Wednesday Journal 102021

W E D N E S D A Y

October 20, 2021 Vol. 42, No. 12 ONE DOLLAR

@wednesdayjournalinc

JOURNAL

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of Oak Park and River Forest

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OPRF presents the case for detracking freshmen

SSpecial i l SSection i INSIDE

FREEBIE

Some parents opposed or have mixed feelings

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Education leaders from Oak Park and River Forest High School are looking for support from the District 200 Board of Education on a measure that aims to revamp three freshman courses by the 2022-23 school year. The plan — part of the district’s effort to restructure its freshman curriculum — aims to create a rigorous, high-level course for history, English and world languages, instead of dividing students into See D200 on page 16

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

Dr. Connie Moreland’s basement is filled with items donated through her Facebook site, Free to Good Home. All items are free, no selling involved. See story on page 5.

Pete’s tightens construction schedule; worries over workers Village board approves amendment to the redevelopment agreement

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Pete’s Fresh Market will open its second Oak Park location at Madison and Oak Park Avenue and continues to target Nov. 2022 for the launch. That news came Monday as Oak Park’s village board and Pete’s ownership took next steps in what has been an extended process.

The village board agreed to sell a village owned portion of the site to Pete’s within 30 days which will allow the family-owned grocer to begin complex relocation of various underground utilities essential to preparing the site. In addition the village Monday agreed to pay out $1.65 million to Pete’s to reimburse it for environmental remediation work already completed.

These adjustments to the 2018 redevelop-

ment agreement between the village and Pete’s were approved in 6-1 votes at Monday’s village board meeting.

Asked by Trustee Arti Walker-Peddakotla, the sole no vote on the development changes, if Pete’s could guarantee that ongoing shortages of workers might slow construction and an opening, Stephanie Dremonas, Pete’s CEO, would offer Walker-Peddakotla no concrete assurances that it would not affect the

plans for the Madison Street location.

“I’d be remiss to make promises that I can’t keep,” said Dremonas.

She told the board that the lack of workers has affected the entire Pete’s operation.

The grocery chain has experienced recent difficulty staffing its existing stores, according to Dremonas, let alone stores not yet built.

See PETE’S on page 17

OAK PARK BANK IS NOW OPEN AT 151 N. OAK PARK AVE. | OAK PARK Oak Park Bank is a branch of Hinsdale Bank & Trust Company, N.A.

bankoakpark.com

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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How to check out of the Lonely Economy

his week, while reporting on Connie Moreland’s Facebook group, “Free To Good Home,” I was struck by her personal motto.

“Everything we need, we already have,” she said.

The Facebook group allows members to give and take things (clothes, furniture, toys, trinkets, etc.) at absolutely no charge.

The group’s ground rules are radically simple: Be kind and courteous, no bullying or hate speech, and no buying and selling.

The rules comprise an ethic that is badly needed in our current consumptive society.

“The world is too much with us,” wrote the Romantic poet William Wordsworth in the early 1800s, as the Industrial Revolution was heating up in Europe. “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; — Little we see in Nature that is ours.”

If that observation was acute then, it’s beyond cliche in our present age of Apple, Google, Netflix, Amazon and Facebook.

A few hundred years after the start of the Industrial Revolution, we are now living in a digital revolution that’s powered by data.

We haven’t moved beyond our dependence on fossil fuels, we’ve just discovered a new non-renewable resource to mine for profit: ourselves.

The philosopher Shoshana Zuboff describes our current moment of surveillance capitalism, which “claims human experience as free raw material for translation into behavioral data.

“Although some of these data are applied to produce or service improvement, the rest are declared as a proprietary behavioral surplus, fed into advanced manufacturing processes known as ‘machine intelligence,’ and fabricated into prediction products that anticipate what you will do now, soon, and later,” Zuboff writes.

This translates into that advertisement for Nike running shoes that mysteriously follows you around the web. Thinking about traveling? Where? Google already knows and is more than happy to deliver to you the answer that its algorithm has already predicted you’ll stumble on.

During your travels, you may notice aspects of what New York Times reporter Nelson D. Schwartz calls the Velvet Rope Economy.

First-class flights. Luxury vehicles. Separate VIP sections on the cruise ship.

This isn’t your great-grandparents’ “conspicuous consumption,” Schwartz writes.

What’s new is “how the manipulation of envy and status is being used to sell services, a much bigger market that includes everything from air travel and cruises to financial advice and entertainment.

“And sometimes it’s not the service being sold that brings envy into play — it’s how these services are delivered, whether that means a faster check-in line that’s side by side with the slow lane at the airport or being

called by name to board before everyone else.”

Feeling lonely? There’s an app for that.

“It’s a sign of our times that today I can order companionship as easily as I can a cheeseburger with just a few taps on my phone, that what I call a Loneliness Economy has emerged to support — and in some cases exploit — those who feel alone,” writes economist Noreena Hertz.

“Even before the coronavirus triggered a ‘social recession’ with its toxification of face-to-face contact, three in five U.S. adults considered themselves lonely,” she writes. “All over the world people are feeling lonely, disconnected, and alienated. We are in the midst of a global loneliness crisis.

None of us, anywhere, is immune.”

What’s more, the key elements of the Velvet Rope Economy that Schwartz describes and the Loneliness Economy that Hertz writes about are mutually reinforcing.

As the world becomes increasingly unequal, the lived social infrastructure becomes even more cruel and closed off to the havenots, driving us further apart and exacerbating our collective loneliness.

For instance, Hertz observes elements of “hostile architecture” in cities across the world — from separate entrances in apartment buildings for VIP residents to “metal grates on the pavement outside shops from which spikes emerge at night” (the latter is supposed to be a deterrent against those experiencing homelessness, as if human beings without means are akin to pesky bugs).

This hostile infrastructure, Hertz writes, “has its roots in the ‘broken windows’ policing of the 1980s, when everyday activities such as standing, waiting, sleeping (especially when ‘committed’ by people of color) began to be criminalized as ‘disorderly’ and ‘antisocial’.”

It’s worth noting that the 1980s is when the wealth and income divide we’re living with today gained its greatest momentum. Right now, the wind is at the backs of the rich.

“If our society had $2 to share between the richest 0.1 percent and the bottom 90 percent, it would give $1 to the guy in the private jet and the other $1 to the other 900, or about enough to fill 20 city buses,” writes the historian Matthew Stewart. “Back in the 1960s, by contrast, the people on the buses shared $4 for every $1 among the sky people.

“In between the 0.1 percent and the 90 percent, there is a collection of percentiles that has held on to its share of the growing economy,” Stewart explains. “It has pulled away from the 90 percent, even as it has fallen far behind the 0.1 percent. Taken on the whole, the 9.9 percent is the richest segment of the distribution and controls more than half of the personal wealth in the nation.”

In other words, over time this country has cannibalized its citizenry and the cannibalization is accelerating every year, with more and

MICHAEL ROMAIN

PAUL GOYETTE/Contributor

A LOVE FRIDGE: Anthony Clark talks on March 13, 2021 about the importance of the community fridge outside of Carnival Grocery in Oak Park. As Wednesday Journal reported earlier this year, “the ‘love fridge’ is designed to operate as a mutual aid system where members of the community work together to support the needs of people living in the community. The public refrigerator [...] available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

The fridge is stocked and maintained by volunteers. more people falling out of the middle class as more and more billions accrue to fewer and fewer people at the top. And with the increasing stratification comes yet more brutality that is become harder and harder to conceal behind elegant facades.

The irony is that this country and many parts of the world have never been wealthier.

The late philosopher Ivan Illich described this paradox back in the 1970s with the term modernized poverty, which “appears when the intensity of market dependence reaches a certain threshold.

“Subjectively, it is the experience of frustrating affluence which occurs in persons mutilated by their overwhelming reliance on the riches of industrial productivity,” Illich wrote. “Simply, it deprives those affected by it of their freedom and power to act autonomously, to live creatively; it confines them to survival through being plugged into market relations.”

I believe more and more people are starting to sense what Illich articulated decades ago. This impulse to “check out” of our impoverishing dependence on market relations is what drives Facebook groups like Moreland’s “Free To Good Home.”

And there are other autonomous, community-building projects and initiatives that have been spreading across Oak Park and the surrounding suburbs — from Anthony Clark’s and Suburban Unity Alliance’s Community Fridge to Little Free Library installations to Oak Park Mutual Aid. These projects are radically simple and they’re premised on meeting people’s physical, social and emotional needs,

rather than servicing their desires or manufacturing envy.

For the most part, they aren’t means tested. They don’t require anyone to prove their worth as a condition for satisfying a basic need (i.e., you don’t have to fill out an application of eligibility to reach into the Community Fridge and get food).

This kind of means testing only feeds into the social stratification that is tearing us apart from each other.

Critically, they also occur in the physical world, not exclusively online. As Moreland told me, she has a vision to see her group grow beyond Facebook (where it’s subject to the platform’s surveillance). That’s why she hosted a free flea market in Rehm Park last month. She understands the importance of old-fashioned face-to-face connection.

These projects are some of the most powerful antidotes to the cruelty and brutality that runaway inequality only exacerbates. They engender empathy and fairness and kindness and joy. They are, in the words of Illich, convivial.

The next step is to transform this localized convivial energy into something more large-scale, systematic and sustained. As Illich writes: “New, convivial politics are based on the insight that in a modern society, both wealth and jobs can be equitably shared and enjoyed in liberty only when both are limited by a political process.”

Convivial politics. I like it. Let’s make the practice go viral.

CONTACT: info@vfpress.news

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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BIG WEEK October 20-27

Multiple Good Fair Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Compound Yellow

Buy original works from makers and artists at this annual event. 244 Lake St., Oak Park.

Celebrate Beethoven

Muntu Dance Theatre Saturday, Oct. 23, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Unity Temple

This Chicago-based company performs authentic and progressive interpretations of contemporary and ancient African and American dance, music and folklore. Opening Act: Vernon Gooden. $20 $39; $10, select student seating; discount for UTRF members. Tickets/more: utrf.org/event/muntudancetheatre. 875 Lake St., Oak Park.

Chris Bohjalian Wednesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m., Virtually with the River Forest Public Library

Join the author as he sets the mood for Halloween and discusses his most recent book, The Hour of the Witch. Bohjalian is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of 22 books. Register: riverforestlibrary.librarymarket.com/events/live-virtual-authorevent-chris-bohjalian

Justice and Mercy, Music for Our Time Friday, Oct. 22 and Saturday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Grace Lutheran Church See the Chicago Choral Artists present contemporary works for chorus, soloists and orchestra including “The Gonzales Cantata;”“Glory” from the film Selma; “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed” by KIMBERLY JONES Joel Thompson, a work for men’s chorus, strings and piano that uses the last words of African-American men who were killed by police or other authorities; and more. Masks required. $45; $40, seniors; $25, students. Tickets/more: chicagochoralartists.org, 773-658-9799. 7300 W. Division, River Forest.

Sunday, Oct. 24, 4 p.m., Chapel, Concordia University Chicago and Virtually The Symphony of Oak Park & River Forest opens its 90th season in person with Jay Friedman conducting the symphony in Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 featuring Mio Nakamura, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral). Preconcert conversation at 3 p.m. Proof of vaccination and masking is required. $30, at door; $27, advance; $15, virtually. Season pass (four concerts) $90, in person; $50 virtually.

In-person attendees gain access to virtual concerts, which are released one week after performances. Tickets/more: SymphonyOPRF. org. Free parking in garage at 1124 N. Bonnie Brae Place.

Family & Community Discussion Circles: “March” Tuesdays, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Join your neighbors in reading and discussing the graphic novel trilogy by John Lewis. The circle format will be used to discuss the work of the late civil rights icon and U.S. Congressman (D-Ga.), and the group will reflect together on the impact of the civil rights movements today. Ages 12+ and adults are invited into this honest, antiracist, family-friendly discussion series. Register: oppl.org/calendar.

Oct. 26: Book 1 Nov. 16: Book 2 Dec. 7: Book 3

C21 Women’s Ensemble’s Days of Beauty Sunday, Oct. 24 at 4 p.m., Columbus Park Refectory As the Sikh poet Nikita Gill writes, “They should have checked the ashes … because it takes a single wild ember to bring a wild fire to life.” C21 Women’s Ensemble, conducted by Martha Swisher, will challenge and inspire, singing “Wild Embers” and more at their 4 p.m., Oct. 24 concert, “Days of Beauty.” Hear this provocative choral experience at Chicago’s Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd. Details can be found at www.

C21womensensemble.com.

“Frank Lloyd Wright’s Modern Masterpiece: Unity Temple” Wednesday, Oct. 27, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Lake Theatre See an exclusive screening of the 55-minute documentary, narrated by Brad Pitt, illuminating Wright’s vision and the restoration efforts that brought Unity Temple back to its original beauty. Panel discussion follows with the filmmaker, restoration architect and other experts, with time for Q&A. Socially distanced seating; masks required. This fundraising event supports Unity Temple Restoration Foundation (UTRF). $25; $20, UTRF members. Advance tickets only: utrf.org/event/documentary-2. 1022 Lake St. Oak Park.

Prescription Take Back Day Saturday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oak Park Township Office

Proper disposal of unused and expired prescription medications saves lives and the environment. JUUL, vape pens/ cartridges will also be collected. Limited number of free prescription lock box and drug deactivation kits will be available. Privacy procedures will be followed. Questions: koconnor@oakparktownship.org. 105 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park.

Barbara Ballinger Lecture: Author Michelle Kuo Sunday, Oct. 24, 2 to 3:30 p.m., Virtually with the Oak Park Public Library Kuo’s memoir, Reading with Patrick, MICHELLE KUO discusses education, inequality and incarceration, and asks, “What social transformation is necessary to change a life?” Register/more: oppl.org/ about/friends-of-the-library/barbara-ballinger-lecture

Made to Disrupt: A Momenta Dance Company Matinee Performance Sunday, Oct. 24, 2, 3 or 4 p.m., Oak Park Art League (OPAL) Each 20-minute matinee performance will consist of three choreographed pieces inspired by the exhibition, Art for Social Change: Made to Disrupt, and includes: America Loves Its Guns, Reconciliation, and Just Politics (Note: This program includes triggering noises such as gun fire and explicit language.) Intended for mature audiences. Attendees are invited to view the exhibition following the performance. $30; $25; OPAL members. Tickets/more: oakparkartleague.org/eventsall/2021/10/24/made-to-disrupt-a-momenta-dances-matinee-performance. 720 Chicago Ave., Oak Park.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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Oak Park doc wants to create a ‘free movement’

Facebook group has major rule: no buying or selling of any kind

By MICHAEL ROMAIN Equity Editor

It all started with an old teddy bear.

“My daughter had this teddy bear she had been holding onto forever and one day she said she didn’t want it anymore, but I didn’t want to just throw it away,” said Oak Park physician Connie Moreland, who resolved the dilemma after visiting her 26-year-old daughter’s apartment in Chicago’s Uptown community.

“I went to visit her and she had all these little things in her apartment and I asked her where they came from. She said, ‘I got them from my free group,’” Moreland said. “I started thinking about it and asked her why we didn’t have one of those in Oak Park. I mentioned it to her and she said, ‘You ought to start one.’”

Moreland did just that, creating the private Facebook group, “Free To Good Home,” in November 2019 — right before the start of the COVID pandemic. The group has since grown to roughly 4,600 members in Oak Park, other west suburbs and Chicago’s West Side.

Members can join by invitation or by contacting Moreland and her co-administrator, Antoinette Ivy. The rules are simple: Be kind and courteous, respect everyone’s privacy, no hate speech or bullying, and absolutely no buying or selling of any kind.

Another, less explicit rule is that anything posted can’t be means tested. If it’s free, it’s free. No strings attached.

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

CAN’T BEAT FREE: Connie Moreland walks through an area in her basement where clothes are kept.

“Our mission basically is to break down barriers, to connect with one another, to interrupt isolation, to make friends and to extend goodwill across the socioeconomic barriers that we have,” Moreland said.

“Somebody well-off might need something too,” she said.

“We don’t care. You want it, then it’s yours. We intentionally try to exclude that kind of stuff from it. If someone is posting something to say, ‘I want this to go to a needy family,’ we will edit that out and say, ‘Just put it up here. Stop that.’”

Some of the group’s recent offerings include a Rubbermaid container top, Canon inkjet cartridges, a cedar chest, teaching books, and candles (the latter gifted by Moreland herself).

“The purpose of the group is to recycle and repurpose,” Ivy said. “We want to be good to the earth. It’s also a group that values positive community engagement. To me, that stands out about the group. Particularly during the pandemic, it’s been a way to feel connected when a lot of people were feeling isolated or hesitant, especially in the beginning, to go to stores.”

Evelyn Alvarado, who lives in Austin’s Galewood neighborhood, said she’s picked up a few furniture pieces through the Facebook group.

“Nowadays, most furniture isn’t wood and the furniture that is real wood is super expensive,” Alvarado said. “This way, I don’t have to buy real wood furniture. I just pick the items up through Free to Good Home and transform them into more modern pieces.”

Janet Lorch, who lives in Oak Park, said she’s “given away literally hundreds of things” on the Facebook group, which she said is much more than a free online bazaar.

“When you’ve got something your daughter played with and will never play with again, but doesn’t want to hold onto, the sense that it will go to another family who will really enjoy it makes me feel really connected to the community,” Lorch said.

“I’ve had people send photos they’ve taken showing me how something was used.”

Moreland’s vision for the group goes beyond the confines of cyberspace, describing the popular Facebook group she created as a means to building very material bonds.

Last month, she organized a free flea market in Rehm Park, which she hopes to organize again next year. Moreland said she wants to start “a whole free movement” in Oak Park and surrounding suburbs.

“I have a motto,” she said. “Everything we need, we already have. In our community, we don’t have to buy anything. … It’s amazing to see how people just give like this.”

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St. Luke School celebrates 100 years Principal says Forest Park ‘area of growth’ in wake of merger with St. Bernardine

By ANDY VIANO Editor

The next century at St. Luke School could start with a period of large-scale change if officials are able to realize their newly revealed plan to modernize the 100-year-old parochial school’s curriculum, facilities and extra-curricular programs.

School and church leaders celebrated the school’s centennial Saturday night in front of a crowd of around 275 people, beginning the evening with a mass before inviting alums and school families to take a tour of the last 100 years through decorated classrooms, each one signifying one decade of the school’s past.

Later, second-year principal Andrew DiMarco gathered the crowd and outlined a three-pronged plan for the school’s future: state-of-the-art curriculum and learning materials for teachers and students; upgrades to the building’s aging facilities, including an expansion of its early childhood center; and enhancing extra-curricular options for students, including an update to the school’s gymnasium and lobby area.

“Putting those three pieces together could be a good foundation,” DiMarco said.

The fundraising effort for the projects is already underway through a campaign that officials plan to finance through “parishioners, school families and some of our community friends,” and not tuition, said Sheila Price, the church’s director of stewardship and development.

St. Luke School opened in 1921, 34 years after the adjacent church was founded. The building that houses the school at 519 Ashland Ave. has not undergone a major renova-

Jill LoBianco-Bartalis/Jill Lobianco-Bartalis Photography

Nearly 300 alumni, families and supporters of St. Luke School gathered to celebrate the school’s 100th anniversary Saturday, Oct. 16 in River Forest. tion since it was rebuilt in 1956.

Enrollment at St. Luke was as high as 725 students when the new building opened but those numbers have fallen in the decades since, down to just 265 students between pre-

Jill LoBianco-Bartalis/Jill Lobianco-Bartalis Photography

Principal Andrew DiMarco addresses the crowd at the St. Luke School 100th anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 16 in River Forest

kindergarten and eighth grade in the 2020-21 school year. That number jumped this year, up to 300 total students, an increase Price believed was connected to the school’s decision to offer in-person learning despite the pandemic last school year.

“St. Luke, along with all Catholic schools, was open for face-to-face education and in my opinion knocked it out of the park for what we offered families,” Price said.

Growing enrollment beyond its current level is, indirectly, part of the future vision, and the efforts are focused on the school’s youngest students. Price said they are interested in building a solid base at the youngest grades in the hopes of keeping those students within the school through the remainder of their elementary and middle school years.

“We are definitely looking to grow enrollment, especially when it comes to early childhood, because we do feel that we can create some great foundations for the families to understand what we are offering here,” Price said. “If we can grow that, and I think that is one of the goals we want to focus on, then we would be super thrilled that we can offer this type of education to a lot of families.”

Expanded enrollment could also come as a byproduct of the decision last year by the Archdiocese of Chicago to merge St. Luke

parish with St. Bernardine in Forest Park.

St. Bernardine continues to hold regular mass, but the operational offices have been combined at St. Luke, a transition that is ongoing, Price said.

St. Bernardine has not operated a school in recent years and DiMarco said St. Luke already has a significant number of students from Forest Park (only River Forest residents make up a larger portion of the student body), but growth from families previously connected to St. Bernardine remains a goal.

“We’re going to use the relationship to come together as a parish and continue to use that,” DiMarco said. “We look at Forest Park as an area of growth.”

DiMarco said he foresees the planned upgrades at St. Luke beginning within the next two to four years, calling the project a “foundation to move the school forward for many decades to come,” charting a path ahead after a Saturday night party to celebrate the past.

“It’s a huge milestone to make it 100 years, especially when we’re in a community that has great schools as well,” Price said. “Everybody is very excited about the future of St. Luke School. It has stood the test of time.”

More information on the St. Luke School centennial is available at stluke100.com.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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Final opportunity for input on next D97 superintendent Zoom meeting Oct. 20 open to local residents

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

The Oak Park District 97 Board of Education is inviting families, residents and local leaders to a forum Oct. 20 to help with the search for a new superintendent. The district’s hired search firm, Hazard, Attea, Young and Associates (HYA), will be leading the Zoom webinar from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and asking stakeholders to provide input on the district’s needs, as well as the skills and qualifications the next superintendent should have.

