges, 5-inch-wide feathered hair, and hot combed perfectly pressed hair.

We are the generation of expanding boundaries. We knew how to survive while partying and loving each other. So next time, dance. That’s evolution.

EL Serumaga is a resident of River Forest and Founder of ecovici.com.

Two key appointments

In the culmination of two extended search processes, Oak Park this week has a new executive director for its public libraries and a fully staffed village board with the appointment of a re placement for Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla, who resigned for reasons of health.

The search for a new head librarian to replace the departed David Seleb has been basically excruciating. Seleb retired from the library in February and the library’s governing board has bumped its way through two search firms, taken on the final leg of the hiring process directly and wound up with a person who seems to fully reflect the library’s mission-driven job description.

Joslyn Bowling Dixon will arrive in Oak Park next month — a retur n to Oak Park actually — from her post as director of the seven public libraries in Newark, New Jersey. She has her master’s in library science from our own Dominican University so that checks a box the library, in its out-of-the-box rhetoric, initially said was not a prerequisite for an appointment.

Also notable, Dixon has exceptional experience in all aspects of equity and diversity work and understands the role of such perspective in reshaping public libraries as community-building institutions. She has played a national role in that work through the American Library Association.

Credit to Reesheda Graham Washington, head of search fir m number two, for bringing Dixon to the board’s attention.

Meanwhile Cory Wesley has joined Oak Park’s village board via his unanimous approval by that board after his nomination by Village President Vicki Scaman. Wesley lost narrowly to WalkerPeddakotla in the 2019 election but has doubled down on his community involvement since. In addition to serving on a commission, he has also become chair of the critical Oak Park Economic Development Corporation board.

Wesley is widely respected and the early line from a range of Oak Park activists and leaders reflects a positive response to his appointment. Also a plus that he told Wednesday Jour nal he intends to run for a full-ter m in April 2023.

Attention to Roosevelt

Among other volunteer duties, Wesley is on the board of the South East Oak Park Community Organization. We want him to bring that representation to the village board and urge it to open its eyes to the dismal state of Roosevelt Road’s commercial stretch from Austin to Ridgeland. He could combine that effort with his ties at OPEDC and get the village back in the land acquisition and development business along this desolate street.

This week on page one, Stacey Sheridan reports on the legitimate upset of Roosevelt Road neighbors over the unregulated mess taking place at the block-long former Associated Tire — it runs between Lombard and Harvey. Some combination of unlicensed auto repair businesses are using the space and creating late-night noise and traffic issues in this quiet residential neighborhood. The village is finally on the case, though our preference would have been for the village to have bought this derelict property after the death of its longtime owner. There are other parcels in this awful stretch the village ought also to purchase because clearly the marketplace is not going to be the solution. Time for action.

Good job not dying, and hopefully living

As September turned to October, one of those enormous celebratory lawn signs appeared for a few days in front of the building across the street. Extremely large letters, colorful, decorated with exploding firework imagery.

The message, in two lines, was: “Good Job — Not Dying!”

Not a sign you see every day. Looking out my bedroom window in the morning, I imagined the message was for me. My first thought: “If the universe is sending a message, couldn’t they have set the bar a bit higher?”

It reminded me of a line from a Mary Oliver poem: “Listen, are you breathing just a little, and calling it a life?”

There is more in the poem “Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches?”

Well, there is time left — fields ev erywhere invite you into them. And who will care, who will chide you if you wander away from wherev er you are, to look for your soul ? Quickly, then, get up, put on your coat, leave your desk!

To put one’s foot into the door of the grass, which is the myster y, which is death as well as life, and not be afraid!

To set one’s foot in the door of death, and be overcome with amazement! …

For how long will you continue to listen to those dark shouters, caution and prudence?

A worthwhile reminder, but I don’t think that’s what this sign was about. More likely it was for someone who was expected to die, or at dee p risk of it, and somehow, against all odds, pulled through. Cause for celebration.

But maybe the message was still applicable to me. Maybe to all of us.

Good job — not dying: a message for every single morning. For some, a major achievement, worthy of the biggest sign you can find.

I remember author Joyc e Carol Oates talking about Er nest Hemingway’s famous flaws, his stormy life and relationships, and his suicide, for which so many judge him harshly:

“I think we are expecting something of him that he was not able to provide,” she said. “His father had committed suicide. He was deeply insecure. He made out of the material of his life a very beautiful and lasting monument to just getting through it. He lived to be about 62 and then he killed himself. But he might have died much younger. … There is something heroic in these people enduring as long as

they did — especially Hemingway, who was haunted by the possibility of dying by suicide all through his life.”

Some of us fight a greater battle to keep living. Some fight that battle their whole lives. In the final analysis, most of us probably live as long as we can.

There’s a new book out I’d like to read, Life is Hard, by philosophy professor Kieran Setiya, who has suffered from chronic pain for many years, yet argues that living well and hardship are not incompatible. A reviewer writes: “There is no single good life for everyone, he argues at the be ginning. Such lives can include — but do not require — feeling happy. They involve the well-being of others, not just your own. … A good life also need not require you to define, let alone pursue, an ideal one. ‘The best is often out of reach.’ … Attentive readers of this humane, intelligent book will come away with a firmer grasp and better descriptions of whatever it is that ails them or those they cherish.”

I’ve been attending numerous funerals and memorial services lately. One friend, who had everything to live for, died suddenly at the age of 70. Another, who died at 75, was dee ply afraid of death his entire adult life, but possibly even more afraid of life. Most of us would say he was undone by his fears, yet he found his niche in a place most of us would fear to tread, much less make our residence for decades. Two others, Frank Muriello and Ginie Cassin, lived long, full lives into their 90s and served this village with great distinction. They deserve the respect they earned. Frank’s memorial service was last weekend, Ginie’s takes place this weekend.

There are many reasons people live into their 90s, which can’t be easy, no matter how good your circumstances are. But I’m pretty sure one of the reasons they live that long is because they want to. Good job — not dying.

Last week I had my annual wellness exam (Medicare terminolo gy) and I’m in reasonably good health. I’m also, finally, getting around to ar ranging for my “Durable Power of Attor ney for Healthcare,” naming an “agent” and choosing one of three options to guide that person in making decisions about my care in the event that I’m unable to. I chose not to have my life prolonged, “nor do I want life-sustaining treatment to be provided or continued if my agent believes the burdens of the treatment outweigh the expected benefits.” Sobering language

In the meantime, I hope to keep doing a good job of not dying, but I don’t want to end up “breathing a little and calling it a life.”

While I’m not dying, I want to do a good job of living.

Cory Wesley will ably ll the trustee vacancy

As village president, I am honored to put forward Cory Wesley to fill the vacant trustee position with the Oak Park Village Board.

The term will end with the next consolidated election on April 4, 2023 when three trustee seats will be up for election. It is the role of the village president, under municipal election code, to identify a candidate for board approval when a vacancy exists.

I made the decision to open the appointment process with applications so as many people could apply as possible. In that same vein, I also eng aged a number of volunteers serving on village boards and commissions. The entire process proved to be very rewarding and helpful in informing my decision.

I spoke to a number of Oak Park residents who would be excellent re presentatives at the village board table and who I hope to further engage in service to our vil-

lage We have very talented and thoughtful residents to whom I owe a great deal of gratitude. Additionally, my conversations highlighted barriers to service, including the inequitable amount of money spent in the last several election cycles, time, and mental and physical exhaustion, often exacerbated by less-than-productive debate.

Cory has demonstrated his loyal commitment to board service through his work on the Civic Information Systems Commission and as chair of the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation in a manner consistent with my goals as village president. I am looking forward to the additional perspective he will bring to board discussions based on his life experiences and personal and professional talents. I hope you will join me in congratulating him on this important appointment. I trust he will serve with empathy, integrity, and openness to broad engagement.

WEDNESD AY

of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley

Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Michael Romain

Senior Editor Bob Uphues

Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins

Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan

Staff Photographers Alex Rogals, Shanel Romain

Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor

Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora

Big Week Editor James Porter

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

Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead

Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea

Designer Susan McKelvey

Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls, Kamil Brady

Business Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan

Donor Relations Manager/Food Editor Melissa Elsmo

Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman

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

Special Projects Manager Susan Walker

Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chair Judy Gre n Treasurer Nile Wendorf Deb Abrahamson, Gary Collins, Darnell Shields, Sheila Solomon, Eric Weinheimer

About Viewpoints

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

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

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

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

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

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Vicki Scaman is the villa ge president of Oak Park

Vote Yes for the Forest Preser ves on Nov. 8

The League of Women Voters of Oak Park-River Forest urges you to vote Yes to support funding for the Cook County Forest Preserves. We join with every other Cook County League, as well as the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune, in support of the referendum.