Representatives from HYA are looking for community members to share the values and goals the successor to former Superintendent Carol Kelley should have, said Amanda Siegfried, senior director of communications. She said the upcoming Wednesday event – which is capped at around 500 guests – also serves as another effort from HYA, which has already held focus groups and individual interviews and released an online survey.

As the latest forum aligns with those initiatives, HYA seeks to continue finding the “strengths of the district, which they will use to recruit candidates” and learn from the District 97 community what they are looking for in their next superintendent, said Siegfried.

During the Oct. 12 regular board meeting, HYA president Max McGee and Connie Collins, the firm’s senior associate, reported the results from the survey, focus groups and interviews held over the past couple months. Collins is herself a former District 97 superintendent.

According to data collected by HYA, 1,474 participants – a majority of whom are parents who have children in the district – took the online survey, which sought to offer insight into issues facing the district. What’s more is that of that total number, 1,290 respondents sent in written comments.

Aside from parents, school faculty and staff, district administrators and Oak Park residents and a handful of students responded to the survey, McGee and Collins said.

On top of that, HYA also spoke to 100 stakeholders, including district administration, school principals, community partners and members of D97’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

Among the firm’s findings, McGee said D97 received positive ratings, as participants believed the district employed

FILE

District 97 administration building effective teachers, offered quality education and often worked to help students feel like they belonged. Respondents also noted that D97 is supportive of and encourages parent engagement.

As for the district’s challenges, participants noted that transparency and communication are at the top, Collins said. Collins shared further that people commented on the number of “highly engaged parents” who feel “entitled” and the need to create a plan or strategy on achieving equity and closing the opportunity gap.

With that, Collins said members of the D97 community want a superintendent who is prepared to work with a di-

verse group of students and families, can form authentic relationships with all stakeholders and take active steps toward helping young students with their futures.

District 97 is accepting applications for the superintendent position until Oct. 24. HYA has already held screening interviews with potential candidates, Siegfried said.

She also said a summary of the findings from the Oct. 20 forum will be unveiled at the Oct. 26 Board of Education meeting.

For more information on the Oct. 20 community forum or the district’s superintendent search, visit www.op97.org/ boe/superintendent-search.

D97 PTOs plan to ‘Share the Warmth’ Winter coat drive runs Oct. 25-29

By F. AMANDA TUGADE Staff Reporter

Members from all 10 of Oak Park School District 97’s parent teacher organizations (PTOs) have teamed up to host a winter coat drive for children in need. Aptly named Share the Warmth, the drive, which runs from Oct. 25 to 29, is part of the parent leaders’ mission to bring residents together and work toward a common goal, said Pemalyn Hessing, former PTO president at Lincoln

Elementary School.

“We need to come together behind our ideals of community and care and help our most vulnerable population,” said Hessing, who helped organize the drive.

Acceptable donations include new or gently-used winter coats and jackets for babies, children and teens, said Michele Jurewicz, another organizer and Beye School PTO board member.

Those interested in donating can also drop off snow boots and snow pants and other winter accessories, including hats, scarves and gloves, Hessing and Jurewicz said.

“I know a lot of parents who buy coats a little bigger [for their children],” Hessing

said. “I do, but the shoes, that’s going to change. ... That can definitely hit the pocket, especially if you have multiple children.”

Everyone is welcome to participate in the coat drive, not just D97 families, Jurewicz said. Collection boxes will be placed outside the following schools: Lincoln Elementary, 1111 S. Grove Ave.; Longfellow Elementary, 715 Highland Ave.; Whittier Elementary, 715 N. Harvey Ave.; Mann Elementary, 921 N. Kenilworth Ave.; Irving Elementary, 1125 S. Cuyler Ave. and Julian Middle School, 416 S. Ridgeland Ave. Donations can be made during school hours, Jurewicz said, adding residents may want to partner with families who have

children in the district for easier drop-offs.

The donations will benefit the Kids’ Kloset at First United Church, 848 Lake St. in Oak Park. Starting next month, families in need of coats and other clothing gear can schedule in-person appointments with Kids’ Kloset, she said.

Jurewicz added she hopes people will take on this effort and lend a helping hand.

“I named the program ‘Share the Warmth’ because I know that the Oak Park community is genuinely concerned about its community members and providing for one another,” she said. “So regardless of what’s going on in everyone’s lives, we always look out for each other first.”

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WSMC Robotic da Vinci ad-Oak Pk Journal.pdf

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10/19/21

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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You are invited to meet the newest member of our West Suburban family

October 25, 2021

9:30 am – 4 pm West Suburban Medical Center Lobby 3 Erie Street, Oak Park, IL The latest investment in robotics technology at West Suburban will benefit patients undergoing urologic surgeries, bariatric surgeries and more.

The benefits of this tool include: • Simpler, minimally-invasive surgery • Reduced blood loss • Faster recovery Please join us to learn about the robot and perhaps test your skills on the da Vinci Simulator!

The da Vinci Xi

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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Decrepit police station vs. rethinking policing debate Oak Park board OKs capital projects for 2022

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

The money set aside in the village of Oak Park’s 2022 capital improvement plan (CIP) to either improve the dismal condition of its existing police station in the basement of village hall or build a new facility entirely remains a bone of contention for Trustee Arti WalkerPeddakotla. The project’s inclusion in annual budgets has prompted the trustee to vote against the CIP every year since she took office.

This time around proved no different. While the CIP plan was ultimately adopted by the village board Oct. 18, Walker-Peddakotla voted against doing so. Hers was the only dissenting vote.

“The fact of the matter is this village board is doing exactly the opposite of what citizens demanded in 2020 in the civil rights protest,” she said.

Referencing a 2019 space needs assessment that was conducted of the police station, Walker-Peddakotla told the board she felt it was ignoring two Oak Park Village Hall years’ worth of previous conversations and was continuing to throw “taxpayer’s for the project would be developed until after the village has dollars at just reassessing the assessment that was already engaged the public in community safety conversations. A condone.” sultant has been chosen to conduct that discussion.

The CIP includes $322,600 in expected fiscal year 2022 exWalker-Peddakotla’s arguments against putting money topenditures for the renovation or reconstruction of the police ward better police facilities failed to sway the other members department and attributes a bond anticipation note as the of the village board. The other trustees, as well as the village source of that funding. That same funding source, according president, considered the condition of the police department to the CIP, will also account for the project’s expected expendiunignorable. tures for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 – $16.25 million and $16.12 Trustee Susan Buchanan, whose line of work is occupamillion, respectively. tional environmental health, called the current police deThe space needs assessment provided possible avenues for partment facility “not acceptable.” improvement of the current facility but a decision was never “It hasn’t been for a long time,” said Buchanan. “I support made by previous village boards. getting –whatever form our public safety is – getting them a Walker-Peddakotla had an ally in the agenda item’s sole public commenter, teenage resident Cat Nickles, who urged better space.”

The police department is located in the basement of vilthe village board against spending money on police facilities.

The funds set aside in the CIP are merely a placeholder, said lage hall. Trustee Chibuike Enyia noted that other members Village President Scaman, who said no plans or schematics of village staff, not just police department personnel, work

out of village hall and the basement serves as the building’s foundation.

As a former building manager, Enyia said he could not let the basement of village hall fall into further disrepair.

Recognizing that people care deeply about the issue of policing, Enyia wanted the community to understand that addressing the condition of the police department was necessary for village hall to remain a functioning building.

“This is to repair the foundation of the building,” said Enyia.

Scaman agreed, stating that the village board has a duty to uphold the building and prioritize the safety of its employees, including those who work at the police station.

The decision to put money toward better police facilities, said Trustee Jim Taglia, should be based neither on political nor personal views. Rather, the decision should be made on a “sober” evaluation of the state of village infrastructure and whether it comproFILE mises the village’s ability to provide services to the public.

Adding that he believes the discourse on policing happening nationally is necessary and needed, Taglia felt all people deserve fair work conditions.

Trustee Ravi Parakkat echoed Taglia’s views and encouraged the public to visit the police station and see the windowless, overcrowded environment firsthand. He told the board he was appalled by the station and completely supportive of putting money toward improving it.

“I don’t see a way we cannot do this and look ourselves in the mirror,” he said.

Just as Walker-Peddakotla was unable to sway her fellow board members, her fellow board members were unable to sway her.

“The argument isn’t that everybody in village hall doesn’t deserve a safe place to work,” she said. “The argument is that we are continuing to spend money on the police while not even having done an ounce of work to hold them accountable.”

Concordia University resumes classes after evacuation Police say cyberattack demanded ransom, implied bomb

By BOB UPHUES Senior Editor

Operations have returned to normal and classes were to resume at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 19 after Concordia University in River Forest was placed on soft lockdown and students were told to evacuate to the football field after officials received a message indicating there might be an explosive device on

the campus.

The university tweeted this message from its official Twitter account at about 9:30 a.m.: “EMERGENCY! Officers are responding to a problem on the main campus.

Calmly evacuate buildings and proceed to immediately to the football field/track.”

River Forest Police Chief James O’Shea said his officers responded to the campus and that personnel from the Cook County Sheriff ’s Police bomb squad also had been

requested to respond to the campus at 7400 Augusta St. O’Shea described the message that came to the university as possibly a cyberattack that mentioned ransom and an explosive device on the campus. Grace Lutheran School, which is located on the Concordia campus and the university’s early childhood center were also placed on soft lockdown, O’Shea said.

The soft lockdown was not extended

to any other school in River Forest, and O’Shea said, “The threat level is considered very low.”

“The university is going through their protocols and we’re assisting them,” O’Shea added. “The police response has been very localized based on the information we have.”

The university followed up with another tweet at 10:40 a.m., announcing the situation was “all clear.”

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Tapped out: Oak Park Brewing closes

COVID played critical role in closure of local brewery

By MELISSA ELSMO Oak Park Eats Editor

Emotions were palpable at Oak Park Brewing on Sunday as Jim Cozzens prepared to permanently close the craft brewery and restaurant he opened in 2016 at 155 S. Oak Park Ave. Oak Park Brewing shuttered on Oct. 17 after serving up pizza, burgers and craft beers for more than five years “Closing became a necessity for both financial and health reasons,” said Cozzens. “I opened Oak Park Brewing because I wanted to brew beer for the community, but I’ve had to wear so many hats over the years that it became both financially and physically exhausting.”

Cozzens entered the restaurant business with experience and thought he knew what to expect from ownership, but challenges mounted and COVID capsized the endeavor. The sheer size of the brewery proved challenging, as was the nearly $75,000 annual tax bill on the property. Cozzens secured a Class L designation as a historic storefront to reduce his taxes to $28,000 per year, but the approval granted last month came too late to save the brewery whose struggles had been made worse by the pandemic.

Oak Park Brewing entered a “temporary, but indefinite” hibernation in December 2020 to stave off permanent closure. Upon reopening in the spring, the brewery made use of the outdoor dining spaces created by the Village of Oak Park to attract customers. Cozzens

Photo by Tina Harle

EXHAUSTED: Jim Cozzens, owner of Oak Park Brewing, shuttered his 5-year-old business on Sunday, Oct. 17. even changed the menu to focus on deep dish pizza in hopes it would travel better than burgers for carry out focused patrons. To remain nimble, Cozzens entered a restaurant-meetsretail collaboration to bring Lively in Guyville to his property. But nothing could compensate for the ongoing losses. The brewery was consistently understaffed with Cozzens and his staff working 50-60 hours per week just to keep the brewery open despite a notable dip in customers.

“Being understaffed caused tremendous wear and tear,” said Cozzens. “A restaurant can’t operate like that forever.”

Heavily impacted by COVID-19, Cozzens paid a visit to Forest Park National Bank.

He praised the bank for their years of support and unique sensitivity to small business owners and indicated both he and the bank agreed closing was the best option for Oak Park Brewing.

Cozzens finds it notable that Wild Onion

Tied House, 1111 South Blvd., closed in the same week as Oak Park Brewing. Cozzens said he has felt supported by the Village of Park throughout the pandemic but expressed concern about hesitancy among customers to dine indoors despite high vaccination rates in Oak Park. He is convinced restaurants grappling with the pandemic will only turn the corner if people start trusting the vaccines and venture out to show regular support for struggling establishments by dining inside.

“If I knew the solution to these problems, I would stay open,” said Cozzens. “Whoever comes into this space will need to have bigger and deeper pockets than me, but Oak Park is a good place for a brewery to have a footprint.”

While Cozzens spoke candidly about his decision to close the business, emotions bubbled to the surface when he spoke about his dedicated staff members. Oak Park Brewing benefitted from loyal and longtime servers, brewers and bartenders. Staff members announced via Facebook they were “going down with the ship” and worked until the doors closed for the last time. They expressed public gratitude for Cozzen’s leadership, respect and understand over the years.

“The only thing I feel good about is knowing that by closing now they will all be able to get any job they want in the industry because everyone is looking to hire,” said Cozzens fighting back tears.

Cozzens, who is selling both his home and the Oak Park Avenue building, does not know what is next for him professionally. He said he will miss his staff, regular customers and the flexibility of restaurant ownership.

He understands firsthand how hard it is to open a restaurant and “hopes it gets easier for those who follow” in Oak Park Brewing’s footsteps.

Wild Onion closes, criticizes village hall

Restaurant labels village of Oak Park “unsupportive” in Facebook posts

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

After four years, Wild Onion Tied House, 1111 South Blvd., has closed its doors permanently — earlier than expected. The restaurant announced in an Oct. 10 Facebook post that its last day of service would be Halloween. Two days later the restaurant shuttered.

In a Facebook post, dated 11:08 a.m., Oct. 12, Wild Onion shared that the restaurant had to close for repairs after sustaining damage from the previous night’s storm but would reopen in a few days. Hopes of a quick reopening were dashed later that day, when

Wild Onion returned to Facebook, posting at 7:47 p.m., that the temporary shutdown was, in fact, permanent.

“We anticipated remaining open until the end of the month to say goodbye and have one last beer with you all, but the cost and energy to return to operation is far too great for this short period of time,” the second Oct. 12 post reads. “We’re incredibly sorry for expediting this closure.”

While the restaurant’s last two posts to Facebook gave no mention of the village of Oak Park, they came on the heels of unfavorable allegations Wild Onion levied at the municipality’s staff and elected officials in its Oct. 10 post to the social media platform.

“To the municipal leaders of Oak Park, we would suggest you take a hard look at how you could improve your support of the local businesses that provide the all-important tax revenue for your coffers,” Wild Onion wrote.

“When the pandemic hit, that lack of

support translated into a complete failure of village management,” Wild Onion said.

“Dirty streets, a planter full of weeds, homeless people begging on our patio, mixed messaging from the health department about our operations — these all have created an almost dystopian feel to our particular location.”

Wednesday Journal reached out to representatives from Wild Onion, which has another location in Lake Barrington, but received no response.

Village President Vicki Scaman told Wednesday Journal she was saddened over the restaurant’s closure and the allegations it laid at the feet of the village.

“I’m always saddened to hear this and am always up to the challenge of increasing communications so that we [are] more responsive to the needs of the small business community,” she said.

Scaman noted that the tavern had encoun-

tered plenty of difficulties during its time in Oak Park. “Wild Onion has had every obstacle thrown at them, from construction inside the building and outside the building,” she said. “They were newer to the community and just about to establish their roots, and then the pandemic hit.”

As someone with experience running a restaurant, Scaman added that she understood how hard it can be. As for the restaurant’s claims against the village, she did not definitively give her support to either side.

“No matter what the situation, I think there’s always some truth, but there are limitations to what government can do to make everybody whole,” she said.

The president credited the Oak Park-River Forest Chamber of Commerce for its advocacy of local businesses and restaurants.

Becoming a more resilient community, according to Scaman, requires working together.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Vintage vibe at Tacos 76

Family memories at the heart of Madison Street newcomer

By MELISSA ELSMO

Carlos Jimenez who works the grill at the new eatery has been cooking tacos for more than 20 years. The experienced cook relies Tacos 76, 838 Madison St. in Oak Park, on Linarez’s arsenal of recipes at Tacos 76.

“The food we serve is simple and authenopened quietly on Oct. 7. First time restaurant owner and Oak Park resident, Karla tic,” said Linarez. “I use my mother-inLinarez preferred to open without fanfare law’s recipe for beans and cook everything in hopes of being able to gradually work else just as our family would want to eat it.” up to meet increasing demand.

The carne asada, available “We’ve been quite busy daily, is made from seasoned since we opened,” said Linskirt steak and grilled over arez, “But we want to see what open flames and will feature works best for us first and their trompo Al Pastor on adjust to the demands of our weekends — the pineapple new business.” spiked pork is a house specialLinarez graduated with a degree in entrepreneurship from DePaul ty. Tacos 76 caters to vegetarians by offerUniversity and holds both culinary and ing a custom blend of sautéed vegetables baking and pastry certificates from Ken- including zucchini and peppers. All salsas dall College in Chicago. Tacos 76 is the are made in house at Tacos 76 and can be first restaurant for the ambitious wife and used to enhance tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bowls. Plans to expand the menu mother to four children.

She grew up in Little Village and spent are already in the works; Linarez teased the arrival of marher summers in garitas, palomas Guadalajara. The and craft beer in time she spent in the coming weeks.

Mexico connected The Madison her to her family Street restaurant roots and deephas a vintage ened her love of vibe inspired by Mexican culture. the taquerias and Every decision mercados Linarez Linarez made frequented in Guawhen conceptudalajara. The red, alizing Tacos 76 white and green was designed to color palate is honor her family evocative of the heritage.

Mexican flag and “I grew up adthe casual design miring all the enMELISSA ELSMO/Food Editor features metal trepreneurs livTACOS LOCAL: The carne asada taco dinner folding chairs, ing and working wooden tables in Little Village,” comes with Abuelita’s refried beans and rice. and clean tile said Linarez. “I walls. Thoughtful met my husband there when I was just 16 and he came from branding brings a sense of fun to the space.

Lotería is a traditional Mexican game a large family of taqueria and market ownsimilar to bingo but makes use of artisers.”

Her brother in-law, Alfredo Linares, runs tic images on a deck of cards rather than eight Supermercado La Chiquita locations numbered balls. Linarez played the game with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Irene. frequently as a child with her grandmothThe taco shops tucked inside grocery er and created custom artwork for Tacos stores in Chicago and the suburbs provid- 76 inspired by Lotería and her own pered a much-needed training ground for the sonal life. The colorful cards, hanging in aspiring restaurateur. Linarez spent sig- the second dining room, feature vibrant nificant time cooking and learning the ins renderings of fictional characters from and outs of the restaurant business at La books her four children love, photos of her parents, and images of Ernest Hemingway Chiquita in advance of opening Tacos 76.

“I am part of a family of entrepreneurs, and Frank Lloyd Wright. The largest card and they are my mentors,” said Linarez. on display features a line drawing of the “They are all rooting for me to succeed, terracotta arch welcoming people into Chishowed me the ropes and even shared some cago’s Little Village neighborhood.

“When you walk into Tacos 76 it feels of their amazing employees to help get me exactly like you are in an authentic taquestarted.”

The cooks at Tacos 76 are affectionately ria in Mexico,” said Linarez. “I think it is referred to as “taqueros” which roughly a place that reflects all the things that are translates to “master taco chefs.” Taquero important to me.”

Oak Park Eats Editor

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Michael D. Costello, Artistic Director

CHICAGO CHORAL ARTISTS

JUSTICE & MERCY: MUSIC FOR OUR TIME Joel Thompson

Seven Last Words of the Unarmed

Eugene Rogers, arr.

Glory, from Selma

Steve Dobrogosz

Mass

Melissa Dunphy

The Gonzales Cantata with Kimberly E. Jones, soprano

Kimberly E. Jones

OCTOBER 22 & 23 @ 7:30pm OCTOBER 24 @ 4:00pm GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH 7300 Division, River Forest TICKETS www.ChicagoChoralArtists.org 773.658.9799 or at the door Adult $45, Senior $40, Student $25 Partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

RESIDENTIAL — COMMERCIAL — RETAIL — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS

SERVING OAK PARK AND RIVER FOREST SINCE 1976

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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S P O N S O R E D

C O N T E N T

A feast for the eyes at Gringo and Blondie Restaurant Row taqueria serves up bold flavors for brunch, lunch or dinner

An assortment of tacos, cemitas and burritos await at Gringo and Blondie, 7514 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park.

The Mexican streetfood spot is brought to Restaurant Row

by Massa Café Italiano owner, Angelo Lollino and his wife and business partner Giovanna Lollino.

Taking inspiration from Mexican street food, Gringo and Blondie, offers a confident array Food Writer of colorful and authentic dishes and cocktails.

After several visits it is clear Gringo and Blondie takes pride in attention to detail, colorful

presentation, and bold flavors. The menu demonstrates creative flair while maintaining a deep respect for tradition.

Enjoy this feast for the eyes! Everything at Gringo and Blondie tastes as good as it looks.

MELISSA ELSMO

BURRITO BOWL: A vegetarian burrito bowl is a colorful option for restricted diners at Gringo and Blondie. It comes packed with rice, black beans, lettuce, avocado, sour cream, pico de gallo, chihuahua and Oaxacan cheeses. Proteins can be added as desired.

All photos Melissa Elsmo

ELOTE STYLE CORN: street style corn is a popular offering at Gringo and Blondie and makes an excellent choice as a side dish

TACO DEAL: Gringo and Blondie offers a three taco deal Monday through Friday from 11am-2pm--served with your choice of tacos, beans and rice and a canned drink for just $12.99. Shown here with shrimp Veracruz, carne asada and Baja pescado tacos.

POZOLE PERFECTION: Pozole rojo is among the most popular brunch offerings at Gringo and Blondie. The rich brothy soup boasts tender braised pork, toothsome hominy and red chilies. A garnish tray allows guests to customize each bowl with an assortment of garnishes including onions, cilantro, cabbage and dried seasonings.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Gringo and Blondie, located 7514 W. North Ave. in Elmwood Park, is a proud purveyor of a multitude of Mexican favorites.