An increase of 0.025% in the property tax would allow for the restoration of 30,000 forest preserve acres, acquiring 2,700 acres over the next 20 years, and boosting year-round eng agement programs. This increase re presents, on average, a $20 per year property tax increase across Cook County. This is a small price to protect, restore, and expand our forest preserves to ensure cleaner air and water. Since the Cook County Forest Preserves creation more than a century ago, there has not been a referendum to provide more resources for them since the 1930s.

Supporting the Cook County Forest Preserve referendum will provide:

■ Clean water and the ability to capture water, thereby minimizing flooding from heavy rainfall in communities across our area.

■ Reduced pollution because the forest

Con dence in Cory Wesley

I am writing to express my confidence in President Vicki Scaman’s decision to appoint Cory Wesley to the Oak Park Village Board.

preserve’s millions of trees absorb pollution and clean the air.

■ Funds for urgent re pairs at the Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden.

■ Protection of threatened and endangered wildlife habitat and native flora and fauna; removal of invasive species.

■ Jobs, including for those in historically underserved communities.

The referendum is supported by groups such as the Adler Planetarium, the Audubon Great Lakes, The Nature Conservancy, the Trust for Public Land, the Field Museum, the Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Chicago Zoological Society/ Brookfield Zoo. Many other environmental, civic, business, and faith organizations across Cook County also support the referendum.

You can lear n more at https://www.voteyespreserves.org.

Vote Yes on the last question on your Nov. 8 ballot to protect clean water sources, air quality, and wildlife for Cook County residents to enjoy for years to come.

Jane Hastings and Joan Peter til Co-presidents

League of Women Voters of OP-RF

Prep for Illinois, Cook County judicial elections

Voting in the General Election is now officially open in Illinois. Your ballot includes candidates for Illinois State Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court. It also includes a list of Cook County Circuit Court judges running for retention. To be retained, a sitting judge must receive “Yes” votes of 60% of the votes cast. Any judge receiving less than 60% is removed from the bench.

Vote for Judges has made the process of evaluating judges easier on their website. They have based their in formation on the Alliance of Bar Associations table, which has recently been updated for the Nov. 8 election. The Vote for Judges website has clickable links for evaluations of Illinois Supreme Court judge candidates, Illinois

Appellate Court candidates, and Cook County Circuit Court retention seekers.

All candidates for the Illinois Supreme Court and Illinois Appellate Court receive overall high ratings.

Several candidates for Cook County Circuit Court retention are rated “Not Qualified”. They are:

Daniel James Pierce

Ann Finley Collins

Rossana Patricia Fernandez

The rest are rated “Qualified” or higher.

Here’s the link to the Vote for Judges site: https://www.voteforjudges. org/#2022-cook-county-circuit-courtcountywide-candidates.

Ed McDevitt River Forest

Most of us will acknowledge that Oak Park is a complicated town, with passionate residents who have many different opinions. It is indeed not easy to serve as an elected official. Though it is difficult to subject yourself to the opinions of so many, I believe that Cory is poised to build consensus, and rise above criticism and politics in service of our community.

As chair of the Oak Park Economic Development Commission (OPEDC), he has worked to bring greater transparency to the commission. As a member of various citizen commissions, he has spent years serving our community in the background. It is fitting that he is now given the opportunity to serve as trustee

Cory’s voice will re present many facets of Oak Park — advocating for racial equity based on his lived experience, while also focusing on maintaining economic vitality in our community

Most importantly, he sees the relationship between seemingly disparate goals while others may not. He understands

that a trustee must often balance competing concerns, not just eng age in a binary analysis of any single issue. He does not rely on simply labeling people or their ideas but sees the complexities of making decisions for the good of the whole community

In my opinion, Cory does not seek out controversy or conflict. Rather, he gathers info rmation, listens, and reaches sound decisions after a thorough analysis. Ag ree or disag ree, we can count on him to be thoughtful and decisive, all the while respectful of other opinions.

When I observe our Oak Park elected officials, I often think of Teddy Roosevelt’s speech, commonly known as “The Man in the Arena”: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. T he credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

I urge residents to support Cory Wesley as he begins his role as trustee. I am confident he will prove that we are indeed for tunate to have him in our arena.

Annemarie Kill Oak Park

Wesley is well quali ed for trustee

I am very pleased to support President Vicki Scaman’s nomination of Cory Wesley to the Oak Park Village Board, which was publicly announced on Oct. 6. I can think of few people I have met in our village more qualified than Cory to serve as trustee.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving with him on the Civic Information Systems Commission and getting to know him since 2018. His technology knowledge is far reaching, and I’ve looked to him both for advice and as a mentor on many issues that we have tackled over the years. His ideas always come from a perspective of inclusion, equity and empathy, which I believe is an exemplary way to lead. The greatest good for the community is foremost in his approach to every civic challenge. He loves his neighborhood and he loves Oak Park Cory is a tireless volunteer, and I’m

amazed how he finds the time to generously donate to so many worthy causes both in Oak Park and even outside our borders. We are for tunate to have a generous volunteer citizenry here who work to make our community a better place to live. However, it is rare for someone to selflessly donate so much of their time to so many causes all while managing a career and being a strong and supportive member of their family This is what a true public servant looks like.

While I will admittedly miss Cory’s wisdom at CISC meetings, I believe we all will be well served with him as trustee. I wish Cory the very best in this exciting new opportunity. And yes, I will continue to bug him for one more minute of his time to get his take on all things Oak Park.

David Baker, chair Civic Information Systems Commission

Proud of moms who cared for families during COVID

On Wednesday, Se pt. 26, I went back to work full-time after being out of a job for two-and-a-half years. I am one of the nearly 2 million women who left the workforce during the pandemic and am just no w retur ning to work (https://www.npr.org/2022/09/28/1125149612/ women-are-retur ning-to-paid- wo rk -after- the-pandemic-forced-many-to-leave-their-j).

In my case, I was laid of f and my daughter’s daycare closed to non-essential workers. I was also halfway through my pregnancy with my second child. Lackin g job prospects in an industry hit hard by the pandemi c and fearing for the health of my pregnancy and of other f amily members, my husband and I opted not to send our daughter back to daycare when it reopened in the summer of 2020.

T he last two-and-a-half years have been filled with joy as well as stress, tedium, and frustration. A study looking at data from 26 countries showed that women and people with children experienced some of the highest stress levels during the pandemic (https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/a rt icles/PMC7537225/).

Never theless, thanks to the support of my husband, in-laws, and parents, I was able to go back to school and eventually retur n to work part -time in a new field .

It was only when child care became available this f all that I could go back to work full-time. With a new job and new routines, there have been adjustments However, I am grateful to be taking this next ste p in my career

Looking back, I am proud of myself and of all of the moms who took care of their f amilies during this dif ficult time.

Mary Christina Szafraniec

Ri v er Forest educator and resident

Let’s get out the vote for all elec tions

Voters who want election information for any state can lear n about: whether you’ re re gistered, voter ID requirements, early voting dates, absentee ballots, where is the polling place, who are my elected of ficials, and more by going to Headcount.org

Rob Kleps Oak Park

Kudos to Trader Joe’s

I admit I enjoy and probably eat too many Traders Joe’s Non-pareils — they are delicious. I found out they were discontinuing this item, and I immediately wrote a letter to Trader Joe’s. Within 24 hours the Oak Park manage r, Greg g, called me. He had found 10 packages at the Hyde Park Trader Joe’s. He proceeded to pick up the packages and brin g them to the Oak Park store for

me to purchase

What a treasure Trader Joe’s is to our community. Where else do you find employees who are so committed to such amazing customer service — a rare exce ption in the world today. My hope is that other residents realize what riches we have right here. It is nice to celebrate goodness

Mary Weiland

Ri v er Forest

Congratulations to new trustee Cory Wesley

Village Board President Vicki Scaman has selected Cory Wesley to fill the remaining time of Ar ti Walker-Peddakotla’s ter m on the Oak Park Village Board. Mr Wesley will be a great addition to the board of trustees He has a wide range of experience,

Village board should deny permit on Roosevelt

We the undersigned neighbors of the 1150 block of South Lombard are writing to express our frustration with the nuisance activities and/or lack of village oversight into the tenants, business applications, and operations that have been allowed to take place for the last two years at the for mer Associated Tire & Battery proper ty, 6200 through 6216 Roosevelt Road.

and is a thoughtful and analytical person, whose qualities will allow him to bring a broad perspective to the board along with his ability to work successfully with his fellow board members

Marty Bernstein Oak Park

Enforce the dangerous dog ordinance

Do gs and people have lived to gether for tens of thousands of years and laws have been enacted to protect people and pets from dangerous do gs Oak Park has ordinances governing what constitutes a dangerous do g, along with procedures that are to be implemented when an animal or person is attacked (Oak Park Village Ordinance 5-1-1, 5-5-5). Yet the village refuses to follow their own laws Instead they issue tickets similar to a parking ticket, where the owner pays a fine, which allows dangerous animals to continue to menace the community.