The interior of Gringo and Blondie is colorful and welcoming.

Join Us in Celebration of Our 90th Anniversary

Excludes Holidays.

Expires 11/15/21

Excludes Holidays.

Expires 11/15/21

ELMWOOD PARK 1621 N. Thatcher Ave.

SHRIMP AND FISH TACOS: Baja Pescado and Shrimp Veracruz tacos at Gringo and Blondie come garnished Mexican slaw, pickled onion, cilantro-jalapeño cream.

(Thatcher Ave at North Ave.) Catering available, call for details

Discover more culinary delights at OakPark.com

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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ART BEAT

Poe and his madness return to Pleasant Home

By RIMA THOMPSON

D

Theater Reviewer

avid Rice’s The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story is a lively, interactive experience at Pleasant Home in Oak Park as conceptualized

by Festival Theatre, starring Christian Gray (Edgar Allan Poe/Prospero) and Erica Bittner (Virginia Poe/Ligeia). The play plumbs the mindset of Poe before and after the death of his wife, who died from “consumption” (tuberculosis).

The mansion is a historic site in its own right and the perfect backdrop for a little night Madness.

Throughout the play, a sense of gloom settles on the melancholic writer, wandering from room to room, tackling his superego, oftentimes unknowingly intertwining real life and his written works as he slowly loses his grip on reality. Poe seeing his dead wife everywhere is the biggest clue to the fragility of his psyche.

The play, directed by Bryan Wakefield, also Festival’s managing director, is a remarkably fluid production that allows theater-goers to be participants in the middle of the unfolding, haunting stories. In separate groups, the audience is led around the house every 10-15 minutes to observe Poe in his rooms and Virginia’s ghost in hers.

Untimely loss is the running theme throughout, and how Poe is affected by death is told through the intermingling of long passages from his writings: “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Raven,”

Photo by Bryan Wakefield

HIS TELL-TALE HEART: Christian Gray (Edgar Allan Poe) in Oak Park Festival Theatre’s Production of “The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe.”

Photo by Bryan Wakefield

NEVERMORE: Erica Bittner (Virginia Poe) in Oak Park Festival Theatre’s Production of “The Madness of Edgar Allen Poe.”

“Annabel Lee” and “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

Gray is outstanding as the unstable author, weaving in and out of quiet sanity to bursts of manic anguish while finishing his poem, “The Bells.” As he falls deeper into the madness, his acting skills are on full display, and he convincingly transforms into a diabolical madman.

Bittner is equally impressive in her ability to be so much less excessively dramatic as she portrays someone dying of a debilitating illness. In her room, she tells the story of their love affair, which began when she was just 13 years old. She died in her mid-20s.

The cast also includes Will Burdin (The Madman), Ian Michael Minh (Fortunato), Dina Monk (Officer/Angelo), Sara Rachel Schol (Luciana), Jillian Patterson (Helena/Rowena), Drew Straub (Soldier/Monk) and Noah Villareal (The Prisoner).

The moving audience is a welcome, refreshing strategy for keeping people enthralled during the entire production. The same strategy was used when Festival previously staged the production in 2019 at Cheney Mansion in Oak Park. The entire cast has returned for this remount. The stage manager is Sarah West, lighting de-

signer is Michael McNamara and costumer designer is Rachel Lambert.

As the first few scenes come to an end, the audience is divided, East and West.

Half go one way, half goes another. While everyone sees the same play, the sequence of scenes is different.

For those audience members who are less mobile, large monitors from each room, allows them to follow the progression.

Madness promises to be another sold-out hit for Festival Theatre, and stimulating evening for those able to secure tickets.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required upon arrival by all ticket holders because of the proximity of the interactive experience between audience and cast.

Children under 12 are not permitted, and the audience is required to wear masks for the entire performance. The play lasts 90 minutes with no intermission.

“The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story” plays through Nov. 7, Wednesdays through Fridays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 p.m.; and Sundays, 3 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $44, $35 seniors, $25 students. Pleasant Home is located at 217 Home Ave., Oak Park (corner of Pleasant and Home).

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Local actor takes a turn as ‘Candyman’

By RIMA THOMPSON

O

Contributing Reporter

ak Park’s own Johnny Westmoreland started acting 21 years go. He remembers his first performance fondly. His acting instructor asked him to be in her play, Glory Train. He recalls asking her if she had a script, and she said no.

“She said, just wear all white and act like you [are] a pimp, and you [are] buying your way to heaven,” Westmoreland explained, laughing. I ain’t doing that in front of all them people! But I went ahead and did it without a script and everybody loved it. So I kept going and kept pursuing.”

Soon after, Westmoreland landed his first television commercial — for State Farm Insurance.

“I needed something to do to make people laugh. And I have a passion for it, so that’s how I started,” he said.

Since then, Westmoreland has had a thriving acting career.

He appeared in The Chi in 2019 as the main character’s dad. That led to roles on 2016’s Fatal Attraction and 2019’s Easy on Netflix. His film credits include Ebola, Shanda Did What? and Festival. Additionally, he has appeared in numerous theater productions.

Westmoreland says he prefers acting in tele-

JOHNNY WESTMORELAND vision series because it allows for increased exposure and opportunities to stretch his acting abilities, especially with the possibility of doing more than one episode of a show.

“The audience gets to see the growth in not just a [recurring character], but hopefully in my [skills as an actor over time],” he adds.

His latest role is in Candyman, a supernatural slasher film co-written by Jordan Peele and directed by Nia DaCosta. The 2021 film is

B

meant to be a direct sequel to the original Candyman released in 1992, ignoring the sequels done in 1995 and 1999.

Westmoreland plays the first Candyman, Samuel Evans, from the 1950s. Evans is one of many variants of Candyman who form The Hive, whose purpose is to bring the tragic truth of Black oppression to the forefront, emphasizing how systemic racism continues to justify violence against Black people, from lynching and murder to gentrification and police brutality.

He says it was an honor to play a version of such an iconic serial killer, especially because he was hand-picked by Peele, who felt Westmoreland had an uncanny resemblance to the actor who played the original Candyman in the 1992 film.

Filming the horror movie wasn’t as frightening as he imagined it was going to be.

“I thought it was going to be a very scary movie, but it wasn’t,” he says. “They used a Cyprus scanner to [disfigure my face]. I made like 20 different faces, and all of them [were] ugly. Candyman was being transformed from me and it was really cool to see the process of that.”

Westmoreland grew up in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago. He’s a multihyphenate artist who also plays the guitar and harmonica and has been a motivational speaker for nearly 25 years throughout the Midwest. He believes

all it takes is for one person to listen and to be motivated by his talks, and that is why he continues to do speaking engagements.

“I [want] the audience to know that good can come out of the hood,” he says. “I want [kids especially] to know it doesn’t matter where you come from; it’s about striving to do your best [by letting] God lead you. Everybody [has] a purpose in life. Ask [God] what’s your purpose and your vision, and he will show you.”

Acting, motivational speaking, and giving back gives Westmoreland a great sense of personal and spiritual joy. However, he says his greatest joy comes from being a supportive father to his 17-year-old daughter. While she also has a love for acting, he is quick to note she has her own agenda for her future.

“She’s a professional dancer and singer. She can really sing. She’s been singing since she was 5, like in front of 1,500 people,” he gushed.

“She’s also a much better actor than I am.”

Westmoreland moved to Oak Park in 1988, and he continues to live here because it’s a good place to raise a family, he said.

“I like the parks. It’s just a great atmosphere to live in. Everything is right at your feet, and you can’t ask for anything more.”

He credits his strong belief in God for why he never thought to move to Los Angeles, like most actors.

“God will always show me where to go; until then, I’m staying put in Oak Park.”

BELMONT VILLAGE IS OUTSMARTING MEMORY LOSS

orn in 1915 to Czechoslovakian immigrants, her lifetime spanned both the Spanish Flu and COVID-19 pandemics. As a little girl, she travelled between both countries and relished her Czech heritage.

She always had a house full of pet cats

and ® dogs that she rescued off the streets for Award-winning Circle of Friends delivers positive results and around her neighborhood. She was Assisted Living residents with an mild to moderate memory avid bird watcher enjoying the variety loss of birds that visited her woodland home.

Available only at Belmont Village, Circle of Friends® was pioneered to curb the Bring your sparkle In 1947, she settled in Brookfield to raise her two In retirement, she travelled globe to back. effects of cognitive decline through a unique program that buildsthebrain fitness. daughters on a large wooded lot that remained in observe animals in their natural environDeveloped a nationally recognized of Friends® is rooted the family until 2015.byShe and her husband home- gerontologist, ments and sheCircle financially supported many in steadedevidence-based in the early years research raising chickens and local and international wildlife organizations. in collaboration with UCLA and Vanderbilt University. rabbits and vegetables andenjoy maintaining When stateside, she of was a volunteer Andgrowing it works.

Residents a rich, therapeutic program physical anddocent mentalat an orchard of cherries, apples, pears, plums and the Brookfield Zoo for nearly 15 years before build Wisconsin, self-esteem. peaches.activities designed to maintain brain function movingand to Racine, to be closer to her

daughter Gabriella.

She became a teacher in the Chicago Public Learn moreand about how weattackle memory BELMONT VILL AGE .COM/OAKPARK O A K independently PA R K Schools in 1959 a principal the Henry O. loss at She lived in Racine volunteering Sheppard school in Lawndale 1964 and to schedule her timeaas a docent the Racine Zoo and as an Callbetween 708-848-7200 virtual tourattoday. her retirement in 1982. For many years, she was active member of the Olympia Brown Universal an active member with the Council for Higher Unitarian Church. At the age of 102 she moved Education, which provided loans to college stuto Oak Park to be closer to her grandsons Jeffrey dents of Czech descent. and Robert and currently resides at the Belmont Senior Living community.

“We saw the old sparkle return Sonja Becvar and Jeff Swano (grandson lives inappearance” Oak Park) to ourthatmom's - Voices of Belmont Village

The Community Built for Life.®

OA K PA R K

708-848-7200

Learn about our community response tobelmontvillage.com/oakpark COVID-19.

Visit belmontvillage.com/corona-virus-preparation ©2020 Belmont Village, L.P. | SC 52076

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D200

A step toward equity from page 1 college prep or honors tracks.

“All students deserve the opportunity to explore and develop their interests and abilities free of a track,” said Laurie Fiorenza, LAURIE FIORENZA GREG JOHNSON assistant superintendent of Student LearnAssistant superintendent of Superintendent ing, during the Oct. 14 board meeting.

Student Learning Last fall, the board approved “detracking” — or removing a tiered system that sepa- those of color, a chance to discover their rates students by ability — and offer a single abilities.

“We know that perceptions and expectascience course for freshmen. Sophomores, juniors and seniors are excluded from tions are powerful. They have self-fulfilling this change and have the option of taking effects,” Fiorenza said to the board during honors-level or Advanced Placement (AP) the Oct. 14 meeting. “Teachers have expeccourses. The board plans to vote on changes tations of students. Students have expecto the freshman history, English and world tations of themselves. If expectations are languages courses on Oct. 28 at the regular constructed around faulty perceptions, then low expectations can result.” board meeting.

“If a student believes they Fiorenza, who led the presenare not a good student, they tation on Thursday, appeared expect to fail and subsequentin front of the board alongside ly could have lower grades,” division heads Amy Hill (hisshe added. “Likewise, when tory), Brian Conant (English), a teacher believes that a stuand Claudia Sahagun (world dent is capable of challenglanguages), and addressed ing work, they expect the the potential changes to their student to succeed and subcoursework. Hill, Conant and sequently higher grades are Sahagun talked about the more likely.” work their departments have During the presentation, done over the past two years LAURIE FIORENZA Fiorenza pointed out some to revamp their curricula and Assistant superintendent of data that helped prove why give their students access to Student Learning restructuring the freshman an equitable education. They curriculum is vital. Among focused on their end goals, outher findings, Fiorenza said lined their course standards to 80% of students in a college meet those set by the College Board, AP, or the state, and identified stu- prep English course scored in the 50th percentile on the PSAT 8/9 exam in 2019. That dents’ skills.

Hill said her history teachers have al- meant students can do the work and have a ready taught joint classes with college prep range of learning abilities and that the disand honors students. What they found, she trict must provide a pathway so all students, said, was that the college prep students were including those of color, have an opportucapable of doing the work in an honors-level nity to succeed, she said.

Fiorenza added that there are many reacourse and were successful, especially when teachers offered consistent support. Survey sons why students, especially those of color, results from students who participated in do not sign up for honors-level classes. Some those joint classes backed the history de- research showed students of color, especially those who are Black, were worried about partment’s findings.

According to a survey, 95% of students being “ostracized” or “being the only” in believed their teacher thought all students honors-level courses, while others feared were able to do the challenging school work, they would not fit in or meet their or their Hill said. Students also rated their teachers teachers’ expectations, she explained.

“It’s only when a parent or mentor highly for cultivating a positive space, connecting their studies to life outside the class- challenge[s] the perception directly that room and encouraging them to share ideas. changes how students see themselves as The same responses came from students learners,” Fiorenza said to the board. who participated in joint world language classes, said Sahagun, adding that 90% of ‘A system based on opportunity, not barriers’ students felt a “sense of belonging in their That tidbit hit home for board member class.”

For Hill and Sahagun, those student expe- Henry Kebreab. He knew all too well what it riences show the impact of a restructured meant to be a Black student and feel isolated freshman program and embraces the dis- in a classroom. Back in high school, Kebreab trict’s mission of inclusion. In a previous in- said he was one of the only Black students terview with Wednesday Journal, Fiorenza taking International Baccalaureate (IB) explained that eliminating the “earned hon- courses. His school, he said, was predomiors approach” and promoting an “honors nantly Black, but the IB program was prefor all” strategy allows students, especially dominantly white.

“All students deserve the opportunity to explore and develop their interests and abilities free of a track.”

HENRY KEBREAB D200 board member

FRED ARKIN

D200 board member

“I oftentimes tried to quit but was interrupted by my mother saying, ‘You’re not leaving that program,’” he said, adding his own daughter, a 2020 OPRF graduate, also felt secluded “from her peers who looked like her” while taking AP courses all through high school.

Other board members, Ralph Martire, Gina Harris and Mary Anne Mohanraj, chimed in, expressing a preference for a restructured freshman program.

“If we want to make structural changes to get better outcomes across the board, you look at the system itself and what interventions in the system can you make that have a rational opportunity to create those better outcomes,” said Martire, who serves as the board secretary. “You made that case. You made an evidence-based case. Congratulations. I think it’s the right thing to do.”

Board member Fred Arkin also voiced concerns over the misconceptions that families may have about revamping the freshman program. Arkin cited a recent Facebook post where a person commented on the district’s detracking as an initiative to eliminate honors and AP courses, which is not the case.

“What I’m hearing tonight, is that we’re eliminating college prep and putting [all freshmen] in honors,” Arkin said before asking district officials how they will address the misinformation on this topic.

Superintendent Greg Johnson responded to Arkin by first encouraging families to attend a Zoom webinar about restructuring the freshman curriculum on Oct. 26. The virtual event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. More information about the webinar and details and updates on the freshman curriculum can be found on the school’s website at https://www. oprfhs.org/academics/access-for-all.

Johnson also said D200 will be working with nearby elementary school districts and talking with families about how these potential changes could impact their incoming freshmen.

Beyond that, Johnson maintained the district has never claimed to get rid of elective, honors and AP courses.

“How do we correct information about something that we’ve never said? That’s hard.

I don’t know exactly how we do that,” he said to Arkin. “But what I do know is that we can communicate out insistently, ‘This is what we are about.’”

While district officials and some board members advocated for a restructured freshman curriculum, there were dozens of parents and teachers who spoke during public comment and had mixed feelings about the

possible change.

One parent, Laura Huseby, said when her son was a freshman at OPRF, he “did not enjoy science, did not have an aptitude for science and was frankly concerned about taking a science class.” Though Huseby’s son was placed in an honors biology class, he opted for a non-honors course.

Huseby, a teacher herself, said what she didn’t know was that her son’s teacher was giving non-honors students honors-level work. The class was too hard for her son and for many other students like him to keep up, she recalled.

“Please, I implore you as a board to not take away a parent’s right to make choices for their student based on their child’s strengths and weaknesses,” she said, adding her son walked away with a terrible grade that still haunts him. “Give us the opportunity to choose a non-honors class for our student if we feel that’s what they are personally capable of handling. We parents know best our child’s strengths and weaknesses.”

Ross Lissuzzo, another OPRF parent, remained skeptical about D200’s plans to restructure its freshman curriculum. He believed it could “help some children and will likely hold others back. “Common sense tells us the new classroom experience will likely end up somewhere in between the current honors and college preparatory rigor level.”

Other speakers such as Melanie McQueen, co-president of the African American Parents for Purposeful Leadership in Education (APPLE), and Dot Lambshead Roche, a former teacher, expressed their excitement about a restructured freshman curriculum and the effect this will have on OPRF students, especially those of color.

McQueen said that some people have understood detracking as “dumbing down” or “watering down” the curriculum to meet Black students, specifically Black teenage boys who mostly make up the college prep courses, where they are at — and that’s incorrect. She encouraged naysayers, or those on the fence about detracking, to pay attention to the presentation.

“We have asked for detracking,” she said.

“We have a board that understands the assignment. We have students who will also understand the assignment and take our school report card to [show] data that the state has never seen.”

Echoing McQueen, Roche opened up about her past experiences teaching high school freshmen in both non-honors and honorslevel courses. She said she has watched her students in her non-honors courses become “stifled, limited and bored” when they go unchallenged and saw them rise to the occasion when given the chance.

“We can and should create a system rooted in access, not exclusion — a system based on opportunity, not barriers,” Roche said.

To learn more For more information on the district’s restructured freshman program or the Oct. 26 Zoom webinar, visit https://www. oprfhs.org/academics/access-for-all.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Notice of Proposed Property Tax Increase for the Village of Oak Park

PROVIDED

WHAT’S TO COME: A rendering of the Pete’s Fresh Market proposal on Madison Street.

PETE’S

Aiming for Nov. 2022 from page 1 “Hiring 180 people from scratch is going to be very difficult,” she said.

Dremonas said there was a possibility the second Oak Park location might not be able to open next year as planned. If the worker shortage continues, she added that it is unlikely any new business, Pete’s or otherwise, will be able to open on time.

“It’s the truth, and I don’t want to lie to anybody,” she said.

Under the revised agreement approved Monday, Pete’s must “commence construction by Jan. 31. Although it is my understanding [that] they will be commencing construction in November with the utility relocation and environmental work,” said Tammie Grossman, development customer services director.

For the property to be transferred and the sale closed, Pete’s is required to provide proof it has the financial capability to start and finish construction. Pete’s has yet to provide that proof. In an email sent after the meeting to Wednesday Journal, Grossman said she is not worried that Pete’s has not submitted financial proof yet as she is “confident that Pete’s has the financial wherewithal to move forward with this project.”

The Pete’s team is progressing on its second Oak Park store, as Grossman noted in the Oct. 18 village board meeting. It’s original Oak Park store is at Lake Street and Harvey.

“They have been moving along on the process,” Grossman told the board. “A lot of work has been done in the background.”

The delays to the project have been caused

by COVID-19, as well as utility companies.

Utilities must be relocated before the grocery store can be built, according to Grossman, and Pete’s had been “at the mercy” of the utility companies regarding the utility relocation and its design.

“The parties have reached an agreement on the design and relocation of all the public utilities – AT&T, ComEd, Nicor [Gas] as well as the village’s sewer and water line,” Grossman said.

The redevelopment agreement between the village of Oak Park and Pete’s stipulates, according to Grossman, that the village cannot deny reasonable requests by the grocery store chain to move dates related to development, provided Pete’s has made progress on the project.

“That is the case in this situation,” said Grossman.

She told the board that Pete’s has already met the first three milestones of the RDA: completion of the environmental title survey, submission of their planned development and approval of the planned development.

Pete’s also submitted its full building permit application late last week, which the village needs to approve, according to Grossman.

The village board had no major issues with amending the RDA, aside from Walker-Peddakotla. Prior to voting, Walker-Peddakotla asked Pete’s to guarantee if they could meet the deadlines laid out in the amendment, given the labor shortage and the looming threat of winter weather. With utility work occurring beneath the surface, she worried that the ground could freeze, preventing crews from digging.

Pete’s developer Eugene Grzynkowicz told Walker-Peddakotla all of the work, above and below ground, to move utilities could be carried out during the inclement winter months.

“A little more binding as far as the process, but still doable,” Gryznkowicz said.

Dremonas made it clear that Pete’s plans to make the Madison Street project work.

“We will continue to push,” she said. “We have a lot of sunken costs already into this project.”

In a separate vote and smaller discussion, the village board approved a resolution approving the village’s reimbursement of up to $1.65 million to Pete’s for the cost of the site’s environmental remediation. Reimbursement of environmental remediation expenses is a common provision under the village’s RDA agreements, according to Grossman, who added that the village set aside $1.65 million in its Madison Street tax icrement financing (TIF) revenues for the purpose of reimbursing Pete’s for other eligible expenses.

Walker-Peddakotla was, again, the only village board member to vote against authorizing the agreement.

I. A public hearing to approve a proposed property tax levy increase for the Village of Oak Park for 2021 tax year will be held on November 1, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. remotely and streamed live and archived online for ondemand viewing at www.oak-park.us/boardtv, 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 being conducted pursuant to Section 7(e)of the Open Meetings 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.

Written comments may be provided prior to the public hearing by email to publiccomment@oak-park. us. The individual’s name and their comment will be read aloud into the record at the public hearing if received no later than 6:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. If email is not an option, written comment can be placed in the Oak Park Payment Drop Box across from the entrance to Village Hall, 123 Madison Street, no later than 5:00 p.m. on November 1, 2021. Questions regarding public comment can be directed to 708.358.5460 or by email to finance@ oak-park.us.

II. The corporate and special purpose property taxes extended or abated for 2020 were $40,193,255.

The proposed corporate and special purpose property taxes to be levied for 2021 are $41,473,673. This represents a 3.19% increase from the previous year.

III. The property taxes extended for debt service and public building commission leases for 2020 were $4,232,653.

The estimated property taxes to be levied for debt service and public building commission leases for 2021 are $4,285,013. This represents a 1.24% increase from the previous year.

IV. The total property taxes extended or abated for 2020 were $44,425,908.

The estimated total property taxes to be levied for 2021 are $45,758,686. This represents a 3.00% increase from the previous year.

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Oak Park park district to require employee vaccination Or weekly mandatory COVID-19 testing

By STACEY SHERIDAN Staff Reporter

Our 90th Season begins with Beethoven!

Jay Friedman, conductor

October 24, 4pm at Concordia University

BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 4 Mio Nakamura, soloist Mio Nakamura

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 6 (Pastoral)

Ms. Nakamura’s performance is underwritten by a grant from Emerging Artists Chicago.

Preconcert Conversations with Board President David Leehey at 3PM. Go to SymphonyOPRF.org to order tickets, subscriptions, or to donate. If you have questions or need any help you can contact us at TheSymphonyOPRF@ gmail.com or call/text 708/218-2648.

Free Parking in the garage located at 1124 N. Bonnie Brae Place COVID-19 Vaccinations All patrons are required to be fully vaccinated and need to show proof of C-19 vaccination to attend our 2021-2022 concerts. Masks will also be required at all concerts.

Under its new COVID-19 employee policy, all Park District of Oak Park employees must either be fully vaccinated against the virus by Oct. 28 or undergo weekly mandatory testing. The park district board of commissioners unanimously voted Oct. 14 to adopt the policy, which applies to all fulltime, part-time, temporary and seasonal park district employees.

The park district is not anticipating any backlash from employees regarding the policy, according to Ann Marie Buzek, the park district’s communications manager. Buzek told Wednesday Journal that 90 percent of employees are already fully vaccinated, according to a survey conducted by the park district in September.

“The Park District of Oak Park fully expects staff to comply with the new policy to help protect themselves as well as our participants,” Buzek said.

While the COVID-19 vaccination is free, the park district will pay employees for the time taken to get vaccinated, excluding the time spent commuting to and from vaccination appointments.

“The agency will compensate employees, up to 30 minutes, not yet fully vaccinated for time spent to receive their vaccination(s), either by attending appointments during working hours or reporting time spent at appointments during nonworking hours as hours worked when reporting time,” the policy reads.

The policy also allows employees to submit requests for reimbursement “to the extent there are associated fees for administering the vaccine that are not covered.”

Park district employees, according to the policy, will be considered fully vaccinated

two weeks after receiving the second dose of a two-dose vaccination or two weeks after receiving a single dose of a one-dose vaccination, according to the policy.

Those who choose to be vaccinated or have already been vaccinated must submit copies of their vaccination documentation to the park district risk manager by Oct. 28. The policy stipulates that documentation must come from a person or organization certified to administer the vaccine and include the dates of vaccine doses. Documentation should not contain private information related to the vaccinated person’s medical, genetic or family health.

The employees who either cannot be or choose not to be vaccinated will have to spend more time with the park district risk manager than their vaccinated coworkers. In addition to alerting the risk manager of the decision to receive weekly testing by Oct. 28, the policy requires unvaccinated employees to submit COVID-19 test results to the risk manager by 12 p.m. on Thursday each week. Those who fail to do so are not permitted to work on park district premises.

Not being allowed to work onsite does not mean unvaccinated employees are free to simply work from home. Working from home requires advance permission from human resources and not turning in weekly tests could lead to disciplinary actions taken against employees, including discharge, according to the policy.

Scheduling COVID-19 tests are the responsibility of the individual employee, but the policy allows employees to submit reimbursement requests for any costs related to testing within 30 days of incurring the expense.

An employee’s decision to not get vaccinated isn’t set in stone under the policy.

Should any change their minds, the vaccinated employees need only to hand over a copy of their documentation to the risk manager at any time.

C R I M E

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

19

Man beaten during armed robbery

A man was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained during an aggravated robbery that occurred at 1:20 a.m., Oct 17 in the first block of Washington Boulevard. The robbery was carried out by a male offender, armed with a semi-automatic handgun, and a female companion.

According to a report from the Oak Park police, the perpetrator showed the weapon and demanded the victim turn over his property.

When the victim stated that he had no cellphone, the woman began beating the victim on his head and back with a stick.

The report states that, while the victim was being attacked, he heard the gun go off twice. Further investigation revealed the weapon was likely not a semi-automatic handgun, but a pellet gun.

The male offender and female are described in the report as both being approximately 30 years old. The female was also wearing glasses.

Arrest for aggravated battery with a firearm Jevonthe Jones, 22, of the 1000

block of North Austin Boulevard in Chicago, was arrested at 1:30 a.m., Oct. 10 after discharging a firearm that hit the victim in the leg as he drove south in the 1000 block of North Austin Boulevard.

Attempted aggravated carjacking ■ While a woman was sitting in her parked 2021 BMW XI, a male offender approached her, brandished a black handgun and ordered the victim out of her car; she complied and then ran to the rear of a house where the homeowner called the police at 2:19 p.m., Oct. 16 in the 600 block of Home Avenue. The offender was unable to take the vehicle, which was turned off, as the victim had the key fob in her pocket. The offender fled in a gray sedan with an unknown driver. The gray sedan was last seen going southbound on Home Avenue.

Police reports describe the person as about 18 years old and wearing a dark gray hoodie.

■ A man approached a woman as she was sitting in vehicle, grabbed her by her sweater, pulled

out a handgun and demanded her keys at 8 a.m., Oct. 17 in the 900 block of South Humphrey Avenue; the victim told him she would give him the keys, then began to honk her horn.

The offender got into the passenger’s side of a waiting, gray SUV and fled.

Police reports describe the offender as a Black male, about 19 to 20 years old and approximately 5-feet-6, with a tear drop tattoo under his left eye.

Armed robbery ■ Two male offenders got out of a silver four-door sedan and approached the victim, then demanded the person’s property, with one offender brandishing a firearm, at 11:40 p.m., Oct. 11 in the 400 block of South Grove Avenue. The victim handed over an iPhone and an Apple watch to the offenders, who were last seen traveling eastbound in the sedan on Washington Boulevard. Police reports describe the offenders as between the ages of 18 and 20.

■ While a driver was stopped at a traffic light at 12:45 a.m., Oct. 18 in the 300 block of South Boulevard, a man stood in front of the victim’s black 2017 Jeep Wrangler while a

when the offender exited a silver 2020 Kia SUV that drove up and stopped nearby; the offender hopped into the pickup and drove off. The estimated second offender displayed a hand- loss is $10,000. gun and demanded the driver exit the vehicle. The offenders took the victim’s Hollister coat and Nike tenA man exposed his genitals to two nis shoes, then fled on foot, one eastbound and the other westbound. The Oak Park residents between 11:50 estimated loss is $280. The armed of- a.m. and noon, Oct. 8 in the 1000 block fender is described in police reports of North Harvey Avenue. as a Black male with dreadlocks and a goatee, about 5-feet-11 or 6-feet tall.

The other offender is described only The catalytic converter on a black as a Black male wearing all black Honda CRV was cut between 6 p.m., clothing.

Oct. 12 and 6 a.m., Oct. 13 in the 300 block South Kenilworth Avenue.

Public indecency

Theft

Attempted robbery

These items, obtained from the Oak Park Police Department, came from reports Oct. 9-18 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated. We report the race of a suspect only when a serious crime has been committed, the suspect is still at large, and police have provided us with a detailed The victim was unloading his physical description of the suspect running, black 2014 GMC Sierra as they seek the public’s help in pickup truck at 6:52 p.m., Oct. 8 in making an arrest.

Compiled by Stacey Sheridan the first block of Chicago Avenue,

Three male offenders approached the victim in the 1100 block of North Marion Street at 8:30 p.m., Oct. 7.

One shoved the victim in the shoulder, while another grabbed the victim’s cellphone. The cellphone was dropped to the ground and then the three offenders fled on foot. No loss was reported.

Motor vehicle theft

Studio of Art 451 South Blvd.

Oak Park, IL (708) 434-5020

Congratulations to Studio of Art on their opening!

Learn about classes and the gallery at studio-of-art.com

Celebrants: Teri Miller, Beyond Hunger; Mark Walden & Liz Holt, OPRF Chamber of Commerce; Eric Mazelis, OPEDC; Brian Durbina, OPRF High School; Fionna Bezaire, OPRF High School Huskie Booster Club; Amy Renzulli, School of Rock Oak Park; Melody Kratz, Mike Farnham, and John Chapin, Studio of Art; Cathy Kestler, CK Development Consulting; Bob Stelletello, Right At Home Oak Park / Hinsdale / Chicago; Cam Davis, Village of Oak Park. Photos: Todd Bannor, Bannor & Bannor

20

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

189 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 386-1400

HomesInTheVillage.com

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

NEED TO REACH US?

oakpark.com/real-estate email: buphues@wjinc.com

21

Homes

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ACREAGE PHOTO

Vintage or new, Oak Park condos offer options The Cheshire, just completed on Washington Blvd., offers luxury units at luxury prices

By LACEY SIKORA

I

Contributing Reporter

n a town known for its architecture, new developments can receive a lot of scrutiny and are often compared to vintage buildings that have stood the test of time. In Oak Park, vintage buildings with their brick and stone facades and tile roofs speak of another era --one before central air conditioning and garage parking.

While some new buildings lean towards to

modern-end of the spectrum with steel and glass construction, a look around town shows that at least one new development went with a classic exterior, updating but complementing its vintage neighbors.

New on the market is a nine-unit building at 1024 Washington Blvd., which recently recorded its first post-construction sale. The block masonry building, called The Cheshire, has custom limestone and brick exterior that lends See CONDOS on page 22

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ACREAGE PHOTO

Recently finished, The Cheshire (top) on Washington Boulevard offers eight three-bedroom and one two-bedroom condos with open kitchens (above) featuring large islands and Wolf ranges.

22

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

CONDOS

Looking to downsize from page 21 an old-world style to the new development.

Zak Knebel, of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Chicago, who is marketing the condominiums with Camille Hoover, states that little details distinguish the units from cookie-cutter condos elsewhere.

“The ceiling heights are nine feet,” Knebel said. “The doors are eight feet tall, and the windows are German-engineered tilt and turn windows, which allow owners to really open up the space.”

Hoover points out that the units are flooded with light.

“On a clear day, you can see the city,” she said.

There are eight units with three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, and one bottom floor unit that has two bedroom and two bathrooms. Of the three-bedroom units, the four south-facing units measure 1,770 square feet, and the four north-facing units measure 2,060 square feet. The three-bedroom units are priced at $700,000 and the two-bedroom unit at $595,000.

The open kitchens include Wolf ranges and large islands. The living rooms include gas fireplaces and open to terraces. Each condo comes with in-unit laundry and one

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ACREAGE PHOTO

Units in The Cheshire are light-filled and the top-floor condos (above) have city views on clear days. parking space.

Linda Rooney, of RE/MAX in the Village, is listing a vintage condo at 322 N. Marion St. for $294,000. The brick building was constructed in 1919 and sits within the Frank Lloyd Wright Historic District. The building has seven units, two on each floor, and one garden unit.

Rooney says the three-bedroom, two-

bathroom unit, just feels like Oak Park.

“It has all those architectural details like cove moldings, arched doorways, a butler’s pantry and hardwood floors,” she said.

Steve Nasralla, of Compass, says that a vintage condominium in Oak Park has some attributes that just can’t be replicated today. One of his recent listings (now

being leased) inside 333 S. Oak Park Ave., features a stone façade and plenty of vintage details.

“It’s not sterile. It’s got character,” Nasralla said. “It’s truly a jewel of an Oak Park vintage condo.”

The condo has leaded glass windows and beamed ceilings in the living room.

“You wouldn’t have a building like that created today,” Nasralla said. “It’s from another era.”

Knebel states that the Cheshire is unique in the area because there just are not a lot of luxury, boutique buildings in Oak Park.

Hoover points out that while vintage condominiums abound and have plenty of charming details, it is not common to find a building with elevator access.

One of the draws of 333 S. Oak Park Ave. according to Nasralla, is that it is one of the few vintage condo buildings in the village that has elevator service to all floors.

“A lot of people looking in Oak Park want vintage, square footage, and an elevator,” Nasralla said. “People want to be able to age in place and have older family members visit.”

Rooney notes that while older buildings might not usually have elevators, in the case of the Marion Street unit she’s listing, there are only a few steps up to the first-floor unit, and the parking space that comes with the unit is just steps from the back door.

She says that at roughly 1,400 square feet, the unit has enough room for guests and an

The Quintessential Oak Park Home 208 N. Harvey, Oak Park Open House Saturday 10/23, 11am - 1pm $729,000 • $729,000 • 2021 Oak Park GardenWalk • 4 bedrooms • 1 full & 2 half baths • Low taxes

The Casselyn Group Casselyn Tertell & Mallory Slesser 630.988.8859 630.6324976 info@casselyngroup.com www.casselyngroup.com

The Casselyn Group is a team of Real Estate agents affiliated with Compass. Compass is a licensed Real Estate broker with a principal office in Chicago, IL and abides by all applicable Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only, is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, and changes without notice. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of Real Estate brokerage.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

23

UNDER CONTRACT

946 JACKSON, RIVER FOREST :: $834,000 :: 4 BED, 2.5 BATH Buurma-built home. Great location.

NEW PRICE

RE/MAX IN THE VILLAGE

The 1,400-square-foot condo in the vintage building at 322 S. Marion St. (left) is conveniently located on the first floor with easy-access parking and a good-sized formal dining room (below), perfect for entertaining. office space, and says that one advantage of the vintage building is that it was built at time when formal dining rooms were prized, so the large formal dining room allows a downsizing buyer to continue to entertain family and friends.

Rooney says much of the interest in the condo has come from those who are downsizing from a larger home. While the condo comes with parking, she notes that because of its heart-of-town location, a buyer could park their car and walk to restaurants and shopping, something that’s appealing to those entering a new stage in life.

Knebel and Hoover say that they’ve seen a variety of buyers who are interested in the units at The Cheshire. Many are down-

sizing from larger homes in River Forest or Oak Park, some are moving from the city and some already live in the area but are looking to upgrade their square footage and lifestyle.

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

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CONDOS

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5305 N Austin Ave, Chicago . . . . . . . . . . . . Baird & Warner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$350,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sun 12-2 629 S Home Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . Navigation Group/Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $550,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sun 12:30-2 208 N. Harvey Ave, Oak Park . . . . . . . . . . . The Casselyn Group/Compass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$729,000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sat 11-1

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25

SPORTS Late field goal seals OPRF win over Downers North Reserve kicker steps up to nail 31-yarder with 33 seconds left

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

Oak Park and River Forest High School kicker Gavin Johnson admitted to having butterflies as he trotted out late in the Huskies’ game against Downers Grove North to try a game-winning field goal.

“I’m not going to lie, I was shaking,” said Johnson. “I was really nervous, but I had to pull through for my team.”

And pull through he did, drilling a 31-yard field goal with 33.8 seconds left to give OPRF a 30-28 victory over the visiting Trojans on Oct. 15.

The most remarkable aspect of the moment was that Johnson is the backup kicker. The Huskies’ Nolan Vitale -the starter at the position -- was unavailable due to a wrist injury suffered in practice earlier in the week, according to OPRF coach John Hoerster.

“Gavin hadn’t kicked most of the year,” Hoerster said.

“Nolan has his wrist wrapped up and he might be able to play [next week], but Gavin came in and stepped up.”

After Downers North (4-4, 1-4) had rallied in the fourth quarter from a 13-point deficit to take a 28-27 lead with 2:30 left to play, the Huskies (4-4, 2-3) started their game-winning drive at their 32.

On second down, OPRF quarterback Jack Gooch (14-of-19 passing, 130 yards, 1 touchdown) found Ryan Martin for a 31-yard completion to the Trojans’ 37. A 4-yard pass to E.J. Locke and then four consecutive runs by Kelby Gray resulted in a fourth-and-1 from the 14, presenting a tough decision for Hoerster.

“We didn’t know if we wanted to go for it,” he said. “Do you put a kid who hasn’t been in this situation in? It really isn’t fair to put in a backup, but Gavin was kicking well during the week and seemed like he wanted the opportunity.”

There may have been plenty of nerves on the Huskies’ sideline, but Gray was confident Johnson would do his job.

Friars rout Marian Central to clinch playoff berth Kaden Cobb’s 78-yard touchdown pass to Bryan Hunt Jr. on Fenwick High School’s first offensive play from scrimmage set the tone for the evening as the Friars routed host Marian Central 42-7 on Oct. 15 to clinch a spot in the IHSA state football playoffs.

Cobb finished the evening 11-of-22 passing with 183 yards and three touchdowns. He added 90 yards on the ground for Fenwick (6-2), which also received rushing scores from Luke D’Alise and Max Reese.

The Friars visit undefeated St. Ignatius on Oct. 22 for the Chicago Catholic League/East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Chicago.

— Melvin Tate

ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer

OPRF sophomore Eric Locke leaps to haul in one of his seven receptions for 43 yards during the Huskies’ come-frombehind win over Downers Grove North on Oct. 15 in Oak Park. Locke also caught a touchdown pass.

“All we had to do was hit it and win the game. We had to do whatever we could,” said Gray, who had 154 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries. “We played our hearts out tonight.”

The Huskies opened the game with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that ended on Gray’s 3-yard touchdown run middle run a little more than five minutes into the game. But it took DGN just 46 seconds to draw even as Sam Reichert found Ethan Thulin for a 72-yard scoring strike.

Later in the first quarter, OPRF defensive back Jacob Bickem came up with a big play, intercepting Reichert in the end zone to thwart a Trojans’ scoring threat. Then the Huskies embarked on another 12-play drive that ended in another Gray touchdown run -- this one 15 yards -- and a 14-7 lead at the 8:14 mark of the second quarter.

Downers North started the second half strong, marching 48 yards in six plays to even the score, but OPRF responded with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Gooch to Locke (7 receptions, 43 yards) to regain the lead.

Then after stopping the Trojans on downs at their 38, the Huskies claimed a two-score advantage when Dortch (8 carries, 62 yards) took it to the house from 35 yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter. However, Johnson’s extra point was blocked, leaving the score 27-14.

The Trojans rallied to score a touchdown on their next drive and, after stuffing Gray on a fourth-down play from the Huskies’ own 45, the Downers North tied things up when Reichert found Tommy Finley for a 22-yard touchdown pass.

Sean Ryniec’s extra point gave the Trojans their first lead

at 28-27.

“A ton of credit goes to DGN,” Hoerster said. “Every single year, they play us tough. They are so well-coached and are a tough group of kids. That makes me happy with how our kids responded; they bounced back.”

After Johnson’s field goal put OPRF back in front, Downers North had a final chance to win as Reichert connected with Finley for a 37-yard pass that put the ball at the Huskies’ 20 with 5 seconds left. But Ryniec’s 37-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right as time expired.

“This game, we kept getting back up,” Hoerster said. “[Tonight] was the first time we really believed we were going to win. You could see it on the sideline, they believed. That’s the attitude you have to have, and it’s so good to see it on the field.”

The victory keeps OPRF -- which has won its last three games -- alive for an IHSA state playoff berth. But in order to attain eligibility, the Huskies will need to go on the road Oct. 22 and defeat York, which will not be an easy task.

The Dukes are 7-1 and can clinch a share of the West Suburban Silver title with a win. While it’s a daunting challenge, it’s also something Hoerster and the players aren’t backing down from.

“All we can do is control what we can control,” Hoerster said. “We’ll enjoy tonight, watch film tomorrow, then put in a game plan Monday and take it day-by-day getting our work in. If we play with energy, excitement, and belief, anything can happen. Tonight taught the kids that.”

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

S P O R T S

@ @OakPark

Fenwick doubles its pleasure at tennis sectionals Friars advance two duos, one singles player to Class 1A state finals

The Friars, who also won the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference championship on Oct. 9, will participate in the state finals at Buffalo Grove High School on Oct. 22-23.

By MELVIN TATE

OPRF doubles team advances to state finals

Contributing Reporter

Fenwick High School girls tennis coach Gerard Sullivan felt at the start of the season that the Friars’ doubles teams would be their main strength.

That has turned out to be the case as Fenwick, buoyed by a 1-2 finish in doubles, won the IHSA Class 1A Lemont Sectional on Oct. 16 with 30 points.

The Friars’ No. 1 doubles team of sophomore Trinity Hardin and freshman Megan Trifilio claimed the title over their teammates, freshman Rachel Abraham and junior Maeve Paris, in straight sets (6-1, 6-2).

“Trinity and Megan had the top seed, and it was pretty clear that they were the best team in the draw. They didn’t drop more than two games in any match,” said Sullivan. “I almost moved Trinity to number one singles before the conference tournament because I thought her and Megan were too strong, but they weren’t happy about it and wanted to be back together.

They stormed through conference, and everything worked out.”

Sullivan was also impressed with how his No. 2 doubles team performed at the sectional.

“I told everyone they were dangerous because they had experience at number one,” Sullivan said. “Rachel and Maeve beat two seeded teams, including the number two seed, to gain the finals.”

Paris, who would’ve qualified for state in No. 1 doubles last year had the tournament not been canceled due to COVID-19, missed most of this season due to injury. But Sullivan said she

PROVIDED

Fenwick junior Kate Trifilio returns a shot during a match. Trifilio finished second at the IHSA Class 1A Lemont Sectional on Oct. 16 and advanced to the state finals. The Friars won the sectional title with 30 points. was determined to come back for the postseason.

“Maeve is a real gamer,” he said. “She was waiting to get the cast off her arm every day, and she made it clear that she was coming back and someone was dropping out.”

Fenwick junior Kate Trifilio advanced to the state finals in singles despite losing the No. 2 singles title match to Emma Davis of Providence Catholic 0-6, 1-6.