When asked why the village does not follow its own ordi-

nances, Village President Vicki Scaman stated, “Under the Village Manager form of Government the Village President is vision and policy and the Village Manager is implementation.” Village Manager Kevin Jackson, who is tasked with car rying out the ste ps outlined in the ordinance, won’t respond. So all I can get is either political doublespeak or refusal to speak at all.

If anyone can answer my question re garding Oak Park’s refusal to follow its own ordinances, I would really like to know.

Susan Sciara Oak Park

This proper ty has several tenants that each in their tur n have contributed to excessive revving of engines at all hours, blocking the alley parallel to Roosevelt between Lombard and Harvey for hours at a time, failing to maintain the proper ty by leaving brokendown cars, car parts, and other trash around the proper ty, blocking access to the nor th/ south alley and preventing residents on Lombard and Harvey from accessing their garages through the alley, and driving at dang erous speeds through the neighborhood streets and alleys to access the building.

One tenant in par ticular, BM Customs LLC, has been a major contributor to these problems and has recently been recommended for a special-use permit by the Zoning Board of Appeals in direct opposition to neighbors’ expressed concer ns during a public meeting. We strongly oppose the approval of a special-use license for this business and believe that the Zoning Board of Appeals failed to consider the village’s zoning ordinance or the existing violations at this property.

This matter will be brought before the village board in late October for final approval, and we strongly urge village trustees to vote No on approving BM Customs LLC for a special-use per mit. The owner of the for mer Associated Tire & Battery property and its tenants should be held accountable before any business is allowed to operate.

Leon and Katie Sniegowski, Michael and Sarah Smith, Linda and Ken Cheatham, Lori Bradford, Janet Meo, Trac y Zurawski, Rob Presbrey, Juliet Grundhofer Year, Eileen and Tom Wehrheim, Angela Walker and William Kunz, Chris and Anne Hiter, Sue Kehias and Jason Koerner, Natalie D., Sherre Ludvik Taylor, Victoria Taylor Wir tz, Joana Kubiak, Phyllis Hager, Katie Jones Oak Park

VIEWPOINT S OBITUARIES

Opportunity to learn about Gaza’s su ering

Some community members have taken issue in the Wednesday Jour nal (9/20) with the statement from our “Israel/Palestine – It’s All About Human Rights” campaign which reads: “I am an environmentalist. I believe that Israel’s occupation creates ongoing airstrikes in Gaza creating severe environmental har m to the land, rendering the land and its soil dangerous to its people due to har mful toxins.”

In fact, much of the world is re pulsed by Israel’s ongoing airstrikes on Gaza since 2008, making Gaza a humanitarian and environmental crisis This brutal campaign of collective punishment has cost hundreds of Palestinian lives — adults and children — and has destroyed homes, schools, and medical facilities. Combined with the 15-year blockade, Gazans do

not have reliable access to clean water and have electricity for about 10 hours per day. N one of this g ets Palestinians and Israelis closer to a just and lasting peace.

For tunately, there is a way that we can lear n firsthand about the ef fect of Israel’s policies on Gaza. Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine (CJPIP) is pleased to be one of the cosponsors, with the American Friends Service Committee, of two New York Times authors’ positively reviewed antholo gy, Light in Gaza Asmaa Abu Me zied and Yousef Aljamal will be speaking at a free event on Monday, Oct. 17 at Grace Place, 637 S. Dearbor n, 2nd floor, Chicago, at 7 p.m.

Hope to see you there.

Committee for a Just Peace in Israel and Palestine

Oak Park

Social Security is changing

It is in seniors’ best interests to become aware of the changes coming to Social Security. The good news is that the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023 will increase about 8.7%. This means larger Social Security checks for struggling seniors.

Why the increase? The answer is inflation. COLAs are tied to the rate of inflation, this year an eye popping 8+%. Generally speaking, the COLA for mula is based on the Consumer Price Index which in tur n is based on the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services. The COLA is an important benefit that increases over time as prices increase. A question frequently asked, however, is, “Does

HEALE Y

from page 25

But that’s not how people lear n. People lear n when they hear rational alternative viewpoints and decide for themselves what to believe. They don’t lear n when all they hear is one monotone (and, at this point, monotonous) perspective. Most educated readers appreciate understanding how so many people can see things so differently than they do, and whether they change, moderate, or keep their viewpoint intact, they emerge better infor med from the repeated exposure to alternative thoughts

I know from our correspondence over the years

A celebration of Ginie Cassin’s life

The family of Virginia (Ginie) Cassin, longtime Oak Park village clerk and chair of the Hemingway Foundation board, cordially invite friends and neighbors to join them for her memorial Mass and Celebration of Life. Services will be held at St. Edmund Church, 188 S. Oak Park Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. A gathering will follow at Maya del Sol Restaurant, 144 S. Oak Park Ave.

Judy Tenuta, 72 Love Goddess

Judy Tenuta, 72, known to her fans as the “Love Goddess” of comedy, was a native of Oak Park She died Thursday in Los Angeles. Her publicist said ovarian cancer was the cause, which she contracted in 2020.

was ‘an instrument of love and submission,’ as she fondly called it. She did stand-up at such venues as the Comedy Store in Los Angeles, Laff Stop in Houston and Caroline’s in New York City.

She wrote two books, Full Frontal Tenudity and The Power of Judyism, and released five comedy CDs.

the CPI measure price changes of goods and services purchased by retirees?” It is no secret that older people spend more on health care and less on food and transportation than does the general population. It is also no secret that Social Security does not cover all the necessary expenses incurred by seniors.

The poverty rate among older Americans rose to more than 10% in 2021. This translates to about 6 million older adults

There is far more to this tale which perhaps can be explored in the future.

Al Popowits Ri v er Forest

that you value balance in this newspaper, and that leaves me all the more puzzled as to why you are content to allow this publication to devolve into nothing but an unmoderated bullhorn for the left. And, if you think that’s an overstatement, go reread the last year’s editions since I pointed out this indisputable imbalance and show me the changes you’ve implemented to present any sort of balanced perspective of the world (or our little cor ner of it) in these pages.

This newspaper can do so much more. It can be so much better. It has got to be better. The communities where you’ve lived your life and served so ably deserve better. Your financial backers deserve better. And you have the power to make it better, Dan.

Tom Healey is a resident of Oak Park.

Tenuta enjoyed a rapid rise in stand-up comedy in the 1980s, an age when women in the field were rare. She played the accordion — “the Aphrodite of the Accordion” was one of her monikers — and dressed on stage in a style the New York Times called “outlandish.” Part of her act was to conver t the audience to her personal religion, which she designated, of course, as “Judyism.”

Bor n in Oak Park on Nov. 7, 1949 to Johanna and Caesar Tenuta, she grew up in a big Catholic family, with six brothers and a sister. She graduated from Immaculate Hear t of Mary High School in Westchester and attended the University of Illinois Chicago, majoring in theater. She took an improv comedy class with Second City, which launched her career. She opened for other comedians in Chicago in and Los Angeles, and toured with George Carlin in the 1980s.

According to the obituary in the Chicago Tribune, “Her hear tshaped face, topped by bouf fant hair with a flower accent, conveyed an impression of sweet innocence that was quickly shattered by her loud, gravelly delivery and acidic humor, expletives included. The accordion she made par t of her act

She was nominated for her second Grammy in 1995, for her comedy CD, In Goddess We Trust She will be inter red at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Ted Mitka, 31 Transplant Games competitor

T heodor

“Ted” Ralp Mitka, 31, die on Oct. 5, 2022 after a length hospitalization for multiple in fections Bor on June 28, 1991 to Michael and Gloria (Christopherson) Mitka in Chicago, he grew up in Oak Park and River Forest, attending Oak Park and River Forest High School, where he participated in volleyball and soccer, and graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, with a degree in psychology.

After college, he worked as a project assistant for a Chicago law fir m. More recently, he was working to become a software developer. Outside of school and work, he was an avid videogame player and enjoyed few things more than playing games

with friends.

He received kidney transplants twice over the years, from both parents. He was an active participant in three Transplant Games of America where he competed on the Team Illinois volleyball and basketball teams and also participated in table tennis, badminton and track and field events.

His health challenges didn’t sidetrack him from meeting life head on, with grace and courage. He remained an optimist who cherished life, his family and friends.

Those who mourn his passing include his parents, his brother Nathan, his grandmother Dolores Arnett, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and a host of friends.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 22, 2022 at United Lutheran Church, 409 Greenfield St. in Oak Park Visitation begins at 10 a.m. with the service at 11 and lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Transplant Olympics Team Illinois, c/o Leah Howell, Treasurer, 1307 S. Wabash Ave., #605, Chicago, IL 60605, or on its website at Make a Donation | go-team-illinois (goteamillinois.org). The Team has asked that donations be noted in memory of Ted)

Jerr y Slowik, 75 19th Century Club treasurer

Jerome “Jerry”

Slowik, 75, of Elmwood Park, for merly of River Forest, died on Oct. 2, 2022. Bor n on Aug. 25, 1947, he graduated from St Patrick High School and earned B.S. and M.S. taxation degrees from DePaul University. He worked as an troller for several firms, b best job ever when he work Pizzerias Uno and Due. He finished his

ing career at El Milagro, allowing him again to work for a company making his favorite foods.

As the son of an Anheuser Busch delivery man, he was the willing supplier of beer for any party, especially for the singles tennis club where he made many friends, most notably Helene, his wife for 42 years.

When his son, Joe, arrived three years later, he grew into Indian Guides, Boy Scouts and sports. With Joe, he camped with the Scouts, even in January, and did overnights in several of the Chicago museums.

He was a great sports fan, especially of the White Sox, the Blackhawks and his adopted school, Northwestern. His Kindle was a regular companion.

At the time of his death, he was the treasurer of the Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, an organization where he made many new friends, worked on several committees, and learned to play Mahjong

Jerry was the husband of Helene (nee Bak); the father of Joseph Slowik; the son of the late Stanley and Irene Slowik; the cousin of Maryann (the late Steven) Tolzien; brother-in-law of Martin, Richard, Bernie and the late Joseph and Henry Bak; and uncle of many.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, Oct. 11. The funeral Mass is at 10:30 a.m., Oct. 12, 2022 at St. Luke Church, 7600 Lake St., River Forest. Interment is private

In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. Luke & St. Bernardine Parish or the 19th Century Charitable Association (NCCA) are appreciated

Arrangements were handled by ConboyWestchester Funeral Home.

Vi inia Harris,

106

Touched the lives of many children

irginia C. Harris, 106, died on Oct. 6, 2022. Chicago to Cliflson McCutchen

Aug. 7, 1916. Her ther was a contract painter. Before she started school, the family traveled from Chicago to California while worked. Eventuy, the family moved back to Chicago and she graduated from McKinley High School, then attended Crane College. She married in April 1941 and lived in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago before moving to Oak Park in 1950. She lived in her home on Lombard Avenue for the past seventy-two years.

She was a member of Judson Baptist Church and worked in the nursery for more than 60 years. In 2006, the nursery was named in her honor. Each Christmas, she created and made an ornament for each child.

She also left a legacy for the children she worked with in the Girl Scout and Boy Scout programs. She was a Girl Scout leader, den mother, round-table leader, commissioner, day camp coordinator, and held several other positions. She received the Presidential Award and the Silver Beaver Award, among the highest given by the Boy Scouts.

She was involved with a number of craft groups through the church and the community until she entered the hospital a couple of weeks ago. She worked at Whittier Elementary School in the cafeteria program, retiring at the age of 92.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandra (Ed), Gail, Susan, and Mary (John); 10 grandchildren, Nicole (Tom), Michael, Elizabeth (Nick), R.B. (Jenn), Ryan, Eric (Amanda), Jason (Natalie), Bradley (Kelly), Jonathan (Laura), Kristen and Kalyn, and 20 great-grandchildren. Her husband of fifty years, William A., preceded her in death, as well as her son, William J., and her grandson, Joshua W.

She lived a wonderful, compassionate life and will be remembered by all those whose lives she touched.

Visitation will be held at Peterson-Bassi Chapels, 6839 W. North Ave., on Tuesday Oct. 11 from 4 until 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the funeral home, followed by interment at Elm Lawn Memorial Park.

Rich Adamczewski

Helped with the Friends Book Fair

Richard Chester Adamczewski, 76, died on Oct. 4, 2022. He had Al zheimer’s for many

Born in German on May 19, 1946, hi parents we phine and Adamczewski. graduate of versity of I Institute of Marine Co ning, handball, ing, and was a f an of the Bears and the White Sox. He helped for many years on the F riends of the Oak Park Library Book Fair. A devout Catholic, he was an active member of Ascension Catholic Church and St. Ber nardine.

He leaves behind his wife, Doris Ann (nee Racansky); his children, Jonathan, Kristina and Andrew; and a sister, Alicia.

Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct. 21, at Woodlawn Funeral Home, Cermak and Desplaines, from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at Ascension Catholic Church in Oak Park In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated.

Growing Community Media

HELP WANTED

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.

Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform various network/system administration, computer support, and operational activities for the Village including computer system setup, configuration, and testing.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Reports directly to the Information Technology Services Director.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential duties and responsibilities

1. Ensure that best in class customer service is provided to both internal and external customers and also embrace, support, and promote the Village’s core values, beliefs and culture.

2. Configure, test, and deploy network systems, such as, firewalls, routers, switches, wireless equipment, network servers and storage arrays.

3. Configure, test, and deploy system servers, such as, file, print, Internet, e-mail, database, and application servers.

4. Configure, test, and monitor server and end-user systems for security, such as, user accounts, login scripts, file access privileges, and group policy management.

5. Configure, test, and deploy end-user systems, such as, workstations, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and software.

6. Test, configure, deploy, and support security systems, such as, facility access system, video & audio system.

7. Monitor and auditing of networks, systems, and user activities to ensure security and efficiency of systems. Create scripts and reports of detail activities for regular review.

8. Perform and participate in disaster recovery activities, such as, backup procedures, data recovery, and system recovery planning.

9. Assist end-users with computer problems or queries. Troubleshoot systems as needed and meet with users to analyze specific system needs.

10. Ensure the uniformity, reliability and security of system resources including network, hardware,

software and other forms of systems and data.

11. Prepare, create and update user/technical procedure documentations and provide computer training.

12. Assemble, test, and install network, telecommunication and data equipment and cabling.

13. Participate in research and recommendation of technology solutions.

Other important responsibilities and duties

1. Train users in the area of existing, new or modified computer systems and procedures.

2. Participate in the preparation of various activity reports.

3. Travel and support remote facilities and partner agencies.

4. Operate, administer and manage the Village and Public Safety computer systems, including E-911 center, in-vehicle computer systems.

5. Prepare clear and logical reports and program documentation of procedures, processes, and configurations.

6. Complete projects on a timely and efficient manner.

7. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

8. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

9. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Principals and procedures of computer systems, such as, data communication, hierarchical structure, backups, testing and critical analysis.

Hardware and software configuration of. computers, servers and mobile devices, including computing environment of Windows Server and Desktop OS and applications, Unix/Linux OS, VMware, iOS/Android.

Network protocols, security, configuration and administration, including firewalls, routers, switches and wireless technology. Cabling and wiring, including CAT5/6, fiber network, telephone, serial communication, termination, and punch-down.

Telecommunications theory and technology, including VoiP, serial communication, wireless protocols, PBX, analog, fax, voicemail and auto-attendant.

Principles and methods of computer programming, coding and testing, including power shell, command scripting, macros, and

VB scripts. Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment. Technical writing, office productivity tools and database packages.

Ability to:

Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:

- Walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time

- Operating assigned equipment

- Lift 50 pounds of equipment, supplies, and materials without assistance

- Working in and around computer equipped vehicles

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:

- Making observations

- Communicating with others

- Reading and writing

- Operating assigned equipment and vehicles

Maintain mental capacity allowing for effective interaction and communication with others. Maintain reasonable and predictable attendance. Work overtime as operations require.

Experience and Training

Guidelines

Experience: Three years of network/system administration in the public or private sector, maintaining a minimum of 75 Client Workstation computers. AND Training: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in computer science or a related field. Certifications in Microsoft Server Administration, Networking, Applications and Cisco Networking.

Possession of a valid Illinois Driver License is required at the time of appointment. Vaccination against COVID-19 strongly preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work in a computer environment; sustained posture in a seated position for prolonged periods of time; continuous exposure to computer screens; work in and around computerized vehicles outdoor and garage facility; lifting heavy equipment, communication cabling and wiring into walls and ceilings.

contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective accounting of Unity Temple’s financial ledgers and is responsible for journal entries and balance sheets. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, the Bookkeeper will prepare statements, investigate and clear discrepancies, compile reports and analyses of accounts and update congregational pledge data.