“Kate pulled an upset in the semifinals, defeating the number two seed,” Sullivan said. “It was an overachievement, and for her to get to the finals was special.”

Oak Park and River Forest High School finished third at the Class 2A Leyden Township Sectional with 16 points. The Huskies’ No. 1 doubles team of junior Martha Brennan and senior Basma Raja advanced to the state finals with a second-place showing, losing the title match to Jayna Dunwoody and Jenna Stevens of Whitney Young.

“As I was going into the sectional, we knew it was going to be a big challenge [to qualify] in singles,” said OPRF coach Fred Galluzzo. “But we knew we had two good doubles teams and felt confident about their chances.”

Galluzzo was hopeful his No. 2 team of seniors Angie Berggren and Margot Eldred would also make it, but they lost their quarterfinal match to York.

“They played as well as they could, but they fell a couple of points short of getting it done,’ he said. “It stinks that their season and [high school] careers are over, but they’re both capable of playing in college, whether it’s [NCAA] Division III or the club level at Division I.” A highlight of OPRF’s season came on Oct. 5 when the Huskies were able to host Fenwick for Senior Night. It marked the first time in almost two years that a match was held on campus as the courts have been closed due to campus construction.

“It’s been a tough situation for the kids, especially the seniors,” Galluzzo said. “They’ve been through a lot the last couple of years. But they’ve been remarkable, and we felt we needed to show them our appreciation.”

Brennan and Raja will participate in the Class 2A state finals Oct. 22-23 at Buffalo Grove.

O’Laughlin carries on family’s athletic tradition of excellence Fenwick junior emerging as one of volleyball team’s top players

By MELVIN TATE Contributing Reporter

The O’Laughlin family has enjoyed success in athletics at Fenwick High School over the past few years.

Oldest brother Casey starred on the baseball diamond for coach Dave Hogan’s Friars and later had a solid career at Northwestern University. Casey’s younger brother, Michael, was one of Illinois’ top high school football wide receivers in the Class of 2018 and currently is at West Virginia. He was named to the preseason watch for the John Mackey Award, presented to the nation’s top collegiate tight end.

Now their sister Shannon -- who is a Fenwick junior -- is following in their footsteps, emerging as one of the girls volleyball team’s top players this fall. She has amassed 117 kills, 14 aces and a team-high 212 digs for the Friars, who are 16-11 following a two-set victory Oct. 14 over visiting St. Ignatius (26-24, 25-21).

“It was a big win,” said O’Laughlin. “We know [St. Ignatius] is a good team, so we wanted to get our best people out there and swing hard.”

Fenwick, which has won seven of its last nine matches, has gotten better as the season progressed, and it’s something O’Laughlin likes to see.

“We’ve had our ups and downs; we had kind of a rough start,” she said. “We had to click with new members of the team, but now we’re rolling, and we’re ready to go [into the playoffs].”

What makes this season more special for Shannon O’Laughlin is that her head coach is her mother, Kathleen, who was a good collegiate player at Illinois and then California State-Northridge. Shannon says it’s fun being coached by her.

“You would think it’d be a lot worse than it is,” Shannon said with a laugh. “But she’s a great coach and I’ve never met someone more talented in my life. She’s a good influence and role model for me.”

For her part, Kathleen is thrilled with the opportunity to coach her daughter.

“It’s so fun to coach Shannon,” she said. “She’s been around the program a long time and watched Casey and Michael participate in athletics. She’s a level-headed kid and great to coach.

I think of her the same as the other players.”

Fenwick will take part in the Lake Park Tournament Oct. 22-23, then turn its attention to the IHSA Class 3A state volleyball tournament. The Friars are seeded fourth at the Nazareth Academy Sectional, which has a strong field with teams such as top-seed St. Ignatius, Trinity, Payton Prep and the host Roadrunners.

“That’s a loaded sectional. That’s going to be some fun volleyball in the first part of November for everybody,” Kathleen O’Laughlin said.

A win over the top-seeded Wolfpack last week can only help instill more confidence for Fenwick, and Shannon O’Laughlin believes that the Friars can have a substantial postseason run

SHANEL ROMAIN/Contributor

Shannon O’Laughlin (10) has 117 kills, 14 aces and a team-high 212 digs for the Friars. thanks to good floor leadership.

“It’s going to be a fast tempo,” she said. “We have a lot of big games ahead of us, but when we work together, we’re a good team. Senior captain Elise Heneghan is one of our best leaders on the court, and she always keeps us together.”

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS FRIDAY 5 P.M. Call Viewpoints editor Ken Trainor at 613-3310 ktrainor@wjinc.com

C

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

VIEWPOINTS

27

A tribute to Yvonne Cisco p. 29

Education is complicated

hildren are inherently unique, brilliant, and dynamic.

Human nature suggests we all have certain strengths and weaknesses, and we mature at different times in our lives.

To only offer a singular curriculum for all ninth-graders is anything but brave or bold. It is bland, afraid, uninspiring, and limiting.

The first section of OPRF’s own Board Policy Document, under the title Human Dignity, states: “Each individual shall be considered as unique with individual strengths, talents, skills and shortcomings.”

It further states that students “shall be regarded in the same high esteem; and shall equally be encouraged to fulfill his or her potential as a human being.” What it does not say is that we should reduce options for our children and take one full year (out of only four) and offer a single level of coursework regardless of a child’s academic maturity and interests as they enter the ninth grade.

OPRF is currently providing access, flexibility, choice and opportunity to families. In doing so, OPRF’s current curriculum is also honoring the spirit of OPRF High School, our diverse and vibrant community, and the human condition.

OPRF claims to be an evidence-based organization. However, when it comes to detracking, the evidence is mixed at best, and frankly that is being generous. We all know deep down that detracking will likely help some children and will likely hold others back. Common sense tells us the new classroom experience will likely end up somewhere in between the current Honors and College Preparatory rigor level.

We can do better.

When any organization offers up research they claim is clear and definitive but in reality is not an apples to apples analysis, it highlights a culture that is willing to cut corners, or worse. That is called confirmation bias, whereby someone searches for certain data just to confirm a preconceived belief. Instead of letting the data lead to discovery, OPRF is allowing their own conclusion to lead. The closest thing we have to an actual real-world detracking example is Evanston Township High School. They have tried something similar to OPRF’s plan. In fact, there is an article about Evanston on our own OPRF website. The recent achievement data coming out of Evanston is sad and should act as a word of caution if we were to follow such a path.

Our children are unique, quirky, and beautifully different. Everyone knows this. Our brave teachers just want to teach. Many in our community once thought our school welcomed diversity, which used to include diversity of thought. Such openness and debate is now broken at OPRF. If we actually want to help our students grow and close the opportunity gap, we need honest conversations about why the gap exists in the first place — before students come to OPRF. We need to expand community-based early childhood services and be prepared to support our children’s differences, not treat them as if they are all the same. We need solutions-based school community conversations focused on better outcomes for our children instead of blame-based conversations, politics and buzzwords.

Just imagine if instead of spending years and years’ worth of time and resources on unproven strategies, we offered longer class time, early reading intervention, free summer school, increased enrichments, continued with course choice, and used mentoring to reach children who needed our help.

Our kids would have been better off.

Go Huskies.

Ross Lissuzzo is an Oak Park native and current River Forest resident.

ROSS

LISSUZZO One View

Move forward with curriculum equity

T

he Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education (CEEE) extends its gratitude to the many D200 board members, administrators, students, parents, teachers, and community members who have worked long and hard to arrive at the proposed Freshman Curriculum Restructuring the administration presented to the board and community on Oct. 14.

We praise the vital role of student voice in this process and the ongoing efforts to transform OPRF High School into a more inclusive and welcoming school culture. Student input remains central to the success of curriculum restructuring for equity.

Our dedicated teachers have conducted comprehensive equity inquiries and designed new curriculum in a process launched in 2017, honing their courses, assessments, instruction, and classroom cultures with dynamic, equity-centered approaches that can help actualize the vision for racial equity D200 is pledged to.

Still, supporters of the tracking status quo persist. They reject national and international research, and D200’s own research that tracking consistently places social and academic limitation on our children, especially students of color. They refuse to believe all students can gain from curriculum restructuring focused on high level, scaffolded honors learning and continuous progress for all.

We say to them, it is time move forward, to stop predicting failure, to stop stoking fear of change, and to accept and trust a rigorous quantitative and qualitative program evaluation that will ensure transparency and appropriate revision. We reject their “zero sum” thinking that believes if the many students whom D200’s own research concludes are

underserved by freshman tracking gain with an all honors curriculum, their students will lose.

For certain, the United States and D200 are both at disturbing racial tipping points where we can remain in failed institutional arrangements of an inequitable racial order, or we can move forward supporting racial-justice-focused change in our society in general and our schools in particular.

Finally, we remind all of our community that the Racial Equity Policy and Procedures adopted

by D200 in 2019 prescribe deliberate equity-impact evaluations of curriculum and programs. In following those procedures and proposing curriculum restructuring, our school and community have begun to act on the challenge Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. anguished over in the last writing before his death.

He counsels us today in his “Testament of Hope,” saying: “Integration is meaningless without the sharing of power. When I speak of integration, I don’t mean a romantic mixing of colors; I mean a real sharing of power and responsibility.”

Freshman restructuring moves our school closer to Dr. King’s vision of integration. It represents one of the most important commitments to racial integration and equity since 1964 when scores of residents of Oak Park and River Forest signed a public pledge to defend the right of all people, regardless of race, to live where they choose. The all-honors freshman curriculum we urge D200 to approve on Oct. 28 makes the same commitment to racial justice for student-learning opportunity. Then let us turn our energy to supporting our teachers and students in this historic educational endeavor.

The Committee for Equity and Excellence in Education (CEEE) is chaired by John Duffy of Oak Park.

COMMITTEE FOR EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION One View

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

O U R

B

V I E W P O I N T S

V I E W S

Opportunity for all at OPRF

efore October closes, we expect that leaders at Oak Park and River Forest High School will have voted to take the next critical step in raising expectations and opportunities for all students who enter the freshman class next fall.

By affirmatively expanding the plan to offer every freshman rigorous, high-level courses in history, English and world languages, this school will have broken the back of the historic tracking policies which from the get-go have placed the majority of students of color in lower-level courses.

This step will expand the program begun a year ago that ended freshman tracking in science by offering a single curriculum with more rigorous work expected of all.

In a presentation to the board and community on Oct. 14, administrators and division chairs in English, world languages and history explained the work they have done over two years to prepare a new freshman curriculum. The history chair, Amy Hill, told the school board her teachers have already experimented with a joint class of college prep and honors freshmen and found a strong outcome with all students.

The goal is to give opportunity to every new OPRF student to prove themselves, to chart their academic path rather than having an outcome predetermined by their performance on entry exams or their history in elementary school.

Will there be things we learn along the way? Sure. Let’s hope so.

And, as discussed at the board table last week, the school needs to much better explain this major restructuring of the freshman curriculum. It’s complicated and there is misinformation and some confusion out there in our villages about what this is and what it isn’t.

We see great potential in this significant step for every one of our children. And we are proud to see a school we have long-criticized as being too timid on equity take this bold and necessary step.

A better Leadership Lab Another improvement to a longstanding community program is the intentional expansion of members in the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation’s Leadership Lab. This has long been a worthy effort. Invite representatives of businesses, nonprofits, government bodies, mainly in the early trajectory of their public careers, and have them work jointly to build a problem-solving approach to a local issue. Among its virtues has been to create a network of younger leaders in Oak Park and River Forest.

Now though, and reflecting a broader shift at the foundation, the fall 2021 cohort of lab participants comes from a wider geography and bring with them a wider experience of complex issues we share. We see names we know and, happily, many we don’t know from Austin, Maywood, Berwyn, and Forest Park, in addition to River Forest and Oak Park.

The bubble we’ve luxuriated in for so long as Oak Park and River Forest residents has always been a fantasy. We are members of a wider, more wonderful, more complicated community than we have acknowledged and acted within.

On several fronts we see powerful bonds beginning to grow across fake and fearful borders that have limited us more than ever protecting us. Having the Leadership Lab reflect that truth is an important step.

I

Do we really believe in equity?

t seems we’re no longer in the Information Age. Welcome to the Age of Misinformation — where people have their own “facts” and whatever they “believe” must be true.

Where the only truth is the fiction that wins in the end, by whatever means necessary to reach that end.

Language is just a tool to “sell” your truth, regardless of whether it’s real.

It’s real if it wins. Truth is winning, even if you have to cheat to get there.

In the Misinformation Age, it’s OK to mislead and distort as long as your version of the truth wins.

All of this makes it difficult to edit the Viewpoints section. I was a champion of free speech when I took over Viewpoints 20-plus years ago. I wanted everyone to have their say and erred on the side of inclusion. These days I’m a champion of responsible speech. But “responsible” is hard to pin down. I can’t prove or disprove every “fact,” no matter how distorted it sounds. If I had all the time in the world and an army of fact-checkers, it might be different, but I don’t. As it is, we’re lucky to get our four newspapers out each week with a barebones staff.

I could leave it to the readers to police the opinions themselves for lies, distortions and factual errors. In a perfect world, that’s how it would work. Truth is what survives in the marketplace of ideas, right? But falsehoods and other irresponsible speech cause real harm, even if they’re quickly debunked. As the famous Mark Twain saying goes, “A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots.”

Misinformation is an epidemic. Trump showed how tenuous our hold on “reality” is and taught a lot of Americans that it’s OK to mislead and deceive. Truth is for suckers.

Here at Wednesday Journal (Growing Community Media), we do not want to become a vehicle for misinforming on issues like vaccinations, where misinformation is not only rampant, but deadly.

That applies to racism and inequality also. I don’t want our pages to promote and perpetuate the American system of white superiority, deeply ingrained white privilege, and our various endemic phobias. I don’t want to censor, but I’m more cautious and selective nowadays, even though it’s hard to know where to draw the lines.

I mention all this because an important vote is coming up at OPRF High School on Oct. 28 for the proposed change to the freshman curriculum, which focuses on educational equity, making it a single-tier system. Those who oppose the change, of course, won’t say that what they’re actually doing is protecting white privilege because that doesn’t sound very enlightened.

The unspoken subtext, however, beneath the careful concealment goes something like this: I don’t want my kid penalized by efforts to achieve equity at OPRF. They’re only here for four years and I want them to get into a top level, selective college. It’s not our fault that mostly white kids are in the honors program. Black kids are less academically motivated, partly because of peer pressure and partly because education isn’t a high priority at home. Efforts to change the

academic environment at school won’t work until all the out-of-school issues are addressed.

If all kids start at the same level in freshman year, they’ll have to dumb down the curriculum, and my kid will regress, no matter what they say about making the new freshman curriculum “more rigorous.” Black kids are more unruly, so the teacher will spend too much time keeping order and not enough time teaching. And those kids probably aren’t smart enough for honors courses anyway. I’m not opposed to minority kids making progress, but that’s up to them, not us, and I don’t want my kid to pay a price for their progress.

I’ve heard various versions of this over the past 30 years.

So many things wrong with it, of course — racial stereotypes and erroneous, hurtful assumptions, not to mention a deeply troubling comfort level with inequality and defending a harmful status quo. No wonder they disguise their real position in so-called “logic” and “facts.” They’ve done “research” and found that this has been tried elsewhere, but it failed miserably. Besides, they say, OPRF must guarantee a program will work before we consent to try something new — which overlooks the inconvenient “fact” that you can’t prove something will work when it hasn’t been tried. And even if something similar was implemented elsewhere, the comparison is inevitably faulty because the circumstances are always different. Besides, we can always learn from other schools’ successes and failures.

The “fact” is, the only way to see if equity really works is to try it. If there are problems, fix them.

Innovate. If there’s one thing Steve James’ 2018 documentary series America to Me showed, it’s that students of color are capable of handling a more challenging curriculum. The series also exploded the myth that families of Black students don’t care enough about their kids’ education.

The bottom line is: If, as an institution, you claim to be committed to educational equity for all students, sooner or later you have to actually do something about it.

I believe kids will rise to teachers’ expectations.

I believe teachers will rise to the community’s expectations.

I believe our means must rise to meet a more elevated end.

Just because I believe all this, of course, doesn’t make it “true.” But we’ll only make it true by doing it.

The question must be asked: Do we really believe in educational equity, or do we believe that students of color, as a group, are inferior and nothing will ever change that?

The proposed new freshman curriculum takes a step toward equity. If not now, when? If not here, where? Decades ago, Oak Park walked the talk on white flight. Why not now on white privilege? Those who oppose this new change should challenge their faulty, outdated assumptions and join the effort to move every kid ahead.

Not just their own kids.

Together, I believe we can make the dream of educational equity come true.

KEN

TRAINOR

V I E W P O I N T S

J

Yvonne Cisco inspired so many

W E D N E S D A Y

out and make a difference, whether it was ust a week or so ago, Oak Park lost a making homemade dinners at her house fierce advocate for anyone and everyto distribute to her church community, one battling cancer. Actually, Yvonne preparing a Thanksgiving dinner at a West Cisco wasn’t just an advocate for Side senior community, or organizing the cancer care, she was a loving soul who CCP main fundraiser every October, during dedicated her existence to making a differwhich funds were raised for these events ence, any and every way she could. and survivors, and their families were It’s quite possible that she might’ve only highlighted and celebrated. been known in certain circles locally — our Oak Park She’s the person who, even undergoing a recent neighborhood, or within the West Suburban Hospital health challenge and being helped into her transport system — however, she fought to make inroads in not on the way to a doctor’s appointjust humanizing the experience ment, turned to me and said, of cancer care, but in dedicat“Oh, honey, I have the graduation ing her own work to supporting gift for Dylan; I need to give that those undergoing treatment and to you.” She’s not able to use all reaching out in communities her limbs, is enroute to an urgent that are underserved in terms of doctor visit, and, of course, in cancer education and awareness typical Yvonne Cisco fashion, resources. is focused on giving back to and Yvonne was an educator, a remembering others. longtime volunteer and advocate There just are not enough souls of the American Cancer Society, like her. She is that rare and and the head of Cisco and Cisco lovely combination of strength, Productions (CCP) — a local compassion and dedication that grassroots nonprofit created to is not often found but is much advocate for health education and more likely in souls like hers that awareness focused specifically on are driven to make a difference cancer care. through activism or nonprofit She was no stranger to cancer work in their own communities. care, as she was a survivor of sevLet’s remember to celebrate eral bouts of cancer over the last these special souls while they’re 30 years. She quietly and consisYVONNE CISCO still with us physically, so that tently collaborated with hospitals they know how much they meant to so many of us. from the South Side to the north suburbs to Oak Park, She knew, thankfully. Your difference was made, your spearheading efforts to care for patients undergoing love and compassion were tangible, and you have treatment and providing education outreach opportuinspired so many of us, Mrs. Cisco. nities for families.

Zerrin Bulut is an Oak Park resident.

Yvonne had endless energy with which to reach

ZERRIN BULUT One View

Disheartening cuts indeed Last week Wednesday Journal published a letter to the editor about the Oak Park Public Library cutting multiple programs attended mainly by seniors. [Cuts in senior programs are disheartening, Viewpoints, Oct. 13] I’m very familiar with these programs and their avid participants and am alarmed about the cuts and the lack of coverage they have received.

Right now OPPL is in the midst of very news-worthy discussions about its Strategic Priorities and budget.

Seeing as 99% of the library’s operating expenses rely on residents’ taxes — constituting 4.8% of each individual’s bill — the direction and budgeting of the library deserve front-and-center coverage in our local news.

From what I can tell, these cuts appear to do away with about 20 percent of all adult regular offerings, disproportionately affecting seniors.

The library has attained impressive success in addressing many segments of Oak Park’s population.

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

Unfortunately, seniors do not seem to warrant much attention, despite accounting for 16% of the village’s population (2019 ACS five-year estimates).

The library board meets on Oct. 26, and I urge Wednesday Journal to cover it in support of transparency. We need to know the answers that the board gives to the four questions it set for itself in July to determine its strategies, namely: ■ Do … our four strategic priorities reflect the library’s values and the community’s current aspirations and needs?

■ If not … what is missing or needs to be re-envisioned?

■ Are there goals and objectives that should be further prioritized as we look toward the future?

■ Will serving seniors be part of this conversation?

Barbara Mirel Oak Park

JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest

Editor and Publisher Dan Haley Senior Editor Bob Uphues Equity Editor/Ombudsman Michael Romain Digital Publishing and Technology Manager Briana Higgins Staff Reporters Stacey Sheridan, F. Amanda Tugade Staff Photographer Alex Rogals Viewpoints Editor Ken Trainor Real Estate Editor Lacey Sikora Food Editor Melissa Elsmo Arts Editor Michelle Dybal Columnists Marc Blesoff, Jack Crowe, Doug Deuchler, Mary Kay O’Grady, Kwame Salter, John Stanger, Stan West Design/Production Manager Andrew Mead Editorial Design Manager Javier Govea Designer Susan McKelvey Business Manager Joyce Minich Marketing Representatives Marc Stopeck, Lourdes Nicholls Development Manager Mary Ellen Nelligan Development & Sales Coordinator Stacy Coleman Circulation Manager Jill Wagner E-MAIL jill@oakpark.com Chairman Emeritus Robert K. Downs BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Judy Greffin 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, fire 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 filing.

Please understand our verification 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 verification, 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 confirm 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

‘ONE VIEW’ ESSAY

■ 250-word limit

■ 500-word limit

■ Must include first and last names,

■ One-sentence footnote about yourself,

municipality in which you live, phone number (for verification only)

■ Signature details as at left

your connection to the topic

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

H O W

T O

R E A C H

U S

ADDRESS 141 S Oak Park Ave., Oak ParkIL 60302 ■ PHONE 708-5248300 EMAIL Dan@OakPark.com ■ ONLINE www.OakPark.com

C O R R E C T I O N

Last week’s letter, “ADUs are important for aging-in-place,” incorrectly identified the writers as representing a particular organization. The letter was submitted by a group of concerned individuals. We regret the error.