Core Competencies

- Accounting principles

- Bookkeeping procedures

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Office Assistant. The Office Assistant plays a key role in contributing to the Congregation’s mission through the smooth and effective running of Unity Temple’s administrative and office needs. Working with the Director of Finance & Administration, sitting at the front desk and welcoming visitors, managing the congregational calendar, ensuring the procurement of supplies and supporting the rental program of our historic and culturally renowned buildings is the focus for this position.

Core Competencies

-Organization and Planning: Organizes people, funding, materials, and support to accomplish multiple, concurrent goals and activities.

-Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values (see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below)

-Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Google Workspace, specifically Google Drive, organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus (UTUUC uses Realm).

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Office Assistant” in the subject line.

BOOKKEEPER

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a part time Bookkeeper.

Hours: 15 hours/week Sept – December 2022, then 10 hours/week as of 1/1/2023

The Bookkeeper plays a key role in

- Vision and Purpose: Commitment to and knowledge of Unitarian Universalist Principles and values (see Support for the Mission and Values of the Congregation below)

-Trust and Integrity: Is widely trusted to keep confidences, admit errors, and adhere to a transparent set of personal and professional values that are congruent with the ministry of the congregation.

Proficiencies: Quickbooks Online (certification is a plus but not required), Google Workspace (specifically Google Drive), organizational skills with a strong detail orientation, ability to communicate with a variety of different people, familiarity with CRM software is a plus.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job-postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@unitytemple.org indicating “Bookkeeper” in the subject line.

NURSERY SUPERVISOR AND CHILDCARE COORDINATOR

Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation is looking for a warm, welcoming and experienced Nursery Supervisor and Childcare Coordinator to work with the youngest among us on Sunday mornings in the nursery as well as coordinate babysitting for congregational events outside of Sunday mornings. This is one job with two different roles. As Nursery

Supervisor, this person will provide a compassionate and consistent presence in caring for our babies and toddlers during the Sunday morning worship service times, supervise, train and schedule other nursery staff, maintain the nursery as a safe and clean environment, welcome and orient new families to the nursery, and build relationships with and communicate effectively with parents. The nursery hours are Sundays from 9:30–11:30am, and approximately one hour outside of Sunday morning worship service.

You can find more information about the position at https://unitytemple. org/job -postings/. To apply, send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@ unitytemple.org indicating “Nursery Supervisor / Childcare Coordinator” in the subject line.

Analyst - Asian Markets sought by Cabrera Capital Markets LLC in Chicago, IL. Sppt biz dvlpmt w emphas on srcng & anlyzng data fr Asian Mkts. Apply @ JobPostingToday. com, REF# 90992.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

United Methodist Church of Oak Park Oak Park, Illinois

Job Description: Administrative

Assistant

The Administrative Assistant is a critical role to the life of First United Methodist Church. The ideal candidate is experienced in providing support in all phases of administration, financial, worship and communication for the Pastor and church. This position requires someone who can work in an independent environment, is organized and has strong written and verbal communication skills. Essential responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Administration

-Provide administrative support to the Pastor and church volunteers responsible for committee and church programs

Custom Frame Company

-Ensure worship bulletins and related documents are prepared weekly for Sunday services

-Oversee and maintain church files and records and assist in producing the annual statistical report required by the church conference

Finance

-Under the direction of the Finance Committee and in coordination with the accountant, oversee account payables and account receivables

-Manage and record all account and expense-related actions into Quickbooks

-Ensure receipt of approved payment requests for all invoices

Communication

-Generate and distribute as required all forms of communication on behalf of the Pastor and its members

-Maintain church calendar General Office Duties

-Oversee the operation of all church office equipment and arrange for repairs as required

-Maintain and order office supplies as needed and order other supplies subject to the approval of the Pastor and Trustees.

Qualifications

-Extensive knowledge with basic computer operations and administration software, such as: email management, file management, Microsoft Office Suite and Google applications; experience with Quickbooks is helpful

-Demonstrate the ability to adapt to a dynamic working environment

-Confidentiality is a must BA or BS degree preferred. We also require Covid vaccination.

The candidate must agree to completing a background check before hire.

The hourly salary is between $20 and $24 an hour.

Hours are part tine 20 hours a week

–10:30 AM to 2:30 PM

There is holiday pay and earned vacation and sick pay

PART-TIME

ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Call contracter for more info. 708-738-3848

Manufacturing

Top rated firm, Alpina Manufacturing LLC, founded in 1992, locally owned beautiful campus in Galewood, near Mars candy, 3 blocks north of Oak Park. We build and sell display framing systems to customers nationwide including Wal-Mart, Verizon, Circle K, Hospitals, CTA. Apply in person M-F 8am to 4pm • Alpina • 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 www.fastchangeframes.com

River Forest Public Schools

River Forest School District 90 is seeking On-Call Substitute Teachers and Teacher Aides, $130-$150 per day!

FLEXIBLE Schedule between the hours of 7:50a - 3:20pm

Work one day a week or up to 5 days a week, half days or full days

Responsibilities:

The On-Call Substitute will work in place of the individual he/she will be temporarily replacing during the scheduled day. This individual may also be asked to perform other duties as required in relation to the substituting assignment.

Qualifications:

One of the following licenses:

• Professional Educator License (PEL)

• Substitute Teaching License (Bachelor’s degree required; beginning January 2023 enrolled in an IL approved educator program & have completed 90

semesters hours of coursework)

• Short-term Substitute License (Associate’s degree or at least 60 college credit hours)

• Educator License with Stipulations

• Paraprofessional License (Associate’s degree required)

• Short-term Paraprofessional License (High School Diploma w/3 years to work towards obtaining Paraprofessional license.)

Apply online at: www.district90.org/about/employment

HELP WANTED

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Emergency Preparedness and Response Coordinator in the Health Department/ Village Manager’s Office. This position will coordinate disaster response, crisis management and medical countermeasure dispensing/ distribution activities for the Village of Oak Park, provide disaster preparedness training, and prepare emergency plans and procedures for natural (e.g., floods, earthquakes), wartime, or technological (e.g., nuclear power plant emergencies, hazardous materials spills, biological releases) or disasters. This single class position is also responsible for the complex administrative duties required for state, federal and local response processes and grant management. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/ jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application. First review of applications will be August 5, 2022.

FIRE INSPECTOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Fire Inspector Part-Time in the Fire Department. This serves the public through enforcement of Village fire & life safety codes and ordinances; through inspections of residential, commercial and industrial properties; and provides consultation and information to residents, architects, attorneys, fire services personnel and builders regarding laws, rules, regulations and policies relating to fire and life safety. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Parking Enforcement Officer in the Police Department Field Services Division. This position will perform a variety of duties and responsibilities involved in the enforcement of Village parking regulations; and to provide general information and assistance to the public. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

GRANTS COORDINATOR

The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Grants Coordinator in the Development Customer Service Department. This position assists the Village’s Grant Supervisor in developing, coordinating, and administering various grants programs for the Village of Oak Park. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants

LANDSCAPING

SERVICE

Lawn Maintenance Fall Leaf Clean-Up Sodding/Slit Seeding Bush Trimming Senior Discount brucelawns.com 708-243-0571

ITEMS FOR SALE

wood chairs with leather seats, made in Italy

-$70 each, or best offer

Atlantic rollaway luggage

-Excellent condition, only used once

-$50 or best offer

Call Nell at 708-383-7892

WANTED TO BUY

WANTED MILITARY ITEMS:

Helmets, medals, patches, uniforms, weapons, flags, photos, paperwork, Also toy soldiers – lead, plastic –other misc. toys.

Call Uncle Gary 708-522-3400

RENTALS GENERAL

FIREWOOD

FIREWOOD

UNLIMITED Fast Delivery

MIXED HARDWOODS CBH & MIX

WOODWORK

Terry's Woodwork

Restoration

On-site refinishing of wood and fiberglass since 1977. Includes doors, woodwork, windows, staircases and new woodwork etc. All work done by hand. NO sanders. Your unfinished project my specialty! References available. Contact Terry Seamans at 630-379-7148 or terryseamans@yahoo.com

BERWYN:

2 BR,gorgeous Apt w/ granite kitchen countr top. All appls. HT/WTR inc. Security cams. $1300 + $1500 sec. Close to Shpng Mall 708-699-8916

STUDIOS, 1, 2 &

Best Selection & Service

SUBURBAN RENTALS 708-38 6-7 355

100% OAK

CHERRY OR HICKORY

100% BIRCH

Seasoned 2 years

Stacking Available 847-888-9999

Order online: www. suregreen landscape.com

Credit Cards Accepted

PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT WALWORTH

COUNTY

Plaintiff CURT PATRICK

158 W. Whitewater Street

Whitewater WI 53190

-vsDefendant DOMINIQUE SOOKIKIAN

517 S. Lombard Avenue

Oak Park IL 60304

Publication Summons And Notice

(Small Claims)

Case No: 2022SC000634

If you require reasonable accommodations due to a disability to participate in the court process, please call 262-741-7012 at least 10 working days prior to the scheduled court date. Please note that the court does not provide transportation.

Publication Summon and Notice of Filing

TO THE PERSON(S) NAMED

ABOVE AS DEFENDANT(S):

You are being sued by the person(s) named above as Plaintiff(s). Acopy of the claim has been sent to you at your address as stated in the caption above. The lawsuit will be heard in the following Small Claims court:

Walworth Co. Judicial Center 1800 County Road NN, P.O. Box 1001 Room 2055

Elkhorn WI 53121

On the following date and time: October 20, 2022 at 9:30am.

You must appear at the time and place stated. If you do not appear or answer, the plaintiff may win this case and a judgment entered for what the plaintiff is asking.

/s/ Alyssa S. Wilson 7/28/22

Bar No. 1099926

262-725-0175

Published in Wednesday Journal September 28, October 5, 12, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUESTFOR NAME CHANGE

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

Request of Caleb Jordan Baze Case

Number 20224003956

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

Caleb Jordan Baze to the new name of: Caleb Jordan

The court date will be held:

On October 18 at 11:00am at 1500 Maybrook Drive Maywood, Cook County in Courtroom # Zoom

Published in Wednesday Journal September 28, October 5, 12, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

Attention VICTOR SOTELO & SANTANDER CONSUMER USA, you are the last indicated owner or lienholder on file with the Illinois Secretary Of State. Our records show, your 2017, CHEVY, TRAVERSE with the following VIN 1GNKRFED5HJ144475 was towed to our facility. The current amount due & owing is $1965.00. If payment is not received within 30 days, Nobs Towing Inc. will intend to enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3. Sale of the aforementioned vehicle will take place at 1510 Hannah Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130 on 11/18/2022.

Published in Forest Park Review

October 12, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

Attention KELILA MAUREEN BOWEN, you are the last indicated owner or lienholder on file with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Our records show, your 2015, CHEVY, MALIBU with the following VIN 1G11B5SL6FF312597 was towed to our facility. The current amount due & owing is $1965.00. If payment is not received within 30 days, Nobs Towing Inc. will intend to enforce a mechanic’s lien pursuant to Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3. Sale of the aforementioned vehicle will take place at 1510 Hannah Ave, Forest Park, IL, 60130 on 11/18/2022.

Published in Forest Park Review

October 12, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing

Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission

October 27, 2022 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider a request by the Village of Brookfield, as petitioner, to amend the text of the Village of Brookfield Zoning Ordinance in Chapter 62 Zoning for land uses of personal improvement service to include tattoo parlors.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments.

Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513 and at kportillo@brookfieldil.gov. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

The application may be viewed at

the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 4857344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front (south) entrance of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark October 12, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS VILLAGE OF BROOKFIELD

Notice of Public Hearing Village of Brookfield Planning and Zoning Commission October 27, 2022 at 7:00 PM

NOTICE is hereby given that a public hearing will be held by the Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Brookfield on Thursday, October 27, 2022 at 7:00 PM in the Edward Barcal Hall located at 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois to consider an application from Pawel Czauderna for a special use permit to operate a Day Care and an application for variances from the Village Code Chapter 62 Zoning, Article III-Off Street Parking and Loading related to existing commercial space at 9046 31st Street.

Legal Description: Lots 25, 26 and 27 in Block 8 in Brookfield Homesites, a Resubdivision of Bartlett and Roach Addition to Grossdale, Being a Subdivision of the Southwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 27, Township 39 North, Range 12, East of the Third Principal Meridian, (Excepting Therefrom the Following Lots Which Are Not Included and Are Not Part of the Resubdivision, Lots 25 to 37, Both Inclusive and the West Half of Lot 38 in Block 2, Lots 26 and 27 in Block 4, Lots 9, 10, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 46, 47 and 48 in Block 6, According to the Plat of Said Brookfield Homesites Filed in the Office of the Registrar of Titles, June 30, 1922 as Document LR157442, in Cook County, Illinois.

The public is invited to attend the public hearing and present oral and/ or written comments. Written comments may be provided prior to 4:00 PM on the day of the meeting to: Village of Brookfield, Planning and Zoning Commission c/o Kate Portillo, 8820 Brookfield Avenue, Brookfield, IL60513, kportillo@brookfieldil.gov, or 708-485-1445. Oral or written public testimony may be given during the public hearing.

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. e 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.

is 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

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

PROVISO EAST (See specific bid packages listed below)

•Furnish and install a new air conditioning system for the 2nd floor south classrooms and office spaces. As well as new air conditioning system on the entire 1st floor.

• Misc. Demolition

PROVISO WEST (See specific bid packages listed below)

•Furnish and install a new air conditioning system for the 1st floor classrooms

• Misc. Demolition

•New curtainwall 1st floor south side.

• Renovate science classroom spaces

PROVISO MATH AND SCIENCE

ACADEMY (see specific bid packages listed below)

• Furnish and install preengineered building that will serve as the school’s salt shed.

HEARING DATE: November 2, 2022

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

CALENDAR NUMBER: 20-22-Z

• The bid documents will be distributed to bidders on or about October 17, 2022.

•An in person Pre-Bid/Outreach Meeting will be held on October 27, 2022 10:00 a.m. local time

• The proposals will be due on November 30, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. local time via www.ibidpro.com.

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

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

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

The application may be viewed at the Village of Brookfield Village Hall during normal business hours. Public hearings may be continued from time to time without further notice, except as otherwise required under the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations to participate in any meeting may contact the Village of Brookfield at (708) 485-7344 prior to the meeting. Wheelchair access is available through the front and side (south and east) entrances of Village Hall.

By the Order of Chuck Grund, Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman.

Published in RB Landmark October 12, 2022

APPLICATION: The Zoning Board of Appeals (“Board”) will conduct a public hearing on a variance application filed by the Applicant, OP Office Partners, LLC, seeking a variance from Section 10.4 (A) (Table 10.2: Off-Street Parking Requirements) of the Oak Park Zoning Ordinance that requires 37 off-street parking spaces located on a lot within 250 feet of the Subject Property, to reduce the number of required off-street parking spaces from 37 spaces to zero (0) parking spaces at the premises commonly known as 1010 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, Property Index Number 16-07-120064-0000 (“Subject Property”) in the DT Downtown Zoning District.

Act. The Village President has determined that an in-person public hearing is not practical or prudent due to the COVID-19 outbreak during Governor JB Pritzker’s current disaster proclamation. It is also not feasible to have a person present at the public hearing due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

WITH THE REQU REMENTS OF THIS INVITATIONTO BID MAY RESULT IN THEDISQUALIFICATION OFTHE BIDDER”.

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE’S PROPOSED BUDGETFOR FISCAL YEAR 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to all interested parties that the President and Board of Trustees of the Village of Riverside, Illinois will hold a public hearing on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in Riverside Township Hall Room 4, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, 60546 on the Tentative Annual Budget for the 2023 fiscal year of the Village of Riverside, Illinois, commencing January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023.

Public comments on the Proposed Annual Budget are welcome at the public hearing. Emailed comments may be sent to Village Clerk Ethan Sowl at esowl@riverside.il.us. Written comments may be submitted to the attention of the Village Clerk at 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois. Emailed or written comments should be submitted prior to 5:00 on October

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

The Board will conduct the public hearing remotely with live audio available and optional video. The hearing will be streamed live and archived online for on-demand viewing at www.oak-park.us/ commissiontv as well as cablecast on VOP-TV, which is available to Comcast subscribers on channel 6 and ATT U-Verse subscribers on channel 99. The remote public hearing is authorized pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Open Meetings

20, 2022.

All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard at the public hearing. Interested persons may provide written evidence, testimony and public comment on the application by email to Zoning@oak-park.us or by drop off in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, Oak Park, Illinois, to be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 2, 2022. An individual’s name and their testimony or comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of the public hearing. Interested persons may also sign up to participate in-person in the hearing to cross examine the applicant and its witnesses, present evidence, testimony or public comment by emailing Zoning@oak-park.us before 5:00 PM on the day prior to the public hearing. Individuals who sign up to participate in-person will receive an email from Village staff with information about how to join the hearing online through Zoom web-conference means or by phone.