Wednesday Journal is published digitally and in print by Growing Community Media NFP. The newspaper is available on newsstands for $1.00.

A one-year subscription costs $43 within Cook County and $53 outside of Cook County.

Advertising rates may be obtained by calling our office. Periodical rate postage paid at Oak Park, IL (USPS 10138). Postmaster, send address corrections to Wednesday Journal, 141 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, Il 60302. © 2021 Growing Community Media, NFP.

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

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V I E W P O I N T S

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

L

Don’t let officials cop out with Zoom meetings

egislation making virtual meetings of public bodies acceptable for any reason should be defeated. Every city council or school board has issues large and small that impact the lives of the people it serves: ■ Should residents be allowed to have chickens within city limits?

■ Should the city-owned hospital be sold?

■ What programs should the school district cut to balance the budget?

■ How should students be allowed to dress in school?

Even matters that may seem trivial are important to someone. It is the duty of public officials on public bodies to give every matter serious consideration. And it is the duty of citizens to whom those matters are important to provide input.

Those duties are most effectively carried out in person, during in-person interactions.

Meetings of city councils, school boards and other public bodies are opportunities for community residents to voice their opinions, and for public officials to hear them. Those meetings, many times held in a room full of people with passionate and sometimes opposing viewpoints, are fundamental and vital processes that play out in all Illinois communities.

The impact of those vital interactions has been diminished since the pandemic forced many public meetings to be held virtually. Now there is a bill in the Illinois Senate that would give government entities the power to conduct any meeting electronically, not in person, for any reason.

The bill is a threat to our democracy, and must not become law.

Senate Bill 482 was introduced in February by state Sen. Christina Castro (DElgin). It did not make it out of committee during the regular session, but it could be considered when the legislature begins its fall veto session, Oct. 19. The legislation is a top agenda item for the Illinois Municipal League.

The bill would amend the Open Meetings Act by modifying requirements by which an open or closed meeting may be

conducted by audio or video conference without the physical presence of a quorum of the members.

The bill’s proponents believe virtual meetings are more efficient and transparent than those held in person. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Anyone who has attended a virtual meeting or family gathering during the past 18 months — who hasn’t?! — knows that discussions are shorter and ultimately less effective when they are not held in person, face to face. Dialogue simply isn’t as meaningful when we’re all in different rooms.

In public meetings, people are more reluctant to provide input if they are forced to do it remotely. There’s just something about being able to look a board member in the eye and gauge their reactions, in person. Often, that board member will look back at you.

And there’s much to be said about the access a resident or reporter has to a public official once the meeting has concluded. They’re in the room. In a virtual meeting, the “leave” button is an escape hatch for any public official who wishes to have no further conversation.

Certainly, the pandemic was a valid reason for taking proceedings from council chambers to a Zoom room. But it was simply an exception to the rule, a need that now longer exists as we all return to a safer normal.

The public has a right to interact with their elected officials, face to face and not on a screen.

Let’s not create an environment that further removes governing from the public’s eye. Let’s find ways to create more opportunities for personal interactions with our elected officials.

As society returns to normal, so too should public meetings. The rule must be for in-person proceedings. Virtual meetings should be an exception, only when participants’ health and safety is at risk.

Senate Bill 482 must be rejected.

Donald Craven is president & CEO of the Illinois Press Association in Springfield.

DONALD CRAVEN One View

Support, don’t suppress To James Jenkins: Your response, “Venting grievances,” [Viewpoints, Oct. 13] is the epitome of privilege. It either hurts you to hear the voice of Michael Romain or you’re threatened by it [When the cost of racial integration is too high, News, Oct. 6]. Maybe both. Instead of attacking him and throwing around labels like “anti-white,” look deep down inside and

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

Bring Home a Taste of Some of your Favorite Moments

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Gyros with fries $7.99

1/4 Lb Double Cheeseburger

Big Mickey! $ .99

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Medicare has changed.

Find out how it can affect you.

Important changes to the federal Medicare program became effective at the beginning of the year. As a result, retirees in your state may be eligible for coverage with new options.

Find out if you qualify for Medicare Supplement insurance from Physicians Life Insurance Company that can help limit your out-of-pocket expenses.

For FREE information, call:

1-833-461-1514 or visit MedSupBenefit.com/weds

Get the facts that matter to you: • Critical dates for Medicare eligibility • Options that can help keep more money in your pocket

find out why you’re offended. If you expand your circle, you would find there are many people who have similar experiences to Michael and are proud that people like you are hearing this. Maybe you’ll wake up if you hear it more. Support, don’t suppress.

Mike Mitchell Jr. Oak Park

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

Systemic racism’s Bill of Rights You are not being “oppressed” when another group gains rights that you always had.

T

Author unknown

he word “racism,” alone, connotes something bad, insidious and deeply sinister. Yet, when an adjective precedes the word, we realize that there are various manifestations of racism. We see how artful, pernicious and hateful racism can be expressed. We’ve seen racism expressed by individuals in blatant or covert terms. When people display racist attitudes and behaviors, we think the challenge is to change the way they think.

However, one form of racism — systemic — does not require or need people to express racist views. Systemic racism represents the successful transformation of words, attitudes and behaviors into a pervasive and structural reality impacting every aspect of our social, political and cultural lives.

So exactly what is a good operational definition for systemic racism? According to the dictionary, systemic is defined as “relating to a system, especially as opposed to a particular part; for example, “the disease is localized rather than systemic.” Consequently, when systemic is used as an adjective to describe racism, we are acknowledging that while isolated or localized instances of racial animus and bigotry may be reprehensible, they are not pervasive.

Unfortunately, racism, like an aggressive virus, has mutated into every facet of society as well as the body politic. Individuals with racist ideologies do not need to fight the system — instead the socio-political system based on debunked racial superiority theories supports and emboldens them.

Additionally, the system presents an impenetrable barrier to those seeking to dismantle it. In a phrase, systemic racism is based on access to privileges accorded to one group and denied to another group because of both their hue and view.

To the favored group, systemic racism sets aside certain rights that are taken for

granted. For example, systemic racism affords non-minorities in America some of the following rights: ■ The right to succeed without inferences of special treatment [affirmative action] being the reason ■ The right to exist without the need to justify said existence ■ The right to be judged as an individual without being associated with the worst of their group ■ The right to fail without racial implications for the rest of their group ■ The right to live wherever one chooses without incident ■ The right to be outraged because of unfair treatment ■ The right to define who is patriotic and who is not ■ The right to enjoy life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness without constant agitation, protest and the specter of state-sponsored terrorism Today we are witnessing a bumper crop of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) positions within corporate America. Corporate leaders have become experts at promulgating and issuing soundbites that “talk the talk” but don’t necessarily “walk the walk.”

Too often, non-minority employees are herded into workshops and encouraged to confess that they harbor racist sentiments.

The unintended consequence of these workshops is the increasing of social distance between minority and non-minority employees. Similarly, powerful executives have delegated the task of explaining organizational reluctance or lack of progress to the newly minted, mostly minority, DEI executives.

While it might appear that I am throwing shade on these diversity initiatives, I am not. I am just saying, the dismantlement of systemic racism will require more.

Effective DEI will necessitate a massive and fundamental culture shift both within society and the workplace.

In summary, what is needed to replace systemic racism is simply systemic justice.

KWAME SALTER

FILE

Concerns about the library’s cuts We have recently learned that the Oak Park Public Library has cut support for programs that serve adults, and perhaps particularly, older adults. Several longstanding book groups, formerly sponsored by the library, have been discontinued.

Support has been discontinued for other long-term programs, such as musical events, speakers, and topical programs.

For many years, these programs have provided enrichment and communitybuilding for many Oak Parkers. They will be sorely missed by those of us who have appreciated them in the past and those who would have appreciated them in the future. Libraries are meant to appeal to a broad-range of constituencies, and we are upset that these programs serving adults and older adults were not valued enough

to continue to be supported.

In addition, we are concerned that library staff who developed and coordinated these programs, carefully attending to issues of enrichment and communitybuilding, have not been appropriately recognized and honored for the excellence and benefit provided by their efforts and for their commitment to Oak Park residents.

Having these programs abruptly cancelled does not reflect well on the Oak Park library, no matter what directions they intend to pursue in the future. We encourage the library staff and board to reconsider these negative actions and reinstate these programs and those who staff them.

Liz and Chris Keys

Long-term Oak Park residents

We should require vaccinations To prevent further spread of the coronavirus, we should require everyone to get fully vaccinated (including a possible third dose) — unless exempted by a sincerely held religious belief or medical

condition. We should write to our legislators and executives at all levels of government.

Alvin Blake Oak Park

Find a different developer

A vigil for peace

Please join us for a peace vigil. We will: ■ Lament the violence we experience in our streets, neighborhood and country.

■ Lament the violence injuring and killing our leaders, our neighbors and our children.

■ Listen to stories of grief, struggle, resilience and strength.

■ Share our care and support for each other.

May Peace fill our hearts. Shalom for all. Work to end the violence.

Sunday, Oct. 24, 4 - 4:45 p.m. at the First United Church of Oak Park Labyrinth, 848 Lake St.

Lois Thiessen Love Oak Park

Am I the only person who sees Oak Park real estate as prime and valuable land and not to be given away to builders with big dreams of profit? Why are we contemplating using a company that suggests a 45-unit building can make do with 17 parking spots? The reason for the 17 spaces was the hope/fantasy that people moving in will not own cars. This is based on what study? Could it be that more parking spaces would mean less

apartments to rent?

Additionally, please note that the building is 26 feet taller than the village code allows.

There must be other developers who are willing to work within the village code and the single-family neighborhood area to create something we can live with and not just endure.

Shelly Uslenghi Oak Park

V I E W P O I N T S

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

The rough riders of U.S. Border Patrol

O

n Monday, Sept. 20, PBS News aired action videos of the current humanitarian crisis on the U.S. southern border. The graphic images showed U.S. Border Patrol agents on horseback, herding Haitian asylum seekers.

Presumably as a means of crowd control, they bumped them with their horses and appeared to whip them with the straps of their reigns.

I wept. I was stunned and traumatized.

I had a flashback of my experience as a World War II war refugee from the Russian front. At age 11, in August of 1944, my mother and I waited in a long line of horse-drawn wagons to be allowed to enter war-ravaged Germany.

Unlike the Haitian migrants, my mother and I had no illusions of going to a “promised land” like America. But the Haitian migrants and I share a commonality. I too have known desperation.

We did not encounter Germans on horseback guarding the border crossing into Germany. Only a few soldiers on foot manned the border checkpoint. They were formal but civil. Their demeanor conveyed empathy with our plight.

It breaks my heart to see America’s Border Patrol agents dehumanize helpless, desperate migrants and equate them

with cattle. Disdain and abuse of migrants by Border Patrol agents is neither a unique nor a new occurrence. Over many decades, it has been revealed and described in numerous articles and books, and documented as a prevailing practice.

Today, images of the “rough riders” compel me to ask: Where is the outrage?

Don’t Black Haitian lives matter? Why is there no call to defund or to reform the Border Patrol agency?

Refugees International, an independent advocacy organization noted that the mass deportations of the Haitians by the Biden administration is a violation of international law. Not only is it inconsistent with Joe Biden’s call for a rebirth of morality, it is also a violation of international law which stipulates safeguarding and preserving human well-being and human dignity.

On her trip to Central America, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered the Biden administration’s message: “Don’t come. The border is closed. If you come, you’ll be sent back.” Now the desperate Haitians are shipped back to where they came from.

But they have nothing to go back to. Their president was assassinated, their government is in disarray, their economy and their dwellings were destroyed by hurricanes and an earthquake. It’s inhumane to send them back to unsheltered homelessness and hunger.

Again Lady Liberty’s implied acceptance of the huddled masses of the poor stands as hypocrisy. America’s incapacity to meet the challenges of the periodic recurrences of humanitarian crises on its southern border is a revelation of its in-

FRED NATKEVI One View

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ability to answer the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:1-13).

The search for the answer mandates deep soul searching of our Nation, not just a mere few changes in policies and procedures of some agencies.

Two days later, on Thursday, Sept. 23, the Department of Homeland Security suspended the use of horses in Del Rio, Texas. President Biden promised: “The offenders will pay!”

Really?

Fred Natkevi is a longtime Oak Park resident.

Emailed every Friday morning!

Play It Again Sports 7443 Madison Forest Park, IL (708) 657-4230

Congratulations to Play It Again Sports on their opening!

playitagainsportsforestpark.com

Celebrants: Liz Holt & Mark Walden & Liz Holt, OPRF Chamber of Commerce; Anwar Thornton, Jack McNish, and Erich Krumrei, Play It Again Sports Forest Park; Fionna Bezaire, OPRF High School Huskie Booster Club; Dr. Mary Ann Bender, Weil Foot & Ankle Clinic; Sam Yousif, Fuller Health Group; Dan Bjornson, CPA; Pat Koko, Celebrating Seniors Coalition; Jenny Shepherd, Jenny Shepherd Public Relations.

Photos: Todd Bannor, Bannor & Bannor

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

O B I T U A R I E S

Steven Pasko, 51

Anna Piecewicz, 73 Former director of Sarah’s Inn

Anna Theresa Piecewicz (nee Mikolajczyk), 73, died peacefully on Oct. 9, 2021, surrounded by her husband, two daughters, and surviving sister. Born in a displaced person camp on Dec. 22, 1947, in Greven, Germany, her father Szymon was involved in the underground activities in Poland during World War II. She came to the United States in the early ’50s, living in Chicago, attended Holy Family Academy in Chicago, and worked for many years in the hospitality industry. She proudly became a U.S. citizen in 1973, married in 1978, and moved to Oak Park that same year with her husband, raising her two children there and staying in the same home until her death.

She was an early volunteer and director of Sarah’s Inn, member of the Oak Park Garden Club, and enjoyed many friendships through her involvement with the Oak Park Newcomers Club, serving one year as president.

Anna is survived by her husband, Walter; her two daughters, Tiffany (Michael) Piecewicz and Stephanie (James) Watters; a grandson, Alexander Watters; and a soon-to-be-born granddaughter, Penelope Bayne. She also is survived by

a sister, Josephine Kowalski.

To accommodate dear friends and relatives who live in other states and abroad who were instrumental in her life, and addressing current COVID conditions, a memorial celebration will be held in the early spring, date to be determined, preceded by a Mass at her parish, St. Giles in Oak Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Des Plaines, Illinois.

Loved sports, music and animals Steven Pasko, 51, of Forest Park, died on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Born in Berwyn on June 4, 1970. He attended school in LaGrange and Westmont and received his bachelor’s degree from SIU. He married his wife on May 10, 2008 and worked for many years in various business operations management positions. He was known for providing training and guidance to newer staff. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he celebrated their successes and felt their losses. He was a fan of the Bears, Bulls and Blackhawks and played in many pool and dart leagues over the years. He was always up for a good game. As an avid lover of many kinds of music, he enjoyed numerous concerts, always had something playing, and enjoyed reading and guitar. In his younger years, he played basketball. More recently, he liked riding his bike and would regularly go out for 10 or more miles on the Prairie Path when the weather was good. In the last few years, he spent time volunteering at Animal Care League in Oak Park mostly walking and playing with dogs who were in the shelter.

Steve is survived by his wife, brother, sisterin-law, two nieces, a nephew, many good friends and one of his dogs. He was predeceased by both his parents and his other two dogs.

There will be a celebration of his life on Sat-

Robert P. Gamboney Funeral Director I am there for you in your time of need.

All services handled with dignity and personalized care.

Cell: 708.420.5108 • Res: 708.848.5667 I am affiliated with Peterson-Bassi Chapels at 6938 W. North Ave, as well as other chapels throughout Chicagoland.

g n a H e r e h in t k r a P k a O

urday, Oct. 30 at Lathrop House Café (26 Lathrop Ave., Forest Park 60130) from 4 to 6 p.m. If you wish to make a donation in his honor, please do so to Animal Care League in Oak Park (http:// www.animalcareleague.org/).

His family would like to thank everyone who loved and supported Steve over the years. He was greatly loved and is missed.

Olmsted Society Stewards of the land and Olmsted’s Plan

Mark Your Calendar!

It’s Oak-tober, and here are some offerings relative to the season: • 10/23 9 AM-Noon Landscape Workday/Seed Collection, Riverside Road • A tree will be planted to honor the life of Mark Ross, longtime volunteer.

Guest Hosts at the seed collection will be Roy Diblik and Annamaria Leon. (RSVP workdays@olmstedsociety.org) • 10/24 2-4 PM Walking Tour of Riverside’s South Division (tours@olmstedsociety.org) • 11/13 9 AM-Noon Landscape Workday, Longcommon & Downing Triangle (RSVP workdays@olmstedsociety.org)

HAVE A SAFE & HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Visit olmstedsociety.org or facebook.com/RiversideFLOS for details

We are here for you!

You can get local news delivered right to your email in-box.

Sign up for FREE at OakPark.com

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

Growing Community Media

35

HOURS: 9:00 A.M.– 5:00 P.M. MON–FRI Deadline is Monday at 5:00 p.m.

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 | BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Discover 20+ jobs available in Downtown Oak Park!

Line cook, servers, sales, and more.

Visit downtownoakpark.net/ job-listings for details.

PART-TIME ELECTRICIAN’S HELPER

Must have own transportation.

For more information

CALL 708-738-3848

Customer Service Representative The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Customer Service Representative II in the Development Customer Service Department – Parking Division. This position provides customer service to the public by providing a variety of responsible customer service and receptionist work including high volume telephone traffic; and to perform the more complex customer service duties including but not limited to service requests, permits, parking passes, block party permits, accounts payable processing and vehicle stickers. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www. oak-park.us/jobs. Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application.

First review of applications is October 8, 2021.

CIRCUS INSTRUCTOR The Park District of Oak Park is looking to hire a Circus Instructor to instruct circus classes and workshops to children and adults.

Classes vary between one day workshops and 6-12 week long classes that meet once a week.

Must have at least 2 years of Circus or instructor experience and experience in aerial skills. Experience with the following circus skills recommended: hoop,unicycle, globe, diabolo/Chinese yo-yo, juggling and tumbling.

This is a part-time position, $13.00/ hour. To review the complete job description and apply online go to www.pdop.org/jobs https://www.paycomonline.net/ v4/ats/web.php/jobs/viewJobDetails?job=41090&clientkey=41D8300184906117978771C10E755DC6

The Park District of Oak Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer!

Community Service Officer The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Community Service Officer in the Police Department. This position will perform a variety of public service, customer service and law enforcement related duties and responsibilities that do not require the services of a sworn police officer; and to perform a variety of administrative duties. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oakpark.us/.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than October 29, 2021.

LEGAL SECRETARY The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Legal Secretary in the Law Department. This position will perform a variety of responsible and advanced legal secretarial and clerical duties in support of the Law Department; perform complex clerical duties within the assigned work unit; and provide secretarial and administrative support to Law Department staff. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website at http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Interested and qualified applicants must complete a Village of Oak Park application no later than October 22, 2021.

Part-Time Community Service Coordinator The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Part-Time Community Service Coordinator (up to 10-15 hrs./ week) in the Adjudication Department. This person monitors individuals who have been ordered to provide community service in the Village, coordinates with organizations that provide community service opportunities, etc.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

First review of applications will be October 22, 2021.

CHILDCARE WORKER The Village of Forest Park has immediate openings for before and after school program. Part-time hours are M-F 2-6 p.m. Must be at least 18 years old, have a driver’s license and pass drug screening and background check. $11.00/Hour.

Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737.

FULL-TIME BUS DRIVER The Village of Forest Park has immediate opening for a responsible full-time PACE Bus Driver to transport senior citizens, disabled residents and school children. Must have a valid Illinois C Class CDL license and attend PACE training.

In addition, must be physically fit and submit to criminal background check, annual physical exam and drug and alcohol testing. M-F Days Full Benefits.

Apply in person at Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park. 708-771-7737.

POLICE DESK CLERK FOREST PARK, IL The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Police Desk Clerk.

Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include computer skills, the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, good knowledge of English language, general office skills, including handling non-emergency calls and walk-up customer service, and good verbal and written skills.

HOLIDAY, EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Starting salary $31,222 annually.

Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark. net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net

HELP WANTED

PARKING ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOREST PARK, IL The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Full-Time Parking Enforcement Officer. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), a valid driver’s license, knowledge of basic parking regulations, and good verbal and written skills.

EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Starting salary $31,222 annually. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. or at www.forestpark.net and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net.

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.

Environmental Health Supervisor The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Environmental Health Supervisor in the Health Department. This position will direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate assigned activities with other Village departments, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Public Health Director. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http:// www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Position opened until filled.

Part-Time Civilian Information Management Call Taker The Forest Park Police Department, seeks a Part-Time Civilian Information Management Call Taker.

Pay is $17.19/hr. Eligible candidates will be required to pass an aptitude test and an extensive background check. Qualifications include high school diploma (or equivalent), good verbal and written skills, working knowledge of the computer and Windows, ability to type accurately, a good working knowledge of the English language, the ability to treat customers and co-workers in a polite manner and the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Data entry skills and experience answering telephones/operating a switchboard are preferred. EVENING AND OVERNIGHT HOURS ARE MANDATORY. Open until filled. Applications are available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Ave. and should be returned Attn: Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk, Village of Forest Park, 517 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, IL 60130.

Email: vmoritz@forestpark.net.

Outstanding Local JOBS: 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 We are seeking to fill the following positions, all in Galewood, no travel. Full time, Part time, Flex hours for working parents or students. We train, no travel, work in Galewood. Open to any backgrounds. Excellent pay, salary, benefits, friendly caring management. National Accounts Rep, Production Manager or Trainee, Packaging Specialist trainee Display frame Production trainee, Office/Bookkeeping Assistant trainee.

Visit www.fastchangeframes.com/careers for more details 6460 W Cortland St Chicago, IL 60707 Manufacturing Health Education Manager The Village of Oak Park is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Health Education Manager in the Health Department. This position will take the lead on developing the community health needs assessment; develops health education programs and health awareness campaigns; implements and coordinates these programs/campaigns etc. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Village of Oak Park’s website http://www.oak-park.us/jobs.

Position opened until filled.

CROSSING GUARD The Forest Park Police Department is seeking qualified individuals for the position of Crossing Guard.

This position requires flexible hours during days when schools are in session. A background investigation and drug screening will be conducted prior to consideration for the position. Applications available at Village Hall, 517 Desplaines Avenue or on-line at www.forestpark.net and should be returned to Vanessa Moritz, HR Director, at Village Hall. For additional information, contact Dora Murphy at 708-615-6223 or write dmurphy@forestpark.net.

Applications accepted until position is filled. EOE.

VILLAGE OF RIVERSIDE SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Riverside Department of Public Works is seeking energetic and motivated applicants who enjoy working outdoors. This is a parttime, seasonal position lasting from approximately October through the end of December. Applicants will be expected to work up to 40 hrs. per week or as scheduled by staff.

Primary tasks will include, but not limited to: cutting grass, general facilities maintenance, flushing hydrants, reading meters, assisting full-time employees, and other duties as assigned.

Applicants must be 18 years old, possess a valid Illinois driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants will be subject to a criminal background check, pre-employment physical and drug/ alcohol screening.

Applications can be downloaded from the Village website at www. riverside.il.us or picked up at the Riverside Village Hall located at 27 Riverside Rd, Riverside, IL 60546.

Completed applications should be submitted to the Riverside Village

Hall or the Riverside Public Works Department, 3860 Columbus Blvd, Riverside, IL 60546. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Pay rate is $15/hr.

The Village of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Director of Church Music First United Methodist Church of Oak Park 328 N. Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, IL 60302 Reply with Resume to – ChurchOfficeFUMCOP@gmail.com Hours – 20 to 24 per week Salary - $22 to $24 Exciting opportunity for church organists! First United Methodist Church in Oak Park, IL has an upcoming vacancy for Director of Church Music. The opportunity is to serve one of the oldest congregations in Oak Park, in our Landmark status church building with our historic and unique 1927 Skinner Pipe Organ, fully restored. Our organ has 3,200 pipes in 44 ranks.

The Director of Church Music collaborates with the Pastor to develop our music ministry. This position will work with soloists and other musicians to bring the music ministry each Sunday morning. Special services in the year of Christian celebrations include Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Advent and Christmas Eve. Providing leadership in the selection of anthems, introit, choral responses as well as hymns for the congregation.

Prior to the Covid pandemic this position also worked with our Chancel Choir in weekly rehearsals. Upon reinstatement of the live choir, this position works closely with choir members, recruiting new members and supporting the growth and development of individual levels of musicianship.

In addition to our organ, we also have two pianos and handbells. The Director of Church Music attends staff meetings, maintains the music library, choir robes and all the musical instruments. The position is collaborative and supportive to church staff, worship teams and the pastor.

Requirements a Bachelor’s Degree in Music, minimum), from an accredited college, preferable with a major in church music. Proven ability as an accomplished Church Organist and Choral Conductor. Strong interpersonal skills, effective leadership and motivational skills, demonstration of Christian values consistent with United Methodist teachings.

Resumes to church office Interviews and auditions will be conducted in the Church Sanctuary Start Date –November 2021

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

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

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

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

Wednesday Journal • Landmark • Forest Park Review

Starting a New Business?

Publish Your Assumed Name Legal Notice in • Austin Weekly News • Wednesday Journal • Forest Park Review • Riverside/Brookfield Landmark

Call the Experts Before You Place Your Legal Ad! Call Stacy for details:

773-626-6332

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | AustinWeeklyNews.com | RBLandmark.com | ForestParkReview.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com

36

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

MARKETPLACE

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

ITEMS FOR SALE

R E N TA L S & R E A L E S TAT E CARS WANTED

SUBURBAN RENTALS

PIANO FOR SALE

Chickering 1938 grand piano, 5’4”.

Good condition. Refurbished and restrung in the past. Buyer must move.

Reasonable at $1000.

DOWNTOWN OAK PARK 2BR APT 2BR, 1BTH apartment for rent.

Hardwood floors. Renovated and freshly painted. Small, vintage building. No smoking. No pets.

Parking included.

Call 312-339-2370

CLASSICS WANTED CLASSICS Restored or Restored or Unrestored Unrestored

GARAGE SALE

Cars Motorcycles Cars & & Vintage Vintage Motorcycles Domestic / Import Import Cars: Cars: Mercedes, Corvette, Mercedes,Porsche, Porsche, Corvette, Ferrari’s, MuscleCars, Cars, Ferrari’s,Jaguars, Jaguars, Muscle Mustang & Mopars Mustang & Mopars

Forest Park

GARAGE SALE 908 BELOIT SAT 10/23 8AM TO 2PM

Vintage dental cabinet and furniture, garden, DVDs, hardware, frames, deer head. Many eclectic and unusual items!

Top $$ Etc. $$$$Top $$allallmakes, makes, Etc.

Collector James Collector James 630-201-8122 630-201-8122

CLASSICS WANTED

ELECTRICAL Ceiling Fans Installed

HOME SERVICES Restored or Unrestored Cars & Vintage Motorcycles HAULING PLASTERING ELECTRICAL Domestic / Import Cars: BASEMENT CLEANING McNulty Plastering

A&A ELECTRIC

Let an American Veteran do your work

We install plugs for battery-operated vehicles We fix any electrical problem and do small jobs We install Surge Protectors • Home Re-wiring • New Plugs & Switches Added • New circuit breaker boxes • Code violations corrected Service upgrades,100-200 amp • Garage & A/C lines installed Fast Emergency Service | Residential • Commercial • Industrial Free Home Evaluations | Lic. • Bonded • Ins. • Low Rates • Free Est.

708-409-0988 • 708-738-3848 Sr. Discounts • 30 Yrs. Exp. Servicing Oak Park • All surrounding suburbs • Chicago area

FLOORS KLIS FLOORING INC.

New hardwood flooring installation & pergo. Sanding, re-finishing, staining. Low prices, insured.

Call: 773-671-4996 www.klisflooring.com

HANDYMAN Mike’s Home Repair Drywall H Painting H Tile Plumbing H Electric H Floors Windows H Doors H Siding Ask Us What We Don’t Do

708-296-2060

HANDYMAN CURT'S HANDYMAN SERVICE Drywall Repair • Painting Fans Installed • Carpentry Trim Gutter Cleaning • Window Repair

FREE ESTIMATES Excellent References No Job Too Small

708-488-9411

HANDYMAN Roofing Repairs Concrete Repairs • Drywall All types of handiwork Call For Free Estimates

773-637-0692 Ask for John

Reach the people making the decisions.

Place an ad in GCM Classified!

Call 773/626-6332

Appliances & Furniture Removal Pickup & Delivery.

708-848-9404

& Stucco Co. Mercedes, Porsche, Corvette, Small & big work. Free estimates.

Complete Plaster, Stucco Ferrari’s, Jaguars, Muscle Cars, & Re-Coating Services 708/386-2951 • Mustang & Mopars Work Guaranteed LANDSCAPING

STUDIOS, 1, 2 & 3 BR Best Selection & Service

ROOMS FOR RENT West Chicago Room for Rent Clean, quiet, secure building. No pets. Seniors welcome. Available 10/01/2021. Rent $500/month.

Call 630-247-7936

Large Sunny Room with fridge, microwave.

Near Green line, bus, Oak Park, 24 hour desk, parking lot. $125.00. New Mgmt.

312-212-1212

OFFICE /RETAIL FOR RENT

OAK PARK & FOREST PARK

708-386-7355

MMpropMgmt.com

708-657-4226

CITY RENTALS AUSTIN RENAISSANCE APARTMENTS

A HUD subsidized affordable Apartment property announces the opening of its waiting list for both One and Two Bedroom Apartments! Resident rent is approximately 30% of gross household income, some restrictions apply. Our property is located on Washington Blvd in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.

Apartments offered with an occupancy of one to four persons. Properties feature modern kitchens, include appliances, and offer onsite maintenance. Austin Renaissance will accept requests for application packages by U.S. Mail postmarked no later than , September 15, 2021. Send or email a written request for an application package that includes your name, mailing address. Daytime telephone number, Email address, and the number of persons in your household to: Town Center Realty Group LLC, PO Box 64, Huntley IL 60142-0064 or Email requests to mrpaul.tcrg@gmail.com Application packages available by mail or email delivery only. No walk-ins accepted.

Town Center Realty Group LLC

CHURCH FOR RENT

CHURCH FOR RENT

A 1,635 Sq. Ft. Retail Space for Lease (END CAP) Recently Updated/remodeled.

Heavy traffic area. **Discounted Rate-Limited Time!

If Leave message, Include: Your Name, Number & Type of Business.

TEXT or CALL: (708)828-6491

ANYTIME

$$ Top $$ all makes, Etc. BRUCE LAWN SERVICE

Licensed, Bonded, Insured, & EPA Certified Expert craftsmanship for over 50 years

PLUMBING Collector James

Spring Clean-Up Aerating, Slit Seeding Bush Trimming, Lawn Maintenance brucelawns.com

630-201-8122

708-243-0571

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP

Evergreen trimming & more. Clean-ups.

Garden weed removal.

Storm Branch Tree Removal.

708-447-1762

PAINTING & DECORATING CLASSIC PAINTING

Fast & Neat Painting/Taping/Plaster Repair Low Cost

708.749.0011

Supreme Plumbing & Sewer Services

Installation: kitchens, baths, showers •Sewer Systems Piping Clogged drains •Water heaters

RIVER FOREST–7777 Lake St. * 1116 sq. ft. * 1400 sq. ft. Dental Office RIVER FOREST–7756 Madison St. * 960 sq. ft.

OAK PARK–6142-44 Roosevelt Rd. * 3 & 5 room office suites FOREST PARK–7736 Madison St. *2500 sq. ft. unit Strand & & Browne Strand Browne 708-488-0011 708-488-0011

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed Quality workmanship & service 20+ years’ experience Locally owned & operated

Free Estimates!

708-955-7844

johnlavin530@gmail.com License #PR-1234

WOOD

FIREWOOD UNLIMITED

Fast Delivery MIXED HARDWOODS CBH & MIX 100% OAK CHERRY OR HICKORY 100% BIRCH

ROOMMATE WANTED ROOMMATE WANTED FOR N OAK PARK TOWNHOUSE ISO roommate for 3 floor townhouse. Interested parties will need to submit to a background check and show last 2 months’ paystubs.

Smoking allowed.

Rent $850/month plus half of utilities. Parking can be purchased for approx. $600/yr. First and last months’ rent due when approved.

Call 708-214-1141

Seasoned 2 years Stacking Available

847-888-9999 Order online:

www. suregreen landscape.com

Credit Cards Accepted

YOUR WEEKLY AD

SUBURBAN RENTALS

REACHES SIX SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES: OAK PARK, RIVER FOREST,FOREST PARK, BROOKFIELD, RIVERSIDE, NORTH RIVERSIDE, AND PARTS OF CHICAGO

NOVENAS

NOVENAS

PRAYER TO ST. JUDE May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved & preserved throughout the world now & forever.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, pray for us.

St. Jude worker of miracles, pray for us. St. Jude helper of the hopeless, pray for us. Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days. By the 8th day your prayer will be answered. It has never been known to fail .Publication must be promised. Thank you Jesus.

Thank You St . Jude. R.B.

from the bottom of my heart to suc cor in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, show me herein you are my mother. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for three consecutive days and publish; your request will be granted. R.B.

BLESSED VIRGIN (NEVER KNOWN TO FAIL) Oh, most beautiful flower of Mt. Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me, herein you are my mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech you

NEVER FAIL NOVENA May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the world, now and for-ever. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in you. Holy Mary Mother of Jesus, pray for me. St. Theresa child of Jesus, pray for me.

St. Jude, helper of hopeless causes, pray for me and grant this favorI ask.

Say this prayer 9 times a day for 9 days .R.B

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

CLASSIFIED

37

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

Let the sun shine in...

Public Notice: Your right to know

In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year OakPark.com | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE

spondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

On 12/27/2021 at 9am Via Zoom: Meeting ID: 965 2561 6475/ Password: 553663 at 50 W. Washington, Chicago, Cook County in Courtroom # 1704

PUBLIC NOTICES SCOTT J. LEVY (32596) Attorney for Petitioner 1340 West 18th Street Chicago, Illinois 60608 STATE OF ILLINOIS ) ) §§ COUNTY OF COOK )

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Attention: Parents of Home-Schooled Students On Friday, October 29, 2021 at 2 pm, Forest Park Schools District 91 will conduct a meeting via Zoom.us.

Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the district’s plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who attend private schools and home schools within the district for the 2021-22 school year. If you are the parent of a homeschooled student who has been or may be identified with a disability and you reside within the boundaries of Forest Park Schools District 91, you are urged to attend.

STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY.

LEGAL NOTICE The Village of Oak Park will receive sealed proposals from qualified contractors for Dumping of Excavated Material at the Public Works Center, 201 South Boulevard, Oak Park, Illinois 60302 Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time until 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 for the following: Village of Oak Park Dumping of Excavated Material Project Number: 22-100 Proposal documents may be obtained from the Village’s website at http://www.oak-park. us/bid. For questions, please call Public Works at (708) 358-5700 during the above hours.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 20, 2021

Request of Jose Luis Rodriguez Case Number 2021CONC001466.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Jose Luis Rodriguez to the new name of: Jose Luis Flores The court date will be held: On December 27 at 1:30pm at Via Zoom: Meeting ID: 914 0410 9299/ Password:407193 Cook County in Courtroom #1702 Published in Wednesday Journal October 6, 13, 20, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Maria E. Corbbins, Petitioner and Christian Ivan Corbbins, Respondent, Case No. 2021D008641.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Re-

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 12, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 13, 20, 27 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT COOK COUNTY. Request of Nga-Ting Sin Case Number 2021CONC001430.

There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Nga-Ting Sin to the new name of: Wendy Nga-Ting Sin The court date will be held:

Published in Wednesday Journal October 13, 20, 27 2021

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of MARIA GUADALUPE SOTO GUZMAN, Petitioner and MANUEL LEMA, Respondent, Case No. 2020 D 007780.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 5, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received by the Park District of Oak Park for the following project: OAK PARK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER GROUND UP CONSTRUCTION, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Bid Group 1: 1A – Concrete, Bid Group 1B – Masonry & Air Barriers, Bid Group 1C – Structural Steel & Misc. Metals, Bid Group 1D – General Trades, Bid Group 1E – Spray Insulation, Drywall & Acoustical Ceilings, Bid Group 1F – Metal Panels, Bid Group 1G – Membrane Roofing, Bid Group 1H –Glazing, Bid Group 1I – Ceramic Tile & Flooring, Bid Group 1J – Wood & Athletic Flooring, Bid Group 1K – Polished Concrete, Bid Group 1L – Painting, Bid Group 1M – Elevators, Bid Group 1N – Fire Suppression, Bid Group 1O – Plumbing, Bid Group 1P – HVAC, Bid Group 1Q – Electrical & Audio Video Systems, Bid Group 1R – Excavation, Bid Group 1S – Site Utilities Bids will be received until 2:00 p.m. prevailing time on November 5, 2021 at the Park District of Oak Park Administrative offices, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302, and will be publicly opened and read at 2:15 p.m. prevailing time on that date. Virtual bid opening via zoom https://us02web. zoom.us/j/84605230188?pwd=a1 FrVmpuSFhmdnVxMXV1WVh0Sm pXdz09.

Bids shall be submitted in an opaque sealed envelope clearly marked: Park District of Oak Park 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302 Attention: Bulley & Andrews Project: PDOP COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER BID GROUP 1 – Package 1 (trade submitting)

Scope of work for Bid Package 1 generally includes, but is not limited to: Concrete, Masonry & Air Barriers, Steel, General Trades, Millwork, Drywall & Acoustical Ceilings, Spray Insulation, Metal Panels, Roofing, Glazing, Ceramic Tile & Flooring, Wood & Athletic Flooring, Polished Concrete, Painting, Elevators, Fire Suppression, Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical & Audio Video Systems, Excavation and Site Utilities All bids must be submitted in accordance with the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project. Bid security in the form of a bid bond in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the base bid amount shall be submitted with the bid. Should a bid bond be submitted, the bond shall be payable to the Park District of Oak Park, 218 Madison Street, Oak Park, IL 60302. All documents and information required by the bidding instructions contained in the Bidding Documents for the project shall be submitted with the bid. Incomplete, late or nonconforming bids may not be accepted.

No bids shall be withdrawn, cancelled or modified after the time for opening of bids without the Board’s consent for a period of ninety (90) days after the scheduled time of bid opening.

The Bidding Documents for the project (which include the bidding instructions for the project and other related documents) will be available October 15, 2021 and may be purchased from Springer

Blueprint Services – 1640 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60643 – 773-238-6340.

The Bidding Documents are available for viewing/download online without cost or purchase at the link below.

Please copy and paste the URL: https://www.pdop.org/bids-andrfps/ The Board reserves the right to reject any or all bids or parts thereof, or waive any irregularities or informalities, and to make an award that in the Board’s sole opinion is in the best interest of the District.

A non-mandatory site visit will be coordinated with Bulley & Andrews, LLC. Interested parties may inspect the existing conditions and site logistics. Site visit will be held on October 20, 2021 at 11am.

All bidders must comply with applicable Illinois Law requiring the payment of prevailing wages by all Contractors working on public works. If during the time period of work, the prevailing wage rates change, the contractor shall be responsible for additional costs without any change to the contract amount. All bidders must comply with the Illinois Statutory requirements regarding labor, including Equal Employment Opportunity Laws.

For additional information on the project, contact Alex Mantel of Bulley & Andrews, LLC at amantel@ bulley.com or 219-678-8383.

Published in Wednesday Journal, October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 2021

Published in the Wednesday Journal October 6, 13, 20, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Vacancy and Procedures to Fill Vacancy Riverside Township hereby gives notice that a vacancy will be declared for the position of Township Trustee at the October 13th Regular meeting of the Riverside Township Board. At that meeting, the Board will accept the September letter of resignation of Trustee Tom Morrissey, who has been appointed as an associate judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.

The Board invites letters of interest, with resumes, to fill the vacancy.

Resumes must be submitted no later than 3PM on Friday, October 29, 2021.

- In Person, during business hours M-Th 9 AM to 4 PM, or Friday 9 AM to 3 PM at the Township Office, in the Town Hall, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, first door on the left.

- By Mail to Vera A. Wilt, Supervisor, Riverside Township, 27 Riverside Road, Riverside, IL 60546 - By Email to Supervisor@riversidetownship.org The Board will interview interested parties by appointment on Tuesday evening, November 2, at the Town Hall.

Published in RB Landmark October 13, 20, 2021

In re the Marriage of GUADALUPE ELIZABETH CUELLAR, Petitioner and MARCELINO VARGAS DIAZ, Respondent, Case Number 2021D-007893.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above-named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the city of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 18, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

IRIS MARTINEZ, Clerk of the Circuit Court Published in Wednesday Journal October 20, 27, November 3, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE STATE OF ILLINOIS) COUNTY OF COOK )ss Circuit Court of Cook County, County Department, Domestic Relations Division.

In re the marriage of Sara Quiceno Bunch, Petitioner and Christopher Lee Bunch, Respondent, Case No. 2020D008446.

The requisite affidavit for publication having been filed, notice is hereby given to you, the above named Respondent, that a Petition has been filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, by the Petitioner, for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief; and that said suit is now pending.

Now, therefore, unless you, the said Respondent, file your response to said Petition or otherwise make your appearance therein, in the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, Room 802, Richard J. Daley Center, 50 West Washington Street, in the City of Chicago, Illinois, on or before November 19, 2021, default may be entered against you at any time after that day, and a judgment for Dissolution of Marriage entered in accordance with the prayer of said Petition.

DOROTHY A. BROWN, Clerk.

Published in Wednesday Journal October 20, 27, November 3 2021

You can join the meeting by emailing Michelle Hopper at mhopper1@ fpsd91.org for the Zoom link. If you have further questions pertaining to this meeting, please contact Michelle Hopper, Director of Special Education, at (708) 366-5742 or at mhopper1@fpsd91.org.

Published in Forest Park Review October 20, 2021

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given, pursuant to “An Act in relation to the use of an Assumed Business Name in the conduct or transaction of Business in the State,” as amended, that a certification was registered by the undersigned with the County Clerk of Cook County. Registration Number: Y21007952 on October 6, 2021 Under the Assumed Business Name of NANNY TEACH with the business located at: 1054 N KARLOV AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60651. The true and real full name(s) and residence address of the owner(s)/partner(s) is: JESSICA J CAMPBELL 1054 N KARLOV AVE CHICAGO, IL 60651, USA Published in Wednesday Journal October 20, 27, November 3, 2021

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR REO TRUST 2017-RPL1 Plaintiff, -v.SHARON DESHAZER Defendants 2020CH06405 1409 N HARLEM AVE UNIT A OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on June 8, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 29, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 1409 N HARLEM AVE UNIT A, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-06-107-0730000 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

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

PUBLIC NOTICES $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. 14-20-04854 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2020CH06405 TJSC#: 41-1786 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 # 2020CH06405 I3178750

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Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

CLASSIFIED

BY PHONE: (708) 613-3333 BY FAX: (708) 467-9066 BY E-MAIL: EMAIL@GROWINGCOMMUNITYMEDIA.ORG

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In print • Online • Available to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year ForestParkReview | PublicNoticeIllinois.com PUBLIC NOTICES

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IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION MIDFIRST BANK Plaintiff, -v.TAKYRICA Q. STYLES A/K/A TAKYRICA STYLES, TAYLOR LAKE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC. A/K/A TAYLOR-LAKE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 19 CH 9209 118 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE UNIT 1 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 22, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 18, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 118 NORTH TAYLOR AVENUE UNIT 1, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-122-0381005 The real estate is improved with a condominium.