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

Published in Wednesday Journal, October 12, 2022

The Proposed Annual Budget will be available for public inspection on and after, October 13, 2022 at the Finance Department of the Village of Riverside, Illinois, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, Illinois, 60546 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for any day being a legal holiday.

Disabled persons needing assistance to attend said hearing should contact the Office of the Village Clerk before the hearing by calling (708) 447-2700.

Said hearing may be continued without further notice except as required by the Illinois Open Meeting Act. The tentative annual budget may be further revised and passed without any further notice or hearing.

PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE, ILLINOIS

By: Ethan Sowl Village Clerk

Published in RB Landmark October 12, 2022

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION CITIMORTGAGE, INC.;

Plaintiff, vs.

ALAN F. SEGAL; KATHLEEN W. SE-

GAL; VILLAGE OF OAK PARK; PARK ERIE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION;

Defendants,

21 CH 6085

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above entitled cause Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation will on Monday, November 7, 2022 at the hour of 11 a.m. in their office at 120 West Madison Street, Suite 718A, Chicago, Illinois, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, as set forth below, the following described mortgaged real estate:

P.I.N. 16-07-206-019-1009.

Commonly known as 304 NORTH OAK PARK AVE., UNIT 2, OAK PARK, IL 60302.

The mortgaged real estate is improved with a condominium residence. The purchaser of the unit other than a mortgagee shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by subdivisions (g)(1) and (g)

(4) of Section 9 of the Condominium Property Act Sale terms: 10% down by certified funds, balance, by certified funds, within 24 hours. No refunds. The property will NOT be open for inspection.

For information call Mr. Ira T. Nevel at Plaintiff’s Attorney, Law Offices of Ira T. Nevel, 175 North Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606. (312) 3571125. 21-02147 ADC INTERCOUNTY JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION intercountyjudicialsales.com

I3203916

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

Plaintiff, -v.-

RASHINDA PLUMP, WAVERLY CLARK, JR, UNKNOWN OWNERS AND NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, WAVERLY CLARK, JR., INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRATOR

Defendants 12 CH 25204

1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK

OAK PARK, IL 60304

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on December 11, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 14, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 1187 SOUTH HIGHLAND PARK, OAK PARK, IL 60304

Property Index No. 16-17-325-0470000

The real estate is improved with a one story, two unit brick building with no garage.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court. Upon payment in full of the amount bid, the purchaser will receive a Certificate of Sale that will entitle the purchaser to a deed to the real estate after confirmation of the sale. The property will NOT be open for inspection and plaintiff makes no representation as to the condition of the property. Prospective bidders are admonished to check the court file to verify all information.

If this property is a condominium unit, the purchaser of the unit at the foreclosure sale, other than a mortgagee, shall pay the assessments and the legal fees required by The Condominium Property Act, 765 ILCS 605/9(g)

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

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC Plaintiff’s Attorneys, One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60602. Tel No. (312) 346-9088.

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

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

MCCALLA RAYMER LEIBERT PIERCE, LLC

One North Dearborn Street, Suite 1200 Chicago IL, 60602 312-346-9088

E-Mail: pleadings@mccalla.com

Attorney File No. 20-05419IL_615363

Attorney ARDC No. 61256

Attorney Code. 61256

Case Number: 12 CH 25204

TJSC#: 42-3533

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

Case # 12 CH 25204 I3204043

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

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Plaintiff, -v.HENRY K. CUSHING, MARY KAY O’GRADY, MARGUERITE HOLD-

ING, THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK

Defendants

2022 CH 02884

115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE

OAK PARK, IL 60302

NOTICE OF SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIV-

EN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on July 18, 2022, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 18, 2022, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker, 1st Floor Suite 35R, Chicago, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate:

Commonly known as 115 S RIDGELAND AVENUE, OAK PARK, IL 60302

Property Index No. 16-07-405-0180000

The real estate is improved with a residence.

Sale terms: 25% down of the highest bid by certified funds at the close of the sale payable to The Judicial Sales Corporation. No third party checks will be accepted. The balance, including the Judicial Sale fee for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund, which is calculated on residential real estate at the rate of $1 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof of the amount paid by the purchaser not to exceed $300, in certified funds/or wire transfer, is due within twenty-four (24) hours. No fee shall be paid by the mortgagee acquiring the residential real estate pursuant to its credit bid at the sale or by any mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other lienor acquiring the residential real estate whose rights in and to the residential real estate arose prior to the sale. The subject property is subject to general real estate taxes, special assessments, or special taxes levied against said real estate and is offered for sale without any representation as to quality or quantity of title and without recourse to Plaintiff and in “AS IS” condition. The sale is further subject to confirmation by the court.

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

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

If this property is a condominium unit,

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

IF YOU ARE THE MORTGAGOR (HOMEOWNER), YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN IN POSSESSION FOR 30 DAYS AFTER ENTRY OF AN ORDER OF POSSESSION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 15-1701(C) OF THE ILLINOIS MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE LAW. You will need a photo identification issued by a government agency (driver’s license, passport, etc.) in order to gain entry into our building and the foreclosure sale room in Cook County and the same identification for sales held at other county venues where The Judicial Sales Corporation conducts foreclosure sales. For information, examine the court file, CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100, BURR RIDGE, IL, 60527 (630) 794-9876

THE JUDICIAL SALES CORPORATION

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

SALE

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

CODILIS & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 15W030 NORTH FRONTAGE ROAD, SUITE 100 BURR RIDGE IL, 60527 630-794-5300

E-Mail: pleadings@il.cslegal.com

Attorney File No. 14-22-02626

Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762

Case Number: 2022 CH 02884

TJSC#: 42-2725

NOTE: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you are advised that Plaintiff’s attorney is deemed to be a debt collector attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Case # 2022 CH 02884 I3204837

Open House Chicago returns with local highlights

Event throws open the doors of 150 sites in 20 neighborhoods

By LACEY SIKORA Contributing Reporter

This weekend, the Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) is presenting its 12th Open House Chicago event, one of the largest architecture festivals in the world. On October 15-16, the public is invited to discover a roster of over 150 sites in 20 community areas throughout Chicago and some neighboring suburbs.

In addition, Open House Chicago’s signature weekend will be augmented by opportunities for engagement

throughout the month of October via the new CAC ap The event remains free and open to the public Adam Rubin, director of inter pretation for CA says Open House Chicago has emerged from the pandemic reenergized and with a new focus. In 2020, in re sponse to the pandemic, there were no site visits, and CAC introduced an app to allow participants to tak self-guided tours In 2021, the CAC debuted a hybrid model with in-person site visits as well as experiences guided by the app.

As the world continues to emerge from the pandemic, Rubin says CAC is continuing the hybrid in-person and app approach and finds their new strateg y allows a dif ferent emphasis. From over 250 sites in 2019, Open

See OPEN HOUSE on pa ge B3

PHOTO BY BRUCE UNRUH

Oak Park Library, 34 Lake St .

PHOTO BY ANNA MUNZESHEIMER Austin main br anch librar y, 5615 W. Race Ave., Chicago

OPEN HOUSE

Extras through app

from page B1

House Chicago is now focused on roughly 150 sites and 20 neighborhoods.

“The pandemic made us all look more locally,” Rubin said. “We ended up with an Open House program that’s honestly better than what we had before .”

“The goal is for people to feel empowered to get to know not only their own neighborhood but perhaps some other neighborhood on a greater level. It’s not just to pop in to one site and then drive to another community in your car.”

To that end, the CAC app has an application called “Explore Like a Local” that allows visitors to delve deeper into the neighborhoods where official sites are located by suggesting nearby businesses or places to visit that are not official CAC sites, but that will enhance a visitor’s understanding of the neighborhood.

While Rubin acknowledges some participants will always be driven to see as many sites as possible or get into as many buildings as possible while access is available, he says the CAC is seeing a move away from what he calls competitive tourism.

“There’s a lot you can get out of it if you give it a little space to breathe,” Rubin said.

In Oak Park, two new sites will be joining the lineup. The Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Garfield St., will be included in the event for the first time. Rubin says people will enjoy the 1920s-era conservatory as well as the community focus of the building that

fallen into disre pair.

Also new this year is the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake St. The 104,000-squarefoot building was designed by the firm of Nagle Hartray Architecture in collabora-

2004.