The judgment amount was $153,280.44.

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 POSSES-

SION, 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, The sales clerk, LOGS Legal Group LLP Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301, Bannockburn, IL, 60015 (847) 291-1717 For information call between the hours of 1pm - 3pm..

Please refer to file number 19091229.

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.

LOGS Legal Group LLP 2121 WAUKEGAN RD., SUITE 301 Bannockburn IL, 60015 847-291-1717 E-Mail: ILNotices@logs.com Attorney File No. 19-091229 Attorney Code. 42168 Case Number: 19 CH 9209 TJSC#: 41-1763 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 # 19 CH 9209 I3178685

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, Alexander Potestivo, POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Plaintiff’s Attorneys, 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610, Chicago, IL, 60606 (312) 263-0003.

Please refer to file number 100948.

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.

POTESTIVO & ASSOCIATES, P.C. 223 WEST JACKSON BLVD, STE 610 Chicago IL, 60606 312-263-0003 E-Mail: ilpleadings@potestivolaw. com Attorney File No. 100948 Attorney Code. 43932 Case Number: 17 CH 13885 TJSC#: 41-1690 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 # 17 CH 13885 I3178387

MORTGAGE SERVICING Plaintiff, -v.AMIN SAHTOUT, SCOVILLE COURT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2019CH09264 500 WASHINGTON BLVD, UNIT 107 OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 7, 2019, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 19, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 500 WASHINGTON BLVD, UNIT 107, OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-07-415-0271007 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. 14-19-02481 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH09264 TJSC#: 41-1675 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 # 2019CH09264 I3178399

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. 14-19-11626 Attorney ARDC No. 00468002 Attorney Code. 21762 Case Number: 2019CH14912 TJSC#: 41-1728 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 # 2019CH14912 I3178416

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-3 Plaintiff, -v.DOROTHY MCGLORY Defendants 17 CH 13885 114 WASHINGTON BLVD OAK PARK, IL 60302 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on February 17, 2021, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 16, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 114 WASHINGTON BLVD , OAK PARK, IL 60302 Property Index No. 16-08-315-0290000 The real estate is improved with a single family residence.

The judgment amount was $284,060.04.

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

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT - CHANCERY DIVISION WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3, ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3 Plaintiff, -v.CHARLES T. GRANT, JUANITA J. GRANT, THE PRAIRIE PLACE AT 6436 ROOSEVELT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION Defendants 2019CH14912 6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413 OAK PARK, IL 60304 NOTICE OF SALE PUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered in the above cause on November 5, 2020, an agent for The Judicial Sales Corporation, will at 10:30 AM on November 15, 2021, at The Judicial Sales Corporation, One South Wacker Drive, CHICAGO, IL, 60606, sell at a public sale to the highest bidder, as set forth below, the following described real estate: Commonly known as 6436 ROOSEVELT RD, 413, OAK PARK, IL 60304 Property Index No. 16-18-428-0431030, Property Index No. 16-18428-043-1054 The real estate is improved with a condo/townhouse.

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.

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

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

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

To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at: 1-800669-9777.

Wednesday Journal Landmark Forest Park Review

Wednesday Journal, October 20, 2021

OAKPARK.COM | RIVERFOREST.COM

A CHICAGO STORIES SPECIAL

FRI OCT 22 8 PM wttw.com/improv

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AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

October 20, 2021

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

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

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR AUSTIN

How the community is seeding lasting success by investing in its youth

IT ALL STARTS WITH OUR YOUTH PAGE 3 | AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PAGE 4 BRINGING AUSTIN’S VISION TO LIFE PAGE 7 Special thanks to these Austin Forward. Together. quality-of-life plan legacy investors:

2

Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

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

Today, we serve a network of 50+ organizations committed to improving the quality of life in the Austin community. Our strategic plan is called Thrive 2025 and outlines how we will mobilize our resources to achieve 4 impact goals by the year 2025: Quality Early Learning, Safe Neighborhoods, Living Wage Careers, and Stable Housing Markets.

ACT BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers

TREASURER

LaDarius Curtis

CHAIR

Senior Director of Community Engagement & Health, West Side United

Larry Williams Broker, State Farm Insurance

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

VICE-CHAIR

Darnell Shields

Angela Waller Community & Government Relations Director, Advocate Aurora Health

Austin Coming Together

Bradly Johnson Director of External Affairs, BUILD Inc.

Ruth Kimble

Senior Director of Strategy & Operations, West Side United

Founder & CEO, Austin Childcare Providers Network

Reginald Little

Jerrod Williams

Mortgage Loan Originator, Fifth Third Bank

Law Clerk, Illinois Appellate Court

Dawn Ferencak

Directors

Senior Marketing Strategist, Chicago Parent

Sharon Morgan

SECRETARY

Tenisha Jones

Director of Graduate Support & Community Outreach, Catalyst Schools

Reverend Reginald E. Bachus

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

In Memoriam BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jack Macnamara 1937–2020 FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR

Mildred Wiley 1955–2019

Pastor, Friendship Baptist Church

ACT STAFF Leadership Darnell Shields Executive Director

Shavion Scott Deputy Director

Andrew Born Research & Evaluation

*Also part of the ACT Leadership Team

Strategic Initiatives Sandra Diaz* Service Delivery Enhancement Manager, Austin Community Hub

Janelle Martin Hub Coordinator, Austin Community Hub

Jai Jones

Grace Cooper

Engagement Specialist, Austin Community Hub

Project Coordinator, Austin Forward. Together.

JeVon D. Moore*

Nicole Marcus

Planning & Investment Manager, Austin Forward. Together.

Neighborhood Network Liaison

Ethan Ramsay

Micro Market Recovery Program Coordinator

Lead Organizer, Austin Forward. Together.

By The Hand Club For Kids Cara Catholic Charities Chicago Austin Youth Travel Adventures Chicago Community Loan Fund City of Refuge Cluster Tutoring Program Defy Ventures Illinois Erikson Institute Friends of the Children Friendship Community Development Corp. of Austin

Natalie Goodin

Marketing & Development Alicia Plomin* Marketing & Development Manager

Dearra Williams Marketing & Development Associate

We’re hiring! AustinComingTogether.org

Engagement Specialist, Austin Community Hub

ACT MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A House in Austin Academy of Scholastic Achievement Austin Childcare Providers Network Austin Community Family Center Austin Weekly News (Growing Community Media) Be Strong Families Beat the Streets Chicago Because I Care Bethel New Life Beyond Hunger BUILD Inc.

Dollie Sherman

Greater West Town Community Development Project Housing Forward I.C. Stars IFF Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Jane Addams Resource Corporation Kids First Chicago KRA Westside American Job Center Legal Aid Chicago (fka LAF) Manufacturing Renaissance Mary Shyrese Daycare

Maryville Academy Mercy Housing Lakefront New Moms OAI, Inc. Oak Park Regional Housing Center Open Books PCC Community Wellness Center Project Exploration Renaissance Social Services, Inc. Sarah’s Inn South Austin Neighborhood Association St. Joseph Services

St. Leonard’s Ministries Stone Community Development Corporation The Catalyst Schools The Journey Forward The Loretto Hospital The North Avenue District, Inc. Towers of Excellence UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work VOCEL Westside Health Authority West Side Forward Worldvision Youth Guidance

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

3

It all starts with our youth

By Darnell Shields Executive Director, Austin Coming Together

“If you want to go fast, go alone.

If you want to go far, go together.”

W

hen I think of this African proverb, it reminds me of the power of collaboration, which is why Austin Coming Together (ACT) was founded in 2010.

Since then, growing with the nonprofit and serving Chicago’s Austin community where I was born has shown me what this neighborhood is made of: resilience and limitless potential.

There is no greater potential to be found than in our youth. But when family support, quality education, inspiring career paths, or even just grocery stores are hard to find, a child’s chances of reaching their potential becomes limited.

WE CAN’T WAIT Austin has one of the highest populations in Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods with just under 97,000 people spread out over the largest geographic neighborhood area. 26% of our community’s population is under 19, and nearly half are under 34 years old. However, too many of our young people are dying at an alarming rate.

Without fully-resourced schools, family support, stable housing, representation in the justice system, and access to mental health services this will not change.

A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS Our youth are being negatively affected by decades of systemic inequities, lack of quality education, and poor policies. We must strengthen the system of supports for our young people if we are to relieve the burden of trauma many are carrying.

Students transitioning from remote learning back to in-person are having trouble readjusting. They need space to talk and not be judged.

NOT JUST HEARING BUT AMPLIFYING Not only must we make space to actually hear what our youth want, but we are responsible for exposing them to inspiration to create those dreams. Serving as an authentic advocate for young people is the only way Aisha Oliver, fondly known as Mama Pooh, knows how to really connect with the kids she works with. As the Community Engagement Specialist at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Oliver is a fellow Austinite who is passionate about helping youth use their voice.

She is also the Executive Director of Root2Fruit Youth Foundation and has seen a recent increase in the number of youths battling depression. They do not feel they have any resources to help them. Oliver and Root2Fruit “use creative initiatives that demonstrate an understanding of positive reinforcement and life skills to shape wellrounded, productive young adults.” But the environment in Austin makes it challenging.

Always being around gang violence or generations of family members incarcerated “is like programming youth to destroy themselves,” as Oliver put it.

IGNITING HOPE “Many feel like they are not enough.”

This is the story we must unwrite; the myth we must abolish. Austin and all its residents deserve the same investments as those living elsewhere in Chicago.

A handful of young people from the Austin Has The Mic program got the chance to learn and be mentored by the Digifé team during the creation of the Austin Forward. Together. documentary. Photo Credit: Digifé

CREATING CHANGE Extending an opportunity to those impacted most to take the lead in creating change is the foundation on which ACT was formed in 2010. It is also the basis of a qualityof-life plan, a framework for community leaders and residents to create their own strategies to break down the barriers that keep families from thriving, a model brought to Chicago in the 1990s through support from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Austin Forward. Together.

Austin’s qualityof-life plan was published in 2018 young people at the forefront and is called Austin Forward.

Paving this path will AISHA OLIVER, COMMUNITY Together. (AFT). take coordination ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST, Through consensus of the entire LURIE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO workshops community. with over 500 After ten years at ACT and a lifetime in Austin, stakeholders and almost two years of I’ve learned the only way to build trust is planning, it has become a roadmap to a through collaboration. When you care enough shared vision that is owned and led by to give others the chance to participate, they Austin. will feel the fire that fuels them to do their best.

will make a way for us to put

Both ACT and the AFT quality-of-life plan work toward goals that include building the capacity of existing resources for our youth, while also generating key opportunities that will catalyze comprehensive neighborhood growth.

“Austin Forward. Together. will make a way for us to put young people at the forefront,” said Oliver.

POWER OF COLLABORATION AFT is a massive body of work that requires the continued mobilization of dozens of community leaders, numerous private, nonprofit, and government organizations, and the attraction of hundreds of millions of dollars in additional public and private investments.

By providing the organizational infrastructure, technical support, seed funding, and external relations, ACT supports local leaders and organizations to implement AFT’s 84 actions.

Although there are excellent quality childcare facilities in Austin, schools are underutilized and after-school programs have long waitlists.

From standardizing the education our babies get during those first early and crucial years, to helping local schools get more students and funding, to reminding our young people they are valued enough to chase their dreams, AFT and the projects spurred by them have already been making an impact. n

KEEP READING OR VISIT AustinComingTogether.org/AFT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE COMMUNITY’S PLAN IS EMPOWERING RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES TO OVERCOME DECADES OF INEQUITIES AND CRAFT THEIR OWN FUTURE.

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Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

These two development projects align with the Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) quality-of-life plan and its overarching vision for a thriving community. They will help progress AFT’s goals around Youth Empowerment and Austin having healthier and more engaged youth who are able to reach their full potential. More specifically, they will assist in establishing more safe spaces for youth; increasing opportunities for youth engagement and empowerment; and expanding supportive programs for local youth’s social, emotional, and physical well-being.

AFT is a set of goals created by and for the community designed to address 23 strategies with 84 total actions across 7 Issue Areas between 2019 and 2023: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement.

NORTH AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER

By The Hand Club For Kids broke ground on August 11, 2021 to begin construction on their sixth site in North Austin which will serve 400 kids from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

The innovative space will be a 150,000-square-foot professional-level sport, education and wellness facility on a 10-acre campus that will provide the same opportunity for growth, impact and sustainability that their other sites offer. Located on Laramie, it will have outdoor and indoor fields, including Chicago's only FIFA-regulation turf arena for year-round indoor sports.

THE BY THE HAND CLUB IN NORTH AUSTIN WILL: • Form a Community Advisory Committee to help ensure the project continues to be what Austin wants and needs • Offer 100 hours weekly of free activities for youth and adults • Make scholarships available for afterschool services for 400 K-12th grade students

By The Hand is a Christ-centered, after-school program that takes kids by the hand and walks with them from kindergarten through college, loving and nurturing them—mind, body and soul.

• Professional-level basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball and futsal camps, leagues and academies available for youth of all ages with fees on a slidingscale to ensure neighborhood access • Host the nonprofit Intentional Sports to provide best-in-class sports programs, competitive opportunities, and health and wellness training • Partner with the Grace and Pace Revise Center to provide education, health, awareness, advocacy and community-linked services to develop individuals' and families’ capacity to thrive • Help youth improve their cognitive ability, social interactions, and the likelihood of graduating high school, just by playing sports* *Maslen, P. (2015, December 29). The Social and Academic Benefits of Team Sports. Edutopia.

Content provided by By The Hand Club For Kids.

LEARN MORE ONLINE AT AustinComingTogether.org/AFT

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

BUILD THE FUTURE BUILD THE FUTURE is a bold $24 million campaign to invest in Austin youth with a full city-block campus, featuring 51,000 sq feet of new and renovated space surrounded by green playfields and gardens.

This welcoming and supportive safe space will dramatically expand BUILD’s services and capacity, allowing them to open more widely to the community. Located at Harrison and Laramie at Austin’s Southern Gateway, the transformed campus will stand for growth, opportunity, joy, and every child’s right to grow up and achieve their potential.

BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development) is one of Chicago's leading gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organizations. BUILD’s mission is to inspire hope and offer opportunities so youth facing systemic obstacles can achieve positive futures.

BUILD offers programs at 15 schools in six Chicago neighborhoods as well as the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center and BUILD's Austin campus. BUILD THE FUTURE officially got underway after a groundbreaking event on August 12, 2021.

BUILD’s Iris Community Garden will remain untouched, more parking will be added, and other land surrounding the new buildings will be turned into greenspace and playfields.

THE BUILD CAMPUS TRANSFORMATION WILL INCLUDE: • A Youth Council to help ensure the project continues to be what Austin wants and needs • Expanded hours and days to grow capacity from 100 to 2,000 • Full-sized, climate controlled gym, track, and fitness center

Our youth have to be cultivated as leaders.

We often say they’re the future but they’re the right now.

BRADLY JOHNSON, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, BUILD, INC. AND CHAIR, PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE, AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER.

• Art studios and classrooms, galleries, performance spaces, and fullyequipped recording studio • Makers lab, woodshop, and computing center, all hosting new workforce programs • Youth lounges and homework spaces • Mental health center will offer expanded services to youth and their families • Public cafe and community garden • New greenspace, playfield, and outdoor community event space

Content provided by BUILD Inc.

• A home for the Austin Peace and Justice Center (APJC) that will further the restorative justice goals of the Austin Forward. Together. quality-of-life plan

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Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3 Education

Housing

Public Safety

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Plan Leaders

Natasha Smith-Walker

Athena Williams

Bradly Johnson

Community Narrative

Crystal Bell

Project Exploration

Economic Development

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

Briana Shields

Jerrod Williams

Briana Janeé Arts

Kenneth Varner Healthy Schools Campaign

Dearra Williams

Community Resident STRATEGY LEADS

Lasondra Kern

Community Resident

Suzanne McBride Austin Talks

Michael Romain

Austin Weekly News

Alicia Plomin

Austin Coming Together

Ella Flagg Young Elementary School

Charles Anderson

Michele Clark High School

South Austin Neighborhood Association

STRATEGY LEADS

Heather Sattler

Austin Childcare Providers Network

Community Development Consultant STRATEGY LEADS

Erica Staley

Manufacturing Renaissance

Emily Peters

Jane Addams Resource Corporation

Ruth Kimble

Madelyn James

Austin Childcare Providers Network

West Cook Homeownership Center

Allison McGowan

Community Resident STRATEGY LEADS

Shirley Fields Hunters Realty

Rosie Dawson

Marilyn Pitchford Heartland Alliance

STRATEGY LEADS

Adam Alonso BUILD Inc.

Bradly Johnson BUILD Inc.

Westside Health Authority

Edwina Hamilton

Athena Williams

Gina Young

West Cook Homeownership Center

BUILD Inc.

Catholic Charities

Pam Price

Bertha Purnell

Natasha Dunn

Jose Abonce

Chicago Public Schools VOCEL

Tina Augustus

Cata Truss

Roxanne Charles

Sean Schindl

Austin Chamber of Commerce Community Resident West Side Forward

BUILD Inc.

Youth Empowerment

Civic Engagement

TASK FORCE CHAIRS

TASK FORCE CHAIR

Carmen Scott-Boria

Deborah Williams

BUILD Inc.

D’elegance Lane

Community Stakeholder STRATEGY LEADS

Habilitative Systems Inc. STRATEGY LEADS

Arnold Bearden

Deonna Hart BUILD Inc.

South Austin Neighborhood Association (SANA)

Gina Young

Crystal Gardner

Catholic Charities

Community Resident

Aisha Oliver

Sharif Walker

Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Bethel New Life

Mothers OnA Mission28 The Policing Project

Ruby Taylor Taproots, Inc.

Kids First Chicago

Cindy Schneider Spaces-n-Places

INTERESTED IN JOINING AN IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE?

Contact ACT’s Lead Organizer, Ethan Ramsay at 630.474.4016 or eramsay@austincomingtogether.org for more information

AUSTIN FORWARD. TOGETHER. 2021 QUARTER 3

Austin Weekly News • October 20, 2021

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Bringing Austin’s vision to life:

How the community’s story moved to the big screen and is inspiring youth

By Alicia Plomin Marketing & Development Manager, Austin Coming Together

T

aking every opportunity to lift up and inspire each other is how we can make a true difference. So when the pandemic prevented Austin Coming Together (ACT) and local leaders from convening hundreds at their annual summit celebrating the previous year’s progress towards their shared vision, they chose a new method that has already proven to reach even more people than past in-person events.

Austin’s first-ever quality-of-life plan Austin Forward. Together. (AFT) documentary was released August 18, 2021, and gained over 1,000 views within the first month.

The 15-minute film lets viewers hear directly from those carrying out the plan, a set of goals created by and for the community

Part of the documentary premiere included JaKayla Rogers sharing her experience working with other young adults and the nonprofit Territory to create a youth quality-of-life plan, a project inspired by Austin Forward. Together.

Community leaders and AFT funders attended the private premiere of the film at Austin’s Kehrein Center for the Arts.

designed to address 23 strategies with 84 total actions across 7 Issue Areas between the years 2019 and 2023: Community Narrative, Education, Housing, Youth Empowerment, Economic Development, Public Safety, and Civic Engagement.

ACT and AFT leaders created a Request For Proposals to create the documentary that generated significant interest with seventeen responses. Each proposal was carefully reviewed based on criteria that included the company’s familiarity with Austin and ideas for how to offer local youth the chance to learn during the film creation and editing process. Two rounds of assessment resulted in Digifé being hired for the project. Digifé is a black-owned and led production company whose vision, experience, and willingness to mentor a handful of participants from the Austin Has The Mic program earned them the two-month contract. According to BUILD’s website, “Austin Has The Mic is a media partnership between BUILD and Westside Health Authority that uses digital media platforms and podcasting to reclaim the narrative of the west side and tell the positive stories that larger news outlets too often neglect.”

A handful of young adults from Austin Has The Mic got to interview prominent

local leaders while also contributing their own ideas and perspectives in front of the camera. After more than 280 hours on the project, the final product showcased the history and challenges Austin is facing as well as the successes made toward completing the plan’s 84 actions.

Not only did youth receive hands-on instruction of the basics in operating video equipment, composing a shot, crafting an effective interview, and setting up proper lighting, but they were inspired by seeing professionals that look like them.

In fact, being part of the AFT documentary inspired Austin Has The Mic instructor and Co-Chair of the Youth Empowerment AFT Task Force, D’elegance Lane, to ask Digifé if they would be up for teaching her students a little more so they could create their own mini-documentaries on the topics of their choosing.

Programs like Austin Has The Mic and opportunities like working with Digifé are prime examples of how we can empower and give hope to our youth while leveraging their gifts and talents to build a brighter future for us all.

“For twenty years I wasn’t truly aware of where I lived or who was around me.

[Recently] I came to discover this isn’t a lonely race against the dismantling of the harmful system our people have felt trapped by. We’re all joining together day by day to make incremental changes that will outlast us.” said Ziolet Nellum, Austin Has The Mic podcast Host, writer, self-proclaimed imaginest, and one of the students mentored

by Digifé during the AFT documentary and the youth-made films that followed.

Another youth involved was college sophomore and Austinite Tobias Bell, who was grateful for the chance to take away skills that are transferable in other roles, hobbies, or potential career paths. Bell said it is extremely important for young people to express their creativity but also to speak up about the ways conditions are improving.

In the film, Bell describes the Austin Has The Mic program as “a way to give the mic back to Austin,” and the documentary serves the same purpose.

As a community convening organization working with numerous partners, ACT recognizes that meaningful change through youth leadership takes time and ongoing investment.

This project is a storytelling tool showing the authentic Austin: a community that is empowering itself. n

WATCH THE SHORT FILM AT AustinComingTogether.org/AFT