New this year also is the Austin Branch Library, 5615 Race Ave. in Chicago, a historic building which contrasts nicely with the Oak Park Public Library’s contempo-

Alfred

was

S. Alschuler

skylight that was part of the original design. Another new site in Austin is Christ the King Jesuit Colle ge Preparatory School,

PHOTO BY ANNA MUNZESHEIMER

Austin main br anch librar y, 5615 W. Race Ave., Chicago

OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO

Christ the King Jesuit College Preparator y School, 5088 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago

OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO Oak Park Conservatory, 615 Gar eld St

HRWD floors, 2 BR with attached baths. $799,000

Sara Faust | 708-772-7910 sara.faust@cbexchange.com

Stephanie Eiger | 708-557-0779

Stephanie.eiger@cbexchange.com

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

OPEN HOUSE Sites galore

from page B3

5088 W. Jackson Blvd. Designed by Chicagobased architect John Ronan, the building is faced in fiber-reinforced cement panels. Rubin calls the exterior a “dynamic design.” He also points out the interesting use of glass block, a humble material, to create an intricately patterned wall in the school’s Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola.

“I think people will really like this,” Rubin said. “It’s a little bit of the old ver nacular style mixed in with the ne w.”

Rubin says an interesting side tour could be made just of ecclesiastical sites on the Near West Side and near west suburbs. The Fraternité Notre Dame, 502 N. Central Ave. in Austin, was once home to Chicago’s largest Methodist cong re gation and is now a shrine to Our Lady of Fréchou.

Before you go

A complete list of sites, events and programming as well as access to the Chicago Architecture Center app can be found at openhousechicago.org

Visit architecture.org/join-give/join/ membership to become a CAC member CAC members receive a Priority Access Pass, which provides the ability to skip the lines at all Open House Chicago sites.

In Oak Park, First United Methodist Church, 324 N. Oak Park Ave.; Pilgrim Cong re gational Church, 460 Lake St.; Grace Episcopal Church, 924 Lake St.; and West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., are all sites on this year’s Open House Chicago.

Rubin says that for many people who might be timid about entering an unfamiliar house of worship, the Open House Chicago weekend offers a time to feel comfortable and welcome.

“There’s so much beautiful, historic architecture in religious spaces,” Rubin said.

Participants can use the new CAC app to enjoy do zens of exclusive experiences during October, including thematic, selfguided tours. Rubin highlights Murales in Pilsen, which he says focuses on Mexican murals in the neighborhood.

“We were able to interview a number of artists, and there will be audio on the app that provides context to the art,” Rubin said.

Another tour he highlights is new this year. “Modern Living in Chatham” explores a handful of mid-century moder n homes built for and lived in by important Black community members in the area. Rubin says the architecture and the history captures a moment in time

In addition, as part of Open House Chicago, the CAC will host a series of free virtual programs throughout October. Audience members can enjoy virtual discussions with design experts, historians, and community leaders about Chicago’s architectural le gacy from the comfort of home.

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Residential - Multi-Family - Commercial

Residential - Multi-Family - Commercial

PHOTO BY ERIC ALLIX ROGERS

HISTORIC BEAUTY!

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Realistic

Oak Park home sell for $1,900,000

The following property transfers were re ported by the Cook County Cler 2022. Where addresses appear incomplete, for instance where a unit number appea missing, that information was not provided by the clerk.

ADDRESS PRICE SELLER BUYER OA K P ARK

1824 Smotrycz Erica

1209 N Euclid Ave $735,000 Schurr Richard A Sautter Mari Patricia

945 N Euclid Ave $714,000 Weicher William Russell Brian M 221 S Humphrey Ave $705,000 Steele Robyn R Tr Liechty Karl E

926 Home Ave $701,000 Fenton Kristen S Markt Kyle N

415 S Euclid Ave $675,000 Ruggirello Joseph Tr Dizon Angel Iii

930 Columbian Ave $660,000 Bolte Donald Brian Tr Porter Marion

734 S Scoville Ave $658,000 Frost Peter J Markovic Alexander

740 S Lombard Ave $654,000 Reynolds John A Lebar Joshua Dean

S Scoville Ave $650,000 Broadie Stephen W Tr Lopez Tequilla

N Taylor Ave $650,000 Von Tungeln Cory Todd Tr Roukin Caitlin

S Cuyler Ave $649,000 Kerros Edward P Tr Belconis Alima 208 S Humphrey Ave $645,000 Olson Sarah L Tr Kreis Steven Patrick

S Kenilworth Ave $630,000 Small Linda D Leung Alyssa

N Elmwood Ave $630,000

Van Genderen Justin

406 N Lombard Ave $483,000 Danko James R Hensley Amanda R

806 Hayes Ave $480,000 Kelly Maureen R Tr Jared Cythnia

747 N Marion St $480,000 Armstrong Brawnski L Jr Jonest Samuel E

1015 Hayes Ave $470,000 Lowder Stephen L Kleczka Thomas

1150 Wenonah Ave $460,000 Kerns James M Tr Pena-Webb Natalia

244 Iowa St $460,000 Zaio Nicholas Peters Ryan F

717 S Euclid Ave $455,000 Zagorski Andrew G Sherman Lauren A

801 S Elmwood Ave $453,000 Waldron Philip P Brennan Matthew

131 N Harvey Ave $435,000 Kocher Timothy H Brauckman Heather Rysgaard

412 Washington Blvd $426,500 Nicholas Patricia Bernardin Taylor

721 Ontario St $426,000 Fitzgerald Terrence Edward Tr Scully Judy

815 Home Ave $425,000 Homan David Lehner Kristen M 1106 N Oak Park Ave $420,000 Manning Erika C Tr Tenuta Angela

633 N East Ave., Oak Park

PROPERTYTRANSFERS

OA K P ARK

ADDRESS PRICE SELLER BUYER

844 S Cuyler Ave $420,000 Mitchell Matthew T Keys Patience P

810 Mapleton Ave $420,000 Sorensen Mary Keller Jason

1168 S Taylor Ave $415,000 Martz Cynthia M Pawlak David M Jr 701 S Ridgeland Ave $400,000 Klawitter Michael A Smith Adam T 1031 S Humphrey Ave $400,000 Rood Molly Erin Heppard Thomas P

1139 S Lombard Ave $395,000 Hernandez Joshua Marsalek Ausrine D

1116 S Harvey Ave $395,000 Godziszewski Daniel Deyer Joshua Warren

1165 S East Ave $381,000 Mccanless Steven A Bastillo Dallas

808 Hayes Ave $380,000 Qualiato Rebecca E Leverett Lauren E

425 S Oak Park Ave $367,000 Tamassia Roberto Extr Pande Mihir

207 Le Moyne Pky $360,000 Cunix Janine P Starr Michael Burke

529 S Harvey Ave $350,000 Real Equities Inc Martinez Raymundo

533 N Humphrey Ave $350,000 West Daniel C Tr Oaks Wesley Keaton

107 Harrison St $350,000 The Judicial Sales Corp 107-109 Harrison Oak Pk Llc

1119 Augusta St $342,500 Jones Joan Javor Kathleen M

927 Ontario St

Lyman Thomas W Simonovic Ivana

Debruyn Jayne M Tr Flanagan Patrick M

Citrix Chicago Holdings Llc Brahm Candace

Lauren Camille Smith Hella S

John P Madden James

Irene Tr Top Ameniti Llc

Barbaro A Tr Hall Erica N

John P Van Doorn Audra

Ra Textor Lindsey

Christopher Lemense Daniel James

Title Land Trust Co Arg-E-Bam Llc

Elizabeth L Hansen Kristin

Diane M Tr Lansford Barbara

Oak Pk Ii Land Llc Altierra Dev Grp Llc - 901 318 -320 N Maple Ave $194,000 Mann Heather A Grimaldi Natalie 333 S East Ave $189,000 Mcdaniel Barbara Kammerer Ann M Tr

500 Washington Blvd $189,000 Cosentino Sydney Alexis Martin Angela

530 Washington Blvd $188,000 Tagtmeier Gwen Conway Kathleen

401 S Grove Ave $185,000 Z Fin Illinois G Prop Llc Chicago Title Land Trust Co Tr 8002388847

425 Home Ave $180,000 Beckwith Leah N Extr Rodriguez Ana

530 Washington Blvd $176,000 Burke Brian P Van Lysebettens Maya Angele

1023 Washington Blvd $171,000 Farwell Jaggen Tr Caradine Bert

248 S Marion St $165,000 Webb Natalia Pena Hicks Ashley

PRICE SELLER BUYER

RIVER FOREST

Wesley Ave

Kennedy Natalia Micole Chapel Michaelanne 1020 W Washington Blvd $145,000 Lovell William A Bell Trevor 1020 Washington Blvd $145,000 Morales Brianna Sadovsky Claude 444 Washington Blvd $135,000 Michaels Brandon Patino Guadalupe Melany

110 S Scoville Ave $134,000 Matthews Janice Geneva Tr Kessel Gerald 1111

FOREST P ARK